Best cards to pull for Space-Time Smackdown in TCG Pocket

M Alzamora Published 23/01/2025

Pokemon TCG Pocket is gearing up to release the second card set titled Space-Time Smackdown, and we’ve got an early look at the best cards to pull from this new set.

As the end of January approaches, Pokemon TCG Pocket players have a lot to look forward to. Currently going on is a Psychic Pokemon Mass Outbreak event with no-cost Psychic Wonder Picks. Trading is finally coming to the game on January 28, complete with trade hourglasses and tokens. And now The Pokemon Company has finally announced the second full set of Pokemon TCG Pocket: Space-Time Smackdown.

Though there are only two boosters in the set, there are plenty of great cards to chase after. Here are some of the best cards to pull from those seen so far from Space-Time Smackdown in TCG Pocket and when players can start collecting them.

Best new cards in Pokemon TCG Pocket Space-Time Smackdown

Space-Time Smackdown will primarily feature Pokemon from Gen 4, with Dialga and Palkia potentially being two of the best new cards in this Pokemon TCG Pocket set.

The Space-Time Smackdown trailer shows a number of new Pokemon cards, including new ex cards. Many expect Dialga ex and Palkia ex to become meta-changing cards. Palkia requires a lot of water energy but can deal 150 damage to the opposing active Pokemon and 20 to those on the bench. This potentially makes it a valuable part of a Misty/Vaporeon deck. Dialga may play a similar role to Moltres ex and help boost metal-type Pokemon on the player’s bench like Melmetal or a duplicate.

The last ex known so far is Pachurisu, who can potentially deal up to 80 damage with a tool attached. Their place in a new meta isn’t as clear, but it’s possible they could be put to great use as well.

Players can also look forward to at least two full art cards: Cynthia and Lucario. Cynthia’s effect allows the active Garchomp to deal +20 damage, which reveals that Garchomp will feature in Space-Time Smackdown. Additionally, The Pokemon Company is introducing Gen 4 Pokemon Lucario with a full art that features Hitmontop, Hitmonchan, and Medicham. Lucario may become one of the best cards for fighting decks in Space-Time Smackdown because of its passive ability to boost damage dealt.

The official trailer description on YouTube confirmed the return of immersive cards. Past immersive art cards have included mascot Pokemon for the booster set as well as mythical Pokemon, like Celebi. With the exception of the original Mew card, all featured Pokemon have an ex card. This makes Dialga, Palkia, and Parischu all contenders. However, Gen 4 has no shortage of legendary and mythical options to pull from, including the third member of the Creation trio Giratina.

Other featured Pokemon include all three Sinnoh starters, Leafeon, and Cresselia. It’s currently unclear if The Pokemon Company will give Piplup and the other starters full arts like seen in Genetic Apex. Cresselia’s appearance also hints at more legendary Pokemon potentially coming to Space-Time Smackdown.

Unlike with the announcement of the other sets, Space-Time Smackdown doesn’t have an official card count yet posted. As a full set, it will likely be around 286 cards similar to the full Genetic Apex set, though it may also feature fewer cards given that there are only two types of packs available to open. This leaves plenty more room for surprises that weren’t shown in the trailer.

Space-Time Smackdown available at the end of January

Though there is a small amount of confusion over the exact release date for the new TCG Pocket set, players will be able to access the Space-Time Smackdown and its best cards before the month of January is over.

The Pokemon Company has listed two different dates for the official Space-Time Smackdown. The trailer states that players can open the new set on January 29. However, an X post and video description say January 30. Until further specified, the only way to know for sure is to check at 1 am on each day. One of the two days will yield the new booster packs.

Regardless of exactly which day players can start opening Space-Time Smackdown packs, they won’t have to wait much longer. Now that trading is opening up, players can start completing the main decks of other sets while trying to pull a Dialga ex or one of the other best pull cards in Space-Time Smackdown.

M Alzamora

About M Alzamora

There are few things that writer M Alzamora loves more in life than Pokemon. And there are even fewer things that she loves more than her favorite Pokemon, Eevee. But M’s appreciation for gaming isn’t just limited to Nintendo’s famous pocket monsters. She’s interested in every type of game across every genre of gaming, and she has the credentials to prove it. M’s work has also been seen on Working Classicists and gaming sites.

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