https://pvpoke.com/might-and-mastery/ Fri, 28 Feb 2025 17:56:51 GMT
Master Premier has only marginal changes from last season. Thunder Punch and Ice Punch are slightly stronger now, so Goodra performs even better. Expect to run into Annihilape and Ursaluna wielding the Punches as well. For the intrepid trainer, Dragapult is an intriguing option as Ghost types are slim pickings.

Good luck the rest of the season and see you for the next one! I'll look to post preview rankings if updates are announced in the next few days.]]> https://pvpoke.com/rankings/premier/10000/overall/ Wed, 26 Feb 2025 03:01:51 GMT https://pvpoke.com/ Mon, 24 Feb 2025 21:16:11 GMT
Both Legendaries have unique matchup profiles. Black Kyurem should prefer Shadow Claw for faster pacing to its hard-hitting Charged Attacks, while White Kyurem should prefer Ice Fang to capitalize on prevalent Ice weaknesses in the meta. Black Kyurem is the more flexible of the two with vaunted Electric + Ice coverage. Meanwhile, White Kyurem has more polarizing wins but also more polarizing losses.

Which version you lean toward may depend on your playstyle and your current Master League roster. Black Kyurem operates best as a safe swap (for example, on an ABB team alongside Dusk Mane + Palkia). White Kyurem can be a high pressure lead with support from Ground or Fairy to cover its weaknesses.]]> https://pvpoke.com/rankings/all/10000/overall/kyurem_black/ Wed, 19 Feb 2025 16:19:54 GMT
In Great League, Corviknight has made a quiet debut. While it put up solid numbers in training, it's not finding footing on many teams. There were a lot of Annihilape experiments over the past month, and a rise in Shadow Marowak. Water continues to be a defining theme of top teams, with Dewgong and Feraligatr as the primary picks.

In Ultra League, some XL picks like Steelix, Gastrodon, Drifblim, and Malamar are gaining ground while Legendary mainstays such as Giratina, Cresselia, and the Swords of Justice take a backseat. Drifblim + Gastrodon was a major theme in the past month of training, plus a heavy dose of Shadow Feraligatr and Lickilicky.

Lastly in Master League, Enamorus made a big debut as it appeared in raids for the first time. Common pairings include Origin Palkia and Ho-oh. Master League is looking at a major shift soon with the release of Black and White Kyurem, so these top performers might not have a long shelf life.

Good luck the rest of the season and enjoy Unova Tour!]]> https://pvpoke.com/train/analysis/ Tue, 18 Feb 2025 14:43:06 GMT
There are a few wrinkles outside of the obvious choices. Mega Salamence is comparable to Mega Rayquaza if you lack the resources for the latter. Mega Gardevoir with access to Triple Axel will be able to mow down any Dragon type in its way, but will need protection from Fire and Steel. To that end, Mega Scizor with Trailblaze and Mega Aggron with Meteor Beam may see some niche play.

Outside of the Megas, typical Master League picks like Palkia, Dialga, and Necrozma should still find play here. Teams that pass on Mega Rayquaza may look to Dragonite as a non-Mega alternative, but watch out as even resisted attacks from Mega Evolutions will threaten shields.

One major note is these rankings don't yet include Black and White Kyurem, whose moves aren't finalized yet. Their base stats eclipse those of regular Pokemon and are almost as powerful as Megas in their own right, so look for these two to make a major impact in regular Master League and in this one.]]> https://pvpoke.com/rankings/mega/10000/overall/ Sun, 16 Feb 2025 20:26:43 GMT https://pvpoke.com/all/1500/overall/dhelmise/ Mon, 10 Feb 2025 20:47:00 GMT
Despite major nerfs, Medicham and Scrafty should still see play as rare counters to the format's Normal types.]]> https://pvpoke.com/rankings/love/1500/overall/ Sun, 02 Feb 2025 18:23:52 GMT
Note that while Shuckle and Smeargle aren't mentioned in the blog, they were banned in previous editions of Little Jungle Cup. I'll update the rankings if they're included this time.]]> https://pvpoke.com/rankings/littlejungle/500/overall/ Tue, 21 Jan 2025 19:58:47 GMT
Unlike Skarmory, Corviknight forms less polarizing cores. Corviknight + Water/Ground cores are threatened by other Flying types, while Sand Attack over Steel Wing gives Ice types more play against it.

Corviknight should mark a major meta shift in Great League and Ultra League, which have enjoyed a lack of dominant Flying types for a few seasons. Grass and Bug types like Serperior and Ariados are the most severely threatened, while Poison types like Clodsire and Toxapex may see reduced play. Electric and Fire types will likely see increased usage, so keep an eye out for Pokemon like Unova Stunfisk, Morpeko, Talonflame, and Shadow Typhlosion to be on the rise.]]> https://pvpoke.com/rankings/all/1500/overall/corviknight/ Fri, 17 Jan 2025 17:50:30 GMT
Shadow Palkia is the featured legendary Pokemon. In Master League, it's about even with normal Palkia. However, the Origin form is far and away superior to both. If you're holding onto Palkia XL Candy, you're much better off saving it for Palkia Origin. In the meantime, Shadow Palkia makes for wild spice in Great League where it's eligible for the first time.

The Poison/Normal Pokemon Grafaiai debuts in 12km eggs during this event. It has lackluster moves and stats, but one potential niche as a Poison type with access to Mud Slap. This could give it play in future themed cups that include Poison types.]]> https://pvpoke.com/rankings/all/1500/overall/diggersby_shadow/ Sun, 12 Jan 2025 18:26:26 GMT
There aren't many shakeups in Ultra League this season, but some trainers found success with Bulldoze on Zygarde Complete. If you happen to have access to this rare Pokemon, it has a few different viable movesets. Zygarde is just about the only Pokemon that can make Bulldoze work thanks to its enormous stat product.

Top team data is limited. Common threads include Water types like Feraligatr, Greninja, or Gastrodon paired with Poison types like Shadow Drapion or Galarian Weezing. Drifblim is also a notable top individual and team performer.

Good luck in your battles and stay tuned, there are some exciting PvP Pokemon on the horizon!]]> https://pvpoke.com/train/analysis/all/2500/ Fri, 10 Jan 2025 20:57:10 GMT
Sprigatito Community Day adds Frenzy Plant as an exclusive move and Flower Trick as a regular move to Meowscarada's movepool. Flower Trick is an attack-boosting move that's closer to Power-Up Punch than Rage Fist. With its glassy stat distribution and a lackluster Fast Attack in Leafage, Meowscarada will need to wait for future move updates to see play. Make sure to grab some for the collection!]]> https://pvpoke.com/rankings/all/1500/overall/dachsbun/ Mon, 30 Dec 2024 14:18:44 GMT
These Pokemon include current Great League favorites like Toxapex, Jumpluff, and the rising Unova Stunfisk. Qwilfish, Alolan Marowak, and Abomasnow also look like promising picks. Ground should play a major role in this meta with the presence of Gastrodon, super effective against many top picks. While it dodges Grass types, Ice will be dodging Fire to corner them both. It isn't high up in the rankings, but Dewgong stands out as a mold breaker with play against much of the field.

Despite the small meta, there should be interesting core and corebreaker dynamics. The biggest question is if prevalent double weaknesses and hard counter relationships will hamper team building. Happy holidarys and good luck!]]> https://pvpoke.com/rankings/color/1500/overall/ Mon, 23 Dec 2024 00:13:37 GMT
Diggersby and Morpeko top the individual performers, both with buffs this season. Annihilape and Primeape are also firmly in the running, with Annihilape scoring slightly ahead of Primeape. On top performing teams, there's a good amount of variety. Common elements include Normal types (Diggersby or Dunsparce), Water types (Feraligatr, Gastrodon, and Azumarill), and a resurgence in Grass (Serperior, Jumpluff, and a few Ferrothorn).

A few newcomers don't have enough data to support them yet, such as Bibarel, Starmie, and Thunder Fang Steelix. Time will tell if these Pokemon have a shot at a meta or anti-meta role. Stay tuned for more updates!]]> https://pvpoke.com/train/analysis/ Sun, 08 Dec 2024 16:01:24 GMT https://pvpoke.com/