Hey y’all. This is the first team I’ve built for the current VGC format and I’ve made it to abt 1400 with it. I’m still pretty new to VGC in general but so far I’ve gotten decent results with the team.
no zacian art :(
Zacian-Crowned @ Rusted Sword
Ability: Intrepid Sword
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Behemoth Blade
- Play Rough
- Sacred Sword
- Protect
When to bring: almost always
Lead: sometimes
Dmax: lmao
Big dog with big sword do big damage. I chose to run max speed and attack to try and outpace other Zacian, especially the bulky variant on Rinya sun. Not much else to say, zac is pretty straight forward. He can lead, stay in the back, file you taxes, raise your kids, and die to precipice blades, so be careful.
Kyogre @ Mystic Water
Ability: Drizzle
Level: 50
EVs: 188 HP / 68 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Water Spout
- Origin Pulse
- Ice Beam
- Protect
When to bring: every game
Lead: sometimes
Dmax: sometimes
The second half of the swordfish core, I chose a fast, somewhat bulky Kyogre so that it outspeeds bulky Groudon. Sure it will set up weather first and Groudon can take it back, but why the heck are you leading Kyogre into Groudon? Other than that, Kyogre is pretty much the only Pokémon you’re gonna be bringing to every game, except under some very, very specific circumstances
Incineroar @ Shuca Berry
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 84 Def / 140 SpD / 32 Spe
Careful Nature
- Fake Out
- Parting Shot
- Flare Blitz
- Darkest Lariat
When to bring: usually
Lead: usually (as in, don’t bring it in the back if you bring it)
Dmax: rarely
The standard, Groudon checking kitty is here! Shuca berry so it isn’t sat on by Groudon, fairly standard ev spread and moveset. You typically won’t be dynamaxing incin, but there are definitely curcumstances I kind of see incineroar as kind of a physical-denying support as compared to the next Pokémon…
Thundurus (M) @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Prankster
Level: 50
EVs: 244 HP / 156 Def / 76 SpD / 32 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Eerie Impulse
- Thunder Wave
- Taunt
When to bring: usually
Lead: always
Dmax: if you have to…
While it seems like everyone else has been running Dmax defiant Thundy, I found that this prankster variant is a win con itself due to how many opponents quit after I twave and eerie impulse their gmaxed Zard. This Pokémon is a fantastic disruptor and provides great speed control against anything that isn’t dark, ground, or electric. Like previously stated, I feel like this Pokémon is kind of a special mirror to incin and I typically run it if I think my opponent will be leading with a special threat. Also, while you can lead Incin Thundy if you really want, this lead is generally
Kartana @ Assault Vest
Ability: Beast Boost
Level: 50
EVs: 132 HP / 4 Atk / 4 Def / 148 SpD / 220 Spe
- Leaf Blade
- Smart Strike
- Aerial Ace
- Sacred Sword
When to bring: sometimes
Lead: sometimes
Dmax: usually
Dear lord this small thing hits hard, especially when you make the small thing big. Kartana is run with just enough speed to outspeed a max speed invested Kyogre, and has special bulk investment since living an extra hit is more important than dealing even more overkill to Kyogre and other targets. 181 attack is high enough and beast boost + airstream is usually all this monster needs to run away with the game.
Landorus-Therian (M) @ White Herb
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Fly
- Rock Slide
- Swords Dance
When to bring: sometimes
Lead: usually
Dmax: usually
The other, non-Kyogre dmax option is everyone’s second least favorite kitty (or first if you play singles). Lando is here pretty much for two reasons: he has fantastic synergy with his brother, and he rolls eleki and Zard. Leading dual genies is typically what I see as the safest lead into Rinya. Hey that brings us into the section about…
LEADS
Safe leads:
Dual Genies (Thundy and Lando-T)
Thundy/Incin + restricted
Aggressive leads:
Kyogre + Kartana
Thundy/Incin + Kartana
(its almost like kartana is a aggressive Pokémon wow)
Hey you made it to the bottom of the article. Thanks for looking through my post! I’m really trying to improve at VGC to be prepared for next season hopefully (no regionals near me sadge), so if you have any feedback or there’s anything I missed I’d be happy hear it.
no zacian art :(
Zacian-Crowned @ Rusted Sword
Ability: Intrepid Sword
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Behemoth Blade
- Play Rough
- Sacred Sword
- Protect
When to bring: almost always
Lead: sometimes
Dmax: lmao
Big dog with big sword do big damage. I chose to run max speed and attack to try and outpace other Zacian, especially the bulky variant on Rinya sun. Not much else to say, zac is pretty straight forward. He can lead, stay in the back, file you taxes, raise your kids, and die to precipice blades, so be careful.
Kyogre @ Mystic Water
Ability: Drizzle
Level: 50
EVs: 188 HP / 68 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Water Spout
- Origin Pulse
- Ice Beam
- Protect
When to bring: every game
Lead: sometimes
Dmax: sometimes
The second half of the swordfish core, I chose a fast, somewhat bulky Kyogre so that it outspeeds bulky Groudon. Sure it will set up weather first and Groudon can take it back, but why the heck are you leading Kyogre into Groudon? Other than that, Kyogre is pretty much the only Pokémon you’re gonna be bringing to every game, except under some very, very specific circumstances
Incineroar @ Shuca Berry
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 84 Def / 140 SpD / 32 Spe
Careful Nature
- Fake Out
- Parting Shot
- Flare Blitz
- Darkest Lariat
When to bring: usually
Lead: usually (as in, don’t bring it in the back if you bring it)
Dmax: rarely
The standard, Groudon checking kitty is here! Shuca berry so it isn’t sat on by Groudon, fairly standard ev spread and moveset. You typically won’t be dynamaxing incin, but there are definitely curcumstances I kind of see incineroar as kind of a physical-denying support as compared to the next Pokémon…
Thundurus (M) @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Prankster
Level: 50
EVs: 244 HP / 156 Def / 76 SpD / 32 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Eerie Impulse
- Thunder Wave
- Taunt
When to bring: usually
Lead: always
Dmax: if you have to…
While it seems like everyone else has been running Dmax defiant Thundy, I found that this prankster variant is a win con itself due to how many opponents quit after I twave and eerie impulse their gmaxed Zard. This Pokémon is a fantastic disruptor and provides great speed control against anything that isn’t dark, ground, or electric. Like previously stated, I feel like this Pokémon is kind of a special mirror to incin and I typically run it if I think my opponent will be leading with a special threat. Also, while you can lead Incin Thundy if you really want, this lead is generally
Kartana @ Assault Vest
Ability: Beast Boost
Level: 50
EVs: 132 HP / 4 Atk / 4 Def / 148 SpD / 220 Spe
- Leaf Blade
- Smart Strike
- Aerial Ace
- Sacred Sword
When to bring: sometimes
Lead: sometimes
Dmax: usually
Dear lord this small thing hits hard, especially when you make the small thing big. Kartana is run with just enough speed to outspeed a max speed invested Kyogre, and has special bulk investment since living an extra hit is more important than dealing even more overkill to Kyogre and other targets. 181 attack is high enough and beast boost + airstream is usually all this monster needs to run away with the game.
Landorus-Therian (M) @ White Herb
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Fly
- Rock Slide
- Swords Dance
When to bring: sometimes
Lead: usually
Dmax: usually
The other, non-Kyogre dmax option is everyone’s second least favorite kitty (or first if you play singles). Lando is here pretty much for two reasons: he has fantastic synergy with his brother, and he rolls eleki and Zard. Leading dual genies is typically what I see as the safest lead into Rinya. Hey that brings us into the section about…
LEADS
Safe leads:
Dual Genies (Thundy and Lando-T)
Thundy/Incin + restricted
Aggressive leads:
Kyogre + Kartana
Thundy/Incin + Kartana
(its almost like kartana is a aggressive Pokémon wow)
Hey you made it to the bottom of the article. Thanks for looking through my post! I’m really trying to improve at VGC to be prepared for next season hopefully (no regionals near me sadge), so if you have any feedback or there’s anything I missed I’d be happy hear it.