CARD INFORMATION

SUBTYPES:
- Stage 1
HP: 100
TYPES:
- Water
EVOLVES FROM: Antique Cover Fossil
EVOLVES TO:
- Carracosta
WEAKNESSES:
- TYPE: Lightning
- VALUE: ×2
RETREATCOST:
- Colorless
- Colorless
- Colorless
RETREAT COST: 3
RARITY: Common
REGULATIONMARK: H

CARD ABILITIES

This card has no abilities

CARD ATTACKS

NAME: Splashing Turn
COST:
- Water
- Water
ENERGY COST: 2
DAMAGE: 70
DETAILS: Switch this Pokémon with 1 of your Benched Pokémon.

MARKET PRICES FOR TIRTOUGA 💰

Last updated: 2026/02/24

HIGH	1.53	USD
MID	0.09	USD	TREND
LOW	0.02	USD

Check the latest prices on:

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Tirtouga splashes onto the scene in Stellar Crown as a Water-type Stage 1 Pokémon with intriguing potential.

With its 100 HP and single attack that combines solid damage with positional advantage, this ancient turtle offers strategic options that might surprise opponents.

Let's dive deeper to see if this prehistoric Pokémon deserves a spot in your competitive lineup.

Offensive rating: 5/10

Tirtouga's offensive capabilities center around its Splashing Turn attack, which deals 70 damage for two Water energy.

The damage output is modest but respectable for a Stage 1 Pokémon.

What makes this attack interesting is its switching effect, allowing Tirtouga to retreat after attacking without paying its hefty retreat cost.

This creates hit-and-run opportunities that can protect your investment while maintaining offensive pressure.

However, the damage ceiling is limited with no built-in scaling mechanisms.

Tirtouga struggles to reach one-hit knockout thresholds against many relevant Pokémon in the current meta, relegating it to a support attacker role rather than a primary damage dealer.

Survival rating: 4/10

With 100 HP, Tirtouga sits in a precarious position for a Stage 1 Pokémon.

This health pool leaves it vulnerable to being knocked out by many common attackers in a single hit.

Its Lightning weakness is particularly problematic in a meta where Electric-type attackers are prevalent.

The most significant survival challenge is Tirtouga's heavy retreat cost of three energy, which can leave it stranded in the active position if its attack's switching effect is nullified or unavailable.

While the built-in switch effect on its attack provides some mobility, this requires energy attachment and doesn't help when Tirtouga is immobilized by status conditions or opponent effects.

Versatility rating: 4/10

Tirtouga offers moderate versatility through its attack's dual functionality.

The ability to deal damage and switch positions creates tactical options that can be leveraged across different matchups.

As a Water-type, it can target Fire, Ground, and Rock Pokémon for weakness, providing utility against specific archetypes.

However, Tirtouga's versatility is hampered by its evolution line complexity - requiring the use of Antique Cover Fossil to get it into play.

This additional setup requirement limits its splashability across different deck archetypes.

Additionally, with only one attack option and no Ability, Tirtouga lacks the multi-dimensional utility that defines truly versatile cards in the competitive environment.

Speed/Setup rating: 4/10

Tirtouga's setup requirements present significant challenges that impact its tournament viability.

As a Stage 1 Pokémon that evolves from Antique Cover Fossil, you'll need both the fossil item card and Tirtouga in hand to establish your attacker.

This two-step evolution process consumes valuable deck space and requires specific search cards to maintain consistency.

After getting Tirtouga into play, you'll still need to attach two Water energy before it can attack effectively.

This typically means Tirtouga won't be battle-ready until turn 3 at the earliest, which is relatively slow in the current fast-paced meta.

The upside is that once set up, its built-in switching mechanic helps maintain momentum.

To maximize Tirtouga's effectiveness, focus on cards that accelerate energy attachment, facilitate fossil evolution, and take advantage of its switching mechanics.

Water-type support trainers can help overcome its setup limitations, while strategic partners can capitalize on the active position after Tirtouga retreats with its attack effect.

Perfect Partners examples:

Rare Fossil

This Item card serves as an alternative to Antique Cover Fossil, providing flexibility in how you bring Tirtouga into play. Having multiple fossil options increases consistency and reduces the risk of prizing your evolution path.

Raihan

This Supporter accelerates energy attachment when you're behind on Prize cards, helping overcome Tirtouga's two-energy attack requirement. The added benefit of searching for any card makes Raihan particularly valuable for assembling your evolution pieces.

Irida

As a Supporter that can search for both Water Pokémon and Water Energy, Irida streamlines Tirtouga's setup process. This allows you to grab either Tirtouga or the energy needed for its attack, providing crucial consistency to an otherwise clunky evolution line.

Tirtouga occupies a niche role in the competitive landscape as a tactical Water-type attacker with built-in mobility.

Its greatest strength lies in the Splashing Turn attack that combines modest damage with positional advantage, creating hit-and-run opportunities that certain deck archetypes can leverage effectively.

However, the card faces significant challenges that limit its tournament viability - its complex evolution line requiring fossil items, two-energy attack cost, and vulnerability to being knocked out quickly all present hurdles to consistent performance.

In the current meta, Tirtouga works best as a tech option in Water-focused decks that can support its energy needs and take advantage of its switching mechanic, rather than as a primary attacker.

Players drawn to its strategic movement potential should ensure they build adequate support around it to overcome its inherent limitations.