Standard is the format used at Pokémon Championship Series events and in TCG Live ranked play.

Regulation marks

Every modern card has a regulation mark, a small letter in the bottom-left corner. Standard allows a specific set of marks, and once a year the oldest one rotates out. Reprints with a newer mark are legal even if the original wasn't.

What defines a Standard meta?

  • Top attackers: a handful of powerful Pokémon ex usually define the format.
  • Engines: the draw and search cards that let decks set up consistently.
  • Tech cards: answers to specific matchups, like gust effects or Ability lockers.

Staying current

  1. Follow recent tournament results and look for patterns in the top 8.
  2. Read our Meta Deck Profiles for lists and matchup notes.
  3. Expect the meta to shift after every set release and especially after rotation.

Remember: the "best deck" is the one you can pilot well. Practice beats netdecking.