The latest update to Pokemon TCG Pocket, known as the Space-Time Smackdown set, has turned the mobile card game on its head by introducing a slew of new creatures and card mechanics. Focusing primarily on Generation 4 Pokemon, this new release fortifies a previously weak lineup of Metal and Darkness cards, especially since the Genetic Apex set concentrated mostly on Gen 1 Pokemon. Darkness types, which were in dire need of some fresh additions, have received an impressive boost with several formidable new cards that are likely to become key players in the competitive scene.
The inaugural Pokemon TCG Pocket set featuring predominantly Gen 1 Pokemon didn’t do much for the Darkness and Metal types, as these types weren’t introduced until the second generation of mainline Pokemon games. With the game classifying Poison types under the Darkness umbrella, Pokemon like Golbat, Muk, and Arbok served as the primary representatives for Darkness in the Genetic Apex expansion. To complicate matters, no EX cards were available for the Darkness types in either Genetic Apex or Mythical Island sets. But now, with the arrival of Gen 4 Pokemon in TCG Pocket, the game finally gives Darkness types the firepower they’ve needed to be contenders in the current meta.
Let’s delve into how the Darkness type has been enhanced. Traditionally, a strong EX card is essential for building a competitive deck in today’s meta. Until Space-Time Smackdown came along, the Darkness type had no EX cards to speak of, making it challenging to construct a reliable deck. That all changes now, as several new Darkness-type cards, including two much-needed EX entries, have been introduced, potentially allowing them to compete neck and neck with the popular Psychic decks led by Mewtwo EX and Mew EX.
Here’s a look at all the new Darkness-type cards added in the Space-Time Smackdown set:
– Murkrow
– Honchkrow
– Sneasel
– Weavile EX
– Poochyena
– Mightyena
– Stunky
– Skuntank
– Spiritomb
– Skorupi
– Drapion
– Croagunk
– Toxicroak
– Darkrai
– Darkrai EX
Two standout cards from the set are Croagunk and Toxicroak, each providing a strategic advantage by rewarding players who bolster their bench with additional Pokemon. Their Group Beatdown move is particularly noteworthy, as it has players flip a coin for each card they have in play, dealing between 20 to 40 damage per card on heads, respectively. Though coin flips can sometimes feel like a gamble, players fortunate enough to land on multiple heads will find these attacks incredibly rewarding.
Among the freshest additions, Weavile EX and Darkrai EX are noteworthy. Weavile EX boasts the Scratching Nails attack, requiring just one Darkness energy to deal a solid 30 base damage. Its potential spikes, however, as it inflicts an extra 40 damage if the opposing Pokemon is already injured, offering a chance to dish out 70 damage at the minimal cost of one Darkness energy.
Meanwhile, Darkrai EX emerges as the centerpiece of the new Darkness cards. As a basic Pokemon with an outstanding ability, its lone attack, Dark Prism, hits for 80 damage with two Darkness energy and one Colorless energy. Although not the most powerful alone, Darkrai EX’s Nightmare Aura ability can deal 20 extra damage to the opponent’s active Pokemon each time you attach a Darkness energy to Darkrai EX, even if Darkrai EX is suffering from a status affliction.
With these enhancements, the Darkness type in Pokemon TCG Pocket has gained substantial swings, providing the arsenal it needs to thrive and excel in any duel.
