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

Pokémon TCG Pocket's latest major update delivers the highly anticipated Space Time Smackdown expansion, themed around Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. This update, featuring two booster packs (Dialga and Palkia themed), introduces 207 cards, a smaller set than Genetic Apex but boasting a higher percentage of rare cards (52 alternate art Star and Crown rarity cards compared to Genetic Apex's 60). The total 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 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 significantly impacts the multiplayer meta. Infernape ex's 140 damage attack (for two Fire Energy, discarded afterward) is a game-changer, as is Palkia ex's 150 damage attack (plus 20 damage to benched Pokémon, at the cost of 3 Energy). Weavile ex offers a versatile attack (30 or 70 damage depending on opponent's damage). Steel-type decks receive a major boost with Dialga ex and other new additions.

Missions and Rewards

New missions accompany the expansion, offering familiar rewards like Pack Hourglasses, Wonder Hourglasses, and Emblem Tickets. Collecting signature cards unlocks rental decks, completing the set unlocks Dialga and Palkia icons, and Museum missions reward players for collecting 1-Star and 2-Star cards. The "Champion of the Sinnoh Region" mission requires collecting the full art Cynthia card and 1-Star cards of her key Pokémon (Gastrodon, Lucario, Spiritomb, and Garchomp). The shop features new Dialga and Palkia album covers, a Lovely Hearts backdrop, and a Cynthia-themed Poké Gold bundle. A free gift of 500 Trade Tokens and 120 Trade Hourglasses was given to celebrate the trading feature.

Trading

While Creatures Inc. remains silent on player feedback regarding the controversial trading update, the "Trade Feature Celebration Gift" provided 500 Trade Tokens and 120 Trade Hourglasses. The trading system requires Trade Tokens to trade cards of 3 Diamonds or higher (120 for 3 Diamond, 400 for 1 Star, 500 for 4 Diamond/ex Pokémon). Tokens are earned by selling cards, creating a system criticized as laborious and inefficient, requiring players to sell multiple high-rarity cards to trade a single equivalent card. This has led to significant negative player feedback.