Pokemon TCG Pocket's latest set, Space-Time Smackdown, is a major shake-up for the mobile card game as it adds a wide variety of new critters and card mechanics. With the set mainly focusing on Gen 4 critters, Pokemon TCG Pocket has now filled out its roster of Metal and Darkness cards that were underrepresented due to the Genetic Apex set primarily focusing on Gen 1 mons. Of these types, Darkness was in most need of an overhaul and Space-Time Smackdown delivers several powerful new cards that could be major meta threats.
With the Dark and Steel types not debuting in the mainline Pokemon games until Gen 2, the first Pokemon TCG Pocket set featuring mainly Gen 1 meant it was limited in its options for Darkness and Metal types. TCG Pocket includes Poison types in the Darkness type category, so mons like Golbat, Muk, and Arbok were the main Darkness representatives in Genetic Apex, with no EX cards available for the Darkness type across either Genetic Apex or Mythical Island. However, now that a whole crop of Gen 4 mons is available in TCG Pocket, the game finally gives the Darkness type the tools it needs to stand among the best deck types in the meta.
Pokemon TCG Pocket's Space-Time Smackdown Set Gives the Darkness Type a Major Upgrade
The Darkness Type Finally Has the Basis for a Powerful TCG Pocket Deck
For most decks in Pokemon TCG Pocket, a strong EX card is mandatory to thrive in the current meta. With the Darkness types lacking any EX cards prior to the release of Space-Time Smackdown, it was hard to form a good deck for the Darkness type. However, this has drastically changed with the introduction of a solid handful of new Darkness-type cards—including two EX—that should allow the type to rival the dominance of Psychic decks featuring the likes of Mewtwo EX and Mew EX.
All Darkness-Type Cards Added in Space-Time Smackdown
- Murkrow
- Honchkrow
- Sneasel
- Weavile EX
- Poochyena
- Mightyena
- Stunky
- Skuntank
- Spiritomb
- Skorupi
- Drapion
- Croagunk
- Toxicroak
- Darkrai
- Darkrai EX
Some of the stand-out Darkness cards added in the Space-Time Smackdown set include Croagunk and Toxicroak, who offer players a great way to deal damage and rewards them for stacking their bench with additional mons. Both cards have the Group Beatdown move that has the player flip a coin for each card they have in play, dealing 20 or 40 damage between Croagunk and Toxicroak respectively, for each heads. While coin flips in Pokemon TCG Pocket can feel unfair at times, players lucky enough to hit multiple heads can deal some serious damage with these attacks.
Darkrai EX and Weavile EX Were Much Needed Additions to the TCG Pocket Meta
The two new Darkness-type EX cards added in Space-Time Smackdown are easily some of the best additions from this latest set. Weavile EX's sole attack is Scratching Nails, which only costs one Darkness energy and deals a base 30 damage to the opposing Pokemon. However, what makes it so powerful is the fact that it deals an additional 40 damage if the opposing mon already has damage on it, meaning players could potentially switch it in and deal 70 damage right off the bat for a cost of only one Darkness energy.
Darkrai EX is the clear top dog of Pokemon TCG Pocket's new Darkness-type cards as a basic Pokemon with an incredible ability. Its only attack is Dark Prism, which deals 80 damage at the cost of two Darkness energy and one Colorless energy. While this attack isn't the strongest on its own, Darkrai EX's ability, Nightmare Aura, deals 20 damage to the opponent's active Pokemon each time the player attaches a Darkness to Darkrai EX, giving it an easy way to deal an extra bit of damage, even if Darkrai EX is afflicted with a status condition.
- Released
- October 30, 2024
- Developer(s)
- DeNA, Creatures Inc.
- Publisher(s)
- The Pokemon Company
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- Yes
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Digital Card Game
