Balancing Issues in Competitive Play

Pokémon Scarlet and Purple has just banned one of Sylveroy’s forms from its competitive games. This is not the first time that competitions on the game are forced to ban a Pokémon, and it certainly won’t be the last. The introduction of the Pokémon Home service in Scarlet and Violet has caused major balancing issues for competitive players. The possibility of bringing together Pokémon from different generations, with mechanics sometimes unique to certain episodes, can create an imbalance and cause a problem in the game.

The Council of Smogon University

Smogon University, the reference community for many players, has a council that brings together several experts who prioritize Pokemon between them, including strategies. They can sometimes prohibit the use of a Pokémon, if it unbalances everything. May 31, Smogon had published a press release which foreshadowed bans in the Pokémon Eclarlate and Violet roster after the Pokémon Home update.

Banning Options in Competitive Play

The possibility of bringing together Pokémon from different generations, with mechanics sometimes unique to certain episodes, can create a huge imbalance. So, when you have a competitive multiplayer game, what options do we have left in this kind of case? In general, we mainly have two options: either we leave it as it is, and everyone will play the same way at high level (in this case, that would mean everyone takes the same Pokémon); either we decide to purely and simply banish this method, this mechanic, this character… This is what Smogon had decided to do for Regielki, initially on May 31.

Ban on Sylveroy’s Form

Regielki is one of the fastest Pokémon in the Pokédex, combined with the combination of Electrik STAB and Tera Ice Blast, making it almost unbeatable against a Pokémon that used Terocrystallization. After its integration in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet via Pokémon Home, Sylveroy has just been banned from Smogon competitions when paired with Spectreval through the Reins of Unity. The form of Sylveroy that is prohibited is Sylveroy, the Dread Rider, as it is too fast, too hard, and his weaknesses are gone since his best match-up Ho-Oh is not currently available in Pokémon Scarlet and Purple. Moreover, the Teracrystallization allows him to protect himself against the majority of threats that weighed against him in Sword and Shield.

Ban in “Anything Goes”

Sylveroy, the Horseman of Dread, is no longer available in a category of competitions, the “Anything Goes”, literally “Everything goes”. This category has no competitive interest, as it does not have any balance. However, it is still a fun category to play in for many players.

Keeping the Game Balanced

The integration of Pokémon Home in Scarlet and Violet is good news for casus, but it creates a balancing puzzle for competitive players. While some may be upset by the recent ban, the decision to ban certain Pokémon is not necessarily a negative thing. It keeps the game balanced for all players, giving everyone an equal chance to compete.

Conclusion

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is available on Nintendo Switch.