Beginner's Guide to Competitive Pokemon Champions
Everything you need to go from your first battle to climbing the ranked ladder.
1Start with a Replica Team
Don't build from scratch on day one. Grab a replica team — these are pre-built, tournament-tested compositions that work out of the box. Play 10-20 games to learn how teams function in doubles before you start customizing.
Replica teams cover the main archetypes: Rain, Trick Room, Tailwind, Balance, and more. Pick one that matches your playstyle and focus on learning the matchups. (Champions calls rentals “Replica Teams” — same idea, official name.)
2Understand the Meta
Check the Meta Snapshot to see what Pokemon are winning right now. These are the threats your team needs to handle. If you can't beat the top 5, you'll struggle to climb.
Current top picks:
3Learn the VP Economy
Victory Points (VP) are earned from ranked battles and spent to recruit Pokemon, change moves, and add stat points. You can't build everything at once — prioritize one strong core of 2-3 Pokemon first.
Read the full VP Economy Guide for exact costs and tips on efficient spending.
4Build Your First Custom Team
Once you've played enough games to know what you like, head to the Team Builder. Start with a proven archetype from Archetypes and customize from there.
Key things to check: type coverage (the Coverage tab shows gaps), speed tiers (use Speed Tiers to know who moves first), and damage output (verify KOs with the Damage Calculator).
5Track Your Progress
Use the Battle Journal to log your wins and losses. Over time, patterns emerge — you'll see which matchups you struggle with and where to adjust. Reviewing your games is the fastest way to improve.