The Exciting San Diego Showdown
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s first big Regional tournament took over San Diego last weekend. Players have been gearing up since we first knew the date. Since December, the competitive scene has heated up, and the strategies have evolved.
Unexpected Moves
As the tournament began, players faced not just familiar tactics but also new, surprising strategies. These changes shook things up in ways no one saw coming. Now, let’s talk about some standout Pokémon and their innovative uses.
Starring: Dondozo and Tatsugiri
Dondozo and Tatsugiri became a powerful pair, changing the game. Teams had to find two ways to beat them, or they’d struggle. Top players at San Diego came prepared for Dondozo, but Dondozo teams had their own new tricks.
Three teams with Stretchy Tatsugiri-Dondozo made it far. 2016 Champion Wolfe Glick shared how Stretchy Tatsugiri boosted Dondozo’s speed, changing outcomes. Previously, Curly Tatsugiri-Dondozo leads had aimed to sweep teams directly.
Hydreigon Gets Critical
Hydreigon with Focus Energy became a creative counter against Dondozo-Tatsugiri. Using Scope Lens or Razor Fang, Hydreigon guaranteed critical hits. These hits bypassed stat boosts, making it a potent force.
Surprises Beyond Dondozo
Garganacl dropped its usual tactic for a new approach, pairing defensive moves with fast allies to dominate. Two Garganacl teams hit the top eight, with a winner among them using Tera Poison.
Mirror Herb on Paldean Tauros outsmarted opponents, especially against Defiant Pokémon like Kingambit. It boosted its own attack to fight back effectively.
Population Bomb Maushold switched strategies too. Most opted for a supportive role, catching players off guard with moves like Super Fang.
Glimmora and its Toxic Debris ability made a splash, offering unique advantages. One Glimmora even chose Tera Grass to cover weaknesses and battle effectively against key foes.
Bold Choices and Big Moves
Choice Specs Gholdengo lost its spotlight to a bulkier, Nasty Plot version. This flexible approach let Gholdengo protect itself and set up for big plays. Items varied, with some choosing Life Orb for power or Leftovers for healing.
In an unexpected shift, Talonflame appeared on more top teams than Murkrow. Changes in Gholdengo’s setup and Talonflame’s superior attack power explained the switch.