Diamond & Pearl (Japanese: 時空の創造Space-Time Creation) is the name given to the first expansion of cards of the Diamond & Pearl era of the Trading Card Game, introducing both new and returning game mechanics. The first cards in this set saw their debut in the 2006 Entry Packs, shortly after the Japanese release of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, while the full expansion made its debut on November 30, 2006 in Japan and May 23, 2007 in North America. North American prerelease tournaments were held on May 12-13 and 19-20, 2007.
Being the first expansion of the Generation IV era, 58 Pokémon first featured in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl were introduced to TCG form in this set.
Like all new generations, the card layout was redesigned yet again. Changes include:
The evolution window graphic returns to the upper left of the illustration, as it was on cards released before the EX era.
Illustrator credit is included on its own line near the bottom of the card, just above the retreat cost.
The circle pattern featured on EX era cards behind both the card name and attacks is no longer present. This gives more space to be used by attacks and Pokémon Powers.
Flavor text, such as height, weight, level, and Pokédex entry return after a five-year absence, last appearing in Neo Destiny.
Japanese cards revert to having no set numbering system (though still following the ordering system introduced in e-Card 2 with a slight modification to put Darkness-type and Metal-type cards before Colorless-type ones), instead listing a collection number modified from the Pokémon's National Pokédex number and evolutionary family. English cards use both this number (featured on the bottom left of the card) and the set numbering system introduced in the Base Set (featured on the bottom right).
On English cards, level appears immediately after the Pokémon's name (previous releases had relegated it to the Pokédex entry). HP text is now smaller (though the number remains large) and appears before the amount, as on Japanese cards, rather than after.
Some Pokémon now have "free" attack costs, indicated by a , which require no Energy to use.
Both Darkness Energy and Metal Energy receive new basic Energy forms which are free from the 4-per-deck rule (though they no longer have the former special effects). Cards that allow the player to search for a Darkness or Metal Energy card may seek out either version. In the set order, these new basic Energies are put after the other six, rather than alphabetized with them.
The term "Basic Pokémon or Evolution card" is replaced with "Pokémon" on cards, allowing for the selection of any Pokémon card when searching.
Weakness and resistance are now dependent on the card text, rather than being a strict calculation that is static among all cards. Older cards still use the ×2 damage for weakness and -30 for resistance, but newer cards can have other factors involved.
Unown are now named on the card according to their letter, meaning that they count as separate Pokémon. A deck can now legally include 4 Unown Q and 4 Unown F, but only for cards released in this set and on (older cards still follow their rule).
Supporter cards and Stadium cards are now treated as a separate class of card, rather than a subclass of Trainer card as they had been considered previously. For the purpose of this and future checklists, standard Trainers are still marked as "T", while Supporters are "Su" and Stadiums are "St".
Several rules have been changed:
A 2003 ruling disallowed the player who took the first turn from drawing a card; this rule has now been withdrawn.
No Trainer cards, Supporter cards, or Stadium cards can be played during the first turn; however, cards depicting a Pokémon fossil can be played during the setup phase, as long as at least a normal Basic Pokémon can be played as well. Fossils also no longer count as a free KO, and a prize is to be drawn if it is knocked out.
Half decks are now allowed only two copies of cards besides basic Energy cards. Full 60-card decks retain the four-card rule.
Packs of cards saw an increase from 9 cards to 10 in English, a welcome change for players and collectors alike. The contents of a pack are now:
5 common () cards
3 uncommon () cards
1 refractor foil card (any rarity)
1 rare () or rare holo () card
Refractor foil cards in this set have a "pixel" design. Refractor versions of normally holographic rares do not have their regular holofoil, unlike earlier expansions.
The prerelease card for this set was Luxio. Event organizers received one stamped with "STAFF".
Changes between the Japanese and international release
Certain cards are exclusive to one kind of booster pack, much as certain Pokémon are exclusive to one or two games in a generation. These cards are indicated in the set list as blue (for the Dialga pack) or pink (for the Palkia pack). This innovation was not present in the English expansion.
no longer appear, and are replaced by the new Pokémon LV.X.
, which require no Energy to use.
) cards
) cards
) or rare holo (
) card
