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The Pokémon Company International announced on the official Pokémon website that the Shiftry card from BW Next Destinies 72/99 will as of September 1st, 2015 be banned from all sanctioned Play! Pokémon tournaments that use the Expanded format. Below are the details regarding this card banning.

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Shiftry Banned from Expanded Format

Shiftry (Black & White—Next Destinies, 72/99) is being removed from the Pokémon TCG Expanded format.

As of September 1, 2015, Shiftry will be banned from all sanctioned Play! Pokémon tournaments that use the Expanded format. This card has created an undesirable play environment because it:

  • Creates a strategy that frequently wins on the first turn of the game
  • Creates a non-interactive play environment where the opponent has little impact on the outcome of the match

Shiftry's previous Evolutions, Seedot (XY—Flashfire, 5/106) and Nuzleaf (XY—Flashfire, 6/106), are Grass-type Pokémon, so it's possible to evolve to Shiftry in one turn using the Forest of Giant Plants (XY—Ancient Origins, 74/98) Stadium card. With the help of Devolution Spray (Black & White—Dragons Exalted, 113/124), Super Scoop Up (XY—Furious Fists, 100/111), and Recycle (Black & White—Emerging Powers, 96/98), players can use the Giant Fan Ability repeatedly to get rid of all of the opponent's Pokémon—and win the game in one turn.

The Giant Fan strategy works consistently enough to cause concern. Frequent first-turn wins are a sign of an unhealthy play environment, and the Shiftry deck is capable of doing that a high percentage of the time. Since Shiftry has a clearly negative effect on the Expanded format, we feel that the best option is to ban it from that environment.

Shiftry's success does rely on a series of coin flips, so it always has some chance to fail, but cards such as Shaymin-EX (XY—Roaring Skies, 77/108) and Bicycle (Black & White—Plasma Storm, 117/135) usually provide enough drawing power to overcome a bad series of coin flips. Wobbuffet (XY—Phantom Forces, 36/119) and Baltoy (XY—Ancient Origins, 32/98) can stop the deck's strategy, but only if the opponent starts the game with one of them. Even then, the Shiftry deck can get around those Pokémon by using Lysandre (XY—Ancient Origins, 78/98) or other creative tactics.

Currently the Expanded format contains over 15 Pokémon TCG expansions. As new expansions are released, powerful card combinations with older cards may arise. Therefore, we will aggressively monitor tournament results and new expansions for any unhealthy card combinations. If any cards have a negative or centralizing effect on the metagame, we will ban them to maintain a fun and healthy play environment.

Source: http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/shiftry-banned-from-expanded-format/
The World Finals for the TCG and Video Games championships were held on August 23rd, 2015 in Boston, MA, United States. Players from around the world competed at the tournament.

2015 Pokémon World Champions

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Masters TCG Champion: Jacob Van Wagner (USA)
Senior TCG Champion: Patrick Martinez (USA)
Junior TCG Champion: Rowan Stavenow (Canada)

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Masters VG Champion: Shoma Honami (Japan)
Senior VG Champion: Mark McQuillan (Great Britain)
Junior VG Champion: Kotone Yasue (Japan)

Source: http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/meet-the-2015-pokemon-world-champions/

Boston Police Department Thwarts Two Armed Suspects

The Boston Police Department arrested 2 suspects, 18 year old Kevin Norton and 27 year old James Stumbo from Iowa, United States for unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and other firearm related offenses. The FBI is assisting the police department with the investigation of this matter.

The Pokemon Company said they were made aware of the threats which were posted on social media.

"Prior to the event this weekend, our community of players made us aware of a security issue. We gathered information and gave it as soon as possible to the authorities at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center who acted swiftly and spearheaded communication with the Boston Police Department. Due to quick action, the potential threat was resolved. The Pokémon Company International takes the safety of our fans seriously and will continue to ensure proper security measures are a priority."

Source: http://www.myfoxboston.com/story/29860467/2-men-arrested-with-several-guns-near-pokemon-world-championship

Update September 1st, 2015:

The two men will be held without bail for at least four months as they await trial.

2016 Pokémon World Championships - San Francisco

During the closing ceremonies, it was announced that the 2016 Pokémon World Championships will be held in San Francisco, CA, United States.

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Source: https://twitter.com/Pokemon/status/635540662088171520
UK Toy Store The Entertainer in partnership with The Pokémon Company International is holding a special promotion for people from August 14th, 2015 until August 22nd, 2015. A special TCG Collector’s Album will be available for free until August 20th, 2015. Full details are below in the press release.

Meet Pikachu, Collect Pokémon Cards, and Enjoy Late-Summer Pokémon Fun at The Entertainer!

Pick up an exclusive Pokémon TCG: XY—Ancient Origins Collector’s Album at The Entertainer from August 20 whilst stocks last. Lucky customers might even discover Pikachu in the shop!

London, United Kingdom—August 14, 2015— What better way to spend the final days of the long summer holiday than collecting Pokémon cards? From August 20, Pokémon fans heading to The Entertainer can pick up an exclusive Collector’s Album free of charge in which they can showcase some of their cards from the latest Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion, XY — Ancient Origins.

Budding collectors can even get their albums started by looking for special sampling packs, which include three Pokémon cards, cover-mounted onto popular children’s publications including Toxic, Kick, Kraze, and National Geographic Kids, available at all good newsagents.

A very important guest will be discovered in selected Entertainer shops across the country, too, when Pikachu makes public appearances to meet kids and pose for photos!

As a precursor to the national campaign, and to celebrate the opening of the Pokémon Animation Studio at KidZania in Westfield London, Pokémon will be taking over that branch of The Entertainer! A series of special activities will run from August 14 until September 16: a bespoke shopfront takeover will be unveiled on August 14, lovingly designed to feature many fan-favourite Pokémon.

On August 15, the free Pokémon TCG: XY — Ancient Origins Collector’s Album will become available early at Westfield London’s The Entertainer. *

For the duration of the promotion, and also whilst stocks last, customers who present their Kidzania proof of purchase at The Entertainer’s London Westfield branch will receive a free Pokémon Trading Card Game sample pack.*

Finally, fans who come to the shop on August 22 may discover a friendly Pikachu to welcome them into the shop!

This project builds on the success of a similar collaboration between The Pokémon Company International and The Entertainer that took place late last year and saw fans coming into shops to claim a free Collector’s Album for the Pokémon TCG: XY — Phantom Forces expansion.

Stuart Grant, Buying Director at The Entertainer, said: “We are delighted to be working with The Pokémon Company International on a second very special promotion at our shops. This one is perfectly timed for the end of summer holiday and back-to-school period. We’re particularly proud of the special window display in Westfield London, too!”

Mathieu Galante, Senior Market Development Manager at The Pokémon Company International, said: “This is a key summer promotion for us and has been especially designed in tandem with The Entertainer and Esdevium. We hope to offer a great experience to Pokémon fans and that people will enjoy meeting Pikachu in person!”

Pokémon Sampling Packs Terms and Conditions

  • Customers can claim their free sample pack at The Entertainer White City only
  • Free packs can only be claimed between 14th August 2015 – 16th September 2015
  • One free sampling pack per person upon presenting their Kidzania boarding card or e-ticket
  • Only the named person on the booking card or e-ticket can claim a free sample pack
  • We reserve the right to ask for proof of ID prior to giving the sample pack away
  • Promoters name: The Entertainer
  • Promoters address: The Entertainer, Boughton Business Park, Bell Lane, Little Chalfont, Bucks, HP6 6GL

Source: http://www.thetoyshop.com/pokemontc
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A Pikachu Spectacle at Summer in the City!

Attendees of Summer in the City will be able to discover the UK’s very first live ‘Horde Encounter’ of Pikachu at ExCeL London on 15 August.
London, United Kingdom, August 12, 2015 - The Pokémon Company International will be attending this year’s Summer in the City at Exhibition Centre London, and will be making an appearance with not just one, but five Pikachu on Saturday, 15 August.

Summer in the City is an annual event that brings together the YouTube community, ranging from creators to viewers and industry professionals. In celebration of the newly launched Pokémon Trading Game expansion, XY—Ancient Origins, attendees of the popular expo will be able to see a horde of five Pikachu making their way through the halls of ExCeL London in the afternoon.

Summer in the City 2015 will have live performances with back-to-back stage shows from a wide range of YouTube’s prolific personalities, engaging discussions from panels concerning a number of current topics, and meet and greets, all on top of an expo hall packed with fun activities, merchandise tables, and sponsor stands.
The official Japanese Pokémon TCG Website has announced details and revealed new cards that will be in the upcoming XY8 expansion set Blue Shock (青い衝撃) and Red Flash (赤い閃光) which will be released in Japan on September 26th, 2015.

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This expansion introduces a new game mechanic called BREAK Evolution (BREAK進化) which allows players to evolve an in-play card with a gold bodied evolution version. The card is placed horizontally on top of the current in-play card unlike the previous evolutions in the chain which are still completely covered.

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BREAK Evolution Rule (BREAK進化のルール)

BREAK Evolution inherits the previous [Pokémon]'s "Moves, Abilities, Weakness, Resistance, Retreat Cost".
(BREAK進化する前の[Pokémon]の「ワザ・特性・弱点・抵抗力・にげる」を引きつぐ。)

Blue Shock / Red Flash Commericals



Furo Promo Card

A Furo promo card will available nationwide in Japan starting on September 26th, 2015 to those that buy 2 boxes (40 booster packs) of the XY8 expansion Blue Shock / Red Flash. Details of this card have been added to our TCG dex.

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Sources: http://www.pokemon-card.com/products/xy/xy8.html and http://www.pokemon-card.com/campaign/xy8_boxcp/
To celebrate the launch of the latest English TCG expansion set XY Ancient Origins, players of Pokémon Omega Ruby or Pokémon Alpha Sapphire will be able to receive a Shiny Rayquaza from August 12th, 2015 until September 14th, 2015. Details of this Event Distribution have been added to our Event Pokémon Database.

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Get Shiny Rayquaza with Dragon Ascent

Soar into battle with Shiny Rayquaza, available via the Nintendo Network! This Shiny Rayquaza is not only rare, it is also amazingly powerful. Shiny Rayquaza knows the Dragon Ascent move, which allows it to Mega Evolve. When it does, Shiny Rayquaza will dominate its opponents!

Don’t miss this chance to get Shiny Rayquaza for your Pokémon Omega Ruby or Pokémon Alpha Sapphire video game!

A legacy of Shiny Pokémon

Shiny Pokémon have existed in Pokémon video games all the way back to Pokémon Gold and Pokémon Silver, and they continue to be a mysterious part of Pokémon games today. Discovering a Shiny Pokémon in the wild is an extremely rare event—an occurrence that Pokémon Trainers never forget!

Shiny Pokémon have also been woven into key moments during a Trainer's adventure. Take a look at some of the amazing Shiny Pokémon that have appeared in Pokémon video game history.

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Source: http://xy7.pokemontcgxy.com/en-us/videogame.php

Pokémon Center and Pokémon Store Promotion

Starting on July 18th, 2015 until supplies last, Pokémon Center and Pokémon Stores will be distributing 1 of 4 different cards to those that spend at least 1000yen on Pokémon Card Game products. Rayquaza EX 158/XY-P, Reshiram, Regigigias and Hippopotas are the cards that will be distributed.

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Source: http://www.pokemon.co.jp/info/2015/06/150619_p02.html

Special Pack Hoopa (スペシャルパック フーパ)

The Special Pack Hoopa (スペシャルパック フーパ) will be released on July 18th, 2015 to promote the 18th Pocket Monsters movie. The pack includes 3 booster packs, 1 from Banded Rings and 2 from Legendary Holo Collection. The pack also comes with 2 Promo cards: Pikachu 156/XY-P and Hoopa 157/XY-P. The pack costs 600yen plus tax.

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Source: http://www.pokemon-card.com/products/xy/hoopa_7andi.html

Shogakukan Pokémon BOOK Fair (小学館のポケモンBOOKフェア )

Starting in July 2015, bookstores nationwide in Japan will be be having a Shogakukan Pokémon BOOK Fair where people will be able to buy Pokémon related books. Altaria 162/XY-P will be distributed while supplies last to those that purchase merchandise at the fair.

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Source: http://www.pokemon-card.com/special/shogakukan2015/

Marumiya Pokémon Products

Starting in July 2015, Marumiya Pokémon Furikake Mini Packs and Pokémon Curry - Pork and Sweet Corn (ポケモンふりかけミニパック ポケモンカレー<ポーク&コーン甘口>) products will contain 1 of 5 different Pokémon Cards. Dedenne 13/XY-P, Keromatsu 36/XY-P, Pikachu 64/XY-P, Harimaron 148/XY-P and Kabigon 149/XY-P are the cards that will be distributed. Furikake packs cost 220 yen plus tax and the Curry cost 130yen plus tax.

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Sources: http://www.pokemon-card.com/special/marumiya2015/ and http://cp.marumiya.co.jp/kids2015/#prettyPhoto
The official Japanese Pokémon Card Game website and the official Japanese 7-Eleven website announced that a Pokémon Bento (ポケモンべんとう) lunch box will be available to reserve from June 22nd, 2015 until July 29th, 2015. The box costs 1480yen and will be distributed to participating 7-Eleven stores from July 18th, 2015 until August 2nd, 2015. A XY TCG promo card will be distributed with this bento box and details of this card have been added to our TCG dex.

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The Pokémon bento box includes:

2 x Omurice rolls, hamburger, Napolitan, fried chicken, french fries, sausage, broccoli, star-shaped carrot, a plastic reusable container, chopsticks, a handkerchief and an original Pikachu 154/XY-P TCG card.

Sources: http://www.sej.co.jp/products/pbento2015.html and http://www.sej.co.jp/products/pbento2015.html
Jun 13 2015 Corocoro July 2015
The July 2015 issue of Corocoro hit Japanese stores on June 15th, 2015 and the issue reveals tons of new Hoopa related information as well as promotions for the 18th Pocket Monsters movie The Archdjinni of Rings: Hoopa. Images from this issue have been added to our Imageboard thread.

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Hoopa will be distributed to Japanese players of Pokémon X, Y, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire from July 18th, 2015 until September 30th, 2015. It is level 50 and knows the moves Hyperspace Hole, Psychic, Nasty Plot and Astonish and will be holding a Focus Sash item.

This year's move attendance freebies is a set of two gifts:
An original "Hoopa" TCG card (XY-P/155) with its move "Appear Rush", it can deal up to 150 damage!"

2 Psychic Energy: "Flip one coin for each of your benched Pokemon, this move does 30 damage for each heads."

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A special "Hoopa" Pokémon tretta "With its special move "Appear", it can summon all kinds of Pokémon." This set is limited to 3 million total attendants, with each theater having its own limited supply.

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Pokémon Tretta Ultimate Set 3

A super tie-in with the movie! A sneak peak at the upcoming set! You'll have the chance of obtain the Pokémon from the movie! Lots of Pokémon from the movie will appear one after another, starting with Arceus and Hoopa! The update will be available from Thursday July 16th, 2015.

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Arceus (ULTIMATE Class): "Unleash judgment upon everything ith the Ultimate Move "Judgment"!
Hoopa (LEGEND Class): "Its move is Hyperspace Fury! Its ATK is a menacingly high 303!

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There are 8 Master Class tretta in all! The Master class tretta are all legendary Pokémon! They will fight furiously!

Source: http://www.corocoro.tv/
The latest Japanese Pokémon TCG Expansion has been revealed via sell sheets for merchants. The XY8 Japanese TCG Expansion sets will be called: Blue Shock (青い衝撃) / Red Flash (赤い閃光). The sets will be released on September 25th, 2015 and both set have at least 59 cards. Booster packs which contain 5 cards will be sold for 150yen each plus tax. The set booster pack covers feature Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y respectfully.

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Two additional 12 card packs called: BREAK Evolution Packs (BREAK 拡張パック) will be released for 500yen plus tax each. BREAK Evolution Pack: Raichu BREAK and a BREAK Evolution Pack: Onvern BREAK are the names of each pack.

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A deck box and card shields featuring Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y artwork will be released for 362yen plus tax each.

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A special Card Box with Energy Cards: Mega Mewtwo Mega Mewtwo Y (エネルギーカード付き カードボックス メガミュウツーX・メガミュウツーY) will also be released on September 25th, 2015 for 500yen plus tax. It includes 45 Energy cards, 9 types with 5 cards of each energy type, 250 card shields as well as 5 special cards.

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