TL;DR
- Space-Time Smackdown launches January 29-30 featuring Gen 4 Pokemon
- Dialga EX and Palkia EX offer game-changing damage and bench support capabilities
- Cynthia and Lucario full arts provide critical damage boosts for specific deck types
- New immersive art cards return with legendary Pokemon including potential Giratina appearances
- Trading system integration on January 28 enables strategic card acquisition

Pokemon TCG Pocket prepares to unveil its second major expansion, Space-Time Smackdown, offering collectors and competitive players an exclusive preview of the most impactful cards available in this groundbreaking set.
As January concludes, dedicated Pokemon TCG Pocket enthusiasts anticipate multiple significant developments. The ongoing Psychic Pokemon Mass Outbreak event provides free Psychic Wonder Picks for limited-time acquisition. Trading functionality arrives January 28, introducing trade hourglasses and specialized tokens for player exchanges. The Pokemon Company now confirms Space-Time Smackdown as the complete second collection for the digital card game platform.
Despite featuring only two distinct booster types, this expansion presents numerous exceptional cards worth pursuing. Below we detail the premier cards revealed thus far from Space-Time Smackdown and outline optimal collection timing strategies.
Space-Time Smackdown focuses predominantly on Generation 4 Pokemon, positioning Dialga and Palkia as potentially dominant additions to competitive deck construction.
The official Space-Time Smackdown preview showcases multiple new Pokemon card introductions, including powerful EX variants. Competitive analysts project Dialga EX and Palkia EX will significantly reshape the current metagame landscape. Palkia demands substantial water energy investment but delivers 150 damage to active opponents plus 20 damage spread across bench positions. This damage distribution establishes its value within Misty/Vaporeon deck archetypes. Dialga potentially mirrors Moltres EX functionality, enhancing metal-type Pokemon positioned on the player’s bench such as Melmetal or duplicate copies.
The final confirmed EX addition is Pachirisu, capable of reaching 80 damage maximum when equipped with appropriate tools. While its precise metagame positioning remains uncertain, creative deck builders may discover innovative applications for this electric-type specialist.

Collectors should also anticipate minimum two premium full art cards: Cynthia and Lucario. Cynthia’s ability grants active Garchomp +20 damage enhancement, confirming Garchomp’s inclusion in Space-Time Smackdown. Additionally, The Pokemon Company debuts Generation 4’s Lucario with elaborate full art presentation featuring Hitmontop, Hitmonchan, and Medicham. Lucario emerges as a premier selection for fighting-type decks due to its passive damage amplification capability.
YouTube trailer descriptions verify immersive card mechanics returning. Previous immersive art editions highlighted booster set mascot Pokemon alongside mythical creatures like Celebi. Excepting the original Mew card, all previously featured Pokemon possess EX variants. This pattern suggests Dialga, Palkia, and Pachirisu as likely candidates. However, Generation 4 offers abundant legendary and mythical options including Giratina, the third Creation trio member.
Additional featured Pokemon encompass all three Sinnoh starter evolutions, Leafeon, and Cresselia. Current information doesn’t clarify whether Piplup and companion starters will receive full art treatments similar to Genetic Apex presentations. Cresselia’s inclusion further implies potential additional legendary Pokemon appearances within Space-Time Smackdown.
Understanding energy requirements represents the primary challenge when integrating Palkia EX into competitive decks. This water-type powerhouse demands strategic energy acceleration through cards like Aqua Patch or manual attachment prioritization. Avoid the common mistake of including Palkia without sufficient energy support, which renders the card ineffective during critical gameplay moments.
Dialga EX offers superior bench support capabilities that synergize effectively with metal-type strategies. Consider pairing Dialga with Melmetal for damage multiplication effects or utilize duplicate metal Pokemon to maximize its ability benefits. Advanced players should prepare energy-switching tactics to optimize Dialga’s metal boost across multiple bench positions.
Lucario’s fighting-type damage amplification creates opportunities for aggressive deck strategies. However, inexperienced builders often overcommit to fighting types without adequate defensive options. Balance your deck with sufficient supporter cards and backup attackers to maintain board presence when primary strategies falter.

When building around Cynthia’s Garchomp synergy, ensure your deck contains multiple Garchomp copies or retrieval methods to maintain consistency. The +20 damage boost may seem minor but frequently determines knockout thresholds against popular meta Pokemon.
Unlike previous set announcements, Space-Time Smackdown lacks confirmed card quantity specifications. As a complete expansion, it will probably approximate 286 cards mirroring Genetic Apex totals, though reduced numbers remain possible given only two pack varieties available. This uncertainty creates additional space for unexpected reveals beyond trailer content.
Despite minor confusion surrounding the precise launch timing for this new TCG Pocket expansion, players will obtain Space-Time Smackdown access and its premium cards before January concludes.
The Pokemon Company published conflicting dates for Space-Time Smackdown’s official debut. The trailer indicates January 29 availability, while X platform posts and video descriptions specify January 30. Until official clarification emerges, verification requires checking at 1 AM daily. One specified date will activate the new booster pack distributions.
Regardless of exact activation timing, the waiting period remains brief. With trading functionality launching January 28, participants can complete existing set collections while pursuing Dialga EX or other premier Space-Time Smackdown acquisitions. The new trading economy introduces strategic opportunities similar to weapon acquisition in our BF6 Weapons Unlock guide, emphasizing strategic resource allocation.
Strategic collection planning should prioritize EX cards for immediate competitive impact, while collectors may focus on immersive art variants for long-term value. Consider prioritizing cards that complement your existing deck strategies, much like class selection in our BF6 Class Guide for optimal performance. The set’s structure encourages diverse collection approaches, whether focusing on specific Pokemon types or completing the entire expansion.
Action Checklist
- Check for set availability at 1 AM on both January 29 and 30
- Prioritize Dialga EX and Palkia EX for competitive deck building
- Utilize new trading system (live January 28) to acquire missing key cards
- Build energy acceleration strategies for Palkia EX water requirements
- Participate in Psychic Mass Outbreak for free Wonder Picks
No reproduction without permission:Game Guides Online » Best cards to pull for Space-Time Smackdown in TCG Pocket Essential guide to Pokemon TCG Pocket's Space-Time Smackdown: Top cards, release timing, and competitive strategies
