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The team is built around Toxapex as the author's personal favorite, paired with a Scarf Hydreigon that handles Toxapex's natural counters—Starmie, Delphox, and Gengar—from above. Mega Delphox runs a physically-bulky set that survives Garchomp's Outrage and outspeeds near-max-speed Mega Gengar, with Will-O-Wisp and Encore providing cycle disruption. Mega Lopunny uses Fake Out plus Mega Kick to beat matchups that Delphox struggles with, like Umbreon/Mega Gengar cores or Starmie/Florges combinations. Sash Primarina provides a frontline answer to aggressive builds and can Encore setup moves. The team's strength is finding an offensive angle against most team archetypes; its weakness is the surplus of inaccurate moves throughout the team and difficulty dealing with lead Gyarados or Kingambit late in the season.Build article →

The team centers on Mega Gyarados as the primary win condition, which the author felt had the strongest sweeping potential in the format; the Adamant Dragon Dance set is chosen over Jolly because the extra power lets it muscle through more matchups. Hippowdon sets Stealth Rock and uses Yawn as the team's dedicated lead support. Mega Glimmora acts as a second answer to Florges while spreading Toxic Spikes to counter Umbreon-based stall. Sash Armarouge closes out games using Shattering capabilities after forcing defense drops. Scarf Dragonite's Extreme Speed keeps fast Megas and opposing Scarfers in check, with a backup non-Mega Scarf Gyarados for matchups where the Mega can't be sent out. The team's strength is Mega Gyarados's sweep potential and Glimmora's unexpected matchup advantage over Umbreon stall; the weakness is being heavily matchup-dependent with no reliable answer to mirror Gyarados or Encore+Primarina.Build article →

The author began by identifying Corviknight as the most troublesome non-Mega threat in the environment, and chose a bulky Mega Dragonite with Roost as the starting point—something that pressures Corviknight while maintaining broad coverage. Sash Sneasler handles the Fairy threats that Dragonite struggles against, like Florges and Kangaskhan. Scarf Meowscarada deals with Dragonite mirrors and fast Garchomp. A Berry Corviknight handles the physical layer via Iron Defense plus Body Press. A Stealth Rock/Spikes Garchomp deals with cycle-oriented teams. Mega Glimmora fills the last slot specifically for Volcarona and stall builds. The author notes Glimmora ended up being used more often than Dragonite, as its Corrosion plus Mega power simultaneously solved two chronic problems: the team stalling to a draw against stall teams, and lacking ways to break through bulky late-game Pokémon. The main weakness is that draws against stall still happen, and the team struggles after Dragonite's Multiscale is broken.Build article →

The team is built around the author's favorite Pokémon Bellibolt with Leftovers, which cushions special attackers like Mega Dragonite and Mega Delphox and uses Volt Switch to bring in attackers safely with Slow-Speed Priority. Mega Starmie runs Adamant with its Huge Power ability doubling its Attack, creating a cycle of Quick Turn, re-entry via Volt Switch, and finishes with Aqua Jet. Mega Scovillain uses its Capsaicin Burst ability to inflict burns on physical attackers upon entry—switching in as Mega first and then using Protect on turn one enables this safely. Itemless Toxapex with Black Mist stops setup from Aegislash, Ceruledge, Florges, and Clefable. Lum Berry Swords Dance Garchomp serves as a specialist against Umbreon+Mega Gengar+Corviknight cores, capable of KOing Iron Defense Corviknight after two boosts with Fire Fang. The team's weakness is Mega Gengar, corrosive Glimmora, Iron Defense Gyarados, and Dragapult, which remain consistently problematic.Build article →

Runfon built a non-Mega sand team around Excadrill, using Hippowdon as the sand setter over Tyranitar due to the latter's weakness to Gliscor and Garchomp in the current meta. Mega Gyarados (Dragon Dance + wide coverage) and Mega Meganium (fire coverage to burn Steel-types, resists Water and Ground) serve as Mega aces for matchups where Excadrill cannot run. Aegislash fills in against Fairy-types and stall cycles; Sneasler provides speed control against fast Mega evolutions and Scarf Pokémon. Basic selection is Hippowdon + Excadrill + one Mega ace. Against matchups unfavorable for Excadrill, the team shifts to Mega ace + Hippowdon/Aegislash/Sneasler. Weaknesses: Fire-types overall (especially Charizard), Gyarados getting set up on, and Encore Primarina disrupting Aegislash's King's Shield and Gyarados's Dragon Dance. The author regrets never finding a good Scarf slot against Charizard.Build article →

Banatarou discovered a publicly shared team featuring Archaludon, Basculegion, and Lopunny three days before the season ended, found it climbed ratings fast, and decided to run it for the final stretch. The three core Pokémon essentially win on their own; the supporting slots mainly address Iron Defense Corviknight. Mega Garchomp with Flamethrower handles Corviknight and stall cycles, while Talonflame provides Stealth Rock setup for Dragon Dance sweeps. Archaludon leads most games at max Speed/SpAtk investment; the author regards it as the strongest individual Pokémon of the season. Glimmora's hazard combination pairs naturally with Talonflame. Basculegion was selected nearly every game and bluffed Scarf to force opponent misplays; Lopunny with Fake Out and Giga Impact was the late-game cleaner. Core selection: Archaludon or Glimmora lead + Basculegion + one Mega ace. Strengths: no team-building decisions needed mid-game, matches end quickly, zero time-out draws.Build article →

Yosshi's build centers on Mega Pinsir as the unquestioned ace, backed by Gengar, Primarina, Archaludon, Kingambit, and Scarf Garchomp. Mega Pinsir sits at a tricky base-105 Speed tier that catches opponents off guard; Outrage enables fast wallbreaking; Rototiller is a niche pick that crushes Iron Defense Corviknight. Lacking Earthquake makes Aegislash problematic. Moxie was chosen over Intimidate because few Pokémon on the ladder carry Intimidate. Gengar's wide coverage makes it a flexible lead, with Focus Blast described as a necessary gamble. Primarina sets up Substitute to reach Torrent range against opposing Water Mega evolutions. Archaludon's default move against special attackers is Mirror Coat; Kingambit handles Umbreon-centered stall. Garchomp provides safe back-line coverage against Charizard. The author looks forward to Swampert's eventual addition to complete the classic Rain-Pinsir combination. Strengths: unusual Speed tier and unpredictable moves; weaknesses: Aegislash and stall counters.Build article →

Hayato's team is built around Umbreon as the most-selected Pokémon, with Mega Gengar and Focus Sash Garchomp present every game. Umbreon cycles with Wish + Protect + Yawn and synergizes with Gengar's Will-O-Wisp for chip damage. Mega Gengar uses Will-O-Wisp + Grudge + Shadow Ball + Focus Blast; Shadow Trapping is used to catch opposing Fairy-types for end-game attrition. Garchomp switched from Scarf to Sash midseason because Archaludon was too dangerous; Sash Garchomp excels at lead disruption with Stealth Rock. Mega Delphox came out heavily against Scizor, running Nasty Plot + Substitute for easy wins. Corviknight was adjusted from Brave Bird to Iron Head due to problems with Mimikyu, Glimmora, and Florges. Primarina ran every game with Sitrus Berry, using Misty Terrain to block Yawn loops and Perish Song to handle stall. Weaknesses after dropping Scarf Garchomp: Mega Lopunny, Basculegion, and Volcarona all became painful to deal with.Build article →

The author returned to competitive play after roughly three years and reached a peak of 2558 / final 2504 in singles Season M-1 using a hyper-offense face-to-face team. He opens by explaining why offense-forward play is harder in this game: no Choice Band/Specs/Life Orb means raw power is capped, accuracy-dependent moves cause more luck-based losses, and defensive walls are harder to break. His solution was inspired by his own old record: Mega Dragonite leads and scores at least one KO with Multiscale and Draco Meteor; Curse Mimikyu pivots in to counter setup and reverse bad situations; Sash Kingambit closes out with the surprise Metal Burst plus Guillotine package that punishes players who try to stall. Snorlax covers Florges and Lucario matchups, Archaludon handles defensive cores, and Mega Delphox was added last for the Lucario/Scizor/Mega Florges problem. He identifies Mega Florges and Hippowdon as the hardest matchups.Build article →

The author borrowed the Garchomp + Florges + Basculegion core from another player's stream, swapping the fire slot for Skeledirge, and finished 609th in singles Season M-1. The core works by having Garchomp lay Stealth Rock and Spikes to bring Florges or Basculegion into KO range; when opponents send out Aegislash or Ceruledge to answer Florges, Garchomp absorbs those hits; and scarf Basculegion-M cleans up with the powerful Ghost move. Florges was built physically bulky to stay healthy as a frontline threat, though the author reflects that extra Speed to outrun faster Archaludon would have been better. Kingambit mostly served as a deterrent on the teamsheet and rarely needed to battle. Gengar was the hardest to handle given uncertainty over Mega vs. Sash forms and Freeze-Dry, and fast Archaludon was another unresolved issue.Build article →

The author started from Lopunny's Guts + Mega Kick combo and Mirror Coat Archaludon, reaching peak 2554 / final 2503 in singles Season M-1. Lopunny's job is to nuke things with Guts-boosted Mega Kick and Close Combat; Mimikyu in the back ensures Lopunny can fire safely; Archaludon's Mirror Coat punishes Dragonite and reflected attacks from various specials. Pelipper was brought in to check Hippowdon rather than to run a dedicated rain team, with a Lum Berry set proving more practical as a solo pivot. Basculegion-M backs up the rain option but rarely found good matchups. The author assesses the rain lines as barely playable given how many common threats (Archaludon, Meowscarada) shut them down, and singled out Mega Gengar and Glimmora as consistent problems.Build article →

The author built around his longtime partner Flareon and reached peak 2564 / final 2503 (rank 617) in singles Season M-1. Flareon runs Substitute + Yawn + Baton Pass to pivot safely against lead Mega Scovillain or Mega Scizor, sleeping the opponents switchin and passing the baton to heavy hitters. Mega Gyarados with Dragon Dance cleans up Scizor-heavy teams, while its final move slot was settled as Lash Out. Archaludon with Charge + Scope Lens became the team MVP by firing boosted Draco Meteors repeatedly and countering stall and Baton Pass alike. Araquanid lays Sticky Web to control speed tiers; Diggersby provides explosive physical damage. Full-offense Florges uses the sticky web to outspeed even max-speed Scarf Garchomp. The author lists Basculegion, Scizor, Ceruledge, and Aegislash as the most problematic opponents.Build article →

Hotategai's team is built around a type-synergy-focused offense that can flexibly switch between straight face-to-face and a short cycle. The base is Garchomp + Florges + Basculegion. Mega Charizard Y was added for Steel-type wallbreaking under Sun; Scarf Meowscarada was added to check Dragon Dance Gyarados and Scarf Garchomp, and Basculegion switched from Scarf to Sea Incense, which proved even more threatening. Roles: Garchomp is the sturdy physical lead with hazard duties; Mega Florges runs Moonblast with Ruination as a better choice against Archaludon; Charizard Y is tuned to survive Basculegion's Wave Crash and Mega Starmie's Aqua Break; Corviknight manages Garchomp and Primarina endgames with Bulk Up + U-turn + Roost; Sea Incense Basculegion uses Quick Attack + Wave Crash to prevent safe switch-ins; Meowscarada with Scarf and Play Rough proved excellent for the final two days. Weaknesses: Mega Lopunny, all Archaludon variants, and Mimikyu.Build article →

Inaf designed the team around combining face-to-face offense with sweep-recovery mechanics. The core trio is Garchomp with Sitrus Berry (Stealth Rock + Dragon Tail + Rock Tomb + Earthquake; Speed tuned to outrun Archaludon), Mega Scizor (Swords Dance + Bullet Punch + Knock Off + Roost; defense spread calculated to avoid Archaludon's Earthquake changing damage rolls), and Mimikyu (Lum Berry + Swords Dance as a versatile face-off/setup Pokémon). Mega Charizard Y is the second Mega ace, used mainly to bait Stealth Rock and apply early pressure. Meowscarada (Focus Sash) has wide type coverage as a lead, set up Dragon Dance lures and OHKOs. Primarina (Leftovers + Calm Mind) was added last to reliably beat Skeledirge and provide passive recovery through Drain Kiss. Strengths: simple select patterns, not prone to suddenly falling apart. Weaknesses: no reliable way to beat Mega Kangaskhan in a straight fight, Mega Starmie is a big threat, paralysis and freeze chip erode win rates, Archaludon's Mirror Coat disrupts momentum.Build article →

The author built around a white-herb Archaludon sweeper he found effective mid-season, pairing it with Vivillon after seeing buzz on Twitter. Rock Slide Mega Lucario was added to set up Vivillon by handling Dragon Dance Gyarados and faster threats. When that core struggled against faster megas like Delphox, Gyarados was added as an alternate win condition alongside Mimikyu. Sylveon filled the last slot to handle Sash Garchomp and Lopunny, though it rarely delivered. After stalling near 2400, the author replaced Mega Lucario with Scarf Lucario for surprise speed and finished at 2502 (635th). Weaknesses included no answer to Taunts or Skeledirge, and Vivillon's limited reliability late-season.Build article →

The author started with Mega Delphox, judging that its unusual mega form would catch opponents off-guard in a meta full of Florges. Garchomp with Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Dragon Tail was added to wear down HB Umbreon in two hits alongside Fire Blast. Mega Florges came next to dominate the preview screen and telegraph opponent team selection. Scarf Archaludon filled several roles at once (sweeper, anti-Basculegion, steel coverage), while Mystic Water Basculegion handled water-cycle teams. Lastly, Defiant Kingambit addressed Baton Pass and Stealth-Rock-Aegislash teams. Final result: 2502, 636th. Strengths were the unexpected Scarf Archaludon; main weaknesses were Aegislash, opposing Delphox, and Kingambit's low reliability.Build article →