Air-balloon – Sword & Shield (#156)

Price Overview & Key Facts
Air-balloon (#156) is an Uncommon card from Sword & Shield - Sword & Shield released in 2020. It showcases artwork by Yoshinobu Saito. TCGplayer market price sits around $1.21, Cardmarket average sale is €0.51, Floor listings start near €0.02.
- TCGplayer market price: $1.21
- Cardmarket trend price: €1.39
- Recent low listing: €0.02
Card Details
- Set
- Sword & Shield
- Card Number
- 156
- Rarity
- ✨ Uncommon
- Illustrator
- 🎨 Yoshinobu Saito
- Regulation Mark
- Regulation D ✓ Legal in Standard
💎 Collector's Value & Investment Potential
Air-balloon from Sword & Shield (Uncommon) represents an interesting addition to any Pokémon TCG collection. Released in 2020, this card features artwork by renowned illustrator Yoshinobu Saito.
Market Trends: Current market conditions show moderate interest in this card.
Investment Considerations: Mid-range TCG cards often provide balanced risk-reward profiles for collectors.
⚔️ Competitive Play & Tournament Viability
This Air-balloon 156 is legal for tournament play in Expanded, Unlimited formats. The card bears Regulation Mark D, indicating its current competitive viability.
Players should check the official Pokémon TCG tournament rules for the most current format regulations and card legality status.
� Compare Air-balloon Cards
Looking for other Air-balloon cards to compare? View different versions with varying HP, attacks, and rarity levels.
Set | HP | Attacks | Rarity | Avg Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sword & Shield #156 ← Current | N/A | 0 attacks | Uncommon | $1.21 |
�📦 Sword & Shield Set Context
This Air-balloon is part of the Sword & Shield expansion , released as part of the Sword & Shield series in 2020.
Artist Spotlight: This card features artwork by Yoshinobu Saito, whose distinctive illustration style has made their cards highly collectible. Explore more cards illustrated by this artist to discover similar art styles and collecting themes.
💎 Professional Grading Guide
Professional grading can significantly increase the value of your Air-balloon card. Here's what you need to know:
Industry standard • Value multiplier: 2-4x
Best for: High-value cards, modern sets
Subgrades available • Value multiplier: 2-3x
Best for: Premium cards, perfect centering
Fast turnaround • Value multiplier: 1.5-3x
Best for: Budget-friendly option, bulk
💡 Should You Grade This Card?
- Yes, consider grading if: Card value exceeds $20 and is in excellent condition
- Grading cost: $20-100+ per card (depending on service level)
- Break-even point: Card should be worth $50+ raw to justify grading costs
- Turnaround time: 2 weeks to 6 months depending on service
Collector Notes
- Uncommon cards from Sword & Shield are typically short-printed and head straight into collector binders.
- The illustration by Yoshinobu Saito resonates with starter collectors, creating consistent search demand for this Bulbasaur variant.
📚 Card History & Trivia
Release Information: Air-balloon 156 was released in 2020 in the Sword & Shield expansion. This set is part of the Sword & Shield series, which introduced new gameplay mechanics and collectible cards.
Artist Background: The artwork for this card was created by Yoshinobu Saito. Professional Pokémon TCG artists undergo rigorous selection and bring unique styles to the game. View complete portfolio →
Set Popularity: Sword & Shield represents a mid-era release that balances accessibility with collectibility.
🛡️ Related Products & Deck Building
Maximize the value and playability of your Air-balloon card with these essential products:
- Penny sleeves: Basic protection
- Perfect fit sleeves: Pre-grading
- Top loaders: Display & storage
- Binders with side-loading pages
- Storage boxes (800-count)
- ETB (Elite Trainer Box) storage
- Premium display cases
- Draw support & consistency cards