Pokemon Sword and Shield's Isle of Armor Pokedex and its impact on VGC 20

So right now I decided to save a day and write up on my thoughts and analysis by using pikalytic’s usage statistics in the early update to this format. Things are still early and the state of the newly added mons are changing as the first few weeks go by but here is my take on some of the usable additions from the isle of armor expansion and then some pokemon I feel hold niche or interesting potential to be used, these are also the ones I would like to use on my future, rather more fun teams.

Psychic potential:

Psychic types were the superior type back in generation one however with the special stat split, addition of dark, steel and fairy typing as well as buffs to the bug typing has made it rather not that strong competitively, surely we would see some bulky psychic types like cresselia reign supreme in the past but their role was rather defensive. Now given a single move being added in the isle of armor expansion known as expanding force, a 80 base power move, that doubles in power and becomes a spread move under psychic terrain, not to mention the boost it achieves from terrain in the process has reinvented the use of some previously existing pokemons.

Alakazam is specifically a new pokemon added that is now being apmmed alongside teams with female indeedee to set up the terrain as well as redirect attacks way from alakazam, not only that alakazam can also pack the option of a speed swap in to a slower mon in the back and can set up another very beneficial terrain with carrying moves like dazzling gleam, this really benefits this psychic fox a lot.

As for reinvention of previous pokemon, indeedee female will almost always be carrying expanding fore over psychiccoverage of psychic or psyshock whereas hatterene’s usual psychic moveslot is also dominated by expanding force. A pokemon, or form of a pokemon  that didn’t see much previous usage, male indeedee to be specific has now found more use in aforat, wher it can threaten its opponents with alike hyper voice and aforementioned culprit expanding force with carrying coverage moves, ranging from focus sash to life orb variants. This is definitely a plus for psychic types, even though the general psyspam lead of alakazam + indeedee’s female variant may become a niche or a gimmick lead, the effects of expanding forcewill be long lasting on the new and improved format.

Porygons:

Yes 2 this time not only 1, this in the regard reminds me of porygon’s evolution line dominating the metagame of VGC 17, where porygon 2 was the ridiculously bulky trick room setter being given the + of a download boost as pz was rather seen as a gimmick or strategy based setup team with z-conversion.

However in this new generation dynamax seems to buff these two even more. Now extremely strong fighting z moves to ohko porygon 2 don’t simply exist and porygon z can enjoy its full potential in dyanmax form where it can fire off base 150 powered max strikes through hyper beams, not only landing heaps of damage but also resulting in speed drops without any side effects for itself. As for the dynamax factor on porygon 2, I have seem people tend to dynamax it, adding to the threat because its not only going to become a seemingly impenetrable wall, but also seems to gain offensive potential given appropriate download boost and powering up of moves in dynamax.

Alolan Marowak:

Another ghost from the past is back, with an upgrade, namely the new physical ghost move poltergeist which really gives somewhat of a buff to others like dusknoir and all, but mainly makes alolan marowak into a bigger and more dangerous monster. Leave that aside and combine this monster with the dynamax factor… it shreds through teams if left unchecked in a game, its defenses have been overall lackluster, however dynamax makes sure to beef it up and power up its moves further. Definitely a trick room threat to look out for when team building.

The other redirection:

More pokemon with redirection are also made available  via the expansion updates like tangelea, tangrowth and volcarona however the most noticeable has to be the notorious meta changing amoonguss, take this one to combine with a resistant berry like coba berry to dodge all the max air stream going around, add in a 100% accurate sleep move with its bulk, slow speed and great utility coverage on moves especially like clear smog and you have the recipe for a top tier addition to VGC. There is a reason amoonguss has been prevalent in the VGC formats in the past and its here to prove it.

Water Types:

Kingdra + Politoed:

 This combination that will essentially be rain reborn in VGC 2020 had long been in discussions given people realized both kingdra and politoed were going to be included in the format, especially now with the addition of hurricane on kingdra it can further boost its speed stat, get a bit more bulk and fire off consistent and stronger attacks in its dyanmax form and you can call it quite a useful duo when paired up with politoed’s drizzle, speeding it up, using helping hand, icy wind to break mirror matches and then utility of scald or muddy water and you have a strong duo to start off the game with.

Though in reality this duo is not as overpowering as it would once have seemed, it still has a prominent place in the format and will be more effective considering what became of pelliper combinations in rain.

Azumarill:

Though always being cute and known for shredding through teams that don’t suspect it to do it, azumarill is now more than a 1 trick pony with belly drum strategies, some choice band and assault vest utility sets have been around in the past format, however that that, combine it with coverage and dynamax all of a sudden azumarill has the opportunity of setting up rain for itself, setting up misty terrain, raising its attack with fighting coverage or defenses with steel coverage, azumarill is another tank that can also sweep. Not only its moves are powered by the huge power ability, the power up gifted by dynamax and the bulk that comes with it is definitely worth calling a threat in this format.

 Urshifu:

Definitely something people thought was going to be op when it was first released having the unseen fists signature ability, it can break through the tactics of protecting from its wide range of coverage moves. Combine that with a signature move from both forms that allow it to always land critical hit, this one is a threat to watch out for, as it can also pack coverage with the elemental punches, rock slide and u turn.

A wide variety of moves are being used by this pokemon currently and with that variety comes different item choices, ranging from choice scarf (rare) to choice band, focus sash, assault vest to life orb variants.

The main weakness of this pokemon lies within its low special defense stat something that pokemon like whimsicott and togekiss can really take great advantage of so its definitely not an unhealthy addition to the metagame, however given all the previous + points Urshifu should always be on your mind when teambuilding as a threat to counter.

Justified Heroes:

Terrakion and cobalion noticeably of the trio re seeing use for what lucario did with its justified ability early in this format with mons like whimsicott or weavile’s partnered beatup. With lucario being a prominent part of early meta, people are looking to test into the potential of these two legendary pokemon with improved stats and coverage in some regards as a strategy on their team and its definitely not a bad option where you can utilize it properly.

Steel types:

 

Magnezone is a mon people really wanted to look into specifically for the reason that it can now use body press to counter mons like tyranitar and excadrill, with its sturdy ability and steel type being immune to sandstorm adding to its survivability, magnezone is a choice that some people use effectively.

Similarly scizor is seeing use, given its previously famous technician boosted priority bullet punches with swords dance beefing it up, it now has a new addition of the newly introduced move, dual wingbeat, a move that attacks twice and for scizor, is boosted by technician, given its steel bug typing it definitely is a worthy option to consider when thinking of counter the rising grass types like rillaboom and amoonguss in the format.

Krookodile:

Krookodile is a pokemon that previous to the release was seeing a lot of attention for its potential, that it definitely has, 3 really good abilities that can be utilized by giving krookodile a utility role in intimidate or make it a sweeper by giving it moxie or run sweeping gimmicks like anger point. Krookodile can further be utilized with the newly introduced move lash out which increases its power in case of stat lowering this turn, with it being a dark type and dynamaxing its certainly a good mon. I feel like somewhere later on in this format as it develops, krookodile will finally see a good use, it just needs to be explored more to find its best use in the format.

Volcarona:

Another mon that can carry rage power or quiver dance and can show variation between offensive to defensive roles on a team, volcarona definitely carries potential with its name from its success in the past formats. My thoughts are similar for it to krookodile, it needs to be explored ore to find its finest potential.

Sheep Snatcher; Talonflame:
Talonflame even though its signature ability is quite watered down, can be the only pokemon to enjoy a dynamax priority move, especially one of such a big base power. talonflame is mainly used to pick up teams that are having troubles mathing up against whimsicott as its offensive priority outspeeds whimsicott's natural speed, however if invested in bulk of 252 hp, whimsicott can take the sharp beak boosted dual wing beat which is the tech for countering it. 
even if your talonflame isn't exactly to counter whimsicotts alone, it can still provide a relatively strong priority attack in brave bird and then give grass types like rillaboom and amonguss a tough time in the games.
The Young Coach:
yes, it is non other than riolu, riolu has been a particular kind of pokemon given that it has the ability called prankster, something that is quite on the high ranks from a vgc supportive mon standpoint. with the isle of armor releasing the new move called coaching. this is a supportive move that gives the same boosts as bulk up, so it'd be +1 attack and +1 defense. combine that with prankster, yawn, copycat and protect with a focus sash, you can really buff up a partner very effectively and throw disruption by priority yawns.

The interesting additions:

you can ignore this art if you are here to have an overview of what impact the new additions had on the current metagame, following are some mons I feel like have niche potential or a player like me who likes to use weird/unique/unexpected options, you might wanna have a look, cuz I’d definitely be having fun incorporating some of these mons in my teams.

Bouffalant @ Assault Vest   Ability: Sap Sipper  Level: 50  EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD  Adamant Nature  - Giga Impact  - Iron Head - High Horsepower  - Close Combat Or   Bouffalant @ Life orb Ability: Sap Sipper  Level: 50  EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD  Adamant Nature  - Head Charge  - Swords Dance  - Protect  - (Coverage move)

 Boufallant can be given a lot more coverage than this, given its gets moves like poison jab, lash out, mega horn, outrage, rock slide, wild charge, zen headbutt. Make it an offensive sweeper or a set up sweeper with swords dance, combine that with a rather gimmicky sap sipper procking since rillaboom’s grassy slide and spore immunity that comes with it, give it reckless and head charge combination, dynamax it, there’s clearly a lot to be done with this beast and it has a lot of potential.

Miltank (F) @ Assault Vest  Ability: Sap Sipper  Level: 50  EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe  Jolly Nature  - Giga Impact  - Ice Punch   - High Horsepower  - Play Rough

The same stat total as boufallant however a much more different distribution, miltank is much much more speedy than boufallant however in addition it also gets all three elemental punches adding to a different category of coverage to be had, the speed it has completely changes the category, however you can also be using it as a utility purpose given you add on thick fat or change up the ability to scrappy to bonk any ghost types with your normal moves.

Clawitzer @ Choice Specs  Ability: Mega Launcher  Level: 50  EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD  Modest Nature  IVs: 0 Atk  - Aura Sphere  - Terrain Pulse  - Water Pulse  - Dark Pulse

Clawitzer is another interesting option to opt for the only pokemon that gets the ability mega launcher powering up newly introduced moves like terrain pulse with it, which also changes type when clawitzer is dynamax, combine that with a terrain setter and you can have a lot more useful coverage alongside a very powerful mon. definitely an interesting buff to a pokemon that was given some competitive viability already, would love to look into it.

Wigglytuff @ Assault Vest  Ability: Competitive  Level: 50  EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD  Modest Nature  IVs: 0 Atk  - Dazzling Gleam  - Hyper Voice/ Hyper beam  - Ice Beam/Shadow Ball/Thunderbolt  - Flamethrower

Though VGC’s 3 time world champion Ray Rizzo used wigglytuff and popularized its niche potential by winning a regionals in 2014, I feel like with all the incineroar and stat lower max moves being around competitive is quite a valuable ability to keep on a mon, combine that with dynmax and further powering up your moves and adding to the bulk of this pokemon, wigglytuff can give somewhat of a challenge on the correct team, not to mention the wide variety of offensive coverage it gets on its movepool, in a format where moves like wide guard are almost non existent in usage, wigglytuff can take cover with spread moves as well.

Pincurchin + Alolan raichu:
this duo definitely is a fun one if you are a lover of hyper offensive strategies, Raichu's rising voltage hits like a truck under electric terrain and through its doubled speed via surge surfer, its partner pincurchin is not dead weight either if the opponent decides to counter with trick room its base 15 speed stat is sure to give its opponents a tough time, especially since it can hit them with a truck as well with its own rising voltage or in case of its biggest enemy, an alolan marowak, it can hit it with water type moves as well.
A favorite of mine, Ashton Cox recently placed second in a tournament he played that included this combination and that speaks for itself.

Pinchurchin + raichu is another interesting combination of mons, with the new move of rising voltage being introduced which powers up in electric terrain, raichu and pinchurchin can both take great advantage of it, at the time of writing this I have seen a team of Ashton Cox who got second place in a tournament with this duo on his team, further powering it up by indeedee in the back.

Comfey:
wow, this little nymph is really making a name for itself its traige ability helps to boost its power of offensive and supportive healing moves by +3 even out speeding slower fake outs. usually paired with lapras and goodra, it can use its giga drain or draining kiss on the side to prock the weakness policy and then heal them with floral healing, boosted by grassy terrain since it is quite common, comfey is sure to take that advantage for itself. it also can carry trick room, a very useful form of speed control.

Dragalge:
A mon with monstrous special defense, a rather unique dragon poison typing only shared by eternatus and then combine that with weakness policy quite the decent coverage, trick room and dynamax and it is able to hold itself very well. i whenever have played against dragalge, have actually struggled keeping up against an offensive late game dynamax mon such as this one. definitely something that has a use on the right team and can be very workable.

Hopefully you liked this quick write up including a general analysis as well as a quick preview of my thoughts on the current metagame as well as some other options I consider interesting. Bye for now!