Video Game Senior Division Top-8 Teams
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Bennett PiercySenior Division Champion -
Carson St.DenisSenior Division Runner-Up -
Luka TrejgutSenior Division Top-8 -
Mihrab SamadSenior Division Top-8 -
Ian McLaughlinSenior Division Top-8 -
Stefan SmigocSenior Division Top-8 -
Koby CraftSenior Division Top-8 -
Jake SkurchakSenior Division Top-8
Bennett completely bucked every trend we saw leading into Nationals, and it certainly paid off. His opponents must’ve had no idea what to do when they saw his team. Volcarona is a key Pokémon on his team, with Rage Powder and Tailwind both serving to aid its more offensive teammates such as Salamence and the rarely seen Sheer Force Nidoqueen holding Life Orb.
Moves:
- Frustration
- Dragon Claw
- Rock Slide
- Protect
Nature:
- Jolly
Held Item:
- Salamencite
Ability:
- Intimidate
Moves:
- Sludge Bomb
- Earth Power
- Ice Beam
- Protect
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Life Orb
Ability:
- Sheer Force
Moves:
- Bullet Seed
- Superpower
- Spore
- Protect
Nature:
- Jolly
Held Item:
- Focus Sash
Ability:
- Technician
Moves:
- Heat Wave
- Bug Buzz
- Rage Powder
- Tailwind
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Sitrus Berry
Ability:
- Flame Body
Moves:
- Bullet Punch
- Bug Bite
- Feint
- Protect
Nature:
- Adamant
Held Item:
- Expert Belt
Ability:
- Technician
Moves:
- Psychic
- Heal Pulse
- Ice Beam
- Grass Knot
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Choice Scarf
Ability:
- Levitate
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The most notable Pokémon on Carson’s team is certainly Clefairy, perhaps somewhat underused as a reliable supporting Pokémon. It uses Follow Me to protect and support Mega Kangaskhan and Breloom by redirecting attacks toward Clefairy.
Moves:
- Protect
- Return
- Power-Up Punch
- Sucker Punch
Nature:
- Jolly
Held Item:
- Kangaskhanite
Ability:
- Scrappy
Moves:
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Knock Off
- Superpower
Nature:
- Adamant
Held Item:
- Choice Scarf
Ability:
- Intimidate
Moves:
- Follow Me
- Moonblast
- Protect
- Helping Hand
Nature:
- Bold
Held Item:
- Eviolite
Ability:
- Friend Guard
Moves:
- Heat Wave
- Earth Power
- Substitute
- Protect
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Leftovers
Ability:
- Flash Fire
Moves:
- Thunder Wave
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power (Ice)
- Taunt
Nature:
- Bold
Held Item:
- Sitrus Berry
Ability:
- Prankster
Moves:
- Bullet Seed
- Mach Punch
- Protect
- Spore
Nature:
- Jolly
Held Item:
- Focus Sash
Ability:
- Technician
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Luka chose to go with a two Mega Stone team, something we have seen very little of. Latias is a Pokémon that few players are choosing to use as their Mega-Evolved Pokémon, but it has a lot going for it: it can either Mega Evolve and be the main option for offense, or continue to be a supporter with Tailwind and let Charizard be the Pokémon to Mega Evolve.
Moves:
- Flamethrower
- Overheat
- Solar Beam
- Protect
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Charizardite Y
Ability:
- Blaze
Moves:
- Drain Punch
- Knock Off
- Fake Out
- Stone Edge
Nature:
- Adamant
Held Item:
- Assault Vest
Ability:
- Intimidate
Moves:
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- U-turn
- Superpower
Nature:
- Adamant
Held Item:
- Choice Scarf
Ability:
- Intimidate
Moves:
- Psychic
- Ice Beam
- Tailwind
- Roost
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Latiasite
Ability:
- Levitate
Moves:
- Thunderbolt
- Hydro Pump
- Will-O-Wisp
- Protect
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Sitrus Berry
Ability:
- Levitate
Moves:
- Shadow Ball
- Flash Cannon
- Wide Guard
- King's Shield
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Life Orb
Ability:
- Stance Change
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Mihrab has one of the more distinct teams that we’ve seen at Nationals, as neither Lapras and Raichu make it onto too many teams. Raichu is one of the fastest users of Fake Out, and is a strong teammate with its Lightning Rod Ability and a collection of supporting moves.
Moves:
- Freeze-Dry
- Hydro Pump
- Blizzard
- Ice Shard
Nature:
- Relaxed
Held Item:
- Assault Vest
Ability:
- Water Absorb
Moves:
- Moonlight
- Icy Wind
- Psychic
- Calm Mind
Nature:
- Bold
Held Item:
- Rocky Helmet
Ability:
- Levitate
Moves:
- Heat Wave
- Protect
- Solar Beam
- Hidden Power (Ground)
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Charizardite Y
Ability:
- Blaze
Moves:
- Shadow Ball
- King's Shield
- Flash Cannon
- Wide Guard
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Life Orb
Ability:
- Stance Change
Moves:
- Thunderbolt
- Fake Out
- Encore
- Helping Hand
Nature:
- Timid
Held Item:
- Focus Sash
Ability:
- Lightning Rod
Moves:
- Earthquake
- Superpower
- Rock Slide
- Stone Edge
Nature:
- Adamant
Held Item:
- Choice Scarf
Ability:
- Intimidate
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The Rain-or-Trick Room dual strategy worked well for Ian. One interesting aspect of the team is Landorus with U-turn. Landorus can Intimidate its opponents and then use U-turn to bring in Gothitelle to prevent Pokémon from switching out to restore the lost Attack stat.
Moves:
- Scald
- Protect
- Encore
- Perish Song
Nature:
- Relaxed
Held Item:
- Sitrus Berry
Ability:
- Drizzle
Moves:
- Scald
- Fake Out
- Ice Beam
- Giga Drain
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Assault Vest
Ability:
- Swift Swim
Moves:
- Psyshock
- Tickle
- Trick Room
- Protect
Nature:
- Sassy
Held Item:
- Leftovers
Ability:
- Shadow Tag
Moves:
- Play Rough
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch
- Protect
Nature:
- Adamant
Held Item:
- Mawilite
Ability:
- Intimidate
Moves:
- Protect
- Dark Pulse
- Fire Blast
- Draco Meteor
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Life Orb
Ability:
- Levitate
Moves:
- U-turn
- Superpower
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
Nature:
- Adamant
Held Item:
- Choice Scarf
Ability:
- Intimidate
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Stefan’s team is fairly standard until you get to Entei, a really interesting choice to include. Its Sacred Fire attack does a ton of damage and has a 50% chance of Burning its target. It’s a unique spin on the typical core of Milotic, Mega Kangaskhan, and Amoonguss by providing support in ways that Stefan’s opponents aren’t preparing for.
Moves:
- Scald
- Recover
- Icy Wind
- Protect
Nature:
- Bold
Held Item:
- Rocky Helmet
Ability:
- Competitive
Moves:
- Thunder Wave
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power (Ice)
- Taunt
Nature:
- Timid
Held Item:
- Life Orb
Ability:
- Prankster
Moves:
- Return
- Sucker Punch
- Power-Up Punch
- Protect
Nature:
- Adamant
Held Item:
- Kangaskhanite
Ability:
- Inner Focus
Moves:
- Giga Drain
- Spore
- Protect
- Rage Powder
Nature:
- Calm
Held Item:
- Sitrus Berry
Ability:
- Regenerator
Moves:
- Superpower
- U-turn
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
Nature:
- Adamant
Held Item:
- Choice Scarf
Ability:
- Intimidate
Moves:
- Sacred Fire
- Substitute
- Snarl
- Protect
Nature:
- Impish
Held Item:
- Leftovers
Ability:
- Pressure
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Kobe exploited the synergy between Cresselia and its Moonlight move and Mega Charizard Y and its Drought Ability to keep Cresselia healthy after using Calm Mind. Conkeldurr used the Iron Fist Ability (and Punching moves to match) instead of the Guts Ability, and relied on the Lum Berry to heal Status Conditions.
Moves:
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power
- Thunder Wave
- Taunt
Nature:
- Bold
Held Item:
- Sitrus Berry
Ability:
- Prankster
Moves:
- Psyshock
- Icy Wind
- Calm Mind
- Moonlight
Nature:
- Bold
Held Item:
- Rocky Helmet
Ability:
- Levitate
Moves:
- Drain Punch
- Ice Punch
- Mach Punch
- Protect
Nature:
- Adamant
Held Item:
- Lum Berry
Ability:
- Iron Fist
Moves:
- Heat Wave
- Overheat
- Solar Beam
- Protect
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Charizardite Y
Ability:
- Blaze
Moves:
- Shadow Ball
- Flash Cannon
- Wide Guard
- King's Shield
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Life Orb
Ability:
- Stance Change
Moves:
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- U-turn
- Superpower
Nature:
- Adamant
Held Item:
- Choice Scarf
Ability:
- Intimidate
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Whether leading with a Rain team with Politoed and Ludicolo, or employing a Trick Room team with Mawile and Gothitelle, Jake has given himself plenty of ways he can run his team. Politoed with Perish Song is an interesting choice, and one that works well with Gothitelle’s Shadow Tag Ability.
Moves:
- Play Rough
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch
- Protect
Nature:
- Adamant
Held Item:
- Mawilite
Ability:
- Intimidate
Moves:
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Perish Song
- Protect
Nature:
- Sassy
Held Item:
- Leftovers
Ability:
- Drizzle
Moves:
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Giga Drain
- Fake Out
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Assault Vest
Ability:
- Swift Swim
Moves:
- Psyshock
- Trick Room
- Tickle
- Protect
Nature:
- Sassy
Held Item:
- Sitrus Berry
Ability:
- Shadow Tag
Moves:
- Thunderbolt
- Thunder Wave
- Taunt
- Swagger
Nature:
- Bold
Held Item:
- Rocky Helmet
Ability:
- Prankster
Moves:
- Close Combat
- Rock Slide
- Stone Edge
- Protect
Nature:
- Jolly
Held Item:
- Focus Sash
Ability:
- Justified
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