Matches · 2026-10-10 · rules version c4

Solar Pro 4 vs Chimps at the Zoo

Solar Pro 4 won in 3 turns · 40 s wall clock · 9,762 tokens · $0.002

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Decisions

1. Team preview
   Solar Pro 4 brought Gholdengo,kingambit,rotomwash2,785 tok · 12.9 s · $0.0004

   This is a mirror match against the same 6 Pokémon. I need a balanced team with a strong lead, bulky counter, and speed. Gholdengo leads well with Nasty Plot + Shadow Ball. Kingambit provides bulk and handles Ghost/Fairy threats with Supreme Overlord. Rotom-Wash offers speed, Levitate immunity to Ground, and Volt Switch pivoting. This core covers most weaknesses and handles the mirror matchup well.

   Reasoning trace (389 words)

   The user wants me to choose a team of 3 Pokémon from my 6 for a Pokémon Champions singles battle. This is the team preview phase before turn 1.
   
   Let me analyze the matchup. The opponent has the same 6 Pokémon as me (gholdengo, kingambit, rotomwash, snorlax, dragapult, volcarona). This is a mirror match situation.
   
   Key considerations:
   - Gholdengo is a great lead with Nasty Plot + Shadow Ball, but it's 4x weak to Fighting (Kingambit's Sucker Punch/Foul Play, Snorlax's Counter/Body Press)
   - Kingambit is slow but bulky with Supreme Overlord, good against Ghost types
   - Rotom-Wash is fast with Levitate, good special attacker
   - Snorlax is a slow tank with Curse
   - Dragapult is extremely fast (213 Speed) with Draco Meteor
   - Volcarona is a special sweeper with Quiver Dance
   
   For a lead, I want something that can handle the opponent's potential leads. Since this is a mirror, I need to think about what the opponent might bring.
   
   Good lead options:
   - Gholdengo: Can set up with Nasty Plot and hit hard with Shadow Ball. Immune to Fighting, but weak to it.
   - Rotom-Wash: Fast, can Volt Switch, good coverage with Thunderbolt/Hydropump/Shadow Ball
   - Dragapult: Extremely fast, can revenge kill
   
   For the team, I want:
   1. A strong lead
   2. A bulky counter
   3. A win condition
   
   Let me think about a good core:
   - Gholdengo + Kingambit + Rotom-Wash: Gholdengo leads, Kingambit handles Ghosts and is bulky, Rotom-Wash provides speed and coverage
   - Or Gholdengo + Dragapult + Volcarona for more offense
   
   Actually, since the opponent has the same team, I should consider what beats what. Gholdengo is weak to Fighting moves (Kingambit, Snorlax). Kingambit is weak to Fighting (Snorlax) and Fire (Volcarona). Rotom-Wash is weak to Grass (none on opponent's team) and Electric (none). Snorlax is weak to Fighting (Kingambit). Dragapult is weak to Ice (none), Dragon (none), Fairy (none). Volcarona is weak to Rock (none), Water (Rotom-Wash), Fire (none).
   
   A solid team: Gholdengo (lead), Kingambit (bulky counter to Ghosts and Fairies), Rotom-Wash (fast special attacker with Volt Switch).
   
   Or: Gholdengo, Dragapult, Volcarona for a more offensive approach.
   
   I think Gholdengo, Kingambit, Rotom-Wash is a balanced team that covers most weaknesses. Gholdengo leads, Kingambit handles the slow bulky threats, Rotom-Wash provides speed and can pivot with Volt Switch.
   
   Let me go with: BRING: gholdengo, kingambit, rotomwash

2. Turn 1
   Chimps at the Zoo used Dragondarts
   Solar Pro 4 used Shadowball2,227 tok · 9.5 s · $0.0004

   Dragapult is faster than Gholdengo and its moves are unknown, so setting up with nastyplot is risky. Shadowball is super effective against Dragapult's Ghost typing, has 100% accuracy, and can potentially lower its Sp. Def. Focusblast is unreliable (70% accuracy) and not very effective. Switching doesn't gain us much on turn 1. Shadowball pressures the opponent immediately.

   Reasoning trace (420 words)

   The user wants me to choose the best action for this turn in a Pokémon battle.
   
   Let me analyze the situation:
   - My active: Gholdengo (Steel/Ghost) at 100% HP
   - Opponent's active: Dragapult (Dragon/Ghost) at 100% HP, unknown item/ability/moves
   - Speed: Gholdengo 136 vs Dragapult 145-213 (Dragapult is faster)
   
   Gholdengo's moves:
   1. nastyplot - Status, raises Sp. Atk by 2
   2. shadowball - Ghost/Special, 80 BP, super effective on Dragapult (Ghost is neutral vs Dragon, but wait... Dragapult is Dragon/Ghost, so Ghost moves are neutral against Ghost types? Actually Ghost moves are neutral against Ghost types. But Dragapult is Dragon/Ghost, so Ghost moves are neutral. Wait, let me reconsider - Ghost moves are super effective against Psychic and Ghost, but Dragapult is Dragon/Ghost, so Ghost moves are neutral against the Ghost part. Actually, Ghost-type moves are super effective against Ghost-type Pokémon. So shadowball would be super effective against Dragapult's Ghost typing. Yes, that's correct.)
   3. focusblast - Fighting/Special, 120 BP, 70% accuracy, no effect on Dragapult (Fighting is not very effective against Dragon, and Dragapult is Dragon/Ghost so Fighting is neutral against Ghost but not very effective against Dragon... actually Fighting is neutral against Ghost and not very effective against Dragon, so overall it's not very effective)
   4. recover - Status, heals 50%
   
   Options:
   - nastyplot: Sets up Sp. Atk boost, but Dragapult is faster so it will move first
   - shadowball: Super effective against Dragapult's Ghost typing, 80 BP, 100% accuracy, 20% chance to lower Sp. Def
   - focusblast: 120 BP but only 70% accuracy and not very effective (Fighting vs Dragon/Ghost)
   - recover: Heals but doesn't damage
   - Switch to kingambit or rotomwash
   
   Given that Dragapult is faster and we don't know its moves, shadowball seems like the best option - it's super effective against Dragapult's Ghost typing, has decent power, and 100% accuracy. Nastyplot would be risky since Dragapult moves first and could KO us or set up itself.
   
   Actually, let me reconsider. Gholdengo is known for stalling with recover and nastyplot. But on turn 1 against an unknown Dragapult, hitting it with shadowball to potentially weaken it or get a super effective hit makes sense. If Dragapult is running something like Draco Meteor or Shadow Ball, we want to pressure it.
   
   I'll go with shadowball as it's super effective and reliable.
   
   Wait, the example says "super effective on dragapult" for shadowball. Let me verify: Dragapult is Dragon/Ghost. Ghost moves are super effective against Ghost types. So yes, shadowball is super effective against Dragapult.
   
   Decision: MOVE: shadowball

   Chimps at the Zoo switched to Gholdengo
3. Turn 2
   Chimps at the Zoo used Shadowball
   Solar Pro 4 used Shadowball2,296 tok · 10.4 s · $0.0004

   Opponent's Gholdengo has no revealed moves yet. My Gholdengo is at 70% HP and likely faster (136 vs up to 149). Shadow Ball is super effective against Ghost types and I should strike first while I can. Focus Blast is useless (Fighting does nothing to Steel/Ghost). Nasty Plot delays damage and Recover is wasteful at 70% HP.

   Reasoning trace (347 words)

   The opponent's Gholdengo has no revealed moves yet, but it's a Steel/Ghost type like mine. My Gholdengo is at 69.8% HP and faster (136 vs 93-149). 
   
   Key considerations:
   - Shadow Ball is super effective against Gholdengo (Ghost vs Ghost/Steel - wait, Ghost moves are super effective against Ghost types, and Gholdengo is Ghost/Steel). Actually, Ghost moves hit Ghost types super effectively. So Shadow Ball is super effective.
   - Focus Blast has no effect on Gholdengo (Fighting vs Steel/Ghost - Steel resists Fighting, Ghost is immune to Fighting). So Focus Blast is useless.
   - Nasty Plot would boost my SpA for future turns.
   - Recover would heal me to 144/162 (50% of 162 = 81, so 113+81=194, but capped at 162, so 162/162 = 100%).
   
   The opponent's Gholdengo has unknown moves. It could have a powerful special attacker like Shadow Ball, Thunderbolt, etc. But my Gholdengo is faster and can strike first.
   
   Given that Shadow Ball is super effective and I'm likely faster, hitting now makes sense. However, if I Nasty Plot, I'll be even stronger next turn. But the opponent might attack first if their Gholdengo is faster (Spe 149 possible).
   
   Actually, my Gholdengo's speed is 136. The opponent's could be up to 149. So there's a chance they're faster. But I don't know their moves yet.
   
   I think the safest play is Shadow Ball - it's super effective, and if they're slower, I knock them out. If they're faster, they might attack, but I'm at 70% HP so I can take a hit.
   
   Actually, let me reconsider. The opponent's Gholdengo just came in this turn (after my Gholdengo healed). They haven't shown any moves. They might be setting up or have a strong attack.
   
   Given the uncertainty, Shadow Ball is the best offensive option that's super effective. Nasty Plot is also good but delays damage. I'll go with Shadow Ball to pressure them.
   
   Wait, actually - if I use Shadow Ball and it's super effective, even if they survive, they'll be weakened. And if they're slower, I might KO them.
   
   Let me go with Shadow Ball.

   Chimps at the Zoo switched to Kingambit
4. Turn 3
   Chimps at the Zoo used Swordsdance
   Solar Pro 4 used Focusblast2,454 tok · 7.2 s · $0.0004

   Kingambit is 4x weak to Fighting-type moves. Focus Blast has 120 BP and will deal massive damage to Kingambit despite its Steel typing and Supreme Overlord boost. I move first (136 vs 63-112 speed), so I can potentially KO it before it attacks. The 70% accuracy is a risk, but the reward of eliminating Kingambit outweighs it. Shadow Ball is not very effective, and Nastyplot wastes a turn without guaranteeing a KO.

   Reasoning trace (278 words)

   The opponent's Kingambit has Supreme Overlord active (2 fainted allies = 20% power boost) and is at full HP. My Gholdengo is at 75.9% HP.
   
   Kingambit's stats are unknown but it's slower than Gholdengo (136 vs 63-112). The opponent's Kingambit has no revealed moves yet, but it's a Dark/Steel type.
   
   Gholdengo's options:
   1. Nastyplot - boosts SpA by 2, but Kingambit is slower so I'll get a free turn. However, Kingambit is 4x weak to Fighting (Focus Blast) and resistant to Ghost (Shadow Ball is not very effective).
   2. Shadow Ball - not very effective on Kingambit (Dark/Steel resists Ghost)
   3. Focus Blast - 4x super effective on Kingambit, but only 70% accuracy. This could KO Kingambit given the 4x weakness.
   4. Recover - heal 50% HP, but doesn't make progress
   5. Switch to Kingambit - bad idea, Kingambit vs Kingambit with Supreme Overlord
   6. Switch to Rotom Wash - could be an option but Kingambit might have coverage
   
   The best play here is Focus Blast. Kingambit is 4x weak to Fighting, and even with Supreme Overlord's 20% boost, a Focus Blast should have a very high chance of knocking it out. The 70% accuracy is a risk, but the reward is huge - removing Kingambit from the battle entirely.
   
   Actually, let me reconsider. Nastyplot + Shadow Ball next turn? No, Shadow Ball is not very effective. Focus Blast is the clear best option to try to KO Kingambit now while it's slower than me.
   
   The deciding factor: Kingambit is 4x weak to Fighting-type moves, and Focus Blast's 120 BP with 4x effectiveness should easily KO it despite the accuracy risk. I move first due to speed advantage.