Like many Trainers, Mark built a strong team around Charizard and Cresselia. But his Cresselia was very different from the norm, knowing the support moves Toxic, Skill Swap, and Trick Room. His Machamp is rarely seen, but it has a wide variety of moves to help out its teammates, such as Dyanmic Punch, Wide Guard and Knock Off.

Koki’s Aegislash holds Safety Goggles to help thwart Pokémon such as Amoonguss from using Spore and Rage Powder. Zapdos is a popular Pokémon among Japanese players, but isn’t as common in North America and Europe. With Tailwind, it helps support its slower teammates Landorus, Heatran, and Sylveon.

Kylie has a pretty conventional team, but she improves her chances of winning by giving her Pokémon items that allow them to withstand hits that would ordinarily knock them out. For example, Milotic holds a Wacan Berry to weaken Electric-type attacks, and Heatran holds a Shuca Berry to lessen the damage of Ground-type attacks. Landorus’ Focus Sash provides a similar effect, keeping it safe from one-hit Knock Outs.

Max builds from a foundation of Mega Kangaskhan, Milotic, and Togekiss with Follow Me with three intriguing Pokémon. Arcanine is there to frustrate opponents with its Intimidate Ability and the Snarl and Will-O-Wisp attacks. Hydreigon with Life Orb is a throwback to previous years. And Ferrothorn is a big surprise, especially with Leech Seed absent.

David employs a grab bag of uncommon offensive tactics, including an Arcanine with Choice Band to boost its Attack and Therian Forme Landorus holding a Life Orb that knows both Physical and Special attacks. His Zapdos also gets a boost to its Attack when it gets hit by super-effective attacks thanks to its Weakness Policy.

Rather than using the more popular Landorus with Choice Scarf, he gave the Pokémon a Choice Band to hold instead, bolstering its Attack rather than its Speed. He also gave his Heatran a Chople Berry to defend against Fighting-type attacks, as well as taught it Will-O-Wisp to reduce damage from Physical attacks. Perhaps the most surprising addition to this team is the Suicune with Mirror Coat, an infrequently used move on an infrequently used Pokémon.

Chien-Chien has some really interesting choices for Pokemon on his team. His Heatran with Ancient Power is certainly uncommon, and he supports it with equally uncommon Suicune with Sunny Day. The remainder of his team is more conventional, capable of triggering Trick Room with Mega Gardevoir to speed up his Amoonguss.

Jake finds synergy with Milotic and its Competitive Ability giving protection to Kangaskhan, and then having Kangaskhan’s Fake Out give cover for Volcarona to use Quiver Dance. He also has Aegislash to protect Volcarona by using Wide Guard. It’s a savvy strategy to find a good fit for Volcarona, a powerful but difficult to use Pokemon.