Ask a simple question, get a simple answer - VGC edition

[Superpokemon67]

Originally Posted by Fat Saboros

After viewing Usage stats and other such things over these passed couple months, I have found that Skarmbliss has had it's own trends. As more things became common, new things rose up in usage to counter those things, and then something rises to counter that until we get to a very altered version of what we had in the beginning. For example, I have been thinking of running a 244HP/252Atk/12Speed Hitmontop to out-speed other Hitmontops by just one point (92 instead of 91). So I guess my question is this: Is this a smart decision for live tournaments, such as regionals? Will it be a stupid investment that will only lead to a drop in HP and no real gains or will Hitmontop be as common at regionals as it is on Skarmbliss and the investment actually lead to me outspeeding standard Hitmontops?

It's not necessarily a bad idea, but there's nothing keeping the Hitmontops you see at regs/nationals from having more than 4 speed EVs. It's not a bad idea to run some speed on your Hitmontop, but you can't take anything you see on PO for granted, and just because a certain EV spread or move is popular on PO it doesn't garentee that you'll be seeing it all the time.

[R Inanimate]

Since you probably won't notice much of a difference from losing 1 HP, there isn't really much harm in investing in a point or two more speed. However, the worth of having a bit more speed really depends on how important it is for your team that your Hitmontop is able to outrun other Hitmontop (and I suppose Metagross as well). Personally, if your going to do some speedcreep, I would say to have 93 or 94 speed if it is really important to outrun other Base 70s, just to be sure. But even then, there's always going to be the ones that actually invest a sizable amount of EVs into speed.

[PokeMaster366]

As far as I see, it's just a smaller hassle to go in with the idea that if your opponent uses the same pokemon against you, your pokemon will be outrunned.

[Drifblim]

What is the most common item for non-scarf Metagross?

[Cybertron]

Normal Gem for any that run Explosion, which is by far the most common item I've seen. Some run type-resist berries too (Mainly Occa, rarely Shuca) but not as many as 2009 Metagross did.

[The Knights of Wario Land]

Originally Posted by Fat Drifblim

What is the most common item for non-scarf Metagross?

I've seen Occa Berry the most.

[Team Rocket Elite]

I've got a question regarding tournament legality of BW2 Moveset changes and items. BW2 is due out in early June and US Nationals are in early July. It's unknown if there will be a US release before the US Nationals. Will Pokemon that learn new moves from BW2 (like a Fake Out or Wide Guard tutor) be allowed at the US Nationals? A similar issue with unreleased items like the Custap Berry. Japanese only event Pokemon like Speed Boost Blaziken are currently allowed so it seems to me that BW2 changes will be legal as soon as the game comes out. However a month is a pretty short time frame to prepare things and it's not reasonable to expect people to inport a game to have access to the new moves. I believe the TCG has a policy that card that are too new aren't legal but I'm not too sure on this. I've tried the official contact form for this question but I've only gotten a generic "we can't talk about unreleased BW2 info" as a response so far.

[Dark Arceus]

Originally Posted by Fat Team Rocket Elite

I've got a question regarding tournament legality of BW2 Moveset changes and items. BW2 is due out in early June and US Nationals are in early July. It's unknown if there will be a US release before the US Nationals. Will Pokemon that learn new moves from BW2 (like a Fake Out or Wide Guard tutor) be allowed at the US Nationals? A similar issue with unreleased items like the Custap Berry. Japanese only event Pokemon like Speed Boost Blaziken are currently allowed so it seems to me that BW2 changes will be legal as soon as the game comes out. However a month is a pretty short time frame to prepare things and it's not reasonable to expect people to inport a game to have access to the new moves. I believe the TCG has a policy that card that are too new aren't legal but I'm not too sure on this. I've tried the official contact form for this question but I've only gotten a generic "we can't talk about unreleased BW2 info" as a response so far.

I think as long as it follows nintendo's own rules regarding moves, aka the stuff about the moves being obtained by legit means, then I am all for assuming tutor moves would be allowed. However only Japan may have a realease of the game by then so BW2 shouldn't be worried about in terms of VGC for this year.

[R Inanimate]

Originally Posted by Fat Dark Arceus

I think as long as it follows nintendo's own rules regarding moves, aka the stuff about the moves being obtained by legit means, then I am all for assuming tutor moves would be allowed. However only Japan may have a realease of the game by then so BW2 shouldn't be worried about in terms of VGC for this year.

And... what about when we face them in the Worlds? Not to mention the people who import the game. I'd say it's quite relevant to VGC for this year.

[Skyshayde]

I can't decide between a Hail Team and a Sandstorm team, Hail gets a perfectly accurate 120 BP spread move which is super effective to Ground types , a large part of most sandstorm teams. And is Snow Cloak Arcticuno legal?

[Dark Arceus]

Originally Posted by Fat R Inanimate

And... what about when we face them in the Worlds? Not to mention the people who import the game. I'd say it's quite relevant to VGC for this year.

Just realized game is released in June for Jap.... my bad, was surfing the Jap website and I came across the month...

Well if it's japanese only at that point they may be banned...but also there may be a slim chance that the U.S. gets it soon too considering the double announcement for Japan and America. If it's out in America the moves will most likely be allowed. I don't think Japan getting the move tutor moves would be that much of an advantage.

[Biosci]

Actually it could mean a lot with the introduction of new tutor moves depending on what they are. Also it would mean us here in the US can still get the moves from the games since people can import the games, so Japan would not be unique to having these new tutor moves.

It's gonna be interesting to see what moves they decide to give us, like with the DP -> Platinum transition we got Bullet Punch Scizor. So we may get some cool stuff with these new games, who knows.

[Dark Arceus]

Well we definetly have time between game release in Japan to get move tutor moves from Imports. Release date is June 2nd according to the Japanese pokemon websites

[Pokemafia]

My Question; What is the "Hardest to Kill" Pokemon in the VGC 12 Metagame? I know that phrase is a bit vague but still...

[Zog]

Probably cress. I mean, the japanese even use OHKO moves when they can just for cheap shots at cress. Stuff like sheer cold suicune and guillotine gliscor are actually popular enough to have a primary mention on their analyses.

[The Knights of Wario Land]

Dealing with BW2, it all matters if the tutors and new move additions even add anything notable. If I can make it to Nationals, it's gonna be a pain having to develop new counters and figuring out who now can carry what in such a short time period.

Originally Posted by Fat Pokemafia

My Question; What is the "Hardest to Kill" Pokemon in the VGC 12 Metagame? I know that phrase is a bit vague but still...

That question is a bit irrelevant, seeing as how each Pokemon has several good counters. It all depends on your team, as your team should be prepared for the most common threats like Zapdos, Garchomp, Hitmontop, etc.

[Skyshayde]

If a snow warning pokemon and a drizzle pokemon both lead which weather sticks?

[Maestrol55]

Originally Posted by Fat Skyshayde

If a snow warning pokemon and a drizzle pokemon both lead which weather sticks?

Whichever one has the lower speed.

[voodoo pimp]

Originally Posted by Fat Maestrol55

Whichever one has the lower speed.

And if they have the same speed, it's determined randomly just like any other speed tie.

[PokeMaster366]

What pokemon would be considered good counters for rain and sandstorm individually?

[Cybertron]

For Rain teams, anything bulky that can take several hits from sweepers like Ludicolo and Kingdra are great counters. Thunder Wave Cresselia is incredibly annoying for Rain teams to deal with. Tyranitar gets rid of Rain and can take special attacks when under Sand easily, and is pretty bulky. Bulky Leech Seed Ludicolo can completely shut down a Rain team but isn't as good under a timed setting. Ferrothorn can wall as well but Toxicroak gives it a lot of problems. Metagross is also irritating to deal with, able to tank hits and attack for a lot of damage. Fight Gem Hitmontop can OHKO sweepers that don't have defensive investment and can FO turn 1 along with using Wide Guard.

Having played with a rain team for a very long time, I find that the first thing I look for when I see my opponent's team is whether they have a weather-inducing Pokemon, mainly Abomasnow and Tyranitar since Ninetales is easily taken care of. If they do, I have to switch up my leads rather then opening with the standard Politoed/Ludicolo. The next thing I look for is whether they have anything that can potentially use Thunder Wave to shut down my team, examples include Cresselia and Thundurus. Third is checking whether my opponent has Cresselia or not, because that Pokemon single-handedly gives me a ton of trouble due to it's bulk and support moves.

[The Knights of Wario Land]

When using a Milotic, would it be a good idea to run Flame Orb on it? I know why you wouldn't use it in Standard because matches last longer, but in the faster format of the VGCs, I think abusing Marvel Scale would be a good idea.

[Skyshayde]

What is the best weather team, i'm thinking either rain or sandstorm?

[The Knights of Wario Land]

Originally Posted by Fat Skyshayde

What is the best weather team, i'm thinking either rain or sandstorm?

Rain is definitely the most cheap and easy to use: you have broad type coverage and few weaknesses with Pokemon such as Kingdra, Ludicolo, Toxicroak, Thundurus, and more. However, you have to have a strategy to counter other rain teams too.

[Skyshayde]

What would Muddy Water's accuracy be with a scope lens?

And what are some rain abusing abilities?