VGC Tournament Rules
A full copy of the rules and a game registration sheet can be downloaded in PDF format by clicking on the links below
Rules Registration Sheet
When building a team for a PLAY! Pokémon tournament, all players must adhere to the Standard Format rules as follows: -
The following Pokémon may not be on a player’s team:
151 Mew 490 Manaphy
647 Keldeo
251 Celebi
491 Darkrai
648 Meloetta
385 Jirachi
492 Shaymin
649 Genesect
386 Deoxys
493 Arceus
719 Diancie
489 Phione
494 Victini
720 Hoopa
Teams may have no more than two of the following Pokémon in the Battle Box
150 Mewtwo
384 Rayquaza
644 Zekrom
249 Lugia
483 Dialga
646 Kyurem
250 Ho-Oh
484 Palkia
716 Xerneas
382 Kyogre
487 Giratina
717 Yveltal
383 Groudon
643 Reshiram
718 Zygarde
In addition to these requirements, Pokémon used in the Standard format must have a blue pentagon in the Pokémon summary screen. This indicates that the Pokémon was caught during regular gameplay, hatched from an Egg, obtained within the game, or was officially gifted in a previous game.
Pokémon are allowed to Mega Evolve.
Pokémon may not hold the item Soul Dew.
- Only Pokémon Sun or Moon Games are permitted for use. Older games are no longer valid for official tournaments. No fake game cartridges are allowed.
- Players may use Pokémon from the National Pokédex, from No. 001–719, that are caught in the game, transferred from a previous Pokémon title, or received at an official event or distribution, with the exception of those Pokémon listed below. To check an individual Pokémon’s eligibility, look for a blue pentagon on its summary page, underneath its image
The following Pokémon may not be on a player’s team:
151 Mew 490 Manaphy
647 Keldeo
251 Celebi
491 Darkrai
648 Meloetta
385 Jirachi
492 Shaymin
649 Genesect
386 Deoxys
493 Arceus
719 Diancie
489 Phione
494 Victini
720 Hoopa
Teams may have no more than two of the following Pokémon in the Battle Box
150 Mewtwo
384 Rayquaza
644 Zekrom
249 Lugia
483 Dialga
646 Kyurem
250 Ho-Oh
484 Palkia
716 Xerneas
382 Kyogre
487 Giratina
717 Yveltal
383 Groudon
643 Reshiram
718 Zygarde
In addition to these requirements, Pokémon used in the Standard format must have a blue pentagon in the Pokémon summary screen. This indicates that the Pokémon was caught during regular gameplay, hatched from an Egg, obtained within the game, or was officially gifted in a previous game.
Pokémon are allowed to Mega Evolve.
Pokémon may not hold the item Soul Dew.
Each player must place 4-6 Pokémon in their Party before the tournament starts.
Pokémon above level 50 are permitted, but they are auto-levelled down to 50 for the duration of battle. The Pokémon’s stats are adjusted to what its Level 50 stats would be.
Pokémon below Level 50 remain at their actual level
Players may use Pokémon with Hidden Abilities.
Each Pokémon may hold no more than one item, which cannot be changed after registration. No two Pokémon can hold the same item - if all six Pokémon have items, all six items must be different. Players may use items that have been officially released via Pokémon X, Pokémon Y, Pokémon Omega Ruby, Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, the Pokémon Global Link, or an official event or promotion.
A player's team may not contain two Pokémon with the same Pokédex number
A player’s team cannot contain two Pokémon with the same nickname
A player’s team cannot contain a Pokémon nicknamed with the name of another Pokémon (for example, an Unfezant named “Pidove”)
Pokémon above level 50 are permitted, but they are auto-levelled down to 50 for the duration of battle. The Pokémon’s stats are adjusted to what its Level 50 stats would be.
Pokémon below Level 50 remain at their actual level
Players may use Pokémon with Hidden Abilities.
Each Pokémon may hold no more than one item, which cannot be changed after registration. No two Pokémon can hold the same item - if all six Pokémon have items, all six items must be different. Players may use items that have been officially released via Pokémon X, Pokémon Y, Pokémon Omega Ruby, Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, the Pokémon Global Link, or an official event or promotion.
A player's team may not contain two Pokémon with the same Pokédex number
A player’s team cannot contain two Pokémon with the same nickname
A player’s team cannot contain a Pokémon nicknamed with the name of another Pokémon (for example, an Unfezant named “Pidove”)
Players found to have inappropriate/offensive Trainer names or Pokémon nicknames, as determined by the event staff, will be disqualified from the event
A player should notify the staff immediately if he or she believes that there is a problem with an opponent's Pokémon. At the end of the round, all match results become final. Issues that go unreported until after the round has completed will not change the result of that match, regardless of whether there is a problem with an opponent's Pokémon.
Pokémon with 999 stats will not be allowed.
The use of external devices to alter the Pokémon in a player's party is expressly forbidden. Random checks will be performed throughout the tournament to determine whether or not an external device has been used to modify a player's party. Players found to have Pokémon that have been tampered with will be disqualified from the event, regardless of whether the player tampered with his or her game or received a Pokémon or item that was tampered with by someone other than the player. It is the player's responsibility to have legal Pokémon. Event officials have the final determination regarding the legality of a Pokémon.
A player should notify the staff immediately if he or she believes that there is a problem with an opponent's Pokémon. At the end of the round, all match results become final. Issues that go unreported until after the round has completed will not change the result of that match, regardless of whether there is a problem with an opponent's Pokémon.
Pokémon with 999 stats will not be allowed.
The use of external devices to alter the Pokémon in a player's party is expressly forbidden. Random checks will be performed throughout the tournament to determine whether or not an external device has been used to modify a player's party. Players found to have Pokémon that have been tampered with will be disqualified from the event, regardless of whether the player tampered with his or her game or received a Pokémon or item that was tampered with by someone other than the player. It is the player's responsibility to have legal Pokémon. Event officials have the final determination regarding the legality of a Pokémon.
