Regulation M-B is the biggest shakeup Pokémon Champions has seen since launch. The update dropped alongside the game's mobile release, and it brought 22 new Pokémon and 15 Held Items into the mix, including Mega Evolution forms that change how several of those new arrivals actually play. If you've been waiting for Hoenn starters or Gen 9 fan favorites, the wait is over.
What new Pokémon were added in Regulation M-B?
The headliners are Mega Raichu (both forms) and the Hoenn starter trio: Sceptile, Blaziken, and Swampert. These are some of the most recognizable Pokémon in the franchise, and their arrival gives competitive teams a lot of new directions to explore. Gen 9 representation also got a meaningful boost with Annihilape and Gholdengo joining the roster, two Pokémon that have been dominant in mainline competitive formats for years.
Beyond the headliners, the full list of 22 new additions covers a wide spread of types and playstyles. Grimmsnarl brings Dark/Fairy support utility, Metagross adds a Steel/Psychic powerhouse, and Gholdengo brings its Steel/Ghost typing that makes it notoriously difficult to deal with through conventional means. Type coverage across the new additions is genuinely diverse, which should keep the meta from immediately collapsing into a single dominant archetype.
Mega Raichu joins Regulation M-B
Here's the complete list of every mon added with Regulation M-B:
What new Held Items does Regulation M-B add?
15 Held Items arrived with the update, and they cover a lot of ground. Weather teams get the biggest boost: Icy Rock, Smooth Rock, Heat Rock, and Damp Rock all extend their respective weather conditions to 8 turns, which is a significant jump from the default duration. If weather-based teams weren't already on your radar, they should be now.
For general offensive use, Life Orb is the standout. A 30% damage boost on every move is massive, but the 10% max HP cost per turn means you need to plan around it carefully. Expert Belt gives a cleaner 20% boost specifically on super effective hits, which rewards smart type matchup play without the HP drain. Muscle Band and Wise Glasses each offer a flat 10% boost to physical and special attacks respectively, making them safer options for Pokémon that can't afford the Life Orb tax.
New Held Items in Regulation M-B
Metronome rewards repetition: it stacks 20% power per consecutive use of the same move, up to a maximum of 100%. That's a doubling of base power on a move you've used five times in a row, which sounds niche but can be devastating on the right mon with the right moveset.
Iron Ball is the most situational of the bunch. It cuts Speed by 50% and makes Flying-types and Pokémon with Levitate vulnerable to Ground moves. That's a liability in most situations, but it has specific applications in trick-based strategies.
Here's the full Held Item breakdown:
How does Regulation M-B change the competitive meta?
The Hoenn starters arriving together means Blaziken and its Fire/Fighting typing brings immediate pressure to teams that lack a reliable answer to that combination. Swampert fills a Water/Ground role that covers Electric-type immunity, which is always useful in doubles formats. Sceptile is the least immediately threatening of the three, but its Grass typing fills gaps in certain team compositions.
Gholdengo is the addition that experienced players will be watching most closely. Its Steel/Ghost typing gives it only two weaknesses (Ghost and Dark), and its ability in mainline games makes it immune to status moves. Testing against various team compositions confirms it's going to be a fixture in high-level play.
The weather item changes are the biggest systemic shift. Extending all four weather conditions to 8 turns means weather-based teams become significantly more consistent. Expect Rain Dance, Sunny Day, Sandstorm, and Hail teams to appear much more frequently at all levels of play.
Where should you start with Regulation M-B?
If you're new to the game or returning after a break, the Regulation M-B update is a good entry point. The expanded roster gives you more team-building options, and the new Held Items add meaningful strategic depth without making the game harder to understand at a surface level.
For players already deep in the competitive side, the priority is figuring out how the new additions slot into existing archetypes. Annihilape and Gholdengo both have competitive histories in mainline formats, so there's a reasonable baseline for how to build around them. The Hoenn starters will need more testing, but Blaziken and Swampert have obvious homes on offensive and balance teams respectively.
For everything else you need to get up to speed, the full Pokémon Champions strategy guides collection covers battle mechanics, VP farming, starter rankings, and more.