The Pokémon Company recently announced a major change coming to VGC series eight. Starting February 1st, players will be permitted to use one restricted Pokémon per teamwhile playing competitively online in. Outside the addition of restricted Pokémon, all other team building rules will remain the same. This rule change comes just months after the addition of theCrown TundraDex to VGC and will have a significantly greater impact on the game's meta.
Restricted Pokémon consist of every Legendary Pokémon that has previously appeared in a major entry in the series. For example, the , Zacian, Zamazenta, and Eternatus, will soon each be legal to use competitively.While restricted Pokémon were expected to eventually become legal in VGC play, this rule change comesmuch earlier than most fans were expecting. Players are still adjusting to the two hundred new Pokémon that were added through theCrown TundraDex, but will now have to adapt their teams even further to account for the new pool of ridiculously powerful Pokémon.
Related:
The fact teams can only use one restricted Pokémon is also unprecedented. Historically, teams have been able to use two restricted Pokémon on a team when restricted Pokémon are allowed.One restricted Pokémon rather than two may not seem like a major difference, but it removes some of the restricted pairings that have previously dominated the VGC meta. Pairings that have won world championships in the past, like Kyogre and Rayquaza, will remain illegal. It's likely restricted Pokémon were limited to one per team due to the addition of Dynamax. All restricted Pokémon will be able to Dynamax, aside from Zacian and Zamazenta. The idea of having a Dynamax Legendary Pokémon on the field and then bringing out a second Legendary just seems like it might make teams a little too overpowered.
Newest Legendary Pokemon May Be Some of the Strongest in VGC
While Legendary Pokémon will soon be legal in VGC, Mythical Pokémon remain restricted. These two types of Pokémon are similar, but there are some key differences. Although Mythical Pokémon are technically Legendary, they cannot be foundin-game. They can only be acquired out-of-game during distribution events, like the recent event for the newest Mythical Pokémon, Zarude. Ifplayers were lucky enough to have acquired Zarude, unfortunately, they still won't be able to use them even after February 1st. Here's a look at every restricted Legendary Pokémon that will soon be legal in VGC.
- Mewtwo
- Lugia
- Ho-oh
- Kyogre
- Groudon
- Rayquaza
- Dialga
- Palkia
- Giratina
- Reshiram
- Zekrom
- Kyurem
- Xerneas
- Yvetal
- Zygarde
- Cosmog
- Cosmoem
- Solagleo
- Lunala
- Necrozma
- Zacian
- Zamazenta
- Eternatus
- Calyrex
In addition to the Pokémon listed above, fusion Pokémon will also be legal in VGC. So that means the newest Legendary Pokémon from theCrown Tundra,Calyrex, and their fusion forms with Spectrier and Glastrier, will both be legal to use. Necrozma's fusion forms with Solgaleo, Dusk Mane Necrozma, and Lunala, Dawn Wings Necrozma, will be legal as well. All four of these fusion Pokémon are expected to be some of the strongest comingto VGC series eight.
The most significantrestricted Pokémon that will soon be legal seems to bebe Zacian. The Warrior Pokémon may not have the ability to Dynmax, but that won't matter much. Zacian boasts a ridiculous 148 Speed and 170 Attack stat when equipped with the Rusted Sword. Its typing also changes from pure Fairy-type to Fairy/Steel-type when equipped with the Rusted Sword, which leaves very few typings it is weak to. Zacian's ability, Intrepid Sword, boosts its Attack stat every time it enters battle, which almost seems unfair. Couple Zacian's insane Attack stat, ability, and top-tier typing with it's signature move, Behemoth Blade, which does double damage to Dynamaxed Pokémon, and it may be the most brokenPokémon ever.
Restricted Pokémon won't be legal in VGC until February 1st, so fans still have time to get their teams in order. The best course of action may be downloading theCrown TundraDLC for Pokémon: Sword &Shieldand playing as many Dynmax Adventures as possible so players can have a large pool of restricted Pokémon to choose from once they are officially legal.
Next:
