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 based on Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. This expansion, available in Dialga and Palkia-themed booster packs, features 207 cards, a smaller count than Genetic Apex but with a higher percentage of rare cards (52 alternate art, Star, and Crown rarity cards). The official card count, excluding alternate arts, is 155, including 10 new ex Pokémon (Yanmega, Infernape, Palkia, Pacharisu, Mismagius, Gallade, Weavile, Darkrai, Dialga, and Lickilicky). Every Pokémon type except Dragon has 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. Three new tools are included: Giant Cape (+20 HP), Rocky Helmet (deals 20 HP to the opponent when the active Pokémon takes damage), and Lum Berry (removes status conditions like Poison).

Updated Battles

Space Time Smackdown introduces new Solo Battles across Intermediate, Advanced, and Expert tiers, featuring Pokémon from the expansion (Dialga ex, Palkia ex, Togekiss, and others). The impact on multiplayer meta remains to be seen, but cards like Infernape ex (140 damage for two Fire Energy) and Palkia ex (150 damage plus 20 damage to benched Pokémon) show strong potential. Dialga ex significantly boosts Steel-type decks.

Missions and Rewards

Numerous new missions are available, similar to previous structures. Collecting specific cards unlocks rental decks and icons (Dialga and Palkia). Museum missions return, focusing on 1-Star and 2-Star cards, and a final mission rewards players for collecting the Cynthia full art card and 1-Star cards of her key Pokémon (Gastrodon, Lucario, Spiritomb, and Garchomp). Rewards include Pack Hourglasses, Wonder Hourglasses, Emblem Tickets, and (notably absent) Trading Tokens. A "Trade Feature Celebration Gift" provided 500 Trade Tokens and 120 Trade Hourglasses.

The Controversial Trading System

The trading update remains controversial. Trade Tokens, required for trading cards of 3 Diamonds or higher rarity, are obtained by selling cards. The high cost of tokens needed to trade higher-rarity cards has drawn significant criticism from players, who describe the system as "hilariously toxic" and a "monumental failure." The required token amounts are: 120 for a 3 Diamond card, 400 for a 1 Star card, and 500 for a 4 Diamond (ex Pokémon) card. Selling cards yields varying token amounts, making trading high-value cards a laborious process. The developer, Creatures Inc., has yet to address these concerns publicly.