Ruling Pokémon LV.X - Read Before Asking! updated 2/28/08

[PMJ]

Pokémon LV.X are newly introduced in the Diamond and Pearl expansion, and with them comes many questions. This information taken from the Mysterious Treasures rulebook should cover any questions a player has regarding Pokémon LV.X. I've also added an FAQ below that for any questions you may have, along with a couple Compendium rulings to help as well.

Special Rules for Pokémon LV.X

• Pokémon LV.X can't be played on the turn that Pokémon had evolved. (For example, if your evolved your Pokémon to Magmortar this turn, you could not play Magmorter LV.X on that Pokémon.)
  
• When a Pokémon LV.X is played, it keeps all cards attached to it as well as any damage counters it already had. It also keeps all attacks, Poké-Powers, and Poké-Bodies from the earlier level.
  
• When a Pokémon LV.X is played, it removes all Special Conditions and other effects from that Pokémon.
  
• For deck construction, Pokémon LV.X count as that Pokémon. (You can only have 4 Magmortar in your deck - it could be 2 Magmortar and 2 Magmortar LV.X, but not 4 of each.)
  
• Pokémon LV.X are not Evolution cards. When in play, they keep the same Evolution Stage of their earlier level. Thus, when Magmortar LV.X is in play, it is considered a Stage 1 Evolved Pokémon.
  
• If an effect removes the highest Stage Evolution card from a Pokémon LV. X, Pokémon LV.X is not considered an evolution card. Instead, you would remove the earlier evolution that the Pokémon LV.X is on top of, and then remove the Pokémon LV.X as it no longer matches the requirements for being played.
  
  PMJ note: I asked myself, "What happens to the Pokémon LV.X?" A search of the Compendium gave me an answer:
  
  

  Q. If I use Dialga's "Flash Cannon" to attack my opponent's Infernape LV.X, what happens?
  A. Dialga's Flash Cannon attack would remove the highest Stage Evolution card, in this case, the regular Infernape. You would also remove Infernape LV.X too since the Pokémon is no longer an Infernape. The LV.X goes wherever the Stage 2 goes. (Diamond & Pearl FAQ; May 31, 2007 PUI Rules Team)

  
  Good to know.

And now, the FAQ:

Q. Can I use Meteor Falls with my LV.X Pokémon?
A. The Pokémon LV.X keeps the "evolution state" of its previous card. So if it's on top of a Stage 2 Evolved Pokémon, it is still a Stage 2 and an evolved Pokémon. So with Meteor Falls and Torterra LV.X in play you can still use the the attacks from Grotle and Turtwig . (May 3, 2007 PUI Rules Team)

Q. Can I use Celio's Network to search my deck for a Pokémon LV.X?
A. Yes, you can. Earlier card references of "Basic Pokémon or Evolution card" refers to Pokémon in general, which includes Pokémon LV.X. (May 10, 2007 PUI Rules Team)

Q. Can I use Professor Elm's Training Method to search my deck for a Pokémon LV.X?
A. No. Pokémon LV.X are not considered Evolution cards. (May 3, 2007 PUI Rules Team)

Q. If I use Rare Candy to put an Empoleon on my Piplup, can I then immediately put Empoleon LV.X on top of that?
A. No, you may not. Just like you cannot use Rare Candy to attach a Stage 1 then evolve it into a Stage 2 on the same turn, you cannot place a LV.X Pokémon on top of a Pokémon that used Rare Candy on that same turn. (May 31, 2007 PUI Rules Team)

Q. Can I play a LV.X Pokémon on one of my Benched Pokémon?
A. No, you can only attach a LV.X card to a Pokémon when it is Active. It says so on the card. (May 10, 2007 PUI Rules Team)

Q. If I retreat or switch to make a Pokémon LV.X no longer active, do I have to remove the LV.X card?
A. No, benching a Pokémon LV.X retains its leveled-up status. (May 10, 2007 PUI Rules Team)

NEW! Q. Can I level up on the first turn of a game, or immediately after playing my Pokemon?
A. No, you can not.

NEW! Q. Can I use Rare Candy to go straight from a Basic to Pokémon LV.X?
A. No, you can not. Leveling up is not evolving. Pokémon LV.X are not Evolution cards. You may NOT use Rare Candy on a Basic Pokemon in this manner.

If you have any questions or suggestions for changes to the FAQ, PM me.