Seemingly, there’s never a dull moment in Pokémon. Even as we set out on a two weekend stretch in which there are almost no events yielding CP across the world (League Challenges, worth it for a few, aside), Pokémon’s managed to give us some interesting stuff to consider. Today, we saw an update to the Rules and Resources documents, and there are some pretty interesting changes this time around.
Even beyond the headliners that are making rounds in the main Facebook/etc. groups and discussions game-wide, there are some under-the-radar changes that could affect your next tournament. In that vein, we wanted to highlight the change logs from each of the documents and think a bit about what some of these rule changes might mean.
So, I’m going to survey the changes we’re looking at. If it says anything, I found even more changes as I started writing this! We’re going to go through document-by-document and try to cover the important stuff. Of course, all of the analysis is my own, and the opinions are subject to being wrong.
TCG Rules and Formats
Change Log:
- In the case of a discrepancy between the content of the English – language version of this document and that of any other version of this document, the English – language version shall take priority.
- Section 4: The contents of any player’s deck or team may be published by the Organizer at any time once the event has begun, provided that this information is publicly accessible and that the publication of such data is part of an initiative that provides additional value to those watching or following the event.
- Section 5: Players may be required to put the cards in their decks in the same order as the cards on their decklists during deck checks.
- Section 13.1: Standard format set list updated.
- Section 13.2: Expanded format set list updated.
Analysis
That update in Section 4 is going to come up again and again over the course of these documents, and it’s something of a doozy. If you’ll remember, players cannot decline to be on stream, and now all streams (not just the official) seem to have the in-writing, certain authority (via the Organizer) to publish full lists. This has interesting ramifications, and unfortunately probably invites accusations of collusion in areas that are unfortunate—imagine a streamer avoiding choosing his own friends for the match while publicizing the full 6o of other competitors that end up on stream.
I’m not suggesting that this will happen, but it’s unfortunate that the appearance is something that can now be entered into the equation. Alex Hill was especially concerned about this when I posted it on Twitter, and I suspect he’ll be far from alone. Wizards of the Coast has somewhat solved this problem by making all of the pertinent lists available before a given point (say, Top 8) in a tournament. This eliminates any advantage/disadvantaged gained in such ways. This is something, in my view, TPCi ought to consider if many Organizers/streamers take advantage of this newly-gifted authority.
As for the change to Section 5…I wonder how many players even remember the “order of their decklist” without seeing the list! A non-issue.
Sanctioning Regulations
Change Log:
• In the case of a discrepancy between the content of the English – language version of this document and that of any other version of this document, the English – language version shall take priority.
• Section 6: The contents of any player’s deck or team may be published by the Organizer at any time once the event has begun, provided that this information is publicly accessible, and that the publication of such data is part of an initiative that provides additional value to those at tending or watching the event. For example, this includes broadcasting a match via live stream or publishing an article about the event. Otherwise, this data should be kept confidential throughout the duration of the tournament. (Emphasis added)
Analysis
There’s a bit more detail about the aforementioned powers of disclosure regarding deck and team content. Probably nothing transformative, but does seem to especially highlight that this information should only be distributed through public channels.
Tournament Operations Procedures
Change Log:
• In the case of a discrepancy between the content of the English – language version of this document and that of any other version of this document, the English – language version shall take priority.
• Section 3.1.3: For events that award Championship Points, players should not be added after the second round has begun.
• Section 3.3.5: Number of rounds calculation for VG Internationals updated.
• Section 4: To aid the accurate and timely reporting of match results, match slips must be utilized at all Premier Events.
• Section 4: Match records cannot be altered after the second subsequent round is paired. Players therefore have only one full round to report any match record errors.
Analysis
Some alterations to close up issues in TOM and codify some things that were already general practice (not changing results after a full round has passed, not adding players after Round 2 begins). There’s also an interesting stipulation requiring Match Slips at all Premier Events. This is a bit controversial in some circles, as using these for Prereleases and small League Challenges seems like a waste of paper to some. It seems to me as though this was a needed correction to some issues with League Cups that got taken too far, but it’s probably better to err on the side of caution with it.
I do not know enough about VGC to comment on the change to their round structure. However, a change was seemingly made to TCG Day 2 Swiss that did not make it into the Change Log.
Post-Publication Note: The documents imply that we’ve changed to 410 Players for 6 Day 2 Rounds. This was an error, and the correct number remains 800 to attain the extra round.
Play! Pokémon General Event Rules
Change Log:
• In the case of a discrepancy between the content of the English – language version of this document and that of any other version of this document, the English – language version shall take priority.
• General revision and updating of language for the sake of uniformity and clarity.
• Section 5: The contents of any player’s deck or team may be published by the Organizer at any time once the event has begun, provided that this information is publicly accessible, and that the publication of such data is part of an initiative that provides additional value to those attending or watching the event.
• Section 8: Should a judge request clarification, or a translation for notes written in a language not spoken by tournament staff, the player must oblige.
• Section 10.1: Once the match has begun, players may not refer to tournament standings or wait for other matches in progress to resolve before making their decision to concede or agree to an intentional draw.
Analysis
First, there are just some clerical things relating to International Players’ notes, when playing in an event where staff does not speak the language in question. Nothing too huge there.
On the other hand, the update to section 10.1 both has potentially immense ramifications. Apparently, there have been issues of players stalling after a round has started trying to decide whether to Intentionally Draw. I want to grab the specific text from the section governing this area:
The new text is in the last paragraph. While ending this behavior is a noble idea, I feel this wording is very problematic. First and foremost, it introduces a judgement of intent into any and every concession: did they consider other games? Did they just take time to come to their own conclusion? Simply, it’s ambiguity that is liable to be problematic at some point in the future. I believe we’re better off when the rules are cut/dry, but this is anything but. It also disadvantages newer players, with less idea of what’s going on, that may now be rushed to a decision by judges during the setup portion of a match—or, subject to interrogation if the choice is made soon after the “start” of the round.
It’s a slippery slope, I believe, but unfortunately one we’re probably not going to get any clarity on until it arises in a tournament. Obviously, sitting around idle while trying to figure out the outcome of a tournament can be collusion, and should be taken seriously. But, I feel this rule is rather broad, and may have ugly implications for the future. Perhaps, though, I’ll be wrong!
Pokémon TCG Penalty Guidelines
Change Log:
• In the case of a discrepancy between the content of the English language version of this document and that of any other version of this document, the English – language version shall take priority.
• General revision and updating of language for the sake of uniformity and clarity.
• Section 7.1.2: Drawing an extra card.
• Section 7.4.1: Slow play penalties should escalate to Prize card penalties after the first warning, but should not exceed a Prize card penalty.
• Section 7.4.2: Continually rushing your opponent may result in this action being treated as Unsporting Conduct, should the judge determine that a player is using this method to intimidate or distract their opponent.
• Section 9 : A suspended player should not be allowed to participate in or attend any Play! Pokémon events as a spectator, player, judge, Organizer, or volunteer.
Analysis
The change note on 7.1.2 is the shortest of any we’ve seen, yet it’s possibly the most massive change. Reveal and replace is dead! This is the fruit of many years of labor on a few high level judges’ parts, and to be applauded. In the past, players drawing an extra card was resolved by the extra card being revealed to the opponent and placed back on top of the offending player’s deck. Now, it will be shuffled back.
This is transformative itself, but isn’t even the headline in regard to handling the act of drawing an extra card. As an offense, it’s been escalated to Game Play Error-Major. This carries a non-adjusted Starting Penalty of Prize card, meaning the days of players drawing an extra card, gaining the knowledge of the top card of their deck, and getting away with a Warning (or less, if an opponent didn’t call a judge) are over. Now, the stakes are immense: drawing an extra card starts at a Prize Loss. Many players are celebrating this today, as it should theoretically dissuade players attempting to gain advantages over less-than-attenative opponent’s, but I’m eager to see how it plays out in reality first.
Something to watch out for as a Player: We’re entering a new era—one with the so-called “Counter Cards.” Now, there are potential situations where it could aid an opponent if you take a Prize! This is something Judges will be on the lookout for sure, but if there’s a series of events that seems rather suspiciously timed—your opponent draws an extra card, gets the Prize Loss, then manages a significant tempo swing off Counter Energy/Catcher—this is something you might want to bring up with the Judge, even if it means calling one back.
There are two other significant changes, to Slow Play and Rushing. Slow Play now has a mandated escalation, after two offenses, to a Prize Loss. This is definitely interesting, and is hopefully a step toward dissuading slow play. It won’t dissuade anything until it’s proven to have teeth via actual enforcement, but the stage is set. The Rushing changes seems a bit out of left field, and I’m not quite sure what the goal is with it, so I’ll leave it at that.
Final Thoughts
It’s good to see TPCi making these more regular updates to the documents, and as opposed to the age of us getting information from Pokégym posts months after it was decided, this is a serious improvement. Hopefully, all of these changes end up contributing positively to the competitive environment. It’ll be interesting to see the implications of the reveal/replace and Intentional Draw regulations, most of all.
Hopefully, this helped you see some of the lesser-discussed changes, and if nothing else, sparks a bit of thought on them as well.
Leave a Reply