Niche strategies and Pokémon in VGC are well known. The most famous example is Se Jun Park's pachirisu that won the 2014 World Championships. no one saw it coming, and as a result we still remember it over a decade later. Teams nowadays generally go one way or the other: a niche team built with the trainers favourite pokémon, or a generic meta team. Neither generally tend to do that well. this is because people who choose their favourites based on design could be stuck with a party of pika clones, whereas meta teams are quickly identified in every regulation and counters are made. A big reason for the lack of niche picks doing well nowadays is power creep; stronger new pokemon, for example flutter mane or urshifu, are often able to just blow up less common strategies. As well as that, players generally prefer playing with the shiny new mons. However, finding a hidden gem of a pokémon that not many know about is a huge advantage. In fact, I'm using a niche pick currently to climb the ladder and people only realise what has happened when it's too late. The problem with telling people how niche but strong roles are very good is that people start to think it's an excuse to use terrible pokemon. Yes, munkidori's fake out could badly poison the target, but its still a rubbish pokemon and that wont be enough to justify using it. Yes, Morpeko in theory could be good. its typing is good, it gets fake out and a busted signature move, but none of its stats are above 100 and its ability can actually be a hinderence. Now lets look at weezing. its a gen 1 pokemon with pretty bad stats and only one type, so it cant get stab on more coverage and lacks resisitances a dual type might have. HOWEVER, weezing's ability neutralizing gas can be so good when used right that this alone outweighs its flaws and so once a niche pick, weezing is now one of the most common pokemon on the ladder. Obviously, if you have a role needing filling on your team, for example you need an pokemon that can counter kyogre, you should choose the best option, ogerpon wellspring, instead of dry skin helioptyle because even though its not as common, it is so much worse. So, what have we learned today? well, we have learned a very good VGC tip, which is the element of suprise. finding one of these hidden gems in a niche pokemon can give you a huge advantage over your opponent. if you like these competitive pokemon tips and want to see more, consider following. or dont idc thanks for sticking around. A lot of effort goes into these projects, like the research and art. support is always greatly appreciated. i wont ask for follows, but if you like content like this and want to request a project about your favourite pokemon, then following is a great option. or dont idc.
