Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.
Image via The Pokémon Company

Here’s the Pokémon Sword and Shield Ranked Series 5 ruleset

Ranked battles are about to get more interesting.
This article is over 4 years old and may contain outdated information

Trainers, get ready for an expanded format for the upcoming Pokémon Sword and Shield Ranked Series 5. Game Freak is opening the gates to a lot of new Pokémon coming in from Pokémon Home and the Isle of Armor expansion. 

Recommended Videos

Not every Pokémon will be legal, but the pool of Pokémon that can be used has grown significantly thanks to the introduction of the “Battle Ready Mark.”

This new mark will work similarly to the Galar Mark, which confirms to the online system that a Pokémon was created in Sword and Shield and is viable to use competitively. The Battle Ready Mark will take Pokémon transferred in from Home or that are found on the Isle of Armor and make them viable by cleansing them of illegal moves. 

Other than that, things have remained relatively the same. Many of the banned Pokémon and other rules have been carried over from the last ranked series. 

Rules

  • Region: International
  • Battle Format: Single and Double Battles
  • Battle Limits: No Battle Limits per day
  • Battle Time: 20 minutes
  • Your Time: Seven minutes
  • Team Preview: 90 Seconds
  • Turn Time: 45 Seconds
  • Pokémon Restrictions: Available National Pokédex
  • Pokémon Limits: 
    • For Singles: Team of three to six Pokémon from Level one to Level 100. All Pokémon then set to Level 50.
    • For Doubles: Team of four to six Pokémon from Level one to Level 100. All Pokémon then set to Level 50.

For a more detailed list of the rules and any other intricacies, you can view the official Play Pokémon page on the main Pokémon website. 

Allowed Gigantimax Pokémon 

  • Charizard
  • Butterfree
  • Pikachu
  • Meowth
  • Kingler
  • Lapras
  • Eevee
  • Snorlax
  • Corviknight
  • Orbeetle
  • Drednaw
  • Flapple
  • Appletun
  • Sandaconda
  • Toxtricity
  • Centiskorch
  • Hetterene
  • Grimmsnarl
  • Copperajah
  • Duraludon
  • Urshifu (new)

Restricted Pokémon 

These Pokémon can be used but only if they are Battle Ready and meet all requirements. 

  • Cobalion
  • Terrakion
  • Virizion
  • Rowlet
  • Dartrix
  • Decidueye
  • Litten 
  • Torracat
  • Incineroar
  • Popplio
  • Brionne
  • Primarina

Banned Pokémon 

The Ranked Series 5 ban list has not been confirmed yet, but it’s likely to follow the same pattern as the previous events with the removal of Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion being the only changes. 

  • Zacian
  • Zamazenta
  • Eternatus
  • Mewtwo
  • Celebi
  • Jirachi
  • Reshiram
  • Zekrom
  • Kyurem
  • Kyruem-Black and Kyurem-White are also banned
  • Keldeo
  • Cosmog
  • Cosmoem
  • Solgaleo
  • Lunala
  • Necrozma
  • Marshadow
  • Zeraora
  • Meltan
  • Melmetal

Ranked Series 5 will begin sometime in July, with more details to come as we get closer to sign-ups.


Dot Esports is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of Cale Michael
Cale Michael
Lead Staff Writer for Dota 2, the FGC, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and more who has been writing for Dot Esports since 2018. Graduated with a degree in Journalism from Oklahoma Christian University and also previously covered the NBA. You can usually find him writing, reading, or watching an FGC tournament.