Video Game Junior Division Top-8 Teams
Take a look at the US Pokémon VG National Championships Junior Division Top-8 competitors and their teams. Be sure to check out more Pokémon TCG and video game tournament coverage and analysis at Pokemon.com/Strategy.
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Enzo ReciJunior Division Champion -
Cory ConnorJunior Division Runner-up -
Adyson MeyerJunior Division Semi-finalist -
Tiara YeungJunior Division Semi-finalist -
Jackson SheppardJunior Division Top-8 -
Kendahl BurkJunior Division Top-8 -
Sebastian CoreceroJunior Division Top-8 -
Aiden McKinneyJunior Division Top-8
Junior Division Champion Enzo Reci was one of many players that used a team featuring Smeargle, Groudon, Xerneas, Salamence, and Kangaskhan. Unlike many of the Masters Division players using similar teams, Enzo completed his team with the classic Talonflame we saw more often earlier this season.
Moves:
- Fake Out
- Dark Void
- Follow Me
- Spiky Shield
Nature:
- Jolly
Held Item:
- Focus Sash
Ability:
- Moody
Moves:
- Fake Out
- Return
- Power-Up Punch
- Sucker Punch
Nature:
- Jolly
Held Item:
- Kangaskhanite
Ability:
- Scrappy
Moves:
- Eruption
- Precipice Blades
- Earth Power
- Protect
Nature:
- Hasty
Held Item:
- Red Orb
Ability:
- Drought
Moves:
- Geomancy
- Moonblast
- Dazzling Gleam
- Protect
Nature:
- Timid
Held Item:
- Power Herb
Ability:
- Fairy Aura
Moves:
- Hyper Voice
- Double-Edge
- Draco Meteor
- Protect
Nature:
- Naive
Held Item:
- Salamencite
Ability:
- Intimidate
Moves:
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
- Tailwind
- Protect
Nature:
- Adamant
Held Item:
- Life Orb
Ability:
- Gale Wings
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Cory chose to pair Xerneas with Kyogre instead of with the Groudon most other players used. He also taught his Pokémon many moves that were a little different from what other players were using: his Xerneas was taught Hidden Power instead of Moonblast, his Smeargle knew Feint, his Thundurus used Grass Knot, and his Kangaskhan was taught Hammer Arm, all uncommon choices.
Moves:
- Fake Out
- Sucker Punch
- Hammer Arm
- Double-Edge
Nature:
- Jolly
Held Item:
- Kangaskhanite
Ability:
- Scrappy
Moves:
- Thunderbolt
- Grass Knot
- Taunt
- Thunder Wave
Nature:
- Timid
Held Item:
- Sitrus Berry
Ability:
- Prankster
Moves:
- Feint
- Follow Me
- King's Shield
- Dark Void
Nature:
- Jolly
Held Item:
- Focus Sash
Ability:
- Moody
Moves:
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
- Tailwind
- Quick Guard
Nature:
- Adamant
Held Item:
- Lum Berry
Ability:
- Gale Wings
Moves:
- Dazzling Gleam
- Hidden Power
- Geomancy
- Protect
Nature:
- Bold
Held Item:
- Power Herb
Ability:
- Fairy Aura
Moves:
- Water Spout
- Origin Pulse
- Ice Beam
- Protect
Nature:
- Timid
Held Item:
- Blue Orb
Ability:
- Drizzle
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The gem of Adyson Meyer’s team is an Altaria holding Altarianite. The combination of Xerneas’ Fairy Aura and Mega Altaria’s Pixilate Ability allows Altaria to do massive damage with Hyper Voice. Adyson also used Ferrothorn, a great choice against the many Kyogre and Xerneas found in the Junior Division.
Moves:
- Gyro Ball
- Protect
- Leech Seed
- Power Whip
Nature:
- Brave
Held Item:
- Leftovers
Ability:
- Iron Barbs
Moves:
- Protect
- Geomancy
- Moonblast
- Dazzling Gleam
Nature:
- Timid
Held Item:
- Power Herb
Ability:
- Fairy Aura
Moves:
- Protect
- Origin Pulse
- Ice Beam
- Water Spout
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Blue Orb
Ability:
- Drizzle
Moves:
- Protect
- Tailwind
- Hyper Voice
- Draco Meteor
Nature:
- Calm
Held Item:
- Altarianite
Ability:
- Cloud Nine
Moves:
- Power-Up Punch
- Sucker Punch
- Double-Edge
- Fake Out
Nature:
- Jolly
Held Item:
- Kangaskhanite
Ability:
- Scrappy
Moves:
- Dark Void
- Super Fang
- Follow Me
- Spiky Shield
Nature:
- Timid
Held Item:
- Focus Sash
Ability:
- Moody
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Tiara Yeung’s team was one of the first we saw using Lapras this season, a Pokémon that was sure to give her a big advantage against other Trainers using Kyogre. She also used some tricky movesets on her team, teaching her Kangaskhan Thunder Punch and her Groudon Rock Slide with Eruption and Earth Power.
Moves:
- Fake Out
- Thunder Punch
- Double-Edge
- Sucker Punch
Nature:
- Jolly
Held Item:
- Kangaskhanite
Ability:
- Inner Focus
Moves:
- Dark Void
- Wide Guard
- Crafty Shield
- Spiky Shield
Nature:
- Timid
Held Item:
- Focus Sash
Ability:
- Moody
Moves:
- Protect
- Ice Beam
- Scald
- Water Spout
Nature:
- Quiet
Held Item:
- Blue Orb
Ability:
- Drizzle
Moves:
- Gyro Ball
- Skill Swap
- Trick Room
- Protect
Nature:
- Sassy
Held Item:
- Mental Herb
Ability:
- Levitate
Moves:
- Freeze-Dry
- Ice Shard
- Hydro Pump
- Sheer Cold
Nature:
- Sassy
Held Item:
- Assault Vest
Ability:
- Water Absorb
Moves:
- Eruption
- Rock Slide
- Protect
- Earth Power
Nature:
- Timid
Held Item:
- Red Orb
Ability:
- Drought
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In a year where we’ve seen a lot of similar teams, Jackson’s team really stands out. He was one of the few players to use Venusaur as his Mega-Evolved Pokémon, and he made some innovative choices with his other Pokémon, too. Wash Rotom, Scizor, and even Whimsicott haven’t been used by many Trainers this year, but they proved strong enough to help Jackson make it all the way to the top-8.
Moves:
- Bug Bite
- Bullet Punch
- Swords Dance
- Sleep Talk
Nature:
- Adamant
Held Item:
- Scizorite
Ability:
- Technician
Moves:
- Thunderbolt
- Will-O-Wisp
- Hydro Pump
- Protect
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Leftovers
Ability:
- Levitate
Moves:
- Fire Punch
- Protect
- Precipice Blades
- Rock Slide
Nature:
- Jolly
Held Item:
- Red Orb
Ability:
- Drought
Moves:
- Tailwind
- Taunt
- Encore
- Energy Ball
Nature:
- Timid
Held Item:
- Focus Sash
Ability:
- Prankster
Moves:
- Thunder
- Sleep Talk
- Ice Beam
- Origin Pulse
Nature:
- Timid
Held Item:
- Blue Orb
Ability:
- Drizzle
Moves:
- Sludge Bomb
- Leech Seed
- Giga Drain
- Sleep Powder
Nature:
- Bold
Held Item:
- Venusaurite
Ability:
- Chlorophyll
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The Groudon and Xerneas team used by Kendahl Burk featured a couple of unconventional Pokémon to help him against specific opponents. Espeon’s Magic Bounce Ability can turn status moves targeted at Espeon back at their user, causing opposing Smeargle to reconsider using Dark Void against Kendahl’s team. Kendahl’s Ferrothorn was especially effective against Kyogre and Xerneas, and it could even support its team with the rarely seen Bulldoze.
Moves:
- Geomancy
- Moonblast
- Dazzling Gleam
- Protect
Nature:
- Timid
Held Item:
- Power Herb
Ability:
- Fairy Aura
Moves:
- Rock Slide
- Fire Punch
- Precipice Blades
- Protect
Nature:
- Jolly
Held Item:
- Red Orb
Ability:
- Drought
Moves:
- Light Screen
- Reflect
- Trick
- Psychic
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Choice Scarf
Ability:
- Magic Bounce
Moves:
- Sucker Punch
- Roar
- Double-Edge
- Fake Out
Nature:
- Jolly
Held Item:
- Kangaskhanite
Ability:
- Inner Focus
Moves:
- Gyro Ball
- Protect
- Power Whip
- Bulldoze
Nature:
- Brave
Held Item:
- Life Orb
Ability:
- Iron Barbs
Moves:
- Taunt
- Brave Bird
- Quick Guard
- Tailwind
Nature:
- Adamant
Held Item:
- Sitrus Berry
Ability:
- Gale Wings
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The Weavile used by Sebastian Cortecero was popular at Spring Regionals for its ability to take down many of the common supportive Pokémon, and it proved effective for Sebastian at Nationals, as well. He also used some interesting tricks, such as having his Landorus hold Choice Scarf and a having Groudon that knew Thunder Punch.
Moves:
- Superpower
- Knock Off
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
Nature:
- Adamant
Held Item:
- Choice Scarf
Ability:
- Intimidate
Moves:
- Origin Pulse
- Protect
- Ice Beam
- Thunder
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Blue Orb
Ability:
- Drizzle
Moves:
- Power Whip
- Gyro Ball
- Leech Seed
- Protect
Nature:
- Relaxed
Held Item:
- Leftovers
Ability:
- Iron Barbs
Moves:
- Low Kick
- Sucker Punch
- Double-Edge
- Fake Out
Nature:
- Adamant
Held Item:
- Kangaskhanite
Ability:
- Early Bird
Moves:
- Knock Off
- Low Kick
- Fake Out
- Icicle Crash
Nature:
- Jolly
Held Item:
- Focus Sash
Ability:
- Pressure
Moves:
- Thunder Punch
- Protect
- Precipice Blades
- Fire Punch
Nature:
- Adamant
Held Item:
- Red Orb
Ability:
- Drought
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Last year’s Junior Division National Champion brought the trusty Ludicolo from his 2015 team back for the 2016 National Championships, but this time the pair were only able to make it to the top-8. The rest of Aiden McKinney’s team also included two Steel-type Pokémon in Dialga and Mawile, a combination we haven’t seen used by many other Trainers.
Moves:
- Teeter Dance
- Ice Beam
- Scald
- Giga Drain
Nature:
- Bold
Held Item:
- Leftovers
Ability:
- Rain Dish
Moves:
- Swagger
- Safeguard
- Thunder Wave
- Quick Guard
Nature:
- Bold
Held Item:
- Lum Berry
Ability:
- Prankster
Moves:
- Aura Sphere
- Earth Power
- Dragon Pulse
- Flash Cannon
Nature:
- Modest
Held Item:
- Assault Vest
Ability:
- Pressure
Moves:
- Protect
- Play Rough
- Sucker Punch
- Iron Head
Nature:
- Careful
Held Item:
- Mawilite
Ability:
- Intimidate
Moves:
- Thunder
- Protect
- Ice Beam
- Origin Pulse
Nature:
- Quiet
Held Item:
- Blue Orb
Ability:
- Drizzle
Moves:
- Swagger
- Thunder Wave
- Thunderbolt
- Role Play
Nature:
- Bold
Held Item:
- Sitrus Berry
Ability:
- Prankster
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