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Seth Vilo · Aug 21st, 2012, 1:53:00 PM

Something that's been bothering me with this generation particularly is this: Why is there such a wall to banning Pokemon+Ability combinations?

To me, Pokemon+ability bans seem like the most logical option. For example, by previous generations it is clear that Blaziken is NOT broken with Blaze, but now has been deemed as such thanks solely to Speed Boost. So we ban Blaziken altogether? That doesn't make sense to me. Sand Veil hax hatred is a big part of why Garchomp has been banished the last 2 generations. Yes, Garchomp, the manliest Pokemon alive, is also a great Pokemon by itself, but why is the new Rough Skin version not even given a chance because the Sand Veil version has been deemed broken? Banning certain Pokemon +Ability combos will allow even greater diversity in the metagame by bringing things like Garchomp, Excadrill, and Blaziken back into the niches they fill (ex. Bulky SR-setting Garchomp, trolly Scarf 102-base-Speed Garchomp, Rapid Spinning Mold Breaker/Sand Force Excadrill - much like in Ubers, old UU Blaziken in all its glory, Defiant Thundurus). Again, it makes the most sense to me at least. All variants are NOT broken because one thing is.

I could see the argument against these bans being a "slippery slope" one along the lines of "why not just ban certain sets then? Non-boosting Rayquaza isn't broken." This is a good point I foresee coming, but that's something more complex ban-wise (and programming-wise) than just ability+Pokemon bans. Speaking of programming, is the reason why we aren't crossing this "no ability+Pokemon ban" wall because of programming? We have our own simulator in the form of PS! now, which from what I understand is much easier to manage and program than PO, so is that reason now gone?

Ability+Pokemon bans seem most logical to me. It allows for the most diversity by keeping non-broken Pokemon like Blaze Blaziken, Defiant Thundurus, Rough Skin Garchomp, Mold Breaker/Sand Force Excadrill, Sand Veil anything else, and Snow Cloak anything. It also keeps broken things out, and doesn't affect Pokemon that AREN'T broken with the ability (see the Sand Veil/Snow Cloak ban argument, Speed Boost Ninjask and Sharpedo, Sand Rush Sandslash), unlike what would happen if we just ban an ability. It's not a "complex ban"; it's banning what is broken and leaving what is not. It is most efficient, so why are we not doing it?

/rant, /freeGarchomp

Aug 21st, 2012, 1:53:00 PM	#15
Seth Vilo Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 422 US East Coast	Something that's been bothering me with this generation particularly is this: Why is there such a wall to banning Pokemon+Ability combinations? To me, Pokemon+ability bans seem like the most logical option. For example, by previous generations it is clear that Blaziken is NOT broken with Blaze, but now has been deemed as such thanks solely to Speed Boost. So we ban Blaziken altogether? That doesn't make sense to me. Sand Veil hax hatred is a big part of why Garchomp has been banished the last 2 generations. Yes, Garchomp, the manliest Pokemon alive, is also a great Pokemon by itself, but why is the new Rough Skin version not even given a chance because the Sand Veil version has been deemed broken? Banning certain Pokemon +Ability combos will allow even greater diversity in the metagame by bringing things like Garchomp, Excadrill, and Blaziken back into the niches they fill (ex. Bulky SR-setting Garchomp, trolly Scarf 102-base-Speed Garchomp, Rapid Spinning Mold Breaker/Sand Force Excadrill - much like in Ubers, old UU Blaziken in all its glory, Defiant Thundurus). Again, it makes the most sense to me at least. All variants are NOT broken because one thing is. I could see the argument against these bans being a "slippery slope" one along the lines of "why not just ban certain sets then? Non-boosting Rayquaza isn't broken." This is a good point I foresee coming, but that's something more complex ban-wise (and programming-wise) than just ability+Pokemon bans. Speaking of programming, is the reason why we aren't crossing this "no ability+Pokemon ban" wall because of programming? We have our own simulator in the form of PS! now, which from what I understand is much easier to manage and program than PO, so is that reason now gone? Ability+Pokemon bans seem most logical to me. It allows for the most diversity by keeping non-broken Pokemon like Blaze Blaziken, Defiant Thundurus, Rough Skin Garchomp, Mold Breaker/Sand Force Excadrill, Sand Veil anything else, and Snow Cloak anything. It also keeps broken things out, and doesn't affect Pokemon that AREN'T broken with the ability (see the Sand Veil/Snow Cloak ban argument, Speed Boost Ninjask and Sharpedo, Sand Rush Sandslash), unlike what would happen if we just ban an ability. It's not a "complex ban"; it's banning what is broken and leaving what is not. It is most efficient, so why are we not doing it? /rant, /freeGarchomp __________________ This is a haiku. Sometimes haiku's do not rhyme. Refrigerator. Professional Lurker since March, 2009 (And it's Vilo: veye-low, like the i in pie) {Projects: How do I pronounce that Pokemon...?; ...} Last edited by Seth Vilo; Aug 25th, 2012 at 7:52:55 PM. Reason: Spelled Ninjask wrong....