Baxcalibur Meta Analysis: A Speculation

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is here!

This is a speculation article about a brand new Gen IX Pokémon so be warned, spoilers ahead!

This exciting Gen based on the Paldea region has been met with much pomp and galore by trainers from all across the world. The starters are unique and interesting, the legendaries are amazing, and so many exciting mons have gained a well-deserved fandom. This also includes the pseudo legendary of this region: Baxcalibur

Introduction to Baxcalibur

Baxcalibur is a Dragon and Ice type pseudo legendary Pokémon that evolves from Arctibax, which evolves from Frigibax. 

Frigibax
Arctibax
Baxcalibur

Based on its design, it certainly has the old-school Godzilla look and is complemented by the aesthetic of a Concavenator, a dinosaur that lived in prehistoric Spain (where the Paldea region is based).

Just check this out…

Ring a bell?

Main Series Stats

Baxcalibur has the following stats in the MSG:

HP 115
ATK 145
DEF 92
SpA 75
SpD 86
Spe 87

 

Stats in Pokémon Go

The following article explains how one can obtain a Pokémon’s stats in GO from its MSG stats. Based on the mathematical formulae for the same, we obtain the following values for Baxcalibur:

ATK: 254

DEF: 168

HP: 228

Max CP (lvl 50): 4005

From the looks of it, Baxcalibur’s stats are pretty similar to those of Hydreigon, which has 256 ATK, 188 DEF, and 211 HP. It’s kind of unfortunate that the pseudo legendary with the highest ATK in MSG trails behind the likes of Salamence, Dragonite, Garchomp, and Hydreigon in Pokémon Go. Alas, that’s how stat conversions work.

But nonetheless, both Ice and Dragon are good offensive types that would give Baxcalibur meta prominence in both PvE and PvP. The stats make Baxcalibur decently bulky and a hard-hitter, perfect recipes for raids and the Master League. 

But that boils down to perhaps the most important parameter in Pokémon GO: Moveset.

Viable Moveset Options

Instead of putting across its entire movepool, I shall present moves that would make Baxcalibur meta relevant. So here are the moves that would matter:

Fast Moves Charged Moves
  • Dragon Breath Dragon
  • Dragon Tail Dragon
  • Ice Shard Ice
  • Outrage Dragon
  • Dragon Claw Dragon
  • Avalanche Ice
  • Icy Wind Ice
  • Body Slam Normal

 

For PvP

Dragon Breath is a blessing to virtually any Pokémon that gets it, and Baxcalibur would establish a good presence for itself if Dragon Breath is paired with the likes of Dragon Claw and Avalanche/Icy Wind. The same applies to Dragon Tail. Either of these fast moves would give Baxcalibur strong Dragon and Ice offense potential that can bait shields and also do appreciable damage when unresisted. Besides, Avalanche is an excellent move, dealing 90 DMG at just 45 energy. On the other hand, Icy Wind deals a lower 60 DMG but guarantees an ATK debuff for the opponent.

But Baxcalibur’s threatening potential doesn’t end here. Even with Ice Shard, Baxcalibur would have a STAB fast move that charges quicker than either Dragon Breath or Dragon Tail and get excellent offensive coverage against the various Dragon, Flying, and Ground types in the ML meta along with the rare Grass types. 

To sum it up, Baxcalibur can become among the most threatening mons in the ML meta if it gets Ice Shard/Dragon Breath/Dragon Tail paired with Dragon Claw and Avalanche/Icy Wind

It is worth mentioning that the Ice Shard set can also invite Outrage as a very good move to exploit.

Body Slam is a viable non-STAB option.

For PvE

As a Dragon type

Even if I don’t account for legendaries, Baxcalibur is surpassed by the likes of all Dragon type than Hydreigon because the latter has a rather underwhelming Dragon moveset.

As an Ice type

Honestly, this is where Baxcalibur gets scary. With Ice Shard (or even Ice Fang, for that matter) and Avalanche, Baxcalibur would become a premier Ice type attacker, even though it will trail behind both forms of Galarian Darmanitan (considering non-legendary and non-shadow). However, Bax would be a better option than the likes of Mamoswine, Weavile, and Glaceon.

What to expect?

Baxcalibur would find more value as an Ice type than a Dragon and Ice invites quite a few weaknesses for Bax, namely the Dragon, Fairy, Fighting, Rock, and Steel types. A Dragon type weak to a Steel type is undoubtedly a matter of concern.

These weaknesses are definitely to be taken seriously as harder-hitting dragons, Charm, Counter and the common steely monsters would create problems for Bax in ML. Furthermore, its resistances are Electric, Grass, and Water. In the ML meta, Water is probably the only useful resistance it gets.

One of the only things that work for Baxcalibur from a defensive standpoint is the fact that it’s a Dragon that isn’t weak to Ice, and that it lacks a 2x weakness in Pokémon Go.

So defensively, Baxcalibur will not have a smooth ride.

However, as I’ve already mentioned previously, Ice is a very good offensive type, dealing super-effective damage to Dragon, Flying, Ground, and Grass types. This becomes more noteworthy when you realize that the likes of Dragonite, Garchomp, and Landorus are all 2x weak to Ice. This further reinforces the fact that Ice Shard would be a major boon to Bax’s arsenal.

So offensively, Baxcalibur can be very dangerous.


Parting words…

It’s always exciting to have new Pokémon grace the game and even more exciting if it’s meta relevant. Baxcalibur is a good pseudo legendary Dragon type that incorporates dual typing along with Ice, a string attacking type with limited Pokémon that are relevant. 

Kyurem didn’t get the job done and its Black and White forms are legendaries that would naturally call for expensive grinding. Baxcalibur would be an excellent means to fill the gap and terrorize the meta with an icy cold, draconic presence. Let’s hope this monster gets its worth.

Dracarys.

Author & tags

MeteorAsh15
MeteorAsh15
My name is Niladri Sarkar. A Team Valor Trainer, I'm a Pokémon Battle Mechanics Specialist & a Dragon Master on Smogon's Pokémon Showdown where I particularly excel with Dragon types and Weather teams in Ubers / OU. I love to apply my vast knowledge and experience to the ever changing meta of Pokémon Go, specialising in DPS/TDO math, movesets, the Master League and Dragon types. Garchomp is my best Pokémon pal through and through.

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