approved by Raseri
OP stolen from Magnemite
art by anundeadboy
The NU ladder is a treacherous warzone filled with hipsters using things that are completely irrelevant like Furret or Plusle, oblivious to the fact that there are better things out there to use. This thread's goal is toprove that those hipsters are idiots help people improve their playstyles on the ladder by showing which sets aren't useful in the current meta, explaining why, and replacing it with something better.
Example of what to do in your response:
Don't use this:
Tyrone (Mantine) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpA
Modest Nature
- Air Slash
- Hydro Pump
- Signal Beam
- Ice Beam
Why it's bad:
While Mantine does possess the gigantic Special Defense stat that most would consider to work well in tandem with the Assault Vest, its attacking stats are lower and more pathetic than my self esteem. That being said, as an attacker, it's outclassed by pretty much every other flying type, including Rotom-Fan (neither are even birds.)
Use this instead:
Tyrone (Lanturn) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Why it's better:
As an unsuspecting offensive fish, Lanturn outclasses Mantine because of a more useful ability, Volt Absorb, which blocks Volt Switch users. Additionally, Lanturn works well as a slow offensive pivot to aid Guts users like Zangoose, Swellow, and Hariyama. Furthermore, Lanturn lacks the fatal flaw of a 4x weakness that Mantine possesses.
OP stolen from Magnemite
art by anundeadboy
The NU ladder is a treacherous warzone filled with hipsters using things that are completely irrelevant like Furret or Plusle, oblivious to the fact that there are better things out there to use. This thread's goal is to
Don't use this:
Tyrone (Mantine) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpA
Modest Nature
- Air Slash
- Hydro Pump
- Signal Beam
- Ice Beam
Why it's bad:
While Mantine does possess the gigantic Special Defense stat that most would consider to work well in tandem with the Assault Vest, its attacking stats are lower and more pathetic than my self esteem. That being said, as an attacker, it's outclassed by pretty much every other flying type, including Rotom-Fan (neither are even birds.)
Use this instead:
Tyrone (Lanturn) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Why it's better:
As an unsuspecting offensive fish, Lanturn outclasses Mantine because of a more useful ability, Volt Absorb, which blocks Volt Switch users. Additionally, Lanturn works well as a slow offensive pivot to aid Guts users like Zangoose, Swellow, and Hariyama. Furthermore, Lanturn lacks the fatal flaw of a 4x weakness that Mantine possesses.
Don't use this:
Butterfree / Beautifly / Dustox / Mothim @ Focus Sash
Ability: Whatever abilities these get I can't be bothered
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Bug Buzz
- Sleep Powder
- Quiver Dance
- Giga Drain / Relevant secondary STAB
Why it's bad: For the longest time, these 4 have always given each other stiff competition due to the advantages and disadvantages being relatively slight. They all seem to share a few things, though, like awful defensive typing, piss poor bulk (bar Dustox, but the typing doesn't help), and general lack of offensive presence unboosted. Luckily, gen 6 gave a determining factor:
Use this instead:
Vivillon @ Focus Sash / Leftovers / Life Orb
Ability: Compound Eyes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hidden Power Ground / Bug Buzz / Substitute
- Hurricane
- Sleep Powder
- Quiver Dance
Why it's better: Vivillon has a couple of huge advantages over it's fellow bugs. First off, it's far faster than all of them, allowing it to actually oputspeed relevant threats at +1. It's ability, though, is the true godsend. With Compoundeyes, Vivillon can reliably put anything to sleep and set up freely. Once set up, it can spam a nigh unmissable STAB Hurricane. Not much enjoys switching in to that, even resists. All in all, Vivillon gives an infinite amount more pressure to the opposing team than any of the other NU bugs.
Don't use that:
Regirock @ Assault Vest
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Rock Slide / Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Drain Punch
- Ice Punch
Why it's bad:
Regirock's great physical bulk, passable special bulk, and access to Drain Punch might make it seem like a perfect Assault Vest user. In reality Drain Punch is an incredibly weak move as it has mediocre base power and Regirock's attack is not sky high and is in fact way less effective than leftovers in terms of recovery. Not to mention that Regirock doesn't get to use Thunder Wave (that sets it apart from Rhydon, Golem, and Steelix) and Stealth Rock which are certainly more useful than the extra special bulk, especially with that few special resistances.
Use this instead:
Regirock @ Leftovers
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Rock Slide
- Drain Punch
- Thunder Wave
Why it's better:
Leftovers are a way better form of recovery for Regirock as they help healing off Entry Hazard damage more efficiently than Drain Punch and help it check Normal and Flying types. Stealth Rock is the key move as it gives Regirock something to do while the opponent switches to a Pokemon that Regirock can't touch instead of hitting it with a super weak Drain Punch such as Gurdurr. Thunder Wave also helps crippling offensive Water- and Grass-type Pokemon looking for a free switch in.
EDIT: Added another example
Don't use that:
Golurk @ Assault Vest
Ability: No Guard / Iron Fist
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Dynamicpunch / Shadow Punch
- Stone Edge / Ice Punch
- Drain Punch
Why it's bad:
Let's be serious, what special hits do you want to take? A random Giga Drain from Vileplume before dying and doing mediocre damage back?
A random super effective Hidden Power from an Electric-type that won't even stay in? Assault Vest Golurk is an extreme waste of potential for an awesome offensive Stealth Rock Setter and Choice Band user. It can't recover anything with a non STAB Drain Punch and can't even setup its own Stealth Rock while "anti-leading" with Dynamicpunch.
Use those instead:
Golurk @ Choice Band
Ability: Iron Fist
EVs: 100 HP / 252 Atk / 156 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Shadow Punch
- Ice Punch
- Fire Punch / Drain Punch
Golurk @ Leftovers
Ability: No Guard / Iron Fist
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Dynamicpunch / Shadow Punch
- Stone Edge / Ice Punch
Why it's better:
Choice Band Golurk is an extremely tricky Pokemon to switch into as it easily 2HKOs checks to the common Leftover set like Seismitoad who is always 2HKOed even without entry hazards support. The Speed evs are to outrun said Toad and murder it while not having to take the hit at all (which i guess is the purpose of the first set). The Leftovers Stealth Rock set is also pretty good as it can setup Stealth Rock on a variety of Pokemon like Rhydon and is difficult to switch into for offensive teams thanks to its good power. It also has more longevity than the AV set thanks to Leftovers and gives much better support in Stealth Rock.
Alright, here's something.
Please Don't Use This (the fact that it receives 4% usage in raw stats is disturbing):
Dusknoir @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 248 Def / 8 SpD
Impish Nature
- Will-O-Wisp
- Pain Split
- Fire Punch / Shadow Punch
- Earthquake
Why it's bad:
Okay. Now I can see why lower ladder players are compelled to use this thing. On paper, Dusknoir looks like it would be a great Pokemon; it has ridiculous defenses, a solid 100 Attack, on par with things like Goodra and Scolipede in higher tiers, and a wide movepool that gives it a couple of tricks. However, in practice, Dusknoir has very poor performances. It actually does not hit very hard at all. Its best STAB move has a whopping 60 Base Power, which is pretty pitiful, and its next best STAB, Shadow Sneak, has priority, but from Dusknoir it's pretty weak as well. This is worsened by the fact that none of its coverage moves exceed a BP of 80, which is weak, and the ones that do are either unreliable (Focus Punch) or are easy to switch into (EQ). Aside from Dusknoir's poor damage output, it's also not as bulky as its superb defenses suggest due to its abysmal HP. For one thing, it's barely bulkier than a Dragalge with the same investment. It actually gets 2HKO'd by a bunch of really strong attacks, like Knock Off. This is also worsened by its lack of reliable recovery; Pain Split can really only get you so far. Aside from that, it's pretty much outclassed by most other Ghost-types, like this one;
Instead, Use This:
Gourgeist-Super @ Leftovers
Ability: Frisk
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Seed Bomb
- Will-O-Wisp
- Leech Seed
- Pain Split
Why it's Better:
This is only one of those Pokemon that outclasses Dusknoir in every way. Gourgeist is just so much better than Dusknoir. It has a nice Water resistance, allowing it to take on Feraligatr a lot more easily, and also has more remarkable bulk thanks to its higher HP. Seed Bomb isn't a shabby move, and hits Gatr for nice damage as well as hitting everything a lot harder than Dusknoir can. Gourgeist also has Leech Seed so it can sap HP from the opponent along with Wisp, and heal its own in the process. In addition, if you want, Gourgeist has Phantom Force to hit somewhat hard and also stall out more Leech Seed/Wisp damage, which Dusknoir can't hope to do. If you want a defensively oriented Ghost, try out Gourgeist instead of Dusknoir.
In addition to this, Golurk and Spiritomb are also much better than Dusknoir, since they hit much harder and have useful forms of support, Tomb also having Infiltrator to bypass Subs. Even Dusclops is better than the horrible Dusknoir, but Dusclops sucks and probably shouldn't be used anyways lol.
Don't Use This:
Tyrone (Mr. Mime) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Filter
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Psychic
- Dazzling Gleam
- Energy Ball
- Shadow Ball
Use These:
Mr. Mime @ Life Orb
Ability: Soundproof
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Focus Blast / Nasty Plot
- Dazzling Gleam
- Encore / Taunt
Mr. Mime @ Choice Scarf / Choice Specs
Ability: Soundproof
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Dazzling Gleam
- Trick
Why It Is Better:
Assault Vest is a poor choice on Mr. Mime to start with, as its godly 120 base SDef is completely weighed down by a HP[40HP] lower than that of WURMPLE IS OUR GOD[45HP]. As a result, Mr. Mime can't tank even the simplest of hits, and is frankly wasted when being used as an Assault Vester. Instead, Mr. Mime is better played as an offensive psychic type. What makes it stand out from stuff like Jynx or Mesprit is its amazing fairy typing and vast movepool. It can thus wall choiced dragons such as Altaria, Dragalge, or Fraxure, and fire off powerful STAB Dazzling Gleams that have great neutral coverage with its other Psychic STAB. Mr. Mime's movepool also includes support options such as Encore and Taunt, allowing it to become an effective stallbreaker by preventing walls from recovering or locking pokemon such as Bulk Up Gurdurr or Sub Calm Mind Uxie into their respective setup moves. This either gives it the opportunity to fire off powerful LO Boosted Attacks, or get off a free Nasty Plot to prepare a sweep of its own. With +2 under its belt, it can blast through a large portion of the metagame, also making it a great wallbreaker for pokemon like Swellow and Archeops to clean after. Choiced sets are also quite favored on Mr. Mime, as access to trick as well as powerful STABs lets it punish most switch ins, and with a Scarf it can revenge kill a multitude of threats. With specs equipped, it also 2HKO's the better portion of the metagame, and Trick Allows it to shut down walls or cripple opponents switching in.
Also Soundproof is like 100% wall to Chatot so lol.
Don't Use This:
Pikachu @ Light Ball
Ability: Lightningrod / Static
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe OR 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt / Volt Tackle
- Grass Knot / Knock Off / Extremespeed
- Substitute / Signal Beam / Brick Break
Why it's bad: At first glance this looks very good. 90 speed is okay, an item that double the offensive stats and an immunity to electric moves if you avoid certain moves. When you look closer you find a fairly barren move pool, a speed that just quite isn't enough for the environment it's in and worse defenses than wet paper. Bulk so horrible it literally can't take resisted attacks at all and it dies to every sort of priority that it can't even use the speed it has. And if you go for the priority it does have, then you miss out on the only immunity it have because they're incompatible. Same thing with Volt Tackle and Extremespeed.
Instead, Use This:
Electivire @ Life Orb
Ability: Motor Drive
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Volt Switch
- Wild Charge / Thunderbolt
- Flamethrower / Fire Punch
- Earthquake / Hidden Power Ground
Why it's Better:
Hits nearly as hard with Life Orb, has a better speed tier, better move pool and can actually live some attacks thrown its way without falling over. It isn't reliant on Substitute to get things done and have the same ability to run both physical, special and mixed sets.
This thing somehow gets more usage than Ferroseed. WTF?
Don't use:
Slaking @ Choice Band
Ability: Truant
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Return
- Hammer Arm
- Earthquake
- Pursuit
Sure, Slaking may have stats equivalent to that of Ubers. Sure, its Attack is higher than that of Deoxys-N. So why is Slaking bad? One word: Truant. This is an extremely exploitable ability, as all you have to do is use Protect or predict a move and switch into something that resists it. It gets worn down very easily because of this, and the only way to remove its ability is to use Yamask, and any smart player will not try to use contact moves to get mummified. The worst part about Slaking is that it is massive setup bait because of Truant which can turn the tide away from you.
Use this instead:
Tauros @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SAtk / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Rock Climb
- Earthquake
- Zen Headbutt
- Fire Blast
Tauros is less suspicable to Protect shenanigans that stop Slaking in its tracks, allowing it to have more chances of breaking through its opponent. Sheer Force is an excellent ability for Tauros, as it will not take LO recoil damage from moves with secondary effects, thus making it harder to wear down. Better physical Normal-types aren't just limited to Tauros. Kangaskhan has access to priority in Sucker Punch, Zangoose has Toxic Boost Facade, Swellow also has Facade as well as Flying-type coverage, Bouffalant works well in Trick Room, and even niche stuff like Linoone, Ursaring, Sawsbuck, Dodrio, Purugly, Stoutland, and Persian all have things that make them stand out more than Slaking.
Gigalith @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Rock Blast
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Heavy Slam
Gigalith, while having its niche in gen 5 NU, is no longer as viable; Custap Berry Explosion lead is now impossible with Custap Berry being illegal in gen 6. Additionally, single Rock typing leaves it vulnerable to Volt Switch pivots such as Rotom, Probopass, Raichu, and Lanturn. Gigalith also has a lackluster physical movepool, using moves that can all be used better by other pokemon.
Rhydon @ Eviolite
Ability: Rock Head
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Rock Blast
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Megahorn
Unlike Gigalith, Rhydon has an extra Ground typing, granting it an immunity to Electric moves, stopping volt switch users in their tracks. Furthermore, ground typing allows Rhydon to hit hard with STAB earthquake, swiftly dispatching of walls like Probopass and Steelix. With a large(r) physical movepool, Rhydon has options like megahorn, aqua tail, fire punch, etc. With access to eviolite, Rhydon also has the bulk to withstand hits from sweepers like Zangoose and Gurdurr.
Found this while looking through raw stats:
+----------------------------------------+
| Feraligatr |
+----------------------------------------+
| Raw count: 86569 |
| Avg. weight: 0.999879215967 |
+----------------------------------------+
| Abilities |
| Torrent 100.000% |
+----------------------------------------+
| Items |
| Life Orb 38.894% |
| Lum Berry 30.789% |
| Leftovers 12.260% |
| Mystic Water 3.128% |
| Assault Vest 3.041% |
Don't use this:
Feraligatr @ Assault Vest
Ability: Torrent
Happiness: 0
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Ice Punch
- Aqua Jet
- Frustration
Why it's bad: At first glance, Feraligatr may look like a good Assault Vest candidate with it's decent attack stat and good bulk. However, unlike, say, AV Azumarill in OU, Feraligatr lacks support moves like Knock Off, and Gatr can also boost its stats. A major rule with Assault Vest is that you never put it on something that can set-up. (Sure some good Assault Vest users such as Escavalier, Slowking and Conkeldurr in higher tiers can boost their stats, but what they gain through Assault Vest is more important than a boosting move, but not in Gatr's case. It's already bulky enough to survive a lot of Grass-type moves anyways (Or if you're cool and use Rindo Berry))
Instead, use this:
Feraligatr @ Lum Berry / Life Orb
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 196 HP / 252 Atk / 60 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Aqua Jet
- Swords Dance
- Return / Ice Punch
Why it's better: If you want to use Feraligatr as a bulky attacker, the classic Gatr Time set works much better than Assault Vest. Unlike the good AV users I mentioned before that can boost, Feraligatr actually has decent speed. Also, it can boost its power further with Life Orb or absorb status with Lum Berry, both of which AV Gatr can't do.
Also, AV Typhlosion and AV Pyroar are things some people actually use seriously. Wow............ (If you don't believe me look at the raw NU moveset stats) This was a rather quick one to do, but the fact this was above 2% usage made me want to do it anyways.
And to those wondering I don't think Frustration on Gatr is bad. It is a viable option simply because of stuff like Ditto really.
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