TCG Pocket - Space-Time Smackdown Tier list #2

While Space-Time Smackdown shook up the meta, it is also a short-lived format, lasting only a month compared to the previous six-week cycles.

For this final assessment, Bombo from Pokémon Zone analyzes the top decks, their relative power, and their place in the metagame.

Top tiers

Exeggutor ex had its moments in Genetic Apex and grew stronger with Mythical Island. Its peak eventually came with Space-Time Smackdown, despite receiving no new Pokémon. The deck’s newfound success stemmed from the new trainer cards: Rocky Helmet significantly boosted its otherwise limited damage output, while Giant Cape enhanced its already absurd durability and protected Exeggcute from early knockouts.

As a dominant force in the early game, Pokémon Communication was also crucial in its success as it greatly increases the chances of getting Exeggutor ex into play on curve. By applying pressure from turn two, exploiting the now-popular weakness, and wiping out any deck with Pokémon at 80 HP or less, Exeggutor ex is undeniably the deck to beat in this format.

Darkrai ex is the best Druddigon deck of the format, securing its place in the top tiers. Early experiments leaned toward aggressive builds, but stalling behind a wall while consistently chipping away for 20 damage proved far more effective.

The most popular variant runs Magnezone, a 1-point attacker that doesn't need any in the Energy Zone. It can one-shot Druddigon while tanking most hits with its solid 140 HP. Another successful version features Greninja without Energy, doubling the deck’s ping output and enabling Cyrus plays to eliminate threatening Benched Pokémon.

With its slow, steady playstyle and well-rounded matchup spread, Darkrai ex naturally cements itself as a top-tier deck in the Space-Time Smackdown format.

High tiers

Charizard ex remains firmly in the high tier, as its core strengths have remained unchanged since Genetic Apex. It’s still the only Pokémon capable of one-shotting the entire roster, a niche that has only grown in importance with the rise of the nigh-immortal Exeggutor ex. Starting with the "big Basic" Moltres ex to accelerate Energy is a strong opening and Pokémon Communication improves consistency in assembling the evolution pieces. Dawn introduces an alternative line of play, allowing Moltres ex to attack with Heat Blast as early as your turn two—right after a turn-one Inferno Dance.

The deck is still held back by its reliance on coin flips and the need to evolve twice into Charizard ex, making it less consistent than the top-tier competition.

Gyarados ex is not the Druddigon deck of reference of the format, but it remains one of the best. Its core formula has stayed mostly the same since Mythical Island, with the notable addition of a one-of Cyrus, which, when paired with Greninja, allows it to knock out almost any Benched Pokémon at will.

Gyarados ex's high HP makes it difficult to fell quickly, a big advantage in the Exeggutor ex matchup. Meanwhile, Rampaging Whirlpool hits for 140 damage, a defining threshold in this format as it takes down Yanmega ex, Darkrai ex, and Moltres ex in one hit.

With dedicated Bench snipers fading after the rise of Exeggutor ex, Gyarados ex finds more favorable conditions in the latter part of the format. It’s still held back by Magikarp’s fragility and the widespread popularity of Magnezone.

Skarmory decks have overtaken the previously top-tier Fighting Toolbox as the best basic NOEX deck that maximizes Magnezone’s potential. Exeggutor ex proved too overwhelming for decks as it's constantly threatening a one-shot hit against all their Pokémon when the coin flip lands in its favor, and Hitmonlee became largely ineffective due to the low Pokémon count in this deck.

Skarmory takes a more straightforward approach. With a Pokémon Tool attached, it can one-shot Exeggcute. When equipped with Giant Cape, it can even survive a full-power Tropical Swing on turn three. Its ability to hit for 50 damage as early as turn two makes it a major threat across the board, notably taking down Druddigon in just two turns. Meanwhile, Magnezone and Heatran are reliable backups against bigger threats as the game progresses.

The new big Basic Pokémon ex of choice remains a steady threat in the metagame. Fueled by 1-point Manaphy and Misty, Palkia ex decks often pair the legendary Pokémon with Articuno ex for better damage scaling and Mythical Island Vaporeon to enable retreat-based strategies while not losing tempo.

Despite benefiting from one of the best Energy acceleration pools in TCG Pocket and strong base stats, the deck struggles with a lack of a reliable one-shot option against Druddigon and the widespread presence of Magnezone, which exploits its weakness.

Middle tiers

Dialga ex, despite being one of the best Energy acceleration engines in the game, still falls short of breaking into the higher tiers. The deck is even more reliant than Charizard ex on opening with Dialga ex in the Active Spot and going second, a handicap that significantly limits its consistency and competitive standing.

Throughout Space-Time Smackdown, it has been paired with various Pokémon, including Yanmega ex and Mew ex. The latest experiment features the extravagant Lickilicky ex, an unexpected but intriguing addition due to its high HP and potentially devastating Licking Fury.

Is a redemption arc on the horizon? Or will we have to wait for this time deity to finally discover its perfect match in the future?

As we mourn the fall of Pikachu ex, Pachirisu ex continues to carry the electric rodent legacy in competitive play. Funnily enough, while Pikachu ex thrived among many Pokémon, Pachirisu ex finds the most success in an 18-trainer shell. With consistent 80-damage attacks from turn four, backed by some of the best supporters in the game, it made a stand for being a legitimate contender in the metagame.

Tools are both a blessing and a curse for Pachirisu ex. Giant Cape helps Exeggutor ex escape its two-shot range from Sparking Gadget, while Rocky Helmet punishes the fragile squirrel by chipping away crucial damage.

Despite its fun and cute outlook, the deck is putting up real results—could the rodent squad be making a comeback?

Gallade ex struggles with two evolution stages and lackluster damage output for a Stage 2 Pokémon. Still, its low Energy requirements, ability to attack on curve, and flexibility in deck-building keep it relevant in the metagame.

It can be paired with Lucario to enhance its offensive capabilities or with the Fighting Toolbox for added versatility. While not the strongest deck in the format, its strategic depth makes it a credible contender.

Promising tiers

While largely outclassed by the more control-oriented versions of Darkrai ex, Weavile ex remains a unique and unmatched offensive threat. Exeggutor ex dominates the format by averaging 60 damage from turn two: what about consistently hitting 90 damage from turn four, or even turn three with Dawn? This makes it an excellent counter to aggro decks that can't match its damage output and decks that require more time to set up.

An unfortunate set of circumstances holds the deck back:

• Against the meta, it struggles against Druddigon, requiring a sequence of Nightmare Aura → Scratching Nails → Nightmare Aura to secure a KO. Worse, the newly switched-in Pokémon won't be damaged, meaning Scratching Nails only deals 30 damage. On top of that, Weavile ex’s type weakness to Exeggutor ex is a big downside in this format.
• Despite its speed-focused playstyle, Weavile ex needs to evolve, which inherently slows it down. Additionally, Darkrai ex is a terrible partner, as opening with it cripples the deck’s tempo due to its high retreat cost.

There's however not much needed for the deck to perform better, and something to closely follow in the future.

See you next time for the A2a tier list evaluation!