Pokémon TCG Pocket Players Love and Hate Heartbreaking Time Space Showdown Art

The Pokémon Trading Card Game (PTCGO) Space Time Smackdown expansion, released January 30th, features a Weavile ex card depicting a disturbing scene that has sparked outrage among players. Specifically, the full-art 2-Star version shows a group of Weavile poised to attack an unsuspecting Swinub.

This brutal depiction of Pokémon predation has generated considerable online discussion. Reddit posts highlighting the artwork have garnered thousands of upvotes, with comments expressing concern and dismay for the Swinub's fate. The graphic nature of the card's art, contrasting with the typically lighthearted portrayal of Pokémon, has struck a chord with many players.

However, some fans offer a glimmer of hope, pointing to the Mamoswine full-art card. This card shows a Mamoswine looking upwards, seemingly protective of several Swinub, suggesting a possible rescue or intervention. This interpretation has provided a measure of comfort to some players attempting to reconcile the Weavile card's violent imagery.

The Space Time Smackdown expansion, themed around Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, includes 207 cards – fewer than Genetic Apex's 286, but with a higher percentage (52 out of 207) of alternate art, Star, and Crown rarity cards.

Despite the controversy, Creatures Inc. has yet to address the player backlash. While a "Trade Feature Celebration Gift" was distributed, including 500 Trade Tokens and 120 Trade Hourglasses, the developer has remained silent on fan complaints and has not responded to media inquiries. The focus remains solely on promoting the new expansion.