Hello everyone, my name is Flavio del Pidio and I’m the new EUIC champion. Today I’m going to write a report where I’ll explain how the tournament went all along and which team I chose.
For those who don’t know what tournament I’m talking about the European International Championships, is one of the four internationals which are run during the season (the others are Brasil, Australia and the United States), and these are the biggest tournaments and with the best players of the season but worlds. Talking about worlds, these tournaments are really important in order to get Day 2, because they give more CPs tan regionals and any others.
Team Building Process
The team started with a core which remained until the end: Xerneas, Rayquaza, Incineroar and Amoonguss.
The main idea in this combination is to use Xerneas with, in my opinion, its best support Pokémon, who are Incineroar and Amoongus, and also Assault Vest Rayquaza with much bulk, covering some of the weakness Xerneas has.
Rayquaza will always be good for the team, disabling Primal-Kyogre’s weather, reducing its damage and allowing to attack Ferrothorn with fire moves. It also weaks fire moves from Primal-Groudon and allows to hit him with scald, dealing a lot of damage on him and ir can even get the KO if it doesn’t have any bulk.
Thanks to Crunch and Earth power, Rayquaza gives some answers in front of some threats of the metagame, and supporting Xerneas in an offensive way. Earth power allows to KO Stakataka (unless it has a Shuca Berry, but if so Amoongus can use Spore or Rage Powder without fearing the Safety Googles), and it deals a good damage to Primal-Groudon. Crunch is also pretty usefull in order to deal with Lunala, Ultra-Necrozma and Bronzong. Never forget that both moves are super effective against Mega gengar. In the beggining, the team was:
This versión was quite good. Ditto had the Red Card, which was helpfull against mirror Xerneas. With this versión I got into top 8 at Zelda Challenge Ultra Series. After that, I made a change and it resulted in:
I wanted to test Electrium Z Tapu Koko, because Rayquaza was taking care of Togedemaru with Earth power, leaving Tapu Koko free to use electric moves and making him an ace up my sleeve against so much Pokémon in the metagame. Finally, this was the team:
The Team
▶️ Get the importable version of the team here!
Xerneas @ Power Herb
Ability: Fairy Aura
Level: 50
EVs: 188 HP / 180 Def / 68 SpA / 12 SpD / 60 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
– Dazzling Gleam
– Moonblast
– Geomancy
– Protect
-1 252 Atk Life Orb Mega Rayquaza Dragon Ascent vs. 188 HP / 180 Def Xerneas: 99-117 (44 – 52%) — 8.6% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Primal Groudon Precipice Blades vs. 188 HP / 180 Def Xerneas: 93-111 (41.3 – 49.3%) — guaranteed 3HKO -1 252+ Atk Primal Groudon Precipice Blades vs. 188 HP / 180 Def Xerneas: 63-75 (28 – 33.3%) — Miniscule chance to 3HKO
-1 0 Atk Bronzong Gyro Ball (150 BP) vs. 188 HP / 180 Def Xerneas: 90-108 (40 – 48%) — guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Tough Claws Mega Metagross Meteor Mash vs. 188 HP / 180 Def Xerneas: 188-224 (83.5 – 99.5%) — guaranteed 2HKO
-1 252 Atk Aerilate Mega Salamence Double-Edge vs. 188 HP / 180 Def Xerneas: 78-93 (34.6 – 41.3%) — guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Landorus-T Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 188 HP / 180 Def Xerneas: 159-187 (70.6 – 83.1%) — guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Landorus-T Earthquake vs. 188 HP / 180 Def Xerneas: 66-78 (29.3 – 34.6%) — 4.1% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Lunala Moongeist Beam vs. 188 HP / 12 SpD Xerneas: 90-106 (40 – 47.1%) — guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Primal Kyogre Water Spout (150 BP) vs. +2 188 HP / 12 SpD Xerneas in Heavy Rain: 93-109 (41.3 – 48.4%) — guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Mega Gengar Sludge Bomb vs. 188 HP / 12 SpD Xerneas: 188-224 (83.5 – 99.5%) — guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Mega Gengar Sludge Bomb vs. +2 188 HP / 12 SpD Xerneas: 96-114 (42.6 – 50.6%) — 0.4% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Tapu Koko Gigavolt Havoc (175 BP) vs. 188 HP / 12 SpD Xerneas in Electric Terrain: 181-214 (80.4 – 95.1%) — guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 188 HP / 12 SpD Xerneas in Electric Terrain: 93-111 (41.3 – 49.3%) — guaranteed 3HKO
Rayquaza @ Assault Vest
Ability: Air Lock
Level: 50
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 244 HP / 4 Atk / 20 Def / 76 SpD / 164 Spe
Hasty Nature
– Dragon Ascent
– Extreme Speed
– Crunch
– Earth Power
With 164 EVs in speed, after the mega evolution it outspeeds Timid Nihilego.
252 Atk Dark Aura Yveltal Sucker Punch vs. 244 HP / 20- Def Mega Rayquaza: 88-105 (41.7 – 49.7%) — guaranteed 3HKO
-1 252 Atk Dark Aura Yveltal Black Hole Eclipse (175 BP) vs. 244 HP / 20- Def Mega Rayquaza: 145-172 (68.7 – 81.5%) — guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Incineroar Malicious Moonsault vs. 244 HP / 20- Def Mega Rayquaza: 169-199 (80 – 94.3%) — guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Mega Gengar Sludge Bomb vs. 244 HP / 76 SpD Assault Vest Mega Rayquaza: 58-70 (27.4 – 33.1%) — guaranteed 4HKO
252 SpA Mega Gengar Sludge Bomb vs. -1 244 HP / 76 SpD Assault Vest Mega Rayquaza: 88-105 (41.7 – 49.7%) — guaranteed 3HKO
+2 252 SpA Fairy Aura Xerneas Dazzling Gleam vs. 244 HP / 76 SpD Assault Vest Mega Rayquaza: 168-200 (79.6 – 94.7%) — guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Primal Kyogre Ice Beam vs. 244 HP / 76 SpD Assault Vest Mega Rayquaza in Strong Winds: 88-104 (41.7 – 49.2%) — guaranteed 3HKO
+ 
252+ SpA Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 244 HP / 76 SpD Assault Vest Mega Rayquaza: 110-132 (52.1 – 62.5%) + 252 SpA Ultra Necrozma Photon Geyser vs. 244 HP / 76 SpD Assault Vest Mega Rayquaza: 64-76 (30.3 – 36%) — guaranteed 2HKO
Nihilego @ Rockium Z
Ability: Beast Boost
Level: 50
EVs: 52 HP / 20 Def / 196 SpA / 4 SpD / 236 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
– Sludge Bomb
– Power Gem
– Clear Smog
– Protect
196 SpA Nihilego Continental Crush (160 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Mega Gengar: 135-159 (100 – 117.7%) — guaranteed OHKO
196 SpA Nihilego Continental Crush (160 BP) vs. 236 HP / 244+ SpD Incineroar: 204-240 (102 – 120%) — guaranteed OHKO
+ -1 252 Atk Dark Aura Yveltal Sucker Punch vs. 52 HP / 20 Def Nihilego: 93-109 (48.6 – 57%) — 90.2% chance to 2HKO + 252 SpA Mega Gengar Hidden Power Water vs. 52 HP / 4 SpD Nihilego: 68-80 (35.6 – 41.8%) — guaranteed 2HKO
-1 4 Atk Celesteela Heavy Slam (120 BP) vs. 52 HP / 20 Def Nihilego: 158-188 (82.7 – 98.4%) — guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Fairy Aura Xerneas Dazzling Gleam vs. 52 HP / 4 SpD Nihilego: 54-63 (28.2 – 32.9%) — guaranteed 4HKO
Amoonguss @ Mental Herb
Ability: Regenerator
Level: 50
EVs: 236 HP / 180 Def / 92 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 2 Spe
– Grass Knot
– Spore
– Rage Powder
– Protect
-1 252 Atk Weavile Subzero Slammer (160 BP) vs. 236 HP / 180 Def Amoonguss: 186-218 (84.9 – 99.5%) — guaranteed 2HKO
-1 252 Atk Mega Rayquaza Dragon Ascent vs. 236 HP / 180 Def Amoonguss: 186-218 (84.9 – 99.5%) — guaranteed 2HKO
-1 252+ Atk Huge Power Mega Mawile Iron Head vs. 236 HP / 180 Def Amoonguss: 93-109 (42.4 – 49.7%) — guaranteed 3HKO
-1 252 Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Double-Edge vs. 236 HP / 180 Def Amoonguss: 90-107 (41 – 48.8%) — guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Primal Kyogre Water Spout (150 BP) vs. 236 HP / 92+ SpD Amoonguss in Heavy Rain: 89-105 (40.6 – 47.9%) — guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Mega Gengar Sludge Bomb vs. 236 HP / 92+ SpD Amoonguss: 93-109 (42.4 – 49.7%) — guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Tapu Koko Gigavolt Havoc (175 BP) vs. 236 HP / 92+ SpD Amoonguss in Electric Terrain: 88-104 (40.1 – 47.4%) — guaranteed 3HKO
Incineroar @ Iapapa Berry
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 236 HP / 28 Def / 244 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
– Flare Blitz
– Snarl
– U-turn
– Fake Out
I opted for Incineroar with minimum Speed to be able to U-Turn after the other Incineroar, and given that the Nature doesn’t jeopardise the Special Attack I chose Snarl a Dark STAB move, that allows even Gengars with substitutes to be in a tricky spot.
-1 252+ Atk Primal Groudon Precipice Blades vs. 236 HP / 28 Def Incineroar: 152-180 (76 – 90%) — guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Fairy Aura Xerneas Moonblast vs. 236 HP / 244+ SpD Incineroar: 168-198 (84 – 99%) — guaranteed 2HKO
Tapu-Fini @ Wiki Berry
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 244 HP / 116 Def / 4 SpA / 76 SpD / 68 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
– Scald
– Icy Wind
– Light Screen
– Haze
4 SpA Tapu Fini Scald vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Primal Groudon: 196-232 (111.3 – 131.8%) — guaranteed OHKO
156+ Atk Primal Groudon Precipice Blades vs. 244 HP / 116+ Def Tapu Fini: 75-88 (42.6 – 50%) — 0.4% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Mega Rayquaza Dragon Ascent vs. 244 HP / 116+ Def Tapu Fini: 144-169 (81.8 – 96%) — guaranteed 2HKO
-1 36+ Atk Ferrothorn Power Whip vs. 244 HP / 116+ Def Tapu Fini: 72-86 (40.9 – 48.8%) — guaranteed 3HKO
Match-ups
| Archetype | Always bring | Never bring | Common leads |
|---|---|---|---|
| * | | + |
Xerndon is a really favorable match up, that’s why i didn’t lose a single round against this core in all the tournament.
The gameplan is pretty simple. Tapu fini + Nihilego lead lets you have the best cover against any open a rival can do. If the opponent starts with xerneas and any support, can easily neutralized with this open. If,on the other hand, he decides to play with groudon, there will always be the posibility to switch into rayquaza and use scald against it. In general, the objective is to faint Groudon as soon as posible so Nihilego can win by its own quietly.
| Archetype | Always bring | Never bring | Common leads |
|---|---|---|---|
 | | | + |
I think it should be played the same way as XernDon.
In theory, this archetypes are easier tan the ones with Groudon, being the one who threats the most to Nihilego. With the same idea as before, you have to look for Nihilego’s threat and faint it protecting Nihilego so it can win by its own again.
| Archetype | Always bring | Never bring | Common leads |
|---|---|---|---|
 | | | + |
| Archetype | Always bring | Never bring | Common leads |
|---|---|---|---|
| | | + |
| Archetype | Always bring | Never bring | Common leads |
|---|---|---|---|
| | | |
Tournament Run
Unfortunately, I made a mess so I will confess the truth. When I play, I usually don’t take notes, as I believe that it distracts you from the game. That is clearly my own consideration, someone that feel comfortable doing it, go ahead, but I try to memorize what is happening during the match.
I couldn’t find the link to the pairings, so I briefly comment how was Day 1, and focus on the Day 2 matches. The Top cut I remember it clearly, and you have the official streaming for back up.
Day 1
I was quite calm going to the tournament. My goal was to achieve a good result to put me on a good position for the fight for Day 2 of Worlds.
I started pretty well, I wasn’t very surprised since I knew my team was pretty good and I was managing it properly. I won the firsts seven rounds, so I was quickly qualified for Day 2. Nevertheless, they were two more sets, and I lost them, leaving me a nasty taste in my mouth as I wasted an unique opportunity to have good options on Day 2 (Remember that results from Day 1 was preserved for Day 2)
Day 2
Besides how Day 1 ended, I showed off pretty confident, thanks to the cheerings from my friend Valerio Puccio, who told me: “Yesterday you started 7-0, today you can definitely go 5-0”.
Round 1 vs 
Miguel Pedraza | LWW
I already played him the day before, and I defeated him 2-0. He knew that if I continued playing with Mega Gengar like I did on Day 1, he couldn’t win, so he radically changed his strategy by leading with an offensive Rayquaza+Kyogre. I didn’t consider that lead, so a loss the first match.
On the second one and the third one, I took advantage of him not leading his Mega Gengar, leading with my own Xerneas, and I managed to turn the tables and win the set 2-1.
Round 2 vs 
Nick Navarre | WW
In the first match, I predicted a lead against Xerneas and Nick opened with Crobat and Necrozma, against my Rayquaza and Incineroar. I knew that his Necrozma had Substitute, so I went for the Crunch on that slot. I didn’t want to KO the Crobat, as that implied a free switch in with Tailwind, and I thought that it was better to leave him on the field as a dead weight.
On the second one, Nick started with Kangaskhan and Amoonguss against my Incin and Xerneas. I read all his plays, like the Fake out plus Spore on the Incineroar slot, and I get a free Geomancy. On the second turn, I predicted the Spore on the Incineroar slot, so I didn’t make a switch, and I attacked with Xerneas. That was just what happened and from that moment I sealed the set.
Round 3 vs 
Fabian Braun | WW
I also played against him on Day 1, and also beated him 2-0. It was a pretty simple set, I approached it just like I use to against XernDons and he couldn’t handle Nihilego after Groudon was out of the way.
Round 4 vs 
Yuya Tada | WW
Again, my rival didn’t have answers to Nihilego, so as long as I conserved it I would won that game. I remember that in the second match I played with Xerneas and I get a free switch in to Nihilego, and his pressure with a boosted Xerneas was just fatal.
Round 5 vs 
Alessio Cremonini | WW
The only Pokemon that could deal with Xerneas was his Nihilego, who carried Substitute, but thanks to the AV on Rayquaza with Earth Power, I could keep him under control. The second match was easy, after defeating Nihilego, Xernas was free to rampage through his team.
For the rest of the matches from the top cut, I recommend that you check the official streaming from the Pokemon channel to see in detail how I played. Click here.
Top 8 vs Christian Cheynubrata | WW
Top 4 vs 
Melvin Keh | WW
Finales vs Davide Carrer | LWW
Closing words
I hope that everyone was able to enjoy the report and to learn with the explanations of the team choices. And, again, sorry about not having a lot of details about Day 1.
Its time for me to say goodbye, Flavio del Pidio or Pado, as you wish (Naruto for buddies).
