6. Standard Format Style

All sanctioned Pokémon video game tournaments require players to assemble a team of Pokémon, with items, prior to the start of the event. The standard format style for all PLAY! Pokémon tournaments is Double Battle.



6.1. Double Battle

In Double Battles, each player selects four Pokémon from his or her party of six to battle with. At the start of the battle, players send out the first two Pokémon in their party, making a total of four Pokémon on the battlefield. Game play continues until a player knocks out all four of his or her opponent’s Pokémon.



7. Standard Team Construction Rules

When building a team for a PLAY! Pokémon tournament, all players must adhere to these standard construction rules.



A player’s team cannot contain two Pokémon with the same Pokédex number
Each Pokémon on a player’s team can hold an item, though no two Pokémon may hold the same item
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 may only use moves that have been learned through one of the following methods:

 -By leveling up

 -By TM or HM

 -As an Egg move, through breeding

 -From a character in the game

 -A move already known by a Pokémon received at an official Pokémon event or promotion

 -A move already known by a Pokémon that has been transferred from another Pokémon game via Poké Transfer or the Relocator.


8. Sanctioned Format

Pokémon Organized Play supports one format for sanctioned play: Modified. Sanctioned events are listed on the POP website, and the results are reported to POP after the event concludes.



8.1. Modified Format

The Modified format is the standard tournament format for PLAY! Pokémon video game events. This format will be used at all premier events unless specified otherwise. The Modified format for the 2013 season will use the following restrictions:



Only Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 Game Cards are permitted for use.

Players may use Pokémon from the National Pokédex, from No. 001–649, that are caught in the game, transferred from a previous Pokémon title, or received at an official event or distribution

The following Pokémon may not be on a player’s team:

150 – Mewtwo

151 – Mew

249 – Lugia

250 – Ho-Oh

251 – Celebi

382 – Kyogre

383 – Groudon

384 – Rayquaza

385 – Jirachi

386 – Deoxys

441 – Chatot

483 – Dialga

484 – Palkia

487 – Giratina

489 – Phione

490 – Manaphy

491 – Darkrai

492 – Shaymin

493 – Arceus

494 – Victini

643 – Reshiram

644 – Zekrom

646 – Kyurem

647 – Keldeo

648 – Meloetta

649 – Genesect
Pokémon must be placed in the Battle Box.
Pokémon above level 50 are permitted, but they are auto-leveled down to 50 for the duration of battle.
Players may use Pokémon with Hidden Abilities that have been officially released through the Pokémon Global Link or an official event or promotion.
Pokémon may not know the moves Sky Drop or Dark Void.
Players may use items that have been officially released via Pokémon Black Version, Pokémon White Version, Pokémon Black Version 2, Pokémon White Version 2, the Pokémon Global Link, or an official event or promotion.
The Wonder Launcher cannot be used during battle.
The other important to the ruleset is new clarification on note-taking. According to the rules document:



4.2. Mid-game Time Limit



Any mid-game effects, such as selecting a move or retreating Pokémon, are to take place within the 60 seconds allocated per turn. Note taking may only occur when not being prompted to select a move.



This means that note taking will only be allowed while waiting for your opponent to make a move or during the animation sequences.



With rules in hand, it’s time to start preparing for the rest of the 2013 season.



Note: Soul Dew is not explicitly restricted yet but we expect it to be added to the list soon.



Update! Soul Dew is banned from VGC Play

As expected, we have received confirmation that the item Soul Dew, which gives Latios and Latias a free 50% boost to both Special Attack and Special Defense, will be banned from VGC play despite not being explicitly banned in the ruleset.

Winter Regionals - Sunday, January 20, 2013
Lake Buena Vista, Florida- Royal Plaza
St. Louis, Missouri (Unconfirmed)
Salem, Oregon- The Pavilion at Oregon State Fair and Expo
Sandston, Virginia- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Richmond Airport
Southern California (Unconfirmed)
St. Charles, Missouri- St. Charles Convention Center


Spring Regionals - Sunday, April 14, 2013
Vancouver, British Columbia
Athens, Georgia- Classic Center
Foxborough, Massachusetts- Gilette Center
Madison, Wisconsin
Salt Lake City, Utah

1st Place
A Pokémon VG Regional Championships 1st Place award
A Travel Award (including a parent or legal guardian for players under 18) to the 2013 U.S. National Championships at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, OR the Canada National Championships in Toronto, ON.*
A first-round bye at the U.S. National Championships**
120 Championship Points


2nd Place
A Pokémon VG Regional Championships 2nd Place award
A Travel Stipend of $500 for Junior and Senior Division finalists, collected on site at the National Championships. Valid ID will be required to collect your stipend.
A Travel Stipend of $300 for Masters Division finalists, collected on site at the National Championships. Valid ID will be required to collect your stipend.
A first- round bye at the U.S. National Championships**
110 Championship Points (if division attendance is 4 or greater)


3rd & 4th Place
A Travel Stipend of $500 for Junior and Senior Division semi-finalists, collected on site at the National Championships. Valid ID will be required to collect your stipend.
A Pokémon VGC Regional Championships 3rd or 4th Place award
90 Championship Points (if division attendance is 8 or greater)