With Week 1 in the books, This season is going to be an intense one. This article will have multiple parts first going over the first week's matches, then the free agency moves, then looking forward to the upcoming week. In future articles past week 7, we'll start looking at the playoff picture and End of the Year awards.
Week 1 Battles:
Kanto Division:
Alakazams V Rowlets:
My prediction: Alakazam Victory
Final Outcome: Alakazam Victory
Bulbasaurs V Dracos:
My prediciton: Bulbasaur Victory
Final Outcome: Bulbasaur Victory
Hoenn Division:
Roggenrolas V Kingdras:
My prediciton: Kingdra Victory
Final Outcome: Kingdra Victory
Noctowls V Gastrodons:
My prediction: Noctowl Victory
Final Outcome: Gastrodon Victory
Johto Divison:
Ninetales V Klinks:
My prediction: Ninetales Victory
Final Outcome: Ninetales Victory
Ponytas V Lairons:
My Prediction: Ponytas Victory
Final Outcome: Ponytas Victory
Alola Division:
Charjabugs V Gliscors:
My prediction: Charjabugs Victory
Final Outcome: Gliscors Victory
Tauros V Magcargos:
My prediction: Tauros Victory
Final Outcome: Tauros Victory
Roster Changes:
Right at the stroke of midnight, the Alakazams used their 3 FA moves locking them into a roster barring any trades and the mid season 2 switches, the Roggenrolas also used their three moves throughout the week as well. The Ninetales, Rowlets, Gliscors, Lairons, and Magcargos used two each, and the Charjabugs, Ponytas, Klinks, and Bulbasaurs used 1 each.
Alakazam switches:
Dropped:
Mega Glalie(M-3)
Tyrantrum(T3)
Zoroark(T4)
Added:
Mega Medicham(M-1)
Gourgeist(T4)
Sneasel(T4)
Roggenrola Switches:
Dropped:
Volcarona(T1)
Rhydon(T5)
Tentacruel(T3)
Added:
Breloom(T2)
Mantine(T3)
Salazzle(T3)
Ninetales Switches:
Dropped:
Weezing(T5)
Metagross(T3)
Added:
Leavanny(T5)
Uxie(T3)
Rowlets Switches:
Dropped:
Blacephalon(T1)
Kartana(T1)
Added:
Tornadus-T(T1)
Jirachi(T1)
Glicors Switches:
Dropped:
Rotom-H(T3)
Tangela(T5)
Added:
Tsareena(T3)
Magmar(T5)
Lairons Switches:
Dropped:
Stakataka(T2)
Dhelmise(T3)
Added:
Gliscor(T2)
Sharpedo(T3)
Magcargos Switches:
Dropped:
Hippowdon(T2)
Trevenant(T4)
Added:
Volcarona(T1)
Greninja(T2)
Charjabugs Switch:
Dropped:
Barbaracle(T5)
Added:
Gurdurr(T5)
Ponytas Switch:
Dropped:
Gigalith(T4)
Added:
Blastoise(T4)
Klinks Switch:
Dropped:
Toxapex(T2)
Added:
Gyarados(T2)
Bulbasaurs Switch:
Dropped:
Gliscor(T2)
Added:
Starmie(T2)
Looking forward what do these do for their teams?
This helps round out some teams. The Alakazams took out their Double Dragon approach and added a stronger mega without losing their Ice STAB.
The Rogs took out some of their weakness to ground and gave themselves some screen removal.
The Ninetales added a lot of entry hazards to their team but dropped two of their three anti fairy STAB, leaving just Venusaur.
The Rowlets change was quite considerable. While Jirachi has considerably more bulk than Kartana, This gets rid of any grass STAB and most of the fire STAB from the team. Torna-T is a great defogger due to regenerator though, so it could end up being a positive overall.
The Gliscors added a much needed spinner in Tsareena, and switched to a very versatile Magmar.
The Lairons dropped some of their Bulk Stall for less bulky, "Okay you can hit me but I'm going to recover that anyways" and Sharpedo, who can bring some actual damage and sweeping ability that the Larions so desperately need.
The Magcargos have the biggest change up, and it's 100% for the better. While Hippowdon is a fantastic Sand Setter, the Magcargos really didn't have too much to work with it, especially with M-Abomasnow bringing Hail. But Greninja brings a lot of speed and Special threat and Volcarona can sweep many teams if allowed to.
The Charjabugs really didn't change that much. Gurdurr is super beefy but I don't see him coming to most matches, just like I didn't see Barbaracle coming to many.
The Ponytas are in the same boat as the Charjabugs. Blastoise gives them a second water type and removed the Rock STAB with Rockium Z, but it did give them another spinner to allow Weavile and M-Charizard X to thrive.
The Klinks switch from a very defensive water type to a very offensive water type is an interesting one. The major thing it changes in my eyes, is the Ground immunity that Gyarados brings. Something the Klinks really need with all the weakness to it.
The Bulbasaurs dropping Gliscor for Starmie is an interesting one. Gliscor didn't benefit the team an extreme amount, but neither does Starmie, with both its STAB types being covered already, granted it is a good spinner for the team. But as always, trust Santoro to figure something out with it.
Week 2 match ups:
Alola Division:
Galesburg Gliscors V Michigan Magcargos:
This could be an interesting match up. The Gliscors can probably beat out the the Mags with Raikou and Suicune. M-Latios will always be a threat in every match up. Volcarona and Greninja can both take Latios out though. I'm very interested in seeing what Genki does with his new pick ups.
Keys to the match up: M-Latios. This goes for both teams. If the Mags can't remove him, Lati can sweep. Conkeldurr can take out the other major threats for the Gliscors giving the Mags the win.
My prediction: Gliscors win close match.
Chicago Tauros V Los Angeles Charjabugs
The Charjabugs coming off a difficult loss don't want to go 0-2. The Tauros want to extend their win streak to 2. The big difference between these teams is the ability to go into a more defensive builds. The Tauros have the ability to throw up Aurora Veil and healing stuff with wish. The Charjas need to be able to break the walls that the Tauros bring without being able to beat out
Keys to the match up: Koko and Kyurem-Black need to beat down the walls without getting taken out themselves. Lando-T and M-Latias can sweep through the team if they get even an inch. The lack of resistance to EQ past Braviary really hurts his strength.
My prediction: I'll give this one to the Tauros but I could see it going either way.
Johto Division:
New York Klinks V Detroit Lairons
How can you kill what cannot die? Especially when you help it not die? This match will go out for a long while, or at least it should. The Klinks need Bulu to prevent a Gliscor sweep, but with grassy terrain out, the stall gets better. Being able to work around without the terrain is important for the Klinks to win this match. Both teams looking for that first win.
Keys to the match up: Gliscor for his STAB EQ, despite dropping some of the ground weakness, there's still a lot of it. Rotom-Wash and Flygon, both having Levitate is a mandatory coverage, Rotom especially with 3 of the Lairons being weak to Electric.
My prediction: Lairons win a long slow match.
Ohio Ninetales V Indiana Ponytas
This should be one of the best matches for the week. One of the two rematches of last season's round one of playoffs. Both teams have a lot of heat to play. Without going into anything too much for obvious reasons, either side, if planned well, can beat out the other side. Water over Fire over grass over water.
Keys to the match up: Rhyperior can STAB hit mostly everything on the Ponytas, if it can live. Tapu Fini is going to be a major threat to the Ninetales with two dragons on the team.
My prediction: this match will go 3-0 or 4-0. Either way. But just to call one, I'll pick the Ninetales to win.
Hoenn Division:
Rochester Roggenrolas V Kennesaw Noctowls
Both teams are coming off losses definitely not wanting to start out 0-2. The switches away from Ground weaknesses really helps them in this match, but there's still enough for Garchomp to sweep if that gets allowed. But Mew can be the turner for the game. Klefki doesn't have enough damage to outdo a M-Gardevoir by itself usually.
Keys to the match up: Garchomp's ground STAB. Mantine and Breloom being able to take out Garchomp, Bisharp, Arcanine, and Serperior will be a strong core.
My prediction: Kennesaw wins in a sweep 3-0 or 4-0.
Kansas City Kingdras V East Sea Gastrodons
This match up is a hard one for the Gastrodons in my eyes. Coming off a win last week, with a fat duck, the Kingdras have answers for it. Victini has the ability to split sweep again, but Clutch is a hard person to sweep against.
Keys to the match up: Terrakion and Victini. Both can OHKO the other. Which one will win over the is what will make the difference.
My prediction: Kingdras win one that looks a lot closer than it is until late game.
Kanto Division:
Atlanta Rowlets V Detroit Dracos
Both of these teams are coming off losses as well. And both teams do have the right stuff to mitigate the other team. Both teams flaunting fast, hard hitting Bug type Megas and a bulky Steel type and a hard hitting dragon as some of their core. This game comes down to planning and predicting. Neither is inherently in the lead.
Keys to the match up: Jolteon is needed to take out Celesteela, M-Pinsir, Staraptor, and Talonflame. Decidueye for the Dracos needs to be there to get rid of the stealth rocks that are sure to come in.
My prediction: Rowlets win with a few passive kills.
Brooklyn Bulbasaurs V Akron Alakazams
This is the other main game to watch. Rematch of playoffs round 1 of last season. Both are 1-0.
Both have a Zygarde. This is a huge game for both teams. Like I said with the Ninetales and Ponytas match up, the teams are too similar to pick one that's better than the other. It'll come down to planning and predicting. And these two are two of the top 5 at doing that in this league. Winning this match up could make or break play offs for one of these teams.
Key to the match up: Don't over think things. Don't go on tilt. Necrozma can take over if given the chance. Don't give him that chance. Zygarde-50 can sweep things again, only a few things on the Bulbasaurs can handle it.
My prediction: an extremely close match, that ends up 3-0. Alakazam victory.
This week will show us three teams at least going 2-0, as well as three teams at least going 0-2. Many teams have already used some or all of their free agency moves. Expect some teams to pull out some very random sets that try to take their opponent by surprise. What we learned from week 1. Don't underestimate anyone, but don't forget to plan for things that seem obvious.
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