• ℹ️ CARD INFORMATION
• ✨ ABILITIES
• ⚔️ ATTACKS
• 💰 LATEST PRICES

CARD INFORMATION

• SUBTYPES:
  • Basic
• HP: 70
• TYPES:
  • Psychic
• WEAKNESSES:
  • TYPE: Darkness
  • VALUE: ×2
• RESISTANCES:
  • TYPE: Fighting
  • VALUE: -30
• RETREATCOST:
  • Colorless
• RETREAT COST: 1
• RARITY: Common
• FLAVOR TEXT: It is whispered that any child who mistakes Drifloon for a balloon and holds on to it could wind up missing.
• REGULATIONMARK: G

CARD ABILITIES

This card has no abilities

CARD ATTACKS

• COST:
  • Colorless
  • Colorless
• NAME: Gust
• DAMAGE: 10
• DETAILS:
• ENERGY COST: 2

• COST:
  • Psychic
  • Psychic
• NAME: Balloon Blast
• DAMAGE: 30×
• DETAILS: This attack does 30 damage for each damage counter on this Pokémon.
• ENERGY COST: 2

MARKET PRICES FOR DRIFLOON 💰

Last updated: 2025/10/11

HIGH	5.22	USD
MID	0.10	USD	TREND
LOW	0.02	USD

Check the latest prices on:

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Drifloon brings a surprisingly strategic angle to the Scarlet & Violet era with its damage-scaling Balloon Blast attack.

This ghostly balloon might seem unassuming at first glance, but its unique mechanics can turn its own damage into a powerful offensive tool, making it a potentially deceptive threat on the battlefield.

Offensive rating: 5/10

Drifloon's offensive capabilities are defined by its two attacks.

Gust is a basic 10 damage move for two colorless energy, making it accessible but inefficient at only 5 damage per energy.

The real intrigue comes from Balloon Blast, which deals 30 damage for each damage counter on Drifloon itself.

At full health, this attack is completely ineffective, but as Drifloon takes damage, its attack power grows substantially.

With 6 damage counters (leaving it with just 10 HP), Balloon Blast can deliver a significant 180 damage for just two Psychic energy, which is remarkably efficient.

However, this scaling mechanic is inherently risky, requiring Drifloon to be near knockout to maximize damage.

The lack of built-in setup capabilities means Drifloon needs external support to make the most of this attack, significantly limiting its standalone offensive potential.

Survival rating: 3/10

With only 70 HP, Drifloon is extremely fragile by modern standards.

Its x2 Darkness weakness is a significant liability in a meta where Dark-type Pokémon are prevalent.

The one bright spot in Drifloon's defensive profile is its -30 Fighting resistance, which can occasionally help it survive an extra turn against Fighting-type attackers.

Its single-energy retreat cost is manageable, offering some flexibility if it needs to switch out.

However, the fundamental problem is that Drifloon's offensive strategy directly conflicts with its survival prospects - it needs to absorb damage to power up Balloon Blast, but with such low HP, it's constantly teetering on the edge of being knocked out before it can utilize that accumulated damage.

Without built-in recovery or damage manipulation abilities, Drifloon struggles significantly in the survival department.

Versatility rating: 4/10

Drifloon offers a unique damage-scaling mechanic that can create interesting strategic options in specific deck builds.

As a Basic Pokémon, it has the advantage of being playable directly from the hand without evolution requirements.

Its colorless first attack gives it some flexibility in energy requirements, though the attack itself is too weak to be meaningful.

The Fighting resistance provides a niche tactical advantage against certain matchups.

However, Drifloon's overall versatility is severely limited by its dependence on taking damage to be effective, which creates an inherently risky gameplay pattern.

It doesn't have utility abilities to support the broader strategy of a deck, and its attacks don't generate additional value through card draw, energy acceleration, or other effects.

Drifloon requires very specific support cards to function properly, making it difficult to slot into various deck archetypes without building expressly around its damage-scaling mechanic.

Speed/Setup rating: 4/10

Drifloon's setup requirements present a significant challenge.

To maximize Balloon Blast's potential, you need to carefully manage Drifloon's damage counters - enough to power a strong attack, but not so many that it gets knocked out before attacking.

This delicate balance typically requires support cards that can manipulate damage counters or provide protection.

The two Psychic energy requirement for Balloon Blast isn't excessive, but considering Drifloon's fragility, getting those energies attached before it's knocked out can be difficult without energy acceleration.

As a Basic Pokémon, Drifloon can be played immediately, which is its primary setup advantage.

Its reasonable retreat cost offers some flexibility if it needs to be benched temporarily.

Overall, Drifloon faces significant setup challenges due to its reliance on carefully managed damage accumulation, creating a precarious balance between powering up and staying alive long enough to attack.

Drifloon thrives when paired with cards that can manipulate damage counters, boost its survivability, or accelerate energy attachment.

Damage counter manipulation tools like Manaphy (Silver Tempest) can strategically place counters on Drifloon without exposing it to attacks.

Pokémon with abilities that redirect damage, such as Miltank (Astral Radiance), can help Drifloon accumulate damage safely.

Energy acceleration is crucial, with options like Psychic Patch or Luminary Mage giving Drifloon the energy it needs before being knocked out.

Recovery cards like Super Potion or Potion can provide emergency healing if Drifloon accumulates too much damage.

Focus Sash works particularly well by preventing Drifloon from being knocked out when at full HP, allowing it to survive a big hit and immediately counter with a powered-up Balloon Blast.

Psychic-type support cards like Rose Tower and Cresselia can provide additional consistency and recovery options to maximize Drifloon's unusual damage-scaling mechanic.

Perfect Partners examples:

Drifloon exemplifies a high-risk, high-reward strategy that requires careful deck building and tactical play.

Its Balloon Blast attack creates a unique damage scaling mechanic that can deliver surprising knockout power when properly set up, but this comes at the cost of putting Drifloon perpetually on the edge of being knocked out itself.

This ghostly balloon shines brightest in decks specifically built to manipulate damage counters and provide protection, turning its vulnerability into a strength.

In tournament play, Drifloon functions best as a specialized tech attacker rather than a primary strategy.

When deployed with the right support cards like Focus Sash, damage manipulators, and energy acceleration, it can catch opponents off guard with unexpected burst damage.

The psychological element shouldn't be underestimated - opponents must decide whether to attack Drifloon and potentially empower its Balloon Blast, or ignore it and give you time to set up.

Ultimately, Drifloon offers a fascinating but flawed strategic option.

Its concept is creative and can lead to some spectacular plays, but its inherent fragility and reliance on specific support cards limit its competitive viability in the broader meta.

For players who enjoy technical, high-risk strategies and unconventional approaches, Drifloon presents an intriguing challenge that can occasionally yield memorable victories through careful planning and precise execution.

POWER INDEX

34