Pokémon: 'Blastoise, Mew, and Celebi Arrive!'

Strategic details on Pokkén Tournament DX’s latest challenger.

☆ NintendObs Weekly – Monday, March 26, 2018 – Sunday, April 1, 2018.

Pokkén Tournament DX

Blastoise, Mew, and Celebi Arrive!

The second wave of the Pokkén Tournament DX Battle Pack DLC for Nintendo Switch is now available. This new update introduces the mighty Blastoise to the lineup of Battle Pokémon. Blastoise is a Power character, meaning that it’s relatively slow-moving, but it packs a wallop! It also clocks in with an impressive 660 HP, so your opponents will have their work cut out for them as they slowly whittle down Blastoise’s health.

Knowing how to play Blastoise is crucial. You’ll want to get close to your opponent right away to avoid them dancing around the sluggish Blastoise and hitting it with long-range attacks. Luckily, Blastoise makes good use of the water cannons protruding from its shell to pull off some powerful long-range attacks of its own that can put you in a good position. These multiple attacks hit at different angles and distances, so be sure to experiment so you know which move to pull off in any given situation.

As shown in the screenshot above, Hydro Pump aims slightly upward, so it’s useful when an opponent is jumping towards you. With Water Spout, on the other hand, Blastoise launches water up into the air, which then falls in a torrent a few steps in front of it. Use this move against opponents that are just beyond Blastoise’s reach.

One attack that will prove extremely useful is Rapid Spin (performed by pressing forward + A). During this move, Blastoise withdraws into its shell and spins forward through the air while spraying water out of the holes in its shell. Not only does this attack hit hard, but it quickly closes the distance between Blastoise and its opponent. Rapid Spin is also one of several moves that can instantly transition into Blastoise’s Shell Fortress Stance by holding down the R Button as the attack is in progress.

In this defensive stance, Blastoise again withdraws into its shell, but this time for protection against a quick counter attack. It’s also good for throwing your opponent off, and it easily flows into a follow-up attack. In fact, multiple Rapid Spin attacks can be chained together by dropping into the Shell Fortress Stance between them. If your opponent is not prepared for such a barrage, Blastoise can do some massive damage.

Blastoise also has an impressive Synergy Burst in which it Mega Evolves into Mega Blastoise and can unleash an incredible blast of water. However, before initiating this Burst Attack, make sure your opponent is lined up right in front of Blastoise. This super move begins with Blastoise charging straight forward for a short distance, so if your opponent is standing off to the side or is too far away, the attack won’t connect. If it does hit, though, sit back and enjoy the show!

New Support Pokémon: Mew and Celebi

Wave 2 of the Battle Pack DLC also brings a pair of new Support Pokémon—the Mythical Pokémon Mew and Celebi. This duo provides valuable backup during a battle by distracting your foe, boosting your stats, and allowing you the opportunity to set up your next attack.

If you’re looking to become a more formidable fighter, the Enhance type Mew is the Support Pokémon you want on your team. The Miraculous Power skill can increase your Battle Pokémon’s attack strength and cause all the Battle Pokémon’s attacks to become critical hits, increasing the damage dished out. Mew will also slightly increase your Synergy Gauge, putting you that much closer to pulling off your most powerful technique. Mew’s charge time is fast, so you can potentially get it early in the match.

Celebi is a Disrupt type Support Pokémon. Its Time Travel skill may have a slow charge time, but it’s useful if you want to throw your opponents off their game. Time Travel doesn’t deal damage—instead, it forces a Phase Shift when it hits its intended target. This is a good way to interrupt your opponent’s attacks and set up a counter attack of your own. It’s also one method to combat Pokémon that have an advantage in a particular phase.

Remember, the Pokkén Tournament DX Battle Pack DLC is available to purchase now. In addition to this second wave of characters, purchasing the DLC also entitles you to the initial wave, which includes the Battle Pokémon Aegislash, and the Support Pokémon Mega Rayquaza and Mimikyu. (You can learn more about those Pokémon’s techniques here.) Now hone those fighting skills, and prove yourself to be a Pokkén Tournament DX champion!

Source: Pokémon.