GUIDE · STANDARD ROTATION
2026 Standard rotation: H, I, J
What rotated, which marks are legal, and why an older card can still be usable.
Short answer
For in-person Play! Pokémon events, the 2026 Standard rotation took effect on April 10, 2026. The current Standard regulation marks are H, I, and J; cards with a G mark rotated out. Basic Energy is always legal. An older Trainer or Special Energy may be usable if the same card has a legal H/I/J reprint.
What changed
Rotation removes older regulation marks from Standard. The official announcement lists the effective date and the marks that remain. For this season, the checker uses H/I/J and treats a G mark as rotated.
Source: 2026 Pokémon TCG Standard Format Rotation Announcement.
Three checks, not one
| Card type | What the checker looks at | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Pokémon | The Pokémon’s own regulation mark must be H/I/J | Assuming a legal reprint makes the Pokémon itself legal |
| Trainer / Special Energy | The card name has a legal H/I/J reprint | Using an old printing without checking the reprint |
| Basic Energy | Always legal | Treating Basic Energy like a normal card |
Deck language is a separate check. A Standard-legal card can still be in a language the event does not allow. See the language guide.
Why you may get UNKNOWN
The checker returns UNKNOWN when it cannot prove the answer: an unknown set code or number, an event/rules snapshot that is too old, a format outside the MVP, or an unknown language composition. UNKNOWN is not a pass and not a failure; it means “check the official source.”
Before you submit
- Count the deck: exactly 60 cards.
- Check the regulation mark on every Pokémon.
- Check older Trainers and Special Energy for a legal reprint.
- Check the event’s language rules separately.
- Submit before the deck-list deadline; keep a copy.
FAQ
What regulation marks are legal in Standard in 2026?
For in-person Play! Pokémon events, the 2026 Standard rotation took effect on April 10, 2026. Regulation marks H, I, and J are the current Standard marks; G rotated out.
Can I still use an older Trainer card?
An older Trainer or Special Energy printing may be usable when the same card has a legal H/I/J reprint by name. The exact printing still has to match the card’s text; check the official rules and the event page.
Why does the checker say UNKNOWN?
UNKNOWN means the data cannot prove the answer: a card printing was not found, the event or rules snapshot is stale, the format is outside the MVP, or the language composition is unknown. It does not mean the deck is illegal.
Does rotation change deck language rules?
No. Format legality and card language are separate checks. A card can be Standard-legal and still be in a language the event does not allow.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-22. Sources: official 2026 rotation announcement; Play! Pokémon TCG Tournament Handbook. This is a pre-check, not a judge ruling.