How Murkrow became the most Popular Pokémon

[@WolfeyVGC]

Download Dragon City for free via this link or QR code, become a Dragon Master and claim a Starter Pack of 70k food and the EPIC Purpureus Dragon: dragoncity.onelink.me/DDHl/wolfeyJ

[@OfficialCryptivity]

yes

[@lirachonyr]

no

[@ene4883]

Deal

[@ducks.mp3]

I actually play dc lmao

[@jamesh7469]

I’m sold, I’m forever quitting Pokemon and starting a new life as a Dragon City player

[@gutenberg577]

I still find it funny how the Pokémon Wolfey chose to send for Alpharad's egglock was a Eviolite, Prankster, Haze Murkrow.

[@tubtubfruit]

I remember in X/Y my brother used to beat me with his murkrow in doubles and my child mind couldn't comprehend how a unevolved Pokemon could be useful against my lil team of 6 legendaries. I've been scared of this bird for awhile.

[@Magmatical]

He was ahead of his time

[@Andy-ce3ij]

What has his strategy? The same as in this vid?

[@tubtubfruit]

@@Andy-ce3ij All I remember is that it was a tailwind setter and he'd keep it alive using stuff like ally switch with his gallade and the green mat move as Greninja (sorry I don't remember the name of the movie)

[@andrewliu8048]

@@tubtubfruitmat block

[@dalielsalvador6548]

You got outplayed bro

[@gen64w]

Murkrow is such a prankster

[@lirachonyr]

funny

[@WolfeyVGC]

So true

[@Iforgor777]

he’s just a silly little guy

[@Coolbowser829]

It's got a tail with wind too 😉

[@lukiwei9468]

He gets us Leftovers from Snorlax all the time

[@Lagdarr]

I find it fascinating that Dondozo and Tatsugiri have such a profound effect on the metagame. Even though there are plenty of counters that shut them down completely and as a result may not be worth running, you absolutely have to consider them whenever you make a team because if you can’t counter them they will just steamroll you. So not only do they elevate a prankster haze user like Murkrow, they also work to the detriment of any Pokémon that relies heavily on stat buffs.

[@kyx5631]

That, plus all the meta game mind games that are played. As mentioned in the video, there are so many option Dondozo players are employing that might allow them to push through even though being assumed countered. I once lost a ranked match because the Dondozo ran sleep talk and 3 attacking moves, thus negating my spore attempts. The amount of circle playing here is incredible.

[@Garyisubercool]

@@kyx5631 yeah for real. Like he said in the video, everytime I think I have Dondozo figured out they flip the script on me. I run a sand team and for a while I was finding success with a Garganacal/Meowscarde lead against opposing Dondozo/Tatsuguri leads. But then they started running them in the back and hard switching in, or switching one at a time. Like you said if you don't have some kind of answer, you just lose.

[@Leet-iz2fz]

They're not bad because you have options to beat them. They're good because you MUST pick something that beats them, restricting your options.

[@Crest_of_Thunders]

"Mom, I want Whimsicott!" "We have Whimsicott at home." Whimsicott at home:

[@Beagaah]

Reading this while looking to this 15:09 almost killed me in laughing

[@hiyashichuka2726]

I love whimsicott

[@enderdudebruh8270]

"Even better, thanks mom!"

[@AQuestCalledMusic]

My favorite pokemon

[@HungLe-ig1ij]

This is even better

[@R.P.Genocraft]

You can tell how monumental of an ability it is by the fact that nobody says prankster doesn't affect dark types, they say that dark types are immune to prankster.

[@delibird3505]

I love murkrow, and I never expected it to become this good in such a short time!

[@alexandraShm]

Murkrow is my long time favourite too, I just adore it's design. I'm so happy that my baby gets attention it deserves

[@connaeris8230]

For real, just 23 years

[@ethanrussow9262]

Give thanks to the champ DONDOZO THE 🅱️oi

[@DrGandW]

As a Honchkrow fan this makes me upset

[@ihiki1537]

Doesn't matter if he won't be the best forever, he will always be the best in my heart

[@moonscorchedd]

Murkrow was so powerful for a base stage evo that it has been banned from Little Cup for generations, and now it's come as far as #1 in the competitive ladder. so proud of it

[@StickMaster500]

Pretty much the only way to counter this is to either focus on Murkrow and faint it before it can do anything or have a Pokémon use Imprison so it can’t use Haze but besides that, Murkrow is quite literally the Troll Face of Pokemon

[@DearestClaudio]

I truly don't see how it's a problem to take it out quickly. It has several common weaknesses and low defenses. Just... just attack it with a super effective move.

[@skullguy4863]

@DearestClaudio like your opponent is going to let you knock it out It is garunteed at least 3 turns with a focus sash

[@justcameron6805]

@@DearestClaudio so if you are thinking like this what makes you think that your opponent hasnt not already and came up with counters

[@internetguy7319]

@@DearestClaudio problem is its a 2v2 videogame lol even one turn can win the game, too, like Tailwind also sometimes murkrow runs eviolite and becomes surprisingly tanky

[@nintendoyldz6953]

@@skullguy4863 You are lying. I single-shot with Dazzling gleam or ice shard.

[@jaystapes3086]

Murkrow is the GOAT. I love this mon and used him as a prankster tailwind setter in BDSP and he was great, so it warms my heart seeing this translate well into SV.

[@nathangamble125]

Negative. Skiddo is the goat.

[@mr.murkrow3084]

It was a good time in the spotlight, and I’m glad Murkrow finally got some well needed recognition.

[@Garrisonmanx]

Murkrow has always been one of my favorite Pokemon and the amount of pride I felt when I heard my boi became viable brought a tear to my eye.

[@cloudwyrms9752]

Literally same, I would draw it all the time on school papers when I was younger lmao. So happy my favorite obscure feather baby is getting attention (kind of reminds me of when I managed to make a swagger-thunderwave-flash super weapon of a Joltik in Pokémon showdown back then)

[@JamieBoytVGC]

5:47 Look Mum, I'm famous. Cottonee was used over Whimsicott because the Sash was already taken on my team and Cottonee could just live things that Whimsicott couldn't.

[@Ayaan_Syed]

Underrated rn

[@watherinekible]

the rise and fall of murkrow lol i remember your shock on the live stream seeing all the murkrows the day the ladder went live

[@Extension_cord11]

Loving the videos. I don’t even play SV but you are so fun to watch

[@Extension_cord11]

Most of my Pokémon experience comes from B&W or randoms on showdown

[@risel56]

I haven't been keeping up with VGC lately, so I'm actually kinda shocked how much Murkrow's win rate has plummeted. I thought that Game Freak would either be nerfing Prankster even more or just replacing it with a different ability on Murkrow, but now I see it was just enjoying its 15 minutes of fame before power creep settled in.

[@RaihanLDN]

Murkrow was never gonna be a giant mainstay in the meta. It's stats are terrible. Murkrow would never get a targeted nerf when there are far worse prankster tailwind users out there, they're just not legal in SV yet. Even in SV while kilowattrel doesn't have prankster, it's actually a genuine threat if you leave it up whereas murkrow is pretty much entirely support.

[@lambo344]

Why would they nerf murkrow or prankster? Murkrow are just overused, not overpowered like houndstone or somethin

[@abandontheweak2646]

what a beautiful and wholesome outro. Murkrow, we will never forget you.

[@dspac1760]

Assist being at the bottom of the iceberg made my day. Those cats dove so deep

[@castform7]

Never before did I think Murkrow would be scary in any way, shape or form. Karen might've been onto something...... over 20 years ago. It may be fallingbdue to the meta finally developping and the minute Whimsicott comes back it's curtains, but this crow really showed that under the right circumstances almost any Pokemon can make it.

[@CMiY0]

Using a Murkrow for doubles has been a relatively known strategy for a while. Truth is any Pokémon with prankster has been thought of being run or actually ran before in doubles by many people. It just wasn’t the optimal prankster user until recent meta developments.

[@BaronB.BlazikenBaronOfBarons]

As someone who’s one of their favorite Pokémon is Honchkrow, I’m glad he got his time to shine in the spotlight (in a really roundabout way)!

[@octavioherschberg5280]

Now I need some love for the boss himself.

[@giffica]

WAIT, WHAT??? Murkrow has literally been my favorite for a long time. I countered a friend's spore breloom in 9th grade with it and became my favorite ever since.

[@d0rkl0rd92]

it should also be pointed out that when pokemon home comes out for scarlet & violet, tornadus will become available, who does just about everything murkrow does, but is strictly better offensively and defensively

[@zyro7756]

It’s always nice seeing one of your favourite Pokémon being competitive

[@dramaticScar]

I once played a pokemon hack game know as pokemon flora sky rebirth... The first gym was hard but since Murkrow are caught early on it helped through and became my mvp. Later on gym battles started to be double battles and he would establish it self as the OG when he's prankster combos and the fact that he was faster than the average made so a lot of the battles were a bit easier. I tried to evolve it but quickly went back when I noticed that for some reason Honchkrow added nothing to the team and was slower.

[@Weavileiscool]

I love the extra touch that assist was put at the bottom of the iceberg

[@FoxPlaysPokemon]

Murkrow is my absolute favourite Pokémon, so seeing it get so much use, warms my heart so much

[@evilhenchman5655]

murkrows my favourite pokemon of all time so seeing it get used competitively makes me very happy (and a lil smug)

[@TheKingSothis]

Excellent video Wolf, it was really informative. My argument against Murkrow was that it was going to always fall from grace when Home compatibility comes out and users can now transfer over Tornadus into the game, but Murkrow’s whole setup is incredibly unique and I’m so happy Murkrow and it’s fans got some well deserved love.

[@orkiporki8895]

I played Series 2 on Showdown quite a bit and I'd say Murkrow still works. Tatsubozo is still a strong strat that you have to consider, and Murkrow packs Prankster Sunny Day to make sure you never lose the weather war, boost your Paradoxes and have the ability to choose when to do so in scenarios such as if it would benefit your opponent more. Similarly, you could give it Rain Dance to mess with opposing Sun teams and make sure your Rain team still has the weather up. You also still cannot go wrong with Prankster Tailwind.

[@nesspreciado1090]

Wow I don't even play pokemon anymore but I tune in cus your videos are actually super well formatted and entertaining to watch. Plus you give an exceptionally concise and well informed explanation. thank you wolfey

[@Coolbowser829]

Wolfey: Does crazy analysis of why Murkrow is popular Everyone: Nah Tailwind and Prankster go brrr

[@BlessKingJay]

I’m so happy you’ve covered haze, because every time I see Tatsugiri and Dondozo I lead Murkrow. Literally made it to Master Tier by crushing Tatsugiri and Dondozo players lol

[@agentspatula]

5:26 you can see ‘splash’ in the water to the left of the iceberg

[@altf4undo01]

murkrow can also learn defog to erase all entry hazards AND lower the enemy’s evasiveness

[@brycicle775]

One time Wolfey broke into my home and wrote “World Champ Difference” as the answer for every subtraction problem. I tried to stop him, but he said he had prankster so I had to wait to hurt him

[@snolls105]

murkrow dominating vgc is so funny to me. I'd really like to know more history about weak pokemon that did well in the format. Like, why'd Cottonee get used over Whimscicott (or was it both?). You're video about Saijen's team was really interesting. you implied that volbeat got used a single time (I know it has prankster and I guess tail glow but it's also volbeat?).

[@aidanmauricio]

I think a really slept on murkrow strategy could be sunny day as paradox mons get competitive play

[@SiimplyGrinding]

Shouldve invested in Murkrow stocks last year🤦‍♂️

[@TheJmlew11]

Series 2, was a wake up call for the little bird that could. But man did it prove doubters wrong.

[@deepfriedteeth]

It’s like that really cool thing you find in your house that turns out to be extremely useful with your current situations

[@ToxicPea]

A part of me wants to run Honchcrow now literally just because, lol. And thank you for that explanation of Foul Play! I was wondering how it dealt so much damage.

[@FlamingZelda3]

Foul Play is a beautiful beautiful move... Takes me back to my Mega-sableye days...

[@lilyblossom9438]

I'd always forget about foul play being good until it one shot my Ceruledge

[@MintFrog]

Murkrow Ikusaba, the 16th pokemon hidden somewhere around this gym, known as the ultimate Pokémon, watch out for it

[@SlitherSong030]

Never have i seen the day where my favorite bird pokémon would get some recognition. But here we are. Murkrow has been my favorite and now im happy to see em get some love here

[@camwardart]

this makes me feel bittersweet about my first and only shiny find so far (in scarlet and violet) being Murkrow

[@mistertadakichi]

I had a Murkrow on my Silver team when I was a kid, and it’s always been my favorite Pokémon since. It was nice to see it have its time in the limelight!

[@fuecOHKO]

Me watching despite already knowing it mostly just comes down to prankster tailwind: NICE

[@mahihoque4598]

The second last line was inspiring try to find your best situation instead of trying to follow others path.

[@SuperJustinChannel]

4:45 In a casual playthrough I could definitely make an argument that status moves can be worthless on certain Pokemon considering many of the ones most Pokemon learn early on and the ones you see wild Pokemon and AI trainers use (Tail Whip, Baby-Doll Eyes, Screech, Confuse Ray) seem to just exist to annoy the player and waste time when there are far, far better status moves out there (Protect, Toxic, Thunder Wave, Will-O-Wisp, Dragon Dance, Shell Smash, Recover, and the weather and screen moves).

[@cyrnoz1803]

Yeah, in casual the optimal way to play is just to one shot everything since you never get hit and dont have to waste time healing all the time.

[@Iyokuu]

Whenever edited this, my LORD! Amazing job at holding my retention alongside Wolfey’s education!

[@hauntedsunsets]

prankster haze really sounds to me like MTG and using non-targeting spells. dark types are immune to prankster, but haze isn't actually targeting said pokemon so it being a dark type isn't accounted for. haze is more akin to targeting the whole battlefield, and thus doesn't care what any types are. honestly a wild way to avoid tera dark countering it

[@Adjudicator1]

I get that rule well! A Magic the Gathering card with an effect that does not specifically target will bypass protection, Hexproof and Shroud. Cards that specifically destroy / exile / return to hand all of a particular class / category are the most obvious ones that come to mind.

[@jakemelliot]

Murkrow, my home boy, Krondervan from Gold/Silver back in 2001. *sigh* You’ve never disappointed me.

[@rubywolfsenju]

I love that my favorite Pokémon became such a useful team member in competitive

[@Door227]

This video made me realize I want to see a tournament where people can only use non attacking moves. I’m not sure if that already exists tho

[@Bongtaker]

Stall vs stall

[@sinteleon]

Does metronome count? (there has been metronome tournaments)

[@aninother]

New Pokémon VCG Meta: *Powerhouses like Dondozo, Tatsugiri, Goldengo, Annihilape, etc.* Murkrow: 😈

[@archangel5972]

love the brief interlude of pokemon battle revolution music during the event plug

[@affinityforanime]

Murkrow has been my favorite Pokemon since gen 2. I've even got a Murkrow tattoo.

[@frankunodostres473]

honestly I'm happy to see murkrow thrive in its niche role! I hope honchkrow also eventually gets his time to shine

[@TheDeathmail]

It does... as a proud parent....

[@agr0nianTV]

I always loved Murkrow as a pokemon all the way back in Silver version where you couldn't get it till after the elite four >_> It was always so weak so seeing the lil guy become so popular and strong warms my heart even if it was for a short amount of time.

[@carlobeast4881]

Was anxious to watch one more video of yours! :P

[@grmancool]

I love that Wolfe pronounces Hydreigon as "hi dragon"

[@paulh3892]

Oh and how I’ve been flaming Ash Ketchum for years for not evolving his Pokemon! Way to go, Murkrow, you mad lad! Countering the Master-Blaster gigachad mon of the Scarlet / Violet regional Dex and having some great overall team synergy moves is really impressive. (Bonus points for looking like a goofball compared to all the other top threats on the field 🤣)

[@wood11b]

I literally started playing Comp for the first time ever yesterday because of your vids. And man Murkrow is everywhere.

[@raydquaza5454]

Big ups for the editors, they really did a banging job on the video

[@MidnaMistfire]

Was super hyped to hear Murkrow was playable (love the little guy ever since playing a little cup tournament), until the end of the video crashed my hopes and dreams again.

[@parkershields950]

Love how at the bottom of the “iceberg of non-damaging moves” splash is down there with assist 😂😂😂

[@neonnwave1]

I was using Murkrow before it was the number 1 pick. When there was a 'competitive' branch for Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, I was using Murkrow and dominated matches. Reason was because I noticed so many teams utilizing boosts and I needed a 6th Pokemon for my team. When I saw Murkrow was able to use Haze, I knew I found the perfect 6th member. Now? It's a must on most of my teams in Scarlet and Violet.

[@fios4528]

Eviolite was one of the best ideas GameFreak ever had

[@byzantine5761]

within the last two games Murkrow went from before as a run of the mill forgotten mon, to flying Paras (Pokemon Legends Arceus, if you've been to Cobalt Coastlands at night you want to beat up this tiny bird), and finally a meta game staple.... and also makes you want to beat up this tiny bird.

[@supershirtgun8411]

5:25 the splash water mark though best move for prankster if only magikarp got prankster then it would be ubers

[@SpandexLlamaTube]

Here's the Timestap to skip the add 3:53

[@hayder5309]

Murkrows been my favourite Pokémon for years I’m so happy it’s better (for now for at least)

[@seraphim9219]

_This is what no Whimsicott does to a competitive scene_

[@dane1761]

the ending is so emotional... we love you murkrow

[@Wyrmshield]

It's crazy that murkrow took everyone by surprise. I've been using it for years

[@El_chara]

Your domination was short but never forgotten Rest in peace lil' chicken, it's been a bash

[@PokemonHunters-]

Murkrow is ridiculous man. I had one where he was getting a critical hit 50% of the times.

[@zarc4d]

7:33 that was a hard jinx

[@zetagammafigma8212]

That Phoenix Wright music hit so good

[@Pando0678]

prankster tailwind, haze, and other nice moves like foul play and taunt with the eviolite are so crazy in gen 9

[@galactik8222]

murkrow's been very naughty.... some would say he's a.... *prankster*

[@YankeesRCheaters]

1:55 “of all the relevant competitive pokemon ever, Murkrow has the worst defensive stats” *Smeargle has left the chat*

[@SorenRoberts]

The guy who used cottonee in an actual tournament is an absolute gangster

[@karankashyap9829]

Wolfey always explain things so easily

[@Rageball28]

Clearly Murkrow’s peak performance is with an assault vest

[@Imaerus]

I would love to see more videos detailing the most popular competitive pokemon and what makes them so.

[@Zeldrake]

The ending of this vid made me actually sad for Murkrow, something I was not expecting after watching your livestream of your Dondozo-Flamigo team where you got absolutely bodied by it xD

[@lechugator9]

I used Murkrow in Sun/Moon a lot, but he was one-shoted by Koko and Lele more often than not. Despite that, I was so glad he was in Paldea so I could take him for a ride again. When I discovered that more people were using him... I'm just so glad for the little boy

[@razzdiamond6447]

I love the Ace Attorney ost getting repped towards the end of the vid 😃

[@MrcreeperDXD777]

Murkrow joining the "niche pokemon thats good at countering op water types" gang alongside Seismitoad, which defended early gen 8 from the wrath of Mr Fish

[@cloudwyrms9752]

I never expected my favorite obscure bird Pokémon since elementary school that I prefer to its final evolution to get so popular but there you go

[@rumlocke636]

Woo another video! Thanks Wolf, you’ve single-handedly made me want to play competitive, and suffer so many losses to this silly crow 😂

[@Max-sn3hr]

I love this little broom mafia goon bird so much

[@F15_C]

5:58 ayo what the kingambit doin

[@dragoniteisbased]

Whimsicott:(is removed) Murkrow:Fine, ill do it myself.

[@jayd.doubledubs]

5:26 I saw that Wolfe, real slick

[@DDhi55]

Only someone with the World Champ Difference babyyyyy could take this type of video and make it life lesson

[@getrektnoob777]

Murkrow is just a funny guy who likes pranks that’s all

[@soup1322]

You didn't have to go that hard on the ending, but you did, and for that we are thankful.

[@zachlikeslofi]

My first shiny in Legends Arceus was a Murkrow - time to send it through time thousands of years into the future :D