Space-Time Smackdown brings new tools to Pokemon TCG Pocket

While players are poring over the revealed full art cards in Pokemon TCG Pocket, the new tools cards may end up becoming the best pulls.

Pokemon TCG Pocket has a number of exciting upcoming features coming to the game. Most notable is the second full booster set titled Space-Time Smackdown and featuring Generation 4 Pokemon. Pokemon TCG Pocket is also finally giving players access to player-to-player trading, albeit in a relatively limited form. Yet one new aspect that’s been somewhat overlooked is the arrival of Pokemon tools. While they may seem insignificant, these added tools could shake up the competitive meta.

Here’s how players can expect tools to work in Pokemon TCG Pocket and which cards they should look forward to collecting.

How do tools work in Pokemon TCG Pocket?

In Pokemon TCG Pocket, tools are trainer cards that act like held items and provide a special effect during battle.

Tools are one of the four types of trainer cards available in the physical Pokemon TCG game. Tools typically represent items that can be found in the Pokemon video games, like leftovers to restore HP over time in battle or a focus sash to avoid a Pokemon being knocked out. Players can’t remove these Pokemon tools unless an effect or a special clause takes place. Pokemon can only have one tool attached to them at a time, but the effect of the tool will remain until it’s detached or the Pokemon using the tool is knocked out.

Leaked tools from Pokemon TCG Pocket suggest that the cards will work similarly in the mobile game. Each card revealed specifies that it can only be attached to a Pokemon without a tool already in use and is modeled after an existing card. Pokemon TCG Pocket has a good track record for following the physical game structure with only minor edits for greater convenience in online play.

The new game set Space-Time Smackdown only has 140 cards, compared to the 280+ cards featured in Genetic Apex. While there may be fewer unique cards, this could give players an upper hand in pulling useful tools with fewer filler cards to gum things up.

Pokemon tools could shake up the TCG Pocket competitive meta

With the arrival of attachable tools in Pokemon TCG Pocket, some Pokemon could gain an unexpected boost in competitive play.

Out of the three Pokemon tools revealed thus far, the giant cape card in particular has the potential to become meta-altering. By attaching the card, the target Pokemon gains +20 HP added to its total. This differs from potions because it is proactive rather than healing damage already dealt. With the giant cape available, new Pokemon cards may enter into the meta.

One prime example of a new meta contender is Mythical Island’s Golem. Its move Guard Press reduces damage received 30, so with an extra 20 HP and the chance to go first, it could take a blow from Charizard ex and still be standing. Playing the new Lucario and a well-placed Trainer card could even result in a rare Charizard one-shot

Conversely, the giant cape could also help boost the power of current meta decks. Articuno ex, Mewtwo ex, and Moltres ex could all survive one of Mewtwo ex’s Psydrive or have a better chance against Celebi ex’s Powerful Bloom.

The other two known tools in Pokemon TCG Pocket so far are the lum berry and rocky helmet cards. Though less so than the giant cape, the rocky helmet tool may end up being quite useful. It allows a Pokemon to deal 20 damage to the opposing card after being attacked. For cards like Druddigon that already dealt damage when hit, a small boost to that damage dealt could be helpful. The lum berry, meanwhile, essentially works as a preventative measure against poisoning, sleep, or other conditions.

Players will be able to see all of the Pokemon tools in TCG Pocket on January 30 alongside the release of Space-Time Smackdown. When they will get to use them, however, is a matter of lucky pack pulls.