The Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket is set to launch its much-anticipated Space-Time Smackdown expansion on January 30, 2025. This expansion is generating excitement as it promises to bring over 140 new cards primarily themed around the beloved Generation 4 Pokémon from the Sinnoh region, including some powerful new legendary cards.
At the forefront of this new set is Bidoof, known more for its meme-worthy status than its competitive edge. Yet, according to leaks from the PTCGP Reddit, players can expect Bidoof to shake up the meta with its new Super Fang attack, which has the unique ability to halve the HP of its opponent's Pokémon. This means it can make formidable opponents, especially ex and Stage 2 Pokémon, vulnerable to follow-up attacks—an intriguing development for players strategizing around Bidoof's capabilities.
Creatures Inc. and DeNa—the developers behind Pokémon TCG Pocket—have confirmed the addition of features like Pokémon Tools, akin to held items from the main games, and the much-requested trading feature. The trading system will allow players to exchange cards with friends using special items, trading hourglasses and trade tokens, adding another layer of strategy to collect and build decks.
With the expansion release drawing near, fans can already anticipate the excitement surrounding several new legendary cards, such as Dialga ex and Palkia ex. Dialga ex boasts impressive stats with 150 HP and its attack, Metallic Turbo, allowing players to accelerate energy attachment to benched Pokémon. Meanwhile, Palkia ex features the potentially damaging Dimensional Storm attack, hitting the active Pokémon hard and dealing damage to the bench, albeit at the cost of discarding water energy. Palkia ex is particularly impressive as it can immediately utilize its 1-energy Slash for quick pressure on opponents.
The new Pokémon Tools mentioned, which are expected to increase strategic options, will likely change how players engage with deck construction. These tools will be limited to one per Pokémon, enhancing the idea of careful resource management during matches.
The trading feature, going live on January 29, 2025, prior to the expansion, aims to broaden players’ collection capabilities. Players will be able to trade cards from previous expansions, offering avenues for diversifying decks without the usual grind for rare cards.
Praise has already been directed toward Lucario, who is expected to be one of the standout cards of this set. With the ability called Fighting Coach, Lucario's presence can amplify damage dealt by all Fighting-type Pokémon, creating new opportunities for high-damage combos. Its design, featuring legendary artist Akira Komayama's illustrations, adds to its allure as players aim for this powerful card.
While Bidoof’s new capabilities might throw current strategies for a loop, the expansion is more than just about one card. It signifies the broadening of gameplay options available to players, indicating the Pokémon TCG Pocket developers' intention to keep the competitive scene dynamic and engaging. Shifts like this celebrate the blend of nostalgia and new mechanics, encouraging both seasoned trainers and new players to explore different deck-building strategies.
With these features rolling out, many are also curious about how existing cards will fare once the expansion hits. The community is buzzing with speculation on how the meta will evolve post-launch, especially with famed tournament-winning decks led by Celebi and Gyarados recently shown to struggle against new mechanics and Turbos. Only time will tell how effective they remain against the influx of new powerful cards.
With only days until the launch, players are preparing not just for collection but also for experimenting with new strategies. The combination of new cards, tools, and the trading feature is likely to create waves within the competitive scene, putting current decks to the test. On January 30, the world of Pokémon TCG Pocket will undoubtedly change, as veteran and novice players discover the extent of their creativity with the new sets.