Pokemon Urshifu: A Powerful Game-Changer in Pokemon Sword and Shield

The introduction of the legendary Pokemon Urshifu in Pokemon Sword and Shield has caused quite a stir in the professional gaming community. This new addition has not only sparked controversy but also disrupted the competitive scene, leaving players with mixed feelings about its impact.

Renowned Pokemon VGC world champion from 2016, Wolfe Glick, shares his thoughts on Urshifu in a video titled “Is this Pokemon ruining the game?”. According to Glick, Urshifu has completely transformed the competitive landscape of Pokemon Sword and Shield. Although he believes that the game is not suited for tournament play due to its complex mechanics and vast character pool, Glick recognizes the importance of one move in enabling strategic gameplay – Protect.

Glick argues that Protect, a move that allows players to defend their team from incoming attacks, is often considered useless in regular gameplay. However, in competitive battles, Protect serves as a crucial tool for strategic positioning and protection. It is the cornerstone of competitive Pokemon battles.

Unfortunately, the introduction of Urshifu and its ability Unseen Fist has disrupted the traditional use of Protect. Unseen Fist allows Urshifu to bypass opponents’ protective moves when executing physical attacks, making it a force to be reckoned with. With its Fighting/Dark or Fighting/Water typing, Urshifu stands as one of the most powerful creatures in the game. Its two different forms and exceptionally strong signature moves that always land critical hits further enhance its dominance.

According to Glick, Urshifu’s ability to ignore Protect, coupled with its lack of weaknesses and immense power, completely undermines the competitive balance of the game. In recent tournaments, Urshifu has emerged victoriously in five out of six significant events, securing an impressive second-place finish in the remaining one. Glick suggests that the game would be considerably improved without the presence of this legendary Pokemon, as it disrupts the established rules and creates an unfavorable gameplay experience.

This recent development poses a significant challenge for the global Pokemon Sword and Shield community. Players must now adapt to the exceptional skills of Urshifu and find ways to counter its formidable presence. With the impact of this new addition, it remains to be seen whether it will influence the future development of the game, forcing the tournament scene to adjust and overcome this extraordinary adversary.

Check out where Pokemon Sword and Shield ranks on our list of the best Pokemon games.