Pokemon Champions needs this item back and needs it now

When Pokemon Champions When it first came out, like many other fans involved with VGC at various levels and even non-VGC players, I was quick to think that the game should have had more Pokemon and items at launch. I think my perspective has changed a bit over time, and I believe that a smaller Pokemon list is actually very good for an evolving meta, while items depend on what and when is added next. The current selection has given way to a very specific meta like Aerodactyl in Pokemon Champions Be the main attacker in the fight against Mega Charizard Y, use Tailwind to speed up allies and prevent opponents from eating berries.

Naturally, in a Berry-dominated meta, Aerodactyl's Unnerve is extremely useful, while its utility may decrease as better items are added. With the likes of Assault Vest, Rocky Helmet, Choice Band, and Choice Specs, not to mention the many other Mega Evolutions v Pokemon Legends: ZA after adding and gaining new abilities, the Unnerve can become less powerful and thus the Aerodactyl itself. The meta is inevitably tied to what kind of Pokemon and items are available, and what's good now can change dramatically in the future. Still, I believe that one item should have been in the game on day one, and its absence encourages a rather toxic meta.

The best teams for double battles in Pokemon Champions

Discover the most powerful duo meta in Pokemon Champions for dual battles, including battle stats, ideal movesets, strategy, abilities and gameplay overview.

Pokemon Scarlet and VioletCovert Cloak instantly became a staple of VGC as it prevents all secondary effects on opposing turns. For example, Fake Out will deal damage to a Pokémon with Covert Cloak, but will not flinch that Pokémon. Reason Pokemon Champions needed this item at startup and still desperately needs it, it's very simple: jerk yourself off.

GameRant Quiz

Easy (15s) Medium (10s) Hard (5s) Permadeath (5s)

The current meta is as follows:

Sneasler in Pokemon Champions offers incredible speed, Fake Out support, and powerful STAB moves like Close Combat and Dire Claw.
Kingambit is an Incineroar counter Pokemon Champions with Defiant, it boosts its attack whenever intimidated and gets very powerful attacks to counter Ghost, Psychic, and Fairy-type Pokemon.
Basculegion is an endgame beast thanks to adaptability that increases its Last Respects damage, and it can also deal massive damage with water moves. It is also ideal for rain teams Pokemon Champions.
Incineroar is a popular Fake Out and Intimidate user, with good size to survive enemy attacks while dealing decent damage and having more utility through Parting Shot.
Garchomp in Pokemon Champions it offers very good damage and speed, with incredible coverage and different sets available, such as Choice Scarf, Citrus Berry, Soft Sand, and White Herb.
Aerodactyl offers Tailwind support, high damage, incredible speed and nerf. Aerodactyl v Pokemon Champions is one of the main abusers of the Rock Slide flinch effect.
Mega Charizard Y and Venusaur form a powerful duo for Sun teams Pokemon Championsincreases Charizard's damage and makes Solar Beam instant while also doubling Venusaur's Speed for using Sleep Powder or attacking moves.
Mega Floette is possibly the best Mega Evolution v Pokemon Championsas he has awesome stats, Fairy Aura for damage boost and access to powerful moves like Dazzling Gleam, Moonblast and Light of Ruin.
Farigiraf is the best creature to build Trick Room teams in Pokemon Champions for the win because he has few resistances, great size, good moves and an ability that makes even his ally immune to Fake Out.
Archaludon is the best attacker in rain teams because it has a powerful electric type move that also boosts its special attack while also having fantastic size, stats in general, and type mix.
Whimsicott is one of the best Grass type pokemon ever and has a Prankster plus Tailwind combo that activates it even faster than Aerodactyl.
Tyranitar allows sand teams inside Pokemon Championsit has a very strong Mega Evolution and together with Excadrill form one of the strongest and most dangerous leads in the game, thanks to the double Rock Slide.
Milotic and Corviknight both counter Incineroar and serve the same purpose as bulky attackers that can survive well in chaotic end sections. Their increase in usage goes hand in hand with the entry of Incineroar Pokemon Champions.
Aegislash is a great attacker that can OHKO Mega Floette with Iron Head, deal massive damage to Basculegion with Poltergeist, if not OHKO, potentially OHKO both Tyranitar and Kingambit with Close Combat and more.
Pokemon ChampionsMega Froslas is one of the best Megas for snow teams, but even as a solo attacker.
Rotom Wash is an amazing attacker with speed control options via Electroweb and Choice Scarf, dealing damage to opponents and reducing their speed by one stage.

There are more Pokémon in the meta that deserve a shout out, like Dragonite, Maushold, Talonflame, and Sinistcha, but there is one pattern among the few I've already mentioned: secondary effects on attacks. One of the most frustrating things that can happen to you Pokemon Champions is an opponent using two relatively fast attackers who can click Rock Slide at the same time, which can then make your Pokemon flinch very easily.

In fact, Rock Slide is one of the most abused moves in the game right now, and it's a big part of the reason Pokemon like Tyranitar, Excadrill, Aerodactyl, and Garchomp are on every team—sometimes even two or three of them. Rock Slide has 90% accuracy, 75 base power, and its secondary effect is that it can dodge the opponent 30% of the time. With two fast Rock Slide users, the chance of an enemy Pokémon flinching is extremely high, resulting in games where you can't do anything. This has happened to me several times and it is infuriating.

How Covert Cloak can help with luck problems in Pokemon Champions

Covert Cloak wouldn't completely solve the problem since only one Pokémon can use it, but having a Pokémon like Whimsicott or a Pokémon that relies on self-healing or whose job it is to support their ally, wearing Covert Cloak would ensure that something always works out on the turn. Likewise, Covert Cloak stops dodging Fake Out, which is also a big reason why Sneasler and Incineroar are so prevalent right now. A hidden cloak would prevent:

Flick from Fake Out, Rock Slide, Iron Head and similar moves
Burn from Scald, Flare Blitz, Heat Wave and similar moves
Freeze from Blizzard, Ice Beam and similar moves
Effects of Sneasler's Dire Claw (Poison, Sleep, and Paralysis)
Thunderbolt paralysis and similar moves
Confusion from Hurricane and similar moves
Speed reduction from Electroweb, Icy Wind and similar moves
Attack reduction from Trop Kick and similar moves
Special attack reduction from Snarl and similar moves
Special defense reduction from Shadow Ball and similar moves
Psychic Fangs and Brick Break ability to break screens
Accuracy reduction from Muddy Water and similar moves
Unable to use sounds based on moves from Throat Chop

Even a Blastoise and Farigiraf duo can be very painful at times, as the former can use Fake Out to make one of your Pokemon flinch while the latter sets up a Trick Room. Then Mega Blastoise will use Water Spout or some other move to deal massive damage and Farigiraf will either attack or use moves like Rain Dance and Helping Hand to support Mega Blastoise. These are just some of the best Pokemon Pokemon champions or best combo at the moment and Covert Cloak would provide some relief in teambuilding for their consistent presence in the meta.

There are a lot of things that Cover Cloak would block, and I desperately want a meta where clicking Rock Slide to dodge opponents isn't so easy and free. It makes the game a very luck based engine and any way to stop it would be awesome.