Reshiram

Legal regulations: regulation-m-a

Reshiram is the special Fire/Dragon restricted that gives Regulation M-A's balance teams a way to break the Steel and Grass cores that plague the format. Its special Attack is the highest on a Dragon-type in the game, and Fire STAB punishes the Steel-types and Amoonguss-style redirectors that otherwise control the pace of games. Its Dragon STAB provides neutral pressure on the majority of the field. The problems are familiar for restricted Dragons: it is slow enough to be outsped by the format's elite speed tiers, and it is vulnerable to the Rock, Ground and Dragon coverage that is everywhere. Reshiram also lacks the raw defensive profile to just sit in front of strong attackers, so it functions as a hit-and-run breaker behind Tailwind or Trick Room rather than a wall. It pairs well with redirection and with partners that can handle the Ground-types it cannot. Because the format's Steel-type answers are so common, a well-supported Reshiram forces the opponent to reveal their answer early, and punishing that reveal is what makes it a genuine tier-relevant restricted pick rather than a novelty.

Use this page to understand Reshiram'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 Reshiram, 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.

Reshiram performs best when its role is clearly defined in team preview. As a Special Attacker and 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.

When teambuilding, pair Reshiram 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.