VGC Ranked Battles - Series 2

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s second series of Ranked Battles have a significant change to the rule set: you can now bring Paradox Pokémon into VGC (from February 1 until March 31)

While Koraidon and Miraidon are classified as Paradox Pokémon in the Pokédex, they are still officially classified as Legendary Pokémon, and are therefore not allowed in Ranked Battles. However, there are still 14 new faces in the meta, and some, like Flutter Mane or Iron Bundle, might be familiar to those who have played Singles. Flutter Mane was quickly banned due to impressive Speed and Special Attack stats of 135 each. Mix in a Booster Energy, and it has the possibility to sweep you without need for setup. Iron Bundle was banned soon after, because of one unique thing about it: it could counter Flutter Mane, thus granting it unheard of power. While these two will likely see the most use, there are other Pokémon that could find a spot on your team.

Great Tusk and Iron Treads

This prehistoric Donphan has lots of pros without a lot of cons. It’s HP stat of 115 is extremely high, and it has Physical stats, both Attack and Defense, of 115. Great Tusk has a Special Defense stat of 53 and a Speed stat of 87, placing it in a middling speed tier. Similar to Donphan and it’s Paradox counterpart, Iron Treads, Great Tusk gets access to Stealth Rock and Rapid Spin, both great supportive moves. On the offensive side, it learns both Close Combat and Headlong Rush, both essentially the same move, but with different typings that happen to be both of its STABs: Fighting and Ground.

This futuristic Donphan is fast and powerful, with a whopping 106 base Speed stat, 112 base Attack, and 120 base Defense. It also has 90 base HP and 76 Special Defense, for some respectable bulk. It also gets access to Rapid Spin and Stealth Rock, as stated above. Though it’s offensive options are more limited, with Iron Head and Earthquake being its main offensive moves.

Great Tusk

Iron Treads

Roaring Moon and Iron Valiant

Roaring Moon, a primeval version of Salamence, has an Attack stat of 139, and Speed of 119, and respectable bulk in a 105 HP stat. With Defense of 71 and Special Defense of 101, Roaring Moon is bulky, fast, and can deal damage. It gets moves like Crunch and Dragon Claw, two popular STAB moves, as well as Dragon Dance for setup and solid coverage with Earthquake and Tera Blast.

Iron Valiant, a robotic cross between a Gardevoir and a Gallade, has base 116 Speed, 120 Special Attack, and 130 Attack, which means it can fill a support role or be a Special or Physical attacker, giving it much-needed flexibility. It has a Defense stat of 90, it’s crown jewel of bulk, because with an HP of 74 and Special Defense of 60, it needs that obscene Speed stat. Players may lean towards making it a Special Attacker, because of its movepool. It lacks access to Play Rough, the go-to option for physical Fairy types, instead getting Moonblast and Dazzling Gleam, both powerful Special Fairy type moves. Additionally, Iron Valiant gets moves like Aura Sphere and Psychic, powerful Fighting and Psychic type moves used by Special attackers.