ABOUT


Pokemon USA, the official marketing branch of POKEMON, has decided to open a double battle tournament in the United States of America. I guess this would advertisement, publicity, and generally just them holding a tournament.

According to Pokemon USA

What is the Pokémon Video Game Showdown?
The Pokémon Video Game Showdown is a battle of the best Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl players from Japan and the United States. Compete at one of two Qualifier Tournaments for a chance to be the best in your age group at the Pokémon Video Game Showdown in Orlando, Florida this August.

Sounds Great! How do I sign up!

SIGN UP HERE

Warning!

According to Pokemon USA

NOTE: ELIGIBILITY DEPENDS ON SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING THE ONLINE QUALIFYING CHALLENGE IN YOUR AGE DIVISION. AFTER THE CLOSE OF THE ONLINE QUALIFYING CHALLENGE, IF MORE THAN 128 PLAYERS CORRECTLY ANSWER 75% OF THE CHALLENGE QUESTIONS, THEN ALL SUCH PLAYERS WILL BE ENTERED INTO A RANDOM DRAWING TO SELECT 128 QUALIFYING PLAYERS. IF 128 OR FEWER PLAYERS CORRECTLY ANSWER 75% OF THE CHALLENGE QUESTIONS, THEN ALL SUCH ENTRANTS SHALL BE QUALIFYING PLAYERS.

You really have to score higher than a 75% to have a shot at qualifying.

However, you are divided into 2 age groups, which may or may not help your chances...

Players compete in one of two age divisions based on their date of birth.

* Junior Division: Born in 1996 or later
* Senior Division: Born in 1995 or earlier.

When/Where are they held?

July 12th, 2008
California Science Center
Exposition Park
39th Street & Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90037

July 19, 2008
The Altman Building
135 West 18th Street
New York, NY 10011

Winners of those get free transport to the ultimate showdown in Florida.

Where is the Pokémon Video Game Showdown?
The Pokémon Video Game Showdown will be held in conjunction with the Pokémon TCG World Championships on August 16th, 2008 at:

Hilton in the Walt Disney World Resort
1751 Hotel Plaza Boulevard
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Simplified rules as follows:

Level 50 Cap (All pokemon MUST be at level 50, no level boosters)
2 v 2
Pokemon 1-491 legal except for ban list.
ITEM CLAUSE (1 hold item per pokemon, no duplicates)
POKESAV is rather illegal. You can try to get past them, but if they catch you, you are in trouble. They have many ways to tell whether or not a Pokemon is legit. =) The official rules state:

The use of external devices to alter a player’s Pokémon game is expressly forbidden. Random checks will be performed throughout the tournament to determine whether or not an external device has been used to modify a player’s game or Pokémon. Players found to have games that have been tampered with will be disqualified from the event, regardless of whether the player tampered with his or her game, or received a Pokémon or item that was tampered with by someone other than the player. It is the player’s responsibility to have legal Pokémon. Event officials have the final determination regarding the legality of a Pokémon

Trust me, people will be busting on you if they think you have illegal pokemon.

The following Pokémon are ineligible for use in the tournament:

* 149 - Dragonite
* 150 - Mewtwo
* 151 - Mew
* 248 - Tyranitar
* 249 - Lugia
* 250 - Ho-Oh
* 251 - Celebi
* 382 - Kyogre
* 383 - Groudon
* 384 - Rayquaza
* 385 - Jirachi
* 386 - Deoxys
* 483 - Dialga
* 484 - Palkia
* 485 - Heatran
* 486 - Regigigas
* 487 - Giratina
* 489 - Phione
* 490 - Manaphy
* 491 - Darkrai

The Pokemon are banned because usually you can't get them unless they are over level 50 (Salamence, Ttar), or for some other reason. (Ubers, I guess?)

The Lati twins are allowed, but :

Each Pokémon on a player’s team may use held items, though no 2 Pokémon on a team may hold the same item. Players may change held items between rounds. Allowed items include held items from Pokémon Diamond, Pokémon Pearl, and earlier video games, including Berries 1-60. The Soul Dew item may not be used.

Full Rules:

Rules Link

Pre-Qualifications:

Players may only use North American versions of Pokémon Diamond or Pokémon Pearl.

Players compete in one of two age divisions based on their date of birth.

* Junior Division: Born in 1996 or later
* Senior Division: Born in 1995 or earlier

Qualifying to Participate:

Players must have an active My Pokémon account.

Players must complete an online exam to determine their eligibility to participate in a Qualifier Tournament.

* Players may only submit an entry for one Qualifier Tournament.
* Players may not enter more than once.
* If the number of players eligible for participation in a Qualifier Tournament exceeds 128 per division, players will be selected at random and invitations will be distributed to selected players.
* Only players with invitations may participate in a Qualifier Tournament. No substitutions are allowed.

Unused invitations will be distributed at the Qualifier Tournament via on-site drawing. Players entering the drawing must comply with the rules set forth in this document before entering.
Battle Rules:

Battles are played using the 2-on-2 format.

A player’s team must consist of exactly 4 Pokémon. Players may change Pokémon between rounds, though each Pokémon must still meet the rules outlined in this document.

A player’s team may not contain two of the same Pokémon.

Each Pokémon on a player’s team must be level 50 or lower.

Each Pokémon on a player’s team may use held items, though no 2 Pokémon on a team may hold the same item. Players may change held items between rounds. Allowed items include held items from Pokémon Diamond, Pokémon Pearl, and earlier video games, including Berries 1-60. The Soul Dew item may not be used.

Players may not enter two Pokémon with the same nickname.

Players may not enter a Pokémon nicknamed with the name of another Pokémon character (ex: a Lucario nicknamed “Spiritomb”).

Players found to have inappropriate/offensive Trainer names or Pokémon nicknames, as determined by the event staff, will be disqualified from the event.
Pokémon Restrictions:

Players may use Pokémon found in the Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl National Dex, between 001 and 491, including those Pokémon imported from earlier video games, with the exception of those Pokémon listed below.

The following Pokémon are ineligible for use in the tournament:

* 149 - Dragonite
* 150 - Mewtwo
* 151 - Mew
* 248 - Tyranitar
* 249 - Lugia
* 250 - Ho-Oh
* 251 - Celebi
* 382 - Kyogre
* 383 - Groudon
* 384 - Rayquaza
* 385 - Jirachi
* 386 - Deoxys
* 483 - Dialga
* 484 - Palkia
* 485 - Heatran
* 486 - Regigigas
* 487 - Giratina
* 489 - Phione
* 490 - Manaphy
* 491 - Darkrai

Move Restrictions:

Pokémon may only use moves (including those learned in an earlier video game) which have been learned through one of the following methods:

* By leveling up
* By TM or HM
* As an Egg Move, through breeding
* From a Move Tutor
* Already learned by a Pokémon, which was downloaded at an official Pokémon event or promotion
* Already learned by a Pokémon, which was downloaded from another Pokémon game (such as the Pikachu, which knows Surf, from Pokémon Battle Revolution)
* By Smeargle’s “Sketch” move (limited to the above moves learned by Pokémon between 001 and 491)

Tournament Operation:

The Qualifier Tournament is a Single Elimination event. Each match will consist of a single game, and will result in the winner advancing to the next round and the loser being removed from the tournament.

* A player wins by knocking out his or her opponent’s final Pokémon.
* If an attack knocks out his or her final Pokémon, as well as his or her opponent’s final Pokémon, the match is a tie and both players are eliminated from the event.

Each player will be assigned to one of 4 flights within their age division. Competitors in each flight will play Single Elimination matches until 4 players remain in each flight. The remaining competitors will be re-paired into a top 16 playoff within their age division.

Each match during the elimination rounds and playoffs has a 15-minute time limit, and will be played using special Nintendo DS Lite systems, located at the event. When time expires, the tournament staff will determine the result of any unfinished matches using the tiebreakers outlined below.

* Players who are found to be intentionally delaying the pace of their match will be disqualified from the event.
* Players who are tardy to their match for any reason will be disqualified from the event.

The final match in each age division will be played without a time limit using Pokémon Battle Revolution.
Tiebreakers:

When time expires, any games that are still in progress are halted, and players will be required to step away from their DS. Once all attacks and effects of the current turn have resolved, the tournament staff will determine the winner of the match using the following tiebreakers. If a player is choosing a move, the current turn has not started.

Remaining Pokémon

The tournament staff will assess the number of Pokémon that each player has remaining.

* If one player has more remaining Pokémon, that player wins the match. The losing player is eliminated from the tournament.
* If both players have the same number of Pokémon remaining, the match is tied, and the result of the match is determined by Sudden Death, as described below.

Sudden Death

Players will have up to 3 turns to gain an advantage in number of remaining Pokémon over their opponent. After each turn has completed, the tournament staff will assess the number of Pokémon that each player has remaining.

* If a player has more remaining Pokémon than his or her opponent at the end of any turn, that player wins the match. The losing player is eliminated from the tournament.
* If both players have the same number of Pokémon remaining at the end of the first or second turn of Sudden Death, the match continues.

If both players have the same number of Pokémon remaining at the end of the third turn of Sudden Death, the match is a tie and both players are eliminated from the tournament.
Other Information:

The use of external devices to alter a player’s Pokémon game is expressly forbidden. Random checks will be performed throughout the tournament to determine whether or not an external device has been used to modify a player’s game or Pokémon. Players found to have games that have been tampered with will be disqualified from the event, regardless of whether the player tampered with his or her game, or received a Pokémon or item that was tampered with by someone other than the player. It is the player’s responsibility to have legal Pokémon. Event officials have the final determination regarding the legality of a Pokémon.

A player should notify the staff immediately if he or she believes that there is a problem with an opponent’s Pokémon. At the end of the round, all match results become final. Issues that go unreported until after the round has completed will not change the result of that match, regardless of whether there is a problem with an opponent’s Pokémon or not.

Players and spectators are expected to demonstrate proper sportsmanship over the course of the event. A player may be disqualified from the event, based on actions taken by friends or relatives which disrupts the operation of the tournament.

Helpful Links!

COMPLETE RULES

SETUP

QUALIFYING RULES

FAQ


Sorry for being lazy and just using the sticky i made on the other forum

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Meh, wish they'd stop ignoring us. On the other hand, there are so many hilariously retarded rules listed here that I wouldn't bother going if they did show up.

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I would be a Junior What the hell?

Well it doesn't matter anyway because I live in england but really, an 18 year old a junior, what losers.

I would be a Junior What the hell?

Well it doesn't matter anyway because I live in england but really, an 18 year old a junior, what losers.

wait what???? juniors are 12 or younger and seniors are 13 or older, right????

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Thanks, Kai-V, for my banner

Meh, wish they'd stop ignoring us. On the other hand, there are so many hilariously retarded rules listed here that I wouldn't bother going if they did show up.

Yeah Nintendo, when will you learn that Pokemon is for serious players only? Age divisions are retarded. It's not my problem if an eleven year old just so happens to be below my level of Pokemon mastery.

I would be a Junior What the hell?

Well it doesn't matter anyway because I live in england but really, an 18 year old a junior, what losers.

wait what???? juniors are 12 or younger and seniors are 13 or older, right????

O wait.......My mistake. See I be stupid (well not thinking straight).

I doubt Ichida was referring to that rule. More along the lines of of the lv 50 cap, always going for 2 vs 2, time limit, item clause, etc...

Also, what about the Pomeg berry glitch in Emerald? You can get Dragonite and Tar before lv 50 doing that, although I guess since they're already in the ban list it doesn't matter.


Btw, are you entering the tournament flash? If so, good luck man =)

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3DS Friend Code: 0318-7783-7967
Pokémon X in-game name: Dani
Friend Safari: Fraxure - Noibat - Sliggoo

I just read the rules, and wow that tiebreaker stuff is BS.

Meh, wish they'd stop ignoring us. On the other hand, there are so many hilariously retarded rules listed here that I wouldn't bother going if they did show up.

Yeah Nintendo, when will you learn that Pokemon is for serious players only? Age divisions are retarded. It's not my problem if an eleven year old just so happens to be below my level of Pokemon mastery.

I don't give a carp about the age division. It's stupid rules like these:

Players must have an active My Pokémon account.
Players must complete an online exam to determine their eligibility to participate in a Qualifier Tournament.
Battles are played using the 2-on-2 format.
A player’s team must consist of exactly 4 Pokémon.A player’s team may not contain two of the same Pokémon.
Each Pokémon on a player’s team must be level 50 or lower.
Each Pokémon on a player’s team may use held items, though no 2 Pokémon on a team may hold the same item.
Players may not enter two Pokémon with the same nickname.
Players may not enter a Pokémon nicknamed with the name of another Pokémon character (ex: a Lucario nicknamed “Spiritomb”).
The following Pokémon are ineligible for use in the tournament:
* 149 - Dragonite
Lack of mentioning Shaymin or Arceus
Each match during the elimination rounds and playoffs has a 15-minute time limit, and will be played using special Nintendo DS Lite systems, located at the event.

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i was only kiddin' chill bro

FYI, it says only up to #491 can be used.

Yeah. I love how they think there isn't a single player left on the planet who doesn't know about Shaymin or Arceus at this point. XD

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LV50 or lower, Can not be the same pokemon, Can't hold the same. WTF!

What kind of rules are these?

The kind each of which powerfully reiterate the point that Pokemon USA are a bunch of ignorant incompetent carp. XD

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Actually, your a complete carp not to understand the genius of some of these rules.


These rules promote quick play, and if you saw previous years battles, most people lost by timeout. These new quick rules help streamline play and move along the battle speed. Your lack of insight in the fact that only 1-491 can be used (no shaymin, arceus) really speaks to how little you researched these rules.

Lack of same hold items means that stall teams abusing leftovers can't be made.

Species clause has always been standard.

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hahaha ouch, please try and chill it

also how do you even lose a pokemon battle by timing out?

Actually, your you're a complete carp not to understand the genius of some of these rules.

I apologize, O employee of PUSA.

These rules promote quick play, and if you saw previous years battles, most people lost by timeout. These new quick rules help streamline play and move along the battle speed.

Quick play defeats the point of playing at all. The point is to win by skill, not how quickly people can input commands. Plus, this means that any and all defensive players are screwed since their strategies depend on prolonging a battle.

Your lack of insight in the fact that only 1-491 can be used (no shaymin, arceus) really speaks to how little you researched these rules.

I know Shaymin and Arceus haven't been officially announced. Doesn't make that any less hilarious. I'm in favor of not using legendaries, but in addition to excluding those two due to their own cockteasing policies, they didn't include all legendaries like most official tourneys do. And care to explain Dragonite?

Lack of same hold items means that stall teams abusing leftovers can't be made.

Leftovers is a common hold item for lots of teams.

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i say this has to be the gayest tourn ever first cause the lvl limit is 50 be serious who stop training at lvl 50 second your baning tyranatar, dragonite, garchomp and salamance(there not legendaries so wtf) u cant do that those are some strong poke if u ev train them correctly and finally why the age limit cause some little kid could pick up his/her older friends poke game and own everybody in that bracket u should just let them pick out a paper with a num and let them battle the person with the same num

i say this has to be the gayest tourn ever first cause the lvl limit is 50 be serious who stop training at lvl 50 second your baning tyranatar, dragonite, garchomp and salamance(there not legendaries so wtf)

They're not banning Salamence or Garchomp..

i say this has to be the gayest tourn ever first cause the lvl limit is 50 be serious who stop training at lvl 50 second your baning tyranatar, dragonite, garchomp and salamance(there not legendaries so wtf)

They're not banning Salamence or Garchomp..

u get salemance and garchomp after lvl 50 i believe garchomp is 60 and salemance is 55

i say this has to be the gayest tourn ever first cause the lvl limit is 50 be serious who stop training at lvl 50 second your baning tyranatar, dragonite, garchomp and salamance(there not legendaries so wtf)

They're not banning Salamence or Garchomp..

u get salemance and garchomp after lvl 50 i believe garchomp is 60 and salemance is 55

No.
Gabite evolves into Garchomp at level 48, and Shelgon into Salamence at 50.

Actually, your you're a complete carp not to understand the genius of some of these rules.

I apologize, O employee of PUSA.

Lack of same hold items means that stall teams abusing leftovers can't be made.

Leftovers is a common hold item for lots of teams.

Correcting someone's grammar is a pretty carp and immature way of proving a point.

Also, HEAVEN FORBID PEOPLE HAVE TO CHANGE THEIR STRATEGIES

ugh you are such an elitist carp

Item clause is totally standard.

And we are talking about a 2v2 tournament here, not a 1v1. I don't see anything really outlandish in the rules.

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The item clause isn't so much of a problem. I don't use Leftovers on any of my battle team anyways; it's the other rules that are carp.

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Guys.

This is a Pokemon game.

Why is it such a big deal? I mean seriously, how many of you are actually going to participate in this anyway?

Because those of you who aren't and are bitching incessantly really need to shut the carp up.

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Why is it such a big deal? I mean seriously, how many of you are actually going to participate in this anyway?

Well I can't anyway because I live in England and I don't have the DS pokemon games but even if I could I wouldn't because I am over pokemon.

You get Salamence as far as I remember at LV50 so he would just be in the rules. Salamence is one of the pokemon, so strong even though he is not a Legendary pokemon.