Today, The Pokémon Company International officially announced the format schedule for the 2018 season in its trading card game tournaments. Basically, this means that there are a range of sets that trainers are permitted to use cards from, and any older set is not permissible for tournament use. This opportunity allows for trainers to freshen up their decks and find new strategies, all while making it easier for new Play! Pokémon trainers to transition into getting involved with events.

The new season began back on July 10th in preparation for the 2018 Pokémon World Championships, but any remaining tournaments through to September 1st will continue to use the rotation from the 2017 season. TPCI specifically noted that the Regional Championships in Liverpool, UK (July 29-30, 2017) and the 2017 Pokémon World Championships (August 18-20, 2017) will use the 2017 format and rules.

Included in the 2018 season are two formats: Standard and Expanded. Here’s what each format will entail:

Standard Format

These are the sets and products that are permitted for use in the Standard format:

• XY: BREAKthrough and any further released expansions
• Black Star Promo Cards from XY67 and up, and SM01 and up
• Any cards from the following products:
  • Generations
  • XY Trainer Kit (Pikachu Libre/Suicune)
  • Sun & Moon Trainer Kit (Lycanroc/Alolan Raichu)
  • McDonald’s Collection 2016

Expanded Format

The Expanded format works a little differently than Standard. This format is for more-sanctioned TCG events, and allows usage of cards from Black and White onward. However, the format is more monitored to ensure a fair level of gameplay, and individual cards have been known to be banned periodically to maintain that balance. As it stands right now, there are currently two banned cards from the Expanded format—Lysandre’s Trump Card from XY: Phantom Forces and Shiftry from Black and White: Next Destinies.

These are the products that are permitted for use in the Expanded format:

• Black and White and any further released expansions
• Black Star Promo Cards numbered BW01 and up, XY01 and up, and SM01 and up
• Any cards from the following products:
  • Generations
  • Double Crisis
  • Dragon Vault
  • Black and White Trainer Kit
  • XY Trainer Kit
  • XY Trainer Kit (Bisharp/Wigglytuff)
  • XY Trainer Kit (Latias/Latios)
  • XY Trainer Kit (Pikachu Libre/Suicune)
  • Sun & Moon Trainer Kit (Lycanroc/Alolan Raichu)
  • Sun & Moon Trainer Kit (Lycanroc/Alolan Raichu)
  • McDonald’s Collection 2011 onward

And that’s all we have for the new 2018 season format for the Pokémon Trading Card Game! As a reminder, each new expansion becomes tournament-legal on the third Friday of the release month. Also, please be sure to check with the venue you plan to play at to know what the format is, and if your deck is legal for the format as well!

Edited by Meganium.