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Rotation and 2017-2018 Format Announcement

Rotation
It is time for TCG players to expect a rotation and new format!

US Internationals marks the end of a TCG season and the start of a new one. That means it is time to see some TCG sets leave in the form of rotation.

What is rotation? Rotation is Play! Pokemon way to encourage players to try out new strategies by making some sets leave the format. They do this by announcing which sets will be legal for tournament play in the upcoming season.

We now know for the 2017-2018 TCG season that the format will be BREAKthrough-on. That means that cards printed after BREAKthrough and Black Star Promos #67 and above will be legal in the 2017-2018 TCG format.

We have the expected sets leaving the format. Cards release from Primal Clash to Ancient Origins will be leaving the format. Staples such as VS Seeker, Lysandre and Shaymin EX will be coming out of players’ decks. We will also see the Ancient Trait mechanic leave the Standard format. Meanwhile, Hoopa EX will remain thanks to it being printed as a Black Star Promo

Below is a list of important and notable cards that will be rotated.

Primal Clash
Ninetales
Torchic (26/160)
Camerupt EX
Wailord EX
Milotic
Kyorge EX
Primal Kyorge EX
Medicham (81/160)
Groudon EX
Primal Groudon EX
Hippowdon
Sharpedo EX
Excadrill (97/160)
Spinda
Bunnelby (121/160)
Acro Bike
Archie’s Ace in the Hole
Dive Ball
Maxie’s Hidden Ball Trick
Professor Birch’s Observations
Repeat Ball
Rough Seas
Shrine of Memories
Silent Lab
Teammates
Weakness Policy

Double Crisis
Team Magma’s Camerupt
Team Magma’s Secret Base

Roaring Skies
Beautifly
Ninjask
Shedinja
Articuno (17/108)
Shuppet
Banette (31/108)
Banette (32/108)
Absol
Togekiss (46/108)
M Latios EX
M Rayquaza EX (Dragon) (61/108)
Hydreigon EX
Reshiram
Rayquaza EX (Colorless) (75/108)
M Rayquaza EX (Colorless) (76/108)
Mega Turbo
Sky Field
Trainers’ Mail
Winona
Double Dragon Energy
VS Seeker

Ancient Origins
Vileplume
Ariados
Sceptile EX
M Sceptile EX
Vespiquen (10/98)
Flareon
Entei (14/98)
Entei (15/98)
Magikarp
Gyarados (21/98)
Vaporeon
Regice
Unown
Tyranitar EX
M Tyranitar EX
Registeel
Giratina EX
Lugia EX
Ace Trainer
Eco Arm
Faded Town
Forest of Giant Plants
Hex Maniac
Level Ball
Lucky Helmet
Lysandre

Black Star Promos
Ditto
Kyogre EX
Groudon EX
Diancie EX
M Diancie EX
Gyarados
Flygon EX

Hopefully the list below will be helpful as you create decks for the 2017-2018 format! The new 2017-2018 TCG season starts on July 10th. Players can expect the new BREAKthrough-on format to be in effect starting on September 1st, 2017. The Expanded format will remain unchanged but it will be monitored to ensure that a healthy playing environment is kept.

Best of luck to all Pokemon TCG players in the new season!

Source: Pokémon


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