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The video game championships (VGC) of Pokemon have some unique language, game strategies, and rules regarding various aspects of competitive play. Event commentators and resources use this language throughout the tournaments and events surrounding them, but the average newcomer may not be familiar with them.
Players new to the VGC should familiarize themselves with the key terms used in competitivePokemonto come up with a winning strategy, and to have a passing sense of what’s going on. Here are some of the most common Pokemon VGC terms that players may come across, and what they mean.
The rules and regulations for each tournament.
Season
The circuit length. Each tournament takes place for 12 months, between September and August. There are usually two formats played in a season.
Championship Points (CP)
Players at VGC events earn Champion Points (CP). The event type and tournament placement determine the amount, and if players build up enough, they will be invited to the World Championships. CP resets to 0 every season.
The most popular and oft-usedPokemon in a particular format.
STAB
Pokemon that use moves that match their typing are given STAB, or the Same-Type Attack Bonus. The bonus is a 50% increase in damage inflicted by the correlating move.
The moves that Pokemon can learn for competitive matches.
Nerf
The reduction or weakening of a Pokemon’s power or mechanic utility. Note: this is not a stat decrease caused by a move or anything like that, but rather, an actual change to a Pokemon’s stats, ability, movepool, or anything else from the developers that reduce its potential.
Battles are matches thattake place in tournaments, sometimes called games.
Best of 1/Best of 3
The number of games that decide the winner of a match. Best of 3 is more common in the VGC.
Ratio
Ratio is the number of games won, divided by the games played, and multiplied by 100.
Example: if a player is in 5 matches and wins 3, their ratio will be 60% (3 ÷ 5 x 100 = 60).
Match-up
Match-up is used to discuss how competitivePokemonteams compare. So, teams with an advantage or disadvantage against another team are discussed int terms of their match-ups.
Midgame/Lategame
Midgame and lategame are terms used to describe certain times in a match. Midgame is after the first 3 turns, while lategame is a couple of turns before the final.
#HKO
#HKO is an abbreviation for the “Number of Hits to Knock Out” a Pokemon (ex. 0HKO, 2HKO) using the same move.
Outspeed
Outspeed is a term you often hear in the VGC. If a Pokemon is faster than another, it “outspeed” it.
There are certain Pokemon in the VGC who areknown for their speed. Some Pokemon have abilities triggered in a battle that make them faster. Additionally, there are instances where there is a speed tie, which means that the opposing Pokemon have the same speed stat, and the turn order is decided on a 50/50 basis.
Spamming
Spamming is precisely what it sounds like; players will use a move back to back repeatedly when there are no drawbacks.
Slot
Both Pokemon and moves have slots. For Pokemon in the VGC, this refers to their spot on a team of six. In addition, it is used to refer to one of the four moves they can learn. A team has six slots, a Pokemon has four move slots.
Roll
Each match has multiple pre-set ranges of damage that moves will deal when used, which means that there is no set level of damage that a move can deliver. This range is chosen randomly, and by chance, so it is known as a roll.
Stall
A stall, or the act of stalling, is a strategy of defeating an opposing Pokemon using residual damage dealt each consecutive turn. A Pokemon that can stay standing for a long time will inflict small bits of damage over time to slowly take out their opponent. Moves that have serious damage but reduce the users' HP also fall into this category.
In turn, Pokemon that are able to take down a staller easily are referred to as stallbreakers
Benchmark
Players will often build teams with akey condition relating to Pokemon’s naturesor base points. These conditions are called benchmarks and can be offensive, defensive, or speed-related.
Speed Creeping
Speed creeping occurs when a player will add extra speed effort values, or EVs, to outspeed their opponent by at least 1 point.
Leads arethe first two Pokemon usedin a match by each player. The remaining two Pokemon that switch out with the leads are called backs.
Terms for Types of Pokemon/Roles
Core
Cores consist of a group of Pokemon that work well together based on type matchup or offensive and defensive roles.
Wall
Walls are defensive Pokemon that use utility moves or have abilities that control the speed of the match, take more damage, or cause status changes. These Pokemon are in it for the long game as they act as a defensive “wall” for attack Pokemon throughout the match, staying on the field for a long time due to their excessive bulk (defense and/or health).
Tank
A tank is similar to a wall, however, these Pokemon are able to deal good amounts of damage as well, all the while still providing a support role defensively.
Glass Cannon
On the opposite side of the coin of tanks and walls, some Pokemon have low defense stats overall but devastatingly high attack and speed stats. While they are able to plow through the competition, a well-placed hit will KO them easily; hence the name “glass cannon.”
Check/Counter
A Pokemon can check its opponent if it hits first. In simple terms, a Pokemon is checking when it poses a threat. On the other hand, a counter occurs when a Pokemon can knock out its opponent regardless of moving first and while taking its attacks.
Win Condition
Players canestablish certain Pokemon or scenariosthat guarantee a win called a win condition, typically shortened to Winco.
Speed Control
Speed controlling aspects are Pokemon or moves that affect the speed of their Pokemon or game. Standard speed control moves are Trick Room, Thunder Wave, and Icy Wind.
Sweeper
Pokemon with strong offensive potential that can defeat their opponents after boosting their stats are called sweepers. Essentially, they can “sweep” through the opponent’s team with ease.
Abuser
Some Pokemonthrive by using certain movesor being affected by status and field conditions; the VGC calls them abusers.
Revenge Killer
A revenge killer is a Pokemon whose purpose is to KO an opponent on the turn following a partner being knocked out.
Support
Support Pokemon and moves are dedicated to assisting their teams using utility moves. Good support is crucial for solid winning teams and includes moves like Stealth Rock, Protect, Trick Room, and recovery moves.
Fast Mode
Each team has a fast mode that consists of its fastest Pokemon. Fast mode is often used with speed control moves and can be influenced by the metagame.
Phazer/Trapper/Pivot
Phazer, trapper, and pivot describe Pokemons' moves or abilities that affect the field. Phazers use moves that force the target to switch out with another team member. Trappers have abilities that prevent the opponent from leaving the field. Finally, pivots are Pokemon used for switching and repositioning in a battle. Disrupting the flow of the field can yield surprising results in competitivePokemonwhen used wisely.
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