Some moves are utilized more often than others at The Pokemon Video Game Championships (VGC). In order to rise through the rankings, players need stock their teams with Pokemon that have access to useful skills and abilities.
In competitive Pokemon fights, there are two main types of moves used: utility moves and attack moves. When looking to rack up more victories, players should focus on using a mix of utility and offensive techniques. Pokemon have movements that may help them in combat, but they also have unique powers that can give them an edge. Therefore, many players construct their teams with a focus on fundamental techniques and skills. Many of the best and most popular moves and capabilities in the Pokemon VGC are listed here.
Utility Moves
Moves that heal, slow down, modify a condition, or redirect the opponent are all examples of utility moves. They tend to populate teams of Pokemon with a supporting role. Support and utility movements are essential for every squad.
- Stealth Rock
Stealth Rock is a risky move, but it can completely change the game if you know how to use it. Stealth Rock plants jagged rocks on the ground, injuring Pokemon that go there. The level of damage varies with the type interaction.
- Protect
In competitive fights, “Protect” is the go-to defensive maneuver. If used, it will prevent almost all harm.
Protect is a common Pokemon move that is especially effective in Double fights because to its ability to deflect several strikes and provide the user some much-needed HP recovery time.
- Taunt
Taunt is a move that inhibits the user from performing status moves on their opponent. As the name implies, this move provides protection against dangers and status conditions that are common enemies of Pokemon teams.
- Trick Room
The 2022 metagame favors Trick Room over other games. For this reason, the order of precedence shifts, allowing slower Pokemon to go ahead of their faster counterparts. According to the tactics of the opposition, this could prove decisive.
- Ally Switch
In two-on-two fights, Ally Switch proves invaluable. In order to prolong the employment of an aggressive Pokemon, it enables the player to trade places with its companion Pokemon. Risk and reward must be considered before using this, since players may choose to sacrifice the user.
- Tailwind
If you want to outrun your opponent’s Pokemon, Tailwind is a must-have move. After using it, your team will move at twice the speed for the next four turns. It’s a significant deal for Pokemon that aren’t very fast.
Attack Moves
Those Pokemon with an offensive type are most suited to employ attack moves, which are designed to inflict heavy damage. Also, the metagame features a set of standard offensive maneuvers that players will inevitably face.
- Earthquake
Since many Pokemon are able to use Earthquake and it may hit many foes at once, it is a common and effective move to utilize in competitive encounters. However, because to its Ground typing, this move has no effect on Flying-type Pokemon. However, the offensive potential of Earthquake makes it noteworthy.
- Scald
Scald stands out among Water-type attacks due of the 30% burn chance it gives its victim. For Water-type Pokemon, it has a 50% damage boost thanks to STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus).
- U-turn
As a pivoting move, U-turn allows the user to exchange out the Pokemon currently in play with another member of their squad. U-iconic turn’s status stems from the fact that it does double duty as a Pokemon swap and a damaging attack. More Pokemon are able to learn and utilize this move since it is not as type-specific as other related moves.
- Thunderbolt
Electric-type Pokemon typically learn Thunderbolt as a standard move. It may not be the strongest move, but its excellent precision and vast use make it a solid option.
- Behemoth Blade
Zacian’s specialty is the devastating Behemoth Blade, which was widely used during the year 2022. Extremely damaging attack move, and with Zacian’s Dynamaxed stats, it does double damage.
- Hydro Pump
Despite being a Water-type move, Hydro Pump only has an accuracy of 80. Once it hits, it causes a lot of damage, enough to alter the field significantly.
Important Abilities
Pokemon have abilities, which are affects or characteristics they may employ in combat. Not all Pokemon have the same skills, and some are far more common than others. It’s common for them to have an impact on one’s statistics, attack, or defense.
- Multiscale
Pokemon with the Multiscale ability are more resilient to harm, since it reduces it by a factor of two. This power, however, only kicks in when the Pokemon is at full health.
- Unaware
Pokemon with the Unaware ability are immune to any and all stat adjustments made by their opponents. Especially when facing opponents that prefer to ramp up their offensive and defensive strategies, this has the potential to completely alter the game.
- Guts
As with Guts, Guts is a counter to status moves. If a Pokemon is struck with a stat-changing move, for instance, Guts will increase the target’s Attack by an additional 100.
- Huge Power
Like the Guts ability, the attack power of Pokemon with Huge Power is doubled. Pokemon with high attack numbers aren’t allowed to use this ability to prevent them from having an unfair edge.
- Intimidate
Intimidate is a fantastic ability for a number of reasons: it can be used by a wide variety of Pokemon, it lowers the attack stat of all of the opponent’s Pokemon on the field, and it activates every time the Pokemon enters the field. So, the defense reduction might pile on top of itself.
- Drizzle
Drizzle is first-rate when it comes to the ways in which the weather affects one’s talents. It delivers rain, which not only doubles the effectiveness of Water-type moves but also halves the effectiveness of Fire-type moves. The rain continues for eight turns if the user is also carrying a Damp Rock.
