ChampionsVGC in Data
Stats, builds, matchups, speed tiers and competitive tools for Regulation Set M-A.
Latest VGC Updates
Competitive Analysis
ChampionsVGC tier list: who dominates the roster
A breakdown of the strongest Pokémon, cores and team styles in the Pokémon Champions format, from Incineroar and Gengar to Dragapult and Whimsicott.
7/7/2026
Team Building Updates
How to build Standard Balance in ChampionsVGC
A complete guide to the Standard Balance archetype: roles, EV spreads, leads, matchup plans and common mistakes in the Pokémon Champions format.
7/6/2026
Team Building Updates
Trick Room in the Champions roster: setup, turns and counters
A deep dive into the Trick Room archetype in the Pokémon Champions format: how to set it up with Farigiraf and Hatterene, how to play the five turns, and how to beat it.
7/5/2026
Meta Trends
Why Incineroar + Whimsicott defines the Champions meta
The Incineroar and Whimsicott pairing is the most played speed-control backbone in the Pokémon Champions format. Here is why it works and how to beat it.
7/4/2026
Meta Snapshot
All figures are estimated trends based on available data and do not guarantee competitive results. Matchups are situational. See our methodology for how these figures are calculated.
Top Pokémon
Incineroar
Metagross Mega
Tyranitar Mega
Blaziken Mega
Gardevoir Mega
Floette Mega
Glimmora Mega
Hawlucha Mega
Steelix Mega
Greninja Ash
Greninja Mega
Houndoom Mega
Recommended picks to build around
High-usage options that add flexible roles to a competitive six.
Top Cores
Six estimated pairings from the Champions roster, with a clear plan and the pressure they must respect.
Incineroar + Whimsicott
speed control core
Plan
Lead Incineroar + Whimsicott to grab Tailwind and Fake Out pressure, then pivot with Parting Shot to bring in a sweeper under the speed boost.
Watch for
Fake Out denial · Redirection + priority · Opposing Trick Room
Study core →
Torkoal + Venusaur
weather core
Plan
Lead Torkoal + Venusaur, keep the Sun up, and sweep with Chlorophyll Speed plus weather-boosted attacks. Protect Torkoal to keep Drought alive.
Watch for
Weather denial · Fire immunities · Fast Rock attackers
Study core →
Hatterene + Farigiraf
Trick Room core
Plan
Set Trick Room behind Armor Tail, then sweep with Hatterene while Farigiraf re-sets or supports. Manage the limited Trick Room turns carefully.
Watch for
Taunt · Fast Steel attackers · TR turn pressure
Study core →
Tyranitar + Excadrill
sand core
Plan
Lead the duo to set sand and sweep with Sand Rush Excadrill. Keep Tyranitar healthy to maintain the weather over multiple turns.
Watch for
Water coverage · Fighting attackers · Opposing weather
Study core →
Incineroar + Garchomp
pivot pressure core
Plan
Use Incineroar to deny a key turn or lower physical damage, then bring Garchomp in through Parting Shot. Choose Earthquake only when your partner is protected or immune; otherwise use single-target Ground pressure.
Watch for
Wide Guard · Bulky Water types · Fairy pressure
Study core →
Whimsicott + Dragapult
fast tempo core
Plan
Lead aggressively when Dragapult can force damage immediately. Set Tailwind only when it changes the turn order; otherwise use Encore or Taunt to create a free attack and preserve Tailwind for the midgame.
Watch for
Fake Out into Whimsicott · Bulky Fairy types · Trick Room reversal
Study core →
Featured teams
Complete six-Pokemon study lists with leads, matchup targets and a second plan when the first line is denied.
Standard Balance
Intermediate execution
Control the field with Intimidate and speed control, pressure both slots with spread damage, and close games with Kingambit's priority. This is an estimated archetype and outcomes are matchup dependent.
Common leads
Incineroar + Whimsicott / Garchomp + Dragapult
Favorable
Hyper Offense · Mega Offense
Difficult
Dedicated Trick Room · Rain
Study team →
Sun Offense
Intermediate execution
Set Sun with Torkoal, out-speed the field with Chlorophyll attackers, and end games with sun-boosted spread damage. Estimated archetype; results vary by matchup.
Common leads
Torkoal + Venusaur / Incineroar + Charizard
Favorable
Balance · Trick Room
Difficult
Rain · Weather-denial teams
Study team →
Sand Balance
Intermediate execution
Use Tyranitar and Excadrill to force the early speed race, then rotate through Incineroar and Rotom-Wash to preserve board position. Whimsicott and Dragapult give the team a second tempo plan once Sand is no longer favorable.
Common leads
Tyranitar + Excadrill / Incineroar + Whimsicott
Favorable
Fast offense · Electric-heavy balance
Difficult
Rain · Dedicated Fighting pressure
Study team →
Trick Room Pressure
Advanced execution
Set Trick Room behind Armor Tail or Fake Out pressure, then use Torkoal, Kingambit and Tyranitar to trade efficiently in the reversed speed order. Keep an alternate pivot line for games where setting Room is unsafe.
Common leads
Hatterene + Farigiraf / Incineroar + Farigiraf
Favorable
Tailwind offense · Priority-dependent teams
Difficult
Taunt-heavy control · Strong Water spread damage
Study team →
Competitive Tools
Latest Guides
Guide
Best Pokémon for ChampionsVGC: A Deep Dive into Regulation M-A
A competitive player's breakdown of the strongest Pokémon in ChampionsVGC Regulation Set M-A — with EV spreads, damage calcs, matchup analysis, and tournament context.
14 min · 2026-07-18
Guide
How to Build a VGC Team That Actually Wins: A Complete Guide
A step-by-step framework for building a competitive VGC team for ChampionsVGC Regulation M-A — with real EV spreads, matchup analysis, and the mistakes that cost games.
15 min · 2026-07-18
Guide
VGC Speed Control Masterclass: Tailwind, Trick Room, and Beyond
A competitive player's complete guide to speed control in ChampionsVGC Regulation M-A — Tailwind, Trick Room, Icy Wind, and priority, with calcs, matchups, and the mistakes that lose games.
14 min · 2026-07-18
Guide
How ChampionsVGC Ranks Tiers: Our Methodology and What the Numbers Actually Mean
A transparent, detailed look at how the tier list, usage rate and win rate estimates on ChampionsVGC are built — where the data comes from, how we process it, and what the numbers do and don't claim.
12 min · 2026-07-18
Champions VGC Lab · 2026-06