Pokémon Champions - Here There Be Dragons - May 31 26 B

Because of the lead time for these videos (I’m trying to build up a lead time after falling behind), you may or may not have already known that you can pre-download Pokémon Champions from the App Stores (at least, the ones where it’s available). Upon release on June 17th will be Mega Raichu X and Mega Raichu Y. Raichu already has a niche in competitive play as a Pokémon with Lightning Rod AND Fake Out, but its Mega Evolutions will kick things up a notch, with Mega Raichu X getting Electric Surge (sets down Electric Terrain) and Mega Raichu Y getting No Guard (doesn’t miss any attacks it makes, but attacks don’t miss it either). Electric Surge means Mega Raichu X cannot be put to Sleep (unless the Electric Terrain is removed or replaced by something else) and gets a 30% boost to its attacks, giving it an extra-strong Volt Tackle coming out of 135 Attack. Mega Raichu Y getting No Guard allows it total accuracy on moves like Thunder, Focus Blast, and if you wanted to, Sweet Kiss and Thunder Wave. Zap Cannon is a notable addition to Raichu’s moveset, having previously been on the list in Generation II (using TM07) but not present until Pokémon Champions. I had to import in a Raichu to see for myself that it can, in fact, know Zap Cannon here. 00:00 - Battle #1 Type: Double Battle Opponent: Jordi Battle Court: Battle Arena Music: Trainer (Black & White) My Pokémon: Rigel (Manectric), Paolo (Quaquaval), Lamar (Aurorus), Rosalyn (Roserade) Opponent’s Pokémon: Archaludon, Garchomp, Goodra (Hisuian), Dragonite Here’s a team made up entirely of Dragon Pokémon. I don’t have any Fairy-types on this team, but I can see my opponent was prepared to fight them with Archaludon and Hisuian Goodra, both of whom can hit Fairy-types for hard-hitting super-effective damage. And Ice too, which I DO have (and I’m sure they both turned up in this battle because my opponent expected Lamar (Aurorus) to turn up). Which he eventually did. I always apreciate someone bringing in a team with a motif because they’re not just trying to win, they’re trying to win with style. 03:51 - Battle #2 Type: Double Battle Opponent: diego Battle Court: Battle Arena Music: Trainer (Gold & Silver) My Pokémon: Mac (Mudsdale), Paolo (Quaquaval), Rigel (Manectric), Rosalyn (Roserade) Opponent’s Pokémon: Slowking (Galarian), Sneasler, Crabominable Unofficially, this could be considered a rematch against Mega Crabominable, which I lost pretty handily to the first time I encountered one. This time, there is no snow to give it boosted shielding from physical attacks on a team that is, admittedly, lacking in special attacks for Ice-types, though Trick Room was still up on one of the slowwest Mega Evolutions (who actually is slower than regular Crabominable). Also, something about people using Fake Out on Mac (Mudsdale). 06:54 - Battle #3 Type: Double Battle Opponent: Mochi Battle Court: Battle Arena Music: Trainer (Let’s Go! Pikachu and Eevee) My Pokémon: Mac (Mudsdale), Abner (Absol), Paolo (Quaquaval), Lamar (Aurorus) Opponent’s Pokémon: Farigiraf, Golurk, Torkoal, Kingambit This whole team was designed with Trick Room in mind, which meant I had to get rid of Farigiraf before it activates that. Without it, this team is far easier to deal with as I maintain control of the battle’s pace. Also, I was up against someone on an 8-win streak. I had to be extra cautious because it means they knew how to counter people’s teams well. 09:42 - Battle #4 Type: Double Battle Opponent: Beydral Battle Court: Battle Arena Music: Trainer (Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire) My Pokémon: Mac (Mudsdale), Paolo (Quaquaval), Lamar (Aurorus), Rigel (Manectric) Opponent’s Pokémon: Whimsicott, Sneasler, Alpha (Venusaur), Smaug (Charizard) Whenever I see a team with a Fake Out user, I send out Mac (Mudsdale) to open and usually someone with Protect or Detect in case they go after the other Pokémon. I made the mistake of picking Paolo (Quaquaval), who doesn’t have such a move and was thus vulnerable to a first-turn Fake Out from Sneasler. I also made the mistake of sending out Lamar (Aurorus) too soon; I should’ve figured that if Venusaur turns up in a double battle without Charizard, the latter will soon follow, and it’s best to cancel out the weather after Drought triggers. Charizard is named after Smaug, the villainous dragon in The Lord of the Rings. Venusaur’s nickname of Alpha is ironic considering its title of “Galar Champion” means it’s from Sword or Shield, which predates Alpha Pokémon.