11 Hardest Blastoise Pokémon Cards to Pull
Ranked by estimated pull rates from English booster packs.
Blastoise brings solo GX and ex cards, a TAG TEAM pairing with Piplup, and older foil printings to the chase. The most elaborate artwork is not automatically the hardest pull. Compare the existing English pack estimates below, with rough assumptions clearly identified.
Estimated odds, limited coverage. This uses the same estimates as our pull-rate calculators, including labelled rough models and very-low-confidence assumptions. It does not establish the hardest Blastoise ever printed; nearby estimates may not represent a real difference in difficulty.
How the ranking works ↓We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through our eBay links. Card images are artwork references; edition stamps and foil finishes may differ.
Blastoise pull rates at a glance
A larger pack figure means a lower estimated chance. Figures are rounded to two significant digits; matching rounded estimates share a rank.
| Rank | Card & set | Estimated packs |
|---|---|---|
| 1 = | Blastoise & Piplup GX (Secret) 253/236Cosmic Eclipse · Holofoil | ~1 in 1,100Very low confidence |
| 1 = | Blastoise GX (Secret) 218/214Unbroken Bonds · Holofoil | ~1 in 1,100Very low confidence |
| 3 = | Blastoise & Piplup GX (Full Art) 214/236Cosmic Eclipse · Holofoil | ~1 in 680 |
| 3 = | Blastoise & Piplup GX (Alternate Full Art) 215/236Cosmic Eclipse · Holofoil | ~1 in 680 |
| 5 | Blastoise 137/135Plasma Storm · Holofoil | ~1 in 320Rough estimate |
| 6 | Blastoise ex 184/165Pokémon 151 · Holofoil | ~1 in 250 |
| 7 | Blastoise ex 200/165Pokémon 151 · Holofoil | ~1 in 230 |
| 8 | Blastoise EX (142 Full Art) 142/146XY Base Set · Holofoil | ~1 in 220 |
| 9 = | Blastoise (36) 36/165Expedition · Reverse Holofoil | ~1 in 160Rough estimate |
| 9 = | Blastoise (37) 37/165Expedition · Reverse Holofoil | ~1 in 160Rough estimate |
| 9 = | Blastoise (4) 4/165Expedition · Reverse Holofoil | ~1 in 160Rough estimate |
The hardest-to-pull Blastoise countdown
#9 (joint) · Blastoise (4)
Expedition · 4/165 · English · Reverse Holofoil
Rough estimate. Limited evidence; actual odds may vary greatly.
Estimated pull rate
About 1 in 160 packs
An average waiting time, never a guaranteed pull.
Reverse Holofoil · Estimated raw price
$280.00 USD
Price observed Nov 4, 2026 UTC
Expedition’s e-Reader-era design gives this printing a different look from modern cards. This entry ranks the reverse holo of the exact collector number shown, rather than every foil card with the same Pokémon name.
Where this estimate comes from
Assumes 1 effective ordinary reverse-holo slots per pack, shared equally across 159 eligible reverse printings. This simplifies special-card replacements and unequal print sheets; the slot allowance is a modelling assumption.
#9 (joint) · Blastoise (37)
Expedition · 37/165 · English · Reverse Holofoil
Rough estimate. Limited evidence; actual odds may vary greatly.
Estimated pull rate
About 1 in 160 packs
An average waiting time, never a guaranteed pull.
Reverse Holofoil · Estimated raw price
$150.00 USD
Price observed Nov 4, 2026 UTC
Expedition’s e-Reader-era design gives this printing a different look from modern cards. This entry ranks the reverse holo of the exact collector number shown, rather than every foil card with the same Pokémon name.
Where this estimate comes from
Assumes 1 effective ordinary reverse-holo slots per pack, shared equally across 159 eligible reverse printings. This simplifies special-card replacements and unequal print sheets; the slot allowance is a modelling assumption.
#9 (joint) · Blastoise (36)
Expedition · 36/165 · English · Reverse Holofoil
Rough estimate. Limited evidence; actual odds may vary greatly.
Estimated pull rate
About 1 in 160 packs
An average waiting time, never a guaranteed pull.
Reverse Holofoil · Estimated raw price
$175.00 USD
Price observed Nov 4, 2026 UTC
Expedition’s e-Reader-era design gives this printing a different look from modern cards. This entry ranks the reverse holo of the exact collector number shown, rather than every foil card with the same Pokémon name.
Where this estimate comes from
Assumes 1 effective ordinary reverse-holo slots per pack, shared equally across 159 eligible reverse printings. This simplifies special-card replacements and unequal print sheets; the slot allowance is a modelling assumption.
#8 · Blastoise EX (142 Full Art)
XY Base Set · 142/146 · English · Holofoil
Estimated pull rate
About 1 in 220 packs
An average waiting time, never a guaranteed pull.
Holofoil · Estimated raw price
$176.19 USD
Price observed Nov 4, 2026 UTC
Where this estimate comes from
The estimated rarity frequency is divided across the eligible cards in that pool, assuming equal individual chances. It is not a measured count of this particular card.
Community opening model with three regular EX and one full art per 36 packs. Energy shares the common sheet. Independent pack calculations do not reproduce print-sheet collation.
#7 · Blastoise ex
Pokémon 151 · 200/165 · English · Holofoil
Estimated pull rate
About 1 in 230 packs
An average waiting time, never a guaranteed pull.
Holofoil · Estimated raw price
$104.77 USD
Price observed Nov 4, 2026 UTC
Deep blue water and shafts of light give this Blastoise ex a much moodier atmosphere than its brighter full-art versions. Its individual odds are estimated within that rarity pool, independently of how much collectors currently pay for the card.
Where this estimate comes from
The estimated rarity frequency is divided across the eligible cards in that pool, assuming equal individual chances. It is not a measured count of this particular card.
Published TCGplayer opening frequencies. Specific-card rates assume an equal share of its rarity pool; these are estimates, not manufacturer odds. Common and uncommon cards use a uniform slot approximation. Ordinary reverse odds are unavailable. Independent pack calculations do not reproduce print-sheet collation.
#6 · Blastoise ex
Pokémon 151 · 184/165 · English · Holofoil
Estimated pull rate
About 1 in 250 packs
An average waiting time, never a guaranteed pull.
Holofoil · Estimated raw price
$17.90 USD
Price observed Nov 4, 2026 UTC
This is Blastoise ex’s ultra-rare 184/165 artwork. Keep it separate from the special illustration rare at 200/165; the two have different collector numbers and rarity-pool estimates.
Where this estimate comes from
The estimated rarity frequency is divided across the eligible cards in that pool, assuming equal individual chances. It is not a measured count of this particular card.
Published TCGplayer opening frequencies. Specific-card rates assume an equal share of its rarity pool; these are estimates, not manufacturer odds. Common and uncommon cards use a uniform slot approximation. Ordinary reverse odds are unavailable. Independent pack calculations do not reproduce print-sheet collation.
#5 · Blastoise
Plasma Storm · 137/135 · English · Holofoil
Rough estimate. Limited evidence; actual odds may vary greatly.
Estimated pull rate
About 1 in 320 packs
An average waiting time, never a guaranteed pull.
Holofoil · Estimated raw price
$476.97 USD
Price observed Nov 4, 2026 UTC
Plasma Storm’s secret Blastoise sits beyond the main set numbering. It is a different kind of older chase from the modern ex and TAG TEAM cards. The estimate borrows comparison data and remains rough.
Where this estimate comes from
Uses the median group frequency (0.93% per pack) from Legendary Treasures, Boundaries Crossed, Dark Explorers, Dragons Exalted, Next Destinies, divided among 3 cards in this set's group. Those sets are comparisons, not evidence for this set.
#3 (joint) · Blastoise & Piplup GX (Alternate Full Art)
Cosmic Eclipse · 215/236 · English · Holofoil
Estimated pull rate
About 1 in 680 packs
An average waiting time, never a guaranteed pull.
Holofoil · Estimated raw price
$498.78 USD
Price observed Nov 4, 2026 UTC
The alternate full art gives Blastoise and Piplup a different artwork from 214/236. Both belong to the model’s full-art pool, so their shared estimate should not be read as proof of identical real-world frequency.
Where this estimate comes from
The estimated rarity frequency is divided across the eligible cards in that pool, assuming equal individual chances. It is not a measured count of this particular card.
Community opening and sheet model. Full-art Pokémon have a separate pool; full-art Trainer, Rainbow and gold-sheet allocations are withheld when individual frequencies are uncertain. One dedicated Basic Energy slot per pack. Independent pack calculations do not reproduce print-sheet collation.
#3 (joint) · Blastoise & Piplup GX (Full Art)
Cosmic Eclipse · 214/236 · English · Holofoil
Estimated pull rate
About 1 in 680 packs
An average waiting time, never a guaranteed pull.
Holofoil · Estimated raw price
$106.56 USD
Price observed Nov 4, 2026 UTC
The full-art Blastoise and Piplup pairing offers another way to collect the two Water-type Pokémon together. Compare its 214/236 number with the alternate full art at 215/236; those are separate cards.
Where this estimate comes from
The estimated rarity frequency is divided across the eligible cards in that pool, assuming equal individual chances. It is not a measured count of this particular card.
Community opening and sheet model. Full-art Pokémon have a separate pool; full-art Trainer, Rainbow and gold-sheet allocations are withheld when individual frequencies are uncertain. One dedicated Basic Energy slot per pack. Independent pack calculations do not reproduce print-sheet collation.
#1 (joint) · Blastoise GX (Secret)
Unbroken Bonds · 218/214 · English · Holofoil
Very low confidence. Limited evidence; actual odds may vary greatly.
Estimated pull rate
About 1 in 1,100 packs
An average waiting time, never a guaranteed pull.
Holofoil · Estimated raw price
$143.39 USD
Price observed Nov 4, 2026 UTC
This rainbow Blastoise-GX is a solo counterpart to Blastoise’s TAG TEAM cards. The secret collector number 218/214 distinguishes it from other GX artworks in Unbroken Bonds. Its odds are a rough assumption.
Where this estimate comes from
Illustrative starting assumption: one Rare Rainbow group hit in about 80 packs, shared equally across 14 eligible cards. No measured rate supports this assumed frequency; use it only as a rough scenario.
#1 (joint) · Blastoise & Piplup GX (Secret)
Cosmic Eclipse · 253/236 · English · Holofoil
Very low confidence. Limited evidence; actual odds may vary greatly.
Estimated pull rate
About 1 in 1,100 packs
An average waiting time, never a guaranteed pull.
Holofoil · Estimated raw price
$182.30 USD
Price observed Nov 4, 2026 UTC
Blastoise shares this rainbow TAG TEAM card with Piplup. It is a different printing from both full-art versions in Cosmic Eclipse. Its estimate uses an illustrative rainbow frequency, so the ranking is especially uncertain.
Where this estimate comes from
Illustrative starting assumption: one Rare Rainbow group hit in about 80 packs, shared equally across 14 eligible cards. No measured rate supports this assumed frequency; use it only as a rough scenario.
How we compare Blastoise pull rates
We compare the chance of pulling one exact card from one English pack of its release. A rarity’s overall hit rate is different from the odds of finding a particular Blastoise within that rarity. Evidence ranges from reported community openings and print-sheet models to rough comparisons and assumed rarity frequencies. Each rough estimate carries its warning beside the odds; expand its explanation for the actual basis.
Japanese cards, guaranteed promos, deck cards and box toppers are outside this ranking. Vintage editions with shared odds take one position. Distinct pack-pulled finishes can qualify separately. Prices do not affect the order, and a missing price does not remove an otherwise eligible card.
Up to ten cards are selected automatically from available estimates, with any tie at the cutoff kept together. Estimates are rounded to two significant digits for comparison, not presented as precise measurements. New cards can enter when a matching printing and estimate are available; prices refresh with the catalogue. Descriptions stay with their card when the order changes.
Blastoise pull-rate questions
Which Blastoise card is hardest to pull?
Blastoise GX (Secret) 218/214 (Unbroken Bonds, Holofoil) and Blastoise & Piplup GX (Secret) 253/236 (Cosmic Eclipse, Holofoil) share the lowest estimated chance among the qualifying cards here: about 1 in 1,100 packs. This is the current model’s ordering, including any rough assumptions labelled above. It does not cover every Blastoise ever released.
Will opening 1,100 packs guarantee the top-ranked card?
No. For the first card listed at rank 1, opening 1,100 independent packs gives an estimated 62.6% chance of at least one copy. The average waiting time is not a promise; actual packs and factory collation can behave differently from this model.
Is the hardest Blastoise to pull also the most expensive?
Not necessarily. Artwork, demand, condition and how much product exists also matter to collectors. This guide ranks estimated pack odds. Our most expensive Blastoise guide compares available raw prices instead.
Do a booster box or an Elite Trainer Box guarantee a Blastoise?
These estimates do not establish any product-level guarantee. A named Blastoise promo included in a product is separate from the random cards inside its booster packs. Use the exact-card calculator to explore pack quantities and its stated assumptions.
Why can a reverse-holo Blastoise rank above a rarer-looking card?
This compares one exact printing. A large reverse-holo pool can make a particular card’s modelled chance small even when reverse holos overall are common. Most of these estimates assume equal chances within the pool. That does not prove this Pokémon is short-printed, and it does not describe the ordinary non-holo version.