Altaria

Description

The Pokémon Deoxys set, released in 2005, established a distinct visual identity within the Trading Card Game era. At the forefront of this collection is the Altaria card, designated as card number 1 in the Deoxys subset. This Stage 1 Pokémon, which evolves from Swablu, is printed as a Holo Rare, denoted by its shimmering finish and marked with the DX set code. Collectors often seek this card for its position as the lead card of the set, making it a focal point for those building complete Deoxys collections. Designed by Kyoko Umemoto, this card captures the Colorless-type Pokémon with a robust 70 HP and a retreat cost of just 1. The card features the Safeguard ability, which prevents all effects of attacks, including damage, done to Altaria by opponent's Pokémon-ex. In battle, it can utilize the Lightning Double Wing Attack to deal 20 damage to each Defending Pokémon or execute the WaterColorlessColorless Dive attack for 50 damage. As a catalog-level representation of this 2005 release, the Altaria card remains a significant piece for enthusiasts interested in the Deoxys expansion's history and gameplay mechanics.