Grotle

Grotle's origins and trivia

Grotle seems to be based on a snapping turtle, but may also draw on a World Turtle such as Akupara, and shares traits with armored ankylosaurs. Its English name likely blends grove, grow, and turtle, while its Japanese name Hayashigame joins the words for grove and turtle. It is the heaviest of all second-stage first partner Pokémon at 213.8 pounds, heavier than many fully evolved starter lines.

Grotle's cards across six eras

Grotle's Diamond & Pearl debut as an Uncommon illustrated by Ken Sugimori was followed by Majestic Dawn and Platinum printings by Daisuke Ito and Kagemaru Himeno, then Unleashed in the HeartGold & SoulSilver era and Plasma Storm in Black & White. Ultra Prism carried it into Sun & Moon, and Brilliant Stars into Sword & Shield, before the Scarlet & Violet era's Temporal Forces added a Common and an Illustration rare by Oswaldo KATO.

Cards to know

• Grotle (Diamond & Pearl #49)

  Diamond & Pearl's Uncommon Grotle illustrated by Ken Sugimori, its earliest printing.

• Grotle (Platinum #49)

  Platinum's Uncommon Grotle illustrated by Kagemaru Himeno.

• Grotle (Brilliant Stars #007)

  Brilliant Stars' Uncommon Grotle illustrated by Nisota Niso.

• Grotle (Temporal Forces #164)

  Temporal Forces' Illustration rare Grotle illustrated by Oswaldo KATO.