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 set 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 core set, excluding alternate arts, contains 155 cards, including 10 powerful 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.

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. These attachable items provide battle advantages. Space Time Smackdown introduces three: Giant Cape (+20 HP), Rocky Helmet (deals 20 HP to the opponent when the active Pokémon takes damage), and Lum Berry (removes status conditions).

Battles

Space Time Smackdown introduces new Solo Battles across Intermediate, Advanced, and Expert tiers (eight, nine, and eight respectively; Beginner remains unchanged). These battles feature Pokémon from the set, including Dialga ex, Palkia ex, Togekiss, Bastiodon, Glacion, Magmortar, Magnezone, Rampardos, Torterra, and others. The update's impact on the multiplayer meta is yet to be fully seen, but cards like Infernape ex (140 damage for two Fire Energy, albeit discarding them) and Palkia ex (150 damage plus 20 to each benched Pokémon, at the cost of three Energy) are powerful additions. Weavile ex offers a versatile attack (30 or 70 damage depending on opponent's damage). Steel-type decks receive a significant boost with Dialga ex and other new cards.

Missions and Rewards

New missions accompany the expansion, offering familiar rewards for collecting signature cards (unlocking rental decks), completing the set (Dialga and Palkia icons), and museum missions (collecting 1-Star and 2-Star cards). A final secret mission, "Champion of the Sinnoh Region," rewards players for collecting the full art Cynthia 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 free gift of 500 Trading Tokens and 120 Trade Hourglasses was given to celebrate the trading feature. New shop items include Dialga and Palkia album covers, the Lovely Hearts backdrop, and a Cynthia-themed Poké Gold bundle.

Trading

Creatures Inc. remains silent on the controversial trading update, focusing primarily on Space Time Smackdown. While a "Trade Feature Celebration Gift" provided 500 Trading Tokens and 120 Trade Hourglasses, player concerns regarding the token system persist. Trading requires Trade Tokens for cards of 3 Diamonds or higher: 120 for 3 Diamond, 400 for 1 Star, and 500 for 4 Diamond (ex Pokémon). Tokens are obtained by selling cards, creating a system criticized as "hilariously toxic" and a "monumental failure" by players, who feel it hinders community interaction.