That is the next puzzle for the meta to solve. We should see an uptick in Calyrex s to help fight the mirror. Mienshao could gain some popularity as well
@@christopherballero866 Statistically no, but having inner focus and close combat can force the Incineroar into a weird position. It will be interesting to see how the meta adapts
I’m on a mission with this channel. I want to help you all succeed and I want to grow VGC into an Esport! I’m happy that hopefully some of my information was able to help!
In a sense. The overlaying water typing wouldn’t be the best for the team. Foul play is far more valuable in the format of horses and 150+ base atk stats legends, and the ability to set up and sweep itself makes it quite the sneaky versatile support Pokémon for this specific team!
@@profkoji1218 The joke is that Bastiodon has a similar stat spread to Toxapex, but is worse, due to its noob trap of a defensive typing, limited damage over time options, and lack of reliable recovery. But yeah, the fact that you made a shitmon a legit threat is proof of concept that you can win with your favourites, if you’re skilled.
@@tysondennis1016 oh I totally missed the joke! My apologies! That’s the beautiful part about Pokémon. There’s an objective correct way to approach things that strictly follow meta protocols, yet there are so many unique avenues to take, and with, like you said, skill or hard work, you can totally still win!
@@profkoji1218 It’s fine. Honestly, whenever I make a fakemon, I design it with a meta niche in mind. For example, I made an Ice/Rock-type bighorn sheep revenge killer, a Bug/Poison-type monarch butterfly setup sweeper with utility options, and a Flying-type hummingbird that’s effectively Ninjask, if Ninjask could Mega Evolve into a Pokémon with an ability that protects itself and its team from spread moves. Thus, they end up feeling like real mons, balanced and not completely overpowered or completely awful. Yes, I’m working on a BC-inspired region.
Although im not a competitive player(trying to get into after few round of legendary farming unsure if i would make it before this reg ended) shadow caly can nuke prettt much everyting except normal and dark type urshifu and something with sucker punch and dark move can easily one shot it due to 4x damage received from dark also forcing shadow caly to tera otherwise ohko,ice caly tho needs time to set up trick room easily disrupt with taunt what if ice caly user hard read and using indeedee or farigiraf for second trick room setter?if the ice caly user reads it right ice caly taunted indeedee f will go off with trick room. I think ice caly harder to counter due to the immense defence it has and since we have plenty of good trick room setter choices ice caly potentially more threathening than shadow caly. I saw a lot of caly matches ice one seem to be more dangerous although no good counter to shadow caly matches can end quicker.
These are very good points. The sheer bulk alone makes the ice rider Calyrex a lot more consistent or “safe” to use. The strategy is linear but effective. Set up tr and protect the horse. Calyrex Ice rider also had potentially the best coverage of all time in Ice and grounds so it’s constantly applying pressure. It’s still Walled by things like pelliper but it is definitely a threat. Calyrex Shadow rider is more of a risky Pokémon in a sense, where you need to put the Pokémon in the correct board state. Timing and decision making as well as proper support are crucial for the Calyrex shadow rider to succeed. With this being said, if you get ahead just one turn with Calyrex S, you can snowball the game. I appreciate your insight and I hope to see you in future events
@@profkoji1218 thank for agreeing to my points,im no expert and the last played pokemon was gen 3,i just got switch lite recently got the game and arceus to farm legendary to trade others that i cant catch or version exclusives so more farming needed to be done as i dont have much roster but will do if i wanted to. Since i rarely go into competitive game i want to try for pokemon coz it looks a lot back and forth than other competitive game atleast pkmn shows that interaction exist. I restart my scarlet again just to farm paradox to trade perhaps some other legendary exclusive people want for something i need (gouging fire and raging bolt have high demand right now).
As a zamazenta user you def got some great answers but I feel the best answer is more than likely lando I because I have ran a team with my own incinaroar and that can shut down a good amount of the Mon you mention and now most of zamazenta teams are trying moltres and latios as well those two can be pretty dangerous for these answers, tbh most zamazenta teams are built as a battle of attrition and try to cover most if not everything that’s what I love most about the zamazenta core it makes your opponent play perfect and if they don’t you can force a win to your favor
That’s the scariest part about Zamazenta. It’s able to naturally play in a balanced core, taking advantage of rain naturally as well. Lando I would be another solid answer with the correct support or the read on the tera, I agree!
She should've gotten Hyper cutter in the first place. Hyper cutter is a dull ability that's perfect for a Pokemon like Zacian whom barely needs the help anyhow. Much better design mechanically, Doubles for not getting neutered by Intimidate and Singles too for not getting a free choice band with 0 downsides. Intrepid Sword was such a bad idea.
It’s tough as Zamazenta is just so consistent. I’d imagine setting up the Calyrex-I would be key. A + 2 Tera ghost astral barrage does 85-100% so clearing the pelliper early and getting a board state where caly can set up would likely be key. Whimsicott could also lock Zama into body press with certain board states freeing caly to set up as well. Raging bolt lives anything from zamazenta as well, so one chunk of damage is putting the Zama in range for astral
@@profkoji1218 good info I appreciate that! I’ve been piloting a Koraidon team all month to pay homage to the guy who’s been carrying me in game for 100’s of hours, but have been testing a Caly-S team for the exact reasons you’ve explain. I’m trying to beat the curve. Have been trying to run it with torn watursh and it just felt slightly off, which is why I want to pivot to kommo-o. Likely using a version of that team this weekend in an online tour. I still think I’d like to slot in booster speed flutter somewhere, or maybe Rilaboom because miraidon terrifies me
good info I appreciate that! I’ve been piloting a Koraidon team all month to pay homage to the guy who’s been carrying me in game for 100’s of hours, but have been testing a Caly-S team for the exact reasons you’ve explain. I’m trying to beat the curve. Have been trying to run it with torn watursh and it just felt slightly off, which is why I want to pivot to kommo-o. Likely using a version of that team this weekend in an online tour. I still think I’d like to slot in booster speed flutter somewhere, or maybe Rilaboom because miraidon terrifies me
@@robertkruger5744 This is the beauty of Pokémon. Having the much of a bond with Koraidon is so respectful. Wolfe ran a torn TW version with after you clefairy. This enables caly-I under tr, and redirects all the dark types while supplying freind gaurd to the sweepers. Maybe give that a try and see how it feels! Tera water to help soak up water fu who also enjoys feeding on Calyrex.
I lost to one zamazenta out of the 4 I played against, I beat the other 3. The main reason why I lost is because my opponent won a speed tie against my ogerpon and crit me in the same turn (didn't know zamazenra and ogerpon were tying) with body press when I was going to win the game 3 with ogerpon and calyrex, but that's pokemon. Zamazenta is not that difficult for my team if they don't have dark urshifu, which is another reason why it got complicated in top 8, but without the speed tie and crit I would've won regardless. Good video!
I think that’s a smart approach! I like the Wil-O-Wisp set bc you can neutralize Zama as well as chip it over time! It also helps vs Chien Pao dnite as they can’t e speed or sucker a Wil-0-Wisp!
I have always known Calyrex Shadow has massive potential, Kommo-o is a great call as it can check some Dark and Normal types with Body Press for Calyrex. Imagine in double restricted we can pick Calyrex Shadow with Zamazenta!
@@Guimhj Unfortunately, entry hazards haven’t seen too much play in VGC due to the faster pacing. There have been successful stealth rock ting Lu teams though partnered with yawn dondozo, so the option is there.
@@profkoji1218 example that pokemon they switch into it will lose speed or unable to use non damaging moves for 3 turns or u will be able to see the tera type of their pokemon or they cant protect for 3 turns
I agree that zacian certainly needed a nerf! Do you like the nerfs, or did they over do it? Zamazenta is a huge threat right now. It has so many positive matchups!
Maybe they should give Zacian some new tools like how they gave Zamazenta body press, maybe behemoth blade do super effective against tera pokemon or something to compensate
That would have been a great compensation! I think another reasonable approach is to leave zaciann’s ability alone, drop its stats and drop the base power of behemoth blade. Zacian is forced into the Rusted Sword item, so it could not utilize clear amulet like some of the other physical restricted Pokémon, so intimidation cycles would still be effective, but the zacian player could also be very smart with its positioning as well causing counter play on both sides
I think Zacian had to be nerfed but they took it a bit too far. Either a stat nerf or ability nerf would render it good but not overpowered imo, both makes it borderline unviable. These teams look good though, but I keep wondering if not another restricted (Caly-S, Zamazenta) would just do a better job in the same slot as Zacian?
For the video, I was trying to give examples of creative ways we can uses zacian, however, I do feel another Pokémon such as the ones you mention create more value and consistency. Like you stated above, zacians dual nerf has been a bit much for it, in my opinion, for the single restricted format. I will however, be extremely intrigued to see its performance in a double restricted format. Zacian kyogre can still cause issues where kyogre clears Incin and the zacian checks raging bolt, so i will be keeping my eye out for zacian in the future!
i think gamefreak weakened zacian a bit too much, yes i understand why zacian got a nerf in the attack stat but not why the ability got nerfed, its pretty much useless against a team with incineroar which is almost on every team
I personally feel the same. Pokémon like urshifu were able to return with a slap on the wrist to their damage output in surging strikes and wicked blow. Same situation with rillaboom and grassy glide. Imagine if rillaboom could only set terrain once per battle. It would be terrible.
@@profkoji1218 It was only Wicked Blow that got nerfed, reducing its base power from 80 to 75. This is basically to bring it in line with Surging Strikes' effective base power of 75 (3 hits of base 25).
Rayquaza with choice band tera normal Extremespeed with Chien-Pao slaps. It's a roll in your favor to OKO the 252/252 SpA/Sdp choice specs variant of Miraidon.
I use Zamazenta a lot since the beginning of reg G, i can agree some of these are great counters such as Incineroar (only if it tera-ghost, otherwise its doomed with body press). However, picks like Flutter Mane can’t even survive a single heavy slam / b bash. If Zama is paired with an speed control & walls support (any prankster w/ thunder wave) it’s unstoppable. The cool thing is that it can also function as a wide guard support, and with so many good dark type pokemon to pair it, you can easily change your strategy to get rid of both Calyrex forms, and the less common Lunala teams. Zama goes really well with Chien-Pao & G-Moltres for those cases. Some of the mons that i struggle to defeat when i use my Zama team are Gholdengo, Zacian & Amoongus. Basically pokemon who are immune or resist body press, or those who can use moves like Sacred Sword or clear smog to ignore/remove stat changes. All i can say is be careful, don’t let it increase it’s defense because once Zama sets an Iron Defense boost, it can easily OHKO a lot of threats with Body Press. It doesn’t matter if you have trick room or tailwind setups because it naturally has really great defense stats so it will be hard to take down even if you move first on the field.
Thank you for your insight, I love to see the perspective of a player who utilizes the Pokémon we are aiming to counter. Flutter mane is definitely one of the weaker picks on the list as a -1 heavy slam still picks it up from zam. I mainly see value in supporting it with redirection, as specs moonblast puts zam on a 2 turn timer, but this is certainly not as consistent with all the powerful spread moves in the game. We saw micheal utilize the widegaurd support to great sucess. On paper, his team loses to Calyrex ice with rilla, G-Moltres, and Latios all being naturally weak to ice, yet the zamazenta was able to support in those games allowing the G moltres to land devastating foul plays. Truthfully, zamazenta has at least a neutral math up into most teams, making it such an incredible restricted to build around. I personally see a rise in either zacian and Gholdengo on teams for the LA regionals upcoming
I'm using Vikavolt (Bug/Electric type, you know) on one of my teams, with Quick Claw (and Guillotine just in case); Tera Water. That way, the Body Press and Behemoth Bash don't hurt it, while it can also avoid Fire moves if need be. Also helps against Calyrex-Ice and its Trick Room, since Bug Buzz & Thunderbolt 50/50 with its typical Tera Water in case it comes to that. Unfortunately even Max Modest Thunderbolt has only been doing ~40% to Zamazenta, but what can you do.
Ceruledge got top 9 at Stokholm's regional with a clear amulet bulk up set. I imagine it was used as an alternative win condition into a few match ups to free up team flexibility.
This is an excellent example! I see so much value in Calyrex S and I feel in the right hands and with the correct approach it will flourish! Time will tell though.
Lmaoo for real, hard read Tera fairy and tried to fake out, only for it to have covert cloak and OHKO my shiftry with dkiss, and shiftry was my only hard counter lol
actually mad genius sound proofing to stop parting shot, wide guard support, foul play for mirror caly-i match up and if ignored, is able to set up iron defense body press match up is also decent against ursa-bm since its immune to hyper voice and can also wide guard it though you'll have to commit a tera for earth power
I would never say that Caly-S is a fraud but literally every team is built with 2 checks to it. After this past regional, people will start walking back to one check and it will pick up again. It happened in sword and shield and will happen again now.
As far as game developers aiming to make money, the ideal scenario is a meta that encourages cyclical balance, and that's because a balance like that encourages getting all versions and variations. Shadow Rider will get its chance to shine, but I can't imagine them doing that until they can break Incineroar or Wide Guard users in half. I imagine it being way more dangerous in a dual restricted format.
That could very well be the case. Time will certainly tell! Potentially having the second restricted relieve some pressure off Caly may help it’s stocks.
Given the results of the past two regionals this month, it's pretty evident that while Shadow rider obviously isn't bad, it's definitely not top of the meta. Missing out on top 8 at both and struggling generally going into day 2, shows that there is currently too much counterplay for it in the meta atm. Ice rider has the better synergy with the top balance mons of the format, and that's proving to be more consistent. It's definitely still an A tier mon, but it's not better than Caly-I or even Zamazenta atm. It shouldn't be underestimated either way, cuz all it takes is an adjustment in the meta for it to be a top 3 mon.
I agree with the statement. I actually think with the recent performance out of Zamazenta, Caly-i will rise a bit. It’s been steady top 10 area. I think it’s hugest issue is being a little too linear. I’ll be excited to see how the meta evolves, because as you stated, 1 or 2 slight shifts and this Pokémon will be insane. I appreciate your insight!
Man it’s the same situation again every regulation It’s either dondozo or urshifu I was fine with fluttermane everywhere but those 2 where just a nuisance
@@Xul-Xata I have 2 theories here. Either meta game control, where they likely didn’t want Xerneas+Tera in the meta game, much like they did with the Tapus ( Tapu fini would have wrecked both Urshifu forms usage) Or, because Pokémon wanted to push Legends Zygarde, set in gen 6, and are savining Xerneas and Yveltal for a new form.
