# Gym Rules

Gym battles are competitive challenges that follow a shared ruleset to keep battles fair, consistent, and skill-based. Both Challengers and Leaders are expected to understand and follow all rules before starting a battle.

<h2 align="center">Standard Rules</h2>

* Pokémon and held items banned from the **Scarlet/Violet National Dex** format may not be used.
* Battles must follow the appropriate format rules:
  * [National Dex (Singles)](https://www.smogon.com/dex/sv/formats/national-dex/)
  * [National Dex (Doubles)](https://www.smogon.com/dex/sv/formats/national-dex-doubles/)
* The following moves are not allowed: *Baton Pass, Assist, Last Respects, and Shed Tail.*
* The following battle restrictions must be enabled: Bag Clause, *Evasion Clause, OHKO Clause, Sleep Clause, and Species Clause.*
* Stall Clause is enforced: *A team may not have more than two direct or indirect healing moves and one healing ability.*
* Battle Rules must always be used to raise the Challenger’s Pokémon to Level 100.

***

<h2 align="center">Challenger Exclusive Rules</h2>

### Gyms

* Challengers must use their own Pokémon and teams when challenging Gyms. You may not borrow Pokémon from other players for the purpose of defeating a Gym. Your team should be built and trained using your own ideas and strategy. Pokémon purchased or received through trades may still be used, as long as the team follows all Gym rules and is genuinely being used as part of your own strategy. Gym Leaders may disqualify a Challenger if they believe the Challenger is using a team or strategy that is not their own. For example, using the exact same team and counter-strategy that another player used to defeat the Leader may result in disqualification.
* Sharing Gym Leader teams, counters, or specific strategies designed to help others defeat a specific Gym/Gym Leader is not allowed and may result in punishment.

### Elite Four

* All standard rules and Gym Challenger rules also apply to Elite Four challengers.
* Challengers must defeat all **Singles** and **Doubles** Gyms during the current season before challenging the Elite Four.
* Challengers must battle all four Elite Four typings consecutively against the same Leader. If a Challenger needs to stop between battles, the Leader may decide whether the run is disqualified.
* Challengers may choose the order of the typings they battle.
* Challengers must use the same Pokémon throughout the Elite Four challenge, although EVs, moves, held items, and similar details may be changed between battles.
* If a Challenger loses to the Champion, they must re-challenge the Elite Four before attempting the Champion again.
* Once a Challenger defeats the Champion, they become the new Champion and must follow the Elite Four Leader rules.

***

<h2 align="center">Leader Exclusive Rules</h2>

### Gyms

* All standard rules also apply to Gym Leaders.
* All Pokémon must use their original names in battle.
* Leaders may only use Pokémon that match their Gym type.
* Dual-type Gyms must include at least one Pokémon for each assigned type.
* Leader Pokémon should be exactly at the Gym’s level cap.
* Each typing may have a maximum of four Gym Leaders.
* Gym Leaders must remain regularly active on the server.

### Elite Four

* All standard rules and Gym Leader rules also apply to Elite Four Leaders.
* Players must have previous Gym Leader experience on the server in order to be eligible for an Elite Four position.
* Elite Four Leaders may disqualify a Challenger who does not battle consecutively. If the Leader cannot continue the challenge consecutively, they may schedule the remaining battles for another time.
* Elite Four Leaders and the Champion may use one unrestricted Uber-tier Pokémon in their party.
* Elite Four Leaders may store up to two teams per type to use during each battle.


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