The core concept of this team started with Tapu Koko and Regieleki (aka “KokoEleki“). This was actually the same concept I brought to the same VR Circuit tournament I first made top cut in.

I wanted to build around these two because they are my two favourite Pokémon. I also liked the idea that both the terrain setter and abuser can put on a lot of offensive pressure when out on the field.

The thing that makes Regieleki unique compared to other terrain or weather abusers is that it doesn’t need to Dynamax at all to inflict maximum damage because of its access to Rising Voltage. Its drawbacks are obviously in its type coverage. It also needs to be the fastest thing on the field. This is where Regieleki’s terrain setter can help.

Tapu Koko gets access to Max Airstream which can keep Regieleki as the fastest thing on the field while being able to hit Grass types which resist Electric-type attacks for super effective damage. This actually gives KokoEleki a decent match-up versus sun teams because, after one Max Airstream, both Pokémon can outspeed and deliver the final blow on Venusaur the following turn. And, because I didn’t want two Electric-type special sweepers, a physical Tapu Koko set was very compelling. I was completely sold on physical Tapu Koko when I realised Regieleki had access to Screech, which can help pick up some key KOs.

While this pair can exert massive offensive pressure, there are two things that can completely stop them in their tracks: 1) Ground types —mainly Landorus— and 2) Trick Room. I decided to kill two birds with one rock… Regirock.

Indeed, Regirock is weak to Ground. But the Ground-type Pokémon KokoEleki mainly need to worry about are physical attackers. I decided to exploit the interaction between Regirock’s base 200 Defense coupled with Weakness Policy, which made for an interesting deterrent effect. Ice Punch was key to making this deterrent threatening against Pokémon like Landorus. Regirock’s low Speed, bulk and access to Curse made for a viable Trick Room monster as well.

I then thought it would be interesting to make Regirock fast and add a Tailwind user so that I don’t have to rely on Regirock’s bulk to take hits before dishing out in return. Most people probably don’t suspect a fast Regirock with Curse, so this allowed me to blindside some opponents. Anyhow, I found Talonflame to be most suitable because, paired with Regirock, it could inflict super effective STAB attacks onto opposing Grass, Fighting and Steel-type Pokémon. Its ability Gale Wings was a nice touch as it gave me additional flexibility, as at full HP I could also attack opposing Rillaboom or Urshifu before they could use priority Grassy Glide or Aqua Jet. Moreover, what Talonflame lacks in raw power like, say, Tornadus, it makes up with its access to 120 base power + 100 accuracy STAB moves in Flare Blitz and Brave Bird.

Talonflame wouldn’t solve the Rillaboom issue on its own though. And in fact, Rillaboom was a big problem for the team at first because it could change terrain to weaken Regieleki’s Rising Voltage and threaten big damage on Regirock as well as the frail KokoEleki with priority Grassy Glide. Another issue I had was Fake Out and other priority moves from Pokémon like Urshifu. KokoEleki are easy to neutralise without Dynamax and the Fake Out + Surging Strikes or Wicked Blow combo people like to exploit can be a problem in the end game. This was Tsareena’s big moment.

Tsareena solved all these problems. I first saw how well it could support Talonflame when I lost to Giuseppe Alario (Il Mule) in the top cut I made during Qualifier #5 of the VR Circuit: Winter Series this year. I was captivated by how it could essentially paralyse opposing Rillaboom that only run Grassy Glide as its Grass-type attack. It could also use Trop Kick to drop the Attack stat of opposing Rillaboom before they use Wood Hammer on, say, Regirock, which when Dynamaxed would take negligible damage. I didn’t have to worry about Fake Out or other priority moves sniping KokoEleki. My team also greatly appreciates the immunity Tsareena gives against Prankster moves like Eerie Impulse, Trick and Scary Face.

The remaining holes to be covered were opposing Regieleki, screens + Metagross and rain teams. My sixth Pokémon also had to be one that was not weak to Landorus or other Ground types. I chose Gastrodon. Storm Drain meant I would not need to worry about Max Geysers. Gastrodon in team preview was also handy for additional deterrence against Tapu Fini, which can also be used to disrupt Electric Terrain. I developed an Acid Armour set in response to the Spectrier + Metagross + Grimmsnarl core that was gaining traction back in May. Access to Acid Armour also gave me an additional win con in other match-ups via stall.