The Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket has just rolled out its latest major update, bringing with it the highly anticipated Space Time Smackdown expansion, themed around Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. This new set introduces 207 cards, spread across two booster packs themed after the legendary Pokémon Dialga and Palkia. While smaller than the previous Genetic Apex set with its 286 cards, Space Time Smackdown boasts a higher percentage of rare cards, with 52 alternate art, Star, and Crown rarity cards compared to Genetic Apex's 60.
Every Alternate Art 'Secret' Card in Pokémon TCG Pocket: Space Time Smackdown
52 Images
The official card count for Space Time Smackdown stands at 155, excluding alternate arts. This set includes 10 ex Pokémon cards featuring Yanmega, Infernape, Palkia, Pacharisu, Mismagius, Gallade, Weavile, Darkrai, Dialga, and Lickilicky. With these new additions, every Pokémon type now has an ex Pokémon, except for Dragon, and the Darkness type has gained two.
A significant highlight of the Space Time Smackdown expansion is the introduction of Pokémon Tool cards. These new cards can be attached to your active Pokémon to enhance their abilities in battle. The set introduces three new tools: Giant Cape, which adds 20 extra Hit Points to the Pokémon; Rocky Helmet, which deals 20 HP of damage to the opponent's Pokémon whenever the active trainer takes damage; and Lum Berry, which removes conditions like Poison from the Pokémon.
Battles
Alongside the new card set, Space Time Smackdown has added fresh Solo Battles to Pokémon TCG Pocket. Players can dive into eight new battles in the Intermediate tier, nine in the Advanced tier, and eight in the Expert tier. These battles spotlight Pokémon from the new set like Dialga ex and Palkia ex, as well as other notable cards such as Togekiss, Bastiodon, Glaceon, Magmortar, Magnezone, Rampardos, and Torterra.
In multiplayer, the meta might see significant shifts due to the new cards. For instance, Infernape ex can deliver a devastating 140 damage with just two Fire Energy, potentially knocking out most ex Pokémon in one hit despite discarding the Energy. Palkia ex, reminiscent of Mewtwo ex, can deal 150 damage for four Energy, while also inflicting 20 damage to each benched Pokémon at the cost of three Energy. Weavile ex offers a swift 30 damage attack with one Energy, which can increase to 70 if the defending Pokémon is already damaged. Steel type decks could receive a significant boost with the addition of Dialga ex and other supporting cards.
Missions and Rewards
Space Time Smackdown also brings a slew of new missions to Pokémon TCG Pocket. Collecting signature cards will unlock rental decks, while completing the entire set will earn players exclusive Dialga and Palkia icons. The return of Museum missions includes tasks for collecting each 1 Star and full art 2 Star card. The ultimate challenge, the Champion of the Sinnoh Region mission, requires collecting the full art Cynthia card along with 1 Star cards of her key Pokémon: Gastrodon, Lucario, Spiritomb, and Garchomp.
Completing these missions rewards players with Pack Hourglasses, Wonder Hourglasses, Emblem Tickets for the shop, and more. Notably, the controversial Trading Tokens are absent from these rewards, though Creatures Inc. did distribute 500 of these tokens to celebrate the addition of trading to the game.
New items available in the shop include Dialga and Palkia album covers and the Lovely Hearts backdrop. The previous Gardevoir Poké Gold bundle has been replaced by a new one focused on Cynthia.
Trading
Since the recent trading update, Creatures Inc. has remained silent on fan feedback, focusing instead on promoting Space Time Smackdown. The "Trade Feature Celebration Gift" provided 500 Trade Tokens and 120 Trade Hourglasses, enough to trade one ex Pokémon. However, the requirement of Trade Tokens for trading cards at 3 Diamonds or higher has sparked controversy. Trading a 3 Diamond card requires 120 Trade Tokens, a 1 Star card needs 400, and a 4 Diamond card (like an ex Pokémon) demands 500.
Players can only acquire Trade Tokens by selling cards from their collection, with varying returns based on card rarity. Selling a 3 Diamond card yields 25 Trade Tokens, a 1 Star card 100, a 4 Diamond card 125, a 2 Star card 300, a 3 Star immersive card 300, and a Crown gold card 1500. Lower rarity cards are deemed worthless and do not require Trade Tokens to trade.
This system has led to widespread criticism, with fans describing it as "hilariously toxic" and a "monumental failure." Many feel that a simpler, more community-friendly trading system was sacrificed for a more laborious one.
