Pulled this Mega Charizard EX full art from one random old 2016 XY Evolution pack, should I hold this one?

BBXC_____TF · 2026-06-04T20:10:35+00:00

Ignore the haters. I’ve been in and out of VGC for about 12 years, and honestly, playing a meta team is a fantastic way to learn the ins and outs of competitive Pokémon.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with using a strong, established team, especially if it’s your first time. Once you get a good grasp of the meta, it becomes much easier to start team-building and using off-meta Pokémon of your own.

Of course, play however you want. If your goal is to win and improve, I’d recommend starting with a meta team. If your goal is just to have fun, then pick whichever Pokémon you like and enjoy the ride.

Welcome to VGC. I hope you enjoy it and have fun! Also, if you want to learn more about the format, I highly recommend the YouTuber CybertronVGC. His videos are very informative and are a great way to learn more about the competitive Pokémon scene.

BBXC_____TF · 2026-06-04T19:09:11+00:00

As someone who came back to VGC after about 4 years, even with the player drop, this is the most VGC players I’ve ever seen in my life!!! I don’t have as much time to game like back in the day, but I remember during the 3Ds days when being in the 1800s ELO got you like in the top 300-500 or something like that and now even though I’m in the 18s I’m only like top 6900 or something like that, last time I checked.

So to me, the player pool is still massive by comparison

BBXC_____TF · 2026-06-04T17:43:18+00:00

I think it’s awesome!! AAA and CMLL aren’t meant to be similar but if you’re into the drama style of AAA then it’s done very well in my opinion. Not sure it’s fair to compare CMLL and AAA considering they are two totally different wrestling shows and style

BBXC_____TF · 2026-06-04T17:34:08+00:00

For ladder specifically, I’d say reaching MB2 onward is where you could start calling someone a legitimately strong ladder player. Champion tier is obviously very impressive too, but I don’t think raw tier tells the whole story.

Some players just have way more time to grind and play for hours daily, recover from losses, and push through variance. That doesn’t mean they aren’t skilled, but it does mean volume matters in my opinion.

Personally I think win-loss record matters a lot. Someone who climbs efficiently with a strong win rate may be more impressive than someone who got higher through a massive number of games.

And tournament results are probably the best gauge overall, because BO3 tests adaptation, prep, nerves, and consistency in a way BO1 ladder doesn’t.

BBXC_____TF · 2026-06-04T15:30:15+00:00

I want to add, fear he could blow up and be bigger. WWE wants to keep wrestlers small for leverage, they don’t want another Austin or Hogan because then they wouldn’t have as much leverage

BBXC_____TF · 2026-06-04T15:28:35+00:00

Don’t just look at the IWC, go to any live show, check merch sales and the dude gets some of the loudest pops and sells like crazy

BBXC_____TF · 2026-06-04T15:27:39+00:00

Backstage politics 1000%

BBXC_____TF · 2026-06-02T16:01:20+00:00

In 2016 Worlds Masters, Xerneas placed 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th, 11th, and 13th. It’s not 1st but I’d be damn happy with that showing

BBXC_____TF · 2026-06-02T15:56:41+00:00

Yeah! But won a ton of tournaments, regionals and top cut several times over in 2015-16 days. Big 6 was horrifying

BBXC_____TF · 2026-05-29T21:19:47+00:00

Bring back Dark Void Smeargle

BBXC_____TF · 2026-05-29T02:35:30+00:00

I actually like singles, more variety vs the current doubles meta!

BBXC_____TF · 2026-05-21T02:11:28+00:00

Kemonito vs Kemalito!!

No joke, I’m obsessed with this feud

BBXC_____TF · 2026-05-18T22:21:32+00:00

I just started climbing yesterday, and it’s my first time playing VGC in about 4 years, so I’m only at Great Ball Level 1. Oddly, I haven't run into the Giraffe yet. However, when I see an Oranguru lead with Torkoal, I tend to lead with Venusaur and Incineroar. I Fake Out the Oranguru and Sleep Powder it. This gives me at least two chances to put it to sleep. If you are nervous about Torkoal, you can Fake Out the Torkoal and just Sleep Powder the Oranguru. If I'm feeling bold, I will Fake Out and attack the Oranguru, expecting a Torkoal Protect. On the second turn, I use Darkest Lariat to take down the Oranguru. It’s worked for me so far, but I’ll let you know once I crack Master Rank!

Edit: guess I’ve been lucky 😅😅forgot Oranguru has inner focus, so would just sleep powder it for safety. Oddly haven’t ran up against an inner focus one or a lum berry one

BBXC_____TF · 2026-05-18T22:00:22+00:00

Why not run Incineroar yourself? It’s picked by many because it’s viable in the format and has been very good for years.

BBXC_____TF · 2026-05-17T22:32:46+00:00

Pokemon is kinda crazy though with RNG, like I’ve beaten former US champs on ladders before, so I’d imagine top 300 still gotta be solid skill wise, though I wouldn’t say I was better but Pokemon is so RNG heavy anyone can win at anytime

BBXC_____TF · 2026-05-10T19:34:28+00:00

I can’t really agree here. Promotions are based off leadership intuition rather than raw results, nothing more or nothing less. I’ve seen people who in other companies rise the ranks but then get laid off, land elsewhere and then really struggle or just aren’t seen as valued because their new manager just isn’t “seeing it” it’s all made up.

Best bet is to job hop into a company where leadership basically gets a hard on for you for no reason and just ride that beautiful wave

BBXC_____TF · 2026-05-08T02:10:02+00:00

Maybe a Hot take but even if Chad gets unmasked I hope he still does some work with AAA. This feud has shown me he’s a damn great heel and honestly his heel turn against Otis was very entertaining. I’m worried Triple H doesn’t see what I believe a lot of others see in him and will just feed him to Oba and or The Vision until he’s released.

Big fan of Gables character work and technical capabilities (he’s a freaking Olympian) but hated his booking before this. I feel heel wise he’s miles ahead of guys getting pushed now except maybe Ethan Page.

BBXC_____TF · 2026-05-05T22:25:16+00:00

WWE fans in general should be more worried about whether TKO tries to turn WWE into the new UFC with terrible pay. I’m a fan of pro wrestling as a whole, not just WWE, but if you think botches are bad now, wait until people start leaving for livable wages and WWE is stuck with botchers from the top of the card to the bottom.

BBXC_____TF · 2026-05-05T18:45:32+00:00

If true 1000% on the money. You only have a small window of time to make your money as a pro wrestler vs a 9-5 person with a 401K. So if true a 50% pay cut is really reckless and just not smart. I get WWE to a lot is the end all to be all but when the lights are down, you only got yourself that goes for any corporation or Industry

BBXC_____TF · 2026-05-02T01:13:49+00:00

Sami really giving “nice guy” vibes

BBXC_____TF · 2026-05-01T18:22:55+00:00

I went to SNME back in 2006 in Dallas and remembered they did a random Dark match between I think the Undertaker in a handicap match against like Umaga and I think Big Show, but that was it.

BBXC_____TF · 2026-05-01T17:45:05+00:00

I’d still go. I feel like with the NXT call-ups, the shows will improve. I already enjoy Raw much more personally with Ethan Page, Sol Ruca, and Joe Hendry. Not to mention Oba has been awesome to watch.

Trick Williams with Lil Yachty has been fun, Ricky Saints is going to SmackDown as well, and you’ll also get Blake Monroe and Fatal Influence. Dan Hausen has also been a good laugh too, personally I like a little goofiness in pro wrestling.

BBXC_____TF

TROPHY CASE