Hey there! Thanks for the help in advance! I'm just trying to get back in the game and need to clear some things first.
(1)Current Rotation? Future Rotation?
(2) Are Shaymin EX, N, Sycamore going to be rotated?
(3) What is the current Expanded Format ? Are Ace Specs still being played?
As these kinds of threads are sometimes read by
other new or returning players, I'm going to answer in a bit more detail than
@FlashRayquaza. His answer is correct, I just almost misread it myself at first so I'm doing some idiot proofing. XP
1) The current Standard Format is
XY: Primal Clash on for Expansions,
XY: Black Star Promos XY36 and later, plus a few miscellaneous, smaller releases that are a pain to list out, and rarely contain anything useful
not already released as part of a set or promo.
New releases become legal the
third Friday of the month in which they release, which is relevant because that means
SM: Burning Shadows (the most recent expansion) becomes legal for Organized Play on August 18th, because it released August 4th. As of September 1st, we rotate to
XY: BREAKthrough and later sets with
XY: Black Star XY67 and later promos. As the official announcement is still up, I can mention this includes
Generations,
XY: Trainer Kit - Pikachu Libre & Suicune,
SM: Trainer Kit - Lycanroc & Alolan Raichu, and
McDonald's Collection 2016.
2)
Shaymin-EX (ROS) will leave Standard play on September 1st, but shockingly, its usage has been down lately anyway.
Tapu Lele-GX has partially replaced it.
N and
Professor Sycamore will remain legal.
3) The Expanded Format has experienced no rotation (so it is still BW-On)
but there will be a change in banned cards for it come September 1st;
Forest of Giant Plants is being banned while
Shiftry (NXD) will no longer be banned.
Archeops (NVI) is also being banned.
Lysandre's Trump Card remains banned. Ace Spec cards are still being played, to my knowledge, but I could be mistaken as I haven't focused on the specifics of the format in a few months. I just doubt there is a reason to
stop using them for most decks. At least, if you've got one of the better ones.
Edit: Forgot a banned card; thanks
@Latte1504
