Pokésports: A Competitive Pokémon Podcast

224 - Expandegg Force Oct 18, 2024

Alternative titles include: Eggspanding Force We discuss where you should book for Toronto Regionals, Louisville Regionals, and of course we touch on the biggest moment in Game Freak history since Pokémon was first released.

223 - I'll Have Some Games, Please! Sep 27, 2024

We do get into a little bit of news & stats, but this episode is all about the games, baby!

If you have an idea of what to call the Pokémon Cries game, let me know.

222 - The Triumphant Return of Flamigo Sep 20, 2024

Flamigo flapped its way right to the top of Regulation H. Good job Flamigo. You've been a very good bird. Also, Mike totally played Armarouge after this podcast, and he loves it.

221 - Pokémon Worlds 2024 and Psyduck Sep 13, 2024

In which Kevin and Mike catch up on all the things they missed while on vacation. Pokémon Unite's new roster, the 2024 World Championships, and all the stats any nerd could ever want!

220 - Our VGC Vacation Aug 16, 2024

In which Kevin and Mike take a long-deserved break from chatting about VGC, and instead discuss other important topics like wrestling, Ho-oh, and so much more!

219 - Regulation H Aug 09, 2024

Where Kevin and Mike do the deepest dive their little hearts will let them regarding Regulation H. Is Regulation H a breath of fresh air for VGC?

218 - BIG changes for PlayPokémon 2025! Jun 28, 2024

It's that time again. With Worlds just around the corner, Kevin and Mike start the countdown to see what kind of big changes are announced for 2025.

That's what I would've said if PlayPokémon didn't just drop some massive news on the community. We discuss it in as much depth as we can.

217 - The Binacle Debacle Jun 21, 2024

Okay but Binacle is really scary and creepy and you can't convince me otherwise. It just gets weirder the more you look at it!

216 - Plenty of Fish in NAIC Jun 14, 2024

New Orleans was hot, but a certain fish was hotter. Mike and Kevin go over NAIC, Hong Kong & so much more in this action-packed episode.

215 - Planet of the Annihilapes May 31, 2024

This might be our longest episode yet! We spend some time talking Regionals, because of course, this is a competitive Pokémon podcast, but we answer a ton of your questions!

214 - Preparing for a National Tournament May 24, 2024

In which Mike and Kevin explain what one needs to do in order to get mentally prepared for a National Tournament. That's probably what the whole episode is about, but I wouldn't know, I've only listened to about 15 minutes around the middle of the episode.

213 - VGC All Around The World! May 17, 2024

Kevin and Mike get an EARful of Pok´mon Regionals. Some did really well, others had unique teams. Check it out!

212 - The Smartest Pokémon Quiz May 03, 2024

It's not. It's the opposite of that. Regulation G (Chi) is here, but it doesn't really feel like it since Kevin has been playing Regulation G for pretty much a month now. Pokérogue is on the table, as well as the best (and dumbest) Pokémon quiz we've ever seen. You can play it yourself here! Credit to ZaneGames on YouTube for this awesome quiz! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f9VRbTMDwo

211 - What's your secret, Wigglytuff? Apr 26, 2024

Kevin and Mike discuss Brazil, online tournaments, and Zamazenta, who has turned out to be a much more of a good boy than when he was last on stage.

210 - The Strongest Restricted in Regulation G Apr 19, 2024

A sleepy Mike and a lucky Kevin discuss the Orlando Regionals, with its attendance sitting at over 800!

Our good buddy Rowan Hall made it to the top 10 - major shoutout to The Game Corner.

209 - Regulation G & The Sleepiest Esport Apr 05, 2024

It's time to get your sleep on! The April Fools joke that keeps on giving. Also, Regulation G is here. See if Mike and Kevin can get their thoughts out about it!

208 - Anatomy of a Sucker Punch Mar 29, 2024

In which Kevin and Mike discuss the intricacies of Sucker Punch, Vancouver Regionals, PokeDoku, and the wild world of Logitech Mice (Call me, Logitech).

Here's the post talking about when and when not to use Sucker Punch. I warn you, it's Math: https://twitter.com/Jenkins_VGC/status/1759397443270037609

207 - PSA 1.0, GC III, Articuno! Mar 22, 2024

Mike and Kevin took a few weeks off of the pod, but Esports marches on! We discuss the GCIII, upcoming & completed regionals, and the way to accurately get your Pokémon cards graded as PSA 1.

206 - Pokémon Day and Z-A! Mar 01, 2024

Mike and Kevin discuss Pokemon Generations, Pokemon Unite, Venusaur, Blastoise, and Charizard raids, the Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket, and Pokemon Legends ZA. So much stuff today!

No podcast next week due to Mike being stuck in Florida. Oh no, what ever will he do with all that sun and beach? Don't worry - he'll do his best to survive.

205 - UnDuns Your Sparce Feb 23, 2024

In this episode, Mike & Kevin will do exactly as the title says - they're gonna UnDun your Sparce. Get ready for your Sparce to be UnDun. You might have way too many Duns, but now it's time for them to get UnDun.

204 - Splish Splash, I was Playing Unite Feb 16, 2024

Mike & Kevin talk Turkey, if the Turkey's name was Gyarados, and it evolved from a smaller turkey named Magikarp. Honestly, I'm not sure how much Turkey is actually involved in the situation, but they talk about'em.

We're also in Pokémon Day Countdown mode, so expect speculation, excitement, and more speculation.

203 - Hidden in Plain Sight Feb 09, 2024

Whether we're talking about Amoonguss, Hack-checks, or new game hints, today's topics are hidden!

200 - Every 200 Episodes We Do This Feb 02, 2024

Every first 200 episodes we're contractually obligated to do this exact episode. It needed to happen because it was the 200th episode.

We've been around for too long.

202 - 4 New Types & 1 New Bug Feb 02, 2024

In which Mike & Kevin discuss 4 well-thought-out new typings, Liverpool Reginoals, and the funniest bug that Kevin has ever seen.

Go check out Adept Charon's post about the new types!

201 - The Global Challenge I ,Charlotte & Farigiraf! Jan 26, 2024

Mike & Kevin discuss all things Farigiraf. You thought this podcast was going to be about the Pokémon-lookin' new friend in town? Well think again! We only talk about it for a LITTLE bit.

Also, it's time for The Global Challenge I, which suggests there'll be a The Global Challenge II. III? IV? V? X?

199 - Portland, Charlotte & Blueberries Jan 12, 2024

In which Kevin & Mike discuss Portland, Charlotte & Blueberries - what else could you ask for?!

198 - The Isle of Bear Jan 05, 2024

Mike & Kevin discuss the issue with Dragon Cheer, their fight with Stellar typing, and how Regulation F has shaken up the meta. Has Flutter Mane been dethroned? Well, I guess it depends on how far in the ladder you look.

197 - Stellar Type is Actually Good! Dec 29, 2023

Wait, so you're telling me we've been playing this game for almost two weeks now and we STILL haven't discovered Stellar Chien-Pao?! Who'da thunk it.

196 - The Fiery Beard Dec 22, 2023

The return of Dexit, this time it's New Indigo Disk Edition. Mike and Kevin get into the ups and downs of the new game and all of its competitive advantages/disadvantage.

195 - The Game Is Complete Dec 15, 2023

The Indigo Disk has finally dropped, and I've gotta say - it's fine that they took a year to figure out how to make Koraidon fly. It's a beautiful thing.

Mike and Kevin discuss all things ID - BP, TMs, PKMN, even TRPG (That's Terapagos).

194 - Thank You Mr. Snacksworth Dec 08, 2023

Mr. Snacksworth is here to provide you with the Legendaries you need to make your team soar. Mr. Snacksworth believes in the future of competitive Pokémon and will always have your back in the pursuit of it.

Mr. Snacksworth could actually be Ball Guy. I've never seen the two of them in the same room.

193 - Regulation F: GO! Dec 01, 2023

Kevin reveals his Pokémon Go rabbit hole, and we can all see just how far down this goes.

It's deep. Medicham lives there.

Regulation F information has...dropped? And Kevin performs a podcast on a timer.

192 - Is it Heatran or Heatran? Nov 24, 2023

In which Mike and Kevin discuss the pronunciation of "Heatran" (Where, yes, it's "Heatran"). Mike paints a lovely picture of Eevees frolicking in a field, plus gives some insight into how events are put together.

Less than a month until Indigo Disk now. Isn't that nuts?

191 - Eevee Adventure Nov 15, 2023

Pokésports Podcast is moving to Fridays! Get your TGIFs on speed dial!

190 - The Blursed Episode Nov 08, 2023

In this late Halloween episode, Mike and Kevin discuss the intricacies of Toronto, the upcoming release date of The Indigo Disk, and talking about your knowledge gaps! Let's go!

189 - The Shortest One Oct 25, 2023

Welcome to the shortest episode of Pokésports ever. Mike is newly married, Kevin is back home for 3 days before heading back to Toronto, but the boys do their best to squeeze all this Pokémon info in this episode for you!

In this episode, we talk Lille Regionals, Premiere Challenges, Midseason Showdowns, & Toronto!

188 - Kevin Joins The Dark Side Oct 18, 2023

...and becomes a Dozo Bozo. Mike investigates the inner-workings of a Ditto, and the two lads get into some usage stats from the west coast. Best coast?

187 - How Much Does Conkeldurr Bench? Oct 11, 2023

Autumn treats, Peoria stats, and custom Pokémon moves! This episode of Pokesports goes deep on the latest tournament winners, and tries to learn something along the way.

186 - Beastcoast, MSS, and Best of 3s! YEAH! Oct 04, 2023

In which Kevin and Mike discuss the newest Mid-Season Showdown, Pokemon Showdown, and tournaments. Pokemon Showdown now does best of threes, Beastcoast puts on amazing tournaments, and Pikachu is a Yokai?

Hosted by

⁠Michael Busse⁠

& ⁠Kevin Sidonio⁠

⁠Support the Show

185 - Kitakami Prologue & The Hermit Crab Sep 27, 2023

Where Kevin and Mike discuss all kinds of tournaments! Kitakami Prologue, NinoPokeBros, Beastcoast - it's all on the table!

Also, we discuss the Hermit Crab Pokemon. It's not what you think.

Hosted by

Michael Busse

& Kevin Sidonio

Support the Show

184 - Ogerpodcast! Sep 20, 2023

Kevin and Mike discuss the Sinnoh starters and their fun new role in Scarlet and Violet! We also take a quick peek at Regulation E. Let's see what's new, what's old, and what's nold!

183 - The Teal Mask's New Pokémon Sep 14, 2023

DLC day is here! It's time to collect your favorite mask, slap it on an ogre, and go to town in Regulation D. Kevin & Mike discuss their experience in the DLC, and talk about competitive implications of it.

182 - Regulation E & The Higher-Ups Sep 06, 2023

In which Mike & Kevin discuss (a lot of) Pokémon Sleep, Regulation E, and the decisions of management in Play! Pokemon. There isn't a ton of transparency in upper-level Pokemon, so it leads the community to make a lot of guesses as to why certain decisions were made. Working in events, Mike is able to make some pretty informed guesses. Being a seasoned veteran, Kevin has exposure to the rolling changes.

181 - New Rules for 2024! Aug 30, 2023

In which Mike & Kevin chat 2024 Worlds rules, regulations & prizing! 2024 is shaping up to be the best year so far for Pokemon Esports (or Pokesports?)

Also we answer a ton of your questions, define the Pokemon Good Sleep Day event, and so much more!

180 - Ride the Lapras Express! Aug 24, 2023

Tickets, please! It's time to hop on the Lapras express. Mike & Kevin discuss their brief return to Pokemon Unite, location-finding in Esports, and so much more! Now I've gotta sleep.

179 - Worlds 2023, New DLC Pokémon & moves! Aug 16, 2023

Kevin & Mike discuss the controversy surrounding Worlds, Worlds itself, and all the exciting information that comes with it.

178 - Pokémon Presents! DLC Release Date! Aug 09, 2023

Kevin and Mike do a full breakdown of the most recent Pokémon Presents, and get into the DLC details! There's been tons of amazing information dropped, so definitely check it out! Just in time for Pokémon Worlds!

177 - 2024 Play! Pokémon is Evolving! Aug 02, 2023

What?! Play Pokemon is evolving?! *Evolution music intensifies*

Play! Pokemon has been making some major changes to their circuit due to the surge in attention and fandom. It's a welcome change as they grow, and Mike & Kevin are here to talk through it.

Also, Kevin gets WAY into Pokemon Sleep. Need some cool snoozing strats? We got you.

176 - What is Pokémon Mezastar?! Jul 26, 2023

Kevin has had the best week of sleep in his life ever since Pokémon sleep gamified his needs. Mike has been...well, he's been busy.

The boys discuss Pokémon Sleep and its full release, the Yokohama controversy, and the grassroots tournament scene. Sleep well, folks!

175 - Competitive Pokemon Sleep Jul 19, 2023

It's finally time for the world to sleep! Mike tries out Pokemon Sleep, and Kevin figures out how to turn it into a competition. We also chat on the competitive Limitless scene, as well as bring back a classic game!

Check us out at Pokesports.info!

174 - It's A Long Road To Ohio Jul 12, 2023

Mike's long drive, Kevin's good luck charm, and Japan's prizing structure! This episode has a ton of interesting moments to it. Make sure you listen close to hear Kevin's secret sauce recipe!

Check out our socials!

https://www.pokesports.info

173 - NAIC 2023 with SBJ from It's Super Effective! Jul 03, 2023

In this wildly special and much-requested episode, we're joined by Steve from "It's Super Effective!" in Ohio! We absolutely had to meet in-person with Steve for a podcast, so behold as we narrowly evade catastrophe by having Mike, who couldn't get on his flight, appear magically in front of them through the power of the internet!

It's time for 2023's largest and most influential Pokemon tournament in North America - NAIC! Kevin, Mike & Steve will recant previous highlights of their time in competitive Pokemon, and Steve will give the low-down on how Pokemon Go has evolved over the years! Also, don't worry - we'll talk about Pokemon Sleep. We had to!

Go check out Steve's Podcast, "It's Super Effective!"

00:00:20 - Introduction

00:07:00 - Old Tournament Stories

00:14:00 - Our Podcasts

00:14:30 - Shiny Gimmighoul

00:29:20 - What is GO Fest

00:33:50 - Scarlet/Violet Update

00:47:00 - Pokémon Sleep / Detective Pikachu

01:07:00 - NAIC Teams

01:18:00 - Post Credits

172 - Will the DLC change competitive? Jun 28, 2023

It's The Pokésports Corner! Harrison from TheGameCornerVGC joins Kevin as a guest host for this week's episode! In this episode, they discuss the new DLC trailers & all the Pokemon inside them! Trailers are a great way to get a hint of what Pokemon will be coming back. You just need to watch closely.

171 - Yokohama FOMO & AMA! Jun 21, 2023

In this episode, Kevin and Mike lament over the Worlds Festivities. They look awesome, and they're unlikely to be there for them. It's alright though, because in the meantime, they've got plenty of questions to answer! I believe this is our longest episode to date. Yeesh. 2x speeders rejoice!

170 - Regulation D is full of bears! Jun 14, 2023

We had a disagreement and it resulted in the two of them getting WAY too into Regulation D. Now we're ready to talk about the best new Pokemon in the upcoming format! But don't worry - we've got plenty of current format stuff to talk about as well. All of the Pokemon used in recent regionals have been updated, and you'd better believe we're getting into it!

Check us out at Pokesports.info!

169 - Milwaukee, Korea & Regirock Jun 07, 2023

What do these three places all have in common? Not much, usually! Today, they all live on the podcast. We discuss Kevin's Milwaukee adventure, the Korea Pokemon Incident, and Regirock crashing a wedding.

Check us out at Pokesports.info!

168 - Welcome Home! May 31, 2023

Mike and Kevin discuss Home, the Pokemon returning to it, and what we're expecting.

We also discuss VGC around the world, since apparently everyone wanted to have a tournament without us.

167 - Underestimating Status Moves May 24, 2023

Kevin and Mike discuss status moves used on Lum Berry Pokemon, Hartford Regionals, and what they've learned in preparation for Milwaukee Regionals!

Check out our podcast, social channels, and much more!

https://pokesports.info

166 - Home is where the Hartford is May 17, 2023

Kevin and Mike take this, the week before the ultimate trial of sleepless nights and 10 rounds of best of 3s to compare Smogon's rankings to VGC's useability. They also chat about some returning Pokemon, and so much more! Goofisports is in full effect. Check out our podcast, social channels, and much more! https://pokesports.info

165 - Fluttermania Runnin' Wild! May 10, 2023

Ooo yeah. Fluttermania is in full effect in this episode of Pokesports. Recently, Flutter Mane has seen even more play than before.

Oh hey, by the way - if you're interested in 10% off some amazing graphic tees, hit up https://www.intotheam.com/pokesports

or check out our links below:

https://pokesports.info

164 - The Limit Does Not Exist May 03, 2023

Limitless is an amazing platform for Pokemon tournaments. Kevin and Mike take some well-deserved time to go through what makes it great, what kind of tournaments exist on it, and what they can do to lead a tournament themselves. Check out our podcast, social channels, and much more! https://pokesports.info

163 - Is Zoroark Perfect Yet? Apr 26, 2023

In Patch 1.3, Pokemon made a very concerted effort in making Zoroark its best self. Terastalization was very hard on the lad, and we're glad to see Pokemon giving it the attention it deserves.

Today we chat about an assortment of different tournaments coming up, including the Garden State Cup. If you're in and around New Jersey, please do stop by! Here's the link to the Limitless page:

https://play.limitlesstcg.com/tournament/642b5553af9fbd0613b1d915/details Check out our links here!
https://www.pokesports.info

162 - Kaijus & RPGs; EUIC In A Nutshell Apr 19, 2023

This weekend was the Europe International Championship - One of Pokemon's biggest tournaments of the year, and the highest in attendance to date! Mike & Kevin talk about what the Internationals are like, what the teams looked like, and which one looked most Kaiju-like.

Also, Mike doesn't know what an RPG is.

Check out our links here!
https://www.pokesports.info

161 - Into The Stadium! Apr 12, 2023

It's time to hop on in to Pokemon Stadium to get your esports fix! Of course, if you're looking for more present-day Pokemon competition, head on over to Europe where you can compete in EUIC!

In today's episode, we chat about Pokemon Stadium, Ghost Tera Typhlosion's Tera Raid Battle, and the Global Challenge!

Check out our links here!
https://www.pokesports.info

160 - Welcome to Regulation C! Apr 05, 2023

And so, Flutter Mane once again became the most influential Pokémon in the meta, only prior seen at the beginning of the game when people were "just figuring it out".

Today, we chat about Regulation C, the Global Championship, and the return of Local Events!

Check out our links here!
https://www.pokesports.info

159 - When Pigs Fly Mar 29, 2023

On this week's episode, we get into Charlotte Regionals. x-3 is a rather controversial score at the moment, and we get fully into that. We also chat about the uniqueness of Pokemon as an esport, and you'll never guess which Pokemon is coming to Gamestop! Check out our links here!
https://www.pokesports.info

158 - That's Trash...That's Great! Mar 22, 2023

Talking about what makes Glastrier great always warrants interrupting a whole segment. Today we talk about the best new Pokemon Masters EX character, the solved Series 2 meta showing itself in Utrecht, and we answer your questions! It's a fun time. Now then, everybody toss your arms in the sky and send Kevin your strength for this weekend's Charlotte Regionals!

Check out our links here!
https://www.pokesports.info

157 - I put that Fish on everything! Mar 15, 2023

If you find yourself a spicy goldfish, you put it on everything! How many teams will have Chi-Yu on it, or will teams actually end up with Wo-Chein or Ting-Lu? If you asked me 4 months ago, I would've laughed in your face. Now, not so much.
We also discuss Vancouver Regionals and the Paldea Prologue! It's a cool one.

Check out our links here!
https://www.pokesports.info

156 - Decidueye, Regulation C & The Ruin Mar 08, 2023

Regulation C is just around the corner, and Kevin's got all the details for you on what's good, what's not, what's hot & what's Chi-Yu.
Also, it looks like we're getting yet another new non-Paldean Pokemon! Could this mean something further down the line?

155 - Pokémon Day 2023! Mar 01, 2023

It's Pokémon Day for Mike & Kevin, and it having been just a little bit after the official stream with all the new information dropping, the boys are super excited to see what's new & exciting in the world of Pokémon. Even since then, so much more information has dropped, so we hope you're staying tuned to Pokésports to see all the new and exciting (and Ruinous) things coming up!
Check out our links here!
https://www.pokesports.info

154 - 2023 Oceania International Championship Feb 22, 2023

Today, Mike & Kevin discuss the Oceania International Championship. It's a small but mighty section of the game we play, which makes it just as important that it happens.

Check out our links here!
https://www.pokesports.info

153 - Charity Tournaments ft. KingCorphish! Feb 15, 2023

Today the one and only KingCorphish joins Mike to talk about the American Heart Association's World Heart Cup that they participated in over the weekend. Also, Kevin rediscovers his love for Annhilape.

You can check Ryan out here! https://www.youtube.com/@KingCorphish

Check out our links here!
https://www.pokesports.info

152 - Orlando Regionals Feb 08, 2023

Kevin & Mike attended their first 2023 Regional Competition. Listen in on how they did, what they used, and how they felt about the whole experience.

Check out our links here!
https://www.pokesports.info

151 - The (New) Math Episode Feb 01, 2023

Well, it looks like Scarlet & Violet reinvented math! In a new version of our earlier Math Episode (Episode 11), Mike runs through the importance of the damage calculation, terastalization, and critical hits. It'd be nice if you critically hit the follow button. Heh heh.

Check out our links here!
https://www.pokesports.info

150 - Liverpool, Forgotten Ruins & Mewtwo Jan 25, 2023

Mike's commitment to First Impression. Kevin's correction of Proto/Quark Boost, and the boys' realization of what Ruinous Pokemon will do to the meta. It's all here in this episode. Happy Mewtwo episode!

Check out our links here!
https://www.pokesports.info

149 - Never Underestimate The Bundle Jan 18, 2023

Quick note: Protosynthesis/Quark Drive increases Attack/Def/SpAtk/SpDef by 30% and Speed by 50%, not the other way around.

Kevin and Mike discuss EVERY SINGLE PARADOX POKEMON in the game. What they do, why they're useful, or why they're Iron Thorns.
Also, it's just about time for Orlando Regionals. Will Mike and Kevin be going? Yes.

Check out our links here!
https://www.pokesports.info

148 - San Diego Regionals, Series 1's Quick Life Jan 11, 2023

Today we get into the San Diego Regionals. We talk about the power that meta calls have over a society, and the unraveling a simple counterpick can do.

Which tera types are the best to use? Which are the most commonly used?

Also, it's just about time for Orlando Regionals. Will Mike and Kevin be going? Yes.

Check out our links here!
https://www.pokesports.info

147 - Which Pokémon Reign Statistically Supreme? Jan 04, 2023

Time for another episode of Pokésports, where we've got something we haven't seen in YEARS! That being usage stats, of course. In this episode, we give our opinions on all of the most popular Pokemon that are topping the charts, and even give some tips on how to properly use them!

Also, Regionals are coming up. Get ready for that!

Check out our new Dozo Bozo t-shirt on the Pokésports store at https://www.pokesports.org

146 - Battling Bugs Dec 28, 2022

Hey there, and welcome to the latest episode of Pokésports, and the final for 2022!

In today's episode, we're chatting about some of the frustrating bugs and glitches we've experienced. Have you ever sat on Battle Stadium trying to find a match, only to be booted out and told "Sorry, no players are available"? Or have you had your Pokemon disappear for 20 seconds mid-battle?

We also discuss the upcoming Oceania Internationals and the fact that they'll be played using Series 1 rules. While this is great news for players who are used to competing under these rules, it can be a bit of a challenge for those who are gearing up for Series 2, which is set to start at the beginning of February.

And speaking of regional tournaments, we also mention the Florida regionals and how they'll be using Series 1 rules as well. It's important to note that this means a shorter window for players to practice on cartridge, but hey, at least it's only for a few days, right?

Overall, it's clear that there are still some kinks to work out in the latest Pokemon game, but we're hopeful that future updates will address these issues and make for a smoother competitive experience. Thanks for tuning in, and we'll catch you in the next episode!

Happy Holidays from Pokésports! Dec 21, 2022

Thanks for making this year so special! We'll see you next week. In the meantime, check out the other stuff we've got going on!
https://linktr.ee/pokesportspodcast

145 - Open Teamsheets - Yay or Nay? Dec 14, 2022

On today's show, we'll be discussing the controversy surrounding the use of Open Teamsheets in competitive Pokemon play. We'll also be recapping the recent Victory Road Tournament, which saw an amazing number of participants. Plus, Mike and Kevin will be sharing their experiences laddering in the lead up to the tournament.

Be sure to check out https://linktr.ee/pokesportspodcast for more information and resources!

144 - Return of the Amoonguss Factor Dec 07, 2022

This podcast description was written by an AI.
In this episode of Pokesports, we're taking a closer look at The Amoonguss Factor, one of the hottest topics in the competitive Pokemon world. We'll discuss the latest usage stats for this versatile mushroom Pokemon, as well as some new strategies for using it effectively in battle. We'll also be sharing some of the latest bugs and glitches in the game, and how they can be used to your advantage in the competitive scene. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or just starting out in the world of competitive Pokemon, this episode has something for everyone.
...I don't need to do any work anymore.
https://linktr.ee/pokesportspodcast

143 - Scarlet and Violet Tournaments Activated Nov 30, 2022

We're officially 12 days into Scarlet and Violet, and already we have TONS of tournaments popping up, which makes Pokesports incredibly happy. Mike and Kevin talk about the differences between these tournaments, the differences between the teams, and a little bit of their thoughts on VGC before the ranked series officially drops.

Check out our linktree for all our links, including our Discord, YouTube Channel and Twitter!

https://linktr.ee/pokesportspodcast

142 - The Unmentioned Scarlet & Violet Patch Notes Nov 23, 2022

Scarlet & Violet is finally here! It dropped so hard that it hurt itself, and that seems to be all people can talk about. Meanwhile, Kevin & Mike blasted through the game, headed into competitive, and now that's all THEY can talk about!
It looks like this generation has been the biggest shift in competitive that we've seen in YEARS! Mike & Kevin break down the most important elements of it.

Make sure you're following us on our socials for all our new SV gameplay!
https://linktr.ee/pokesportspodcast

141 - Farewell Sword & Shield, Hello Scarlet & Violet! Nov 16, 2022

It's the end of an era. Pokemon Sword and Shield will always have a large place in our hearts, as it was not only the first game where we attended multiple competitions, both in-person and online, but also the game that kicked off all of Pokesports. We can't wait to keep things going with Scarlet and Violet, but we thought it'd be fun to go over each VGC series in SwSh and think back to some of the best moments of that game.

140 - Gus Gimmighoul Nov 09, 2022

It's so close, we can smell it! Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are just around the corner, and we're ready to talk about all of the (officially) revealed content. We chat about all of the new reveals over the past week, the recent trailer, and so much more!

139 - Just Crustlin' Around Nov 02, 2022

Todays episode is Mike & Kevin further discussing the slow death of Sword and Shield. Ultimate Finale, Zoroark, and Pack Battles! This episode has it all.

138 - Greavard and the Scarlet & Violet Experience Oct 26, 2022

It looks like all the cool kids were invited to play Pokémon. While Kevin and Mike watch from behind the glass as it rains outside but is also somehow sunny in the park the Pokémon players are playing in, they at least talk about what they see and try to develop an equal amount of hype.

Also the goodest boy was revealed while we were recording. He'll play with you...while he eats your soul!

Lastly, go check out the Pokésports Gen 9 Damage Calculator @ https://www.pokesports.org/damage-calculator

137 - The Ultimate Finale of Sword & Shield Oct 19, 2022

Sword & Shield's Ultimate Finale competition is heading our way! Get hype.

Clefable is fun, Zoroark is coming, and so much more! Check this out!

136 - The Farigaraf Conundrum Oct 12, 2022

There's a new Giraffe in town, and their name is Farigaraf! Will it be top meta, or will it be right down on the bottom? The ability makes it seem useable, but the rest is to be seen. We chat about it anyway!

New expensive skins in Unite, distribution events, and Scarlet/Violet lead-up is today's topic. Check it out!

135 - A Bit of Wigglett Room Oct 05, 2022

We're proud to be the internet's newest Competitive Pokémon Podcast. Trophy Garden walked so we could run and all that.

We welcome our friends to the podcasting space! In honor of that, we'll discuss Wigglett, rant about Dodrio scoring, and talk about your suggestions for new Unite mons!

134 - Build A Unite-Mon! Sep 28, 2022

Needless to say, there's a ton of source material in the Pokémon world for Unite to create Pokémon from, and your answers showed that. More and more new Pokémon are being added to Unite, and with good reason - the multitude of ways to use Pokémon has already been established, and MOBAs are already far and away proven in their concept.

Kevin and Mike discuss what Pokémon would be cool to see!

They also discuss Scarlet and Violet, and which Pokémon, of those already revealed (new or otherwise), are going to be worth taking a look at.

133 - My Life As A Teenage Dodrio Sep 21, 2022

Dodrio has dropped in Unite, and it's a speedy little boi! Mike talks about his idea that Movement Speed is the most important thing in any MOBA.

Make sure you check out our Patreon for the secret before-the-video chat we had!

132 - Clefable...Fables in? Sep 14, 2022

Clefable is coming to Unite and...it feels a little unfinished. We also discuss the Spikemuth Cup format and the difficulty pivot that it brings.

131 - The Unite Overhaul Sep 07, 2022

Pokémon Unite is a different game. The biggest patch the game has ever seen has just dropped, and Mike has been playing the ever loving stuffing out of it. In this, you can hear his thoughts, his explanation of what's going on, and how this has improved or detracted from the game. Kevin's got his predictions for how that will shape things out, and they're already pretty darn close.

This episode was recorded at the Brooklyn Podcasting Studio. We're so thankful for them for having us yet again, and we can't wait to head back next time! If you're interested in the video version of this podcast, you can see that on any tier on our Patreon!

130 - Everybody Loves Dodrio Aug 31, 2022

There are soon to be over 1000 Pokémon for Unite to choose from, and they chose Dodrio. Someone out there is really happy about this.

Make sure you check out our Patreon for info on our Series 13 Tournament! The "Leeg" is back, baby!

129 - Pokémon World Championships 2022 Aug 24, 2022

It's time! The grand Pokémon Festival has come and gone. Pokémon Unite, Pokémon Sword and Shield, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, Pokémon Go, and Pokken Tournament all put their stages up to show who was the best and brightest at the game.
Not only that, but we received our next tidbit of information for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. We talk about all of it in this episode.

128 - Tyranitar Vs The World Aug 17, 2022

We're talking about the upcoming Pokémon World Championships. There was a wonderful panel involving some of Pokémon's biggest names, and Pokesports is here to give their opinion on it.
Also, Tyranitar has finally dropped on Pokémon Unite. Listen to what Kevin and Mike think about this nightmare.
Check out Pokesports.org to see everything we've got going on!

127 - Terastalization and You! With Bryce Young Aug 10, 2022

Scarlet and Violet information has dropped! We finally learn about Terastalization. More importantly though, we have Paldean Wooper & Buzzwole to talk about. How do they fit into the conversation? Find out inside!
We're also joined by Bryce Young! Go check him out on YouTube!

Check out Pokesports.org to see everything we've got going on! Also make sure to check out this week's Mythical Smackdown to catch Marshadow vs Magearna in VGC!

126 - Mythical Pokémon in VGC?! Aug 03, 2022

What a strange world we live in. We've been doing nothing but talk about the possibility of Mythical Pokemon in VGC for the longest time - we even started a series on it. Now, lo and behold, TPCi has slapped Mythicals into VGC for the first time ever! Is it gamechanging? Is it game breaking? Does it not really matter? Do the fact that you can now bring 6 restricted Pokémon make things even tougher? Kevin and Mike investigate!
Check out Pokesports.org to see everything we've got going on! Also make sure to check out this week's Mythical Smackdown to catch Marshadow vs Magearna in VGC!

125 - Unite Saves Kevin Jul 27, 2022

Words are hard when you've been speaking for your whole life.
Mike & Kevin chat Unite Emblems, Jump! Magikarp, and Mythics in VGC. Check it out!
Check out Pokesports.org to see everything we've got going on! Also make sure to check out this week's Mythical Smackdown to catch Marshadow vs Magearna in VGC!

124 - It's A Pokésports Pokémon Party! Jul 20, 2022

We've got so much to do! If we don't get it all done in time, how are we ever going to make it to Kevin's party?!
Seriously though, Happy Birthday to Kevin. Mike decides to take over the podcast and commit the entire time to Pokémon Party games!
Do Kevin a favor and check out Pokesports.org to see everything we've got going on! Also make sure to check out this week's Mythical Smackdown to catch Mew vs Mewtwo in VGC!

123 - Jump, Magikarp! New Meta Jul 13, 2022

Jump, Magikarp! The newest craze hitting our Pokemon world, is coming for your best meta picks. I'd love to see one of us get the dub on that.
AND, of course, you can check us out at Pokesports.org!

122 - Pokésports Plus: Sierra Dawn! Jul 06, 2022

Sierra's history with Pokémon is as extensive as it gets! From TCG to VGC to Unite to the rest of Esports, Sierra is an amazing new addition to the competitive scene. In this episode, we discuss her journey, dealing with imposter syndrome, and what really goes on behind the casters desk.
We also reveal a new game on the podcast! It's a fun time.

You can check Sierra out on Twitter, or watch her commentate VGC, Unite, League of Legends, Wild Rift, and hopefully soon to be much more!
AND, of course, you can check us out at Pokesports.org!

121 - North American International Championships 2022 Jun 29, 2022

It's time for North America's biggest Pokémon tournament, NAIC2022! As is our new tradition, we're in-person in Ohio, playing yet another new game we've made up.
Before that, we give a full breakdown of NAIC, talking about our runs, the general vibe of the place, and of course about the many people we met along the way. If you were one of the people we saw at NAIC, make sure you keep in touch! We were so happy to meet so many of you.
Make sure you check out Pokesports.org for an upcoming blog post about the event!

120 - Ding Dong, It's Bronzong! Jun 22, 2022

Aaron Zheng is at it again with a massively quotable phrase. Mike & Kevin, never one to back down from a meme, are here to celebrate that.
We're looking forward to seeing you at NAIC if you're going! Make sure you say hi. We love saying hi!
Check out pokesports.org for all kinds of fun stuff!

119 - Wait, Salamence? Delphox?! Jun 15, 2022

We're in the heat of competitive VGC season, so we're really in our element on this episode.

Also, Delphox leaps into Unite, and it does a LOT of fire damage.

Check out our website at https://www.pokesports.org!

118 - Teeny Tiny Powerhouses! Jun 08, 2022

Pawmi, Smoliv & Lechonk have been revealed, and they're about as deadly as they are cute. I for one hope they all evolve, and that they all get jetpacks and LED eyes.

117 - Catch'em Battles! Xerneas is alive and well? Jun 03, 2022

Re-uploading to fix an issue with displaying on Spotify

Unite has a new mode. Ever wanted to run around as Zapdos and see what it's like to be the final win condition? Now you can!
There were TONS of VGC events going on over the past 2 weeks. Some of them had teams you'd expect, and some of them not so much. Come check out those teams with us!

116 - In-Person in Brooklyn! May 25, 2022

Pokesports is IN-PERSON for this episode! We hit up the Brooklyn Podcasting Studio and chat previous series, our time in Jersey, and of course, the whole reason we were there: The Secaucus Regional Challenge! Come along.

115 - Along Came Espeon May 18, 2022

Espeon is now available to play in Pokemon Unite! It's honestly pretty okay - we'll have a deeper dive on our experience in the next episode, but we give a full rundown on things to expect with this Pokemon, as well as its moves and uses.
We're also chatting about the Victory Road VGC May Tournament. Kevin participated! How well he did...we'll see!

114 - Indianapolis Regionals & the NA Aeos Cup May 11, 2022

Regionals in full swing, Aeos Cup ready to go, and dreaming about Secaucus! This episode's got it all. We've even got a new name for our Pokemon Cry-guessing game! Welcome to Fake Tears!

113 - PokéClicker & You! May 04, 2022

I swear we talk about other things in this episode, but oh my Arceus has Pokeclicker ever taken over my life.
We're speaking about regionals, VGC stats, and SO much else!

112 - Great Teams & Better Players Apr 27, 2022

Did you really think we'd name this episode "Pokémon is an Onion"? No, but there certainly are layers.
Lots to go over today. EUIC, Kevin's streaming woes, NAIC, Toronto VGC, and so much more.
Big thanks to Skottymon for putting together the Azumaril breakdown. Stay tuned for the next one!

111 - Camping Out For Regionals Apr 20, 2022

Did you book your ticket for Secaucus Regionals? If not, you're not the only one. It was a bit of a hot-button issue this week for people who tried to get tickets not 10 minutes into registration being open.
Also, this may or may not be the last time we talk about Azumaril.

110 - Azumarill and the Rinya Sunrise Apr 13, 2022

Because it's about the rise of Rinya Sun.
Pokésports is now on Twitch once again! Make sure you're following twitch.tv/pokesports to know when we go live!
Azumarill is here in Unite and, yet again, has been deemed "Meh" by the community. Mike discovers the future Unite Numbers Episode, and Kevin recants his adventures in VGC. Mike's a fan of this episode.
Remember to check out this episode's sponsor: MANSCAPED! Get 20% off your order plus free shipping when you use code POKESPORTSPOD at checkout! Thanks, MANSCAPED!

109 - Kevin's Sighs and Pokémon Cries Apr 06, 2022

Today we explore not only a new segment in ÈKevinès Moment of Madness", but we also start up a new untitle segment, where we listen to Pokémon Cries and try to guess from there.

Remember to check out this episode's sponsor: MANSCAPED! Get 20% off your order plus free shipping when you use code POKESPORTSPOD at checkout! Thanks, MANSCAPED!

108 - Mike Learns TCG! Mar 30, 2022

While this isn't the quintessential "The TCG episode", this is certainly an episode in which Mike tries out Pokemon TCG, learns a bit about it, and shares his findings!
Don't worry - we still talk about VGC and Unite as well. It's a whole Pokemon experience this episode!
Remember to check out this episode's sponsor: MANSCAPED! Get 20% off your order plus free shipping when you use code POKESPORTSPOD at checkout! Thanks, MANSCAPED!

107 - Whimsisports! Salt Lake City Regionals! Mar 23, 2022

It's Whimsisports up in here! Mike and Kevin break down the most recent Salt Lake City Pokémon Regional competition! How has the pandemic shaped the way we get back into esports? There's only one way to find out!
Check out this episode's sponsor: MANSCAPED! Get 20% off your order plus free shipping when you use code POKESPORTSPOD at checkout! Thanks, MANSCAPED!

106 - Duraludon Stomps In! March VGC International Challenge Mar 16, 2022

It's time to check out a new Pokémon in Pokémon Unite! But first, we've got to talk about Kevin's experience in the International Challenge. Was he successful? How is the meta these days? Kevin and Mike investigate.
Note: Video podcast will be available as soon as approval hits for this channel! Stay tuned!

105 - Luvdisc Fiesta Mar 09, 2022

This is probably going to be the most competitive episode of Pokésports that will ever include multiple Luvdiscs.

Imagine a 6v6 battle, but any Pokémon that starts with the letter "A" becomes a Luvdisc. Actually, nevermind. Don't imagine it. Listen to the podcast and see what happens.

104 - Happy Pokémon Day! Mar 02, 2022

Finally! After months of waiting, we've landed on some information of what's going on for the rest of the year. What does this mean for Sword and Shield? Let's find out.

103 - Racahtay! Feb 23, 2022

So it looks like BDSP OU is pretty worth playing? Time to jump in!

Pokémon Day 2022 is also coming up! We're excited to see where Pokémon is headed this year.

Also, we chat Kevin's old-school pronunciation of "Raticate".

102 - In-Person Events Are Back! Take 2 Feb 16, 2022

Hopefully it sticks this time - TCG/VGC/PKMNGO Live events are coming back! If all goes well, will Mike and Kevin actually be able to meet up?! We certainly hope so.

Also, Pokemon Unite prize pools aren't bad at all, huh?

101 - Pokésports Legends: Arceus Feb 09, 2022

The name worked too well to not be the name of the episode, don't you think?
Mike & Kevin are BACK! You better believe it, baby. It's a new era of Pokésports, just as its a new era of Pokémon. We'll chat about what we've been up to, how we've been enjoying Pokemon Legends: Arceus, and where we're taking the podcast.

100 - It's Actually Pretty Good! Nov 24, 2021

Turns out that Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl might just be the diamond/pearl in the rough we've been looking for, competitively. Sure, they say they won't have any ranked, but yknow, it still seems like a fun competitive format! Let's see how this goes. Major thanks for sticking around for 100 episodes. You all rock and we love you equally.

99 - LEAK-FREE Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Pre-Show! Nov 18, 2021

2 years, 99 episodes, and 2 very good bois. Mike and Kevin banter pokemonically about the upcoming Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, while actively not trying to give anything away! One is spoiled rotten, the other has delicate ears.

We've come full circle, folks!

98 - Gettin' Krabby! Nov 10, 2021

You can tell this is the Krabby episode - the boys exercise their ability to air out all laundry, dirty and clean.

We've been away for a bit, but we've got some exciting things coming up that you may want to hear!

97 - Two In A Row?! Sylveon Trots In Oct 06, 2021

Wow, two weeks in a row with revealing a new Pokémon. What a time to be competitive. Speaking of! Pokémon Go joins the roster of available games at Pokémon Worlds Championships. Come see what they've got in store!

96 - Mamoswine Jumps On In Sep 29, 2021

Mike & Kevin discuss the new Mamoth Swine joining Pokémon Unite, as well as some potential issues for the upcoming VGC series. If possible, please take 5 minutes to fill out a quick survey on how we can improve our website! https://forms.gle/giKMcrqHbmA2cC2z5

95 - Teambuilding Amidst A Unite Revolution! Sep 22, 2021

Folks, Unite is going through a metamorphosis! It's an absolutely wonderful time to be into this game, and Mike & Kevin will be walking you through all of the changes.

Of course, their true love lies with VGC, so they'll be walking you through

Here are the teams built today!

From The Top Global Pokémon Unite Team: GoofGG! Sep 18, 2021

In this special extra episode of Pokésports Podcast, we're joined by GoofGG, who is a member of the #1 team in all of Pokémon Unite. He and his team have achieved top spots in nearly every tournament they have participated in, and are looking to define what it looks like to be a top team in the game.

In this episode, we chat about the game, their rise to the top, and so much more!

94 - Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl Waiting Room Sep 15, 2021

While we wait for the next game in the Pokémon series, we've got plenty of things going on to keep life interesting. Wait...why are we waiting for BDSP if it doesn't have competitive? There's a very good answer for that. Happy Gengar Day! Spooooooky!!!

93 - UNITE TOURNAMENTS ARE HERE! Sep 08, 2021

It's about time, on this beautiful Haunter Day, that we receive the wonder of Unite Tournaments! This may be an omen of things to come, or are they simply dipping their toes in the water? Let's see!

92 - Blastoise Spins In - Winrates vs Usage Sep 01, 2021

It's time for Blastoise to join us in Pokémon Unite! What's that going to mean for the game?

Also, know the difference between Winrate and Usage, and how one influences the other.

Happy Gastly Day!

91 - A Legendary New Start For Pokémon! Aug 25, 2021

Well, we finally had one heck of a Pokémon Direct! In it, we received news about Pokémon Legends Arceus, with Hisuian forms of Pokémon, as well as BDSP news! Some great, some not so great. We'll break down our thoughts on it right here!

Who'd have thought it'd happen of all days, today, on Cloyster Day!

90 - VGC Pocket Picks & New Unite Pokémon! Aug 18, 2021

New Pokémon in Unite! New Pokémon in VGC? New Games! Lots of new things this week - let's chat about'em. Happy Shellder Day!

89 - VGC All-Stars & The Tank Meta Aug 11, 2021

We've got a spicy week ahead of us this time with the Players Cup 25th Anniversary Invitational, featuring such names as Sejun Park, Ryota Otsubo, SupahSanti and more! We're looking forward to seeing that!

On the Unite front, looks like an early patch has flung us deep into the dreaded Tank Meta. Kevin and Mike explain what that is, how to get around it, and what the future looks like.

Happy Muk Day!

88 - The Beginning of the End for Sword and Shield? Aug 04, 2021

With this being potentially the last competitive series for Sword and Shield, Mike and Kevin discuss what that could mean.

Happy Grimer Day!

87 - Pokémon Unite - Newest Esport Contender? Jul 28, 2021

For Dewgong day, we've got a special episode of Pokésports Podcast for you. Today, it's ALL Unite, baby!

Kevin and Mike are currently topping the Unite Ladder, having come from a MOBA background. Come check out their views from the top of Unite Ranked, as well as what we can all do to continue this game going as an esport.

86 - Get Outta Here, Zacian and Xerneas! Jul 21, 2021

Xacian and Zerneas...or...wait, Zacian and Xerneas have had their time in the sun! It's time to take a step down and make way for some new mons! Kevin and Mike break down what those new Pokemon will be.

Happy Seel Day!

85 - Nature is Healing Jul 14, 2021

Time for us to get back to what we know and love; in-person tournaments! For some, this is old hat. For others, this is their first experience in an in-person Pokémon tournament! Let's go over some etiquette, experiences, and get you ready to go (safely) kick some butt! Happy Dodrio Day!

84 - Was That So Hard? Jul 07, 2021

LET'S GO, GAMEFREAK! The change made to the meta may be controversial, and it may be disliked by some, but by golly does it ever change up the meta ever so slightly, to the point that we have awoken from our half-asleep competitive Pokémon daze and are ready to play. Good morning, y'all! Happy Doduo Day!

83 - Innovating in a Solved Meta Jun 30, 2021

It's time to play some Pokémon, folks! How do you do that in a meta where everyone pretty much knows what they're doing? Is the meta stale? What can you do? Also, the June Leeg is over and we had some VERY interesting results! We talk about that and more in today's Pokésports Podcast! Happy Farfetch'd Day!

82 - E3 & The Mysterious Legends Jun 17, 2021

Nintendo E3 was in full effect today, and we've got the scoop on all things Pokémon! Wait...there wasn't any Pokémon? Huh...okay. The games were still super exciting though, and we're looking forward to sharing some amazing developments we've got in the pipeline for you! Happy Magneton Day!

81 - Here Comes Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl! Jun 02, 2021

It's finally time to chat about Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl! The closer we get to release date without news, the more nervous we get about having a Pokémon game that doesn't use gen 5-8 Pokémon.

Let's see what that'd be like!

Happy Magnemite Day!

80 - Catching Up With Series 9 May 26, 2021

Kevin & Mike are back after a whole week of not playing Pokémon. Is the game any different? Is Series 9 actually a new meta?

Also, we define the new destructive meta.

79 - The Grind May 12, 2021

Sloooooow. The next few weeks for Pokemon are sloooow. So instead, we develop teams and talk about how to get'em going!

Happy Slowpoke Day!

78 - The Return May 05, 2021

Well, Series 7 is back, and with it, not a lot has changed. However, the few things that are different has the potential to shake up the meta. Let's see what we can take home from the newest group of Pokémon!

Happy Rapidash Day!

77 - Farewell Series 8, Hello Series 7? Apr 28, 2021

Let's get things going with Series 7 - Er, I mean Series 9! Let's take a look at all the things you have to look forward to! Could be more than you think!

Also, Players Cup 3 wrapped up streaming. We'll break it down for you.

Happy Ponyta Day!

76 - Get To Know Us : 2021 Edition! Apr 21, 2021

It's that time of the year again! We're a lot older & wiser than we were the last time we spoke, and our lives have changed pretty drastically, so we're taking the opportunity of a low news week to chat about what we've been up to for the past year.

Happy Golem Day!

75 - A Dog With A Sword In Its Mouth Apr 14, 2021

Players Cup 4 was this weekend, and oo boy did we ever have a time. Kevin and Mike used the same team, and ended up with relatively similar scores! Let's see how that went for them.

Happy Graveler Day!

74 - The Core of PC4 Apr 07, 2021

Today, Kevin breaks down some very popular cores for Series 8 that you may be seeing in the Players Cup 4. It's a great chance to take a look into our brains and see how we make our teambuilding decisions! Happy Geodude Day!

73 - How to Team Select Mar 31, 2021

In this episode, we discuss the winning teams of the Players Cup 3, chatting about their viability, awesomeness, and usecases. Umbreon, huh?

Also, we discuss further how to win before you play, analyzing Kevin's past team previews and what he could go in the battle arena with to get a competitive edge.

72 - A Good Day to Try Hard Mar 24, 2021

Kevin recants his time in the Players Cup 3. Mike expresses his jealousy -- er -- support.

71 - In-Person Tournaments Are Coming Back? Mar 17, 2021

Are live tournaments coming back sooner than we thought? Is that a mistake? Are we nervous? So many questions!

Also, Players Cup 3 has kicked off with the Seniors Cup! We chat about that, as well as what Kevin's bringing.

Happy Victreebell Day!

70 - Lookin' at the Ladder Mar 10, 2021

Mike & Kevin analyze the difference between in-game usage, low-ladder showdown usage, and high-ladder showdown usage.

Also, are in-person events coming back? Looks like something's a-brewin! The boys discuss.

Happy Weepinbell Day!

69 - Pokémon Day Afterparty Mar 03, 2021

Well, the day came and went. We had tons of fun seeing all of the new iterations of Pokémon coming our way, and it begged the question "What are we going to do to stay competitive?" Seems like Snap is a good option.

68 - Series 7: Reloaded Feb 24, 2021

Next week is Pokémon Day! Let's chat about what we're looking forward to, what we're thinking is going to happen, and all things in between! Also, Series 9 is Series 7 again. We have opinions. Happy Machamp Day!

67 - The The 2021 Pokémon World Championships Feb 17, 2021

What happened to the 2021 Pokemon World Championships? Kevin and Mike explore how they feel about the Pokémon Esports scene of 2021, and what this could mean for the future of Pokémon.

Also, Mike shows you how to unwind with Random Battles.

Happy Machoke Day!

66 - A Rock Solid Meta! Feb 10, 2021

It's a new month, so of course it's time to run down the list of new changes to our wonderful world of competitive Pokemon, but it's also time to chat about how a solidifying meta is good or bad for the game.

65 - Teambuilding for Series 8! Feb 03, 2021

It's time for us to get down to business! Legendaries are finally allowed in Series 8 (Well...one, I guess.). Join us as we develop some awesome teams that you'll be able to use!

64 - It's About Time...and Calyrex Jan 27, 2021

IT'S HAPPENING! Series 8 is a thing, and we're here to say all the "I told you so"s. Also, which Calyrex will "reign" supreme?

63 - Players Cup 3 Afterparty Jan 20, 2021

We're all done the Players Cup 3! Let's chat about it. As well, Mike and Kevin have discovered new villains against their teams! Getting Started With Smogon: https://www.smogon.com/articles/getting-started

62 - Where Did Grimmsnarl Come From? Jan 13, 2021

Players Cup 3 is coming up sooner than soon, and we're really excited to go as hard as we can into preparation. But on the horizon, we're seeing one of the biggest potential threats to the Players Cup 3. Come see how you can prepare for that!

61 - The Most Balanced Series Yet! Jan 06, 2021

It's a new month, so let's chat about the newest stats from December 2020, heading into January 2021! Series 7 has been one of (if not THE) most balanced series so far.

Also, we discuss the upcoming Players Cup 3 and some tips you can take into this month to get yourself into the qualifiers!

60 - The GS Cup Dec 30, 2020

It's a very long overdue farewell to 2020. That said, Pokémon isn't slowing down at all! Several friendly competitions for the "GS Cup" have been popping up, and it's looking like a pretty awesome format. Will we see this in Series 8? Only time will tell.

59 - It's A Dynamax Life! Dec 23, 2020

In this Pokésports Christmas Special, Kevin is thinking of quitting Pokémon for good! Oh no! Will Ace Trainer Clarence be able to pull Kevin back to the wonderful world of Dynamax?

58 - Players Cup 2 Wrap-Up & Dynamax Legendaries! Dec 16, 2020

The Players Cup 2 is finally over! Time to break down what happened, and talk about what's coming next! ALSO! What'll happen when Legendaries are allowed in VGC? Is Dynamax going to break the game? Let's find out.

57 - Competitive Emotional Support Dec 09, 2020

This week, we introduce two new segments to the podcast. Competitive Emotional Support is where we receive your gripes regarding competitive play. What are things that make you rage? We're here to listen.

"What's Missing?" Is where we chat about Pokémon who are not yet in the Sword and Shield Pokédex. The game would be wildly different with them, and we want to highlight that.

56 - Is Ally Switch Competitive? Dec 02, 2020

Mike & Kevin have their opinions about Ally Switch. Some say it's what's wrong with the game. Some say it's a big brain play. Whatever the idea is, the boys will discuss!

55 - #BringBackTimer...Please? Nov 25, 2020

Maybe if we add a "Please" to the end of it, they'll pay more attention.

It's been an issue since the very beginning of Sword and Shield - The in-game timer has not been kind to the singles game, which has led a lot of people to feel abandoned. Kevin and Mike discuss.

54 - The Ethics of Pokémon Nov 18, 2020

Kevin & Mike discuss the concept of generating Pokémon - this has been around for possibly longer than you think it has, and barring any kind of precisely-worded ban, it won't be going anywhere anytime soon. We hope this can educate, or at least provoke some interesting thought on the topic. Pokésports will now also be recording live on YouTube instead of Twitch. Make sure you check that out next Sunday at 9pm EST!

Pokésports Plus: It's Super Effective! Nov 16, 2020

Steve Black Jr. (SBJ) joins us to discuss podcasting, Pokémon, and going competitive! "It's Super Effective" has been around for just over 10 years, and is the home of all news Pokémon, from competitive to casual to enthusiast. Head on over to pkmncast.com to check out more!

53 - Reminiscing on the Players Cup 2 Nov 11, 2020

The Players Cup 2 was a wild ride. Did Kevin end up doing better this time around, or was his run cut short? Find out inside!

There's also some pretty exciting announcements regarding the future of Pokésports.

52 - November in the Crown Tundra! Nov 04, 2020

We're one year older, wiser (?), and more ready than ever to play some Pokémon! So much so that Kevin decides to take on Tofu, our moderator. Yes, folks. This happens IN the podcast! Will we do it again? Who knows?

Also, it's a new month, so check out these November stats!

51 - Teams of the Crown Tundra Oct 28, 2020

Kevin has been working as hard as humanly possible to bring you team after team that YOU can use in your day-to-day Pokémon battling in the Crown Tundra! Check out his breakdown of his Zapdos, Glastrier, and Regieleki teams!

50 - Teambuilding for Crown Tundra Oct 21, 2020

People ask us to run more teambuilding episodes so they can hear our thought process, build along with us, and/or poke fun at our choices! Well, here you are! Come watch as Mike creates a new rain team for Series 7, and Kevin figures his stuff out!

Big thanks to Pikalytics for putting together the infrastructure. Great site. Great people.

49 - The Top 10 Crown Tundra Threats Oct 14, 2020

Kevin and Mike break down some of the incredible strategies we have yet to see in the upcoming Crown Tundra DLC. We're expecting these Pokémon to be used, overused, and/or underestimated.

Mike also discusses the inclusivity of National Dex.

48 - Crown Tundra All The Way Down Oct 07, 2020

Today's all about the recent trailer we've received for the upcoming Sword & Shield DLC, The Crown Tundra. We share our initial ideas, our future plans, and our current situations, competitive gameplay-wise.

Oh! It's also a new month, so we've got all your usage stats ready for you!

47 - Group Teambuilding & The Players Cup 2 Sep 30, 2020

Players Cup 2 is over, and as is the memory of Series 5. Let us know if you had any good memories of Series 5, or if youère ready to accept new Pokémon into your life with Series 7!

Wait, what's Series 6?

Also, Group Teambuilding is something that groups of professional Pokémon players have been doing for years. Don't sleep on group teambuilding. It can be pretty great.

Pokésports Plus: Alyssa "TemporalVGC" Smith! Sep 28, 2020

On this episode, Alyssa (TemporalVGC on Twitter) joins Mike & Kevin for a discussion on the Womens Tournament (which she created), as well as the Players Cup (Which she did not). Alyssa is a seasoned competitor who created a tournament out of necessity for representation and inclusivity within the VGC community. Very well worth a listen!

46 - Get To Know Pokésports Sep 23, 2020

Have you ever found yourself asking "What does Pokésports even do?"? Well, if so, get ready for an episode dedicated to all the things that Pokésports's own Kevin & Mike do. It's a look behind the curtain. If you're looking for Pokémon content today though, don't worry. We've got you covered there too.

45 - Which Series Should I Play? Sep 16, 2020

So it looks like the Players Cup 2 will be with Series 5 rules. What does this mean? How do we play? What do we do? Kevin and Mike talk about the answers to all that and more in this episode.

44 - The Amoonguss Factor Sep 09, 2020

It's September, which means it's time for stats! We also give you a rundown of the top 10 series 6 Pokémon, as well as an explanation of the new term that's sweeping the nation.

43 - Now On The World Wide Web! Sep 02, 2020

Pokésports now has a full-fledged website! We have embraced the future and have bought into the dot com bubble. We really think it has legs.

On it, you'll be able to find team reports, team archives, rental codes, damage calculators and so much more! Check it out at pokesports(dot)org!

Also we talk about Smogon Tournaments, Rose Tower Results, and the Priority Firebird.

42 - Series 6 Rundown! Aug 26, 2020

We're all about Series 6, but even more than that, Mike's all about E C O N O M I C S. Call the SWOT team, cuz we're doing some analysis! There's some good debate in this one about which Pokémon are going to make it to Series 6 as well.

On this week's Post-Game, we speak about places we've been, Diablo Immortal, and all the other stuff we've been up to this week! You can check that out on our Patreon.

41 - Where Do I Even Start? Aug 19, 2020

In this episode, Mike & Kevin delve into the resources you can use to take yourself from absolute green to pro status. Whether you're vying to play some VGC, struggling to learn Smogon, or just particular to Pokémon, this may be an episode that brings you knowledge you may not already have!

40 - The Terrain Wars Aug 12, 2020

With all of the Isle of Armor Tutor Moves, we beg the question "How can I use these to my advantage?" Slowly but surely, Terrain is becoming a staple in VGC2020, moreso than weather. Kevin and Mike will try and help you navigate through the new ecosystem, and remind you not to Sucker Punch in Psychic Terrain.

39 - The Ultimate Showdown Aug 05, 2020

Mike and Kevin have been using Pokémon Showdown forever. Now it's time to really explain to people why it's such a pivotal part of our community. What do you think? Is it infringing on IP? Or is it fostering a competitive group of intellectuals?

Also, it's a new month, so we're all about those Usage Stats! Get a load of Bisharp this month!

Pokésports Plus: Joseph "JoeUX9" Ugarte! Aug 03, 2020

This week, we spoke to JoeUX9: A popular Twitch Streamer, Competitor, and Tournament Organizer about all the intricacies of VGC20. He's been on a hot streak, and we wanted to capture the wealth of knowledge that he has. Check it out!

38 - Players Cup Top 4 & Sleepy Kevin Jul 29, 2020

Someone tell us who used Yawn on Kevin. We'll wait.

It was a big week for tournaments, and a long week for the World Cup of Pokemon. Also, Dexit makes an appearance!

37 - Meta vs Counter-Meta Jul 22, 2020

Have you ever asked yourself the question "What does meta even mean?" well, Kevin and Mike have you covered. They discuss the current Series 5 meta/counter-meta and how to decide what playstyle suits you best.

36 - Keepin' It Simple with the Player's Cup Jul 15, 2020

Kevin participated in the PlayPokémon Players Cup this past weekend, and boy did he learn a thing or two. Listen as we recant the tale of what it's like for a young professional to go through the trials and tribulations that is high-stakes esports in Pokémon.

35 - Best of 3s and "The League" Jul 08, 2020

Mike raps the oddly specific group of Smogon OU Pokémon that dropped to UU. The guys discuss the Patreon-Only Pokésports League, and they also have a real deal battle to explain best of 3 mindset in tournaments.

Mike would like to apologize for the rap, but we won't let him do that.

34 - Series 5 and Ladder Anxiety Jul 01, 2020

In which Kevin & Mike discuss the upcoming new meta, the changes that it'll bring, and what you can do to get yourself mentally prepared for it.

33 - Everything Competitive about The Isle of Armor Jun 24, 2020

Kevin & Mike do their absolute best to get through every single competitive thing about The Isle of Armor that you should know in order to step your game up in the DLC. Happy Belated Fathers Day to all the fathers out there! If you know what a Praline is, you're more in the know than either of these guys.

32 - Pre-Teambuilding for The Isle of Armor! Jun 17, 2020

Kevin & Mike are SUPER excited for the Isle of Armor DLC. So excited that they decided to put together a team they can each use right from the get-go. You'll get the entire thought process of building a team, from type matchups to moves to abilities to items.

31 - Isle of Armor! More Monthly Stats! Jun 10, 2020

We finally got an Isle of Armor video, explaining tons of new information and exposing a bunch of new mechanics. Mike and Kevin break it down, and illustrate exactly what they're excited for!

Pokésports Plus: The Ultimate "Dex-It!" Jun 08, 2020

This is the audio-only version of Dexit: The Challenge. Usually, we talk about competitive Pokémon, but this time we decided to get a little fun and crazy. Using "Bean Boozled", we added live-or-die stakes to our existing game of Dexit. The rules are simple: If you get a Pokémon's name wrong, you eat a bean that corresponds with the typing. It gets pretty nuts. Enjoy!
The video version will be up on the Pokesports YouTube version on Monday, June 8th at 3pm EST!

30 - Getting to the "Core" of Teambuilding Jun 03, 2020

It's important to understand what makes teams tick. Usually, looking into the heart of a team, you'll find 2 or 3 common Pokemon the team could not survive without. Kevin & Mike delve into what this means, exactly, and how you can create your own Smogon and VGC cores.

29 - I Play With Two Of'Em May 27, 2020

Kevin switches it up! The boys lament about their International Challenge experience, and "Dex It" makes a repeat appearance!

28 - All Kinds of Tournaments! May 20, 2020

Not only is this month the May INternational Challenge, but if youère skilled enough to reach the top 256 (or 128 in OC), you'll be entered to compete in the Play! Pokemon Championship! What a time to be a Pokémon player.

Also, we recently finished up our Patron-Only VGC tournament, and what a fun time that was. Some great battles, some great learning, and some great experiences were had by all. Come learn about how the battles went, and check out the winning teams!

27 - Staying Chill After A Battle May 13, 2020

There are a lot of feelings someone can go through while practicing a competitive game. Ladder anxiety, loss fatigue, win endorphins; the list goes on. Mike and Kevin talk about those feelings and what they do to cope with pushing through.

26 - Half a year of Pokésports! May 06, 2020

It's been a whole half year since Kevin and Mike went on the adventure of chatting and creating content revolving around the art of competitive Pokémon battling! My how time flies. Do you have a favorite moment of Pokésports so far?

25 - What makes a Pokémon "Good"? Apr 29, 2020

Melmetal is officially still banned from OU - What a shame. No Double Iron Bash in the OU metagame anytime soon.
What makes a Pokémon worth using? Is it stats? Typing? Moveset? Well, it turns out there's a mathematical way to see which tested Pokémon is the most underrated, based on the current playerbase. Listen as Mike and Kevin delve into what Pokémon are statistically overlooked in

Pokésports Plus: From Streaming to Competitive ft. StephOfAnime! Apr 27, 2020

It's a new world out there - there are some who have lost the excuse of "I never have enough time!" when it comes to streaming or creating content. Mike, Kevin, and guest StephOfAnime discuss how new content is popping up in unexpected places, how VGC has kicked competitive into overdrive with the newest game release, and the accessibility of Pokémon as a whole!

Steph is a wonderful individual and can be found on Twitch, YouTube, Instagram or Twitter, all at StephOfAnime!

24 - Underrated Pokemon, and Mike & Kevin’s Excadrill vs Noctowl Smackdown Apr 22, 2020

In today's episode, Mike & Kevin share their thoughts on the most underrated Pokémon in Sword and Shield. The Noctowl/Excadrill meme rages on in this episode of Pokésports!

*UNLOCKED* - Pokésports Post-Game: The 5 in 7 Typing Challenge Apr 20, 2020

We hope everyone is staying safe and social distancing during this global pandemic. For those of you stuck at home and without our Patreon, we thought we'd give you our most recent favorite episode from our Post-Game Podcast (The Peeg).

If you're looking to support the show and listen to more of these episodes as they come out, you can subscribe at https://www.patreon.com/pokesportspodcast.

Stay safe!!

23 - More Online Tournaments! Apr 15, 2020

Zarude's got that feeling! Kevin's apparently really good at the game! Game Freak doesn't like it when you turn off the game at the end of a match. We've got stuff for you to put into your ears today, and it all begins with you clicking play. Join us on the ride!

22 - The Champions Cup Apr 08, 2020

Mike was equal parts worried and excited for The Champions Cup. Stakes had never been higher for an online tournament - this is our new norm, and it was really important that our forced-online tournament season had a strong figurehead. Come see what we thought about The Champions Cup in this episode of Pokésports!

Pokésports Plus: The VGC Veteran: Aaron "Cybertron" Zheng Apr 06, 2020

Aaron Zheng has been a VGC competitor for as long as VGC has been around - he has made his way through the Juniors, Seniors, and currently Masters division of VGC, has become a prolific content creator and commentator, and will be following a promising career in esports. Listen ot his thoughts on the state of Pokémon, his journey through the competitive and professional landscape, and so much more!

21 - The Greatest Apr 01, 2020

This episode is the self-proclaimed greatest episode of Pokésports ever. Is it because we have finally, after popular demand, pivoted into a competitive Animal Crossing podcast? Does it have anything to do with our love of Bob Ross? You decide.

Pokésports Plus: The Evolution of Pokémon with FooFooToo! Mar 30, 2020

Joined by Sam, AKA FooFooToo on YouTube, we discuss the changes Pokémon has seen ever since 2014, when Foo, Mike and Kevin were all new to competitive Pokémon. In these strange times, Pokésports and Pokésports Plus will continue to do what we've always done - bring you news, talks, and more about competitive Pokémon!

20 - How To Win Before You Play! Mar 25, 2020

The Team Preview screen is one of the more overlooked, and most important mechanics of Pokémon ever since Gen 5 when it was introduced. If you're not using a Zoroark, this team preview can help you before you even set foot in the battle stadium. Come listen to some helpful things to look out for in your game!

Pokésports Plus: Pikalytics with Griffin Ledingham! Mar 23, 2020

Please enjoy this very special episode of Pokésports Plus, featuring Griffin Ledingham, the creator and owner of Pikalytics! We chat numbers, analytics, and web design (There's even some talk about Pokémon, too!) Check it out if you've ever built a team!

19 - Where Have All The Tourneys Gone? Mar 18, 2020

We hope you're staying in and staying safe! Is Pokémon safe from Social Distancing? Well...yes and no. Tournaments are taking a hit, but there's still a bunch of stuff you can do to continue having fun while everybody's getting better!

Pokésports Plus: The Life of a Commentator with Rosemary Kelley! Mar 16, 2020

In today's episode of Pokésports Plus, we're joined by Rosemary Kelley, known as Nekkra online. She is a seasoned commentator for Pokémon, as well as other games like Hearthstone and Overwatch. With Kevin and Mike, the three speak about life on the road, the current state of Pokémon as an Esport, and so much more! This one's definitely worth checking out if you're looking for tons of Pokémon-Esports (Pokésports) information.

18 - The Future of Esports in Pokémon Mar 11, 2020

We've done it! It's taken us this long, but we finally had an episode where we discuss the future, present, and past of Esports in Pokémon! Listen to us passionately discuss our thoughts and opinions, as well as things we'd like to see change.

Pokésports Plus: Content Creation & Collinsville with Marcos "MoxieBoosted" Perez! Mar 09, 2020

Marcos "MoxieBoosted" Perez joins us to speak about his journey creating Pokémon content on YouTube, his experience as a competitive player, and everything in between.

17 - "Pros & Cons" or "The Weekend Where All The Things Happened" Mar 04, 2020

Get it? We played like professionals and we went to conventions.

In this episode, we discuss Pax, Collinsville, and the International February Challenge. This marks the beginning of a beautiful run for us in VGC20

Pokésports Plus: Babiri.Net with Kelvin K.! Mar 02, 2020

Kelvin is the creator of Pokémon's newest database, Babiri(dot)net! Babiri pulls the top 100 teams on the Pokémon Showdown ladder and displays it in a clean, easy-to-understand, and informative way. In this episode of Pokésports Plus, we discuss the implications of having a database like this, as well as what some of the recent changes will do to this tool.

16 - Series 3 and the Ides of March! Feb 26, 2020

Well, more like "The beginning of March". Fear it! We're getting some incredible Gigantamax Pokémon, Incineroar, Venusaur, and their starter buddies! We chat about all the returning Pokémon this month, as well as all of the releasing Gigantamax Pokémon with their G-Max Moves.

Pokésports Plus: PlayPokémon with Professor Joey! Feb 24, 2020

Surprise! It's an all new addition to the podcast! It's a working title, but right now, we've got "Pokésports Plus". This episode has friend-of-the-show ProfessorJoeyVG, San Antonio Pokémon Professor, who gives us his take on some of the new changes to VGC in the upcoming series 3, as well as a complete rundown of exactly what PlayPokémon is.

15 - Home Field Advantage Feb 19, 2020

Home came out of nowhere and gave us our friends back! Come listen to what we're excited about, and stick around to learn/hear our opinions on Field Effects, which are rocking the competitive scene.

14 - Predicting the Weather! Feb 12, 2020

Ever wonder what exactly weather does in Sword and Shield? Well in this episode of Pokésports, Mike and Kevin will give you the low-down, as well as some helpful strategies and tips you can use to take weather into your own hands.

13 - More Ways to Play Come Home! Feb 05, 2020

The name is a trick! There are more ways to play once home comes, but "more ways to play" is coming home! Aren't we clever?
Kevin & Mike discuss all the new Pokémon Home news & rumors, and discuss why this is a powerful moment for Pokémon in esports.

12 - Every Regional is Bigger in Texas! Ft. ProfessorJoeyVG Jan 29, 2020

We discuss Dallas Regionals, reveal our second Spotlight Giveaway, and speak with the one and only Professor Joey, a Pokémon Professor all the way from San Antonio. He gives us the low-down on all the fun and interesting things being a Professor is like, and gives his insight on Pokémon as an esport.

11 - The Math Episode! Jan 22, 2020

People have been asking us for as deep a dive as we can on the numbers behind Pokémon! Well, here it is, in all its glory. Make sure to send us an email if you have any questions, but we hope you enjoy!

10 - Now THAT'S what I call a Pokémon Direct! Jan 15, 2020

We're still processing the recent Pokémon direct, in which the expansion pass and lots of its contents were revealed. We discuss our reactions, our predictions, and what this could mean for the future of competitive Pokémon!

09 - Why do Pokémon get banned? Jan 08, 2020

Why do your favourite Pokémon get hit with the banhammer? What makes a Pokémon bannable? How does it affect ranked play? All these questions will be answered in today's episode of Pokésports!

08 - But What About Gigantamax? Jan 01, 2020

Happy New Year!

Last week we discussed Dynamax. What about the even bigger Pokémon? Are they any good in competitive? Are they useless? Who knows? Let's figure it out.

07 - Let's Talk About Dynamax Dec 25, 2019

Is Dynamax broken? Kevin and Mike discuss all about Dynamax and its effect on the current metagame. Are these Pokémon too big? Should they be bigger? Let's find out.

06 - Trick Room Rising Dec 18, 2019

Trick Room has become one of the biggest moves in the past week. This podcast episode is all about how to use it, how to beat it, and what we think about it.

05 - VGC 2020 Rules Finally Revealed! Dec 11, 2019

It's here! The rules are finally here, and they're quite surprising. Come listen to Mike & Kevin talk about what VGC is going to look like with a splash of Beeg Beeg Pikachu.

04 - Becoming Battling Experts! Dec 11, 2019

Kevin's been training day and night to become the VGC2020 Pokémon Master. Mike hasn't, but ooh boy if he doesn't think about it a lot. Come listen to Kevin explain his experience in the first 2 weeks of Competitive Pokémon!

03 - Ultimate Guide to Breeding & Teambuilding Dec 11, 2019

Kevin & Mike get into extreme detail with how to breed & teambuild in Pokémon Sword & Shield!

02 - Welcome to the Galar Region! Dec 01, 2019

Sword and Shied are finally out, and it's time to dish all of the super fun stuff that we're excited for.

01 - LEAK-FREE Pokémon Sword and Shield Pre-Show! Dec 01, 2019

In the first episode of Pokésports, Mike & Kevin discuss the structure of the podcast, recent changes to the competitive scene, and what they're excited to see in Gen 8!

This episode was recorded on November 10th.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Pokésports: A Competitive Pokémon Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected