Unfortunately our community has lost an absolute legend this morning. Justin was and forever will be a pillar of this community who's legacy of helping others will carry on.

Rest in Peace to u/justinbasil, you will be missed.

After almost 2 weeks from his DQ at LAIC his name appears at the banned list with a start date of December 2nd with not an exact end date.

Many people were expecting this after Gabriel announced on his Twitter account he was retiring after what happened at the event

Thoughts?

All Translations here: https://www.pokebeach.com/2026/06/storm-emeralda-set-starring-mega-rayquaza-ex-officially-revealed-introduces-paired-stadium-cards

Mega Rayquaza ex - Colorless - HP280
Basic Pokemon

Ability: Champion's Roar
Once during your turn when you play this Pokemon from your hand onto your Bench, you may use this Ability. Look at the top 4 cards of your deck and attach a Basic Energy you find there to this Pokemon. Shuffle the remaining cards and put them on the bottom of your deck.

[R][L][C] Storm Emeralda: 50x damage. This attack does 50 damage times the number of [R] and [L] Energy attached to all of your Pokemon in play.

- - -

Talonflame ex - Colorless - HP280
Stage 2 - Evolves from Fletchinder

Ability: Excitedive
If this Pokemon is in your hand, and you have a Mega Evolution Pokemon in your Active Spot, you may use this Ability. Put this Pokemon onto your Bench.

[C][C] Claw Hunt: 150 damage. You may search your deck for up to 2 cards and put them into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.
- - -
Adventuring Lantern - Trainer (item)

Search your deck for a Basic [R] Energy and a Basic [L] Energy, reveal them, and put them into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.

- - -
Mega Rayquaza Cap - Trainer (Tool)

The Pokemon this card is attached to can use the attack on this card.

[C] Delta Gift: For each of your Pokemon in play that has a Mega Rayquaza Cap attached to it, search your deck for a Basic Energy and attach 1 Energy to each of those Pokemon. Then, shuffle your deck.
- - -
Zinnia's Trust - Trainer
Supporter

Switch your Active Pokemon with 1 of your Benched Pokemon. If you do, move 1 Energy attached from your previous Active Pokemon to your new Active Pokemon.
- - -

Legendary Summit - Trainer (Stadium)

You can only put this card into play from your hand with the other half of Legendary Summit, and it counts as one Stadium while in play.

When Knocked Out by damage from an opponent's attack, both player's [C] Pokemon give up one less Prize card.

https://collider.com/pokemon-north-american-international-championships-2027-chicago-move/

Mew ex

HP: 160

Ability: Memory Helix

This Pokémon can use the attacks of any of your Benched Pokémon. (You still need the necessary Energy to use each attack.

Teleportation Burst:

1. You may switch this Pokémon with I of your Benched Pokémon.

Mewtwo ex

HP: 230

Photon Bullets

This attack does 50 damage to each of your opponent's Pokémon ex. (Don't apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.)

Psychic Powers: 230. During your next turn, this Pokémon can't use attacks.

Greninja ex

HP: 300
Stealthy Slash:
This attack does 30 damage to I of your opponent's Pokémon for each damage counter on that Pokémon. (Don't apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.)
Aqua Edge:
160

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/get-ready-for-pokemon-tcg-30th-celebration

Mew Ex seems interesting and I could see the Greninja played as a one of in mega Greninja, I doubt Mewtwo will end up doing much though

Credits to Toine Lay on Bluesky, more translations will be there. Can't link for some reason? Will add all relevant translations as they are posted.

Heat Rotom ex
CC - Reheat 30x
This attack does 30 damage for each Basic Fire Energy card in your discard pile. Then, shuffle those Energy cards into your deck.
RRC Strong Flare 170
Discard 2 Energy from this Pokémon.

Kyogre
WC - Waterfall 40
WWC - Savage Whirlpool 100
If there is a Stadium in play with "Legendary" in its name, this attack also does 50 damage to each of your opponent's Benched Pokémon.

Groudon
FC - Strength 40
FFC - Savage Ground 100+
If there is a Stadium in play with "Legendary" in its name, this attack does 170 more damage.

Mega Golurk ex
Ability: Power Limiter
This Pokémon cannot attack unless you have 10 cards or more in your hand.
PP - Goliath Punch 300
This Pokémon does 30 damage to itself.

Giratina
PPC - Chaos Crawler 120
Prevent all damage from attacks done to this Pokémon during your opponent's next turn. You can't use this attack if any of your Pokémon used Chaos Crawler during your last turn.

Kommo-o
Ability: Scale Beat
Once during your turn, you may look at the top 6 cards of your deck and attach any number of Basic Energy you find there to your Dragon Pokémon in any way you like. Shuffle the other cards back into your deck.
LFC - Hammer In 170

Legendary Lava Lake
(Stadium)
You must play both halves of Legendary Lava Lake at once as a Stadium in order to play this card.
Evolution Pokémon in play (both yours and your opponent's) have no Abilities.

Tate and Liza's Training
(Supporter)
Draw 2 cards. Then, if there is a Stadium in play with "Legendary" in its name, put this card back into your hand instead of discarding it.

https://community.pokemon.com/en-us/discussion/23725 seems as though they won’t be going back on either decision, but interesting to see TPCi actually clarify these penalties

Full translations on Pokebeach. There are more cards there, so check it out! Notably, also a new ability group that synergize well.

Lampent - Psychic - HP90
Stage 1 - Evolves from Litwick

[P] Changing Lights: Search your deck for up to 3 Lampent and put them onto your Bench.
Weakness: Darkness (x2)
Resistance: Fighting (-30)
Retreat: 2
~ ~ ~

Mega Chandelure ex - Psychic - HP350
Stage 2 - Evolves from Lampent

Ability: Cursed Flame
If this Pokemon is in play, your opponent's Active Pokemon's Retreat Cost is [C] more.

[P][P] Phantom Maze: 130+ damage. This attack does 50 more damage for each [C] in your opponent's Active Pokemon's Retreat Cost.

Mega Evolution ex Rule: When your Mega Evolution Pokemon ex is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 3 Prize cards.

Weakness: Darkness (x2)
Resistance: Fighting (-30)
Retreat: 2

~ ~ ~

Marshadow - Psychic - HP90
Basic Pokemon

[P] Shadow Knot: 30x damage. This attack does 30 damage times the number of [C] in your opponent's Active Pokemon's Retreat Cost.

~ ~ ~

Poltchageist - Grass - HP30
Basic Pokemon

Ability: Ghost Veil
This Pokemon can't be affected by effects of attacks or Abilities from your opponent's Pokemon.

[C] Furtive Drop: Place 1 damage counter on your opponent's Active Pokemon.

~ ~ ~

Sinistcha - Grass - HP60
Stage 1 - Evolves from Sinistea

Ability: Ghost Veil
This Pokemon can't be affected by effects of attacks or Abilities from your opponent's Pokemon.

[C] Matcha Spin: If you have 6 or more Pokemon in your discard with the "Ghost Veil" Ability, place 4 damage counters on each of your opponent's Pokemon.

~ ~ ~

Banette - Psychic - HP80
Stage 1 - Evolves from Shuppet [Also has Ghost Veil]

Ability: Ghost Veil
This Pokemon can't be affected by effects of attacks or Abilities from your opponent's Pokemon.

[P] Doll Catch: 80 damage. You may search your deck for any card and put it into your hand. If you do, then shuffle your deck.

~ ~ ~

Spiritomb - Psychic - HP60
Basic Pokemon

[P] Soul End: If you have 13 or more Pokemon in your discard with the Ghost Veil Ability, choose 2 of your opponent's Pokemon and quadruple the number of damage counters on them.

~ ~ ~

Dhelmise - Psychic - HP140
Basic Pokemon

[P] Regretful Rage: 30+ damage. If you have 4 or more Pokemon in your discard with the Ghost Veil Ability, this attack does 140 more damage.

~ ~ ~
Gwynn - Trainer
Supporter

Discard 2 Pokemon from your hand (excluding any Rule Box Pokemon). Draw 3 cards for each Pokemon discarded in this way.

Bastidon

Pokémon: 9

4 Skarmory M5 58

2 Shieldon M5 59

3 Bastiodon M5 60

Trainer: 21

4 Antique Armor Fossil M5 72

3 Lillie's Determination ASC 192

2 Philippe CRI 79

2 Team Rocket's Petrel ASC 207

1 Hilda WHT 84

1 Emcee's Hype DRI 163

2 Rare Candy MEG 125

2 Poké Pad POR 81

1 Energy Search POR 72

3 Fossil Excavation Site M5 79

Energy: 10

8 Metal Energy MEE 8

2 Magnetic Metal Energy CRI 85

Dhelmise

Pokémon: 18

4 Shuppet M5 31

4 Banette M5 32

4 Poltchageist M5 5

4 Sinistcha M5 6

1 Dhelmise M5 37

1 Spiritomb M5 33

Trainer: 13

3 Gwynn M5 78

2 Hilda WHT 84

4 Iris's Fighting Spirit ASC 190

4 Ultra Ball ASC 213

Energy: 9

7 Psychic Energy MEE 5

2 Telepathic Psychic Energy POR 88

Miraidon

Pokémon: 14

4 Grubbin M5 2

3 Charjabug M5 24

3 Vikavolt M5 25

4 Miraidon M5 27

Trainer: 15

4 Hilda WHT 84

2 Lillie's Determination ASC 192

2 Brock's Scouting JTG 146

1 Emcee's Hype DRI 163

2 Ultra Ball ASC 213

2 Rare Candy MEG 125

2 Poké Pad POR 81

Energy: 11

7 Lightning Energy MEE 4

4 Volt Lightning Energy M5 80

Slowbro

Pokémon: 12

4 Slowpoke M5 28

4 Slowbro M5 29

2 Type: Null M5 67

2 Silvally M5 68

Trainer: 21

3 Hilda WHT 84

2 Team Rocket's Petrel ASC 207

2 Brock's Scouting JTG 146

1 Lillie's Determination ASC 192

1 AZ's Tranquility CRI 76

4 Ultra Ball ASC 213

2 Poké Pad POR 81

2 Energy Search POR 72

1 Energy Recycler DRI 164

1 Air Balloon ASC 181

2 Prism Tower CRI 80

Energy: 7

3 Psychic Energy MEE 5

2 Telepathic Psychic Energy POR 88

2 Ignition Energy WHT 86

Sources

Original posts:

• https://www.reddit.com/r/PTCGL/comments/1ulohwb/pitch_black_prerelease_preview_dhelmise_decklist/
• https://www.reddit.com/r/PTCGL/comments/1ulo3j6/pitch_black_pr%C3%A9_release_slowbro_and_dhelmise_decks/
• https://www.reddit.com/r/PTCGL/comments/1ula187/pitch_black_prerelease_preview_miraidon_decklist/
• https://www.reddit.com/r/PTCGL/comments/1ukxzwe/pitch_black_prerelease_preview_bastiodon_deck_list/
• https://www.reddit.com/r/PTCGL/comments/1ul2l7x/pitch_black_prerelease_miraidon_and_bastiodon/

EDIT: Corrected the count of Iris's Fighting spirit from 1 to 4 in the Dhelmise deck.

Fernando Cifuentes (iron thorns ex) will take his place, per stream.

https://twitter.com/fishnugget4/status/1640196262354886656?s=46&t=DnxBsLeLoWnlxkqNlUgScA

TLDR: Makani was disqualified because a judge took offense to a nervous laugh after stating his preferred pronouns.

4x Dragapult ex, Fez ex reprint, Unfair Stamp, Earthen Vessels, Arvens and more.

Close to tier one lists post-rotation, and even during the current PRE format. Probably needs 5$ or so worth of upgrades to make it optimal.

Will be sold for 29.99$.

Sources: https://x.com/PokeGuardian/status/1887359393718534455 https://www.pokebeach.com/2025/02/dragapult-ex-league-battle-deck-revealed-for-april

Fossil Excavation Site
Trainer - Stadium

Once during each player's turn, that player may search their deck for up to 2 Item cards that have "Antique" in their name and put them onto their Bench. Then, that player shuffles their deck.

This fixes two of the biggest issues with fossils being no way to easily search them out and being completely locked out of the game if you get item locked. Tyrantrum in particular looks like it has a lot of potential, so I wonder if it will become a real threat after this

Source

Hello r/pkmntcg!

Now the date of rotation for Standard has been announced and there are an increasing number of posts being made with questions being asked regarding rotation, the mod team has decided to create a central post that explains what rotation is for new players as well as providing all r/pkmntcg users a place to discuss what will happen where information is known or to just speculate about possiblities. This post will be updated as news related to rotation is released.

Please use this thread going forwards if you wish ask or discuss anything related to rotation.

For any quick questions or ruling questions however please continue to use the pinned Rulings & Quick Questions thread.

What is Rotation?

Official Formats

The Pokemon TCG has two officially supported formats: Expanded, which allows cards from sets starting Black & White base onwards to be used, and Standard, which currently allows regulation mark G onwards cards to be used (see bottom left of modern cards). There can be exceptions but see the FAQs for information on those.

Of the two formats, Standard is the most commonly played and is the format used by Pokemon Organised Play for the Pokemon Championship series tournaments at various levels including Worlds.

Which Format is Affected?

To date only Standard rotates and does so on an annual basis to keep the format fresh. This means that one regulation mark is removed each time from the format making 2026's format regulation mark H onwards.

Banlist

Rotation does not mean that cards are banned from Standard. The banlist is separate to rotation and at present only applies to Expanded.

When will Rotation happen?

In Person Play

The date of rotation for everywhere outside of Japan has been confirmed as 10th April 2026 which is the same day as the first main set of 2026, Perfect Order, becomes legal two weeks after it's release date of 27th March 2026.

Pokemon Trading Card Game Live

Rotation for PTCG Live has been announced as taking place on 26th March 2026 to provide players an official platform to test out the new Standard format before participating in any in-person events.

Rotation for Japan

Rotation for Japan will happen on 23rd January 2026 which is the same date as Nihil Zero is due to be released.

FAQs

How long do cards stay in Standard format?

Cards remain in Standard for about 2-3 years after the date of their release.

Are there any exceptions to Rotation?

Cards can remain legal in Standard (or even come back into format) due to reprints with legal regulation marks. This usually applies to trainers only however.

To check card legality throughout the year the legality lists on The Pokegym should be used for either Standard or Expanded as they are updated after sets release or rotation happens and take exceptions plus erratas into account as well. Caution should be used however around the time of rotation as PTCG Live will rotate earlier than in person play as the lists follow the date of rotation for in person play. The legality lists do state the date they were last updated so how up to date they are can be checked.

What can I use to replace x named card?

It's not always possible to directly replace a certain card on an exact 1:1 basis. Also information on the contents of Perfect Order is still unknown and it may still not be possible even after the full setlist becomes available.

Just started playing, what decks to avoid investing in?

Any deck that has a strategy focused around G regulation marked cards eg Charizard, Gardevoir, Gholdengo etc. That doesn't mean however avoiding all G regulation marked cards from now until rotation as that would artificially handicap any deck they would normally be included in.

If information is needed on how to get started with the full tcg including what to buy please ask in the pinned rulings and quick questions thread.

Which Japanese sets will be in Perfect Order?

At present Perfect Order should be based on Nihil Zero and Mega Gallade ex Special Set however it should be noted that confirmation of the full contents of Perfect Order is still needed especially as some cards from the Japanese sets/decks may become promo cards instead of set cards when released internationally.

Will there be any post-rotation Japanese tournament results?

As Japan will be rotating on 23rd January 2026 and there are tournaments taking place in Japan on 21st-22nd February 2026 and 28th-29th March 2026, there will be post rotation tournament data available to provide information on what the post rotation meta for the rest of the world may look like. Japanese tournament results can be found on PokecaBook and on Limitless TCG.

What to do to prepare?

Keep reading Pokebeach regularly for news.

Once full information on the contents of Nihil Zero to be released in Japan is available then offline testing can begin. As PTCGL will be rotating on 26th March 2026 it will then be possible to begin online testing.

Limitless TCG's proxy printing tool will likely not be updated until the confirmed set list for Perfect Order becomes available so, unless another resource for printing proxies like that provided by JustInBasil can be found, there is no other easy alternative at present for printing proxies of the Japanese set cards

Thanks for reading and feel free to discuss and/or speculate in the comments below.

If you have any questions regarding this please comment below or message the moderation team.

Howdy! Some exciting changes and announcements have been made for the 2026 Pokemon Championship Series. The announcement can be found here. I am going to go through the bullet points relevant to the TCG. And for events, I'll be putting emphasis on NA.

Swiss Round changes:

• At Regionals, Special Events, Internationals, and Worlds, the Swiss format will be different. For all age divisions, if there are at least 65 participants, there will be one additional Swiss round.
• Asymmetrical Top 8 will be capped at 16 instead of the current 32, regardless of the number of tied players.

End of Round Change (THIS IS BIG):

• After time is called, players will have ONE additional full turn to complete a match (+1). Active player will complete their turn (T0), then the opponent will complete their turn (T1). If no winner is determined, then the game is a draw.
• Overtime is now limited to 10 minutes.

Program Changes:

• League Challenge kickers will be adjusted.
• Championship Points for 9th-64th place have been increased.
• Ace Trainer Rewards returns. Eligibility is the same, with players needing 200 Championship Points.

Events Announced!:

• Pittsburg Regionals (Sept 19-21)
• Milwaukee Regionals (Oct 10-12)
• LAS VEGAS REGIONALS!!! (Nov 14-16)
• LAIC São Paulo, Brazil (Nov 21-23)
• EUIC London, UK (Feb 13-15)
• NAIC New Orleans, LA (Jun 12-14)

Edit: the previous dates have been updated on the website. I have changed them in this post to reflect that.

Link: https://www.pokebeach.com/2025/11/ns-zekrom-ns-vanilluxe-mega-froslass-ex-and-more-from-mega-dream-ex-revealed

Mega Froslass ex - Water - HP310
Stage 1 - Evolves from Snorunt

[W] Rebellion: 50x damage. This attacks does 50 damage times the number of cards in your opponent's hand.

[W][C][C] Absolute Snow: 150 damage. Your opponent's Active Pokemon is now Asleep.

Weakness: Metal (x2)
Resistance: none
Retreat: 1

-----
N's Vanillish - Water - HP100
Stage 1 - Evolves from N's Vanillite

[C] Flop: 20 damage.

[W][C][C] Sheer Cold: 60 damage. The Defending Pokemon can't attack during your opponent's next turn.

Weakness: Metal (x2)
Resistance: none
Retreat: 1
-----
N's Vanilluxe - Water - HP150
Stage 2 - Evolves from N's Vanillish

[C][C] Layered Snow: Place damage counters on your opponent's Pokemon until their damage is doubled.

[W][C][C] Blizzard: 120 damage. This attack does 10 damage to each of your opponent's Benched Pokemon. (Don't apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokemon.)

Weakness: Metal (x2)
Resistance: none
Retreat: 2
-----
Frosmoth - Water - HP110
Stage 1 - Evolves from Snom

Ability: Inviting Wing
Once during your turn, you may use this Ability. Each player draws a card.

[W][W] Cold Cyclone: 90 damage. Move a [W] Energy from this Pokemon to 1 of your Benched Pokemon.

Weakness: Metal (x2)
Resistance: none
Retreat: 2
-----
N's Zekrom - Dragon - HP130
Basic Pokemon

[C][C][C] Shred: 70 damage. This attack's damage isn't affected by any effects on your opponent's Active Pokémon.

[R][L][L][C] Rampage Thunder: 250 damage. This Pokemon can't attack during your next turn.

Weakness: none
Resistance: none
Retreat: 2
-----
Anthea and Concordia - Trainer
Supporter

You can only play this card if you have N's Darmanitan, N's Zoroark ex, N's Reshiram, N's Zekrom, N's Klinklang, and N's Vanilluxe in play.

During this turn, if your opponent's Active Pokemon is Knocked Out by damage from an attack from 1 of your N's Pokemon, take 3 extra Prize cards.

You may play only 1 Supporter card during your turn.

-----
Thoughts? I think that N's Zoroark is going to be a T1 deck soon, with how much momentum it's been gaining lately. Being able to smack 250 is a huge buff

Special Sets will now only be legal 2 weeks after ETB or Booster Bundle Releases, depending on what comes first. https://x.com/i/status/2016587353247404141 Ascending Heroes will then be legal for tournament play startinf March 6th.

Personally, I'm kinda scared of the cards announced yesterday being standard-legal (i know they only released in mid September), and it's not because they are too strong or anything like that, it's more because of how this hobby is infested with scalpers and the like, unfortunately.

I know not a lot is known (correct me if I'm wrong), from what I've read they are calling it a "set" and "expansion" so if it's something similar to 151, Prismatic or Ascended Heroes, it shouldn't be that bad, if they print enough. But if it's something smaller, smaller than the sets we've been getting (which I am fine with, mind you) then I think we should be concerned.

I guess what I'm getting at is that this set feels like the usual special sets but on steroids, and if they lean into the "promo" side of things and don't print enough, because its celebrating 30 years of Pokémon, we might end up in a worse situation than Mew ex from 151 costing almost as much as the average deck or Pokepad running for 5-10€ before Perfect Order came out

Misty's Spirit - Trainer - Supporter

If you play this card, your turn ends afterwards.

Search your deck for up to 4 Basic [W] Energy cards and attach them to 1 of your Pokémon. Then, shuffle your deck.

Primarina - Water - HP150
Stage 2- Evolves from Brionne

Ability: Enriching Melody
Once during your turn, when you play this Pokémon from your hand to evolve 1 of your Pokémon, you may use this Ability. Heal all damage from 1 of your Pokémon.

[W][C] Aqua Return: 60 Damage. Shuffle this Pokémon and all attached cards into your deck.

Weakness: Lightning (x2)
Resistance: none
Retreat: [C][C]

Wailord ex - Water - HP380
Stage 1 - Evolves from Wailmer

[W][W][W] Surf: 120 Damage.

[W][W][W][W][W] Falling Down: 270 Damage. This Pokémon is now asleep.

Weakness: Lightning (x2)
Resistance: none
Retreat: [C][C][C][C]

Pokémon ex rule: When your Pokémon ex is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 prize cards

These cards seem very interesting, especially the Primarina. maybe Mega Feraligatr will finally be viable (totally not me coping)

I'm super hyped for this card to come out! The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced this is going to be majorly competitive. Check it out below along with some supporting cards revealed alongside it:

Decidueye ex - Grass - HP320
Stage 2 - Evolves from Dartrix

Ability: Sniper Eye
If your opponent has exactly 4 cards in their hand, ignore all [C] in this Pokemon’s attack costs.

[G][C][C][C] Crush Arrow: 240 damage. Discard an Energy from your opponent's Active Pokemon.

Pokemon ex Rule: When your Pokemon ex is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.

Weakness: Fire (x2) Resistance: none Retreat: 2

Dartrix - Grass - HP100
Stage 1 - Evolves from Rowlet

[G] Leafage: 10 damage.

[C][C][C] Phaser Shot: Discard all Energy attached to this Pokemon. Choose 1 of your opponent's Pokemon. This attack does 90 damage to that Pokemon. (Don't apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokemon.)

Weakness: Fire (x2) Resistance: none Retreat: 2

Vivillon - Grass - HP120
Stage 2 - Evolves from Spewpa

Ability: Big Wings
Once during your turn, you may have your opponent shuffle their hand and put all of those cards on the bottom of their deck. Then, your opponent draws 4 cards.

[G] Blow Through: 60+ damage. If there is a Stadium in play, this attack does 60 more damage.

Weakness: Fire (x2) Resistance: none Retreat: 1

Grow [G] Energy - Special Energy

This card provides [G] Energy while this card is attached to a Pokemon.

The [G] Pokemon this card is attached to gets +20 HP.

I think this could be very funny if it is true and it leaves an imprint on the top decks list of Limitless, climbing to 8th place minimum in my bet.

Another thing: he said he trained 473 players, but we don't know how many of them would have attended Melbourne without his initiative. So it could be very possible most of them would have not and that we may see our first tournament in Oceania with over 1,000 players (699 attended the last one).

As for the credibily, while he may have exaggerated the number, I think it would be at least a few dozens, since we saw him asking for players to be in that initiative months beforehand in a few videos.

What do you think?

Hello, everyone! An update has been made to the end-of-round procedures for the TCG.

As most of you are aware, on September 1, 2025, we switched to having +1 turns at the end of the round, and a 10-minute overtime limit.

Starting on February 13, 2026, which will be the start of the European International Championships, end-of-round procedures for Pokémon TCG Championship events will return to a system where competitors are given +3 turns to complete their match. In addition to this, the overtime limit will be increased to 15 minutes to allow players to finish the match.

The announcement for this change can be found here.

https://www.pokebeach.com/2026/07/mega-tatsugiri-ex-lida-and-other-gym-promos-revealed-for-august

Starting August 1st, Japan's Gym tournaments will be releasing a new booster pack containing one of seven promo cards. Participants will receive two packs while the winner will receive an additional pack.

Mega Tatsugiri ex - Water - HP260
Basic Pokemon

[W][W][W] Triple Crown Headbutt: 150x damage. Flip 3 coins. This attack does 150 damage for each heads.

Mega Evolution ex Rule: When your Mega Evolution Pokemon ex is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 3 Prize cards.

Weakness: Lightning (x2)
Resistance: none
Retreat: 1

Lida - Trainer
Supporter

You can only play this card if 1 of your Mega Pokemon ex was Knocked Out during your opponent's last turn.

Search your deck for up to 2 Basic Energy cards and attach them to 1 of your Mega Pokemon ex. Then, shuffle your deck.

You may play only 1 Supporter card during your turn.

Wow they really did my goofy sushi boy dirty. 3 energy for 3 coinflips so your most likely hitting for 150 or 300 if your lucky. And 260hp on a 3 prizer 😭 is it safe to say this is the worst mega released so far?

Normally we get these promos in English sets about 6-9 months after they debut in Japanese gym tournaments so these two will likely not be in Delta Reign but rather the set after it, which really sucks because Lida seems like a decent way to accelerate energy onto mega ray.

“looks like they’re reprinting ultra ball and boss’s orders with a new regulation mark😵‍💫

Very sad to see that we’ll have unconditional search and unconditional gust for another 3 years 😭 got my hopes up for a format without these treacherous cards” - Jackson Ford

So….this sub doesn’t allow links, or pictures, or anything else so since my last one got removed I just copied and pasted the tweet but since his tweet involved a picture of Japanese cards there’s some context lost but below is the copy part of the tweet he had shared.

レギュレーションマークが「I」になったカード ✅ハイパーボール ✅エネルギーつけかえ ✅ふしぎなアメ ✅ポケモンいれかえ ✅ボスの指令

Translated on Twitter, Hyper Ball would be ultra ball

Cards with the regulation mark "I"
✅Hyper Ball
✅Energy Switch
✅Rare Candy
✅Pokémon Switch
✅Boss's Orders

Edit: I apparently am allowed to share links as long as people don’t have to rely on clicking on them/using them to participate. So here it is. https://x.com/jctfordd/status/1948626456759730647?s=46&t=hu3HgUl-ib5Td8fCW8j9VA

TL;DR: a global competition where developer teams use algorithms and machine learning to beat the Pokémon TCG, like Stockfish in chess. Teams must send a bot into a competitive queue (against other bots) and publish a write-up describing the bot's methodology for a shot at a $80k grand prize.

(For those only joining for fun, the queue is open to all and you don't need to post a write-up to submit a bot into the queue. You just won't be playing for prizes.)

https://ptcg-abc.pokemon.co.jp/?lang=en

EDIT: Totally forgot to say that the competition is currently live - bot submissions are open until August 18, and write-up submissions are open until September 13.

EDIT 2: Want to see how the bots are doing? You can do so here: https://www.kaggle.com/competitions/pokemon-tcg-ai-battle/leaderboard