When competing in The Pokemon Video Game Championships (VGC), players will notice that some moves are used more than others. Stacking a team with Pokemon with important moves and abilities will help players move up in the ranks.
Moves used in competitive Pokemon battles can fall into two categories: Utility moves and Attack Moves. Using a combination of utility and attack moves is the best practice for players to get more wins under their belts. In tandem with moves, Pokemon have special abilities that can give them the upper hand in battles. Therefore, many players plan their teams around moves and abilities to build a strong core. These are some of the most important and commonly-used moves and abilities in the Pokemon VGC.
Attack Moves
Attack moves focus on dealing lots of damage and are best used by offensive-type Pokemon. Furthermore, there are common attack moves players will encounter in the metagame.
Earthquake
Earthquake is an impressive and popular move used in competitive battles due to many Pokemon being able to use it and its multi-target status. However, Flying-type Pokemon take no damage from the move because of its Ground typing. Still, Earthquake's offensive power makes it worthwhile.
Scald
Scald is a notable move because it is a Water-type move with a 30% chance of burning its target. Additionally, Water-type Pokemon who use it will receive STAB (the Same-Type Attack Bonus), which will increase its damage by 50%.
U-turn
U-turn is a pivoting move, meaning it switches out the Pokemon on the field for a different member of the team. What makes U-turn an iconic move is that it not only allows users to switch to a Pokemon of their choice but also deals damage. In addition, it isn't as type-specific as some similar moves, allowing many more Pokemon to use it.
Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt is a standard move for Electric-type Pokemon. Its high accuracy and widespread use make it a reliable move, even though it isn't the most powerful.
Behemoth Blade
Behemoth Blade is Zacian's signature move, and it dominated the 2022 meta. It is an incredibly powerful attack move, and if Zacian is Dynamaxed, it deals twice the damage.
Hydro Pump
Hydro Pump is a Water-type move with a base power of 110, but its accuracy is only 80. When it does land, it deals out more than enough damage to make a substantial change to the field.
Utility Moves
Utility moves are moves that serve another purpose outside of just dealing damage like healing, speed control, status changes, or redirection. They are common with support Pokemon. Every team should have a solid collection of utility moves and support Pokemon.
Stealth Rock
Stealth Rock is considered a hazard move and can be a game changer when used properly. Stealth Rock lays sharp rocks on the ground, which damage Pokemon upon entry. The damage level changes depending on type matchups.
Protect
Protect is the most common defense move used in competitive battles. It blocks almost all damage when used.
Protect is widespread in Pokemon, and it thrives particularly in Double battles as it protects from multi-target attacks and allows time for HP recovery.
Taunt
When a Pokemon uses Taunt, it prevents the target from using any status moves. This move protects against hazards and status effects that usually hinder Pokemon teams.
Trick Room
Trick Room is particularly popular in the 2022 metagame. This is because it changes the priority bracket, and Pokemon with low speed can go before Pokemon with high speed. This could make or break a team depending on an opponent's strategy.
Ally Switch
Ally Switch is very useful in double battles. It allows the user to switch places with its partner Pokemon and can keep an offensive Pokemon on the field longer. Players will potentially sacrifice the user, but it depends on the risk-to-reward ratio when deciding to use it.
Tailwind
Tailwind is a great move to have when it comes to outspeeding an opponent's Pokemon. It doubles the speed of the entire team when used and lasts for four turns. For Pokemon with low speed stats, it makes a huge difference.
Important Abilities
Abilities are effects or traits that Pokemon possess that they can use in battle. Some abilities are rare, while others can be found in many Pokemon. They usually affect stats, attack, or defense.
Multiscale
Pokemon with the Multiscale ability have an extra defense against attacks as it will cause them to only take half the damage. However, this ability only works when the Pokemon has full health.
Unaware
Pokemon with the Unaware ability can ignore all stat changes their opponents have. This can be a game changer against opponents who like to increase their offensive and defensive levels.
Guts
Guts is another one that counteracts status moves. For example, if an opponent hits a Pokemon with a stat-changing move, Guts doubles the target's Attack stat.
Huge Power
In the same vein as Guts, Huge Power also doubles the attack of a Pokemon who has it. To prevent this ability from being an unfair advantage, Pokemon with high attack stats aren't able to have it.
Intimidate
Intimidate is a great ability for a few reasons; it has widespread use with various Pokemon, reducing the attack stat of all the opponent's Pokemon on the field, and it comes into effect every time the Pokemon enters the field. This means the attack decrease can stack.
Drizzle
As far as weather conditions affecting abilities are concerned, Drizzle is top-tier. The rain it brings not only boosts Water-type moves by 50%, but it hinders Fire-type moves by 50%. If the user is holding a Damp Rock, the rain lasts for eight turns.
Source: VGC Guide