The Space-Time Smackdown expansion in Pokémon TCG Pocket has introduced some of the most powerful EX Pokémon, completely reshaping the competitive landscape. With legendary Pokémon like Dialga EX, Palkia EX, and Darkrai EX, this set revolves around energy acceleration, battlefield-wide damage, and aggressive early-game strategies.

Understanding the current meta is essential if you want to build a competitive deck that can hold up against the best players. Whether you’re new to Pokémon TCG Pocket or a seasoned veteran, this guide will break down the strongest decks, including how they work, the best card synergies, and advanced strategies.

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Understanding the Space-Time Smackdown Meta

The Space-Time Smackdown meta is unique because it introduces faster energy ramp-up, multi-target attacks, and stronger EX Pokémon. This makes battles more strategic, as players must now decide whether to focus on energy generation, stall tactics, or fast-paced aggression.

Key Features of the Current Meta:

• Energy Acceleration – Many top decks focus on quickly building up Energy, ensuring that Pokémon can attack much sooner than usual.
• Multi-Target Damage – Cards like Palkia EX and Articuno EX allow players to deal widespread damage, disrupting enemy setups.
• High-Durability Tanks – Melmetal-based decks focus on outlasting opponents, making it hard for aggressive decks to break through.
• Aggressive Early-Game Pressure – Darkrai EX & Weavile EX decks dominate by applying quick damage and forcing opponents to defend.

For beginners, we highly recommend checking out the Best Beginner Decks Guide to get started with strong, easy-to-use decks.

Dialga EX & Melmetal – The Indestructible Wall

This Metal-type deck is a defensive powerhouse, built to stall enemy attacks while gradually building up Energy for powerful strikes. Dialga EX ensures constant Energy regeneration, while Melmetal acts as an unbreakable tank, absorbing massive amounts of damage.

How the Deck Works

A key strength of this deck is its ability to last longer in battle than most aggressive setups. By using Melmetal’s natural bulk, you can outlast enemy Pokémon, forcing them into an exhausting match where they run out of resources.

• If you start with Meltan, evolve it into Melmetal as soon as possible. Once evolved, Melmetal becomes extremely hard to KO, allowing you to set up Dialga EX and Mew EX.
• If Dialga EX is your starter, your focus should be on benching Meltan and Mew EX quickly so that Dialga can power up other Pokémon with Metal Energy.
• Rocky Helmet ensures that opponents take damage whenever they attack you, while Leaf provides a quick escape option if needed.

Key Cards:

• Dialga EX – Generates Metal Energy, ensuring consistent attacks.
• Melmetal – A damage sponge that buys time for setup.
• Mew EX – Copies enemy attacks, adding flexibility.
• Rocky Helmet – Punishes opponents by reflecting damage.
• Dawn – Moves Energy to keep the battle flowing.

If you want advanced strategy tips for playing this deck, check out the Pokémon TCG Pocket Strategy Guide.

Palkia EX & Articuno EX – The Battlefield Dominators

This Water-type deck focuses on wide battlefield control, dealing damage across multiple enemy Pokémon at once. Unlike Dialga EX decks that play slow and steady, this deck overwhelms opponents by damaging everything they have on the field.

How the Deck Works

• Vaporeon is a key support Pokémon—use it early to ensure Palkia EX and Articuno EX receive Energy quickly.
• Misty and Manaphy accelerate Water Energy generation, allowing you to use powerful attacks much earlier in the game.
• Leaf and Giovanni give flexibility, helping you retreat when needed or push extra damage.

Key Cards:

• Palkia EX – Hits multiple Pokémon with Dimensional Storm.
• Articuno EX – Deals additional spread damage.
• Vaporeon – Transfers Energy efficiently.
• Misty – Boosts Water Energy attachment speed.
• Potion/Manaphy – Ensures Pokémon survival.

Darkrai EX & Weavile EX – Fast and Ruthless

This Dark-type deck is built for aggressive, early-game pressure, making it one of the most dangerous decks in the current meta.

How the Deck Works

• Spiritomb’s Swirling Disaster ability spreads damage across the opponent’s team.
• Weavile EX’s Scratching Nails attack deals massive damage when enemies are already injured.
• Darkrai EX’s Nightmare Aura inflicts passive damage every time you attach a Darkness Energy.

Key Cards:

• Weavile EX – Strikes for 70 damage with just one Dark Energy.
• Darkrai EX – Deals passive damage when energy is attached.
• Spiritomb – Weakens enemy Pokémon early.
• Xspeed – Provides speed boosts.

Infernape EX & Moltres EX – The Powerhouse Fire Combo

The Infernape EX & Moltres EX deck is a high-speed Fire-type strategy that focuses on quick energy generation and devastating attacks. Dubbed the “Power Creep Charizard” deck, this build offers strong offensive potential with lower energy requirements than traditional Charizard EX decks.

How the Deck Works

Unlike Charizard EX, which requires four energy to unleash its most powerful attacks, Infernape EX is much more energy-efficient, needing only two Fire Energy to use its Flare Blitz attack. However, the trade-off is that Flare Blitz discards all attached Fire Energy, making energy regeneration essential for sustaining its damage output.

• Moltres EX plays a crucial support role, using its Inferno Dance ability to attach Fire Energy from the deck to benched Pokémon. This allows Infernape EX to recharge quickly after using Flare Blitz.
• Dawn helps transfer Energy from benched Pokémon to Infernape EX, ensuring it can attack again without delay.
• Rocky Helmet adds a layer of defense, punishing opponents when they attack Infernape EX.
• X Speed increases mobility, making it easier to retreat and reposition attackers when needed.

Key Cards:

• Infernape EX – A high-damage, energy-efficient attacker.
• Moltres EX – Provides Fire Energy acceleration to keep Infernape EX ready for action.
• Dawn – Moves energy to Infernape EX to ensure consecutive attacks.
• Rocky Helmet – Reflects damage when attacked, adding extra pressure.
• X Speed – Helps with retreating and switching strategies.

This deck is perfect for aggressive players who want fast-paced, high-damage battles. However, it requires careful energy management to avoid running out of Fire Energy too quickly.

Garchomp & Mew EX – The Versatile Dragon Attackers

The Garchomp & Mew EX deck is a Dragon-type powerhouse, capable of dealing massive damage while maintaining strategic flexibility. With Garchomp’s Dragon Claw and Cynthia’s power boost, this deck ensures high-damage output throughout the match. Meanwhile, Mew EX provides adaptability, allowing players to copy enemy moves and counter different playstyles.

How the Deck Works

This deck relies on two major attack strategies:

• Garchomp as the primary heavy hitter – With Dragon Claw and Cynthia’s boost, Garchomp can deal an extra 50 damage, making it one of the most powerful attackers in the meta.
• Mew EX’s Genome Hacking – This ability lets Mew EX use any attack from an enemy Pokémon, bypassing the usual Energy-type restrictions that Dragon-type Pokémon suffer from.

Since Dragon-type Pokémon often require multiple types of Energy, Mew EX helps mitigate this issue by copying attacks without the same energy restrictions. This makes the deck highly versatile and able to adapt to different matchups.

• Budding Expeditioner ensures quick evolution, allowing Gible to become Garchomp faster.
• Potion adds sustain, keeping Garchomp in the fight longer.
• X Speed provides mobility, allowing Pokémon to switch efficiently when needed.

Key Cards:

• Garchomp – A high-damage Dragon-type attacker.
• Mew EX – Provides flexibility by copying enemy attacks.
• Cynthia – Increases Garchomp’s attack power.
• Budding Expeditioner – Speeds up Garchomp’s evolution.
• Potion – Keeps Pokémon alive longer to ensure consistent damage.

This deck is best suited for players who enjoy strategic flexibility, as it allows different attack styles based on the opponent’s deck. However, it requires careful energy planning to ensure both Garchomp and Mew EX are always ready to attack.

How to Trade and Expand Your Collection

In Pokémon TCG Pocket, trading is one of the best ways to obtain rare cards, complete your deck, and strengthen your collection. If you’re serious about building a strong meta deck, you must understand the trade system.

How to Trade Efficiently:

• Use Trading Tokens – These allow you to exchange duplicate or unwanted cards for valuable ones.
• Join Active Trading Communities – Many players trade rare Space-Time Smackdown cards, giving you a chance to find missing pieces for your deck.
• Time Your Trades – Some cards rise in demand when new meta shifts occur, allowing you to trade at higher value.
• Target EX Pokémon – If you don’t have Dialga EX, Palkia EX, or Darkrai EX, prioritize trading for them.

For a detailed guide on trading, check out the Pokémon TCG Pocket Trading Guide.

The Space-Time Smackdown expansion has brought several powerful decks into the meta, each catering to different playstyles. Whether you prefer defensive endurance, aggressive speed, or tactical flexibility, there’s a deck that suits your needs.

• For defensive players – Dialga EX & Melmetal provide high durability and energy regeneration, making them ideal for those who prefer long battles and resource management.
• For aggressive players – Darkrai EX & Weavile EX and Infernape EX & Moltres EX offer fast, high-damage strategies. Darkrai EX applies constant pressure with Nightmare Aura, while Infernape EX takes advantage of quick energy recycling and explosive attacks.
• For battlefield control – Palkia EX & Articuno EX focus on wide-area damage, weakening multiple enemy Pokémon at once, making them excellent for players who like disrupting opponents’ setups.
• For flexible playstyles – Garchomp & Mew EX are perfect for adapting to different matchups, thanks to Mew EX’s ability to copy enemy attacks and bypass energy restrictions.

Regardless of which deck you choose, mastering energy management, deck synergy, and trading for key cards will help you dominate battles. If you’re looking to refine your gameplay further, check out the Pokémon TCG Pocket Strategy Guide.

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