[This turned out to be a huge thread. I suppose this happens when you take notes in it for literally months... Anyway now you can cherrypick whatever you want to know about this team and be sure it'll be a detailed explanation. You're welcome lol]
Well VGC, it's been a while.
Two years without crits, rolls, and 90% moves. I was a happy person. Until...
This villainous friend of mine started bombarding me with team ideas and such and... I fell for the trick. A man's mind sure is weak.
So here's the Team I've used for the PlayerCup4 Qualifiers
I don't think I'm very skilled as a player, so I thought it would've been smarter to quit as soon as I felt in a safe enough position to qualify.
(I was simply afraid of getting caught in a lose-streak)
Team composition
I'm not gonna lie, I'm not enjoying this meta at all... So I dealt with it the only way I know: making a fun (yet working) anti-meta team.
Kyurem is such a great Special Wall, but its regular Defense is pretty mediocre - here's why Metagross can come in, saving Kyurem from the likes of Zacian. Urshifu-SingleStrike is such a huge threat for this team. But that's why we have Tafu Fini (and Spirit Break on Grimmsnarl).
I'll cover Ditto later since it needs quite an explanation.
Team Analysis
(Spreads in the PokèPaste at the end of the page)
White Kyurem
Turboblaze
Kyurem's role is to wall any special attack incoming - and strike back with its whopping 170 Base SpAtk.
Having an Assault Vest here is just so useful, allowing Kyurem to have it's great Fantastic Four attacking moves, while keep walling the likes of Kyogre, Calyrex-Ghost and Gmax-Charizard like a champ.
Physical attackers are an immense threat tho! You simply don't want to put Kyurem against the likes of Solgaleo, Zacian or Urshifu.
Watch out for the likes of Umbreon! Even one Snarl can cripple Kyurem! Double into it with Wyrmwind and Spirit Break to take it off of the field.
Grimmsnarl
Prankster
One of the best Pokémon in the format. (We totally need a proper ban list btw)
Grimmsnarl's role is to make Speed Control, set up Reflect when needed, while aiding the team to take out Dark Types like Umbreon and Urshifu.
Metagross
Clear Body
I won't cover the details for this Pokémon since it's such a standard set - the one that mimics Solgaleo.
What's important to know is that you usually don't want to bring both Kyurem and Metagross. You either Max one or another.
More later in the Matchup section.
Entei
Inner Focus
Saying that Entei is a great Pokémon isn't enough. This doggo here is such a good boi <3
Entei makes for a phenomenal lead due to Inner Focus and to its ability to Snarl and Burn opposing Dynamax - effectively stalling them out until Kyurem or Metagross gets on the field.
And dealing damage is always welcomed in a meta where annoyers are everywhere:
Always remember to get rid of the likes of Umbreon and Grimmsnarl asap.
Tapu Fini
Misty Surge
As mentioned in the Teambuilding Process section, Tapu Fini is here mainly for one reason: Urshifu-Single-Strike.
You can effectively use its Misty Terrain to protect the team from Status Conditions. It also makes great use to nullify Max Wyrmwind and Dragon Energy (especially if you use Kyurem to bait said moves).
Ditto
Imposter
What can I say? This started as a joke with a friend of mine: "We can't have 2 Restricted anymore? Ditto disapproves". Little did I know...
This meta is just filled to the brim with Pokémon that love to boost - and that you can steal.
Zacian, Calyrex-Shadow-Rider, Calyrex-Ice-Rider, Xerneas, Solgaleo, Necrozma, Coalossal... Even Regieleki or Umbreon are great targets.
You'll be effectively adding one of these Boosted Pokèmon to your team.
Don't think of Ditto as an EZ button to push: This Pokémon is actually really tricky to use properly!
An interesting thing I noticed is that players tend to lead with their Pokémon in a specific pattern, for example:
(More about this in the Matchup Section)
Common Matchups Analysis
Disclaimer: as I wrote in the Team Building Process, I tested a lot of various combinations.
Specifically, Grimmrnarl had that EjectButton+Trick combination until literally minutes before entering the competition, and these Replays are older.
https://pokepast.es/0062400289c7493b
Well VGC, it's been a while.
Two years without crits, rolls, and 90% moves. I was a happy person. Until...
This villainous friend of mine started bombarding me with team ideas and such and... I fell for the trick. A man's mind sure is weak.
So here's the Team I've used for the PlayerCup4 Qualifiers
About the PC4 Qualifiers, I ended up playing only 21 games - meaning I had effectively 24 more games available.
I don't think I'm very skilled as a player, so I thought it would've been smarter to quit as soon as I felt in a safe enough position to qualify.
(I was simply afraid of getting caught in a lose-streak)
My last team was from Series3, I don't have to tell you how outdated it was - not to mention it was lacking its Restricted Legendary.
The bigger problem was my lack of knowledge (I didn't even know about the very existence of Regieleki) so I took my time watching some videos from my VGC Streamers of choice (Cybertron/Pardini/OsirusStudio) and started gathering my ideas.
As I always do, I'll guide you through the highlights of my whole Teambuilding process.
If you're looking for more inspiration that could spark some ideas into your team here are the other Reports I made:
+
or
+
The idea was to pair a Defiant (or Competitive) user next to a Pokémon weak to Intimidate or Snarl.
I was unsure if I'd pick Galarian Zapdos or Milotic:
I was expecting it to be a clean Knock Out. But it's still a pretty good chance to OHKO a big threat.
As for the legendary, I knew I wanted something out of the ordinary - that could also work.
So not a"gimmick" but a Pokémon that was being ignored while actually being pretty good in the format. Kyurem-W and Zekrom caught my attention.
Step#1
I started with the idea was to have Kyurem-W protected by the Snarls thanks to the presence of Zapdos.
As you can see there's already a Ditto here - but it was a placeholder just for the memes! I never even used it.
And Snarl was apparently going down in usage during March. (This poor guy in the replay was literally the only one I found)
So I started over.
Step #2
I tried changing Kyurem-W with Zekrom, thinking that a physical Legendary would encourage my opponents to use Incineroar.
The concept was to use Zapdos to clean the aforementioned annoyers, Zekrom to deal big damages here and there and Metagross being the main Dynamax.
I paired Metagross with Entei to mimic the popular Spectrier+Solgaleo duo - but I thought Entei would fair better against Charizard.
But the team felt really vulnerable to many common threats, even TornOgre that I thought I could counter pretty well. Not to mention that this team felt nowhere as good as my previous ones.
So I started over - again.
Remember: never shy away from re-starting from scratch.
Step #3
+
I started to note down what was working and what wasn't: with this duo here being the best part of the Zekrom Team.
Metagross is effectively a little Solgaleo, doing the very same things the Legendary does when paired with an Entei or a Spectrier. But I preferred the first over the latter due to the typing and my preference of Sacred Fire over Will-O-Wisp.
Step #4
+
As mentioned before I thought Kyurem-W could be used more effectively due to its movepool and typing.
So I decided to try a combo I know far too well: Fake Tears Grimmsnarl (like I did back in Season 2).
Little did I know...
Grimmsnarl has been the toughest one to build since I simply cannot decide on its 4th move:
So having en Eject Button equipped felt more like a hinder than anything else.
Ence why I resorted to Reflect.
Step #5
I was ready to start working from just one of these cores... When I realized... that these four Pokèmon could really work together.
Finally, it was "that" time: to think about the last two members and team efficiency.
Step #6
Oh my god...
This literally started as a joke... Then I have been put in front of the fact that Ditto is no joke at all.
Ditto can copy, upon entering the battlefield, the opponent that's directly in front of him - turning him to the ultimate counter to every Setupper.
(Also it can help you adjusting your matchup on the fly)
Here are some usual targets: Calyrex (both), Zacian, Solgaleo/Ncecrozma, Regieleki, Kyogre and Umbreon.
Step #7
+
/
/
This was the trickiest part.
The bigger problem was my lack of knowledge (I didn't even know about the very existence of Regieleki) so I took my time watching some videos from my VGC Streamers of choice (Cybertron/Pardini/OsirusStudio) and started gathering my ideas.
As I always do, I'll guide you through the highlights of my whole Teambuilding process.
If you're looking for more inspiration that could spark some ideas into your team here are the other Reports I made:
The concept
The idea was to pair a Defiant (or Competitive) user next to a Pokémon weak to Intimidate or Snarl.
I was unsure if I'd pick Galarian Zapdos or Milotic:
- Both can be the secondary Dynamax of the team, especially after their Abilities kick in.
- Milotic is simply one of those perfect counters to the ever-so-popular Incineroar.
- Zapdos is a great counter to Incineroar, Urshifu, and Umbreon.
- Milotic has access to the powerful Coil+Hypnosis combo.
- Zapdos has access to Max Airstream.
A little bit disappointing to be honest...
I was expecting it to be a clean Knock Out. But it's still a pretty good chance to OHKO a big threat.
As for the legendary, I knew I wanted something out of the ordinary - that could also work.
So not a"gimmick" but a Pokémon that was being ignored while actually being pretty good in the format. Kyurem-W and Zekrom caught my attention.
- Zekrom can hit Kyogre with his electric Stab even next to a Lightningrod user.
- Zekrom Max Lightning can one-shot Gmax Charizard.
- Kyurem naturally walls Kyogre (and can attack before a Water Spout with Freeze Dry)
- Kyurem can hit with Levitating mons with Earth Power.
- Both can use Max Wyrmwind to lower the Atk of a Pokémon with Clear Body, even if attacking its partner.
Step#1
I started with the idea was to have Kyurem-W protected by the Snarls thanks to the presence of Zapdos.
As you can see there's already a Ditto here - but it was a placeholder just for the memes! I never even used it.
But... Apparently, I built a Team so Anti-Intimidate that literally no one was even bringing their Incineroar/Landorus to the fight!
And Snarl was apparently going down in usage during March. (This poor guy in the replay was literally the only one I found)
So I started over.
Step #2
I tried changing Kyurem-W with Zekrom, thinking that a physical Legendary would encourage my opponents to use Incineroar.
The concept was to use Zapdos to clean the aforementioned annoyers, Zekrom to deal big damages here and there and Metagross being the main Dynamax.
I paired Metagross with Entei to mimic the popular Spectrier+Solgaleo duo - but I thought Entei would fair better against Charizard.
Despite the many-many mistakes, 2 yrs without playing are showing here, I was winning quite a bit.
But the team felt really vulnerable to many common threats, even TornOgre that I thought I could counter pretty well. Not to mention that this team felt nowhere as good as my previous ones.
So I started over - again.
Remember: never shy away from re-starting from scratch.
Step #3
I started to note down what was working and what wasn't: with this duo here being the best part of the Zekrom Team.
Metagross is effectively a little Solgaleo, doing the very same things the Legendary does when paired with an Entei or a Spectrier. But I preferred the first over the latter due to the typing and my preference of Sacred Fire over Will-O-Wisp.
Step #4
As mentioned before I thought Kyurem-W could be used more effectively due to its movepool and typing.
So I decided to try a combo I know far too well: Fake Tears Grimmsnarl (like I did back in Season 2).
Little did I know...
Grimmsnarl has been the toughest one to build since I simply cannot decide on its 4th move:
I stuck with Trick until the very last. Then, upon laddering on Switch, I found out that this cheap tactic was actually... meta.
So having en Eject Button equipped felt more like a hinder than anything else.
Ence why I resorted to Reflect.
Step #5
I was ready to start working from just one of these cores... When I realized... that these four Pokèmon could really work together.
Finally, it was "that" time: to think about the last two members and team efficiency.
Step #6
Oh my god...
This literally started as a joke... Then I have been put in front of the fact that Ditto is no joke at all.
Ditto can copy, upon entering the battlefield, the opponent that's directly in front of him - turning him to the ultimate counter to every Setupper.
(Also it can help you adjusting your matchup on the fly)
Here are some usual targets: Calyrex (both), Zacian, Solgaleo/Ncecrozma, Regieleki, Kyogre and Umbreon.
Step #7
This was the trickiest part.
- Moltres Galar is a hard counter to Calyrex Shadow - being able to setup a Nasty Plot in front of him, plus Safety Googles can be useful.
- Tapu Fini would cover my Metagross from getting burned by opposing Spectriers - and it adjusts my matchup against Dark Types like Urshifu.
- Nihilego has a very nice option in Trickroom - plus it's an additional option to damage Charizard, Incineroar and Fairies.
Team composition
I'm not gonna lie, I'm not enjoying this meta at all... So I dealt with it the only way I know: making a fun (yet working) anti-meta team.
Kyurem is such a great Special Wall, but its regular Defense is pretty mediocre - here's why Metagross can come in, saving Kyurem from the likes of Zacian. Urshifu-SingleStrike is such a huge threat for this team. But that's why we have Tafu Fini (and Spirit Break on Grimmsnarl).
I'll cover Ditto later since it needs quite an explanation.
Team Analysis
(Spreads in the PokèPaste at the end of the page)
White Kyurem
Turboblaze
Kyurem's role is to wall any special attack incoming - and strike back with its whopping 170 Base SpAtk.
Having an Assault Vest here is just so useful, allowing Kyurem to have it's great Fantastic Four attacking moves, while keep walling the likes of Kyogre, Calyrex-Ghost and Gmax-Charizard like a champ.
- Freeze Dry
By far the best Stab Kyurem's has, being SuperEffective on Kyogre and utterly demolishing the likes of Palkia and Gastrodon. - Earth Power
Such a great move to have on your Dyna. Also hitting Supereffectively the likes of Incineroar and x4 RotomHeat (thanks to TurboBalze) - Fusion Flare
As mentioned, Kyurem has an amazing movepool. This allows it to OHKO threats like Kartana and Ferrothorn, with 100% accuracy. - Draco Meteor
Such a strong Stab to have. It can also drop the enemy's ATK as a MaxMove, even Solgaleo thanks to Turboblaze.
As you can see Kyurem has really little to fear, and after you Snarl the opponent even one time it feels unkillable.
Physical attackers are an immense threat tho! You simply don't want to put Kyurem against the likes of Solgaleo, Zacian or Urshifu.
The best way to deal with Maxed-Charizard is to hit it with a Hailstorm first (to get rid of the sun) and finish it off with Wyrmwind.
Watch out for the likes of Umbreon! Even one Snarl can cripple Kyurem! Double into it with Wyrmwind and Spirit Break to take it off of the field.
Grimmsnarl
Prankster
One of the best Pokémon in the format. (We totally need a proper ban list btw)
Grimmsnarl's role is to make Speed Control, set up Reflect when needed, while aiding the team to take out Dark Types like Umbreon and Urshifu.
- Fake Out
Underused in my opinion. It's great to block faster threats like Regieleki or supporters like Whimsicott and opposing Grimmsnarl.
(With 28EVs in speed you'll be sure to outspeed other Grimmsnarl Fake Out and Incineroar as well) - Spirit Break
Such a great move, both offensively and defensively. Great to cripple Pokémon like Urshifu or Lapras. - Scary Face
For speed control. I prefer this one over Thunderwave due to its accuracy (useless on Dragapult of course, but we have Fini for that) - Reflect
A very specific choice. This allows Entei and Grimmsnarl to last longer, also it's great to stall Solgaleo and Calyrex-Ice.
These are the only Calcs needed to plan your games. More on this down below.
Obviously it's a OHKO on the Dark variant of Urshifu, but you have to manage it's sash pretty well (Fake Out it's pretty handy here).
Metagross
Clear Body
I won't cover the details for this Pokémon since it's such a standard set - the one that mimics Solgaleo.
What's important to know is that you usually don't want to bring both Kyurem and Metagross. You either Max one or another.
More later in the Matchup section.
Entei
Inner Focus
Saying that Entei is a great Pokémon isn't enough. This doggo here is such a good boi <3
Entei makes for a phenomenal lead due to Inner Focus and to its ability to Snarl and Burn opposing Dynamax - effectively stalling them out until Kyurem or Metagross gets on the field.
- Sacred Fire
This move is incredible. Period.
I've compensated for the chance of missing and/or the chance of not-burning the opponent with a very defensive spread - effectively giving Entei more chances to make use of this great move. - Snarl
Great move to cripple offensive mons like Charizard, Dialga and even Lapras. - Bulldoze
Just like Spectrier+Solgaleo, this move is here to combo with Metagross. - Protect
This Entei wants to stay on the field as much as he can, while clearing the path for Kyurem or Metagross.
With the combination of Reflect and Shuca Berry Entei will have a couple of more shots at Burning/Snarling the enemy, even Precipice Blades is a 3HKO this way.
I really think that Sacred Fire is a better option than Will-O-Wisp in this meta. Can't be taunted, deals good chunks of damage and nerf the opponent's Stats.
And dealing damage is always welcomed in a meta where annoyers are everywhere:
Always remember to get rid of the likes of Umbreon and Grimmsnarl asap.
Tapu Fini
Misty Surge
As mentioned in the Teambuilding Process section, Tapu Fini is here mainly for one reason: Urshifu-Single-Strike.
You can effectively use its Misty Terrain to protect the team from Status Conditions. It also makes great use to nullify Max Wyrmwind and Dragon Energy (especially if you use Kyurem to bait said moves).
- Muddy Water
Classic choice. I don't find myself using this a lot tho. - Dazzling Gleam
Another spread move, but since you'll be using Fini to counter Spores it's nice to have a way to reach Urshifu that's unaffected by redirectors. - Taunt
Mainly here to stop the opponent toYawn or TrickRoom. - Protect
Useful to stay on the field a bit longer, outmaneuvering opposing Urshifus.
This is, quite honestly, the only calc worth mentioning. Umbreon can really turn a match against this team, so it's crucial to know how much damage you'll be dealing to it under any circumstances.
Ditto
Imposter
What can I say? This started as a joke with a friend of mine: "We can't have 2 Restricted anymore? Ditto disapproves". Little did I know...
This meta is just filled to the brim with Pokémon that love to boost - and that you can steal.
Zacian, Calyrex-Shadow-Rider, Calyrex-Ice-Rider, Xerneas, Solgaleo, Necrozma, Coalossal... Even Regieleki or Umbreon are great targets.
You'll be effectively adding one of these Boosted Pokèmon to your team.
Don't think of Ditto as an EZ button to push: This Pokémon is actually really tricky to use properly!
Ditto is a late-game sweeper. It's all about setting up its entrance correctly.
This is not some kind of in-game Law of course. But It's a nice piece of knowledge that can be pretty useful to plan your late-game and Ditto's appearance on the field. Just don't expect this to always work.
(More about this in the Matchup Section)
Common Matchups Analysis
Disclaimer: as I wrote in the Team Building Process, I tested a lot of various combinations.
Specifically, Grimmrnarl had that EjectButton+Trick combination until literally minutes before entering the competition, and these Replays are older.
PokéPaste and Rental Code
https://pokepast.es/0062400289c7493b
Last edited: