Official Nintendo Pokemon Tournament

[david stone]

I can't get the page to load, but I think Smeargle can still use Dark Void, Seed Flare, and Judgment. Mewtwo, Pokemon 151, learns Metronome. Metronome can select any of those moves.

Originally Posted by Fat Alice

smeargle w/dark void and OHKO moves paired with NO GUARD machamp...

Yes, OHKO moves do break 2v2.

Unless you plan on targeting your Machamp with those OHKO moves, that won't work.

http://www.smogon.com/dp/abilities/no_guard

[Alice]

Didn't know that, my mistake.

Then I guess they ain't that useful on 2v2

[david stone]

In case the site goes down:

Pre-Qualifications:

Players may only use North American versions of Pokémon Diamond or Pokémon Pearl.
Players compete in one of two age divisions based on their date of birth.

• Junior Division: Born in 1996 or later
• Senior Division: Born in 1995 or earlier

Qualifying to Participate:

Players must have an active My Pokémon account.
Players must complete an online exam to determine their eligibility to participate in a Qualifier Tournament.

• Players may only submit an entry for one Qualifier Tournament.
• Players may not enter more than once.
• If the number of players eligible for participation in a Qualifier Tournament exceeds 128 per division, players will be selected at random and invitations will be distributed to selected players.
• Only players with invitations may participate in a Qualifier Tournament. No substitutions are allowed.

Unused invitations will be distributed at the Qualifier Tournament via on-site drawing. Players entering the drawing must comply with the rules set forth in this document before entering.
Battle Rules:

Battles are played using the 2-on-2 format.
A player’s team must consist of exactly 4 Pokémon. Players may change Pokémon between rounds, though each Pokémon must still meet the rules outlined in this document.
A player’s team may not contain two of the same Pokémon.
Each Pokémon on a player’s team must be level 50 or lower.
Each Pokémon on a player’s team may use held items, though no 2 Pokémon on a team may hold the same item. Players may change held items between rounds. Allowed items include held items from Pokémon Diamond, Pokémon Pearl, and earlier video games, including Berries 1-60. The Soul Dew item may not be used.
Players may not enter two Pokémon with the same nickname.
Players may not enter a Pokémon nicknamed with the name of another Pokémon character (ex: a Lucario nicknamed “Spiritomb”).
Players found to have inappropriate/offensive Trainer names or Pokémon nicknames, as determined by the event staff, will be disqualified from the event.
Pokémon Restrictions:

Players may use Pokémon found in the Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl National Dex, between 001 and 491, including those Pokémon imported from earlier video games, with the exception of those Pokémon listed below.
The following Pokémon are ineligible for use in the tournament:

• 149 - Dragonite
• 150 - Mewtwo
• 151 - Mew
• 248 - Tyranitar
• 249 - Lugia
• 250 - Ho-Oh
• 251 - Celebi
• 382 - Kyogre
• 383 - Groudon
• 384 - Rayquaza
• 385 - Jirachi
• 386 - Deoxys
• 483 - Dialga
• 484 - Palkia
• 485 - Heatran
• 486 - Regigigas
• 487 - Giratina
• 489 - Phione
• 490 - Manaphy
• 491 - Darkrai

Move Restrictions:

Pokémon may only use moves (including those learned in an earlier video game) which have been learned through one of the following methods:

• By leveling up
• By TM or HM
• As an Egg Move, through breeding
• From a Move Tutor
• Already learned by a Pokémon, which was downloaded at an official Pokémon event or promotion
• Already learned by a Pokémon, which was downloaded from another Pokémon game (such as the Pikachu, which knows Surf, from Pokémon Battle Revolution)
• By Smeargle’s “Sketch” move (limited to the above moves learned by Pokémon between 001 and 491)

Tournament Operation:

The Qualifier Tournament is a Single Elimination event. Each match will consist of a single game, and will result in the winner advancing to the next round and the loser being removed from the tournament.

• A player wins by knocking out his or her opponent’s final Pokémon.
• If an attack knocks out his or her final Pokémon, as well as his or her opponent’s final Pokémon, the match is a tie and both players are eliminated from the event.

Each player will be assigned to one of 4 flights within their age division. Competitors in each flight will play Single Elimination matches until 4 players remain in each flight. The remaining competitors will be re-paired into a top 16 playoff within their age division.
Each match during the elimination rounds and playoffs has a 15-minute time limit, and will be played using special Nintendo DS Lite systems, located at the event. When time expires, the tournament staff will determine the result of any unfinished matches using the tiebreakers outlined below.

• Players who are found to be intentionally delaying the pace of their match will be disqualified from the event.
• Players who are tardy to their match for any reason will be disqualified from the event.

The final match in each age division will be played without a time limit using Pokémon Battle Revolution.
Tiebreakers:

When time expires, any games that are still in progress are halted, and players will be required to step away from their DS. Once all attacks and effects of the current turn have resolved, the tournament staff will determine the winner of the match using the following tiebreakers. If a player is choosing a move, the current turn has not started.
Remaining Pokémon
The tournament staff will assess the number of Pokémon that each player has remaining.

• If one player has more remaining Pokémon, that player wins the match. The losing player is eliminated from the tournament.
• If both players have the same number of Pokémon remaining, the match is tied, and the result of the match is determined by Sudden Death, as described below.

Sudden Death
Players will have up to 3 turns to gain an advantage in number of remaining Pokémon over their opponent. After each turn has completed, the tournament staff will assess the number of Pokémon that each player has remaining.

• If a player has more remaining Pokémon than his or her opponent at the end of any turn, that player wins the match. The losing player is eliminated from the tournament.
• If both players have the same number of Pokémon remaining at the end of the first or second turn of Sudden Death, the match continues.

If both players have the same number of Pokémon remaining at the end of the third turn of Sudden Death, the match is a tie and both players are eliminated from the tournament.
Other Information:

The use of external devices to alter a player’s Pokémon game is expressly forbidden. Random checks will be performed throughout the tournament to determine whether or not an external device has been used to modify a player’s game or Pokémon. Players found to have games that have been tampered with will be disqualified from the event, regardless of whether the player tampered with his or her game, or received a Pokémon or item that was tampered with by someone other than the player. It is the player’s responsibility to have legal Pokémon. Event officials have the final determination regarding the legality of a Pokémon.
A player should notify the staff immediately if he or she believes that there is a problem with an opponent’s Pokémon. At the end of the round, all match results become final. Issues that go unreported until after the round has completed will not change the result of that match, regardless of whether there is a problem with an opponent’s Pokémon or not.
Players and spectators are expected to demonstrate proper sportsmanship over the course of the event. A player may be disqualified from the event, based on actions taken by friends or relatives which disrupts the operation of the tournament.

[Surgo]

AAAAARGHHHH I live like an hour from NYC normally but this summer I'll be like 7 hours from LA :/

[Team Rocket Elite]

"The 2008 POKÉMON® Video Game Showdown (“Tournament”) is open only to legal residents of the fifty United States..."

Apparently Canadians are ineligible for the Tourney again.

[david stone]

OK, I have one question:

"Qualifying to Participate:

Players must have an active My Pokémon account."

What is a "My Pokémon account", and how does one get one?

[yamipoli]

http://showdown.pokemon.com/registration/

It's got a button that says "Register for an account" or somesuch.

[Gigafrost]

Originally Posted by Fat Obi

I can't get the page to load, but I think Smeargle can still use Dark Void, Seed Flare, and Judgment.

He's not allowed to Sketch Seed Flare and Judgment.

Move Restrictions:

Pokémon may only use moves (including those learned in an earlier video game) which have been learned through one of the following methods:

• By leveling up
• By TM or HM
• As an Egg Move, through breeding
• From a Move Tutor
• Already learned by a Pokémon, which was downloaded at an official Pokémon event or promotion
• Already learned by a Pokémon, which was downloaded from another Pokémon game (such as the Pikachu, which knows Surf, from Pokémon Battle Revolution)
• By Smeargle’s “Sketch” move (limited to the above moves learned by Pokémon between 001 and 491)

[david stone]

One of the above moves learned by Pokemon is Metronome. With Metronome you can Sketch any move (but Chatter or Struggle).

[celestial_okami]

Yes, but Mewtwo or other Metronome users do not learn said moves, and the rules say you can only have sketched a move that the pokemon has learned through the listed methods. They would probably not allow Seed Flare or judgment by that, but Dark Void is allowed by Darkai being #491.

[david stone]

Pokémon Video Game Showdown
Qualifier Tournaments


July 12, 2008
Los Angeles, California
California Science Center
Junior Division
- Registration and Check-in: 9:00am-9:45am
- Play begins: 10:00am
Senior Division
- Registration and Check-in: 10:00am-10:45am
- Play begins: 11:00am



July 19, 2008
New York, New York
The Altman Building
Junior Division
- Registration and Check-in: 9:00am-9:45am
- Play begins: 10:00am
Senior Division
- Registration and Check-in: 10:00am-10:45am
- Play begins: 11:00am


Age Groups

Each Qualifier event will be broken down into the following age groups:

• Junior Division: Born in 1996 or later
• Senior Division: Born in 1995 or earlier

Pokémon Trainers will put their skills to the test in a 2-on-2 Battle format tournament until only eight players in each age group remain. These players will be invited to compete for the ultimate crown at the Pokémon Video Game Showdown Finals in Orlando, Florida.
All Pokémon Trainers must register to participate at a Qualifier Tournament in advance, here at Showdown.Pokemon.com. Registration is now underway and ends on June 17th, 2008. To qualify, Trainers must first pass the Pokémon Video Game Challenge Quiz.
Prizes

Prizes are awarded to the top finishers in each of the two age divisions, Junior (Born in 1996 or later) and Senior (Born in 1995 or earlier).
Prizes for the Pokémon Video Game Showdown Qualifier Tournaments are:
1st Place:

• An invitation to compete at the Pokémon Video Game Showdown in Orlando, FL
• Paid travel and 5 day/4 night hotel accommodations for you and a guest to the Pokémon Video Game Showdown in Orlando, Florida
• A Nintendo Wii package including a Wii system, four Wii Remotes, four Nunchuk controllers, and a copy of Pokémon Battle Revolution

2nd - 8th Place:

• An invitation to compete at the Pokémon Video Game Showdown in Orlando, FL
• Paid travel and 5 day/4 night hotel accommodations for you and a guest to the Pokémon Video Game Showdown in Orlando, Florida

Prizes for the Pokémon Video Game Showdown are:
Two 1st Place Finishers Receive:

• A 6 day/5 night vacation package for four to your choice of New York, NY, Honolulu, HI, or Tokyo, Japan.
• A Custom Nintendo DS Game System
• A Pokémon First Place Prize Pack

Two 2nd Place Finishers Receive:

• A Custom Nintendo DS Game System
• A Pokémon Second Place Prize Pack

Four 3rd Place Prize Finishers Receive:

• A Custom Nintendo DS Game System
• A Pokémon Third Place Prize Pack

Eight 4th Place Finishers Receive:

• A Custom Nintendo DS Game System
• A Pokémon Fourth Place Prize Pack

[Dr.Traveler]

I really REALLY don't like the fact that they're not taking advantage of the auto leveling option.

It means you essentially have to retrain your team or finish leveling up to 50. Boo. It also means that you've got some pokemon artificially removed from the pool.

Boo. Just BOO.

[phalanx]

isnt regigigas banned because it is caught over 50?
and darkrai is obtainable in japan therefore dark void is obtainable via sketch

shame this is not in europe i would fancy owning this...
i wonder if there are any event pokes there

[Gigafrost]

Originally Posted by Fat phalanx

isnt regigigas banned because it is caught over 50?
and darkrai is obtainable in japan therefore dark void is obtainable via sketch

shame this is not in europe i would fancy owning this...
i wonder if there are any event pokes there

Darkrai's Dark Void shouldn't be an issue since the US Darkrai event happens at the end of this month.

[Bliksem]

You can't abuse OHKO moves in a Double Battle without using Gravity. I would imagine a OHKO team would be set up something like this.

Lapras @ Leftovers/Chesto Berry/Lum Berry
EVs: Maximized Defense
Shell Armor
~Sheer Cold
~Protect
~Fissure/Horn Drill/Perish Song/Rest/Ice Beam/Brine
~Fissure/Horn Drill/Perish Song/Rest/Ice Beam/Brine

Electrode @ Life Orb/Choice Band
EVs: 4 HP, 252 Attack, 252 Speed
Soundproof
~Thunderbolt/Thunder
~Explosion
~Light Screen
~Reflect

Clefable @ Toxic Orb
EVs: Maximized Defense
Magic Guard
~Follow Me
~Softboiled
~Gravity
~Cosmic Power

Dewgong
Evs: Maximized Defense
Hydration
~Sheer Cold
~Rest
~Rain Dance
~Horn Drill

[Kijin]

The lv. 1 Smeargle was Follow Me, Endeavor, Fake out, ???? from the finals video.

[Jibaku*]

Also, if you have an Arceus, you better reset, cause...

Thankfully, I have my brother's game for tourney kind of stuff. My Arceus are safe!

[Sixonesix]

Wait, if I read that right, if I get 1st-8th place, they'll pay to fly me to wherever they have the finals...I am so there...

In fact, I'm going to start working on my team right now.

[Psy37]

Originally Posted by Fat Chozo

Plus, I'm not seeing how the rules are truly so awful.

Yes they are. No auto-leveling! 'Nuff said.

[IggyBot]

Does Lock On affect both of your opponents pokemon, or just one at a time? If so, using a Choice Scarf Smeargle first turn with Dark Void, followed by something like Lock On Articuno could work wonders.

I believe that a pokemon can become confused even when sleeping, so Machamp could provide some insurance in case your opponent wakes up early from sleep as well.

It's really to bad, I'm going to be in Florida on the 19th on a trip with my club soccer team competeing in Disney's Wide World of Sports tournament, meaning I can't participate. Any other day and I would be able to drive to NYC =(

[Little Green Yoda]

Sounds intriguing but I'm not sure I want to drive 6 hours for a Pokemon tourney. Maybe I can convince my family to take a vacation to LA lol.

[garo]

wtf!!! 50 lv maximum, it really sucks, i mean many players already had trained their pokes above 50, what if you have a poke with very good IV`s at level 100, your only alternative is start breeding again, hoping that you get a good IVs offspring and train again, not a charming option.
what about 15 minutes for a match, and if time expires the winner will be determinated by the number of remaining pokes, again wtf!!!, a trainer having 5 pokes versus one with 3 pokes no way means an advantage in most cases, maybe you sacrifice 3 pokes because you want to weak down your opponent and finish with your surprise poke or you lost three pokes but you took down the opposite poke that wall your sweeper and you are ready for sweep, but oopps!! 15 minutes expires and you lost. Also if after sudden death you and your opponent have equal number of pokes both lose!!!, what kind of stupid rule is it???, at least flip a coin is better.


"If an attack knocks out his or her final Pokémon, as well as his or her opponent’s final Pokémon, the match is a tie and both players are eliminated from the event."

im tired of saying wtf!!! at this point, why will you lose if there only remains one poke per player and your opponent uses explosion???, where is self OKHO clause???, so if you and your opponent are with one poke remaining, you are in obvious advantage and you will win, but the opponent realize it and uses explosion then he lose anyway but dont let you win because both of you are disqualified!!!, definitively i agree: the most retarded ruleset ever!!!

[Bliksem]

I understand the point of the rules. It may be difficult on the players, but they want the matches to go by quickly. Unlike tournaments played online where it may take days or weeks and everyone has all the time in the world, they have just one or two hours to get everything done. If they can eliminate two players a round instead of just one, good, they get done a lot faster and can move on.

[Odinwolf]

I wonder what they will do if someone uses explosion on the final pokemon in the finals? That would really jam them up, wouldn't it? I understand the point of the rule, like Bliksem said, but anyone who even TRIES to think about this rationally should know its not a good way to run a tournament.

Nintendo doesn't care. Having the event is the only thing that's important to them. It doesn't matter if its random, unfair or ridiculous. As long as there is some event for them to promote the pokemon series with, it doesn't matter what it is. *shrug*

[Syberia]

I'm guessing nearly every pokemon will have to carry Protect to guard themselves against such a situation.