The Pokémon Trading Card Game (PTCGO) Space Time Smackdown expansion, released January 30th, features a Weavile ex card depicting a scene that has sparked outrage among players. Specifically, the 2-Star full art card shows a group of Weavile poised to attack an unsuspecting Swinub.
This brutal depiction has generated significant online discussion, with many expressing concern and dismay at the graphic nature of the artwork. Reddit posts highlighting the image have garnered thousands of upvotes, with comments expressing sympathy for the Swinub and questioning the game's portrayal of Pokémon interactions.
One Reddit user commented, "Always got to be one card per set that shows Pokémon in the process of straight up killing each other," reflecting a common sentiment. Others have pleaded for the Swinub's safety, highlighting the perceived cruelty of the scene.
However, some fans offer a more optimistic interpretation, pointing to the Mamoswine full art card, which shows the evolved Swinub seemingly protecting its younger counterparts. They suggest this depicts a happy ending, with Mamoswine having successfully defended its herd from the Weavile.
Space Time Smackdown, a Diamond and Pearl-themed set, includes 207 cards, featuring 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 out of 207, compared to 60 out of 286 in Genetic Apex).
The developer, Creatures Inc., has yet to address the controversy surrounding the card artwork, remaining silent on social media and in response to inquiries. While a "Trade Feature Celebration Gift" was offered, including 500 Trade Tokens and 120 Trade Hourglasses, the company has not directly responded to fan concerns. This silence has only amplified the online debate surrounding the Weavile ex card's graphic content.
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