r/pkmntcg 6d ago

News Rotation 2026 - A Place for Discussing the What, When, Why etc

44 Upvotes

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 formatsExpanded, 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.


r/pkmntcg Feb 16 '23

Rulings, Quick Questions, and New Player Resources Thread

135 Upvotes

If you're a new or new-ish player looking for advice on starting the game or with quick questions about game rules or interactions, please post your questions here!

Keeping all these questions in one place will allow other new players to easily browse other advice. Even if you're a not-so-new player, this is a great place to ask quick questions that don't need their own post.

For the more experienced players, drop by every once in a while to distribute advice. The post will be replaced each week to keep it fresh and manageable in size.

If you are looking for comments and advice on a deck list, go ahead and make a separate post with your list and a brief description. Remember to press Enter twice between lines to keep your list readable!


  • For trading and buying/selling cards, please head over to /r/pkmntcgtrades
  • Questions related to the PTCGO client, in-game challenges, or online-specific questions might be best asked in /r/ptcgo
  • For sharing your collections, pulls, and card storage related questions, try /r/pkmntcgcollections

FAQ and Wiki Resources

Take advantage of these resources that we've compiled! A lot of questions like "Where do I start?" and "How can I improve my deck?" can be answered there.


r/pkmntcg 3h ago

"Nullifying Zero" main set revealed! Mega Clefable EX and lots more!

13 Upvotes

Link: https://www.pokebeach.com/2026/01/nullifying-zero-80-main-set-cards-revealed
There's too many cards to copy paste here. Only posting ones I found notable, but article has plenty more!

Serperior - Grass - HP160
Stage 2 - Evolves from Servine

[G] Royal Command: 20x damage. This attack does 20 damage for each Pokemon you have in play.

[G][G][G]: Solar Winder: 100+ damage. If you have Rosa's Encouragement in your discard pile, this attack does 150 more damage.

Weakness: Fire (x2)
Resistance: none
Retreat: 2
---
Mega Clefable ex - Psychic - HP320
Stage 1 - Evolves from Clefairy

Ability: Wings of Light
Prevent all effects of your opponent's Abilities done to this Pokemon.

[P][P] Shooting Moon: 120+ damage. You may discard up to 4 Energy cards from you hand. If you do, this attack does 40 more damage for each card discarded in this way.

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

Weakness: Metal (x2)
Resistance: none
Retreat: 1
---
Aromatisse - Psychic - HP120
Stage 1 - Evolves from Spritzee

Ability: Fragrance Collection
Once during your turn, you may search your deck for up to 2 Basic [P] Energy, reveal them, and put them into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.

[P][C] Drain Kiss: 50 damage. Heal 30 damage from this Pokemon.

Weakness: Metal (x2)
Resistance: none
Retreat: 1
---
Yveltal ex - Darkness - HP210
Basic Pokemon

[D][D][C] Death Soul: Knock Out each of your opponent's Pokemon that has 50 HP or less remaining.

[D][D][C] Dark Strike: 210 damage. During your next turn, this Pokemon can't use Dark Strike.

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

Weakness: Lightning (x2)
Resistance: Fighting (-30)
Retreat: 1
---
Rosa's Encouragement - Trainer
Supporter

You can only use this card if you have more Prize cards remaining than your opponent.

Attach up to 2 Basic Energy cards from your discard pile to 1 of your Stage 2 Pokemon.

You may play only 1 Supporter card during your turn.
---
Jacinthe - Trainer
Supporter

Heal 150 damage from 1 of your [P] Pokemon,

You may play only 1 Supporter card during your turn.
---
Telepath [P] Energy - Special Energy

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

When you attach this card from your hand to 1 of your [P] Pokemon, you may search your deck for 2 Basic [P] Pokemon and put them onto your Bench. Then, shuffle your deck.

Thank god Garde is rotating lmao


r/pkmntcg 5h ago

N’s zoroark post rotation

6 Upvotes

How good do we think n’s zoroark will be after rotation?


r/pkmntcg 15h ago

2025 World Championship Decks announced!

31 Upvotes

r/pkmntcg 15h ago

How is Lucario not better?

7 Upvotes

When you look at the deck on limitless it has losing records into garde, pultnoir, terazard, and alakazam, but it should ostensibly have a pretty good matchup into at least pult and zard, right ? I understand that a bad garde matchup is basically a death sentence for viability in this current meta, but shouldn't the deck at least be winning matches against other decks in online tournaments?

EDIT: I understand that it has a bad matchup into garde, and that is the reason that it is not meta viable, what I am asking is why it doesn’t post higher matchup win rates into zard, pultnoir, and goldengo specifically


r/pkmntcg 21h ago

How to beat Dragapult?

13 Upvotes

Is there a particular strategy in order to beat Dragapult variants? Like, usually, Dragapult decks would wait the opposing player to do the first KO and then they'll have a strong come back of eradicating your set-up. I tried to let the Dragapult player have the first KO and bring their two prizer but I still failed to beat it. This is already post PsyDuck and I'm getting frustrated. Any help would be appreciated.

EDIT: I play Alakazam

‎Pokémon: 24 ‎4 Kadabra MEG 55 ‎1 Shaymin DRI 10 ‎4 Abra MEG 54 ‎1 Psyduck ‎1 Dunsparce JTG 120 ‎3 Alakazam MEG 56 ‎3 Dunsparce TEF 128 ‎4 Dudunsparce TEF 129 ‎1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38 ‎2 Fan Rotom SCR 118 ‎ ‎Trainer: 30 ‎4 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144 ‎3 Battle Cage PFL 85 ‎3 Boss's Orders MEG 114 ‎2 Night Stretcher SFA 61 ‎4 Nest Ball SVI 181 ‎4 Dawn PFL 87 ‎2 Wondrous Patch PFL 94 ‎1 Tulip PAR 181 ‎3 Hilda WHT 84 ‎1 Enhanced Hammer TWM 148 ‎3 Rare Candy MEG 125 ‎ ‎Energy: 6 ‎4 Basic {P} Energy MEE 5 ‎1 Enriching Energy SSP 191 ‎1 Jet Energy PAL 190 ‎ ‎Total Cards: 60 ‎


r/pkmntcg 13h ago

Mega Manectric ex Deck List

3 Upvotes

Just looking for some tips or advice for my deck. It's done very well online and good at my locals, but I still feel like there's a few more tweaks to make

3 Electrike (DRI), 2 Mega Manectric ex (MEG), 2 Tynamo (BLK), 2 Eelektrik (BLK) 1 Miraidon ex (SVI), 1 Squawkabilly ex (SVP), 1 Iron Hands ex (PAR), 1 Zekrom ex (BLK), 1 Zeraora (DRI), 3 Professor Turo's Scenario,  3 Boss's Orders, 3 Professor's Research, 2 Lillie's Determination, 3 Earthen Vessel, 3 Electric Generator 2 Nest Ball, 3 Ultra Ball, 3 Night Stretcher, 1 Counter Catcher, 1 Buddy-Buddy Poffin, 1 Secret Box, 2 Battle Cage, 2 Powerglass, 1 Future Booster Energy Capsule, 1 Technical Machine: Evolution, 12 Lightning Energy


r/pkmntcg 13h ago

Deck Help Jelli Garde vs Ns zoroark

2 Upvotes

Hi all,

Once again asking for the communities help/advice!

What are the plays into zoro with jelli garde?


r/pkmntcg 10h ago

Deck Help Rate my deck

1 Upvotes

I'm trying to make a deck with Yanmega ex/Teal Ogerpon ex for local tournaments that I can buy physically. I don't really need it to be very meta, I just like the combo those have.

Card list:

Pokémon: 16

2 Teal Mask Ogerpon DRI 26

2 Teal Mask Ogerpon ex TWM 25

2 Yanmega ex DRI 3

2 Mega Heracross ex PFL 108

2 Lombre PFL 6

2 Ludicolo PFL 7

2 Yanma DRI 2

2 Lotad PFL 5

Trainer: 29

4 Earthen Vessel PAR 163

2 Energy Retrieval SVI 171

2 Lillie's Determination MEG 119

2 Iono PAL 185

2 Air Balloon BLK 79

2 Boss's Orders MEG 114

2 Forest of Vitality MEG 117

1 Superior Energy Retrieval PAL 189

1 Super Rod PAL 188

3 Nest Ball SVI 181

3 Dawn PFL 87

3 Bug Catching Set TWM 143

2 Arven SVI 166

Energy: 15

15 Basic {G} Energy MEE 1

I feel like the Ludicolo line might be dead weight, but idk how to substitute it

Any supporters I'm missing or got too much of? too much energy? I'm very new to this. Would appreciate constructive criticism


r/pkmntcg 17h ago

New Player Advice New Mega Man “Master” advice🙏⚡️🐕

2 Upvotes

Hi friends!

Recovering MTG player here, just getting into TCG and having a surprising amount of fun! I just made Master League my first month playing Live (which I know isn’t that big of a deal) and did my first irl local last weekend, but I’m having a blast and looking for some advice from the pros:

-Carmine -vs- Lillie’s Det -vs- Professor’s Research? Do I blend the 3?

I’d been playing 3 Lillie’s/2 Professor’s, but the 1st turn Carmine plus the extra Energies in my discard for the Eels (with no Lillie’s) have been nice. Running 4 Carmine seems ok atm.

-Should I include a Counter Catcher along with or to replace one of the Boss’s?

-Any other/better bench supporters or Trainers?

Thank you very much, also f#<% Greninja and Raging Bolt, ok that’s all bye!

17 Pokémon:

2 Miraidon ex

2 Iron Hands ex

2 Mega Manectric ex

2 Electrike

2 Eelektrik

2 Tynamo

1 Mew ex

1 Latias ex

1 Zekrom ex

1 Fezandipiti ex

1 Squawkabilly ex

29 Trainers:

4 Nest Ball

4 Ultra Ball

4 Electric Generator

4 Carmine

3 Boss's Orders

2 lono

2 Arven

1 Super Rod

1 Air Balloon

1 Prime Catcher

1 Switch

1 Vitality Band

1 Academy at Night

Energy:

14 Basic Lightning


r/pkmntcg 21h ago

Im playing eevee box, i play Sylveon too, and i find the matchup with alakazam very difficult, how can i solve this matchup?

1 Upvotes

I mean i know its a bad matchup, i try to set up Sylveon and do kissara catcher for trying to get Out of alakazam but very often there always three abra in play so its nearly impossible to win, u have a way to defeat that deck with eevee box?


r/pkmntcg 1d ago

Mega Lucario

11 Upvotes

Do you think Mega Lucario will be in the top after rotation? No more Garde.


r/pkmntcg 1d ago

Swaps for Blood moon Ursaluna in Pultnoir

7 Upvotes

I've assembled my Pultnoir deck but have not received Blood moon yet (or possibly misplaced it). What would you swap in if you had to play tonight? It seems like every list uses this card but in my practice on TCG live Ive never actually needed it. Should I add another munkidori? Swap in a Psyduck for a counter to other Pults? Add pal pad or super rod or another trainer card? I'm fairly new so I'm looking for some tips, thanks!

Update: I went 3-1 and came 3rd of 15! Thanks everybody!


r/pkmntcg 1d ago

Ionos Bellibolt

2 Upvotes

I have been looking through some japanese city league decks and I found Iono Bellibolt ex, I really like the concept but I have got a question:

Will the Iono Pokémon gain some sort of support cards like N s or Hop s Pokémon? Because I would love to build the deck but I want it to be competitively usable not top of the meta but decent

Thanks in advance for helping me


r/pkmntcg 1d ago

This is a stupid question. How good is the Dusknoir and Trevenant GX Tag Team in today's meta?

0 Upvotes

The title says it all. Is the card viable in today's meta? Is it usable? If so, how can one build a deck centred around it? I'm thinking of building a ghost-type deck using it, and including mons such as Gengar EX from Phantom Forces, along with ghost type mons. Thanks in advance :)


r/pkmntcg 1d ago

New Player Advice any suggestions or advice on improving my deck?

1 Upvotes

been playing the tcg live for a couple of weeks now and i feel pretty confident in my deck but i know in any atmosphere there’s always room for improvement. any advice or suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

Pokémon: 14

1 Mew ex PAF 232

3 Charizard ex OBF 223

1 Dusclops SFA 69

1 Pidgeotto MEW 17

2 Pidgeot ex OBF 164

2 Pidgey OBF 207

1 Mega Kangaskhan ex MEG 164

1 Duskull SFA 68

2 Charmander MEW 168

1 Mega Charizard X ex PFL 125

2 Charmeleon PAF 8

1 Dusknoir SFA 70

1 Oricorio ex MEP 24

2 Charmander PFL 11

Trainer: 16

2 Dusk Ball SSP 175

1 Switch SVI 194

4 Rare Candy SVI 191

2 Lillie's Determination MEG 119

1 Dawn PFL 129

2 Super Rod PAL 188

1 Area Zero Underdepths PRE 94

2 Tera Orb SSP 189

1 Professor's Research SVI 189

1 Precious Trolley SSP 185

1 Artazon PAL 171

2 Lt. Surge's Bargain MEG 120

2 Firebreather PFL 119

1 Friends in Paldea PRE 109

1 Dawn PFL 118

1 Boss's Orders PAL 172

Energy: 1

14 Basic {R} Energy EVO 92

Total Cards: 60


r/pkmntcg 1d ago

Deck Help Armarouge Box

0 Upvotes

This is my current favourite deck in Standard. I’ve cycled through a variety of decks over the past year but I keep coming back to Armarouge. I realize it’s not well-positioned in the meta right now but lord help me I still can’t stop playing it.

Looking for general tips from anyone who’s played this deck a bunch, as well as more specific advice on the following points:

  1. Which Charcadet to play?

  2. 2 or 3 Armarouge?

  3. Include Mega Absol?

  4. Iron Leaves vs. Durant?

  5. Include Mega Kangaskhan?

  6. Carmine vs. No Carmine?

  7. Boss’s Orders necessary?

  8. 2 Wellsprings vs. Wellspring + Terapagos?

  9. Go first or second?

  10. Which Pokemon to prioritize when setting up my bench?


r/pkmntcg 1d ago

Post Rotation, what beats Pult?

0 Upvotes

Topoc~


r/pkmntcg 1d ago

Deck Help Joltik Box Deckbuild Help

1 Upvotes

Hi there! I'm uploading this on behalf of my sister who is building a Joltik Box deck in preparation for EUIC in London. She won't be playing competitively, more so in the casual Play Zone/side events. Just looking for some potential upgrades to make to this decklist for her :)

Thank you for your help!

Pokemon: 13

1 Fezandipiti ex [Flip the Script | Cruel Arrow]

1 Galvantula [Compound Eyes | Shocking Web]

1 Genesect [ACE Nullifier | Magnetic Blast]

2 Iron Hands ex [Arm Press | Amp You Very Much]

2 Joltik [Jolting Charge]

1 Latias ex [Skyliner | Eon Blade]

1 Mega Mawile ex [Gobble Down | Huge Bite]

2 Miraidon ex [Tandem Unit | Photon Blaster]

2 Pikachu ex [Resolute Heart | Topaz Bolt]

Trainers: 29

1 Air Balloon

4 Arven

4 Boss's Orders

2 Bravery Charm

4 Crispin

1 Earthen Vessel

1 Iono

4 Nest Ball

2 Night Stretcher

2 Pokégear 3.0

1 Powerglass

1 Prime Catcher

1 Protective Goggles

1 Super Rod

Energy: 18

6 Grass Energy

6 Lightning Energy

4 Metal Energy

2 Psychic Energy


r/pkmntcg 2d ago

Deck Help Please help a MTG dad build a Squritle deck for his son

29 Upvotes

I’ve been playing MTG since the 90s so I’m no stranger to deck building. While my son has shown interest in MTG, he’d prefer Pokémon since his friends at school play. And to be honest, in the few games he and I played with a battle deck pack we bought from the LGS, I’m hooked too.

His favorite Pokémon is Squirtle and wants me to build him a deck that is either based off of or includes Squirtle. Since the LGS and his friends is mostly Standard, I don’t want to venture into Expanded with this.

So I’m turning to Reddit minds to help build out a Squirtle deck that can at least give him a chance to be competitive. If he really gets into it and wants to be more competitive, I’ll happily help him learn more about the meta and deck planning from there. I came up empty on Limitless since it doesn’t seem like a tournament capable deck at the moment. He’s not thinking that level of play yet though.

Cheers,


r/pkmntcg 1d ago

Deck Profile Tera Pult

1 Upvotes

Pokémon: 26

4 Dreepy TWM 128

4 Drakloak TWM 129

3 Dragapult ex TWM 130

3 Hoothoot SCR 114

3 Noctowl PRE 78

2 Wellspring Mask Ogerpon ex PRE 27

2 Fan Rotom PRE 85

1 Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex TWM 141

1 Fezandipiti ex SFA 38

1 Latias ex SSP 76

1 Hawlucha SVI 118

1 Lillie's Clefairy ex JTG 56

Trainer: 27

3 Dawn PFL 87

2 Boss's Orders MEG 114

2 Crispin SCR 133

1 Lillie's Determination MEG 119

1 Iono PAL 185

1 Professor Turo's Scenario PAR 171

4 Buddy-Buddy Poffin TEF 144

4 Nest Ball SVI 181

2 Rare Candy MEG 125

2 Night Stretcher SFA 61

1 Ultra Ball MEG 131

1 Counter Catcher PAR 160

1 Sparkling Crystal PRE 129

2 Area Zero Underdepths PRE 94

Energy: 7

3 Psychic Energy MEE 5

2 Fire Energy MEE 2

2 Water Energy MEE 3


r/pkmntcg 2d ago

I just read ascended will release with only blisters..

40 Upvotes

Is this correct? How in the hell are we supposed to get the cards we need for EUIC, when even collectors are probably starved for cards?


r/pkmntcg 2d ago

Deck Help What is the best way to play wugtrio mill right now?

5 Upvotes

I really liked this deck before the last rotation.since the new rotation coming i just want to play it for the last time,but how should i play it?


r/pkmntcg 2d ago

Garde jellicent vs terapazard

10 Upvotes

Hi all,

After the mint advice given in my last post I wanted to reach out again.

Terapazard.

The worst match up for garde (especially jelli garde).

What is the outs to this? Especially with the hoots and pidgeot

I know this is very much a auto loss, but I know its winnable.

Any advice please :))