Pokémon TCG Pocket Expands with Space Time Smackdown Today: Full Details

Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket has just rolled out its latest major update, introducing the much-anticipated Space Time Smackdown expansion, inspired by the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl series. This new set is now available for eager collectors and players alike.

The Space Time Smackdown set is divided into two thematic booster packs, one themed around Dialga and the other around Palkia. With a total of 207 cards, this set is notably smaller than the previous Genetic Apex set, which boasted 286 cards. However, Space Time Smackdown compensates with a higher concentration of rare cards, featuring 52 alternate art, Star, and Crown rarity cards, compared to Genetic Apex's 60. This means collectors have a better chance of pulling those coveted rare pieces.

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 arts are not included in the overall collection number. Included in this count are 10 ex Pokémon: Yanmega, Infernape, Palkia, Pacharisu, Mismagius, Gallade, Weavile, Darkrai, Dialga, and Lickilicky. This expansion ensures that almost every Pokémon type has a new ex Pokémon, with the exception of Dragon, while the Darkness type gains two new ex Pokémon.

One of the most exciting additions to Space Time Smackdown is the introduction of Pokémon Tool cards. These items can be attached to the active Pokémon to provide extra battle benefits. The new set introduces three such tools: 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 whenever 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, new Solo Battles have been added to Pokémon TCG Pocket. Players can now engage in eight new battles at the Intermediate tier, nine at the Advanced tier, and eight at the Expert tier. These battles focus on new Pokémon from the set, such as Dialga ex and Palkia ex, as well as other notable Pokémon like Togekiss, Bastiodon, Glaceon, Magmortar, Magnezone, Rampardos, and Torterra.

In multiplayer, while it's too soon to predict exact meta shifts, several cards from Space Time Smackdown show immense potential. For instance, Infernape ex can deliver 140 damage with just two Fire Energy, making it a formidable choice for quick knockouts. Palkia ex mirrors Mewtwo ex with its 150 damage for four Energy, also damaging benched Pokémon at a cost. Weavile ex offers a one Energy attack that does 30 damage or 70 if the defending Pokémon is already damaged. Steel type decks may see a significant boost with the addition of Dialga ex and other supporting cards.

Missions and Rewards

Alongside Space Time Smackdown, numerous new missions have been integrated into Pokémon TCG Pocket. These missions follow familiar structures, such as collecting signature cards to unlock rental decks and completing the entire set to earn Dialga and Palkia icons. Museum missions have also returned, offering challenges to collect each 1 Star card and full art 2 Star card. The ultimate 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 will earn players Pack Hourglasses, Wonder Hourglasses, Emblem Tickets for the shop, and other rewards. Notably, the controversial Trading Tokens are not part of these rewards. However, to celebrate the addition of trading, Creatures Inc. has gifted players 500 Trading Tokens.

The shop now features new items that can be unlocked with these rewards, including Dialga and Palkia album covers and the Lovely Hearts backdrop. Additionally, a new Poké Gold bundle, focusing on Cynthia, has replaced the previous Gardevoir bundle.

Trading

Creatures Inc. has remained silent on the controversial trading update since its release, focusing their communications primarily on Space Time Smackdown. The "Trade Feature Celebration Gift" included 500 Trade Tokens and 120 Trade Hourglasses, but the developer has not addressed fan feedback.

Trade Tokens are at the heart of the controversy, as they are required to trade cards with 3 Diamonds or higher rarity. Trading a 3 Diamond card requires 120 Trade Tokens, a 1 Star card requires 400, and a 4 Diamond card (ex Pokémon) requires 500. These tokens can only be obtained by selling cards from your collection: a 3 Diamond card yields 25 Trade Tokens, a 1 Star card yields 100, a 4 Diamond card yields 125, a 2 Star card yields 300, a 3 Star immersive card yields 300, and a Crown gold card yields 1500. Lower rarity cards are not tradable and do not yield any Trade Tokens.

This system means players must sell multiple high-rarity cards to trade just one. For example, selling five ex Pokémon will only provide enough tokens to trade one ex Pokémon. Fans have criticized this system as "hilariously toxic" and a "monumental failure," arguing that it hinders rather than fosters community engagement.