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Pokepast.esTeam IDDatePokémon 1Pokémon 2Pokémon 3Pokémon 4Pokémon 5Pokémon 6Description
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https://pokepast.es/02935a1990f4a77d9/7/2020TerrakionPersianArcanineRotom-WashAmoongussGengar19: Gemma Gemma started playing VGC this year, and built this team focusing around the support of Gengar and Persian with her building partner Chase Tiedtke. If you choose to lead Persian with Terrakion, you can fire off a quick Beat Up without worrying about opposing Amoonguss' Rage Powder or Spore thanks to their Safety Goggles and Lum Berry respectively. On the other hand, leading Persian and Gengar or Persian and Arcanine lets you start games on a slower foot, whittling down an opponent's stats with moves like Icy Wind, Parting Shot, and Snarl. Rotom-Wash can easily clean up games in the back, and can carry the team with its damage even if Terrakion faints early.
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https://pokepast.es/2837d3b0f9b885b89/7/2020GoodraComfeyGastrodonCobalionWeavileCoalossal18: Emily
Emily combines the increasingly popular core of that utilizes Beat Up Justified and Surf with Weakness Policy Coalossal with a third element: Goodra Comfey that is commonly included on popular Lapras teams. Select one of the three modes -- Weavile + Coalossal, Weavile + Cobalion, or Goodra + Comfey -- based on the matchup, and try using the setup opportunity on Turn 1 to bulldoze through your opponent. If all goes right, you can overwhelm your opponent from the first turn and set them far behind enough to take a clean win from there.
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https://pokepast.es/d3f389742ec9563a9/7/2020PolitoedKingdraArcanineAmoongussFerrothornRotom-Wash17: Paula 0000 0008 3VV6 BR Paula has been playing VGC since 2015. This team balances its classic Politoed + Kingdra Rain pairing with a more balanced defensive core using the typing of Arcanine, Rotom-Wash, and Ferrothorn/Amonoguss to cover for each other. Aim for a strong Iron Defense Ferrothorn lategame in either case, using either the offensive power of the Rain lead or the setup of Amoonguss + Nasty Plot Rotom-Wash to clear out the Pokemon that would get in Ferrothorn's way.
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https://pokepast.es/cf6ce409580c868c9/7/2020ArcaninePrimarinaDusclopsDhelmisePorygon-ZClefable16: Lucky 0000 0004 FGVP DC Lucky first discovered VGC in 2015. To win with this team, either use the powerful Dynamax Porygon-Z + Follow Me combination, or use Dusclops to set up Trick Room so that Dhelmise and Primarina can sweep. Primarina is especially good at tanking special attacks thanks to its Assault Vest, and can hit back hard with strong attacks of its own.
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https://pokepast.es/e96ab0266a40fee59/7/2020DusclopsKrookodileGrimmsnarlDhelmisePrimarinaDuraludon15: Sarah Anne's team initially appears to be built around the damage output of potential Dynamax Pokemon, but this team is more aptly described for how it plays around its bulk. Focus on getting through your opponent's Dynamax turns with your Pokemon intact by utilizing Krookodile and Grimmsnarl to bolster the special defense with a combination of Light Screen and special attack dropping moves, and with Intimidate and Max Steelspike to help against physical attacks. For this team it is especially important to make sure that you hold onto your Dynamax and make sure to land all of your Max moves, so play especially carefully around immunities and Max Guard.
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https://pokepast.es/06f91e6ae69315279/7/2020PrimarinaDracovishAmoongussDuraludonUrshifu-Rapid-StrikeRaichu14: Lily
Although it's a rain team, instead of using Swift Swimmers this rain team uses Drizzle to boost the water attacks of Dracovish and Urshifu-Rapid-Strikes. To cover for the speed Tailwind Pelipper and Nuzzle Raichu help this team fire off more attacks and overwhelm the opponent. Be especially careful of opposing Tailwind from Talonflame, bulky water types, and Trick Room. As long as you use Amoonguss and Raichu, you can make it difficult enough for your opponent to gain momentum long enough to lock up your victory.
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https://pokepast.es/b277be7982b796239/7/2020CoalossalWeavileFerrothornPrimarinaCobalionChandelure13: Eliza 0000-0005-LLW3-7Y
Eliza has been playing VGC since the start of this year, and got into the game by watching Wolfe and Aaron Zheng's videos. To begin games on a strong foot, lead with Weavile alongside either the Coalossal or Cobalion option to apply pressure with either Surf + Weakness Policy or Beat Up respectively. Similarly to other teams, if your opponent can get past your Dynamax Pokemon, remove the threats to Ferrothorn so that it can dominate the late game on its own.
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https://pokepast.es/1081de7c86973d189/7/2020Urshifu-Rapid-StrikeMarowak-AlolaTsareenaHattereneTalonflameAmoonguss12: Dina When piloting Dina's team, you can choose between a Trick Room or Tailwind setup using Hatterene or Talonflame respectively. Double up on either Fire-types or Grass-type Pokemon depending on which your opponent would struggle more against, and focus on ensuring your form of Speed control sets the pace of the game. Dynamax when you can get the most out of your turns of Speed control with a Pokemon that has enough HP.
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https://pokepast.es/b745276efcc178da9/7/2020RioluDracovishDracozoltHattereneGigalithDhelmise11: Maly 0000 0008 J HMV W4
Riolu quickly became one of the support Pokemon this generation with access to both priority Copycat and Coaching thanks to its Prankster ability. While this team has a fast mode where Dracozolt or Dracovish can be lead next to Riolu, the true terror is its slow mode. When Hatterene Dynamaxes and uses Max Guard, Riolu can Copycat the seelcted move and set up Trick Room uninterupted and buy enough turns for Hatterene, Gigalith and Dhelmise to run through a team. Overwhelm your opponents from the very beginning whenever you lock in either game plan.
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https://pokepast.es/25d47ee635a6f2379/7/2020BraviaryAmoongussRotom-WashHydreigonArcanineDurant10: Eshi Eshi started playing VGC in 2016, and made Day 2 of Worlds in 2018 and got top 32 at NAIC in 2019 to secure her second invite. She built this team with PinkSylvie, who placed in top 8. This team is centered around using an Amoonguss fully trained in Speed next to Braviary to terrorize opponents at lightning speed. Lead Durant for a fully offensive start, and use Arcanine with Amoonguss to bully Gigantamax Lapras teams. To quote PinkSylvie, "A lot of the team is about forcing your opponent to semi-waste max moves by trying to cover for Amoonguss." For example, Porygon-Z or Lapras have to use Max Electric to prevent being put to sleep with Spore. Eshi prefers to use the Pokemon on this team to cover Rotom-Wash's weaknesses and pull off a sweep by boosting it with Nasty Plot.
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https://pokepast.es/6b28f5c4af83b3609/7/2020CharizardNinetalesUrshifu-Single-StrikeRhyperiorDusclopsAmoonguss9: Shuro Shuro has been playing VGC since 2017, and placed in the Top Cut for the first time! This is a rental team from cobalt_poke. https://twitter.com/cobalt_poke1234/status/1301155301375111168?s=12. Lead Charizard and Ninetales to take full advantage of the power of Sun, and then follow it up with Urshifu's damage and Amoonguss' support capabilities. Don't worry if your opponent has Politoed to set Rain: you can lead Charizard and Amoonguss, and switch Ninetales in to set Sun when it is most convenient. If you want to switch it up, try using the classic setup of Amoonguss' Rage Powder to help Dusclops set Trick Room, then either Spore away or Bulldoze Rhyperior to activate its Weakness Policy.
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https://pokepast.es/9dee2d9692c786939/7/2020LaprasDusclopsFerrothornDracovishSylveonTerrakion8: Yoko Yoko has been playing in grassroots Pokemon events since 2005, and started playing competitively in 2015. She won an official TPCi event in Singapore in 2015, and has qualified for four World Championships since. The main strategy of the team is to use the Rain and Water-type attacks to set up Ferrothorn to close out endgames with its superior typing and Iron Defense + Body Press combo. Lapras can support Ferrothorn with G-Max Resonance and Max Geyser, setting Aurora Veil and Rain respectively, and Dracovish and Terrakion further bully opposing Fire-type Pokemon.
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https://pokepast.es/1826bc131d85bd129/7/2020DurantTalonflameDracovishToxtricityChandelureUrshifu-Single-Strike7: Tanya This hyper offense team focuses around dealing damage as quickly as possible before your opponent can get a move in. Try Dynamaxing Durant, and use Urshifu and Dracovish to back it up with strong Wicked Blows and Fishious Rends. To prevent Trick Room, use Chandelure's Imprison or either Talonflame or Toxtricity's Taunts to prevent your opponent from gaining any form of speed control.
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https://pokepast.es/0f9262e5d83afe2c9/7/2020ToxtricityChandelureTalonflameMiloticConkeldurrHydreigon6: Lauren 0000 0002 GX8X 4R Lauren has been playing VGC since late 2018, and loves shiny hunting in her spare time. Lauren's team is centered around using G-Max Toxtricity: it's one point faster than your Chandelure, so fire off a G-Max Stun Shock and follow it up with a boosted Hex. Switch up the offensive pressure by dynamaxing Hydreigon instead, which complements Toxtricity with its damage.
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https://pokepast.es/896063ed0913244f9/7/2020BraviaryAmoongussRotom-WashHydreigonArcanineDurant5: PinkSylvie PinkSylvie has been playing VGC since 2015, and placed Top 8 at Dallas Regionals in 2019 and reached Top Cut in Dallas Regionals in 2020. She built the team together with Eshi (who placed 10th). The flexibility of this team allows each player to showcase their individual strengths in battle.
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https://pokepast.es/2b61b100208c38ca9/7/2020KlefkiLiepardHitmontopDuraludonBraviaryPrimarina4: Nemesis Nemesis started playing Battle Stadium in March of this year, and this was her first ever tournament. Her team revolves around the support options of Klefki and Liepard-- pick Klefki to set up Light Screen and Reflect to match Lapras teams and pressure Fighting-types, or separately pick Liepard to enable Dynamaxed Duraludon with its Fake Tears support. Hitmontop can also support with Intimidate, Fake Out, and Helping Hand, and finishes off faster frail Pokemon like Talonflame with its Sucker Punch. Braviary and Primarina can back up your Duraludon by hitting its counters for super effective damage, and are great Pokemon to Dynamax in their own right.
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https://pokepast.es/8afd2dc03c394b8b9/7/2020DubwoolDusclopsAmoongussPrimarinaArcanineUrshifu-Rapid-Strikes3: Darya 00000006B4RM10 Darya started playing VGC in May. This team is centered around, of course, Dubwool: either support its own Cotton Guard setup with Amoonguss and Dusclops' misdirection, or use Dubwool's Max moves to provide Speed control and prevent sleep. Dubwool and Urshifu can charge into baaa-ttle with strong physical attacks even if your opponent has Intimidate Pokemon. Primarina, however, is probably the Pokemon you most want to Dynamax, because if you get a chance to activate its Weakness Policy it can destroy teams on its own. Use Arcanine to aid your sweepers by dealing massive damage thanks to its Choice Specs.
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https://pokepast.es/781935938bd391299/7/2020ClefairySylveonAzumarillTerrakionTalonflameHydreigon2: Salami Elisa has been playing VGC online since 2014, and went to her first live event in 2019, a Midseason Showdown in the SoCal area, which she also top cut. Her team's goal is to prevent the opponent from making full use of their Dynamax turns early in the game-- this is accomplished by pairing Hydreigon or Terrakion alongside Clefairy to make a strong Dynamaxed Pokemon of your own, with added bulk thanks to Clefairy's Friend Guard ability. From there, once your opponent has run out of steam, use Talonflame to set up a Tailwind sweep with either Sylveon or Azumarill, who have boosted damage thanks to their Choice Specs and Band respectively.
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https://pokepast.es/794dca6102e264739/7/2020LaprasTalonflameRaichuUrshifu-Single-StrikeTsareenaDuraludon1: Fiona Fiona started playing VGC in 2015, but only began travelling to events in 2017-- since then, she has qualified for Worlds in 2018 and 2019 and finished Top 32 at the 2018 North American Internationals. The goal of this team is to clear a path for Choice Band Urshifu to sweep through the opponent's team: to do this, lead with Lapras or Duraludon and start taking out Pokemon that would threaten Urshifu. Raichu can assist by Nuzzling oppoosing Pokemon for Speed control and by redirecting Electric-type attacks that would threaten Lapras. Choose Talonflame to match Tailwind, to Taunt Trick Room setters, or to take out opposing Urshifu with a priority Brave Bird. Finally, Tsareena brings the team together by threatening bulky Water-type Pokemon, as well as preventing priority attacks such as opposing Talonflame's Brave Bird from getting in the way of Urshifu's sweep.
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https://pokepast.es/fc40716e7d31ccf70000 0005 THT0 6B7/30/2020VenusaurTorkoalDusclopsTogekissCharizardIncineroar@HamsterManiaVGC used a sun-team with a twist. Sun is one of the more oppressive archetypes right now, with the combination of Chlorophyll Venusaur, Solar Power Charizard and Drought Torkoal alongside the Gigantimax attacks G-Max Wildfire and G-Max Vine Lash, there is not much that can withstand the heat without falling too far behind. For those few Pokémon that can stand up to the sun side of the team, rather than using a Pokémon like Tyranitar, Koutesh utilized Weakness Policy Incineroar. This allowed him to set up sun, lower special defense, and create an even more threatening Trick Room core. Once you decide which one of your Pokémon you will be Dynamaxing, it should be easier to stay one step ahead of an opponent.
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https://pokepast.es/302f3a6990f354697/30/2020CorviknightDracozoltGrimmsnarlGastrodonArcanineRillaboom@ImRahxen used a more defensive team that took a lot of the lessons from Series 4. He also managed to be the only player using Gastrodon, Corviknight, Dracozolt and Grimmsnarl, making this one of the most unique teams in the Player's Cup Qualifiers. With both a Fire-Water-Grass Core and a Steel-Dragon-Fairy core, at least one Pokémon on the team can resist almost any attack. By utilizing these defensive cores, it's possible to adopt a reactive strategy in any game. It's just important to recognize what each of these Pokémon can do offensively when the time comes to put an opponent on the back foot.
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https://pokepast.es/567b44bc1c29415a0000 0002 RP3K HL7/30/2020TyranitarIncineroarExcadrillDragapultTogekissAmoonguss@DesuVGC qualified by using the Togekiss/Excadrill/Dragapult (TED) core that has seen prominence all year and revamping it with some Isle of Armor additions. This team is focused on using Pokémon with high base stat totals and unmitigated damage, and the addition of Amoonguss enables the team's core to achieve even greater success than before. By keeping games close to even, adjusting to situations using redirection, using the team's type synergy, and saving your Dynamax until your opponent cannot adequately respond, this team best uses the fundamentals learned from playing Pokémon to win.
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https://pokepast.es/00ebdbec4ef6157a0000 0002 KVJT 1M7/30/2020ExcadrillTogekissTyranitarIncineroarDragapultAmoonguss@JoeUX9 managed to get through the Qualifiers using a very similar team to Desu. This showcases the parallel thinking that goes on in Pokémon, where players separated in different countries can come up with similar ideas and find success. Year after year, there is usually a single team that comes to define the format, and this Togekiss, Excadrill, Dragapult, Tyranitar, Incineroar, and Amoonguss team looks to fill that role for Series 5.
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https://pokepast.es/f8531831e100de240000 0002 6527 6Y7/30/2020CharizardClefairyUrshifu-Rapid-StrikesPorygon-ZIncineroarRillaboom@MeLuCaVGC's team is a unique team that is both a Porygon-Z team and a Charizard team that is reminiscent of the early VGC 2020 days. Any game's tempo is set by the lead you choose and how much Clefairy can enable its teammates. A Charizard approach puts out continuous damage that may not take knock outs but lets Incineroar, Rillaboom, and Urshifu finish off an opponent's Pokémon.
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https://pokepast.es/4f34b36b3bdcb7ef0000 0005 HPF8 3F7/30/2020RillaboomIncineroarTogekissCoalossalDragapultUrshifu-Rapid-Strikes@supahsanti_qualified using a team where, by activating both the item Weakness Policy and ability Steam Engine with a partner's attack, Coalossal would deal massive damage in its dynamax form and cause all non-Rock type Pokémon to take extra damage each turn with G-Max Volcalith. Using redirection from Togekiss, the high speed and Fake Out immunity of Dragapult, and Urshifu's priority attack allows for uninterrupted set up. Finally, an absurdly powerful Choice Band Rillaboom is used to finish off anything the other Pokémon hadn't managed to.
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https://pokepast.es/83d225ab71b6f7cb0000 0001 RFH1 3Y7/30/2020DrapionPorygon2HattereneLilligantTorkoalUrshifu-Rapid-Strikes@ESA_Green crushed the Player's Cup qualifications with a team that puts opponents on the backfoot right at team preview. There are a surprising number of tools on this team, from relatively fast Drapion and Urshifu dealing unmitigated, critical hit damage, to the oppressive variance coming off of G-Max Smite and Sleep Powder, to the consistency offered by Trick Room. Power aside, it's crucial to maximize on early advantages offered by this team. Get into your opponents head by making the right decisions during team preview and calling the early turns correctly.
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https://pokepast.es/8a732935030c07a50000 0001 MHL6 K07/30/2020LaprasIncineroarUrshifu-Single-StrikeRillaboomDracovishTalonflameRather similar to the team that PokeAlex brought to the first Player's Cup invitational with the Series 4 ruleset, @SimiusBlack brought a more up-to-date version of a highly offensive Lapras Dracovish team with Isle of Armor additions. Talonflame, Rillaboom and Urshifu are direct improvements providing more damage and help create opportunities to snowball while Aurora Veil is up. Lapras and Tailwind both do a good job of forcing an early dynamax from your opponent, and the combination of double Fake Out from Incineroar Rillaboom as well as the power coming from Urshifu and Dracovish help make you favored once both player's Dynamax turns are over.
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https://pokepast.es/191239403943d1277/30/2020DragapultPrimarinaPorygon2FerrothornIncineroarArcanine@PumpkinPhantom put together a team that went heavy on damage control, especially against physical attackers with a combination of double Intimidate, Ferrothorn, and Porygon2. By identifying the shift toward physical attackers following Rillaboom and Cinderace beginning to dominate the Series 5 VGC format, by taking a more defensive approach to games while keeping the Ferrothorn for end games and having both Dragapult and Primarina to try to pull an early Pokémon advantage, this team is a threat at all points in the game. Put a lot of emphasis on how to keep both Intimidate available when you play, and don't hesitate to start putting holes in your opponents team with Dragapult and Primarina if they do not have sustainable recovery options.
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https://pokepast.es/8c93c90f531ec92d7/30/2020DragapultTogekissPorygon2IncineroarFerrothornRotom-Wash@AgatiGA brought a team that is composed of powerful win conditions that allow for decisive plays to be made. With both an arsenal of defensive tools, such as Intimidate, recovery and a Fire-Water-Grass core, in addition to enough offense using Dragapult, Rotom-Wash and Togekiss to break down his opponent early on this team, games with this team often end with Pokémon traded piece by piece to the point where it's possible to pull ahead in an advantageous end game. This end game usually comes down to setting up any one of Ferrothorn or Porygon2 leaving the opponent with high usage Pokémon that no longer have enough damage by that point in the game. To find success using this team yourself, be aware of your opponents responses to each Pokémon, especially Ferrothorn, and more importantly decide which Pokémon you should leave behind in team preview.
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https://pokepast.es/9d0e27624a5fe44b0000 0001 PG6P KL7/30/2020DragapultTogekissPorygon2IncineroarFerrothornRotom-Wash@vivalavlade and @AgatiGA built their team together and prepared together for the Player's Cup. The two of them qualifying with the same team shows the effectiveness of the team and the strength of both of these players.
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https://pokepast.es/d6f903b82df60e8c7/30/2020PrimarinaIncineroarArcanineCinderaceTogekissRillaboomChris Kan excellently showcases the power of the starter Pokémon available in Sword Shield. With their hidden abilities, they manage to fulfil roles as both support and offensive Pokémon with unique coverage and moves that leave them unmatched. Looking beyond the starters, the team uses a Fire-Water-Grass core along with double intimidate to slow down the game. This in combination with the offensive prowess of Cinderace, Primarina, and Togekiss the team has a handful of Dynamax options that can be used to win games.
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https://pokepast.es/1c1b5a33f40b0ff40000 0002 55PY NL7/30/2020CinderaceBisharpPorygon2AraquanidTogekissRillaboom@MaddoVGC qualified with a team that appears at first to be similar to what @YureeVGC qualified with in the Player's Cup invitational; the combination of Cinderace and Bisharp with Rillaboom provide a lot of power with just enough to dissuade Intimidate Pokémon from being used. With Burning Jealousy being released, and sun becoming more prominent, this team makes use of a powerful Araquanid Trick Room option with the Porygon2 to help defeat the Pokémon that could otherwise handle the Cinderace. Make use of the Cinderace and Bisharp to force your opponent to bring the Pokémon you expect, and create gameplans to defeat exactly that.
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