Matches · 2026-10-13 · rules version c5

Chimps at the Zoo vs Gemini 3.8 Flash

Gemini 3.8 Flash won in 7 turns · 64 s wall clock · 28,774 tokens · $0.040

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Decisions

1. Team preview
   Chimps at the Zoo brought Garchomp,dragonite,gholdengo
   Gemini 3.8 Flash brought Garchomp,gholdengo,kingambit2,818 tok · 7.5 s · $0.0041

   Mirror match against exact identical team. Leading Garchomp with Focus Sash allows guaranteed Stealth Rock or damage, breaking opponent's Dragonite Multiscale and Garchomp Sash. Gholdengo with Choice Scarf provides fast revenge killing and coverage. Kingambit in the back acts as a premier late-game cleaner with Supreme Overlord and Sucker Punch.

   Reasoning trace (94 words)

   **Analyzing Mirror Match**
   
   I'm currently strategizing for a mirror match against Chimps at the Zoo, where the opponent's team mirrors mine exactly. My focus is on evaluating our Garchomp leads and how that initial move will dictate the subsequent interactions across both our Dragonite, Gholdengo, Kingambit, Mimikyu, and Primarina.
   
   **Refining Lead Choice**
   
   My current focus is on the Garchomp lead. If I opt for Stealth Rock, it significantly disrupts Multiscale on Dragonite and Sash on other threats. The decision to lead Garchomp impacts the viability of my Gholdengo and Kingambit as potential sweepers.
   
   

2. Turn 1
   Chimps at the Zoo used Dragonclaw
   Gemini 3.8 Flash used Dragonclaw3,878 tok · 15.2 s · $0.0078

   Mirror match. Opposing team is identical to mine. Opposing Garchomp lead likely has Stealth Rock, Earthquake, Dragon Claw, Rock Tomb with Focus Sash. Dragon Claw does ~85% damage. If opponent uses Stealth Rock turn 1, they take massive damage and are in KO range next turn.

   Reasoning trace (225 words)

   **Analyzing Mirror Match**
   
   I'm currently strategizing for a mirror match where the opponent's Garchomp is an exact replica of mine, featuring a Focus Sash and the same moveset. My immediate focus is determining the optimal opener and sequence to break their sash efficiently while preserving my own momentum.
   
   **Planning Opening Move**
   
   My current focus is on devising the best lead in this mirror match. I'm analyzing the risk of setting up Stealth Rock versus leading with Dragon Claw, considering the immediate sash break and potential recoil damage from Rough Skin if a speed tie occurs.
   
   **Calculating Garchomp Encounter**
   
   I'm re-evaluating my opening move. Dragon Claw doesn't reliably break the Focus Sash, leaving me vulnerable to Rough Skin. Stealth Rock seems more promising, forcing a choice and potentially setting up an easy KO on the subsequent turn.
   
   **Assessing Team Synergy**
   
   I'm currently weighing the benefits of setting Stealth Rock versus immediate offensive pressure. With the opponent's Dragonite revealed, breaking its Multiscale early via Stealth Rock becomes a significant consideration, especially since my Focus Sash guarantees I can set it up safely.
   
   **Analyzing Garchomp Encounter**
   
   I'm revisiting the lead matchup. Dragon Claw offers significant chip damage, but the risk of Rough Skin recoil after breaking the Focus Sash is concerning, especially with a speed tie. I'm now leaning towards Stealth Rock for a more secure setup.
   
   

3. Turn 2
   Chimps at the Zoo used Earthquake
   Gemini 3.8 Flash used Earthquake3,257 tok · 8.4 s · $0.0050

   Opponent Garchomp won T1 speed tie and is at 1%. Dragon Claw makes contact and would kill us via Rough Skin (we have 17 HP). Earthquake does not make contact! If we win the speed tie, Earthquake finishes it without recoil, keeping Garchomp alive. If we lose the tie, Garchomp faints and Scarf Gholdengo revenge kills.

   Reasoning trace (83 words)

   **Assessing First Moves**
   
   My Garchomp landed a critical Dragon Claw, leaving the opposing Garchomp with only 1% HP. This early advantage feels significant, especially considering the damage taken from its Rough Skin ability.
   
   **Revising Battle Strategy**
   
   I'm re-evaluating the speed tie outcome and damage calculations. The opponent Garchomp surviving with 1% HP and winning the initial speed tie means my current Garchomp is vulnerable. Switching to Earthquake might be a safer play to avoid recoil if I win the next speed tie.
   
   

   Chimps at the Zoo switched to Gholdengo
4. Turn 3
   Chimps at the Zoo used Focusblast
   Gemini 3.8 Flash used Earthquake3,693 tok · 9.9 s · $0.0060

   Opposing Gholdengo has Choice Scarf (mirror team). It will outspeed Garchomp and KO it (17 HP). Switching Kingambit risks 4x Focus Blast; switching Gholdengo risks Shadow Ball. Sacrificing Garchomp here scout-locks opponent's Scarf move, allowing Kingambit or Gholdengo to safely revenge kill. If opponent doesn't attack, Earthquake OHKOs.

   Reasoning trace (196 words)

   **Analyzing Opponent's Gholdengo**
   
   My current focus is on deducing the opponent's Gholdengo's Speed. Given they mirrored our team, I'm considering if their Gholdengo also holds a Choice Scarf, which would significantly impact its speed relative to my Garchomp.
   
   **Calculating Speed Tie**
   
   My primary concern is determining the opponent's Gholdengo's Speed. Considering their mirrored team, I'm assessing if their Gholdengo also possesses a Choice Scarf, which would drastically alter its speed compared to my Garchomp. I've confirmed our Gholdengo carries a Choice Scarf, so theirs does too, giving it 223.5 Speed, faster than my Garchomp's 169. This means it outspeeds and KOs Garchomp with Shadow Ball or Make It Rain.
   
   The opponent's Gholdengo has a Choice Scarf and outspeeds my Garchomp. I'm weighing whether switching to Kingambit, which resists Ghost, is the optimal play, especially since the opponent's Gholdengo also resists Steel. I need to consider their potential moves like Focus Blast.
   
   **Evaluating Gholdengo's Speed**
   
   I've confirmed their Gholdengo is Choice Scarfed, possessing 223.5 Speed against my Garchomp's 169. This means it outspeeds and KO's Garchomp. I'm considering if switching to Kingambit is the best strategy, despite its Steel typing and the risk of Focus Blast.
   
   

   Gemini 3.8 Flash switched to Gholdengo2,755 tok · 4.6 s · $0.0030

   Opposing Gholdengo used Focus Blast, revealing it likely holds Choice Scarf (mirror set). Focus Blast cannot hit Ghost-types, so our Gholdengo takes zero damage if they are locked into Focus Blast or continue using it. Send in Gholdengo and threaten a super-effective Shadow Ball.

   Reasoning trace (40 words)

   **Analyzing Gholdengo's Move**
   
   I've just realized a critical interaction: the opponent's Gholdengo, locked into Focus Blast by its Choice Scarf, cannot hit my Ghost/Steel Gholdengo. This immunity to Focus Blast significantly alters the tactical landscape of the ongoing match.
   
   

5. Turn 4
   Chimps at the Zoo switched to Dragonite
   Gemini 3.8 Flash used Shadowball3,331 tok · 6.6 s · $0.0045

   Opponent is an exact mirror, so opposing Gholdengo holds Choice Scarf and is locked into Focus Blast, which cannot hit our Ghost-type Gholdengo. Shadow Ball is a guaranteed OHKO on opposing Gholdengo and deals solid neutral damage to most potential switch-ins. Use Shadow Ball.

   Reasoning trace (81 words)

   **Analyzing Gholdengo's Move**
   
   I'm considering why the opposing Gholdengo opted for Focus Blast against my Garchomp. It likely predicted my Kingambit switch-in or is Choice Scarf locked into that move. This tactical choice opens up new possibilities for my next turn.
   
   **Evaluating Gholdengo's Play**
   
   My analysis confirms the opponent's Gholdengo, locked into Focus Blast by its Choice Scarf, wasted its turn as it's immune to Fighting-type moves. This gives me a free turn to prepare for their next predictable switch-in.
   
   

6. Turn 5
   Chimps at the Zoo used Dragonclaw
   Gemini 3.8 Flash used Shadowball3,116 tok · 5.1 s · $0.0037

   Multiscale on Dragonite is broken. Shadow Ball will chip Dragonite down to ~30% or lower. If Dragonite KOs Gholdengo with Earthquake, Kingambit with Supreme Overlord cleanly cleans up both Dragonite and their remaining Gholdengo.

   Reasoning trace (47 words)

   **Assessing Threats**
   
   My Gholdengo is locked into Shadow Ball with a Choice Scarf. The opponent's Dragonite, though Multiscale is gone, still presents a significant threat at 78% HP. Their Gholdengo is at full health and stuck with Focus Blast, creating a critical decision point for them.
   
   

7. Turn 6
   Chimps at the Zoo switched to Gholdengo
   Gemini 3.8 Flash used Shadowball2,985 tok · 3.6 s · $0.0030

   Dragonite is at 33% and Shadow Ball dealt ~45% last turn, guaranteed KO. After Dragonite faints, opposing Gholdengo comes in. Gholdengo is locked into Shadow Ball, giving us a 50/50 speed tie KO, and 100% Kingambit in the back guarantees victory with Sucker Punch / Kowtow Cleave.

   Reasoning trace (41 words)

   **Confirming KO**
   
   My Gholdengo, locked into Shadow Ball with its Choice Scarf, will surely knock out the opponent's Dragonite this turn. It took 45% last turn, and with Multiscale bypassed, the current HP will be no issue for the KO.
   
   

   Chimps at the Zoo switched to Dragonite
8. Turn 7
   Chimps at the Zoo used Earthquake
   Gemini 3.8 Flash used Shadowball2,941 tok · 2.9 s · $0.0027

   Opposing Dragonite is their last Pokémon, sitting at 33% HP with Multiscale already broken. Gholdengo is Choice Scarf locked into Shadow Ball and outspeeds Dragonite. Shadow Ball deals ~45% and will knock out Dragonite to win the battle.