Pokémon Pocket recently expanded its gameplay with the introduction of Tool Cards in the January 2025 update, named Space-Time Smackdown. This update brings a fresh dynamic, marking Tool Cards as the third type of Trainer Cards introduced, with Stadium Cards remaining the last category yet to be explored. While the functionality of Pokémon Tools closely aligns with those in the physical Trading Card Game (TCG), notable differences warrant your attention.
This article aims to demystify Pokémon Tools, detail the newest additions from the A2 expansion, highlight cards that work effectively with Tools, and provide strategies for countering them.
For beginners, there’s a secret tutorial task related to Pokémon Tools which can guide you through using these Trainer Cards while rewarding you with Pack Hourglasses.
Understanding Pokémon Tool Cards
In Pokémon Pocket, Pokémon Tools serve as Trainer Cards that boost the attributes of the Pokémon to which they are attached. Their effects vary widely: some may enhance Hit Points (HP), increase damage, or inflict gradual damage on opponents. Nevertheless, their unified purpose is to amplify a Pokémon’s capabilities.
Each Pokémon Tool is visibly displayed in a small box on the corresponding Pokémon card. Players can easily check attached Tools on both their own Pokémon and their opponent’s by selecting the Tool card icon.
Utilizing Pokémon Tools
Similar to Item Cards in Pokémon Pocket, Tool Cards are integrated into gameplay with specific rules. At the beginning of each turn, players can attach as many Tools as they wish to different Pokémon within play. However, bear in mind that a single Pokémon can host only one Tool at any given time; thus, a new Tool cannot be placed until the current one is discarded.
Rules for Using Pokémon Tools
- One Tool per Pokémon: Each Pokémon may have only one Tool attached. To replace it, the current Tool must be discarded.
- No limit on Tool attachments per turn: Players can attach as many Tools as they have available Pokémon without Tools in play, capping at four Tools for four Pokémon per turn.
- Replacement upon discarding: If an opponent discards your Tool or it fulfills its conditions for self-discarding, players can attach a new Tool in its place.
Comprehensive List of Pokémon Tools
The Space-Time Smackdown expansion has introduced the inaugural set of Tool Cards in Pokémon Pocket, consisting of three distinct tools: Lum Berry, Rocky Helmet, and Giant Cape. Below is a breakdown of each Tool’s functionality.
Lum Berry
“At the end of each turn, if the Pokémon this card is attached to is affected by any Special Conditions, it recovers from all of them and discards this card.”
Lum Berry allows a Pokémon to recover from adverse Special Conditions such as Asleep, Poisoned, Burned, Paralyzed, or Confused. Upon activation, it eliminates all these conditions; however, it self-discards afterward, making it a one-time-use Tool.
Rocky Helmet
“If the Pokémon this card is attached to is in the Active Spot and is damaged by an attack from your opponent’s Pokémon, do 20 damage to the Attacking Pokémon.”
Rocky Helmet acts similarly to the ability Rough Skin, providing retaliation when the Pokémon equipped with it is damaged. This Tool’s effectiveness is limited to Active Pokémon, meaning that attacks directed at Benched Pokémon equipped with Rocky Helmet will not yield any damage to the aggressor.
Many players regard Rocky Helmet as one of the most potent Tool Cards due to its defensive capabilities, especially when affixed to resilient Pokémon like Druddigon.
Giant Cape
“The Pokémon this card is attached to gets +20 HP.”
Giant Cape boosts a Pokémon’s maximum HP instantly rather than recovering lost HP after damage is incurred, akin to a Potion Card. For instance, a Pokémon boasting an initial HP of 140 will gain an increase to 160 upon attachment of Giant Cape.
Synergistic Pokémon Cards with Tools
Alongside the new Tool Cards, the Space-Time Smackdown expansion features Pokémon that synergize effectively with Tools. Currently available synergistic Pokémon include Pachirisu ex, Skarmory, Starly, and Rotom. Below is a summary of how each interacts with Pokémon Tools:
| Card | Effect |
|---|---|
| On the way out | Deals +40 DMG if it has a Tool |
| Skarmory | Deals +30 DMG if it has a Tool |
| Starly | Discards the enemy’s Tool before attacking |
| Rotom | Deals +30 DMG if the enemy has a Tool |
Countering Pokémon Tools
Fortunately, the Space-Time Smackdown expansion also provided players with two effective counter choices against Pokémon Tools: Starly and Rotom. Starly’s Pluck ability allows you to remove the opponent’s Tool prior to making an attack, while Rotom’s Assault Laser deals an additional 30 damage if the opponent’s Pokémon has an active Tool attached.
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