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Mythical Pokemon have only been occasionally seen in the VGC format. Is it time for them to be allowed on a regular basis?
In terms of viability, there’s no reason why Mythical Pokemon should not be allowed in VGC. Mythical Pokemon are returning to the format in Regulation J, but are only restricted to the online ladder and not tournaments. While some of them have the potential to do well, quite a few of them are destined to do poorly. In fact, many are outclassed by non-Restricted Pokemon like Flutter Mane or Chien-Pao.
So let’s look at why Mythical Pokemon should be allowed in VGC and why they haven’t been so far.
Why Are Mythical Pokemon Not Seen Regularly in VGC?
The main reason Mythical Pokemon are usually not legal is accessibility. Many of these Pokemon cannot be caught directly in-game and are mostly distributed via events. Also, keep in mind that Mythical Pokemon have been around since Generation 1 with Mew, so many of these distributions were in-person events. If you didn’t get your hands on them during those specific instances, you just wouldn’t get them.
That said, even with the arrival of the internet and online distribution, things haven’t improved much. For instance, if a player wanted to use Deoxys Attack, they would have to catch it via the Delta Episode in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, transfer it to Pokemon HOME, and then bring it over to Pokemon Scarlet and Violet to use it. To be clear, you need two games on two separate consoles and an online service to transfer Deoxys to a game where you can use it. The cost is just too much for most players to consider.
Mythicals Are Not Stronger Than Other Restricted Pokemon Allowed in VGC
It is worth noting that despite some exceptions, it has become easier for players to get Mythical Pokemon. For example, Arceus can be caught in the game named after it, while Mew can be acquired from Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu and Let’s Go Eevee. However, this still requires the player to purchase multiple games (and in the case of Mew, a $50 accessory).
Additionally, compared to other Restricted Pokemon like Koraidon or Calyrex Shadow Rider, you don’t have the option to reset the game multiple times for the nature and stats you might want for your Mythical to be competitively viable.
However, with the arrival of Pokemon Champions and the option to tweak these things, there might not be any reason to continue banning Mythicals much longer. In fact, when competing with other Restricted Legendaries, many of their stats just don’t hold up. These Pokemon take up a Restricted slot if brought to a game, so players might not use them simply out of choice. As such, a ban on them seems arbitrary in the current meta.
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