Greensboro Update: The New Moon Come To An End

How We Doin'! Ryan Pb Hebert here! I am currently in Greensboro, NC, in my hotel room as we speak. I felt the desire after arriving to get something down in writing for all of you to read. More specifically, a preview of my prediction on what to expect at Greensboro Regionals 2019.

A note: Moon Series is a niche meta of mind games. With the introduction of Z-crystals into the rotating ruleset, players are left to guess where and when a perfectly timed Z-move may appear.

To put it simply, my prediction for the most common leads of tomorrow are the following:

Lunala + Tapu Koko

This offensive powerhouse of a lead not only threatens most teams, and I found that the options a player has with this lead are incredibly vast. For example, during Dallas Regionals, Taunt, Nature's Madness, Volt Switch, and Electro-Web were quite common from Tapu Koko, and now you're more likely to see the Electrium Z move coming from a physical Koko. The rise of physical Koko was inevitable due to the increased usage of Yveltal. With the rise of physical Koko came the question of whether or not Yveltal was worth bringing to games if you not only had to put EV's into your Special Defense but into your regular physical defense as well. The physical Koko was also a great tech against most Kyogre because Kyogre could usually live a Thunder from opposing Kyogre, there was no way a Kyogre was going to have the physical bulk to survive a Wild Charge from Tapu Koko.

Lunala is the “mystery” of this lead. The move pool of Lunala is vast with options of Speed Control, Roar, Hypnosis, Wide Guard, Psych Up, and Will O’ Wisp. With its powerful base 200 Lunalium Z move, Menancing Moonraze Maelstrom, it’s a threat to be reckoned with. That is if it’s holding its Z-crystal. While many may resort to using their Z move, I want to go out on a limb and say that you’ll be better off with something else. Compared to Kyogre’s Waterium Z move, Lunala’s is one of the most popular calculated Z-moves that you must plan for when playing on Saturday. My gut tells me that compared to when I looked at this set up from Dallas, you're really only going to be seeing Lunalium Z on Saturday. It's such a great option, and it's one of the most reliable forms of damage coming out from this pokemon.

Lunala+Incineroar

I've mentioned Lunala already, and on this lead, if your opponent has a Groudon, chances are that the Turn 1 will consist of your opponent going for the Trick Room, and Fake Out option from Incineroar.

Incineroar is once again, as it has been since it was released with its hidden ability, Intimidate, one of the best glue pokemon that can be put on a team. Its move pool has access to Fake Out, Knock Off, Snarl, Roar, U-turn, Flare Blitz, Darkest Lariat and more. It's too good not to have on a team, and you need to have a good reason to not run this pokemon. Its bulk is good enough so that it can live Precipice Blades at -1 from Groudon, and it can even live the +2 Moonblast from Xerneas. This pokemon brings consistency due to its ability to handle multiple different threats. This will be a go-to for my trainers during the regional tomorrow.

Xerneas+ Smeargle/Amoongus

This is a common lead coming back in a common fashion. Geomancy Xerneas next to something that can hopefully allow Geomancy to get off and then stay for at least the next turn. This could be in the form of fake out, wide guard, redirection, and Speed Control. These are the most common strategies players will attempt to use for Xerneas to keep Geomancy after it uses it, and Smeargle is the Pokémon to step up to the job.

Facing off against this team should be quite simple in the mind of any player. Please, before you lock in your Pokémon, remember to deny Smeargle the chance to put you to sleep with Spore or Lovely Kiss. If you don’t have a way to stop Smeargle from putting you to sleep, the battle is as good as done. Pivoting with your sleeping Pokémon will take away precious sleep turns and your opponents Xerneas will simply take advantage of the situation and Geomancy. During the next turn, Xerneas will begin its reign of power by fainting your sleeping Pokémon and will win the battle.

Overall, you must have a game plan against this lead. Whether it's a taunt user, a faster fake out than max speed Smeargle (139 speed), or some other creative way, have a plan and be confident in yourself. Heck, even a Safety Goggles Stakataka could do the trick!

Amoongus is also going to be a game changer during this regional for the usage of the item Red Card. If your pokemon is hit by an attack, the pokemon on your opponent's side of the field that was responsible for the hit is immediately switched out into something else. It's the perfect little strategy against opposing Xerneas and it can change the tide of the game in the matter of one turn.

Groudon + Venusaur

Imagine a bright golden sun radiating upon your luscious flower back to double your speed due to an ability called Chlorophyll. Yeah, that's the power of Venusaur, and while it looks like an offensive beast, it truly is the play in relation to its support pressure.

Venusaur's most common moveset consists of Grass Knot, Sludge Bomb, Protect and Sleep Powder. The chance to put something asleep when you're the fastest pokemon on the field due to the weather being set up by Groudon's Drought ability can put a player in a great position. Similarly to trying to beat Smeargle, you're going to need a Tapu Koko, Tapu Fini or a user of Taunt to prevent the status condition from Venusaur. There are other ways around this pokemon, but those are the most consistent and reliable. Venusaur putting pokemon to sleep allows for Groudon to sweep with Precipice Blades. It's a simple, yet powerful lead that is very common to Kyogre and Ludicolo.

Kyogre + Tsareena

All hail the Queenly Majesty ability, which will block all priority moves such as Fake Out, Feint, Sucker Punch, and priority moves from Prankster pokemon such as Whimsicott and Murkrow. When looking down this lead remember that if you don't have a solid matchup against Choice Scarf Kyogre Water Spout, your opponent is going to have a very easy game against you. Tsareena's movepool is impressive and includes the move Feint. Feint breaks all forms of Protect, such as the very important Wide Guard. If you think your Wide Guard is good enough against a Tsareena, think again. Being aware of what this matchup is capable of doing will allow you to not be swept by it in the first turn of the first game.

Yveltal + Tapu Koko

It was big in Dallas. Now, not so much. If you see this lead, eh... no big deal. You can expect Tailwind Pressure, Electro Web pressure, or a Volt Switch into something that helps against whatever you're bringing against Yveltal.

Other Teams to Expect:

While there is a general metagame a majority of players are going by, it doesn’t go without mentioning that recalling the past couple regionals (Brampton and Collinsville) there are plenty of teams to be on the lookout for.

Teams to remember:

Tornadus/Kyogre/Amoongus