Pokémon TCG: Space Time Smackdown Expansion Launches Today

Pokémon TCG Pocket’s latest major update delivers the highly anticipated Space Time Smackdown expansion, featuring Pokémon Diamond and Pearl themes. This expansion, split into Dialga and Palkia booster packs, boasts 207 cards—a smaller collection than Genetic Apex, but with a higher percentage of rare cards (52 alternate art Star and Crown rarity cards compared to Genetic Apex’s 60). The base card count, excluding alternate arts, is 155, including 10 powerful ex Pokémon: Yanmega, Infernape, Palkia, Pacharisu, Mismagius, Gallade, Weavile, Darkrai, Dialga, and Lickilicky. Every Pokémon type except Dragon receives a new ex Pokémon, with Darkness gaining two.

Every Alternate Art 'Secret' Card in Pokémon TCG Pocket: Space Time Smackdown

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A significant addition is the introduction of Pokémon Tool cards: Giant Cape (+20 HP), Rocky Helmet (deals 20 HP damage when the active Pokémon takes damage), and Lum Berry (removes status conditions).

Battles

Space Time Smackdown introduces new Solo Battles across Intermediate (8), Advanced (9), and Expert (8) tiers, featuring Pokémon like Dialga ex, Palkia ex, Togekiss, Bastiodon, and more. The update's impact on the multiplayer meta is yet to be fully seen, but several cards, such as Infernape ex (140 damage for two Fire Energy) and Palkia ex (150 damage plus 20 to benched Pokémon), show significant potential. Weavile ex offers versatile damage output, and Dialga ex strengthens Steel-type decks.

Missions and Rewards

New missions are available, offering familiar rewards like Pack Hourglasses, Wonder Hourglasses, and Emblem Tickets. 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, culminating in the "Champion of the Sinnoh Region" mission (Cynthia's full art card and 1-Star cards of Gastrodon, Lucario, Spiritomb, and Garchomp). Notably, the controversial Trading Tokens are not awarded through missions, although players received a celebratory gift of 500 Tokens and 120 Trade Hourglasses. New shop items include Dialga and Palkia album covers, the Lovely Hearts backdrop, and a Cynthia-themed Poké Gold bundle.

Trading

Despite the recent trading update, Creatures Inc. remains largely silent on player feedback. The core controversy revolves around Trade Tokens, required for trading cards of 3 Diamonds or higher. The high cost of Tokens (obtained by selling cards) has drawn criticism, with players deeming the system excessively laborious and counterintuitive to fostering community interaction. Specifically, trading higher-rarity cards requires selling a disproportionate number of similar or even higher-rarity cards.