[VGC] Early VGC 2016 Guide to Restricted Legends by Black117

Early VGC 2016 Guide to Restricted Legends by Black117 - Printable Version

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Early VGC 2016 Guide to Restricted Legends by Black117 (/Thread-VGC-Early-VGC-2016-Guide-to-Restricted-Legends-by-Black117)

Early VGC 2016 Guide to Restricted Legends by Black117 - Black117 - Jan 11, 2016

Early VGC 2016 Guide to Restricted Legends by Black117

[Image: hoenn_kyogre_groudon_battle_by_coldblitz-d7owvld.jpg]

"The following is a re-post from my blog call Faraway Island discussing the different traits, strengths, weaknesses, and other attributes regarding the Restricted Legendary Pokemon. This list won't include sets given there really isn't some standard or formalized sets for people to use for the first time."-Black117

Its been about a few months since the VGC 2016 format was released since the 9th of December. While an official ladder for Battle Spot Special hasn't been announced (yet this happens as I post it LOL), players can already test out team cores, ideas, and sets with the new and old Restricted Pokemon of the format. Originally, I was planning on making sorta a tier list of all the legendary Pokemon, or at least my thoughts on each of the individual Pokemon. After some thought, the new format was just announced a few weeks ago and people have yet to understand or figure out viable strategies (well maybe later in the season) for each Restricted Pokemon. As a result, I've decided to categorize them based on the following: Name (and form), Typing, Ability, BST, Weaknesses, Resistances, Notable Feats, Issues, and Attacks/Moves. To be honest, the list isn't organize the Pokemon based on their usage on Showdown, order in the Dex, or viability (though somewhat unlikely), but based on the first Restricted Pokemon I used on Showdown while testing so the top Pokemon placed are biased. Please bear with me as I won't likely list down every flaw from each Pokemon apart from the common weaknesses and notable traits. I'll have a more formal and finalized opinion about each of the Pokemon in the coming months as most VGC players will, but for now here's a list of all the Restricted Legends.

Note 1: I recommend for anyone to see Pokemon Strategy's 2016 preview section as well for their take on the Legendary Pokemon. Support Scott Glaza (former VGC now turn commentator/writer and the staff from Pokemon)

Note 2: For "notable moves", I chose not to list down certain attacks like Substitute, Protect, Hidden Power, etc or basically attacks most Pokemon can learn. Again not every single attack will be jotted down for the sack of maintaining a simple list.

Note 3: When I mention "low" for a particular stat, this means that specific stat value isn't as impressive compared with other Restricted Legends, Mega Evolutions, and even regular Pokemon in the VGC 2016 format. For example, a base 90 Sp Def stat from Primal Groudon is above average compared to regular Pokemon with often lower Sp. Def, however is considerable not as high compared to the others Legends like Ho-oh or Primal Kyogre who have their Sp.Def stats at 154 and 160 respectively.

Note 4: (For this site) Since I can only add like a total of 9 pictures to the the list, well consider those without one a "lesser'' threat to deal with. Of course anyone has to prepare for those Pokemon, however if you compare something like a Zygarde over a Xerneas, most people will take the Xerneas in a comp. tourney (unless 100% form is released by the time a serious tourney occurs, though likely not).

Full List of "Restricted Legends"

Primal Groudon

Typing: Ground / Fire
Ability: Desolate Land
Base Stat Total: 100 HP / 180 Atk / 160 Def / 150 Sp. Atk / 90 Sp. Def / 90 Spe
Weaknesses: Ground (2x), Water (4x) (if Desolate Land is removed)
Resistances: Poison (0.5x), Fire (0.5x) , Bug (0.5x) , Steel (0.5x) , Fairy (0.5x)
Immunity: Electric, Burns, "Electrical" paralysis, Water (if Desolate Land is up)
Notable Feats: Must carry the Red Orb to undergo Primal Reversion; Strongest Ground/Fire STAB attacker in the game; With its ability, all Water-type moves "evaporate" and cancel out in Desolate Land. Effects of Sun are remain unchanged such as Fire boost and 1-turn Solar Beams; Highest Defense stat among the Restricted Legends; Incredibly versatile Pokemon from a physical/mixed/special attack to a defensive pivot; Probably the most "diverse" restricted Legendary given its wide coverage, multiple sets, and great support moves.
Notable Issues: Low Special Defense and Speed compared to other Restricted Pokemon; Needs to be careful against Pokemon who can reverse, nullify, or reset "primal weathers" with Role Play, Skill Swap, Gastro Acid, Worry Seed, etc; Abilities like Air Lock and Cloud Nine will allow for any Pokemon on the field to use a quad super effective Water-type against against Primal Groudon; Special Ground-type attacks can potentially OHKO, or heavily damage Primal Groudon unless its invested heavily into Sp. Def; Primordial Sea will make a Fire-type attacks useless though Groudon can easily use its STAB Ground-type attacks instead.
Notable Moves: Earthquake, Precipice Blades, Eruption, Fire Punch, Flamethrower, Earth Power, Iron Head, Overheat, Dragon Claw, Thunder Wave, Rock Slide, Dragon Pulse, Solar Beam, Thunderbolt, Dragon Pulse, etc.

Xerneas

Typing: Fairy
Ability: Fairy Aura
Base Stat Total: 126 HP / 131 Atk / 95 Def / 131 Sp. Atk / 98 Sp. Def / 99 Spe
Weaknesses: Poison (2x), Steel (2x)
Resistances: Fighting (0.5x), Bug (0.5x), Dark (0.5x)
Immunity: Dragon
Notable Feats: Power Herb item will make Geomancy a one-turn setup; Strongest Fairy-type attacker if setup with Geomancy; Fairy Aura will boost the power of all Fairy-type moves used on the field including that of Xerneas, its allies, and opposition by 1.33x; Geo-Herb sets can sweep unprepared teams.
Notable Issues: Doesn't reach the base 100 speed threshold (though mitigated with Geomancy); Most Steel-type Pokemon can wall Xerneas like Aegislash, Ferrothorn, Mega Metagross, etc if Xerneas doesn't have the proper coverage; Weak to Steel and Poison moves which are somewhat uncommon; Geomancy setup can be exploited with moves like Taunt, Knock Off (makes Geomancy a 2-turn setup if Power Herb is removed), Encore, etc; Geomancy sets will be prime targets for Thunder Wave/Swagger and opposing speed control setup (Tailwind/Trick Room).
Notable Moves: Geomancy, Moonblast, Dazzling Gleam, Thunder, Focus Blast, Gravity, Hidden Power (Likely Ground/ Fire), Psychic, Close Combat, Heal Pulse, Grass Knot, Flash Cannon, Aurora Beam (only Ice move bar HP Ice), etc.

Primal Kyogre

Typing: Water
Ability: Primordial Seas
Base Stat Total: 100 HP / 150 Atk / 90 Def / 180 Sp. Atk / 160 Sp. Def / 90 Spe
Weaknesses: Grass (2x), Electric (2x)
Resistances: Steel (0.5x), Fire (0.5x) , Water (0.5x)
Immunity: Fire (if Primordial Sea is up)
Notable Feats: Must carry the Blue Orb to undergo Primal Reversion; One of Strongest Water STAB attacker in the game with high special stats; With its ability Primordial Sea, Primal Kyogre makes all Fire-type moves bar Will-O-Wisp useless and has the same effects as rain.
Notable Issues: Rather low Defense and Speed compared with the restricted Pokemon; Desolate Land makes all its Water-type attacks useless unless Primal Kyogre resets the weather or an ability-changing move is used; Unlike Primal Groudon who can take some powerful attacks, Primal Kyogre can still be knocked out by Mega Kangaskhan or Mega Rayquaza with repeated physical attacks.
Notable Moves: Origin Pulse, Water Spout, Scald, Ice Beam, Thunder, Thunderbolt, Calm Mind, Psych Up, Earthquake, Icy Wind, Thunder Wave, Waterfall, Rock Slide, Ancient Power, etc

Mega Rayquaza

Typing: Dragon / Flying
Ability: Delta Stream
Base Stat Total: 105 HP / 180 Atk / 100 Def / 180 Sp. Atk / 100 Sp. Def / 115 Spe
Weaknesses (With Delta Stream): Ice (2x) , Dragon (2x) , Fairy (2x)
Resistances (With Delta Stream): Electric (0.5x), Fighting (0.5x), Bug (0.5x), Fire (0.5x), Water (0.5x), Grass (0.25x)
Weaknesses (Without Delta Stream): Ice (4x), Dragon (2x), Fairy (2x), Rock (2x)
Resistances (Without Delta Stream): Fighting (0.5x), Bug (0.5x), Fire (0.5x), Water (0.5x) ,Grass (0.25x)
Immunity: Ground
Notable Feats: Must have the move Dragon Ascent to Mega Evolve; Only Mega Evolution that can hold items; Strongest STAB Dragon/ Flying attacker; Essentially, or almost a pure "Dragon-type" when Delta Stream is up and taking weaknesses/resistances into effect; All Flying-type Pokemon on the field including Mega Rayquaza are receive less damage dealt by super effective hits like Ice/Rock/Electric.
Notable Issues: Mega Rayquaza's signature move, Dragon Ascent will drop its defenses by one stage per use, therefore making the Restricted Legend/Mega easy to take out; Ice-type attacks will still hurt Mega Rayquaza despite Delta Stream; Users who have Mega Rayquaza will take up a restricted slot; Weak to Geo-Herb Xerneas (A common theme for some Dragon-types).
Notable Moves: Dragon Ascent, Extreme Speed, Draco Meteor, Dragon Claw, Waterfall, Thunder, Flamethrower, Overheat, Ice Beam, Dragon Dance, Earthquake, Iron Head, Sky Drop, etc.

Dialga

Typing: Dragon / Steel
Ability: Pressure / Telepathy (must be with a Modest nature)
Base Stat Total: 100 HP / 120 Atk / 120 Def / 150 Sp. Atk / 100 Sp. Def / 90 Spe
Weaknesses: Fighting (2x), Ground (2x)
Resistances: Normal (0.5x), Flying (0.5x), Rock (0.5x), Bug (0.5x), Steel (0.5x), Water (0.5x), Grass (0.25x), Electric (0.5x), Psychic (0.5x)
Immunity: Poison, Most Ally attacks (with Telepathy)
Notable Feats: Arguably the legend with the most Resisted/Immunity in the format; Adamant Orb allows for a 1.2x boost to all its Dragon / Steel type attacks; High 150 Base Special Attack
Notable Issues: Considerably slow compared to other Restricted Legends; Fighting/Ground-type attacks are rather common, Telepathy Dialga is limited in distribution and only available via Japanese event.
Notable Moves: Draco Meteor, Dragon Pulse, Trick Room, Aura Sphere, Earth Power, Thunder, Flash Cannon, Power Gem, Metal Burst, Flamethrower, Ice Beam, Gravity, Magnet Rise, etc.

Giratina-Origin

Typing: Ghost / Dragon
Ability: Levitate
Base Stat Total: 150 HP / 120 Atk / 100 Def / 120 Sp. Atk / 100 Sp. Def / 90 Spe
Weaknesses: Ghost (2x), Dragon (2x), Ice (2x), Dark (2x), Fairy (2x)
Resistances: Fire (0.5x), Water (0.5x), Grass (0.5x), Electric (0.5x), Bug (0.5x), Poison (0.5x)
Immunity: Normal, Fighting, Ground (Levitate)
Notable Feats: Must carry Griseous Orb to maintain Origin Form and cannot be knock off; Griseous Orb gives Giratina-Origin a 1.2x boost in its Ghost / Dragon STABs / Can potentially wall both Primal Groudon + Mega Kangaskhan
Notable Issues: Weak to rather common type attacks (see Weaknesses); Rather slow compared to most Restricted Legends; Dragon-types + Fairy Pokemon (Xerneas) are common in this format; Limited to using Griseous Orb and not any other item.
Notable Moves: Shadow Force, Shadow Ball, Will-O-Wisp, Tailwind, Draco Meteor, Dragon Pulse, Thunder, Shadow Sneak, Earth Power, etc.

[Image: giratina.png]

Giratina-Altered

Typing: Ghost / Dragon
Ability: Pressure / Telepathy (Must be with a Brave nature).
Base Stat Total: 150 HP / 100 Atk / 120 Def / 100 Sp. Atk / 120 Sp. Def / 90 Spe
Weaknesses: Ghost (2x), Dragon (2x), Ice (2x), Dark (2x), Fairy (2x)
Resistances: Fire (0.5x), Water (0.5x), Grass (0.5x), Electric (0.5x), Bug (0.5x), Poison (0.5x)
Immunity: Normal, Fighting
Notable Feats: "Bulkiest Ghost-type in the game not named Aegislash." ; Can hold a unique item other than its Griseous Orb. ; One of the best defensive Pokemon available from the Restricted Legends.
Notable Issues: Lack of offensive pressure without setup might not be worth restricted slot; Weak to common types (see Weaknesses); Low Speed; Hidden Ability only available with Brave Nature and is limited in distribution.
Notable Moves: Shadow Ball, Will-O-Wisp, Tailwind, Draco Meteor, Dragon Pulse, Thunder, Shadow Sneak, Earth Power, Hex etc.

[Image: palkia.png]

Palkia

Typing: Dragon / Water
Ability: Pressure / Telepathy (must be with a Timid nature)
Base Stat Total: 90 HP / 120 Atk / 100 Def / 150 Sp. Atk / 120 Sp. Def / 100 Spe
Weaknesses: Dragon (2x) , Fairy (2x)
Resistances: Water (0.25x), Fire (0.25x), Steel (0.5x)
Immunity: Most Ally attacks (with Telepathy)
Notable Feats: Lustrous Orb allows for a 1.2x boost to all its Dragon / Water type attacks; Fastest of the Sinnoh Legends and can outspeed cover XY/ORAS Legends; High 150 Base Special Attack
Notable Issues: Desolate Land will make Water-type STABs useless. ; Somewhat frail on the physical end; Weak to common Dragon-type attacks and Xerneas; Hidden Ability is limited in distribution.
Notable Moves: Draco Meteor, Dragon Pulse, Spacial Rend, Trick Room, Hydro Pump, Surf, Aura Sphere, Earth Power, Thunder, Power Gem, Flamethrower, Ice Beam, Gravity, etc.

[Image: yveltal.png]

Yveltal

Typing: Dark / Flying
Ability: Dark Aura
Base Stat Total: 126 HP / 131 Atk / 95 Def / 131 Sp. Atk / 98 Sp. Def / 99 Spe
Weaknesses: Fairy (2x), Ice (2x) , Electric (2x) , Rock (2x)
Resistances: Ghost (0.5x) , Dark (0.5x), Grass (0.5x)
Immunity: Ground, Psychic
Notable Feats: Strongest Foul Play / Sucker Punch STABs in the game; Dark Aura will boost the power of all Dark-type moves used on the field including that of Yveltal, its allies, and opposition by 1.33x.
Notable Issues: Weak to common type attacks (see Weaknesses); Xerneas wall Yveltal almost completely; Doesn't reach the base 100 speed threshold; Lack of coverage hurts Yveltal against facing Fairy-types like Xerneas.
Notable Moves: Foul Play, Sucker Punch, Dark Pulse, Oblivion Wing, Hurricane, Taunt, Snarl, Disable, Heat Wave, Tailwind, Sky Drop, etc.

[Image: mewtwo.png]

Mewtwo

Typing: Psychic
Ability: Pressure
Base Stat Total: 106 HP / 130 Atk / 90 Def / 154 Sp. Atk / 90 Sp. Def / 130 Spe
Weaknesses: Dark (2x), Bug (2x), Ghost (2x)
Resistances: Psychic (0.5x), Fighting (0.5x)
Immunity: None
Notable Feats: Only "Mewtwo" that isn't restricted of a Mega Stone slot; Can hold items; Widest movepool of the restricted legends; Among the fastest natural Pokemon in the game; Has respectable attack and one of the highest Special Attack in the game.
Notable Issues: Rather frail on both defensive and special defensive ends; Weak to Sucker Punch priority, other Dark-types attackers like Yveltal; Can be walled by either Aegislash/Giratina/Lugia/Cresselia without some coverage option.
Notable Moves: Psychic, Psystrike, Thunder, Aura Sphere, Dark Pulse, Shadow Ball, Ice Beam, Flamethrower, Low Kick, Trick Room, Earth Power, Gravity, etc

[Image: mewtwo-mega-x.png]

Mega Mewtwo X

Typing: Psychic / Fighting
Ability: Steadfast
Base Stat Total: 106 HP / 190 Atk / 100 Def / 154 Sp. Atk / 100 Sp. Def / 130 Spe
Weaknesses: Dark (2x), Ghost (2x). Fairy (2x)
Resistances: Psychic (0.5x), Rock (0.5x)
Immunity: None
Notable Feats: Strongest Fighting-type Pokemon (including Megas) ; Yields the highest Attack of all Megas ; Widest movepool of restricted legends.
Notable Issues: Lack of a strong, reliable Fighting-type move other than Low Kick. ; Can potentially be walled by either Aegislash/Giratina/Lugia/Cresselia without some coverage option. ; Weak to Xerneas
Notable Moves: Psychic, Psystrike, Thunder, Aura Sphere, Dark Pulse, Shadow Ball, Ice Beam, Flamethrower, Low Kick, Trick Room, Earth Power, Gravity, Low Kick, Drain Punch, Zen Heabutt, Rock Slide, Earthquake, etc

[Image: mewtwo-mega-y.png]

Mega Mewtwo Y

Typing: Psychic
Ability: Insomnia
Base Stat Total: 106 HP / 150 Atk / 70 Def / 194 Sp. Atk / 120 Sp. Def / 140 Spe
Weaknesses: Dark (2x), Bug (2x), Ghost (2x)
Resistances: Psychic (0.5x), Fighting (0.5x)
Immunity: None
Notable Feats: Yields the highest Sp. Atk of all Megas with high attack stat as well ; Immune to Dark Void, Spore, Sleep Powder, and other sleep-inducing moves. ; Faster than Mega Gengar. ; Fastest natural Mega and Pokemon in the format (without Scarf or boosts).
Notable Issues: Extremely frail from its physical defense. ; Weak to Sucker Punch priority, other Dark-types attackers like Yvetal. ; Cannot hold items compared to base form and restricts a Mega slot in battle.
Notable Moves: Psychic, Psystrike, Thunder, Aura Sphere, Dark Pulse, Shadow Ball, Ice Beam, Flamethrower, Low Kick, Trick Room, Earth Power, Gravity, etc

[Image: ho-oh.png]

Ho-oh
Typing: Fire / Flying
Ability: Pressure
Base Stat Total: 106 HP / 130 Atk / 90 Def / 110 Sp. Atk / 154 Sp. Def / 90 Spe
Weaknesses: Rock (4x), Electric (2x), Water (2x)
Resistances: Fighting (0.5x), Bug (0.25x), Steel (0.5x), Fire (0.5x), Fairy (0,5x), Grass (0.25x)
Immunity: Ground, Burns
Notable Feats: Sacred Fire has a 50% (or 45% factoring when it misses) chance to burn targets; Resists most of Xerneas moves bar Thunder; Second-Best "Bird Spam" Pokemon in the game (other than Mega Ray)
Notable Issues: Quad weak to Rock-type attacks like Rock Slide/Stone Edge will make Ho-oh falter; Low Defense and Speed compared to Restricted Legends;Weak to common types in the format (see Weaknesses); Somewhat shallow movepool.
Notable Moves: Sacred Fire, Brave Bird, Roost, Substitute, Calm Mind, Punishment, Thunder, Earthquake, Sky Drop, Will-O-Wisp, Thunder Wave, Psychic, Shadow Ball, Fire Blast, Flamethrower, Punishment, Giga Drain, Earth Power, Tailwind, etc.

[Image: lugia.png]

Lugia

Typing: Psychic / Flying
Ability: Pressure
Base Stat Total: 106 HP / 90 Atk / 130 Def / 90 Sp. Atk / 154 Sp. Def / 110 Spe
Weaknessess: Rock (2x), Electric (2x), Ice (2x), Ghost (2x), Dark (2x)
Resistances: Fighting (0.25x), Grass (0.5x), Psychic (0.5x)
Immunity: Ground
Notable Feats: One of the most defensive Pokemon in the format; Can outspeed most restricted Pokemon bar Mega Rayquaza and Mewtwo
Notable Issues: Lack of offensive pressure without setting up which can cost important turns; While extremely defensive, still weak to somewhat common coverage moves (see Weaknesses).
Notable Moves: Aeroblast, Whirlwind, Calm Mind, Roost/Recover, Ice Beam, Psychic, Hydro Pump, Psych Up, Thunder, Earth Power, Tailwind, Psych Up, Earthquake, Sky Drop, Icy Wind, Skill Swap, etc.

[Image: rayquaza.png]

Rayquaza (Non-Mega)

Typing: Dragon / Flying
Ability: Air Lock
Base Stat Total: 105 HP / 150 Atk / 90 Def / 150 Sp. Atk / 90 Sp. Def / 95 Spe
Weaknesses: Ice (4x), Dragon (2x), Fairy (2x), Rock (2x)
Resistances: Fighting (0.5x), Bug (0.5x), Fire (0.5x), Water (0.5x), Grass (0.5x)
Immunity: Ground
Notable Feats: Air Lock can cancel out all the effects of weathers including "Primals Weathers" like Desolate Land, Primordial Seas, Delta Stream, and regular weather; Allows the user to have a different Mega Evolution other than "Mega Ray".
Notable Issues: Somewhat frail and mediocre speed compared to some other Restricted Legends; Easily outspeed by Xerneas; Isn't as strong/powerful as is Mega form; Lack of Delta Stream makes Rayquaza weaker to Ice, Rock, and Electric compared to its Mega form.
Notable Moves: Dragon Ascent, Extreme Speed, Draco Meteor, Dragon Claw, Waterfall, Thunder, Flamethrower, Overheat, Ice Beam, Dragon Dance, Earthquake, Iron Head, Sky Drop, etc.

[Image: kyogre.png]

Kyogre (Non-Primal)

Typing: Water
Ability: Drizzle
Base Stat Total: 100 HP / 100 Atk / 90 Def / 150 Sp. Atk / 140 Sp. Def / 90 Spe
Weaknesses: Grass (2x), Electric (2x)
Resistances: Steel (0.5x) , Fire (0.5x), Water (0.5x)
Immunity: None
Notable Feats: Can carry a different item other than the Blue Orb (Common item being Scarf).
Notable Issues: Unfortunately hampered severely by Desolate Land from Primal Groudon (unless supported well). Low Defense and Speed compared to other Restricted Legends.
Notable Moves: Origin Pulse, Water Spout, Scald, Ice Beam, Thunder, Calm Mind, Psych Up, Earthquake, Icy Wind, Thunder Wave, etc

[Image: groudon.png]

Groudon (Non-Primal)

Typing: Ground
Ability: Drought
Base Stat Total: 100 HP / 150 Atk / 140 Def / 100 Sp. Atk / 90 Sp. Def / 90 Spe
Weaknesses: Water (2x) , Ice (2x), Grass (2x)
Resistances: Rock (0.5x), Poison (0.5x)
Immunity: Electric, "Electrical" paralysis
Notable Feats: Can carry a different item other than the Red Orb; Not quad weak to Water-type attacks
Notable Issues: Drought is canceled out by most weather abilities bar Desolate Land which is an enhanced version of it (however Regular Groudon was known for being a Ground-type attacker; Absolutely can't beat Primal Kyogre 1v1; Low Speed and Sp. Def compared with the other Restricted Legends.
Notable Moves: Earthquake, Precipice Blades, Fire Punch, Earth Power, Iron Head, Overheat, Dragon Claw, Thunder Wave, Rock Slide, etc

[Image: kyurem-white.png]

Kyurem-White

Typing: Dragon / Ice
Ability: Turboblaze
Base Stat Total: 125 HP / 120 Atk / 90 Def / 170 Sp. Atk / 100 Sp. Def / 95 Spe
Weaknesses: Rock (2x), Fairy (2x), Fighting (2x), Steel (2x), Dragon (2x)
Resistances: Water (0.5x), Grass (0.5x), Electric (0.5x)
Immunity: None
Notable Feats: Arguably the strongest "immediate" Special Attacker due to the potential to hold items (I meant "immediate" since Kyurem-White can hit hard with Specs or Life Orb, not setup); Turboblaze ignores most effects of abilities which can either influence the user (like Mold Breaker).
Notable Issues: Shallow Movepool ; Weak to somewhat common types (see Weaknesses). ; Weak to Xerneas ; Mediocre Speed stat.
Notable Moves: Ice Beam, Draco Meteor, Dragon Pulse, Flash Cannon, Earth Power, Ice Burn, Fusion Flare, Psychic, Shadow Ball, Roost, Icy Wind, Endeavor, etc .

[Image: kyurem-black.png]

Kyurem-Black

Typing: Dragon / Ice
Ability: Terrabolt
Base Stat Total: 125 HP / 170 Atk / 100 Def / 120 Sp. Atk / 90 Sp. Def / 95 Spe
Weaknesses: Rock (2x), Fairy (2x), Fighting (2x), Steel (2x), Dragon (2x)
Resistances: Water (0.5x), Grass (0.5x), Electric (0.5x)
Immunity: None
Notable Feats: One of the strongest physical attackers to the potential to hold items ; Terrabolt ignores most effects of abilities which can either influence the user (like Mold Breaker.)
Notable Issues: Lack of strong physical Ice-STAB other than Freeze Shock hamper this Pokemon and is forced to be Mixed; Really shallow movepool; Weak to somewhat common types (see Weaknesses); Mediocre Speed stat
Notable Moves: Ice Beam, Draco Meteor, Dragon Claw, Rock Slide, Earth Power, Freeze Shock, Fusion Bolt, Iron Head, Psychic, Shadow Ball, Roost, Icy Wind, Endeavor, etc.

[Image: kyurem.png]

Kyurem-Regular

Typing: Dragon / Ice
Ability: Pressure
Base Stat Total: 125 HP / 130 Atk / 90 Def / 130 Sp. Atk / 90 Sp. Def / 95 Spe
Weaknesses: Rock (2x) , Fairy (2x), Fighting (2x), Steel (2x), Dragon (2x)
Resistances: Water (0.5x), Grass (0.5x), Electric (0.5x)
Immunity: None
Notable Feats: Has both base 130 Attack and Special Attack allowing regular Kyurem to be mixed
Notable Issues: Shallow Movepool; Weak to somewhat common types (see Weaknesses); Weak to Xerneas; Mediocre Speed stat; ALMOST no reason to use regular Kyurem compared to its other forms due to similar stat distribution but stronger abilities, and offensive stats.
Notable Moves: Ice Beam, Draco Meteor, Dragon Pulse, Flash Cannon, Earth Power, Glaciate, Psychic, Shadow Ball, Roost, Icy Wind, Endeavor, etc.

[Image: reshiram.png]

Reshiram

Typing: Dragon / Fire
Ability: Turboblaze
Base Stat Total: 100 HP / 120 Atk / 100 Def / 150 Sp. Atk / 120 Sp. Def / 90 Spe
Weaknesses: Ground (2x) , Rock (2x), Dragon (2x)
Resistances: Bug (0.5x), Grass (0.25x), Electric (0.5x), Steel (0.5x), Fire (0.25x)
Immunity: Burns
Notable Feats: Access to a stronger STAB version of "Heat Wave" in Blue Flare which has 130 base power and a 20% chance to burn either target though has a 85% chance to miss; Isn't weak to Fairy (AKA Xerneas); High 150 Base Special Attack
Notable Issues: Shallow Movepool; Weak to common types (see Weaknesses); Low Speed stat compared with the other Restricted Legends; Lack of "stronger coverage options" compared with ...say the Sinnoh Legendary Dragons.
Notable Moves: Blue Flare, Fusion Flare, Draco Meteor, Dragon Pulse, Earth Power, Solar Beam, Tailwind, Will-O-Wisp, Overheat, Shadow Ball, Roost, Ancient Power, etc.

[Image: zekrom.png]

Zekrom

Typing: Dragon / Electric
Ability: Terrabolt
Base Stat Total: 100 HP / 150 Atk / 120 Def / 120 Sp. Atk / 100 Sp. Def / 90 Spe
Weaknesses: Ground (2x) , Fairy (2x), Dragon (2x), Ice (2x)
Resistances: Flying (0.5x), Grass (0.5x), Electric (0.25x), Steel (0.5x), Fire (0.5x), Water (0.5x)
Immunity: Paralysis
Notable Feats: Access to a physical Electric STAB version of "Blue Flare" in Bolt Strike which has 130 base power and a 20% chance to paralyze either target though has a 85% chance to miss. ; High 150 Base Attack stat
Notable Issues: Shallow Movepool ; Weak to common types (see Weaknesses). ; Low Speed stat ; Unreliable coverage options and forced to be a mixed attacker.
Notable Moves: Bolt Strike, Fusion Bolt, Draco Meteor, Dragon Pulse, Earth Power, Thunder Wave Tailwind, Shadow Ball, Roost, Magnet Rise, Flash Cannon, Shadow Claw, Volt Switch, Dragon Claw, etc.

[Image: zygarde.png]

Zygarde 50% Form

Typing: Dragon / Ground
Ability: Aura Break
Base Stat Total: 108 HP / 100 Atk / 121 Def / 81 Sp. Atk / 95 Sp. Def / 95 Spe
Weaknesses: Ice (4x), Fairy (2x), Dragon (2x), (2x)
Resistances: Fire (0.5x), Rock (0.5x), Poison (0.5x),
Immunity: Electric, "Electrical" Paraysis
Notable Feats: Has Haze...for Geomancy Xerneas, Dragon Dance for setup, Extreme Speed for priority, Land's Wrath to hit both targets (not its ally), and Glare to even paralyze Primal Groudon.
Notable Issues: Shallow Movepool; Lack of a reliable Dragon-type STAB aside from Outrage; Extremely low base stat distribution compared with the other Restricted Legends; Opportunity cost of making Zygarde "work" isn't worth it until the other forms (likely 100% form) is released.
Notable Moves: Outrage, Extreme Speed, Earthquake, Rock Slide, Glare, Land's Wrath, Sludge Wave, Haze, Dragon Dance, Earth Power, Draco Meteor, Iron Tail, Super Power, Coil, etc.

Special thanks to the people of PokeStadium for having all the Restricted Legends' Sprites.

As the season goes on, I'll make an in-depth analysis of each of these Pokemon similar to how I did so for the most prevalent VGC 2015 Pokemon. Hopefully I'll get to use (or maybe not since I'm looking at Zygarde) the legendary Pokemon now available for the new format and so people can get an idea of where to start. Until then, see you all later!

RE: Early VGC 2016 Guide to Restricted Legends by Black117 - Slec - Jan 12, 2016

Hey remember when i did this and Kiev did it 1000000000000000000000x better, this is why I leave the forum stuff to him

RE: Early VGC 2016 Guide to Restricted Legends by Black117 - Justin - Jan 17, 2016

Yeah, this is pretty epic! Great article @Black117