Everything you need to know about VGC format, regulations, Terastalization, and tournament play.
Last updated: 2026-06-03
The Video Game Championships (VGC) is the official Pokemon competitive format. Matches are Double Battles where each player brings six Pokemon and selects four for the battle. VGC is played on a timer at official events, with each player having 7 minutes of in-game time and 90 seconds for team preview. The format changes yearly with new game releases and regulations.
VGC differs significantly from Smogon singles. The double battle format creates unique strategies like Protecting to scout, redirecting moves with Follow Me, and spread moves that hit both opponents. Speed control is even more critical in doubles because moves like Tailwind and Trick Room affect the entire team. The team preview phase, where both players see each other's six Pokemon, adds a layer of strategy before the battle even begins.
Each VGC regulation set defines which Pokemon are allowed. Regulation G, for example, allows one Restricted Pokemon (typically a cover Legendary) per team. Earlier regulations like Regulation F allowed two Restricted Pokemon. The rules cycle through different formats throughout the competitive season to keep the metagame fresh.
Common restrictions include: no duplicate items (Item Clause), no duplicate species (Species Clause), and level cap at 50. Certain Pokemon are banned entirely, usually Mythical Pokemon like Mew, Celebi, and Deoxys, as well as some Legendary Pokemon depending on the regulation. Pokemon must be obtained through legitimate gameplay, with Generation 9 marking a shift toward competitive play restricted to Paldea and Kitakami Pokemon.
Generation 9 introduced Terastalization, which changes a Pokemon's type to a Tera Type. Each Pokemon can have one of 18 possible Tera Types, and once per battle, a trainer can Terastallize one Pokemon. This adds immense strategic depth, as a Pokemon can change its weaknesses and gain STAB on new move types.
Common Tera Types include Tera Water for Fire-types to flip their Water weakness, Tera Fairy for Dragon-types to remove their Dragon weakness and gain a Fairy resistance, and Tera Ghost or Normal for an immunity to attacks with those types. Terastallization can also be used defensively to survive a normally fatal super effective hit.
A standard VGC team consists of an offensive core, support Pokemon, speed control, and type coverage. The restricted Pokemon format means most teams are built around one or two powerful Legendary Pokemon. Common cores include Groudon and Charizard (Sun), Kyogre and Ludicolo (Rain), and Calyrex-Shadow and Indeedee (Psychic Terrain offense).
Speed tiers are critical in VGC. Since most Pokemon are at Level 50, the Speed stat differences are smaller than at Level 100. Common benchmarks include outspeeding Timid max Speed Flutter Mane (base 135) and outspeeding common restricted Pokemon like Zacian and Calyrex. Tailwind support from Pokemon like Tornadus or Whimsicott can double your team's Speed for several turns.