Why The Metagame Isn't Everything - The Pachirisu Theorem

[@FalseSwipeGaming]

Use code FALSESWIPE50 to get 50% OFF your first Factor box plus 20% off your next month of orders at bit.ly/3SYO5ng!

[@aidansherry17]

Hell yeah

[@darkdragon7210]

Next Theorem video 25 Flavors of Natures : The Chansey/ Blissey Theorem!

[@x7251z]

How good was Cresselia ACTUALLY?

[@AdminAbuse]

After learning about working conditions there, yikes

[@mizu6891]

Quagsire doesn’t know what tiers are, and frankly, it doesn’t care. For it is a Quagsire. Simple, effective, and very Unaware.

[@johnquach8821]

Either it's OU (or has niches in Ubers) or it's NU. There is no middle ground.

[@KristopherTheGame]

Unfortunately (or I guess fortunately) because of Clodsire, Quagsire resides in RU and below now. The former is OU proper at least.

[@marilynlucero9363]

Quag.

[@PorygonBugado]

Gigity

[@darkdragon7210]

Hahaha!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@JJBeauregard1]

It's worth noting that Pachirisu wasn't even one of his favorites at the time, it was just the Pokemon that fit the profile he was looking for the most.

[@j.alfonso8036]

Yep. I’m guessing he used it because: 1. It could support his Mega Gyarados since Pachirisu’s could use Volt Absorb + Follow Me to redirect super-effective Electric-type attacks aimed at the Gyarados and even heal Pachirisu. 2. It had surprisingly good special defence, which is how it survived the Draco Meteor. 3. It had Super Fang to chip down opponents so it’s teammates could have an easier time KOing them. 4. It could spread Paralysis with Nuzzle. 5. He was planning on using Amoongus at first, but it was quite popular and people had counter-measures against it. So by using Pachirisu, opponents would be caught off-guard and not be able to deal with it as easily.

[@michaelbowman6684]

More people need to realize that he was only using Pachirisu because of what it offered for it's slot, it became a meme because it's funny that the exact Pokemon he needed was this low-stated and thus extremely uncommon electric squirrel.

[@pokemonftw3652]

@@j.alfonso8036volt absorb doesn’t redirect moves

[@brendantw]

Yeah that was literally in the video :/

[@Reginald425]

And thus it became his favourite afterward

[@et34t34fdf]

Quagsire walling some of the best mons in history will never not be hilarious.

[@rubenduenas5881]

Kyogre cries when Water Absorb Quagsire enters the room

[@andreivaldez2929]

[Laughs in HP Grass/ Ice Beam freeze]

[@Chowder_T]

But if the opponent is dedicating a move slot to counter Quagsire, then Quagsire has already put in work​. @andreivaldez2929

[@Materialist39]

hes just a guy

[@KaitN9]

​@@andreivaldez2929 ( Hidden Power is removed from the current rules)

[@KrizzlerYT]

Quagsire/Clodsire is a great example of how tiering sometimes doesn't matter. When players need a stopgap for set-up mons, you can count on these two mudballs to ruin their day.

[@Setsunascarletstorm24]

The difference is Clodsire is a legit OU mon.

[@BigWes95]

Same with gastrodon

[@xxcridonxx7614]

Clodsire is legitimately good because of unaware

[@Setsunascarletstorm24]

@@xxcridonxx7614 Water Absorb is also used in OU.

[@gavinyeet5821]

Just Quagsire; Clod has been OU all of gen 9

[@junglecruiser4785]

Farigiraf is a legend for not letting go of their niche after years of being useless as a girafarig

[@riccardocasu5576]

I like Farigiraf because is the best way to buff an old Pokémon by evolution without making it too weak or overpowered. Massive HP with a single weakness and Anti-priority ability makes it one of the toughest supporter to either disrupt or take down. The speed reduction actually is a boon since Farigiraf nearly always uses Trick Room and thanks to 110 base special attack and a STAB spread move in Hyper Voice isn't even too passive and can clean with Trick Room up if needed.

[@SLonn978]

⁠@@riccardocasu5576so that means farigaraf is the latest example of the incineroar theorem?

[@A-ro-2803]

@@SLonn978yes, it probably fits that incineroar theorem better than pachirisu. It’s not quite as dominant as incineroar (honestly not sure any Pokémon ever will be). But it’s been a solid threat since VGC started in SV with the second place team having it last year and the winner this season.

[@Xcal13]

Surprised it isn't called the Karen Theorem with how much everyone's been quoting her

[@andreivaldez2929]

"I WANT TO SPEAK TO YOUR MANAGER" jokes when you bring up Karen.

[@sephikong8323]

"I wasn't talking against the idea of a metagame, I was just giving a rebuttal to the rival's ideology of taking it out on his Pokemon because he keeps on losing why do people misquote me so much ?"

[@timpaul721]

Golden Owl has a good video explaining why that might be the case

[@OriginalGameteer]

​@sephikong8323 I know it's meant to be in regards to silver But in a meta sense I always assumed it was meant to in regards to people simply playing the game, NOT competitive (since this was a quote from the *2nd* generation of the series life) The games are designed so you can beat them with what pokemon you want rather than outright demanding you use the "best"

[@animejerk05]

Not really in the remakes Clair and the elite four will definitely wash terrible teams u less you over level

[@justindekoning9988]

My favorite thing about Pachirisu is that it had one of the best physical movepools of electric types even though it has 45 attack. U-turn seed bomb, gunk shot. Electivire was even a bit jealous of it

[@jabarithegoldenlucario8841]

The Pokémon aren’t picked necessarily because they’re the favorites. They’re picked because they have a niche in that meta.

[@Goldeneye3336]

''niche in that meta''. You're talking nonsense bud.

[@alexv0714]

​@@Goldeneye3336 how is that nonsense? that's literally what the entire video is about. ie Pachirisu

[@Goldeneye3336]

@@alexv0714 If you don't get it then you are just too dumb to get it. They wouldn't able to talk about said meta. Bunch of nonsense as I said.

[@EvilGeorgeWashington]

Yes I also saw the title

[@dangerousrambling]

​@@Goldeneye3336🤡

[@ES-dp6tw]

One entertaining video was by Jimothy Cool describing how Dachsbun was summoned to the SV Ubers because it matched up incredibly well into the common variants of Koraidon. That's all it did, but because Koraidon was such a powerhouse it still made decent tracks by that niche alone.

[@devilman4723]

Something he didn't mention was that Dachsbun was actually a weird tech option to deal with Chi-Yu while it was legal in OU, at least until the funny fish started running Psychic anyway

[@joeywarren60]

Karen really does embrace competitive. Not because "oh you should win with your favs, and not meta beasts", but becaus the reason she likes Dark Types IS their power. So she very much agrees with using pokemon that are powerful. And if you like them, all the better.

[@InsertFunnyThingHere]

So I guess the real takeaway is to not force yourself to use the absolute top best available and instead using something effective that you're comfortable with Basically drop fox and main yoshi 20🥚🥚 is real

[@hmalba7864]

I do use my favorite Pokemon to win, I just so happen to like strong and competitively viable Pokemon

[@vgguardian6728]

@@InsertFunnyThingHere referencing aMSa. Nice

[@brendantw]

If that was true she would've had a tyranitar

[@linkthepringlesman3951]

@@brendantwLances highest level mon is 50. Pupitar evolves at 55. That’s why she doesn’t have a Tyranitar. I mean I guess she could have cheated like Lance buuut

[@hosni4064]

When Gen 8 had online competitions with 2 restricted Pokemon in order to claim a shiny Galarian bird, I made a team with Kanto Moltres because my thought was in the right conditions, it would be the best possible Zacian-C counter in the game, and I was able to win 2 out of 3 games with that team

[@froglord9213]

You know that moltres is/was a good check to zacian crowned? You’re not a visionary for using a good pokemon

[@Goldeneye3336]

@@froglord9213 They kinda were. Fire/Flying is a pretty good typing to Wall Fairy/Steel and Flame Body is great into physical attackers. Good on them for using good Mons.

[@HazeEmry]

@@froglord9213 what did you get in that competition then? Did you even participate?

[@HerMajestyVelvet]

If I had a nickel for every water/ground type pokemon that I love very much and also regularly defies tier placements I’d have two nickels, which isn’t a lot but strange that it’s happened twice

[@danka1167]

Gastro, seismi and who? Quag ig

[@HerMajestyVelvet]

@@danka1167 I was just talking about quag and Gastrodon since I love those two I forgot about seismitoad tbh, I’m not huge on him

[@SerDerpish]

WAAAAAAAAH-suc-suc-suc-suc-suc 🦪🥹

[@PhantomAarantula]

Man. And here I was like "Do people actually use Whiscash?"

[@HerMajestyVelvet]

@@PhantomAarantula unfortunately no

[@1_KingDom]

Love this type of analysis! Helps people realize that using niche mons to be "different" doesnt work the same as having a deep understanding of the meta and finding something off meta to fill a real niche and shore up matchups in teambuilding.

[@specs.weedle]

this using mons that aren’t frequently used in a tier can potentially be powerful, but you have to know what you’re doing and how to properly use your niche pick, both when teambuilding and in the battle itself some mons that would be liabilities within a given metagame in the hands of newer players can end up becoming pretty useful in the hands of those who know those mons’ strengths and weaknesses

[@1_KingDom]

@specs.weedle absolutely yes!!! There's so much nuance and detail under the hood to pokemon and if someone can't be bothered or just doesn't understand how those small changes like an ev spread change a mon, they won't be able to use something offmeta/low tier to the same success.

[@ryukthedarkrai4259]

I think this is as good a reminder as any that Pachirisu fit, in the most literal sense, perfectly onto Park’s team and wasn’t slapped on haphazardly. It was the best support his team could ask for and he knew it.

[@ryukthedarkrai4259]

realized I copied someones comment 😭

[@Jlaps941]

That’s what people always miss. They think he did it just to goof around and see if he could get away with it, but it was quite the opposite

[@Blaziken20052000]

Fun Fact: 10:45, shiny Magmar w Follow Me isn't possible because it's locked to XD where that Magmar is shiny locked. It isn't until Generation 9 where Shiny Follow Me Magmar becomes a thing.

[@Epzilon12]

Yeah. Unlike Colosseum, XD would reroll multiple times to prevent shiny shadow mons, which is where Follow Me Magmar was from

[@vish5942]

i swear back in the good ol days 99% of all pokemon were hacked in and no one cared but now the TO's constantly hack check as if it matters annoying new rules

[@Epzilon12]

@@vish5942 To be fair, people hacking in pokemon sort of breaks the the veil of "trainers" we have. It also gives you a time advantage. Mind you, i'm pro genning. It has become a lot easier nowadays, excluding 0IVs

[@JosephGambit]

Love when we get a VGC focused video. Its so funny that everyone remembers Pachurisu, but no one remembers Mega Gyarados, who was even more of a niche pick.

[@remington238]

It’s because casuals see Mega Gyarados as big and scary, which means it must be strong and makes sense to be at worlds

[@Jlaps941]

And that Pachirisu was mostly used to divert attacks away from Gyarados with Volt Absorb Follow Me, on top of nuzzle for speed control and doing damage at the same time

[@t.j.helming5534]

The theorem videos are by far no doubt my absolute favorite FalseSwipeGaming videos! Please keep them going!! Maybe in the future, if someone wants to compile a "how to competitive pokemon" tutorial guide, I can see the theorem series being an opening reference tool for teaching newbies.

[@blueorange31]

It’s like Ringo Star. He’s not the best drummer who ever lived, but he was the perfect drummer for the Beatles.

[@searchingfun1069]

Speaking of which. Some players are finding some niches about Hisuian Decidueye for Regulation H. A pokémon that has been clowned a lot, also being called: "a worst Decidueye"

[@riccardocasu5576]

This also has to do with the format and the specific qualities of the Pokémon. Regulation H cut out all the mons that either outclassed (Urshifu, Ogerpon) or had a net advantage (Flutter Mane, Tornadus) over Hisuian Decidueye. It has a decent bulk, natural Spore and powder immunity, can ignore Intimidate thanks to Scrappy (the fact that you can also pulverize Gholdengo with Fighting moves is a nice bonus) and both STAB have an high critical ratio (important when Stamina Archaludon has the potential to be one of the best Pokémon of the format).

[@searchingfun1069]

Yes that's what I was refering to

[@g.mxanthis7575]

​​@@riccardocasu5576 It's also worth mentioning that Triple Arrows, the signature move of H-Decidueye has 3 effects: 1) A chance to lower enemy's physical defence by a stage 2) Increased critical chance and 3) a chance to Flinch, which is absolutely insane

[@butteredsalmonella]

Welcome back, Urshifu

[@vision4860]

The use of the Karen quote in combination with calling it the "Pachirisu Theorem" after Sejun Park's Pachirisu, IMMEDIATELY misses the point of the Pachirisu. Sejun Park didn't choose Pachirisu because of any kind of fondness, he chose it because of its unique combination of traits, just like ANY OTHER COMPETITIVE POKEMON. He didn't "win with his favorites." That whole quote is bunk anyway in the context of competitive play, because it's talking about the world of the GAME.

[@luigisalso9226]

Up.

[@SerDerpish]

I get why this theorem is named after Pachirisu, but in our heart of hearts, we all know it truly belongs to Quagsire 🤤

[@PicketPolecat]

Yeah, but they already had a theorem named after them, so it went to Pachirisu

[@GrandArchPriestOfTheAlgorithm]

VGC teams tend to be built with 3-3 or 4-2 powerhouse to support pokemon. Sejun Park's team being 3,5-2,5 (Talonflame being both). Support pokemon tend to be creative choices.

[@andreivaldez2929]

I kinda hate how many Pachurisu you ran into in Smogon Singles after that event. A lot of people didn't understand that it was good in VGC Doubles and thought they could use it as an off-meta pick in Singles.

[@Goldeneye3336]

Not really a thing. It wasn't used for what you say. You are lying out of your ass for what ? A few likes... pathetic.

[@Alex-sd3fs]

I would still like to see a theorem discussing x4 weakness pokemon and why it's not too bad. And sometimes those typings despite having a x4 weakness are actually really good, defensively or offensively. Like Heatran, Landorous, Swampert and Weavile.

[@greninjamastergabe6452]

Really, you could just do “Why Type Effectiveness Isn’t Everything,” as it applies to advantages, too. What matters is what the advantages/weaknesses are, not how many you have. Plus, resistances and immunities are more important anyway.

[@burritoman2k]

Ground/Rock and Rock/Steel types: allow us to introduce ourselvea

[@rossthemoss6827]

@@burritoman2k Rock and ground would a great offensive combo though….on something that isn’t slow as a crippled snail like every rock type is.

[@T1MB05L1C3]

double weakness is exactly what keeps things like Heatran and Lando from being banned to Ubers

[@justcallmeleonardo]

Honestly, if you're as good as Hclat and can win with a Butterfree, you have my respect. Also Quagsire don't care about tiers, it only care about having fun

[@T1MB05L1C3]

unless its PU then its banned

[@TrixterTheFemboy]

scug spotted

[@FantasticGoudaCheese]

Sejun Park didn't bring Pachirisu to worlds because it was one of his favorite pokemon. Pachirisu was one of his favorities because it won him worlds.

[@g3mkn1ght60]

I love using “lower tier” Pokémon and not very popular Pokémon, because it inspires creativity. My favorite Pokémon is Aggron, he’s not competitively viable nowadays but the fact I can go into a battle with my favorites and still get somewhere is what Pokémon’s all about

[@Jlaps941]

Hey as long as you’re having fun, that’s all that matters

[@ShadowSword88ee]

I find it ironic that a video about VGC is named "Why Tiers Arent Everything- The Pachirisu Theorem" when there are not tiers in VGC.

[@Ghostking5904]

That's the point. Tiers aren't everything because Pokemon that are considered low tier in singles can be really good in VGC

[@worldiefeard8396]

@@Ghostking5904 sorta. Those pokemon are considered usually bad even in doubles. Umbreon, Pachirisu, Iron Valiant, Gastrodon and Farigiraf before they found out how good they were, were all considered niche / 4fun picks in VGC. Most of them still are, in fact.

[@musiyevonchilla6769]

May so but if the VGC is the highest competitive tournament of Pokemon, u cant expect much except teams filled with high tiered Pokemon

[@Ghostking5904]

@@worldiefeard8396 when I say "can be really good" I don't mean consistently, but with the right strategy in the right metagame

[@Ghostking5904]

@@musiyevonchilla6769 That's literally the point of the video. That Pokemon that would usually be tiered low in singles can be considered good in doubles. Like Inceneroar is considered by some to be the greatest vgc Pokemon of all time but in singles it's abysmal

[@Hipsterjes]

What an awesome video! This is exactly the type of things I look for when looking at metas; How can I differentiate myself with something unique. Great video fsg 💯

[@doubl2480]

My understanding of the Karen quote is to avoid boxing Pokemons into "it's weak" or"it's strong" without second thought. If all you're doing is copying the most popular Pokemons and teams, you might win some battles but you will never reach the top, as you will lose against the people who pushed farther and made an effort to understand the metagame and how it works. Some of these people use the same Pokemon in a different way and with way more skill, while some end up with surprise picks tailored to fight the most popular teams, like that Pachirisu. You can allow yourself to think outside the box as long as you understand what's inside.

[@Jlaps941]

I think the “try” in her quote is the biggest thing. She’s not saying you HAVE to use your favorites, but to try and see if they work despite their shortcomings.

[@jaydenyoo4309]

Why formats are everything - The Incineroar Theorem

[@afriendlycampfire260]

Already made

[@jaydenyoo4309]

@afriendlycampfire260 Bruhhh I literally looked for the video and I couldn't find it until you told me lmao

[@afriendlycampfire260]

@@jaydenyoo4309 glad i could help

[@Ben-jl2rh]

Toxicroak being on here is surprising! It's one of my favorite mons that can put in some work.

[@joshuakim5240]

One fun advantage i've found with using off-meta tier-mismatched mons is that my opponents rarely have any idea wtf i'm capable of while i know exactly what sort of cookie-cutter set they're using. Another fun thing about doing this is that they expect me to use the usual smogon-googled sets for the tiers that the tier-mismatched mons are used in...but don't seem to understand that's not really possible to do that due to tier power differences as i use sets explicitly for the tiers i'm using mons in which are often drastically different than anything they'll look up. If i send out a Houndoom against an OU player, they think i'm going to attempt using some Nasty Plot sweeper set when logically that's impossible to even think of trying due to speed creep. What i instead do is use something along the lines of Taunt + Counter + Destiny Bond Houndoom as a cheeky anti-lead, KO-pick, or sweep stopper tool. It's also funny asf Countering a U-Turn to take out something unintentionally but way more valuable than the U-turner.

[@skeetermania3202]

Bonus points for using Karen’s ace.

[@HannibalKantter]

I'm currently using an unexpected threat to deal with both Koraidon and Miraidon at the same time in Ubers, which I'm really enjoying: Tera Fairy Rhyperior with Lighting Rod. Inmune to both of Miraidon's STAB, and resistant to Koraidon's Fighting moves. Being Full HP/ATK, it can OHKO Miraidon with Earthquake, baiting a Draco Meteor before terastalizing, and you can do the same to Koraidon with Tera Blast, after eating his now "not very effective" Collision Course with ease. Even funnier, more recently I've been playing with Eviolite Rhydon, which runs a specially defensive spread, and although it only has 300 points of Attack, having almost 50% more Defense and twice as much Sp.Def as its evolution shows, and it's nothing that can't be fixed with one good ol' Curse

[@TrulyAtrocious]

​@@HannibalKantteryoure insane

[@froglord9213]

@@HannibalKantterexcept now you’ve burnt your tera and they still have their tera

[@hifuu1383]

​@@froglord9213 Many gimmicks like this lose to Hyper Offense too.

[@harmoniatab]

Yeah, my favorite Pokémon is Fluttermane

[@pranavkarmarkar]

Haven't watched the video yet, but just judging by the title - well, Tiers are Smogon Singles and Pachi was a VGC Champ, those are two completely different things.

[@Kawi31]

Why one move might be everything, the Scizor theorem, it getting bullet punch literally made its career

[@tangerinepaint3643]

don’t you mean bullet punch?

[@Kawi31]

@@tangerinepaint3643 yeah mb

[@mintystingmoon4787]

zamazenta and body press

[@geoffreygeorge999]

u turn entered the chat

[@500werewolf]

I think I've heard the Karen quote more this year than any other year before.

[@andreivaldez2929]

Because it appeals to people that don't know any better. I'm not saying you shouldn't pick off-meta picks, but it takes a good player to find what useful niches are being overlooked by the community, and how to exploit them with weaker Pokémon.

[@500werewolf]

@andreivaldez2929 Ya, the fact that this was a line in the game before competitive was a thing should be enough reason not to take it completely seriously. It was always a line to make regular players feel accomplished for finding and using the Pokemon they liked. People really shouldn't need to justify bringing their favorite Pokemon to competitive if that's what they want to do.

[@browncow5210]

Most things can be made to work if you make good use of the tools they have and rely on the team to play around their weaknesses. I low key think GF echoed this sentiment in the SV DLC. The BB Elite 4 all built up teams around their favorites, and they're some of the best built npc battles they've ever cooked up. The antithesis of this is Kieran. In-between Kitakami and Blueberry, he ditched almost his entire team and replaced them with something right out of Smogon (looking at you, Doubles Cat). Like yeah, he achieved number 1, but he wasn't having fun. He was obsessed and miserable, and his attitude made everyone else miserable as well. The whole point of gaming is to have a good time, so when you're just loading up copies of everything you're told to without any room for creativity or originality I think you've missed the point.

[@ivanbluecool]

I keep remembering that manga chapter with pachu tanking a op move

[@BlueJoshi]

Pachirisu is my favourite Pokémon. During the 2014 championship I got a ton of messages from friends about what was happening. I'm so happy my little guy is a champion.

[@BrendanGeormer]

One of the greatest things about Wolfey is that using his patented (not actually patented) World Champ Difference he can still win while getting away with using weird and niche mons that otherwise would get overlooked in favor of more meta options.

[@dvillines26]

he's able to do this because he has the reads, and incredible instincts for how to counter whatever the current meta is. off-meta Pokemon require more complex design and play than Unga Bunga Urshifu go brrrrr, and that's where the World Champ Difference comes in. he's also a bit evil for loving to use Perish Song strats, lmao.

[@cheyanne2001]

​@@dvillines26 'a bit'? Perish Trap is the epitome of evil, especially when it's Mega Gengar

[@Jlaps941]

He’s great at realizing meta game trends and finding unique counters for what’s popular ,and having good contingency plans for when his strategies pan out

[@veeetox]

You can win with your favorites, if the format let you do it. Pachirisu won the 2014 WC because it was a good Pokémon in that format

[@piplup2884]

Pachirasu was truly the greatest underdog

[@jacobmorris6357]

Remember. Karen said that in the context to the story. She was referring to how Silver blamed his pokemom for being too weak. She was telling him he needs to have love for his companions throughout his journey to grow as a trainer.

[@Regeor]

Next do “Why switching is everything”

[@killingragethrowback]

Yeah, the moment you said it's about unorthodox Pokemon, Pachirisu came to mind right away. Such an iconic win.

[@spongeb27]

I keep hearing "take the glory home" as "take the glory hole" and having to rewind

[@AdminAbuse]

Bringing single tiers into conversation when discussing VGC, of course

[@InsertFunnyThingHere]

I'm not sure if right after a top player threw by forcing Pachirisu into a meta it didn't fit in is quite the right time for this-

[@oscen335]

5-3 is still pretty good,and the pachi had some synergy with miraidon ig

[@InsertFunnyThingHere]

@@oscen335 I guess but I think he had decent results despite the Pachirisu and not because of it

[@LordPhilipJFry]

The point of this video is not “any Pokemon can be successful,” it’s “any Pokemon can be successful if the meta creates a niche that only they can fill.” Sejun underperformed because Pachirisu did not fill a useful niche in the 2024 meta.

[@InsertFunnyThingHere]

@@LordPhilipJFry I know it's just pretty bad timing considering current events and current discourse.

[@dream_weaver6207]

I think ice punch Dusknoir deserves a mention

[@bloemkoolendestreetgang450]

Shouldnt this be the "Quagsire theorem", or Gastrodon or something Pachirisu was used with success once in a format that doesnt use tiers anyways

[@Grumpisaurus]

And it was successful because it filled a very specific niche that not many others at the time did (follow me), adding on nuzzle... All in all, it's very unlikely that it will ever be used again.

[@bloemkoolendestreetgang450]

​@@Grumpisaurusthat is true, and Pachirisu does fit well with the introduction description of the video, but no so much the title in my opinion. That is why i thought of Quagsire, which will be in the PU tier but be good in OU simultaneously

[@justinnzamora5366]

We already have a Quagsire Theorem.

[@Grumpisaurus]

@@bloemkoolendestreetgang450 I didn't mean to make it sound like I was disagreeing with your comment, I was more commenting on pacharisu as a pokemon in vgc

[@raiynen]

Could almost call this the Wolfe Glick theorem.

[@AnotherThrow]

shouldn’t this be why metagame is everything? Pachirisu was a perfect pic for the meta at the time

[@playersnake]

Perhaps the next theorem video could be why move sets (like mix attacking, fast physical, bulky special, etc) are close to everything or the Dragonite theorem

[@drakematsen4978]

Is there a world where Megas come back in vgc and Chalk rises again? None of the members (that exist) are bad in vgc yet, surely they could get the band back together?

[@KeyboardKlutz_0]

Two lesser examples of pokemon that really fit this are avalugg and Heracross. Heracross used to be a top tier singles staple before dropping out of ou, but is still one of the most offensively devestating mons around that you do NOT want to give a turn at all costs. Avalugg on the other hand is the only hard counter to Kyurem black in the franchise, on top of destroying tons of top tier staples.

[@gregorymirabella1423]

Wish I was as creative and smart as these guys. The best I could do was use Haunter in OU because it had levitate, which rarely helped my team anyway.

[@carriebrute3627]

Meta slave lance using 3 pseudo legends vs Chad Karen that plays with whoever she likes with that’s why she uses a vileplume in her dark type only team

[@Lithosagymfan173]

Funny, cause Dragonite sucked in past Generations.

[@chengchenghuang5291]

every time when i think of "tier arent everything" , Kricketune will first come of my mind

[@lorddarkrai5753]

Pokémon falling one tier from their highest tier and then lasting there for many generations is proof they were desigmed to be very good combatants because as False has been saying for many years that tier in the next generation is a much more difficult tier to be in compared to how difficult it was to be in at the previous generation

[@Mandercloud]

I'm not exactly a competitive player myself, but I feel that the part of the "Win with your favorites" crowd that doesn't understand (and maybe doesn't care to understand) how competitive works truly believes that they can win with their Pokemon because they're that person's favorites, like they could be a real life Ash Ketchum. They're not winning through strategy and training, but because they have the "power of friendship"/they believe in each other/etc., and thus can overcome any obstacle before them together. It didn't matter that Pachirisu was part of Se Jun Park's strategy and not "he added to his team simply because it was his favorite", or that the biggest thing it did in the championship was tank a Draco Meteor, not sweep the higher-tier 'mons on the opponent's team. When people heard words like "it's low-tier" and "it has poor stats", the thought that if that Pachirisu could be a champion, so could their low-tier favorites, became the point of contention that it remains today.

[@nameputhpong9041]

That graph in the beginning should replace “Truly skilled trainers should try to win with their favorites” with “Truly skilled trainers that like all the pokemon and will wreck yo sorry ass in any meta”.

[@johnquach8821]

Very nice theorem! Glad to see these videos keep on coming.

[@Steve_A93]

Glad to see a full video on VGC! I think any pokemon can have a niche or be Vespiquen

[@marcelosandoval8719]

Please add the (FT Karen Elite Four) In the title

[@raishrby]

At the 2013 Pokemon Online World Cup for RBY (pre-body slam change), I and Isa brought and had success with Kingler after a friend let me know it was his favorite and wondered if I could make him a team focused on it. We realized that in the current meta, the only fast mon besides tauros was usually statused in the first few turns as a lead, so if you could net some mild chip damage then force a mid-game tauros ditto and either win it or paralyze off double bslam, Kingler was set to sweep if it could find a single turn to set up without being statused The strat didn't work as well post-bslam change because they were far more likely to have unparalyzed tauros available to punish you for attempting to swords dance

[@Brandon.thebaby]

Empoleon, the ultimate anti-rain wall of early gens 🤩🛡️

[@tktyga77]

Maybe we can start translating a patch or version of PBR compatible with Platinum. With that, maybe a power spiral in pre-dlc recent games can be talked about more

[@Zeo--]

The most recent Articuno could be an honourable mention.

[@Pyco_]

The sheer lack of variety at 19:06 hurts to look at

[@sove3566]

I've always said that if you wan't to do well in high tiers, choose high tier Pokémon to match those of the opponent. If you want to do great in high tiers, choose low tier Pokémon that they don't see coming. I remember absolutely dominating in Showdown back in the days using unconventional teams that mixed in low tier Pokémon, with great results. Because most opponents in OU are expecting OU teams, they've honed their team to counter OU threats, they've strategized around OU teams and so on. Some of those people are absolutely caught off guard by Pokémon they've never seen in OU, and were always surprised about the Speed, bulk or offensive capabilities of some NU Pokémon. The meta always starts settling around the Pokémon that are solified in the tier, and then people become complacent. These days I don't really have the time to play myself, but people like WeedleTwinNeedle are basically what I mean. Genius plays, often with low tier Pokémon.

[@azeria1]

False swipe has been turned into the average r/pokemon user

[@nathanlamont9920]

He doesn't talk to use like we are all 6 year olds...yet

[@sonicmaster047]

Try telling this to a Smogon player they'll have an utter mental breakdown.

[@oscen335]

I'm sure smogon doesn't rly care. Vgc with the doubles format allows more niches to be fulfilled by unexpected mons

[@Gigatreecko]

I'm so sick of that Karen quote. She wasn't breaking the 4th wall to criticize the development of meta games, she was refencing Silver who was constantly blaming his Pokémon for his own shortcomings.

[@Lithosagymfan173]

Plus, that was Gen 2, way before Pokemon had real competitive scenes.

[@Jlaps941]

Same here. She also says to *try*, not that you *should* like people like to think. Plenty of Pokémon are thought to be bad just based on things like low or middling BST, lack of coverage, etc., and it’s important to *try* and see if they work since status moves and abilities can give otherwise weak pokemon a niche, like Pachirisu or Quagsire. You won’t know until you try, but if they don’t work then you should realize they’re not worth using over others

[@madnessarcade7447]

Yes we know she was but competitive players also blame their Pokémon for their own shortcomings as well so it works as a double meaning

[@musiyevonchilla6769]

0:40 didnt Pachirisu use Super Fang instead of Hyper Fang?

[@Revoltine]

It did, yes.

[@toastedtenderloin9683]

he says super fang at 12:31

[@codyherio6909]

Casuals using the Karen quote with Sejun Park almost religiously to put down competitive is so damn funny since Pachirisu was entirely a competitive choice.

[@brandontherabboat4850]

I'm ngl, I'm 100% more likely to root for players who experiment with overlooked Pokémon and use their strengths to the fullest instead of Incineroar-Amoonguss-Genie User #1,058.

[@OriginalGameteer]

Feels like a "root for the underdog" scenario imo

[@HannibalKantter]

I haven't played VGC since Gen 8, but I'm currently using an unexpected threat to deal with both Koraidon and Miraidon in Singles Ubers, which I'm really enjoying: Tera Fairy Rhyperior with Lighting Rod. Inmune to both of Miraidon's STAB, and resistant to Koraidon's Fighting moves. Being Full HP/ATK, it can OHKO Miraidon with Earthquake, baiting a Draco Meteor before terastalizing, and you can do the same to Koraidon with Tera Blast, after eating his now "not very effective" Collision Course with ease. Even funnier, more recently I've been playing with Eviolite Rhydon, which runs a specially defensive spread, and although it only has 300 points of Attack, having almost 50% more Defense and twice as much Sp.Def as its evolution shows, and it's nothing that can't be fixed with one good ol' Curse

[@NAUICRYSTAL]

I'm the same way. I love watching VGC and I understand the uniqueness of each pokemons ev spreads but I would much rather watch players with diverse teams who pick more out of the box pokemon.

[@雪者]

​@@HannibalKantter Oooo, that's a fun surprise there! 😮

[@Symonch_]

Who wouldn't

[@caedrewan]

literally the first mention I'm getting online about any of the teams in this year of worlds

[@GamingWarlord64]

Truly good trainers understands the weakness and strengthes of there pokemon and learn how to bring them to there fullest potential!

[@HazeEmry]

2024 worlds not only had great variety for sets and team comps, top 7 are from different countries too. Honestly so nice to see

[@LAIDDN24]

it hasn't even started

[@HazeEmry]

@@LAIDDN24 ah, made a typo

[@HazeEmry]

Was talking about this 21:48 ​@@LAIDDN24

[@golisobro5296]

Im surprised early gen 9 Murkrow wasn’t mentioned

[@Angelofdeth20]

I remember using the UU azelf in OU as well as mew and running psychic fire blast, thunderbolt and ice punch and laughing as the enemy tried and failed to switch into some that didn’t get hit super effectively. My mew set was thunderbolt ice beam, close combat (for heatran and chansey) and fire blast. It wasn’t bad

[@valiantchris6456]

21:15 I had to double check to see if it was seeing things; but no. Iron Freaking Valiant managed to be in the top 8; and 2nd place no less! I swore that thing was mid in VGC.

[@danielmaynard239]

I will use Dusclops and Iron Thorns any day anytime

[@britbongtankie]

Some parts of my team are purpose-built to exploit the weaknesses of specific overpowered Pokémon. Because of this, I am often more afraid of an opponent who uses a team makeup I've never seen before.

[@r.dommizsed2377]

People in the comments section really complaining about things that are not in the video, maybe ya'll should watch it instead of complaining lol but I,m guessing the average age of the False Swipe viewer is 5-12 so its not even reasonable to expect that lmao, great video!!.

[@TonsOfPax]

Amazed at zero mentions of Jamie Boyt teams. 2019 World's he was undefeated through Swiss with Salazzle and Breloom, and also used Cottonee to win a regional because he needed more bulk than Whimsicott without focus sash offered because another mon had that item

[@kolbalt8121]

I haven't watched the video yet but I just wanna say pachi winning champs in 2014 was a prime example of why meta game IS everything. sejun park made a very niche pick that worked excellent for the meta it was in. if you tried running pachirisu now, which he did for this past 2024 worlds, it'd get run over. even in reg h where all legendaries and paradox pokemon are banned, it can't really do anything.

[@TheFuriator]

It's more like: Why the metagame IS everything. It doesn't matter how strong individually something is, it's just about how well does it fare against what is played.

[@JoshTrager-j9g]

Honestly, I just watch theses videos for fun. I dont't even play competitive Pokemon. I'm strictly a casual player.

[@Shinyslaking64]

In some double battles I did in gen 9 i had a nice sweeps with a q-dance venomoth and a psych up grumpig, grumpig is my favorite psychic mon. Its definitely possible to win with your favorite mons.

[@Kap.Krunch]

I really do love the thumbnail artstyle

[@Your_LocalWizard]

I once used the Karen quote on Showdown as a cheeky troll, and the guy I was playing against hit me with the "¿te pica el culo?". I've never been more devastated in my life

[@armorbearer9702]

Basically, tiers are mostly everything. You cannot bring a team full of your favorite Pokémon; however, you might be able to slot one of your favorites unto a high level team.

[@christianvalente3376]

If your favorite Pokemon doesn't bring something important to the table, it's still not going to be winning. Also this video is about VGC lol, tiers are meaningless.

[@unholy_squid3234]

I think this could've easily been the Ribombee theorem if not for Pachirisu's fame. A UU pokemon taking on Ubers purely for webs and fairy typing is awesome.

[@rossthemoss6827]

I wouldn’t really say that is Unique to Ribombee though Shuckle/Smeagler held similar viability in Ubers in the past 2 or 3 gens for the same reasoning, except now smeargle has its main gimmick over bee gone with the sleep ban and Shuckle is cut from the Dex, and the other options for web don’t have anything they can offer is better than that sweet sweet moon blast

[@crimsontanooki7212]

I was hoping the Pachirisu theory was gonna be on "Why the Pokedex is everything"

[@josephbulkin9222]

I dont get it

[@danyagha5654]

What does this mean

[@crimsontanooki7212]

@@danyagha5654 Just think Gen 8 and formats where some pokemon aren't in the game yet. And how some pokemon loose viability when new pokemon are added in.

[@jiffbombastic3694]

Always a good day for more VGC :)

[@niceindividual]

The thumbnail is a piece of art 😂❤️‍🔥

[@Rafael-jm7tj]

Metagame Is Everything, the capacity to read the format and bring different Idea is only possible because of the metagame, this only Theorem that I think starts really wrong, the meta will always goes to say if something is viable or not, all cases you show are cases of really brilliant ideas of how to counter the meta