Pokemon Champions: Every Major Battle Change Explained

Pokemon Champions is now available on Nintendo Switch and mobile devices, serving as the official battle platform for future Pokemon video game tournaments. This new game introduces significant changes to battle mechanics, item functionality, attack dynamics, and the overall metagame. One of the most notable changes is the selection of available Pokémon, currently limited to 187. While more Pokémon, including mega evolutions from Pokemon Legends EA, are expected to be added, the current roster allows for unique strategies. All available Pokémon can be obtained and transferred from Pokemon Legends Arus, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, or Pokemon Legends EA, with Cast Form being an exception, more easily found in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl or Pokémon Go. All available Pokémon are fully evolved, except for Pikachu, meaning previously competitive unevolved threats like Porygon2, Clefairy, and Dusclops are not usable. Alternate forms (Alolan, Hisuian, Paldean) are allowed, as are Pokémon with mega evolutions, with Raichu being an exception as its mega stones are expected later. Many common competitive items are currently unavailable. The Eviolite has been removed, and while the Choice Scarf is present, the Choice Band and Choice Specs are absent. Other popular items like the Life Orb, Rocky Helmet, Heavy-Duty Boots, and Black Sludge are also missing. Signature hold items are unavailable if the Pokémon themselves are not in the game. While this means players don't have to contend with strategies involving items like Toxic Orb or Assault Vest, it necessitates varying hold items. The metagame's item selection is functionally similar to that of Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, suggesting that strategies from those games might be relevant. Move sets have also seen adjustments. Some Pokémon have lost access to moves they previously knew, such as Incineroar losing Knock Off and Archaludon losing Body Press. Other examples include Pokémon losing Dual Wingbeat or Taunt, and miscellaneous changes like Meganium losing Work Up and Pelipper losing Brave Bird. Conversely, many Pokémon have expanded or similar move sets. Aegislash now learns Poltergeist, Absol learns Trailblaze, and Weavile relearns Psycho Cut. Future updates may bring further move set adjustments. Several moves have undergone changes that will impact the metagame. Protect now has a total of 8 PP, half of what it was in Scarlet and Violet. Fake Out, a priority attack usable only on a Pokémon's first turn, can no longer be selected after its initial use, effectively leaving players with three moves until the Pokémon is switched out. Secondary effects of some moves, like Moonblast's chance to lower Special Attack and Dire Claw's chance to inflict status, have been reduced. On the other hand, some moves have been buffed, including Decidueye's Spirit Shackle, Serperior's Drop Kick (from 70 to 85 base power), and Wyrdeer's Psychic Shield Bash (from 70 to 90 base power). Snap Trap is now a Steel-type move, benefiting Galarian Stunfisk with Same Type Attack Bonus. Status conditions have been nerfed. Pokémon put to sleep will wake up by the second turn at most, or by the third turn if they inflicted sleep on themselves with Rest. Paralysis still halves speed, but its 25% chance of full restriction from attacking has been reduced to 12.5%. Freeze, a less common status, now has a maximum duration of three turns, with players having a 50% chance of thawing each turn, and moves like Scald or Flare Blitz immediately removing it. This reduces the impact of prolonged immobilization due to freeze. A significant change concerns Pokémon's Individual Values (IVs) and Effort Values (EVs). All Pokémon are now given perfect IVs, eliminating the need for repeated catching or hatching for optimal stats. While this removes some strategic depth, such as intentionally lower speed IVs for Trick Room, it streamlines the process. EVs, historically modifiable through vitamins, berries, or mini-games, are now fully customizable with intuitive sliders in Pokémon Champions, offering a more cost-efficient and streamlined method for stat optimization. Pokemon Champions is set to be a dynamic competitive environment, with strategies evolving based on the current roster and item availability. Future updates are expected to introduce more Pokémon, Mega Evolutions, and items, alongside balance adjustments and further metagame changes.