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2023 Play! Pokémon Season Structure

The 2023 Play! Pokémon season started officialy at the London Open, held on August 2022 alongside the 2022 World Championships, and will come to an end at the 2023 World Championships in Yokohama, Japan. This is the first time that Worlds will be held in Japan, the most successful country in VGC history!

After the unusual 2020/2022 season, it was announced on 17 August 2022 that all VGC events in TPCI regions would be put on hold after the London Open for several months, until January 2023, when the circuit would resume with the new games, Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet. This means that a VGC competition will not be held in an International Championships for the first time ever, as Latin America Internationals are scheduled in November only featuring TCG and GO. Events in TPC regions are still being held in those months.

The London Open and the Taipei Regionals were played in Pokémon Sword & Pokémon Shield, while all other events will be played in the newest games Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet.

Table of Contents

Format rotations

After the London Open, played under Series 12 rules in Pokémon Sword & Pokémon Shield, there will be no official VGC events for the remainder of 2022 in TPCI regions. In TPC regions, the Taipei Regionals were played in Series 13, the format of official in-game Ranked Battles from 1 September 2022 to 31 October 2022.

All VGC events taking place from January 2023 on will use Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet until further notice.

The official VGC rules may vary with each Series of Ranked Battles. That means that both online & real-life events may also follow such regulations from the start of the VGC official season on 2 January 2023.

  • Regulation Set A (formerly known as Series 1): 2–31 Jan 2023
  • Regulation Set B (formerly known as Series 2): 1 Feb–31 Mar 2023
  • Regulation Set C: 1 Apr–30 Jun 2023
  • Regulation Set D: 1 Jul–30 Sep 2023

Battle rules

The TPCI-region events in this season will be played using open team lists. A full disclosure of the rules and penalty guidelines is available in the official Play! Pokémon rules document.

  • Players will play in Double Battles in Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet.
      • Each player selects four of the Pokémon in their Battle Team.
      • Gameplay continues until a player makes all four of their opponent’s Pokémon faint or until the in-game time limit has expired.
  • Matches played during Swiss rounds may be best-of-one or best-of-three (the latter is strongly recommended in Regional-level and higher-tier events). All top cuts must be played as best-of-three.
  • At the start of a match, players will swap team lists.
  • There is no round timer and all matches shall be allowed to finish when a player’s all four Pokémon faint or the in-game time limit has expired. The in-game timers are the following:
      • Team preview: 90 seconds
      • Move time limit: 45 seconds
      • Player total time limit (called “Your time” in game): 7 minutes
      • Game time: 20 minutes
  • If the match ends with an unresolved outcome, the tiebreakers that apply are first late shows, then sudden death. For disconnection cases, refer to the document.

Team rules

General eligibility rules for Pokémon

  • Players may use Pokémon that were:
      • Obtained in Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet.
      • Imported into Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet via Pokémon HOME (when this functionality is available).
      • Received through an official event or distribution.
  • Pokémon may make use of any move or Ability available to that Pokémon through normal gameplay. This includes Hidden Abilities and event-exclusive moves and Abilities.
  • Each Pokémon may hold an item, though no two Pokémon may hold the same item
  • Pokémon above and below level 50 will be auto-levelled to level 50 during battle.
  • A player’s team cannot contain two Pokémon with the same National Pokédex number (for example, Heat Rotom and Wash Rotom).

Open team list content

As a novelty, all TPCI events will be played using open team lists. This means that the following data of your Pokémon will be available to your opponent:

  • Pokémon species. Regional variants or Pokémon forms must be specified.
  • Ability
  • Held item
  • All known moves
  • Tera Type

Regulation Set D

The Regulation Set D of Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet is the fourth official ruleset confirmed in the new games. It is the official format of in-game Ranked Battles from 1 July to 30 September 2023, and is used in official VGC events on the same dates.

Regulation Set C

The Regulation Set C of Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet is the third official ruleset confirmed in the new games. The Treasures of Ruin Pokémon are now allowed. Koraidon, Miraidon, Walking Wake and Iron Leaves are ineligible. Regulation Set C is the official format of in-game Ranked Battles from 1 April to 30 June 2023, and is used in VGC events on the same dates.

New Pokémon allowed in Regulation Set C
Wo ChienChien PaoTing LuChi Yu
Wo-ChienChien-PaoTing-LuChi-Yu

Regulation Set B

The Regulation Set B of Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet is the second official ruleset confirmed in the new games. Paradox Pokémon are now allowed. Legendary Pokémon, including the Treasures of Ruin, are ineligible. Regulation Set B is the official format of in-game Ranked Battles from 1 February to 31 March 2023, and will be used in VGC events on the same dates.

This format was originally known as Series 2, until it was renamed on 1 March 2023.

New Pokémon allowed in Regulation Set B
Great TuskScream TailBrute BonnetFlutter ManeSlither WingSandy Shocks
Great TuskScream TailBrute BonnetFlutter ManeSlither WingSandy Shocks
Iron TreadsIron BundleIron HandsIron JugulisIron MothIron Thorns
Iron TreadsIron BundleIron HandsIron JugulisIron MothIron Thorns
Roaring MoonIron Valiant
Roaring MoonIron Valiant

Regulation Set A

The Regulation Set A of Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet is the first official ruleset confirmed in the new games. All Paradox Pokémon and Legendary Pokémon, including the Treasures of Ruin, are ineligible. Regulation Set A is the official format of in-game Ranked Battles from 2 December 2022 to 31 January 2023, and will be used in VGC events on 2–31 January 2023.

This format was originally known as Series 1, until it was retroactively renamed on 1 March 2023.

Ineligible Pokémon in Regulation Set A
Vivillon MeadowGreat TuskScream TailBrute BonnetFlutter ManeSlither Wing
Vivillon
(all but Fancy)		Great TuskScream TailBrute BonnetFlutter ManeSlither Wing
Sandy ShocksIron TreadsIron BundleIron HandsIron JugulisIron Moth
Sandy ShocksIron TreadsIron BundleIron HandsIron JugulisIron Moth
Iron ThornsGimmighoul RoamingWo ChienChien PaoTing LuChi Yu
Iron ThornsGimmighoul
(Roaming Form)		Wo-ChienChien-PaoTing-LuChi-Yu
Roaring MoonIron ValiantKoraidonMiraidonCharmanderCharmeleon
Roaring MoonIron ValiantKoraidonMiraidonCharmanderCharmeleon
CharizardMeowth GalarWooperQuagsireFroakieFrogadier
CharizardGalarian
Meowth		Wooper
(original)		QuagsireFroakieFrogadier
GreninjaScorbunnyRabootCinderacePerrserker
GreninjaScorbunnyRabootCinderacePerrserker
Pokémon added in events from February 2023 onwards and in The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero
Unavailable during Regulation Set A
Ineligible Pokémon in Regulation Set A
Vivillon MeadowGreat TuskScream TailBrute Bonnet
Vivillon
(all but Fancy)		Great TuskScream TailBrute Bonnet
Flutter ManeSlither WingSandy ShocksIron Treads
Flutter ManeSlither WingSandy ShocksIron Treads
Iron BundleIron HandsIron JugulisIron Moth
Iron BundleIron HandsIron JugulisIron Moth
Iron ThornsGimmighoul RoamingWo ChienChien Pao
Iron ThornsGimmighoul
(Roaming Form)		Wo-ChienChien-Pao
Ting LuChi YuRoaring MoonIron Valiant
Ting-LuChi-YuRoaring MoonIron Valiant
KoraidonMiraidonCharmanderCharmeleon
KoraidonMiraidonCharmanderCharmeleon
CharizardMeowth GalarWooperQuagsire
CharizardGalarian
Meowth		Wooper
(original)		Quagsire
FroakieFrogadierGreninjaScorbunny
FroakieFrogadierGreninjaScorbunny
RabootCinderacePerrserker
RabootCinderacePerrserker
Pokémon added in events from February 2023 onwards and in The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero
Unavailable during Regulation Set A

Sword & Shield Series 13

The VGC Series 13 format of Pokémon Sword & Pokémon Shield is unique, as there are no restrictions on Pokémon. All Restricted Legendary Pokémon and, for the first time ever, Mythical Pokémon are allowed, with no limitation in number. Series 13 is the official format of in-game Ranked Battles from 1 September 2022 to 31 October 2022.

For the 2023 season, the Taipei Regionals was the only official event played using the VGC Series 13 ruleset.

Sword & Shield Series 12 & Series 14

The VGC Series 12 format of Pokémon Sword & Pokémon Shield is a throwback to the 2010, 2016 and 2019 rulesets, all of them known as GS Cup, formats where Restricted Legendary Pokémon such as Groudon, Lunala, Zacian or Calyrex are allowed. It was played during the 2022 season when live events came back after the two-year hiatus.

For the 2023 season, the London Open was the only official event played using the VGC Series 12 ruleset.

Starting on 1 November 2022, the Ranked Battles in-game ladder came back to this format ahead of the transition to Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet. This format, essentially the same as Series 12, was known as Series 14.

Age divisions

Play! Pokémon separates players into three age divisions: Juniors (JR), Seniors (SR), and Masters (MA). The age division that a player participates in is set at the beginning of the season, based on that player’s year of birth, and does not change over the course of that season. This allows players to compete against the same pool of opponents over the course of the season.

These are the age divisions for the 2023 season:

  • Juniors: born in 2011 or later
  • Seniors: born in 2007 to 2010
  • Masters: born in 2006 or earlier
This distinction is not followed in some non-TPCI regions, although it will be used in the World Championships.

Events: where and when?

The 2023 season is made up of events taking place in all 5 continents. These events are divided into two main categories: major events and local events:

  • Major events are hosted directly by The Pokémon Company International (TPCi) or an outsourcer. These events award greater prizes and Championship Points.
      • Major events in Japan and South East Asia are managed by The Pokémon Company (TPC) with a different award structure not based in Championship Points.
      • Major events in South Korea are managed by Pokémon Korea.
  • Local events are run by volunteer organizers and allow newer players and smaller communities to take part of the game. These had not happened since March 2020 but came back in May 2023.

Among these events, the most important are the International Championships (for TPCI regions) and National Championships (for TPC and Pokémon Korea regions). Sadly, for the first time ever, there will not be VGC International Championships in Latin America.

All major events for 2023

Championship Points & prizes

Championship Points (CP) are awarded to players based on their placements at various Play! Pokémon tournaments. Major events also hand out prizes as either cash money or scholarships as well as trophies and Pokémon merchandising.

Premier Challenge (PC)
    • Best Finish Limit: 6
    • Max CP obtainable (2020 Worlds Invite): 180 CP

 

PlacementChampionship PointsKicker
130 CP0
216 CP0
3-412 CP0
5-88 CP24
9-166 CP48
17-324 CP100
Midseason Showdown (MSS)
    • Best Finish Limit: 6
    • Max CP obtainable (2020 Worlds Invite): 300 CP

 

PlacementChampionship PointsKicker
150 CP0
240 CP0
3-432 CP0
5-825 CP24
9-1620 CP48
17-3216 CP100
33-6413 CP200
Select Online Competitions
    • No Best Finish Limit (all Championship Points obtained during Select Online Competitions will be taken into account)

 

PlacementChampionship Points
150 CP
245 CP
3-440 CP
5-835 CP
9-1630 CP
17-3225 CP
33-6420 CP
65-12810 CP
129-2565 CP
257-5122 CP
513-10241 CP

Qualification periods & Travel Awards

In the TPCI-based regions, Travel Awards will be handed out to the players in each age division and rating zone having gathered the most CP during an exact qualification period. Players having maxed out their BFLs can still get CP towards these awards.

Players in the Top 4 of their home region (North America, Europe, Latin America, Oceania) and age division during these periods receive a Travel Award, valued at $2000 for the in-region Internationals to $3500 for out-of-region ones ($2500 and $5000, respectively, for minors). Players ranked 5th to 8th can earn a $1000 Travel Stipend.

EventFirst DayLast Day
AUS Oceania Internationals (OCIC)25 April 202226 June 2022
CPs don’t count towards any TA27 June 202227 November 2022
GBR Europe Internationals (EUIC)28 November 202219 February 2023
USA North America Internationals (NAIC)
20 February 202316 April 2023

Qualify for the 2023 World Championships!

The 2023 World Championships will return to the previous 3-day format with Day 1 players playing on Friday and Day 2 players entering directly on Saturday.

Check here to check all the players that have earned their invite!

Related resources

Pokémon Sword & Shield — Rental Teams for VGC 2022

Pokémon VGC events for the 2022 Season

Resources for Pokémon VGC

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