[PRP][Article][Weekly] VGC 18 Trainer School (#1 INTRODUCTION)

[Soulrick 0/300]

Hello everyone! It's Soulrick here, and this is the beginning of a 5 week weekly topic.

First i'm gonna tag Competitive Team C members and Pokemon Officers. Also @13thShade or someone could tag inside the spoiler interested members on upcoming Trainer School?

Spoiler

@Vince @Ketchupplant @milkolate @AmirAlexander @N1CK0 @HeliosVelite @TwinVGC @Tuetaron @Thomaez @DrPhilandChill @Nitro @TheLoneEagle @AceEmerald @emeraldragon @Sol @Dayton @gingerWhimsy @lutonmad @claduva @Gliscor @BallisticPlanet @Plok @IgnitedxSoul @Koenkloo @TheRoanAsher @EviLaz @caitikoi

It will consist on a VGC 18 guide from the most basics to more advanced and concrete things. But before starting, i want to make some things clear.

Spoiler

1. I got this idea from the website Victory Road VGC and the initiative of doing this weekly guide, i do not own any of this information. I just find this very useful to any player interested on VGC 18 format.
2. The only i own from this guide will be some images and graphics done by myself, and the translation from spanish to english to make anyone interested here easier to understand.
3. I have every basic and some advanced VGC knowledge, and i will try to adapt the info to my point of view without losing anything important.

With all this being said, let's get started.

HOW TO READ

Spoiler

Mega-Swampert means this is a main section:

Swampert means this is a sub-section:

Easy to understand, right? ;)

For some, Pokémon is nothing more than a game where defeating the League Champion and completing the Pokédex is all they can aspire to. Many more are also passionate about hunting for shiny Pokémon. However, there is a small (although increasingly growing) number of players who believe that the game itself isn't enough, so they begin to focus the game competitively.

Some opt for formats based singles (1 vs 1), where regulations and formats change over time and are regulated by Smogon University. However, on this weekly topic, we are gonna be dedicated exclusively to Pokémon VGC, and also the official format of Nintendo and The Pokémon Company, and also one of the many faces of this versatile video game.

Finally, you should know that this guide is aimed at players who have played a game of the main saga, understand the basic mechanics of the game and, most importantly, want to learn and have a lot of patience.

Alola! (not even Hau lol)

Welcome to this introductory guide to Pokémon VGC 2018! Over the next 5 weeks, you will find on this weekly topic all kinds of content to train for the next format, which will become legal on January 1!

It is also a good time to quickly visualize the differences between some terms that, at first glance, may seem synonymous:

• Format: set of rules and specifications that apply in all official competitions (which award points to qualify for the World Cup) and also other non official but hosted competitions.

They change at the end of each year (it has always been the 1st of January, with the exception of 2016, where it was December 1 for the 2017 format) and they always fit and play in the last game of the main saga.

Commonly, the formats are called "VGCxx", where xx is the year where they are played for the longest time. For example:

VGC18: format in effect as of January 1, 2018 (until, presumably, December 31, 2018), pertaining to the 2017-18 season.

VGC17: current format from December 1, 2016 until December 31, 2017, pertaining to the 2016-17 season and also to the 2017-18 season.

• Season: division of the competitive game in periods of 12 months comprised from September to August, in which the Championship Points (CP) for the World Cup are maintained. After the World Cup each year the CP account is restarted for the next season, which starts on September 1st. Currently, each season is divided into series.
• Series: sections of a season that last from 2 to 3 months. Some events, such as the Premier Challenge, limit the amount of points you can accumulate in each series.
  • Autumn Series (autumn): 9/1/17 to 31/10/17
  • Winter Series (winter): 11/1/17 to 31/1/18 (we are currently here)
  • Spring Series (spring): 2/1/18 to 4/30/18
  • Summer Series (summer): 5/1/18 to 30/6/18

Right now we are in the 2017-18 season, which started on September 1, 2017 and will end with the Nashville World Championship in August 2018.

The format used in all official competitions until December 31, 2017 (included) will be VGC17, played in Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon. However, both this guide and the vast majority of the season will be Pokémon UltraSun and Pokémon UltraMoon under the format of VGC18.

The exact rules of the 2018 format are still to be finalized officially. However, it is about:

• Battles will be Doubles format (2 vs 2).
• Teams formed by 6 Pokémon, of which the player chooses 4 for the combat.
  • In case a Pokémon exceeds or does not reach level 50, it would be readjusted automatically.
  • All Pokémon must have a black cross indicating their origin from Alola.
  • The following Pokémon can not be used: Mewtwo, Mew, Lugia, Ho-Oh, Celebi, Kyogre, Groudon, Rayquaza, Deoxys, Jirachi, Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, Phione, Manaphy, Darkrai, Shaymin, Arceus, Reshiram, Zekrom, Kyurem, Victini, Keldeo, Meloetta, Genesect, Xerneas, Yveltal, Zygarde, Diancie, Hoopa, Volcanion, Solgaleo, Lunala, Necrozma, Cosmog, Cosmoem, Magearna, Marshadow, Zeraora (unreleased)
  • You can not use two or more times a Pokémon with the same number in the Pokédex (Species Clause)
  • You can not repeat objects between the different Pokémon in the team (Item Clause)

All objects are allowed: this includes Z Crystals and Mega Stones.

Each player has 5 minutes of "personal time" and 45s to choose his actions in each turn. So for example:

• At the beginning of the battle, it opens with turn 1, where the 45s of turn are activated, and also the 5 minutes of personal time.
• Let's say it takes 12s to choose your actions for the first turn. This leaves you with 4:48 for the rest of the fight, and in the next turn you will have 45s again.
• Each turn you will have the 45s.
• If your personal time ends (0:00), you will automatically lose the battle.
• The time elapsed while the player can not perform any action (animations, Pokémon changes ...) does not count.

I hope not to have discouraged you with this first part full of information, because the second part of this first installment of VGC18 in 5 weeks will be dedicated to talk about the basic mechanics of competitive game. To those who are used to other competitive formats or, simply, the upbringing, there will be many of these aspects that will sound familiar. However, it is never a bad time to refresh that couple of details that tend to fall into oblivion...

To dominate the types chart is important. UltraSun and UltraMoon bring incorporated, in the same way that Sun and Moon did, an indicator of effectiveness; but it should only serve you in case you find some Pokémon of which you doubt the typing, because the seconds that you delay in consulting count (and we have already commented on the high speed at which the combats go this format...). In any case, having the information of this table in mind is always good. Click to show the table:

Spoiler

It is no secret that all Pokémon have stats that mark their most powerful attributes, their strengths and their weaknesses. They are divided into six areas, which are the following:

• HP : number that indicates the longevity of the Pokémon on the field. When it reaches 0, the Pokémon faints. Several side effects of movements, changes of state and conditions of the combat terrain directly affect the value of the PS regardless of the other attributes.
• Attack: ability of the Pokémon to execute physical attacks with more or less power.
• Defense: ability of the Pokémon to resist physical attacks of the opponent.
• Special Attack: ability of the Pokémon to execute special attacks with more or less power.
• Special Defense: ability of the Pokémon to resist special attacks of the opponent.
• Speed: it marks the speed that the Pokémon will have to move and, therefore, to attack. The fastest Pokémon tend to attack first, although you should know that the priority moves ignore the Pokémon's speeds and always attack first.

The overall capacity of each Pokémon is defined by its base stats, which you can visit in many different Pokédex. I personally recommend using the search engine integrated in the Pokémon Showdown Team Builder and the Smogon Pokédex.

We will take for example Landorus in his Therian form (Landorus-T), a very interesting and valuable Pokémon (among other things, by using Rock Slide), whose statis are the following:

When we see his stats, we quickly identify that he has a very good base attack, and that his special attack is relatively mediocre. So, we know that Landorus will most likely be used as a physical attacker by our rivals, and that it is also the best option for our team in case we want to include him there.

When we look at his speed, we can note that he is in a somewhat mediocre stat, because big common threats like Tapu Lele, Tapu Koko, M-Kangaskhan or M-Charizard (both X and Y) surpass him in speed; however, it is a comfortable stat for the vast majority of landorus uses. Some trainers decide to correct that by equipping him with a Choise Scarf, but we'll talk about it later...

On the other hand, its combination of bulk (ie, PS, Defense and Special Defense) is very decent for a Pokémon that is supposedly only used offensively, so some trainers also opt for objects that reinforce their defensive capabilities, such as the Assault Vest, which multiplies 1.5x its Def. Esp. In exchange for not being able to use movements that do not cause direct damage.

If we look at the typing of Landorus (Earth and Flying) and analyze everything commented above, we conclude:

• Landorus is an extremely versatile Pokémon, as it uses its well-balanced stats to surprise with a multitude of diverse roles, suitable for the vast majority of teams.
• Landorus appreciates the physical attacks in pursuit of the specials, such as Rock Slide. From time to time he also likes to use Earthquake, which is his main STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus), that is, an attack that receives 1.5x more power since it is the same type as the Pokémon that uses it.

Based on the premises stipulated for Landorus (although the scheme really serves for any other Pokémon), we can squeeze their maximum potential and mask their weaknesses.

The abilities are the first of the different mechanics of the game that we will contemplate from now on. They were introduced in the Third Generation, and since then, in each generation new ones have been added, some more useful than others, which have left an impact on the competitive scene.

When building a team, regardless the metagame, you may be interested in some of the most common abilities, such as Intimidation (Landorus-T, Hitmontop, Salamence, Arcanine ...), which reduces by one level (0.67x) the attack of both rivals; or Defiant (Braviary / Bisharp) / Competitive (Milotic), which counteracts the effects of Intimidation, increasing the Attack or Special Attack respectively two levels (2x) of the Pokémon when receiving a drop in stats.

Other common skills are Prankster, from Pokémon like Thundurus or Liepard, which allows them to use their state attacks (like Thunder Wave or Taunt) with priority +1; or Moody, from Smeargle, which increases a stat by two levels and decreases at a different level at the end of each turn, although unfortunately for some, it can no longer show off its Dark Void...

It is also possible that you are interested in controlling the weather of the field, in which case, you are looking for climatic abilities...

WEATHER

In general, every metagame is influenced by the weather during combat. The classic climatic abilities (Drizzle, Drought, Nevada and Chorro Arena) and the movements Sunny Day, Rain Dance, Sand Storm and Hail activate a specific climate, such as rain or hail, for five turns. This effect can be extended up to eight turns if the Pokemon that induces the climate carries a Climatic Rock.

The most classic Pokémon for this work have been Politoed / Pelipper and its Drizzle ability; Mega-Charizard-Y and its Drought; and Tyranitar with his Sandblast. Less occasionally we have seen Abomasnow, of Hail skill; or Thundurus carrying the Rain Dance movement.

These are the concrete effects of weather abilities:

• Drizzle (Politoed, Pelipper)
  • Water type attacks do 1.5x damage.
  • Fire-type attacks deal 0.5x damage.
  • Thunder and Hurricane never fail.
  • Pokémon with the Swift Swim ability double their speed.
• Drought (M-Charizard-Y, Torkoal)
  • Fire-type attacks do 1.5x damage.
  • Water type attacks deal 0.5x damage.
  • Thunder and Hurricane see their accuracy reduced to 50%.
  • Solar Beam automatically charges in a turn.
  • Pokémon with the Chlorophyll ability double their speed.
  • The Synthesis, Morning Sun and Moonlight movements recover twice as much health.
• Sand Stream (M-Tyranitar, Gigalith)
  • Pokémon that are not Ground, Rock or Steel type receive residual damage each turn (1/16 of their PS).
  • The Special Defense of the Rock type Pokémon increases by 1.5x.
  • Pokémon with the Sand Veil ability increase their evasion by 25%.
  • Pokémon with the Sand Rush ability double their speed.
  • Pokémon with the Sand Force ability increase the power of Rock, Ground and Steel type attacks by 30%.
• Snow Warning (Abomasnow, Ninetales-Alola, Vanilluxe)
  • Pokémon that are not Ice type receive residual damage each turn (1/16 of their PS).
  • Blizzard never fails.
  • Pokémon with the Snow Cloak ability increase their evasion by 25%.
  • Pokémon with the Ice Body ability increase their PS by 1/16 at the end of each turn.
  • The Pokémon with the Slush Rush ability double their speed.
  • Allows to activate Aurora Veil.

Until now, all the concepts will sound like you have played the adventure of the game. From now on, something that does not show up directly in the game starts, but you can quantify and measure without problem.

The effort points (Effort Values and, therefore, EVs) are values that each Pokémon acquires as it defeats another Pokémon (and that the console does not show). Each Pokémon that we defeat brings a different number of EVs and in different stats as well. Finally, the EVs are moldable to your liking: you can distribute them as you want between all the characteristics of your Pokémon.

When playing VGC at level 50, there are certain characteristics of the EVs that you should notice:

• You have 508 EVs available, you can invest a maximum of 252 in two stats and the remaining 4 in another.
• If all the IVs of your Pokémon are at maximum (31), the ideal situation is to invest in 3 or 5 statis to avoid wasting the available EVs.
• When a stat has 0 EVs, when adding the first 4 EVs, the final stat will add up to one point. However, thereafter it will be necessary to add 8 EVs so that the stats add a point. That is to say:
  • 4 EVs: 1 point
  • 8 EVs: 1 point
  • 12 EVs: 2 points
  • 16 EVs: 2 points
  • 20 EVs: 3 points
  • And so on until you reach 252.

Now you start to see where the issue of "wasting" the EVs goes, right? In a future article I will explain in depth how to make an optimal distribution, but remember that each Pokémon has an ideal distribution according to the team in which it is and the function it performs within it. Do not hesitate to experiment with different options!

An interesting tool to create your EVspreads is the Damage Calculator. You may also be interested in this Speed Chart when you want to calculate how many EVs you should invest in the speed of your Pokémon.

To guide you in how much people tend to distribute more or less in their Pokémon (as well as the nature or movements that are used most in each Pokémon in general), you can make use of the PGL page or the Smogon stats (2017-10 or the corresponding month and year, look for VGC2017 / VGC2018 and go to movesets).

Another of the most important factors in a Pokémon is what would become its genetic, known as individual values (IVs). If you have tradition as a Pokémon breeder looking for perfect IVs or shinies, this section probably will not come with anything new.

Broadly speaking, you should know that the IVs...

• They are measured between 0 and 31 and are present in the 6 stats (PS, Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense and Speed). There is no limit of maximized stats: you can have 31 in the 6 or in which you are interested (usually they will be 4 or 5).
• They are different in each Pokémon regardless of their species, unlike base stats or the EVs that it brings from defeating it.
• They are transmitted through breeding. There are different methods for this, such as the use of Ditto with the 6 IV in 31 with a Destiny Knot, for example.
• They are legally unmodifiable in the game. The only way to do this is through programs that are external to the game and that are strictly prohibited in the official competition (despite not providing real competitive advantage).
• From the Seventh generation, there is Extreme Training, which you can do in the Mall of Hauoli City. For this, you will need your Pokémon to be at level 100 and have an object called Bottle Cap as currency. However, the IVs of the Pokémon do not really increase, but within a combat they are taken as maximums (31) but the Pokémon keeps the original IVs. It also does not affect the type of the Hidden Power of the Pokémon.
• The type of Hidden Power (special variable move with a base power of 60) varies depending on the IVs of each Pokémon as well.

Maybe this table extracted from Bulbapedia will help you to know the status of your Pokémon and its IVs.

Spoiler

The existing natures can be of one of two this types:

• Natures that boost a stat (1.1x of its value as final stat) and nerf another (0.9x of its value as final stat).
• Natures that do not influence stats (1.0x of the value as a final stat in all statistics)

You probably want to choose the nature of your Pokémon based on its strengths. If you are using a Pokémon like Salamence, you are probably interested in investing in its speed with a Timid nature (increases speed and reduces attack) or Modest (increases special attack and reduces attack) rather than with a nature that disadvantages its strengths. In addition, natures that do not influence stats are not usually used competitively.

These are the effects of natures, extracted from the table in Bulbapedia.

Spoiler

With this concludes the first article of the series "VGC 18 Trainer School", hope it have been useful to you! In the next one, we will review the internal mechanics of combat, such as Megaevolutions and Z-Moves, as well as the different types of moves that are most common.

Do not miss it!

[DrPhilandChill 0/300]

Great guide, I'll be slightly less of a lost sheep after this

[13thShade 4,323/5000]

Best thing I've ever read in our subforum.

GGWP

[Guest Eastonn8]

Absolutely fantastic article. Would you mind if @TheGamer777 and I used your VGC articles for the Trainer School team that will be starting up relatively soon?

Also approved.

[Soulrick 0/300]

19 minutes ago, Eastonn8 said:

Absolutely fantastic article. Would you mind if @TheGamer777 and I used your VGC articles for the Trainer School team that will be starting up relatively soon?

Also approved.

Of course man, i almost literally did this post to help contribute to the upcoming Trainer School. You can use this and any of the upcoming posts ^^

[Soulrick 0/300]

31 minutes ago, 13thShade said:

Best thing I've ever read in our subforum.

GGWP

44 minutes ago, DrPhilandChill said:

Great guide, I'll be slightly less of a lost sheep after this

Yay my first approved PRP Article ^^

[Sol 0/300]

Great stuff. I’ll be eagerly following this. I’ve been wanting to learn VGC, so this should help tremendously.

[Plok 0/300]

thank you for writing this, I'll read it later!

[Guest TheGamer777]

*pushes in glasses*

I believe you mean Therian Form, not Totem Form.

Also nice article, you are a lovely human being (or robot, I don't judge)

[Soulrick 0/300]

4 minutes ago, TheGamer777 said:

*pushes in glasses*

I believe you mean Therian Form, not Totem Form.

Also nice article, you are a lovely human being (or robot, I don't judge)

Oh, in spanish we call him Totem form. I will fix that now. Thx

[Guest lutonmad]

Tremendous, thank you!

Embarrassing fact: I never actually knew what STAB stood for until now!

[Soulrick 0/300]

1 minute ago, lutonmad said:

Tremendous, thank you!

Embarrassing fact: I never actually knew what STAB stood for until now!

Till i wrote this i never knew that abilities were intoduced on Third Gen

[Nitro 2,318/3200]

Approved! Excellent article, good work.

[gingerWhimsy 0/300]

This is a BEAUTIFUL article. Well done! This was very educational, and super helpful for me!

[Guest mrmissouri25]

Fantastic read. Greatly appreciate this being done

[claduva 0/300]

This is phenomenal. Motion to replace @TheGamer777 with @Soulrick. All in favor say "I".

[Guest TheGamer777]

Just now, claduva said:

This is phenomenal. Motion to replace @TheGamer777 with @Soulrick. All in favor say "I".

I, I mean wait what...

[Soulrick 0/300]

26 minutes ago, claduva said:

This is phenomenal. Motion to replace @TheGamer777 with @Soulrick. All in favor say "I".

Lol wtf

[Ballistic 0/300]

Very comprehensive. Good job!

[ShadowLight284 0/300]

Huh mabye after these articles I'll give VGC another shot cause this is really cool to read.

[Guest HeliosVelite]

great guide, good job!

[N1CK0 275/300]

Perfect work! This is very useful for anyone interested in VGC. Hope to see the next parts soon!

P.S.: In the weather setter section, I think you missed Tyranitar (not the mega form) as a setter for sand since he has sand stream also in his base form. Reference

[Guest Bigslim45]

Nicely done

[Guest Cloudbun]

THANK YOU! This helped so much!

[Guest KadazVGC]

Nice written article! Can't wait for the next one that you'll get mre in depth with things! :)