Pokémon TCG Pocket: Space Time Smackdown Expansion Released Today - Full Details

The latest major update for Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket introduces the new Space Time Smackdown expansion, themed around Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. This set is now available and comes in two distinct booster packs, each themed after the legendary Pokémon Dialga and Palkia. With a total of 207 cards, Space Time Smackdown is smaller than the previous Genetic Apex set, which had 286 cards. However, it boasts 52 alternate art, Star, and Crown rarity cards, giving it a higher percentage of rare 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. The set includes 10 ex Pokémon: Yanmega, Infernape, Palkia, Pacharisu, Mismagius, Gallade, Weavile, Darkrai, Dialga, and Lickilicky. Every Pokémon type now has a new ex Pokémon except for Dragon, and the Darkness type has received two new additions.

A significant feature of Space Time Smackdown is the introduction of Pokémon Tool cards. These cards can be attached to the active Pokémon to enhance their performance in battle. The set introduces three new Pokémon Tools: Giant Cape, which adds an extra 20 Hit Points to the Pokémon; Rocky Helmet, which deals 20 damage to the opponent's Pokémon whenever 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 across various difficulty tiers. The Intermediate tier offers eight new battles, the Advanced tier has nine, and the Expert tier features eight, with no new additions to the Beginner tier. These battles focus on Pokémon from the new set, including Dialga ex, Palkia ex, Togekiss, Bastiodon, Glacion, Magmortar, Magnezone, Rampardos, Tortrerra, and more.

In multiplayer, the impact of Space Time Smackdown cards on the meta is yet to be fully understood, but several cards show great potential. Infernape ex, for instance, can deliver 140 damage with just two Fire Energy, though it discards both upon impact. Palkia ex, similar to Mewtwo ex, can deal 150 damage for four Energy while also damaging benched Pokémon. Weavile ex offers a potent one Energy attack that can deal 30 or 70 damage depending on the defending Pokémon's condition. Steel type decks are expected to see a boost with the inclusion of Dialga ex and other supporting cards.

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 for the shop, and other rewards, though no Trading Tokens are included. To celebrate the addition of trading, Creatures Inc. has provided players with a free gift of 500 Trading Tokens. New items available in the shop include 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 recent controversial trading update, Creatures Inc. has remained largely silent on the matter, focusing instead on promoting Space Time Smackdown. The "Trade Feature Celebration Gift" included 500 Trade Tokens and 120 Trade Hourglasses, sufficient for trading one ex Pokémon. However, the new trading system requires Trade Tokens for cards rated at 3 Diamonds or higher, with 120 tokens needed for a 3 Diamond card, 400 for a 1 Star card, and 500 for a 4 Diamond card.

Trade Tokens can only be obtained by selling cards from a player's collection, such as 25 tokens for a 3 Diamond card, 100 for a 1 Star card, 125 for a 4 Diamond card, and so forth, up to 1500 tokens for a Crown gold card. This system has drawn criticism from fans, who find it overly complex and restrictive, with some describing it as "hilariously toxic" and a "monumental failure" that hinders community engagement.