Rule variants: Difference between revisions

A rule variant refers to a Pokémon battle that follows certain regulations. While the main series Pokémon games have no restriction on the Pokémon that a player may use, rule variants often restrict the levels, species, items, and moves of Pokémon.

Common clauses

Almost all of the rule variations in Pokémon have a certain set of rules, which are called clauses by the fanon. Clauses are put into play in order to prevent degenerate strategies, to prevent the game from becoming stagnant, or to eliminate ties. The following clauses are often used in official tournaments, console Pokémon games, and unofficial battles:

• Sleep Clause: Each player can only have one Pokémon asleep at a time (Pokémon that are put to sleep due to Rest do not count).
• Freeze Clause: Each player can only have one Pokémon frozen at a time.
• Species Clause: All of the Pokémon on a player's team must be different.
• Item Clause: Each Pokémon on a player's team must be holding different items.
• Self-KO Clause (also known as Kamikaze Clause): The player automatically loses if his last Pokémon uses Selfdestruct or Explosion. Destiny Bond and Perish Song also fail when used by the last Pokémon.
• Event Clause: Pokémon and items that have only been released through events, such as Mew, are ineligible.

Generation I

Tournaments

Japanese tournaments

A series of annual tournaments sponsored by Nintendo began in 1997, taking place in various locations across Japan. These tournaments, which would later be referred to as Nintendo Cups in the Japanese version of the Pokémon Stadium series, established the first set of rule variants that would pave the way for all future tournaments and Pokémon games.

The Nintendo Cup '97 established the following rules:

Nintendo Cup '97 Rules Level Limit? 50-55 Total Level? 155 Sleep Clause? Yes Freeze Clause? No Species Clause? Yes Item Clause? No Self-KO Clause? Yes Event Clause? Yes Banned Pokémon 0150 Mewtwo Psychic 0151 Mew Psychic

Due to time constraints, full battles did not take place. Instead, each player selected three Pokémon to battle after showing their team to their opponent.

The finalists in the tournament appeared as opponents in the Japan-only Pokémon Stadium and in the Japanese version of the following Pokémon Stadium. In addition, most of the Pokémon that appeared in Pokémon Stadium were selected due to their tournament performance. ^[1]

The next tournament, Nintendo Cup '98, featured a drastically different set of rules:

Nintendo Cup '98 Level Limit? 1-30 Total Level? None Sleep Clause? Yes Freeze Clause? Yes Species Clause? Yes Item Clause? No Self-KO Clause? Yes Event Clause? Yes

In addition, only Pokémon that appeared in the first Stadium were allowed to participate, limiting the selection to only 33 Pokémon.

Eligible Pokémon for Nintendo Cup '98 0015 Beedrill Bug Poison 0022 Fearow Normal Flying 0025 Pikachu Electric 0031 Nidoqueen Poison Ground 0034 Nidoking Poison Ground 0051 Dugtrio Ground 0057 Primeape Fighting 0059 Arcanine Fire 0065 Alakazam Psychic 0068 Machamp Fighting 0076 Golem Rock Ground 0082 Magneton Electric 0091 Cloyster Water Ice 0094 Gengar Ghost Poison 0095 Onix Rock Ground 0097 Hypno Psychic 0101 Electrode Electric 0103 Exeggutor Grass Psychic 0113 Chansey Normal 0115 Kangaskhan Normal 0121 Starmie Water Psychic 0123 Scyther Bug Flying 0124 Jynx Ice Psychic 0127 Pinsir Bug 0128 Tauros Normal 0130 Gyarados Water Flying 0131 Lapras Water Ice 0132 Ditto Normal 0134 Vaporeon Water 0135 Jolteon Electric 0136 Flareon Fire 0142 Aerodactyl Rock Flying 0143 Snorlax Normal 0150 Mewtwo Psychic 0151 Mew Psychic

The finals took place using the newly-released Pokémon Stadium.

The third tournament, the Nintendo Cup '99, combined aspects from the previous two tournaments.

Nintendo Cup '99 Rules Level Limit? 1-50 Total Level? None Sleep Clause? Yes Freeze Clause? Yes Species Clause? Yes Item Clause? No Self-KO Clause? Yes Event Clause? Yes Banned Pokémon 0003 Venusaur Grass Poison 0051 Dugtrio Ground 0065 Alakazam Psychic 0076 Golem Rock Ground 0082 Magneton Electric 0094 Gengar Ghost Poison 0097 Hypno Psychic 0101 Electrode Electric 0103 Exeggutor Grass Psychic 0113 Chansey Normal 0115 Kangaskhan Normal 0121 Starmie Water Psychic 0124 Jynx Ice Psychic 0128 Tauros Normal 0130 Gyarados Water Flying 0131 Lapras Water Ice 0132 Ditto Normal 0134 Vaporeon Water 0135 Jolteon Electric 0143 Snorlax Normal 0144 Articuno Ice Flying 0145 Zapdos Electric Flying 0149 Dragonite Dragon Flying 0150 Mewtwo Psychic 0151 Mew Psychic

In addition to the legendary Pokémon Mewtwo and Mew, the Pokémon used by the finalists in Nintendo Cup '98 were banned from the tournament.

International tournaments

The first North American tournament, the Pokémon 2000 Stadium Tour, took place to promote the upcoming Pokémon Stadium. Competitors were separated into three skill groups: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. Each skill group featured three divisions from Pokémon Stadium: the Pika Cup, Poké Cup, and the Prime Cup.

Pokémon 2000 Stadium Tour Level Limit? Varies Total Level? Varies Sleep Clause? Yes Freeze Clause? Yes Species Clause? Yes Item Clause? No Self-KO Clause? Yes Event Clause? No

Each Cup division only lasted for two rounds. Each participant received a Pokémon Stadium Tour Competition Badge; in addition, players who won one match would receive a Boulder Badge while players who won both matches would receive the Cascade Badge.

A worldwide tournament took place later the same year, called the Thunder for Down Under in North America. In this tournament, players from Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States all competed in regional championships, with the winners heading for the Pokémon 2000 World Championship in Sydney, Australia. In North America, the qualifying events took place at four Wizards of the Coast stores, with 32 entrants for each store.

Thunder for Down Under Mascots Level Limit? 1-100 Total Level? None Sleep Clause? Yes Freeze Clause? Yes Species Clause? Yes Item Clause? No Self-KO Clause? Yes Event Clause? Yes Banned Pokémon 0150 Mewtwo Psychic 0151 Mew Psychic

In the games

Pokémon Stadium (Japanese)

Main article: Pokémon Stadium (Japanese)

The first Pokémon Stadium game, which was only released in Japan in 1998, was heavily based upon the first two Japanese tournaments. The finalists from the Nintendo Cup '97 appeared as opponents in the L50-55 Division.

The game featured a tournament mode with two divisions: the L1-30 division, based upon the Nintendo Cup '98, and the L50-55 division, based upon the prior tournament.

L50-55 Division L1-30 Division Level Limit? 50-55 1-30 Total Level? 155 No Sleep Clause? Yes Yes Freeze Clause? Yes Yes Species Clause? Yes Yes Item Clause? No No Self-KO Clause? Yes Yes Event Clause? Yes Yes

Each division also featured a set of rules that would become standard for all console games:

• The sleep, freeze, species, and Self-KO clauses are in effect.
• Both teams are shown before the battle, and each player must select three Pokémon to battle.
• The player has to defeat eight Trainers in a row to win the tournament. If he loses, he must start over from the beginning. Unlike future console games, however, there are no Continues.
  • Certain tournaments have four divisions: the Poké, Great, Ultra, and Master Ball divisions. After a player clears a division, the next division is unlocked. If all four divisions are beaten, the player wins the Cup. In this game, the L1-30 Division had four divisions.

The game also featured a Free Battle mode where players could customize their rules.

Pokémon Yellow

Main article: Pokemon Yellow#Connectivity

The Cable Club in Pokémon Red, Green, and Blue featured no rule regulations. However, Pokémon Yellow featured an exclusive battle arena, Colosseum 2, with three Cups:

Pika Cup Petit Cup Poké Cup Level Limit? 15-20 25-30 50-55 Total Level? 50 80 155 Sleep Clause? No No No Freeze Clause? No No No Species Clause? No No No Item Clause? No No No Self-KO Clause? No No No Event Clause? No No No

Each player could only use three Pokémon, and no additional rules were in effect. These Cups would later be used in the international Pokémon Stadium and future international tournaments.

Pokémon Stadium

Main article: Pokémon Stadium (English)

A second Pokémon Stadium game, which would be released internationally as Pokémon Stadium, came out later in the year. In this game, the tournaments were called Stadium Cups.

The following rule was added:

• In the Stadium Cups, a Continue is earned when a player wins a battle without losing any Pokémon. If a player loses a battle, a Continue can be used to re-try the previous battle.

All versions of Pokémon Stadium featured the had the Pika and Petit Cups from Colosseum 2, along with the Prime Cup, a no-holds barred tournament based upon the normal Cable Club battles. The Japanese version also features three Nintendo Cups based upon the first three Japanese tournaments.

Nintendo Cup '97 Nintendo Cup '98 Nintendo Cup '99 Mascots Level Limit? 50-55 1-30 1-50 Total Level? 155 No No Sleep Clause? Yes Yes Yes Freeze Clause? Yes Yes Yes Species Clause? Yes Yes Yes Item Clause? No No No Self-KO Clause? Yes Yes Yes Event Clause? Yes Yes Yes

Real-life representatives appeared as opponents in the Nintendo Cup '98.

The Nintendo Cup '99 and the Prime Cup each had four divisions. When both Cups were cleared, the player would earn an upgrade in the Game Boy Tower.

In the international versions, the Nintendo Cups were replaced with the Poké Cup from Colosseum 2. The Poké Cup featured the four divisions and the arena of Nintendo Cup '99, and had to be cleared in tandem with the Prime Cup to unlock the Game Boy Tower upgrade. Due to its similarity to the Nintendo Cups, it is referred to as the "official Pokémon tournament".

Pika Cup Petit Cup Poké Cup Prime Cup Mascots Level Limit? 15-20 25-30 50-55 No Total Level? 50 80 155 No Sleep Clause? Yes Yes Yes Yes Freeze Clause? Yes Yes Yes Yes Species Clause? Yes Yes Yes Yes Item Clause? No No No No Self-KO Clause? Yes Yes Yes Yes Event Clause? Yes No Yes No

Pokémon Stadium also introduced a Gym Leader Castle, where the player had to defeat the eight Gym Leaders and the Elite Four of the Generation I games. While the Castle featured no level restrictions, all of the opposing Pokémon would be at level 50 by default. If the player used a higher leveled Pokémon, all of the opponents' Pokémon would be at the same level as the player's highest-leveled Pokémon. A similar auto-leveling feature would appear in the Generation III Battle Frontier and future battling facilities. The Castle also featured the same overall clauses as the Stadium Cups.

Pokémon Stadium was also the first Pokémon game that allowed more than two players to battle at a time. Up to four players could compete in the Free Battle mode; if two players were on a team, each player could only select and control three Pokémon. A similar mode of play, Multi Battle, was introduced in the Generation III main series games.

Generation II

Tournaments

In Japan, a fourth tournament called the Nintendo Cup 2000 was held using the Generation II Pokémon games. Similar to Nintendo Cup '97, the tournament took place using Pokemon from levels 50-55, with a team limit of 155. The following rules were also established:

• Each Pokémon must hold different items.
• Perish Song and Destiny Bond fail when used by the final Pokémon.

Nintendo Cup 2000 Rules Level Limit? 50-55 Total Level? 155 Sleep Clause? Yes Freeze Clause? Yes Species Clause? Yes Item Clause? Yes Self-KO Clause? Yes Event Clause? Yes Banned Pokémon 0150 Mewtwo Psychic 0151 Mew Psychic 0249 Lugia Psychic Flying 0250 Ho-oh Ho-oh Fire Flying 0251 Celebi Grass Psychic

The second tournament, the Mobile Cup 2001, was a little-known tournament with 1000 players that used the Japan-only Pokémon Mobile System GB. Each battle had a 10-minute time limit; if a decision was not made by that time, Nintendo would decide the outcome. Unlike previous tournaments, there were no limits on the number of Pokémon that could be asleep or frozen or moves that the last Pokémon could use.

Mobile Cup 2001 Rules Level Limit? 1-30 Total Level? None Sleep Clause? No Freeze Clause? No Species Clause? Yes Item Clause? Yes Self-KO Clause? No Event Clause? Yes Time Limit? Yes Banned Pokémon 0151 Mew Psychic 0251 Celebi Grass Psychic

In the games

Pokémon Stadium 2

The final Pokémon Stadium game, Pokémon Stadium 2, featured four Stadium Cups in all versions. The Poké and Prime Cups returned from the original; however, the Prime Cup only had one division. The Little Cup and the Challenge Cup were added, with the latter featuring four divisions.

Little Cup Challenge Cup Poké Cup Prime Cup Mascots Level Limit? 5 Varies 50-55 No Total Level? No No 155 No Sleep Clause? Yes Yes Yes Yes Freeze Clause? Yes Yes Yes Yes Species Clause? Yes Yes Yes Yes Item Clause? Yes Yes Yes Yes Self-KO Clause? Yes Yes Yes Yes Event Clause? Yes Yes Yes No

The moves Dragon Rage and SonicBoom were banned in the Little Cup, making it the first rule variant to prohibit certain attacks.

The game also allowed players to customize and save various rules.

Pokémon Crystal

Main article: Battle Tower (Johto)

Pokémon Crystal introduced the Battle Tower, a special battling facility. The Battle Tower's rules were similar to Pokémon Stadium's:

• Players must select three different Pokémon to battle.
• All Pokémon must be holding different items.
• The player must defeat seven opponents in a row. The challenge can only be interrupted by saving between battles; otherwise, the Trainer will be disqualified.

In a change from the Pokemon Stadium games, a draw would end the player's streak, even if the opponent's Pokemon caused the draw with a move such as Explosion. Also, items could not be used from the Bag.

In the Japanese version, players could access a ranking system by connecting with the Mobile System GB. Each player would be ranked based on their streak, and the computers would use the teams of various Trainers. A similar feature would be used in the Generation IV Battle Tower.

Unlike future Battle Towers, powerful legendary and event Pokémon could be used in the level 70 and higher divisions.

Generation III

Japanese tournaments

The first tournament of Generation III took place at Pokémon Festa 2003. Unlike previous Japanese tournaments, two divisions were available: a Level 50 and a Level 100 Division. The tournament used the single battle format, and only Pokémon from the Hoenn Pokédex could be used. Players that won three consecutive rounds won a Jirachi.

Pokémon Festa 2003 Rules Level Limit? 1-50, 1-100 Total Level? None Sleep Clause? No Freeze Clause? No Species Clause? Yes Item Clause? No Self-KO Clause? No Event Clause? Yes Time Limit? Yes Banned items Soul Dew Enigma Berry Banned Pokémon 0386 Deoxys Psychic

The following tournament took place at Pokémon Festa 2004. This tournament used the double battle format, which would be the official format for all future tournaments. Unlike single battles, each player selected four Pokémon for battle. In addition to the previous rules, new restrictions were placed on nicknames: no vulgarities are to be used nor any Pokémon could be named after another Pokémon (e.g. a Smeargle nicknamed "KYOGRE").

As Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen were released earlier in the year, almost all of the Pokémon in the National Pokédex were available for use.

Pokémon Festa 2004 Rules Level Limit? 1-50 Total Level? None Sleep Clause? Yes Freeze Clause? Yes Species Clause? Yes Item Clause? Yes Self-KO Clause? Yes Event Clause? Yes Time Limit? Yes Banned items Soul Dew Enigma Berry Banned Pokémon 0149 Dragonite Dragon Flying 0150 Mewtwo Psychic 0151 Mew Psychic 0248 Tyranitar Rock Dark 0249 Lugia Psychic Flying 0250 Ho-oh Ho-oh Fire Flying 0251 Celebi Grass Psychic 0384 Rayquaza Dragon Flying 0385 Jirachi Steel Psychic 0386 Deoxys Psychic 386A Deoxys Deoxys Psychic 386D Deoxys Deoxys Psychic

The Pokémon Festa 2005 tournament featured nearly identical restrictions; however, Kyogre and Groudon were also banned.

Pokémon Festa 2005 Rules Level Limit? 1-50 Total Level? None Sleep Clause? Yes Freeze Clause? Yes Species Clause? Yes Item Clause? Yes Self-KO Clause? Yes Event Clause? Yes Time Limit? Yes Banned items Soul Dew Enigma Berry Banned Pokémon 0149 Dragonite Dragon Flying 0150 Mewtwo Psychic 0151 Mew Psychic 0248 Tyranitar Rock Dark 0249 Lugia Psychic Flying 0250 Ho-oh Ho-oh Fire Flying 0251 Celebi Grass Psychic 0382 Kyogre Water 0383 Groudon Ground 0384 Rayquaza Dragon Flying 0385 Jirachi Steel Psychic 0386 Deoxys Psychic 386A Deoxys Deoxys Psychic 386D Deoxys Deoxys Psychic 386S Deoxys Deoxys Psychic

International tournaments

A small competition called the Pokémon Emerald Ultimate Frontier Brain Battle took place in 2005 to commemorate the international release of Pokémon Emerald. Fourteen competitors were selected after a series of online quizzes, with a trip to PokéPark on the line.

The tournament used the single battle format. Unlike other Generation III tournaments, all items were banned.

Frontier Brain Battle Level Limit? 1-100 Total Level? None Sleep Clause? Yes Freeze Clause? Yes Species Clause? Yes Item Clause? Yes Self-KO Clause? Yes Event Clause? Yes Time Limit? Yes Banned Pokémon 0151 Mew Psychic 0251 Celebi Grass Psychic 0385 Jirachi Steel Psychic 0386 Deoxys Psychic 386A Deoxys Deoxys Psychic 386D Deoxys Deoxys Psychic 386S Deoxys Deoxys Psychic

Another North American tournament, Journey Across America, took place in 2006. The rules were similar to the Pokemon Festa 2004 rules; however, only event Pokémon were banned.

Journey Across America Mascots Level Limit? 1-100 Total Level? None Sleep Clause? Yes Freeze Clause? Yes Species Clause? Yes Item Clause? Yes Self-KO Clause? Yes Event Clause? Yes Time Limit? Yes Banned items Soul Dew Enigma Berry Leftovers Banned Pokémon 0151 Mew Psychic 0251 Celebi Grass Psychic 0385 Jirachi Steel Psychic 0386 Deoxys Psychic 386A Deoxys Deoxys Psychic 386D Deoxys Deoxys Psychic 386S Deoxys Deoxys Psychic

In the games

Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire

Main article: Double battles

The Generation III games introduced double battles, where each player battled with two Pokémon at a time. In double battles, certain attacks affect multiple Pokémon and certain abilities, such as Plus and Minus, only take effect in double battles. While double battles were rarely touched upon in the storyline, the format has been used in almost every tournament since Pokémon Festa 2004 and is the main format in the story modes of Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness.

In the Cable Club, four players could play a double battle variant called the Multi Battle. Similar to Pokémon Stadium, each player could only select and control three Pokémon at a time.

Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire featured a Battle Tower extremely similar to Pokémon Crystal's. However, only two divisions were available: the Level 50 and the Level 100 division. Also, double battles could not be conducted.

Pokémon Colosseum

In Pokémon Colosseum, the Stadium Cups were replaced with Colosseums. While the general clauses remained from the Pokémon Stadium series, the Colosseums had no special rules in place. Each Colosseum could be challenged in a single or double battle format.

Phenac Colosseum Pyrite Colosseum Under Colosseum Orre Colosseum Tower Colosseum Level 50 Division? Yes Yes Yes Yes No Level 100 Division? No No No Yes Yes

Pokémon Colosseum also introduced Poké Coupons, which were rewarded to the player upon completing portions of Mt. Battle. Poké Coupons could be traded in for various TMs or items; however, the player received a 15% penalty for each legendary Pokémon used.

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen

Main article: Trainer Tower

In the remakes of the Generation I games, a Battle Tower was not present; instead, Trainer Tower took its place.

While the Battle Tower valued winning streaks, the Trainer Tower prioritized speed. In the Japanese version, players could scan e-Cards to change the floor layouts; in international versions, the e-Reader support was removed, and many of the card layouts were incorporated into the Tower.

The Trainer Tower featured four modes of play: Singles, Doubles, Knockout, and Mixed. In a Knockout Battle, the player had to defeat three Trainers in a single battle consecutively. The Mixed mode incorporated battles from the other three layouts.

Unlike the Battle Tower, no clauses were in effect, items could be used from the Bag, and the player could interrupt their challenge to use the Pokémon Center in the lobby at any time.

In addition, a special battle format was present in the Union Room. Each Trainer could select two Pokémon up to Level 30 in a Single Battle format.

Pokémon Emerald

Main article: Battle Frontier (Generation III)

Pokémon Emerald introduced the first Battle Frontier. In addition to the Battle Tower, it featured six other facilities with special rules, similar to the Stadium Cups.

Each facility could be challenged in a Single Battle or a Double Battle format. In addition, two players could team up in a Multi Battle format, where each player could control two Pokémon at a time. Players could battle in a Level 50 division or an Open Level division where all of the opponent's Pokémon would be at the same level as the player's highest-leveled Pokémon.

Unlike the previous Battle Tower, players would not receive items after winning a streak. Instead, players received Battle Points. Like Poké Coupons, Battle Points could be saved and traded in for certain items or attacks; however, there was no penalty for using legendary Pokémon.

In addition, Trainer Hill was added, which is similar to Trainer Tower.

Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness

Unlike Pokémon Colosseum, Pokémon XD does not feature a Battle Mode. However, after completing the game, the player may challenge the Orre Colosseum, which has similar regulations to the Colosseums in Battle Mode.

Like almost all of the battles in the game, the Colosseum uses the double battle format.

Orre Colosseum Level Limit? 1-60 Total Level? None Sleep Clause? Yes Freeze Clause? Yes Species Clause? Yes Item Clause? Yes Self-KO Clause? Yes Event Clause? Yes Banned items Soul Dew Enigma Berry Banned Pokémon 0150 Mewtwo Psychic 0151 Mew Psychic 0249 Lugia Psychic Flying 0250 Ho-oh Ho-oh Fire Flying 0251 Celebi Grass Psychic 0382 Kyogre Water 0383 Groudon Ground 0384 Rayquaza Dragon Flying 0385 Jirachi Steel Psychic 0386 Deoxys Psychic 386A Deoxys Deoxys Psychic 386D Deoxys Deoxys Psychic 386S Deoxys Deoxys Psychic

Generation IV

Tournaments

The first tournament for Generation IV took place in Pokémon Festa 2006, whereby Pokémon only found in the original Sinnoh Pokédex were eligible. No Pokémon are allowed to hold Soul Dew, and it remains a banned item throughout all Generation IV competitions from 2006 to 2010.

Pokémon Festa 2006 Rules Level Limit? 1-50 Total Level? None Sleep Clause? No Freeze Clause? No Species Clause? Yes Item Clause? Yes Self-KO Clause? Yes Event Clause? Yes Time Limit? Yes Banned items Soul Dew Banned Pokémon 0483 Dialga Steel Dragon 0484 Palkia Water Dragon 0490 Manaphy Water

The Pokémon Festa 2007 featured similar rules; however, Pokémon outside of the Sinnoh Pokédex were eligible.

Pokémon Festa 2007 Rules Level Limit? 1-50 Total Level? None Sleep Clause? No Freeze Clause? No Species Clause? Yes Item Clause? Yes Self-KO Clause? Yes Event Clause? Yes Time Limit? Yes Banned items Soul Dew Banned Pokémon 0149 Dragonite Dragon Flying 0150 Mewtwo Psychic 0151 Mew Psychic 0248 Tyranitar Rock Dark 0249 Lugia Psychic Flying 0250 Ho-Oh Fire Flying 0251 Celebi Grass Psychic 0382 Kyogre Water 0383 Groudon Ground 0384 Rayquaza Dragon Flying 0385 Jirachi Steel Psychic 0386 Deoxys Psychic 0386 Deoxys Psychic 0386 Deoxys Psychic 0386 Deoxys Psychic 0483 Dialga Steel Dragon 0484 Palkia Water Dragon 0485 Heatran Fire Steel 0486 Regigigas Normal 0487 Giratina Ghost Dragon 0489 Phione Water 0490 Manaphy Water 0491 Darkrai Dark 0492 Shaymin Grass 0493 Arceus Normal

In 2008, players from Japan and the United States competed against one another for the first time in the Pokémon Video Game Showdown 2008. The tournament took place in the in-game Double Cup.

Video Game Showdown 2008 Rules Level Limit? 1-50 Total Level? None Sleep Clause? No Freeze Clause? No Species Clause? Yes Item Clause? Yes Self-KO Clause? Yes Event Clause? Yes Time Limit? Yes Banned items Soul Dew Banned Pokémon 0149 Dragonite Dragon Flying 0150 Mewtwo Psychic 0151 Mew Psychic 0248 Tyranitar Rock Dark 0249 Lugia Psychic Flying 0250 Ho-Oh Fire Flying 0251 Celebi Grass Psychic 0382 Kyogre Water 0383 Groudon Ground 0384 Rayquaza Dragon Flying 0385 Jirachi Steel Psychic 0386 Deoxys Psychic 0386 Deoxys Psychic 0386 Deoxys Psychic 0386 Deoxys Psychic 0483 Dialga Steel Dragon 0484 Palkia Water Dragon 0485 Heatran Fire Steel 0486 Regigigas Normal 0487 Giratina Ghost Dragon 0489 Phione Water 0490 Manaphy Water 0491 Darkrai Dark 0492 Shaymin Grass 0493 Arceus Normal

The worldwide tournaments continued the following year; however, the name of the tournament was changed to the Pokémon Video Game Championships outside of Japan. Players could only use Pokémon Platinum, and the alternate forms introduced in Platinum were ineligible. The Double Cup rules were reinstated.

Video Game Championships 2009 Level Limit? 1-50 Total Level? None Sleep Clause? No Freeze Clause? No Species Clause? Yes Item Clause? Yes Self-KO Clause? Yes Event Clause? Yes Time Limit? Yes Banned items Soul Dew Banned Pokémon 0149 Dragonite Dragon Flying 0150 Mewtwo Psychic 0151 Mew Psychic 0248 Tyranitar Rock Dark 0249 Lugia Psychic Flying 0250 Ho-Oh Fire Flying 0251 Celebi Grass Psychic 0382 Kyogre Water 0383 Groudon Ground 0384 Rayquaza Dragon Flying 0385 Jirachi Steel Psychic 0386 Deoxys Psychic 0386 Deoxys Psychic 0386 Deoxys Psychic 0386 Deoxys Psychic 0479 Rotom Electric Ghost 0479 Rotom Electric Ghost 0479 Rotom Electric Ghost 0479 Rotom Electric Ghost 0479 Rotom Electric Ghost 0483 Dialga Steel Dragon 0484 Palkia Water Dragon 0487 Giratina Ghost Dragon 0487 Giratina Ghost Dragon 0489 Phione Water 0490 Manaphy Water 0491 Darkrai Dark 0492 Shaymin Grass 0492 Shaymin Grass Flying 0493 Arceus Normal

In 2010, powerful legendary Pokémon such as Mewtwo were allowed once again. These Pokémon, referred to as special Pokémon, were limited to two per team. Event Pokémon such as Mew were still disallowed.

The tournament used only Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, and the rules followed the GS Cup rule set found in Flat Battle mode. All Pokémon above level 50 were leveled down to 50, while Pokémon below level 50 will retain their levels. Also, pseudo-legendaries like Dragonite and Tyranitar could finally compete, and Giratina and its Altered Forme was allowed.

Video Game Championships 2010 Rules Level Limit? None Total Level? None Sleep Clause? No Freeze Clause? No Species Clause? Yes Item Clause? Yes Self-KO Clause? Yes Event Clause? Yes Time Limit? Yes Banned items Soul Dew Special Pokémon 0150 Mewtwo Psychic 0249 Lugia Psychic Flying 0250 Ho-Oh Fire Flying 0382 Kyogre Water 0383 Groudon Ground 0384 Rayquaza Dragon Flying 0483 Dialga Steel Dragon 0484 Palkia Water Dragon 0487 Giratina Ghost Dragon 0487 Giratina Ghost Dragon Banned Pokémon 0151 Mew Psychic 0251 Celebi Grass Psychic 0385 Jirachi Steel Psychic 0386 Deoxys Psychic 0386 Deoxys Psychic 0386 Deoxys Psychic 0386 Deoxys Psychic 0489 Phione Water 0490 Manaphy Water 0491 Darkrai Dark 0492 Shaymin Grass 0492 Shaymin Grass Flying 0493 Arceus Normal

In the games

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl

Main articles: Single Battle (Battle Mode) or Double Battle (Battle Mode)

Main article: Mix Battle

In Generation IV, six Cups were introduced for wireless battles in the Pokémon Colosseum Club Colosseum, many of which are similar to those in the Pokémon Stadium series. In addition, players could set the levels of all Pokémon to 50 or 100 during Wi-Fi battles.

Mix Battles were also introduced, whereby players will swap one Pokémon with each other from a team of three, then battle.

Unlike Pokémon Emerald, Diamond and Pearl does not have a Battle Frontier, only a Battle Tower. In addition, all Pokémon levels above 50 will be lowered to 50 during battle, Pokémon below level 50 will retain their levels.

Pokémon Battle Revolution

Colosseums made their return; however, like the Stadium Cups, each Colosseum features a special rule. Each battle takes place in a Level 30 or a Level 50 mode, and can eventually be challenged in a Single or a Double Battle format. Players may use Rental Passes or Custom Passes in any Colosseum except for the Gateway Colosseum, which restricts the player to Rental Passes.

Pokémon Battle Colosseum

Gateway Colosseum Main Street Colosseum Waterfall Colosseum Neon Colosseum Crystal Colosseum Sunny Park Colosseum Magma Colosseum Sunset Colosseum Courtyard Colosseum Stargazer Colosseum Battle Type? Knockout Knockout Team Fortune Tournament Knockout League Select Knockout Knockout Sleep Clause? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Freeze Clause? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Species Clause? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Item Clause? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Self-KO Clause? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Event Clause? Yes No No No Yes No No No No No

In addition, Pokémon Battle Revolution featured a mode of online play against random players. Battles could be conducted in a single or double battle format, with each player selecting three or four Pokémon before battle.

Random Wi-Fi Level Limit? 50 Total Level? None Sleep Clause? No Freeze Clause? No Species Clause? No Item Clause? No Self-KO Clause? No Event Clause? No Time Limit? No

Pokémon Platinum

Main article: Battle Frontier (Generation IV)

As with Pokémon Emerald, a new Battle Frontier replaced the Battle Tower.

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

Main article: Flat Battle

Flat Battle mode was introduced in HeartGold and SoulSilver at the Pokémon Communication Club Colosseum. Regardless of rule set, all Pokémon are set to level 50 for the duration of the battle. The Battle Frontier from Pokémon Platinum also made a return.

Generation V

Tournaments

The rules for the upcoming Pokémon Video Game Championships 2011 have been announced. As with the first tournaments of Generation III and Generation IV, only Pokémon in the Unova Pokédex may be used. The tournament will continue to use the double battle format. All unreleased items, attacks, and abilities are also banned.

Video Game Championships 2011 Rules Level Limit? 1-50 Total Level? None Sleep Clause? No Freeze Clause? No Species Clause? Yes Item Clause? Yes Self-KO Clause? Yes Event Clause? Yes Time Limit? Yes Banned Pokémon 0494 Victini Psychic Fire 0643 Reshiram Dragon Fire 0644 Zekrom Dragon Electric 0646 Kyurem Dragon Ice 0647 Keldeo Water Fighting 0648 Meloetta Normal Psychic 648S Meloetta Meloetta Normal Fighting 0649 Genesect Bug Steel

In the games

Pokémon Black and White

Main article: Triple battle

Main article: Rotational battle

Main article: Miracle Shooter

In Pokémon Black and White, two new forms of battle were introduced: the triple battle and the rotational battle.

In triple battles, three Pokémon are sent out at a time. Unlike double battles, placement plays an important part in the battle, as the Pokémon on the far sides of the field cannot attack the Pokémon on the opposite side. The Pokémon in the center can attack any other Pokémon, but is also vulnerable to all other Pokémon. As with double battles, certain attacks can hit any Pokémon on the field. A Pokémon may switch positions, but at the cost of a turn.

Rotation battles also feature three Pokémon at a time; however, only one Pokémon may attack at a time. Rotating does not cost a turn, nor reset volatile status effects or counters for abilities such as Slow Start.

The Miracle Shooter is exclusive to multiplayer battles. After performing certain actions, players earn points. Somewhat like in the Battle Castle, these points may be used to buy and use items in battle.

Global Battle Union

The Generation V games features a mode called "Random Matchup" at the Global Battle Union, whereby players may face random opponents over Wi-Fi without Friend Codes. Any type of battle may be selected.

Global Battle Union Rules Level Limit? 1-50 Total Level? None Sleep Clause? No Freeze Clause? No Species Clause? Yes Item Clause? Yes Self-KO Clause? Yes Event Clause? Yes Time Limit? Yes Banned Pokémon 0150 Mewtwo Psychic 0151 Mew Psychic 0249 Lugia Psychic Flying 0250 Ho-oh Ho-oh Fire Flying 0251 Celebi Grass Psychic 0382 Kyogre Water 0383 Groudon Ground 0384 Rayquaza Dragon Flying 0385 Jirachi Steel Psychic 0386 Deoxys Psychic 386A Deoxys Deoxys Psychic 386D Deoxys Deoxys Psychic 386S Deoxys Deoxys Psychic 0441 Chatot Normal Flying 0483 Dialga Steel Dragon 0484 Palkia Water Dragon 0487 Giratina Ghost Dragon 487O Giratina Giratina Ghost Dragon 0489 Phione Water 0490 Manaphy Water 0491 Darkrai Dark 0492 Shaymin Grass 492S Shaymin Shaymin Grass Flying 0493 Arceus Normal 0494 Victini Psychic Fire 0643 Reshiram Dragon Fire 0644 Zekrom Dragon Electric 0646 Kyurem Dragon Ice 0647 Keldeo Water Fighting 0648 Meloetta Normal Psychic 648S Meloetta Meloetta Normal Fighting 0649 Genesect Bug Steel

In addition, the move Freefall is also banned due to a glitch.

Unofficial Rule Variants

Pokémon players have also created their own rule variants. These rules are frequently used in unofficial competitive play in order to minimize the luck involved in battles and to maintain balance.

Clauses

In addition to the sleep, freeze, self-KO, species, and event clauses, the following two clauses are frequently used in competitive play:

• Evasion Clause: The moves Double Team and Minimize are banned. In some tournaments, the abilities Sand Veil and Snow Cloak cannot be used with sandstorm or hail respectively.
• OHKO Clause: The one-hit KO moves Fissure, Horn Drill, Guillotine, and Sheer Cold are banned.

Other clauses have also been enforced:

• Hax Item Clause: Items that rely on chance, such as BrightPowder, Lax Incense, Focus Band, Scope Lens, King's Rock, and Quick Claw are banned. This clause is a "soft ban", and is usually ignored.
• Hidden Power Clause: The move Hidden Power is banned, as the chances of legitimately obtaining a Pokémon with high Individual Values and an ideal Hidden Power are extremely low. Alternatively, the move Hidden Power may only be banned on legendary Pokémon. Like the hax item clause, this clause is rarely enforced.
• Sleep Trapping Clause: In Generation II competitive play, sleep-inducing moves cannot be used in conjunction with moves that trap the opposing Pokémon, such as Mean Look.

Tiers

Main article: Tiers

In competitive play, Pokémon are divided into tiers. A Pokémon's tier placing depends on several factors, including its base stats, type, and movepool.

Tiers also serve as banlists. Battles take place according to tier, with all Pokémon in a higher tier banned. In the most common metagame, the Standard or Overused metagame, all Pokémon in the Uber tier are banned. In the Underused metagame, all Pokémon in the Borderline or higher tiers are banned.

In certain countries, such as France and Mexico, players are only allowed to use one Pokémon out of a select group of Pokémon. This group of Pokémon is usually limited to legendary Pokémon or pseudo-legendary Pokémon.

References

Links

• List of official battle rules (Japanese)
• Another list and analysis of official battle rules (Japanese)
• List of Nintendo Cup 2000 finalists
• Pokémon Festa 2004 Finals
• Pokémon Festa 2005 Finals
• Pokémon Festa 2006 Finals
• Video Game Championship 2010 Finals
• International Video Game Championships website
• An Introduction to Competitive Play
• Rules for foreign metagames
• Rules for unofficial Spanish tournaments

See also

• Pokémon Stadium
• Battle variants
• Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
• Battle Tower
• Battle Frontier