Within the Battle Spot option of the PSS, which allows for random battles with other players, for both Free and Rating Battles there is a new mode called Special Battles. Special Battles contain unique rulesets that change with each Battle season on the Pokémon Global Link and this page is to archive all of the rulesets introduced within Special Battle

Season 1

Battle Period: October 25th 2013 - December 23rd 2013
Battle Type: Single Battle
Pokémon Restrictions: Pokémon #650-715 only
Banned Pokémon: Xerneas, Yveltal, Zygarde

The first season featured a standard Single Battle ruleset, requiring you to use 3 Pokémon out of your six. However, the Pokémon you could use are only ones that were introduced within Pokémon X & Y, from Chespin to Noivern.

Season 2

Battle Period: December 24th 2013 - February 25th 2014
Battle Type: Double Battle
Pokémon Restrictions: Kalos Pokédex Only
Pokémon Restrictions: Pokémon caught or hatched in Pokémon X & Y only
Banned Pokémon: Xerneas, Yveltal, Zygarde, Mewtwo

The second season runs with a ruleset that matches the recently announced rules for the Pokémon Video Game Championships. All Pokémon within the Kalos Pokédex are allowed, including Mega Evolutions, except for the legendary Pokémon. In addition to that, players are restricted to use Pokémon that were caught or hatched in Pokémon X & Y only, meaning Pokémon in the Kalos Pokédex which were transferred to Pokémon X & Y via Pokémon Bank are ineligible.

Season 3

Battle Period: February 25th 2013 - May 13th 2014
Battle Type: Double Battle
Pokémon Restrictions: Kalos Pokédex Only
Pokémon Restrictions: Pokémon caught or hatched in Pokémon X & Y only
Banned Pokémon: Xerneas, Yveltal, Zygarde, Mewtwo

The third season runs with a ruleset that matches the rules of the previous season, and the upcoming Video Game Championships. All Pokémon within the Kalos Pokédex are allowed, including Mega Evolutions, except for the legendary Pokémon. In addition to that, players are restricted to use Pokémon that were caught or hatched in Pokémon X & Y only, meaning Pokémon in the Kalos Pokédex which were transferred to Pokémon X & Y via Pokémon Bank are ineligible.

Season 4

Battle Period: May 13th 2013 - July 15th 2014
Battle Type: Single Battle - Inverse Battle
Pokémon Restrictions: National Pokédex
Banned Pokémon: Mewtwo, Mew, Lugia, Ho-Oh, Celebi, Kyogre, Groudon, Rayquaza, Jirachi, Deoxys, Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, Phione, Manaphy, Darkrai, Shaymin, Arceus, Victini, Reshiram, Zekrom, Kyurem, Keldeo, Meloetta, Genesect, Xerneas, Yveltal, and Zygarde

The fourth season runs with a unique ruleset. All Pokémon within the Kalos Pokédex are allowed, including Mega Evolutions, except for the legendary Pokémon. Transferred Pokémon are eligible. This season runs the special Inverse Battle type chart, for the first time in multiplayer.

Season 5

Battle Period: July 15th 2013 - September 2014
Battle Type: Single Battle
Pokémon Restrictions: National Pokédex
Banned Pokémon: ??

The fifth season runs with a callback to times passed. This season features a unique Single Battle competition where you use all six of your Pokémon. However, they cannot have hold items in this competition..

Season 6

Battle Period: September 2014 - November 2014
Battle Type: Double Battle
Pokémon Restrictions: National Pokédex
Banned Pokémon: Charizard, Gengar, Kangaskhan, Gyarados, Tyranitar, Mawile, Salamence, Garchomp, Togekiss, Rotom, Cresselia, Amoonguss, Thundurus, Landorus, Greninja, Talonflame, Meowstic, Aegislash, Sylveon, Mewtwo, Mew, Lugia, Ho-Oh, Celebi, Kyogre, Groudon, Rayquaza, Jirachi, Deoxys, Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, Phione, Manaphy, Darkrai, Shaymin, Arceus, Victini, Reshiram, Zekrom, Kyurem, Keldeo, Meloetta, Genesect, Xerneas, Yveltal, Zygarde, and Diancie

The sixth season runs with a standard Double Battle rules from the Battle Spot, but with a difference. In this mode, you will not be able to use the Top 12 Pokémon of the Double Battle options in Battle Spot from Seasons 1 to 4 and the first half of Season 5.

Season 7

Battle Period: November 2014 - ??
Battle Type: Double Battle
Pokémon Restrictions: Hoenn Pokédex
Game Restrictions: None
Banned Pokémon: Non-Hoenn Pokédex Pokémon

The seventh season runs with a standard Double Battle rules from the Battle Spot, but with a difference. In this mode, you can only use Pokémon that are listed within the Hoenn Pokédex

Season 8

Battle Period: January 13th 2015 - March 16th 2015
Battle Type: Double Battle
Pokémon Restrictions: National Pokédex
Banned Pokémon: Mewtwo, Mew, Lugia, Ho-Oh, Celebi, Kyogre, Groudon, Rayquaza, Jirachi, Deoxys, Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, Phione, Manaphy, Darkrai, Shaymin, Arceus, Victini, Reshiram, Zekrom, Kyurem, Keldeo, Meloetta, Genesect, Xerneas, Yveltal, Zygarde, and Diancie
Other Restrictions: Only hold items can be berries

The eighth season runs with a standard Double Battle rules from the Battle Spot, but with a difference. In this mode, you can only use Pokémon that hold either no item or hold Berries. Any other items, including Mega Stones, are banned.

Season 9

Battle Period: March 17th 2015 - May 11th 2015
Battle Type: Single Battle
Pokémon Restrictions: National Pokédex
Banned Pokémon: Mewtwo, Mew, Lugia, Ho-Oh, Celebi, Kyogre, Groudon, Rayquaza, Jirachi, Deoxys, Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, Phione, Manaphy, Darkrai, Shaymin, Arceus, Victini, Reshiram, Zekrom, Kyurem, Keldeo, Meloetta, Genesect, Xerneas, Yveltal, Zygarde, and Diancie
Other Restrictions: Battle Duration is reduced

The ninth season runs with a standard Single Battle rules from the Battle Spot, but with a difference. In this mode, battles take a lot less time than usual. Battles can take no longer than 10 minutes, Pokémon selection takes 30 seconds and Turn selection takes 15 seconds