Cores
Whether you have been in the know or just started team-building since the earlier Video Game Championships, one of the basic ways to form a team is to form a solid core. At this point, you may not have been aware that your team already has a core to begin with. Cores in Pokemon basically consist of 3 types. One of the foundations of team-building is knowing which Pokemon form great synergy with another then continue from there.
Examples of Cores
In the case of VGC 2017, the quintessential core consists of Tapu Fini, Arcanine, and Kartana.
Tapu Fini extinguishes the field from Psychic Terrain and Electric Terrain to protect allies from boosted STAB Attacks. The Land Spirit Pokemon usually carries a pinch berry or Leftovers to sustain as much damage as possible.
Arcanine usually takes the seat as the team’s cushion, cycling Intimidates for each switch-in. This allows his teammate to set-up comfortably, putting the eggs in the other’s basket. The Legendary Pokemon is usually given a pinch berry to extend his presence, however some trainers choose to pass an Assault Vest.
Finally, Kartana occupies the last seat. For a Physical Grass and Steel-type, the Drawn Sword Pokemon takes care of opposing Water types that usually wall Fini and Arcanine. In turn, he appreciates passing his seat to a teammate in order to take an otherwise scary Fire-type attacks that can easily burn his paper thin defenses. His held item varies, with most fearing a surprise knock out and employ Focus Sash. With the surge of Z-Crystals, other trainers choose to go with a Fightinium-Z to score knockouts on Normal types that plague the field.
Biggest Take
Source: Youtube
One of the highlights from the May International Challenge were the solid team compositions that employed these Cores. In the VGC 2017 format, gone are the days of CHALK (Cresselia, Heatran, Amoonguss, Landorus-T, and Kangaskhan) as other teams are taking over. In the current format, teams have incorporated NBA (Nihilego, Tapu Bulu, and Arcanine), as well as FAK which consist of (Tapu Fini, Arcanine, Kartana), with the latter adding an Electric-type, Porygon2, and a Gigalith to the mix to form the popular FAKEPG team.
During the Battle Road Gloria VGC tournament held in Japan, trainer DJ employed a team consisting of the popular FAKEPG team to keep most of the opposing Pokemon at bay with Intimidate cycles, and Fake Out shenanigans to cover any disadvantageous matchups.
Upcoming…
As for the upcoming games Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, scheduled for release on November 17, 2017, only time will tell. It might be that some of these selections will continue to occupy the driver’s seat, however others might take a break and head back to the drawing board.
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