Pokémon Sword & Shield - Queen of Hurts - Dragon King Cup Match #3

Channel:

Overhazard

Subscribers:

36,500

Published on December 15, 2020 8:00:03 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_ht2UyCCj0

Game:

Pokémon Sword and Shield (2019)

Duration: 5:01

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28

You know, I realized that I might pass on some of these Wi-Fi events in the future if I don't really see a uniqueness to them. You get 50 BP, which is a measly sum compared to Restricted Sparring, and I'd actually still have a net gain after the monthly Ranked paycheck and what I'd get in Pokémon HOME. This is because I'm now covering three single-player playthroughs at once (Star Wars: Episode I Racer, New Super Lucky's Tale, and Puyo Puyo Tetris 2), and there's no way I can finish covering all of them on my channel in a timely manner without at least a week without Pokémon battles per month.

If they have new novelty rules, exclusive clothing, or whatever, I'll definitely participate. But this is for you, the viewers, to decide. What do you think? Shall I participate in all of these events, or should I pass on the stuff like the International Challenges and such where there are no special rules and you just get BP for participating?

Type: Single Battle
Opponent: ユウイチ (Yuuichi) (526)
Stadium: Battle Court
Music: Mustard 2
My Pokémon: Tsareena, Sandaconda, Boltund
Opponent's Pokémon: サザンドラ (Hydreigon), エースバーン (Cinderace), サンダー (Zapdos) (Kantonian)

By the way, this Tsareena was actually bred and EV-trained in Pokémon Ultra Moon specifically for use in one of those Wi-Fi Events. I forget which one it was, but I originally had Haxorus for the event as a Mimikyu counter but realized it didn't qualify under that event's "Alola Dex" rule, so I brought in Tsareena to take his place. She wound up working out really well--especially against Mimikyu, as she wrecked every one of them that stood in her way--and so I eventually brought her over to Shield several months ago and redid her moves as they originally were after getting the certification from the NPC for use in Ranked battles. Later on, the new moves for Isle of Armor were made available, and I replaced Play Rough with Triple Axel.

She is currently one of several "free agents" among the Pokémon I use, not bound to any team but may be called on for use in a Wi-Fi event. This just happens to be the first one in which I needed a Grass-type but none I already had would suit my needs more. (Currently, the other free agents are Orbeetle, Slowking, Magearna, Sableye, Diggersby, Falinks, and Whiscash. Moltres, Sandaconda, Salazzle, and Meowstic have since been "recruited" into teams. Palossand is not technically one as he is a part of the Comfey Team I had in Generation VII.)

Queenly Majesty is a particularly devious Ability due not only to its lack of use making people not realize you shouldn't be attacking Tsareena with priority moves, but that, like most move-restricting Abilities, the opponent is allowed to use the move, but it won't work.

That being said, my opponent was better off with Sucker Punch on Cinderace than without. There was a good chance that after a Custap-induced Scale Shot, Sandaconda could very well be faster than Cinderace and take it out. Certainly, Sandaconda would've already been faster than Zapdos before any Max Airstreams come about.

Which brings me to my next point: In the end, Tsareena, being a Grass-type in a single battle, becomes a magnet for Max Airstreams, which I feel needs to be nerfed. Max Knuckle and Max Ooze have a lower base power due to them giving the equivalent of a Choice Band and Choice Specs, respectively; Max Airstream does the same but of the Choice Scarf, which is a more common item due to its disruptive potential, and consequently, I feel Max Airstream should have a lower base power too. Note that I myself make aggressive use of Max Airstream when the opportunity presents itself, and I've done so since Noivern in the Arctovish Team to Moltres in the Meowstic Team.

I can still deal with it by sending out slow, defensive Pokémon, or those with Trick Room, however, for whom Speed boosts mean nothing. Hence, the victor of the matches hinge on which Pokémon are brought out into battle. One-on-one, I think Boltund could beat Zapdos, but Cinderace's Sucker Punch made me hesitant to bring him out, which made Cinderace's Sucker Punch the key move to this battle anyway despite the fact that it's blocked by Queenly Majesty. Without Sucker Punch, I would've brought out Boltund, as Cinderace is one of the Pokémon Boltund was designed to fight. (Cinderace's other three moves are pretty standardized: Pyro Ball, Hi Jump Kick, and Bounce. It's the fourth one that I need to be concerned about, as it's variable.)

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