5 unexpected picks at Pokemon VGC Baltimore Regional Championships

The first regional championship for the Pokemon VGC just ended and during it, fans had the opportunity to see some truly unique teams. This was due to the new Regulation H forbidding all Legendary Pokemon from taking part in official play.

With the power level much weaker in this current season, trainers at the Baltimore Regional Championships had the opportunity to be much more creative with the Pokemon they put on their teams.

Here are five of the most unexpected picks spectators saw during the Pokemon VGC Baltimore Regional Championships.

Note: This article is subjective, containing the author's opinions influenced by official usage statistics.

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5 strangest Pokemon used during the Pokemon VGC Baltimore Regional Championships

1) Toedscruel

Toedscruel was a surprising pick but there was an interesting strategy behind its use (Image via Game Freak)

Toedscruel is one of the more popular anti-meta picks at the Baltimore Regional Championships, mostly due to it being used by popular 11-time World Championship Qualifier, Wolfe Glick. Known for using fun teams rather than sticking to a strict meta, Glick discovered an interesting strategy useful for nullifying Toedscruel's biggest weakness.

By pairing Toedscruel with Galarian Weezing, the latter's ability will nullify Toedscruel's Mycelium Might ability, allowing it to use Spore much earlier in a turn, landing a near-guaranteed sleep. Using this strategy, Glick placed in the Top 16 and has a current standing of 9th place.

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2) Vivillon

Vivillon has taken over Butterfree's place in the metagame (Image via Game Freak)

With Game Freak opting to leave Butterfree out of the ninth generation Pokemon VGC, Vivillon has taken over as its replacement. Playing practically the same as the original Butterfly Pokemon, Vivillon makes use of the Compound Eyes ability to land accurate Sleep Powders while also being able to redirect with Rage Powder and deal decent damage with Hurricane.

Being used most notably by Jo Costagliola, Vivillon makes for a decent supporting option, perfect for ensuring potent damage dealers like Gholdengo or Garchomp can get onto the field unharmed. While it is still remarkably frail, the Focus Sash item can ensure it sees at least two turns.

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3) Flamigo

Flamigo's combination of Scrappy and access to Wide Guard makes it a surprisingly great candidate for the current Regulation H season (Image via Game Freak)

With the restrictions of the Pokemon VGC's Regulation H bringing Gholdengo back into the game, Flamigo has stepped up and has proven to be one of the best counters for the golden ghoul, thanks to its Scrappy ability and access to Wide Guard. With this combination of moves, Flamigo's Fighting-type moves can hit Gholdengo for super-effective damage.

Additionally, Wide Guard allows Flamigo to nullify Gholdengo's Make It Rain signature move, which deals heavy Steel-type damage. Access to Brave Bird also allows Flamigo to counter popular Grass-types like Amoonguss and Rillaboom. Seven trainers have picked up Flamigo for their team in this tournament.

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4) Jumpluff

Jumpluff has made a comeback as a support for sun teams (Image via Game Freak)

Jumpluff was seen on two teams as a supporting pick for parties utilizing the sunny weather condition. Thanks to its Chlorophyll ability, Jumpluff doubles its speed stat in the sun, which can be set up for free using the Drought ability on Torkoal or Ninetales. Jumpluff makes use of utility moves like Tailwind and Encore to set up for allies.

Additionally, Jumpluff has access to Sleep Powder. While it will not be as consistent as Vivillon's Sleep Powder or nullified Toedscruel's Spore, it does have the advantage of being able to go first most of the time. Jumpluff has the most impact towards the start of the battle when opponents can get easily tricked into Encoring Protect, making it fail most of the time and wasting their turn.

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5) Volbeat

Volbeat has seen usage as a Prankster support pick (Image via Game Freak)

Many veteran Pokemon VGC fans may remember Murkrow as one of the most popular choices in the earliest seasons of the ninth generation due to its Prankster ability. With more creatures being added since then, Volbeat has seemingly fit into the role of the new status-spamming Prankster Pokemon.

Volbeat's Prankster ability allows its status moves to always go first. This allows it to always secure a Tailwind to speed up its teammates or provide helpful weather. However, this also allows it to make better use of its Encore move, locking down opponents by forcing them to use the same move repeatedly.