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Competitive Pokémon icon

Competitive Pokémon

The forum designed for all of your competitive Pokémon needs! Here you can discuss the metagame, receive help on your team, ask for battles, participate in events, and much more!

Section Staff: gimmepie, wolf

Featured

The NEW Showdown Alt thread

Rabinov, Jan 24: Invictus Isawa Rabinov Rabinova PC Rabinov Arcaneum

2 379

Started by gimmepie

Battle Server Support

SawkTheWarrior, Aug 19: Thanks!!

3 4,793

Started by wolf

Rules

Events & Groups Approval

wolf, Apr 30: We allow them. :)

8 5,344

Started by wolf

Replay Sharing Thread

ARSOO_95, Jan 2020: I think the replay data is available on your Switch SD card, maybe you just need to convert it to a clip first in the Smash interface? After that you can just upload it to YouTube,

1 11,392

Started by Sirfetch’d

Rules

Guidelines & Resources

wolf, Jul 2017: Guidelines & ResourcesGeneral Guidelines ・For submitting events and groups, look at the Events & Groups Approval thread instead. ・Don't make a new thread regarding a topic that has been posted in the last thirty days. ・Don't make a thread that...

0 5,456

Started by wolf

Help Me Start

Team not valid for ranked!

Gia, Mar 1: OMG Thank you so much!!! This was the problem. I traded those pokemon on Home and they were coming from Alola in fact. So I solved the problem after talking to the guy at the Battle Tower and changing some of their moves (not allowed in ranked...

2 51

Started by Gia

RMT

Red-style Galarian Champion Team

Makaan, Feb 21: Danke, so it was option 3 (ish). I will take the advice on board. I suppose the closest format would be 'Anything Goes', which I foolishly thought would be self-explanatory, though I imagine it makes little difference.

4 346

Started by Makaan

What's your favorite tier?

Rabinov, Feb 21: Monotype will always be a fan favourite of mine - running several Showdown servers dedicated to it, as well as running and being in several high-ranked groups for it, have kinda drilled it into me aha... Otherwise, UU and NU will always hold a...

13 460

Started by Sheep

Help Me Start

Magic Room Set-Up

NikolaP, Feb 19: Great to see you're interested in using such an unusual move! As Squirtlenator and Mobile Tsk said, this strategy is not easy to use, or to think of how to use, compared to other, more popular strategies (which are popular because they're...

5 380

Started by FireintheSky

When did you first get into competitive battling?

Dark Azelf, Feb 10: Gen 2 initially in 2001 until about late 2003 (yes im a dinosaur lol). Missed most of advance and came back in late 2006/ early 2007 for DP. :) Watching Marriland on youtube actually got me back into it in 2007. ...

11 1,017

Started by Sheep

Team comp

gimmepie, Feb 2: I'd recommend just looking for some sample teams first if you're new to competitive before you try making your own. That way you can get a better feel for the meta and competitive strategies without diving right into the deep end.

2 205

Started by Blackskarm

Somebody that understands pokemon math please help.

Fafrir, Jan 30: Moved this to Competitive Pokemon. :) Welcome to the forums btw!

2 234

Started by ShrekOderBanner

Clear body or Infiltrator for Choice Specs Dragapult?

Squirtlenator, Jan 28: I've been out of the completive ring for a while but, if I were you I would go on a site like pikalytics and look at the top ten mons with the highest usage for your tier. I would look at their move sets and see if substitute is a high usage move....

7 2,723

Started by Shuckle99

Help Me Finish

A Balanced Team Revolving Around Alolan Ninetales

Meister_anon~Master_o f_None, Jan 20: its all good, I just like golisopod, a little bulky, good attack. and like I said I know nothing of competitive play. And that said, my golisopod got completely washed, in the sun battle frontier thing.

5 2,107

Started by saniachan

Zacian-Crowned banned from Ubers with a with a 86.53% supermajority

Mobile Tsk, Jan 19: Zacian-C was beyond ridiculous even for Ubers. However, I am a bit confused by the threshold for banning something from Ubers, after Primal Groudon ruined two straight generations of Ubers by being required on nearly every serious team. To say...

4 761

Started by HeroLinik

Article

Queenly Majesty: How the Women’s VGC Tournament Came to Be

Figure, Jan 16: Were VGC tournaments men only? I guess I just don't understand the importance of this, I feel like I am missing some information so if someone could fill me in, that would be great. Edit: So I read the article and I do get it. It's crazy to me...

2 1,291

Started by Rivvon

Help Me Start

Competitive Pokémon

Squirtlenator, Jan 7: Before you go putting two mons into the Day Care, I would highly recommend doing some reading first. Since you're new to the competitive scene you should at the very least learn the basics and lingo -walls, tanks, sweepers, hazers and phazers, etc....

2 1,289

Started by MagnusCypher

Help Me Start

Any ideas for Pokemon that can help Blastoise in the OU format?

Squirtlenator, Jan 7: Hello Rose Oni, I don't know how much knowledge you have when it comes to competitive battling or which resources out there you're familiar with but, I would like to point you in the direction of three that I think would help you out in your...

3 1,260

Started by Rose Oni

Help Me Finish

Would this be a good support team?

LyrahHipnos, Jan 7: Oh jeez okay, I am stupid, never mind what I said about not knowing why my reply was hidden-

3 445

Started by LyrahHipnos

[gen 3] Whats the average sleep/confusion time?

Saad4206969, Dec 11: Sleep and confusion both last 2-5 turns in Gen 3. Sleep turns are burnt when you use a move while asleep, and the timer reset is only a mechanic introduced in gen 5(and was removed subsequently) and doesn't apply to gen 3. I.e, if you've burned a...

4 1,357

Started by blaca

RMT

I put you in a DROUGHT when you try to ice me out

Mobile Tsk, Dec 8: I missed this response before. Thanks for the feedback. I agree that Earth Power could be slotted over either STAB move.

4 1,830

Started by Mobile Tsk

Balancing the entire Pokemon roster so far.

Fafrir, Nov 23: Hello! I've moved your thread over to Competitive Pokémon because the goal is to balance Pokémon and therefore more suiting here.

1 1,547

Started by Fates-Blade

Hidden Gems on Your Team

Antimony 721, Nov 15: Swellow @ Heavy-Duty Boots Ability: Scrappy EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe Timid Nature IVs: 0 Atk - Boomburst - Endeavor - Substitute - Heat Wave

5 2,116

Started by JadeMarauder

Crown Tundra

gimmepie, Nov 2: With Crown Tundra now available, some potentially major players have been (re)introduced into the meta. How do you think this will effect things?

0 1,733

Started by gimmepie

Daily

Aaron Takes on Showdown

(2 pages)

Dark Azelf, Oct 17: Tyranitar @ Leftovers Ability: Sand Stream EVs: 252 HP / 52 Atk / 176 SpA / 28 Spe Quiet Nature - Substitute - Focus Punch - Dark Pulse - Flamethrower / Ice Beam / Thundebolt Yeah i went old school. Use it. ;)

29 3,422

Started by Rabinov

Should there be a special/physical variant of certain items/abilities?

Mobile Tsk, Oct 6: It would be interesting to see the impact on competitive Pokemon. Honestly, either one could allow for some pretty iron clad walls, as you could run Intimidate + physical AV (or vice versa) and end up with some excellent switch-ins to key offensive...

1 1,863

Started by CapCamGaming

Which formats do you enjoy/battle in most?

Mobile Tsk, Oct 6: I have traditionally enjoyed UU/RU in previous gens, particularly Gen 6-7. I took a prolonged break during Gen 5, though it looks like I missed a really interesting generation. It's now been pretty much ruined with the subsequent rule changes. I...

3 1,774

Started by NikolaP

Article

Aaron Takes on Showdown - Third Time's the Charm (Week 3)

gimmepie, Oct 6: I'm glad you enjoyed Indeedee lol. Consider us even for the Mew last time.

2 1,738

Started by Rabinov

Event

PC VGC Showdown

Ranko, Oct 1: GGs everyone!! I had a lot of fun!

14 2,596

Started by gimmepie

Article

Competitive Concepts: Terrain

We’ve discussed weather, now let’s look at how terrain is shaping competitive Pokémon metagames.
Mobile Tsk, Sep 22: Thanks for double checking me there - it is really fascinating to see the way that the list of moves and usable strategies has changed over time. The one thing that I neglected to mention in my previous post was the new possibilities granted to...

3 3,221

Started by gimmepie

Team Building Help

gimmepie, Sep 16: What metagame is this for? OU? Kingdra is a fantastic rain sweeper.

2 375

Started by Skaf03

Daily

Aaron Takes on Showdown - Terrible Twos (Week 2)

Rabinov, Sep 14: Week Two in the Aaron Takes on Showdown series proved to be a tough run for the ladder this week with one of the craziest leads in the business. Curious? Check the attached article to find out what torture you subjected me to over the last week. ...

0 1,827

Started by Rabinov

Battle Server Support

(20 pages)

Selenagobella, Aug 31: Thank you very much for writing such an interesting article on this topic. This has really made me think and I hope to read more.

477 233,322

Started by wolf

Daily

Aaron Takes on Showdown - Week 1(Revival)

Rabinov, Aug 31: Bringing back an old fave, I take on Smogon's ladder with a bunch of Pokémon picked by you lovelies - see how I did in this week's article! Interested? Make sure to go here to submit your own sets for each of these articles; the crazier the...

0 2,039

Started by Rabinov

Help Me Finish

All-Psychic Team for Competitive Battling

Hocus_Pokemon, Aug 31: Yeah, I found out about the -7 priority of Trick Room before teaching that move to Meowstic. That's why I made him hold Focus Sash. I'm thinking about replacing Meowstic's Trick Room with an offensive move. Would it be a better idea for me to choose...

4 2,109

Started by Hocus_Pokemon

Looking for new strats

NikolaP, Aug 30: I suggest checking out various competitive battling reddit subs (r/stunfisk, r/vgc...). People show some very cool ideas there with very clear and helpful explanations, often featuring not often used Pokémon. They often include a rental code so that...

1 2,037

Started by Couch Pilot Games

cursola EV spread/coverage advice?

sleepydragon, Aug 24: i SO totally forgot about trick room's negative priority and youre entirely right. im thinking i might switch to a bulkier setter like hatterene both for a check to dark types like krookodile and the like as well as being immune to stuff like taunt...

3 2,184

Started by sleepydragon

Article

Competitive Concepts: Weather

Learn about the impact of weather conditions on competitive Pokémon.
gimmepie, Aug 23: No idea, but it'd be nice if it did.

4 2,859

Started by gimmepie

Help Me Start

Modest or Timid nature for Choice Specs Dragapult?

gimmepie, Aug 21: You've already asked this in a thread in this section, so I'll be closing this one. I did answer your other one though, so take a look!

1 2,133

Started by Shuckle99

How to get into Competitive Pokémon

MarkChu, Aug 20: Thank you wow! This is wise :)

6 3,543

Started by enderkool

Modest or Timid Nature for Dragapult?

gimmepie, Aug 20: Personally, I think I'd go for the Modest option since Dragapult already outspeeds just about everything. The only reason I can think of to run Timid is to outspeed Adamant or Modest Zeraora, but you're still going to be slower than the Timid/Jolly...

3 2,275

Started by Shuckle99

I'm new and looking to battle

MarkChu, Aug 20: So am I, simply :))

3 3,951

Started by Whitney prime

Article

Women's Only VGC Tournament on September 5

AlexaRoss0908, Aug 17: It's great that they are doing it! Hopefully women won't become victims of inappropriate of men

8 4,134

Started by Rivvon

RMT

Sword/Shield Ranked Battles Team

Sabrina215, Aug 13: thanks for the tips ! I have changed my team around a bit based off your suggestions. My team is now looking like this: Shuckle (F) @ Mental Herb Ability: Contrary Shiny: Yes EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD Sassy Nature - Sticky Web...

2 2,427

Started by Sabrina215

Help Me Start

Want to Learn

gimmepie, Aug 12: Do you want to play VGC or a Smogon tier? It sounds like VGC since you're talking about the actual games. I can't help too much with the meta stuff for that format or with breeding, but I do have some general advice. 1. Learn the meta you want to...

1 2,215

Started by KitsuV

Group

Quarantine Advance?

gimmepie, Aug 9: I'm not very familiar with the ADV OU meta, and I'm not really a huge fan of the post physical/special split gameplay. That being said, if this is going to be a fairly light commitment I'd be up for giving it a go.

2 2,347

Started by Anti

RMT

Rate my team!

Ace Trainer Slash, Jul 29: Hello. I've seen your team, and I believe it is pretty good aside from a few edits to your moves. This is what I've observed: Firstly, seeing that you're playing VGC 2020... I don't think you should run Earthquake. Pokemon like your Tyranitar you...

3 512

Started by Hafiram

Need help with my Pokémon Team

Gavoca, Jul 25: maybe replace grimsnarl's dazzling gleam with spirit break

3 6,999

Started by Xaldrov

Help Me Start

Post your or paste your POKEMON SHOWDOWN moment

gimmepie, Jul 22: It's not exactly clear what this thread is asking for, so I'm going to close it. Feel free to post a new, more specific thread.

1 2,575

Started by Gavoca

OU Battles

drago0202, Jul 20: I know, but I also enjoy playing on the switch. I have all of the battle ready Pokémon and there are a few people that I play with.

2 2,573

Started by drago0202

Help Me Start

Which format is best for beginners?

gimmepie, Jul 14: Generally speaking, I recommend OU as your starting place just because it's the "standard" meta game with the biggest playerbase. Honestly though, you can focus on any tier you like it just means learning a different meta. If you want to keep...

1 3,030

Started by Tchukkelz

Monotype Battler

Yollaxi, Jul 6: Hi guys. I have an ongoing thread on the Travels section where I've been creating competitive Monotype teams and doing run-throughs with them. All with specific VGC Tactics. There are currently a Fighting, Steel, Grass, Normal and Dark teams...

0 2,814

Started by Yollaxi

Help Me Start

Need Help First Competitive Team Attempt

Saиdmaи, Jul 4: There are many team builders online or apps which show you the type weaknesses and resistances of your team. Besides typings, Pokémon can be used in different ways but many times a certain build works wonders with a matching movest. One to soak up...

1 2,979

Started by Baby Geralt

Help Me Start

Miltank builds?

Fafrir, Jul 1: Miltank is better suited as Pokémon that can sponge hit thanks to Thick Fat as well as heal itself. This was the set used last gen: Miltank @ Leftovers Ability: Thick Fat EVs: 252 HP / 236 SpD / 20 Spe Calm Nature - Stealth Rock - Seismic...

2 3,304

Started by midnitedecision

Help Me Start

Help with EV training

Fafrir, Jun 27: It's highly likely your Heracross has 5 IVs in Attack assuming you have poured 252 Attack EVs in.

1 345

Started by Smashtheroof

Forum Tools	Search this Forum
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Categories

The NEW Showdown Alt thread

Battle Server Support

Events & Groups Approval

Replay Sharing Thread

Guidelines & Resources

Team not valid for ranked!

Red-style Galarian Champion Team

What's your favorite tier?

Magic Room Set-Up

When did you first get into competitive battling?

Team comp

Somebody that understands pokemon math please help.

Clear body or Infiltrator for Choice Specs Dragapult?

A Balanced Team Revolving Around Alolan Ninetales

Zacian-Crowned banned from Ubers with a with a 86.53% supermajority

Queenly Majesty: How the Women’s VGC Tournament Came to Be

Competitive Pokémon

Any ideas for Pokemon that can help Blastoise in the OU format?

Would this be a good support team?

[gen 3] Whats the average sleep/confusion time?

I put you in a DROUGHT when you try to ice me out

Balancing the entire Pokemon roster so far.

Hidden Gems on Your Team

Crown Tundra

Aaron Takes on Showdown

Should there be a special/physical variant of certain items/abilities?

Which formats do you enjoy/battle in most?

Aaron Takes on Showdown - Third Time's the Charm (Week 3)

PC VGC Showdown

Competitive Concepts: Terrain

Team Building Help

Aaron Takes on Showdown - Terrible Twos (Week 2)

Battle Server Support

Aaron Takes on Showdown - Week 1(Revival)

All-Psychic Team for Competitive Battling

Looking for new strats

cursola EV spread/coverage advice?

Competitive Concepts: Weather

Modest or Timid nature for Choice Specs Dragapult?

How to get into Competitive Pokémon

Modest or Timid Nature for Dragapult?

I'm new and looking to battle

Women's Only VGC Tournament on September 5

Sword/Shield Ranked Battles Team

Want to Learn

Quarantine Advance?

Rate my team!

Need help with my Pokémon Team

Post your or paste your POKEMON SHOWDOWN moment

OU Battles

Which format is best for beginners?

Monotype Battler

Need Help First Competitive Team Attempt

Miltank builds?

Help with EV training