By CLeonardo77
Introduction
Trainers, gather ’round! The Devon World Championship is upon us, and the stakes have never been higher. As the world’s top Pokémon GO grassroots competitors converge, they’ll face a meta like no other—a fusion of past glories and cutting-edge strategies. Buckle up, because this meta is about to redefine the game!
Our Thinking: A Blend of Legends
In designing the Devon World Championship Meta, we drew inspiration from the metas that came prior. Each one of those left their mark on us in this very first season of Devon Corporation. Let’s take a quick trip down memory lane:
- Knockout Cup: The slot-based format challenged trainers to think strategically. We’ve borrowed its spirit by putting many Kockout-featured Pokémon in here, as well as the presence of two restricted slots.
- Sovereign Cup: The no-counter twist pushed trainers to explore unconventional Pokémon. Our rationale? Diversity breeds creativity. We took the Counter ban from there, but we also lifted some previous bans (Miltank, for example, is now eligible).
- Zodiac Cup: The “allowed-list” approach showcased niche picks. We’ve sprinkled that magic into our meta, ensuring some of those Pokémon gets their moment once more.
- Rainstorm Cup: A classic allowed and non-allowed type-based meta with a few bans. Leveraging the strengths of water, dark, and flying typings, including all the rich sub-typings they provide for neutral play.
- Genetic Cup: The intricate inheritance system taught us that choices matter. Our meta reflects this to some extent; early decision shapes your destiny. So, make sure your restricted Pokémon don’t share types! Also, you will be able to have only one shadow Pokémon at most.
- Tundra Cup: From the frosty tundra, we’ve borrowed the essence of balance. Expect a delicate equilibrium between powerhouses and underdogs.
Bans: Counter Fast Move
In an homage to the Sovereign Cup, we banned the fast move Counter. Why? Because sometimes the most straightforward moves hide the deepest secrets. Trainers, adapt your strategies accordingly!
Restricted slots
Let’s delve into the rationale behind the Pokémon present in the restricted slots. While it’s not necessarily about raw strength, each restricted Pokémon brings unique qualities to the meta:
- Cresselia:
- Bulk and Coverage: Cresselia boasts exceptional bulk, making it a resilient choice. Its moveset provides coverage against various threats.
- Psychic Dominance: As one of the few Psychic types, Cresselia influences team compositions and counters Fighting and Poison, while also providing pressure on Dark opponents.
- Umbreon:
- Dark Resilience: Umbreon’s Dark typing grants it resistance to Psychic and Ghost typing. Its tanky stats allow it to survive longer.
- Stalling Potential: Umbreon’s spammy moves allows the timer to come up without allowing the opponent to deal much damage, which makes it a very strategic pick.
- Sableye:
- Ghostly Tricks: Sableye’s Dark/Ghost typing and resistance to Normal and Fighting moves create surprises. Its Foul Play hits hard, but watch out for Return or Power Gem.
- Mandibuzz:
- Versatility: Mandibuzz’s Dark/Flying moveset covers a wide range of types.
- Tough to take down: Mandibuzz’s stat product is comparable to Umbreon’s and Cresselia’s, making them the tankiest Pokemon in this meta. By disallowing shared typing in homage to the Genetic Cup, trainers are prevented from having both Umbreon and Mandibuzz.
- Altaria:
- Dragon-Flying Combo: Altaria’s Dragon/Flying typing provides excellent defensive and offensive coverage.
- Hakamo-O:
- Coverage and Bulk: Hakamo-O’s unique Dragon/Fighting typing offers versatility. While its Dragon Claw and Brick Break provide coverage and can set up for a farm down strategy in prolonged battles.
- Walrein and Sealeo:
- Ice-Water Duo: These Water/Ice types share typings and have similar stats, but offer distinct advantages.
- Walrein’s damage: Icicle Spear/Earthquake is a solid moveset against the whole meta. The STAB damage and spamminess of Icicle Spear make it very threatening.
- Sealeo’s Agility: Sealeo’s Body Slam charges up quickly, catching foes off guard and hitting most types in the meta for neutral damage.
- Empoleon:
- Steel-Water Brilliance: Empoleon’s Water/Steel typing grants resistance to many common moves.
- Hydro Cannon Pressure: Steel Wing allows Empoleon to use Hydro Cannon swiftly, pressuring the opponents into using shields.
- Adaptability: Empoleon’s ability to learn Drill Peck helps it adapt to various matchups, which makes it a strategic pick against Fighting and Grass types.
- Quagsire:
- Water-Ground Resilience: Quagsire’s Water/Ground typing provides unique resistances.
- Moveset Surprise: Unlike some Pokemon which have highly recommended movesets, Quagsire has more than one viable combination. Trainers can pick combinations of shadow or regular forms of Aqua Tail, Stone Edge, Mud Bomb, Sludge Bomb, Earthquake or even Acid Spray to catch opponents by surprise – come on, no one actually uses Acid Spray … right?
- Munchlax, Greedent, and Miltank:
- Normal Powerhouses: These Normal types bring bulk and unpredictability, allowing trainers to outlast opponents, or win switch with surprising coverage moves.
- Body Slam Spam: They all create shield pressure thanks to Body Slam, an energy efficient solid move that hits most for neutral damage.
- Munchlax’s Niche: Munchlax has the highest stat product. It can learn either Tackle or Lick, making it a solid generalist or a strong anti-Ghost, anti-Psychic response. And watch out for the slow, but heavy-hitting Gunk Shot!
- Miltank’s Niche: Miltank is able to win the head-to-head tackle matchup with the other two Normals thanks to its slightly higher attack that deals 3 damage per tackle instead of 2. It has access to great coverage moves including the fast move Rollout and coverage charged moves like Ice Beam or Thunderbolt, positioning Miltank as a good anti-Flyer or anti-Grass choice.
- Everyone’s Niche: Greedent has access to Mud Shot, Crunch, and Trailblaze, transforming the squirrel into either a very spammy anti-Ghost or an unexpected anti-Water choice. And don’t sleep on Bullet Seed.
Final Thoughts
The Devon World Championship Meta isn’t just about battles; it’s about establishing a legacy. Every Pokémon you choose, every choice you make, … echo through time. So step onto that virtual battlefield with courage, creativity, and camaraderie. May the best trainers rise, and may the meta forever be etched into Pokémon lore.
Prepare your teams, trainers. The world awaits! 🌟🏆🔥
Disclaimer: The Devon World Championship Meta details are subject to potential changes and rebalancing. Stay tuned for official announcements on the Devon.gg website. 📢