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Space-Time Smackdown has made its way to Pokémon TCG Pocket, and the meta is shifting dramatically around some of the newest cards already. Most notably, it's finally opened up some more solid strategies around types that previously didn't get much time on the stage. Not all cards are created equal, however, so let's talk through the best cards you can pull in Space-Time Smackdown (including which of the two packs they're included in!) and how you can use them to crush the competition.
The Best Cards in Space-Time Smackdown
#10 Weavile ex (Palkia Pack)
Weavile ex (and to a lesser extent the base Sneasel), represent the best new option for a fast, aggressive Dark-type deck in Pokémon TCG Pocket. Potentially dealing a very healthy chunk of damage for only one Energy means it can get in, rack up the damage, and then either serve as a solid sacrifice or retreat for an also reasonable one Energy. Not exciting, but a work horse that you'll want.
#9 Garchomp (Palkia Pack)
Garchomp is the newest payoff for trying to make Dragon decks work, and alongside a Trainer we're about to see (bet you can guess who), it can do some impressive things. Arguably more important than that Trainer synergy, however, is Garchomp's ability: filtering through your deck while also presenting a late-game threat combines into something stellar without the ex downside.
#8 Cynthia (Palkia Pack)
Not surprising those who know their Pokémon, Cynthia does great work alongside her partner Pokémon. While I'm less impressed with Togekiss than I am Garchomp, the overall kit here results in a lot of easy Knock Outs, and that's all while you also get to enjoy the powerhouse plays that Garchomp sets you up for anyway. Cynthia is one of the best cards in Space-Time Smackdown, and well worth building around.
#7 Lucario (Dialga Pack)
Fighting-type Pokémon didn't really gain all that much with this set, but the one piece they did get in Lucario is excellently positioned. Buffing a number of cards that are already walls is genuinely killer, letting you sit behind cards like Dugtrio and make sure the opposition is just having a real bad time while Lucario is shouting encouragement from the back line.
#6 Palkia ex (Palkia Pack)
Water-type decks were already not exactly losing out on options, especially with the dedicated cheese of an early Misty potentially setting you up for a win before the opponent can even consider setting up. Palkia ex is another option in the same vein, while chunking your opponent's entire Bench in the process. I still prefer Articuno ex, but there is some logic to trying to make Palkia ex work instead (or in addition to).
#5 Mars (Palkia Pack)
Pokémon TCG Pocket is drastically missing disruption options, with practically only Red Card seeing any kind of play. Mars will often play similarly to—if not outright better than—Red Card, and decks that just want to disrupt (or grief) the opposition will find a happy home for Mars. I'm not looking forward to losing hands I've spent time sculpting, but that just tells you how good it is.
#4 Manaphy (Palkia Pack)
Any kind of Energy generation is something you should strongly consider, so Manaphy ramps its way very high up the list for that alone. A mini-Moltress ex for Water-types is practically ridiculous, and I'm frankly surprised to see any kind of Energy generation in decks that are already being "balanced" around Misty. That card definitely stifles design, and I'm side-eyeing this from a "fun" perspective. Doesn't change how this is one of the most powerful cards in Space-Time Smackdown!
#3 Infernape ex (Palkia Pack)
Hello Charizard ex, good to see you again. Seriously though, this'll play very similarly to the already-popular finisher for Fire decks in Pokémon TCG Pocket, and Infernape ex has one huge upside that makes up for its slightly lower damage: check out that Retreat Cost! You can't do better than free, and Infernape ex will dance between the Active Spot and getting fed Energy by Moltres ex, being a monkey on the opponent's back for far longer than it has any right to be.
#2 Darkrai ex (Dialga Pack)
Darkrai ex jumps near the top of the list of the most powerful cards in Space-Time Smackdown for the same reason we see Weavile ex featured at the beginning. Dark-type decks needed love in Pokémon TCG Pocket, and Darkrai ex gives you the inevitability that something like a Nidoqueen or Weezing sadly lacked. I expect you'll be seeing a lot of Darkrai ex in the future, if for no other reason than because players like me will want to try to make the edgelord Pokémon work.
#1 Dialga ex (Dialga Pack)
No shade on Palkia ex, but Diagla ex is the best card in Space-Time Smackdown.
Dialga ex is the perfect package, helping you spread energy around the Bench while dealing chip damage, and giving you a perfectly fine 100-damage haymaker. Like Darkrai ex, Dialga ex is the missing piece for Steel decks. Tack on the popularity of this legend and you have another game piece that I'm expecting will be seeing play for a good long while. You love to see this much support for decks that really needed it.