As the first Series of VGC winds down, players are buzzing. They can’t wait to use the new Paradox Pokémon in the upcoming Series Two.
Before Series Two even kicks off, the community started their own tournaments. This shows just how excited everyone is. Through these early events, we’ve seen hints of what the new competitive landscape could look like.
The Early Meta Shapes Up
Early tournaments have already made some waves. Initially, many thought two Pokémon, Roaring Moon and Flutter Mane, would dominate. Surprise! Iron Hands is the one stealing the show, outperforming everyone’s expectations in these early clashes.
Iron Hands Dominates
So, what’s the deal with Iron Hands? It packs a massive punch and is tough as nails. It might be slow, but that’s perfect for Trick Room teams. The only weakness is its Special Defense, but players fix that with an Assault Vest. Its diverse moveset makes it a threat to many.
Despite similarities with Hariyama, Iron Hands outshines its counterpart by a mile. The newness of Iron Hands might play a role, but its future in the meta remains a hot topic.
Arcanine’s Comeback
Arcanine shines whenever Incineroar is out of the picture. Scarlet and Violet introduced items and abilities that undermine Intimidate, Arcanine’s main strength. This made Arcanine less popular. But now, with fewer using those counters and a shift in the meta, Arcanine is back in the spotlight.
Iron Valiant Surprises Everyone
Iron Valiant looked weak on paper because of its poor defense and tricky setup. But recently, it surprised everyone by snagging second place in a big tournament. Its mixed attacker role, hitting major threats effectively, showed it’s better than we thought.
Terrain and Weather vs. Booster Energy
Early data shows a lack of Pincurchin and Torkoal in teams, despite their abilities to set Electric Terrain and Sun. Paradox Pokémon benefit more from terrain or weather than from Booster Energy. The terrain or weather effects last longer than Booster Energy, which ends when the Pokémon leaves battle. This might be why Pincurchin, which is relatively weak, and Torkoal, which doesn’t mesh well with fast Paradox Pokémon, aren’t seen much.
Despite this, Paradox Pokémon don’t have to be on every team. They are strong, but there are plenty of other powerful options. Some teams do well in these early tournaments without any Paradox Pokémon.
In conclusion, Series Two VGC is shaping up to be an exciting season. Whether you favor the new Paradox Pokémon or stick with tried and true favorites, there’s plenty of strategies to explore.