Pokémon TCG Pocket Gets Space Time Smackdown Expansion Today — Here's Everything You Need to Know

Pokémon TCG Pocket's Space Time Smackdown Expansion: A Detailed Look

Pokémon TCG Pocket has launched its latest major update, introducing the Space Time Smackdown expansion, a new set themed around Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. This expansion, available in two booster packs (Dialga and Palkia themed), boasts 207 cards, a smaller count 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). Excluding alternate art cards, the core set contains 155 cards, including 10 new 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.

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New Pokémon Tool Cards

A significant addition is the introduction of Pokémon Tool cards. These attachable items provide battle advantages. 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 like Poison).

Updated Battles and Multiplayer

The expansion brings new Solo Battles across Intermediate, Advanced, and Expert tiers, featuring Pokémon like Dialga ex, Palkia ex, Togekiss, and others. The multiplayer meta is expected to shift, with cards like Infernape ex (140 damage for two Fire Energy) and Palkia ex (150 damage plus 20 damage to benched Pokémon) posing significant threats. Dialga ex strengthens Steel-type decks.

Missions, Rewards, and the Trading Controversy

New missions reward Pack Hourglasses, Wonder Hourglasses, Emblem Tickets, and more. Collecting specific cards unlocks rental decks and icons. Museum missions return, focusing on Star cards and the Cynthia card (with her key Pokémon). Notably absent are Trading Tokens, though a "Trade Feature Celebration Gift" provided 500 Tokens and 120 Trade Hourglasses.

The trading system remains controversial due to the high Trade Token cost for trading higher-rarity cards. Acquiring Tokens requires selling cards, creating a system players have criticized as inefficient and overly burdensome. The developer, Creatures Inc., has yet to address these concerns publicly. The required Trade Tokens to trade cards are as follows: 120 for a 3 Diamond card, 400 for a 1 Star card, and 500 for a 4 Diamond card (ex Pokémon). The community response has been largely negative, viewing the system as a significant flaw in the trading feature.