Pokémon Company Announces Rule Change for Trading Card Legality
The Pokémon Company International has implemented a significant change to the legality of trading cards, responding to community concerns about accessibility. Moving forward, cards from upcoming sets will only become legal after a major tournament, ensuring fair play for all participants.
Previously, the next set of Pokémon trading cards, titled Ascended Heroes, was anticipated to be legal for the Pokémon European International Championships (EUIC), which is set to take place from February 13 to February 15, 2024.
However, Ascended Heroes will see a staggered release throughout 2026. This means that only a limited product—the Tech Sticker collection, containing two packs—would be available prior to the EUIC. Fans expressed concerns that it would be unreasonable to expect players to obtain enough cards to construct competitive decks before the tournament.
Additionally, should any of the new cards confer a competitive advantage, it could result in an unfair playing field where only those willing to invest heavily would gain access to these cards.
In response, the rules have been updated to state that Ascended Heroes will not be tournament-legal until two weeks after the release of its Elite Trainer Box, scheduled for March 2024. This modification will apply to all special sets moving forward.
Standard expansions of the Pokémon TCG usually come in various formats including booster boxes, single booster packs, and Elite Trainer boxes. However, special sets like Ascended Heroes are not typically available in booster boxes and are harder to find, particularly as they are not widely distributed in mainstream retail outlets.
The Pokémon European International Championships will take place at London’s Excel Center. This event represents one of the largest competitive gatherings in the Pokémon TCG calendar.
Last week, VGC visited PokePark Kanto, the new Pokémon amusement park in Tokyo, further illustrating the brand’s widespread influence and fan engagement.
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