Unveiling the Ultimate Secrets of Scarlet and Violet: Mastering Competitive Pokemon Strategies

In Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, each generation brings forth its own set of formidable contenders for competitive VGC battles. This holds true for the latest generation as well, with some of the strongest threats to date making their mark. Despite the ever-evolving meta and the introduction of new regulations, a few standout Pokemon have consistently proven their worth in VGC battles in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. These exceptional creatures have found their place in numerous VGC teams and have even been instrumental in securing victories in tournaments, thanks to their advantageous typing, impressive stat distributions, and even their unique strategies.

As we eagerly await the upcoming Regulation D series for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC battles, where newly transferable critters from Pokemon Home will have the chance to shine, it is worth acknowledging the current powerhouses of Gen 9 VGC. These Pokemon have already left a lasting impact on the competitive scene and would undoubtedly be featured in any monument dedicated to the most iconic Pokemon of their generation.

Gholdengo

Gholdengo, a goofy golden Pokedex #1000 mon, surprised many players by emerging as one of the strongest competitive behemoths in the initial VGC series following the release of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Its dominance stemmed from a combination of factors, including its unique ability Good as Gold, which granted immunity to opponents' status moves, its Ghost/Steel typing, favorable stats that made it a sturdy Special Attacker, and its signature move Make It Rain, boasting a base power of 120 and 100% accuracy. This particular set made Gholdengo a reliable Special sweeper and an excellent doubles partner for the VGC format.

However, Gholdengo's effectiveness began to dwindle when Paradox Pokemon became usable in the second series of Gen 9 VGC battles. Other mons, such as Flutter Mane, emerged as more viable Special Attackers, and Gholdengo sets became easier to anticipate and counter with mons like Arcanine or Great Tusk. While Gholdengo still sees some usage in the present day, it no longer possesses the dominating presence it once held in the early days of the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC meta. Nonetheless, it still deserves recognition as one of Gen 9's top competitive battlers due to its prevalence during that time.

Dondozo

Dondozo, another Gen 9 Pokemon in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, has proven to be adaptable in the ever-changing VGC landscape. It initially surprised competitors due to its unique gimmick, but its power eventually justified its usage. Interestingly, Dondozo's potential is fully realized when paired with another Gen 9 Pokemon, Tatsugiri. Tatsugiri's Commander ability activates and enhances Dondozo, transforming it from a decent Pokemon into an incredibly sturdy Physical Attacker.

Even without Tatsugiri's support, Dondozo boasts impressive stats. However, when engaged in a double battle alongside Tatsugiri, the Commander ability allows Tatsugiri to enter Dondozo's mouth, rendering it invulnerable to damage while simultaneously boosting all of Dondozo's stats by two stages. This combination makes Dondozo incredibly resilient, particularly when utilizing its move Order Up. Additionally, its Wave Crash attack, a Water-type move with 100% accuracy, inflicts a significant base 120 STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) damage, making it a formidable threat capable of swiftly dismantling an opponent's team. Despite some nerfs throughout the generation, Dondozo remains a consistent and formidable presence in each new regulation.

Amoonguss

Amoonguss has been a significant presence in the competitive meta for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, despite not being new to Gen 9. This support Pokemon has proven to be an excellent doubles partner for various VGC sweepers due to its impressive bulk and access to a wide range of useful support moves. With the power creep of Gen 9 VGC introducing stronger attackers, Amoonguss' ability to endure hits while healing teammates has made it a crucial member of competitive teams.

With its high HP and solid defenses, Amoonguss is well-suited for defensive strategies with its Grass/Poison typing. It possesses a variety of support moves such as Rage Powder, which redirects opponent's attacks towards itself, Spore, which puts opponents to sleep and eliminates them as a threat, Pollen Puff, a move that can heal allies while damaging enemies, and Clear Smog, which removes an opponent's stat boosts. Furthermore, Amoonguss also possesses the Regenerator ability, allowing it to restore its health upon being switched out. This grants Amoonguss an impressive survivability rate, particularly when players frequently switch between party members.

Flutter Mane

Flutter Mane, the Paradox Pokemon, has solidified its position as the dominant force in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC. Since its introduction in Series 2 of Gen 9 VGC, it has maintained its status as a top-tier competitor, overshadowing Gholdengo as the preferred Special Attacker among competitive players. With its impressive stats, versatile typing, and well-rounded move set, Flutter Mane has become a staple in the majority of competitive teams.

The Ghost/Fairy typing of Flutter Mane grants it exceptional durability, with only a handful of weaknesses, while also allowing it to deal super effective damage to many of the commonly used Pokemon in Scarlet and Violet VGC. Its base stats of 135 in Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed make it a consistently fast and powerful threat, especially when paired with its ability Protosynthesis. This ability further enhances its Speed and Special Attack, particularly in harsh sunlight or when holding a Booster Energy. Additionally, the introduction of Gen 9's Terastallization mechanic enables Flutter Mane to adapt its typing as needed, allowing it to benefit from STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) damage from various moves or mitigate the weaknesses of its typings.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available for Nintendo Switch.