Pokémon Champions hit the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 earlier this year, but today’s June 17th update has blown the doors completely off the competitive meta. Coinciding with the game’s highly anticipated global mobile launch (with cross-play enabled), the shift to the Regulation M-B ruleset introduces 38 newly usable Pokémon, 16 powerful Mega Evolutions, 12 new held items, and some aggressive balance nerfs.
Competitive Builds for Mega Raichu X and Y
This competitive breakdown provides the optimal movesets and stat investments needed to dominate ladder matches with both forms of the newly released Mega Raichu.
If you are logging in to the game today, the landscape is entirely different. Here is the comprehensive breakdown of what you need to know to climb the ranks this season.
The Roster Expands: Hoenn Starters and Gen 9 Threats Join the Fray
Regulation M-B (running June 17 to September 2) heavily expands your tactical options. We are seeing the introduction of the Hoenn starter trio—Sceptile, Blaziken, and Swampert—along with fan favorites from Generation 9 like Gholdengo and Annihilape.
Alongside the Pokémon, 12 new held items are now legal, specifically targeting weather and damage scaling. Weather-extending rocks (Damp, Heat, Smooth, Icy) are now available, alongside the ubiquitous Life Orb (30% damage boost for a 10% HP cost), Light Clay (extends screen durations to 8 turns), and Expert Belt.
The Star of the Show: Mega Raichu (X & Y)
The Pokémon Company heavily teased Mega Raichu, and it is finally here. To celebrate the mobile launch, every player can claim a free Raichu along with both the Raichunite X and Raichunite Y stones from their in-game mailbox until September 2.
Mega Raichu X (The Versatile Brawler)
- Ability: Electric Surge (Sets Electric Terrain for 5 turns)
- Profile: This Superman-flying variant leans toward physical offense but possesses enough Special Attack to be a dangerous mixed sweeper. With Electric Surge boosting Electric moves and preventing sleep, it has immediate offensive pressure and provides excellent utility for terrain-based teams.
Mega Raichu Y (The Glass Cannon)
- Ability: No Guard (All moves used by or against the Pokémon have 100% accuracy)
- Profile: Boasting an absurd base 160 Special Attack and 130 Speed, Mega Raichu Y is built to sweep. With No Guard, it can freely fire off Zap Cannon—a devastatingly powerful Electric attack that guarantees paralysis but normally only hits 50% of the time. The catch? Its defenses are paper-thin, and No Guard ensures your opponent’s attacks won’t miss it either.
Brand New Abilities and Meta-Defining Megas
The update didn’t just recycle old abilities for the new Mega Evolutions; it introduced two brand new ones to the franchise:
| Mega Pokémon | New Ability | Effect |
| Mega Eelektross | Eelevate | Grants Ground immunity. Knocking out a target boosts its highest stat by 1 stage. |
| Mega Pyroar | Fire Mane | Boosts the power of Fire-type moves by 50%. |
Other notable Mega additions include Mega Staraptor and Mega Malamar receiving the terrifying Contrary ability (reversing stat changes), and Mega Scrafty acting as a bulky pivot with Intimidate.
The Nerf Hammer Drops: Annihilape and Grimmsnarl
Game Freak isn’t just adding; they are actively balancing. Two of the most dominant forces in the previous meta have been heavily reined in.
- Annihilape: The furious ghost-fighter has been hit hard. It completely loses access to Final Gambit, removing its ability to instantly trade itself for an opponent’s key piece. Furthermore, the base power of its signature move, Rage Fist, now completely resets when Annihilape switches out.
- Grimmsnarl: The premier dual-screen setter loses significant utility. It no longer learns Thunder Wave (slashing its speed control) and loses False Surrender, limiting its offensive output against setup sweepers.
- Other notable nerfs: Scrafty loses Parting Shot, and Overqwil loses Mortal Spin.
The Road Ahead
With 38 new entrants and severe nerfs to established titans, Regulation M-B is a wide-open frontier. Weather teams have the tools they need, Mega Raichu Y is threatening to one-shot anything that doesn’t resist it, and the loss of Grimmsnarl’s Thunder Wave means speed tiers are more critical than ever.
It’s time to hit the Roster Ranch, spend those Victory Points, and adapt.
Citation Report: Information and details compiled from reporting by Josh Challies (Insider Gaming), Jordan Middler (Video Games Chronicle), Kenneth Shepard (Kotaku), and official press releases from Pokemon.com.
Leo Falsafi is a digital marketing veteran and senior journalist at Virlan.co, where he covers the intersection of digital marketing, gaming, and breaking US trending news. With nearly two decades of hands-on experience in SEO and digital strategy, Leo has consulted for and scaled hundreds of companies. His deep industry roots allow him to deliver sharp, fact-checked insights and analysis on the trends shaping today’s digital landscape.
