"Pokémon TCG Pocket Expands with Space Time Smackdown Today"

The Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket has just rolled out its latest major update, introducing the highly anticipated Space Time Smackdown expansion, inspired by Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. This new set is now available for players to dive into and explore.

Space Time Smackdown comes in two distinct booster packs, each themed around the legendary Pokémon Dialga and Palkia. With a total of 207 cards, this set is smaller compared to the previous Genetic Apex set, which boasted 286 cards. However, it packs a punch with 52 alternate art, Star, and Crown rarity cards, resulting in a higher percentage of rare cards to collect than the 60 such cards in Genetic Apex.

Every Alternate Art 'Secret' Card in Pokémon TCG Pocket: Space Time Smackdown

52 Images

Space Time Smackdown's official card count stands at 155, excluding alternate arts. This set introduces 10 ex Pokémon cards: Yanmega, Infernape, Palkia, Pacharisu, Mismagius, Gallade, Weavile, Darkrai, Dialga, and Lickilicky. Each Pokémon type now has a new ex Pokémon, except for Dragon, and the Darkness type has received two new additions.

One of the most exciting features of Space Time Smackdown is the introduction of Pokémon Tool cards. These cards provide additional benefits to the active Pokémon during battles. The new set includes three such tools: Giant Cape, which adds 20 Hit Points to the Pokémon; Rocky Helmet, which inflicts 20 HP damage to the opponent's Pokémon when the active trainer takes damage; and Lum Berry, which removes conditions like Poison from the Pokémon.

Battles

With the release of Space Time Smackdown, Pokémon TCG Pocket introduces new Solo Battles across various tiers. The Intermediate tier offers eight new battles, the Advanced tier provides nine, and the Expert tier includes eight. Notably, no new battles have been added to the Beginner tier. These battles feature Pokémon from the new set such as Dialga ex, Palkia ex, Togekiss, Bastiodon, Glacion, Magmortar, Magnezone, Rampardos, Tortrerra, and more.

In multiplayer, the impact of Space Time Smackdown on the meta is still unfolding. Cards like Infernape ex, which can deal 140 damage for just two Fire Energy, and Palkia ex, which mirrors Mewtwo ex with 150 damage for four Energy and additional bench damage, are poised to shake things up. Weavile ex's one Energy attack that deals 30 or 70 damage if the defending Pokémon is already damaged is another potential game-changer. Steel type decks are also set to benefit from new additions like Dialga ex and other cards complementing existing strong Steel types like Melmetal and Bisharp.

Missions and Rewards

Alongside Space Time Smackdown, Pokémon TCG Pocket introduces new missions with familiar structures. Collecting signature cards unlocks rental decks, while completing the entire set grants Dialga and Palkia icons. Museum missions return, rewarding players for collecting 1 Star and full art 2 Star cards. The secret mission, Champion of the Sinnoh Region, is unlocked by collecting the full art Cynthia card and 1 Star cards of her key Pokémon: Gastrodon, Lucario, Spiritomb, and Garchomp.

Completing missions earns players Pack Hourglasses, Wonder Hourglasses, and Emblem Tickets for the shop, but no Trading Tokens. Creatures Inc. did celebrate the addition of trading with a free gift of 500 Trading Tokens to all players. New shop items include Dialga and Palkia album covers and the Lovely Hearts backdrop, and a new Poké Gold bundle featuring Cynthia has replaced the previous Gardevoir bundle.

Trading

The trading update, introduced yesterday, has stirred controversy within the community. While the focus has been on Space Time Smackdown, the "Trade Feature Celebration Gift" included 500 Trade Tokens and 120 Trade Hourglasses, enough to trade a single ex Pokémon. However, Creatures Inc. has remained silent on fan feedback regarding the trading system.

Trade Tokens are essential for trading cards of 3 Diamonds or higher, requiring 120 tokens for a 3 Diamond card, 400 for a 1 Star card, and 500 for a 4 Diamond card (an ex Pokémon). Players can only obtain these tokens by selling cards from their collection, with varying token rewards based on card rarity. For instance, selling five ex Pokémon is needed to trade one, and selling a Crown rarity card only provides enough tokens to trade three ex Pokémon.

The community has criticized this system as "hilariously toxic" and a "monumental failure," lamenting the loss of a more straightforward way to connect and trade within the community.