Results and Stats from the 2013 Japan Cup
With the Japan Cup once again determining which players would move on to the 2013 Japan National Championships, players pulled out all the stops to insure they’d be in the Top 32 in their division. The ladder-based WiFi tournament took place from May 3rd to May 6th and we have the results for you below.
Standings
Masters
- jetajwehe
- yoshiki517
- shunba64
- koji0902
- Byakuyakou
- mas013
- syaronalex
- YuuiChi
- cyberbeatnation (huuryu)
- penguin2142
- godsoul
- Ankodayo
- ktkbA
- Omarunorm
- tsuganezawa
- geryoberuboke
- matsuteru
- LelouchxPN
- kurorubo
- yasumatu
- BIDCp
- LadyAmaryllis
- kyou528
- toradragon
- masaVAmpharos
- 0220suki
- carpzuki
- ninoykr
- SSSYuri
- airarei
- ennui
- KRKR
Seniors
- black10white10
- aaaawc
- SANTA14
- maltuku
- sokaking
- pokemonpanman
- kfkkxc
- shota2010
- katudondesuyo
- nagitami
- takanome1998
- rumorumo
- gaku819
- takashi58
- 777yoru
- Spika1995
- doradonkippei
- pasuwado
- shinhowaito
- hiromaruchi
- syotakano
- yakitoribouya
- GURASU
- kfkkxc
- rotommotor
- runnpappapappa
- tdjkimu
- ayumu510
- envy0423madao
- BAHHURON
- TOMO39
- kamianthony
Juniors
- haruka0810
- koutakouta08
- Ringhilas
- tittonshan
- seigoseigo06
- chihiro1013
- ikkeis
- ikkeis
- yachinpi
- yuma820
- kelta
- Ringhilas
- sealion
- towatti108
- haruka0810
- tomoya220
- koutakouta08
- kanasaburo
- TomoyaY
- kota0yamamoto
- kelta
- SakamotoRyouma
- 15ichigo15
- nao0312
- sakuyadayo
- saayu
- ryochanx
- kota0yamamoto
- tutattikun
- syunsyuntarou
- RUKARUKA
- HARUKAO
Familiar names Katsumi from the Japan vs USA vs Europe International Friendly and 2012 Japan National Champion Satoru Masukata (huuuryu) have both qualified for Nationals in the Masters Division. To no surprise, the Seniors Division sees the return of familiar faces Shota Yamamoto and Santa Ito as they attempt to earn their fourth and fifth straight World Championship appearances respectively. Shota was the 2010 Junior World Champion and has appeared in every World Championships since then. Santa made his way into the finals of the Junior Division but lost in both 2009 and 2010. He has also played in every World Championship since his first appearance.
Usage Stats
Japan’s Top 10 placings differed a little from the worldwide stats we usually see after the International Friendlies and as a result is pretty interesting to look at! 5162 Masters placed in the rankings and this is what the top players used:
1. Cresselia
Common Teammates
| Moves | % | Items | % | Natures | % | Abilities | % | |
| 1 | Ice Beam | 77.2% | Sitrus Berry | 49.4% | Sassy | 36.6% | Levitate | 100% |
| 2 | Trick Room | 52.1% | Lum Berry | 13.5% | Modest | 23.1% | ||
| 3 | Psyshock | 46.3% | Leftovers | 10.8% | Bold | 17.3% | ||
| 4 | Helping Hand | 38.6% | Expert Belt | 9.6% | Calm | 11.1% | ||
| 5 | Psychic | 35.1% | Light Clay | 3.8% | Timid | 7.7% | ||
| 6 | Thunder Wave | 32.8% | Psychic Gem | 3.4% | Quiet | 2.3% | ||
| 7 | Hidden Power | 28.1% | Mental Herb | 3.0% | Relaxed | 1.5% | ||
| 8 | Swagger | 23.5% | Chesto Berry | 1.5% | ||||
| 9 | Icy Wind | 16.6% | Macho Brace | 0.7% | ||||
| 10 | Safeguard | 6.9% | Choice Specs | 0.3% |
2. Thundurus
Common Teammates
| Moves | % | Items | % | Natures | % | Abilities | % | |
| 1 | Thunderbolt | 84.1% | Choice Specs | 31.1% | Timid | 45.5% | Volt Absorb | 51.6% |
| 2 | Hidden Power | 73.9% | Electric Gem | 25.1% | Calm | 36.2% | Prankster | 47.9% |
| 3 | Thunder Wave | 42.3% | Sitrus Berry | 24.1% | Modest | 15.8% | Defiant | 0.4% |
| 4 | Thunder | 37.2% | Leftovers | 5.1% | Bold | 0.9% | ||
| 5 | Taunt | 33.4% | Focus Sash | 4.6% | Hasty | 0.4% | ||
| 6 | Protect | 26.9% | Choice Scarf | 3.7% | Jolly | 0.4% | ||
| 7 | Grass Knot | 26.0% | Life Orb | 1.8% | Relaxed | 0.4% | ||
| 8 | Swagger | 22.7% | Flying Gem | 0.9% | ||||
| 9 | Focus Blast | 16.7% | Yache Berry | 0.9% | ||||
| 10 | Volt Switch | 14.8% | Choice Band | 0.4% |
3. Tyranitar
Common Teammates
| Moves | % | Items | % | Natures | % | Abilities | % | |
| 1 | Rock Slide | 98.4 | Choice Scarf | 31.4% | Brave | 36.6% | Sandstream | 100% |
| 2 | Crunch | 91.0 | Chople Berry | 31.4% | Jolly | 36.6% | ||
| 3 | Protect | 65.4 | Dark Gem | 14.1% | Adamant | 25.1% | ||
| 4 | Low Kick | 50.7 | Tanga Berry | 6.2% | Careful | 1.0% | ||
| 5 | Fire Punch | 48.6 | Iron Ball | 5.7% | Hasty | 0.5% | ||
| 6 | Ice Punch | 29.3 | Persim Berry | 2.0% | ||||
| 7 | Superpower | 5.7 | Choice Band | 1.5% | ||||
| 8 | Fling | 4.1 | Lum Berry | 1.5% | ||||
| 9 | Fire Blast | 2.0 | Sitrus Berry | 1.5% | ||||
| 10 | Pursuit | 1.5 | Focus Sash | 1.0% |
4. Landorus
Common Teammates
| Moves | % | Items | % | Natures | % | Abilities | % | |
| 1 | Earthquake | 96.1% | Focus Sash | 38.7% | Adamant | 51.9% | Intimidate | 95.6% |
| 2 | U-Turn | 94.5% | Choice Scarf | 37.1% | Jolly | 43.1% | Sand Force | 2.1% |
| 3 | Rock Slide | 78.6% | Yache Berry | 18.5% | Timid | 2.7% | Sheer Force | 2.1% |
| 4 | Protect | 60.6% | Ground Gem | 2.7% | Careful | 1.0% | ||
| 5 | Stone Edge | 28.9% | Life Orb | 2.1% | Brave | 0.5% | ||
| 6 | Superpower | 25.6% | Normal Gem | 0.5% | Modest | 0.5% | ||
| 7 | Earth Power | 4.9% | ||||||
| 8 | Hidden Power | 3.2% | ||||||
| 9 | Psychic | 2.1% | ||||||
| 10 | Explosion | 1.6% |
5. Scizor
Common Teammates
| Moves | % | Items | % | Natures | % | Abilities | % | |
| 1 | Bullet Punch | 99.4% | Steel Gem | 42.8% | Adamant | 65.4% | Technician | 100% |
| 2 | Bug Bite | 98.8% | Bug Gem | 14.8% | Brave | 32.1% | ||
| 3 | Protect | 88.6% | Occa Berry | 14.8% | Careful | 1.1% | ||
| 4 | Swords Dance | 69.0% | Choice Band | 8.9% | Jolly | 1.1% | ||
| 5 | Acrobatics | 13.0% | Lum Berry | 7.1% | ||||
| 6 | U-Turn | 10.1% | Flying Gem | 5.3% | ||||
| 7 | Superpower | 8.3% | Choice Scarf | 1.1% | ||||
| 8 | Aerial Ace | 7.1% | Focus Sash | 1.1% | ||||
| 9 | Quick Attack | 2.3% | Leftovers | 1.1% | ||||
| 10 | Double Hit | 0.5% | Life Orb | 0.5% |
6. Metagross
Common Teammates
| Moves | % | Items | % | Natures | % | Abilities | % | |
| 1 | Meteor Mash | 89.6% | Lum Berry | 49.0% | Adamant | 94.8% | Clear Body | 100% |
| 2 | Protect | 80.6% | Choice Band | 12.9% | Brave | 3.8% | ||
| 3 | Zen Headbutt | 79.3% | Normal Gem | 10.9% | Careful | 0.6% | ||
| 4 | Bullet Punch | 54.1% | Psychic Gem | 6.4% | Jolly | 0.6% | ||
| 5 | Earthquake | 50.9% | Sitrus Berry | 5.1% | ||||
| 6 | Explosion | 17.4% | Occa Berry | 4.5% | ||||
| 7 | Hammer Arm | 12.9% | Shuca Berry | 3.8% | ||||
| 8 | Ice Punch | 5.1% | Custap Berry | 1.2% | ||||
| 9 | Iron Head | 3.2% | Life Orb | 1.2% | ||||
| 10 | Rock Slide | 2.5% | Metal Coat | 1.2% |
7. Latios
Common Teammates
| Moves | % | Items | % | Natures | % | Abilities | % | |
| 1 | Draco Meteor | 98.0% | Dragon Gem | 33.5% | Timid | 89.6% | Levitate | 100% |
| 2 | Protect | 59.3% | Choice Specs | 18.7% | Modest | 10.3% | ||
| 3 | Psyshock | 56.1% | Life Orb | 17.4% | ||||
| 4 | Hidden Power | 43.8% | Choice Scarf | 15.4% | ||||
| 5 | Trick | 22.5% | Focus Sash | 11.6% | ||||
| 6 | Psychic | 18.0% | Light Clay | 1.9% | ||||
| 7 | Ice Beam | 17.4% | Haban Berry | 0.6% | ||||
| 8 | Safeguard | 12.2% | Lum Berry | 0.6% | ||||
| 9 | Thunder | 10.9% | ||||||
| 10 | Light Screen | 10.3% |
8. Gastrodon
Common Teammates
| Moves | % | Items | % | Natures | % | Abilities | % | |
| 1 | Earth Power | 95.9% | Ground Gem | 34.6% | Quiet | 41.1% | Storm Drain | 100% |
| 2 | Protect | 94.3% | Leftovers | 33.0% | Calm | 27.4% | ||
| 3 | Ice Beam | 70.1% | Rindo Berry | 18.5% | Modest | 22.5% | ||
| 4 | Muddy Water | 45.1% | Sitrus Berry | 6.4% | Bold | 4.8% | ||
| 5 | Recover | 32.2% | Rocky Helmet | 4.8% | Sasy | 2.4% | ||
| 6 | Toxic | 15.3% | Custap Berry | 0.8% | Careful | 0.8% | ||
| 7 | Substitute | 12.9% | Expert Belt | 0.8% | Relaxed | 0.8% | ||
| 8 | Scald | 12.0% | Lum Berry | 0.8% | ||||
| 9 | Hidden Power | 9.6% | ||||||
| 10 | Icy Wind | 6.4% |
9. Hitmontop
Common Teammates
| Moves | % | Items | % | Natures | % | Abilities | % | |
| 1 | Fake Out | 100% | Fighting Gem | 81.1% | Adamant | 49.5% | Intimidate | 99.1% |
| 2 | Close Combat | 98.2% | Dark Gem | 10.2% | Careful | 39.3% | Technician | 0.8% |
| 3 | Wide Guard | 41.8% | Rock Gem | 2.5% | Brave | 4.2% | ||
| 4 | Sucker Punch | 41.0% | Eject Button | 1.7% | Sassy | 4.2% | ||
| 5 | Feint | 32.4% | Sitrus Berry | 1.7% | Jolly | 2.5% | ||
| 6 | Helping Hand | 29.0% | BrightPowder | 0.8% | ||||
| 7 | Stone Edge | 21.3% | Chesto Berry | 0.8% | ||||
| 8 | Detect | 12.8% | White Herb | 0.8% | ||||
| 9 | Mach Punch | 9.4% | ||||||
| 10 | Rock Slide | 5.9% |
10. Politoed
| Moves | % | Items | % | Natures | % | Abilities | % | |
| 1 | Protect | 85.9% | Water Gem | 37.7% | Modest | 35.9% | Drizzle | 100% |
| 2 | Ice Beam | 67.5% | Sitrus Berry | 29.8% | Calm | 28.9% | ||
| 3 | Helping Hand | 50.8% | Wacan Berry | 14.0% | Quiet | 22.8% | ||
| 4 | Scald | 50.8% | Iron Ball | 5.2% | Sassy | 7.8% | ||
| 5 | Hydro Pump | 49.1% | Leftovers | 5.2% | Relaxed | 1.7% | ||
| 6 | Perish Song | 32.4% | Choice Scarf | 3.5% | Timid | 1.7% | ||
| 7 | Hidden Power | 19.2% | Eject Button | 0.8% | Bold | 0.8% | ||
| 8 | Encore | 11.4% | Expert Belt | 0.8% | ||||
| 9 | Icy Wind | 9.6% | Rindo Berry | 0.8% | ||||
| 10 | Hypnosis | 6.1% | Rocky Helmet | 0.8% |
About the Author
Firestorm is one of the co-founders of Nugget Bridge and the Community Manager for eSports Tournament Platform Battlefy. He has been playing Pokémon since 1999, competitively since 2007, and attending tournaments since 2010. He lives in Vancouver, Canada with a degree in Interactive Art & Technology + Communications. You can follow him on Twitter at @rushanshekar.
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9 Responses to Results and Stats from the 2013 Japan Cup
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It’s really interesting how they use a more offensive Gastrodon / Hitmontop than us, and that RainRoom is almost a standard over there now. I really like that Abomasnow is seeing a lot of usage as a partner with Hitmontop. The sets they use for Latios are intriguing also. Really cool how we can get their statistics too, thanks for the article Firestorm!
Nice to see my bro landy land in the top 5, too.
I don’t know what kind of teams the Japanese people I play on GBU are using, but I’m shocked to see Swagger with only 22% usage on thund.
Juniors
number 7 and 8 are both “ikkeis” ??
There are actually a lot of duplicates in Juniors but they all have different trainer names. I’m not sure exactly what’s going on there, but it is correct.
This is pretty interesting.Some things to note being the popularity of the therians, Scizor being over Metagross, Swords dance being scizor’s 4th used move in japan, Scarf being tied for the most used item on tar, Toed barely in the top 10 and substitute not being in the top 10 for latios. It also shows that there is quite a difference when comparing our metagame. Rain has become increasingly popular while in japan it is decreasing, and Metagross is not the #2 used pokemon in comparison with the japan cup.
That’s not really all too different from where we are now, thundt is popular now since rain up in use here, scizor is now used more that metagross, swords dance is a staple on him now, not many people even used sub latios in the first place here (not saying it’s bad, just not too popular).
What really kind of baffles me though is the 32% of politoeds have perish song. I have to wonder if that’s because perish trap sees much more usage over there or if people actually use it on regular teams as kind of a last ditch effort to make sure that people don’t get crazy 2v4 comebacks or something.
Before helping hand was released, I do remember seeing a lot of Japanese players who had Perish Song on their Politoed as their choice 4th move (others moves being Ice Beam, Protect, and a Water move). Rain teams can often demolish an opponent’s frail attackers leaving some bulky pokemon behind. Perish Song ensures that they have no chance of making a last stand. eg. Ferrothorn being able to wall the rest of the team, because your Pokemon that is able to handle Ferrothorn has fainted or is crippled and will have troubles switching in to finish the job.
Just a few months ago this one Japanese dude ran right through my team a very similar style to what is described above. Once it was 2 vs. 3 he used perish song and spammed protect while I desperately tried to deal even a little bit of damage. It wasn’t the exact sort of team R Inanimate described though, it was like this perfect splice between a perish trap team and a rain team. I’d totally love to run something like that at Nationals….