Ranking the Best Lightning Pokemon in Pokemon TCG Pocket’s Space-Time Smackdown

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Summary

  • Lightning-type Pokemon in Space-Time Smackdown are limited but impactful, reshaping deck-building strategies.
  • New additions like Rotom, Electabuzz, Electivire, and Luxray are notable for their effectiveness and synergy.
  • Magnezone stands out as the best Lightning-type in the set, forming a dominant duo with Darkrai ex in the meta.

In the newest expansion of the Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket, known as Space-Time Smackdown, Pokemon with the type Lightning are among the four smallest groups, comprising merely 12 cards out of a total of 155 new ones. This equates to just 7.74% of the new additions, suggesting that significant game-altering developments for this category could be scarce. Yet, some recently introduced Lightning-type Pokemon have left an impression on the Pokemon TCG Pocket’s metagame.

This list arranges five of them, starting with the least effective and ending with the most effective, according to their performance, compatibility, and anticipated impact in the game. Here are the top Lightning-type Pokemon from the Space-Time Smackdown collection.

Ranking Criteria

The evaluation ranks all Pokémon of the Lightning type from the Space-Time Smackdown collection, considering three major factors:

1. Battle effectiveness: How well they perform in combat situations.
2. Speed and agility: Their ability to move swiftly and execute actions quickly.
3. Unique abilities: Special traits that give them an edge in battles.

  • Meta Share: Pokemon that have seen more play in the current metagame are ranked higher.
  • Synergies: Cards that work well with both new and older Pokemon are given a higher ranking.
  • Future Viability: Pokemon expected to become staples in the metagame outrank those that may lose relevance over time.

5. Rotom

The New Counter for Tools

  • HP: 70
  • ATK: 20 (up to 50)
  • Text/Ability: If the opponent’s Active Pokemon has a Pokemon Tool attached, this attack does 30 more damage.

The redesign in the Pokemon TCG Pocket’s Space-Time Smackdown has brought about a change in deck-building tactics, as it introduced a novel category of Trainer Cards: Pokemon Tools. These tools enable players to enhance their Pokemon’s resilience with a Giant Cape, bestow Druddigon’s Rough Skin ability upon them using a Rocky Helmet, or heal Special Conditions with a Lum Berry. However, Rotom is set to thwart these strategies!

With a single Colorless Energy, Rotom’s unique trait allows it to inflict an additional 30 points of damage on Pokémon that have Tools attached to them, resulting in a powerful output of 50 damages in total.

It’s been pointed out that many decks today don’t heavily utilize Pokemon Tools, which can make Rotom’s ability seem less potent. However, with just three Trainer Cards like Space-Time Smackdown being introduced so far, it’s expected that more will be added in the future. As the number of relevant Tools increases, Rotom is well-positioned to become one of the most valuable Lightning-type Pokemon in the game.

4. Electabuzz

A Member of the Self-Sufficiency Movement

  • HP: 80
  • ATK: 0
  • Text/Ability: Take a Lightning Energy from the Energy Zone and attach it to this Pokemon.

A notable pattern in Space-Time Smackdown deck designs involves an increasing prevalence of autonomous Lightning-type configurations. This shift, primarily spearheaded by Magnezone and now significantly influenced by Electabuzz, is gaining traction. Electabuzz contributes to this trend by self-charging, thereby facilitating the swift introduction of Electivire, a potent damage inflictor, onto the battlefield.

Using an Electabuzz comes with a disadvantage – it must be positioned in the Active Spot, making it susceptible to quick eliminations. But with the arrival of Volkner in this new expansion, the chance of early knockouts has noticeably decreased.

With Volkner in play, you can accumulate two wasted Energy cards before deploying Electabuzz. This lets you recover one Lightning Energy from the discard stack and affix it to Electabuzz. Once deployed, Electabuzz’s attack will allow you to create another Energy (that’s now a total of two Energies). Subsequently, Volkner empowers you to draw out two more Lightning Energies from the discard pile, preparing Electivire for its powerful 120-damage attack.

3. Electivire

The Big Bad Force

  • HP: 120
  • ATK: 40 (up to 120)
  • Text/Ability: If this Pokemon has at least two extra Lightning Energy attached, this attack does 80 more damage.

Volkner’s update to the Pokemon TCG Pocket has established a potent new harmony for the Lightning type, particularly boosting Electivire. On its own, Electivire is somewhat risky – it requires at least four Lightning Energy cards to deal a substantial 120 damage, which is relatively low for a Stage One Pokemon. However, when partnered with Volkner, Electivire can suddenly dish out a surprising 120-damage attack.

Volkner’s ability lets players reuse two discarded Lightning Energy cards and attach them to an Electivire on the bench, thereby empowering it without producing new Energy. This tactic could significantly shift the balance in battles, as opponents might overlook a benched Electivire due to its apparent lack of Energy, unaware of its potential for attack.

2. Luxray

The In-And-Out Assassin

  • HP: 130
  • ATK: 120
  • Text/Ability: Discard all Lightning Energy from this Pokemon. This attack does 120 damage to 1 of your opponent’s Pokemon.

Luxray mirrors the achievement path of Electivire within the Pokémon TCG Pocket’s Space-Time Smackdown collection. Much like how it interacts with Volkner, Luxray can inflict immense damage without needing an excessive amount of Energy.

Initially, Luxray’s attack “Volt Bolt” requires three “Lightning Energy” for a 120 damage output, but it gets rid of these cards after each use. Without Volkner, this move could be excessively hazardous. Nevertheless, due to Volkner’s ability to recover energy, Luxray transforms into one of the deadliest Lightning-type Pokemon within the game.

Remarkably, Luxray doesn’t require any costs for retreating. This implies that following its initial assault, players can place it on the Bench, utilize Volkner to reclaim two of its discarded Energy cards, move Luxray to the Active Spot without incurring any additional costs, and then launch another 120-damage attack.

Users can find out the number of Lightning Energy cards in their discarded stack simply by clicking on it. This information aids them in strategizing their Volkner moves more efficiently.

1. Magnezone

Pokemon Pocket’s New Meta

  • HP: 140
  • ATK: 110
  • Text/Ability: Discard a Lightning Energy from this Pokemon.

In TCG Pocket’s latest release, Magnezone stands out as the most exceptional Lightning-type Pokemon due to its game-defining performance. At first, it was underestimated, but once players uncovered its lethal combination with Darkrai ex from the Space-Time Smackdown extension, this powerhouse skyrocketed in popularity and effectiveness.

The growing fame of Magnezone is strongly associated with the increase of self-reliant decks, fostering more intricate dual-type tactics. One of the most effective combinations that has come to light is the unconventional team-up between Magnezone and Darkrai ex, creating a fresh Ability-centered playstyle boasting an impressive win rate over 50%.

Users are utilizing Genetic Apex’s Magnemite, which possesses an Ability that generates Energy, to establish Magnezone on the bench. This setup enables them to operate a deck exclusively with Darkness-type Energy, since Magnezone powers itself, leaving all available Energy slots for Darkrai ex. This strategy has demonstrated effectiveness against the current meta, making Magnezone the most influential card in the new expansion.

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2025-02-12 17:58