The announcement every battler has been waiting for is finally here. We now have official word from Niantic regarding the next season of the GO Battle League. This update will undoubtedly impact the current meta and shift the whole dynamic of PvP as we know it. With the introduction of new moves and changes to current moves, this is looking to be an exhilarating season.
As seasoned strategies unravel and fresh contenders step into the spotlight, trainers must adapt swiftly or risk being left behind in this thrilling season of change. In this article, we will be diving deep into the new move changes and see how it will influence the current meta.
We have 3 brand new Charged Attacks which many Pokémon will soon be able to learn. These moves are Trailblaze Grass, Scorching Sands Ground and Triple Axel Ice. Buffs and nerfs have also been implemented to current moves in order to help bring balance to the meta.
Move Updates
New Attacks
Trailblaze
- Grass-type Charged Attack
- Trainer Battles: 65 power and increases Attack by one
stage - Gyms and raids: 65 power
The following Pokémon can now learn the Charged Attack Trailblaze
- Tauros
- Sudowoodo
- Mareep
- Flaaffy
- Ampharos
- Scyther
- Scizor
- Kleavor
- Teddiursa
- Ursaring
- Ursaluna
- Deerling
- Sawsbuck
- Rockruff
- Lycanroc
- Fomantis
- Lurantis
- Skwovet
- Stunky
- Skuntank
- Galarian Meowth
- Perrserker
- Girafarig
- Phanpy
Out of this list of Pokémon, we can see that there are a few meta and semi-meta Pokémon that will be affected by this change. Ampharos, Scizor, Ursaluna, Lurantis, Skuntank, Perrserker and Girafarig are among the few whom this change will benefit significantly. Pokémon such as Swampert and Quagsire who previously counter or gave trouble to most of these Pokémon will now have to worry about the potential threat of Trailblaze. Not only is it an excellent low-energy coverage move, but it also increases the user’s Attack by 1-stage.
Trailblaze is a Grass type clone of the Fire move Flame Charge. It has the exact same effect and damage output. This would be the best way to theorise how much damage this move would do on your Pokémon so that you can know whether or not to invest in a shield or not.
Scorching Sands
- Ground-type Charged Attack
- Trainer Battles: 80 power and a chance to lower the
opposing Pokémon’s Attack by one stage - Gyms and raids: 95 power
The following Pokémon can now learn the Charged Attack Scorching Sands:
- Sandslash
- Ninetales
- Arcanine
- Rapidash
- Entei
- Trapinch
- Vibrava
- Flygon
- Claydol
- Hippowdon
- Magmar
- Magmortar
- Diggersby
- Excadrill
- Sandygast
- Palossand
Scorching Sands is a powerful Ground type nuke that has a chance to lower the opposing Pokémon’s Attack by one stage. Some notable meta and semi-meta Pokémon that stand out are Sandslash, Ninetales, Flygon, Diggersby, Excadrill and Palossand. Having access to this move will mean that any sort of Electric, Fire, Poison, Rock and Steel will now have trouble facing any of these Pokémon which will now change the dynamic of many different matchups. This move is a clone of the Water type Charged Attack Scald.
Triple Axel
- Ice-type Charged Attack
- Trainer Battles: 60 power and increases Attack by one
stage - Gyms and raids: 60 power
The following Pokémon will know be able to learn the Charged Attack Triple Axel:
- Galarian Mr. Mime
- Sneasel
- Weavile
- Hitmontop
- Kirlia
- Gardevoir
- Lopunny
- Mr. Rime
- Steenee
- Tsareena
Triple Axel is an exciting new Ice Charge Move which is similar to Icy Wind. Instead of decreasing your opponent’s attack by one stage, This move does the same amount of damage but will increase your Attack by one stage. Some notable Pokémon from this list that stand out are Hitmontop, Gardevoir and Tsareena. Gardevoir will soon become more devastating with its Fast Move, Charm since it can now increase its damage output with Triple Axel. Hitmontop could also become a viable safe swap with access to this move since it will now have an answer to common type swap-ins.
Attack Changes
Spark
- Trainer Battles: 4 power → 6 power
- Energy generation decreased
This change to Spark will mean that Pokémon such as Lanturn, Charjabug, Luxray Magnezone, Pachirisu, Togademaru and Alolan Raichu to name a few will be affected. While the energy generation has now been decreased, we can see a significant damage increase going from 4 power to 6. The damage is now on par with other Fast Moves such as Leafage, Shadow Claw and Hex.
Astonish
- Trainer Battles: Energy generation increased
This move change is an exciting one. It is not yet known exactly how much of an increase Astonish will be getting to its energy generation, but many interesting Pokémon such as Gholdengo, Haunter, Hoopa, Mawile, Misdreavus, Sandygast, Golurk and more will benefit from this change. We could soon see some of these spice picks come out of the works and have play against some of the new meta we will be soon seeing.
Psychic
- Trainer Battles: 90 power → 85 power
Psychic is finally getting a long and overdue nerf. Off the bat, this will have a direct impact towards one Pokémon in particular which I’m sure we all know who I’m talking about, Medicham. Considering this is only a small nerf, I believe that Medicham will still be around in the coming season.
X-Scissor
- Trainer Battles: 45 power → 65 power
- Energy cost increased
X-Scissor is gaining a major damage buff with it now gaining an extra 20 power for the cost of its energy cost being increased. It will no longer be as spammy as it used to be, now it will become a heavy-hitting Bug type Charged Attack. Pokémon such as Golisopod and Scizor instantly come to mind when looking at this change. I expect to see many more Trainers to run Golisopod in their teams soon.
Aerial Ace
- Trainer Battles: Energy cost decreased
Aerial Ace has always been known to be a pretty poor type Charged Move because of the amount of energy needed to use this attack. With this change, Pokémon such as Mantine, Greninja, Gliscor, Golisopod, Emolga, Beedril and more will now be able to hit those pesky Fighting types more often. This is a major update to Greninja in particular since it can finally fight back against one of its hardest and most common answers, Medicham.
Sky Attack
- Trainer Battles: Energy cost increased
This nerf will be targeting popular type powerhouses such as Altaria and Noctowl. As of now, we are not yet sure how much extra energy will be needed to use this Charge Move, however, could this mean the downfall of some of our favourite type ‘mons?
Dig
- Trainer Battles: 100 power → 80 power
- Energy cost decreased
This change to Dig could mean that the current worst Ground type move in the game could become more viable now. Pokémon such as Dunsparce, Gligar, Sandshrew and Nidorino could be the few in which Dig could benefit their move pool.
Earthquake
- Trainer Battles: 120 power → 110 power
The popular Charge Move, Earthquake is now getting a slight nerf to its overall damage output which will throw a spanner in the works when it comes to popular meta Pokémon such as Galarian Stunfisk and Swampert.
Poltergeist
- Trainer Battles: 140 power → 150 power
This already heaving hitting move is getting a damage increase from 140 to 150 power. Pokémon such as Dusclops, Golurk and Chandelure are among the small handful that can learn this powerful Ghost type nuke.
Boomburst
- Trainer Battles: Energy cost decreased
Just no.
Attack Availability Updates
Electric Type Moves
The following Pokémon can now learn the Fast Attack Volt Switch:
- Magnemite
- Magneton
- Magnezone
- Regieleki
Volt Switch will benefit these particular Pokémon immensely. While they are fairly uncommon in the current meta, there have been certain themed cups in the past where these Pokémon excel and it’s likely that we will see a rise in popularity for Magneton and Magnezone in particular.
Ground Type Moves
The following Pokémon can now learn the Fast Attack Mud Shot:
- Swalot
- Greedent
- Croagunk
- Toxicroak
Mud Shot is without a doubt one of the best Fast Moves in the entire game due to its incredibly fast EPT (Energy Per Turn). Swalot stands out here since before, its best Fast Move was Infestation, and its Charged Moves are interesting since it has access to some surprising moves such as Ice Beam and Sludge Bomb. Greedant will now become even stronger and spammier than ever. My assumption is that we will see many more Greedants as a safe swap.
While Counter is already a great move on Toxicroak, we can look forward to the power of Mud Shot on this heavy-hitting Poison/Fighting type Pokémon.
Dragon Type Moves
The following Pokémon can now learn the Charged Attack Breaking Swipe:
- Onix
- Steelix
- Rhydon
- Rhyperior
- Sceptile
- Heliolisk
- Regidrago
Out of this list, Steelix stands out from the rest because of its usability in both the Great and Ultra League. While it already has access to another debuffing move, Psychic Fangs, Breaking Swipe could also be an excellent move that can set up your other 2 Pokémon nicely.
Water Type Moves
The following Pokémon can now learn the Fast Attack Water Shuriken:
- Accelgor
The brand new Fast Attack, Water Shuriken can soon be taught on Accelgor. This Fast Attack was recently debuted for the Froakie Community Day and we have already seen its power on Greninja. Accelgor has access to Charge Moves such as Bug Buzz, Focus Blast and Acid Spray which could be exciting to see in action.
The following Pokémon can now learn the Charged Attack Razor Shell:
- Golisopod
- Krabby
- Kingler
- Corphish
- Crawdaunt
- Shellder
- Cloyster
- Barbaracle
Golisopod is really the only Pokémon that this update will benefit. Razer Shell is a Water type Charge Move that deals 35 damage and costs 35 energy It also has a 50% chance to decrease the opponent’s defense by 1 stage. It could be an alternative to Liquidation if you’re after a more spammy playstyle.
Fire Type Moves
The following Pokémon can now learn the Charged Attack Blaze Kick:
- Hitmonlee
- Mienshao
- Incineroar
- Riolu
- Lucario
This is a great inclusion to these selected Pokémon. Hitmonlee, Incineroar and Lucario are the ones that stand out the most and their coverage will now increase with this spammy Fire type Charged Attack. Blaze Kick could be a better option on Incineroar rather than Flame Charge since its current best Fast Move is Snarl, an already high EPT move that will make this Pokémon have more play against certain matchups and could be used to stall the switch timer.
Grass Type Moves
The following Pokémon can now learn the Fast Attack Magical Leaf:
- Mr. Mime
- Chikorita
- Bayleef
- Meganium
- Bellossom
- Roselia
- Roserade
- Mismagius
- Shaymin
- Rowlet
- Dartrix
- Decidueye
- Kirlia
- Gardevoir
- Lilligant
- Meowstic
Magical Leaf is a 3-turn Fast Attack that deals 10 damage and also gains 10 EPT. It will be interesting to how this update affects Pokémon such as Meganium, Roserade, Gardevoir and Mismagius. The glass cannon, Gardevoir now finally has a high energy-gaining Fast Move compared to Charm, this could possibly make it a solid closer if you’re able to save shields for it.
Parting Words
Season 16 of the GO Battle League looks to be focused around change. These new moves will most certainly see a dramatic shift to the current meta. It is safe to assume that we will be seeing many previously uncommon Pokémon come out of the woods to show off their new potential.
Personally, I am excited about all of these changes, Updates this magnitude in size are healthy for the game since they bring back creativity which PvP is all about. What are you most looking forward to trying out? I cannot wait to bring out my Golisopod and structure a solid team composition around it.
GL&HF!
–Adam ‘Avrip’
