Meta Reports / Pokémon Champions — Regulation M-C
Pokémon Champions — Regulation M-C Meta Report — November 2026
Data through October 2026 · Published 2026-11-12 · Updated 2026-11-12
Sneasler led Pokémon Champions — Regulation M-C with 35.63% usage in October 2026 (-1.46 pts vs Sep), ahead of Rillaboom (35.52%) and Incineroar (31.83%) across 1,649,648 ladder battles. The tables below are generated directly from Smogon's weighted usage statistics; the analysis that follows is grounded in those numbers.
Usage at a glance — October 2026
| # | Pokémon | Usage | Δ vs Sep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sneasler | 35.63% | -1.46 pts |
| 2 | Rillaboom | 35.52% | -10.44 pts |
| 3 | Incineroar | 31.83% | +1.16 pts |
| 4 | Kingambit | 26.63% | +2.37 pts |
| 5 | Charizard-Mega-Y | 21.59% | +10.68 pts |
| 6 | Archaludon | 20.47% | +4.46 pts |
| 7 | Garchomp | 19.54% | +11.04 pts |
| 8 | Basculegion | 19.36% | +0.31 pts |
| 9 | Farigiraf | 16.84% | +0.50 pts |
| 10 | Indeedee-F | 15.69% | -5.23 pts |
| 11 | Pelipper | 15.40% | +1.51 pts |
| 12 | Raichu-Mega-Y | 13.96% | +1.25 pts |
| 13 | Gholdengo | 13.85% | -5.21 pts |
| 14 | Floette-Mega | 13.25% | +2.86 pts |
| 15 | Salamence-Mega | 12.37% | -14.72 pts |
| 16 | Garchomp-Mega-Z | 11.80% | +3.54 pts |
| 17 | Whimsicott | 11.58% | +3.68 pts |
| 18 | Golisopod-Mega | 11.16% | -4.72 pts |
| 19 | Volcarona | 10.74% | +2.17 pts |
| 20 | Sylveon | 10.63% | +1.26 pts |
What changed since September 2026
Ladder volume went from 1,631,943 battles in Sep to 1,649,648 in Oct.
Risers
| Pokémon | Then | Now | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garchomp | 8.51% | 19.54% | +11.04 pts |
| Charizard-Mega-Y | 10.92% | 21.59% | +10.68 pts |
| Venusaur | 2.71% | 7.21% | +4.50 pts |
| Archaludon | 16.01% | 20.47% | +4.46 pts |
| Whimsicott | 7.91% | 11.58% | +3.68 pts |
| Garchomp-Mega-Z | 8.26% | 11.80% | +3.54 pts |
| Floette-Mega | 10.38% | 13.25% | +2.86 pts |
| Kommo-o | 4.32% | 7.14% | +2.82 pts |
Fallers
| Pokémon | Then | Now | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salamence-Mega | 27.10% | 12.37% | -14.72 pts |
| Rillaboom | 45.96% | 35.52% | -10.44 pts |
| Arcanine-Hisui | 11.94% | 5.76% | -6.18 pts |
| Milotic | 12.50% | 7.11% | -5.39 pts |
| Indeedee-F | 20.91% | 15.69% | -5.23 pts |
| Gholdengo | 19.06% | 13.85% | -5.21 pts |
| Golisopod-Mega | 15.88% | 11.16% | -4.72 pts |
| Lucario-Mega-Z | 3.96% | 1.28% | -2.67 pts |
New to the meta (crossed 2% usage)
| Pokémon | Then | Now | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basculegion-F | 0.93% | 5.65% | +4.72 pts |
| Raichu-Mega-X | 1.61% | 5.51% | +3.90 pts |
| Glimmora | 1.95% | 3.40% | +1.45 pts |
| Toxapex | 0.85% | 2.13% | +1.29 pts |
Dropped out (fell below 2% usage)
| Pokémon | Then | Now | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lucario-Mega-Z | 3.96% | 1.28% | -2.67 pts |
| Baxcalibur-Mega | 2.95% | 0.77% | -2.18 pts |
| Pawmot | 3.40% | 1.36% | -2.03 pts |
| Hatterene | 2.48% | 1.12% | -1.36 pts |
| Ceruledge | 2.13% | 1.42% | -0.71 pts |
| Tyranitar | 2.43% | 1.85% | -0.57 pts |
| Glimmora-Mega | 2.51% | 1.95% | -0.56 pts |
| Talonflame | 2.05% | 1.53% | -0.51 pts |
Notable set changes
How the builds themselves moved — each option's share of that Pokémon's own usage:
| Pokémon | Option | Sep | Oct | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basculegion-F | Item: Focus Sash | 26.6% | 79.0% | +52.3 pts |
| Basculegion-F | Item: Life Orb | 48.1% | 11.3% | -36.8 pts |
| Garchomp | Item: Choice Scarf | 32.9% | 59.8% | +26.9 pts |
| Indeedee-F | Item: Rocky Helmet | 33.1% | 52.6% | +19.5 pts |
| Garchomp | Item: Life Orb | 46.1% | 27.4% | -18.7 pts |
| Indeedee-F | Item: Colbur Berry | 28.3% | 14.6% | -13.7 pts |
| Venusaur | Item: Life Orb | 20.3% | 31.8% | +11.5 pts |
| Rillaboom | Item: Miracle Seed | 63.7% | 74.5% | +10.8 pts |
Tournament results
The largest M-C events of the report window, via Limitless.
Spooky Cup - $500 PRIZE POOL — October 26, 2026, 230 players
| Place | Player | Record | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wb_vg | 10-1 | Tyranitar, Grimmsnarl, Sinistcha, Annihilape, Wash Rotom, Scovillain |
| 2 | THJester16 | 10-1 | Mawile, Volcarona, Krookodile, Hydreigon, Corviknight, Gengar |
| 3 | Carnzy3 | 8-2 | Annihilape, Hisuian Typhlosion, Tyranitar, Sinistcha, Volcarona, Malamar |
| 4 | Slushi2k | 8-2 | Golisopod, Tyranitar, Corviknight, Houndstone, Wash Rotom, Sinistcha |
Maddo's Cup #13 | 100€ for the Winner | Reg M-C — October 24, 2026, 230 players
| Place | Player | Record | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | misoup | 12-2 | Salamence, Raichu, Sylveon, Basculegion, Kingambit, Incineroar |
| 2 | Nic3003 | 12-2 | Salamence, Eternal Flower Floette, Incineroar, Rillaboom, Sneasler, Basculegion |
| 3 | EmperorAry | 10-3 | Eternal Flower Floette, Golisopod, Pelipper, Basculegion ♀, Archaludon, Sneasler |
| 4 | Sglez124 | 10-3 | Eternal Flower Floette, Sneasler, Indeedee, Basculegion, Dragonite, Kingambit |
🍋Sitrus-Series🍋|Champions-MC|#81 — November 4, 2026, 170 players
| Place | Player | Record | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Centiskorch18 | 10-2 | Torkoal, Venusaur, Raichu, Gardevoir, Incineroar, Garchomp |
| 2 | porygon2 | 9-3 | Grimmsnarl, Pelipper, Archaludon, Scovillain, Raichu, Gholdengo |
| 3 | 138mysx | 9-2 | Charizard, Farigiraf, Aerodactyl, Kingambit, Garchomp, Sylveon |
| 4 | NervoX | 8-3 | Farigiraf, Sneasler, Kingambit, Charizard, Sylveon, Staraptor |
Top-cut usage at Spooky Cup - $500 PRIZE POOL vs the ladder
| Pokémon | Top cut | Ladder |
|---|---|---|
| Sinistcha | 6/8 teams (75%) | 7.60% |
| Tyranitar | 5/8 teams (63%) | 1.85% |
| Corviknight | 4/8 teams (50%) | 1.89% |
| Wash Rotom | 3/8 teams (38%) | <0.5% |
| Volcarona | 3/8 teams (38%) | 10.74% |
| Houndstone | 3/8 teams (38%) | 0.19% |
| Grimmsnarl | 2/8 teams (25%) | 6.92% |
| Annihilape | 2/8 teams (25%) | 4.50% |
Where the meta stands
The top of the ladder is still anchored by the familiar trio: Sneasler at 35.63% (-1.46), Rillaboom at 35.52%, and Incineroar at 31.83% (+1.16). But the headline is Rillaboom's collapse — down 10.44 points from a dominant 45.96% in September. It's still #2, yet it no longer sits in a tier of its own. Kingambit (26.63%, +2.37) rounds out the core support/attacker cluster.
The real story of October is the sun matchup surging into the picture. Charizard-Mega-Y nearly doubled to 21.59% (+10.68) and Garchomp more than doubled to 19.54% (+11.04), the two biggest risers in the format. Meanwhile the previous premier Mega, Salamence-Mega, cratered from 27.10% to 12.37% (-14.72) — the single largest fall on record and a clear change of guard at the Mega slot.
Behind them, Archaludon (20.47%, +4.46) and Basculegion (19.36%) hold steady, while the Trick Room/support package is softening: Indeedee-F dropped to 15.69% (-5.23) and Gholdengo to 13.85% (-5.21). Note the thin record — only two months (Sep, Oct) are on file for this window, so every "trend" below is a two-point line, not an established slope.
Where it's heading
With only two data points per Pokémon, these are directional reads from a single month-over-month move, not confirmed trajectories.
The clearest momentum belongs to Charizard-Mega-Y (+10.68) and Garchomp (+11.04), and tournament data backs them: Charizard brought 5/8 and Garchomp 4/8 at the Sitrus-Series, where a Torkoal/Venusaur sun team won. Garchomp's item profile also hardened — Choice Scarf jumped from 32.9% to 59.8%, with Life Orb falling to 27.4% — signaling it's being slotted as dedicated speed control, a role that tends to stick. Expect both to keep climbing or hold near their new highs.
Salamence-Mega's -14.72 slide is the one to watch the other way; it still won Maddo's Cup #13 and appeared 3/8 there, so it isn't dead, but the usage trajectory points down. Venusaur (+4.50) and Basculegion-F (+4.72 from 0.93%) are low-base risers riding the sun and offense surge; Basculegion-F's build also consolidated (Focus Sash 26.6% → 79.0%), which usually precedes further adoption. Indeedee-F and Gholdengo both shed ~5 points and look soft.
What to prepare for
- Sun is the new engine. Charizard-Mega-Y (21.59%) plus Venusaur (7.21%, +4.50, 3/8 Sitrus top cut) is a real archetype now. Pack a water presence or Rock coverage; note Garchomp's Rock Slide share rose to 21.2% and Earthquake displaced Stomping Tantrum, so Garchomp is doubling as both speed control and anti-sun/anti-fire tech.
- Expect more Scarf Garchomp. With Choice Scarf now 59.8% of Garchomp's sets, assume it's locked into a fast move and plan your speed tiers and Protect timing accordingly.
- Grass is still everywhere but weaker. Rillaboom (35.52%) remains a top-2 pick and its Grassy Terrain/Fake Out core is unchanged (Miracle Seed 63.7% → 74.5%), but its -10.44 drop means Grassy Glide priority is slightly less omnipresent than September.
- Don't over-prep for Salamence. It fell to 12.37%; its set is stable (Salamencite 100%, Hyper Voice/Tailwind unchanged), so the decline is external competition from other Megas, not a nerf — but you can safely de-prioritize it relative to Charizard.
Common questions
Is Rillaboom still good in Regulation M-C?
Yes — it's still #2 at 35.52% and brought 3/8 at Maddo's Cup #13. The -10.44 drop reflects a crowded Mega/offense field pulling attention, not a change to its kit; its core moves (Fake Out, Grassy Glide, Wood Hammer) and Miracle Seed lead are intact. Treat it as a staple, just no longer the unquestioned best Pokémon in the format.
Why is Charizard-Mega-Y usage rising?
Sun. Charizard nearly doubled to 21.59% (+10.68) and co-rose with Garchomp (+11.04) and Venusaur (+4.50), and it headlined top cut at the Sitrus-Series with a 5/8 bring rate. Its own set barely moved (Charizardite Y 100%, Heat Wave/Weather Ball stable), so the surge is adoption of the sun archetype rather than a new build.
Should I still run Salamence-Mega?
It's viable — misoup won Maddo's Cup #13 with Salamence and it appeared 3/8 there — but its ladder usage halved to 12.37% (-14.72) as Charizard and Garchomp took over the spotlight. The build is unchanged, so if your team already supports it you lose nothing, but it's no longer the default Mega pick.
[
{"pokemonName": "Charizard-Mega-Y", "direction": "up", "thresholdPts": 3, "confidence": "likely", "claim": "Charizard-Mega-Y continues climbing as the sun archetype consolidates its grip on the format.", "falsifier": "Charizard-Mega-Y usage fails to rise at least 3 points above 21.59% next month.", "evidence": "Charizard-Mega-Y: Sep 10.92%, Oct 21.59% (+10.68); Charizard 5/8 top-cut bring rate at Sitrus-Series #81."},
{"pokemonName": "Salamence-Mega", "direction": "down", "thresholdPts": 2, "confidence": "possible", "claim": "Salamence-Mega keeps sliding as other Megas absorb its usage share.", "falsifier": "Salamence-Mega usage rises or falls less than 2 points from 12.37%.", "evidence": "Salamence-Mega: Sep 27.10%, Oct 12.37% (-14.72); set unchanged (Salamencite 100.0%)."},
{"pokemonName": "Garchomp", "direction": "up", "thresholdPts": 2, "confidence": "possible", "claim": "Garchomp holds or extends its gains as Scarf speed control for sun/offense teams.", "falsifier": "Garchomp usage drops more than 2 points below 19.54%.", "evidence": "Garchomp: Sep 8.51%, Oct 19.54% (+11.04); Choice Scarf 32.9% → 59.8%; 4/8 top cut at Sitrus-Series #81."},
{"pokemonName": "Rillaboom", "direction": "down", "thresholdPts": 3, "confidence": "possible", "claim": "Rillaboom continues to give back usage as the offense/Mega field crowds in.", "fal