The definition of an Uber.
Since Smogon basically began the characteristics of what make a pokemon Uber quality have often come under scrutinization. Many arguments for certain traits and against certain traits have come and gone. Often times the basis for what makes one pokemon Uber doesn't hold up under another. "Overcentrilizing", "Overpowered", and "Broken" are thrown around a lot, causing and starting many arguments over the validity of the claims. Then back in 2008 a thread was started by Jumpman16 that tried to define the characteristics of an Uber pokemon. This thread did something that many people had tried to do before, put a definition to the concept of an Uber pokemon. Quoting from the thread (Which can be found here)
Offensive Characteristic
A Pokémon is uber if, in common battle conditions, it is capable of sweeping through a significant portion of teams in the metagame with little effort.
Defensive Characteristic
A Pokémon is uber if, in common battle conditions, it is able to wall and stall out a significant portion of the metagame.
Support Characteristic
A Pokémon is uber if, in common battle conditions, it can consistently set up a situation in which it makes it substantially easier for other pokemon to sweep.
These characteristics were to be the forefront for any argument, for or against, about a pokemon being Uber. These characteristics in essence defined the metagame of Generation 4.
With the advent of Gen V though these characteristics were no longer of such import. 643 pokemon are now around to give battle, and the metagame became a whirling vortex of chaos. Rain and Sun made an appearance in OU for the first time, causing the metagame to be dominated by forces such as SwSw Kingdra and Excadrill. Power levels overall rose with several new pokemon have 140+ base attacking stats. The former characteristics were shattered. In the right conditions many of the pokemon were able to sweep entire teams with little to no trouble. Supporting became easier with things like Deoxys-s and Ferrothorn taking up residence in OU.
So arguments have again sprung up as to what constitutes an Uber pokemon.
Does being Uber mean that you have no counters? No because even Kyorge has counters.
Does it mean you can sweep teams by yourself if given the chance? No Dragonite/Volcarona/Ect. are all capable of sweeping much of OU if given the chance.
Does it entail being able to bust through walls with ease? No because little to nothing is able to stand up to the likes of Banded Terrakion or Haxorus.
So what makes a pokemon Uber?
I would like to propose a simple definition, to be picked apart and torn to pieces by those of you who know better, and that definition is this:
A Pokemon is Uber if, in a given metagame, it is a dominating force and dictates playstyles to such an extent as to be majorly centralizing.
I believe that this covers most of the essence of what an Uber is, a pokemon that by itself is capable of making a significant enough of an impact to start to dictate peoples play styles. Excadrill is one such example. When it was in OU Gliscor was a pokemon that was #5 on the ladder, after Excadrill left OU Gliscor dropped quickly eventually dropping completely out of the top 10. Excadrill thus influenced players to utilize Gliscor. If Kyorge was to drop down to OU Gastrodon/Laturn would take a massive leap, and teams would be highly centralized around encountering Kyorge.
Now I know that this definition isn't perfect, but I believe that it provides a good baseline, something that can become a fully formed and complete idea and definition for Gen V Ubers.
Anyways post away and discuss, the more people that work together the better the end result.
P.S(If you notice a grammar mistake somewhere please point it out, I will fix it ASAP)
Since Smogon basically began the characteristics of what make a pokemon Uber quality have often come under scrutinization. Many arguments for certain traits and against certain traits have come and gone. Often times the basis for what makes one pokemon Uber doesn't hold up under another. "Overcentrilizing", "Overpowered", and "Broken" are thrown around a lot, causing and starting many arguments over the validity of the claims. Then back in 2008 a thread was started by Jumpman16 that tried to define the characteristics of an Uber pokemon. This thread did something that many people had tried to do before, put a definition to the concept of an Uber pokemon. Quoting from the thread (Which can be found here)
This lead to major discussion and through lots of effort on many peoples part the Characteristics of an Uber were born. They are as follows:As with art, we shouldn't kid ourselves and believe that a hard-and-fast definition of "uber" exists, one that everyone versed well enough in art will doubtless agree upon. As soon as we accept this, we can safely shoot for the sky and end up somewhere that is good enough for a definition of uber to be understood and accepted by the majority of people who understand competitive pokemon.
Offensive Characteristic
A Pokémon is uber if, in common battle conditions, it is capable of sweeping through a significant portion of teams in the metagame with little effort.
Defensive Characteristic
A Pokémon is uber if, in common battle conditions, it is able to wall and stall out a significant portion of the metagame.
Support Characteristic
A Pokémon is uber if, in common battle conditions, it can consistently set up a situation in which it makes it substantially easier for other pokemon to sweep.
These characteristics were to be the forefront for any argument, for or against, about a pokemon being Uber. These characteristics in essence defined the metagame of Generation 4.
With the advent of Gen V though these characteristics were no longer of such import. 643 pokemon are now around to give battle, and the metagame became a whirling vortex of chaos. Rain and Sun made an appearance in OU for the first time, causing the metagame to be dominated by forces such as SwSw Kingdra and Excadrill. Power levels overall rose with several new pokemon have 140+ base attacking stats. The former characteristics were shattered. In the right conditions many of the pokemon were able to sweep entire teams with little to no trouble. Supporting became easier with things like Deoxys-s and Ferrothorn taking up residence in OU.
So arguments have again sprung up as to what constitutes an Uber pokemon.
Does being Uber mean that you have no counters? No because even Kyorge has counters.
Does it mean you can sweep teams by yourself if given the chance? No Dragonite/Volcarona/Ect. are all capable of sweeping much of OU if given the chance.
Does it entail being able to bust through walls with ease? No because little to nothing is able to stand up to the likes of Banded Terrakion or Haxorus.
So what makes a pokemon Uber?
I would like to propose a simple definition, to be picked apart and torn to pieces by those of you who know better, and that definition is this:
A Pokemon is Uber if, in a given metagame, it is a dominating force and dictates playstyles to such an extent as to be majorly centralizing.
I believe that this covers most of the essence of what an Uber is, a pokemon that by itself is capable of making a significant enough of an impact to start to dictate peoples play styles. Excadrill is one such example. When it was in OU Gliscor was a pokemon that was #5 on the ladder, after Excadrill left OU Gliscor dropped quickly eventually dropping completely out of the top 10. Excadrill thus influenced players to utilize Gliscor. If Kyorge was to drop down to OU Gastrodon/Laturn would take a massive leap, and teams would be highly centralized around encountering Kyorge.
Now I know that this definition isn't perfect, but I believe that it provides a good baseline, something that can become a fully formed and complete idea and definition for Gen V Ubers.
Anyways post away and discuss, the more people that work together the better the end result.
P.S(If you notice a grammar mistake somewhere please point it out, I will fix it ASAP)