Welcome to DOMO2026! HOUDINI Magazine and Orre Colosseum, the largest Gen 3 doubles server are collaborating to bring you an explosive competitive Pokemon tournament. We'll have live DJ sets by members of the Tempo Lounge DJ Collective, exclusive zines for all who join, and more!
At 1PM March 7th, 2026, the battle begins. This will be a single say, Swiss tournament, played on Pokemon Showdown. For more information, join the Orre Discord.
Trainers must be a member of the Orre Colosseum Discord Server to play, join here!
Hi! Welcome to Pyrite Colosseum!
This is a tier that aims to be the "NFE" ("Not Fully Evolved") tier of Orre Colosseum. It is inspired by the teams present in Pyrite Colosseum/Battle Mode Double from Pokemon Colosseum, much like our other subformats.
The goal is for it to be a tier for NFEs, similar to how Phenac Stadium is a tier for first-stage Pokemon. Unlike Phenac however, the tier also allows a number of fully evolved Pokemon that fall under the power level of the NFEs.
*Tier positions are speculative. This banlist was agreed to by Akiak and Parmadillo, two players who have been invested in this format since its inception, following many games and several tournaments. The definition of "NFE" that is used is "Pokemon that are capable of evolving in their debut generation", which is consistent with our definition of first-stage Pokemon in Phenac. Not to be considered final or ‘official’.
Pyrite is a very offensive metagame, but a rather unique one at that. It is perhaps best described as a mix of standard Orre Colosseum and the extremely cutthroat Phenac Stadium. To get a feel for it, let's start with its most defining members:
METANG
Metang is the king of Pyrite Colosseum, and a cornerstone of the metagame. It is the most dangerous physical threat around, with its access to Meteor Mash, Earthquake and Explosion, alonside its excellent typing and ability. Pyrite is far from welcoming towards it, however: Fire-types present a natural counter, and its low speed leaves it vulnerable to many of the format's most powerful attackers. If well positioned, however, it is the Pokemon that is most capable of taking down entire teams on its own.
Metang @ Lum Berry
Ability: Clear Body
Level: 50
EVs: 108 HP / 148 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Meteor Mash
- Earthquake
- Explosion
- Protect
The more flexible Metang set. Enough EVs to live Jolly Vigoroth Choice Band Earthquake, max Speed to outspeed other Metang, and Lum Berry to protect against status such as Sleep Powder or Will-O-Wisp.
Metang @ Choice Band
Ability: Clear Body
Level: 50
EVs: 108 HP / 252 Atk / 148 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Meteor Mash
- Earthquake
- Explosion
- Sludge Bomb / Shadow Ball
The more powerful Metang set. Choice Band allows Metang to tear through enemy teams, provided it is well positioned and protected from its threats. Earthquake always OHKOs Kadabra. Sludge Bomb is for Grass-types such as Lombre.
Counters:
- Fire-types, such as Growlithe, Quilava or Charmeleon, outspeed and threaten an OHKO on Metang
- Kadabra can threaten an OHKO with Fire Punch if aided by a Helping Hand or Petaya boost
- Earthquake users with good bulk such as Vigoroth or Marshtomp
- Water-types resist Meteor Mash and threaten great damage with Hydro Pump
KADABRA
The most powerful special attacker around, and also the fastest Pokemon in the metagame: Kadabra is a keystone of Pyrite Colosseum, and gives the tier much of its unique identity. Countering Kadabra is more often about mitigating the damage: it will likely leave its mark, but how hard will you hit back? Kadabra's primary weakness is its bulk, particularly on the physical side: it should, in most instances, go down in a single hit. But can you keep up the pace?
Kadabra @ Petaya Berry / Twisted Spoon / Bright Powder
Ability: Inner Focus
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 4 Def / 244 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Fire Punch
- Encore / Light Screen / Reflect / Calm Mind / Taunt
- Protect / Endure
Fire Punch gives Kadabra important coverage against Metang. Encore combines with Kadabra's high Speed to punish opposing Protect or other status moves. Petaya Berry allows Kadabra to OHKO a number of Pokemon if it gets the boost (including Vigoroth and Metang), which is facilitated by Endure. Twisted Spoon allows Psychic to be more threatening, particularly against frail Pokemon such as Growlithe.
Counters:
- Dark-types, such as Mightyena, naturally wall Kadabra and threaten to OHKO it
- Choice Band users OHKO Kadabra with any move they lock into, including Earthquake
- A high number of Pokemon are capable of OHKOing Kadabra in a single blow due to its poor Defense
- Icy Wind and Thunder Wave can cripple Kadabra and render it extremely vulnerable
HAUNTER
The most versatile "support" Pokemon in Pyrite Colosseum, Haunter can fulfill a number of roles: Explosion, Will-O-Wisp, Thunderbolt, Swagger, Shadow Ball, Hypnosis, Skill Swap... Its typing gives it great versatility, with its immunity to both Normal and Ground moves allowing it to switch in to predicted attacks and gain positional advantage. It is, of course, deadly afraid of Kadabra, although this can sometimes be used to its advantage.
Haunter @ White Herb / Salac Berry
Ability: Levitate
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Explosion
- Protect / Endure
- Swagger / Will-O-Wisp / Hypnosis / Thunderbolt / Skill Swap
- Shadow Ball
Explosion threatens a number of Pokemon, including Vigoroth. Shadow Ball is for opposing Haunter, or Kadabra if Haunter gets a Salac boost. Swagger allows Haunter to boost partner Pokemon. White Herb protects Haunter from Intimidate and Icy Wind.
Counters:
- Kadabra outspeeds Haunter and OHKOs it
- Metang resists Explosion and can OHKO Haunter with sufficient Attack investment
- Damp users, such as Poliwhirl, block Explosion and can nullify Haunter's threat
VIGOROTH
Vigoroth is the other physical mainstay of Pyrite Colosseum. Its excellent damage output, great speed and good bulk make it a frequent choice to round out many teams.
Vigoroth @ Choice Band
Ability: Vital Spirit
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Return
- Earthquake
- Shadow Ball
- Double-Edge
Choice Band allows Vigoroth to OHKO frailer Metang and any Kadabra with Earthquake, as well as threaten massive damage and potential OHKOs into a number of Pokemon with Return or Double-Edge.
Vigoroth @ White Herb / Lum Berry
Ability: Vital Spirit
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Return / Double-Edge
- Earthquake
- Protect
- Encore
Vigoroth is still very effective even without a Choice Band, and it gains the ability to use Encore, a very powerful option. White Herb protects Vigoroth from Intimidate, while Lum Berry allows it to receive Swagger boosts and protects it from status.
Counters:
- Haunter usually walls Vigoroth thanks to its typing and ability, giving it great switch-in opportunities, and its Explosion threatens to OHKO it
- Intimidate users, such as Mightyena or Growlithe, are very effective at blunting Vigoroth's offensive presence
- Explosion users in general, such as Metang or Voltorb, are effective against Vigoroth, particularly if holding a Choice Band
- Kadabra can OHKO Vigoroth after a Petaya or Helping Hand boost, or after Double-Edge recoil
There are many more Pokemon that would be worth covering, but it's preferable to wait until the metagame sees more development from more players. To aid in teambuilding, here are some teams that players have provided. They are not considered optimized, but can serve as a starting point:
Standard by FBISurveillanceMan
