I have decided at this point that I want to get into VGC. Moreover, I want to go pro. One of my goals for 2025 is to attend at least One Regional tournament.

But the main question, is whether it will be worth it? I usually play the older games, and investing in a new switch is part of the factor too. By March, a new console is expected be announced, and it's likely LegendsZA will be like Arceus, and not be a direct effect on the Competitive scene.

Should I jump in now? I have the money to do it, or should I wait until the next games/Console come out?

I always feel like i’m playing pretty well but end up running into things do to inexperience sometimes i get taken by surprise by a mon that I don’t know or a weird set and end up going down to a rock slide or something when I could have predicted and used wide guard if i knew that mon was capable of that

Going to a local tournament a few days from now, wanted to include umbreon as it's my favorite pokemon and wanted something to shutdown special attackers, since it is quite tanky I decided to put it there EVs are possibly not final but rather a beta test any recommendation will be appreciated

Tornadus @ Covert Cloak
Ability: Prankster
Tera Type: Steel
EVs: 252 HP / 100 SpA / 156 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk

• Taunt
• Protect
• Bleakwind Storm
• Tailwind

Obviously Tornadus is there for the setup and to prevent other setups such as an opponents prankster defence setter such as grimmsnarl, amonguss, other etc. While also providing speed control for my team with tailwind, covert cloak to prevent all the fake outs and such

Miraidon @ Life Orb
Ability: Hadron Engine
Tera Type: Fairy
EVs: 140 HP / 252 SpA / 116 SpD
Modest Nature

• Protect
• Flash Cannon
• Tera Blast
• Electro Drift

Miraidon is here for one reason, damage dealing, as well as the electric terrain being useful against spore/hypnosis/sleep powder users, decided not to invest in speed EVs so might be depending a lot on tailwind but giving it a higher chance to survive moves, Tera blast to give coverage against dark types and other dragon types and flash cannon for Mons such as flutter mane

Umbreon (M) @ Mental Herb
Ability: Inner Focus
Tera Type: Grass
EVs: 252 HP / 124 SpA / 132 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk

• Helping Hand
• Snarl
• Thunder Wave
• Protect

Umbreon is here to be a BIG support, boosting damage, reducing incoming damage with snarl from THE MFING CALYREX SHADOWS (I hate Calyrex shadow so much) and flutter mane as it's a big part of reg G from what I've seen, protect to hang in there even if just one more turn to annoy opponents that try to possibly double it to eliminate it and thunder wave for more speed control, have thought about switching that for other moves such as wish or barrier such as light screen/reflect, open to suggestions, finally mental herb to remove any taunt and Tera grass to prevent sleep if terrain isn't active

Incineroar (M) @ Safety Goggles
Ability: Intimidate
Tera Type: Ghost
EVs: 204 HP / 100 Atk / 4 Def / 140 SpD / 60 Spe
Adamant Nature

• Knock Off
• Flare Blitz
• Fake Out
• Parting Shot

Another support Mon that's also here to deal a bit of damage if needed, incineroar as we know is the intimidate Mon, fake out support to flinch opponents, knock off to remove items that could potentially be good to my opponents and deal with ghost types, flare blitz due to the damage amount it can do, parting shot (feel like that's obvious lol) tanking a feel attacks and being a nuisance it's what it's there for ghost Tera for other fake outs and safety goggles for sleep and rage powder prevention

Ogerpon-Cornerstone @ Cornerstone Mask
Ability: Sturdy
Tera Type: Rock
EVs: 252 HP / 116 Atk / 140 Spe
Adamant Nature

• Ivy Cudgel
• Follow Me
• Spiky Shield
• Power Whip

Tank tank tank, the follow me support is obvious while also being a nuisance with spiky shield, possibly using it to block physical Sash users power whip for a bit of damage and coverage and ivy cudgel cause it's just an insane move as well as coverage

Urshifu-Rapid-Strike @ Splash Plate
Ability: Unseen Fist
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 60 HP / 124 Atk / 252 Def / 68 SpD / 4 Spe
Adamant Nature

• Surging Strikes
• Close Combat
• U-turn
• Detect

Urshifu is here to do what urshifu does best, thought about switching to sash instead or scarf for speed and removing detect for another move, but wanted it here to do lots of damage with plate and Tera and even break sashes if needed

Any recommendation/suggestions is welcome and if any more info is needed I can provide in comments as well

I'm a 22 year old man looking for a person or group of people I can team-build with. I've had a lot of trouble finding groups that are in to VGC and a lot of the servers for online tournaments aren't very active. This is unfortunate because a lot of the teams I build need a lot of testing before it's worth building them in game. If you're also looking for someone to teambuild, or play practice games with then send me a message.

I saw someone else ask a similar question a few months ago, but a lot of the responses said to go to regionals, which I don't really have the budget for right now, and the only regional near me for the whole year passed already.

This is a place for you to ask any quick question you might have that relates to VGC, which is the official double battle format. For questions about Single battles, monotype battles, other metagames, or even more opinions on VGC, please visit r/Stunfisk.

​

If your question is longer or more involved, feel free to make it its own thread!

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Please be courteous and respectful both to askers and answerers.

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This post will be archived 3 days from the time of its posting, and replaced with another post.

This is shamelessly stolen from r/CompetitiveHS, but hey, could be fun!

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Discuss what you are playing, what you’re having success with (or failures with), and any new/cool ideas you’ve been experimenting with, etc. The point is to share what you’ve been playing, and how it’s going, good or bad - there are no other rules or requirements. Some ideas on what to post/share:

​

* What you’ve been playing and its successes (or struggles). Stats are not required. There is no minimum Showdown/Battle Stadium rank required, though sharing what rank you’ve been playing at is preferred.

​

* Team adjustments you made or are planning to make in reaction to the meta or as new innovation.

I’ve just started to play vgc and am wondering how long does it take to start to learn and pickup on all the Pokemon and what they usually run? I feel like I might be overwhelmed if I try to research what every Pokémon’s diffrent uses. There’s over 1000 Pokémon’s and was trying to see how long it took you guys and if there are some helpful strategies? ( I’m really just trying to stretch this out so I can hit the 200 characters mark for the post)

I just started playing vgc literally 3 days ago. I have been playing most of the day today and suddenly now after switching up my team a bit I can’t find a game. Are the servers known to go down or is everyone in the world just busy with Christmas stuff???

I have registered and immediately unregistered from probably over a dozen tournaments after realizing they were bo1

Hi everyone!

After starting team building in regulation F, I had a break for reg G because I didn’t found the right uber to use and I took back in reg H. Now, as everyone know, in January reg G will come back and my doubts will return again!

Personally I don’t like reg G for its strong match up based component and for the thin margin between a good play or a bad play (caused by the Ubers’ high power).

How do you understand if your team is great or not? How do you understand if you have to change completely team? How do you understand if the team is the right one, but you have to learn using it?

I thought Michael's team was pretty cool, especially his life Orb entei, and I wanted to look more in depth on it. However, I can't seem to find the evs on any of his pokemon or the full team breakdown. Did he just not share or have I been looking in the wrong places? Any help appreciated

Hi Reddit and redditors, how are you ?

When GF first announced we were shifting back to the Regulation G format, I first built a Groudon Sun / Sweet Scent-based team. But I since stumbled across Smogon and different forums and found myself being interested in building a Snow team. You know, it's that time of the year after all.

As you may have guess, I love unusual picks, and there is a restricted legendary Pokemon I always wanted to give a try : Kyurem-B. So it may be the perfect timing to give him a shot and include him in a Snow crew.

❄️​My build for the boss : Kyurem-B❄️​

@ Loaded Dice

Ability : Teravolt

Jolly nature

Spread : 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

Electric Tera

- Dragon Dance

- Icicle Spear

- Fusion Bolt

- Scale Shot

So this is a plain and basic Loaded Dice sweeper, an item that I really like. Dragon Dancer is my setup, Icicile Spear and Scale Shot are here for huge damage, and Fusion Bolt means some coverage and most notably will hit Kyogre and other threatening Water-types.

I wanna build around this set, as I will probably send Kyurem-B in pretty much every battle.

❄️​What do I need to help my big boss ? (except luck)❄️​

OK, so from what I seem to understand about Snow teams building, here are some basics I need to incude in my team :

- Main Snow setter

- Secondary Snow setter

- Another Snow abuser, possibly two (I love Ice-types)

- Something to check Fire-types

- Something to check Kyurel-B threats

Did I miss something here ?

❄️​1. In search for the best Snow setter !❄️​

1.1. Snow Warning :

- Snow Warning may be the best way to set things up, so Pokemons that have access to this ability are obviously strong candidates for the role. There are four Snow Warning possible users right now, which are :

Ninetales (Alola)

- Access to Aurora Veil.

- Decent Speed tier (109).

- Access to a bunch of useful support moves (Icy Wind, Disable, Confuse Ray, Charm, Helping Hand, Chilling Water, Roar, Growl, Hypnosis, Baby-Doll Eyes...).

- Can still deal damage with powerful STAB Blizzard and Dazzling Gleam, and a decent 81 Special Attack stat.

Abomasnow

- Access to Aurora Veil.

- Speed tier of 60. I can make him as slow as possible, in order to win the weather war against Kyogre (90), Pelipper (65) and Groudon (90).

- Has a slightly higer Special Attack stat (92) than Ninetales, and even has the same decent 92 stat in Attack, so it can actually deal some damage, and do it on either the special or the physical side. Special will be prefered, though, in order to benefit from STAB and accurate Blizzard.

Vulpix (Alola)

- Can be seen as an odd mix between Ninetales and Abomasnow, having access to the former's support moves and granting an equivalent Speed tier than the latter (65).

- The only pure Ice-type Snow Warning user. Don't know if it could have some usefulness here, since Ice is not a good defensive type anyway.

Snover

- The slowest Snow Warning user (40), even slower than Hippowdon (47) but he's still faster than Torkoal (20). I don't see those two Pokemons being that used in Reg G, anyway.

- No access to Aurora Veil ! So that's a (really) big downfall for the little tanenbaum.

... and today I remembered that Vanilluxe also has access to Snow Warning !

1.2. Chilly Reception :

Chilly Reception is a rare move that allows to set the Snow, then switch out. This is a very great pick for a secondary weather setter, allowing to slowly switch into a powerful Snow abuser without the risk of taking a hit.

This move is only available on Slowking or Slowking (Galar), which are bulky and very slow, while having access to a plethora of good support, healing and offensive moves.

1.3. Snowscape :

This is the most vintage way to set Snow ! You sadly have to waste a turn in order to do so, without the benefit of a slow switch. But you can use a fast or a bulky Snowscape user, and have a way to benefit a good Ability + the Snow.

104 Pokemon can learn it, but I'll stick the most interesting ones IMO :

Chansey / Blissey

- Maybe one of the most tanky user we could have access to.

Quagsire / Gastrodon

- Being immune to Water moves is something in Regulation G format I guess, those guys could be nice Kyogre switch-ins, being also immune to Thunder.

Iron Bundle / Baojian / Weavile are the naturally fastest potential Snowscape setters. Iron Bundle can also be used as a crazy sweeper, and its STAB Hydro Pump could benefit from opposite Rain (Kyogre, again). Baojian is Baojian, I guess he's a cool glass cannon, same for Weavile. I don't think it would that hard to find a place for Snowscape in their respective movesets.

Tornadus

- He's a good Rain / Sun setter, so he could be a good Snow setter right ? The Therian form is especially bulky and rather fast, while the basic form can abuse Prankster to become the (virtually) fastest Snow setter in the whole game (granted you don't face a Dark type).

Smeargle

- It's Smeargle, I guess we can make him doing what we need him to do. Has access to the virtually largest range of utility moves... including Snowscape.

Any Snow abuser with either a poor movepool or a condensed movesets (cf. the next section)

- If you stick to 3 attack slots on your Snow abuser, then Snowscape suddenly become a very interesting 4th slot option.

❄️​2. Now for the Snow abusers !❄️​

While Kyurem-B is my Snow abuser of choice, and I'll send him to battle 90% of the time, I still need one or two other Snow abusers in order to perfecly make profit of the said weather. Kyurem-B being a huge physical sweeper, I guess my best bet is to go for something that aim to the special side, but another physical truck wouldn't hurt either.

There's different ways to abuse Snow, as there are different Snow abusers.

2.1. Slush Rush :

Slush Rush is a rather rare ability, which doubles the Speed stat under Snow just like Swift Swim, Chlorophyll and Sand Rush.

Cetitan

- Has the fourth highest HP among all Pokemons, and is obviously the highest HP Slush Rush user with an enormous 170 stat. 113 Attack is nothing to laugh at, too. Also the fastest Slush Rush user with 73 Speed, becoming 146 once Snow is here.

- Access to Belly Drum for set up.

- Access to priority Ice Shard, and other interesting coverage moves such as Knock Off and Earthquake / High Horsepower or even Liquidation.

Beartic

- Basically the same as above, with less HP (95), less Speed (50 > 100) but more Attack (130).

- There's some differences in terms of movepool here, but I'm really not an expert regarding those two Pokemons so I might miss something.

Sandslash (Alola)

- The only Steel type amongst Slush Rush users, also the highest Defense stat (120). Correct Speed (65 > 130).

- Sadly he doesn't have access to Aurora Veil anymore.

Cubchoo and Sandshrew (Alola)

- Their stats are weaker than the aforementioned Slush Rush users, and they don't offer anything than the others wouldn't offer. At least Sandshrew is another Steel type, so with an Eviolite maybe for some defensive utility ?

2.2. Snow Cloak :

Now let's get to a more defensive way to abuse Snow. Snow Cloak offer a x1.25 Evasiveness boost while the Snow is active. You can combine it with Bright Powder for an even more untouchable Pokemon.

Articuno

- He will fit in my team, and may also be my second weather setter since his movepool isn't that flexible either. Has still access to powerful utility moves such as Tailwind, and good coverage options like Freeze-Dry.

Piloswine / Mamoswine

- Thick Fat may be a better Ability for them. They'll have the Defense boost due to Snow anyway.

- Depending on your choice you have either a bulky offensive mammoth-pig-thing, or a wallbreaker. I prefer the former, as I love Eviolite users and gen 2 Pokemons.

- Regarding Piloswine : he has access to utility Mud-Slap, Mist, Icy Wind, Haze, Endeavor, Roar, Stealth Rock, Mud Shot, Sand Tomb and even Fissure to avoid being too passive.

Glaceon

- Can also be run with Ice Body as an ability.

- With Snow active, Glaceon will spam STAB Blizzard and grant a good bulk (65-220-95).

- Just like all eeveelutions, he has access to plethora of utility moves including Yawn.

Froslass

- While usually bearing the Cursed Body ability, Froslass could become a fast, evasive threat once Snow active. There's a lack of offensive power, though, without any serious setup...

- ... but she has access to a very interesting range of utility moves : Destiny Bond (surprise KOs), Double Team (even more Evasiveness), Icy Wind, Confuse Ray, Will-O-Wisp, Aurora Veil (of course !), Pain Split, Psych Up, Haze, Thunder Wave, Charm, Snowscape, Helping Hand, Fake Tears, Spite, Scary Face, Light Screen, Night Shade, Spikes, Imprison, Reflect, Taunt, Trick or Switcheroo, Block. There's many things to do with her !

Other Snow Cloak has either poor stats / movepool, or access to another and often better ability (including a lot of potential Snow Warning users).

2.3. Ice Body :

If Snow is active, the Pokemon heals 1/16 of its max HP each turn. This ability should be used on bulkiest Pokemons, and possibly paired with Leftovers for even more healing each turn. Grassy Terraincan be a nice compement to this ability, even if Grassy-Surge users can be risky to include in an already Fire-weak team.

Regice

- If Snow is active, this thing will simply become a 80-200-200 wall. I actually run a gimmick Curse set, but Regice can be used with efficiency on the special side.

Dewgong

- Dewgong has a pretty decent 90-80-95 bulk and access to a wide variety of utility moves. Can use Sheer Cold to avoid being too passive.

Avalugg and Avalugg (Hisui)

- Enormous physical bulk (95-368-35 or 95-368-45 depending on the form).

- Access to Wide Guard in order to stop Kyogre's STAB moves... but will faint on any other special hit.

❄️ 3. Something to check Fire-types ❄️

Need your help here

❄️ 4. Something to check Kyurem-B threats / meta threats ❄️

Need your help here

❄️ 5. Current team (WIP)❄

https://preview.redd.it/622091vr7s8e1.png?width=802&format=png&auto=webp&s=00ae6f75b0fa3b805af520a32d0bde78f690fe34

https://preview.redd.it/jx5cqqbv7s8e1.png?width=798&format=png&auto=webp&s=5c9c9c629c53156db4de65dc8648ae18494f4a06

https://preview.redd.it/3vu6r3sx7s8e1.png?width=796&format=png&auto=webp&s=a6e5f3a86f059d0e286a043215a565ab79736c35

https://preview.redd.it/9ulj8liz7s8e1.png?width=795&format=png&auto=webp&s=0f03917c71632ecb3876b4c4d4da4d6d395a78d5

https://preview.redd.it/2bmdqak28s8e1.png?width=792&format=png&auto=webp&s=f96d49dcf7ae91c691ac8aec1306144aa63ec4eb

TLDR ; I wanna build an unusual Snow team with Kyurem-B as my boss. I'm afraid of other wearther teams, especially Kyogre. I like slow Snow setters, but I'm open to any argument in favor of something faster. Can you help me please ?

Please let me know if you have any tip or feedback. I know Snow teams are not that good, and I that Kyurem-B even isn't the best choice for that kind of team. But I really wanna give it a chance to not being completely wrecked.

https://pokepast.es/1fce1f98c1200b60

I wanted to use raging bolt since it could take advantage of electric terrain, I'm thinking of switching out Whimsicotts encore or protect for sunny day since Ogerpon and Raging Bolt both get damage boosts from it, as well as disrupting Kyogre teams

Miraidon, Raging Bolt, and Hearthflame-Ogerpon are the main damage output for the team, slow Bloodmoon ursaluna is meant to be a trick room option for if trickroom gets set up.

Raging bolt is built to be fairly bulky and speedy when under tailwind, able to outspeed Calyrex Shadow rider and able to nearly one hit ko it with thunderbolt, dealing 94% minimum with tera electric, electric terrain, protosynthesis boosted thunderbolt. its snarl is meant to keep special attackers from doing too much damage to my team, if I need to slow down the match and chip away at certain pokemon before I bring in Miraidon, it can also 2 hit ko Calyrex shadow. Electro web could also be used as a 3rd speed control option, other than tailwind or trick room, it can also 2 or 3 hit ko calyrex shadow.

I think that Bloodmoon Ursaluna would be better if it was given a modest max speed set, I could always just switch Frigiraf in and undo trick room, Farigiraf should be bulky enough to withstand at least 3 hits from Calyrex ice and not a lot of special trick room options threaten it. I could also give Farigiraf imprison trick room and replace either hyper voice or foul play.

Fast Bloodmoon is also able to outspeed under tailwind and threaten a OHKO tera normal Blood Moon into Calyrex shadow rider, as well as having an immunity to its ghost stab.

Anyone know what set Ray Rizzo's Torkoal on his 2013 Worlds team was running? I ask because it did not get drought back then, body press didnt exist and while it did have access to yawn, if he wanted sleep he could have used Amoongus? Maybe he wanted to use it as a self sun setting trick room sweeper but at only 85 base SpAtk i feel like he would have been better off using most other fire types. If there is something I might be overlooking please let me know.

Does literally anyone have access on where to find the evs for I think it's kian Campbell's top 3 zacian team? I think it was last Angeles regionals. I'm trying to find it because I genuinely want to use it so any help is appreciated. Thanks to whoever can find it

I have found on the pokemon Bo3 Reg G ladder that some calyrex-i are outspeeding my incineroar. Generally this happens with coaching and more offten than not coaching from iron valiants, but the spread of the world championship finalist team dosen´t run max speed with caly-i as far as i am concern. Do you guys have any idea what caly-i spread they are using with more speed? I apreciate the help.

There's this one question that's been on my mind for the longest and that is: "If I were to make an eeveelution team, how would I make it work, if possible"? Cause I've seen some teams with only eeveelutions, and I just went "Well that's interesting, how did they make it work? I was wondering if you guys could help me out, plus I have very few eeveelutions.

Was thinking about how eviolite has made many Pokemon viable in vgc that would see no usage without it.

If there was an attack version of eviolite that boosted both attacks by 50% would that be cool in VGC or would it be too busted?

hi

there's gonna a regional in my city in 3 months and I wanna learn how to play vgc, make strategies, how to choose the squad that's going to the match, I do have a team built, but Idk how to make it work

is there somewhere I can get guidance? I tried talking on discord, but no one answered

Ik we are on reg G but for Reg I which I’m pretty sure will be double restricted, what duos do u think will be best?

These are my picks and ideas:

Caly shadow and Koridon: the one I am most afraid of, both fast and take care of each others immunity and resistances

Lunala /terapagos and Ice rider: trick room buddies

Miradon and shadow: no explanation needed

Groudon and koridon: bully kyogre, paradox mons will feast

Mewtwo and kyruem: contender for worst duo that is useable

Grass caly and cosmog: actual worst duo

Basically the title. I simply don’t have access to pokemon that started in other games. If I were to buy the other older games, finding the time to complete them would be complicated.

I do have every event pokemon and every Tera raid pokemon since violets release, but nothing like Urshifu or the Genies or anything like that from other games.

Do I have any chance of ever doing okay in ranked or vgc? I hope to play in regulation G when it comes back. What kind of team would you build with this limitation?

Hey all,

Although Reg H is coming to a close, I don't feel quite good at myself and am trying to process what went wrong when I ran a variation of this team (https://pokepast.es/08de90e79029ae2d) though I went 3-5 in Sacramento Regionals, but recent locals destroyed my sanity going 1-2 and 1-4 respectively. I'm planning on attending my last Reg H event hoping to bounce back on January 4, but at this time will focus on Reg G.

Could anyone help me understand why? I've only been playing for 6 months and want to finally get on the CP board for once, and also would like a strategy for my last Reg H local.

Thanks!

Hi all! I haven’t had any luck but I’m wondering if there’s anywhere that Pokemon posts an all inclusive list of what Pokemon are legal for each regulation. Is it just the Pokemon available in the newest game for Reg H minus legendaries and paradox? Is it the same plus legendaries for Reg G? I’m new into competetive team building and wanted to try and experiment with all different mons. Thanks in advance!

I'm very new to VGC and got into a game with some friends and wanted to know what are some good teammates for these 2 Pokémon because I heard there pretty good but that there more to support a carry Pokémon and wanted to ask if anyone had any tips

Hello, I’m just wondering if I need anymore games besides Pokémon scarlet and Pokémon shield. I have Pokémon shield along with its DLC but not scarlets DLC. It this enough to get started in the VCG, or will I need violet and legends arceus for versions exclusives?

Hey I just wanted to start an open forum and get some overall opinions as Reg H comes to a close. For me this was my favorite that they've ever done. Especially early on when no one knew what to pick yet !

I've always been an off meta kind of player in every game so this was great for me. It really brought out my creativity. I found myself searching for hours sometimes on interesting abilities trying to figure out how to combo them testing to casual etc. so I just wanted everyone's opinion how did you guys like it?