The Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket has just rolled out its latest major update, introducing the eagerly awaited Space Time Smackdown expansion, themed around Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. This new set, featuring two distinct booster packs centered around Dialga and Palkia, brings a total of 207 cards to the game. While this number is lower than the 286 cards introduced in Genetic Apex, Space Time Smackdown compensates with a higher proportion of rare cards. Out of the 207, 52 are the coveted alternate art, Star, and Crown rarity cards, a notable shift from Genetic Apex's 60 such cards.
Every Alternate Art 'Secret' Card in Pokémon TCG Pocket: Space Time Smackdown
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When you exclude alternate arts, the official card count for Space Time Smackdown is 155. This includes 10 ex Pokémon cards: Yanmega, Infernape, Palkia, Pacharisu, Mismagius, Gallade, Weavile, Darkrai, Dialga, and Lickilicky. Notably, every Pokémon type except Dragon now has a new ex Pokémon, with the Darkness type receiving two.
One of the most exciting additions to the game with Space Time Smackdown is the introduction of Pokémon Tool cards. These cards can be attached to active Pokémon to provide various in-game advantages. The set includes three new tools: the Giant Cape, which adds 20 extra Hit Points to the Pokémon; 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. The update includes eight new battles in the Intermediate tier, nine in the Advanced tier, and eight in the Expert tier, with no additions to the Beginner tier. These battles focus on showcasing 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, the meta is still evolving, but many cards from Space Time Smackdown are poised to make a significant impact. For instance, Infernape ex can deal 140 damage for just two Fire Energy, a powerful move that can knock out most ex Pokémon in one hit, despite discarding the energy. Palkia ex, reminiscent of Mewtwo ex, deals 150 damage for four Energy and 20 damage to each benched Pokémon, albeit at the cost of three Energy. Weavile ex's attack can do 30 or 70 damage depending on the defending Pokémon's damage status. Steel type decks may see a significant boost with the addition of Dialga ex and other supportive 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 rewards such as rental decks unlocked by collecting signature cards, and Dialga and Palkia icons for completing the entire set. The Museum missions make a return, challenging players to collect 1 Star and full art 2 Star cards, while the secret mission, Champion of the Sinnoh Region, requires players to collect the full art Cynthia card and 1 Star cards of her four key Pokémon: Gastrodon, Lucario, Spiritomb, and Garchomp.
Rewards from these missions include Pack Hourglasses, Wonder Hourglasses, Emblem Tickets, and more, but notably, no Trading Tokens. To celebrate the addition of trading to the game, Creatures Inc. gifted players 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 focused on Cynthia replacing the previous Gardevoir one.
Trading
The trading update, released just yesterday, has stirred controversy within the Pokémon TCG Pocket community. Creatures Inc. has remained silent on the issue, with their social media and in-game focus primarily on Space Time Smackdown. Players received a "Trade Feature Celebration Gift" consisting of 500 Trade Tokens and 120 Trade Hourglasses, sufficient for trading a single ex Pokémon.
The heart of the controversy lies with the Trade Tokens, which are necessary for trading cards at 3 Diamonds or higher. Trading a 3 Diamond card requires 120 tokens, a 1 Star card 400 tokens, and a 4 Diamond card (ex Pokémon) 500 tokens. These tokens can only be acquired by selling cards from one's collection, with varying returns based on rarity: 25 tokens 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. Lower rarity cards cannot be traded for tokens.
This system requires players to sell multiple high-value cards to trade just one, leading to widespread criticism. Fans have described the system as "hilariously toxic" and a "monumental failure," lamenting the loss of a "safe way for the community to connect more" in favor of a "laborious" process.
