Pokémon TCG Pocket: 10 Underrated Space-Time Smackdown Cards You’re Probably Overlooking

Since the release of the Space-Time Smackdown expansion for Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, several cards have risen to the top and been widely used in competitive battles. However, there are several underrated cards that may not have received the attention they deserve. From unique abilities to high-damage attacks, these cards have the qualities to make a big difference in a player’s deck.

While many players will focus on well-known ex cards from the new expansion, like Darkrai ex and Infernape ex, these underrated gems can provide an unexpected advantage when used in the correct contexts. Whether its through stalling tactics or game-changing abilities, these ten cards can be crucial for building effective decks.

10 Fan Rotom Can Disrupt The Opponent

With Its Attack, Fan Rotom Has The Ability To Stop Powerful Opposition Cards

Fan Rotom may seem underwhelming at first glance. It’s a colorless basic card with no special ability, an attack that causes no damage, and only 80 HP. However, when utilized in the correct context, this card holds some undeniable power.

Its attack, "Spin Storm", lets the player flip a coin. If it lands on heads, they can return the opponent's Active Pokémon to their hand. This can be used to stall and disrupt the opponent’s tactics. The attack requires two Energy, but since they're Colorless, Fan Rotom fits into any deck.

The downside to this card is that it doesn’t deal any damage. This will often discourage players, causing them to overlook Fan Rotom, despite its potential to be extremely useful in many decks. With many powerful decks in Pokémon TCG Pocket relying on singular powerful cards, such as the Celebi ex deck, Fan Rotom will easily stop the opposition from performing the tactic in which they want to carry out.

9 Giratina's Stunning Artwork Hides Its True Competitive Potential

A Powerful Attack And Versatile Ability Make This Card Easy To Use In Psychic Decks

Since the release of the Space-Time Smackdown expansion, most of Giratina’s attention has been down to its exceptional illustrated rare artwork. This may overshadow the fact that it's also highly effective in competitive battles. Its attack, “Spooky Shot”, will hit the opponent for 70 damage, which is substantial for a basic card. Though the attack costs three Energy to use — two Psychic Energy and one Colorless Energy —it should be quick to get online with the help of Gardevoir.

Another feature of this card to note is its ability. “Levitate” reduces Giratina’s retreat cost to zero once an Energy has been placed on the card. This means that it is quick-moving and versatile, giving the player an upper hand when it has taken significant damage. It could be used to stall the opponent, especially if partnered with the Rocky Helmet tool card.

8 Luxray Is A Powerhouse With Huge Attacking Potential

Its High HP And Game-Ending Attack Makes It Worth The Effort

Luxray is a powerhouse with 130 HP and a huge attack. This Stage Two card takes some time and effort to get online, with many players neglecting the Lightning type due to this fact. However, once given the appropriate Energy, this card has some battle-ending potential. Its attack, "Volt Bolt," deals 120 damage to one of the opponent's Pokémon, with the player able to target either the Active Pokémon or one on the Bench.

The only downside to this attack is that it discards all Lightning-type Energy from Luxray. This shouldn’t be a problem, however, as this card should be used as a finishing move rather than a consistent attacker. Its 130 HP is an added bonus, allowing it to stay active until it can perform its heavy-hitting attack. This card should be utilized more than it currently is.

7 Gliscor Is Cheap To Use

It Is A Fast-Acting Fighter Ready To Deal Damage Early

Gliscor is a Stage One Fighting-type Pokémon that can start dealing damage swiftly. Evolving from Gligar, this card can easily be ready in the Active Spot as soon as the player's second turn. Its attack, “Acrobatics” does 20 damage and allows the player to flip two coins. This attack does an additional 20 damage for each heads flipped. What makes this attack so good is how cheap it is, requiring only one Fighting Energy to use.

Gliscor also has 100 HP, meaning it can be a great card for the start of battles. This can also be boosted by using the Giant Cape tool card, in which would make this card even better for being placed in the Active Spot from the early turns. This would give the player an opportunity to build up other Fighting-type cards on the bench, such as Lucario and Gallade ex.

6 Shaymin Has A Helpful Healing Effect

A Useful Ability Makes Shaymin A Valuable Asset In Grass-Type Decks

Shaymin has a stunning illustrated rare card that will undoubtedly attract many players looking to add it to their collection, but its utility in battle should not be understated. Its attack, “Flop”, does 30 damage for two Energy —one Grass Energy and one Colorless Energy. However, this is not what makes Shaymin a solid card. Its ability is what makes the basic card shine.

Its ability, “Fragrant Flower Garden”, has a hugely helpful healing effect, allowing the player to heal 10 damage from each of their Pokémon. This card can easily be put on the bench to give a deck more longevity in battles. With this card, Grass-type decks have another way of healing significant Energy on top of the useful Butterfree and Erica cards. This card should be placed on the bench and kept away from the Active Spot for optimal utility.

5 Mesprit Is Rewarding For Those That Put The Effort In

Mastering Mesprit's Supreme Blast Is Huge For Damage Potential

Mesprit takes a considerable amount of time to master and is only effective in very specific decks. While this may deter many Pokémon TCG Pocket players, when used correctly, it proves to be massively beneficial. Its attack, “Supreme Blast”, does a huge 160 damage.

This is powerful enough to destroy most cards in the game, including many ex cards like Celebi ex and Mewtwo ex. However, this comes with a major caveat; players can use this attack only if they have Uxie and Azelf on their bench. It also discards all Energy from this Pokémon.

This card is only for those who want to steer away from meta decks and try something completely fresh. Once mastered, this card will instill fear in players relying on meta tactics with Celebi ex, Pikachu ex, and Articuno ex — all of which have lower HP than the 160 damage output of "Supreme Blast."

4 Electrode Has Fresh Art And A Quick Attack

Rolling Attack Makes Electrode The Perfect Stall Card For Lightning-Type Decks

The Space-Time Smackdown expansion has given players another version of Electrode, which offers fresh art and a new attack. The Genetic Apex variant of this card has been ever-present in Pikachu ex decks, and for good reason. However, the Space-Time Smackdown version should start appearing more gradually as players understand its usefulness. Its attack, “Rolling Attack”, does a swift 50 damage. This only requires one Lightning Energy to use, making the attack both quick and easy to set up.

This card will act as a perfect stall card in a Lightning-type deck, giving players enough opportunity to set up their important cards on the bench. It can also easily be partnered with the Giant Cape and Rocky Helmet tool cards to make it even more effective in the Active Spot for early turns.

This Metal-Type Shines When Used In The Correct Context

Skarmory is a Basic, Metal-type card in Pokémon TCG Pocket that provides players with a great reason to utilize the new Tool Trainer cards introduced in the Space-Time Smackdown expansion. Its attack, “Metal Arms”, does a small 20 damage. When a tool card is attached to Skarmory, however, this attack does an additional 30 more damage. This totals 50 damage, in which can cause the opponent some problems. Tool cards include the Rocky Helmet, Giant Cape, and Lum Berry, all of which offer the card different benefits.

Also, this attack only requires one Metal Energy to use, meaning the card is perfect to occupy the Active Spot from the first turn. It will deal substantial damage with a tool card and easily stall for powerful cards on the bench, such as Melmetal and Dialga ex.

2 Rampardos Has A High-Damage, High-Risk Attack

This Pokémon Uses Head Smash For Devistating Damage

Rampardos is a Stage Two Fighting-type card with a high damage potential. This card has an attack called “Head Smash” that deals a whopping 130 damage that only costs one Fighting Energy. That said, it comes with a weighty caveat.

If the player’s opponent’s Pokémon is Knocked Out by damage from this attack, this Pokémon also does 50 damage to itself. This will understandably put players off this card, but its cheap cost and high damage could be a reason to give it a chance.

Rampardos also has a massive 150 HP. This will allow it to withstand the test of time during a battle, allowing it to deal a final blow. Evolving from Cranidos, it brings both durability and offensive power, making it a strong contender in any Fighting-type deck.

1 Empoleon Is The Most Underrated Card In Pokémon TCG Pocket

Aqua Jet Helps This Card Be A Threat In Any Water-Type Deck

Empoleon is a Stage Two Water-type Pokemon that is well worth the effort it takes to get online. With its attack, “Aqua Jet”, it does a formidable 80 damage as well as 30 damage to one of the opponent’s benched Pokémon. This has enough power to knock out the majority of cards in the game, as well as considerably set back on benched Pokémon ready to occupy the Active Spot. This attack does cost three Energy: two Water Energy and one Colorless Energy, meaning it will take some time to set up.

Empoleon will undoubtedly cause some problems for the opponent, particularly when partnered with the Misty supporter card. It also has a strong 150 HP, giving it enough durability to withstand most attacks in the game. This card could come off the bench to guarantee success in Pokémon TCG Pocket.