The Pokémon Company recently hosted the 2022 Pokémon World Championships. Read on below to learn more:
Four days of hard-won battles culminated in epic Final matches! Take a look back at the action from London.
By Joe Bernard, Contributing Writer
The 2022 Pokémon TCG World Championships in London brought hundreds of top players from around the globe to compete for the title and glory of becoming a World Champion for the first time in three years, making this world championships all the more exciting and special. This would be the first World Championships held outside of North America and it was the first to introduce not only a fourth day of competition, having a huge impact on the overall size and feel of the event.
Heading into this tournament, all eyes were on the ongoing power struggle between Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR and Arceus VSTAR decks after both had impressive showings at the North American International Championships, as well as the ever-looming presence of the ruthlessly aggressive and consistent Mew VMAX Fusion Strike deck. The World Championships also introduced cards from the Pokémon GO expansion, giving players many new cards to consider when testing for the event.
On the first day of competition, over 500 players endured eight grueling Swiss rounds in an effort to make the second day of the tournament. There was much skill and creativity on display, most notably from two-time Worlds finalist Ross Cawthon, who was overcoming his opponents utilizing the new Radiant Charizard from the Pokémon GO expansion. Strong performances were also turned in by Calvin Connor and 2014 World Champion Andrew Estrada, who both piloted the same Palkia VSTAR with Inteleon list not only through day one but all the way into the nine-player Top Cut. Calvin was in fact the beneficiary of the new asymmetric top cut rules introduced in this World Championships as the ninth seed after the second day of Swiss rounds, but was ultimately overcome in a nail-biting three-game set against Otavio Gouveia in a Palkia VSTAR mirror match.
And after three marathon days, the lineups were set for three incredible final matches to determine the next Pokémon TCG World Champion.
The Junior Division finals saw another Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR mirror match between Rikuto O. and Tristan T. But this time there was a twist, as Rikuto decided to include an Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX into their deck. It was used expertly throughout the set in order to score some key Knock Outs. The series came down to the wire, but it was Rikuto’s impressive combination of Choice Belt and Leon to reach a surprising and crucial Knock Out on an opposing Palkia VSTAR to ensure the victory in the third game. Using Leon to seize victory in a tough spot was a poetic moment viewers won’t soon forget!
The Senior Division finals between Sebastian L. and Liam H. were equally gripping to spectators in the hall and watching the stream live around the world. Liam’s Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR + Inteleon deck squared off against a surprising choice from Sebastian, a Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX deck which focused heavily on healing damage via Cheryl.
Once again, expert play was exhibited on both sides. Sebastian mounted an impressive comeback in the first game. He played a well-timed Yoga Loop attack with Medicham V to take an additional turn and swing a three Prize disadvantage back into what looked like would be an improbable win. But Liam was able to stabilize with a Roxanne and Path to the Peak combination, stranding a Single Strike Urshifu VMAX in the Active Spot in the late game, allowing an easy two-hit Knock Out with the removal of Tower of Waters and Sebastian having no way to retreat.
Sebastian was able to seize the second game with yet another Yoga Loop play late in the game. Despite Liam’s attempts to deny Inteleon from Quick Shooting down a damaged Manaphy, an Ordinary Rod brought back Inteleon just in time to weave in another big comeback via Medicham V while Liam was unable to act.
Thanks to such long and tactical gameplay, the final game came down to sudden death, and it was Liam who was able to take the first Prize card in game three, crowning them a very deserving Senior Champion! Liam will certainly be a player to watch in the future!
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In the Masters Division finals we saw something quite different than the previous two finals matches. It was a mirror match of sorts, with both players opting to play Arceus VSTAR with Flying Pikachu VMAX and Hisuian Decidueye VSTAR.
Thanks to Palkia VSTAR occupying five of the top nine placements, it was two-time Champions League winner Daichi Shimada who was able to breeze his way through their side of the bracket, facing back-to-back Palkia VSTAR decks. This was exactly what Shimada had hoped for when building their deck. Shimada built a disruptive combination of Jolteon’s Thunderous Awakening Ability to shut down the Abilities’ of Inteleon, Drizzile, Radiant Greninja, and even Star Portal, and Flying Pikachu VMAX to use as an attacking threat to score big Knock Outs and tank multiple Subspace Swell attacks. With this gameplan Shimada’s opponents stood little to no chance.
Ondřej Škubal, who is also no stranger to the international stage, seemed to have a more difficult journey to the finals. Mew VMAX was the first hurdle and it proved to be a close run best of three series in Top 8, where a tails flip on Cram-o-matic kept Ondřej’s dream alive . With Path to the Peak in play, Andre Chiasson was unable to draw cards with Fusion Strike System or launch any attacks against Ondřej’s fragile Hisuian Decidueye V. Ondřej was able to slowly build up an Arceus VSTAR and eventually grind out the win. In the semifinals, Ondřej had to overcome 2019 Top 8 Worlds finisher Ryota Ishiyama, who was piloting Arceus VSTAR, Flying Pikachu VMAX, and Hisuian Decidueye VSTAR. Despite some successful Fly attacks launched by Ryota with their back against a wall, Ondřej was able to win the set. It was clear from this series that Bibarel did give Ondřej a small edge in the matchup.
It seems our two Masters finalists had a similar idea for the tournament: use Weakness to leverage easy Prize cards against both Palkia VSTAR and Arceus VSTAR. It felt fitting that this strategy would continue to be vital going into the Finals, especially because an additional Weakness would come into play, the Lightning Weakness of Flying Pikachu VMAX.
Both players took full advantage of Arceus VSTAR’s Trinity Nova attack to power up the attacks of Flying Pikachu VMAX and Hisuian Decidueye VSTAR throughout the finals. There was a fascinating back-and-forth Stadium war with Path to the Peak, as both players looked to utilize their own Starbirth Ability to search for combo pieces and deny their opponent at the same time. At one point Shimada was ahead on Prize cards for several turns in the first game but was unable to find a crucial Boss’s Orders in time to close the game out on a vulnerable Crobat V.
In the second game Ondřej cleverly used Trinity Charge onto a Flying Pikachu VMAX early, and thanks to a crucial Fighting resistance was able to withstand two attacks from Hisuian Decidueye VSTAR as he picked apart Shimada’s other attackers and some key Prize cards. As the game continued, Ondřej diligently developed two Bibarel and, thanks to Industrious Incisors, was able to comfortably draw cards. Despite Marnie hand disruption from Shimada, Ondřej eventually found the game winning Boss’s Orders to close out the game, leaving us with a European Champion in the first ever European Worlds event.
The 2022 World Championships went above and beyond all expectations. We saw incredibly hard-fought games on every day of competition, and the collective celebration of players and spectators was palpable throughout. As players prepare for the 2023 season, they’ll have plenty of new ideas to practice and hone as they begin a new journey to accumulate points towards our next World Championships in Yokohama, a location worth fighting for!
About the Writer
Joe Bernard
Joe has been competing in Pokémon Trading Card Game tournaments since 2009 and has been a member of the stream team for a number of Regional, National, and International Championships since 2016. He has also been producing frequent video and stream content focusing on the competitive aspects of the Pokémon TCG for over five years.
Source: Pokemon.com
2022 Pokémon World Championships Opening Ceremonies Trailer
Witness the opening to the 2022 Pokémon World Championships, introducing Pokémon Sword and Shield, Pokémon TCG, Pokémon GO, Pokémon UNITE, and Pokkén Tournament DX!
【公式】「ポケモンWCS2022」ダイジェスト映像
現地時間の8月18日（木）〜21日（日）にイギリス・ロンドンで開催された、ポケモンバトルの世界大会「ポケモンワールドチャンピオンシップス2022」のダイジェスト映像を公開！
全世界の国と地域から集まったトレーナーたちによる、各部門のバトルのようすがたっぷり詰まった映像になっているよ。
「ポケモンWCS2023」は日本・横浜で開催決定！
熱いバトルを会場のようすといっしょに振り返ろう！
#ポケモン #ポケットモンスター #WCS2022
New Game Mechanic Unveiled for the Pokémon Trading Card Game; More Details Shared for the Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet Video Games
London, UK—August 22, 2022—The 2022 Pokémon World Championships came to a close yesterday following four days of intense matches and friendly competition in London, UK. The best Trainers from around the world attended the annual event to take part in the premier tournament for Pokémon video games and the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG). This year’s event featured the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield video games, the Pokémon TCG, Pokémon GO, Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon UNITE. Winners of each division can be found here.
New information for the highly anticipated Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet video games was revealed during the closing ceremony, introducing a new regional Pokémon, a deeper look at the Terastal Phenomenon and more. The Pokémon Company and Creatures also announced the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG): Scarlet & Violet Series, launching in 2023. The Scarlet & Violet Series will become the new Standard format for competitive play.
The Pokémon World Championships is an invitation-only event held in a different location every year, for which players can qualify by competing in various local, regional and international tournaments in the Play! Pokémon program. This year’s champions were awarded a one-of-a-kind Pokémon World Championships trophy and a portion of a prize pool totaling more than $1,000,000.
The location of the 2023 Pokémon World Championships was also announced during the closing ceremony on Sunday evening, to be held in Yokohama, Japan.
For more information about Play! Pokémon, please visit: https://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/
Pokémon Trading Card Game: Scarlet & Violet Series and Pokémon ex Gameplay Mechanic Unveiled
Unveiled during the Pokémon World Championships was Pokémon ex, a new gameplay mechanic that will release in the Scarlet & Violet Series. Featuring fan-favorite Pokémon and newly discovered ones, Pokémon ex will appear in each stage of evolution and have high HP, as well as powerful attacks and Abilities.
While getting a Pokémon ex Knocked Out by an opponent can cost two Prize cards, Stage 2 Pokémon ex have the power to quickly turn the tide of the battle with high HP and powerful attacks that require little Energy. The theme of “comebacks” will be a key focus for the Scarlet & Violet Series, as players will encounter various Pokémon, Trainer, and Energy cards that can create critical turning points in the game.
Trainers can watch the trailer for the Scarlet & Violet Series and Pokémon ex on the official Pokémon YouTube channel here.
Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet Video Games
Developed by GAME FREAK inc., Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet take a new evolutionary step in the Pokémon main series. Trainers can explore an open world where various towns with no borders blend seamlessly into the wilderness.
A New Pokémon Revealed: Cyclizar
Cyclizar has lived in many households in the Paldea region since ancient times. It has a mild disposition, and people riding Cyclizar are a very common sight. It appears Cyclizar don’t mind being ridden because the warmth of a rider helps stave off the cold.
Category: Mount Pokémon
Type: Dragon/Normal
Height: 5’3″
Weight: 138.9 lbs.
Ability: Shed Skin
Battle with Pokémon Trainers from All over the World in the Battle Stadium
Ranked Battles, which players have had the chance to enjoy in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, will be returning in Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet. Players will also be able to take on battles in modes like Casual Battles and Online Competitions as well.
Master Using the Terastal Phenomenon in Battle
Terastallizing is a phenomenon in the Paldea region that makes Pokémon shine and glimmer like gems. The primary feature of Terastallizing in battle is that it changes a Pokémon’s type to its Tera Type. Pokémon don’t outwardly show what their Tera Type is until they Terastallize—a fact that players can use to take opponents by surprise in battle.
Tera Blast is a Normal-type move that can be learned with a TM. When used by a Terastallized Pokémon, it becomes a move of the same type as the Pokémon’s Tera Type. Tera Blast inflicts damage using the Attack or Sp. Atk stat—whichever is higher for the user.
Introducing New Held Items
- Mirror Herb
This herb will allow the holder to mirror an opponent’s stat increases and boost its own stats–but only once.
- Covert Cloak
This hooded cloak conceals the holder, protecting it from the additional effects of moves.
- Loaded Dice
If a Pokémon holding this item uses a multistrike move, that move will be more likely to hit more times.
About Pokémon
The Pokémon Company International, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing and marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children’s entertainment properties in the world. For more information, visit www.pokemon.com.
A paid Nintendo Switch Online membership is required to use the Battle Stadium. To use the Battle Stadium, players may need to install update data that may become available on or after the games’ release date. Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield players cannot battle with Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet players.
New Pokémon TCG news, Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet updates, and the location of next year’s competition.
The 2022 Pokémon World Championships have wrapped up, but not before Tsunekazu Ishihara, President of The Pokémon Company, shared some exciting news during the event’s closing ceremony. In addition to announcing the return of a classic Pokémon Trading Card Game play mechanic and delivering an update on Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, Mr. Ishihara also revealed the location of the 2023 Pokémon World Championships!
As you can see in the video above, Pokémon ex are returning to the Pokémon TCG in the Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet Series. Pokémon ex will appear in each stage of Evolution—as Basic, Stage 1, and Stage 2 Pokémon. They have high HP, along with powerful attacks and Abilities, and when one of them is Knocked Out, two Prize cards are taken. These Pokémon have the power to turn the tide of battle in an instant! Pokémon ex will provide all sorts of new strategies as players adjust their decks to utilize (and counter!) these new cards.
You’d better be ready to battle when exploring the Paldea region in the upcoming Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet video games, because the Battle Stadium will provide plenty of fierce competition! If your battling skills are good enough, you might even be able to join other players next year at the 2023 Pokémon World Championships in Yokohama, Japan. This will be the first time that the Pokémon World Championships take place in Japan, so it’s bound to be an incredible event!
For more details about all the excitement from the 2022 Pokémon World Championships, visit the official Worlds website.
New Moves
- Shed Tail: Create a substitute, then swap places with a party Pokémon in waiting
- Tera Blast: Changes type when the user has Terastallized
New Items:
- Mirror Herb: Copies an opponent’s stat increases when consumed
- Loaded Dice: Makes multistrike moves more likely to hit more times
Competitive Play Trailer | Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet
Pokémon VG players, this one’s for you.
The game’s about to change in Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet!
❤️💜 https://pkmn.news/BuyScarletViolet
Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet — Coming in 2023! ❤️💜
(ex)pect the unexpected, #PokemonTCG: Scarlet & Violet!
The new standard is coming in 2023.
During the 2022 Pokémon World Championships closing ceremonies on August 21, 2022, President and CEO of The Pokémon Company Tsunekazu Ishihara revealed new details about the Pokémon Trading Card Game as well as the Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet games due to release worldwide on November 18, 2022.
Source: Pokemon.com and Nintendo.com
Source:Pokémon
