This article has been updated to clarify what cards will be legal starting October 1st, 2017.

Rotation for Android: Netrunner The Card Game begins October 1st, 2017.

As a result, we will soon witness a series of significant changes to the game's Organized Play—and especially to tournament play.

We expect rotation to provide the catalyst for a number of exciting developments in the Android: Netrunner metagame. And as you look to navigate these changes and developments, you can find several of your most important questions answered below.

What is rotation?

As a Living Card Game®, Android: Netrunner features a card pool that grows with each new deluxe expansion, campaign expansion, and Data Pack. This ensures that the game is always dynamic, as the possibilities and metagame evolve with each new release. At some point, however, a card pool's growth works against the overall health of a game. It becomes unwieldy and serves as a barrier to both newer players and newer strategies. Rotation is a policy that works against potential stagnation within a game's Organized Play. It dictates that as newer products are added to the legal card pool, older products are pushed out. For Android: Netrunner, this means that only five to seven cycles of Data Packs are legal at one time. When an eighth cycle would be added to the standard card pool, the two oldest cycles are rotated out of Standard Play. You can learn more about rotation from the article, "A New Stage of Growth."

Why does rotation begin October 1st?

When we originally announced our intention to rotate older cycles of Data Packs out of the Android: Netrunner card pool, we stated that the plan was to introduce rotation in conjunction with the release of the first Data Pack from the game's eighth cycle. At this point, there are seven complete cycles of Data Packs in Standard Play, and we have announced Sovereign Sight, the first Data Pack from the game's eighth cycle, the Kitara Cycle. We have also announced the upcoming release of the Revised Core Set. These products will soon shape the future growth of Android: Netrunner Standard Play, beginning shortly after the 2017 World Championships. Because it is our intention that the World Championships highlight the game's future—as well as its greatest players—we are introducing rotation to the game on October 1st, ahead of the release of Sovereign Sight, so that World Championship participants will have ample time to demonstrate their full mastery of the game. Over the course of one month, the introduction of rotation disrupts the existing metagame and challenges participants to engage in the full Android: Netrunner competitive experience, from metagame analysis and deckbuilding to iterative design, practice, and performance in the tournament setting. NOTE: The Revised Core Set and Sovereign Sight Data Pack will not be released for Worlds 2017.

When rotation arrives, what expansions will be legal for tournament play?

As of October 1st, the standard card pool for Android: Netrunner Organized Play and tournament play will consist of the cards included in the Revised Core Set (ADN49) and the following expansions: Creation and Control

Honor and Profit

Order and Chaos

Data and Destiny

Terminal Directive (player cards only)

Lunar Cycle Data Packs

SanSan Cycle Data Packs

Mumbad Cycle Data Packs

Flashpoint Cycle Data Packs

Red Sand Cycle Data Packs NOTE: The Revised Core Set and Sovereign Sight Data Pack will not be released for Worlds 2017.

How do Sovereign Sight and the Kitara Cycle factor into rotation?

When Sovereign Sight and the other packs from the Kitara Cycle release, they will be added to the standard card pool for Android: Netrunner Organized Play and tournament play. NOTE: The Sovereign Sight Data Pack will not be released for Worlds 2017.

How does the Revised Core Set factor into rotation?

When the Revised Core Set is released, no new cards will be added to the card pool for all purposes related to Android: Netrunner Organized Play and tournament play. Prior to its release, players can use copies of the included cards found in the classic Core Set , Genesis Cycle, and Spin Cycle. This means that some of the cards from the classic Core Set will rotate out of the standard card pool while some cards that were originally released in the Genesis Cycle and Spin Cycle will remain in the card pool with the Revised Core Set. NOTE: The Revised Core Set will not be released for Worlds 2017.

Do I need the Revised Core Set if I already own the classic Core Set?

There are no cards in the Revised Core Set that have not previously been introduced to the game in the classic Core Set or Genesis Cycle and Spin Cycle Data Packs. Accordingly, you will not need to purchase the Revised Core Set to play with its cards if you already acquired them with your classic Core Set or Data Packs. Nonetheless, many of the cards from the classic Core Set will rotate out of the standard card pool, and many of its cards feature new art and appear in different quantities than they did in the classic Core Set and Data Packs. You can find a complete list of all the cards from the Revised Core Set available as a downloadable document (pdf, 1.2 MB). NOTE: The Revised Core Set will not be released for Worlds 2017.

What can I do with the cards that are rotating out?

As of October 1st, many of the cards from the Core Set and Genesis Cycle and Spin Cycle Data Packs will no longer be legal for standard format Organized Play events, including tournaments. This does not, however, mean that you cannot use them in casual games—just make sure you and your friends agree upon their use in your decks before you sit down to your games. At the same time, many of the cards from the Genesis Cycle and Spin Cycle are scheduled to reappear in the Revised Core Set and will remain legal for Organized Play and tournament settings. If you have these cards, you will be able to include them in your Standard Play decks, even if you do not have the Revised Core Set. You can find the full list of cards from the Revised Core Set available for download on the game's support section (pdf, 1.2 MB). NOTE: The Revised Core Set will not be released for Worlds 2017.

Will there be a new FAQ to accompany the rotation?

Yes. A new Android: Netrunner The Card Game FAQ will go into effect on October 1st, along with rotation.

I am new to the game. What is the best way for me to build my collection?