Bloomfield Pokémon League

Pittsburgh, PA

Chaos Cup: What to Expect

During a Chaos Cup, each round will have a theme. This document explains the various themes and associated effects that may be in effect during the round. Before each round, after pairings are posted (but before players set up), a wheel will be spun to randomly determine which effect will take place that round.

Pokémon Stadium Z

Each match begins with a Stadium that is in effect until a player plays a Stadium card. If a player's Stadium is discarded, but not immediately replaced by a different Stadium, the match reverts to the original Stadium effect. If a player uses an Attack, uses an Ability, or plays a card that would discard a Stadium when there is no Stadium card in play, Stadium effects are dispelled until a Stadium card is played.

Path to the Peak

"Pokémon with a Rule Box in play (both yours and your opponent's) have no Abilities. (Pokémon V, Pokémon-GX, etc. have Rule Boxes.)"

Silent Lab

"Each Basic Pokémon in play, in each player's hand, and in each player's discard pile has no Abilities."

Neutralization Zone

"Prevent all damage done to Pokémon that don't have a Rule Box (both yours and your opponent's) by attacks from the opponent's Pokémon ex and Pokémon V. (Pokémon ex, Pokémon V, etc. have Rule Boxes.)"

Chaotic Swell

"Whenever either player plays a Stadium card from their hand, discard that Stadium card. (The new Stadium card has no effect.)"

Giant Stump

"Each player can't have more than 3 Benched Pokémon. When Giant Stump comes into play, each player discards Benched Pokémon and any cards attached to them until they have 3 Benched Pokémon. (You discard your Pokémon first.)"

Chaos Gym

"Whenever a player plays a Trainer card other than a Stadium card, they flip a coin. If heads, that player plays that card normally. If tails, the player can't play that card. If the card isn't put into play, the player's opponent may use that card instead, if they do everything required in order to play that card (like discarding cards). Either way, the card goes to its owner's discard pile."

Oracle of Delphox

Players receive forbidden knowledge about their own or their opponent's decks (or both) that would not be permissible during regular play.

Manus

Players play with their hands face up. It is suggested that you keep your hand on your playmat so both players can easily see the cards.

Liber Apertus

Players play with the top card of their deck face up.

Praemium

Players set up with their prizes face up. Players set 8 prizes during set up.

Conscriptio

Players inspect the contents of each others' decks before setting up to play and choose a basic Pokémon to set face down in their opponent's Active Spot. The rest of setup resumes as normal.

Pala

All Items become Trick Shovels when played or discarded. Trick Shovel reads: "Look at the top card of either player's deck. You may discard that card or return it to the top of the deck."

Peregrinus

Trade decks with your opponent and play your opponent's deck. You may peruse the deck during set up and check your prizes during your first deck search.

Too Many Cooks

Supporters behave in erratic ways, causing them to have greatly variable influence over the game state.

Sous-chef

Whenever a player plays a Supporter card, both players must use the effects of the Supporter (if possible). For example, if Crispin is played, both players will search their decks for 2 Basic Energy cards of different types, etc. If Professor's Research is played, both players will discard their hands and draw 7 cards. The player who used the Supporter card resolves first.

Jackanapes

At the end of Pokémon Checkup, before a player draws a card for turn, a Copycat effect is applied to that player. Copycat reads: "Shuffle your hand into your deck. Then, draw a card for each card in your opponent's hand."

McRival's

All Supporters become Nemona when played or discarded. Nemona reads: "Draw 3 cards." Supporters remain Nemona while in the Discard Pile. Example rulings:

Feast or Famine

Players get 0 Supporter uses on odd-numbered turns and 2 Supporter uses on even-numbered turns. (A full turn is considered both players taking their actions for a turn; the player who goes second may use one Supporter on their first turn.)

Cooking With Oil

Players may play any number of Supporter cards during their turn. However, each Supporter gains a "Flip a coin. If tails, this card does nothing." clause before any other text. (The player who goes first may only use one Supporter on their first turn.)

Kalos Expression

Players receive a Lysandre marker that may be flipped over once per game. This triggers the effect of Lysandre's Trump Card, which reads: "Each player shuffles all cards in their discard pile into their deck (except for Lysandre's Trump Card)." (You may use a VSTAR marker, GX marker, etc. to represent your Lysandre marker.)

Space-Time Distortion

Difficult mechanics (some unusual to the Pokémon TCG) are implemented, drastically altering how you interact with your deck.

Restructure

A max hand size of 5 is implemented. If at any point a player has more than 5 cards in their hand, they must discard cards until they have 5 cards.

Temporal Backflow

Players receive a Power Spray marker that may be flipped over once per game. This triggers the effect of Power Spray, which is modified to read: "You may play this card during your opponent's turn when your opponent's Pokémon declares the use of an Ability. Prevent all effects of that Ability." (You may use a VSTAR marker, GX marker, etc. to represent your Power Spray marker.)

Spacial Rend

Whenever a player attacks, they must discard two cards from the top of their deck. (If a player passes without attacking, they do not discard any cards.)

Fade to Black

During Pokémon Checkup, both Active Pokémon receive a damage counter.

Altered Creation

Players set 10 prizes during setup.

Chaos Wheel

Trade decks with your opponent and play your opponent's deck. You may NOT peruse the deck during set up!