As the Pokémon World Championships 2024 approaches, VGC (Video Game Championships) players are fine-tuning their teams for the ultimate showdown.
With the event set to start on August 16, competitors are gearing up under the Regulation G ruleset of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, which allows for one restricted Legendary Pokémon alongside other formidable choices. Here’s a look at the top five Pokémon to keep an eye on as they make waves at Worlds.
1. Shadow Rider Calyrex
Overview: Shadow Rider Calyrex is expected to be a major force at Worlds. Despite being overshadowed by Ice Rider Calyrex earlier in the season, its recent resurgence in the Victory Road to Honolulu Two tournament underscores its potency.
With impressive Special Attack and Speed stats, Shadow Rider Calyrex utilizes its powerful Astral Barrage and gains a Special Attack boost with each knockout.
Key Features:
- High Special Attack and Speed
- Astral Barrage for strong spread damage
- Special Attack boost per knockout
Impact: Its ability to decimate teams makes it a top pick for many players, although its reign will end with Regulation H removing all Legendary Pokémon.
2. Rapid Strike Urshifu
Overview: Known for its game-changing abilities, Rapid Strike Urshifu continues to dominate the VGC scene. Its Unseen Fist ability allows it to bypass Protect, while Surging Strikes guarantees critical hits and Aqua Jet lets it strike first. With a base Attack of 130, this Pokémon can deal significant damage to most opponents.
Key Features:
- Unseen Fist ability for bypassing Protect
- Guaranteed critical hits with Surging Strikes
- First-strike capability with Aqua Jet
Impact: Rapid Strike Urshifu remains a powerful offensive threat with few counters.
3. Incineroar
Overview: While Incineroar may not be the highest damage dealer, its utility is unmatched. With the Intimidate ability, it can lower the Attack of opponents, and its move pool includes Fake Out, Parting Shot, Will-O-Wisp, and more. This makes it an invaluable support Pokémon for controlling the battlefield.
Key Features:
- Intimidate ability for Attack drops
- Fake Out for flinching opponents
- Versatile move pool for various strategies
Impact: Its ability to disrupt opponents and support its team makes Incineroar a staple in many top teams.
4. Rillaboom
Overview: Rillaboom complements the Fire/Water/Grass core alongside Rapid Strike Urshifu and Incineroar. With access to Fake Out and U-turn, it excels in pivoting and flinching opponents. The Grassy Surge ability combined with Grassy Glide gives Rillaboom a reliable way to outspeed and attack first.
Key Features:
- Grassy Surge for terrain advantage
- Grassy Glide for priority attacks
- Fake Out and U-turn for tactical play
Impact: Its synergy with other Pokémon and ability to counter specific threats make Rillaboom a valuable addition to competitive teams.
5. Raging Bolt
Overview: Raging Bolt, a new addition from The Indigo Disk DLC, has quickly become a formidable presence. Its Electric/Dragon typing provides strong offensive and defensive capabilities. With options like Calm Mind for setup and Thunderclap for priority, it offers versatility in both offense and defense.
Key Features:
- Electric/Dragon typing for broad coverage
- Calm Mind for setup
- Thunderclap for priority and offense
Impact: Its dual typing and balanced stats make Raging Bolt a promising contender in the VGC meta.
Final Toughts
As the Pokémon World Championships 2024 draws near, these top five Pokémon are set to make a significant impact. Whether through raw power, utility, or strategic versatility, each of these Pokémon brings something unique to the table. Keep an eye on them as they vie for dominance in the competitive scene.