What is a "format"?

[defusedbomb]

I'm like 5 days old as far as pokemon TCG goes. I heard about the "format" but I didn't give it a thought until I saw that this format is 2011-2012. What does this mean to me? I just bought my first set of cards and I don't want to use my cards for a few more months and then have them all be garbage or illegal.

 

[Mohrlock]

This answer was best answered on the Bulbapedia Wiki (format and rotation are interchangeable).

 

 

 

"A rotation in the Pokémon Trading Card Game is when several sets are removed from Play! Pokémon sanctioned events, generally because they are too old and would not be compatible with newer sets or rules. Rotations almost always occur directly following the World Championships and remove four or more sets. If a set is rotated, that means a player may no longer use any card from that set in their deck (with exceptions; see below). This rule only applies to Modified format. In Unlimited format, players may use any card from any set in their decks."

 

 

 

Currently online we are able to play in a somewhat "unlimited" format which allows access to cards from as far back as Heart Gold/Soul Silver. The Official (upcoming) format will only allow usage of cards from Black & White onwards.

 

 

 

I'm unsure if this will affect online play, as this is something that is really in prevalance in physical play. I can only guess that when tournaments start online that TPC will enforce deck builds to use the new format of Black & White onwards.

 

 

 

That would make the new rotation/format to include Black & White (as well as it's Promos), Emerging Powers, Noble Victories, Next Destinies, Dark Explorers & Dragons Exalted. And of course any future releases.