View source for Standard format (TCG)

The '''Standard format''' of the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]] is one of two formats used for officially-sanctioned [[Play! Pokémon]] events along with {{TCG|Expanded format}}. It was called the '''Modified format''' prior to the {{TCG|2013-14 Modified format|2013-2014 season}}. This format only allows the most recently released cards to be used, dating back to a determined cut-off point.

The Standard format was introduced in 2001 as the Modified format. Tournaments in the 2001-02 season were played to only allow cards from the {{TCG|Team Rocket}} through {{TCG|Neo Genesis}} expansions, {{TCG|rotation|rotating}} out cards from the {{TCG|Base Set}}, {{TCG|Jungle}}, and {{TCG|Fossil}} expansions. Cards from these older sets could only be played in the {{TCG|Unlimited format}}. As new expansions are added to the card pool, [[Play! Pokémon]] has continued to perform a rotation roughly every year to keep the game fresh. Only the 2009-10 and 2022-23 tournament seasons did not feature a rotation. New cards are added to the current Standard format as follows:

* Main expansions: two weeks after the release of their {{TCG|Booster pack|Sleeved Booster Pack}}, Booster Display Box, or Booster Bundle, whichever comes first.<ref name=newsetlegality>[https://x.com/playpokemon/status/2016587353247404141 Tweet by @playpokemon] | Jan 28, 2026</ref>
* Special expansions: two weeks after the release of their Booster Bundle or {{TCG|Elite Trainer Box}}, whichever comes first.<ref name=newsetlegality/>
* {{TCG|Promotional cards}}: the first or third Friday of the month following release.<ref name=promolegality>[https://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/about/pokemon-tcg-promo-card-legality-status ''Pokémon TCG Promo Card Legality Status''] | [[Pokémon.com]]. Retreived Feb 25, 2026</ref>
* New prints of already-legal cards: immediately upon release.<ref name=reprintlegality>[https://x.com/playpokemon/status/2018799820467831167 Tweet by @playpokemon] | Feb 3, 2026</ref> Reprints from future sets obtained through {{TCG|Prerelease Tournament}}s may also be used as soon as they are obtained.<ref name=prereleaseuseage>[https://x.com/playpokemon/status/2057484133727690766 Tweet by @playpokemon] | May 21, 2026</ref>

If a Standard-legal card is a [[Reprinted card|reprint]] of an older card, all prints of the card are typically able to be played in a Standard-legal deck. Some cards significantly differ in wording between older prints and newer prints (e.g. {{TCG ID|Aquapolis|Pokémon Fan Club|130}} from {{TCG|Aquapolis}} compared to its {{TCG|Ultra Prism}} iteration); those cards cannot be used in sanctioned tournaments unless they have received official {{TCG|errata}}.<ref name=handbook>[https://www.pokemon.com/static-assets/content-assets/cms2/pdf/play-pokemon/rules/play-pokemon-tcg-tournament-handbook-en.pdf Pokémon TCG Tournament Handbook], section 4.1.3. Retrieved Feb 25, 2026</ref>

Standard is one of the formats playable in [[Pokémon Trading Card Game Live]]. Prior to its discontinuation, it was also used in the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game Online]].

==Regulation marks==
In 2017, {{TCGMerch|Sun & Moon|Series|Mega Powers Collection}} was released as part of the Sun & Moon Series, which included new {{TCG|Full Art card|Full Art}} prints of cards from the previous XY Series. To prevent the said cards from staying legal in the Standard format for longer than intended, the {{TCG|Yellow A Alternate cards|Yellow A symbol}} was introduced and marked on these cards. Yellow A Alternate cards have the same card number and expansion symbol of the original print with the exception of the letter 'a' added to the card number. As such, these alternate prints are only allowed in the same formats as the original prints.

Asian expansions, on the other hand, addressed potential card legality issues such as the above by introducing '''regulation marks''' on cards from the beginning of the Sun & Moon Series. The regulation mark is a letter symbol found right next to the expansion mark of each card that identifies whether it is legal to use in tournament play. The letter starts with {{reg|A}} in {{TCG|Collection Sun}} and {{TCG|Collection Moon}}, and moves to the next letter upon each rotation. Subsequent prints of cards such as alternative art prints introduced in later sets retain their original regulation mark, ensuring their rotation regardless of any future prints. Basic {{TCG|Energy card}}s do not bear any regulation mark and are always legal for use in tournament play.

Regulation marks were later introduced on cards released by [[The Pokémon Company International]] in the Sword & Shield Series. The first set featuring regulation marks was {{TCG|Sword & Shield}}, whose regulation mark is {{reg|D}} in order to match Asian releases. The Standard format was also modified to link legality to regulation marks rather than expansion releases. The changes took place from 2022 season, which specifies cards marked {{reg|D}}, {{reg|E}}, or later as legal cards. The yellow A system was also eliminated in favor of regulation marks, though a handful of Sun & Moon Series promotional cards released after Sword & Shield continued to use it. The {{reg|A}}, {{reg|B}}, and {{reg|C}} regulation marks can be viewed in the [[Play! Pokémon Access]] app, but they cannot be specifically searched for and are otherwise not recognized in TPCi regions.

Some cards receive new regulation marks when they are reprinted. For example, {{TCG ID|Dark Explorers|Ultra Ball|102}} has prints with the {{reg|A}}, {{reg|F}}, {{reg|G}}, and {{reg|I}} regulation marks, in addition to older prints that predate the system. If a {{TCG|Trainer card}} has a print with a legal regulation mark, any print of that Trainer card is allowed to be used in its place, regardless of which mark is actually on the card. However, a {{TCG|Pokémon}} card with a rotated regulation mark cannot be used in place of a functionally identical Pokémon card with a legal regulation mark.

==Foreign language cards==
Prior to the 2009-2010 tournament season, foreign-language prints of cards could also be played without limit, as long as the user provided a local-language reference outside the deck. Starting with the 2009-2010 season, however, sanctioned events began to require players to play with cards printed in English or an region's local language (for example, players in {{pmin|the United States}} are restricted to English cards only, whereas players in {{pmin|Canada}} can also use cards in French).<ref name=POP09-10>[http://web.archive.org/web/20090408002814/http://www.go-pokemon.com/op/news/articles/51.html ''POP Policy Change Regarding Foreign-Language Cards''] | Pokémon Organized Play website. Archived Apr 8, 2009</ref> Some American players who had invested in Japanese versions of cards which were generally less expensive, voiced their displeasure with the change of rules, and as a result, the rules were amended for the 2009-2010 tournament season to allow up to 10% of a player's deck (six cards) to consist of foreign-language cards. Beginning in the 2010-2011 season, [[Play! Pokémon]] followed through with their initial plan to allow only English and local-language cards in premier events.

==List of Standard formats==
* '''{{TCG|2001-02 Modified format|2001-02}}''' — {{TCG|Team Rocket}} to {{TCG|Legendary Collection}}
* '''{{TCG|2002-03 Modified format|2002-03}}''' — {{TCG|Neo Genesis}} to {{TCG|Skyridge}}
* '''{{TCG|2003-04 Modified format|2003-04}}''' — {{TCG|Expedition}} to {{TCG|EX Hidden Legends}}
* '''{{TCG|2004-05 Modified format|2004-05}}''' — {{TCG|EX Ruby & Sapphire}} to {{TCG|EX Emerald}}
* '''{{TCG|2005-06 Modified format|2005-06}}''' — {{TCG|EX Hidden Legends}} to {{TCG|EX Holon Phantoms}}
* '''{{TCG|2006-07 Modified format|2006-07}}''' — {{TCG|EX Deoxys}} to {{TCG|Diamond & Pearl}}
* '''{{TCG|2007-08 Modified format|2007-08}}''' — {{TCG|EX Holon Phantoms}} to {{TCG|Majestic Dawn}}
* '''{{TCG|2008-10 Modified format|2008-10}}''' — {{TCG|Diamond & Pearl}} to {{TCG|Unleashed}}
* '''{{TCG|2010-11 Modified format|2010-11}}''' — {{TCG|Majestic Dawn}} to {{TCG|Black & White}}
* '''{{TCG|2011-12 Modified format|2011-12}}''' — {{TCG|HeartGold & SoulSilver}} to {{TCG|Dark Explorers}}
* '''{{TCG|2012-13 Modified format|2012-13}}''' — {{TCG|Black & White}} to {{TCG|Plasma Freeze}}
* '''{{TCG|2013-14 Modified format|2013-14}}''' — {{TCG|Next Destinies}} to {{TCG|Flashfire}}
* '''{{TCG|2014-15 Modified format|2014-15}}''' — {{TCG|Boundaries Crossed}} to {{TCG|Roaring Skies}}
* '''{{TCG|2015-16 Standard format|2015-16}}''' — {{TCG|XY}} to {{TCG|Steam Siege}}
* '''{{TCG|2016-17 Standard format|2016-17}}''' — {{TCG|Primal Clash}} to {{TCG|Burning Shadows}}
* '''{{TCG|2017-18 Standard format|2017-18}}''' — {{TCG|BREAKthrough}} to {{TCG|Celestial Storm}}
* '''{{TCG|2018-19 Standard format|2018-19}}''' — {{TCG|Sun & Moon}} to {{TCG|Unbroken Bonds}} (regulation mark {{reg|A}} or later in Asia)
* '''{{TCG|2019-20 Standard format|2019-20}}''' — {{TCG|Ultra Prism}} to {{TCG|Rebel Clash}} (regulation mark {{reg|B}} or later in Asia)
* '''{{TCG|2020-21 Standard format|2020-21}}''' — {{TCG|Team Up}} to {{TCG|Chilling Reign}} (regulation mark {{reg|C}} or later in Asia)
* '''{{TCG|2021-23 Standard format|2021-23}}''' — Cards with a regulation mark {{Reg|D}} or later, through {{TCG|Crown Zenith}}
* '''{{TCG|2023-24 Standard format|2023-24}}''' — Cards with a regulation mark {{Reg|E}} or later, through {{TCG|Paldean Fates}}
* '''{{TCG|2024-25 Standard format|2024-25}}''' — Cards with a regulation mark {{Reg|F}} or later, through {{TCG|Prismatic Evolutions}}
* '''{{TCG|2025-26 Standard format|2025-26}}''' — Cards with a regulation mark {{Reg|G}} or later, through {{TCG|Ascended Heroes}}
* '''{{TCG|2026-27 Standard format|2026-27}}''' — Cards with a regulation mark {{Reg|H}} or later

===Japanese formats===
Prior to the introduction of regulation marks, Japan did not follow the same rotation as other regions. Instead, announcements would be made prior to events to inform players which cards would be legal, and old sets were rotated out informally.

Pre-regulation mark formats include:
* {{TCG|Expansion Pack}} to {{TCG|Wind from the Sea}}
* {{TCG|Gold, Silver, to a New World...}} to {{TCG|Base Expansion Pack}}
* {{TCG|Pokémon VS|Pokémon Card★VS}} to {{TCG|Rocket Gang Strikes Back}}
* {{TCG|ADV Expansion Pack}} to {{TCG|Offense and Defense of the Furthest Ends}}
* {{TCG|Flight of Legends}} to {{TCG|Cry from the Mysterious/Temple of Anger}} (Events allowing {{TCG|Intense Fight in the Destroyed Sky}} were cancelled due to earthquakes)
* {{TCG|Space-Time Creation}} to {{TCG|Lost Link}} (This later became the  {{TCG|Hall of Fame format}})
* {{TCG|HeartGold Collection/SoulSilver Collection}} to {{TCG|EX Battle Boost}} ({{TCG|Legacy format}})
* {{TCG|Black Collection/White Collection}}-on ({{TCG|Expanded format}})
* {{TCG|Collection X/Collection Y}} to {{TCG|Fairy Rise}}

==Banned cards==
Cards are rarely ever banned in Standard. The following list is a list of every card that has been banned from a Standard format. This list does not include cards banned only in specific tournaments, such as {{TCG ID|Pokémon Futsal|Pikachu on the Ball|1}} being banned from the [[2022 World Championships]] despite being otherwise playable in Standard.

{| class="roundy" style="background:#{{TCG Rainbow color}}; border:2px solid #{{TCG Rainbow color dark}}"
! style="background:#{{TCG Rainbow color light}}; {{roundytl|7px}}" | No.
! style="background:#{{TCG Rainbow color light}}; | Card name
! style="background:#{{TCG Rainbow color light}}; | Type
! style="background:#{{TCG Rainbow color light}}; {{roundytr|7px}}" | Description
|- style="background:#FFF"
| style="text-align:center"; | —
| {{TCG ID|The Power of One|Ancient Mew|promo}}
| style="text-align:center"; | {{e|Psychic}}
| Banned from all sanctioned play, including the [[2001-02 Modified format (TCG)|2001-02]] and {{TCG|2002-03 Modified format}}s, due to its runic writing.<ref name=wotc12-14-2000>Dec 14, 2000 [[Wizards of the Coast|WotC]] Chat, [https://compendium.pokegym.net/compendium.html archived] by [[Team Compendium]]:<br>'''Q:''' ''Could you please name all English cards that are "unusable" in tourneys, if any?''<br>'''A:''' ''Ancient Mew, B-day Pikachu and the oversized promo cards.''</ref>
|- style="background:#FFF"
| style="text-align:center"; | [[File:SetSymbolPromo.png|x24px|link=Wizards Black Star Promos (TCG)]] 24
| {{TCG ID|Wizards Promo|_____'s Pikachu|24}}
| style="text-align:center"; | {{e|Lightning}}
| Banned from all sanctioned play, including the 2001-02 and 2002-03 Modified formats, due to inability to enforce if it is actually a player's [[birthday]].<ref name=wotc12-14-2000/><br>In Japan, the clause "''This card cannot be used at official tournaments.''" is written on the card, preventing the need to explicitly ban it.
|- style="background:#FFF"
| style="text-align:center"; | [[File:SetSymbolNeo Genesis.png|x24px|link=Neo Genesis (TCG)]] 25/111
| {{TCG ID|Neo Genesis|Sneasel|25}}
| style="text-align:center"; | {{e|Darkness}}
| Banned from the 2001-02 and 2002-03 Modified formats due to its high damage output and no Weakness or Retreat Cost.<ref name=wotc8-9-01>Aug 9, 2001 [[Wizards of the Coast|WotC]] Chat, [https://compendium.pokegym.net/chatlogs/Chat_2001_08_09.htm archived] by [[Team Compendium]]<br>'''Master Trainer Mike:''' ''Also Neo Genesis Sneasel is Banned!''</ref>
|- style="background:#FFF"
| style="text-align:center"; | [[File:SetSymbolNeo Genesis.png|x24px|link=Neo Genesis (TCG)]] 14/111
| {{TCG ID|Neo Genesis|Slowking|14}}
| style="text-align:center"; | {{e|Psychic}}
| Banned from the 2002-03 Modified format effective January 1, 2003 due to a mistranslation making its ''Mind Games'' {{TCG|Pokémon Power}} too powerful.<ref name=wotc12-12-02> Dec 12, 2002 [[Wizards of the Coast|WotC]] Chat, [https://compendium.pokegym.net/chatlogs/Chat_2002_12_12.htm archived] by [[Team Compendium]]<br>'''Master Trainer Mike:''' ''Slowking (Neo Geneis){{sic}} will be BANNED from Modified starting on Jan 1, 2003 as well! Whaddaya think o' that?!?!?!''</ref>
|- style="background:#FFF"
| style="text-align:center"; | [[File:SetSymbolPhantom Forces.png|x24px|link=Phantom Forces (TCG)]] 99/119
| {{TCG ID|Phantom Forces|Lysandre's Trump Card|99}}
| style="text-align:center"; | '''[[Supporter card (TCG)|<span style="color:#{{TCG Supporter color dark}}">Su</span>]]'''
| Banned from the [[2014-15 Standard format (TCG)|2014-15]] and {{TCG|2015-16 Standard format}}s effective June 15, 2015 due to eliminating a win condition, providing a way for one to draw through their deck without consequence, and prolonging the length of games.<ref name=forum6-1-15>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150622032004/forums.pokemontcg.com/topic/31168-lysandre%E2%80%99s-trump-card-banned-from-standard-expanded-effective-june-15th/ ''Lysandre’s Trump Card Banned from Standard & Expanded Effective June 15th''] | Pokémon TCG Forums, Jun 1, 2015. Archived Jun 15, 2015</ref>
|- style="background:#FFF"
| style="text-align:center"; | [[File:SetSymbolUnbroken Bonds.png|x24px|link=Unbroken Bonds (TCG)]] 74/214
| {{TCG ID|Unbroken Bonds|Mismagius|78}}
| style="text-align:center"; | {{e|Psychic}}
| Banned from the {{TCG|2020-21 Standard format}} due to its ''Mysterious Message'' {{TCG|Ability}} comboing with {{TCG ID|Unbroken Bonds|Dusk Stone|167}} and {{TCG ID|Unified Minds|Reset Stamp|206}} to consistently destroy an opponent's hand on the first turn.<ref name=DAArules>[https://www.pokemon.com/us/sword-shield-darkness-ablaze-banned-list-and-rule-changes-announcement/ Sword & Shield—Darkness Ablaze ''Banned List and Rule Changes Announcement''] | [[Pokémon.com]], Jul 30, 2020</ref><br>A new {{TCG|SM Black Star Promos|SM Promo}} {{TCG ID|SM Promo|Mismagius|245}} card was created to replace the banned card.
|- style="background:#FFF"
| style="text-align:center"; | [[File:SetSymbolCosmic Eclipse.png|x24px|link=Cosmic Eclipse (TCG)]] 186/236
| {{TCG ID|Cosmic Eclipse|Bellelba & Brycen-Man|186}}
| style="text-align:center"; | '''[[Supporter card (TCG)|<span style="color:#{{TCG Supporter color dark}}">Su</span>]]'''
| Banned from the 2020-21 Standard format to reduce the strength of decks designed to win by milling an opponent's entire deck.<ref name=DAArules/><br> A new SM Promo {{TCG ID|SM Promo|Sabrina & Brycen|246}} card was created to replace the banned card.
|-
! colspan="4" style="{{roundybottom|7px}}; background:#{{TCG Rainbow color light}}" | &emsp;
|}

==In other languages==
{{Langtable|color={{TCG Rainbow color light}}|bordercolor={{TCG Rainbow color dark}}
|da=Standard
|nl=Standaard
|fi=Standardi
|fr_eu=Standard
|de=Standard
|id=Standar
|it=Standard
|no=Standard
|pt_br=Padrão
|ru=Стандартный Формат ''Standartnyy Format''
|es_eu=Estándar
|sv=Standard
}}

==External links==
* [https://pokegym.net/current-standard-legal-card-list/ Current Standard Legal Card List] at [[The PokéGym]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==See also==
{{TCG formats}}
{{Project TCG notice}}

[[Category:Pokémon TCG formats]]

[[es:Formato]]
[[fr:Format]]
[[it:Formato standard (GCC)]]
[[ja:スタンダードレギュレーション]]
[[zh:赛制（TCG）]]