Squirtle Squad
Squirtle fans have been building Squirtle out of bricks in their heads for decades. In 2026, LEGO finally made it official. The long-awaited LEGO Pokemon theme launched this year, and the Squirtle line shows up in three very different ways: as one third of a giant Kanto starter sculpture, as the star of a kid-friendly buggy set, and as a sneaky Ditto in disguise.
With the holidays coming up fast, this guide lays out every LEGO set we could confirm that features Squirtle or Blastoise, what each one costs, who it is really for, and which one we would put under the tree. Shades on, let's build.
Quick disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, Squirtle Squad may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes our picks.
The quick list
Set details below come from the [Brickset LEGO Pokemon database](https://brickset.com/sets/theme-Pokemon) and official LEGO listings. Prices are US retail; sales and stock change constantly, so double-check before you buy.
| Set | Number | Pieces | US Price | Launch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise | 72153 | 6,838 | $649.99 | February 27, 2026 |
| Trainer's Buggy Adventure with Squirtle | 72156 | 320 | $29.99 | August 1, 2026 |
| Ditto as Squirtle: Movie Night | 40887 | 185 | Promotional | August 1, 2026 |
There is no dedicated Wartortle set yet, which, as longtime readers know, is a crime against the most underrated design in the line. We will keep watching.
Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise (72153)
The grail. This is the big one: a 6,838-piece, 18-plus display set that brings all three fully evolved Kanto starters together. It sits in LEGO's sculpture-style lineup and is tagged as a Pokemon 30th anniversary piece, which makes sense. If any trio deserves a celebration-scale build, it is this one.
Why Blastoise fans care. Most Pokemon merch leans Charizard-first, and Blastoise ends up as the afterthought. Here, Blastoise gets equal billing as a brick-built sculpture with its signature shell cannons. Seeing it rendered in LEGO's large-scale display style alongside the other two starters is the closest thing to a definitive Blastoise model we have seen from a major toy company.
Who it is for. Adult collectors with display space and a serious budget. At $649.99 it is one of the most expensive sets LEGO sells, and Brickset lists its availability as limited. It is a long, multi-evening build, so it suits someone who enjoys the process as much as the finished shelf piece.
Our honest take. If you are a Kanto purist, this is the dream. If you only care about Blastoise, paying for Venusaur and Charizard too is a big ask. Watch for LEGO Insiders points promotions and holiday gift-with-purchase offers on LEGO.com, which can stretch the value.
[→ Shop LEGO Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=lego+72153+venusaur+charizard+blastoise&tag=squirtlesquad0d-20)
Trainer's Buggy Adventure with Squirtle (72156)
The everyday pick. At 320 pieces and $29.99, this is the most accessible way to get a LEGO Squirtle. It is rated for ages 7 and up, and listings describe a brick-built Squirtle alongside a dune buggy and a Poke Ball element.
The SMART Play angle. This set belongs to LEGO's SMART Play subtheme, which LEGO built around its interactive smart brick system. From what we can tell, the set is designed to work with that system, and some SMART Play sets need a separate starter set to unlock the interactive features. Check the box and listing carefully to see what is included before you buy, especially if you are gifting it to a kid who will expect lights and sounds out of the box.
Who it is for. Kids who love Squirtle, families starting a LEGO Pokemon collection, and adult fans who want a small Squirtle on the desk without spending hundreds. It makes a great stocking-stuffer-adjacent gift.
Our honest take. Early fan ratings on Brickset have been mixed, so manage expectations: this is a play set, not a premium display piece. But for the price, getting an official LEGO Squirtle is hard to argue with.
[→ Shop LEGO Trainer's Buggy Adventure with Squirtle on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=lego+72156+squirtle+buggy&tag=squirtlesquad0d-20)
Ditto as Squirtle: Movie Night (40887)
The sneaky collectible. This 185-piece set shows Ditto doing its best Squirtle impression, which is honestly one of the most charming concepts in the whole launch. Brickset lists it as a LEGO.com gift with purchase tied to qualifying LEGO Pokemon SMART Play purchases, with an availability window ending December 31, 2026.
How to get it. Gift-with-purchase promotions change often, and the exact spending threshold can vary by region and date. If you want this one, check LEGO.com's current offers before checking out. After the promotion ends, expect it to show up on the secondhand market at a markup.
Our honest take. If you are already buying a SMART Play set for a kid this holiday, timing your purchase to score this freebie is a smart move. Paying a big aftermarket premium for it is harder to justify unless you are a completionist.
Which LEGO Squirtle set should you buy?
Here is the short version:
- **Best for kids:** Trainer's Buggy Adventure with Squirtle (72156). Affordable, playable, and actually Squirtle-focused.
- **Best for adult collectors:** Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise (72153). Expensive, but a true centerpiece.
- **Best bonus:** Ditto as Squirtle (40887), if you can get it free through a promotion.
- **Best budget alternative:** Third-party or Mega-brand Pokemon building kits, which have offered Squirtle and Blastoise builds for years at lower prices. They are not LEGO, but they scratch the same itch.
[→ Shop Squirtle and Blastoise building kits on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=squirtle+blastoise+building+set&tag=squirtlesquad0d-20)
Tips for buying LEGO Pokemon this holiday season
Buy early for big sets. Large display sets marked as limited availability can sell out around the holidays. If 72153 is on your list, do not wait until mid-December.
Watch for LEGO.com promotions. LEGO regularly runs double Insiders points events and seasonal gift-with-purchase offers. Those extras can add real value, especially on a $650 set.
Compare retailers. Amazon, Target, Walmart, and LEGO.com can all carry LEGO Pokemon, though some sets may be exclusive to certain stores at launch. Prices can vary, so compare before you buy.
Beware of knockoffs. LEGO Pokemon is a brand-new licensed theme, which means unlicensed lookalike sets are already circulating online. Check that the seller is reputable and the box shows official LEGO branding. Our [guide to spotting fake Squirtle and Blastoise cards](/blog/how-to-spot-fake-squirtle-blastoise-cards-authentication-guide) covers the card side, and many of the same red flags apply: prices that seem too good, blurry packaging, and sellers with no history.
Display ideas for your LEGO Squirtle line
Once the build is done, give it a proper home:
- **Pair it with your cards.** A LEGO Blastoise next to a framed Base Set Blastoise is a fantastic shelf moment. Our [Squirtle card display and storage guide](/blog/how-to-display-store-squirtle-card-collection) has frame and stand ideas.
- **Add plush for softness.** Bricks and plush look surprisingly good together, and a Squirtle plush gives the shelf a friendly face. See our [best Squirtle plush and figures roundup](/blog/best-squirtle-plush-figures-2026) for picks.
- **Use an acrylic case for big sets.** Dust is the enemy of large LEGO builds, and a case keeps a $650 set looking new.
[→ Shop LEGO display cases on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=acrylic+display+case+for+lego&tag=squirtlesquad0d-20)
Frequently asked questions
Is there a LEGO Wartortle?
Not that we could find as of early November 2026. Wartortle does not appear in any confirmed LEGO Pokemon set yet.
Is the Blastoise sold on its own?
No. As far as we can confirm, the large Blastoise build is only available in the 72153 set alongside Venusaur and Charizard.
What age is LEGO Pokemon for?
It depends on the set. The Squirtle buggy is rated 7 and up, while the three-starter sculpture is rated 18 and up.
Will these sets go up in value?
Nobody can promise that. Large licensed display sets have sometimes appreciated after retirement, but buy what you love first. Treat any future value as a bonus, not a plan.
Final thoughts
LEGO Pokemon could have easily skipped the Squirtle line in favor of Pikachu and Charizard everything. Instead, Squirtle got its own affordable set, a clever Ditto cameo, and Blastoise earned a spot in one of the most ambitious Pokemon builds ever made. Whether you are shopping for a young fan or treating yourself, there is now a way to bring the Squad to your shelf one brick at a time.