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Published on July 3rd, 2013 | by makiri

10

Official Rule Set for the Australian VGC Tournaments Revealed.

While a lot of this information was known, Nintendo has revealed the tournament procedures and rules for the Australian string of VGC tournaments. Much of it is the same compared to the rest of the world but there are a few changes, so if you are participating be sure to pay close attention. Most notably battles will take place via infrared double battle as opposed to the worldwide box system. Keep in mind IR battles do not have team preview so prepare your teams accordingly. You can check out their rules page here.

As a reminder the play in tournaments to earn a trip and entrance to PAX Australia in Melbourne are:
Melbourne (Deakin Edge – Federation Square)  Saturday 6th July
Brisbane (Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre) Sunday 7th July
Adelaide (AVCon Anime and Video Game Convention) Saturday 13th July
Sydney (Luna Park) Sunday 14th July

Australian rule set:
1. Game Cards

Only legitimate Pokémon Black Version 2, Pokémon White Version 2, Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version Game Cards can be used.

1.1. Game Systems
Players may use any system in the Nintendo DS™ family of systems during the competition. This includes the
Nintendo DS, Nintendo DS Lite™, Nintendo DSi™, Nintendo DSi XL™, Nintendo 3DS™, and the Nintendo 3DS
XL™. Players should make sure their console is fully charged before the day of competition.

2. Team Restrictions
Players may only use Pokémon that are legal for the tournament format. Players are responsible for ensuring
that their team adheres to any restrictions set forth by the tournament format and this document.

2.1. External Devices
The use of external devices to modify or create items or Pokémon in a player’s party is expressly
forbidden. Players found to have Pokémon or items that have been tampered with will be disqualified
from competition, regardless of whether the Pokémon or items belong to that player or were traded for.
It is recommended players only use Pokémon that they have raised themselves and items that they have received through normal game play. It is always the player’s responsibility to have legal Pokémon and items during the competition.

3. Match Resolution
A player wins by knocking out his or her opponent’s final Pokémon.
• If the player’s final Pokémon used Selfdestruct, Explosion, Destiny Bond, or Final Gambit, and both
players’ final Pokémon are knocked out as a result, that player loses that game
• If a player’s final Pokémon used Double-Edge, Volt Tackle, Flare Blitz, Take Down, Submission, Brave
Bird, Wood Hammer, Head Smash, Struggle, or Wild Charge, or was holding Life Orb, and both players’
final Pokémon are knocked out as a result, that player wins that game
• If both players’ final Pokémon is knocked out by a weather condition, such as Hail or Sandstorm, the
player whose Pokémon is knocked out last wins the game
• If a Pokémon’s Ability or held item, such as Rough Skin, Aftermath, Liquid Ooze, Iron Barbs, or Rocky
Helmet, results in each player’s final Pokémon being knocked out, the player with the Ability or held
item will win the game
A player who selects “Run” during a battle will count as the loser of that game, whether selected intentionally or not.

4. Tiebreakers
Should the time limit expire before a player knocks out his or her opponent’s final Pokémon, the winner
of the game is determined based on the criteria below.
1. Remaining Pokémon
a. If one player has more remaining Pokémon than the other, that player wins the game.
b. If both players have the same number of Pokémon remaining, the result of the game is
determined by average percentage of HP remaining, as described below.
2. Average Percentage of HP Remaining
a. If one player’s team has a higher average percentage of HP remaining, that player wins
the game.
b. If both players’ teams have the same average HP remaining, the result of the game is
determined by amount of HP remaining, as described below.
3. Amount of Total HP Remaining
a. If one player’s team has a higher total HP remaining, that player wins the game.
b. If both players’ teams have the same total HP remaining, the result of the game is a tie.

4.1. Sudden Death
If a game ends in a tie during the single elimination portion of an event, a single Sudden Death game is
played to determine the winner of the match. Players are required to gain an advantage in number of
remaining Pokémon over their opponent. Tournament staff will evaluate the game at the end of each
turn to determine if an advantage has been gained. After each turn has been completed, the
tournament staff will determine the number of Pokémon that each player has remaining.
• If both players have the same number of Pokémon remaining at the end of the turn, the game
continues for another turn.
• If a player has more remaining Pokémon than his or her opponent at the end of any turn, that
player wins the game.
Once the winner of the active game has been determined, the following criteria will be used to
determine the winner of the match, based on which game in the match has just been completed.
Game 1: The players proceed to game 2.
Game 2: If the winner of game 2 also won game 1, that player wins the match.
If the winner of game 2 did not win game 1, the match is tied and the players proceed to game 3.
Game 3:The winner of game 3 wins the match.6

POKÉMON VIDEO GAME TOURNAMENT FORMATS

5. Standard Format Style
Players are required to assemble a team of Pokémon, with items, prior to the start of the event. The standard format style is Double Battle.

5.1. Infrared Double Battle
Battles will take place via infrared Double battle. Each player must select only four Pokémon to be in their party prior to the battle commencing.
At the start of the battle, players send out the first two Pokémon in their party, making a total of four Pokémon on the battlefield. Game play continues until a player knocks out all four of his or her opponent’s Pokémon.

6. Standard Team Construction Rules
When building a team, all players must adhere to these standard construction rules.
• A player’s team cannot contain two Pokémon with the same Pokédex number
• Each Pokémon on a player’s team can hold an item, though no two Pokémon may hold the same item
• A player’s team cannot contain two Pokémon with the same nickname
• A player’s team cannot contain a Pokémon nicknamed with the name of another Pokémon (for example, an Unfezant named “Pidove”)
• Pokémon may only use moves that have been learned through one of the following methods:
o By leveling up
o By TM or HM
o As an Egg move, through breeding
o From a character in the game
o A move already known by a Pokémon received at an official Pokémon event or promotion
o A move already known by a Pokémon that has been transferred from another Pokémon game
via Poké Transfer or the Relocator.

7. Sanctioned Format

7.1. Modified Format
• Only Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 Game Cards are permitted for use.
• Players may use Pokémon from the National Pokédex, from No. 001–649, that are caught in the
game, transferred from a previous Pokémon title, or received at an official event or distribution
• The following Pokémon may not be on a player’s team:
o 150 – Mewtwo
o 151 – Mew
o 249 – Lugia
o 250 – Ho-Oh
o 251 – Celebi
o 382 – Kyogre
o 383 – Groudon
o 384 – Rayquaza
o 385 – Jirachi
o 386 – Deoxys
o 441 – Chatot
o 483 – Dialga
o 484 – Palkia
o 487 – Giratina
o 489 – Phione
o 490 – Manaphy
o 491 – Darkrai
o 492 – Shaymin
o 493 – Arceus
o 494 – Victini
o 643 – Reshiram
o 644 – Zekrom
o 646 – Kyurem
o 647 – Keldeo
o 648 – Meloetta
o 649 – Genesect

• Pokémon above level 50 are permitted, but they are auto-leveled down to 50 for the duration of
battle.
• Players may use Pokémon with Hidden Abilities that have been officially released through the
Pokémon Global Link or an official event or promotion.
• Pokémon may not know the moves Sky Drop or Dark Void.
• Pokémon may not hold the item Soul Dew.
• Players may use items that have been officially released via Pokémon Black Version, Pokémon
White Version, Pokémon Black Version 2, Pokémon White Version 2, the Pokémon Global Link, or
an official event or promotion.
• The Wonder Launcher cannot be used during battle.
• Players may change their team line-up between competition rounds.

About the Author

makiri started playing VGC in 2008 and has been an advocate for VGC play since then. With three Regional Championship victories and multiple other high placings, makiri is a seasoned competitor ready to impart knowledge of the game to others.

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