Pokémon TCG Pocket Players Love and Hate Heartbreaking Time Space Showdown Art

The Pokémon Trading Card Game (PTCGO) Space Time Smackdown expansion, released January 30th, features a Weavile ex card depicting a disturbing scene that has sparked outrage among players. Specifically, the 2-Star full art card shows a group of Weavile poised to attack an unsuspecting Swinub.

This depiction of potential predation has garnered significant negative attention online. Reddit threads are filled with comments expressing concern and dismay at the graphic nature of the card's artwork. Many players have voiced their disapproval, highlighting the brutal scene and pleading for the Swinub's safety.

One Reddit post, showcasing the artwork and garnering thousands of upvotes, simply exclaims, "NO! SWINUB LOOK UP!! LOOK UP!!" Comments echo this sentiment, with users expressing their upset and highlighting the unexpected violence in a children's card game.

However, some fans are attempting to find a silver lining, pointing to the Mamoswine full art card (Swinub's evolution) which depicts a Mamoswine protectively looking upward, seemingly suggesting it witnessed and thwarted the Weavile's attack. This hopeful interpretation offers a counterpoint to the grim scene of the Weavile ex card.

The Space Time Smackdown expansion, themed around Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, includes 207 cards – fewer than Genetic Apex's 286, but with a higher percentage of rare alternate art cards (52 compared to Genetic Apex's 60). The expansion features popular Pokémon like Weavile, Mamoswine, Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina.

Despite the controversy, Creatures Inc. has yet to publicly address the backlash. While a "Trade Feature Celebration Gift" was provided, including 500 Trade Tokens and 120 Trade Hourglasses, the company has remained silent on fan complaints and has not responded to media inquiries. The lack of response has further fueled the online discussion surrounding the controversial card artwork.