Incineroar bug in Pokémon Champions: impact on competitive players

Briefly

• Incineroar has a game-breaking bug that lets it return to battle after using the move Parting Shot.
• The bug became reproducible after maintenance on July 8, 2026, raising concerns about its impact on competitive play.
• Leonard Craft III (@DaWoblefet) confirmed the bug through his own tests.

GAME-scanner analysis

The discovery of a bug that allows Incineroar to return after using Parting Shot has major implications for the competitive balance in Pokémon Champions. Incineroar, a Fire/Dark-type Pokémon, is already a key presence in the rankings thanks to its ability to weaken opponents. With this bug, it could strengthen its role even further, creating an unfair experience for other players. The move Parting Shot lowers the opponent’s Attack and Special Attack, and normally the user is supposed to switch out after using it. The ability to come back after using this move could completely change the flow of battles.

What does this mean for players?

For competitive players, this bug means they may face an unfair strategy. It is still unclear how the developers of Pokémon Champions will address the issue and what measures they will take to protect the integrity of the game. Players should prepare for a potentially unbalanced meta in which Incineroar plays an even more dominant role.

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