Category: Pokémon GO

Mareanie Spotlight Hour (May 2024): Last Minute Guide

Pokémon Spotlight Hour is a special event in Pokémon GO that features a different Pokémon and offers a special bonus for one hour at 6:00 p.m. local time on Tuesdays during the month of May. The final May 2024 Spotlight Hour is scheduled for May 28th, 2024, from 6:00 to 7:00 pm local time, with a bonus of 2x XP for catching Pokémon.

This Spotlight Hour will showcase Mareanie, the starfish Pokémon. Mareanie will be making its shiny debut during this event, which comes at the end of the Ultra Space Wonders event. Mareanie will be featured in Field Research encounters and will also appear in the wild during the Spotlight Hour.

Trainers who plan to participate in the Mareanie Spotlight Hour should come prepared with a Mega Pokémon to maximize candy gains for each Pokémon caught. Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of this event:

Spotlight Hour Bonuses:
– 2x XP for catching Pokémon
– The featured Pokémon and its evolution can be shiny in Pokémon GO

Note on XP Bonus:
If you do not wish to catch Mareanie, you can still take advantage of the 2x catch XP bonus by catching any saved Scatterbug, or by opening a Mystery Box or Coin Bag. Make sure to stack 2 Lucky Eggs if you will be playing for the duration of the Spotlight Hour, or use Roar of Time to pause your timers.

Mareanie Fact Sheet:
– Mareanie is a Poison and Water-type Pokémon with a maximum Combat Power of 1099 CP.
– Mareanie’s best moveset in Pokémon GO is Bite and Gunk Shot.
– Mareanie is weak to Ground, Electric, and Psychic-type moves, but takes reduced damage from Bug, Fairy, Fighting, Fire, Ice, Poison, Steel, and Water-type moves.
– Mareanie evolves into Toxapex for 50 Mareanie Candy.

Shiny Mareanie:
Shiny Mareanie features a bright pink and pastel orange color palette. If you missed out on capturing this shiny during its Ultra Space Wonders debut, the Mareanie Spotlight Hour is your best chance to obtain it.

Mega Pokémon that boost Mareanie:
During the Spotlight Hour, the following Mega Pokémon will grant you extra bonuses when catching Mareanie if they are Mega/Primal evolved:

– Venusaur (Mega)
– Beedrill (Mega)
– Gengar (Mega)
– Blastoise (Mega)
– Slowbro (Mega)
– Gyarados (Mega)
– Swampert (Mega)
– Kyogre (Primal)

Is it worth evolving Mareanie?
While Toxapex may not be a top choice for PvE content, it can be useful in PvP battles. Toxapex is still relevant in the Great League and can be a valuable addition to your PvP team. If you find a Mareanie with decent IVs, it’s worth evolving it into Toxapex, especially considering its new shiny variant.

In conclusion, the Mareanie Spotlight Hour is a great opportunity to catch this unique Pokémon, earn double XP, and potentially encounter its shiny form. Make sure to come prepared with a Mega Pokémon to boost your candy gains and take advantage of the bonuses offered during the event. Get ready to make the most out of the Mareanie Spotlight Hour and enjoy this final May 2024 Pokémon spotlight!

Pokémon Trainers, get ready to dive into the latest data mining reports that have been uncovered by the PokéMiners! In this report, we have some exciting information about the in-person GO Fest special research quests, hints at new developments for AR photographers, and possibly even the introduction of Z moves into Pokémon GO!

First and foremost, let’s take a look at the In-Person Research Texts for GO Fest 2024. The texts have been divided into two branches – the Park Experience and the City Experience. In the Park Experience, Trainers will embark on a mysterious journey filled with shadows and lights, encountering elusive Pokémon like Marshadow along the way. On the other hand, the City Experience will involve investigating Ultra Wormholes and Legendary Pokémon like Solgaleo or Lunala to prevent the Prism Pokémon Necrozma from wreaking havoc.

Additionally, there seems to be a new feature in the works that will allow Trainers to leave Pokémon at Pokéstops for others to take AR photos with. This feature will require a certain number of valid AR scans at the Pokéstop, and there will be a limit to the number of Pokémon that can be left at each stop.

Campfire Meetups are also on the horizon, where Trainers can check in to local events like raid days or community days organized by community ambassadors in the area.

Lastly, the most intriguing revelation from the data mining report is the discovery of 20 new moves that have been added to the game. These moves do not have names associated with them, leading to speculation that they could be related to Z moves from the main series games. With 18 type-based Z moves and Z moves specific to Solgaleo and Lunala in the main series, the possibility of Z moves making their way into Pokémon GO seems quite plausible.

As always, it’s important to remember that data mining reports are speculative and not all features uncovered may actually be released in the game. However, these findings give us an exciting glimpse into what the future of Pokémon GO may hold for Trainers around the world.

So, Trainers, stay tuned for more updates and get ready to embark on new adventures in the world of Pokémon with these upcoming features!

Blacephalon and Naganadel are two fascinating Pokémon that have recently been in the spotlight in Pokémon GO due to their availability in Tier 5 raids and the Ultra Space Wonders event. In this article, we will delve into how these two Pokémon perform as raid attackers based on their stats and movesets.

Starting with Blacephalon, this Fire and Ghost-type Pokémon has proven to be a valuable asset as a top-tier Fire attacker. With its high base attack stat, Blacephalon ranks as the #7 non-mega Fire attacker and is comparable to Shadow Blaziken. Its unique move, Mystical Fire, sets it apart from other Fire-type attackers, providing consistent damage output due to its 3-bar charged move. However, Blacephalon’s glass cannon nature makes it vulnerable to damage, limiting its overall utility in raids. As a Ghost attacker, Blacephalon boasts sky-high theoretical DPS, but its lack of bulk and unreliability make it a second-tier option when compared to other dark/ghost attackers such as Gengar and Chandelure.

On the other hand, Naganadel, a Poison/Dragon-type Pokémon, shows promise as a top non-mega Poison attacker. It is almost tied with Nihilego in terms of DPS, but its lower bulk limits its effectiveness in raids. Despite its strength, Poison attackers face a lack of utility in the current raid meta, with few raid bosses vulnerable to Poison-type moves. This limits the potential impact of Naganadel in raid battles, especially when compared to more common types such as Steel and Fire.

Looking ahead, there is speculation about Blacephalon receiving its signature move, Mind Blown, in Pokémon GO. This move could potentially enhance Blacephalon’s performance as a raid attacker, although the exact impact remains uncertain. Additionally, future articles will delve into the potential of Dawn Wings Necrozma and Dusk Mane, as well as upcoming GBL moveset changes that could impact the raid meta.

In conclusion, while Blacephalon and Naganadel have their strengths as raid attackers, their performance is currently limited by their respective types and the raid meta. Both Pokémon offer unique attributes that can be valuable in certain situations, but players may find more consistent results with other top-tier attackers in the current raid landscape. As the meta evolves and new updates are introduced, it will be interesting to see how Blacephalon and Naganadel adapt and excel in raid battles.

The excitement at the Los Angeles regionals Pokémon tournament was palpable this past weekend as casters unveiled some exciting new information for the upcoming season of Pokémon GO. The next season, titled ‘Shared Skies’, is set to begin on June 1st, 2024, at 10:00am local time, following the conclusion of the current season known as ‘World of Wonders’.

The name ‘Shared Skies’ hints at a potential focus on Flying-type Pokémon and those capable of flight. A mysterious low-resolution image of what is speculated to be the season logo was shared on social media, featuring a blend of shining colors in triangular shapes that leave much to the imagination regarding any season-long themes or concepts.

In addition to the season reveal, a plethora of new moves and move updates were teased for the GO Battle League during the LA regionals livestream. Starting June 3rd, 2024, at 10:00am PDT, several moves will undergo updates to balance gameplay:

– Scald (Water): The chance to lower the opponent’s attack will be decreased.
– Spark (Electric): The power in trainer battles will be reduced from 6 to 5.
– Seed Bomb (Grass): The power in trainer battles will increase from 60 to 65.
– Swift (Normal): The energy cost will decrease, and the power in trainer battles will decrease from 60 to 55.

Moreover, new moves will be introduced for certain Pokémon, adding variety and strategic depth to PvP battles:

– Thunder Punch (Electric): Available for Typhlosion, Riolu, Lucario, and others.
– Counter (Fighting): Available for Lokix.
– Power Snow (Ice): Available for Cetoddle and Cetitan.
– Dragon Claw (Dragon): Available for Naganadel.
– Swift (Normal): Available for various Pokémon including Clefairy, Wigglytuff, and Ursaring.
– Fly (Flying): Available for Fearow, Salamence, and others.

These new additions and changes are expected to shake up PvP battles and provide trainers with fresh tactics to explore in their competitive gameplay. Stay tuned for more analysis and insights from our PvP experts as they delve deeper into these exciting updates.

As the Pokémon GO community eagerly anticipates the start of the ‘Shared Skies’ season and the implementation of new moves and updates, the competitive landscape is set for a thrilling evolution. With the promise of fresh challenges and strategic opportunities, trainers worldwide are gearing up to make their mark in the Season of Shared Skies.

Get ready for Ferroseed Incense Day happening on Sunday, May 26, 2024. This special event will allow players to explore mossy caves with Incense and have the chance to encounter the Thorn Seed Pokémon, Ferroseed. The focus of this Incense Day will be on Grass and Steel-type Pokémon.

To participate in Ferroseed Incense Day, players will need to use Incense during the specified time frame. There are some amazing PvP-focused Pokémon in this event, so be sure to check out the PvP Guide to the Ferroseed Incense Day for tips and strategies.

Event Details:
Date & Time:
– Sunday, May 26, 2024, starting at 11:00 AM local time
– Event ends at 5:00 PM local time

Bonuses:
– Incense is more likely to attract Ferroseed
– Daily Adventure Incense lasts twice as long when activated during the event
– Increased chance for shiny Ferroseed
– Ferroseed showcases will be available at PokéStops
– Grass and steel-type Pokémon will be featured spawns on Incense
– Spawns on incense will rotate hourly, switching between grass Pokémon spawns and steel Pokémon spawns

During Ferroseed Incense Day, players will have the opportunity to encounter the featured Pokémon – Ferroseed. There will be an increased chance to encounter Ferroseed and also an increased chance of encountering a shiny one.

Grass and Steel-type Pokémon will appear at different times during the event, rotating hourly. Pokémon encountered from Incense don’t have any particular IV floor, but certain weather conditions such as Sunny for Grass boost and Snow for Steel boost can be beneficial.

Field Research tasks will also be available during the event, where players can earn rewards like Stardust, Pinap Berries, Ultra Balls, and Great Balls by catching Grass and Steel-type Pokémon.

An event-exclusive bundle that includes an Incense will be available in the in-game shop for 1 PokéCoin.

Don’t miss out on the Ferroseed Incense Day and immerse yourself in the world of Pokémon GO with this exciting event. Get your Incense ready and prepare to encounter some amazing Pokémon during this special day.

This week in Pokémon GO is filled with exciting events and updates for players to enjoy. From the Ultra Space Wonders event to GO Fest in Sendai, Japan, there is plenty to keep trainers busy.

Starting off with the Ultra Space Wonders event, which began on May 23rd, players were introduced to Stakataka and Blacephalon, as well as the shiny Mareanie. This event allowed trainers to explore Ultra Space like never before and catch these new additions to the game.

Pokémon GO Fest in Sendai, Japan kicked off on May 30th and will run until June 2nd. This in-person event features special research tasks that allow players to encounter Marshadow and shiny Emolga, along with Klefi and Heat Rotom.

Additionally, the World of Wonders season is coming to an end, with a brand new season on the horizon. Trainers have been able to purchase the Wonder Ticket, which includes bonuses, Timed Research, and the introduction of Poipole into the game. Make sure to complete and claim these rewards before the end of May to make the most of the season.

For battle enthusiasts, the GO Battle League Season 18 is in full swing, offering exciting challenges and rewards. Raid enthusiasts can also tackle epic encounters with Ultra Beasts Stakataka and Blacephalon, as well as Mega Pidgeot. Keep an eye out for the Shiny Shadow Suicune, a rare and elusive Pokémon that may appear during your adventures.

With a host of new events, challenges, and rewards on offer, this week in Pokémon GO promises to be action-packed and full of surprises. So gear up, set out on your adventure, and catch ’em all!

Ferroseed Incense Day is quickly approaching, and it’s set to be a fantastic event for PvP players. With a focus on Grass and Steel types, there are several event spawns that PvP enthusiasts should prioritize hunting for during this special day.

The event is scheduled to take place on Sunday, May 26, 2024, starting at 11:00 AM local time and ending at 5:00 PM local time. During this time, players can take advantage of various bonuses such as Incense being more likely to attract Ferroseed, an increased shiny chance for Ferroseed, daily Adventure Incense lasting twice as long when activated during the event, and featured spawns of grass and steel type Pokémon on incense that rotate hourly.

One of the standout event spawns for PvP players is Ferroseed, which evolves into Ferrothorn. Ferrothorn is a strong pick in the Great League, with meta relevance in both the Great and Ultra Leagues. It is a Grass and Steel type Pokémon with excellent coverage and resistances to various types of attacks. Its moveset, including moves like Bullet Seed, Power Whip, Mirror Shot, Thunder, and Flash Cannon, makes it a versatile and powerful choice in PvP battles.

Other event spawns to keep an eye out for include Galarian Meowth, which evolves into Perrserker, a solid pick in both the Great and Ultra Leagues, especially against certain meta mons. Phantump, evolving into Trevenant, is also a top-tier choice in PvP, excelling in the Great and Ultra Leagues with its strong moveset.

Additionally, Pokémon like Magnemite, evolving into Magnezone, and Beldum, evolving into Metagross, offer PvP players a chance to gather XL candy and optimize their builds for battle. Shieldon, evolving into Bastiodon, is another event spawn that PvP players should prioritize due to its defensive capabilities and strong matchups in the Great League.

Overall, the Ferroseed Incense Day event is rated 8.5 out of 10 for its numerous strong features, including rare spawns, increased shiny chances, extended incense duration, and more. While there are some missed opportunities, such as the lack of an exclusive evolution move for Metagross, the event offers plenty of exciting opportunities for PvP players to enhance their teams and gather valuable resources.

Whether you’re a seasoned PvP player or just starting in the competitive scene, Ferroseed Incense Day is a can’t-miss event for all trainers looking to improve their battle teams and catch some rare and powerful Pokémon. So mark your calendars and get ready to make the most of this exciting event!

The world of technology is constantly evolving, and as we move forward, new and innovative ideas are being developed to enhance our digital experiences. One such advancement that has gained popularity in recent years is augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technology. With the release of devices like the Apple Vision Pro, which combines elements of both AR and VR, it begs the question – are we likely to see popular games like Pokémon GO transition from AR to VR in the future?

For those unfamiliar with the terms, AR and VR offer unique experiences for users. Augmented reality overlays digital images onto the real world through a device such as a smartphone, creating a blend of virtual and physical environments. On the other hand, virtual reality creates an entirely computer-generated simulation that immerses the user in a virtual world using specialized equipment like headsets and sensors.

The potential for Pokémon GO to shift to VR is an intriguing prospect. Imagine being able to see Pokémon in your own living room, or engaging in battles with other trainers in a virtual space. While this idea may seem far-fetched, recent developments in technology suggest that it may not be as distant a reality as we think.

Niantic, the developers of Pokémon GO, have already shown their dedication to pushing the boundaries of AR technology with their new game, “Hello, Dot,” designed for the Meta Quest 3 headset. Additionally, they are working on creating an outdoor AR headset that could revolutionize the way we interact with digital content in the real world.

Furthermore, Niantic’s partnership with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Spaces VR and AR developer platform indicates a potential integration of their AR technology with VR headsets. This could mean that players could experience the world of Pokémon in a whole new way, with more immersive visuals and interactions.

However, the transition from AR to VR for a popular game like Pokémon GO is not without its challenges. The technology required to create a game with high-quality graphics and functionality on VR headsets is still in its early stages, and it may take time for these devices to become mainstream.

In conclusion, while the idea of Pokémon GO in VR may be a tantalizing prospect, it is likely to be a while before we see it come to fruition. The technology needs to evolve further, and there are practical considerations, such as safety and accessibility, that need to be addressed before such a transition can occur. Overall, the potential for Pokémon GO in VR is exciting, but it may be some time before we see it become a reality.

Naganadel, the iconic Poison/Dragon species from Pokémon, has finally made its debut in Pokémon GO, much to the delight of trainers everywhere. With its unique design and interesting lore, Naganadel has captured the hearts of fans around the world.

One of the fascinating aspects of Naganadel is its evolution and base stat total (BST) of 540, making it stand out from other Ultra Beasts. Its popularity is evident in its appearance on Ash Ketchum’s championship-winning team in the anime, further cementing its status as a beloved Pokémon.

But what’s in a name? The name Naganadel combines “Naga,” a term for dragons in Japanese, with “Nadel,” which means needle in German. Its Japanese name, Agoyon, also provides insight into its design, with references to needles and dragons in various languages.

The design of Naganadel draws inspiration from wasps, particularly the Paper Wasp. The syringes on its body, reminiscent of a wasp’s stinger, and its ability to secrete a sticky substance reflect the characteristics of these insects. This connection to real-world creatures adds depth to Naganadel’s design and lore.

In addition, Naganadel’s design is akin to a super glue tube, emphasizing its adhesive properties. Its Poison typing is further highlighted by its ability to fire a venomous liquid from its needles, creating a connection between its design and its in-game abilities.

Furthermore, Naganadel’s resemblance to the Tarantula Hawk Wasp, known for its painful sting and sinister reproductive habits, adds a darker element to its design. The association with Guzzlord, another Ultra Beast inspired by Lovecraftian monsters, further enhances the lore surrounding Naganadel.

Overall, Naganadel’s design is a unique blend of dragon and wasp characteristics, creating a compelling and visually striking Pokémon. Its intricate connections to real-world creatures and its in-game abilities make it a fascinating addition to the Pokémon universe.

For fans interested in exploring more intricate Pokémon designs, Naganadel serves as a prime example of the depth and creativity found within the franchise. Its lore and design offer a glimpse into the thought and detail that goes into creating these fantastical creatures, making it a standout Pokémon for trainers and enthusiasts alike.

Ultra Beasts Inbound! A PvP Analysis on Blacephalon, Stakataka, and Naganadel

We got reports of more Ultra Beasts ripping through portals into our communities, folks! As the header image asks, how do they stack up in PvP? Worth grinding for? Well, let’s let our Bottom Line Up Front answer that and then get into the deets. Here we go!

B.L.U.F.

Let’s not string this out: Blacephalon and Stakataka both enter the game too late to likely overtake other options already in use in PvP, and even big hyped-all-season Naganadel fails to overcome the one other Poisonous Dragon we already have.
Blacephalon may have the most promise of the three, as it’s roughly on the same level as Chandelure, which sounds good until you consider other Ghostly Fires like Skeledirge and Alolan Marowak in front of it, and that’s not to even mention the other Incinerate users out there too. If I were to consider building one of these up, Blacephalon would probably be it… but it’s far from necessary.
Stakataka is basically a worse Aggron, not to even mention stuff like Bastiodon and Probopass (if Staka ever becomes Great League eligible). Awesome design, but it is otherwise very flawed.
Naganadel has been teased for months now, but its typing and moves leave much to be desired. It doesn’t really have a place in PvP, and where eligible, Dragalge is flat out better.
Well isn’t ol’ JRE just a ray of sunshine! Sorry about that, just telling it like it is. If you’re still here after THAT rainy intro, come with me as we examine the facts and figures.

BLACEPHALON Stats and Moves

Blacephalon
Ultra League Stats

Attack
227 (224 High Stat Product)
Defense
115 (114 High Stat Product)
HP
106 (109 High Stat Product)
(Highest Stat Product IVs {Best Friend Trade}: 5-14-14, 2496 CP, Level 27.5)

Master League Stats

Attack
277
Defense
137
HP
131
(Assuming 15-15-15 IVs; CP 3727 at Level 50)

We’ve had several Fiery Ghosts in the game already — Skeledirge, Alolan Marowak, Chandelure among them and all with a history of PvP success — but I think many still don’t understand how good a typing combination Fire and Ghost is. Yes, there are single-level weaknesses to Water, Ground, Rock, Dark, and Ghost, but look at all the resistances! There are nine of them, in fact: Fairy, Fire, Grass, Ice, Poison, Steel, and 2x resistances to Normal, Fighting, and Bug damage.

That strong overall defensive typing is certainly noticeable with Skeledirge and Alolan Marowak, who have good bulk to go with it. But on the other end, we have Chandelure with poor bulk… and now Blacephalon which makes Chandelure look downright tanky in comparison. In Ultra League, Chandelure has about 13 more HP, and over 20 more Defense. In Master League, it’s “only” 11 more HP, but nearly 30 more Defense. Blacephalon’s overall stat product is so low that it doesn’t even make the list in Ultra League when sorting by stat product, putting it outside the top 700! This thing is made of wet tissue paper, folks. And I mean the single ply kind you find in the bathrooms of cheap restaurants, government buildings, and most middle schools.

Fast Moves
Incinerate – Fire type, 4.0 DPT, 4.0 EPT, 2.5 CoolDown
Astonish – Ghost type, 3.0 DPT, 3.33 EPT, 1.5 CD

Yes, Astonish is a better move these days, finally viable! But you know that given this choice, it HAS to be Incinerate. It’s a little awkward to use with that longest-in-the-game cooldown, but I mean, it’s 4.0 DPT and 4.0 EPT. It’s an abusive fast move that can shred things without even needing charge moves in many circumstances.

Charge Moves
Mystical Fire – Fire type, 60 damage, 45 energy, Reduces Opponent Attack -1 Stage
Shadow Ball – Ghost type, 100 damage, 55 energy
Overheat – Fire type, 130 damage, 55 energy, Reduces User Attack -2 Stages

Been a little while since we got a new Pokémon with only three charge moves, eh? We’re long past the days when that was the norm!

All three can work too, though considering Blacephalon’s glassy nature, you probably ALWAYS want Mystical Fire slotted in. Not only does its lower cost allow your best shot at stringing multiple charge moves together, but the nerf to the opponent’s Attack power means you’re essentially propping up Blace’s awful (complete lack of) bulk.

I can absolutely see the case for Overheat as charge move #2, and I won’t say it’s wrong. I am sure there are cases where it will gets wins that Shadow Ball cannot. But Shadow Ball, of course, provides great coverage and comes with no drawback at all. And when you’re sporting more Attack power than even things like Mewtwo, Thundurus, and Hoopa Unbound, does the lower on-paper damage of Shadow Ball REALLY matter, especially considering that Incincerate has already softened targets up first? Again, if you wanna run Overheat instead, go for it. But for my money, it’s Shadow Ball or bust, and I will be using it in most sims below.

IS THERE EVEN A PLACE FOR BLACEPHALON?

Normally I’d break down the sims by League, but this is going to be relatively quick, so I’m just going to kind of mush it all together.

Because there’s a big problem Blacephalon has, and its name is Chandelure.

No, they’re not exactly the same. Both run off of Incinerate and Shadow Ball, but Chandie comes with the 50-energy Flame Charge that buffs its own Attack, while Blace comes with the 45-energy Mystical Fire that instead slashes the opponent’s Attack. Blace, in many ways, should have the advantage with 45 energy nicely setting up the 55-energy Shadow Ball (or Overheat). But for the most part, that’s just not the case.

Let’s start with the best realm for most big Legendaries/Mythicals/Ultra Beasts like this: Master League. Chandelure isn’t great, but Blacephalon is no better. There ARE differences — Blace beats Excadrill and Zacian, and Chandie instead overcomes Dialga and Ursaluna — but they’re basically the same.

And actually, that’s not even true. Chandelure has more upside… as a Shadow. It’s able to beat Excadrill too, leaving Zacian as Blacephalon’s only unique win, and manages to overcome Ursaluna, Snorlax, Yveltal, and Ho-Oh too. Speaking of which, it’s worth a reminder that Ho-Oh blows BOTH Chandelure and Blacephalon away, beating everything they can except Lugia, and carving out half a dozen wins that neither Ghostly Incinerate users can replicate.

Maybe Ultra League is kinder to Blacephalon?

At first, the comparison between Blace and Chandie looks favorable for Blacephalon, with a loss to Gliscor that Chandelure can beat, but exclusive wins versus Talonflame, Skeledirge, and even Tentacruel. But the Chandelure you want to be using in Ultra League is ShadowLure, and now Blacephalon is no better than a sidegrade, beating Talonflame, Skeledirge, and DDeoxys while Shadow Chandie instead takes down Pidgeot, Toxicroak, and Trevenant. Thanks to Mystical Fire, Blace does pull ahead a bit in 2v2 shielding, taking down Pidgeot, Poliwrath, Obstagoon, and DDeoxys (while ShadowLure instead has only Trevenant and Ampharos as unique wins), but with shields down, Shadow Chandelure is ALL upside, beating everything Blacephalon can PLUS Walrein, DDeoxys, and Altered Giratina (with Dragon Breath, that is).

And of course, they both still mostly pale in comparison to other established Fire types like Talonflame, Charizard, and fellow Ghostly Fire type Skeledirge. All of those are just better and more versatile, and of course are available in Premier formats whereas Blacephalon would be on the outside looking in, making it an even shakier investment in my eyes.

So where does that leave us? I think there’s enough good going on to say that building up a Blacephalon for PvP is not a waste, but I think it’s probably fair to say that it’s unnecessary, and it arrives to GO behind several other, better options that exist in the game already. When even Chandelure is pacing or outright outclassing you, that’s not a great place to be.

STAKATAKA Stats and Moves

Stakataka
Ultra League Stats

Attack
154 (154 High Stat Product)
Defense
218 (219 High Stat Product)
HP
120 (120 High Stat Product)
(Highest Stat Product IVs {Best Friend Trade}: 5-12-14, 2500 CP, Level 28)

Master League Stats

Attack
192
Defense
263
HP
143
(Assuming 15-15-15 IVs; CP 3724 at Level 50)

So if you’re wondering why no Great League stats here (or with Blacephalon, for that matter), the reason is simple: as they’re coming to us in raids, there’s simply no way to get them to 1500 CP or less. If that changes in the future, I’ll take another look, though I can tell you now that they’re not great even in that League. We’ll get to that on Stakataka more specifically in a bit.

The typing is well-worn territory, as others like Bastiodon and Probopass share the same Rock/Steel combo. It resists quite a bit: Dragon, Fairy, Ice, Psychic, and Rock, 2x resistances to Flying and Normal damage, and a 3x resistance to Poison. However, it also carries some well-known weaknesses, first to Water, but also double vulnerabilities to both Fighting and Ground, the banes of Bastiodon. All of that translates to Stakataka as well…

…but the bulk does not. Bastiodon is obviously one of the bulkiest ‘mons in PvP (trailing only evil incernate Chansey in Great League), and Probopass ain’t bad either, being within the Top 20 in bulk in GL, ahead of things like Lickitung, Steelix, Defense Deoxys, the Stunfisks, Araquanid, Alomomola and many more. Stakataka trails far behind them, having bulk more in alignment with things like Drifblim, Goodra, and Cloyster… not bad at all, but a BIG dropoff from the Bastiodons and even Probopasses of the world.

Cloyster is actually a very close comp, with nearly identical Attack, lowish HP, but HUGE Defense… Stakataka is in the Top 30 in Defense in Great League (or would be if it could fit there, of course) and Top 20 in Ultra League. So this isn’t a matter of being glassy like Blacephalon, just a noticeable drop from other Rocky Steels already performing in PvP.

Fast Moves
Rock Throw – Rock type, 4.0 DPT, 2.5 EPT, 1.0 CoolDown
Take Down – Normal type, 1.66 DPT, 2.66 EPT, 1.5 CD

Here comes another difference, and another wedge between Staka and the established Rock/Steel types. While Bastiodon (and even Aggron) get to run with Smack Down, Stakataka is stuck with Rock Throw, which deals the same damage as Smack Down but generates less energy. (2.5 EPT as opposed to Smack Down’s 2.66.) Probopass is also saddled with the inferior Rock Throw, though you’ll often find it running Spark instead for superior energy generation. Staka, however, doesn’t have a second fast move it can even run, with Take Down continuing to be inexplicably AWFUL in PvP. It’s Rock Throw or bust here!

Charge Moves
Stone Edge – Rock type, 100 damage, 55 energy
Bulldoze – Ground type, 80 damage, 60 energy
Flash Cannon – Steel type, 110 damage, 70 energy

Yay, just three charge moves again. But uh… here again we have unfavorable comparisons with the other Rocky Steels. Bastiodon at least gets Flamethrower for good (and affordable, at 55 energy) coverage. Probopass has a variety of intriguing charge moves across several typings. Even Aggron gets the same Stone Edge Bastie and Staka do, with some pretty awesome second move choices (Heavy Slam or Thunder for affordable-enough coverage, Rock Tomb for debuffing hijinks, or Meteor Beam for a great boomstick). Stakataka still gets Stone Edge, but after that? Ew. Flash Cannon isn’t a bad move, but you usually only see it with Registeel (and only rarely these days) or Ferrothorn, both of whom have great energy generation to bring it to bear early and often. The synergy between a 70-energy charge move and a 2.5 EPT fast move is… awkward, at best. Even the 60 energy for Bulldoze can be a stretch, especially considering how little damage it deals for that cost. And again a reminder that you’re talking noticeably less bulk here than with Bastiodon or Probopass, so that means less breathing room to rush to a big expensive charge move in the first place.

Add it all up, and a (theoretical, for now) Stakataka in Great League badly trails both Bastiodon and Probopass. Like, it’s not even close, with those two beating everything Staka can and adding a ton of new wins on top of it.

It’s so bad that even in Ultra League, where Probopass doesn’t even hit 2500 CP, it still dances circles around poor Stakataka. Laughingstock Aggron dunks on it even harder, beating everything Staka can and adding on Cresselia, Guzzlord, Umbreon, and Altered Giratina. This is AGGRON we’re talking about. I mean… ouch.

Even in Master League, where Stakataka exceeds Aggron by over 300 CP (and all other Steely Rocks all fall completely away), it doesn’t pull ahead, losing to things like Yveltal and Altered Giratina that Aggron can beat. About the only thing it really does better than Aggron is beating Reshiram in 1shield, Zekrom in 0shield, and Mewtwo (without Focus Blast, anyway) in 2shield. Otherwise, Aggron is at least the same, if not better, and costs significantly less. Remember that Aggron’s second move is only 10,000 stardust (as opposed to 100,000 for Staka) and the required XL Candy to max it out is something you may already have on hand. Or back in Ultra League level, of course, no XL is required at all and Aggron puts in a notably superior performance.

In short: barring a major move shakeup… heck, even that may not help! I don’t see a great path forward for Stakataka, if I’m being honest. The territory it wants to occupy is filled with far better and far more established options, even more so than Blacephalon trying to break into the Fire/Ghost niche. I don’t see a great reason to burn resources on it, which is a shame as its design is pretty dang cool.

That just leaves one…

NAGANADEL

In the interest of time — and the fact that many analyses have already come out on Naganadel over the course of the season with POIPOLE being here for nearly three months now — I’m going to skip the full list of stats and moves and just cut to the chase.

What I will say by means of introduction is… it’s hard to figure out what Naganadel is supposed to be doing for you in PvP. It has good Poison moves, but one of the primary purposes of Poison is to slay Fairies, and it’s shaky there with its Dragon side making Fairy damage neutral instead of resisted… so while it can and does generally win those matchups, it takes quite a pounding in the process. It’s also a Dragon that is still weak to Dragon damage, as well as Ground and Psychic damage that are prevalent in Master League especially.

None of this is helped by the fact that it’s quite glassy. Not quite on Blacephalon levels, but way behind other established Poisons like the Muks, the Nidos, the Bats, the Dark/Poisons, fellow Ultra Beast Nihilego, and even things known for their glassiness like Roserade, Victreebel, and Sneasler.

Add it all up, and even with Naganadel being eligible in Great League (thanks to Poipole being a research reward, and thus at Level 15), it seems to be dead on arrival. It can beat a handful of Water, Electric, and Grass types thanks mostly to resistances (Water, Electric, Grass, and Fire on its Dragon side, and Poison, Fighting, Bug, and Grass again on its Poison side), but that’s really about it. At this level, it even loses to the big name Fairies! There’s not a ton of competition for the Poisonous Dragon niche, but the one that IS in place already, Dragalge, remains far better. And that goes for Ultra League as well, where Dragalge is close to full-on meta, but Naganadel just stinks up the joint. And no, running alternative charge moves like Dragon Pulse or Acrobatics (as opposed to the normally-recommended Sludge Bomb) does not help at all either.

Even in Master League, where Naganadel has a stranglehold on the Poisonous Dragon niche, there’s just not much it can do. It beats several of the Fairies, albeit in a war of attrition, as well as Kyogre, Zarude (for rather obvious reasons), and sometimes Yveltal. But that’s it. I mean, what do you want it for? Nihilego gets TWICE as many wins and practically nobody runs that. Do I suspect some brave soul will try out Naganadel in Master League anyway? Of course they will. But I also suspect they will immediately regret their life choices. This is just not