Scrappy Skirmish/Alternation Battle - Great! or Nah?

[Almonds]

According to the Pokemon Global Link, the Scrappy Skirmish/Alternation Battle will be hosted in November.

The battle rules state that the top ranking pokemons are going to be excluded along the event legendaries and the like. So in other words, no (Mega) Kangaskhan, no genies, no Heatran, no Talonflame, etc.

Do you think such battles should be hosted more frequently? Should this be a regular thing? Or should this be just a limited event?

What are your opinions on banning the top ranking pokemon?

 

[Umbreon Freak]

Re: Alternation Battle - Great! or Nah?

I think it's a good idea. The Battle Spot/VGC metagame is incredibly over-centralized so it'll be interesting to see what battles will be like with the commonly used Pokemon banned.

 

[sharkshocker]

Re: Alternation Battle - Great! or Nah?

I'm a sucker for trying out different team styles so this'll be interesting. Pokemon that are used less frequently will get a chance to show up and perhaps help introduce some variety into the metagame once it all settles down.

 

[Zeb]

Re: Alternation Battle - Great! or Nah?

It's a good idea. Don't think many would say otherwise, because I think most of us like the idea of, or think about, a "new" metagame where the most powerful/common stuff don't exist. Obviously new Pokemon will rise and take the top spots but it's refreshing to not have a bunch of the same stuff we've seen for the past years available and on most teams.

And as much as a lot of people hate Smogon or dislike their system, this is essentially how their tiering system works - by having the most used Pokemon in a tier being a cutoff and then removed for the metagame below. So nice to see Game Freak trying it out even if it's only a tournament (I think they did something like this earlier in the year too).

 

[Slife]

Re: Alternation Battle - Great! or Nah?

(I think they did something like this earlier in the year too).

Yup, they did. It was season 11 of the Battle Spot Special Battles. Though this competition is obviously taking the idea much further, banning the top 12 from all past Double Battle competitions (including the "themed" ones like the Pikachu Cup).

I am all for these kinds of competitions. It shows that TPCi/GameFreak actually cares about the state of its competitive battling scene sometimes, and any attempt at making it more balanced/organized to keep things interesting is welcomed.

It's interesting to note that Mega Blaziken and Mega Lucario will still be allowed. Granted they are not as OP in Doubles, but I have a feeling we'll be seeing a lot of them this competition.

 

[Wispy Willow]

Re: Alternation Battle - Great! or Nah?

I'll probably enter this one too, since A. my main VGC team can theoreticloy function without having M. Mawile on the team with a few changes and B. Kang, Amoongus and Thundurs are real thorns in its said team's side, so it will be interesting to see how I fare with them gone. It's just a shame Eelektross isn't allowed because that Electric comp had to exist tho.

 

[Almonds]

Re: Alternation Battle - Great! or Nah?

I know I mentioned this on my blog, but I'm so sick and tired of running into Mega Kangaskhan and one of the genies every single time I go on Battle Spot. This Alternation Battle should be a nice change of air. I can't wait for it to start.

 

[Gard81]

The only thing I'm torn on is that I can't use my beloved Gardevoir. On the other hand, I'm quite happy she was a popular enough choice to make it to a top 12 spot and also this gives me a chance to try Gallade for a change.

 

[Rainami]

The top used Pokémon in recent Double Battle Battle Competitions cannot be used so the following Pokémon are not eligible: Venusaur, Charizard, Pikachu, Gengar, Kangaskhan, Jolteon, Lanturn, Ampharos, Suicune, Tyranitar, Ludicolo, Gardevoir, Mawile, Manectric, Salamence, Luxray, Garchomp, Electivire, Rotom, Heatran, Cresselia, Emolga, Amoonguss, Galvantula, Eelektross, Stunfisk, Bisharp, Hydreigon, Terrakion, Thundurus, Landorus, Greninja, Talonflame, Aegislash, Heliolisk and Sylveon.

at first I was upset that I couldn't use stunfisk

but nyow I'm just satisfied that it ever made a "most used pokemon" list

so proud of you fisky

 

[Gard81]

The top used Pokémon in recent Double Battle Battle Competitions cannot be used so the following Pokémon are not eligible: Venusaur, Charizard, Pikachu, Gengar, Kangaskhan, Jolteon, Lanturn, Ampharos, Suicune, Tyranitar, Ludicolo, Gardevoir, Mawile, Manectric, Salamence, Luxray, Garchomp, Electivire, Rotom, Heatran, Cresselia, Emolga, Amoonguss, Galvantula, Eelektross, Stunfisk, Bisharp, Hydreigon, Terrakion, Thundurus, Landorus, Greninja, Talonflame, Aegislash, Heliolisk and Sylveon.

at first I was upset that I couldn't use stunfisk

but nyow I'm just satisfied that it ever made a "most used pokemon" list

so proud of you fisky

...Even though the only reason he got there was because of Pikachu Cup competition, which only allowed Electric-type Pokemon, and thus SUBSTANTIALLY reducing the competition from other alternatives.

 

[Rainami]

...Even though the only reason he got there was because of Pikachu Cup competition, which only allowed Electric-type Pokemon, and thus SUBSTANTIALLY reducing the competition from other alternatives.

 

[Osprey]

I'm excited. Finally, my team can fight without getting terrorized by the same dumb teams every time. It's Cinccino's time to shine.

 

[Slife]

I finished 23-7 with my Mega Gallade team. I had a rough start with several hax-y matches, then managed to pick up a win streak lasting 16 matches, which was abruptly halted by the return of the hax. Although, I can't blame all my losses to RNG; some teams were really good and just caught me off guard (an offensive HP Fire Vaporeon wrecked me).

I have to say, this competition was a real breath of fresh air, and probably the most fun I've had in a Wi-Fi tournament so far. I saw a lot of diverse strategies and Pokemon I haven't seen used in double battles in ages. If only this is how VGC '16 could be.

Also, it's interesting to note that this competition was the result of that September poll asking players what type of competition they wanted. On the one hand, it's good that they're acknowledging the players' wishes and opinions. This could also mean the opportunity for more of these fan-chosen competitions. Unfortunately, it seems they're reserving this kind of competition for special occasions only, and not implementing it as a permanent format change-not anytime soon anyway :/