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**DittoCrow** · Feb 25th, 2012, 9:47:25 PM

Sharpedo

Sharpedo: Do Not Ban

Sharpedo is a really good Pokemon in RU. However, it does have several flaws which is why I don't want to ban it. First off, Sharpedo has plenty of counters and checks; it is not hard to beat. It also has very poor survivability, comparable to Honchkrow. Finally, Sharpedo has horrible defenses and cannot plow through teams as easy as it sounds. These main reasons make Sharpedo fit perfectly into the RU metagame.

It was agreed that Sharpedo's best moveset in RU is the mix set because it has great coverage. With this set, Sharpedo cannot get the necessary OHKOs it needs. Even though it will be 2HKOing most of the Pokemon it faces, it will most likely get severely damaged, if not OHKO'd, in the process. It is also taken down by priority, specifically Mach Punch which is found on the #1 most used Pokemon in the January 1200 Usage Stats. Sharpedo also suffers from "4 moveslot syndrome." It can't hit things like Poliwrath or Ferroseed without giving up Ice Beam, which is necessary for OHKOs on common counters Tangrowth and Rotom-C.

Sharpedo is going to be taking lots of residual damage throughout the match due to Life Orb recoil and entry hazards damage. Since Sharpedo mostly gets only 2HKOs or 3HKOs, that means that it will lose 20-30% of its HP in the process. Combine that with the need to constantly switch out due to priority users/counters/checks and Sharpedo will be taking even more from hazards. Sharpedo is not staying around for long, and will even be worn down as a late game sweeper due to his awful defenses.

Base 70/40/40 defenses really screws Sharpedo over. Since it is not able to OHKO things like Lanturn, Feraligatr, and even Crawdaunt, it will have to switch out or die to any of their moves. I'm glancing down the list of RU Pokemon right now and I see lots of Pokemon that can take a hit and OHKO. Bouffalant, Ludicolo, Roselia, Magneton... you get the point. Sure, Sharpedo is going to KO any of these Pokemon if they're weakened, but doesn't that go for any other strong attacker?

Durant

Feb 25th, 2012, 9:47:25 PM	#7
DittoCrow Moderator Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,128 Mentor	Sharpedo Sharpedo: Do Not Ban Sharpedo is a really good Pokemon in RU. However, it does have several flaws which is why I don't want to ban it. First off, Sharpedo has plenty of counters and checks; it is not hard to beat. It also has very poor survivability, comparable to Honchkrow. Finally, Sharpedo has horrible defenses and cannot plow through teams as easy as it sounds. These main reasons make Sharpedo fit perfectly into the RU metagame. It was agreed that Sharpedo's best moveset in RU is the mix set because it has great coverage. With this set, Sharpedo cannot get the necessary OHKOs it needs. Even though it will be 2HKOing most of the Pokemon it faces, it will most likely get severely damaged, if not OHKO'd, in the process. It is also taken down by priority, specifically Mach Punch which is found on the #1 most used Pokemon in the January 1200 Usage Stats. Sharpedo also suffers from "4 moveslot syndrome." It can't hit things like Poliwrath or Ferroseed without giving up Ice Beam, which is necessary for OHKOs on common counters Tangrowth and Rotom-C. Sharpedo is going to be taking lots of residual damage throughout the match due to Life Orb recoil and entry hazards damage. Since Sharpedo mostly gets only 2HKOs or 3HKOs, that means that it will lose 20-30% of its HP in the process. Combine that with the need to constantly switch out due to priority users/counters/checks and Sharpedo will be taking even more from hazards. Sharpedo is not staying around for long, and will even be worn down as a late game sweeper due to his awful defenses. Base 70/40/40 defenses really screws Sharpedo over. Since it is not able to OHKO things like Lanturn, Feraligatr, and even Crawdaunt, it will have to switch out or die to any of their moves. I'm glancing down the list of RU Pokemon right now and I see lots of Pokemon that can take a hit and OHKO. Bouffalant, Ludicolo, Roselia, Magneton... you get the point. Sure, Sharpedo is going to KO any of these Pokemon if they're weakened, but doesn't that go for any other strong attacker? Durant Durant: Ban Durant is a great Pokemon overall. Steel typing is great in RU, and the ability Hustle makes it hit much harder. 109 Attack, 112 Defense, and unique 109 Speed makes Durant an insanely good Pokemon in RU. Sure it has base 58 HP and 48 SpDef, but Durant will most likely be hitting and OHKOing you before you hit it. In fact, Durant outspeeds AND OHKOs 35% of the Pokemon in the RU tier, and can 2HKO over 50% with just Life Orb. Choice Band is even more threatening; only 3 Pokemon can switch in to any move without being 2HKOd (after SR). Those are Steelix, Magneton, and Poliwrath, all easily defeated due to unreliable recovery. Durant just makes offensive teams nearly useless since they won't carry those 3 Pokemon listed above. Sure, things like scarf special attackers will be on offensive teams, but can they switch in? No. You will usually have to sacrifice a Pokemon to revenge kill Durant, and Durant will just switch out when you bring in that revenge killer. Repeat the process of sacrificing teammates and suddenly you're out of Pokemon. Oh I forgot to mention Hone Claws. Negating Hustle and giving an attack boost to something with base 109 Atk/109 Speed? Way too strong for RU. However it is possible to counter and check Durant. The thing is, the counters don't fit well onto just any team, and most of the checks can't directly switch in (Manectric, Accelgor, etc.). Overall, Durant is detrimental to the metagame and should be banned from RU.