Because it's easier than the offensive threats in A- to check or wall, with Pokemon such as Mega Metagross, Clefable, Mega Altaria, Mega Sableye, Mega Latias, Mega Scizor, Mega Venusaur, Mega Heracross, Celebi, and the list goes on. Also, Mega Sableye hinders its performance as a Sash lead, while SD + 3 attacks sets are easier to deal with thanks to the introduction of the new MEvos.Somewhat of a tangent, but alexwolf, could you please explain why Breloom was passed over for A- rank? There were quite a few posters nominating it, and, as far as I can tell, no opposition to the move - at least that was voiced in this thread.
Mega Sableye is not just a wall, but also a stallbreaker and bulky setup Pokemon. M-Venasaur has incredible bulk and an immunity to toxic. Although M-Altaria has heal bell, it kills momentum.I could pick this apart, but the bolded section really ought to speak for itself. I guess we should all stop using M-Venusaur and M-Sableye.
Meanwhile, Mega Altaria is...Mega Sableye is not just a wall, but also a stallbreaker and bulky setup Pokemon. M-Venasaur has incredible bulk and an immunity to toxic. Although M-Altaria has heal bell, it kills momentum.
Although my post was talking more about M-Pinsir's late game capabilities, it also functions really well as a wallbreaker. For this, hazard control is a must but even checks like Landorus-T and M-Metagross take a ton of damage from Aerilate Return.The thing about Mega Pinsir that imo makes it A+ rank is that it does all of the wallbreaking it needs to set up a late-game sweep by itself. You have rain teams. you have sand teams. You have all kinds of teams that work together to dismantle the opponent. And then you have "Mega Pinsir" teams, because if you give this one Pokemon the right support, it does all the offensive work for a team by itself. By pairing this thing up with a trapper and hazard control (which most teams have as a given) you have such an insanely powerful and dangerous Pokemon at your hands. I personally don't see how Pinsir's viability has decreased when there's no new toys for stall to handle it and most of the offensive megas are easily taken care of with priority. The only exceptions are Metagross and Diancie, and to somewhat take care of this you could run earthquake, which is perfectly fine over CC. As someone who has used Mega Pinsir a lot, I can confidently say that Pinsir is performing better than last gen. It's just so easy to use. Wear down what can take a hit or hit it first, and then kill. Yes, it requires more support than the other A+ ranks, but what you get in return (!!!) is completely worth it.
View attachment 32048 => A+
M-Altaria has a lot of versatility but I feel that it is doesn't particularly excel in any of its sets. I think it's outclassed by Sylveon/Chansey as a cleric, the SpA set outclassed somewhat by CM Clefable and its DD set outclassed by M-Charizard X.Meanwhile, Mega Altaria is...
... pretty much everything but a weather setter. It's stats, movepool and unique traits are such that you can tailor it to fit into just about any role you could want to. Wall, Cleric, Set-up sweeper, Tank, Physical, Special... there's a ridiculous amount it can do and to just say it's only a 'wall' is a massive misrepresentation of it.
The problem with your statement is Mega Altaria's typing and boost from both DD and Pixilate. I feel it is Superior to MCharizardX because it only has 3 Weakness' it can take care of Easily with Fire Blast or Earthquake. (Poison, Steel, Ice.) And, the weaknesses it does have aren't the most popular types. Ice is only with Weavile and Mamoswine. Steel with Ferrothorn and Bisharp, and with Ferrothorn you can OHKO it with Fire Blast. And Poison is Venusaur, who is really you're only threat. If you pair MAltaria with something like Excadrill or Latias, you can easily deal with Venusuar (Most likely Mega) and get rid of the damaging rocks before Mega Evolving. Mega Charizard X has some more common type weaknesses. (Rock, Dragon, Ground) Ground types, which are really popular right now, don't help Charizard at all, and if you're against a Defensive/Scarfed Lando-T, you're screwed. Garchomp, Mamoswine, both Landorus', and I believe Earth Power Heatran all are rather Scurry to CharizardX, especially if the Heatran is AB and offensive. Next is Dragon, and. Could go on forever. Kingdra, Rain teams paired with Swift Swim. Salamence, Scarfed or using LO. Garchomp, Sash lead or Scarfed. Dragonite, Banded, Leftovers DD, Weakness Policy. Etc. Etc.M-Altaria has a lot of versatility but I feel that it is doesn't particularly excel in any of its sets. I think it's outclassed by Sylveon/Chansey as a cleric, the SpA set outclassed somewhat by CM Clefable and its DD set outclassed by M-Charizard X.
Not to mention heatrans scarf set which is not always obvious and still provides great defensive support with its fantastic typing.Heatran is one of the more consistent Rock setters in the meta right now. Speedy support set is fantastic in giving it leverage amongst balanced cores while still having the utility against stall. Empoleon and Heatran are two different things. One is getting screwed over by Magnezone all the time, Empoleon, while Heatran can actually threaten it. Heatran has both the ability to phase and Taunt if need be, Empoleon can only provide the former. Heatran falls under a much more useful speed tier to tie in with all its positives. And no Empoleon doesn't have a similar offensive presence if anything it can't even capitalize on it as well as Empoleon because it either goes for a support role or that offensive specs set (do people even use this?). Heatran can provide fantastic synergy, SR, Phasing, and definitely needs to be taken into account as an A+ ranked threat.
Just to clarify, i was comparing Empoleons SpD set with Heatrans SpD set which is usually Lavaplume + support moves. And between those 2 sets there isnt much difference in offensive power. Ofc Heatran has more sets available making him better overall, but i was just refering to his SpD set.Azumarills effectiveness traded off its role from the AV set to its Choice Band and BD sets. Knock Off BD is an extremely dangerous set that turns its defensive checks into a liability. Choice Band there's not much that needs to be said Rotom-W and Ferrothorn might check it but they're realistically not going to be switching in and taking the brunt of a heavy hit. That's a given A+ for me.
Heatran is one of the more consistent Rock setters in the meta right now. Speedy support set is fantastic in giving it leverage amongst balanced cores while still having the utility against stall. Empoleon and Heatran are two different things. One is getting screwed over by Magnezone all the time, Empoleon, while Heatran can actually threaten it. Heatran has both the ability to phase and Taunt if need be, Empoleon can only provide the former. Heatran falls under a much more useful speed tier to tie in with all its positives. And no Empoleon doesn't have a similar offensive presence if anything it can't even capitalize on it as well as Empoleon because it either goes for a support role or that offensive specs set (do people even use this?). Heatran can provide fantastic synergy, SR, Phasing, and definitely needs to be taken into account as an A+ ranked threat.
I think the big reason Mega Altaria I could see Mega Altaria dropping is that it's versatile enough to play all the above roles, but it's not proficient to play more than one effectively at once. So while the player might not quite know what handles it at a glance, many teams will probably have checks to it by nature.Meanwhile, Mega Altaria is...
... pretty much everything but a weather setter. It's stats, movepool and unique traits are such that you can tailor it to fit into just about any role you could want to. Wall, Cleric, Set-up sweeper, Tank, Physical, Special... there's a ridiculous amount it can do and to just say it's only a 'wall' is a massive misrepresentation of it.
I'm not to sure on how I feel about Mega Gard dropping. In fact, I'd say Mega Gard is extremely anti metagame at the moment, and the fact that hardly anyone is using it is quite a shame. Although there are a few new megas that give it trouble, such as Mega Metagross and Mega Lop to an extent (Return is doing a shit ton to Gard), the transition from XY to ORAS just made Mega Gard far more useful IMO. If you look at the viability rankings, just look at the sheer amount of Pokemon Mega Gard checks. Mega Sableye is an extremely dominating force at the moment, and can be a huge nuisance to almost any team lacking a Fairy-type. Mega Gard not only completely destroys it with a Pixilate Hyper Voice, but it can also Trace its Magic Bounce ability upon switch-in before it Megas, basically giving it a pseudo immunity to its Wisp. It also stops Mega Slowbro cold with Taunt, or just straight up setting up on it with CM if you happen to run it. It's a great check to Mega Altaria before it sets up, as well as Mega Gallade, Keldeo, Mega Gyarados, Latios, Rotom-W, Mega Venu, Mega Scep, Breloom, Mew, etc. It's just an outstanding offensive Pokemon at the moment, as well as an insanely good stallbreaker which absolutely rips through the common Mega Sableye stall that we are beginning to see all the damn time. Yes its Speed tier may be less significant, although it was never THAT significant in the first place, and it faces more competition for a slot because of the vast amount of new mega evolutions, but other than a few gained checks, Mega Gardevoir only got more useful from the transition from XY to ORAS, and I don't really think dropping it would seem practical, as it is still one of the more useful megas in the tier.Italic = not sure about the changes
I support Azumarill to A, because it is simply worse than in XY.
I could see Mega Gardevoir to A because its speed tier is not very good and it really lacks physical bulk. Moreover, it receives new checks with ORAS. But it is really hard to swith into and checks many new megas, so I can see it stay in A+.
Gengar can also drop to A because it lacks bulk and usually lacks power to achieve OHKOs. However, it's still a very dangerous threat, so it coud stay A+.
Keldeo may drop to A because it received many new checks/counters with the new megas (Metagross, Gallade, Altaria, Sceptile, Loppuny, Slowbro, Diancie, Latias) and Celebi is rising. But this changes made its Scarf set more viable and checks Greninja (can switch in every moves except Gunk Shot), which is extremely useful.
I have not really opinion about Pinsir. Sure it's a monstruous late-game cleaner, but it seems less dangerous than in XY.
Mega Slowbro must stay in A+. It is incredibly hard to stop at +1, it has a monstruous physical bulk, can set up without risk of critical hit, has a good recovery move and hits hard even without boost (130 SpA !). This monster should not drop !
Mega Charizard X is much better offensively than Mega Altaria is. It has better offensive typing and stats. It's typing has MUCH better offensive synergy (one of the few Dragons that isn't walled by Steel types) and its attack and speed are miles better than Mega Altaria's. Mega Altaria is definitely a better defensive Pokemon, but offensively Mega Charizard X's SD/TW and speedy DD sets are just better. It also needs less set up js.The problem with your statement is Mega Altaria's typing and boost from both DD and Pixilate. I feel it is Superior to MCharizardX because it only has 3 Weakness' it can take care of Easily with Fire Blast or Earthquake. (Poison, Steel, Ice.) And, the weaknesses it does have aren't the most popular types. Ice is only with Weavile and Mamoswine. Steel with Ferrothorn and Bisharp, and with Ferrothorn you can OHKO it with Fire Blast. And Poison is Venusaur, who is really you're only threat. If you pair MAltaria with something like Excadrill or Latias, you can easily deal with Venusuar (Most likely Mega) and get rid of the damaging rocks before Mega Evolving. Mega Charizard X has some more common type weaknesses. (Rock, Dragon, Ground) Ground types, which are really popular right now, don't help Charizard at all, and if you're against a Defensive/Scarfed Lando-T, you're screwed. Garchomp, Mamoswine, both Landorus', and I believe Earth Power Heatran all are rather Scurry to CharizardX, especially if the Heatran is AB and offensive. Next is Dragon, and. Could go on forever. Kingdra, Rain teams paired with Swift Swim. Salamence, Scarfed or using LO. Garchomp, Sash lead or Scarfed. Dragonite, Banded, Leftovers DD, Weakness Policy. Etc. Etc.
My main point is that M-Altaria is the more balanced Megamence, but still is countered/checked by things. And, is better than MegazardX.
Many of these checks you listed can potentially beat Keldeo, but Keldeo is only meant to stay in for a few turns anyways. Lopunny and Diancie cannot switch in at all, and neiher can Sceptile, Metagross, or Altaria, unless Keldeo is locked into the appropriate move for the latter three. Altaria and Latias are solid checks, but they both take a lot of damage from Keldeo's Icy Wind. Mega Slowbro itself seems terrifying, but offense usually has the tools needed to best it. The increased usage of Celebi is notable, but I really cannot see your current argument as valid for making it drop. If you want to nominate it to drop, you are best talking about its speed and not Pokemon that outspeed it, as most offensive teams still have the same troubles switching into Keldeo as they did in XY.Italic = not sure about the changes
I support Azumarill to A, because it is simply worse than in XY.
I could see Mega Gardevoir to A because its speed tier is not very good and it really lacks physical bulk. Moreover, it receives new checks with ORAS. But it is really hard to swith into and checks many new megas, so I can see it stay in A+.
Gengar can also drop to A because it lacks bulk and usually lacks power to achieve OHKOs. However, it's still a very dangerous threat, so it coud stay A+.
Keldeo may drop to A because it received many new checks/counters with the new megas (Metagross, Gallade, Altaria, Sceptile, Loppuny, Slowbro, Diancie, Latias) and Celebi is rising. But this changes made its Scarf set more viable and checks Greninja (can switch in every moves except Gunk Shot), which is extremely useful.
I have not really opinion about Pinsir. Sure it's a monstruous late-game cleaner, but it seems less dangerous than in XY.
Mega Slowbro must stay in A+. It is incredibly hard to stop at +1, it has a monstruous physical bulk, can set up without risk of critical hit, has a good recovery move and hits hard even without boost (130 SpA !). This monster should not drop !
Mega Altaria isn't outclassed by any of these mons. It has a niche that separates it from each of them.M-Altaria has a lot of versatility but I feel that it is doesn't particularly excel in any of its sets. I think it's outclassed by Sylveon/Chansey as a cleric, the SpA set outclassed somewhat by CM Clefable and its DD set outclassed by M-Charizard X.
+1 252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Crunch vs. 4 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Chansey: 325-384 (50.6 - 59.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKOI think the big reason Mega Altaria I could see Mega Altaria dropping is that it's versatile enough to play all the above roles, but it's not proficient to play more than one effectively at once. So while the player might not quite know what handles it at a glance, many teams will probably have checks to it by nature.
If it's a Wall and Cleric, there's a decent number of things that can set up on it, considering it doesn't hit much harder than Sylveon uninvested w/ Return. If it's a DDer, it needs to depend more on its bulk to get the (multiple) boosts its going to need, since its power is and coverage is more lacking compared to Zard-X, not to mention lacking the immediate power to force a switch. The bulky set needs to get more boosts because they obviously have less offensive investment, while offensive sets have to be careful what they switch into since Altaria's natural bulk and typing, while good, only get it so far. And the Special sets are a bit more prediction reliant because, unlike something like Sylveon, Altaria doesn't have an item to supplement it's decent-but-not-great power.
The immediate competition I find myself imagining with boosting Altaria is Gyarados, who hits harder as a Mega, shares Altaria's role as a more bulky Dragon Dancer, can be played differently with his Pre-Mega Typing, finds more set up opportunities with Intimidate, and has greater natural bulk (though lacking recovery).
That's my gripe with Altaria: its versatility is as a "Jack-of-All-Trades, Master-of-None" since there is almost always something giving it stiff competition for a role, even if those sets are viable in their own right. It's not quite like (for lack of an immediate OU comparison) Aegislash, who had several sets he could pull off with definite benefits over those he'd compete with. If that versatility is enough to keep Altaria A+, then I won't protest, but I wouldn't be surprised if Altaria dropped to A
I am assuming you mean "should not drop?"Mega Altaria should drop to A Rank either, especially while Mega Charizard X remains in A+ Rank. Mega Altaria is a diverse and threatening Pokemon...
So to summarize:Italic = not sure about the changes
I support Azumarill to A, because it is simply worse than in XY.
Its sets have all lost in effectiveness and it can't take many of the extremely powerful hits from recent threats, especially AV has been getting worse.
I could see Mega Gardevoir to A because its speed tier is not very good and it really lacks physical bulk. Moreover, it receives new checks with ORAS. But it is really hard to swith into and checks many new megas, so I can see it stay in A+.
So 165 SAtk is weak, even in conjunction with a 175-BP STAB? Yeah, okay. Then tell me what is strong.
Seriously, Mega Gardevoir is fucking great at the moment since it tears Stall a new asshole if it carries Calm Mind or Taunt and beats said playstyle's main Megas, Slowbro and Sableye, with the greatest of ease. Sure, it's gained a few switch-ins, notably Mega Metagross, but almost nothing can come in on that Hyper Voice and it's gained even more things to beat in ORAS. Keep A+.
Gengar can also drop to A because it lacks bulk and usually lacks power to achieve OHKOs. However, it's still a very dangerous threat, so it coud stay A+.
Yeah, it's frail, but has a lot of utility and can combine an offensive role with a supporting one. It gets neat moves like Disable and Taunt to work with and hits a shitton of threats SE and it has 110 Speed, which is neat. A+ suits Gengar.
Keldeo may drop to A because it received many new checks/counters with the new megas (Metagross, Gallade, Altaria, Sceptile, Loppuny, Slowbro, Diancie, Latias) and Celebi is rising. But this changes made its Scarf set more viable and checks Greninja (can switch in every moves except Gunk Shot), which is extremely useful.
Nah, Keldeo can stay in A+. It's gained some more checks and faces competition, but that doesn't stop it from spamming Hydro Pumps and Scalds like mad. Nothing likes a STAB Hydro Pump to the face, so A+ is the place.
I have not really opinion about Pinsir. Sure it's a monstruous late-game cleaner, but it seems less dangerous than in XY.
Not exactly. Aerilate Return hits like a truck and Quick Attack is awesome priority that hits a lot of Pokémon supereffectively and makes for a quick finisher on weakened Pokémon. Close Combat is all the coverage it needs. Straightforward, but effective; worthy of A+.
Mega Slowbro must stay in A+. It is incredibly hard to stop at +1, it has a monstruous physical bulk, can set up without risk of critical hit, has a good recovery move and hits hard even without boost (130 SpA !). This monster should not drop !
You bet your ass it should drop. The meta's gotten used to it and even at +1 SDef, some things can still beat it, such as Mega Gardevoir and Mega Sableye. It also faces competition on Stall from Mega Sableye, who arguably has more tools at its disposal, so Mega Slowbro for A.