The Pokémon VGC 2022 season, which started after the 2019 World Championships in Washington DC, will continue until the conclusion of the 2022 World Championships in London, UK. This unusual 3-year season is due to the sudden cancellation of global events in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the 2020 and 2021 World Championships.
This page will document all relevant ruleset information for the Pokémon VGC 2020-22 season, currently played on Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield since January 4, 2020 on the Nintendo Switch. Events held before this was played on Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon on the Nintendo 3DS.
General Rules
- All battles are played using Double Battles on Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield.
- During the Team Preview phase, each player select 4 Pokémon to bring to the battle.
- All Pokémon will be automatically set to Level 50 for the duration of a battle, regardless of their in-game level.
- All games are played utilizing a 20-minute timer. After that, the game is automatically resolved using in-game tiebreakers.
- Players will have up to 7 minutes of Your Time throughout the match to make their decisions each turn. Each turn, players are given 45 seconds to select a move or switch their Pokémon out.
- All Pokémon must have the black Galar symbol indicating they were obtained in the Galar region. Pokémon may also have the battle-ready symbol indicating they were transferred and adapted in the Galar region.
- Pokémon may use any move or Ability available to that Pokémon through normal gameplay. This includes available Hidden Abilities, any move and Ability passed via the Pokémon Nursery or in Pokémon obtained using Pokémon HOME, and moves and Abilities available through any Pokémon event or promotion.
- No team may include any repeat Pokémon or item at any time.
- In all Series except Series 10, all Pokémon are allowed to Dynamax and Gigantamax. Only 1 Pokémon per battle can Dynamax or Gigantamax. In Series 10, Dynamax and Gigantamax are banned.
Legal Pokémon
The list of legal Pokémon may change in each Series. Since Series 7, every Series has allowed the following legal Pokémon.
- Galar Pokédex – #001-397
- Isle of Armor Pokédex – #001-210
- Crown Tundra Pokédex – #001-209
- National Pokédex – #243-245, #252-260, #380-381, #480-482, #485, #488. #638-642, #645, #722-730, #785-788, #793-799, and #803-806
Additionally in Series 8, Series 10, and Series 11, players are allowed to use one of the following Restricted Pokémon in their teams.
- National Pokédex – #150, #249-250, #382-384, #483-484, #487, #643-644, #646, #716-718, #789-792, #800, #888-890, and #898
The following is the legal list of Pokémon for past Series.
- Series 2 – All Pokémon in the Galar Pokédex number #001-397 are allowed.
- Series 3 and Series 4 – All Pokémon in the Galar Pokédex number #001-397 are allowed, as well as the following Pokémon in the National Pokédex: #001-009, #079, and #722-730.
- Series 5 – All Pokémon in the Galar Pokédex #001-397 are allowed, as well as all Pokémon in the Isle of Armor Pokédex #001-210 are now allowed, and the following Pokémon in the National Pokédex: #638-640 and #722-730.
- Series 6 – Series 6 has the same ruleset as Series 5, but the following high-performing Pokémon in Ranked Battle Season 8 were banned: Venusaur, Gyarados, Porygon2, Tyranitar, Torkoal, Hippowdon, Magnezone, Togekiss, Excadrill, Whimsciott, Incineroar, Mimikyu, Rillaboom, Cinderace, Indeedee, and Dragapult.
Banned Pokémon
The following is the list of the Pokémon that have been banned from use in each Series. This list does not include the Mythical Pokémon that are always banned in each Series.
- Banned Mythical Pokémon – Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, Victini, Keldeo, Genesect, Diancie, Volcanion, Magearna, Mashadow, Zeraora, Meltan, Melmetal, Zarude
The following is a list of Banned Pokémon in previous Series.
- Series 2 – Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur, Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise, Alolan Raichu, Alolan Vulpix, Alolan Ninetales, Alolan Diglett, Alolan Dugtrio, Alolan Meowth, Alolan Persian, Ponyta (Kanto), Rapidash (Kanto), Slowpoke (both forms), Farfetch'd (Kanto), Weezing (Kanto), Mewtwo, Mew, Corsola (Johto), Celebi, Zigzagoon (Hoenn), Linoone (Hoenn), Jirachi, West Sea Shellos, West Sea Gastrodon, Darumaka (Unova), Darmanitan (Unova), Stunfisk (Unova), Cobalion, Terrakion, Virizion, Reshiram, Zekrom, Kyurem, Rowlet, Dartrix, Decidueye, Litten, Torracat, Incineroar, Popplio, Brionne, Primarina, Cosmog, Cosmoem, Solgaleo, Lunala, Necrozma, Marshadow, Zeraora, Meltan, Melmetal, Zacian, Zamazenta, Eternatus
- Series 3 and 4 – Alolan Raichu, Weezing (Kanto), Mewtwo, Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, Cobalion, Terrakion, Virizion, Reshiram, Zekrom, Kyurem, Cosmog, Cosmoem, Solgaleo, Necrozma, Marshadow, Zeraora, Meltan, Melmetal, Zacian, Zamazenta, Eternatus
- Series 5 – Mewtwo, Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, Reshiram, Zekrom, Kyurem, Cosmog, Cosmoem, Solgaleo, Necrozma, Marshadow, Zeraora, Meltan, Melmetal, Zacian, Zamazenta, Eternatus
- Series 6 – Venusaur, Gyarados, Mewtwo, Mew, Porygon2, Tyranitar Celebi, Torkoal, Jirachi, Hippowdown, Magnezone, Togekiss, Excadrill, Whimsicott, Reshiram, Zekrom, Kyurem, Incineroar, Mimikyu, Cosmog, Cosmoem, Solgaleo, Necrozma, Marshadow, Zeraora, Meltan, Melmetal, Rillaboom, Cinderace, Indeedee, Dragapult, Zacian, Zamazenta, Eternatus, Zarude
- Series 7 and 9 – Mewtwo, Mew, Lugia, Ho-Oh, Celebi, Kyogre, Groudon, Rayquaza, Jirachi, Palkia, Dialga, Giratina, Victini, Reshiram, Zekrom, Kyurem, Keldeo, Genesect, Xerneas, Yveltal, Zygarde, Diancie, Volcanion, Cosmog, Cosmoem, Solgaleo, Lunala, Necrozma, Magearna, Marshadow, Zeraora, Meltan, Melmetal, Zacian, Zamazenta, Eternatus, Zarude, Calyrex
- Series 8 and 10 – Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, Victini, Keldeo, Genesect, Diancie, Volcanion, Magearna, Mashadow, Zeraora, Meltan, Melmetal, Zarude
Gigantamax Pokémon
The list of Pokémon allowed to Gigantamax in VGC events was steadily expanded in each Series to allow players to easily access them in each Series. Players could be punished for using a Gigantamax Pokémon when it's not legal could subject them to penalties.
Additionally, with the introduction of Max Soup in the Isle of Armor, accessing Gigantamax Pokémon since Series 5 has never been easier and all Gigantamax Pokémon have been legal since then. The following is the list of legal Gigantamax Pokémon in each Series.
- Series 2 – Charizard (Blaze), Butterfree, Pikachu, Meowth, Eevee, Snorlax, Corviknight, Drednaw, Sandaconda, Centiskorch
- Series 3 – Charizard, Butterfree, Pikachu, Meowth, Kingler, Lapras, Eevee, Snorlax, Corviknight, Orbeetle, Drednaw, Coalossal, Flapple, Appletun, Sandaconda, Toxtricity, Centiskorch, Hatterene, Grimmsnarl, Alcremie
- Series 4 – Charizard, Butterfree, Pikachu, Meowth, Machamp, Gengar, Kingler, Lapras, Eevee, Snorlax, Garbodor, Corviknight, Orbeetle, Drednaw, Coalossal, Flapple, Appletun, Sandaconda, Toxtricity, Centiskorch, Hatterene, Grimmsnarl, Alcremie, Copperajah, Duraludon
- Series 5, 7, 8, 9, and 11 – Venusaur, Charizard, Blastoise, Butterfree, Pikachu, Meowth, Machamp, Gengar, Kingler, Lapras, Eevee, Snorlax, Garbodor, Rillaboom, Cinderace, Inteleon, Corviknight, Orbeetle, Drednaw, Coalossal, Flapple, Appletun, Sandaconda, Toxtricity, Centiskorch, Hatterene, Grimmsnarl, Alcremie, Copperajah, Duraludon, Urshifu
- Series 6 – Charizard, Blastoise, Butterfree, Pikachu, Meowth, Machamp, Gengar, Kingler, Lapras, Eevee, Snorlax, Garbodor, Inteleon, Corviknight, Orbeetle, Drednaw, Coalossal, Flapple, Appletun, Sandaconda, Toxtricity, Centiskorch, Hatterene, Grimmsnarl, Alcremie, Copperajah, Duraludon, Urshifu
- Series 10 – During Series 10, Dynamax was banned and all Pokémon capable of Gigantamax were banned from using it.
VGC 2019 Ultra Series
After the 2019 World Championships, the post-Worlds format was played using the Ultra Series ruleset on Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. This format was played starting at the beginning of the 2020-22 season until January 4, 2020, with the transition to Pokémon Sword and Shield.
- All Z-Crystals are allowed to be used.
- All Mega Stones are allowed to be used. Rayquaza is also allowed to use the move Dragon Ascent.
- The Red Orb and Blue Orb are allowed to be used.
- Players are allowed to use up to 2 of the following restricted Pokémon on their teams: Mewtwo, Lugia, Ho-Oh, Groudon, Kyogre, Rayquaza, Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, Reshiram, Zekrom, Kyurem, Xerneas, Yveltal, Zygarde, Cosmog, Cosmoem, Solgaleo, Lunala, and Necrozma.
- The following Mythical Pokémon are banned: Mew, Celebi, Deoxys, Jirachi, Phione, Manaphy, Darkrai, Shaymin, Arceus, Victini, Keldeo, Meloetta, Diancie, Hoopa, Volcanion, Magearna, Marshadow, and Zeraora.
Age Divisions
Pokémon VGC events are separated into 3 distinct age divisions: Juniors, Seniors, and Masters. Age divisions determine which division a player competes in at the start of the season and is based on the year a player was born in and do not change at any time throughout the season. This allows players to compete with others in the same age range.
Different for the 2022 seasons, new age divisions were set which means certain players will age up upon the return of live events in early 2022. If a player had previously earned a Worlds invite in a younger age division, if that player ages up, they'll retain their Worlds invite in the new age division.
Championship Points
Championship Points (CP) can be awarded to players based on their placement at various sanctioned events. While local-level events only award a small amount of CP, larger events can also award prize money, scholarships, as well as other items such as trophies and merchandise for top finishers.
PREMIER CHALLENGES
The smallest type of local event, Premier Challenges can award the smallest amount of CP for top finishers. These events have a Best Finish Limit of 6, meaning your 6 best finishes will count towards your Worlds Invite.
MIDSEASON SHOWDOWNS
The largest type of local event, Midseason Showdowns award a slightly larger amount of CP for top finishers. These events have a Best Finish Limit of 6, meaning your 6 best finishes will count towards your Worlds Invite.
SELECT ONLINE COMPETITIONS
Typically International Challenges, these are events held exclusive as online ladder competitions for players globally that allow players to compete for CP at home. These events have no Best Finish Limit.
REGIONALS & SPECIAL EVENTS
Held in select major areas, Regionals allow players to be able to earn a large amount of CP towards their Worlds invite for placing well. These events also give out prize money and trophies for top finishers. Special Events are Regionals but don't award prize money. These events have a Best Finish Limit of 6, meaning your 6 best finishes will count towards your Worlds Invite.
INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
The largest type of events, these are held in the 4 rating zones, one per rating zone and offer the largest amount of Championship Points, prize money, and overall prestige for top finishers. These events have a Best Finish Limit of 4, meaning your 4 best finishes will count towards your Worlds Invite.
Travel Awards
Travel Awards and Stipends are awarded to players who earn the largest amount of Championship Points during a certain timeframe. These travel awards allow players to attend a specific International Championship. Players who have maxed out their BFLs are still able to earn CP towards this.
Additionally, the Top 4 finishers in the Players Cup I, Players Cup II, and Players Cup III earned a Travel Award to a future International of their choosing upon the return of live events.
Worlds Qualification
The Championship Points that players earned before the cancellation of live events and season pause will 100% transfer to the 2022 season. Worlds invites earned as well will also transfer to the 2022 season. New to the 2022 season, there are now two distinct qualification thresholds. It is currently unknown if the traditional Day 2 structure of paid trips will remain and the full structure of World Championships qualification.
Thursday Players – Players who reach the first qualification bar that's the same from the 2020 season will qualify for Thursday of the World Championships. This means players who have previously qualified will have their invites guarantee start on Thursday.
Friday Players – Players who reach a currently unknown qualification bar will qualify for Friday, meaning they'll be able to skip Thursday play. This information is currently unknown and will be added when more information is known.
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