The 2022 Perth and Lille Regional Championships took place this weekend across three Pokémon competitions. Victory Road compiled lists of the top 16 (Perth) and top 32 (Lille) teams and I’m going to pick out my favourites.
Lille
Thomas Gravouille’s team (finished 1st)
Team members: Zacian, Kyogre, Incineroar, Kartana, Shedinja, and Thundurus
It’s nice to see Kartana with a regional win as we don’t see it as often these days. Shedinja’s appearance with its Ally Switch and Wonder Guard ability proved effective as Thomas lost just once on his way to victory.
François-Xavier de Lageneste’s team (finished 22nd)
Team members: Necrozma (DM), Yveltal, Incineroar, Rillaboom, Dusclops, and Raichu
No Zacian and no Kyogre/Groudon means two unorthodox Restricteds in Necrozma (DM) and Yveltal. Incineroar and Rillaboom are certainly more common but seeing Dusclops and Raichu at this level is wild and exciting, capable of Trick Room and Nuzzle for speed control and redirection in the form of Lightning Rod, and Fake Out both on Raichu.
Ranieri Calderari’s team (finished 31st)
Team members: Zacian, Lunala, Entei, Rillaboom, Urshifu, and Thundurus
I spot an Entei! And a Lunala, which is getting a lot of play at the moment, featuring on both Aaron ‘Cybertron’ Zheng’s and Wolfe Glick’s teams for the Secaucus Regionals.
Perth
Anthony Scibilia’s team (finished 10th)
Team members: Yveltal, Groudon, Incineroar, Charizard, Gastrodon, and Umbreon
I’ve not seen an Umbreon in any top cuts at a major competition since Players Cup (correct me if I’m wrong please!) and with it being one of my faves, it’s nice to see it get into the top 16.
Ethan Walters’s team (finished 11th)
Team members: Palkia, Groudon, Incineroar, Venusaur, Sigilyph, and Thundurus
Palkia is getting a lot of use in tournaments at the moment so that’s not too surprising. But what do we have here… a Sigilyph? I have no idea what that does in this format or how you’d run it but if I find out, I’d love to see it in action.
