Giratina Altered

Legal regulations: regulation-m-a

Giratina Altered is the ultimate defensive restricted Pokémon in Regulation M-A. Its enormous bulk on both sides of the spectrum, combined with the Ghost/Dragon typing, makes it nearly impossible to remove through raw damage, and it has the recovery and support moves to outlast most opposing win conditions. It functions as a board-control piece that prevents the opponent's setup sweepers from snowballing, because they simply cannot accumulate enough damage to remove it. Its weaknesses are the ones Ghost-types always carry — vulnerable to Dark and Ghost pressure, and it offers very little offensive threat on its own, so it must be paired with a genuine win condition. Its speed is poor, so it relies on Trick Room or pure bulk to function. The teams that use Giratina Altered build around it as the anchor: redirection keeps it alive through its critical turns, and a fast or Trick Room sweeper provides the offense it lacks. It rewards patient, value-driven play and punishes teams that cannot break through its bulk. If your team wants a restricted slot that guarantees a long, controlled game, Giratina Altered is the format's best option.

Use this page to understand Giratina Altered's role in the current VGC metagame. Check the base stats and Level 50 benchmarks to plan your EV spreads. Review common moves, items, abilities and Tera types to see what the community uses most. The partners section shows which Pokémon pair well with Giratina Altered, while counters and checks highlight what to watch out for in team preview.

Last updated: July 2026 (Regulation Set M-A). Data is based on available competitive trends and editorial review.

Giratina Altered performs best when its role is clearly defined in team preview. As a Support Pokémon, focus on positioning it where it can execute its job without being forced into unfavorable exchanges. As a restricted Pokémon, it will attract significant counterplay — plan support and speed control around it. Watch for Sucker Punch and Shadow Claw from common physical attackers.

When teambuilding, pair Giratina Altered with Pokémon that cover its type weaknesses (see counters section below) and provide the speed control or redirection it needs to function. Review the common moves and items section for established sets, then adjust based on your team's specific needs.