Hi everyone, My name is Km. I am happy to win the 2024 Hong Kong National Championships, therefore I would like to share the process and thoughts on building my team.
Table of Contents
- Team Building Process
- The Team
- Thoughts On Matchups
- VS Ice Rider Calyrex + Pelipper + Amoonguss
- VS Shadow Rider Calyrex + Clefairy/Indeedee-F + Rain Dance Tornadus-T + Rapid Strike Urshifu
- VS Terapagos + Flutter Mane + Chi-Yu + Amoonguss/Indeedee-F + Tornadus-T (Choice Specs Tailwind variant)
- VS Calm Mind Terapagos with 2 redirectors + 1 tailwind user
- VS Miraidon + Whimsicott + Farigiraf + Iron Hands
- VS Miraidon + Whimsicott + Farigiraf (Without Iron Hands)
- VS Zamazenta + Pelipper + Chien-Pao
- VS Koraidon + Raging Bolt + Flutter Mane
- VS Kyogre + Tornadus-T + Landorus-T
- VS Kyogre + Tornadus-T (without Landorus-T)
- VS Kyogre + Wo-Chien + Grimmsnarl + Iron Jugulis
- VS Zacian + Chien-Pao + Rapid Strike Urshifu
- VS Necrozma(Dawn Wings) + Indeedee-F + Gallade + Ursaluna
- Closing Words
Team Building Process
This goes back to the preparation for the Druddigon Cup on 19th May. I planned to go with either Miradon, Terapagos or Koraidon, but not considering Calyrex, Zamazenta or Kyogre. Why is that so? Ursaluna and Farigiraf, these two very strong normal type Pokémon from generation 9 were the main reasons why Shadow Rider Calyrex did not have a great performance in regionals at that time, therefore I am not confident with it. As for Ice Rider Calyrex and Zamazenta, they were common in standard balanced teams which I am not particularly familiar with. As for Kyogre, the new legendaries – Miraidon, Koraidon and Terapagos have different ways to counter Kyogre, which I think the current format may not be a good environment for Kyogre to thrive.
So this was the Miradon team I used in the Druddigon Cup:
I got 3-3 with the above team, a fair result but definitely not good enough. After the tournament, I realized that there were matchups that Miradon would be difficult to deal with, like teams with Ting-Lu, teams with Grimmsnarl setting up screens, Covert Cloak Shadow Rider Calyrex teams and hard trick room teams with Ice Rider Calyrex. Most of all, mirror matches are matchups that Miradon teams don’t want to play against. Therefore, I gave up the idea of using Miradon for the Hong Kong National after the Druddigon Cup.
The reasons why I choose Koraidon, firstly, a Terapagos champed the Druddigon Cup, which Koiradon is strong against it; secondly, I got a pretty good result in the Sheep Cup, held by a Taiwanese VGC player Wow_Yang at 26th May, with a Koiradon team.
This was the team, as well as the first version of my National team:
The concept was the combination of Koraidon, Grimmsnarl, Flutter Mane, Ting-Lu could give a lot of pressure to Miraidon, while Focus Sash tera normal Ditto was surprisingly good against Shadow Rider Calyrex and Zamazenta. However, there was a big problem: this team was very weak to Choice Scarf Rapid Strike Urshifu and Tornadus-T with Rain Dance.
Therefore, in the second version I tried Raging Bolt to deal with Choice Scarf Rapid Strike Urshifu and Rain Dance Tornadus-T. I dropped Ting-Lu and Ditto, and added Rillaboom for Miradon matchups.
I came a conclusion that:
- it is enough to stop Miradon from one-hit knock outing my Pokémon with only light screen up in most situations
- with Raging Bolt and 2 fairy type Pokémon in the team are enough to give pressure in Miradon matchups
There were 3 main changes noted in the meta until May: (1) Assault Vest Iron Hands were more common in Miradon teams; (2) Clefairy and Covert Cloak Shadow Rider Calyrex were more popular; (3) and there was an uprising trend of Tera Fire Ice Rider Calyrex with rain. My team had a hard time with Ice Rider Calyrex matchups, with the win rate barely reaching 30% in my practice games, and therefore I prepared a lot of countermeasures for this matchup. Later on after my team was settled, I had more practice games especially for these 3 archetypes. Since Tera Fire Ice Rider Calyrex has a common rock type weakness no matter if it terastalize or not, Cornerstone Ogerpon is the best among other rock types. It is strong against Pelipper as well, and it can block spores. However, only Ogerpon is not enough, I need the final piece of the puzzle, which is able fulfill the following 3 aspects:
- to further strengthen matchups for Tera Fire Ice Rider Calyrex and Amoonguss
- as a counter for Shadow Rider Calyrex matchups
- better to be a fire, steel or poison type Pokémon, as the team will be even weaker against fairy types after dropping Hearthflame Ogerpon
Therefore, I tested the following 10 teams:
Except for Gholdengo, Ditto and Chi-Yu, the others use Safety Goggles to respect Amoonguss matchups. Focus Sash Chi-Yu with Taunt to block any status moves, and tera water Volcarona Tera Blast to deal with Pokémon terastalized into fire type.
After trying these out, matches against Tera Fire Ice Rider Calyrex didn’t get better even if I include a fire type Pokémon or using Will-O-Wisp. I had to terastalized my Wide Guard Pokémon in order for it to stay longer on the field most of the time, which was unfavorable. Bronzong might be a bit better for Ice Rider Calyrex matchups, but still at a disadvantage in Shadow Rider Calyrex matchups even for tera normal Bronzong, and there is always Clefairy using After You to counter trick room. After considering all the pros and cons, I decided to go with tera normal Gholdengo instead of Ditto. This is how a sun team without fire type Pokémon is born.
I made some final adjustments after I settled the above six:
- Koiradon with Dragon Claw for Koiradon mirrors and to give pressure to Miradon to terastalize
- Grimmsnarl with Foul play instead of Spirit Break for better matchups against both Calyrex
- Tera Grass Flutter Mane for immunity to Rage Powder, and to resist surging strikes without rain
- Raging Bolt with Weather Ball instead of Snarl, as it can serves as an alternative coverage, and considering that Snarl is not as effective as there are more Covert Cloak Shadow Rider Calyrex in the meta
- Gholdengo with Power Gem instead of Shadow Ball to give pressure to Incineroar and Tera Fire Ice Rider Calyrex.
These adjustments did come into play, which carried me to the very last of the tournament.
The Team
Here is the team:
https://pokepast.es/08691b5f71ecc87d
Koraidon @ Clear Amulet
Ability: Orichalcum Pulse
Level: 50
Tera Type: Fire
EVs: 140 HP / 188 Atk / 4 Def / 44 SpD / 132 Spe
Jolly Nature
– Collision Course
– Flare Blitz
– Dragon Claw
– Protect
Koiradon is somewhat the most and the least important member in this team, since other team members are overall impressive in their stats, and stand out even without the weather support, the whole team is not that sun dependent. Therefore Koiradon is not a must for every matchup, but it is the key to the overall structure of the team.
Koiradon is still brought to most of the matchups, since it can deal incredible amounts of damage under sun with Tera Fire Flare Blitz. With Koiradon’s impressive fighting STAB (same type attack bonus) move, its ability that nicely synergised with sun, and its high base speed, which makes it commanding in Terapagos, Zamazenta and Kyogre matchups.
Dragon claw is an uncommon moveset for Koraidon. There are 2 reasons why I choose Dragon Claw instead of Flame Charge. Firstly, this team aims at setting up screens to gain advantage in the damage race, speed boost is not that necessary; secondly, there are many dragon type Restricteds, which dragon coverage will be nice for super effective damage, especially for Koiradon mirror. Most teams may not expect Koiradon to have dragon coverage, as many expect fighting and fire type attacks from Koiradon. Its speed hits 189, which outspeeds modest/adamant Pokémon with 135 base speed.
Though Koiradon has the above strength, its weaknesses are very obvious. Being a fighting and dragon type, Koiradon has a lot of type weaknesses, which makes it rather dependent on terastalization. Chances of bringing Koraidon to both Calyrex matchups never exceed 30%. Whether or not to bring Koraidon depends on if there are other better choices that need terastalization other than Koraidon in the upcoming matchup. For example, tera normal Gholdengo will be better to get around Shadow Rider Calyrex, therefore I tend to drop Koiradon in this matchup. The remaining 30% chance depends on how often the opponent will pick the rain setter in the team.
Offensive calcs:
188 Atk Orichalcum Pulse Tera Fire Koraidon Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tera Electric Miraidon in Sun: 202-238 (115.4 – 136%) — guaranteed OHKO
188 Atk Koraidon Collision Course (133.3251953125 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Ursaluna-Bloodmoon: 192-228 (101.5 – 120.6%) — guaranteed OHKO
188 Atk Koraidon Collision Course (133.3251953125 BP) vs. 44 HP / 140 Def Terapagos-Stellar: 182-216 (75.5 – 89.6%) — guaranteed 2HKO
188 Atk Orichalcum Pulse Koraidon Collision Course (133.3251953125 BP) vs. 44 HP / 140 Def Terapagos-Stellar: 242-288 (100.4 – 119.5%) — guaranteed OHKO
Defensive calcs:
252+ SpA Choice Specs Hadron Engine Tera Electric Miraidon Electro Drift vs. 140 HP / 44 SpD Koraidon in Electric Terrain: 159-188 (82.3 – 97.4%) — guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Pelipper Hurricane vs. 140 HP / 44 SpD Koraidon: 158-188 (81.8 – 97.4%) — guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Sword of Ruin Chien-Pao Icicle Crash vs. 140 HP / 4 Def Koraidon: 164-194 (84.9 – 100.5%) — 6.3% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Whimsicott Moonblast vs. 140 HP / 44 SpD Koraidon through Light Screen: 147-176 (76.1 – 91.1%) — guaranteed 2HKO
Grimmsnarl @ Light Clay
Ability: Prankster
Level: 50
Tera Type: Ground
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 164 Def / 76 SpD / 12 Spe
Careful Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
– Light Screen
– Reflect
– Thunder Wave
– Foul Play
Grimmsnarl is the core piece for the team’s overall bulk. With Restricteds threatening with one-hit knockouts, its dual screens are able to guarantee survival, which brings advantage to damage race in matches.
Foul Play is intended for matchups of both Calyrex that Koiradon teams are commonly disadvantaged of. Foul play can deal around 80% of damage to Ice Rider Calyrex without tera, and around 40% even when it terastalize to a non-resisted tera type, which is very substantial damage. The Ground Tera Type is intended not to let opposing Miradons to fire electric type attacks at ease.
Thunder wave is such a nasty move, which is a means of speed control for tailwind Terpagos, Shadow Rider Calyrex, or Booster Energy boosted Flutter Mane, to make up for the lack of speed control in this team. Though the 25% chance of full paralysis may allow a miraculous comeback in difficult situations, it is unnecessary most of the time.
Some may have noticed that though Foul Play is the choice of move, there are 4 EVs allocated in Atk. It is because this Grimmsnarl started with Spirit Break, then later changed to use Foul Play. Since 4 EVs did not affect much, therefore I kept it as it was. For those who are particular about spreads may go for 0 IV in Atk with calm nature.
In addition, Covert Cloak is another great item choice for Grimmsnarl.
Defensive calcs:
252+ SpA Choice Specs Hadron Engine Tera Electric Miraidon Volt Switch vs. 252 HP / 76+ SpD Grimmsnarl in Electric Terrain through Light Screen: 163-192 (80.6 – 95%) — guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Tera Fairy Calyrex-Shadow Draining Kiss (60 BP) vs. 252 HP / 76+ SpD Grimmsnarl through Light Screen: 169-201 (83.6 – 99.5%) — guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Sheer Force Tera Poison Landorus Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 76+ SpD Grimmsnarl through Light Screen: 166-198 (82.1 – 98%) — guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Orichalcum Pulse Tera Fire Koraidon Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 164 Def Grimmsnarl in Sun through Reflect: 174-205 (86.1 – 101.4%) — 12.5% chance to OHKO
Flutter Mane @ Focus Sash
Ability: Protosynthesis
Level: 50
Tera Type: Grass
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
– Moonblast
– Icy Wind
– Taunt
– Shadow Ball
A must pick for sun teams, enabling a great means of speed control with Icy Wind under sun. Moonblast, Icy Wind and Taunt are standard movesets on a control set. Many opt for Protect as the final move, but I opted for Shadow Ball instead, since I think Protect is not that necessary for Focus Sash Flutter Mane. On the other hand, fairy and ice coverage are not effective against fire and steel type Pokémon, its own STAB move Shadow Ball allows a way to handle these Pokémon, with Tera Fire Koiradon as one of the intended targets.
In fact, this is not the setting in the first version of the team. I started with an offensive set with Choice Specs, Tera Fairy, which ran Moonblast, Dazzling Gleam, Shadow Ball and Icy Wind. However, I found that this set is not as powerful as it seemed in front of all these Legendary Pokémon, and there is less room for read errors due to Flutter Mane’s low defense stats. With Focus Sash, there is more room for errors and for mind readings in Miradon matchups. Taunt is very useful against Farigiraf and Amoonguss as well.
Defensive calcs:
252+ Atk Urshifu-Rapid-Strike Surging Strikes (3 hits) vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Tera Grass Flutter Mane on a critical hit: 87-102 (66.4 – 77.8%) — approx. 2HKO
252+ Atk Tera Water Urshifu-Rapid-Strike Surging Strikes (3 hits) vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Tera Grass Flutter Mane on a critical hit: 117-138 (89.3 – 105.3%) — approx. 31.3% chance to OHKO
Raging Bolt @ Assault Vest
Ability: Protosynthesis
Level: 50
Tera Type: Electric
EVs: 140 HP / 164 Def / 100 SpA / 4 SpD / 100 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 20 Atk
– Thunderbolt
– Thunderclap
– Weather Ball
– Draco Meteor
More like a Restricted than Koiradon, which is brought to almost every single set, Raging Bolt has incredible bulk and damage output. Electric priority is great in dealing with Rapid Strike Urshifu in rain, which sun teams usually struggle with. Its damage output is outstanding overall, with fire type Weather Ball in sun, allowing super effective damage to Pokémon with both electric and dragon resistance like Whimsicott, and also able to give a heavy hit to Zamazentas.
With electric, dragon and fire coverage moves, Raging Bolt can almost hit any type combination with neutral damage, and activated Protosynthesis in sun further boosts its damage output. Tera electric maximizes the damage output of electric moves, making it highly offensive with powerful Thunderclaps though it may not be the fastest Pokémon on the field.
One point to take note is Weather Ball can hit harder than Thunderbolt in sun for neutral damage.
Offensive calcs:
100+ SpA Raging Bolt Thunderclap vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tera Water Urshifu-Rapid-Strike: 186-218 (106.2 – 124.5%) — guaranteed OHKO
100+ SpA Raging Bolt Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tera Ghost Urshifu-Rapid-Strike: 169-201 (96.5 – 114.8%) — 81.3% chance to OHKO
Defensive calcs:
252+ Atk Calyrex-Ice Glacial Lance vs. 140 HP / 164 Def Raging Bolt: 186-218 (85.3 – 100%) — 6.3% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Sword of Ruin Chien-Pao Icicle Crash vs. 140 HP / 164 Def Raging Bolt: 186-218 (85.3 – 100%) — 6.3% chance to OHKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Tera Normal Ursaluna-Bloodmoon Blood Moon vs. 140 HP / 4 SpD Assault Vest Raging Bolt: 172-203 (78.8 – 93.1%) — guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Sheer Force Landorus Earth Power vs. 140 HP / 4 SpD Assault Vest Raging Bolt: 174-211 (79.8 – 96.7%) — guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Flutter Mane Moonblast vs. 140 HP / 4 SpD Assault Vest Raging Bolt: 182-216 (83.4 – 99%) — guaranteed 2HKO
Ogerpon-Cornerstone (F) @ Cornerstone Mask
Ability: Sturdy
Level: 50
Tera Type: Rock
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
– Ivy Cudgel
– Power Whip
– Follow Me
– Spiky Shield
How to deal with fire type Pokémon is one of the problems that sun teams have to address, and the solution for this team is the rock coverage from Cornerstone Ogerpon. It is also strong into Pelipper as well, a rain setter which sun teams struggle with. Ogerpon’s powerful grass STAB is great in Kyogre matchups. Most importantly, it plays a key role to deal with matchups of Tera Fire Ice Rider Calyrex with rain, which this archetype did appear during the tournament.
Beside its offensive aspect, Ogerpon is valuable in terms of support and survival. The ability Sturdy grants Ogerpon a built-in Focus Sash, enabling a second Focus Sash in the team. Follow Me helps to redirect attacks, and Spores from Amoonguss. In general, when facing the offensive Whimsicott and Miradon duo, many will be forced into hard reading Miradon’s action immediately,
since Protecting this turn will be vulnerable to potential Encores from Whimsicott in the subsequent turn. However, when Ogerpon is paired with another Pokémon that knows Protect, Protect and Spiky Shield will be a viable option to observe what moves Miradon will lock into, and then Ogerpon can use Follow Me to redirect potential Encore in the next turn.
Offensive calcs:
252 Atk Cornerstone Mask Tera Rock Ogerpon-Cornerstone-Tera Ivy Cudgel vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Calyrex-Ice: 184-220 (88.8 – 106.2%) — 37.5% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Cornerstone Mask Ogerpon-Cornerstone Ivy Cudgel vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Tera Fire Koraidon: 174-206 (98.8 – 117%) — 93.8% chance to OHKO
Defensive calcs:
252+ Atk Urshifu-Rapid-Strike Surging Strikes (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Ogerpon-Cornerstone on a critical hit: 126-147 (81.2 – 94.8%) — approx. 2HKO
Gholdengo @ Life Orb
Ability: Good as Gold
Level: 50
Tera Type: Normal
EVs: 212 HP / 52 Def / 52 SpA / 100 SpD / 92 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
– Make It Rain
– Power Gem
– Nasty Plot
– Protect
The last piece of the team. The only Pokémon that is able to fit in all these roles: a counter for matchups against both Calyrex, a counter for Amoonguss, and the fairy resistance in the team. Normal tera type allows immunity for powerful Astral Barrage from Shadow Rider Calyrex. This Life Orb Gholdengo runs movesets Make It Rain, Power Gem, Nasty Plot and Protect. Life Orb allows a guaranteed one-hit knockout for Flutter Mane with Make It Rain even without SpA boost from Nasty Plot. Power Gem is great into fire type Pokémon, and able to threaten a one-hit KO on Incineroar after Nasty Plot.
The decision to use Power Gem over Shadow Ball is a trade-off. Though Power Gem is not effective against Zamazenta and Rapid Strike Urshifu, Koraidon and Raging Bolt can make up for this problem. It will not be too much of a problem for a healthy Gholdengo to deal with Zamazenta, as Gholdengo can deal impressive damage even to Zamazenta after nasty plotting for twice.
Its speed hits 116, which outspeeds Choice Scarf Rapid Strike Urshifu after it is paralyzed by Thunder Wave, or other mid-speed Pokémon like Rillaboom. It also underspeed Focus Sash modest max speed Pelipper by just 1 speed point, allowing it to move before Pelipper under trick room.
Offensive calcs:
+2 52+ SpA Life Orb Gholdengo Power Gem vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Tera Fire Calyrex-Ice: 185-218 (89.3 – 105.3%) — 31.3% chance to OHKO
+2 52+ SpA Life Orb Gholdengo Power Gem vs. 252 HP / 116+ SpD Incineroar: 203-239 (100.4 – 118.3%) — guaranteed OHKO
52+ SpA Life Orb Gholdengo Make It Rain vs. 164 HP / 4 SpD Flutter Mane: 151-179 (100 – 118.5%) — guaranteed OHKO
Defensive calcs:
252+ Atk Tera Fire Calyrex-Ice High Horsepower vs. 212 HP / 52 Def Gholdengo: 140-166 (74 – 87.8%) — guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Flutter Mane Shadow Ball vs. 212 HP / 100 SpD Gholdengo: 138-164 (73 – 86.7%) — guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Sword of Ruin Chien-Pao Sucker Punch vs. 212 HP / 52 Def Gholdengo: 152-180 (80.4 – 95.2%) — guaranteed 2HKO
Thoughts On Matchups
When I was preparing for this tournament, I focused on working with lead predictions and follow-up adjustments. These are unique only in a best-of-3 format. There are no definite leads to deal with particular matchups in the current single restricted format, so no matter how game 1 goes, re-adjustments may be needed (the ratio for the tera choice noted below for each matchup is merely based on personal preference, there are no definite answers).
VS Ice Rider Calyrex + Pelipper + Amoonguss
Option 1:
Lead: Raging Bolt + Grimmsnarl+
Back: Ogerpon + Gholdengo+
Tera Choice: 90% Raging Bolt, 10% Ogerpon
Comments: A standard lead expecting Urshifu/Incineroar and Calyrex as the lead.
Option 2:
Lead: Ogerpon + Gholdengo+
Back: Raging Bolt + Grimmsnarl+
Tera Choice: 90% Raging Bolt, 10% Ogerpon
Comments: There is a high chance for the Amoonguss and Calyrex lead if the opponent expects the Raging Bolt and Grimmsnarl lead. Go for Ivy Cudgel on Calyrex and nasty plotting with Gholdengo allows a great advantage in the match.
Option 3:
Lead: Raging Bolt + Gholdengo+
Back: Ogerpon + Koraidon+
Tera Choice: 70% Raging Bolt, 30% Koraidon
Comments: Not a common lead unless the opponent is highly relying on rain setters.
VS Shadow Rider Calyrex + Clefairy/Indeedee-F + Rain Dance Tornadus-T + Rapid Strike Urshifu
Option 1:
Lead: Raging Bolt + Gholdengo+
Back: Grimmsnarl + Flutter Mane/Ogerpon+/
Tera Choice: 100% Gholdengo
Comments: A standard approach to check both Urshifu or Calyrex. Either Flutter Mane or Ogerpon at the back will make not much difference. Theoretically, Indeedee-F (Indeedee Female) will be more difficult to deal with than Clefairy. The plan is to catch the Urshifu switch-in, and try to position Raging Bolt in front of Urshifu. One point worth noticing is that a +4 Make It Rain is enough for one-hit knockout on Calyrex with Friend Guard; a +2 Make It Rain can bring Calyrex into Thunderclap knockout range.
Option 2:
Lead: Grimmsnarl + Gholdengo+
Back: Raging Bolt + Flutter Mane/Ogerpon+/
Tera Choice: 100% Gholdengo
Comments: A relatively less picked option when confident that the opponent will lead with Clefairy/Indeedee and Calyrex. This lead is difficult for the opposing Calyrex if it is a Choice Specs variant, which is relatively uncommon.
VS Terapagos + Flutter Mane + Chi-Yu + Amoonguss/Indeedee-F + Tornadus-T (Choice Specs Tailwind variant)
Option 1:
Lead: Raging Bolt + Grimmsnarl+
Back: Ogerpon + Koraidon+
Tera Choice: 45% Raging Bolt, 25% Koraidon, 30% for no terastalization
Comments: Raging Bolt is very bulky on the special side with Assault Vest behind Light Screen. May opt for Tera Electric Thunderbolt onto Flutter Mane, if the opponent leads with Flutter Mane and Chi-Yu, to clear the potential threat to Koraidon waiting at the back. Koiradon is always at the back because it is the key to deal with Terapagos. Collision Course is not enough to one-hit knockout Terepagos if the sun is removed when Terapagos terastalized, Koraidon will be at risk of being knockout. This lead is at slight disadvantage when facing the Terapagos and Amoonguss lead.
Option 2:
Lead: Ogerpon/Gholdengo + Grimmsnarl/+
Back: Raging Bolt + Koraidon+
Tera Choice: 45% Raging Bolt, 25% Koraidon, 30% for no terastalization
Comments: Whether leading Ogerpon or not depends on how likely the opponent will lead with Amoonguss. Since the team has Pokémon like Ogerpon, Gholdengo and Taunt Flutter Mane that Amoonguss is not really good at dealing with, the opponent will unlikely pick it in game 1. However, adjustments should be made if the opponent decided to check the Raging Bolt and Grimmsnarl lead. Gholdengo as lead is viable only if confident that the opponent will unlikely lead Chi-Yu.
VS Calm Mind Terapagos with 2 redirectors + 1 tailwind user
Option 1:
Lead: Ogerpon + Koraidon+
Back: Raging Bolt + Grimmsnarl/Flutter Mane+/
Tera Choice: 35% Raging Bolt, 25% Koraidon, 10% Ogerpon, 30% for no terastalization
Comments: This archetype usually includes 2 redirectors and a tailwind user to support Terapagos. Rain sweep will also be a possible option if the opposing team has Rapid Strike Urshifu. Therefore, it will be hard to stop Terapagos from setting up with Calm Mind, so picking special attackers for the matchup is unlikely. Generally, Ogerpon can deal with most of the common redirectors (Volcarona/Clefairy/Amoonguss/Ogerpon/Smeargle) in the meta. Considering that the opposing redirectors could keep using Follow Me/Rage Powder to cover for Terapagos and allow it to set up, then Terapagos could sweep with Tera Starstorm under Tailwind at the latter game, leading Koraidon could always keep Terapagos in check, so it cannot set up easily.
Option 2:
Lead: Flutter Mane + Koraidon+
Back: Raging Bolt + Ogerpon+
Tera Choice: 35% Raging Bolt, 25% Koraidon, 10% Ogerpon, 30% for no terastalization
Comments: Some Calm Mind Terapagos team includes Scream Tail for support. Sometimes getting a Taunt off with Flutter Mane can effectively stop Scream Tail from using various kinds of status moves. Taunt can also shut down redirectors from using Follow Me. In case the opponent wants to switch-in to another redirector after being taunted while Terapagos protects, it is always safe to taunt the redirector’s slot to cover for any switches. Koiradon can always tank hits from Terpagos even if it had calm minded once, and keep leading in the damage race in the long run.
VS Miraidon + Whimsicott + Farigiraf + Iron Hands
Option 1:
Lead: Flutter Mane + Koraidon+
Back: Raging Bolt + Ogerpon+
Tera Choice: 80% Koraidon, 20% Raging Bolt
Comments: Iron Hands could be a great threat under trick room, therefore leading Flutter Mane is an effective way to prevent trick room users from setting trick room. The common archetype for Miradon is the Choice Specs variant with electric and dragon moves, the fairy and dragon type Pokémon in the team can limit Miradon’s damage output. Miradon matchups involve a lot of reads.
Option 2:
Lead: Ogerpon + Koraidon+
Back: Raging Bolt + Flutter Mane+
Tera Choice: 80% Koraidon, 20% Raging Bolt
Comments: Only confident if the opponent will lead with Miradon and Whimsicott, which leading Ogerpon and Koiradon allows double Protect in turn1 to observe what moves Miradon will lock into, and then Ogerpon’s Follow Me can redirect Whimsicott’s Encore on turn 2. Usually Miradon matchups involve reads right in the beginning, with this lead it allows an opportunity to observe what the opposing Miradon goes for before planning for countermeasures.
VS Miraidon + Whimsicott + Farigiraf (Without Iron Hands)
Option 1:
Lead: Grimmsnarl + Koraidon+
Back: Raging Bolt + Flutter Mane+
Tera Choice: 80% Koraidon, 20% Raging Bolt
Comments: Trick room pressure will be relatively small without Iron Hands. Generally Incineroar and Cornerstone Ogerpon are some of the common picks from the opposing team. The game plan is leading Grimmsnarl to set screens up in order to slow down the offensive paste. With 2 fairy Pokémon in this team, it will be tricky to decide what move the opposing Choice Specs Miradon should lock into. This lead will be rather passive if the opponent leads with Incineroar and Miradon. 3 possible actions from the opponent are: (1) Fake Out into Grimmsnarl and Volt Switch into Grimmsnarl; (2) Fake Out into Koiradon and Volt Switch into Grimmsnarl; (3) Fake Out into Grimmsnarl and Draco Meteor into Koiradon, with the last option relatively less likely. In case of this situation, switching out Grimmsnarl to Raging Bolt and Protect Koiradon will be a better way to counter.
Option 2:
Lead: Flutter Mane + Koiradon+
Back: Raging Bolt + Ogerpon+
Tera Choice: 80% Koiradon, 20% Raging Bolt
Comments: The game plan shares similar concepts with using Option 1 in “VS Miraidon + Whimsicott + Farigiraf + Iron Hands” section.
- VS Zamazenta + Pelipper + Chien-Pao
Lead: Ogerpon + Koiradon+
Back: Flutter Mane/Raging Bolt + Gholdengo/+
Tera Choice: 70% Koiradon, 25% Raging Bolt, 5% Gholdengo
Comments: The biggest threat in Zamazenta matchups is always Chien-Pao. In fact, this team is not compelled to take the weather even if the opposing Pelipper tries to override the sun. If this lead faces the opposing Zamazenta, it may be possible to force the opponent to commit tera onto Zamazenta in the early game. Raging Bolt is strong into Tera Water/Dragon Zamazenta. One point worth noticing is the speed interaction between the opposing Zamazenta and Ogerpon. Gholdengo is mainly for wrapping up the game, it will be in great position if Chien-Pao is knocked out before Gholdengo comes onto the field.
VS Koraidon + Raging Bolt + Flutter Mane
Lead: Grimmsnarl + Koraidon+
Back: Raging Bolt + Flutter Mane/Ogerpon+/
Tera Choice: 90% Koiradon, 10% Raging Bolt
Comments: In Koraidon mirror matches, the opponent will likely commit Tera Fire onto Koiradon because of my Koiradon’s Dragon Claw. In fact, Dragon Claw is just enough to put Koiradon down to red health. The intentions of Dragon Claw in mirror matches are: (1) getting the opponent on guard and opt for precautionary tera onto Koiradon; (2) dealing super effective damage onto the opposing Raging Bolt. Vice versa for the above if the opponent decided to commit tera onto Raging Bolt. When the opposing team has a Choice Specs Flutter Mane, I tend to use Grimmsnarl’s Thunder Wave rather than setting up screens; if up against a Focus Sash Flutter Mane with Taunt, I tend to use Reflect to mitigate damage from the opposing Koraidon.
VS Kyogre + Tornadus-T + Landorus-T
Option 1:
Lead: Grimmsnarl + Flutter Mane+
Back: Raging Bolt/Ogerpon + Koraidon/+
Tera Choice: 70% Koiradon, 30% Raging Bolt
Comments: The most difficult matchup, though Kyogre is not the biggest threat, but Tornadus Therian (Tornadus-T) and Landorus Therian (Landorus-T) are. Basically there is no ground resistance in this team. A relatively better lead for this is leading Grimmsnarl and Flutter Mane, with Grimmsnarl specially trained to take a 252 SpA Life Orb Tera Poison Sludge Bomb from Landorus behind light screen. The game plan is first to set up Light Screen and Icy Wind with Flutter Mane. If the opposing Landorus terastalized, then Thunder Wave onto Landorus for speed control.
Option 2:
Lead: Grimmsnarl + Raging Bolt/Ogerpon+/
Back: Ogerpon/Raging Bolt + Koraidon
Tera Choice: 70% Koraidon, 30% Raging Bolt/+
Comments: This lead really depends on how likely Kyogre will be the lead. If the opponent leads with Kyogre and Tornadus, then click Thunder Wave/ Light Screen and Ivy Cudgel for damage, or click Power Whip if the opposing Kyogre is Tera Water.
VS Kyogre + Tornadus-T (without Landorus-T)
Lead: Grimmsnarl + Raging Bolt/Ogerpon+/
Back: Ogerpon/Raging Bolt + Koraidon/+
Tera Choice: 70% Koraidon, 30% Raging Bolt
Comments: The game plan shares similar concepts with using Option 2 in “VS Kyogre + Tornadus-T + Landorus-T” section.
VS Kyogre + Wo-Chien + Grimmsnarl + Iron Jugulis
Lead: Raging Bolt + Ogerpon+
Back: Flutter Mane/Gholdengo + Koiradon/+
Tera Choice: 70% Koraidon, 30% Raging Bolt
Comments: This team made to top cut in the 2024 North America International Championships on 9th June, and became one of the common archetypes for Kyogre teams at the time I wrote this report, which I did not consider when I was building my team. There are 2 points to take precautions when facing this matchup. Firstly, the combination of Wo-Chien’s Pollen Puff with Kyogre’s Water Spout, or Wo-Chien’s Ruination with Kyogre’s Ice Beam. Usually Wo-Chien is trained to be speedier than Kyogre in order to make the above combination possible, so Kyogre can attack with a full power Water Spout after Pollen Puff recovery. Secondly, is the pressure from the opposing Iron Jugulis, spamming Snarls to limit the damage output of special attackers, and pressure Koiradon with Hurricane. Though screen supports are available on both teams, with Pollen Puff healing on Wo-Chien, the effective damage will not be enough. Approaching this matchup in a slow paste may result in the overall game loss to this Kyogre matchup. Therefore, the Raging Bolt and Ogerpon lead can deal with most of the possible leads from the opposing team. The opposing Grimmsnarl can only set up either Reflect or Light Screen at a time. Another possible option is switching out Ogerpon to Koraidon and attack the opposing Wo-Chien with Raging Bolt’s Weather Ball.
VS Zacian + Chien-Pao + Rapid Strike Urshifu + Pelipper
Option 1:
Lead: Flutter Mane + Koiradon+
Back: Raging Bolt + Gholdengo+
Tera Choice: 65% Raging Bolt, 35% Koraidon, 5% Gholdengo
Comments: Game plans for Zacian matchups are similar to Zamazenta matchups, but with Zacian able to threaten single-hit knockout to both Koraidon and Raging Bolt, and Zacian is neutrally speedier than Koiradon. Despite the above, Gholdengo is still an important piece for Zacian matchups. The Flutter Mane and Koraidon lead is intended for Chien-Pao and Zacian lead. If the opponent decided to switch in Pelipper, that implies there will not be a double up on either of my Pokémon. Other than Icy Wind with Flutter Mane and attack with Tera Fire Koiradon, Icy Wind and switching in Gholdengo is a possible option. With Pelipper covering for Zacian, Koiradon may not be doing effective damage to Zacian, whereas Raging Bolt can make a hard hit or even threaten a one-hit knockout with Weather Ball on Zacian when Koraidon switches in. In addition, Raging Bolt’s electric moves can overall deal decent damage, therefore it is the main attacker in this matchup, and will be most likely to terastalize.
Option 2:
Lead: Flutter Mane + Raging Bolt+
Back: Koraidon + Gholdengo+
Tera Choice: 65% Raging Bolt, 35% Koraidon, 5% Gholdengo
Comments: This lead is a less likely approach intended to counter Urshifu and Pelipper/Urshifu and Chien-Pao, depending on how likely the opponent will lead with Urshifu. Slightly difficult if facing the Chien-Pao and Zacian lead, may have the first turn read – whether the opponent will double up on Flutter Mane, and decide to go for either (1) switch out Flutter Mane to Koiradon, terastalize Raging Bolt and attack Zacian with Weather Ball; (2) switch out Raging Bolt to Gholdengo and Icy wind with Flutter Mane. The latter option is relatively unlikely, since if Gholdengo is not at full health, it will have to terastalize to take a potential Sucker Punch and hit back with Make It Rain.
VS Necrozma(Dawn Wings) + Indeedee-F + Gallade + Ursaluna
Option 1
Lead: Grimmsnarl + Koraidon+
Back: Raging Bolt/Gholdengo + Ogerpon/+
Tera Choice: 100% Koraidon
Comments: Another difficult matchup, since there are no means to stop the opponent from setting Trick Room with this team, therefore the game plan is to aim at damage mitigation by screens to survive through Trick Room. There is a high chance of facing Necrozma and Indeedee right at the beginning, which involves reads depending on the actions the opponent will take: whether committing tera onto Necrozma for a safer play to ensure Trick Room is set, with a possibility that the damage output later on is not enough; or go for the aggressive play to terastalize Necrozma and attack with Meteor Beam/Expanding Force while Indeedee sets Trick Room. This really depends on catching the opponent’s adjustments. Whether and when to terastalize Koraidon is another point involving reads.
Option 2
Lead: Ogerpon + Koraidon+
Back: Raging Bolt/Gholdengo + Grimmsnarl/+
Tera Choice: 100% Koraidon
Comments: A less likely approach intended for the Torkoal and Lilligant lead, if really confident that the opponent will take this option, can opt for Dragon Claw onto Lilligant and Ivy Cudgel onto Torkoal. However, this lead will be difficult against the Necrozma and Indeedee lead.
Here is a playback for my Top 32 match and Final match on stream in the link below:
Closing Words
That is pretty much what I want to share about the team. Following are some of my thoughts and acknowledgements.
There was about 3 weeks to a month’s time for preparation before the tournament. Since the meta had been changing so frequently, I had been testing my compatibility with various Restricteds and team archetypes in an earlier stage. I believe most people cannot master each and every single team, there is always some kind of tendency, like some players are good at hyper-offensive teams, and some are great with balanced teams. Therefore finding what suits me the best in the current meta is crucial. At the later stage is to practice and adjust the team according to the most updated meta, drafting game plans, and look for any shortcomings of the team. A day or two before the tournament, I stopped practicing, instead I listed out all the top cut teams in recent tournaments in an organized manner, and revised the game plan for every possible matchup. Since I have been doing this since the preparation for Druddigon Cup, I have made records for teams that appeared until the mid of May, which saved me some work.
Throughout my preparation, there are a few I would especially like to give shoutouts to: Franky, Michael and Yakumo, for giving advice on adjusting the team. I was inspired by Franky to change Grimmsnarl’s Spirit Break to Foul Play; Yakumo helped out by trying out different archetypes, and translating my team report. Their help inspired me a lot in team building and game plan building, which I am grateful for, and I would like to thank those who have been encouraging me throughout.
The end
Translation by Yakumo
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