What is VGC: competitive Pokémon explained
VGC is the official Pokémon battle format that The Pokémon Company uses in its tournaments, and it is now played in Pokémon Champions. This is what you need to know before your first game.
Doubles: six on the team, four in the game
In VGC each player brings six Pokémon. Before the game, both players see each other's team and pick four; the first two go out on the field. Each side battles with two Pokémon at a time, so there are attacks that hit both opponents, moves that protect your partner and combos that do not exist in singles.
Everything at level 50, with stat points
Pokémon battle at level 50 even if they are higher. In Pokémon Champions training is spread as stat points: 66 in total and at most 32 in a single stat, plus the nature, which raises one stat and lowers another. A Pokémon's set is that plus its item, its ability and its four moves.
One ruleset per season
Each regulation says which Pokémon are allowed, and it changes during the year. infovgc splits the data by regulation so what you see is what is played right now. Two rules never change: a team cannot repeat a Pokémon or an item.
Best-of-three games
In official tournaments each round is best of three: whoever wins two games takes it. Between games you can change which four Pokémon you bring, so adapting to your opponent is part of the game. Many online tournaments use the same system and others play a single game per round.
Why data matters so much
With so many possible Pokémon, knowing what is actually played saves you hours. If a Pokémon is on half the teams, you will face it; if it wins a lot with little usage, it might be a good surprise pick. That is what infovgc measures with the public tournament team lists.
Frequently asked questions
What does VGC stand for?
Video Game Championships: the official tournament circuit for the Pokémon video games, with Regionals, Internationals and a World Championship every year.
Is VGC the same as Smogon?
No. Smogon mostly runs singles formats with their own rules, such as OU. VGC is doubles with The Pokémon Company's official rules.
Which game is VGC played on now?
Pokémon Champions, with whichever regulation is current. infovgc only collects Champions data.
More guides
01 · 6 min readHow to start playing VGC, step by step
From your first team to your first tournament in eight steps.
Read the guide
04 · 5 min readSpeed in VGC: Tailwind, Trick Room and speed tiers
Who moves first and how to change it.
Read the guide
05 · 5 min readHow to do damage calcs in VGC
If I attack, do I KO? And if it attacks, do I survive?
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