Matches · 2026-10-10 · rules version c3

Mercury Decide vs Gemma 4 31B

Player 1 · winner

Mercury Decide

Mercury Decide's team

autopilot 0%

Player 2

Gemma 4 31B

Gemma 4 31B's team

autopilot 0%

Mercury Decide won in 12 turns · 2 min wall clock · 50,407 tokens · $0.000

The replay player loads from play.pokemonshowdown.com. The full battle log is below.

Decisions

Team preview
Mercury Decide brought Dragapult,metagross,garchomp4,894 tok · 3.7 s · $0.0001
Lead: 54% BRING: dragapult, 20% BRING: metagross, 12% BRING: rotomwash Pick 2: 40% BRING: metagross, 24% BRING: garchomp, 17% BRING: scizor Pick 3: 56% BRING: garchomp, 30% BRING: scizor, 9% BRING: rotomwash
Gemma 4 31B brought Incineroar,gholdengo,palafin1,941 tok · 6.2 s
The opponent's team features several Steel and Dragon types. Incineroar provides crucial utility with Intimidate and Fake Out, Gholdengo handles the Steel and Poison types, and Palafin offers immense physical pressure and priority.
Reasoning trace (57 words)
```
The opponent has a balanced team with Garchomp, Scizor, Metagross, Rotom-Wash, Dragapult, and Toxapex. I need a core that can handle these threats. Incineroar is essential for Intimidate and Fake Out. Gholdengo provides strong special offense and handles Toxapex/Scizor/Metagross. Palafin provides massive physical pressure and priority.

Deciding factor: Team synergy and coverage against the opponent's Steel/Dragon/Water core.
```
Turn 1
Mercury Decide used Dracometeor1,213 tok · 0.6 s · $0.0000
86% MOVE: dracometeor, 6% MOVE: phantomforce, 3% MOVE: shadowball
Gemma 4 31B used Fakeout1,313 tok · 3.5 s
Dragapult is much faster than Incineroar, so Fake Out is the best play to break its momentum and guarantee a flinch on turn one.
Reasoning trace (31 words)
```
Dragapult is significantly faster than Incineroar. Fake Out is the standard lead move to break momentum, flinch the opponent, and provide a safe turn to scout or pivot.

Deciding factor: Speed/Momentum.
```

Turn 2

Mercury Decide used Dracometeor1,253 tok · 0.7 s · $0.0000

78% MOVE: dracometeor, 8% MOVE: phantomforce, 7% SWITCH: garchomp

Gemma 4 31B used Partingshot1,417 tok · 4.3 s

Dragapult's Special Attack is now -2, significantly reducing its threat level. Parting Shot allows Incineroar to pivot out safely while further lowering Dragapult's Attack.

Reasoning trace (42 words)

Dragapult's Special Attack is now -2 after Draco Meteor, making it much less threatening. Incineroar is a poor matchup for Dragapult's speed and typing, but Parting Shot allows a safe pivot to a stronger counter or offensive threat.

Deciding factor: bad matchup/pivot.

Gemma 4 31B switched to Gholdengo1,536 tok · 5.8 s

Dragapult's Special Attack is now -5, making it a negligible threat. Gholdengo is a safe switch-in and can potentially set up Nasty Plot while the opponent is crippled.

Reasoning trace (78 words)

Opposing Dragapult has used Draco Meteor twice, dropping its Special Attack to -5. It is now effectively useless offensively on the special side. Gholdengo is a great switch-in to handle it or set up, and Palafin needs to get in and out to activate Zero to Hero. However, Gholdengo's Steel/Ghost typing makes it a safe switch and a strong threat.

Deciding factor: bad matchup/low threat. Dragapult's SPA is -5, making it a non-threat. Gholdengo can safely switch in.

Turn 3

Mercury Decide switched to Garchomp1,528 tok · 0.6 s · $0.0000

36% SWITCH: garchomp, 22% MOVE: phantomforce, 12% MOVE: uturn

Gemma 4 31B used Shadowball1,611 tok · 5.2 s

Dragapult's Special Attack is severely lowered (-5), making it unable to deal significant damage. Shadow Ball is a strong STAB move that should secure a knockout.

Reasoning trace (65 words)

Opposing Dragapult has -5 Special Attack due to two Draco Meteors and a Parting Shot. It is effectively neutered as a special attacker. Gholdengo is faster than any other likely switch-in except maybe another Dragapult, and Shadow Ball is a strong STAB move against Dragapult.

Deciding factor: Likely knockout. Dragapult's special attack is too low to threaten Gholdengo, and Shadow Ball should secure the KO.

Turn 4
Mercury Decide switched to Metagross1,690 tok · 1.1 s · $0.0000
39% SWITCH: metagross, 23% MOVE: earthquake [MEGA], 14% MOVE: earthquake
Gemma 4 31B used Shadowball1,659 tok · 4.5 s
Gholdengo is faster than Garchomp and Garchomp is at 37% HP. Shadow Ball or Make It Rain will secure the knockout this turn.
Reasoning trace (49 words)
```
Gholdengo is facing Garchomp, who is at 37% HP. Gholdengo is faster (106 vs 102) and has a strong attack with Shadow Ball or Make It Rain. Shadow Ball already did significant damage, and Garchomp is low enough that either move should secure the knockout.

Deciding factor: likely knockout.
```
Mercury Decide switched to Dragapult1,368 tok · 0.5 s · $0.0000
91% SWITCH: dragapult, 9% SWITCH: garchomp

Turn 5

Mercury Decide used Phantomforce1,473 tok · 0.6 s · $0.0000

43% MOVE: phantomforce, 33% MOVE: dracometeor, 12% MOVE: shadowball

Gemma 4 31B used Shadowball1,877 tok · 8.9 s

Dragapult's Special Attack is heavily reduced (-3 total), making its special attacks weak. Shadow Ball is super effective and should deal massive damage to Dragapult.

Reasoning trace (146 words)

The opponent's Dragapult is faster than Gholdengo and has Life Orb. Dragapult's Special Attack is currently -1 (from Parting Shot) and -2 (from Draco Meteor), making its special attacks much weaker. However, Gholdengo is fragile to strong Ghost or Dragon moves. Shadow Ball is a strong STAB move that hits Dragapult for super effective damage.

Deciding factor: Speed/Damage. Dragapult is faster, but its Special Attack is heavily lowered. Shadow Ball should deal significant damage.

Wait, Dragapult's Special Attack is -3 total? (Turn 2: Draco Meteor -2, Parting Shot -1). Yes. Shadow Ball is the best offensive play here.

Actually, looking at the HP: Dragapult is at 80%. Shadow Ball from Life Orb Gholdengo should do massive damage.

Is there a risk? Dragapult might use a physical move (like Phantom Force or U-turn), but Gholdengo's defense is decent.

Let's check the legal actions. Shadow Ball is available.

Turn 6

Mercury Decide used Phantomforce

100% MOVE: phantomforce

Gemma 4 31B switched to Incineroar1,669 tok · 5.9 s

Dragapult used Phantom Force last turn, so it will strike this turn. Gholdengo is weak to Ghost, and Dragapult is much faster, making a switch to Incineroar necessary to resist the hit and utilize Intimidate.

Reasoning trace (67 words)

Dragapult used Phantom Force last turn, meaning it will strike this turn. Dragapult is significantly faster than Gholdengo. Shadow Ball is the strongest move, but Dragapult's Phantom Force will likely hit hard. However, Gholdengo is a Ghost-type, and Phantom Force is Ghost-type, making it super effective. Switching to Incineroar provides a resist to Ghost and allows for Intimidate/Parting Shot.

Deciding factor: bad matchup (Dragapult's Phantom Force hit).

Turn 7
Mercury Decide used Dracometeor1,408 tok · 0.5 s · $0.0000
79% MOVE: dracometeor, 7% MOVE: shadowball, 7% MOVE: phantomforce
Gemma 4 31B used Partingshot1,672 tok · 4.9 s
Dragapult is significantly faster than Incineroar and can deal heavy damage. Parting Shot allows me to pivot to a safer teammate while further reducing Dragapult's offensive pressure.
Reasoning trace (51 words)
```
The opponent's Dragapult is at 70% HP and has -1 Attack. Incineroar is at 43% HP. Dragapult is much faster. Parting Shot allows me to pivot to a safer Pokémon while lowering Dragapult's stats further, which is crucial for preserving my remaining team.

Deciding factor: bad matchup to switch out of.
```
Gemma 4 31B switched to Gholdengo1,612 tok · 3.0 s
Incineroar is at 1 HP and will likely faint to any attack. Dragapult's offensive stats are heavily crippled (-2 Atk, -3 SpA), making Gholdengo a safe and strong switch-in to maintain momentum and threaten a knockout.
Turn 8
Mercury Decide used Shadowball1,403 tok · 0.6 s · $0.0000
30% MOVE: shadowball, 26% MOVE: dracometeor, 26% MOVE: phantomforce
Gemma 4 31B used Shadowball1,693 tok · 4.9 s
Dragapult is severely debuffed in both Attack and Special Attack. Shadow Ball is a strong STAB move that should secure a knockout or leave it in range for a finish.
Reasoning trace (52 words)
```
Dragapult is heavily debuffed (Atk -2, SpA -3) and at 60% HP. Gholdengo is faster than most things but slower than Dragapult, however, Dragapult's damage output is currently negligible. Shadow Ball is a strong STAB move that should deal significant damage or a knockout given the Life Orb.

Deciding factor: Likely knockout.
```
Mercury Decide switched to Garchomp
100% SWITCH: garchomp
Turn 9
Mercury Decide used Earthquakemega1,664 tok · 0.6 s · $0.0000
54% MOVE: earthquake [MEGA], 26% MOVE: earthquake, 8% MOVE: stoneedge
Gemma 4 31B switched to Palafin1,786 tok · 4.6 s
Gholdengo is extremely vulnerable to Garchomp's Ground-type attacks and cannot survive a hit. Palafin is the ideal switch-in to resist and threaten Garchomp.
Reasoning trace (38 words)
```
Gholdengo is at 34.5% HP, and Garchomp is at 37% HP. Garchomp is likely to OHKO Gholdengo with a Ground-type move (Earthquake). Palafin is the best switch-in here to handle Garchomp.

Deciding factor: bad matchup (Gholdengo vs Garchomp).
```

Turn 10

Mercury Decide used Earthquake1,423 tok · 1.6 s · $0.0000

95% MOVE: earthquake, 3% MOVE: dragonclaw, 2% MOVE: stoneedge

Gemma 4 31B used Jetpunch1,819 tok · 6.6 s

Garchomp is faster than Palafin and will likely KO with Earthquake. Jet Punch provides priority to attempt a knockout or significant damage before Garchomp can move.

Reasoning trace (86 words)

Palafin is at 18.4% HP and Garchomp is at 37%. Garchomp is likely to KO Palafin with Earthquake. Jet Punch is priority and may secure the KO or leave Garchomp in range for Gholdengo, but Wave Crash is a guaranteed KO if Palafin survives. However, Garchomp is faster than Palafin (Base 102 vs Base 100/122? Wait, Palafin Hero is 100, Garchomp is 102).

Actually, Palafin Hero speed is 100, Garchomp is 102. Garchomp moves first. Jet Punch is priority.

Deciding factor: priority to secure the knockout.

Gemma 4 31B switched to Gholdengo1,766 tok · 6.5 s

Garchomp is at 11% HP. Incineroar is nearly fainted (0.5% HP) and will be knocked out immediately by any attack. Gholdengo is the only viable switch-in to finish the match.

Reasoning trace (80 words)

The opponent's Garchomp is at 11% HP. My Palafin just fainted. I need to send in a Pokémon to finish Garchomp. Gholdengo is the only viable option, as Incineroar is at 0.5% HP and will be knocked out by almost any attack (including Garchomp's Earthquake). Gholdengo is not weak to Ground, but it is not resistant either. However, Gholdengo can attack Garchomp.

Deciding factor: Likely knockout/Survival. Gholdengo is the only Pokémon capable of surviving a hit or attacking back effectively.

Turn 11
Mercury Decide used Earthquake1,429 tok · 0.6 s · $0.0000
70% MOVE: earthquake, 18% MOVE: stoneedge, 8% MOVE: dragonclaw
Gemma 4 31B used Shadowball1,663 tok · 4.0 s
Garchomp is at 11% HP and Gholdengo is faster, so any attacking move will secure the knockout. Shadow Ball is a reliable choice.
Reasoning trace (32 words)
```
Garchomp is at 11% HP. Gholdengo is at 34.5% HP. Gholdengo is faster than Garchomp (106 vs 92). Any attacking move from Gholdengo will likely knock out Garchomp.

Deciding factor: Likely knockout.
```
Gemma 4 31B switched to Incineroar1,599 tok · 3.8 s
Gholdengo has fainted, and Incineroar is the only remaining Pokémon on the team. Switching is the only legal action.
Reasoning trace (30 words)
```
My Gholdengo has fainted. I only have Incineroar left, and it is at 0.5% HP. Garchomp is at 11% HP. I must switch to Incineroar.

Deciding factor: Only legal move.
```
Turn 12
Mercury Decide used Earthquake1,415 tok · 0.6 s · $0.0000
94% MOVE: earthquake, 3% MOVE: dragonclaw, 2% MOVE: stoneedge
Gemma 4 31B used Flareblitz1,613 tok · 4.5 s
Garchomp is at 11% HP and Incineroar is at 1 HP. Flare Blitz will easily secure the knockout before Garchomp can move or regardless of the outcome.
Reasoning trace (37 words)
```
Incineroar is at 1 HP and Garchomp is at 11% HP. Garchomp has -1 Attack but still likely outspeeds and OHKOs Incineroar with any attack. Flare Blitz is a guaranteed knockout on Garchomp.

Deciding factor: likely knockout.
```