Gen 6 has introduced a lot of new things, Faries, the Steel Nerf, easier accessible hidden abilities, new abilities, and of course, Mega Evolutions. This article is going to take a look at how the above have changed 3v3 from the gen 5 meta.
How Gen 6 Changed 3v3 Singles.
I haven't played years of GBU Singles, but I do remember seeing a hellalotta fighting types and dragon types. Latios, Heracross, Blaziken, and Hydriegon were top tier threats back in gen 5, but the introduction of fairies has significantly chopped the use of the aforementioned Pokemon. 3 of those were because of the introduction of fairy types. In singles, Azumarill and Mawile (mega) are the most common fairies, Gardevoir not that far behind. All 3 of those knock out Dragonite, Garchomp, Heracross, Hawlucha, Hydreigon, Latios, (sometimes) Latias, (the physical ones) TTar (Mega), Noivern, and Scrafty. This means and is proven to create a drop in the usage of these Pokemon, the last that were in gen 5 were decently popular in 3v3.
(maybe not Latias or Scrafty) My point is, the fairy type has really downsized the amount of Dragon, Fighting, and Dark types we see in today's 3v3, and weather you consider the steel nerf a factor or not, that's what happened.
Kangaskhan and Mawile weren't good at all last gen, give Mawile around 300 base Atk and Kanga's moves 1.5 damage, and they'll rise in usage a bit. The fact that Mawile has a solid typing also gives it an Advantage. Kangaskhan is probably the most used mega in 3v3, and that's for a reason. 100 speed, 100 defenses, 125 attack, 105 hp, and the fact that it can get +2 attack and still do damage is insane. Of course don't leave out Mega Gengar, Blaziken, and Gardevoir. Gengar has 130 speed, 150 Satk, and the ability to trap. Sub Gengar is an amazing way to annoy Kangaskhan, and play the Sucker Punch mindgame and Kanga can't even switch! Blaziken has 100 speed and 160 attack! It even still keeps Speed Boost. If you can eliminate any kind of flying or water priority, Mega Blaziken will easily take over. Gardevoir is the hardest hitting fairy special attacker, with an amazing 165 base special attack + pixilate.
The last thing I'm going to cover will be 3 new Pokemon that are thriving this year due to their new abilities.
Talonflame: The big bad ass birdy of gen 6, Talonflame has impacted and influenced the meta quite a lot. He's Mega Blaziken's biggest rival, the only thing is, with his new ability Gale Wings, he easily wins. Choice Banded Talonflame is one of the best Pokemon to either get early game damage or revenge kill. He's even more fearsome in this meta with the lack of Stealth Rock. Talon's worst checks and counters are Mega Kanga, Tyranitar, Garchomp, Landorus, other Talonflame, and Rotom.(W/H)
Greninja: This frog packs the new ability Protean, which changes Greninja's type to the type of the move it's using. This is great for the offensive purpose of unlimited STABs and the defensive purpose of switching types to avoid being hit with an SE attack. Blaziken, Talonflame, Mega Kanga, Mega Mawile, and Rotom are the most notable checks and counters, so beware of those if you're running the froggy.
Aegislash: Aegislash is a mon of many mysteries. 1st off, you have to determine if it's a sub set, physical set, or mixed set. After that, you have to be smart about it using King's Shield or hitting you with a powerful attack or setting up a sub. Its near deadly BST leaves it at 150 defense and attack. Anything you attack with or take from this spirit-sword is going to hurt. Its plethora of resistances also comes in handy, especially with trying to mindgame Mega Kangaskhan.
