The 2025 Pokémon VGC Season: A Surprising Turn at the Baltimore Regionals

The 2025 Pokémon season has officially kicked off with an exhilarating start at the Baltimore Regionals, showcasing a fascinating twist in the Scarlet and Violet Video Game Championships (VGC). What makes this year's season particularly noteworthy is the unexpected success of many underdog Pokémon in the Regulation H format, a competitive scene devoid of both Legendary and Paradox Pokémon threats. Here's a closer look at the surprises and strategic shifts that have defined the opening of the season.

Key Takeaways:

• Unexpected Contenders Rise: Pokémon like Sneasler, Ursaluna, and even Scyther have shown impressive potential in the Regulation H format.
• Off-Meta Success Stories: The tournament highlighted Pokémon such as Volbeat, Delphox, and Vivillon, which are typically overlooked in VGC, making significant strides.
• Strategic Innovations: The duo of Toedscruel and Galarian Weezing, utilized by prominent players, illustrates the depth of strategy emerging in this season's meta.
• Open Field for Competition: The current Regulation H format encourages a broader range of Pokémon to shine, breaking away from the dominance of a few in previous seasons.
• Opportunity for New Strategies: With the Regulation H format running until January 5, there's ample time for players to explore and elevate unconventional picks.

During the Baltimore Regionals (September 14 to 15), attendees and viewers were treated to a spectacle of strategic gameplay that turned expectations on their head. Notably, Hisui Pokémon like Sneasler and Ursaluna have climbed in usage, demonstrating the wide-open nature of the current competitive field. An even more startling performance came from a Scyther, captivating audiences during a streamed match with its unexpected prowess.

While Scyther may not have made the top cut, 13 other remarkable Pokémon did, as highlighted by VGC professional and commentator Aaron "Cybertron" Zheng. Among these, the appearances of Volbeat, Delphox, and Vivillon were particularly striking, given their rarity in VGC discussions. Similarly, Sneasler and Flamigo have quietly risen in popularity, hinting at their potential to dominate the Reg H metagame as it evolves.

A standout strategic play was seen in the pairing of Toedscruel and Galarian Weezing by Wolfe Glick, a former world champion, and Justin Carris, a regional champion. This duo exemplifies the innovative strategies that have emerged in Regulation H, leveraging Galarian Weezing's Neutralizing Gas to disable abilities, thereby enhancing Toedscruel's effectiveness on the field.

The success of Pokémon like Toedscruel and Volbeat at such a prestigious event marks a refreshing departure from the predictability of previous formats, which often revolved around a handful of dominant Pokémon. The Regulation H format, by excluding Legendaries and Paradox Pokémon, has indeed leveled the playing field, allowing for a more diverse and unpredictable competitive landscape.

With the Regulation H format in play until January 5, the stage is set for further exploration and innovation in team compositions. This period represents a golden opportunity for players to experiment with unconventional picks and strategies, potentially reshaping the meta before the return of Legendary Pokémon in the Regulation G format.

The 2025 Pokémon VGC season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting and unpredictable in recent memory, proving that with creativity and strategic insight, any Pokémon can rise to the occasion. As the season progresses, it will be fascinating to see which other underappreciated Pokémon make their mark on the competitive scene.