Download rules

In the Generation VII core series games, it is possible to download battle rules from Festival Plaza. By downloading these rules, players can use them in direct battles (battles where the player connects with a specific player).

It is not necessary to download rules in order to participate in online competitions. The download rules are offered simply to allow players to play using them outside of the competition. However, some official Video Game Championships tournaments do require players to use the 2017 World Championships Rules in order to participate.

2017 World Championships Rules

 * Rules for the 2017 Pokémon World Championships: Only Pokémon from the Alola Pokédex can be used,  and Mega Stones cannot be held.

The 2017 World Championships Rules are a set of Double Battle rules. They were used for the 2017 World Championships season.

The player registers a Battle Team of 4 to 6 Pokémon. During team preview, both players select 4 of their own Pokémon to use in battle.

The eligible Pokémon are Pokémon in the Alola Pokédex, except special Pokémon (,, , , , , , and ). Only the Alola Forms of Pokémon that have them may be used. Additionally, Pokémon must have the black clover in order to participate. The player may only have one Pokémon of each species on their Battle Team.

Pokémon holding a Mega Stone (regardless of whether it can use it to Mega Evolve) or a Pikashunium Z or Marshadium Z cannot participate. The player may not have duplicate items on their Battle Team.

Battle of Alola

 * Rules for December 2016: Only Pokémon caught in Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon are allowed.  No held items are allowed.

The Battle of Alola rules are a set of Single Battle rules. They were used for the Online Competition.

The player registers a Battle Team of 3 to 6 Pokémon. During team preview, both players select 3 of their own Pokémon to use in battle.

The eligible Pokémon are Pokémon in the Alola Pokédex (except ), Pokémon that can be obtained via Island Scan and their evolutionary relatives, and with  (other Greninja are ineligible). Only the Alola Forms of Pokémon that have them may be used. Additionally, Pokémon must have the black clover in order to participate.

The player may only have one Pokémon of each species on their Battle Team. Additionally, the player may only have one special Pokémon (,, , , , , and ) on their Battle Team.

Pokémon holding items cannot participate.

Pokémon that know any of the following moves are ineligible:, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , or. (These moves are either signature moves of ineligible or Mythical Pokémon, caused glitches in online battles at the time the Battle of Alola Online Competition was held, or were event-exclusive moves that no Pokémon with a black clover could have at the time the Battle of Alola Online Competition was held.)

Alola Friendly

 * Rules for Alola Friendly: Only Pokémon from the Alola Pokédex may be used, but Mythical and Legendary Pokémon may not.  Items are allowed, except for duplicate items and Mega Stones.

The Alola Friendly rules are a set of Single Battle rules. They were used for the Online Competition.

The player registers a Battle Team of 3 to 6 Pokémon. During team preview, both players select 3 of their own Pokémon to use in battle.

The eligible Pokémon are Pokémon in the Alola Pokédex, except special Pokémon (,, , , , , , and ). Only the Alola Forms of Pokémon that have them may be used. Additionally, Pokémon must have the black clover in order to participate. The player may only have one Pokémon of each species on their Battle Team.

Pokémon holding a Mega Stone (regardless of whether it can use it to Mega Evolve), or a Mewnium Z, Pikashunium Z or Marshadium Z, cannot participate. The player may not have duplicate items on their Battle Team.

Kanto x Alola Regional Rumble

 * Only Alola Pokédex and Kanto Pokédex can be used. Legendary and Mythical Pokémon are banned.

The Kanto x Alola Regional Rumble rules are a set of Single Battle rules. They were used for the Online Competition.

The player registers a Battle Team of 3 to 6 Pokémon. During team preview, both players select 3 of their own Pokémon to use in battle.

The eligible Pokémon are Pokémon in the Kanto Pokédex or the Alola Pokédex, except special Pokémon (,, , , , , , , , and ). The player may only have one Pokémon of each species on their Battle Team.

Pokémon holding a Mega Stone (regardless of whether it can use it to Mega Evolve) or a Pikashunium Z or Marshadium Z cannot participate. The player may not have duplicate items on their Battle Team.

tiny tourney

 * Pokémon over 1 meter (3 feet, 3 inches) tall are not eligible. All Mythical and some Legendary Pokémon are not eligible.  Mega Stones are not allowed.

The tiny tourney rules are a set of Double Battle rules. They were used for the Online Competition.

The player registers a Battle Team of 4 to 6 Pokémon. During team preview, both players select 4 of their own Pokémon to use in battle.

The eligible Pokémon are Pokémon whose height is 1 m (3'3") or less, except special Pokémon (,, , , , , , , , , , , , and ). The player may only have one Pokémon of each species on their Battle Team.

Pokémon holding Mega Stones (regardless of whether they can use them to Mega Evolve) or a Pikashunium Z or Marshadium Z cannot participate. The player may not have duplicate items on their Battle Team.

Weakness Cup

 * National Pokédex No. 001 through 799. Only Pokémon with five or more weaknesses  can be used.

The Weakness Cup rules are a set of Double Battle rules. They were used for the Online Competition.

The player registers a Battle Team of 4 to 6 Pokémon. During team preview, both players select 4 of their own Pokémon to use in battle.

The eligible Pokémon are Pokémon that have five or more weaknesses, except special Pokémon and  with  (other Greninja are eligible). The player may only have one Pokémon of each species on their Battle Team.

The only items Pokémon may hold are (except the Chilan Berry) and the Weakness Policy. The player may not have duplicate items on their Battle Team.

2017 No Holds Barred

 * Duplicate items, duplicate Pokémon, and Mythical Pokémon (except Arceus)  are permitted.

The 2017 No Holds Barred rules are a set of Single Battle rules. They were used for the Online Competition.

The player registers a Battle Team of 3 to 6 Pokémon. During team preview, both players select 3 of their own Pokémon to use in battle.

All Pokémon are eligible, except and  Legendary Pokémon.

Mega Melee

 * Items (including Z-Crystals and Mega Stones) allowed.  Only Pokémon that can Mega Evolve are eligible.  Mythical and Legendary Pokémon are banned.

The Mega Melee rules are a set of Single Battle rules. They were used for the Online Competition.

The player registers a Battle Team of 1 to 6 Pokémon. During team preview, both players select 1 of their own Pokémon to use in battle.

The eligible Pokémon are Pokémon that can Mega Evolve, except special Pokémon (,, and ). The player may only have one Pokémon of each species on their Battle Team.

Participating Pokémon may hold any item. The player may not have duplicate items on their Battle Team.