Banned Pokémon cards: tournament bans and recalled art
When collectors say a Pokémon card is "banned", they mean one of two things. Either the card is not allowed in official tournaments because it is too powerful or slows games to a crawl, or it was changed or taken off sale because of its artwork or text. In both cases the card is a real, collectible card.
Cards banned in Expanded
The Expanded format accepts cards back to Black & White, so it needs a ban list to stay balanced. These cards are on it:
| Series | Cards on the ban list |
|---|---|
| Black & White | Archeops (Noble Victories), Sableye (Dark Explorers), Ghetsis (Plasma Freeze) |
| XY | Red Card (XY), Lysandre's Trump Card (Phantom Forces), Shaymin-EX (Roaring Skies), Forest of Giant Plants and Hex Maniac (Ancient Origins), Delinquent and Puzzle of Time (BREAKpoint) |
| Sun & Moon | Marshadow (Shining Legends), Oranguru (Ultra Prism), Chip-Chip Ice Axe and Lt. Surge's Strategy (Unbroken Bonds), Reset Stamp (Unified Minds), Jessie & James (Hidden Fates), Island Challenge Amulet (Cosmic Eclipse) |
| Sword & Shield | Scoop Up Net (Rebel Clash), Medicham V (Evolving Skies) |
The Standard format rarely needs bans, because older cards rotate out each year. The official list is published on pokemon.com and does change, so check it before you enter an event.
Cards changed or withdrawn over their artwork
A handful of cards, most of them from the early years, had their art or name altered, or were withdrawn altogether. Collectors enjoy the stories behind them, and the original printings are sought after. The same reasons can explain why a Japanese card and its English version sometimes look different.
Common questions
Is a banned card worth more?
A ban alone doesn't raise the price; rarity and demand still decide value. Cards that were altered or withdrawn can be worth more because fewer copies exist.
Can I play banned cards?
In casual games with friends, yes. In official tournaments, no.
Why do cards get banned?
To stop combos that make games unfair or drag them out, for example cards that effectively give one player extra turns or lock the other player out of the game.
Putting a deck together? Read how to play the Pokémon TCG and browse our Trainer cards.
