Pokémon Trading Card Game Online/Play Modes/Versus Mode/Play Types

Players select from four Play types, also known Game type or Deck format:


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 * Theme
 * Only preconstructed Theme decks are allowed in this play type. Apart from the Starter themed Online-exclusive Theme decks, Theme decks are obtained by either using Redemption codes or by purchase with Trainer Tokens or Gems in the in-game Shop.
 * Only preconstructed Theme decks are allowed in this play type. Apart from the Starter themed Online-exclusive Theme decks, Theme decks are obtained by either using Redemption codes or by purchase with Trainer Tokens or Gems in the in-game Shop.


 * TCG Standard format (Standard)
 * Only decks composed entirely of cards from expansions or sets officially sanctioned for Play! Pokémon events for the Standard format are allowed in this play type. The list of allowed expansions is updated with a game patch shortly after as the official, annual TCG Rotation is announced. Expansions are added to the TCG Standard format as they are released (typically four a year), and the oldest legal expansions are rotated out of the Standard format on an annual basis. The Standard format was previously called the Modified format.


 * TCG Expanded format (Expanded)
 * Only decks composed entirely of cards from expansions or sets officially sanctioned for Play! Pokémon events for the Expanded format are allowed in this play type. This format was added in the 2014-2015 season to allow a greater number of expansions than the Standard format but not be as unpredictable in card combinations as the Unlimited format. The list of allowed expansions is updated with a game patch shortly after as the official, annual TCG Rotation is announced. Expansions are added to the TCG Expanded format as they are released.


 * TCG Unlimited format (Unlimited)
 * Any deck composed of cards currently available in the game are allowed in this play type (including TCG Expanded format decks, TCG Standard format decks, and Theme decks). Currently, only, , and sets and their expansion are available in the game. This format was retired from the VS Ladder on March 30th, 2016


 * TCG Legacy Format (Legacy)
 * Only decks composed of cards from and  expansions can be played in this format. This format was added as a way to allow players to use  cards without having to face "broken" decks such as the "Shiftry Giant Fan Donk".


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