Pokémon World Championships. In double battles, players choose four Pokémon from among the six on their team. However, every year, Pokémon adds new wrinkles to the competitive format, usually in the form of which Pokémon can actually compete.

As announced today (via Serebii), Regulation I will be the format used for all competitive Pokémon events, including the Pokémon World Championships. The format allows players to bring two restricted Pokémon on their team, allowing players to use Pokémon like Mewtwo, Calyrex, and Zacian together in one format. This new format should make for explosive battles, as players will be able to use more high-octane powerhouses in a double battle than they have in past formats.

Double Legendaries Mean More Chaos, Heralds New Generation of Games

More Legendary Pokémon Will Appear In Battles, While The Double Restricted Format Is Used At The End Of Generations

The new format obviously shakes up the Pokémon competitive scene and should invite a lot more chaos into the game. Previous formats have allowed for the use of one Restricted Pokémon, but this new format opens up room for some underused Legendary Pokémon to find niches in some teams. Certain Pokémon (such as Calyrex and Miraidon) will still be found on many teams, but the new format allows for a lot more variety.

The full list of Restricted Pokémon for Regulation I can be found below:

• Mewtwo
• Lugia
• Ho-Oh
• Kyogre
• Groudon
• Rayquaza
• Dialga
• Palkia
• Giratina
• Reshiram
• Zekrom
• Kyurem
• Cosmog
• Cosmoem
• Solgaleo
• Lunala
• Necrozma
• Zacian
• Zamazenta
• Eternatus
• Calyrex
• Koraidon
• Miraidon

The other major consideration is that the double-restricted format is usually the last format before a new generation of Pokémon game releases. This standard might be tested somewhat with the release of Pokémon Champions and Pokémon Legends: Z-A. The latter game reintroduces Mega Evolutions, while Pokémon Champions should allow players to use Mega Evolutions in standard battles. The new format strongly hints that we'll either see Pokémon Champions out later this year, or that a new Pokémon generation is coming soon.

Our Take: This Year's Worlds Should Be Explosive

New Format Will Make VGC Tournaments Much More Exciting

The double restricted format is one of our favorite versions of the competitive Pokémon scene. Watching Legendary Pokémon collide is exciting, and the format allows for the use of more Pokémon in team builds. The announcement also adds some additional intrigue about how next year's Worlds will go since it's unlikely that Pokémon will use the same competitive format for two World Championships in a row.

Source: Serebii