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 New Era of Battles and Trading Controversy

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 boasting a higher percentage of rare cards (52 alternate art Star and Crown rarity cards). The base 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 receives a new ex Pokémon, with Darkness receiving two.

A key addition is the introduction of Pokémon Tool cards: Giant Cape (+20 HP), Rocky Helmet (deals 20 HP on damage), and Lum Berry (removes status conditions).

New Solo Battles have been added across Intermediate, Advanced, and Expert tiers, featuring Pokémon from the expansion. The multiplayer meta is expected to shift significantly, with powerful cards like Infernape ex (140 damage for two Energy) and Palkia ex (150 damage plus 20 to benched Pokémon) poised to impact gameplay. Dialga ex will significantly bolster Steel-type decks.

New missions offer rewards including Pack Hourglasses, Wonder Hourglasses, Emblem Tickets, and Dialga/Palkia album covers. A Cynthia-themed Poké Gold bundle is also available. Notably, the controversial Trading Tokens are absent from mission rewards, although a "Trade Feature Celebration Gift" provided 500 Tokens and 120 Trade Hourglasses.

The Trading System: A Source of Controversy

The trading update remains a point of contention. Trading high-rarity cards (3 Diamonds and above) requires Trading Tokens obtained by selling cards. The cost is steep: 5 ex Pokémon must be sold to trade one, and selling a single Crown card only yields enough tokens for three ex Pokémon trades. This system has drawn significant criticism from players, who deem it overly restrictive and counterintuitive to a healthy trading community.