VGC Team Guide
Snow Team Guide
Snow Warning auto-hail + Ice-type Defense boost + Blizzard never misses — Regulation I Kyurem-centered snow team guide
Snow WarningBlizzardIce Body
Snow Weather Mechanics
Ice-type Defense +50% in Snow (Gen 9)
All Ice-type Pokémon gain 50% Defense boost in Snow — not SpDef. Significantly improves Ice-type physical bulk against common attackers.
Blizzard: 100% accuracy in Snow
110 BP Ice spread move hits both opponents with no accuracy check. Premier snow attack — 110 BP targeting both = massive spread damage.
Ice Body: Recover 1/16 HP per turn
Froslass, Glaceon, and select Ice types heal passively in snow. Minor benefit but accumulates over long battles.
No end-of-turn chip damage
Unlike Hail in Gen 8 and earlier, Snow does NOT deal chip damage to non-Ice types. Only Ice-types benefit; no passive pressure on opponents.
Snowscape (move): sets Snow for 5/8 turns
Non-Snow Warning Pokémon can set snow with the Snowscape move. Allows flexibility in team building.
5 turns base / 8 with Icy Rock
Snow Warning setters should carry Icy Rock to extend Snow duration.
Note: Since Gen 9, Snow replaced Hail. There is no more end-of-turn chip damage — instead Snow gives Ice-types a Defense boost, significantly improving Ice-type competitiveness in VGC.
Core: Kyurem (Restricted Pokémon)
Kyurem-White
120
Atk
170
SpAtk
95
Spe
Higher SpAtk (170) but Fusion Flare loses power without Reshiram. Ice Beam + Glacial Lance (via Calyrex-Ice Fusion) + Freeze-Dry. Best as a special attacker in snow.
Kyurem-Black
170
Atk
120
SpAtk
95
Spe
Physical powerhouse. Ice Lance + Fusion Bolt + Earthquake. Pairs with Zekrom for Fusion combo. Physical set under snow Defense boost is extremely bulky.
Snow Setters
❄️
Abomasnow
Snow Warning
Most common snow setter. Grass/Ice typing provides anti-rain coverage but creates 4× Fire weakness.
🌨️
Vanilluxe
Snow Warning
Pure Ice typing. Less common but avoids Grass-type drawbacks. Lower stats than Abomasnow.
🐧
Cetitan
Slush Rush (Speed×2 in Snow)
Sand Rush equivalent for Snow. 113 Atk / 52 Spe → 104 in Snow. Icicle Crash + Heavy Slam sweeper.
Recommended Builds
Meta
Kyurem-White Special Attacker
Moves
- Blizzard
- Ice Beam
- Freeze-Dry
- Protect
Item：Choice Specs / Never-Melt Ice
Nature：Timid (4 HP / 252 SpAtk / 252 Spe)
EV：4 HP / 252 SpAtk / 252 Spe
Blizzard in Snow: 110 BP, 100% accuracy, hits both targets. Choice Specs Blizzard OHKOs most non-resistant Pokémon. Freeze-Dry for Water-type coverage. Timid ensures 95 Speed is maximized.
Alt
Kyurem-Black Physical Attacker
Moves
- Icicle Crash
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Protect
Item：Life Orb
Nature：Adamant (4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe)
EV：4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Physical powerhouse under Snow Defense boost. Icicle Crash is primary STAB with 30% flinch chance. Earthquake + Iron Head provide coverage. Snow’s Defense boost makes this set surprisingly bulky.
Recommended Team Skeleton
| Slot | Pokémon | Role |
|---|---|---|
| ① Restricted | Kyurem-White / Black | Primary sweeper in Snow |
| ② Restricted | Calyrex-Ice / Zacian / Koraidon | Secondary restricted sweeper |
| ③ Snow Setter | Abomasnow | Snow Warning + offensive/support role |
| ④ Redirect | Incineroar / Indeedee-F | Intimidate or Follow Me support |
| ⑤ Speed Control | Tornadus / Iron Bundle | Tailwind or speed attacker |
| ⑥ Coverage | Amoonguss / Farigiraf | Rage Powder / Trick Room support |
Snow Team Weaknesses
Fire-type attacks
Ice-type Pokémon have ×2 Fire weakness. Abomasnow has ×4 Fire. Reshiram and Groudon sun teams heavily threaten snow teams.
Steel-type resists Ice
Zamazenta, Gholdengo, and Steel-types resist or neutralize most Snow team attacks. Rock/Fighting coverage needed.
Desolate Land / Primordial Sea
Kyogre or Groudon’s weather overwrites Snow. Must KO the weather setter to restore Snow advantage.
Rock-type super-effective vs Ice
Ice-types have ×2 Rock weakness. Rock Slide from Koraidon or Groudon threatens the entire team.