Throughout the years, Pokémon has evolved many ways to play the game. One of those is the competitive doubles format commonly referred to as "VGC."
Double battles are an interesting competitive format that allows players to try combinations that they never could by sending out one Pokémon at a time. Doubles partners can cover their own type weaknesses, create powerful synergies using their abilities, or have special moves that interact with their partner. It's also important to note that no duos are perfect, and there will always need to be another teammate that covers the pair's weaknesses.
Dragapult & Gigantamax Coalossal
The powerful Dragon/Ghost-type Dragapult and the Gigantamaxed version of the monstrous Rock/Fire-type Coalossal have a dangerous combo.
Coalossal's ability Steam Engine drastically raises its speed when hit by a Water move. When equipped with a Weakness Policy as well, Dragapult's Surf will deal damage to opponents and the ally Coalossal, increasing its speed and offensive stats. However, this combo is entirely dependent on Coalossal being Gigantamaxed, as a surf from a Dragapult is likely to kill an average Coalossal. Dynamax and Gigantamax have had eras of not being legal competitively and are currently illegal on the popular simulator Pokémon Showdown, so players have to be cautious where they're using the strategy.
Hatterene & Indeedee
The Pyschic/Fairy Hatterene is one of the most unique Sword & Shield Pokémon, and Indeedee is an odd Psychic/Normal with different stats and move pools depending on gender.
Indeedee's Psychic Surge ability allows Hatterene to cast an empowered expanding force: a move that hits both opponents and deals more damage in Psychic Terrain. Their shared Psychic typing isn't an issue either, as the secondary typings cover different weaknesses. Hatterene teams are usually built around a strong theme, so another backup plan if something happens to her is helpful. Slowking fills the role of a slow expanding force that benefits from Trick Room and psychic terrain.
Raichu & Tornadus
The Flying-Type "genie" Legendary Tornadus and Electric-Type Raichu are a dominant force in rain teams.
Raichu protects the glaring Electric weakness Tornadus has with its Lightning Rod ability, and Tornadus is unaffected by ground moves. When in rain, their Thunders and Hurricanes have a 100% accuracy. It's rare that a great combo is reliant on another Pokémon, but Raichu and Tornadus are almost always seen on rain teams. Therefore, they will need a Kyogre, Pelipper, or Politoed to set rain up for them to truly shine.
Whimsicott & Terrakion
Whimsicott is a fast Grass/Fairy, an incredible dual-type Pokémon combo offensively. Terrakion is one of the "Musketeer" legendaries, a powerful Rock/Fighting-Type.
Their combo focuses on Whimsicott quickly using Beat Up on the ally Terrakion, hitting it multiple times with a very weak Dark-type move. This will activate Terrakion's Justified ability, which increases its attack every time it is hit with a Dark-type move, multiple times thanks to the multi-hit on Beat Up. The combo leaves players with a still relatively healthy Terrakion sporting a massive attack stat. Furthermore, Whimsicott's Tailwind will make Terrakion remarkably fast. This combo will fall apart against priority moves like Grassy Glide and Mach Punch, so there should always be a good Grass or Fighting resist to switch Terrakion out for.
Gastrodon & Incineroar
Incineroar, the final evolution of Pokémon fire starter Litten, is a popular pick in Doubles. However, he comes especially scary when paired with the bulky water-type Gastrodon.
Gastrodon's ability Storm Drain absorbs all water attacks that would be directed at Incineroar, and Incineroar destroys any grass-types before they can take out Gastrodon, whose typing makes it take quadruple damage from grass. The two don't have any tricky combos, but they have incredible synergy and are both good independently. This core doesn't have many weaknesses other than a fairly low damage ceiling, so players will want any hyper offensive sweeper in the back for Incineroar to switch into.
Regigigas & Weezing
Regigigas is a Normal-type with monstrous stats plagued by a terrible ability in Slow Start. Weezing, the infamous Poison-type, negates all other abilities with its ability Neutralizing Gas.
The defensive Weezing removes Regigigas's inhibitions from Slow Start, allowing it to function at full strength right away. Between its own monstrous stats and the utility Weezing provides with Taunt and Will-O-Wisp, Regigigas can tear through teams. The team's biggest weakness comes if something happens to Weezing, so throwing Skill Swap on a ive teammate to get rid of Regigigas's Slow Start is a good last resort.
Ice Rider Calyrex & Dusclops
The slow but mighty Ice Rider Calyrex needs the generation 3 Ghost-type in Dusclops to help it truly shine.
Dusclops has access to Trick Room, which reverses the way speed works in battles. With the high utility tank Dusclops and the incredibly powerful Calyrex moving before opponents, both teammates will put in amazing work for any trainer. Their only downside is a shared weakness to Dark, so players will need a Dark resist somewhere on their team. In case Trick Room gets countered by taunt or a slower opponent than Calyrex, a teammate with a good priority move like Rillaboom's Grassy Glide can help the slower team get by.
Groudon & Charizard
Legendary giant Groudon and fan-favorite Fire/Flying Charizard have synergizing abilities that make them a dangerous force on any team.
Charizard's Solar Power increases its special attack in the sun, and Groudon's Drought ability sets sunlight the second Groudon enters play. The sunlight also mitigates Water-type moves, a shared weakness of Groudon and Charizard. Not to mention Charizard's Flying-type makes it immune from Groudon's Earthquake, ensuring that it hits only enemies. Players will want a good counter to Kyogre, who can shut off the sun with its ability and subsequently counter both Groudon and Charizard.
Kyogre & Kingdra
Kyogre is a key part of the beloved Pokémon Hoenn Region and Kingdra is the iconic gym leader Claire's ace Pokémon. Thanks to Kyogre, Kingdra becomes a force as deadly as any legendary.
They may not seem like a great type match thanks to the shared Water typing, but Kingdra's Dragon-type makes it neutral to the Grass and Electric attacks that Kyogre is weak to. However, where these two partners shine is in their abilities. Kyogre brings rain to the battlefield on entry, and Kingdra's Swift Swim doubles its speed in the rain. Together, this duo can tear through a team quickly before the opponent can even react. A good Steel-type is a helpful teammate for this duo, as bulky Fairy-Types can really ruin Kingdra's day.
Zacian - Crowned & Rillaboom
The Fairy/Steel Legendary Zacian is arguably the strongest pick for any doubles team, and the Grass-type Rillaboom isn't far behind it in of popularity. Unlike a few others, this is a combo where both partners are incredible individually as well as together.
Rillaboom's ability instantly sets grassy terrain, a field condition that powers up Grass moves and weakens the effectiveness of Earthquake. One of Zacian's biggest weaknesses in double battles is powerful Earthquakes, and Rillaboom fixes that issue while also taking care of pesky bulky Water/Ground-types like Quagsire and Gastrodon that can completely wall Zacian. Both teammates are physical attackers that share a common weakness in Fire, so a good counter to Incineroar is a must for players that want to use this pairing.
