Hey guys I am back with another article, last time in a post as such I brought fifty meta suspects for future this time its about the meta-game of VGC-15. In this article I would try to cover up basic Pokémons that are popular in VGC this year and are possibly sure to be seen used during the World and National Championships. I would give basic data on the Pokémon, moves that it can use and is popular to use. I would also give some basic guide on the usage of these and what items they run popular and what is their importance to bear these spots. This should be mentioned that this article is only written by one person “Pokeventurer” that would be me though so really don’t expect it to be the best of these types of posts. Earlier when the season came by nugget bridge made an article of over 50 metas, however I think that those fifty were misconceptions and many other things came on the scene and many lost their importance among people totally. If I am asked to give a definition of 2015 metagame I would say a blend of 2013 and 2014 with some new things added like sylveon, milotic, arcanine and megas like salamence introduced in ORAS. Lets get started with our list:
Mega
Evolutions:
This
part of the article covers the pokemons that are
expected to be seen in the
nationals or worlds of VGC 2015 in the mega forms. Hence say holding mega
stones:
Name : Mega-
Kangaskhan
Type : Normal
Reasons :
kangaskhan is sure to be a
mega whenever you see it. Kangaskhan is a master of its own self, being a
normal type makes it weak to only one type, as so it does bears the amazing
parental bond ability that makes every physical single target move go twice,
however the second hit would be 50% of the first hit, others consider this
effect as of hitting with a choice band with the addition of breaking the item
focus sash with its 2x hits. Kangaskhan totally dominated VGC 14 with a simple
all out physical attacker with moves such as sucker punch, fake out, return/
double edge and power-up-punch, however this fixed set got modified over the
time as VGC 15 season came by and moves as such protect, low kick and crunch
were added. Kangaskhan mostly runs a simple 252/252/4 spread normally and has
the jolly nature; however some clever people made kangaskhan find its way in TR
tactics and do run bulk.
Name : Mega- Salamence
Type : Dragon, Flying
Reasons :
Salamence is probably the
closest stuff to kangaskhan nowadays, probably the most dominating mega that
was introduced in ORAS I would say. As the season started people went with the
usual special salamence, but the fools soon realized it was time for
revolution, people at first though to use hyper voice, fire blast and etc
special salamence but soon started to use it as a physical variant with moves
like double-edge and dragon claw. It has the aerilate ability with which now
salamence can hit with strong flying type attacks, it also does gets the move
dragon dance which most of its sets nowadays do include, the 4x ice weakness
may be a big prob but with some redirection it is all fine and ready to go.
However nowadays special salamence as compared to physical one is quite a 50-50
situation
Name : Mega- Mawile
Type : Fairy, Steel
Reasons :
Mega mawile was the second
most common mega Pokémon in VGC 14, and was mainly used behind TR, however some
didn’t like Ray Rizzo and Ryosuke Kosuge. But nowadays its 70% usage is inside of
TR. It does gets some strong moves in addition with that amazing huge power
ability that helps it to double its already great attack stat. mawile has some
pretty straight forward move-set including play rough, iron head, protect,
sucker punch however some people might and do trade the iron head move slot
with something of their own like fire fang and rock slide. Mawile’s mega form
soon lost priority in its usage as soon as the ‘slower’ behind TR mega camerupt
appeared on the scene that can destroy this mega in one shot. mawile like most
of the megas gets a straight forward boost in maxed attack and hp with 4
investment in sp. Def, some special ev spreads have also emerged on the
competitive scene apart from this one. Just expect more mega mawile’s than more
mega camerupts this year.
Name : Mega- Tyranitar
Type : Rock, Dark
Reasons :
Mega tyranitar is not really
that big of a mega but some however do use it, some regional’s did included it
and I do clearly suspect it to enter nats and worlds, tyranitar is too great of
a Pokémon on itself it does gets some interesting mixed sets and moves, but not
in its mega form it does gets an increase in many of its stats but not in the
sp. Atk stat hence making it less of a special attack variant, some sets of
mega t-tar I am familiar with are dragon dance set up physical sweeper with
moves like rock slide and crunch. Unlike other mega Pokémons tyranitar is not
to popular of a Pokémon running 252/252/4 spreads but always does gets adamant
or brave nature, the ev spreads for Pokémons such as t-tar vary on the team a
basically, with the questioning of focusing on what you want it to do. this may not seem a meta mega, but i have heard it is often used in Japan.
Name : Mega- Manectric
Type : Electric
Reasons :
Mega manectric is not only a
mega Pokémon, but a dish prepared with a number of complex elements on it.
Manectric isn’t everybody’s taste and can be a quite difficult to play from
some like kang and mawile. It has some of the most amazing synergetic sets to
itself and its abilities make it even better. Manectric,s most common usage is
with the moves like volt-switch, thunderbolt, overheat, HP ice and protect,
however some use it has a part support on dual mega teams with moves like snarl
and eerie impulse. It works with the simple tactic of being able to fire off a
full powered overheat and then later reset its stat drop over which it rely,s
on, in addition to this when it switches out its intimidate ability would
activate once more, in its non-mega form it does gets the gifted lightningrod
ability which makes it absorb electric attacks and give it a one up in its
special attack stat making it even more stronger, this is probably one reason
to delay its mega evo. And of course the better with 252/252/4 spread is almost
100% guaranteed.
Name : Mega- Charizard- Y
Type : Fire, Flying
Reasons :
Char y hasn’t lost its blazing spirit and
would still be seen in VGC 15 making you sweat mid battle by bringing the shiny
sun out. Its ability drought compliments its powers even further as the most
common moves used by it like heat wave, solar beam and overheat all get the 50%
power boost as well as turning the weather into its own favour, and don’t
really forget that it won’t be necessary to charge up for solar beams now, a
strong attack it hits its arch-enemies (water types) with and also does weakens
them, potentially adding to its bulk. Some people trade the overheat slot with
a wide variety of moves some of them are common to being dragon pulse, focus
blast and air slash. Its EV’ing was 252/252/4 spreads in the past but nowadays
the thing ain’t that simple and a bit is added to its bulk too to handle some
attacks from its foes like t-flame.
Name : Mega- Camerupt
Type : Fire, Ground
Reasons :
When the season started
camerupt was on the top, and during the tests it usually totally got nerved by
water attacks, oh yes the 4x water weakness. However it needs he most amount of
support like sunny day, trick room and storm drain redirection from gastrodon
and cradily to function effectively, that’s a lot to set up for mid battle. Its
advantage over mega a mawile and a few abomasnow is that it is slower than them
and almost guarantees’ an OHKO back on them. Many of these are ran with the
quiet nature to ensure to move first behind TR and elevate its special attack
stat. its EV spread is usually dependant on the team distributed over a mix of
offense and defense. It guarantees to carry moves like protect, heat wave and
earth power, some others like ancient power and rock slide are also popular on
it. Battle spot is not having many of this pokemon, but in every event we see
it getting used so expecting it at nats or worlds is quiet reasonable.
Name : Mega- Metagross
Type : Steel, Psychic
Reasons :
Mega- metagross is the 3rd
on most used mega list this season, its type combo doesn’t beats most of the
meta game apart from fairies like sylveon and gardevoir but it infact is tons
of raw power and force, its tough claws ability elevates its attack stat
somehow even further, the most popular moves on it are Zen headbutt, meteor
mash, protect and the last slot is mostly optional over moves like EQ and
bullet punch etc. metagross is a strong Pokémon. Metagross like many others
runs 252/252/4 spreads with maxed out attack and speed with 4 investment in any
defense or HP.
Name : Mega-Garchomp
Type : Ground, Dragon
Reasons :
Mega garchomp is still not
any popular then garchomp itself but is usually seen being used and is
successfully being dominant. Nowadays mega garchomps are ran with some sort of
mixed sets with rock slide and EQ followed by a draco meteor, thanks to the
great special attack boost garchomp faces while mega evolution. However the
speed drop can be a bit worrying but the move tailwind is also carried by the
members of the team on which is usually
found which doubles its speed. The ev spreads are usually 252/252/4 on the
non-mixed mega garchomps but sets become more wide spread if they are planning
to have mixed sets and there are investments made in special attack.
Name : Mega-Gengar
Type : Ghost, Poison
Reasons :
Shadow tag + Perish song =
death. Well that is one reason gengar is widely being used by people. Apart
from this perish trap gimmick some neat players respect the stats of mega
gengar and its amazing strength force and capability of trapping and destroying
opponents by its attacks like shadow ball and sludge bomb. You can’t always
have enough good reason to use it in its offensive form but even though the
ones aiming to win through sheer attacks do carry either one or two of the status
moves like protect, disable, taunt, will-o-wisp and etc. of it is a mega gengar
don’t really expect it too always be a 252/252/4 spread, some people do run a
significant amount of bulk on it to make it able to survive some hits from
opposing Pokémon’s likely to occur, this bulk is not to costly to the original
idea of mega gengar as it already has some great base stats.
Name : Mega-Loppuny
Type : Fighting, Normal
Reasons :
Loppuny might not sound like
the idea when the season started, but it really can do a lot to the current
meta, loppuny having the capability of being the fastest Pokémon to be able to
use the move fake out and being able to land strong fighting attacks it can
crush mega kang strategy. It isn’t even an auto loss to ghost types either its
ability scrappy makes its both ineffective types to ghost hit them too. Loppuny
always have 252/252/4 spreads on them which really would be reasonable on a
Pokémon as such and gets moves like return, high-jump-kick, drain punch, fake
out even low kick along with the staple move protect.
Name : Mega-Venusaur
Type : Grass, Poison
Reasons :
Mega venusaur would be
another mega extremely easy to play. It didn’t had any real importance among u
people until aaron zheng won the APEX with it and later everybody was crazy
about it. It does has an amazing sp.attack stat along with that it has the
thick fat ability that makes it take half damage from ice and fire attack, two
types its weak to, say it potentially adds on to its bulk. Apart from having
moves like giga drain and sludge bomb being its main means of offense, it
usually carries the move protect along with the 4th optional slot
being a choice between sleep powder, synthesis and etc. it usually EV’ed
physically defensive and specially offensive with also adding something to its
speed. Some team who do feature mega venusaur plan on boosting its speed even
further by means of tailwind.
Name : Mega-Gyarados
Type : Water, Dark
Reasons :
Sejun park setted the trend
for this almost now an year ago and made gyarados prove its power. Gyarados
faces a type change from water, flying to water dark making it only 2x weak to
electric attacks, now this season gyarados is very rarely seen but still hasn’t
lost what it had. The few common sets on it ran would be dragon dance ones
which means of offense on them being ice fang, waterfall, crunch and
earthquake. Its mold breaker ability makes it counter its arch-enemy rotom. Its
sets are as usual also seen as being 252/252/4 with adamant or jolly nature.
Name : Mega- Sceptile
Type : Dragon, Grass
Reasons :
Mega sceptile is truly the
only one of its kind, yes a dragon grass type, with the gifted ability to
absorb special attacks and use them to its own favour like discharge or other
stuff. For a mega this ability wasn’t really that much but still some people
found in their way and started to use it alongside the pokemon who can use the
move discharge so that it can charge itself up for its attack, this use being a
bit gimmicky yet the only one found. It has moves like leaf storm, hidden power
ice , protect, dragon pulse, and others are pretty much optional some use focus
blast too tho. Its EV’ing is mostly 252/252/4.
Name : Mega- Gardevoir
Type : Fairy, Psychic
Reasons :
Gardevoir is one of the
pokemon that are often used in its mega state nowadays, it simply uses moves
like hyper voice and psychic, protect and the last slot is usually optional. It
is EV’ed bulky and I really don’t have much to say about it tho :P . apart from all this jazz, very recently a fashion found is to use it as a trick room mega, after kang and possible some salamence (collin heier's) made into the scene
Sweepers:
This part / category of the post is dealing with the Pokémons in the metagame meant to do tons of damage. Straight off an obvious name “sweepers”. This is further divided into the sub categories physical sweepers, special sweepers and side sweepers.
This part / category of the post is dealing with the Pokémons in the metagame meant to do tons of damage. Straight off an obvious name “sweepers”. This is further divided into the sub categories physical sweepers, special sweepers and side sweepers.
Physical Sweepers:
Name : Azumarill
Type : Water, Fairy
Reasons :
Well now azumarill is another huge power
user, but it gets much more wicked as people used it. This rouge gets access to
the move belly drum and maximizes its attack attack even if burned. The worst
part comes when it gets out to use aqua jets with +6 power and priority off
course. All thanks to the raichu’s nowadays that this set was virtually
possible; yes I am referring to rai-choose-u duo. Raichu fakes out one of the
opposing pokemons whereas azumarill goes for belly drum, cuts its HP in half and
crocks into the sitrus berry making a recovery and starts to destroy, in
addition raichu absorbs any electric type attacks aimed at azumarill. Apart
from this vast usage azumarill’s have the items choice band, assault vest, etc
also including the sitrus berrys. They don’t have the 252/252/4 spreads but
something more widespread to recover and invest as much in HP to do this after
a belly drum from a sitrus berry.
Name : Conkeldurr
Type : Fighting
Reasons :
Trick-room
sweeper is one way to express the unrivaled power of this amazing and strong
fighting type Pokémon. Apart from this many people put it on their teams in
order for them to counter situation of trick-room. Conkeldurr gets all the
three very useful abilities which are sheer force, guts and iron fists, according
to the abilities it runs different sets, which all three can be expected.
Conkedurr mostly goes assault vest with iron fist to be a proof of both power
and bulk, with guts it usually runs flame orb which turns in its own favor and
with sheer force just expect the life orb, however this one would be the least
used out of the three. It also gets strong fighting type moves like mach punch,
drain punch and even hammer arm, which help out this beast with side moves like
rockslide, protect and etc. the sets are maxed out attack hp and 4 in s.def but
this can become more widespread if you want it too.
Name : Hariyama
Type : Fighting
Reasons :
Aaron Zheng can be blamed for
this extreme annoyance, yes this is one thing started in the name of
substituting scrafty for something, say a changed mon. its 100% usage is on TR
leads and also behind TR, where it can launch powerful close combats which
scrafty can’t use it however you like AV + thick fat bulky to guts surprise.
Its sets are really simple 252/252/4 spreads because it can’t do that much.
Apart from the destructive close combats it can earn moves like knock off, rock
slide and etc as we always can say that.
Name : Garchomp
Type : Dragon, Ground
Reasons :
Garchomp is another great
Pokémon, when it comes to the dragons of the meta. Probably the first dragon
priority to be used as a physical attacker. It learns moves like rock slide,
earthquake, dragon claw and protect would be the most common set, apart from
this some also have the substitute on their garchomps though. It has some
exceptional abilities like sand veil and rough skin, out of which rough skin is
the most used. It does not gets a fixed item but depends on what you want to do
with it, like some run focus sash as also the rocky helmets, life orbs and
choice items mostly scarf and band. Its EV spreads are as always 252/252/4 with
the jolly nature, as we know it.
Name : Mamoswine
Type : Ice, Ground
Reasons :
Mamoswine is one of the side
kick Pokémon of the Meta, it is really not used that often as like the others
but still has its importance. It gets moves like rock slide, earthquake, icicle
crash and even icicle spear which have value in the meta for defeating the
genies, dragons and char y’s mostly, don’t yet count out the heatran though. It
can e paired up with the items like focus sash, choice scarf and life orb and
do tons of damage to its opponents. It has the thick fat ability protecting it
from the moves like heatwave and being able to absorb some strong ice attacks.
It sets usually are or maybe not, say 50-50 for being 252/252/4 ones and then
others being not that.
Name : Scizor
Type : Steel, bug
Reasons :
Scizor is quite synergetic to
its moves and abilities. Say moves like bug bite, pursuit, aerial ace, bullet
punch get boosted from the technician ability which scizor has access to and lands
more damage than usual though, some scizor’s also carry the move swords dance
to boost what they can do. Scizor’s are usually part priority sweepers with
moves such as bullet punch and pursuit with the items like life orb, and choice
band to add up the amount of damage they do. EV spreads depend, from the faster
to the slower ones and would be 252/252/4.
Name : Landorus - Therian
Type : Ground, Flying
Reasons :
Landorus-therian or as known
in common as lando-t by the veterans of the community, is a pokemon ranked
probably the most higher after any mega Pokémons start to break. Landorus therein
is the ultimate reliability of your opponents, despite having only base 91
speed stat people start it giving the choice scarf probably the most ran item
on this Pokémon, apart from that some people go with choices like a focus sash
or some even go for assault vest to survive potential ice attacks from the
opponents, apart from these numerous item life orb is also a fashion among this
legendary. Carries moves like rock slide, earthquake, u-turn and an optional
slot for the last, say superpower on choice scarfed sets 100%, however if
having any other items on it is sure to have the move protect. Ets are always
almost 100% guaranteed 252/252/4 with jolly natures, until you specialize it.
Name : Talonflame
Type : Flying, Fire
Reasons :
Gale wings + Brave bird = KILL
YOURSELF!. That is how i explain this annoyance, being in one of the fastest
speed tiers it has gotten priority. Only base 81 attack stat was once a
problem, hence two of the most powerful moves imaginable like brave bird, and
flare blitz have 120 BP, problem solved J . although it is mainly used for means of offense
nowadays some people have started to run some support oriented sets with moves
like will-o-wisp, quick guard, tailwind and so on. Its most common items are
choice band and life orb, choice band on the normal sets but some sets do have
a defense negating nature and have some EV’s in sp.atk and do run the move
overheat which calls for the item life orb, hence some of the main moves used
by it are recoil, focus sash really doesn’t stands a chance, on the other hand
life orb + recoil is another defect in its usage. Its sets are almost 252/252/4
else the ones who invest in sp.atk in the name of overheat. Talonflame really
still faces some problems to be used but still we love it.
Name : Excadrill
Type : Steel, Ground
Reasons :
I know you really don’t see
sand in VGC tho, well not that often as that of rain and sun, but remember we
do have the one who does goes with sand tho. Excadrill gains the sand rush
ability, which was introduced with its arrival in unowa, which replicates the
same benefit as that of the swift swim ability and you already know what that
is. Apart from this one of its abilities would be mold breaker which helps it
negate the ability levitate against the opponents like the annoying crees,
heatran duo or any form of rotom. Despite having such favorable abilities it is
having the base 135 attack stat which makes it a best already. The most common
items ran are choice scarf with mold breaker and with sand rush a life orb. Its
EV are usually common and simple. It gets moves like rock slide, EQ, iron head,
protect and drill run, rest sets are mostly dependant.
Name : Lucario
Type : Steel, Fighting
Reasons :
Lucario is always considered
as a frail pokemon, but its abilities and powers are countering the part of it
being super frail. Yes the giften ability inner focus counters any fake out
situations and OHKO’es back any kangs and
scrafty’s. it gets moves like close combat, and bullet punch from the
physically offensive side apart from this it usually carries the move protect,
follow me or gets substitute rarely ( more popular on the mega ). Hence it is
very frail and uses the move close combat which makes chances of OHKO’ing it
even better focus sash is as always an ideal item on many sets, apart from this
many sets for the pure purpose of countering mega kang carry the item choice
scarf, its EV’ing also would be 252/252/4.
Name : Bisharp
Type : Dark, Steel
Reasons :
It is one of the most
influential pokemons in the meta game probably it is the one being capable of
countering the intimidate ability, and any other status lowering moves like icy
wind and etc with its defiant ability. It also does gains part priority role
with moves like sucker punch, and quick guard (if any). Bisharp is quite a
simple pokemon having the simple set of knock off, sucker punch, iron head and
protect and probably the best. Being trained as a 252/252/4 attack and speed
variant it carries the reasonable items like focus sash (lack in sp.def) and
life orb (get it going) which really are reasonable, as on the positive side it
does counters the kings shield move with defiant.
Name : Terrakion/ Virizion
Type : Rock/Grass, Fighting
Reasons :
Another form of pure offense
in this place as of its useful typing, it picked up much more popularity in the
VGC 2015 as it was really useful in defeating foes like mega charizard ys or
t-flames, to foes like tyranitar and mega kangaskahn. All of which hold great
importance in the meta. The most common items on this guy are the usual life
orb, choice scarf and lum berry all three of which can potentially be very
threatening to face. it does gets and keeps moves like rock slide, superpower,
close combat and even sacred sword, some do keep protect and substitute to
embrace strong hits or to trick opponents, quick guard runs the most popular
nowadays. The spreads are usually 252/252/4 ones. O the other hand, virizion is
also the same thing and varies in usage dependant on team (rock over grass, or
grass over rock coverage).
Name : Rhyperior
Type : Rock, Ground
Reasons :
Rhyperior is a recently found
fashion among people, looking for means of offense inside trick room, after Collin
Heier won with this pokemon a regional on his team, it would probably become
more and more popular and in my opinion would be kinda used this year at nats
and worlds. It uses moves like rock slide, earthquake, drill run, protect and
etc. probably 100% with the team weakness policy and its ability is kinda sure
to be lightningrod. EV’ing is dependant too.
Special Sweepers:
Name : Aegislash
Type : Ghost, Steel
Reasons :
Aegislash is almost having a
25% chance to be a mixed sweeper on every team, later it would be explained.
Aegislash started out in the VGC 2014 prior to which it was introduced and
proved to be one of the pokemons as the slower the better. Its only possible
ability stance change helps it to invert its attacks mid battle, changes into
blade form and makes its attack go 150 in both variants and when uses priority
+2 kings shield , say a protect that won’t block status goes back into the
shield form making both defensive variants 150. Aegislash guarantees to have
the moves shadow ball, kings sheild and flash cannon nowadays, other than that
the last slot is dependant over the moves wide guard, substitute and sacred
sword, all of which work the best. Aegislash carries items like leftovers with
leftosub sets, and almost weakness policy on anything else, life orb has
started to break on the scene too. Its EV spreads are dependant n the opposing
teams but nowadays does runs a speed negating nature, say quiet nature.
Name : Gardevoir
Type : Psychic, Fairy
Reasons :
Still if not being used in the mega form it
would be seen playing standard this season with the same items like choice
scarf/specs and some new things like focus sash and life orb though. Gardevoirs
100% if choice carry moves like dazzling gleam, moonblast and psychic along with
the last slot usually a support move or energy ball nowadays. Its EV spreads
are almost guaranteed 252/252/4 ones but some do nowadays do run the bulk
investment to survive priority bullet punches.
Name : Heatran
Type : Fire, Steel
Reasons :
Heatran was and still would be
a popular pokemon this season too, it has just gotten amazing stats and can
attack and defend very well, however the 4x ground type weakness can be a
pebble in its way, apart from that it’s a fine pokemon. It carries moves like
heat wave, ancient power, flash cannon, earth power, substitute,overheat and
mostly etc except that. The most popular item it runs is leftovers with as
expected leftosub set, apart from that it carries mixed stuff like safety
goggles aiming to counter amoongus and shuca berry to survive at least one
ground type hit. It can be said that it is one of the best fire types after the
megas. Its spreads are once again dependant, mostly they are slow but some do
run the amazing choice scarf even and make it a fast variant.
Name : Latios
Type : Psychic, Dragon
Reasons :
Amazing stats and capability
would be a reason to use it, it does has a set of the two most offensive
typings in the meta right now, it can carry tons of powerful stuff to harm its
opponents. It carries moves like draco meteor, dragon pulse, psychic, psyshock,
energy ball, thunderbolt and much much more comes with it, s it has the
advantage of covering many types with its diverse and widespread sets. It has
items like choice scarf and specs however some do have the item assault vest to
make it capable of surviving syvie’s hyper voice hits, latiosite may as well be
seen as a 75% in standard and 25%in mega or even less percentage for the mega.
Its EV spreads are not that complicated until it is appointed to some jobs
apart from sweeping right through
Name : Ludiculo
Type : Water, Grass
Reasons :
RAIN! Well that wasn’t yet it
some people do use it as a fake out support or on standard teams to counter
rain-modes. Almost the same set with fake out, scald/hydro pump, giga drain and
ice beam on AV sets, some even do use it as a hyper offensive variant other
than being specially defensive. Never expect its spreads to be 252/252/4 tho,
they are one of the most wide spread though.
Name : Serperior
Type : Grass
Reasons :
Serperior wasn’t even a
pokemon before contrary was released on it previously, yes an ability that
inverts stat changes. This quick change in the way this pokemon behaved people
though of using and it did caught many people’s intention though. Ist main and
probably the only usage being contrary + leaf storm madness, made it invincible.
It carries the move leaf storm 100% of the time withal the others really kind
of optional though. People train it to be a speedy nature while being a
specially offensive variant and the items like choice scarf, life orb and etc
are given some have also started to use bulky serperior sets. EV’s would mostly
be 252/252/4 ones.
Name : Hydreigon
Type : Dark, Dragon
Reasons :
Hydreigon literally was a
beast last season only just got OHKO’ed by scarfed gardevoir (a reason it came
out). Hydreigon is mostly a special attack or speed variant some go with other
options too though. It is sure to kill you with moves like dark pulse, draco
meteor, earth power, fire blast, flash cannon and so on though. It has the most
common of items like choice scarf, specs and a life orb are some of the viable
options. Its EV spreads when used by veterans are almost as always a lot more
than just 252/252/4 sets and are specified though.
Name : Sylveon
Type : Fairy
Reasons :
Choice specs + hyper voice =
DEATH. It carries moves like shadow ball, hidden powers and etc apart from
hyper voice (thanks to the gifted pixiliate ability). Almost runs choice specs
however some others run life orb and pixie plate to make a protect and get
misplays from opponents. Its ev spreads while being hyper specially offensive
also divide over HP and defense stat, that makes it hard for us to OHKO it.
Name : Goodra
Type : Dragon
Reasons :
Goodra is a pokemon meant for the words
coverage as well as bulk. Goodra being a complete special variant (both sp.atk
and sp.def) completes lots of purposes. It also has some good abilities like
hydration which helps it out in the popular rainy weather, or go with the gooey
ability which complements contact attacks it faces (mostly physical ones) and
back up for the defense it lacks in though. It carries moves like ice beam,
draco meteor, dragon pulse, muddy water, fire blast, flame thrower and etc. it
almost guarantees to have the assault vest item on it some people may as well
run other items on it. It is usually EV’ed over special attack physical defense
and HP stat.
Name : Volcarona
Type : Fire, Bug
Reasons :
The return of volcarona means the return
of possible topmoth combo lead. Volcarona however can also be used for tons of
other purposes too like supportive sets to special sweepers even mixed sets
sometimes. It’s advantage of learning the quiver dance making 3 stat benefits
in one turn and giving of the effect in a choice scarf, specs and an assault
vest is just amazing. Volcarona does needs its support though. It gets usual
moves like tailwind, rage powder, will-o-wisp which are all good for supportive
sets and on the offensive side usually runs moves like bug buzz and heat wave
with the staple protect of course. No certain item has been confirmed on it
yet. Its EV’ing also does vary on teams.
Name : Milotic
Type : Water
Reasons :
As the seasons of pokemon
meta came by the increased amount of the use of the competitive ability on the
scene exited people to use more like bisharps or something that counters
protect, oh yes a competitive bearer, straight off doubling its special attack
in contact with status lowering abilities or moves though, milotic is an
example of such pokemons that were started to be used. It does gets moves like
ice beam, scald which are good for offense but in addition also does gets part support
moves like icy wind at the most it runs mixed items from weakness policy to
assault vest, life orb to choice scarf or specs, even some get leftovers, in
short can be said it uses a whole spectrum of items. Its EV’ing usually isn’t
always specialized but mostly 252/252/4.
Name : Salamence
Type : Dragon, flying
Reasons :
Salamence has always been a
second option after hydreigon to sweep as a special variant, but after its mega
was released its special variant usage has been decimated. Although some still
love the coverage provided by salamence like flamethrowers, fire blast, draco
meteor, dragon pulse, as well as hydrp pumps. It really still would be seen
only if a bit or even not being used this season with common choice lock items
like scarf and specs (don’t expect, or even just do some banded ones with moxie
like mine J) and life orb with the
intimidate ability which as always supported a big cause of its usage though.
EV’ing unlike acting a way similar to hydreigon is always 252/252/4.
Name : Thundurus- Therian
Type : Electric, Flying
Reasons :
A thundurus in its therian
form is not that much seen at all but still would or maybe seen used by some.
It does bears the volt absorb ability and usually is a hyper specially
offensive variant with moves like volt switch, thunderbolt, discharge, protect,
grass knot, hidden power and others, with items included as life orb or choice
lock scarf or specs . EV’ing also is 252/252/4. Sorry don’t have much to say
about as we don’t see it often.
Mixed
Sweepers:
Name : Tyranitar
Type : Dark, Rock
Reasons :
Tyranitar is always been
used, almost always since I started competitive battling (2013). One reason and
tons of causes to use are self explanatory, bearing the ability sand stream capable
of wearing of opponents slowly, breaking focus sash and giving rock types
including tyranitar a sp.def boost by 50% is enough to get it pass people’s
attention. It gets tons of useful moves like fire blast, ice beam, as a special
variant and even dark pulse sometimes, whereas the physical side shows off it
uses moves like rock slide and crunch with fling seen rarely and 100%
guaranteed on iron ball sets. It uses items like weakness policy which having
7x weaknesses compliments itself and other items like choice scarf, chople
berry is extremely old fashioned but may as well be seen (who knows). Its
EV’ing is never to be 252/252/4 but a complicated set of different options.
Name : Greninja
Type : Water, Dark
Reasons :
Greninja is almost categorized as a
special sweeper though, but here I would put it on the ,list of mixed
attackers. Greninja’s main usage is in special sweeping with moves such as ice
beam and scald also along with dark pulse, in addition its gifted protean
ability makes its every attack given the STAB boost. Some support moves like
icy wind, mat block are also common nowadays. Apart from the special sweeper
side some people do keep the moves water shiruken, waterfall and mainly rock
slide to trick with their opponents and get important OHKO’s. its main items
are usually choice scarf, life orb and focus sash. Its main usage again would
be with 252/252/4 sets in speed and anyone of the offensive variants.
Name : Inferape
Type : Fire, Fighting
Reasons :
Inferape didn’t had much to
discuss on but soon as the 2015 season
came by it picked up lots of attention, because of mainly having the potential
to defeat the two most common megas kangaskhan and mawile, with moves like
close combat and overheat. Nowadays every one realized that a perfect set
contains both moves overheat and close combat hence I categorized it on my
mixed sweeper list. Its main usage with moves is of close combat, overheat,
fake out and protect, with some others adding the moves feint, mach punch etc
though. The most common of the items are life orb and focus sash. The smartest
EV’ing is 252 attack 252 in speed and 4 in sp’atk with a speed raising and
defense negating nature 100% of the time and can’t be any better.
Name : Blaziken
Type : Fire, Fighting
Reasons :
Blaziken is almost another
form of inferape not using fake outs tho. It serves and becomes the same
purpose mainly, with the same items such as life orb, and focus sash. People
have tried on focus sash to play the stuff safe, whereas the ones using life
orb, with usually a defense negating nature have struggled against priorities
often (referred to azumarills and t-flames, life orb has been used to land more
powerful mixed set overheats tho. Blaziken also has some of the best ability
sets it gets blaze as well as it gets the speed boost ability complementing its
speed. It often uses moves like high-jump-kick, overheat, protect, and etc some
popular sets include things like hidden power ice and also the move superpower
for more powerful hits. the EV spreads are mostly 252/252/4 ones.
Name : Swampert
Type : Water, Ground
Reasons :
As the season started and the
meta was taking form, swampert was only thought with swampertite, soon that
importance was lost but nowadays is used for offenses with wide guard being the
main reason, the offense variant is dependant, waterfall, earthquake, ice punch
and rock slide for physical variants and scald, ice beam and earthpower, some
with protect for special variants, EV’ing is almost always more than 252/252/4
on these.
Side
Sweepers:
This part is
another one of the sweepers, however the pokemons in this category are mostly
helping a cause of setting up or other stuff or say they can do something
others can’t and are for a specific purpose on the list, that are sure to be
seen. These can also be said as secondary sweepers or part sweepers who serve
the purposes of both offense and strategy.
Name : Lapras
Type : Water, Ice
Reasons :
Lapras is probably having
some of the best reasons to be on the current scene of VGC. First of all it can
single handedly counter rain type scenarios though, with its ability water
absorb and by having the move freeze dry which is 4x effective on pokemons like
ludiculo, swampert and 2x effective on the politoed seen usually in rain mode.
Apart from that it learns the move ancient power, prior to which it being a
special variant and having the assault vest item as common on it I can also
take care of the sun-mode potentially referring to mega chariyard y’s. its
ev’ing is not usually specified but would be a bit wide spread from 252/252/4.
Name : Cradily
Type : Grass, Rock
Reasons :
Where there’s a cradily there
a mega camerupt!. This is a full proof theory, mark it down. Its only possible
usage would be seen alongside mega camerupt, redirecting those 4x effective
water attacks, to its benefit. Cradily is more rare to be seen than gastrodon
but gastrodon can’t stand a chance against sun-room, which mega camerupt also
runs and also is weak 4x to grass moves, cradily is also an equally good option,
with moves like gig drain, ancient power. It runs many optional items like from
sitrus berry to leftovers even AV sometimes. Its set can always be expected to
be bulky and offensive as it is used behind TR and usually also a bit wide
spread from 252/252/4.
Name : Ferrothorn
Type : Grass, Steel
Reasons :
Ferrothorn is one of the most
interesting Pokémons that appeared on the meta scene. It would be another way
of countering many physical attackers, hence making it a unique from many
others for doing what others can’t. ferrothorns 100% pure usage is with rocky
helmet + iron barbs combo, helping it to counter the likes of m-kang , t-flame
and other various physical contact attackers, however some on showdown (some)
still run leftovers ferrothorn, + with the leech seed sap making it an
annoyance. It gets moves as expected like leech seed, gyro ball, protect, power
whip and some rare ones do carry the move thunder wave for utility purposes
though. Its EV’ing depends, some invest in sp.atk to help it survive special
attacks, while other thinks it’s a waste because of the 4x fire weakness and
invest heavily into physical defense. It also plays an important role in
countering TR-mode on some teams.
Name : Breloom
Type : Grass, Fighting
Reasons :
Breloom is a Pokémon ran
for usually different purposes though, some are pure physical attackers while
others do keep the part support spore though. Breloom doesn’t has much to be
discussed on apart from spore, it gets other moves like mach punch, rock tomb,
bullet seed complementing its technician ability in a positive way. It runs
items like focus sash, and some with choice scarf and its EV’ing is sure to be
252/252/4 though.
Name : Gastrodon
Type : Water, Ground
Reasons :
(Another name for cradily).
Gastrodon has been a Pokémon with great potential, and is used quite more often
than cradily, despite having the 4x grass weakness slapped on its face, it gets
moves like scald, mud bomb, earth power, protect, HP ice and etc and runs the
same set of items and the same spread to that of cradily.
Name : Politoed
Type : Water
Reasons :
Rain. Politoed is the only
one born apart from kyogre to set up the destructive, dominating rain on the
scene with its drizzle ability. It gets different sets on it apart from this
rain theme. Some are offensive sets with moves like scald, hydro pump, ice beam
and the last one is optional, with items like choice scarf 100% and is EV’ed
accordingly. Others are supportive sets including moves like helping hand,
encore and perish song for traps with according bulky EV’ing and items like
leftovers and sitrus berry though.
Name : Rotom-Heat
Type : Electric, Fire
Reasons :
Rotom has been a most complex
pokemons for many reasons to be used in two of the most dominating forms one
would be rotom- heat getting the over powering move over heat and negating the
4x ground weakness with its levitate ability. Apart from over heat it uses
moves like volt switch, will-o-wisp, thunderbolt, protect with thunder wave seen
rarely. It gets the item sitrus berry most of the time with some other
rotom-heat also get safety goggles, leftovers and choice specs. Its EV’ing is
never at a constant but is consequently
specified , apart from some of the sets copied from the veterans of the format,
with a little sometimes is always added to speed stat, ranging from 4 EV’s to
36 EV’s, some even avoid that.
Name : Rotom-Wash
Type : Electric, Water
Reasons :
Rotom has been a most complex Pokémons for
many reasons to be used in two of the most dominating forms one would be rotom-
wash getting the over powering move hydro pump and negating the ground weakness
with its levitate ability. Apart from over heat it uses moves like volt switch,
will-o-wisp, thunderbolt, protect with thunder wave seen rarely. It gets the
item sitrus berry most of the time with some other rotom- wash do run leftovers
and choice specs. Its EV’ing is never at a constant but is consequently specified , apart from
some of the sets copied from the veterans of the format, with a little
sometimes is always added to speed stat, ranging from 4 EV’s to 36 EV’s, some
even avoid that.
Name : Scrafty
Type : Dark, Fighting
Reasons :
Scrafty’s competitive usage
has been grown since it first was introduced; probably some of the best reasons
to put it on was to set up TR successfully from its partner. However now it has
been taken over by hariyama’s but some still prefer to use it still. Scrafty gets
some valuable moves like fake out, knock off, crunch, drain punch, some also
with a bit supportive side to them with moves like snarl and taunt, it gets
mixed items like sitrus berry, leftovers, life orb and assault vest is the most
common one out of all. It is usually trained in sp.def to survive some
acceptable fairy attacks with decent bulk, apart from that it usually invest
some value in physical attack and HP. Like some mentioned above on some teams
it also aims to counter TR situations, with 100% intimidate ability.
Name : Hitmontop
Type : Fighting
Reasons :
Hitmontop is more of a spot
filler than anything, its main reasoning to be on a team is to provide fighting
type move coverage and give some support. It gets some popularly used moves
like close combat, fake out as mentioned above, and apart from this priority
moves like mach, bullet and sucker punches, some do carry the move feint. Apart
from this still used quiet sometimes as a support onuses moves like wide guard
and quick guard of course with the usual protects/detects. On some teams does
fulfils the purpose for TR activation by providing the first turn fake out
though. It item choice like some others is dependant from bulky to offensive. EV’ing
is also a bit wide spread over attack and bulk, some choose to be bulky.
Name : Weavile
Type : Ice, Dark
Reasons :
Weavile is there for
flinching and priority, fulfilling both purposes successfully with moves like
fake out, icicle crash, fling (some only), icicle crash and also the offensive
side from icicle side, knock off, night slash and the usual protects. Weavile
is mostly thought of a physical sweeper but doing more work based on both
flinching and priority makes it a unique of its kind. Its 4x fighting weakness
is not a good thing at all but the item focus sash plays it safe, some other
people do as always stick along with the item life orb for extra damage. Its
EV’ing is sure to be 252/252/4.
Name : Venusaur
Type : Grass, Poison
Reasons :
Venusaur is finally the last
one on the sweeper list and i would say it would stay till chariyard y is there
to set the sun out. Its full side sweeper potential comes out when paired up
with a char y which in sun-mode doubles it speed with the chlorophyll ability
and can use the move sleep powder to put others to sleep under almost any speed
tiers, which makes it an annoyance, some even roost u like zapdoses with the
move synthesis. On the offensive side it gets good moves like giga drain and
slugde bomb at the most. Its items would be usually venusaurites (LOL) but
often mixed from some things not well known to me. EV’ing is always not
252/252/4.
Supports:
This part of the
post handles the Pokémons both who handle sweepers and side sweepers, say that
they support them. A thing to notice is that they are carrying lots of
strategic value though. Although this would be a bit different form the sections
of the posts above, in this part I would give some really brief reasons from
some of the most popular moves and items ran and also would put their
respective roles in this part.
Redirectioners:
Name : Amoongus
Type : Grass, Poison
Reasons :
Rage powder, Spore. Effect spore, Regenerator ability .
Role : Redirection
Name : Pachirisu
Type : Electric
Reasons :
Follow me, Nuzzle, Super Fang. Volt absorb ability.
Role : Redirection
Name : Togekiss
Type : Fairy, Flying
Reasons :
Follow me, Tailwind, T-wave.
Role : Redirection and part tailwind support.
Name : Clefable
Type : Fairy
Reasons :
Follow me, helping hand.
Role : Redirection and helping hands.
Status
Inflicters:
Name : Gyarados
Type : Water, flying
Reasons :
T-wave, taunt
Role : Utility
Name : Smeargle
Type : Normal
Reasons :
Dark void, Every other support move.
Role : GTS (go to sleep)
Name : Arcanine
Type : Fire
Reasons :
Will-o-wisp, morning sun. intimidate
Role : Burn and intimidate support.
Name : Gengar
Type : Ghost, Poison
Reasons :
Will-o-wisp, Taunt.
Role : Frail Will-o-wisper, taunter.
Pranksters:
Name : Whimsicott
Type : Fairy, Grass
Reasons :
Encore, tailwind, Trick-room. Prankster
Role : Prankster
Name : Sableye
Type : Ghost, Dark
Reasons :
Will-o-wisp, taunt, swagger, confuse ray. Prankster.
Role : Burn, Confusion and prankster support.
Name : Thundurus
Type : Electric, Flying
Reasons :
T-wave, Taunt. Prankster.
Role : Prankster annoyance.
Tailwind
Utility:
Name : Whimsicott
Type : Fairy, Grass
Reasons :
Encore, Tailwind, Taunt.
Role : Prankster Support
Name : Zapdos
Type : Electric, Flying
Reasons :
Tailwind, T-wave, Swagger, Roost.
Role : Utility, Speed control
Name : Suicune
Type : Water
Reasons :
Tailwind, Icy wind, Snarl.
Role : 100% Tailwind Support.
Name : Cresselia
Type : Psychic
Reasons :
Trick room, Helping hand, Heal pulse, Moonlight+rocky helmet, T-wave, Icy wind.
Role : Speed Control.
Name : Gothitelle
Type : Psychic
Reasons :
Trick room, Helping hand, Heal pulse, Charm, Perish song. Shadow tag,
Role : Trick room support, Perish trapper.
Name : Cofagrigus
Type : Ghost
Reasons :
Will-o-wisp, Trick room.
Role : Burn and Trick room.
Name : Jellicent
Type : Water, Dark
Reasons : Trick room, Will-o-wisp, Water absorb
Role : Trick room setter.
Others:
Name : Raichu
Type : Electric
Reasons :
Fake out, Encore. Lightning rod.
Role : Lightning rod redirection and fake out support.
Hounorable
mentions:
1. Kingdra
2. Blastoise
3. Abomasnow
4. Tornadus
5. Chandelure
6. Liepard
7. Meowstic
8. Staraptor
9. Mega scizor
10. Mega Swampert
11. Mega Lucario
12. Typlosion
13. Entei
Conclusion:
Ah! Finally it
is completed, creating a huge post as such took me 3 weeks to write and edit
out/visualize. Again sorry if someone was disappointed by this but that was all
that I could’ve done. It is such a sign of relief to complete this post, hope
so I covered up many or maybe all of the Pokémons that may get used in the
season apart from some players like Ashton cox and Sejun park, who love to
bring some extra spice by using obscure Pokémons to sweep through a great
chance is that all the other teams would be built up from the components
mentioned above in the post, in every form. I putted lots of time, heart and
passion into the post and overall really did enjoy writing it. Hope it helps in
some way and also that you liked it. Bye 4 now!
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