VGC 2026 Regulation M-A — Doubles Format Reference
Reg M-A is the launch format of Pokémon Champions, active 8 April – 17 June 2026. The first VGC format played on the Champions platform, the first to use the Young MA-Dex roster, and the first to bring Mega Evolution back to competitive Pokémon since the cartridge era ended.
Platform
Pokémon Champions
Active period
8 Apr – 17 Jun 2026
Mega
59 Megas legal
Tera
Not active
A new platform. A new dex. The Mega mechanic returns. Tera is in the code but waiting. Reg M-A is Champions VGC version 1.0, and it's consciously different from anything that came before.
At a glance
Reg M-A is the most-watched VGC format of 2026 because it's the only one. Cartridge SV VGC ended in May 2026; from that point onward, official Championship Series events run on Champions, and Reg M-A is the rule set they all use through June 17.
The format is structurally distinct from cartridge VGC. The dex is narrower (Young MA-Dex only). Mega Evolution returns as the offensive ceiling. Terastallization is in the game files but not active. The Pokémon Company has signaled future Regulations will rotate dex eligibility and mechanics — Reg M-A is the launch configuration, not the permanent shape.
- Active period8 April 2026 – 17 June 2026
- PlatformPokémon Champions (Switch / Switch 2 / mobile)
- Battle type4v4 Doubles, brought 4 from a 6
- RosterYoung MA-Dex (Paldea base − Legendary − Sub-Legendary − Paradox)
- Mega Evolution59 Megas legal — one Mega per team, per battle
- TeraNot active in Reg M-A (in game files)
- Tournament useVGC Championship Series + Worlds 2026 qualifiers
- Where it's playedOn Pokémon Champions; live data: /sv/vgc2026regma.
Format rules
Reg M-A applies the standard VGC ruleset on the Champions platform. The defining difference from cartridge VGC is the eligibility filter — Young MA-Dex only — plus Mega Evolution returning to the gimmick slot.
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Battle type | 4v4 Doubles, brought 4 from a 6 |
| Team preview | Yes — both sides see all 6 before lead choice |
| Level | All Pokémon auto-leveled to 50 (level not displayed in Champions UI) |
| Species Clause | Each team can only carry one of any given species |
| Item Clause | Each held item can only appear once on the team |
| Roster restriction | Young MA-Dex only — Paldea base minus Legendary, Sub-Legendary, Paradox |
| Mega Evolution | LEGAL — one per team, per battle. 59 Megas eligible. |
| Tera | NOT ACTIVE — present in code, not playable in Reg M-A |
| Time control | Tournament-standard match clock + per-turn timer |
| Best of | Best-of-3 in tournament play |
The Young MA-Dex
The Young MA-Dex is the official name of the Reg M-A roster. The list is the Paldea base dex with three categorical exclusions, then layered with the 59 available Mega Evolutions.
Excluded categories
- Legendary Pokémon — every box legendary, signature legendary, and roaming legendary excluded.
- Sub-Legendary Pokémon — Tapus, Forces of Nature, Treasures of Ruin, Ruinous Pokémon, Galarian birds. All excluded.
- Paradox Pokémon — neither Ancient nor Future Paradox eligible.
What stays — the eligible roster
Standard Pokémon from the Paldea base dex. Notable Reg M-A staples: Charizard (Mega Y sun), Garchomp (Mega), Gardevoir (Mega), Tyranitar (Mega sand), Lucario (Mega), Glimmora (new Champions Mega), Baxcalibur (new Champions Mega), Pyroar (new Champions Mega), Incineroar, Rillaboom, Annihilape.
Mega Evolution in Reg M-A
59 Mega Evolutions are available in Reg M-A. The pool combines returning Megas from Gen 6 / Gen 7 cartridges with new Megas added in Champions for Pokémon from later generations.
Mega Evolution rules — same as Gen 6
For the underlying Mega Evolution mechanic, refer to the Mega Evolution section of the Gen 6 Era guide. The competitive identity (one per team, persistent until faint, stat / ability / often typing change) is unchanged from cartridge.
New Megas added in Champions
Champions is the first game since Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire (2014) to introduce new Mega Evolutions. The new Megas span Gen 6 base species (Eelektross, Pyroar, Floette, Dragalge) and Gen 9 base species (Scovillain, Glimmora, Tatsugiri, Baxcalibur). All are legal and viable in Reg M-A.
Megas absent at launch
Six Gen 6 / Gen 7 Megas are not in Champions at launch: Mega Sceptile, Mega Blaziken, Mega Swampert, Mega Mawile, Mega Salamence, Mega Metagross. Their absence is a meta-defining fact for Reg M-A — several were format-defining threats in their original generation.
From Gen 6 / Gen 7 cartridges
Added in 2026
Hazard pivot
Mega Glimmora brings Toxic Debris + new Mega-form support.
Dragon offense
Mega Baxcalibur 145 Atk + Glaive Rush + new Mega scaling.
Sun support
Mega Pyroar brings a non-Charizard sun option.
Champions VGC vs cartridge VGC
Reg M-A is structurally different from cartridge VGC formats. The differences are intentional — Pokémon Champions is a new product, not a continuation.
Reg G / H / I (SV)
Platform
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet (Switch)
Battle gimmick
Tera (Reg G/H/I) — once per team, type swap
Mega Evolution
Not available (cut from cartridge)
Roster
Full SV Paldea + DLC dex with Reg-specific exclusions (Restricted, Paradox per Reg)
Team building
Cartridge breeding + EV grinding OR HOME imports
Status
Cartridge VGC cycle ended May 2026
Reg M-A (Champions)
Platform
Pokémon Champions (Switch / Switch 2 / mobile)
Battle gimmick
Mega Evolution at launch; Tera in code, not active
Mega pool
59 Megas — including new Megas added in Champions
Roster
Young MA-Dex (Paldea base − Legendary − Sub-Legendary − Paradox)
Team building
VP recruitment OR HOME imports (no breeding / EV grind required)
Status
Active competitive format — Worlds 2026 platform
Archetypes
Reg M-A archetypes cluster around the Mega slot decision. Each Mega defines the team's offensive engine; the remaining five Pokémon support that choice.
Sun
Mega Charizard Y Sun
Charizard Mega Y Drought + Sun-boosted Fire / Grass partners + Rillaboom Grassy Surge support. Defining sun archetype of Reg M-A.
Sand
Mega Tyranitar Sand
Tyranitar Mega Sand Stream + sand-boosted Rock-type partners. Excadrill equivalent if available. Defining sand archetype.
Hyper Offense
Mega Lucario / Mega Garchomp
Physical Mega cornerstone (Lucario or Garchomp) + offensive Doubles support. Speed control via Tailwind partner.
Special
Mega Gardevoir Spread
Gardevoir Mega Pixilate + Hyper Voice spread + redirection support (Indeedee Follow Me). Defining special wallbreaking pattern.
Bulky Offense
Mega Glimmora Hazard
Champions-introduced Mega. Glimmora Mega + Toxic Debris + Mortal Spin support. New defining Reg M-A pattern.
Specialty
Mega Baxcalibur Dragon
Champions-introduced Mega. Baxcalibur Mega offensive Dragon profile. Glaive Rush + Mega scaling.
VGC team roles
Reg M-A's team roles inherit the standard VGC framework. The Mega slot replaces both the Restricted (Reg G) and Booster Energy (Reg I) slots as the team's offensive cornerstone.
One Mega Evolution per team. Common cornerstones: Mega Charizard Y (Drought), Mega Tyranitar (Sand Stream), Mega Lucario (offensive), Mega Garchomp (offensive), Mega Gardevoir (Pixilate spread), or one of the new Champions Megas.
Incineroar Intimidate + Fake Out remains the format's primary Fake Out user. Other options: Hitmontop Inner Focus, Mienshao niche.
Whimsicott Prankster Tailwind. Hatterene Trick Room. Icy Wind spread Speed-drop. (Tornadus-Therian might not be in Young MA-Dex; check Sub-Legendary status.)
Reg M-A spread movers: Heat Wave (sun teams), Earthquake (with allied immunity), Make It Rain (Tinkaton), Hyper Voice Mega Gardevoir Pixilate.
Incineroar Parting Shot + Knock Off. Other pivot options depend on Young MA-Dex eligibility — check the live roster.
Indeedee-Female Psychic Surge + Follow Me. Amoonguss Regenerator + Rage Powder + Spore.
Reg M-A wincons: Mega Lucario Swords Dance + Close Combat, Mega Charizard X Dragon Dance, Mega Garchomp Earthquake spam, Volcarona Quiver Dance.
What makes Reg M-A different
Reg M-A is structurally distinct from every VGC format that preceded it. The platform, the dex, the gimmick, and the team-building loop are all new.
59
Megas legal
Including new Champions Megas
✗
Tera
In game files, not active
✗
Restricted / Paradox
Both excluded from launch
- Mega Evolution returns — the gimmick was absent from Gen 8 and Gen 9 cartridges. Champions brings it back as the launch gimmick.
- New Megas exist — the first new Mega Evolutions added since 2014. Glimmora, Baxcalibur, Pyroar, Scovillain and others have Mega forms unavailable on cartridge.
- Tera in code, not active — Terastallization is in the game files but not playable in Reg M-A. The Pokémon Company has signaled it may activate in a later Regulation.
- Free-to-start platform — no purchase required to compete. The competitive base is expected to grow significantly through 2026.
- VP team building — Pokémon are recruited via Victory Points earned through battling. No breeding, no EV grinding (HOME transfers preserve cartridge investment).
How to get started
Reg M-A is the current competitive format. Champions is free-to-start; getting into Reg M-A ranked play takes a download and a HOME account.
- Download Pokémon Champions — Switch eShop, Switch 2 eShop. Free-to-start; no purchase required.
- Connect Pokémon HOME — transfer competitively-trained Pokémon from Scarlet & Violet or Sword & Shield. The fastest path to a competitive roster.
- Pick your Mega slot — Mega Charizard Y (sun), Mega Tyranitar (sand), Mega Lucario (offense), Mega Gardevoir (special spread), or one of the new Champions Megas (Glimmora, Baxcalibur).
- Build the support core — Incineroar Fake Out + Whimsicott Tailwind + Amoonguss Rage Powder + Mega cornerstone + 2 offensive Pokémon.
- Ladder Casual first — test the team in casual battles before committing rating to Ranked.
- Track community tournaments — the Timeline tracks Limitless-hosted Champions community tournaments. Top-cut teams reveal what works.
Where to go from here
Reg M-A is the current VGC format. The above is the static reference; live data lives in the rest of Pokékipe.
- Live format data — /sv/vgc2026regma for Reg M-A usage and Pokémon stats. Timeline for Champions community tournaments tracked via Limitless.
- Platform overview — Pokémon Champions Era covers the platform itself, VP recruitment, HOME integration, and Tera-planned-status.
- Mechanics — Gen 9 — Scarlet & Violet covers the underlying battle engine. Gen 6 — X & Y covers the Mega Evolution mechanic.
- Adjacent VGC formats — Reg I (the previous cartridge format), Reg H, Reg G for cartridge-era VGC reference.
- Workflow — VGC Teambuilding. Tournament Preparation.