Ranked Battle Regulation F (Season 15): Rules and Banned Pokemon

Ranked Battle Regulation F (Season 15) in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (SV) is now live and will run from January 4 until April 30, 2024. Regulation F allows the use of all available Pokemon in the Paldea and Kitakami Pokedex, including new and returning Pokemon from The Indigo Disk DLC, with certain restricted Legendary and Mythical Pokemon being banned. Read on to learn more about Regulation F, the legal and banned Pokemon, and rules.

Regulation F New and Returning Pokemon

New and Returning Pokemon Available in The Indigo Disk DLC

Pokemon from Part 2 of the DLC: The Indigo Disk, are set to join the roster of Pokemon available from Paldea and Kitakami and will surely make new waves in competitive Singles and Doubles. Notorious VGC Pokemon such as Incineroar and Smeargle make their dominant return, while favorites like Metagross, Venusaur and Whimsicott will be making comebacks as well.

Most excitingly, Hydrapple, Archaludon and the new Paradox Legendaries have all be confirmed to be legal in Regulation F!

Indigo Disk Best Pokemon Tier List

Regulation F Schedule and Rules

Regulation F Runs from January 4 - April 30, 2024

Start Date	January 4 (Thu) at 0:00 UTC
End Date	April 30 (Tue) at 23:59 UTC
Available Pokemon	・Paldea Pokedex (Paldea Region Forms) ・Paradox Legendary Pokemon ・Four Treasures of Ruin ・Pokemon from Pokemon HOME ・Teal Mask Pokedex ・Indigo Disk Pokedex
Banned Pokemon	・Mewtwo and Mew ・Ho-Oh and Lugia ・Kyogre, Groudon, and Rayquaza ・Jirachi and Deoxys ・Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina ・Phione and Manaphy ・Darkrai ・Shaymin (Land and Sky Formes) ・Arceus ・Reshiram, Zekrom and Kyurem ・Keldeo ・Meloetta (Aria and Pirouette Formes) ・Hoopa (Unbound and Confined) ・Diancie ・Volcanion ・Cosmog and Cosmoem ・Lunala, Solgaleo and Necrozma ・Magearna ・Zacian and Zamazenta ・Eternatus ・Zarude ・Calyrex(Regular and Mount Forms) ・Koraidon and Miraidon ・Terapagos (All Forms)

Regulation F of Ranked Battle is now live and will run from January 4, 2024 until April 30, 2024.

The Regulation F ruleset allows for all Pokemon in the Paldea Pokedex, Paradox Pokemon, the four Treasures of Ruin, Pokemon from Pokemon HOME, Pokemon from the Kitakami Pokedex, and new and returning Pokemon from the Indigo Disk Pokedex

The new Paradox Legendaries: Walking Wake, Iron Leaves, Raging Bolt, Iron Crown, Gouging Fire and Iron Boulder are all legal in Regulation F!

Indigo Disk DLC Pokemon

Paradox Legendary Pokemon

Newly Legal Paradox Legendary Builds
Walking Wake	Raging Bolt	Gouging Fire
Iron Leaves	Iron Crown	Iron Boulder

Walking Wake, Iron Leaves, Raging Bolt, Iron Crown, Gouging Fire and Iron Boulder are all legal in Regulation F! These Pokemon are sure to dominate the meta with their excellent typings, great stats and new exclusive moves!

All DLC Legendary Pokemon

Archaludon and Hydrapple

New DLC Pokemon Builds
Archaludon	Hydrapple

The new Indigo Disk evolution Pokemon, Archaludon and Hydrapple are legal in Regulation F. Archaludon is a great addition to Rain Teams with its new signature move giving it a +1 Special Attack Boost before firing off immediately during rain. Meanwhile Hydrapple has some quirky interactions and is sure to be a fun build when paired with Malamar!

All New DLC Pokemon

Incineroar

Incineroar being back in the format threatens to centralize it once again, as it has in previous games where it has been legal. Its overall bulk and utility make it a strong addition to any team, making any team that it is part of instantly better.

Although many useable, and powerful Pokemon are slated to make returns, none have a reputation like Incineroar, who is sure to climb to the top of VGC Tier Lists.

Incineroar Type and Info

Whimsicott

Whimsicott is another Prankster Pokemon who can set up Tailwind. This Ability and Move in combination make it a powerful addition to teams, especially because it is faster than Tornadus-I.

Whimsicott can also lock opponents into disadvantageous positions with its disruptive Prankster Encore.

Whimsicott Location, Evolution, and Learnset

Metagross

Metagross is made even more powerful with Terastallization. Being able to change types can help it survive in the field for longer, and be an offensive presence who is unaffected by Intimidate.

Metagross Location, Evolution, and Learnset

Returning Pokemon

List of Returning Pokemon
Venusaur line	Blastoise line	Vileplume line	Tentacruel line
Dodrio line	Dewgong line	Exeggutor line	Alolan Exeggutor
Kingdra line	Tyrogue line	Rhyperior line	Magmortar line
Electivire line	Porygon-Z line	Lapras	Lanturn line
Meganium line	Feraligatr line	Typhlosion line	Bellossom line
Granbull line	Entei	Suicune	Raikou
Skarmory	Smeargle	Sceptile line	Blaziken line
Swampert line	Plusle	Minun	Flygon line
Milotic line	Metagross line	Latias	Latios
Regirock	Regice	Registeel	Regigigas
Bastiodon line	Rampardos line	Samurott line	Serperior line
Emboar line	Zebstrika line	Excadrill line	Whimsicott line
Scrafty line	Cinccino line	Reuniclus line	Galvantula line
Golurk line	Terrakion	Virizion	Cobalion
Meowstic (Male) line	Meowstic (Female)	Malamar line	Incineroar line
Decidueye line	Primarina line	Toucannon line	Araquanid line
Comfey	Minior	Alcremie line	Duraludon

The Indigo Disk: DLC Part 2 Release Date and New Pokemon

Pokemon HOME Pokemon

Pokemon transfered from Pokemon HOME that were legal in Regulation D and E will still be legal for play in Regulation F!

All Pokemon HOME Transferable Pokemon

Using Dragon Cheer is Allowed

A glitch regarding the move Dragon Cheer was discovered where affected Pokemon retain their critical hit boosts even after being switched out.

This glitch will be fixed in the Version 3.0.1 patch of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, but it was announced that Dragon Cheer will still be usable in online battles, including Regulation F Ranked Battles and the Blueberry Prologue Online Competition, even if its effect is glitched.

It will not be usable, however, in official VGC tournaments like the Portland and Charlote Regionals.

Dragon Cheer Glitch Details

Regulation F Banned Pokemon

Koraidon and Miraidon are Banned

Koraidon and Miraidon are banned from competitive play in Regulation E.

Koraidon

Miraidon

Restricted Pokemon

Almost all Legendaries and Mythical Pokemon are Restricted Pokemon, and are banned from competitive play in Regulation F.

Mewtwo	Mew	Lugia	Ho-Oh
Kyogre	Groudon	Rayquaza	Jirachi
Deoxys	Palkia	Dialga	Giratina
Phione	Manaphy	Darkrai	Shaymin
Arceus	Reshiram	Zekrom	Kyurem
Meloetta	Diancie	Hoopa	Volcanion
Lunala line	Solgaleo line	Necrozma	Magearna
Zacian	Zamazenta	Eternatus	Zarude
Calyrex	Miraidon	Koraidon	Terapagos

All Legal Pokemon

All Pokemon in the Paldea and Kitakami Pokedex are available to use for Ranked Battle Regulation F, including Paradox Pokemon, Treasures of Ruin, and certain HOME Transfer Pokemon.

Complete Paldea Pokedex

Details of Legal Teams & Pokemon

• A player's team cannot contain two Pokemon with the same Paldea Pokédex number.
• Two Pokémon cannot hold the same item.

Regulation F Rewards

Players who have reached certain milestones during Regulation F will receive rewards after the season ends and the results are announced and are the based on the results of your battles.

Players need to finish at least one match with a win or loss during the season to be eligible for rewards.

Master Ball Tier Rewards

Ultra Ball Tier Rewards

Great Ball Tier Rewards

Poke Ball Tier Rewards

Beginner Tier Rewards

Rewards are currently speculation based on the Reg E Rewards. Regulation F full rewards will be updated when they are known.

Regulation F Ruleset

1. Rankings for Single and Doubles are separate.
2. You cannot go down a rank once your tier has been raised. No matter how many times you lose, your Tier will stay the same.
3. An Internet connection is required in playing Ranked Battles. You will need an Nintendo Switch Online Subscription to participate in all online activities in Pokemon including Ranked Battles.

Single Battle

Competitive Singles Team Building (Updated for Regulation E)

Double Battle

VGC Doubles Team Building

Related Guides

Latest News and Game Info

All Ranked Battle Series (Regulations)

Event	Description
Ranked Battle Regulation G (Series 7)	Ruleset: Legendary Pokemon will finally be available in Regulation G! Regulation G Duration: 05/01/2024 ~ 08/31/2024
Ranked Battle Regulation F (Series 6) [LIVE]	Ruleset: New and Returning Pokemon from Indigo Disk DLC will be available in Regulation F! Regulation F Duration: 01/04/2024 ~ 04/30/2024
Ranked Battle Regulation E (Series 5)	Ruleset: New and Returning Pokemon from The Teal Mask DLC will be available in Regulation E! Regulation E Duration: 10/1/2023 ~ 01/02/2024
Ranked Battle Regulation D (Series 4)	Ruleset: Pokemon transferred from Pokémon HOME except Restricted Pokemon will be available in Regulation D! (Regulation D) Regulation D Duration: 7/1/2023 ~ 9/30/2023
Ranked Battle Regulation C (Series 3)	Ruleset: The Four Treasures of Ruin are available in Regulation C! Regulation C Duration: 4/1/2023 ~ 6/30/2023
Ranked Battle Series 2 (Regulation B)	Ruleset: Paradox Pokemon can now be used in Series 2 (Regulation B)! Duration: 2/1/2023 ~ 3/31/2023
Ranked Battle Series 1 (Regulation A)	Ruleset: Paradox and Legendary Pokemon are banned from competitive play! Duration: 12/1/2022 ~ 1/31/2023

Ranked Battle Rules and Banned Pokemon

Current & Upcoming Online Competitions