Pokémon Champions - releasing April 8, 2026

Doing head-to-head calcs for all 3 Z-Mega pairs (Serebii has Mega Lucario Z's ability named "Aura Guard", still using EVs here):

:absol-mega-z: vs. :lucario-mega-z:
252 Atk Absol-Mega-Z Sharpness Shadow Claw vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Aura Guard Lucario-Mega-Z: 130-153 (46.2 - 54.4%) -- 59% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Absol-Mega-Z Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Aura Guard Lucario-Mega-Z: 199-235 (70.8 - 83.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Absol-Mega-Z Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Aura Guard Lucario-Mega-Z: 43-51 (15.3 - 18.1%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Absol-Mega-Z Shadow Sneak vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Aura Guard Lucario-Mega-Z: 50-59 (17.7 - 20.9%) -- possible 5HKO
252 SpA Lucario-Mega-Z Flash Cannon vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Absol-Mega-Z: 235-277 (86.7 - 102.2%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO
0 Atk Lucario-Mega-Z Bullet Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Absol-Mega-Z: 66-78 (24.3 - 28.7%) -- 97.9% chance to 4HKO

:absol-mega-z: vs. :garchomp-mega-z:
252 Atk Absol-Mega-Z Sharpness Shadow Claw vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp-Mega-Z: 223-264 (62.4 - 73.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Absol-Mega-Z Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp-Mega-Z: 150-177 (42 - 49.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Absol-Mega-Z Play Rough vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp-Mega-Z: 256-302 (71.7 - 84.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Garchomp-Mega-Z Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Absol-Mega-Z: 285-336 (105.1 - 123.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

:lucario-mega-z: vs. :garchomp-mega-z:
252 SpA Lucario-Mega-Z Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Garchomp-Mega-Z: 267-315 (74.7 - 88.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Lucario-Mega-Z Flash Cannon vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Garchomp-Mega-Z: 178-211 (49.8 - 59.1%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Lucario-Mega-Z Vacuum Wave vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Garchomp-Mega-Z: 90-106 (25.2 - 29.6%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 SpA Lucario-Mega-Z Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Garchomp-Mega-Z: 312-367 (87.3 - 102.8%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Garchomp-Mega-Z Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Lucario-Mega-Z: 280-330 (99.6 - 117.4%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO

... It's like they want me to build around Mega Lucario Z in BSS instead of Mega Absol Z. The Mega Absol Z vs. Mega Lucario Z match-up is particularly in Lucario's favour.
 
A bit disappointing that the Z-megas have "normal" abilities with no special gimmick but eh, it's ok, the abilities feel appropriate.

I personally don't see any of the 3 having particular meta relevance in doubles, though I can see Absol and Lucario working in singles (maybe finally people get to actually use Mega Lucario in OU since the other one keeps managing to be banished to Ubers lol)

Garchomp Z getting Levitate is definitely fitting but it's really hard to see a use case for the mega... regular mega Garchomp at least has occasionally been able to use the increased bulk and higher offensive stats to work as breaker or secondary mega in VGC, but I don't really see where you'd care to invest your mega for a mono-dragon special attacker...


Looking forward to MC, hopefully Rillaboom existing means the other terrain setters also come by, and MAAAAYBE finally Raichu X gets to use its potential...
(COPIUM)
 
Worldie said:
A bit disappointing that the Z-megas have "normal" abilities with no special gimmick but eh, it's ok, the abilities feel appropriate.

I personally don't see any of the 3 having particular meta relevance in doubles, though I can see Absol and Lucario working in singles (maybe finally people get to actually use Mega Lucario in OU since the other one keeps managing to be banished to Ubers lol)

Garchomp Z getting Levitate is definitely fitting but it's really hard to see a use case for the mega... regular mega Garchomp at least has occasionally been able to use the increased bulk and higher offensive stats to work as breaker or secondary mega in VGC, but I don't really see where you'd care to invest your mega for a mono-dragon special attacker...


Looking forward to MC, hopefully Rillaboom existing means the other terrain setters also come by, and MAAAAYBE finally Raichu X gets to use its potential...
(COPIUM)
Click to expand...
I mean Heatran was confirmed, so maybe the Tapus will also be in M-C?
 
Worldie said:
I personally don't see any of the 3 having particular meta relevance in doubles, though I can see Absol and Lucario working in singles (maybe finally people get to actually use Mega Lucario in OU since the other one keeps managing to be banished to Ubers lol)
Click to expand...
I can see Absol offering some nice utility vs Whimsicott / Prankster teams. Like Sableye, it's immune to non-Scrappy Fake Out but is also Prankster-immune, which means it can safely Protect in front of Encore Whimsicott. Grimmsnarl also can't use Parting Shot to weaken it. That being said, they could both use their Fairy attacks to bop Absol, but not before Absol does something first. especially if it has its own Tailwind support. Having a very strong Night Slash vs non-Colbur Farigs sounds nice, tbh.

Lucario will definitely need more support, though, but it could be a nice answer to priority attackers like Basculegion (which you have Shadow Ball for), Kingambit, etc without needing a Farigiraf or Tsareena next to you. I think next to an Intimidate mon and some bulk (could probably get away with some bulk investment on Tailwind structures, for example you only need 2 Speed to outpace Adamant Sneasler), it could comfortably survive contact moves we wouldn't expect, like Stomping Tantrum Garchomp, Flare Blitz Incineroar, etc.

Garchomp Z, idk lmao.
 
Vengeance417 said:
Having a very strong Night Slash vs non-Colbur Farigs sounds nice, tbh.
Click to expand...
32 Atk Sharpness Absol-Mega Night Slash vs. 30 HP / 24+ Def Farigiraf: 198-234 (88 - 104%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO

Some Farig don't even run +Def but that could change if Absol Z starts becoming common. Even then, you can probably finish it off with a partner, run Adamant, or be cheeky and use X-Scissor.

Absol also has a stupid movepool with coverage out the wazoo and support options like Thunder Wave and Will-O-Wisp. I think it'll have a place.
 
Karxrida said:
32 Atk Sharpness Absol-Mega Night Slash vs. 30 HP / 24+ Def Farigiraf: 198-234 (88 - 104%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO
Click to expand...
I think the Farigiraf matchup is a bit iffy as many Farigirafs like to run Colbur for the Kingambit matchup.

Still, that thing does damage so I can see it be a viable glass cannon in both formats. Expecially if Indeedee returns, as neutering priority means it will pretty much always go first.
 
Worldie said:
I think the Farigiraf matchup is a bit iffy as many Farigirafs like to run Colbur for the Kingambit matchup.

Still, that thing does damage so I can see it be a viable glass cannon in both formats. Expecially if Indeedee returns, as neutering priority means it will pretty much always go first.
Click to expand...
While there's truth to that, the majority of Farigs run Sitrus Berry instead, at least currently. That could change if MAbsolZ picks up enough traction to warrant it. Unnerve Aerodactyl might make for a good partner, then, shutting down berries while Dual Wingbeating Whimsicott and weakened Farigs.
 
MC Squared said:
26 Pokémon in total including Megas are appearing in Regulation M-C. The Z Megas count as 3 out of the 26.
https://twitter.com/x/status/2094485399284429158
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We have 5 announced locks, and I'd say the other 2 Galarian starters are near-locks (Cinderace and Inteleon), and then the remaining non-legendary, non-mythical Pokemon with Megas are close to locks (Golisopod, Tatsugiri) - if they count those 2 like the tweet counts Baxcalibur and its assumed Mega, then we're only at 9 mons now. We may as well assume the last XYORAS mega, Salamence, is in, so that's 10. Then Tatsugiri partners with Dondozo so well in the games, so that's 11.

No, I'm not a believer in Heatran making it into M-C, even with the blatant teaser. Note that the teaser is nonverbal, with no announcement on top saying that Heatran is definitely in, and Heatran being conspicuously absent from official Champions textual news announcements.

Alright, even if we assume Game Freak counts the semi-locks very generously and Heatran is in, we only bloat to 21 mons, so who wants to guess the other 5?
 
Lectrys said:
We have 5 announced locks, and I'd say the other 2 Galarian starters are near-locks (Cinderace and Inteleon), and then the remaining non-legendary, non-mythical Pokemon with Megas are close to locks (Golisopod, Tatsugiri) - if they count those 2 like the tweet counts Baxcalibur and its assumed Mega, then we're only at 9 mons now. We may as well assume the last XYORAS mega, Salamence, is in, so that's 10. Then Tatsugiri partners with Dondozo so well in the games, so that's 11.

No, I'm not a believer in Heatran making it into M-C, even with the blatant teaser. Note that the teaser is nonverbal, with no announcement on top saying that Heatran is definitely in, and Heatran being conspicuously absent from official Champions textual news announcements.

Alright, even if we assume Game Freak counts the semi-locks very generously and Heatran is in, we only bloat to 21 mons, so who wants to guess the other 5?
Click to expand...
Heatran is not coming till December

Karxrida said:
One friend said it can translate as either Aura Shield or Aura Defense. The rest are asleep.
Click to expand...
Nintendo of America confirmed it's called Aura Guard
 
Lectrys said:
Alright, even if we assume Game Freak counts the semi-locks very generously and Heatran is in, we only bloat to 21 mons, so who wants to guess the other 5?
Click to expand...
Main reason I don't count Heatran is is cause it's a Legendary.
They wouldn't add "just Heatran", but then you'd have to add several. I think the leges will come in their own dedicated regulation.

As for the other 5, i'm calling Indeede, Weezing, G-Weezing and Pincurchin. Adding Rillaboom makes me assume they will also add the other 3 terrain setters. (+ regular Weezing for consistency)
And then Amoongus just to piss off half of the player base that was enjoying its absence.
 
I wonder if they count megas for new Pokémon in that number. For example, if they release Baxcalibur and Mega Baxcalibur at the same time, is that one or two Pokémon?
 
Worldie said:
Main reason I don't count Heatran is is cause it's a Legendary.
They wouldn't add "just Heatran", but then you'd have to add several. I think the leges will come in their own dedicated regulation.

As for the other 5, i'm calling Indeede, Weezing, G-Weezing and Pincurchin. Adding Rillaboom makes me assume they will also add the other 3 terrain setters. (+ regular Weezing for consistency)
And then Amoongus just to piss off half of the player base that was enjoying its absence.
Click to expand...
Pincurchin + Terrain Pulse Electric Lucario is gonna go STUPID. Outspeeds and owns all ur checks like Basc, Charizard Y, Pex, Gyarados, etc.
 
Lectrys said:
We have 5 announced locks, and I'd say the other 2 Galarian starters are near-locks (Cinderace and Inteleon), and then the remaining non-legendary, non-mythical Pokemon with Megas are close to locks (Golisopod, Tatsugiri) - if they count those 2 like the tweet counts Baxcalibur and its assumed Mega, then we're only at 9 mons now. We may as well assume the last XYORAS mega, Salamence, is in, so that's 10. Then Tatsugiri partners with Dondozo so well in the games, so that's 11.

No, I'm not a believer in Heatran making it into M-C, even with the blatant teaser. Note that the teaser is nonverbal, with no announcement on top saying that Heatran is definitely in, and Heatran being conspicuously absent from official Champions textual news announcements.

Alright, even if we assume Game Freak counts the semi-locks very generously and Heatran is in, we only bloat to 21 mons, so who wants to guess the other 5?
Click to expand...
How are you getting 21 mons? Even by counting every Pokémon and its mega twice I'm getting to only 17 by including all the Galar starters, Golisopod, Tatsugiri, Salamence, Dondozo and Heatran.
 
Lectrys said:
We have 5 announced locks, and I'd say the other 2 Galarian starters are near-locks (Cinderace and Inteleon), and then the remaining non-legendary, non-mythical Pokemon with Megas are close to locks (Golisopod, Tatsugiri) - if they count those 2 like the tweet counts Baxcalibur and its assumed Mega, then we're only at 9 mons now. We may as well assume the last XYORAS mega, Salamence, is in, so that's 10. Then Tatsugiri partners with Dondozo so well in the games, so that's 11.

No, I'm not a believer in Heatran making it into M-C, even with the blatant teaser. Note that the teaser is nonverbal, with no announcement on top saying that Heatran is definitely in, and Heatran being conspicuously absent from official Champions textual news announcements.

Alright, even if we assume Game Freak counts the semi-locks very generously and Heatran is in, we only bloat to 21 mons, so who wants to guess the other 5?
Click to expand...
If we get Rilla, I really hope we are getting other Terrains setters because otherwise all battles are going to be fought in Grassy Terrain with no contest. Pincurchin is probably gonna change nothing and even though I don't particularly care about hard Trick Room, Indeedee bringing Psychic Surge at least gives us another deterrent against Fake Out spam and Kingambit.

That's a whole paragraph to say that I want Misty Surge back because it means my boy Weezing is in and by extension I finally get to Neutralising Gas over my opponents again.
 
Xeggutor said:
If we get Rilla, I really hope we are getting other Terrains setters because otherwise all battles are going to be fought in Grassy Terrain with no contest.
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Not necessarily. Despite it taking a Mega slot, we have Mega Raichu X with its delayed Electric Terrain deployment. In the very likelihood Rillaboom becomes a dominant force in the metagame, I can see some teams deploying Xchu as a secondary Mega to stop Rilla's shenanigans. Basculegion teams, in particular, will like Xchu shielding the fish from Grassy Glide by activating Electric Surge.
 
Vengeance417 said:
Not necessarily. Despite it taking a Mega slot, we have Mega Raichu X with its delayed Electric Terrain deployment. In the very likelihood Rillaboom becomes a dominant force in the metagame, I can see some teams deploying Xchu as a secondary Mega to stop Rilla's shenanigans. Basculegion teams, in particular, will like Xchu shielding the fish from Grassy Glide by activating Electric Surge.
Click to expand...
I can definitely see Xchu being deployed as an anti-Grassy Glide option, but I would still hate to see Rilla's introduction without also introducing other Terrain setters. It would be like having Zard Y when the only other weather setter is Mega Froslass, and Pelipper/Politoed/Ttar/Atales no longer exists.
 
Talpr0ne said:
How are you getting 21 mons? Even by counting every Pokémon and its mega twice I'm getting to only 17 by including all the Galar starters, Golisopod, Tatsugiri, Salamence, Dondozo and Heatran.
Click to expand...
The 21-"mon" breakdown:
  • 3 Z-Megas
  • 3 Galar starters
  • 2 for Golisopod and Mega Golisopod
  • 6(!) for Tatsugiri-Curly, -Droopy, and -Stretchy with Mega Tatsugiri-Curly, Mega Tatsugiri-Droopy, and Mega Tatsugiri-Stretchy
  • 2 for Baxcalibur and Mega Baxcalibur
  • 2 for Salamence and Mega Salamence
  • 2 for Heatran and Mega Heatran
  • 1 for Dondozo
 
Lectrys said:
The 21-"mon" breakdown:
  • 3 Z-Megas
  • 3 Galar starters
  • 2 for Golisopod and Mega Golisopod
  • 6(!) for Tatsugiri-Curly, -Droopy, and -Stretchy with Mega Tatsugiri-Curly, Mega Tatsugiri-Droopy, and Mega Tatsugiri-Stretchy
  • 2 for Baxcalibur and Mega Baxcalibur
  • 2 for Salamence and Mega Salamence
  • 2 for Heatran and Mega Heatran
  • 1 for Dondozo
Click to expand...
I feel like they wouldn't count the Pokemon with multiple forms multiple times. Tatsugiri, Golisopod, Baxcalibur, and Salamence probably only count as one.
 
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