Compendium

Updated February 10th, 2026 · Version 2.1

Pokemon TCG Timeless is a 100-card singleton format in which we allow most cards that Pokemon has ever created to be legal for use. With the exception of a few limitations, including banned cards, every card in the Pokemon TCG is able to be put in your deck. Below is the collection of rules that your deck needs to abide by.

Basic Rules

Format

Unlimited Format, excluding Banned Cards.

Deck Size

100-card deck + 1 Signature Pokemon.

Signature Pokemon

  • Your “Commander” which sits in the “Signature Spot” in front of your deck.
  • Remains out of play until you decide to draw it.
  • Instead of drawing for your turn, you may draw your Signature Pokemon.

Prize Cards

  • 8 Prize Cards.
  • Draw 15 cards at start, then select 7 for your starting hand (must include a Basic Pokemon). The remaining 8 become your Prize Cards.

Singleton Rule

  • Only ONE copy of each card allowed.
  • Up to 4 different versions of each Pokemon.
  • Pokemon with prefixes (e.g. “Lt. Surge’s…”) count as a different Pokemon. You may play 4 different “Raichu” OR 4 different “Lt. Surge’s Raichu.”
  • Trainer and Light/Dark Pokemon can evolve from their counterparts and vice versa.
  • Does NOT count SP, Star, or Radiant Pokemon as prefixed.

Card Interactions

Errata

Cards with an errata follow the Official Pokemon Errata Page.

Same Card Reprints

Direct reprints are considered the same card:

  • Junk Arm & Item Finder
  • Boss’s Orders & Lysandre
  • Professor Sycamore/Juniper & Professor’s Research
  • Warp Point & Escape Rope

Powers & Abilities

Pokemon Powers, Poke-Powers, Poke-Bodies, and Abilities remain separate. Cards will only affect as the text states directly.

EX / GX / V Suffix

Pokemon ex, Mega ex, EX, GX, and V’s are all considered the same suffix. For simplicity, referred to as “EX.”

No Damage Limit

Attacks have no damage limit. For example, Blastoise’s Hydro Pump can do as much damage as the additional energy allows.

Signature Pokemon Rules

Eligibility

Must be an ex, Mega ex, EX, GX, or V Pokemon.

Evolution

  • Your Signature Pokemon can evolve, but only into a VSTAR, VMAX, or Mega Pokemon.
  • Mega (Pokemon) ex CANNOT evolve.
  • Must be in play for 1 turn before they can evolve.

Name Buff

Pokemon that share a name with your Signature Pokemon receive a permanent buff of +10 damage to all of their attacks that already do damage.

Example: All Charizards gain +10 damage if the Signature Pokemon is Charizard ex, Mega Charizard (X/Y) ex, Charizard EX, Charizard V, or Charizard GX.

Opening Hand & Prizes

  1. Draw 15 cards.
  2. Select 8 cards to become your Prize Cards.
  3. The remaining 7 cards are your starting hand.

You MUST have at least 1 Basic Pokemon to start the game. Mulligan rules mirror the current Standard Pokemon format.

Turn 1 Rules (Safeguard)

Players are allowed to attack on the first turn of the game, but any damage and/or effects will not apply to your opponent — only yourself. Your opponent is considered to be under a “Safeguard.”

Banned Pokemon

TAG TEAM Pokemon

All TAG TEAM Pokemon are banned due to being overpowered in many situations (e.g. ADP).

Timeless Star System

Playing in an Unlimited Format is always tricky given the powerful combinations that can be created. We maintain a list of Pokemon cards with associated power levels (star ratings), allowing players to play within their group or community at a similar power level.

How It Works

  • A higher star power reflects a more powerful deck.
  • A lower star power reflects a less powerful deck.
  • The standard power level is 12 stars.

Example

With 5 stars, you can play Fortress LA and Shuckle in the same deck, but are still missing the Seeker. In a 2-star deck, you only have access to one of those pieces, so your strategy has to pivot.

Suspect List

We also maintain a Suspect List of cards we are watching as the format evolves. Over time, these cards will either remain playable or be assigned a star power. The list is updated as new cards are released to ensure a balanced format for everyone.