Pokémon TCG Pocket Gets Space Time Smackdown Expansion Today — Here's Everything You Need to Know

The Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket has just rolled out its latest major update, introducing the Space Time Smackdown expansion inspired by Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. This new set brings a fresh wave of excitement to players with its two themed booster packs centered around Dialga and Palkia. While the set contains a total of 207 cards, it's notably smaller than its predecessor, Genetic Apex, which had 286 cards. However, Space Time Smackdown boasts a higher concentration 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

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The official card count for Space Time Smackdown stands at 155, as alternate art cards aren't included in the total collection number. This set includes 10 ex Pokémon: Yanmega, Infernape, Palkia, Pacharisu, Mismagius, Gallade, Weavile, Darkrai, Dialga, and Lickilicky. Notably, every Pokémon type except Dragon has a new ex Pokémon, with the Darkness type receiving two.

A significant addition to the game with this update is the introduction of Pokémon Tool cards. These new items enhance gameplay by offering extra benefits to the active Pokémon. The set includes three new 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, new Solo Battles have been added to Pokémon TCG Pocket. Players can now engage in eight new battles in the Intermediate tier, nine in the Advanced tier, and eight in the Expert tier. These battles feature Pokémon from the new set, such as Dialga ex and Palkia ex, along with other notable Pokémon like Togekiss, Bastiodon, Glacion, Magmortar, Magnezone, Rampardos, and Tortrerra. While it's early to predict the impact on multiplayer, cards like Infernape ex, which can deal 140 damage for just two Fire Energy, and Palkia ex, which mirrors Mewtwo ex's power, are poised to shake up the meta. Weavile ex's one Energy attack and the boost to Steel type decks with Dialga ex and other cards are also noteworthy additions.

Missions and Rewards

Alongside Space Time Smackdown, numerous new missions have been added to Pokémon TCG Pocket. These missions follow a familiar structure, with collecting signature cards unlocking rental decks and completing the entire set unlocking Dialga and Palkia icons. Museum missions are back, challenging players to collect 1 Star and full art 2 Star cards. The secret mission, Champion of the Sinnoh Region, rewards players for 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, Emblem Tickets, and other rewards, though no Trading Tokens are included. To celebrate the trading feature's addition, Creatures Inc. gifted players 500 Trading Tokens. New items like Dialga and Palkia album covers and the Lovely Hearts backdrop are available in the shop, along with a new Poké Gold bundle focused on Cynthia.

Trading

The trading update, introduced just yesterday, has stirred controversy among the Pokémon TCG Pocket community. While Creatures Inc. has remained silent on the matter, focusing instead on promoting Space Time Smackdown, they did provide a "Trade Feature Celebration Gift" of 500 Trade Tokens and 120 Trade Hourglasses. The crux of the controversy lies in the Trade Tokens, which are necessary for trading cards at 3 Diamonds or higher. Trading a 3 Diamond card requires 120 Trade Tokens, a 1 Star card needs 400, and a 4 Diamond card (an ex Pokémon) requires 500. These tokens can only be obtained by selling cards from the player's collection, with varying token values based on card rarity. This system has been criticized as "hilariously toxic" and a "monumental failure" by fans, who feel it hinders community engagement and makes trading unnecessarily cumbersome.