I'd like to nominate
Maractus for Low C Rank.
Hear me out. I know Maractus is outclassed in many ways by the more notable grass types in the tier, and I'm aware that one of its only recognized niches is Chlorophyll + Spikes. However, I have found another use for Maractus that allows it to function as a potentially game-changing lead, being a surprising offensive threat while maintaining its invaluable utility in Spikes.
Maractus @ Focus Sash
Trait: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 Atk / 40 SAtk / 216 Spd
Naughty Nature
- Bullet Seed
- Grass Knot
- Sucker Punch
- Spikes
Maractus has a niche in being the only Spikes user with access to Bullet Seed (Cacturne can only have Bullet Seed with Sand veil). This also means that Maractus is the only Spikes setter that can OHKO Golem with 3 hits from Bullet Seed. The EVs and nature maximize Maractus's typically mediocre attack stat, which allows it to score an extraordinarily valuable KO on Golem if given the chance. The second move, Grass Knot, is for straight up OHKOing most Golurk, assuming they don't invest a lot into bulk. The speed EVs are for outspeeding 252 speed Golurk, which I thought wouldn't be necessary, but I've been running into a ridiculous amount of max speed Adamant Golurks lately. The EVs are subject to change, because Maractus can use all the SAtk it can get against Golurk to guarantee a KO. Moving on, Sucker Punch is just a completely unexpected attack coming from Maractus, and it has decent power being a fully invested priority attack. Spikes are the real reason I use Maractus, but I believe that the aforementioned attributes distinguish it from the small amount of Spike-stacking competition it has.
Water Absorb allows Maractus to come in on stuff like +2 SS Gorebyss, Seismitoad, Alomomola and Samurott, expecting them to go for their strongest STAB move against something like Eelektross on your team. Water Absorb negates all hazards damage taken on the switch, allowing Maractus to use its Focus Sash and STAB Grass moves/Sucker Punch to ensure that the water-type threat is eliminated even if it is behind a Sub. In the event that Maractus is switched in on something like Alomomola who will surely avoid getting KO'd, you can always just use the opportunity to get up some more Spikes.
This isn't to say that Maractus can be thrown on any team. The team I use does not have rapid spin support, which compels Golem leads to try and set up SR on turn 1. I have a Golurk on my team, which lures in pokemon like Jynx and Haunter on turn 1 as they may expect me to lead with Golurk. Jynx will most likely opt against putting Maractus to sleep because it can outspeed and go for the OHKO Ice Beam. Focus Sash allows me to live the hit and prey on Jynx's garbage defense with Bullet Seed, more than likely bringing it below 25% to KO with Sucker Punch, if not straight up KOing it with Bullet Seed. Similarly, Haunter is a common anti-Golurk lead and will often fall to Sucker Punch if leading against Maractus. The fun doesn't stop here; Seismitoad is another common lead against an expected Golurk, and it will most likely switch out allowing an opportunity for free Spikes.
TL;DR Maractus has some of the most devastating surprises of all the seemingly unorthidox pokemon I have tried in NU, and it's definitely worth trying out. As for the nomination, C Rank may be giving it too much credit but I believe it deserves at least some attention,
and Low C Rank doesn't seem to exist. Judging from my experiences using Maractus, it's an impressive pokemon that performs well in its niche and Spikes are already amazing in NU. Unfortunately it remains overshadowed by its competition in other roles.
Maractus at its best:
http://pokemonshowdown.com/replay/nu-42789059