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Revision as of 02:24, 22 August 2023

4 bytes removed ,  22 August 2023
→‎Rules: Gave this further revisions. The Invulnerability clause description was outright wrong and I've added a link to the strategy dex for future reference - the one used is extremely minor and not used in any competitive setting. I also cut the recoil moves thing as I have seen no evidence of active use. I've slapped a clean-up tag on this as it's very Smogon-centric and I'm unsure if this properly meets BP:MOS. Contact @ plague_von_karma on Discord for elaboration!
m (→‎Rules: why is pokerus or berserk gene banned?)
(→‎Rules: Gave this further revisions. The Invulnerability clause description was outright wrong and I've added a link to the strategy dex for future reference - the one used is extremely minor and not used in any competitive setting. I also cut the recoil moves thing as I have seen no evidence of active use. I've slapped a clean-up tag on this as it's very Smogon-centric and I'm unsure if this properly meets BP:MOS. Contact @ plague_von_karma on Discord for elaboration!)
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==Rules==
==Rules==
{{cleanup}}
While normally banning unreleased and/or illegitimate Pokémon, [[move]]s, [[item]]s, and [[Ability|Abilities]], there are other sets of rules set to be followed by players in varying contexts, be they official or otherwise. These are often called "clauses," a term initially seen in the ''Stadium'' series of games, used as a shorthand for more complex rules that impose restrictions on gameplay. Clauses are commonly made with the aim of reducing variance and thus producing a "fairer" metagame.  
While normally banning unreleased and/or illegitimate Pokémon, [[move]]s, [[item]]s, and [[Ability|Abilities]], there are other sets of rules set to be followed by players in varying contexts, be they official or otherwise. These are often called "clauses," a term initially seen in the ''Stadium'' series of games, used as a shorthand for more complex rules that impose restrictions on gameplay. Clauses are commonly made with the aim of reducing variance and thus producing a "fairer" metagame.  


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* '''Species clause''': Each Pokémon on a player's team must be of different species or [[List of Pokémon by National Pokédex number|National Pokédex number]].
* '''Species clause''': Each Pokémon on a player's team must be of different species or [[List of Pokémon by National Pokédex number|National Pokédex number]].
* '''Item clause''': Each Pokémon on a player's team must be holding different items.
* '''Item clause''': Each Pokémon on a player's team must be holding different items.
* '''Sleep clause''': Each player can only have one Pokémon asleep at a time  
* '''Sleep clause''': Each player can only have one Pokémon asleep at a time.
**In Smogon metagames, self-inflicted sleep, such as through {{m|Rest}}, does not count.
**Sleep inflicted through {{m|Rest}} and {{m|Sleep Talk}} count for the [[Pokémon Stadium series]], [[Pokémon Colosseum]], and [[Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness]]; also, in those games, when a Pokémon is sleeping and one of its teammates is attacked by a move that induces sleep like {{m|Spore}}, the move fails. However, self-inflicted sleep still succeeds.
**Rest and Sleep Talk count for the [[Pokémon Stadium series]], [[Pokémon Colosseum]], and [[Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness]]; also, in those games, when a Pokémon is sleeping and one of its teammates is attacked by a move that induces sleep like {{m|Spore}}, the move fails.
**In [[Smogon]] metagames, self-inflicted sleep, such as through {{m|Rest}}, does not count.
**In the event of an outright sleep ''ban'', seen in some [[Generation I]] and [[Generation V|V]] metagames, it is referred to as '''Sleep moves clause'''.
**In the event of an outright sleep ''ban'', seen in some [[Generation I]] and [[Generation V|V]] metagames, the rule is referred to as '''Sleep moves clause'''.
* '''OHKO clause''': {{m|Fissure}}, {{m|Horn Drill}}, {{m|Guillotine}}, and {{m|Sheer Cold}} are banned.  
* '''OHKO clause''': {{m|Fissure}}, {{m|Horn Drill}}, {{m|Guillotine}}, and {{m|Sheer Cold}} are banned.  
* '''Freeze clause''': Each player can only have one Pokémon frozen at a time.  
* '''Freeze clause''': Each player can only have one Pokémon frozen at a time.  
** In games like Pokémon Stadium, when a Pokémon is frozen and another Pokémon of the same team is attacked with a move that causes [[Freeze]], the Freeze rate is reduced to 0%.
** In games like Pokémon Stadium, when a Pokémon is frozen and another Pokémon of the same team is attacked with a move that causes [[Freeze]], the Freeze rate is reduced to 0%.
* '''Evasion clause''': {{m|Double Team}} and {{m|Minimize}} are banned. This is sometimes expanded to include less direct measures to increase evasion, such as {{m|Acupressure}}, {{a|Moody}}, {{a|Sand Veil}}, and {{a|Snow Cloak}}.
* '''Evasion clause''': {{m|Double Team}} and {{m|Minimize}} are banned. This is sometimes expanded to include less direct measures to increase evasion, such as {{m|Acupressure}}, {{a|Moody}}, {{a|Sand Veil}}, and {{a|Snow Cloak}}. While not boosting evasion itself, items such as [[Bright Powder]] are sometimes banned in the spirit of the rule.
**Some variants ban items that lower the accuracy of the opponent, like [[BrightPowder]], are banned.[https://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/apply-evasion-clause-to-all-forms-of-evasion.3703252/] This is sometimes grouped under '''Evasion items clause'''.
* '''Event clause''': Pokémon and items that have only been released through [[event Pokémon|events]], such as {{p|Mew}}, are ineligible. The ban is rarely referred to by name due to the Pokémon (and sometimes items) banned being specified.
* '''Event clause''': Pokémon and items that have only been released through [[event Pokémon|events]], such as {{p|Mew}}, are ineligible. This is often unheard of due to the Pokémon (and sometimes items) banned being specified.
* '''Moody clause''': The ability {{a|Moody}} is banned. Commonly used on [[Smogon]].
* '''Moody clause''': The ability {{a|Moody}} is banned.
* '''Baton Pass clause''': Commonly used on [[Smogon]], this comprises various restrictions on {{m|Baton Pass}}, ranging from an outright ban to an arbitrary number of users per team. Commonly seen in [[Single Battle]] metagames where full Baton Pass teams can easily spiral out of control. These bans can get quite specific, such as "TrapPass clause" in [[Generation II]] metagames, which bans the use of Baton Pass alongside {{m|Mean Look}} or {{m|Spider Web}}, due to the combination causing Pokémon to remain unable to escape.
* '''Swagger clause''': Followed mainly in [[Generation V]] and [[Generation VI]] competitive play, the move {{m|Swagger}} is banned.
* '''Swagger clause''': Followed mainly in [[Generation V]] and [[Generation VI]] competitive play on [[Smogon]], the move {{m|Swagger}} is banned. With more moves being banworthy since then, the clause is rarely referred to by name in modern times.
* '''Self-KO clause''': The player automatically loses if their last Pokémon uses {{m|Selfdestruct}} or {{m|Explosion}}. {{m|Destiny Bond}} and {{m|Perish Song}} also fail when used by the last Pokémon.
* '''Self-KO clause''': The player automatically loses if their last Pokémon uses {{m|Selfdestruct}} or {{m|Explosion}}. {{m|Destiny Bond}} and {{m|Perish Song}} also fail when used by the last Pokémon.
* '''Recoil moves clause''': If both players' last pokémon faints due to a [[recoil]] move, then the win is given to the player whose Pokémon used the move.
* '''Terastal clause''': Pokemon cannot [[Terastallize]]. Commonly seen in constructed metagames, such as "Pet Mods" on [[Pokémon Showdown!]].
**In [[Pokémon Stadium 2]], recoil moves don't harm the user when it is the last pokémon left and it KOs the last opposing Pokémon.
* '''Gems clause''': Exclusive to Generation V. All Gems are banned.
* '''Dynamax clause''': Pokemon cannot [[Dynamax]] or [[Gigantamax]].
* '''Dynamax clause''': Pokemon cannot [[Dynamax]] or [[Gigantamax]].
* '''Terastal clause''': Pokemon cannot [[Terastallize]].
* '''Gems clause''': Exclusive to Generation V, specifically [[Smogon]]'s OverUsed metagame. All Gems are banned.
* '''Mega Rayquaza clause''': {{p|Rayquaza}} cannot [[Mega Evolution|Mega Evolve]]. Used in [[Smogon]]'s [[Generation VI]] and [[Generation VII|VII]] "Uber" metagames.
* '''Deoxys camouflage clause''': Seen in [[Generation III]] metagames and [[Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness]]. {{p|Deoxys}} formes are revealed upon entering battle.
* '''Deoxys camouflage clause''': Seen in [[Generation III]] metagames and [[Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness]]. {{p|Deoxys}} formes are revealed upon entering battle.
* '''SleepTrap clause''': Followed mainly in [[Generation II]] competitive play, {{status|sleep}}-inducing moves cannot be used in conjunction with moves that trap the opposing Pokémon permanently such as {{m|Mean Look}}; however, it is allowed to use Sleep inducing moves in conjunction with moves that only trap the opposing Pokémon for a limited time like {{m|Whirlpool}}.
* '''SleepTrap clause''': Followed mainly in [[Generation II]] competitive play, {{status|sleep}}-inducing moves cannot be used in conjunction with moves that trap the opposing Pokémon permanently such as {{m|Mean Look}}. Given the nature, moves like {{m|Whirlpool}} are exempt.
* '''TrapPass clause''': Another rule exclusive of the Generation II competitive play. A Pokémon can't have a move that traps the opponent permanently (such as {{m|Spider Web}}) and {{m|Baton Pass}} in the same moveset; however, it is allowed to use moves that only trap the opposing Pokémon for a limited time, like {{m|Wrap}}, with Baton Pass. This clause is notable for having been introduced 22 years after the first games of the second generation were released.[https://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/gsc-ou-mean-look-spider-web-baton-pass.3704578/]
* '''Mega Rayquaza clause''': {{p|Rayquaza}} cannot [[Mega Evolution|Mega Evolve]].
* '''Cleric clause''': Seen in Generations I and II. All pokémon must be healthy at the beginning of the battle, this means that they must have full [[HP]], full [[PP]], and no [[status condition]]s like {{status|sleep}} or {{status|freeze}}. Games like {{eng|Pokémon Stadium}} enforce this rule automatically by "curing" all Pokémon before the battle.
* '''Cleric clause''': Seen in Generations I and II. All pokémon must be healthy at the beginning of the battle, this means that they must have full [[HP]], full [[PP]], and no [[status condition]]s like {{status|sleep}} or {{status|freeze}}. Games like {{eng|Pokémon Stadium}} enforce this rule automatically by "curing" all Pokémon before the battle.
*'''Tradeback clause''': Exclusive to Generation I metagames. Players cannot use Pokemon or moves obtained through the [[Time Capsule]] in [[Generation II]]; eg. {{m|Lovely Kiss}} {{p|Snorlax}} or {{m|Ice Punch}} {{p|Gengar}}. Exceptions are made for [[Stat Experience]] and [[DV]]s primarily for historical reasons.
*'''Tradeback clause''': Exclusive to Generation I metagames. Players cannot use Pokemon or moves obtained through the [[Time Capsule]] in [[Generation II]]; eg. {{m|Lovely Kiss}} {{p|Snorlax}} or {{m|Ice Punch}} {{p|Gengar}}. Exceptions are made for [[Stat Experience]] and [[DV]]s primarily for historical reasons.
* '''Invulnerability clause''': Only used in Pokémon Red, Blue and Yellow when the moves [[Dig]] and [[Fly]] are allowed. If a Pokémon gets stuck during the Semi Invincibility phase of the moves Dig or Fly, its next successful action must be Dig, Fly or Switch. If the next successful action is none of the ones mentioned before, the Pokemon's player loses the game. [https://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/semi-invincibility-clause.3650376/]
* '''Invulnerability clause''': Exclusive to Generation I metagames<ref>[https://www.smogon.com/dex/rb/formats/ou/ RBY OU Ruleset]</ref>. This bans the use of {{m|Dig}} and {{m|Fly}}, due to a [[glitch]] involving Pokémon becoming invincible when the moves are interrupted by [[paralysis]] or [[confusion]].
* '''Level Sum Limit''': Seen in Generations I and II's official competitive formats, with the exception of [[Prime Cup]]. The three Pokémon that were chosen for the battle should have a specific Level Sum, e.g., in the case of the [[Poké Cup]], the Level Sum Limit must be between 150 and 155, effectively giving five levels to distribute amongst Pokémon.


There are other rules normally followed only by official tournaments, such as:
There are other rules normally followed only by official tournaments, such as:
* No two or more Pokémon can have the same nickname.
* '''Nickname clause''': No two or more Pokémon can have the same nickname.
* Pokémon cannot be nicknamed with the name of another Pokémon (e.g. an {{p|Unfezant}} named "Pidove" or "Arbok").
** Additionally, Pokémon cannot be nicknamed with the name of another Pokémon (e.g. an {{p|Unfezant}} named "Pidove" or "Arbok").
* '''Level Sum Limit''': Seen in Generations I and II's official competitive formats, with the exception of [[Prime Cup]]. The three Pokémon that were chosen for the battle should have a specific Level Sum, e.g., in the case of the [[Poké Cup]], the Level Sum Limit must be between 150 and 155, effectively giving five levels to distribute amongst Pokémon.


In addition, official tournaments in Generation V onwards have required the use of the {{DL|Pokémon Storage System|Battle Box}} feature, locking it upon entry.
In addition, official tournaments in Generation V onwards have required the use of the {{DL|Pokémon Storage System|Battle Box}} feature, locking it upon entry. Plus, official tournaments will often limit the amount of Pokémon that can be brought into a game; usually, three for [[Single Battle]]s, and four for [[Double Battle]]s.


==Tiers==
==Tiers==
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