News & Updates
Feb. 2016: Yo guys! Guess what? Core Challenges are not dead!!1! In all seriousness though, Cycle 6 will be beginning tomorrow, and we have a ton of really awesome cores submitted that I can't wait to use! Tomorrow's challenge is gonna be based on the poll we had running for a short time, we are bringing back the top 2 cores from that selection.
This was just a short little news update, happy laddering! :)
-Stun
November 21st, 2015: Hey yall, it's me again. I'm giving this news flash mostly for the concern of future core challenges. If you noticed in Challenge #40, we only posted 1 Top Finisher, and some of you may be wondering as to why. Me and the rest of the CC staff briefly talked about the situation, and here is what we concluded: If nobody makes it at least above Gold in a challenge (whether it would be for lack of competition, or the core really isn't that appealing), we will not post that top finisher, which is what occurred with the dark core. However, congrats to Mxy for winning the Steel Core, you are posted and you can send a RMT at any time you can. If you did participate, and you did peak the highest in that core, I sincerely apologize to you.
Onto more light-hearted manners, Challenge #42 is out, the cores are Fairy and Electric! They look like really fun cores and you can try a lot of unique stuff with them! Challenge #39 will be ending November 30th (9 days from now). It is a 3 way core challenge, and if you win you'll be congratulated not only here, but also on smogon! We've only done this type of challenge 1 other time, and we may not again for a long time, so if you wanna try and win, now is the time to do it! Anyways that is my time, GL and keep on laddering! :)
-Stun
October 19th, 2015: Hi Guys! I'm here to present yall with the newest addition we are gonna be adding to Core Challenges! We will now, once per cycle, be running a poll to bring back 2 Core Challenges we've done in the past! This is a really great opportunity to either try an older challenge you weren't around to do, or do a fun 1 you did in the past 1 more time! With that said, we're gonna be doing a poll out of the challenges from cycle 1, which will be announced in the Monotype Room frequently, or, you can find it below this news panel. The top 2 will be in an upcoming challenge, this is a lot of fun, and I encourage that you guys vote!
There is 1 more thing I'd like to bring to everyone's attention. Due to the ladder reset coming up, we are unfortunatley gonna have to pause the release of new challenges until the laddering is functioning like normal again, and the HoF ranks are reachable. During that, it will be a great time to vote for your favotiyr cores to bring back! That's all I got for now, Good Luck, and Keep on Laddering! :D
-Stun
September 26th, 2015: Eyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy everyone! How have yall been doing? I'm here to tell you that Core Challenge #34 is now released, the types are Fairy and Ice! The Cores are Granbull + Clefable and Cryoganol + Walrein. They're really cool and there's a ton of ideas you can spurr up from them! Core Challenge #33 is still going on, and we haven't had a lot of people go for the grass core yet (hmmm, I wonder maybe I should take advantage of it..."~Your Inner Thoughts)
I would also like to congratulate the latest Top Finishers! Congrats to DEG (and me? O.o) for winning Core Challenge #32, be sure to check out the RMT's and congratulate them on PS!
Now, I'd like to hint something. The next coming core challenge is gonna be a big 1, and the cores are gonna be awesome. This may be 1 of the best challenges we'll do, I highly urge you stick around for next week, because you do NOT wanna miss it, it's too good. That is all of the time I have for now, GL and Keep on Laddering! :3
-Stun
September 18th, 2015: Hi again everyone! I'm here to let you know that Core Challenge #33 is now released, the types are Fighting and Grass! The Cores are Infernape + Chesnaught and Whimsicott + Victreebel. They are a lot of fun to play around with, I really hope you give at least 1 of the a shot! Core Challenge #32 is still on going for another week, so it's not too late to try any of them out! Today is the last day for Core Challenge #31, and it'll end at 11:59 PM EST! If you wanna get some last minute laddering in, this is the last day to do it. Once that's done Top Finisher's will be updated as soon as possible, and you will be able to get to see the new winners!
With all that said, we'd like to know, how you are liking everything? (We as in Me, Twix, and Bondie) We've been doing our best to make sure the cores for these are as fun as they can be, with a lot of them being submitted from you guys. If you'd like to give us any feed back, we'd be super happy to hear it! Also, if you didn't know, Scp was nice enough to set up a forum section just for core challenges, so you can discuss the current cores, post teams/sets, ect! They're great if you want hear some opinions or how other people have been doing the challenges! I highly recommend you check it out, since these forum's are brand new, and are certified awesome! :P Check it out here!
That's my time for now, be sure to check in on this page to stay updated on the latest CC news! Good Luck! :D
-Stun
September 9th, 2015: Hey guys, I know it's been a while since there was some new news for a period of time. Anyways if you don't know who I am, I'm Stunfisk The Great, and I took over managing the core challenges, along with Twix and Bondie! Anyways, there was a much needed update on the Top Finishers page, everyone should currently be on it, if you haven't submitted an RMT yet, PM me, Twix, or Bondie it and we'll update your section as soon as possible. I hope everyone is enjoying Challenge #31! The Cores are Weezing + Golbat and Mega Camerupt + Victini. If you haven't already, I highly reccomend you sign up to try 1 of them out, because they're a lot of fun! Core Challenge #32 will be out some point Friday afternoon, so stick around to see it! We got a lot of Top Finishers to congratulate (I won't say what core challenge they won since there are a handful of them). That being said, I'd like to personally congratulate Vid, Jo'Z, Ralker, and Perish Song me for being our most recent winners! Be sure to say hi and congratulate them on PS!
If you noticed as well, the Top Finisher's Page itself and the Archive tab had a nice revamp! All of the Top Finisher's have been organized into their respective cycles, so it's a lot easier to find the winners to certain challenges. The buttons for each cycle will scroll you down to the beginning of each of the sections. All of the challenges that have been finished we're organized into their respective cycles as well, with each of the tabs containing the pages to every single 1 of the challenges. Soo...if you plan to stop by memory lane, I hope things are much easier to access.
If you have any questions for me, or Twix or Bondie about anything at all, feel free to PM us on PS, we'll be more than happy to talk to sit and chit chat with you! Otherwise, Good Luck to everyone doing the challenges! :D
-Stun
June 10, 2015: We are testing a bot that will be helping us maintain the Hall of Fame(s) and patrol the ladder for players that have cheated in the Core Challenge. Please do not be alarmed if the Mono CC Bot joins your battles when you're participating in the Core Challenge.
The hope is for this bot to replace the submission of replays/laddering alts here on the site. Until all the bugs in the bot have been worked out please continue submitting your replays/alts here!
Happy Laddering!
-scp
June 5, 2015: Challenge #22 has been posted. Challenge #21 will continue for another week. Don't forget to submit replays for Challenge #20 before midnight EST. Happy Laddering!
-scp
May 30, 2015:
- -=Challenge #19 has now expired! Congratulations to Mega Pik☆chu for winning CCPs3 and AM Fergus for winning CCDr3! Congratulations also goes out to all other persons who entered the Hall of Fame (HoF)=-
- -=Challenge #20 is still ongoing!=-
- -=Challenge #21 has been posted and runs from May 29 to June 12! Build those teams and let the laddering mayhem continue!=-
- -=Be sure to check out the Top Finisher's Page to have a look at the RMT's of all past Core Ladder Challenge winners!=-
May 23, 2015:
- -=Challenge #18 has now expired! Congratulations to Fírnen for winning CCFa3 and JoltsofEnergy for winning CCGr2! Congratulations also goes out to all other persons who entered the Hall of Fame (HoF)=-
- -=Challenge #19 and Challenge #20 are still ongoing! So build those teams and let the laddering mayhem continue!=-
- -=Be sure to check out the Top Finisher's Page to have a look at the RMT's of all past Core Ladder Challenge winners!=-
May 22, 2015:
- Challenge #20 has been posted. Challenge #19 will continue for another week. Don't forget to submit you replays for Challenge #18 before midnight EST. Happy Laddering!
May 21, 2015:-=We will be accepting Peak ELO Replays for the Top Finishers up until the challenge expires at the time and date stated above. Any replay submitted after this deadline will be ignored=- -=Challenge #20 will begin Friday May 22 at a time to be specified.=-
by -=Rum & Coke=-
by -=Rum & Coke=-
May 19, 2015:
by -=Rum & Coke=-
- -=Challenge #18 and Challenge #19 are currently ongoing!=-
- -=Please ensure that the replays which you submit for Hall of Fame (HoF) entry are not corrupt or fail to show the ELO you acheived (socket hang up error)=-
- -=If you encounter this error with one of your replays, please take a screenshot (SS) of your current ELO, upload the SS and submit the link (to the SS) in the Google form=-
by -=Rum & Coke=-
Monotype Core Laddering Challenge
Welcome to the Monotype Core Laddering Challenge! Happy laddering!
The Challenge (credit to Snaquaza for the bulk of the Challenge description)
The core laddering challenge obviously involves laddering...with a core! Seeing as this is the Monotype Core Laddering challenge, we will be laddering on the Monotype ladder on Pokemon Showdown!. It is a competition encompassing multiple elements of competitive play: team-building, adapting and battling! Various types will get a core every week, but you will have 2 weeks to ladder with core in order to achieve a Hall of Fame rank. After you've gotten the core, it's time to team-build! The only restriction is that you'll have to use the Pokemon in the core; you may decide the move-sets, EVs and items yourself, as well as the partners. If a Pokemon capable of mega-evolving is provided, and it is not stated that you must use the mega-evolution, then it is your choice as to whether or not it gets a mega-stone.
Overview of Challenge Rules
by Sly Mav/Rum & Coke
Beginner's Guide to the Core Ladder Challenge
by Sly Mav/Rum & Coke
Do not cheat in this challenge! It is a global PS! offense to boost your ladder ranking. Within the confines of this challenge, this includes asking opponents to forfeit so you don't lose ELO. See the post on April 26th in the News and Updates section for more information.
People caught boosting their ELO in any way will be disqualified. No exceptions, you've been warned.
The Challenge (credit to Snaquaza for the bulk of the Challenge description)
The core laddering challenge obviously involves laddering...with a core! Seeing as this is the Monotype Core Laddering challenge, we will be laddering on the Monotype ladder on Pokemon Showdown!. It is a competition encompassing multiple elements of competitive play: team-building, adapting and battling! Various types will get a core every week, but you will have 2 weeks to ladder with core in order to achieve a Hall of Fame rank. After you've gotten the core, it's time to team-build! The only restriction is that you'll have to use the Pokemon in the core; you may decide the move-sets, EVs and items yourself, as well as the partners. If a Pokemon capable of mega-evolving is provided, and it is not stated that you must use the mega-evolution, then it is your choice as to whether or not it gets a mega-stone.
Overview of Challenge Rules
by Sly Mav/Rum & Coke
- You must submit your CC alt (Core Challenge alternate account) in the Google Form titled "Laddering Alt Submission" BEFORE you begin laddering.
- While you are laddering on your CC alt, you are only allowed to use a CC team, which corresponds with the CC tag of your alt. If you are found to have broken this rule on purpose, you will be disqualified.
- You must use the correct CC tag (CCXxN) as specifed, if you wish to be eligible for the Hall of Fame (HoF). Failure to do so, will render your challenge invalid.
- Asking your opponent for a free win or asking your opponent to forfeit is STRICLY PROHIBITED. Anyone caught doing this will be disqualified from competing in the Core Challenges.
- It is strictly prohibited to share an account with another user, so that they may ladder for you. If caught you will be disqualified from competing in the Core Challenges.
- Your CC team must contain the 2 members of the core at all times. You are free to change the other 4 members of your team as you wish, however.
Beginner's Guide to the Core Ladder Challenge
by Sly Mav/Rum & Coke
- Step 1: Choose a core that you wish to compete with, observing what the CC tag for that core is. CC tags have a format of "CCXxN" [CC=Core Challenge; Xx=Type, N= The Cycle/Round of the type]. So for example, "CCWa2" is the 2nd cycle/round of the Water type cores.
- Step 2: Create an alternate account ("alt" for short) using the CC tag. For example: "CCWa2 YourName"
- Step 3: Fill out the Google Form titled "Laddering Alt Submission" and hit "Submit". Your PS Username is your regular account and the CC alt is the alternate account you just created.
- Step 4: Build a Monotype team, which includes the two (2) pokemon listed in the Core you're doing. Please note carefully whether the Pokemon in the core are capable of Mega Evolution and whether or not they must hold their Mega Stone, as specified.
- Step 5: When you are sure that your team is ready, log into your CC alt and begin battling on the Monotype Ladder.
- Step 6: When you reach a milestone ELO, for example 1300 / 1350 ELO for the "Silver" rank, save the replay and submit the link in the Google Form titled "Hall of Fame Replays".
- Step 7: If you reach the "Platinum" rank of 1500/1550 ELO, save the replay of each new ELO peak that you acheive which is greater than 1500/1550. Before the challenge ends, submit the replay that shows your highest overall peak. The Top Finisher of each Core is the person with the highest ELO peak overall, in a submitted replay.
Do not cheat in this challenge! It is a global PS! offense to boost your ladder ranking. Within the confines of this challenge, this includes asking opponents to forfeit so you don't lose ELO. See the post on April 26th in the News and Updates section for more information.
People caught boosting their ELO in any way will be disqualified. No exceptions, you've been warned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use more than one type in each challenge?
Yes, just make sure you have a tagged alt for each one.
When can I start laddering?
As soon as you click the submit button on the Google form, you can start laddering.
Do I need to save/submit all my replays?
NO! Please submit replays that show you reaching a Hall of Fame level, or ones that provide proof of a laddering peak (screenshots are also fine). If you forget to save the replay when you first pass a Hall of Fame level, then just save another replay proving you were above the Hall of Fame level.
Do I have to keep the same team for all the ladder matches?
Nope, feel free to change the team around the Pokemon in the core as often as you like. However, if you are caught on the ladder without the core on a tagged alt you will be disqualified.
I think these cores are stupid. When will there be better ones?
New cores will be up every week. They will eventually cover all 18 types and multiple play-styles. If you have a suggestion for a core, pm it to scpinion accompanied by a brief description of why those Pokemon support one another and the room staff will consider it for future challenges.
Can I use more than one type in each challenge?
Yes, just make sure you have a tagged alt for each one.
When can I start laddering?
As soon as you click the submit button on the Google form, you can start laddering.
Do I need to save/submit all my replays?
NO! Please submit replays that show you reaching a Hall of Fame level, or ones that provide proof of a laddering peak (screenshots are also fine). If you forget to save the replay when you first pass a Hall of Fame level, then just save another replay proving you were above the Hall of Fame level.
Do I have to keep the same team for all the ladder matches?
Nope, feel free to change the team around the Pokemon in the core as often as you like. However, if you are caught on the ladder without the core on a tagged alt you will be disqualified.
I think these cores are stupid. When will there be better ones?
New cores will be up every week. They will eventually cover all 18 types and multiple play-styles. If you have a suggestion for a core, pm it to scpinion accompanied by a brief description of why those Pokemon support one another and the room staff will consider it for future challenges.
Credits
The Monotype Room Core Ladder Challenge (MRCLC) is managed by the team below:
Special Thanks
Monotype Room Staff
(Many thanks to aquas0und and Anttya for assistance with Core Selection)
For any questions or concerns regarding the challenge, please contact one of the parties listed above via Private Message (PM) on Smogon forums or in the Monotype Room on Pokemon Showdown.
The Monotype Room Core Ladder Challenge (MRCLC) is managed by the team below:
- Project Administrator: Stunfisk The Great
- Project Managers: Bondie, Ticken
- Project Creator & Facilitator: scpinion
- Retired Staff: Sly Mav/Rum&Coke, OmniaX, Twix
Special Thanks
Monotype Room Staff
(Many thanks to aquas0und and Anttya for assistance with Core Selection)
For any questions or concerns regarding the challenge, please contact one of the parties listed above via Private Message (PM) on Smogon forums or in the Monotype Room on Pokemon Showdown.