Attention Trainers! The Play! Pokémon Rules and Resources have been updated! You can find the latest version of the rules on our Pokémon TCG Rules page.

Summary of Changes Q3 2024

See below for a list of changes that you'll find in the League Handbook:

• Nomenclature changes to all game-format tables in sections 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3
• New format tables for Pokémon video games in sections 6.1 and 6.2
• All instances of “Organized Play” have been replaced with “Play! Pokémon” and “Play! Pokémon Program”
• Added European Economic Area and United Kingdom to list of territories for Early Release Program

Below is a list of changes to the Tournament Rules Handbook:

• Added major clarification to section 4.3.1.1 to reflect how TOM handles Age Division pods
• Updated Variant #4 table for two-day Pokémon TCG and video game tournaments with a new structure for the 2025 Pokémon Championship Series
• Updated section 7.3.1.1 to outline what occurs if a competitor is more than 10 minutes late to their match

Good luck, Trainers!

Sources: https://x.com/playpokemon/status/1826613969207132613 and https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/play-pokemon-rules-and-regulations-updated-for-q3-2024

Scarlet & Violet Stellar Crown Banned List and Rule Changes Announcement

Expanded format: Duskull (Sun & Moon—Cosmic Eclipse, 83/236) is now banned in the Expanded format.

No cards were banned from the Standard format. It will be an extremely rare occurrence for cards to be banned from the Standard format.

Duskull from the Sun & Moon—Cosmic Eclipse expansion was banned from the Expanded format. With the release of Dusclops in Scarlet & Violet—Shrouded Fable, it became very possible to win the game on the first turn when going first by using Duskull’s Spiritborne Evolution Ability to evolve into Dusclops. By getting enough Dusclops into play, players can use many Cursed Blast Abilities to Knock Out the opponent’s only Pokémon in play and win the game.

Many cards are required to assemble the combo that allows this strategy to be dangerous, but Duskull has the lowest overall impact on other strategies that are used in the Expanded format, so it was chosen to be banned.

Tournament results and community feedback will continue to be analyzed to maintain a healthy play environment.

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/about/scarlet-violet-stellar-crown-banned-list-and-rule-changes-announcement