Summary
Pokemon Pocket’slatest expansion, Space-Time Smackdown, introduces six new Supporter cards: Cyrus, Dawn, Cynthia, Volkner, Mars, and Team Galactic Grunt. And with every new release, a common question is which of these cards are worth prioritizing. ThisPokemon TCG Pockettier list ranksall the new Supporters from Space-Time Smackdownbased on gameplay-focused criteria.
Ranking Criteria Explained
This tier list of Supporter cards fromPokemon TCG Pocket’slatest expansion,Space-Time Smackdown, is based on the following criteria:
6Team Galactic Grunt
Too Niche to Be Good
Team Galactic Grunt is too limited to make a significant impact on the meta. This Supporter card can be used in decks with Glameow, Stunky, or Croagunk, but none of these Pokemon are performing well in the current metagame. Essentially, Team Galactic Grunt is a specialized Supporter that relies on meta-irrelevant Pokemon, which is its biggest drawback.
A more general effect, like drawing a randomDarkness-type Pokemonfrom the deck, might have helped this card. However, considering the current state of the metagame inPokemon TCG Pocket, Team Galactic Grunt ranks as the least favorable Supporter among the six new Trainer cards.
5Mars
Disruption May Not Be Worth It
Mars is essentially a new version of Red Card, with the added twist of adjusting the number of cards the opponent draws based on their score. After Mars’s effect, the opponent draws cards equal to the number of points they need to win the match. For example, if they’ve already scored two points, Mars forces them to shuffle their cards back into the deck and draw just one.
While Mars’s disruption ability can be useful in PvP and tournament matches, it’s not enough to earn her a higher spot on the list. InPokemon TCG Pocket, where decks are limited to just 20 cards, dedicating a slot or two to Mars isn’t ideal.
That said, players building meme decks or those who enjoy disruption strategies can still benefit from Mars’s effect. Some decklists featuringMars and Puruglyare circulating, with the idea being that Mars reduces the opponent’s hand size, allowing Purugly to send those cards back into the deck—leaving the opponent with an empty hand.
4Cynthia
The Goddess of the Deadly Kiss
Cynthia’s future in the meta is uncertain, but she’s currently performing well in Garchomp and Togekiss decks, both of which are on the rise. Garchomp, in particular, has gained popularity recently, boosting Cynthia’s usage as well. With Cynthia, Garchomp can deal 150 damage,enough to take down many meta Pokemon. (On Togekiss, after its first attack, Cynthia boosts the next move to a powerful 170 damage!)
The issue with Cynthia is the same as with Team Galactic Grunt: a niche effect. It’s unlikely that both Garchomp and Togekiss will maintain a strong presence inPokemon TCG Pocket’smetagame, meaning Cynthia could fade away as new expansions are released.
3Dawn
A Pocket-Size Vaporeon
Mythical Island’s Vaporeonhad a significant impact on the metagame with its Washed Out move, allowing players to transfer Water-type Energy from one of their Benched Pokemon to the Active one. However, the downside was that Vaporeon was exclusive to Water-types, leaving players wanting a similar card for other Energy types. With the release of the Space-Time Smackdown expansion, that desire is now satisfied, as Dawn lets players transfer Energy.
The only drawback is that Dawn’s ability is limited to just one transfer, meaning players can use it a maximum of two times per match. While that may not be as powerful as Vaporeon’s effect, Dawn’s ability to work with all Energy types makes hera meta-relevant Supporterwho’s likely to remain popular for a long time.
2Volkner
A Meta-Shaking Supporter
Volkner is perhaps the most complex Supporter of the Space-Time Smackdown expansion. His ability allows players to revive discarded Energies, something that wasn’t possible before his release. Despite this, Volkner is currently one of the most popular cards inPokemon TCG Pocket’smeta, thanks to his powerful synergy withLightning-type decks.
Players are pairing Volkner with Electivire and Luxray alongside self-energizing Pokemon like the new Electabuzz from the Space-Time Smackdown set or Genetic Apex’s Magneton. This combination results in multiple strong attacks with Electivire and Luxray, as Volkner can bring back up to four discarded Energies for them.
For those curious about what counts as a discarded Energy, here’s a quick breakdown. InPokemon TCG Pocket, the following actions can discard Energy:
Players can check how many discarded Energies they have by tapping their discard pile.
1Cyrus
The Unfading New Supporter
Cyrus is essentially a stronger version of Sabrina. When Sabrina is played, the opponent has to replace their Active Pokemon with one from their Bench. Cyrus introduces a similar effect but with a twist: when he’s played, the opponent must replace their Active Pokemon with one of their damaged Pokemon, and if they have more than one, Cyrus’s owner chooses which one they must bring out.
Cyrus introduces the concept of “chasing.” Players can now target the opponent’s weakest Pokemon hiding on the Bench and take it out—an important shift from the Sabrina-dominated meta. Given that Cyrus has single-handedly caused this change, he deserves the title of the best Supporter card inPokemon Pocket’sSpace-Time Smackdown expansion and possibly one of the best across all expansions so far.
