Pokémon TCG Pocket's Space Time Smackdown Expansion Launches Today: Full Details

The Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket has just received a thrilling update with the launch of the Space Time Smackdown expansion, inspired by the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl games. This new set, themed around Dialga and Palkia, brings a fresh collection of 207 cards, making it smaller than the previous Genetic Apex set which had 286 cards. However, with 52 alternate art, Star, and Crown rarity cards included, Space Time Smackdown boasts a higher percentage of rare cards for collectors to hunt down.

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 the alternate arts. The set introduces 10 new ex Pokémon: Yanmega, Infernape, Palkia, Pacharisu, Mismagius, Gallade, Weavile, Darkrai, Dialga, and Lickilicky, ensuring that every Pokémon type, except for Dragon, gets a new ex Pokémon, with the Darkness type receiving two. A major highlight of this set is the introduction of Pokémon Tool cards, which can be attached to the active Pokémon for added benefits during battles. The new tools include the Giant Cape, which boosts the Pokémon's Hit Points by 20; the Rocky Helmet, which inflicts 20 HP 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 introduces new Solo Battles across various tiers. The Intermediate tier now features eight new battles, the Advanced tier offers nine, and the Expert tier has eight new challenges. These battles focus on Pokémon from the new set such as Dialga ex and Palkia ex, alongside other notable Pokémon like Togekiss, Bastiodon, Glaceon, Magmortar, Magnezone, Rampardos, and Torterra. In multiplayer, cards like Infernape ex, which can deal 140 damage with just two Fire Energy, and Palkia ex, which mimics Mewtwo ex's power, are set to shake up the meta. Weavile ex also promises exciting gameplay with its low-energy attack that can deal significant damage. Steel type decks are expected to see a boost with the addition of Dialga ex and other compatible cards.

Missions and Rewards

Alongside the new set, Pokémon TCG Pocket introduces a variety of new missions, which follow a familiar structure. Collecting signature cards unlocks rental decks, while completing the entire set gradually unlocks Dialga and Palkia icons. Museum missions make a return, rewarding players for collecting 1 Star and full art 2 Star cards. The ultimate challenge, the Champion of the Sinnoh Region mission, is unlocked by collecting the full art Cynthia card and 1 Star cards of her key Pokémon: Gastrodon, Lucario, Spiritomb, and Garchomp. Completing these missions earns players Pack Hourglasses, Wonder Hourglasses, Emblem Tickets, and other rewards, but notably, no Trading Tokens. To celebrate the trading feature's addition, Creatures Inc. provided players with a free 500 Trading Tokens. New items in the shop include Dialga and Palkia album covers and the Lovely Hearts backdrop, with a new Poké Gold bundle focusing on Cynthia replacing the previous Gardevoir bundle.

Trading

The trading update, released just yesterday, has stirred controversy within the community. While the focus remains on Space Time Smackdown, Creatures Inc. has yet to comment on the trading system. The "Trade Feature Celebration Gift" included 500 Trade Tokens and 120 Trade Hourglasses, sufficient to trade one ex Pokémon. The trading system requires Trade Tokens for cards at 3 Diamonds or higher, with 120 for a 3 Diamond card, 400 for a 1 Star card, and 500 for a 4 Diamond card (ex Pokémon). These tokens can only be earned by selling cards, with varying values: 25 for a 3 Diamond card, 100 for a 1 Star card, 125 for a 4 Diamond card, 300 for a 2 Star or 3 Star immersive card, and 1500 for a Crown gold card. This means players must sell multiple high-value cards to trade just one. The community has criticized this system as "hilariously toxic" and a "monumental failure," lamenting the missed opportunity for a more community-friendly trading feature.