Pokémon stats

Each Pokémon possesses six stats: HP, Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed.

Prior to Generation IV, the damage category of a move (physical or special) was determined by the type of the move itself (for example, all Rock-type moves were physical, and all Dragon-type moves were special). The physical/special split in Generation IV allowed moves to be physical or special depending on the nature of the attack rather than the move's type. This was a huge change to competitive battling, with Pokémon such as Gengar or Gyarados benefiting, and Alakazam suffering. As competitive battling features human players, the style of battling is much different, with players choosing their set of four moves and one item based not only on the Pokémon's stats, but based on sets other players might run in order to counter them.

Every Pokémon has a Nature which has the potential to increase one stat by 10% and decrease another stat by 10% above a base amount. In addition, hidden attributes called EVs and IVs are used to alter stats in competitive Pokémon, usually maximizing them. EVs are earned by battling and defeating other Pokémon (with each Pokémon having a specific set of EVs they give), and IVs are assigned by the game when you obtain a Pokémon (the higher the number, the better the stats become above a set minimum amount).

Moves

Moves that have high base power but huge drawbacks, such as Giga Impact's recharge turn and Thunder's low accuracy, are not always viable in competitive play. Instead, moves that have reliable accuracy, minimal downsides, and have decent base power, such as Body Slam and Thunderbolt, respectively, are used instead. The introduction of Mega Evolution in Generation VI gave previously non-viable or less viable Pokémon a purpose in the upper-tier metagame, such as Charizard and Mawile, although this mechanic, along with Z-moves (ultra-powerful moves of a particular type which could be performed by any Pokémon when holding a specific item and was introduced in Generation VII) were removed in Generation VIII. Dynamaxing was a new mechanic introduced in Generation VIII; once per battle for only 3 turns, each player could increase one Pokémon's HP (by up to 100%) and upgrade its moves to Max Moves (powerful moves with extra effects based on the move's type). Some players, especially followers of Smogon University, criticised this mechanic and prohibit the use of it in certain formats, leading to the "Dynamax clause" that is standard in any battle that has Dynamaxing as an option. In Generation IX Terastallization was added, which allows Pokemon to "Terastallize" into any of the current 18 Pokémon types. When Terastallized Pokémon gain STAB (Same-type attack bonus) on any moves that match their tera type along with their previous types. If a Pokémon's "tera type" is the same as one of their original types they gain a x2 bonus to the moves power, (as apposed to the normal 1.5 for STAB bonus). Certain types in early editions of the games, such as Psychic in Generation I and Dragon in Generations IV and V, were exceptionally powerful and a clear cut above the rest due to either lack of weaknesses or being resisted by only one type. Psychic was resisted by itself and Dragon was only resisted by Steel. The various types are more balanced in present metagames, although certain types are better in certain circumstances (such as Ice for offense and Steel for defense). In addition, because the now-split Special Attack and Special Defense stats were combined into one Special stat in Generation I, Pokémon with a high Special stat could both deal and resist Special damage extremely well (or if low, be extremely weak in both Special offense and defense).

Video Game Championships

The rules for VGC are provided by The Pokémon Company directly. Rulesets for VGC vary throughout the lifespan of a Pokémon game and are released in periodic updates. Depending on the series, certain restrictions on game mechanics or the use of certain Pokémon may be placed or lifted. Restricted mechanics have included the banning of Dynamax, Z-Crystals, and Mega Stones.^[8][9] Lifted restrictions have included the allowance of a limited number of restricted Legendary Pokemon per team.^[8][9]

VGC matches always use a double battle format.^[10] Each player sends out two Pokémon at a time and may target any or all Pokémon on the field. Players must choose four Pokémon from their own team of six for each tournament battle.^[10] Prior to choosing which four Pokémon will participate in battle, players may also view the opponent's team of six Pokémon on the team preview screen.^[10] Pokémon on the same team may not hold identical items.^[10] Teams may not use multiple of the same Pokémon.^[10] Pokémon are always set to level 50 in battle regardless of what level they are in offline gameplay.^[10] Mythical Pokémon have never been allowed for use in VGC, until the Series 13 ruleset for Pokémon Sword and Shield's ranked battles was announced.^[9]

During a battle, there are three timers running.^[10] One timer is the battle clock. If the battle clock reaches zero, the winner will be decided based on either which player has more Pokémon available to battle, or if each player has the same number of Pokémon left, the winner will be decided based on the hit points of the remaining Pokémon averaged over the total hit points of the team.^[10] Another timer is the turn timer, known in-game as Your Time. This timer limits the duration of the turn. If the timer expires, the player who still has some time left wins. The third timer is an action timer for the player. The player must switch Pokémon or choose a move for their Pokémon to use before the timer reaches zero or the Pokémon's first move in its move-set will be automatically selected, like the Your Time timer.^[10]

Smogon University

Pokémon Championship 2000

The first championship was held during the summer of 2000.^[27] Players were invited to register and take part in regional finals during the months of July and August, but were restricted to using Pokémon Red and Blue. Battles were played using Pokémon Stadium and were subject to several championship and battle rules. Anyone visiting the regional events was allowed to download Mew onto their Pokémon Red or Blue cartridge (this was limited to one per person).

The regionals were held in 14 cities during the months of June and August 2000. In each regional event, players won a gym badge based on the badges earned in Pokémon Red and Blue. Each regional consisted of eight rounds, with the winner of the final having all eight gym badges (the runner-up with seven). The winner and runner-up of each regional both represent their region for the final in London.

A special event took place at Merryhill Dudley where a game of each version was given away to two random contestants. Red version was won by Richard Borgens, while Blue version was given to a young Arab tourist. The final was held on 1 September 2000 at the Millennium Dome, where the regional finals battled against each other in a final competition. The winner of the national competition represented the UK and Ireland in the European final, which was hosted the following day, and the World Championships later that month.

2006 Regionals

Regional battle events were held in April 2006 and the players competed for cards and electronic games. The largest regionals were held in London and Bournemouth. The 15 years and over winners are listed as follows;

Scotland (Glasgow)

2nd - Fred Entenmann

3rd - Andrew Ritchie

4th - Gordon White

North East (Hull)

1st - Andy Stone

North West (Manchester)

1st - Nitish Doolub

London

1st - Sami Sekkoum

South Coast (Bournemouth)

1st - Dominic Jordan

The 11–14 years and over winners are listed as follows:

North East (Hull)

1st - Alex Bramham