Pokémon TCG Pocket's Space Time Smackdown Expansion: A Deep Dive
Pokémon TCG Pocket has launched its latest major update, introducing the Space Time Smackdown expansion, themed around Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. This expansion, available in Dialga and Palkia-themed booster packs, features 207 cards—a smaller count than Genetic Apex's 286, but boasting a higher percentage of rare cards (52 alternate art Star and Crown rarity cards compared to Genetic Apex's 60). Excluding alternate art cards, the core set contains 155 cards, including 10 powerful ex Pokémon: Yanmega, Infernape, Palkia, Pacharisu, Mismagius, Gallade, Weavile, Darkrai, Dialga, and Lickilicky. Every Pokémon type except Dragon is represented by a new ex Pokémon, with Darkness receiving two.
Alternate Art Secret Cards
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New Mechanics: Pokémon Tool Cards
A significant addition is the introduction of Pokémon Tool cards. These attachable items enhance active Pokémon in battle. Space Time Smackdown introduces three: Giant Cape (+20 HP), Rocky Helmet (deals 20 HP to the opponent's Pokémon when the active trainer takes damage), and Lum Berry (removes status conditions).
Updated Gameplay
The expansion brings new Solo Battles across Intermediate, Advanced, and Expert tiers, featuring Pokémon from the set like Dialga ex, Palkia ex, and others. The multiplayer meta is expected to shift significantly. Cards like Infernape ex (140 damage for two Fire Energy, albeit discarding them) and Palkia ex (150 damage plus 20 damage to benched Pokémon, at the cost of three Energy) are poised to become dominant. Weavile ex also offers a versatile attack, and Steel-type decks receive a major boost with Dialga ex and other additions.
Missions and Rewards
New missions reward Pack Hourglasses, Wonder Hourglasses, Emblem Tickets, and more. Collecting signature cards unlocks rental decks, while completing the set unlocks Dialga and Palkia icons. Museum missions focus on 1-Star and 2-Star cards, with a final mission ("Champion of the Sinnoh Region") requiring the full art Cynthia card and 1-Star cards of her key Pokémon. Noteworthy is the absence of Trading Tokens from mission rewards, though players received a 500-token celebratory gift. New shop items include Dialga and Palkia album covers and a Cynthia-themed Poké Gold bundle.
The Trading Controversy
The recent trading update remains controversial. While a "Trade Feature Celebration Gift" provided 500 Trade Tokens and 120 Trade Hourglasses, the developer has not addressed player concerns regarding the high cost of trading rarer cards. Trading requires significant Trade Tokens obtained by selling cards, creating a system many players find excessively demanding and counter-intuitive. The need to sell multiple high-rarity cards to trade a single similar card has drawn criticism.
