The Level 1 Metagame

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if you're running sandshrew and drillbur, the ninetales will have a problem, being a ground type weakness. if it's a swords dance drillbur or some kind of attack boosting sandshrew (idk if swords dance is with him) it would die against both of them
 
i kind of feel like drought shouldn't be banned, it's not like any chlorophyll pokemon are really overpowered with it
...Anyway, after extensive testing with ThePillsburyDoughBoy, I have decided that Drought is ridiculously broken and needs to be banned. Specs Ninetales 2HKOs even the bulkiest walls (sans immune ones), Specs Vulpix comes pretty damn close, and Lilligant is easily capable of 6-0ing teams with a Growth set.
Assortment of random calcs to provide evidence of this.252 SpA Choice Specs Ninetales Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Cresselia in sun: 15-18 (107.14 - 128.57%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Ninetales Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Eviolite Chansey in sun: 10-13 (62.5 - 81.25%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Ninetales Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Lugia in sun: 12-15 (85.71 - 107.14%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Choice Specs Ninetales SolarBeam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Vaporeon: 12-16 (85.71 - 114.28%) -- 81.25% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Ninetales Hidden Power Rock vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Ho-Oh: 16-20 (114.28 - 142.85%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Ninetales Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Shuckle in sand: 6-7 (50 - 58.33%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Lilligant SolarBeam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Eviolite Chansey: 9-12 (56.25 - 75%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Lilligant Hidden Power Fire vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Lugia in sun: 7-9 (50 - 64.28%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Lilligant SolarBeam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Latias: 6-8 (46.15 - 61.53%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

252 Atk Choice Band Victini V-create vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Regirock in sun: 9-11 (69.23 - 84.61%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Victini V-create vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Torkoal in sun: 9-12 (69.23 - 92.3%) -- 81.25% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Choice Band Victini Bolt Strike vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Solid Rock Tirtouga: 7-9 (53.84 - 69.23%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

I rest my case
 
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Steelix could be intriguing. Even at Lv 1, its Defense would be a few points higher than most Pokemon's, and its great defensive typing and STAB Earthquake would make it quite difficult to face.
 

Arcticblast

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So I just realized that level 1 Gyarados is legal, albeit with no level-up moves whatsoever. I'll add it when I'm not on my phone. Also, Sableye seems like a good check to Smeargle in theory - immune to Extremespeed, can Taunt to prevent Spore, etc. Eviolite Aron and Shieldon could also work.

EDIT: running a Bold nature on all special attackers to weaken confusion damage doesn't sound bad either.
 
After a little testing, there are a few EV observations that we can make about level 1 Pokémon. It's not a complete explanation by far, but it's a start. I'm not exceptional at math so it might be a little wrong.

If a base stat increases by one, then the amount of EVs needed to reach a number for that stat decrease by eight and vise versa. Just like in LC, each base stat belongs to a "stat range", or the range where the stat will be the same when maxed out. However, level 1 stat ranges are huuuge next to level 5 ones, 49 base points compared to 9 for LC mons. Like at level 5, level 1 stat ranges start at base stats ending in 3 and end at 2.

At level 1 there is a gap of about 18 base points where investment is not needed for the stat, because the stat is the same no matter how many EVs are put in it; if you can avoid it, the EV stat gain table used in this article seems to work most of the time (when it's off it's only by 4 EVs or so). Since stats can only increase by one at the most, which investment allows the stat to increase is influenced by the digits its base stat begins in as well as the one it ends in. For instance, Natu's base SpA is 70, so it needs 116 EVs for it to be bumped up, but Basculin's is 80, which means going back one we get 36 EVs for the stat to increase.
 
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So I'm gonna Wish Pass to this thread because it still seems like a legitimately awesome metagame, with a lot brought to the table by Pokemon X and Y, such as many more viable Pokemon and various Megas for previously eligible Pokemon, though I don't know how much they make in terms of stat difference. (Stuff like Mega Mawile and Kangaskhan are especially notable.)
 
Fun fact: Marill can (as of Gen VI) spam aqua jet from 48 attack after factoring in Belly Drum and Huge Power.

It is checked by resists though:
+6 116 Atk Huge Power Marill Aqua Jet vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Palkia: 3-4 (23 - 30.7%) -- 96.3% chance to 4HKO
 
Fun fact: Marill can (as of Gen VI) spam aqua jet from 48 attack after factoring in Belly Drum and Huge Power.

It is checked by resists though:
+6 116 Atk Huge Power Marill Aqua Jet vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Palkia: 3-4 (23 - 30.7%) -- 96.3% chance to 4HKO
Marill has Play Rough tho
 
this one might sound like a joke, but i'm 100% serious.
Extreme Killer Smeargle.
item: oran berry
ability: technician
moves:
belly drum
extremespeed
mach punch/spore/aqua jet
shadow sneak/spore/sucker punch/aqua jet
after belly drum, smeargle has 24 attack, spam whatever priority move makes the most sense, and win.
for the choice of sucker punch or shadow sneak, sucker punch is stronger but riskier, but shadow sneak is a safer move
spore is optional if you want a safer time setting up belly drum, but it's not required since smeargle doesn't die to everything like it does in "standard" battling.
edit: sucker punch
But Smeargle would only learn Sketch once, since its lvl 1. That pretty much throws this strategy out of the window :/
 

Arcticblast

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Actually I might just ban Smeargle whenever I make the XY version of this, considering it's a fuck ton harder to actually Sketch moves in XY (and because Belly Drum Smeargle was pretty terrifying).
 

Audiosurfer

I'd rather be sleeping
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Actually I might just ban Smeargle whenever I make the XY version of this, considering it's a fuck ton harder to actually Sketch moves in XY (and because Belly Drum Smeargle was pretty terrifying).
Please make the XY version of this sometime, I remember this meta being really fun to play :)
 

Monte Cristo

Banned deucer.
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Valzy

Destroyer of Worlds
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SubToxic
Cottonee @ Leftovers
Trait: Prankster
Level: 1
IVs: 0 HP
EVs: 196 DEF/148 SPD
Modest Nature (To minimize foul play and confusion damage)
- Subsitute
- Protect
- Toxic
- Leech Seed/Thunderwave/ Tailwind/Hidden Power Fire/Hidden Power Ground/Sunny Day

0 HP IVs means that Cottonee's substitutes only require 2 HP, letting it toxic stall with Substitute and Protect. The last slot is used to either support the team or let Cottonee get past Pokemon immune to toxic. Leech Seed allows Cottonee to damage steel and poison types, but doesn't work against ferroseed or the many grass/poison types. Thunderwave and tailwind both provide speed control for teammates. Hidden Power Fire hits steel, grass/poison and bug/poison super effectively while Hidden Power hits poison and steel types super effectively but leaves Cottonee useless against Skarmory and Zubat. Sunny Day allows Cottonee to provide sun support.

Threats: Any pokemon with faster priority or that can ohko Cottonee before it toxics it can easily shut Cottonee down. Poison Pokemon aren't affected by toxic and can take advantage of its 4x weakness to poison. Steel typed Pokemon also give it a headache.

SubToxic
Diglett @ Leftovers
Trait: Arena Trap
Level: 1
EVs: 236 ATK/76 DEF
Hardy Nature
- Subsitute
- Protect
- Toxic
- Earthquake

Similar to the set above, this set toxic stalls with substitute and protect, but instead of using prankster to let it out-speed it's opponent, it uses Arena Trap to trap targets slower than it. Earthquake is used to hit steel and poison types super effectively. This set only works on Pokemon slower than it.

Threats: Anything that out-speeds it, has priority or can ohko it.

Purrloin and Riolu can also pull off sets very similar to these. Unfortunately, Sableye has too much HP to use protect/substitute/toxic/will-o-wisp

Swords Dance
Mawile @ Mawilite
Trait: Intimidate
Level: 1
EVs: 236 ATK/76 DEF
Hardy Nature
- Swords Dance
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch
- Rough Play

Woobat @ Eviolite
Trait: Unaware
Level: 1
EVs: 236 HP/236 SPA
Hardy Nature
- Roost
- Reflect
- Psychic
- Sleep Talk

Unaware Woobat is a fairly good smeargle counter. It can take an extreme speed, set up reflect, roost off the damage and 2HKO with psychic.

116 Atk Smeargle Extreme Speed vs. 236 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Unaware Woobat: 4-6 (30.7 - 46.1%) -- 17.6% chance to 3HKO

116 Atk Smeargle Extreme Speed vs. 236 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Unaware Woobat through Reflect: 2-3 (15.3 - 23%) -- possible 5HKO

116 Atk Smeargle Sucker Punch vs. 236 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Unaware Woobat through Reflect: 3-4 (23 - 30.7%) -- 22.8% chance to 4HKO

236 SpA Woobat Psychic vs. 236 HP / 0 SpD Smeargle: 7-9 (53.8 - 69.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO




All stats besides hp
Base stat: max stat
253-255: 12
203-252: 11
153-202: 9
103-152: 8
53- 102: 7
3-52: 6
1-2: 5

Hp
Base stat: max stat
253-255: 17
203-252: 16
153-202: 15
103-152: 14
53- 102: 13
3-52: 12
1-2: 11


Add 8 evs for each point base stat is less than examples, subtract 8 evs for each point base stat is higher than examples.

Base Stat: EVs needed to max stat
235-252: 0
230: 36
185-202: 0
180: 36
175: 76
170: 116
165: 156
160: 196
155: 236
135-152: 0
130: 36
125: 76
120: 116
115: 156
110: 196
105: 236
85-102: 0
80: 36
75: 76
70: 116
65: 156
60: 196
55: 236
35-52: 0
30: 36
25: 76
20: 116
15: 156
10: 196
5: 236


* - Can't max all stats

Bulbasaur 156 SPA/156 SDEF
Charmander 196 SPA/156 SPD
Squirtle 156 DEF/164 SDEF
Caterpie 36 ATK/116 SPA/116 SDEF
Weedle 36 DEF/116 SPA/ 116 SDEF
Pidgey 228 SPD
Rattata 36 HP/228 ATK/76 SPA/100 SPD
Spearow 196 ATK/36 DEF/28 SPA/28 SDEF/116 SPD
*Ekans 196 ATK/244 SDEF/236 SPD
Pikachu 236 ATK
Sandshrew 76 ATK/116 SPA/36 SDEF
Nidoran F 236 HP
Nidoran M 220 ATK
Vulpix 156 SDEF/156 SPD
Ninetales 92 HP/68 ATK/76 DEF/28 SPA
Zubat 36 SPA/236 SPD
Oddish 236 DEF/76 SPA/ 156 SDEF/36 SPD
*Paras 116 ATK/236 DEF/236 SDEF/ 76 SPD
*Venonat 196 HP/236 ATK/236 SDEF
Diglett 196 HP/236 ATK/ 76 DEF
Meowth None
Psyduck 156 SPA/236 SPD
Mankey 36 ATK/116 SPD
*Growlith 236 HP/116 ATk/116 SPA/196 SPD
Arcanine 196 HP/36 Def/ 36 SDEF
Poliwag None
*Abra 76 HP/116 ATK/156 DEF/236 SPA/236 SDEF
Machop 116 HP/36 ATK
Bellsprout 76 ATK/116 SPA/36 SDEF
Tentacool 116 SPD
Geodude 36 ATK/36 SPA/36 SDEF/116 SPD
*Ponyta 236 DEF/156 SPA/156 SDEF
Slowpoke 156 ATK/156 DEF/156 SPD
Magnemite 76 HP/116 DEF/236 SDEF
*Farfecth'd 156 ATK/236 DEF/212 SPA/180 SDEF/196 SPD
Doduo 76 SPD
Seel 156 HP/236 DEF/116 SPD
Grimer 36 HP/36 ATK/76 SPD
Shelder 36 HP/156 ATK/76 SDEF
Cloyster 36 DEF/76 SDEF
Ghastly 36 HP/36 DEF/36 SPD
Onix 196 DEF/36 SPA/116 SPD
Drowzee 196 HP
Krabby 36 HP/236 ATK/76 SPA/76 SDEF
Voltorb 36 ATK/236 SPA/236 SDEF
Exeggcute 196 HP/116 DEF/36 SPA/36 SDEF
Exeggutor 76 SPA/156 SDEF/236 SPD
Cubone None
*Lickitung 236 ATK/76 DEF196 SPA/76 SDEF/36 SPD
Koffing 156 ATK/196 SPA
Rhyhorn 36 HP/36 SPA/36 SDEF/76 SPD
*Chansey 236 ATK/236 DEF/236 SDEF
*Tangela 156 HP/236 ATK/156 DEF/196 SPD
Kangaskhan 236 HP/36 DEF/36 SDEF
*Horsea 36 HP/116 DEF/116 SPA/76 SDEF/196 SPD
Goldeen 140 ATK/196 DEF/ 196 SPD
*Staryu 36 HP/236 DEF/116 SPA/236 SDEF
Starmie 196 HP/76 ATK/156 SPD
Mr. Mime 156 DEF/116 SDEF
*Scyther 116 HP/196 ATK/36 DEF/236 SPA/36 SDEF/236 SPD
*Pinsir 156 HP/76 ATK/236 SPA/116 SDEF
Tauros 76 HP/116 SDEF/196 SPD
*Magikarp 116 HP/196 ATK/236 DEF/ 156 SPA/116 SDEF/36 SPD
Lapras 36 HP/36 DEF/196 SPD
Ditto None
*Eevee 236 HP/236 ATK/156 SDEF/236 SPD
*Vaporeon 36 HP/156 ATK/196 DEF/196 SPA/156 SPD
*Jolteon 156 HP/156 ATK/196 DEF/ 196 SPA/ 36 SPD
*Flareon 156 HP/36 ATK/196 DEF/196 SDEF/156 SPD
*Porygon 156 HP/196 ATK/116 DEF/76 SDEF
Omanyte 236 SDEF
*Kabuto 36 HP/36 ATk/ 236 SPA/236 SPD
*Aerodactyl 36 HP/236 ATK/156 DEF/196 SPA/76 SDEF/36 SPD
*Snorelax 196 HP/196 ATK/156 DEF/156 SPA/196 SDEF/36 SPD
Dratini 148 ATK


* - Can't max all stats

Mega Kangaskhan 236 HP/76 ATK/196 SPA
*Mega Pinsir 156 HP/236 ATK/116 DEF/156 SPA/236 SPD
Mega Aerodactyl 36 HP/116 SPA
Mega Scizor 116 HP/156 SPA/76 SPD
Mega Heracross 36 HP/156 DEF/236 SDEF/76 SPD
*Mega Mawile 236 ATK/76 DEF/236 SPA
*Mega Absol 156 HP/196 DEF/156 SPA/196 SDEF/156 SPD



Chespin
Fennekin
Froxie
Bunnelby
Flecthling
Scatterbug
Litleo
Flabebe
Skiddo
Pancham
Furfrou
Espurr
Honedge
Spritzee
Aromatisse
Swirlix
Slurpuff
Inkay
Binacle
Skrelp
Clauncher
Helioptile
Heliolisk
Tyrunt
Amaura
Hawlucha
Dedenne
Carbink
Goomy
Klefki
Phantump
Trevenant
Pumpkaboo
Gourgeist
Bergmite
Noibat


Mega Kangaskhan
Mega Pinsir
Mega Aerodactyl
Mega Scizor
Mega Heracross
Mega Mawile
Mega Absol
 
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