Introduction / The Basics

One question you might have is– what are the rules of VGC battling? Well, they change from time to time. Keep in mind that when we use the term “VGC”, we are referring to the official competitive format as dictated by The Pokémon Company (International). Usually, these rules are the same as the Ranked Doubles ladder within the games, but not always. Furthermore, VGC is usually different from the Wi-Fi tournaments held by Pokémon (some of them have very strange rulesets). 

The best source for these rules will always be pokemon.com.

Here are some battle rules that will always be true for VGC, and will never change:

• Last one standing: The winner of the battle is the trainer who has a Pokémon with HP remaining at the end (outside of timer tiebreaks).

• Double battles: Each player has up to two Pokémon on the field at a time.

• Current game: VGC games are always played using the current mainline Pokémon game. This might not always be the most recent game released with Pokémon in the name. For example, when Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu/Eevee were released, VGC games were still played on Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. The current mainline Pokémon game is currently Pokémon Sword and Shield.*

• Region-native: (True of formats after 2013) Pokémon must be caught in the current game or have a battle-ready mark. This is to prevent the use of old moves on transferred Pokémon that they can’t learn anymore. 

• Bring 6, Pick 4 (Team Preview): You have six Pokémon, but only four are coming to the battle. You’ll see your opponent’s team before the Pokémon begin battling, and choose which Pokémon to bring to the battle.

• Species Clause: You can only have one Pokémon of a species on your team. You can’t have six Mewtwo, for example. If two Pokémon share a Pokedex number, you can only have one: you can’t use both Rotom-Frost and Rotom-Heat.

Formats 

Although the above rules will stay constant no matter what, the Pokémon and mechanics that you can bring to battle may change from time to time. These are called formats. 

Formats usually fit into one of three categories:

• Regional Dex: Only Pokémon from the current region’s Pokedex are allowed. This format usually happens within the first year of a game’s release. For example, VGC 2014 only featured Pokémon that could be caught natively in Pokémon X and Y’s Kalos Dex. 

• National Dex: Pokémon from the National Pokedex are allowed-- usually, this means all available Pokémon except the most powerful legendaries are allowed. This format usually happens in the second year of a game’s release. For example, VGC 2015 allowed any Pokémon that could be caught in Pokémon X and Y or Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire that wasn’t a restricted legendary (e.g. Groudon, Kyogre). 

• Restricted: Pokémon that are usually restricted because they are so powerful (Mewtwo, Groudon, Kyogre, …) are allowed. Sometimes these are referred to as “box legendaries”. Usually, two are allowed per team (and the other Pokémon come from the National Pokedex). Restricted formats are sometimes informally called “GS Cup”. This format usually happens in the third year of a game’s release. For example, in VGC 2016, players were allowed to use two restricted Pokémon on their team– e.g. a player could use both Groudon and Kyogre. After that, the other 4 Pokémon were any Pokémon that could be caught in Pokémon X and Y or Alpha Ruby and Omega Sapphire that weren’t restricted.

Mythical Pokémon (Mew, Celebi, Jirachi,...) are never allowed in VGC. 

What is the current format?

You can find that information here.

How often do formats change?

It used to be the case that a VGC format lasted for over a year, but in recent years, the VGC format has changed every few months. Formats generally roll over on the first of the month. The best way to stay up to date is to check the official Play! Pokémon rules document, located here, which will include an end date for the current format. 

Wrapping up

Part of why we love VGC is that each format gives a fresh way to play the game. Some players have a particular style of format that they like-- they may prefer Regional, National, or Restricted dex-- but we love them all, and we hope you find the variety interesting.

*(footnote from Current Game): This doesn’t mean that you have to have the physical copy of the most recent Pokémon game, either -- it just means that the battles will operate according to the mechanics of the current game and not previous games. VGC won’t ever require you to own a Pokémon cartridge that is over three years old.