The combination of Pokémon on this team may test their opponent's skill (and nerves) more than any other team in the history of the Video Game Championships. Xerneas holds Power Herb, which causes its Geomancy move to boost its Speed, Special Attack, and Special Defense by two levels in a single turn. This extra power makes Xerneas one of the key attackers on this team. All that potential makes it tempting for opponents to try to knock out Xerneas before it can take advantage of its elevated stats, but this team has a number of ways to protect Xerneas. Smeargle can use Follow Me and Fake Out to stop opponents from attacking Xerneas directly, or just use Dark Void and attempt to put both opponents to sleep. Both Smeargle and Xerneas are Pokémon that demand immediate attention—this strategy puts opponents into the difficult situation of having to pick which Pokémon to try to take down.

The rest of the team isn't much easier to handle. Kangaskhan can help Smeargle use Dark Void or Xerneas use Geomancy by causing an opponent to flinch with its own Fake Out attack. Kangaskhan can also discourage opponents from focusing on Xerneas or Smeargle: attacking into Xerneas's Protect or Smeargle's Spiky Shield while Mega Kangaskhan uses Power-Up Punch to boost its Attack by two levels with minimal penalty can quickly change the course of a battle.

It's a testament to the volume of tricks on this team that we haven't even mentioned Groudon yet, a Pokémon many Trainers consider to be the strongest available. Primal Groudon often only needs a couple of turns to decimate an opposing team with a combination of powerful moves, and the huge number of distractions on this team often gives it the time it needs.

Talonflame can help the team gain a speed advantage with Tailwind, and it can move before an opposing Xerneas even after a Geomancy boost, thanks to Gale Wings. Quick Guard is Talonflame's key move: it can defend Xerneas and Smeargle from moves with increased priority, particularly Fake Out from Mega Kangaskhan and Prankster-boosted Thunder Wave or Taunt from Thundurus.

Salamence can sometimes help its teammates endure an extra hit thanks to the Attack drop from its Intimidate Ability, and it becomes a serious damage threat as Mega Salamence, particularly to Rayquaza.

Each Pokémon on this popular team can cause match-ending pitfalls, so make sure to plan your turns carefully if you come up against a team similar to this one. And if you're playing in a Winter Regional Championships this year, you probably will!

Other Pokémon frequently used on teams with Groudon, Xerneas, and Smeargle:

Only Two Can Stop Forest Fires

The combination of Kyogre and Rayquaza has been the second most common pairing of restricted Pokémon so far this season, falling short of only Groudon and Xerneas. This duo tries to leverage Groudon's popularity to win battles, as their greatest strength is the constant pressure they apply to enemy Groudon. The combination of Primal Kyogre's Primordial Sea, Rayquaza's Air Lock, and Mega Rayquaza's Delta Stream Abilities make it very difficult for Primal Groudon to keep its Desolate Land Ability active, allowing Rayquaza and Kyogre to knock it out with their Water-type attacks.