Pokemon - Starter Evolutions - Squirtle and Dark Wartortle - Team Rocket Set

The Squirtle and Dark Wartortle from the Team Rocket capture exactly what made this expansion so memorable: it didnt just show Pokémon growing up it showed them changing in tone, identity, and atmosphere.

This was the set that introduced Dark Pokémon, and with it, a new way of thinking about evolution.

Squirtle

At its core, Squirtle is pure nostalgia the beginning of countless journeys. It represents the earliest stage of collecting and playing Pokémon: choosing a starter, building a team, and imagining what it might become.

In this form, it still carries that innocence and familiarity that defined the original Squirtle line from the earliest games and anime.

Dark Wartortle

Then the tone shifts.

Wartortle becomes Dark, and suddenly the evolution feels heavier, more intense. The familiar middle stage of Squirtles line is no longer just growth it feels like transformation under pressure, shaped by the gritty aesthetic of Team Rockets world.

The artwork reinforces that change: sharper lines, moodier tones, and a sense that this is no longer just a friendly companion, but a Pokémon adapting to a harsher environment.

Why this pair resonates

• From the Team Rocket set, one of the most thematically daring early expansions
• Introduces the concept of Dark Pokémon, reshaping familiar evolutions
• Shows a beloved starter line through a more complex emotional lens
• Classic Wizards of the Coast-era storytelling through artwork and naming

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