Friday, September 24, 2010

Competitive Battling Volume 7: Advanced Concepts and Techniques



We're almost to the end of my collection of articles about competitive battling. As the second to last (and last fully informative), I will be discussing some of the more abstract, and complicated topics of the 4th generation metagame. Hey, that's right, it isn't 4th generation anymore. Black and White just came out in Japan. Well, I will move in to the new inclusions and changes in metagame when Black and White are out in the U.S. Maybe a bit longer if Shoddy Battle 2 takes a long time to come out. Anyway, ON TO THE ARTICLE.

When your opponent sends in a pokemon to counter your pokemon, you can assume it is the best counter your opponent has for that pokemon. Lets say that the opponent counters your Milotic with a Swampert. You can assume that your opponent counters Milotics best with Swampert, and, if Swampert is removed, Milotic will have more potential. Also, Swampert most likely the opponent's best wall to water and ice moves, so if you think your opponent is about to switch, and are deciding which move to use, consider using water or ice. He may not have any pokemon that can tank it.

This next concept will be void in Black and White, because you will see the opponent's team before the battle. Nevertheless, in 4th Gen, it is often a good idea to conceal your pokemon. If you have a Lucario with Swords dance, don't bring him in every time he is able to counter something. SD Lucario is one the best clean up sweepers in the game. If your opponent knows you have him, he/she is going to make every effort to not let his Skarmory (or whoever he has that counters Lucario) faint. Do not obey this to a key, though. If a raging Salamence is destroying your team, and Lucario is the only one who can get the job done, feel free to counter attack. Just don't reveal all your pokemon when it isn't necessary. Remember, if your opponent knows that you have know counter for his pokemon, he is going to sweep your team with that pokemon. If you still have a couple pokemon in the bag, your opponent might think twice about taking a risk that could be countered.

Keep in mind the major pokemon and moves used. Heatran is used in around 1/4 of all teams. Have someone to counter him, along with the other big threats. It's ok if you don't know what I'm talking about, play enough battles and you'll understand. Also, stealth rock is enormously popular. If a lot of your team members are weak to rock, have someone with rapid spin to get rid of the stealth rock.

It is good to know how many hits it takes to take down certain pokemon with the sets you are using on your pokemon. If you can 2 hit KO a Snorlax with a Sharpedo, then it doesn't matter that it can do 95% back. However, remember that if your opponent has set up spikes or stealth rock (as they often do), then that 95% turns into a KO.

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