The Teal Mask and Indigo Disk DLC are sure to shake up the competitive Pokemon metagame! Read on to learn more about notable new and returning Pokemon, Moves, and strategies and more!

Attention!	This is a speculative article based on the limited information about the new and returning DLC Moves, Abilities and Pokemon revealed so far. For our VGC Team Building Guide, click here

New Pokemon, Moves and Abilities

Raging Bolt

New DLC Pokemon Analyses
Raging Bolt		Iron Crown
Archaludon		Dipplin
The Loyal Three

Summary

Blueberry #237		Type
Raging Bolt
		Abilities
		Protosynthesis
Weak to:
	(2x)
Damaged Normally By:	(1x)
Resists:	(0.5x)
	(0.25x)

✅ Has a strong Signature Move in Thunderclap. ❌ Predicted to have moderate defensive bulk, mediocre Speed. Predicted Meta Score (7/10)

Raging Bolt is a Dragon/Electric Pokemon that may have decent bulk and middling Speed. This Pokemon may see play in Sun and Trick Room teams, alongside the likes of Torkoal and Tornadus Incarnate.

Thunderclap - New Exclusive Move

Effect	This move allows the user to move first if the opposing Pokemon has chosen an attack as its next move, but will fail if the target was not readying an attack of its own.
Type		Category
Power	70	Accuracy	100
PP (Max PP)	5 (8)	Target	Single opponent
Priority	1	Contact?	TBD
Special Groups	・Increased Priority Moves

Thunderclap may prove to be a solid check to fast Water-type Pokemon such as Iron Bundle and Palafin, as it can deal huge damage to them before they can get an attack off.
Thunderclap Effect and Pokemon That Learn It

Best Partner/Team Comps

Support	Special Attacker
Tornadus (Incarnate Forme)	Raging Bolt
Special Attacker	Physical Attacker
Flutter Mane	Rillaboom

Tornadus Incarnate pairs nicely with Pokemon with middling speed thanks to Prankster Tailwind. Raging Bolt may be able to speed creep specific threats, and use Thunderclap on Pokemon that are still faster than it.
Additionally, Tornadus can activate Protosynthesis with Sunny Day.

Flutter Mane also benefits from Protosynthesis, while Rillaboom can work as a switch-in to Ground-type Moves.

Pokemon Raging Bolt Checks

Iron Bundle	Palafin	Rapid-Strike Urshifu
Iron Bundle	Palafin	Urshifu Rapid-Strike Style

Fast Water Pokemon may have a difficult time going up against Raging Bolt, as it resists Water, and can out-pace them with Thunderclap.

Potential Raging Bolt Counters

Ursaluna	Flutter Mane	Chien-Pao
Ursaluna	Flutter Mane	Chien-Pao

Raging Bolt may have minimal ways of dealing meaningful damage to Ursaluna, and may get KOd outright by Guts-boosted Facade.

Flutter Mane's Special bulk may allow it to safely tank a Thunderclap, and fire back with a powerful Moonblast.

It is also likely that Raging Bolt won't appreciate a Sword of Ruin Icicle Crash from Chien-Pao.

Paradox Raikou: Raging Bolt Type and Info

Iron Crown

New DLC Pokemon Analyses
Raging Bolt		Iron Crown
Archaludon		Dipplin
The Loyal Three

Summary

Blueberry #238		Type
Iron Crown
		Abilities
		Quark Drive
Weak to:
	(2x)
Damaged Normally By:	(1x)
Resists:	(0.5x)
	(0.25x)
Immune to:	(0x)

✅ A Special Attacking alternative to Metagross ❌ Has common weaknesses in Ground and Dark. Predicted Meta Score (7/10)

Iron Crown is a Steel/Psychic Pokemon that may have high offensive stats and Speed. This Pokemon may see play in Tailwind teams which can further boost its Speed, and allow it to dish out offense.

It is likely that Iron Crown may be a Special Attacker, which lets it fill a different role from Metagross, a Physical Attacker who shares the same typing.

Tachyon Cutter - New Exclusive Move

Effect	This move never misses, allowing the user to unleash two successive hits on a target.
Type		Category
Power	50	Accuracy	-
PP (Max PP)	10 (16)	Target	Single opponent
Priority	0	Contact?	TBD
Special Groups	・Moves that Never Miss ・Multi-Hit Moves

Tachyon Cutter is a useful attack for breaking Focus Sash on Pokemon, allowing Iron Crown to score a decisive KO on them.

This move is a Special Attack however, so its effectiveness against Flutter Mane, who has high Special Defense remains to be seen.

Tachyon Cutter Effect and Pokemon That Learn It

Best Partner/Team Comps

Support	Special Attacker
Grimmsnarl	Iron Crown
Physical Attacker	Physical Attacker
Roaring Moon	Iron Hands

Grimmsnarl can support its team by providing Screens to increase the team's defenses. Having two Dark-types in Grimmsnarl and Roaring Moon, as well as a Fighting-type in Iron Hands gives the team a glaring weakness to Fairy, which Iron Crown can handily take care of because it is a Steel-type Attacker.

Pokemon Iron Crown Checks

Flutter Mane	Mimikyu	Hatterene
Flutter Mane	Mimikyu	Hatterene

Iron Crown and Flutter Mane may force each other to commit to Tera to avoid taking super-effective damage. While it may not outright be a check to Flutter Mane, this is an important matchup to take note of when Iron Crown becomes legal for play.

As seen in the Trailer, Iron Crown's Signature Move, Iron Cutter, was shown to KO Mimikyu with ease.

Hatterene will also not like taking a super-effective Tachyon Cutter.

Potential Iron Crown Counters

Ursaluna	Flutter Mane	Urshifu Single-Strike Style
Ursaluna	Flutter Mane	Urshifu Single-Strike Style

Ursaluna once again threatens our newly introduced Pokemon with its monstrous damage output. Guts-boosted Headlong Rush or Earthquake may make quick work of Iron Crown.

Flutter Mane, despite being a Fairy-type, may outspeed and KO Iron Crown, depending on how fast and bulky Iron Crown turns out to be.

Metagross matched up unfavorably against Single-Strike Urshifu in Sword and Shield, and it is projected that Iron Crown may struggle against it as well. It is unlikely that Iron Crown will be able to take a full power Wicked Blow from Single-Strike Urshifu.

Paradox Cobalion: Iron Crown Type and Info

Archaludon

New DLC Pokemon Analyses
Raging Bolt		Iron Crown
Archaludon		Dipplin
The Loyal Three

Summary

Blueberry #162		Type
Archaludon
		Abilities
		Stamina Sturdy Stalwart (Hidden)
Weak to:
	(2x)
Damaged Normally By:	(1x)
Resists:	(0.5x)
	(0.25x)
Immune to:	(0x)

✅ Can be played as a Special Attacker, or a Stamina Body Press user. ✅ Has few weaknesses in Fighting and Ground. Predicted Meta Score (8/10)

Archaludon may find spots in Rain teams because of its Electro Shot Attack, but it can also be splashed onto Defense-oriented teams as a Stamina Body Press user, alongside Whimsicott with Beat Up if it is able to learn it this generation.

Electro Shot - New Exclusive Move

Effect	The user charges vast quantities of energy and attacks on the next turn. The user can immediately fire off this attack when it is raining.
Type		Category
Power	130	Accuracy	100
PP (Max PP)	10 (16)	Target	Single opponent
Priority	0	Contact?	TBD

Electro Shot may be useful for Archaludon when used in a Rain Team. It may be a good Pokemon to put alongside Politoed, which may be the best Rain Setter when it becomes legal.
Electro Shot Effect and Pokemon That Learn It

Best Partner/Team Comps

Support / Special Attacker	Special Attacker
Politoed	Archaludon
Physical Attacker	Special Attacker
Basculegion (Male)	Thundurus (Therian Forme)

Politoed returns as the premiere Rain Setter, who also synergizes well with Archaludon and its Signature Move, Electro Shot.

Basculegion can come in later in the game to score decisive KOs, while Thundurus-T works as a defensive switch-in to Electric-type Moves and as a late-game sweeper.

Pokemon Archaludon Checks

Dondozo	Azumarill	Politoed
Dondozo	Azumarill	Politoed

Archaludon matches up favorably against Water-types because it is able to threaten boosted damage with Electro Shot.

Dondozo, Azumarill, and Politoed all stand to take massive amounts of damage in this matchup.

Potential Archaludon Counters

Ursaluna	Flutter Mane	Urshifu Single-Strike Style
Ursaluna	Flutter Mane	Urshifu Single-Strike Style

Archaludon only has two weaknesses, however, Ursaluna has access to Guts-boosted Headlong Rush, Earthquake, Close Combat, and Drain Punch, all of which deal super-effective damage to Archaludon.

Iron Hands can take resisted damage from Electro Shot and hit back with a powerful Drain Punch.

Urshifu Single-Strike Style can also threaten with Close Combat through Protect, making it so Archaludon is unable to get a good position in a match.

Archaludon - Type, Evolution, and Ability

Dipplin

New DLC Pokemon Analyses
Raging Bolt		Iron Crown
Archaludon		Dipplin
The Loyal Three

Summary

Kitakami #36		Type
Dipplin
		Abilities
		Supersweet Syrup Gluttony Sticky Hold (Hidden)
Weak to:	(4x)
	(2x)
Damaged Normally By:	(1x)
Resists:	(0.5x)
	(0.25x)

✅ Has a useful new Ability and Move. ❌ Has six weaknesses. Predicted Meta Score (6/10)

We speculate that the new Dipplin line may be tanky Grass/Dragon-types. While this held back its predecessors from seeing substantial play, it is likely that Dipplin's new Ability and Attack can help it find a niche in competitive play.

Supersweet Syrup - New Exclusive Ability

Dipplin and its evolution line can make use of Supersweet Syrup to support inaccurate Moves such as Hypnosis or Thunder.

We can expect to see the Dipplin line in odd-ball Gravity teams, making it so they don't have to solely depend on Gravity to get their strategies going.

Supersweet Syrup Effect and Pokemon With This Ability

Syrup Bomb - New Exclusive Move

Effect	This move coats the target in syrup and causes its Speed stat to lower each turn for three turns.
Type		Category
Power	60	Accuracy	85
PP (Max PP)	10 (16)	Target	Single opponent
Priority	0	Contact?	TBD
Special Groups	・Moves Affected by Bulletproof ・Moves that Decrease Speed

Three-turn Speed reduction may prove to be powerful, especially when trying to gain the upper hand on quicker, offensive Pokemon. With well-timed Protects, Dipplin and its team can play defensively until they are able to safely outspeed their opponents.

Best Partner/Team Comps

Support / Special Attacker	Disruption / Special Attacker
Dipplin	Espathra
Special Attacker	Special Attacker
Iron Bundle	Sandy Shocks

Dipplin can reduce the opposing side's evasiveness, and let its partnered Espathra fire off accurate Hypnosis. Iron Bundle can get more consistent Blizzards, while Sandy Shocks has access to accurate Thunder.

Pokemon Dipplin Checks

Alolan Muk	Scovillain	Flamigo
Alolan Muk	Scovillain	Flamigo

The evasiveness reduction that Dipplin provides may prove useful against annoying Alolan Muk Minimize teams. Scovillain and Flamigo should easily get KOd by Dipplin's partners and their accurate offensive options.

Potential Dipplin Counters

Iron Bundle	Chien-Pao	Chi-Yu
Iron Bundle	Chien-Pao	Chi-Yu

Iron Bundle and Chien-Pao are likely going to be able to outspeed the Dipplin line and hit it with a x4 super-effective Ice-type Attack.

Chi-Yu can incinerate Dipplin with Beads of Ruin Overheat.

Dipplin - Type, Evolution, and Ability

The Loyal Three - Okidogi, Munkidori and Fezandipiti

New DLC Pokemon Analyses
Raging Bolt		Iron Crown
Archaludon		Dipplin
The Loyal Three

Summary

✅ May be powerful checks against Fairy-types. ❌ Unimpressive Ability. Predicted Meta Score (6/10)

Judging from their Toxic Chain Ability, we speculate that the Loyal Three will have Poison typing. They may also have varying Speed, which may prove useful against matchups against specific Fairy-types.

It remains to be seen if any of the three can match up favorably against the best competitive Fairy-type right now, Flutter Mane.

Toxic Chain, at first glance, appears to be a mediocre Ability. We may see more Poison support in the following weeks leading up to the Trio's release.

Toxic Chain - New Ability

The Loyal Three's shared Ability, Toxic Chain may prove useful in strategies involving the move Hex, which Flutter Mane can learn.

Toxic Chain Effect and Pokemon With This Ability

Best Partner/Team Comps

Attacker	Special Attacker
Okidogi	Flutter Mane
Physical Attacker	Support / Physical Attacker
Urshifu Rapid-Strike Style	Rillaboom

Okidogi may have access to Close Combat. If it gets Fighting-type coverage, it may prove to be a suitable partner to Flutter Mane who may not be able to break through Steel-types.

Urshifu and Rillaboom round out the team as late-game attackers.

Pokemon Loyal Three Checks

Hatterene	Rillaboom	Heatran
Hatterene	Rillaboom	Heatran

The Loyal Three, who are speculated to be Poison-types may prove strong against Poison-weak Pokemon. Hatterene and Rillaboom may stand to take huge amounts of damage from STAB Poison-type Attacks.

Heatran may be threatened by a possible Close Combat, or a Poison-type Attack if it Terastallizes into Grass.

Potential Loyal Three Counters

Ursaluna	Gholdengo	Iron Crown
Ursaluna	Gholdengo	-

Ursaluna is usually equipped with a Flame Orb, which it can activate in one turn. Gholdengo is immune to Poison thanks to its typing, and also has added protection in its Good as Gold Ability.

Iron Crown's Steel typing also gives it protection against Poison, and can threaten with a Poison-type member of the Loyal Three with a powerful Psychic-type Attack.

The Loyal Three

Other New Moves

Upper Hand

Effect	The user reacts to the target's movements and strikes with the heel of its palm. If the target was trying to use a priority move, the user will get the jump on them, allowing the user to attack first and cause their opponent to flinch without fail. This move will fail if the target wasn’t readying a priority move.
Type		Category
Power	65	Accuracy	100
PP (Max PP)	15 (24)	Target	Single opponent
Priority	TBD	Contact?	TBD

Upper Hand may see play against Pokemon and teams that rely on Priority Moves. Upper Hand can deal damage before their move, and cause opposing Pokemon to flinch.

Flutter Mane can benefit from a teammate with Upper Hand, because it will no longer be threatened by Priority Moves.

Upper Hand Effect and Pokemon That Learn It

Psychic Noise

Effect	This move bathes the target in abrasive sound waves. This attack also prevents the target from recovering HP through moves, Abilities, or items for a certain number of turns.
Type		Category
Power	75	Accuracy	100
PP (Max PP)	10 (16)	Target	Single opponent
Priority	0	Contact?	TBD

Psychic Noise appears to be an effective move to use against tanky Pokemon, making it an effective tool against Stall strategies.

This also notably deals super-effective damage against Amoonguss and could potentially block it from using Pollen Puff.
Psychic Noise Effect and Pokemon That Learn It

Stellar Tera Type

A new 19th Tera Type called Stellar was included in the Indigo Disk DLC. This will change the competitve landscape with how different it operates from the other normal Tera Types.

Stellar Tera Type Match-Ups Explained

Returning Pokemon

Incineroar

Returning DLC Pokemon Analyses
Incineroar	Smeargle	Venusaur
Metagross	Whimsicott	Duraludon
Politoed

Incineroar will make its dominant return in the Indigo Disk DLC. Its dominance and effectiveness will have to be tested against potential new checks and counters through new Pokemon and Moves.
This Pokemon will make it into many Balance teams alongside Rapid-Strike Urshifu, Rillaboom, and Flutter Mane, because of its splashability and consistency. Its Fake Out support, along with its other usual moves make it one of the most dominant VGC Pokemon to ever be played.

With Terastallization, Incineroar may be even more difficult to KO. It will also be a strong Pokemon to use against Chi-Yu and Flutter Mane cores, being able to resist their STAB Moves.

Upper Hand may potentially stuff Incineroar's Attempts to Fake Out. It will also need to face down powerful Pokemon like Rapid-Strike Urshifu while it is in the format together.

Incineroar - Type, Evolution, and Ability

Smeargle

Returning DLC Pokemon Analyses
Incineroar	Smeargle	Venusaur
Metagross	Whimsicott	Duraludon
Politoed

Smeargle is a disruptive Pokemon that is able to learn nearly every Move in the game. It loses access to Dark Void, however it still has access to Spore, Follow Me, Fake Out, or Spiky Shield, making it a toolbox of support and disruption options.

Smeargle - Type, Evolution, and Ability

Venusaur

Returning DLC Pokemon Analyses
Incineroar	Smeargle	Venusaur
Metagross	Whimsicott	Duraludon
Politoed

Venusaur is arguably the best Chlorophyll user, with access to Grass and Poison STAB moves, as well as Sleep Powder.

In this generation, Chlorophyll Venusaur may have access to Tera Fire Weather Ball which will disintegrate opposing Fire-weak Pokemon.

This Pokemon will likely see play in Flutter Mane Sun teams alongside Flutter Mane, Torkoal, Chi-Yu.

It may have competition in this generation, however, with Hisuian Lilligant and its better natural Speed and Fighting Typing.

Venusaur - Type, Evolution, and Ability

Metagross

Returning DLC Pokemon Analyses
Incineroar	Smeargle	Venusaur
Metagross	Whimsicott	Duraludon
Politoed

Metagross is a consistent powerhouse in any format that it is legal in. In a game with Terastallization, it may prove to be even more powerful.

With Terastallization, it will be able to shed its usual weaknesses and tank more effectively.

Metagross's Clear Body is a valuable Ability for an attacker, because it makes it so it will not have stat drops from Intimidate.

It may have competition in this generation, however, with Iron Crown, who shares its typing, and will likely have an entirely different stat spread.

Metagross - Type, Evolution, and Ability

Whimsicott

Returning DLC Pokemon Analyses
Incineroar	Smeargle	Venusaur
Metagross	Whimsicott	Duraludon
Politoed

Whimsicott is another effective Prankster Tailwind setter that also has access Encore and Taunt.

Its unique combination of available Moves and Fairy typing could be a deciding factor when choosing a Prankster Pokemon on your team over Tornadus Incarnate.

Whimsicott - Type, Evolution, and Ability

Duraludon

Returning DLC Pokemon Analyses
Incineroar	Smeargle	Venusaur
Metagross	Whimsicott	Duraludon
Politoed

Duraludon, a favorite from Sword and Shield, makes its long-awaited return in the DLC. This time, it is now a not fully evolved Pokemon because of its new Archaludon evolution.

Being a not fully evolved Pokemon, Duraludon can be equipped with Eviolite and make use of Iron Defense Body Press strategies.
With Heavy Metal, it could even make use of Heavy Slam. Its Steel/Dragon typing gives it plenty of resistances and few weaknesses, making it a formidable defensive tank.

Duraludon's Stalwart Ability makes it a strong counter to teams that rely on redirection, thus making it a solid Special Attacker with its STAB and coverage options.

Duraludon - Type, Evolution, and Ability

Politoed

Returning DLC Pokemon Analyses
Incineroar	Smeargle	Venusaur
Metagross	Whimsicott	Duraludon
Politoed

Politoed returns as the Premiere Rain Setter, boasting sizeable bulk, access to Perish Song and support moves like Icy Wind and Helping Hand.

Though it loses Scald in this generation, it is still sure to make a splash in future Regulation formats.

Politoed - Type, Evolution, and Ability

Future DLC VGC Regulation Meta

Possible New Top Pokemon?

Top Pokemon like Flutter Mane and Chien-Pao may be checked by Iron Crown with its powerful Tachyon Cutter, which can KO Chien-Pao through its Focus Sash.
However, Iron Crown shares its dual typing with another returning favorite, Metagross.

Rapid-Strike Urshifu, Tornadus Incarnate, and Iron Bundle can be checked by Raging Bolt with its Thunderclap.

But Raging Bolt may have stiff competition against Iron Hands for the spot of best Electric-type in the format, because of its access to Fake Out, sizeable bulk and high Attack stat.

These new and returning Pokemon in the DLC give us plenty of new counterplay and strategies to look forward to, but it remains to be seen if they can dethrone the top Pokemon of Regulation D or competition from old favorites.

Related Guides

Learn Competitive Battling

Team Building Guides
Competitive Team Building for Singles Ranked Battle	Competitive Team Building for Doubles Ranked Battle
How to Build a Trick Room Team	How to Build a Weather Team
How to Build a Hyper Offense Team	Paradox Pokemon Builds for Competitive Battles and Tera Raids
Treasures of Ruin Builds for Competitive Battles and Tera Raids	HOME Transfer Pokemon Builds for Ranked Battle and Raids
Competitive Strategy Guides
Best Abilities for Competitive Battle	Best Held Items for Competitive Battle
When to Switch Pokemon	Team Preview: Which Pokemon to Choose?
How to Use Substitute in Competitive Battle	List of Competitive Terms
Battle Timer: Who Wins When Time Runs Out?	New DLC Competitive Cores and Matchups
VGC Tournament Results
VGC Tournament Results: 2023 Oceania International Championships	VGC Tournament Results: 2023 European International Championships
VGC Tournament Results: 2023 Portland Regional Championships	VGC Tournament Results: 2023 Hartford Regional Championships
VGC Tournament Results: 2023 Milwaukee Regional Championships	VGC Tournament Results: 2023 Fresno Regional Championships
VGC Tournament Results: 2023 Japan National Championships	Pokemon World Championships 2023