2015 World Championships - Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokmon encyclopedia

The 2015 Pokémon World Championships were held at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Massachusetts from August 21 to 23, 2015. It was the twelfth invitation-only championships for players of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, as well as the seventh for players of the Pokémon video games. It was the first time that Boston held the event, and the second consecutive time the event was held in the Eastern United States, the previous event being held in Washington, D.C.

For the first time, there were no Last Chance Qualifiers held at the event. Instead, the tournament was played over three days: a preliminary tournament on Friday, the main tournament on Saturday, and all finals being played on Sunday.

Trading Card Game Championships

The Pokémon Trading Card Game featured the 2014-15 Standard format, using all cards from Boundaries Crossed onward. Players were able to receive invitations from outstanding performances at their country's National Championships, the previous year's World Championships, or through the number of Championship Points they obtained throughout the year.

The first day of the tournament featured a preliminary tournament for all World Championship qualifiers who did not earn an automatic invitation to day two. Players who earned enough match points during swiss rounds joined the automatic qualifiers on day two. The second day of the tournament featured a series of swiss rounds in each division. At the end of swiss rounds, the top eight players in each division were seeded into single-elimination tournaments, with the finals being played on Sunday, to determine each division's World Champion.

Junior Division

Haruto Kobayashi of Japan was the defending champion in the Junior Division. Haruto played in the Seniors Division, placing 97th on Day Two.

Senior Division

Trent Orndorff of the United States was the defending champion. Trent played in the Masters Division in 2015.

Masters Division

Andrew Estrada of Canada was the defending champion. In 2014, Andrew defeated Igor Costa, the 2012 TCG Masters Champion, in the final. Andrew withdrew from the Day Two tournament after four rounds.

Video Game Championships

The first day of the tournament featured a preliminary tournament for all World Championship qualifiers who did not earn an automatic invitation to day two. Players who earned enough match points during swiss rounds joined the automatic qualifiers on day two. The second day of the tournament featured a series of swiss rounds in each division. At the end of swiss rounds, the top eight players in each division were seeded into single-elimination tournaments, with the finals being played on Sunday, to determine each division's World Champion.

Participants used Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. All matches were conducted via Double Battles and any Pokémon in the National Pokédex were able to be entered, provided they had a blue pentagon in the their summary screen, with the exception of 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.

Similar to Flat Battle mode, Pokémon of levels 51 and above were temporarily reduced to level 50, while Pokémon level 50 and below would retain their levels. Held items could be used, but no two Pokémon from the same team could hold the same item. Players were not allowed to change their held items after they had registered. Players were allowed to change teams after Friday's preliminary tournament, if they advanced to Saturday.

Junior Division

Kota Yamamoto of Japan was the defending champion. Kota played in the Senior Division in 2015, finishing 33rd on Day Two.

Senior Division

Nikolai Zielinski of the United States was the defending champion, but is eligible for the Masters Division in 2015.

Mark McQuillan, who was the first runner-up of the same division in the previous year, became the new World Champion.

Masters Division

Se Jun Park of South Korea was the defending champion. Se Jun Park is the only Korean player to win the Pokémon Video Game World Championships in any division.

Pokkén Tournament Invitational

Along with the surprise announcement of Pokkén Tournament's localization and Wii U port, an invitational tournament was also held on the first day of 2015 World Championships. Famous players from the fighting game community, along with previous champions of the Video Game and Trading Card Game Championships were invited to compete. The double elimination format was adopted. Reepal "Rip" Parbhoo was the winner of the tournament, with Justin Wong being the runner-up.

Winners Bracket

Losers Bracket

Grand Finals

Event Pokémon

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