CARD INFORMATION

SUBTYPES:
- Pokémon Tool
RULES:
- The Retreat Cost of the Pokémon this card is attached to is ColorlessColorless less.
- You may attach any number of Pokémon Tools to your Pokémon during your turn. You may attach only 1 Pokémon Tool to each Pokémon, and it stays attached.
RARITY: Ultra Rare
REGULATIONMARK: I

CARD ABILITIES

This card has no abilities

CARD ATTACKS

This card has no attack

MARKET PRICES FOR AIR BALLOON 💰

Last updated: 2025/10/11

HIGH	7625.00	USD
MID	6.57	USD	TREND
LOW	5.00	USD

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Air Balloon soars into the competitive scene as a versatile mobility tool that can dramatically change how your Pokémon operate on the battlefield.

This Pokémon Tool reduces retreat costs by two colorless energy, creating critical mobility options that can save games and enable strategic pivoting during crucial moments of tournament matches.

Offensive rating: 3/10

While Air Balloon doesn't directly boost attack power, its offensive value lies in positioning flexibility.

By reducing retreat costs by two colorless energy, it allows heavy attackers to swing in, deal damage, and retreat safely before counterattacks.

This strategic mobility enables hit-and-run tactics with high-energy cost Pokémon that would otherwise be stranded in the active position.

For Pokémon with retreat costs of exactly 2 colorless energy, Air Balloon creates free retreat scenarios, allowing you to pivot between attackers without spending valuable attachment opportunities on retreat costs.

Though not a damage amplifier, its tactical positioning value creates offensive opportunities.

Survival rating: 4/10

Air Balloon provides indirect survival benefits by enabling emergency retreats from unfavorable matchups.

When facing a type disadvantage or against a Pokémon that threatens a knockout, the ability to retreat without energy investment can save your valuable Pokémon from being taken out.

This survival mechanism is particularly valuable for GX/V Pokémon that give up multiple prize cards when knocked out.

The tool allows you to cycle damaged Pokémon to the bench where they might be healed or protected, effectively extending their lifespan on the field.

However, as a tool card, it remains vulnerable to removal effects like Tool Scrapper or Field Blower, limiting its reliability as a permanent survival solution.

Versatility rating: 8/10

Air Balloon stands out in versatility, fitting into nearly any deck running Pokémon with retreat costs.

It serves multiple strategic purposes: enabling switch tactics without supporter cards, preserving energy attachments, and allowing bench management without dedicated switching cards.

This versatility makes it particularly valuable in decks where energy conservation is critical or where tactical repositioning forms a core strategy.

The tool can be attached to different Pokémon throughout the game as needs change, moving from tanks to glass cannons depending on the match situation.

Air Balloon works across different deck archetypes, from aggro builds needing quick pivoting to control decks that want to pull vulnerable Pokémon back to safety, making it one of the most adaptable tool cards in the format.

Speed/Setup rating: 9/10

Air Balloon excels in setup speed, requiring just a single card play with no energy attachment or evolution requirements.

It immediately impacts the game state upon attachment, making its setup cost virtually zero.

You can play it proactively on turn one or reactively later in the game when retreat becomes necessary.

The tool can be searched with Item-retrieving cards like Pokémon Communication or specific Supporter search effects, making access relatively consistent.

Where Air Balloon truly shines is eliminating setup time for strategies that would otherwise require dedicating energy attachments or supporter cards to retreating.

By freeing up these resources, it accelerates your overall game plan, effectively reducing setup time for your primary strategy rather than requiring setup itself.

Air Balloon pairs exceptionally well with high-retreat cost attackers, energy acceleration strategies, and Pokémon that benefit from constant repositioning.

It thrives in decks with a switching-based strategy or those needing to conserve energy attachments for attacks rather than retreats.

Perfect Partners examples:

Tapu Koko Prism Star

Its Dance of the Ancients ability accelerates energy onto benched Pokémon, working perfectly with Air Balloon to create a cycle of attacking with fully-charged Pokémon without wasting energy on retreat costs.

Jirachi

Jirachi must go to sleep after using its Stellar Wish ability. Air Balloon gives it free retreat, allowing you to wake it up each turn for consistent card advantage without spending Switch cards.

Snorlax VMAX

With a hefty retreat cost, Snorlax VMAX benefits tremendously from Air Balloon, allowing it to retreat after using G-Max Fall without requiring multiple energy commitments or Switch cards.

Air Balloon transforms the mobility dynamics of any Pokémon it attaches to, creating strategic flexibility that extends beyond its simple text box.

Its greatest strength lies in resource conservation - saving you energy attachments, Switch cards, and supporter plays that would otherwise go toward retreat costs.

While not flashy, this tool card punches above its weight by enabling aggressive hit-and-run tactics, protecting vulnerable Pokémon, and maintaining tempo advantage throughout matches.

Its effectiveness scales with your retreat costs and strategic pivoting needs, making it more valuable in certain archetypes than others.

In tournament play, Air Balloon shines brightest in decks where every energy attachment matters or where constant repositioning creates tactical advantages.

Consider it essential tech for heavy retreaters and a strong consideration for nearly every competitive build where mobility creates winning opportunities.