How many Restricted Legendaries can I use in VGC Regulation I?

In Regulation I, each team may include up to 2 Restricted Legendaries — the most permissive ruleset in Gen 9 VGC. There are 22 Restricted Legendaries (28 counting alternate forms).

What is the turn limit in VGC?

VGC matches have a 20-turn limit. If both players still have Pokémon alive at the turn limit, the player with more Pokémon remaining wins. If tied, remaining HP percentage decides. Each player has 45 seconds per turn in official play.

Current Format · Regulation I · 2026

VGC
FORMAT GUIDE

Q: What Pokémon are banned in VGC 2026?

All Mythical Pokémon are banned in VGC, including: Mew, Jirachi, Deoxys, Darkrai, Shaymin, Arceus, Keldeo, Meloetta, Diancie, Hoopa, Volcanion, Magearna, Zarude, and Pecharunt — 16 total.

Q: How does Terastallization work in VGC?

Terastallization can only be used once per battle. The Pokémon's type changes entirely to its Tera type, gaining STAB on moves of that type. Common strategies include Steel Tera for bulk, Ghost Tera to avoid Normal moves, or Fire Tera to cover weaknesses.

Pokémon VGC is Nintendo’s official doubles competitive format. This page covers all Regulation I 2026 rules (up to 2 Restricted Legendaries per team), banlists, and core doubles mechanics.

01 Basic Rules

👥Doubles format — 2 vs 2 on field simultaneously

🎯Bring 6, choose 4 to battle

📊All Pokémon set to Level 50 (capped automatically)

⏱️Max 20 turns per game; tie if exceeded

🎮45 seconds per player per turn

🧬Each team may include up to 2 Restricted Legendaries (Regulation I rule)

✨Terastallization may only be used once per battle

🚫No duplicate species on a single team

🔮No duplicate held items on a single team

02 Restricted Legendaries

Each team may include at most 1 Restricted Legendary. The following 28 Pokémon (including forms) are restricted.

Mewtwo

Lugia

Ho-Oh

Kyogre

Groudon

Rayquaza

Dialga

Palkia

Giratina

Reshiram

Zekrom

Kyurem

Solgaleo

Lunala

Necrozma

Zacian

Zamazenta

Eternatus

Calyrex

Koraidon

Miraidon

Terapagos

⚠️ Note: Calyrex and its Ice/Shadow Rider forms count as the same Pokémon. Same applies to Black/White Kyurem.

03 Banned Pokémon (Event / Mythical)

The following Pokémon are banned from all VGC formats including restricted formats.

Mew

Jirachi

Deoxys

Phione

Manaphy

Darkrai

Shaymin

Arceus

Keldeo

Meloetta

Diancie

Hoopa

Volcanion

Magearna

Zarude

Pecharunt

04 Doubles Core Mechanics

💥

Spread Move Damage

Moves targeting both opponents (e.g. Earthquake, Rock Slide) deal 75% damage. Single-target moves are unaffected.

👊

Fake Out Mechanic

Fake Out only works on the user’s first turn on the field. Commonly used to interrupt setup or force a Protect.

🎯

Redirection

Rage Powder (Amoonguss), Follow Me, and similar moves redirect single-target attacks to the user.

🛡️

Protect & Wide Guard

Protect blocks all attacks for one turn. Wide Guard blocks spread moves. Success rate drops with consecutive use.

💎

Terastallization

Can only be used once per battle. Changes the Pokémon’s type to its Tera type and grants STAB on that type.

🌪️

Tailwind & Trick Room

Tailwind doubles your team’s speed for 4 turns. Trick Room reverses turn order for 5 turns. Both can coexist — Trick Room takes priority with doubled speeds.

😤

Intimidate

Intimidate lowers all opposing Pokémon’s Attack by 1 stage on switch-in. In Doubles, both opponents are affected.

🔄

Ally Switch

Swaps both allied Pokémon’s positions (Priority +2). Useful for dodging locked moves or changing Earthquake targeting.

05 Format Timeline (Gen 9)

Regulation A 2023.01 – 2023.03

SV base game, no legendaries

Regulation B 2023.04 – 2023.05

Restricted Legendaries added

Regulation C 2023.06 – 2024.01

Full SV Pokédex

Regulation D 2024.02 – 2024.04

Teal Mask DLC added

Regulation E 2024.05 – 2024.09

Indigo Disk DLC added

Regulation F 2024.10 – 2024.12

Experimental ruleset

Regulation G 2025.01 – 2025.12

National Dex + 1 Restricted Legendary per team

Regulation I CURRENT2026.04.01 – 現在

National Dex + up to 2 Restricted Legendaries · Final SV format

06 Getting Started on Pokémon Showdown

Go to Pokémon Showdown (showdown.pokemonshowdown.com)

Click "Battle!" → open the "Format" dropdown

Select "VGC 2026 Reg I" (or search gen9vgc2026regi)

Build your team: 6 Pokémon with moves, EVs, and Tera type

When battle starts, choose 4 to bring, then pick 2 leads

💡 Pokémon Showdown is completely free. You can practice VGC without owning the game. Format name: gen9vgc2025regg.

07 Frequently Asked Questions

What is VGC Regulation I? ▼

VGC Regulation I is the current Pokémon VGC format active from April 2026. Teams may include up to 2 Restricted Legendaries, use the full National Dex, bring 6 and choose 4, in Level 50 Doubles — the final Gen 9 format.

How many Restricted Legendaries can I use in Regulation I? ▼

In Regulation I, each team may include up to 2 Restricted Legendaries. There are 22 Restricted Legendaries (28 counting alternate forms). This is more permissive than the previous Regulation G, which allowed only 1 per team.

What Pokémon are banned in VGC 2026? ▼

All Mythical Pokémon are banned in VGC: Mew, Jirachi, Deoxys, Darkrai, Shaymin, Arceus, Keldeo, Meloetta, Diancie, Hoopa, Volcanion, Magearna, Zarude, and Pecharunt — 16 total.

What is the difference between VGC Doubles and Singles? ▼

VGC is a Doubles format with 2 Pokémon per side active simultaneously. Spread moves deal 75% damage. Mechanics like Protect, redirection (Rage Powder/Follow Me), and Fake Out have unique strategic value not present in Singles.

How does Terastallization work in VGC? ▼

Terastallization can only be used once per battle, changing the Pokémon's type entirely to its Tera type with STAB bonus. Common strategies: Steel Tera for bulk, Ghost Tera to block Normal moves, Fire Tera to remove weaknesses. Tera timing is a core advanced skill.

What is the turn and time limit in VGC? ▼

VGC matches have a 20-turn limit. If time runs out, more Pokémon remaining wins; if tied, highest remaining HP percentage wins. Each player has 45 seconds per turn. Official events also impose a total time limit (typically 15–20 minutes per match).

Ready to Build Your VGC Team?

Now that you know the rules, use PokeStats tools to plan your Regulation I roster — with Showdown import, speed tier calculation, and type weakness analysis.

VGC Team Builder Speed Calculator Team Weakness Analyzer