An Introduction to 2v2

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2v2 is a metagame that has been gaining popularity as of late. Featured in the World Cup of 1v1 and the 1v1 Premier League, it's one of the most popular metagames lacking a permanent ladder. This article will teach you everything there is to know about 2v2!

What is 2v2, and what are its similarities to 1v1?

2v2 is a bring 4, pick 2 metagame. As its name suggests, both of your chosen Pokémon are sent out simultaneously. This means you don't have the option of switching out for a Pokémon you have in the back, resembling the pace of a game of 1v1. As the two Pokémon you send out have to handle everything themselves, most movesets are dedicated to high individual performance, rather than focused on team support. A good 2v2 team can work with many combinations of 2 Pokémon, so an effective attacking movepool is often important. Intimidate shuffling is not possible due to the lack of switches, and Shadow Tag's and U-turn's utility is nullified entirely. This makes games of 2v2 more prediction based and action packed than a standard game of Smogon Doubles, which favors a more positional playstyle. One prediction can turn the tide of the match, and with the 2v2 metagame being as offensive as 1v1's, one heavy hit is often all that’s required to win the game. Games of 2v2 still feature Pokémon that dominate in 1v1, such as Mega Gyarados, alongside Doubles staples.

Similarities to Smogon Doubles

Working with two Pokémon at the same time gives rise to a number of strategies that resemble Smogon Doubles more than 1v1. Fake Out is as typical a move in 2v2 as it is in Smogon Doubles, and Protect and redirection moves are still common sights. Though common in 1v1, Hyper Beam and similar sacrificial moves are seen as too risky in 2v2, as a Hyper Beam knockout does not guarantee the trainer a win and leaves the user vulnerable, potentially for the rest of the match, with games usually lasting no more than a few turns.

Common teaming strategies include Tapu Koko providing Electric Terrain for Hawlucha, Oranguru setting up Trick Room for Camerupt, and Banette working together with Whimsicott to Encore + Disable trap a foe. Disrupting an opponent can be as effective as helping your own teammates in 2v2, as Pokémon are unable to switch out to reset these disruptions. Many Pokémon that are Doubles staples work very well on 2v2 teams, such as Tapu Fini, Kartana, Kyurem-B, and Mega Charizard Y.

Effective movesets

• Tyranitar @ Tyranitarite
• Ability: Sand Stream
• EVs: 56 HP / 200 Atk / 252 Spe
• Jolly Nature
• - Dragon Dance
• - Rock Slide
• - Crunch
• - Protect

Mega Tyranitar is seen as one of the best Pokémon in 2v2, and for good reason. Its Mega forme has one of the highest base stat totals of the tier, and its Rock Slides can put a dent in anything. The additional double flinch chance on Rock Slide can turn the tide in a losing match, while Crunch is a reliable and decently powerful attack.

Having Sand Stream as both a pre-Mega and a post-Mega ability is not a waste, as it enables Tyranitar to get the upper hand over other weather summoners like Pelipper and Mega Charizard Y, which are only able to put up their respective weather once during the battle. Mega Tyranitar is a powerful threat that pairs well with Fake Out users, Rock-types, and Excadrill. It often requires good prediction though, as it's rather slow before it sets up with Dragon Dance, so timing the use of Protect and Dragon Dance is crucial.

• Zeraora @ Life Orb
• Ability: Volt Absorb
• EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
• Jolly Nature
• - Fake Out
• - Plasma Fists
• - Close Combat
• - Taunt

Zeraora is a newer addition that can give a teammate a free turn by using Fake Out or prevent an opponent from using a setup move like Trick Room with Taunt. Plasma Fists is a high-powered move, especially when boosted by Life Orb, and is Zeraora's best offensive move, as Z-Moves are banned from 2v2 play. Zeraora works best when used in conjunction with another offensive ally, as such Pokémon most appreciate the odd coverage and disturbance the tiger can provide. Hoopa-U is a premier example of a good partner, as it can hit targets trying to use Protect against Zeraora's Fake Out by breaking through their protection with its Hyperspace attacks.

• Landorus-Therian @ Yache Berry
• Ability: Intimidate
• EVs: 252 HP / 40 Def / 100 SpA / 68 SpD / 48 Spe
• Bold Nature
• IVs: 0 Atk
• - Earth Power
• - Hidden Power Ice
• - Protect
• - Sludge Bomb

Though in singles metagames Landorus-T is usually seen running a physical set, in Doubles formats it can run a specially offensive set as well, depending on what the team needs. Physical Landorus-T usually opts for a physical Z-Earthquake set with Rock Tomb, while special sets use its extensive special movepool to lessen the effectiveness of an opponent's Intimidate user, like Mawile or opposing Landorus-T. It runs Ice / Ground coverage, with Hidden Power Ice hitting foes that are immune to Earth Power by virtue of their typing. As Stealth Rock and U-turn are virtually useless in 2v2, Landorus-T runs Sludge Bomb to catch Tapu Bulu off guard, as well as less common Grass-types like Whimsicott. The EVs allow Landorus-T to take Mega Swampert's Waterfall in the rain and outspeed Pelipper, making it an asset even against rain teams.

Sample teams

Notable tournament games

In this 1v1 Premier League semifinals game between MotoGP and AllFourtyOne, a very close game ensues between a Trick Room and an offensive team. Getting enough damage off on the Oranguru for Zeraora to KO it before its own Life Orb KOes the tiger will end up being the deciding factor in this game.

Another prediction-heavy game during the semifinals of 1v1PL, where Pigeons faces off against Anime Sans.

Links

• The 2v2 thread with many resources can be found here.
• A sets compendium, where you can look at many of the tier's effective sets, can be found here.

Closing thoughts

If you'd like to start playing 2v2, it's a challenge format on Pokémon Showdown!, so it's always playable there. You can join the 1v1 room and ask for a match there. If you don't like any of the sample teams, you can get some help with building your own team in the 1v1 room or look at the Viability Rankings and set compendium linked above. You'll be able to play 2v2 on the ladder whenever it's picked as Other Metagame of the Month. Have fun!

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