/r/pokemonshowdown

Photograph via snooOG

Pokémon Showdown is a free, web-based battle simulator. It comes with many different servers and a plethora of features such as fan-made tiers and chatrooms to fit your style. Whether you use it to learn competitive battling, to practice, or just use it for recreation, you are welcome to this community.

Our current Champion is /u/Keplz

About Us

Pokémon Showdown is a free, web-based battle simulator. It comes with many different servers and a plethora of features such as fan-made tiers and chatrooms to fit your style. Whether you use it to learn competitive battling, to practice, or just use it for recreation, you are welcome to this community.

Rules
  1. BE NICE TO EACH OTHER:

The mod team has a zero tolerance policy on any racist, homophobic, transphobic, etc. remarks. Any hate speech against any religion, race, gender, or sexual orientation or just being excessively rude will result in a permanent ban.

  • ELO TAGGING:

  • All links to replays should begin with the ELO captured in square brackets such as [1534]. The ELO can be found in the bottom left corner of a replay, or by using the lower of the two rankings after a battle. If no ELO is present, please use your best guess or use [????].

  • SUBMITTING A TEXT POST:

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    76,940 Subscribers

    1

    Gen 2 Randbats - Poliwhirl???

    What is the deal with Poliwhirl in Gen2 Randbats? It feels like an auto-win anytime he's on your team and an auto-loss anytime your opponent gets him. It's the same Lovely Kiss/Belly Drum moveset as Poliwrath, except he has 220 speed instead of Poliwrath's 170, so he outspeeds almost everything and OHKOs your entire team.

    There doesn't seem to be any way to play around it unless you have either Jolteon or Electrode on your team and kill him after he drums by outspeeding.

    Aside from that rare scenario, I don't think I've ever lost a game with Poliwhirl on my team.

    I'm not even sure when they added him to Gen2 Rand, but it was some point within the last year or so. This never used to be the case.

    0 Comments
    2024/10/28
    19:28 UTC

    0

    which team for gen 9 ou is better?

    I feel like im hard stuck on the bottom barrel but I like both of these teams that ive made. which should i invest in to get better, but also any pointers or opinions for changes to make are appreciated too.

    Team 1:

    Garchomp @ Rocky Helmet

    Ability: Rough Skin

    Tera Type: Ghost

    EVs: 252 HP / 216 Def / 40 Spe

    Impish Nature

    - Earthquake

    - Dragon Tail

    - Stealth Rock

    - Stone Edge

    Rotom-Wash @ Choice Scarf

    Ability: Levitate

    Tera Type: Electric

    EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

    Timid Nature

    IVs: 0 Atk

    - Hydro Pump

    - Volt Switch

    - Will-O-Wisp

    - Trick

    Corviknight @ Leftovers

    Ability: Pressure

    Tera Type: Water

    EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD

    Impish Nature

    - Body Press

    - U-turn

    - Roost

    - Defog

    Meowscarada @ Choice Band

    Ability: Protean

    Tera Type: Steel

    EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

    Jolly Nature

    - Knock Off

    - Flower Trick

    - Triple Axel

    - U-turn

    Slowking-Galar @ Heavy-Duty Boots

    Ability: Regenerator

    Tera Type: Water

    EVs: 252 HP / 16 Def / 240 SpD

    Sassy Nature

    IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe

    - Future Sight

    - Chilly Reception

    - Sludge Bomb

    - Thunder Wave

    Iron Valiant @ Booster Energy

    Ability: Quark Drive

    Tera Type: Ghost

    EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

    Timid Nature

    IVs: 0 Atk

    - Shadow Ball

    - Moonblast

    - Calm Mind

    - Psyshock

    Team 2:

    Mienshao @ Life Orb

    Ability: Regenerator

    Tera Type: Fighting

    EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

    Jolly Nature

    - Fake Out

    - Knock Off

    - U-turn

    - Close Combat

    Swampert @ Leftovers

    Ability: Damp

    Tera Type: Grass

    EVs: 196 HP / 172 Def / 68 SpA / 72 SpD

    Bold Nature

    - Stealth Rock

    - Earth Power

    - Flip Turn

    - Ice Beam

    Corviknight @ Rocky Helmet

    Ability: Pressure

    Tera Type: Water

    EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD

    Impish Nature

    - Body Press

    - U-turn

    - Roost

    - Defog

    Meowscarada @ Choice Band

    Ability: Protean

    Tera Type: Steel

    EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

    Jolly Nature

    - Knock Off

    - Flower Trick

    - Triple Axel

    - U-turn

    Slowking-Galar @ Heavy-Duty Boots

    Ability: Regenerator

    Tera Type: Water

    EVs: 252 HP / 16 Def / 240 SpD

    Sassy Nature

    IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe

    - Future Sight

    - Chilly Reception

    - Sludge Bomb

    - Thunder Wave

    Dragapult @ Choice Specs

    Ability: Infiltrator

    Tera Type: Ghost

    EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

    Timid Nature

    IVs: 0 Atk

    - Shadow Ball

    - Draco Meteor

    - Hydro Pump

    - Flamethrower

    1 Comment
    2024/10/28
    17:21 UTC

    1

    i feel like this gen 9 ou team is pretty weak i would greatly appreciate some improvement tips

    Gholdengo @ Leftovers

    Ability: Good as Gold

    Tera Type: Steel

    EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 Spe

    Modest Nature

    IVs: 0 Atk

    - Nasty Plot

    - Make It Rain

    - Shadow Ball

    - Recover

    Tyranitar (M) @ Assault Vest

    Ability: Sand Stream

    Tera Type: Ghost

    EVs: 252 HP / 48 Atk / 208 SpD

    Careful Nature

    - Stone Edge

    - Crunch

    - Fire Blast

    - Earthquake

    Quaquaval @ Expert Belt

    Ability: Moxie

    Tera Type: Water

    EVs: 152 HP / 252 Atk / 104 Spe

    Adamant Nature

    - Aqua Step

    - Bulk Up

    - Close Combat

    - Roost

    Amoonguss (M) @ Black Sludge

    Ability: Regenerator

    Tera Type: Steel

    EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA

    Bold Nature

    IVs: 0 Atk

    - Toxic

    - Giga Drain

    - Sludge Bomb

    - Synthesis

    Iron Treads @ Leftovers

    Ability: Quark Drive

    Tera Type: Ground

    EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 204 Def / 48 Spe

    Impish Nature

    - Stealth Rock

    - Rapid Spin

    - Earthquake

    - Heavy Slam

    Iron Valiant @ Booster Energy

    Ability: Quark Drive

    Tera Type: Fairy

    EVs: 24 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 228 Spe

    Lonely Nature

    - Thunder Punch

    - Moonblast

    - Knock Off

    - Close Combat

    2 Comments
    2024/10/28
    09:44 UTC

    1

    Help needed from experienced player to improve team

    This is a Lucario-centered team for Gen 8 OU and I would appreciate if someone could take the time to look over my team and provide me with information on how I could improve it. Whether it’s about movesets, items, abilities, EV’s or if there are better pokemon that could fit the roles I assigned or if there’s anything my team is missing or overall synergy.

    Offensive Core:

    Main Lead/Sweeper- LUCARIO Item: Focus Sash Ability: Inner Focus Moves: Close Combat, Bullet Punch, Extreme Speed, Stone Edge Nature: Jolly EV: Attack-252, Defense-4, Speed 252+

    To cover Lucario’s weaknesses-SWAMPERT Item: Sitrus Berry Ability: Damp Moves: Stealth Rock, Earthquake, Waterfall, Ice Punch Nature: Impish EV: HP-252, Defense-252+, Sp. Def-4

    Wallbreaker/Bulky Offense- DRAGONITE Item: Rocky Helmet Ability: Multiscale Moves: Outrage, Roost, Earthquake, Extreme Speed Nature: Adamant EV: HP-244, Attack-252+, Defense-4, Sp. Def-4 Speed-4

    Defensive Core:

    Staller/Hazard Setter- FERROTHORN Item: Leftovers Ability: Iron Barbs Moves: Spikes, Leech Seed, Protect, Gyro Ball Nature: Relaxed EV: HP-252, Defense-232+, Sp. Def-24

    Staller/Hazard Control- CORVIKNIGHT Item: Rocky Helmet Ability: Pressure Moves: Body Press, Iron Defense, Roost, Defog Nature: Impish EV: HP-252, Defense-252+, Sp. Def-4

    Utility Pokemon:

    Stallbreaker/Trapper- HEATRAN Item: Life Orb Ability: Flash Fire Moves: Magma Storm, Earth Power, Taunt, Flash Cannon Nature: Modest EV: Defense-4, Sp. Att-252+, Speed-252

    4 Comments
    2024/10/28
    07:05 UTC

    1

    Rate with NU team (advice)

    I'm building my first team, and wanted to start with a lower usage tier to learn the ropes of teambuilding. I love Breloom, so I wanted to center the team off of him. What are y'all's thoughts? Any glaring weaknesses or redundancies? Anything that could be made more efficient? Keeping Breloom in some form is a must, as he is the core. I'd also prefer to keep Swampert and Chandelure on the team, as I like those two pokemon, but they're a bit more flexible than Breloom. Outside of those, I'm willing to switch out most anyone.

    This is for gen 9 NU, specifically.

    Breloom (M) @ Toxic Orb
    Ability: Poison Heal
    Tera Type: Normal
    EVs: 240 HP / 80 Atk / 140 Def / 48 SpD
    Adamant Nature

    • Facade
    • Seed Bomb
    • Bulk Up
    • Substitute

    Toxicroak @ Life Orb
    Ability: Dry Skin
    Tera Type: Dark
    EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
    Jolly Nature

    • Swords Dance
    • Drain Punch
    • Gunk Shot
    • Sucker Punch

    Chandelure @ Choice Scarf
    Ability: Flash Fire
    Tera Type: Grass
    EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
    Timid Nature
    IVs: 0 Atk

    • Flamethrower
    • Shadow Ball
    • Energy Ball
    • Trick

    Swampert @ Leftovers
    Ability: Torrent
    Tera Type: Poison
    EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
    Impish Nature

    • Stealth Rock
    • Earthquake
    • Flip Turn
    • Knock Off

    Galvantula @ Focus Sash
    Ability: Compound Eyes
    Tera Type: Ghost
    EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
    Timid Nature
    IVs: 0 Atk

    • Sticky Web
    • Thunder
    • Bug Buzz
    • Thunder Wave

    Cinccino @ Heavy-Duty Boots
    Ability: Skill Link
    Tera Type: Fire
    EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
    Jolly Nature

    • Tidy Up
    • Tail Slap
    • Triple Axel
    • Encore
    1 Comment
    2024/10/28
    05:41 UTC

    2

    Any suggestions to imrpove my team?

    I recently started Pokemon Showdown and i got to 1370 elo in the anything goes category with this team : https://pokepast.es/b3c7aa58e4956aeb and i was wonder what i could do to improve it? My strategy is to get a sticky web down and try to toxic stall with gliscor.

    6 Comments
    2024/10/27
    22:58 UTC

    4

    I'm pretty new to competitive and team building, any thoughts/criticsm

    Lapras (F) @ Rocky Helmet

    Ability: Shell Armor

    Tera Type: Poison

    EVs: 248 HP / 56 Def / 196 SpA / 8 SpD

    Modest Nature

    - Freeze-Dry

    - Blizzard

    - Snowscape

    - Surf

    Flygon (M) @ Dragon Fang

    Ability: Levitate

    Tera Type: Fairy

    EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

    Jolly Nature

    - Aerial Ace

    - Earthquake

    - Dragon Dance

    - Dragon Claw

    Gardevoir-Mega (F) @ Gardevoirite

    Ability: Pixilate

    Tera Type: Fairy

    EVs: 36 Def / 172 SpA / 48 SpD / 252 Spe

    Timid Nature

    - Draining Kiss

    - Heal Bell

    - Psychic Terrain

    - Expanding Force

    Lucario (F) @ Expert Belt

    Ability: Inner Focus

    Tera Type: Ghost

    EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

    Jolly Nature

    - Swords Dance

    - Brick Break

    - Drain Punch

    - Crunch

    Emolga (F) @ Magnet

    Ability: Static

    Tera Type: Grass

    EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

    Hasty Nature

    - Rain Dance

    - Thunder

    - Air Slash

    - Iron Tail

    Ceruledge (M) @ Leftovers

    Ability: Flash Fire

    Tera Type: Water

    EVs: 252 Atk / 24 SpD / 232 Spe

    Jolly Nature

    - Bitter Blade

    - Swords Dance

    - Will-O-Wisp

    - Shadow Claw

    Idk how to tag this but it's for National Dex battles

    16 Comments
    2024/10/27
    22:10 UTC

    3

    I never felt in such a tight spot on a Showdown game where i win haha

    This one was so fun and epic that i would feel happy even if i had lost this game. Man, what an epic fight.

    (Shared Power Random Battle, Elo around 1100-1200)

    https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9randombattlesharedpowerb12p6-2232083155

    0 Comments
    2024/10/27
    19:05 UTC

    1

    Made an all Eveelutions team. Any tips or changes? Also no idea on the Teras aside from Sylveon so let me know about that too.

    Umbreon @ Leftovers

    Ability: Inner Focus

    Shiny: Yes

    Tera Type: Dark

    EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD

    Calm Nature

    IVs: 0 Atk

    - Foul Play

    - Wish

    - Moonlight

    - Detect

    Espeon @ Colbur Berry

    Ability: Magic Bounce

    Tera Type: Psychic

    EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

    Timid Nature

    IVs: 0 Atk

    - Psyshock

    - Reflect

    - Light Screen

    - Detect

    Jolteon @ Covert Cloak

    Ability: Volt Absorb

    Tera Type: Electric

    EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

    Timid Nature

    IVs: 0 Atk

    - Volt Switch

    - Thunder Wave

    - Detect

    - Helping Hand

    Vaporeon @ Choice Scarf

    Ability: Water Absorb

    Tera Type: Water

    EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

    Timid Nature

    IVs: 0 Atk

    - Hydro Pump

    - Ice Beam

    - Rain Dance

    - Detect

    Leafeon @ Life Orb

    Ability: Chlorophyll

    Shiny: Yes

    Tera Type: Grass

    EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

    Adamant Nature

    - Leaf Blade

    - Dig

    - X-Scissor

    - Swords Dance

    Sylveon @ Choice Specs

    Ability: Pixilate

    Shiny: Yes

    Tera Type: Ground

    EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD

    Modest Nature

    - Hyper Voice

    - Shadow Ball

    - Psyshock

    - Tera Blast

    1 Comment
    2024/10/27
    13:20 UTC

    7

    can i request a team here? if so does anyone have any ideas for a team with Blastoise in OU

    yes i know Blastoise isnt in OU, yes i know using a weaker mon in OU is more work for less reward. But you gotta win with your favorites, ig lmao.

    The idea behind the team is, rain offense or balance team with blastoise as either a bulky wallbreaker with rain dish for recovery or as a quick sweeper with torrent, shell smash and white herb. also with some form of hazard removal but not neccesary, just give whatevers.

    7 Comments
    2024/10/27
    11:37 UTC

    3

    What's the current meta?

    Sorry if this is posted a lot, but im new to the competitive Pokemon scene, ive made a few weather teams because i like playing around with the field, but i just want to know any common Pokemon, strategies and items being used.

    EDIT: I play Doubles OU

    9 Comments
    2024/10/27
    02:07 UTC

    2

    Decided to make a team around Lilligant. Any tips?

    Only have four Pokemon currently, and not entirely sure about two of them. Let me know what to change and add please?

    Lilligant @ Leftovers

    Ability: Chlorophyll

    Tera Type: Fairy

    EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

    Timid Nature

    IVs: 0 Atk

    - Sleep Powder

    - After You

    - Pollen Puff

    - Protect

    Torkoal @ Safety Goggles

    Ability: Drought

    Tera Type: Water

    EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD

    Modest Nature

    IVs: 0 Atk

    - Eruption

    - Earth Power

    - Solar Beam

    - Protect

    Dracovish @ Choice Band

    Ability: Water Absorb

    Tera Type: Steel

    EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD

    Adamant Nature

    - Fishious Rend

    - Psychic Fangs

    - Dragon Rush

    - Protect

    Sylveon @ Choice Specs

    Ability: Pixilate

    Tera Type: Ground

    EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD

    Modest Nature

    - Hyper Voice

    - Psyshock

    - Shadow Ball

    - Tera Blast

    26 Comments
    2024/10/26
    22:13 UTC

    3

    Fun Gimmick Pokémon Team Engines

    Hey all! I want to see all of you fun gimmick team engines, so a few Pokémon which work together to do something you can build a team around. For example: here is one of the engines for a explosion/final gambit spam team:

    Trevenant @ Sitrus Berry
    Ability: Harvest
    Tera Type: Fairy
    EVs: 252 HP / 72 SpD / 184 Spe
    Calm Nature
    IVs: 0 Atk

    • Skill Swap
    • Sunny Day
    • Destiny Bond
    • Ally Switch

    Pawmot @ Leppa Berry
    Ability: Volt Absorb
    Tera Type: Flying
    EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
    Sassy Nature
    IVs: 0 Spe

    • Revival Blessing
    • Protect
    • Fake Out
    • Wish

    Skill swap revival blessing spam. You should have something with drought before though...

    Here is one for singles that I found online somewhere:

    Meowstic (M) @ Light Clay
    Ability: Prankster
    Tera Type: Psychic
    EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpD / 252 Spe
    Timid Nature
    IVs: 0 Atk

    • Light Screen
    • Reflect
    • Yawn
    • Magic Room

    Give a scarf Pokémon swords dance and hope it survives!

    3 Comments
    2024/10/26
    19:55 UTC

    0

    Help building team

    This is my current team (Gen 7 OU), which I've been using for a few days. I don't have a great win rate with it, and I'm wondering how to make it better.

    https://pokepast.es/4aea15950e93da98

    Do you have any advice?

    1 Comment
    2024/10/26
    18:26 UTC

    1

    I need some help with making a team!

    I'm new to Pokémon showdown and I want to play the anything goes game mode but I don't know how to make a good team that will be easy to use and can help me learn any suggestions for teams or how I can make a good team would be much appreciated!

    2 Comments
    2024/10/26
    11:00 UTC

    84

    Why does everyone leave a match?

    I'm fairly new but I've noticed that everyone just leaves as soon as you kill one of their pokemon? Is there a reason or? they don't even forfeit, they just leave

    24 Comments
    2024/10/26
    10:25 UTC

    2

    Chien pao replacement Gen 9 OU team

    what is a good replacement for chien pao in the format currently running
    Chien-Pao
    @ Focus Sash
    Ability: Sword of Ruin
    Tera Type: Dark
    EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
    Jolly Nature
    - Crunch
    - Ice Spinner
    - Sacred Sword
    - Sucker Punch

    3 Comments
    2024/10/26
    05:55 UTC

    2

    Tips for refining my team

    https://pokepast.es/f09ccf4410730583

    After being a pokemon fan my entire life I finally decided to try my hand in the more competitive side of things. After a few days of refinement through battles this is what I've ended up with so far. Any tips for changes I could make is greatly appreciated.

    3 Comments
    2024/10/25
    23:16 UTC

    4

    how can i make this team better? Gen 9 NatDex OU

    11 Comments
    2024/10/25
    16:30 UTC

    4

    Anyone have any ideas on how I can improve my doubles Natdex team?

    Charizard-Mega-Y @ Charizardite Y
    Ability: Drought
    Shiny: Yes
    Tera Type: Fire
    EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
    Timid Nature
    IVs: 0 Atk

    • Ancient Power
    • Fire Pledge
    • Air Slash
    • Roost

    Venusaur @ Weakness Policy
    Ability: Chlorophyll
    Shiny: Yes
    Tera Type: Grass
    EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
    Modest Nature
    IVs: 0 Atk

    • Grass Pledge
    • Sleep Powder
    • Leech Seed
    • Sludge Bomb

    Greninja @ Leftovers
    Ability: Protean
    Shiny: Yes
    Tera Type: Water
    EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
    Timid Nature

    • Water Pledge
    • U-turn
    • Extrasensory
    • Dark Pulse

    Murkrow @ Eviolite
    Ability: Prankster
    Shiny: Yes
    Tera Type: Dark
    EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
    Careful Nature

    • Tailwind
    • Thunder Wave
    • U-turn
    • Defog

    Vanilluxe @ Light Clay
    Ability: Snow Warning
    Shiny: Yes
    Tera Type: Ice
    EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
    Timid Nature
    IVs: 0 Atk

    • Aurora Veil
    • Blizzard
    • Flash Cannon
    • Weather Ball

    Cinccino @ Loaded Dice
    Ability: Technician
    Shiny: Yes
    Tera Type: Ghost
    EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
    Jolly Nature

    • Tidy Up
    • Triple Axel
    • Rock Blast
    • Tail Slap
    8 Comments
    2024/10/25
    13:52 UTC

    0

    Is there a way to see ladder ranks below the top 500?

    I've just crossed the 2000k mark in randbats and I'm curious how far from the top I am.

    5 Comments
    2024/10/25
    01:54 UTC

    7

    After 999 matches I finally reached 1500s in reg H!

    Posted a month of so ago about reaching 1400s and after a small break, I made some improvements to my team and managed to reach the next checkpoint! I'm so content.

    Team: https://pokepast.es/1c917cd6367ff8b1

    Reg H is so addicting!

    1 Comment
    2024/10/24
    20:30 UTC

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