The Pittsburgh Regional Championship kicked off the 2024 Pokémon Scarlet and Violet season with a bang. The tournament showcased a mix of new and old Pokémon, but it was a legendary trio from 2015 that ultimately claimed victory.
The semifinals featured four seasoned players – Aaron Traylor, Alberto Lara, Riley Factura, and Wolfe Glick. These veterans battled it out, but it was Factura who emerged as the champion with a team that harkened back to his regional titles in 2015.
Factura’s winning team consisted of Cresselia, Heatran, and Amoonguss, all of which were part of the famous CHALK core from Gen VI. This core, which also included Landorus and Mega Kangaskhan, dominated the 2015 World Championships. While Landorus and Mega Kangaskhan are not available in the current Gen IX games, Cresselia, Heatran, and Amoonguss proved their worth once again in the Reg D ruleset of Scarlet and Violet.
Cresselia played a crucial role in Factura’s victories, particularly in the semifinals where it engaged in a lengthy standoff against Traylor’s Cresselia. After a battle of self-healing, stat drops, and chip damage, Factura’s Cresselia emerged triumphant.
In the finals against Glick, a pivotal moment occurred in the deciding game. Factura’s Cresselia landed a critical hit and froze Glick’s Landorus, preventing it from making a comeback. Unable to thaw out, Landorus was swiftly knocked out by Factura’s Heatran, securing Factura’s win.
Despite the dominance of newer Pokémon like Flutter Mane, Factura’s team did not include it and still emerged victorious. Flutter Mane remained the most-used Pokémon in the tournament, but the CHALK trio proved that older generation Pokémon can still hold their own.
However, the meta is set to change once again in October with the introduction of Regulation E. This new ruleset will bring in brand new Pokémon from the upcoming DLC, The Teal Mask, as well as more returning Pokémon. It remains to be seen if the CHALK trio will continue to dominate in this new VGC ruleset.
In conclusion, Factura’s win with the legendary trio from 2015 highlights the enduring strength of older generation Pokémon. With the upcoming changes in Regulation E, it will be interesting to see how the meta evolves and if the CHALK trio can maintain their dominance.
Source: DOTESPORTS
