UPFC III Power Rankings: Week 2

The sulking two strike back in Week 2 of the UPFC. We also saw formidable trainers in week 2 taking shape, and Veterans showing why they deserve to stay in this league. Here are the Week 2 power rankings

1.- Noah is number one this week for the first time in his UPFC Carrier, and the first time he started 2-0. Defeating Blaze in three games and defeating MrKumaD, Noah has established himself as the top competitor in the league. This trainer's top performers are Kingambit and Ditto, who currently have a KDA of 5, only second to Stevens Gholdengo. In the battle between MrKumaD, Noah was able to establish his dominance early and when in a two-game series. His next opponent against the two-time UPFC Master Champion will be the ultimate test for him this entire season.

2. Steven is number two, not because of his performance, but because he didn’t surprise the league with his matchup against Isaac. Steven’s Haxorus and Gholdengo did what they were supposed to do, each getting a pair of 5 faints. In week 2, Gholdengo is the leading K/D/A Pokémon in the entire league with 6. Steven's next matchup is Flak3 which will not be easy. In UPFC II, Steven lost to Flak3 twice, once in the season and the playoffs. Steven must have a near-perfect game to beat the veteran Flak3.

3. The champ is back. Barchun has found his tactical proficiency yet again with his new Pokémon. Hawlucha had his best performance yet in a series, causing five faints and 1 death. Barchun completely outperformed TT-Bone in the first round and, in the second round, prevented a loss by creating a wall with Halucha. Overall, Barchun’s Hawlucha was his Most Valuable Pokemon for week 2. In Week 3, Barchun has a tough matchup against Noah; if Barchun wins this, we can see Barchun in the top two.

4. Blaze moved up to four because of his win against Billay. Both matches went down to the wire with only one Pokémon left. Blaze is displaying good strategy by incorporating stealth rock and spikes into his game, which may have been why he beat Billay in two close games. Blaze’s top performers were Axumarill and Noivern. Blaze's next matchup is TT-Bone. It looks like he has the advantage with several OU Pokemon on paper. This will be a final test of his tactical proficiency rather than just his strategy of grabbing OU Pokemon, cementing himself in the top 4.

5. Billay has the heart of a Pyroar. Outmatched with only Under Used (UU) and Perfectly Useless (PU) Pokémon, Billay was able to take each game down to the wire. Billay’s Donphan showed why he is a crucial team member, reaching a KDA of 3.33. But, to everyone’s surprise, Pyroar continues to play well with a KDA of 1.5. Time will tell if Billay can crank up his tactical proficiency and finally leave the middle of the pack. His next opponent is Ryebguy. If anyone is a betting man, this series goes to game 3 with Billay at a slight tactical advantage.

6. Flak 3 is getting back to his tactical form by adding Koopa Jr. who had an incredible debut with 1 ko, 1 death. Bossk and Pika both had above-average KDA with Pika having 2.33 and Bossk having 3.5. Next week Flak 3 faces a juggernaut of a trainer in this UPFC, Steven. Flak 3 will have to continue to hone in on his tactical performance to increase to leave the middle of the pack.

7. Rye B Guy drops to number 7. His matchup against Flak3 shows there are some holes in his game. However, PG Tips (Polteageist) still is in the top 3 kDa in the league and he has Marshmallow in the wing just in case he wants to have a possible special defense wall. RyebGuy’s next match up is Billay. These two are an equal matchup on paper. However, Billay has a slight tactical advantage due to his experience, if RyebGuy stays cool and doesn’t become salty and beats Billay, he can possibly be in the top 5 once again.

8. TT-Bone is historically back where he belongs, at the bottom of the pack. Barchun put this trainer in his place, sweeping almost his entire team with Hawlucha. Though in the second round, he improved his tactical proficiency time was not on his side losing the match by a time of technicality. If TT-Bone ever wants to leave the bottom barrel he will have to win against the rookie Blaze. The probability of him doing so is low on paper, but don’t underestimate this veteran player. Obi-wan, who has been with him in the beginning is full of surprises.

9. Mr KumaD dropped down this week because of his two difficult matchups against Billay and Noah. Scizor performed well for him. But, his biggest challenge is figuring out how to incorporate Tauros and Bombardier into his rotation. Both Pokémon have a KDA of zero. MrkumaD's next matchup is Isaac. The Isaac matchup will allow MrKumaD to assess his rotation, and see what he can do to get his first match win in a series.

10. Isaac just got informed he can now play his favorite Pokémon Incenaroar. This may allow him to win one match. MrKumaD might be Isaac’s last chance to make something happen with another Pokémon besides Bokoblin (Toxicity). Isaac will have to continue learning from these experiences to become a better trainer in future UPFC matches.