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ThePokemonVGC 2023 season started in August 2022 at the London Open. After the London Open and the 2022 World Championships, the season was put on hold until after the release ofPokemon Scarlet and Violet, so the circuit could continue with the latest generation of Pokemon.
There have been many new Pokemon, moves, and items for competitive players to experiment with in the 2023 season. Following the London Open, all future VGC events from January 2023 onward will use Gen IX.
Play!Pokemon has announced three Regulation sets, formerly known as Series, which outline all the rules for the events that fall within their dates. Here’s all the information on the current competitivePokemonseason.
RELATED:Best Gen 9 Pokemon That Could Be Seen in Competitive Play
Permitted and Banned Pokemon (By Regulation Sets)
Regulation Set A
Regulation Set A, used from January 2 to July 27, 2025, was the first official set of rules forPokemon Scarlet and Violet.
Regulation Set B
Regulation Set B is the second official ruleset for the 2023 VGC events and was used from February 1 to July 20, 2025.
Regulation Set C
Regulation Set C is the third ruleset forPokemon Scarlet and Violet, from April 1 to July 31, 2025. It is the longest ruleset for 2023 so far.
Metagame
The 2023 season has mainly focused on discovering the best way to use Gen 9 Pokemon and howTerastallization can change the stakes. Smart pairings, particularly, are being highlighted, and speed control is being achieved using items and moves. The 2023 Pokemon VGC metagame has shifted as the events continue, but there are some stand-out MVPs this season. This year’s metagame includes the following Pokemon.
Attack Pokemon
Annihilape:Annihilape is the surprising evolved form of Primeape, introduced in Generation 9. As a Fighting-type, it takes the forefront for offensive sets, but it also has a slightly contradictory dual Ghost-typing players can work with too. Its best moveset is Bulk Up and Rage Fist, which creates a never-ending loop of boosting its defensive and offensive stats.
Armarouge:Amarouge has quite a few offensive moves that trainers can use to get a competitive edge over their opponents. While it does leave it defensively vulnerable, Armor Cannon is a solid same-type attack bonus (STAB) move that blasts through its targets. Amarouge also has Dark Pulse for good type coverage on Ghost-type challengers.
Tatsugiri/Dondozo:Dondozo and Tatsugiri are okay Pokemon on their own, in competitive terms, but when paired together,the duo is hard to counterfor even the best Pokemon trainers. Tatsugiri’s special ability Commander lets it hop into Dondozo’s mouth, protecting itself from attacks and raising Dondozo’s base stats by two stages. Dondozo becomes an even harder hitter, and taking it down is no easy feat, either.
Meowscarada:Meowscarada is the final form of the Gen 9 Grass-type starter Sprigatito. The cat Pokemon is a dual Grass/Dark-type, which gives it an interesting moveset to choose from. Its best offensive move Flower Trick gets the STAB, and it also has the Dark-type move Knock Off in its arsenal.
Support Pokemon
Pelipper:Pelipper, a Gen 3 Pokemon, is making a surprise appearance in the 2023 VGC season. It works well as a rain setter due to its ability Drizzle, so its Water-type teammates can benefit from its place on the field. It also has access to moves like U-turn and can set up less-defensive teammates to sneak in and deal some damage.
Gholdengo:Gholdengo has afantastic dual Steel and Ghost typingthat gives it a variety of immunities and strengths. Its Sp. Atk is also worth noting, sitting at a high base stat of 133. It works best on teams as a revenge killer and holds its own against opposing offensive forefronts.
Murkrow:Murkrow’s strongest point is its ability, Prankster. Prankster allows it to use all its non-damage dealing moves first. This means players can set up entry traps, field obstacles, or speed-control moves. Also learned by Murkrow, Tailwind is incredibly popular in the 2023 VGC season and is one of its most-used support moves.
