Two on Two Play with E-On Cards

[PokePop]

While Two on Two play is not a sanctioned format yet, it probably will be at some time in the future and people are certainly playing the format unofficially.

Toward that end, we started discussing with PUI the interaction of older cards with that format. Unfortunately, since the Japanese Makers of the card game designed 2-on-2 specifically for play with R&S cards forward, there is little to no direction for using the older cards. Their recommendation would be to mandate an Ex-on format for it.

We thought it would be worthwhile to get some player input, though, on how older cards should work in this format, if they were allowed.

The point of discussion we'd like to start with is choice of targets for effects. If there are any other points that you would like to bring up (cards that are horribly broken or confusing in this format, for example), feel free. This is to be a wide open discussion of the 2-on-2 format and what you would like to see or not like to see and how it should work in competitive play.

Now for the first point:

How should effects (from Attacks/Trainers/Pokemon Powers) that target an Active Pokemon be applied?

1. Active Player chooses both
2. Each Players chooses for their Actives
3. Each Active is affected (Active and/or Defending, as appropriate)

Now, for most Attacks, it will reference the Attacking Pokemon and the Defending Pokemon, so that will be pretty clear. The Active Player has chosen which Pokemon fill those rolls. However, if you take a Trainer like Super Energy Removal 2, it references the Defending Pokemon and the Attacking Pokemon.
Does that mean that once the player designates those two for the sake of the Trainer, they are now stuck with them when it comes time to actually attack? Or can they choose both and they choose a different two at the Attack step?
Or does the Defending player get to choose which one of his Actives loses their energy?

And that's just one card.

Here's your chance for some major input people. Let's hear your thoughts.

[Dek]

Most likely, Attacks/Trainers/Poke-Powers/Bodies should only affect the Defending Pokemon that you choose to attack. The thing that we must remember is that some attacks in EX-ON say "choose one if there are 2." Most likely, this 2v2 effect will take part in the older cards. The only thing im worried is what teh plural for Pokemon is :lol:

With that in mind, using the example you used (Super Energy Removal 2), I think it will only affect just one Defending Pokemon.

[PokePop]

[QUOTE=Arthas_Zero]Most likely, Attacks/Trainers/Poke-Powers/Bodies should only affect the Defending Pokemon that you choose to attack. QUOTE]
OK, but a Trainer or a PP is not an attack, so would you then force the attack at the end of the turn to be against that Pokemon?

[Dek]

yes, you would have to force the attack at teh end of your turn (at least thats what im getting from the information given).

[Porygon3]

What would Ditto become?

[PokePop]

Ditto... I forgot to mention, this would be E-on at best. Non-Modified cards were left out of Team Format for the same reason. Cards like Ditto are nightmares in these types of things.

[Sensei]

Well,for Super Energy Removal 2,I think it`s clear from past rulings and gameplay that it only affects 1 Active and 1 Defending Pokemon.The templating was made before EX Ruby/2-on-2 and therefore would explain why it`s not clear.Furthermore,going along with past rulings and such,the person playing the trainer(using this card mind you) gets to choose which active and which defending pokemon this card affects.

As for once you designate which defending Pokemon it affects would that Pokemon now be "forced" to be the "defending Pokemon" that you "must" attack?There was a ruling from the MT`s(It must have slipped through our rulings since I couldn`t find it on the Compendium) that,in Team Play,once you designated who was the "defending Pokemon" due to a trainer or Pokemon Power,that person(aka defending Pokemon chosen) is the one you had to attack during your attack sequence which I think is correct in this situation as well.

`Sensei

[Kyfogre22]

IMO, it shouldn't matter what kind of card it is, unless it specefies otherwise, it only affects one target.

[Skantid]

-Porygon3-
I've been testing 2on2 with older cards during the last few months and most players here agree that ditto copies the last pokemon that attacked him or the last pokemon he performed an attack against.

IE: (Player A has Ditto active; player B has a Skyridge Xatu and a Cleffa)
T1-Player A attacks Xatu, damage is doubled because Xatu has a psychic weakness, so Xatu ends up with 20 hp left.
T2-Player B attacks Ditto using Xatu, same situation as above.
T3-Player A attacks Xatu again, knocks him out, and draws a prize.
T4-Player B uses Cleffa's "Eeeeeeek" attack, and flips a coin because both Cleffa and Ditto(transformed) are baby Pokémon. If the flip results in heads, Ditto is knocked out (there are 6 damage counters on him but his "max" HP is now 30).

So, if any of you would like to use this unofficial rule, remember Ditto can be easily killed on 2on2...

[ShadowCard]

ick, fossil Ditto rulings. Would the Ditto controller get to choose the pokemon they wish to copy? Then if they wanted to, they could switch which pokemon ditto is?
say only Ditto (fossil) is against Caterpie and Weedle, with a Metapod on the bench, Ditto is Weedle. Weedle becomes Koed and Metapod becomes an active along side Caterpie. Ditto can then become Caterpie or Metapod.
Wouldn't that be correct?

[GuardianTIM]

Personally, I think that if it's an attack, then any other effects of the attack which say "the defending pokemon" refer to the one that's being targetted for the attack.
For example, let's use the Aquapolis Flaafy. It's first attack is called Thundershock, which does 10 damage, and if you flip heads, the defending pokemon is now paralysed.
Exactly how much sense would it make if one of their pokemon was hit by the attack's electricity and took damage, and the other one was not hit by electricity and was shocked into paralysis???

***

About the Ditto, I consider that we might play it so that the person who controls Ditto can change it's form at the beginning of each players turn, or when someone switches a pokemon (other than Ditto's partner).
So if my opponent had an Abra and a Bayleef, and I had a Croconaw and a Ditto, if A,B, or D retreated, then Ditto would change, but if C retreated, Ditto would stay the same.

***

About Trainers and the like forcing you to choose which pokemon to attack, I disagree. I think that if I were to play Gust of Wind on my opponents pokemon, I shouldn't be forced to attack that one. I say while you're working through each individual trainer/attack, then the chosen 'Defending pokemon' would stay the same, but you should be free to choose for separate effects. After all, what if I had 2 Gust of Wind's??? Would this mean I can't play my second Gust immediately afterwards to switch their other pokemon?

***

Anyway, that's what I think... does it make any sense?

[PokePop]

GuardianTIM: Yes, I agree with everything you've said.

Just one thing:
No Ditto!

If we were to allow Ditto into a format like this, we'd be discussing the ins and outs of just that one card forever.

Let's stick with E-On cards to make the discussion more managable.

[Fantasy Fox]

What are E-On cards?
Is it Ruby & Saphire onwards or Expedtition onwards?

[PokePop]

"E-on" refers to Expedition and on.
"EX-on" refers to EX:R&S and on.

[Porygon3]

brocks ninetails... oh sorry couldnt help myself.
actualy, I dont see much of a problem with alot of the older cards, although "the defending pokemon" is only one, and Pokemon powers would have to target one pokemon only, trainers would effect one pokemon unless worded otherwise, like the dual-full heal, Healing feilds would target only one active once, since the one retreat per turn rull is in effect rullings on marage statum and the two difernt active pokemon retreating is non excant, however, most stadum's would be global, for example broken ground gym and rockets training gym would effect every actvie pokemon, however there are some powers that effected the defending pokemon that COULD effect both; like Dark Muk's power, and there is that other grass pokemon (that spider thing) that gave the defending pokemon +1 retreat cost, I'm just using these as examples of where a power could effect both pokemon, since its not really a targeted effect, but you would have to define target effect, like gust of wind, or switch, these are basic no brainers.
humm I think you could use the fighting Nidokings power twice if you had two active... nice!!
I dont see any problems in E-on 2vs2 as of the moment.

[Spectreon]

for fun along time ago, way back when, well before Wizards announced team multi player, some of my friends and I used to play a simular format. We basically made Ditto as much of a weakness as a strength.

Dittos Rules were simple enough, Ditto becomes, and stays whatever Pokemon it attacks, or is attacking it. If you atttack a Charizard, then untill an opponent attacks it, or you attack a different Pokemon Ditto remains a Zard. Usually all you had to do was 30 damage to a Ditto, then declare an attack with a baby, Ditto gets KOed, and you continue the attack as normal....... easily allowing your opponents to KO it

[Fantasy Fox]

Well, how about Ditto from Skyridge?

Copy
Choose 1 of the Defending Pokémon’s attacks. Copy copies that attack. This attack does nothing if Ditto doesn’t have the Energy necessary to use that attack. (You must still do anything else required in order to use that attack.)

Situation

Player A has Ditto as active. Player B has Cleffa and Charizard as actives. Can Player A copy Cleffa's attack and use it on Charizard?
I don't really think so...anyway what do you think?

[BJJ763]

Since Ditto is copying the Defending Pokémon's attack, Ditto must attack that Pokémon. Ditto could not attack Charizard using Cleffa's attack (or vice versa).

And for Fossil Ditto, why would the Attacking Pokémon effect Ditto? Ditto is a copy of the Defending Pokémon, so damaging it and then attacking it with a Cleffa should not effect Ditto at all. Ditto becomes the Defending Pokémon, so it becomes whatever it attacks, not whatever attacks it.

[PokePop]

Good points on the Skyridge Ditto. I hadn't considered that.

But again, let's leave Fossil Ditto out of this discussion since there is no way PUI is going to create a format that goes back all the way to fossil!

[NoPoke]

From the rulebook for 2-on-2 play...

1) You chose one of your pokémon to attack
2) Select the attack you want to use.
3) Chose one of your opponents active Pokémon to attack.
4) Complete the attack.

Attacks that refer to 'each defending Pokémon' will affect both of the defending pokemon.

Though not explicitly stated it seems that the 'defending pokemon' is determined at point 3 above. So if Sky Ditto copies an EeeeeeK then it is also attacking that Cleffa, and the baby flip cannot be avoided.


For activated pokemon powers and trainers I believe that any selection of 'the defending pokemon' is only while the effect of the power or trainer is being resolved. So you can use multiple AQ Vileplume's poison Scent power to poison both defending pokemon.


For contiuous PokeBodies it gets harder.. and there are multiple options. Consider Octillaries Suction Cups


Poké-Body: Suction Cups As long as Octillery is your Active Pokémon, whenever the Defending Pokémon retreats, discard all Energy cards attached to the Defending Pokémon when it goes to the Bench.

several options..

1) 'the Defending Pokémon' is resolved once when Octillary becomes active.
2) 'the Defending Pokémon' resolves when Octillary attacks.
3) A combination of 1) and 2)
4) all 'Defending Pokémon' are always affected

Option 1) is the safe bet as it is the least powerfull and least likely to result in a broken combo. Option 4) is the most powerfuyll and hence most likely to result in a broken combo.

I am attracted tothe idea that pokemon powers can place effects when they resolve and am attracted to option 2. However this is different from the normal one-on-one game and so I end up favouring option 3.

[NoPoke]

here are the pokemon powers from the three E-card sets that we should consider

==================

AQUAPOLIS


Poké-Body: Gluey Slime As long as Ariados is in play, each player must pay an additional {C} to retreat his or her Active Pokémon. Gluey Slime can't make a player pay more than an additional {C} to retreat a Pokémon, even if there is more than 1 Ariados in play.

Poké-Body: Suction Cups As long as Octillery is your Active Pokémon, whenever the Defending Pokémon retreats, discard all Energy cards attached to the Defending Pokémon when it goes to the Bench.


Poké-Power: Strange Tentacles Once during your turn (before your attack), as long as the number of Energy cards attached to the Defending Pokémon is less than the number of Energy cards attached to your Active Pokémon, you may choose an Energy card, if any, in your opponent's discard pile and attach it to the Defending Pokémon. This power can't be used if Tentacruel is affected by a Special Condition.


Poké-Power: Fragrance Trap Once during your turn (before your attack), you may flip a coin. If heads, choose 1 of your opponent's Benched Pokémon and switch the Defending Pokémon with it. This power can't be used if Victreebel is affected by a Special Condition.

Poké-Power: Sleep Pendulum Once during your turn (before your attack), if Hypno is your Active Pokémon, you may make the Defending Pokémon Asleep. This power can't be used if Hypno is affected by a Special Condition.

Poké-Power: Ion Coating You may use this power once during each of your turns (before your attack). All {L} Energy attached to your Active Pokémon becomes {W} Energy for the rest of your turn. (This effect ends if your Active Pokémon retreats or is returned to your hand.) This power can't be used if Lanturn is affected by a Special Condition.


=================

EXPEDITION

Poké-POWER: Major Tsunami Once during your turn (before your attack), if Feraligatr is your Active Pokémon and if your opponent has any Benched Pokémon, your opponent switches his or her Active Pokémon with 1 of his or her Benched Pokémon. Either way, if you have any Benched Pokémon, switch Feraligatr with 1 of them. This power can't be used if Feraligatr is affected by a Special Condition.

Poké-POWER: Poison Pollen Once during your turn (before your attack), you may flip a coin. If heads, the Defending Pokémon is now Poisoned. This power can't be used if Vileplume is affected by a Special Condition.

=================

SKYRIDGE

Poké-Power: Venom Spray When you play Beedrill from your hand to evolve your Active Pokémon, the Defending Pokémon is now Paralyzed and Poisoned.

Poké-Power: Flame Vapor When you play Gyarados from your hand to evolve your Active Pokémon, you may flip 2 coins. For each heads, discard an Energy card attached to the Defending Pokémon.

Poké-Power: Strange Spiral Once during your turn (before your attack), if Poliwrath is your Active Pokémon, you may discard a basic Energy card attached to Poliwrath. If you do, the Defending Pokémon is now Confused. This power can't be used if Poliwrath is affected by a Special Condition.

Poké-Power: Good Neighbor Once during your turn (before your attack), if Wigglytuff is on your Bench, you may flip a coin. If heads, each player removes up to 2 damage counters from his or her Active Pokémon. This power can't be used if you have already used another Wigglytuff's Good Neighbor Poké-Power this turn

Poké-Body: Primal Stare As long as Omastar is your Active Pokémon, your opponent can't play Basic Pokémon or Evolution cards from his or her hand to evolve his or her Active Pokémon.

Poké-Body: Mirror Coat If Wobbuffet becomes Poisoned or Burned by the Defending Pokémon's attack during your opponent's turn, the Defending Pokémon becomes affected by the same Special Condition

Poké-Body: Slippery Skin As long as the Defending Pokémon is an Evolved Pokémon, Dunsparce's Retreat Cost is 0.

==================

[PokePop]

Thanks NoPoke!
That's the kind of analysis I was hoping to see.

As it happens, I'm testing out a deck with octilly now. I haven't found it to be broken. In fact with two actives, you have less need to retreat. You already have another attacker at the ready.
I favor both Actives being affected.

[Jim Ferrell]

Hey,

I would like to provide from what I know about TMP and situations like these. Whenever you have Pokemon Powers or PokeBodies that say "target the 'Defending Pokemon,'" you have to choose. You cannot just affect both Defending Pokemon. For example, I had a question like this answered at GenCon by not only DMTM but other judges because players kept asking.

I used Promo Snorlax's Guard ability Guard. Whenever Promo Snorlax became active you had to designate or determine then WHO you were targetting. I believe you would not just target one of the opponent's Pokemon, but the OPPONENT themself. So using logic like that, I would see in situations like Suction Cups or EX Vileplume's Poison Power, you would have to choose. Especially Octillery's Suction Cups.

Looking over the Pokemon Powers listed by NoPoke, if I were judging, I would make you (the user of one of the aforementioned Pokemon Powers) choose WHICH ONE of the opponent's Defending Pokemon. Especially in the case of like Fragrence Trap, Poison Pollen, Slippery Skin, and almost all of those Pokemon Powers.

However, for Octillery's Suction Cups, I believe it would mirror Promo Snorlax and you would target a specific PLAYER. But mabye that would be too close to how Snorlax would be worded. I am not 100%.

The best I can do is offer you what I have had ruled and the experience I have not only seen through my deckmaking, judging abilities, but have also had happen for me too. Just helping out guys.

The guy that would prolly be able to help most with stuff like this would be Steve Gillette. As I think he may have ruled for me on Snorlax over the summer. I cannot be sure though.

~Gymbo

[SteveP]

Here's my opinion. If we are to closely mimic the GBA 2-on-2 battles, then by default, the effects target only one Pokemon. Do remember that in the GBA, you always pick who attacks who except for attacks like Earthquake or Surf that target all Pokemon or both Defending Pokemon.

So, my proposal is:

1. 2-on-2 format is for EX-on only.
2. Unless specified differently in the game text, all effects are targeted at only 1 Pokemon.

[Dek]

As Steve said, 2v2 is most likely is jsut gonna be EX-on. The only concern, going back to the format controversy back in September, is the short library of Trainers we would have. Buuuuuuuttt, when there is a will, there is a way. Maybe 2v2 will become official AFTER the release of EXD ("for those of you playing the home game," EXD meanas EX: Dragon).

[GuardianTIM]

I agree with FantasyFox and BJJ763 about the Skyridge Ditto, and I'm inclined to go with BJJ763 on the Fossil Ditto. (but if it's the cleffa I'm thinking of, it can't damage ditto anyways.)

For SuctionCups Octillery, I think it should be "whenever your opponent retreats one of their pokemon, discard all energy attached to that pokemon when it goes to the bench"
So, it would apply to both of their pokemon - (and anyways, it cannot be an attacking or defending pokemon outside of the attacking phase of someone's turn. If you're asking about when it target is resolved - it's whenever your opponent retreats.

Gluey Slime Ariados? This one is no problem - remember that with the new rules, you can't retreat more than once per turn. Even if you could retreat twice, it would apply to each of the two pokemon separately, not just one of them.

Strange Tentacles is a slightly tougher one, so I'd put this in the FossilDitto category and not try to figure it.
If you really must play the Tentacruel, perhaps play it so you count all of the energy on your active pokemon (plural), and all of their pokemon (plural), and you choose one of theirs Actives to put the energy on.

Fragrance Trap - Play it as a Gust of Wind or the new equivalent (the one where you have to flip), and choose one of their defending pokemon to switch.

Sleep Pendulum - The Plural of Pokemon is Pokemon, and unlike the last 3 powers, this one doesn't say "it" or anything saying that it's a singular. I'd say put both of them to sleep, but that's open for debate as to whether this will make it a broken card. I don't think it will (look at RuSa Manectric, which can paralyse both of their actives), but it's anyone's guess.

Technically, Ion Coating would affect both of them, even though I don't think it sounds right. After all, if I also had an (Expedition) Totodile charged with one (L) energy, would it be able to do Surf? It doesn't make sense, but if we are to play the cards as they are worded, then it could. (It's a Plural thing, again.)

Feraligatr's Major Tsunami? It says 1 benched pokemon, so you can only switch with one of your actives.

Vileplume's Poison Pollen - I'd say flip once for each of their actives. If one is heads and one is tails, then the pokemon that you got heads for would be poisoned - the one where you flipped tails would not be poisoned.

Beedrill's Venom Spray - to Poison and Paralyse both of them makes more sense (would it make the card broken, though?), but if I am to read the exact wording, because it says "the defending pokemon is", not "the defending pokemon are", then it would only affect one of them.

Flame Vapor - choose one energy card attached to either of their pokemon (for each heads). (more plural stuff)

Strange Spiral - choose one of their pokemon.

Good Neighbor - going with the plural thingy, if heads you could either remove 2 counters from one of them, or 1 damage counter from each of your active pokemon.

Primal Stare - This affects both of their Active pokemon.

Mirror Coat - This would affect the one pokemon that inflicted the poison or burn. (if one of theirs poisons Wobbuffet, and the other Burns, then the one that poisoned would now be poisoned, the one that burned would now be burned.)

Dunsparce? I'd read it as "As long as (either of) the defending pokemon..."



Well, that's what I think anyways - I suppose we'll have to wait for an official ruling, though.

[Fantasy Fox]

This means Sandstorm Dusclops would be extremely powerful. Its 2nd attack says

(P)(C)(C) Random Curse
Put a total of 5 damage counters on all Defending Pokémon in any way you like.

If the defending Pokemons are Elekid and Kabutops(any Pokemon will do), you can attack Kabutops and put 3 damage counters on Elekid without having to flip a coin, right? This card could be a good baby Pokemon killer....hehehe

[SteveP]

Oooh, what to do when a baby Pokemon is active in 2-on-2. Here's how I think it should be handled:

Case 1 - 2 active babies

Flip once to attack. If the attack effects both babies (or the bench for that matter), no need to flip again.

Case 2 - 1 active baby

Pick a target Defending Pokemon. If it's the baby, then do the baby flip. If' it's not the baby, but the attack effects both active Pokemon, then do the effect to the non-baby, then do the baby flip to see if the other half of the effect happens to the baby. For example, let's look at R&S Seaking's attacks:

Water Arrow (does 20 damage to a Pokemon of your choosing) - if you wish to damage ANY active baby, you MUST do the baby flip, whether there's one active baby or two. However, if you want to damage a benched Pokemon, you can attack without the baby flip if you say you're targeting the attack thru the non-baby.

Fast Stream (moves an energy card from one active to the other) - if you attack the non-baby, then do the 30 damage and flip to see if you can transfer the energy to the baby. If tails, then ignore the energy transfer effect.

[GuardianTIM]

What does the writing on the baby cards say?:-

"If your Active Pokemon is a Baby Pokemon and your opponent announces an attack, your opponent flips a coin (before doing anything else). If tails, your opponent's turn ends."

Hence for Water Arrow, even if they had 2 active babies, and you wanted to target the (non-baby) pokemon on the bench, you'd still have to flip.
Dunno bout the rest of them.

[SteveP]

Um, GuardianTIM, am I reading your post right? Can you image how BROKEN babies would be if you only had to have one active to protect the bench AND the baby's partner? It would be a free Smokescreen for whatever big hitter you wanted to pair with the baby. Trust me. A sole baby CAN'T throw up a Smokescreen for it's partner! That would be TOTALLY absurd if that were the case for 2-on-2!

Now, for TWO active babies, that's a different story. They each protect themselves AND the bench.

[BJJ763]

Sorry Steve but i would disagree. If a non-baby is Active, you can attack that Pokémon and if the attack has an effect that lets you choose something to happen to any Pokémon in play, the baby is fair game.

Water Arrow is the attack. The effect is doing 20 damage to any Pokémon. So when targeting a non-baby, you can do 20 to the baby without flip.

With Fast Stream, you attack the non-baby and do 20 damage. There is an effect that allows you to move one energy card from one active to another. Since this is an effect, there is no need to flip to see if the energy can be moved from the non-baby to the baby, it is just done.

[SteveP]

BJJ, I think you're suggesting the other extreme (from what GuardianTIM suggested). A sole active baby SHOULD have some kind of protection in 2-on-2 battles. Are you suggesting that it has NO protection when not paired with another baby?

Once again, I think we need to be careful about making babies TOO powerful or TOO useless in 2-on-2 battles. I think we need to give a sole active baby SOME level of protection for itself and maybe even some ability to protect the bench (if that's possible).

[BJJ763]

Yes Babies have no protection when they are not the Pokémon being attacked. It's always been this way (reference Benched babies and Team Multi Player especially with Genesis Murkrow - chose the Active non-Baby and Feint Attack the Baby). The Baby Rule only applies when your Pokémon is actively attacking it. If your Active is attacking a non-baby, any effects that reference "both Active" or "choose any of your opponent's Pokémon" can be done against the Baby without needing to flip for the Baby rule. Remember the Baby Rule is applied at the start of the attack if it is designated the Defending Pokémon. If it isn't, then the attack goes against the non-baby, and for the most part, the Baby is safe, unless it is a Feint Attack-type attack.

A lone Baby in 2v2 does get protected - it's the only Pokémon that can be attacked. Course you'd better hope for Tails or else it's gg as the only wasy a Baby can be a lone Active is if you have no Benched Pokémon.

[SteveP]

BJJ, thanks for the info about TMP. I'm not a TMP player, so that info was helpful. I find it interesting that in TMP you get to pick which defending Pokemon is the active one. In 2-on-2 battles, that's certainly not the case. Both are active.

Maybe the Feint Attack and Water Arrow attacks COULD work against an active baby if that same baby is paired with a non-baby. But I'm not sure that should be the case for effects that specifically target ALL or BOTH defending/active Pokemon. Going back to me GBA example, when doing attacks like Earthquake and Surf, you're NOT asked to specify a target Pokemon. If an attack like Hariyama's targets BOTH active Pokemon, and one of those is a Baby, I feel that something should happen. Either 1) the baby flip is done to see if any effects happen to any active Pokemon, or 2) the baby flip is done to see if any effects happen to the baby (but the effects happen regardless to the non-baby). I'm just talking about attacks that SPECIFICALLY target both/all actives.

[Spectreon]

but the rules clearly state, in 2-2 play, you do the following

1) Choose the Poekmon with which you want to attack with
2) Choose an attack
3) Choose which of the defending Pokemon you want to attack

Note that even though the attack specifically damages/effects both active Pokemon, the actuall atack is only launched against a single Pokemon, the other active just happens to recieve the attack too...

[SteveP]

yah Spectreon, but once again you've got to realize that 2-on-2 play was originally intended for EX-on, where there are no classic babies.

And, what about Agility? Under your definition of how babies should be handled, you could certainly argue that Agility CAN'T protect the Pokemon when your opponent attacks the other Pokemon, even if the attack does something to both Pokemon. We CAN'T ignore such effects in 2-on-2 battles.

Furthermore, sure, under the current rules you get to pick which Pokemon you're attacking. However, the rules are VERY unclear about effects like Agility, Leer, Babies, etc.

Anyway, I'd be TOTALLY surprised if 2-on-2 format is ever sanctioned for anything other than EX-on. Otherwise, rulings could get way too complicated.

Hopefully, if ruling ever do start to show up for 2-on-2, those in power won't completely ignore effects on active Pokemon just because they weren't announced as the direct recipient of the attack.