Ranked Battle Series 9 | Rules and Legal Pokemon | Pokemon Sword and Shield

This guide explains all the rules of the current series of Ranked Battle, including the Pokemon that can be legally used in Ranked Battle, all legal Gigantamax Pokemon, as well as all legal Pokemon available via Pokemon HOME.

Series 9 Information

Duration	May 1, 2021 (Mon.) 9:00 PM PDT - TBA
Available Pokemon	・Galar Pokedex No.1 - 397 ・Isle of Armor Pokedex No.1 - 210 ・Crown of Tundra Pokedex No.1- 209 ・Cobalion, Terrakion, Virizion ・Rowlet, Dartrix, Decidueye ・Litten, Torracat, Incineroar ・Popplio, Brionne, Primarina ・Tapu Koko, Tapu Lele, Tapu Bulu, ・ Tapu Fini, Nihilego, Buzzwole ・ Pheromosa, Xurkitree, Celesteela ・ Kartana, Guzzlord, Poipole ・ Naganadel, Stakataka, Blacephalon
Gigantamax Pokemon	All current Gigantamax Pokemon

Starting May 1, the Series 8 ruleset will be reversed. Legendary Pokemon are once again excluded from competitive play!

Additionally, the returning Pokemon reintroduced in The Crown of Tundra will be useable. This excludes Mythical Pokemon.

All information in this article is courtesy of Play! Pokemon's official ruleset.

Series 9 Legal Pokemon

Complete Galar Pokedex

Majority of the Pokemon reintroduced in the Crown Tundra Pokedex have been made legal for Ranked Battle. Consult the full list later on the page for details of which Legendary Pokemon are allowed.

All regional variations of Pokemon included in the above list of Pokemon are also legal.

List of Legal Pokemon by Pokedex Number

• Galar Pokédex numbers: #001–397
• Isle of Armor Pokédex numbers: #001-#210
• The Crown of Tundra Pokedex numbers #001-#209
• National Pokédex numbers #638-640 (Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion)
• National Pokédex numbers #722–730 (Alolan starters)

Legal Gigantamax Pokemon

All currently available Gigantamax Pokemon are available for Ranked Battle.

Details of Legal Teams & Pokemon

• A player’s team cannot contain two Pokémon with the same Galar Pokédex number.
• Two Pokémon cannot hold the same item.
• Pokémon must have the black Galar symbol on their summary screen to signify that they originated in the Galar region, or the battle-ready symbol.
• Hidden Abilities are legal.
• Moves and Abilities passed via the Pokémon Nursery by a Pokémon brought in using Pokémon HOME are legal.
• Moves and Abilities made available through an official Pokémon event or promotion are legal.

How to Use Transferred Pokemon

Get a Battle-Ready Mark at the Battle Tower

Although Pokemon caught or hatched outside the Galar Region were previously disallowed for play, these Pokemon can now be used in Ranked Battle once they receive a battle-ready mark. In the Battle Tower, talk to the man standing next to the far door, and you'll be able to receive the mark on a transferred Pokemon – however, it will need to forget any moves not appearing in Pokemon Sword and Shield before it can be marked legal for Ranked Battle.

Series 9 Rules

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.

Legendary Pokemon are Excluded

Series 9 once again excludes Legendary Pokemon from competitive play. These include the following:

Mewtwo	Lugia	Ho-oh	Kyogre	Groudon	Rayquaza
Dialga	Palkia	Giratina	Reshiram	Zekrom	Kyurem
Xerneas	Yveltal	Zygarde	Cosmog	Cosmoem	Solgaleo
Lunala	Necrozma	Zacian	Zamazenta	Eternatus	Calyrex

Mythical Pokemon are Excluded

Mythical Pokemon cannot be used in Series 9. These include the following:

Mew	Celebi	Jirachi
Victini	Keldeo	Genesect
Diancie	Volcanion	Magearna
Marshadow	Zeraora	Meltan
Melmetal	Zarude

Single Battle

Double Battle

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