After a bitterly disappointing official season, I managed to iron out my team and myself into a Nugget Bridge Invitational-winning partnership I could be pleased with.
VGC ’14 has been a trying season for yours truly. With less free time on my hands and the introduction of one Pokémon who utterly shuts down my VGC ’13 team playing style, I could definitely have hoped for a more enjoyable format. After establishing my favoured playing style last year, the creation of Talonflame unwillingly forced me to adapt. This manifested itself with a team based around an Electric type and a Water type with a Rock Mega Pokémon. And a Talonflame.
This report comes in a slightly different form — in that through the power of modern technology and the press of a button, my very real and very English voice will talk to you through your own very speakers. The sets and spreads will also be laid out here as normal.
Raichu @ Safety Goggles
Ability: Lightningrod
Level: 50
EVs: 88 HP / 164 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 30 HP / 2 Atk / 30 Def
– Thunderbolt
– Hidden Power [Ice]
– Fake Out
– Encore
Amoonguss @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Regenerator
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 236 Def / 4 SpA / 12 SpD / 4 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
– Giga Drain
– Spore
– Rage Powder
– Protect
Tyranitar @ Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream
Level: 50
EVs: 124 HP / 108 Atk / 12 Def / 12 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
– Crunch
– Rock Slide
– Dragon Dance
– Protect
Aegislash @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Stance Change
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 180 SpA / 68 SpD
Quiet Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
– Shadow Ball
– Flash Cannon
– Wide Guard
– King’s Shield
Azumarill @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Huge Power
Level: 50
EVs: 164 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 4 SpD / 84 Spe
Adamant Nature
– Play Rough
– Aqua Jet
– Belly Drum
– Protect
Talonflame @ Life Orb
Ability: Gale Wings
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
– Flare Blitz
– Brave Bird
– Taunt
– Protect
As an extra treat, you can listen to an additional team overview, and a look at the history this team went through – including talk of Nationals performances – to end up how it did. There had to be a Liepard in this article somewhere – here it is!
The Tournament
I also took the time to narrate my Nugget Bridge Invitational tournament run, so if the sound of my voice hasn’t reduced you to a catatonic state – feel free to follow each game with my play by play insight and thoughts.
Round 1 vs Simon
Round 2 vs Ray
Quarter Final vs Bopper
Semi Final vs CT MikotoMisaka
Final vs Samuel996
VGC ’14 will always be “the year Talonflame was introduced” to me, before any thoughts of Kangaskhan or even the new Fairy typing. I would like to be able to say I enjoyed this format more than I actually did, but at least I closed my season with the Nugget Bridge Circuit crown and some restored pride.
Pokémon can be a very testing game at times, especially when you put pressure on yourself to live up to past year’s glories. It is easy to lose sight of the most important aspect of this game: the community. My official tournament performances this year might have left something, a lot, to be desired – but VGC ’14 has finally given me a big tournament win and a title to carry for a year. For that reason – VGC 2014 – I can’t deny you haven’t been… ok.
Article image created by feathers for Nugget Bridge. View more of her artwork on her tumblr.
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