Pokémon TCG: Time & Space Clash Expansion Now Live

Pokémon TCG Pocket's Space Time Smackdown Expansion: A Comprehensive Overview

The Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket app has just received a major update, introducing its first full set since launch: the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl-themed Space Time Smackdown expansion. This expansion, available in two booster packs (Dialga and Palkia themed), boasts 207 cards – a smaller count than Genetic Apex's 286, but with a higher percentage of rare cards (52 alternate art, Star, and Crown rarity cards compared to Genetic Apex's 60). Excluding alternate art cards, the core set 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.

Alternate Art 'Secret' Cards Showcase

52 Images

New Gameplay Mechanics:

Space Time Smackdown introduces Pokémon Tool cards – items attachable to active Pokémon for battle advantages. These include:

• Giant Cape: +20 HP
• Rocky Helmet: Inflicts 20 HP damage on the opponent's Pokémon when the active trainer takes damage.
• Lum Berry: Removes status conditions like Poison.

Updated Battles and Multiplayer:

The expansion adds new Solo Battles across Intermediate, Advanced, and Expert tiers, featuring Pokémon like Dialga ex, Palkia ex, Togekiss, and others. Multiplayer meta is expected to shift significantly, with cards like Infernape ex (140 damage for two Fire Energy) and Palkia ex (150 damage plus 20 damage to benched Pokémon) posing substantial threats. Steel-type decks are also significantly boosted by the addition of Dialga ex and other supporting cards.

Missions and Rewards:

New missions offer familiar rewards like Pack Hourglasses, Wonder Hourglasses, and Emblem Tickets. Collecting signature cards unlocks rental decks, while completing the set unlocks Dialga and Palkia icons. Museum missions return, focusing on 1-Star and 2-Star cards. A final secret mission, "Champion of the Sinnoh Region," rewards players for collecting the Cynthia full art card and 1-Star cards of her key Pokémon (Gastrodon, Lucario, Spiritomb, and Garchomp). New shop items include Dialga and Palkia album covers, a Lovely Hearts backdrop, and a Cynthia-themed Poké Gold bundle.

Trading System Controversy:

The recent trading update remains controversial, requiring "Trade Tokens" to trade cards of 3 Diamonds or higher rarity. These tokens are obtained by selling cards, creating a system criticized by players as inefficient and overly restrictive. The developer, Creatures Inc., has yet to fully address player concerns.