Meta Reports / VGC 2026 Regulation F
VGC 2026 Regulation F Meta Report — May 2026
Data through April 2026 · Published 2026-06-11 · Updated 2026-07-06
Flutter Mane led VGC 2026 Regulation F with 44.17% usage in April 2026 (+3.06 pts vs Mar), ahead of Urshifu-Rapid-Strike (35.94%) and Incineroar (33.46%) across 20,602 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 — April 2026
| # | Pokémon | Usage | Δ vs Mar |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flutter Mane | 44.17% | +3.06 pts |
| 2 | Urshifu-Rapid-Strike | 35.94% | -4.82 pts |
| 3 | Incineroar | 33.46% | -0.91 pts |
| 4 | Tornadus | 23.97% | -4.34 pts |
| 5 | Raging Bolt | 20.25% | -6.53 pts |
| 6 | Rillaboom | 19.79% | +0.64 pts |
| 7 | Amoonguss | 17.73% | -2.68 pts |
| 8 | Ogerpon-Hearthflame | 16.37% | -1.90 pts |
| 9 | Chi-Yu | 15.54% | +6.16 pts |
| 10 | Landorus | 13.93% | -5.47 pts |
| 11 | Farigiraf | 13.76% | -0.13 pts |
| 12 | Chien-Pao | 13.65% | -5.00 pts |
| 13 | Indeedee-F | 13.15% | -1.20 pts |
| 14 | Ogerpon-Wellspring | 13.04% | -4.15 pts |
| 15 | Dondozo | 12.21% | +1.82 pts |
| 16 | Tatsugiri | 11.85% | +2.35 pts |
| 17 | Torkoal | 11.55% | +2.46 pts |
| 18 | Urshifu | 11.31% | -1.01 pts |
| 19 | Gholdengo | 10.96% | +0.33 pts |
| 20 | Iron Hands | 8.17% | +3.86 pts |
What changed since March 2026
Ladder volume went from 755,266 battles in Mar to 20,602 in Apr.
Risers
| Pokémon | Then | Now | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chi-Yu | 9.38% | 15.54% | +6.16 pts |
| Weezing-Galar | 3.63% | 7.67% | +4.04 pts |
| Iron Hands | 4.31% | 8.17% | +3.86 pts |
| Annihilape | 3.02% | 6.17% | +3.15 pts |
| Flutter Mane | 41.11% | 44.17% | +3.06 pts |
| Torkoal | 9.09% | 11.55% | +2.46 pts |
| Tatsugiri | 9.50% | 11.85% | +2.35 pts |
| Hatterene | 3.11% | 5.43% | +2.32 pts |
Fallers
| Pokémon | Then | Now | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raging Bolt | 26.78% | 20.25% | -6.53 pts |
| Landorus | 19.40% | 13.93% | -5.47 pts |
| Dragonite | 12.21% | 7.11% | -5.10 pts |
| Chien-Pao | 18.66% | 13.65% | -5.00 pts |
| Urshifu-Rapid-Strike | 40.76% | 35.94% | -4.82 pts |
| Tornadus | 28.30% | 23.97% | -4.34 pts |
| Ogerpon-Wellspring | 17.19% | 13.04% | -4.15 pts |
| Iron Crown | 9.54% | 5.73% | -3.81 pts |
New to the meta (crossed 2% usage)
| Pokémon | Then | Now | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chesnaught | 0.12% | 2.59% | +2.47 pts |
| Iron Moth | 0.15% | 2.06% | +1.91 pts |
| Goodra-Hisui | 1.19% | 2.93% | +1.73 pts |
| Sneasler | 1.27% | 2.65% | +1.39 pts |
| Clefairy | 0.98% | 2.31% | +1.33 pts |
| Lilligant-Hisui | 1.82% | 3.05% | +1.23 pts |
| Walking Wake | 1.86% | 2.40% | +0.54 pts |
Dropped out (fell below 2% usage)
| Pokémon | Then | Now | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entei | 3.43% | 1.24% | -2.19 pts |
| Heatran | 3.09% | 1.53% | -1.56 pts |
| Porygon2 | 2.84% | 1.49% | -1.35 pts |
| Moltres-Galar | 2.75% | 1.77% | -0.98 pts |
| Sinistcha | 2.58% | 1.61% | -0.97 pts |
Notable set changes
How the builds themselves moved — each option's share of that Pokémon's own usage:
| Pokémon | Option | Mar | Apr | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weezing-Galar | Item: Sitrus Berry | 79.5% | 13.4% | -66.1 pts |
| Weezing-Galar | Item: Covert Cloak | 3.1% | 63.0% | +59.9 pts |
| Iron Hands | Item: Assault Vest | 43.1% | 78.5% | +35.4 pts |
| Chi-Yu | Item: Life Orb | 7.3% | 33.0% | +25.7 pts |
| Chi-Yu | Item: Choice Specs | 45.9% | 25.5% | -20.4 pts |
| Iron Hands | Item: Safety Goggles | 21.2% | 0.9% | -20.3 pts |
| Annihilape | Item: Sitrus Berry | 24.2% | 40.4% | +16.2 pts |
| Weezing-Galar | Item: Choice Specs | 1.7% | 16.5% | +14.8 pts |
Where the meta stands
Flutter Mane remains the undisputed centerpiece of Regulation F at 44.17% (+3.06) — nearly a coinflip to appear on any given team, and back on the rise after dipping through the winter. Urshifu-Rapid-Strike is still the clear number two at 35.94%, but it shed -4.82 pts this month, and Incineroar holds steady at 33.46% (-0.91) as the format's default pivot. Below that trio the picture is thinner: Tornadus (23.97%, -4.34) as the premier speed-control lead, Raging Bolt (20.25%) sliding hard, and Rillaboom (19.79%, +0.64) anchoring the grass-support core.
The month's defining story is the collapse of several established threats alongside a Chi-Yu surge. Chi-Yu jumped +6.16 pts to 15.54%, the biggest single riser, while Raging Bolt (-6.53), Landorus (-5.47), Chien-Pao (-5.00) and Ogerpon-Wellspring (-4.15) all bled significant share. Iron Hands (8.17%, +3.86) re-entered relevance, and Torkoal (11.55%, +2.46) plus Tatsugiri (11.85%, +2.35) signal renewed interest in Trick Room and drought lines.
One caveat: ladder volume cratered from 755,266 battles in March to 20,602 in April. This is a far smaller, likely more dedicated sample, so treat single-month swings as noisier than usual.
Where it's heading
Chi-Yu's trajectory is the clearest read: it sat in the 8–10% band from November through March, then spiked to 15.54%. Notably, its item spread shifted from Choice Specs-dominant (45.9%) to Life Orb 33.0% — a more flexible offensive build that may be driving the adoption. If that build proves out, Chi-Yu can keep climbing.
The decliners look structural, not noise. Raging Bolt has fallen every month since November (35.50% → 20.25%), and its item split moving off Assault Vest toward Leftovers (45.0% → 32.2% AV) suggests players are still searching for a role rather than settling. Landorus (23.21% → 13.93%), Chien-Pao (23.25% → 13.65%) and Ogerpon-Wellspring (24.36% → 13.04%) are all in sustained multi-month slides; expect continued erosion barring a fresh set innovation.
On the rise, Weezing-Galar (7.67%, +4.04) and Iron Hands (8.17%, +3.86) both show mechanism-backed climbs. Weezing-Galar's build shifted dramatically — from Sitrus Berry (79.5%) to Covert Cloak 63.0% plus a new Dazzling Gleam lead move — and Iron Hands consolidated onto Assault Vest 78.5% (from 43.1%). Both trends look real. Tatsugiri (4.87% → 11.85%) and Torkoal's steady climbs point to Trick Room gaining ground. Treat all of this as extrapolation from trend, not certainty — the thin April sample amplifies swings.
What to prepare for
- Flutter Mane is mandatory prep. At 44.17% it's on nearly half of teams. Every team needs a answer to a fast Ghost/Fairy special attacker — Incineroar Fake Out pressure, a faster scarfer, or bulky resists.
- Chi-Yu is trending toward a Life Orb build, not just Specs. The shift to Life Orb 33.0% means you can no longer assume it's locked into one move. Bulky Water and Dragon answers stay relevant, but expect more coverage flexibility from a 15.54% meta staple.
- Trick Room is quietly building. Torkoal (11.55%, +2.46), Tatsugiri (11.85%, +2.35) and Indeedee-F (13.15%) all sit high. If you rely on Tailwind, pack a Taunt or a Room-flipping answer.
- The declining threats are still common enough to matter. Chien-Pao (13.65%) leaned even harder into Focus Sash (85.4% → 89.8%), so multi-hit and spread answers to break Sash remain valuable even as its raw usage falls.
Common questions
Is Raging Bolt still worth using in Regulation F?
It's declined every month from 35.50% in November to 20.25% in April, a -6.53 pt drop this month alone, and its item split is fragmenting (Assault Vest 45.0% → 32.2%). It's still a top-5 Pokémon by usage, so it remains viable — but the trend and the unsettled build suggest players are struggling to find its best role.
Why is Chi-Yu suddenly everywhere?
Chi-Yu jumped +6.16 pts to 15.54%, its highest mark on record, after hovering around 8–10% all winter. The most visible mechanical change is its item spread shifting from Choice Specs 45.9% to Life Orb 33.0%, pointing to a more flexible non-locked offensive build gaining traction.
Is Ogerpon-Wellspring falling off?
Yes — it's dropped from 24.36% in November to 13.04% in April, including -4.15 pts this month. Its set is unchanged (still 100% Wellspring Mask, standard Ivy Cudgel/Spiky Shield/Follow Me), so the decline is being driven by external metagame shifts rather than a build problem.
[
{"pokemonName": "Raging Bolt", "direction": "down", "thresholdPts": 3, "confidence": "likely", "claim": "Raging Bolt continues its multi-month slide and falls further below 20%.", "falsifier": "Raging Bolt usage is flat or rises versus April's 20.25%.", "evidence": "Raging Bolt: Nov 35.50%, Dec 34.13%, Jan 31.27%, Feb 27.89%, Mar 26.78%, Apr 20.25%"},
{"pokemonName": "Chi-Yu", "direction": "up", "thresholdPts": 2, "confidence": "possible", "claim": "Chi-Yu holds or extends its April spike as the Life Orb build takes hold.", "falsifier": "Chi-Yu falls more than 2 pts below April's 15.54%.", "evidence": "Chi-Yu: Mar 9.38%, Apr 15.54%; items Mar (Choice Specs 45.9%) → Apr (Life Orb 33.0%, Choice Specs 25.5%)"},
{"pokemonName": "Ogerpon-Wellspring", "direction": "down", "thresholdPts": 2, "confidence": "likely", "claim": "Ogerpon-Wellspring keeps sliding given its unchanged set and four-month decline.", "falsifier": "Ogerpon-Wellspring is flat or rises versus April's 13.04%.", "evidence": "Ogerpon-Wellspring: Dec 24.64%, Jan 23.68%, Feb 19.70%, Mar 17.19%,
Ask about this report
Answers come from “VGC 2026 Regulation F Meta Report — May 2026” — numbers are quoted from the report, not invented.