Video Game Junior Division Top-8 Teams
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Aiden McKinneyJunior Division Champion -
London SwanJunior Division Runner-Up -
Jacqueline CauspyJunior Division Top-8 -
Phillip BarraganJunior Division Top-8 -
Gwen EdgarJunior Division Top-8 -
Luke SmithJunior Division Top-8 -
Daniel MeadwayJunior Division Top-8
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Rami SimonJunior Division Top-8
Aiden included the popular duo of Tyranitar and Excadrill, then surrounded them with less common Pokémon such as Ludicolo with Teeter Dance and Milotic with Maranga Berry. Aiden also taught his Salamence an intriguing move set—Roost stands out as a big surprise, especially with Salamence not knowing Dragon Dance, its usual pairing.
Moves:
- Protect
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
Nature:
- Adamant
Held Item:
- Focus Sash
Ability:
- Sand Rush
Moves:
- Teeter Dance
- Ice Beam
- Scald
- Giga Drain
Nature:
- Bold
Held Item:
- Leftovers
Ability:
- Rain Dish
Moves:
- King's Shield
- Flash Cannon
- Shadow Ball
- Wide Guard
Nature:
- Quiet
Held Item:
- Weakness Policy
Ability:
- Stance Change
Moves:
- Superpower
- Fire Punch
- Rock Slide
- Assurance
Nature:
- Adamant
Held Item:
- Assault Vest
Ability:
- Sand Stream
Moves:
- Roost
- Dragon Pulse
- Hyper Voice
- Protect
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Salamencite
Ability:
- Intimidate
Moves:
- Protect
- Scald
- Icy Wind
- Recover
Nature:
- Bold
Held Item:
- Maranga Berry
Ability:
- Competitive
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As the runner-up in the 2014 World Championships, London already has plenty of tournament experience. He has put together a flexible team capable of fast play with Thundurus and Landorus, or he can switch things up with Mega Gardevoir and Trick Room.
Moves:
- Hyper Voice
- Psychic
- Trick Room
- Protect
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Gardevoirite
Ability:
- Trace
Moves:
- Fake Out
- Drain Punch
- Knock Off
- Ice Punch
Nature:
- Adamant
Held Item:
- Assault Vest
Ability:
- Intimidate
Moves:
- Spore
- Giga Drain
- Rage Powder
- Protect
Nature:
- Sassy
Held Item:
- Rocky Helmet
Ability:
- Regenerator
Moves:
- Heat Wave
- Earth Power
- Substitute
- Protect
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Leftovers
Ability:
- Flash Fire
Moves:
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power (Ice)
- Taunt
- Thunder Wave
Nature:
- Calm
Held Item:
- Sitrus Berry
Ability:
- Prankster
Moves:
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- U-turn
- Superpower
Nature:
- Adamant
Held Item:
- Choice Scarf
Ability:
- Intimidate
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Jacqueline took a somewhat conservative approach to her team construction, sticking to tried-and-true strategies to make it deep into the tournament. The Defiant Bisharp paired with Mega Kangaskhan is always a reliable tactic—it helps to offset the penalty of Intimidate on the Mega Kangaskhan by powering up Bisharp.
Moves:
- Superpower
- Rockslide
- U-turn
- Earthquake
Nature:
- Adamant
Held Item:
- Choice Scarf
Ability:
- Intimidate
Moves:
- Thunderbolt
- Will-O-Wisp
- Protect
- Hydro Pump
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Sitrus Berry
Ability:
- Levitate
Moves:
- Sucker Punch
- Knock Off
- Iron Head
- Protect
Nature:
- Adamant
Held Item:
- Life Orb
Ability:
- Defiant
Moves:
- Thunder Wave
- Hidden Power (Ice)
- Thunderbolt
- Taunt
Nature:
- Calm
Held Item:
- Leftovers
Ability:
- Prankster
Moves:
- Low Kick
- Sucker Punch
- Double Edge
- Fake Out
Nature:
- Jolly
Held Item:
- Kangaskhanite
Ability:
- Scrappy
Moves:
- Hidden Power (Ground)
- Psyshock
- Hyper Voice
- Hyper Beam
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Choice Specs
Ability:
- Pixilate
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Phillip’s Rain team shows a lot of forethought, especially with the inclusion of Mega Metagross. The Rain weather condition protects Mega Metagross from Fire-type attacks, allowing it to stay in battle to take out threats to Ludicolo and Politoed, such as Amoonguss.
Moves:
- Giga Drain
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Fake Out
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Assault Vest
Ability:
- Swift Swim
Moves:
- Earth Power
- Dark Pulse
- Protect
- Draco Meteor
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Life Orb
Ability:
- Levitate
Moves:
- Rain Dance
- Ice Beam
- Scald
- Surf
Nature:
- Timid
Held Item:
- Choice Scarf
Ability:
- Drizzle
Moves:
- Iron Head
- Zen Headbutt
- Protect
- Substitute
Nature:
- Jolly
Held Item:
- Clear Body
Ability:
- Metagrossite
Moves:
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power (Ice)
- Taunt
- Thunder Wave
Nature:
- Bold
Held Item:
- Sitrus Berry
Ability:
- Prankster
Moves:
- Rock Slide
- Close Combat
- Quick Guard
- Protect
Nature:
- Jolly
Held Item:
- Lum Berry
Ability:
- Justified
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Most people went with Thundurus as their Electric-type Pokémon, but Gwen chose Jolteon. Its Volt Absorb Ability allows it to heal in the face of Thunderbolt and Thunder Wave attacks, and counteract the HP-draining side effect of Life Orb. Jolteon is paired frequently with the Dragon- and Ground-type Garchomp, allowing it to use Discharge freely without damaging its ally.
Moves:
- Return
- Sucker Punch
- Protect
- Power-Up Punch
Nature:
- Jolly
Held Item:
- Kangaskhanite
Ability:
- Scrappy
Moves:
- Iron Head
- Earthquake
- Dragon Claw
- Rock Slide
Nature:
- Jolly
Held Item:
- Rocky Helmet
Ability:
- Rough Skin
Moves:
- Psyshock
- Hyper Voice
- Shadow Ball
- Protect
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Pixie Plate
Ability:
- Pixilate
Moves:
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Protect
- Tailwind
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Leftovers
Ability:
- Pressure
Moves:
- Protect
- Discharge
- Shadow Ball
- Thunderbolt
Nature:
- Timid
Held Item:
- Life Orb
Ability:
- Volt Absorb
Moves:
- Taunt
- Sludge Bomb
- Shadow Ball
- Dazzling Gleam
Nature:
- Timid
Held Item:
- Focus Sash
Ability:
- Levitate
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At first glance, you might mistake Luke’s team primarily for a Rain team, but the prominence of Perish Song and Shadow Tag on his Pokémon tells a different story. This combination allows Luke to employ multiple strategies depending on his matchup.
Moves:
- Scald
- Perish Song
- Hypnosis
- Protect
Nature:
- Sassy
Held Item:
- Bright Powder
Ability:
- Drizzle
Moves:
- Draco Meteor
- Surf
- Hydro Pump
- Protect
Nature:
- Timid
Held Item:
- Life Orb
Ability:
- Swift Swim
Moves:
- Perish Song
- Shadow Ball
- Substitute
- Protect
Nature:
- Timid
Held Item:
- Gengarite
Ability:
- Levitate
Moves:
- Fake Out
- Drain Punch
- Knock Off
- Protect
Nature:
- Careful
Held Item:
- Leftovers
Ability:
- Intimidate
Moves:
- Rage Powder
- Spore
- Giga Drain
- Protect
Nature:
- Sassy
Held Item:
- Rocky Helmet
Ability:
- Regenerator
Moves:
- Trick Room
- Reflect
- Psychic
- Protect
Nature:
- Sassy
Held Item:
- Sitrus Berry
Ability:
- Shadow Tag
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A bunch of heavy hitting Pokémon such as Terrakion, Hydreigon, and Mega Gardevoir make up the core of Daniel’s offense-first team. Gengar is less commonly used, but it’s smart on this team as it can help his other attackers in a variety of ways.
Moves:
- Heat Wave
- Earth Power
- Protect
- Substitute
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Leftovers
Ability:
- Flash Fire
Moves:
- Scald
- Tailwind
- Ice Beam
- Snarl
Nature:
- Bold
Held Item:
- Sitrus Berry
Ability:
- Pressure
Moves:
- Hyper Voice
- Psychic
- Ally Switch
- Protect
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Gardevoirite
Ability:
- Trace
Moves:
- Rock Slide
- Close Combat
- Quick Guard
- Protect
Nature:
- Jolly
Held Item:
- Lum Berry
Ability:
- Justified
Moves:
- Draco Meteor
- Earth Power
- Dark Pulse
- Fire Blast
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Choice Specs
Ability:
- Levitate
Moves:
- Sludge Bomb
- Will-O-Wisp
- Icy Wind
- Taunt
Nature:
- Timid
Held Item:
- Focus Sash
Ability:
- Levitate
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With Suicune on his team and using Tailwind, Rami was able to make several adjustments to his other Pokémon. For example, Landorus, a Pokémon that is often given a Choice Scarf to improve its Speed, now holds an Assault Vest to increase its Special Defense.
Moves:
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power (Ice)
- Thunder Wave
- Taunt
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Life Orb
Ability:
- Prankster
Moves:
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- U-turn
- Knock Off
Nature:
- Adamant
Held Item:
- Assault Vest
Ability:
- Intimidate
Moves:
- Heat Wave
- Overheat
- Earth Power
- Flash Cannon
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Choice Scarf
Ability:
- Flash Fire
Moves:
- Heat Wave
- Overheat
- Solar Beam
- Protect
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Charizardite Y
Ability:
- Blaze
Moves:
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Tailwind
- Protect
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Sitrus Berry
Ability:
- Pressure
Moves:
- Rock Slide
- Close Combat
- Swords Dance
- Protect
Nature:
- Jolly
Held Item:
- Lum Berry
Ability:
- Justified
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