Pop Thorn is a new core Air Skylander for Skylanders Swap Force that only comes with the Tower of Time Adventure Pack. He is a creature called a Pufferthorn which sort of resembles a puffer fish. Like a puffer fish he has a puffed state where he is bigger, slower, and uses his spikes as an attack. His other state is popped or deflated where he is faster and uses his breath for an attack. He is a simple looking figure with a light and dark blue color and a yellow underside. He is covered in spikes and has two little wings which help him fly and move in his puffed state. Pufferthorns are known for their quiet and timid nature and this comes across in his pose. He holds no weapon and he doesn’t look very menacing. The only thing you can tell is that he has spikes which look like they are used for defense. Make sure you check out our unboxing video where you can see his spikes in action. Overall his look is somewhat unique but rather plain.
If you haven’t really though much of Pop Thorn because he doesn’t look like he’s powerful or exciting then you will be in for a big surprise when you play with him. A fully upgraded Pop Thorn might be the most powerful and dominating core Skylander that I have used. He is one of my go-to characters whenever I need to get through a difficult part. His basic attack while puffed is to shoot spikes at his enemies. These spikes are homing spikes which means they will always hit an enemy, no matter which direction you are moving. If you need to move faster to get out of trouble, then you want to “pop” and become smaller. This removes the spike attack but adds a wind attack similar to Spyro’s fire breath. Many of his upgrades are also not very exciting but they are extremely useful and powerful. Spike attacks become more powerful and add more spikes. Wind attacks become more powerful and can add multiple blasts at one time. He can even learn a Mario like ground pound which will damage and knock back all of the nearby enemies. The ability to attack with spikes from at a distance or while running away is very powerful. But combine that with an upgraded wind blast that occurs when you “pop” or a ground pound if too many enemies close in and Pop Thorn can clear an area in record time.
Despite Pop Thorns lack of Flash or complicated attacks, Pop Thorn deserves to be in every Portal Masters army.
10 out of 10
Pop Thorn’s Video Review
Pop Thorn’s Stats
| Card Stats | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attack: | 90 | Max Health | 280 | |
| Defense: | 110 | Speed | 43 | |
| Speed: | 45 | Armor | 24 | |
| Luck: | 65 | Critical Hit | 6 | |
| Elemental Power | 25 | |||
Pop Thorn’s Attacks
| All Attacks | |||
| Puff | Press Attack 1 to Puff and damage nearby enemies. While puffed, rapidly press Attack 1 to shoot out homing spikes at nearby enemies. | Free | |
| Pop | Press Attack 2 to Pop and shoot a large wind blast. While popped, hold Attack 2 to shoot gusts of wind at enemies. | Free | |
| Fresh Breath | Press Attack 2 to Pop. After popping, hold Attack 2 to shoot more powerful air projectiles for a short time. | 500 Gold | |
| Puffball Pound | Press Attack 1 to Puff. Press Attack 3 while puffed to slam into the ground, damaging all nearby enemies. | 700 Gold | |
| Polished Spikes | Press Attack 1 to Puff. After puffing, press Attack 1 rapidly to shoot more powerful spike projectiles for a short time. | 900 Gold | |
| Wind Trap | While popped, press Attack 3 to leave behind a spiny mine. The mine puffs and explodes when enemies approach, launching them into the air. | 1200 Gold | |
| Tough and Puffed Path | |||
| Rollerpuff | While puffed, hold Attack 3 to roll forward, damaging all enemies in the way. | 1700 Gold | |
| Bounceback | Puffing deals increased damage and reflects nearby projectiles. | 2200 Gold | |
| Prickly Body | While puffed, taking damage releases a spike projectile that damages an attacker. | 3000 Gold | |
| Controlled Breather Path | |||
| Aero Trampoline | While puffed, hold Attack 3 to charge a powerful slam attack, release to bounce multiple times, damaging all enemies in the way. | 1700 Gold | |
| Deep Breath | While puffed, press Attack 2 to shoot three air blasts instead of one. | 2200 Gold | |
| Scattered Winds | While popped, air beams now shoot multiple projectiles that spread. | 3000 Gold | |
| Soul Gem Ability | |||
| To Puff or Not To Puff | While popped, speed is increased. While puffed, armor is increased, which reduces damage taken. | 4000 Gold | |
