The Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket has just rolled out a thrilling update with the launch of its first full set since its debut, themed around Pokémon Diamond and Pearl: Space Time Smackdown. This expansion introduces players to a fresh array of cards, available in two distinct booster packs themed after the legendary Pokémon Dialga and Palkia.
Space Time Smackdown boasts a total of 207 cards, a more compact set compared to the 286 cards in the previous Genetic Apex expansion. Yet, with 52 alternate art, Star, and Crown rarity cards, this set offers a higher percentage of rare cards to hunt down, making it an exciting challenge for collectors.
Every Alternate Art 'Secret' Card in Pokémon TCG Pocket: Space Time Smackdown
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The official card count for Space Time Smackdown is 155, not including the alternate arts. This set includes 10 ex Pokémon cards featuring Yanmega, Infernape, Palkia, Pacharisu, Mismagius, Gallade, Weavile, Darkrai, Dialga, and Lickilicky, ensuring a new ex Pokémon for nearly every type except Dragon, with the Darkness type receiving two.
A major highlight of Space Time Smackdown is the introduction of Pokémon Tool cards, which enhance the active Pokémon's capabilities in battle. The set introduces three new tools: the Giant Cape, which boosts the Pokémon's Hit Points by 20; the Rocky Helmet, which deals 20 damage to the opponent's Pokémon when the active trainer takes damage; and the Lum Berry, which removes conditions like Poison from the Pokémon.
Battles
With the release of Space Time Smackdown, Pokémon TCG Pocket has added new Solo Battles across various difficulty tiers. Intermediate tier players can tackle eight new battles, Advanced tier players have nine new challenges, and Expert tier players can engage in eight new battles, while the Beginner tier remains unchanged. These battles highlight new Pokémon from the set, including Dialga ex, Palkia ex, and other fan-favorites like Togekiss and Bastiodon.
In multiplayer, the meta is yet to be fully reshaped by Space Time Smackdown, but several cards show immense potential. Infernape ex, for instance, delivers 140 damage for just two Fire Energy, capable of knocking out most ex Pokémon in one hit. Palkia ex, reminiscent of Mewtwo ex, inflicts 150 damage and affects benched Pokémon, while Weavile ex's low-energy attack can deal significant damage if the opponent's Pokémon is already hurt. Steel-type decks are poised for a boost with Dialga ex and other new cards complementing existing powerhouses like Melmetal and Bisharp.
Missions and Rewards
Space Time Smackdown brings a host of new missions to Pokémon TCG Pocket, following familiar structures. Collecting signature cards will unlock rental decks, while completing the entire set grants players exclusive Dialga and Palkia icons. Museum missions are back, rewarding players for collecting 1 Star and full art 2 Star cards, with a special "Champion of the Sinnoh Region" mission for collecting Cynthia's full art card and her key Pokémon's 1 Star cards.
Rewards from these missions include Pack Hourglasses, Wonder Hourglasses, and Emblem Tickets for the shop. Notably, the controversial Trading Tokens are absent from these rewards, though Creatures Inc. did gift players 500 of these to celebrate the trading feature's launch. The shop now offers new items like Dialga and Palkia album covers and the Lovely Hearts backdrop, with a new Poké Gold bundle focused on Cynthia replacing the previous Gardevoir one.
Trading
Despite the excitement around Space Time Smackdown, the trading update remains a hot topic. Creatures Inc. has not addressed fan feedback since its introduction, focusing instead on the new set. The "Trade Feature Celebration Gift" provided players with 500 Trade Tokens and 120 Trade Hourglasses, sufficient for trading one ex Pokémon. However, the trading system, requiring Trade Tokens for cards of 3 Diamonds or higher, has sparked controversy.
To trade a 3 Diamond card, players need 120 Trade Tokens; a 1 Star card requires 400, and a 4 Diamond card (ex Pokémon) needs 500. These tokens can only be acquired by selling cards, with rates varying by rarity. For example, selling five ex Pokémon yields enough tokens to trade one, and selling one Crown rarity card only nets enough for three ex Pokémon trades. This system has been criticized as "hilariously toxic" and a "monumental failure," with fans lamenting the loss of a more straightforward community trading feature.
