The Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket's latest expansion, Space Time Smackdown, released on January 30th, has sparked outrage among players due to a particularly graphic card depicting a violent scene.
The controversial card features Weavile ex, specifically the 2-Star full art version. The artwork shows a group of Weavile poised to attack an unsuspecting Swinub. This depiction of predation has generated significant negative feedback online.
Reddit posts highlighting the artwork have garnered thousands of upvotes, with users expressing concern and disappointment. Comments range from pleas to "Leave the lil guy alone" to observations on the often-brutal implications of the Pokémon ecosystem. One user commented on the inherent savagery within the Pokémon world, noting the juxtaposition of intelligent creatures with abilities like laser beams alongside more primal predatory instincts.
However, some fans offer a glimmer of hope, pointing to the full art Mamoswine card (Swinub's evolution) as a potential happy ending. This card shows Mamoswine protectively looking up, seemingly aware of the Weavile and safeguarding younger Swinub. This interpretation provides a measure of comfort to those upset by the Weavile card's imagery.
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Space Time Smackdown, themed around Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, includes 207 cards, featuring popular Pokémon like Weavile, Mamoswine, Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina. While smaller than the Genetic Apex expansion, it boasts a higher percentage of rare alternate art cards (52 compared to Genetic Apex's 60).
Despite the controversy, Creatures Inc. has yet to publicly address the negative reaction. While a "Trade Feature Celebration Gift" was distributed, including 500 Trade Tokens and 120 Trade Hourglasses, the developer remains silent on player concerns and has not responded to requests for comment.
