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Built in a single night near the end of the season, the team's central idea is using Mega Blastoise to suppress opponents who want to set Stealth Rock — without Shell Smash, it becomes a powerful immediate matchup threat that discourages opponents from freely setting up, letting the Sash-based attackers in the back shine. Mega Blastoise beats the rising Mega Gengar, Mega Lucario, Mega Delphox, and Mega Lopunny, while Water Pulse also handles Camerupt. Ceruledge runs a Sash set with Weak Armor for a speed boost on contact, cleaning through Corviknight; Scizor with Metal Coat threatens fairy and grass types; Mega Kangaskhan pressures Archaludon directly; Alolan Ninetales looks like a screener but actually carries Nasty Plot; and Choice Scarf Basculegion sweeps with Last Respects against dark and normal types. The author acknowledges the team was rushed and lacked polish, but its selection-screen pressure and matchup-fishing design carried it to 25th place.Build article →

Sora just wanted to run Mega Meganium this season because it's cute and strong, and built the team around it. He found it works better in a cycling team than a matchup-based one, so he paired it with Hippowdon as a synergistic pivot. Facing lots of Focus Sash Garchomp + Alolan Ninetales teams mid-season, he ran bulky Choice Scarf Stamina Archaludon to punish those, letting it and Meganium trade the ace and cushion roles. Those three struggled against Delphox and lacked breaking power, so he added Swords Dance Hisuian Samurott, plus Toxapex to reliably wall Greninja and Toxic-Spikes Watchog + Staraptor teams. The last Mega slot went to Substitute + Nasty Plot Delphox for its edge over Metagross. Meganium runs Sub + Synthesis and uses its coverage (Solar Beam + Weather Ball) to beat Steels it can't normally tank; Hippowdon is a bulky lead that controls the field; Toxapex uses Regenerator +Build article →

He started from what he most hated getting hit by back when he used Hippowdon himself, building an aggressive Swords Dance team around Life Orb Wood Hammer Mimikyu that sets up and smashes through, posting high win rates against defensive cycling teams. Mimikyu breaks physical walls like Hippowdon, and even if it can't KO, it opens the door for Mega Scizor; Mega Scizor is the second SD user, using its huge defense plus Roost to sweep even from behind. Hippowdon runs full HD with Stealth Rock, Yawn and Whirlwind, and almost nobody plays around Whirlwind, so it uses Yawn to open turns and sand chip to pull targets into KO range. Choice Scarf Basculegion covers the Fire-types and Hippowdon that Scizor struggles with and can revenge Iron Defense Metagross (though it often gets turned back). Nasty Plot Mega Raichu Y dismantles defensive cores and its pressure lets him read the opponent's pickBuild article →

The author built around the fact that Garchomp and Archaludon were everywhere in this meta, so he started with Focus Sash Mamoswine as a reliable answer to both — Endeavor plus Ice Shard forces a brutal mind game against rocks setters. He paired it with Mega Charizard Y to mop up the things Mamoswine struggles into (Primarina, Corviknight, Scizor) and added Lum Berry Mimikyu as a Swords Dance sweeper, making that trio his bread-and-butter lead. The remaining three plug specific holes: Yache Berry bulky Archaludon walls Mega Lopunny's +2 Close Combat and also handles Sash Ceruledge and Hisuian Samurott; Mega Starmie with Flip Turn answers Mega Glimmora and Mega Delphox while pivoting into Archaludon; Primarina covers leads like Choice Scarf male Basculegion, Mega Dragonite, Hydreigon and Ceruledge. He thinks the team's one-on-one matchup power is its biggest strength but admits it really struggles vs Mega Lopunny + Aegislash, Mega Delphox + Archaludon cores, Scarf Rotom-W, Umbreon and special Meowscarada.Build article →

The team centers on Mega Charizard X, motivated by the observation that most Charizard-Y answers in the current environment are Choice Scarf or Oran Berry Garchomp — Dragon Dance puts Charizard X above those and lets it clean through them. For setup support, a specially defensive Hippowdon was used over Garchomp to reliably handle Archaludon. The remaining slots are Choice Scarf Basculegion and Mega Florges for selection-screen pressure, a specially offensive Archaludon to cycle with Charizard, and Sash Greninja carrying Mud Shot — a configuration copied from an opponent, which proved effective at punishing Stealth Rock setters. The author was not fully satisfied with 28th place but sees the first season's result as acceptable and expressed plans to start streaming.Build article →

Sekhme has loved Metagross since grade school and built the team around it this season, then added Hydreigon for its complementary typing. Primarina covers what those two fear (Hydreigon, Hippowdon, Hisuian Samurott, Umbreon) with broad answers. Wanting a second axis, he added Gengar to pressure the things Metagross gets walled by (Slowbro, Scovillain, Archaludon, Corviknight, Skeledirge). He rounded it out with Garchomp for a Ground slot and Wash Rotom to cover the Garchomp, Kingambit, Scizor and Aegislash both Megas fear, while also crushing rain. Metagross runs Tough Claws with Iron Head + Psychic Fangs + Thunder Punch, using its post-Mega speed to pressure and fish for flinches; Choice Scarf Hydreigon is the cushion and enabler for both Megas, leading with U-turn to scout before deploying the aces, and he rates it highly. Focus Sash Garchomp is the role-breaker (especially versus VenBuild article →

The team is built around Mega Lucario, whose Aura Sphere and Flash Cannon can be amplified by the Solid Rock ability and whose Corkscrew Crash covers both Archaludon and Hippowdon that otherwise cause major problems in the current meta. Because Lucario's defenses are fragile, it is used as a back sweeper with an Oran Berry Archaludon as the lead that also sets Stealth Rock. Choice Scarf Basculegion with Last Respects fills the third fixed slot as a finisher. The backup squad is Mega Gyarados against Lucario's hard counters, Choice Scarf Garchomp for Delphox-heavy leads, physically bulky Primarina with Perish Song to deal with persistent Umbreon and Lopunny, and Sparkling Aria coverage on Primarina to prevent Last Respects from being PP-stalled by ghost types. The author openly admits the team has a ridiculous number of weaknesses — Aegislash is essentially a free loss — but credits the Oran Berry Archaludon for carrying the team to rating 2700 and 29th place.Build article →

Mia took this team to 29th at the close of Season M-3. The core is Mega Dragonite, chosen because it handles the wave of newly added threats from M-B (Mega Metagross, Mega Blaziken, Mega Staraptor, Mega Mawile, Gholdengo, Annihilape) while its own counter, Mega Floette, had dropped in usage. Aegislash covers Dragonite's ice and fairy weaknesses; a Focus Sash Glimmora leads to lay toxic spikes and trade with most openers; a bulky Hippowdon is the physical wall cushion; and Choice Scarf Meowscarada handles the otherwise-heavy Mega Gyarados and Greninja. The second Mega slot, Mega Floette, mainly earns value through team-preview pressure. Mia notes many games are won just cycling Dragonite and Aegislash after spikes, with Air Slash flinches and Flamethrower burns stealing extra luck; the weakness is a clear disadvantage into Metagross, covered by the other five.Build article →

Rebo took his classic Lucario + Mimikyu + Hippowdon + Charizard shell to 30th at the close of Season M-3. The build started from newly unlocked Life Orb Mimikyu; he'd never liked any item on it before, but the Orb boosts every attack's reach, so he ran max Attack/Speed all-out. Hippowdon goes full physical bulk to firmly wall the newly added Metagross, Blaziken, and Mawile. Charizard keeps its Will-O-Wisp set from last season to pester heavy Hippowdon and its buddies Archaludon and Gyarados. Lucario runs Swords Dance to pair with Yawn Hippowdon, plus Bullet Punch so it can be led into Gengar teams. The last two slots became Choice Scarf Primarina for pivoting plus Perish Song, handling the then-rampant Alolan Ninetales + Garchomp and checking stall and Baton Pass teams. Rebo's main regret: he didn't prepare for the Starmie + Hippowdon + Archaludon core, and kept wishing Lucario had ExtreBuild article →

Tottsuan revived his Gen-7 Blaziken Baton Pass strategy for 31st at the close of Season M-3. The plan: Blaziken uses Speed Boost to stack Attack and Speed, then Baton Passes to Gyarados for a sweep, or Gyarados sets up Dragon Dance itself. Blaziken carries Swords Dance and Baton Pass, with bulk tuned to eat Garchomp's Earthquake and Archaludon/Hydreigon's Draco Meteor, and it also beats Gyarados's problem matchups Meowscarada and Lopunny. Gyarados is the team's only Mega and main pass target; Adamant, so post-Mega +2 Waterfall KOs bulky Hippowdon. Focus Sash Garchomp sets Stealth Rock, cutting Electric's spam while checking both Mega Charizard X and Y. Alolan Ninetales uses Light Clay to extend Aurora Veil and beat opposing bulky Garchomp and Primarina. Rotom-Wash sets up with Thunder Wave and Will-O-Wisp against Metagross, Delphox, Greninja, Primarina, and Hippowdon. Gholdengo covers thBuild article →

The team is built around rain with Choice Scarf Archaludon, conceived because Electro Beam cleanly handles the popular Choice Scarf Basculegion and Mega Gyarados cores. Mega Starmie under rain both matches up directly against Archaludon and exerts strong selection-screen pressure alongside Pelipper. Aegislash provides physical matchup control and Close Combat to punch through Starmie's weaknesses, while also blocking Gengar's PP-draining lines. Mega Florges then threatens Umbreon, Dragonite, and Hydreigon with Moonblast of Doom as the special cleaner. Sash Garchomp fills the last slot, leveraging Rough Skin to speed up after taking physical contact damage and clearing most remaining threats. The author identifies consistent execution of the Archaludon electric coverage strategy against Basculegion teams as the main strength, and late-season read-through of the squad's selection patterns plus the inability to give Archaludon Oran Berry as notable weaknesses. Final placing was 32nd.Build article →

The author kept last season's Hippowdon + Glimmora core, but cut Gardevoir (low selection rate) and slotted in Mega Meganium to punish opponents who tailor their picks against Hippo + Glimmora. The plan: Hippowdon sets Stealth Rock and walls physical attackers, Glimmora handles Charizard/Dragonite lines and Water-type pressure, Hydreigon answers Delphox, Basculegion and Starmie, Aegislash blocks the Ice spam and beats Lucario/Floette, and Gyarados uses Thunder Wave to support the Mega and Glimmora while baiting Scarf Meowscarada/Samurott/Garchomp. Hippowdon runs a point of Attack for Ice Fang, which catches Garchomp off-guard and can even crack Dragonite + Aegislash cores. The Aegislash build is borrowed from Bonkohu—fast Spell Tag set with King's Shield over Close Combat to outpace Mega Scizor and Corviknight. Strength: flexible picks that break type spam. Weakness: Lopunny + Basculegion, since Hydreigon must take Basculegion and once Hippo is chipped the matchup collapses.Build article →

The team is built around Mega Meganium as the anchor, aiming to pressure the most common general picks in M-1 such as Garchomp, Hippowdon, Corviknight, and Primarina right from the lead. Persistent Stealth Rock support came from a bulky Archaludon, which could also handle Focus Sash Greninja, Gengar, and Glimmora. Aegislash with Sacred Sword handled Florges switch-ins and threatened Lucario. A Choice Scarf Garchomp provided broad coverage, and Tyranitar added chip damage and countered Mega Dragonite. The final slot went to a Spin-using Starmie (Mega) to address match-ups where Mega Meganium was hard to bring. The biggest weaknesses were Umbreon-Sylveon stall teams, which usually ended in draws, and offensive Gengar builds with Hex.Build article →

Inae's concept is one line: Gyarados is riding a huge tailwind in the meta, so grind hard with it. He reached 34th at the close of Season M-3 singles. He judged that outside Meowscarada and screens teams, nearly everything favors Gyarados. Opponents often leave Gyarados-checking duty to Scarf Garchomp or Meowscarada, so Araquanid lays Sticky Web to turn the tables. Gholdengo, chosen alongside, complements Gyarados typing and shreds walls like Corviknight. When Web isn't needed, Hippowdon serves as the setup lead. To beat the troublesome Blaziken and Lopunny, he added Mega Pinsir for a priority STAB flying move, which also covers the grass types Gyarados dislikes. The last slot is Grimmsnarl to cut Hydreigon's spam and set screens. Inae notes Shuca Berry Gholdengo makes unexpected plays into Garchomp, Hippowdon, and Glimmora, and a sneaky Thunderbolt surprise-KOs opposing Gyarados, SamuroBuild article →

作者上期就在用河马兽+快龙+坚盾剑怪+洗翠大剑鬼这套四人组，手感很顺，于是这期继续以这四只为轴，再补两只凑成最终名单，最高打到第35名。Mega快龙是首发抢一血兼半个的主力，因为整队怕西狮海壬所以十万伏特是必带技能，速度跑准速好压铝钢桥龙一手。河马兽走HB吃623果配置，专门防剑舞极速长耳兔；隐形岩其实没什么用，可以考虑换招。长耳兔最后一天才换上，用来对付袋兽队、镜像河快盾以及克制队伍很难处理的魔幻假面喵，但作者承认自己用不好，胜率不高。火神蛾是最后定下的第六只，专门处理月亮伊布、应付长耳兔出场时的钢铥鸦和巨钳螳螂，还能让对手不敢随便对快龙用三角攻击；为了对位西狮海壬必须带终极吸取。坚盾剑怪选HD配置无限接花叶蒂，是全队对西狮海壬唯一的退避位，靠它磨血换优势。洗翠大剑鬼带黑色眼镜，专吃宝石海星、妖火红狐、Mega暴鲤龙和幽尾玄鱼这些Mega位。整队非常容易召唤Mega暴鲤龙，但没有同时克快龙和洗翠大剑鬼的Mega暴鲤龙配置，所以这两只搭配下对暴鲤龙队几乎是稳赢。Build article →

Unable to win consistently in the early season, the author settled on Mega Gengar's cycle-locking ability as the team's cornerstone, specifically running a Will-O-Wisp plus Pain Split set for broad utility. To handle the Garchomp problem without using Protect, the team uses Corviknight with Defog and a Choice Scarf Garchomp to navigate opposing Stealth Rock leads. Hisuian Samurott with Black Glasses and Encore joined as the fourth member to defeat the Florges-Garchomp-Basculegion core. On the final day, a Mega Lopunny replaced the previous Archaludon slot to counter Charizard-Florges builds and Mega Delphox. The team's strength is an excellent win rate against face-to-face builds, but Ceruledge and the Polteageist Baton Pass team were consistent problems.Build article →

The author built around Mega Gyarados, which changes typing on evolution and uses Mold Breaker to punch through opposing abilities as a sweeper. Since Mega Gyarados is physically frail without Intimidate and hates priority and levitating steel walls, Blaziken was added as a second setup ace with Speed Boost and a check to Meowscarada. Gengar leads to spread Will-O-Wisp and Thunder Wave support while chipping foes; a Choice Scarf Floette cuts off Dragon coverage and pressures Hippowdon. Life Orb Scizor hits key bulk thresholds and pairs perfectly with Garchomp offensively and defensively, while Garchomp itself answers Stealth Rock–Yawn loops and doubles as a sweeper. The author says Mega Staraptor, a Garchomp that trades hits, and a fully preserved Meowscarada were the hardest matchups.Build article →