Here's some of my opinions on the current VR:
- Primal Kyogre (PH, Regen, FC) -> (Unaware, Regen, FC/PH): Currently PH and FC ogre are used way less than the Unaware and RegenVest sets, and the VR should reflect this.
- Mmx (Psychic Surge, Adapt, Contrary): A+ to S or S- rank: Mmx def deserves at least S- rank imo as both Mmx and Mmy are currently the definers of the meta in terms of offensive threats. The most popular sets atm are Surge with either CB or Smash, CB Adapt, and Contrary (with either a regular item or sometimes even Mewtwonite Y).
- Zygarde-C (PH, FC, Mbounce) -> (PH, Unaware, Regen/Prankster): After usum, the usage of Zyg changed a bit with the introduction of Photon Geyser and the emergence of the new Mmx sets. Currently, it seems that PH, Unaware, RegenVest, and Prankster are the most dominant abilities that are run on Zygarde.
- Mega Gyarados: A to B rank: With the usage of Mmx increasing, Unaware Mega Gyarados has become way less viable but is still useful as a stop to Specs Surge Mmy and Mega Gengar with its RegenVest set. I'd even go as far as saying the offensive Mega Gyarados sets (such as offensive PH, Smash, and CB sets) are becoming as popular as the defensive ones atm, which warrants the change to B rank even further since Mega Ttar has the better offensive capabilities for the most part.
- Mega Audino (Mbounce, Unaware, PH) -> (Mbounce, PH, Unaware): PH is definitely used way more than Unaware on Mega Audino; in fact, PH probably has very similar usage to Mbounce. This isn't even something that changed because of usum, it's been like this for a very long time now...
- Dialga (Tinted, Regen, MBounce) -> (Mbounce, Regen, Tinted): B+ to A rank: Dialga imo has around the same viability as Solgaleo as the RegenVest set is way more useful than Solgaleo's RegenVest set. Taking neutral damage from Fire moves means that it can reliably wall many threats that run Fire coverage such as Specs Mmy and -Ate users that run V-create. It is also a way more reliable spinner than Solgaleo since it can 2HKO the most common spinblocker (Giratina) with its STAB Core Enforcer and force it out. The only drawbacks of Dialga is the fact that it takes neutral damage from Fairy and Dragon type moves, making it vulnerable to sets such as Pixilate Diancie. But then again RegenVest Solgaleo isn't really safe from -Ates either since most of them run V-create anyway. Additionally, the Mbounce set has become more popular now that Core Enforcer doesn't suppress abilities on the switch. It should also be noted that the Misty Surge Dialga set is also quite good, being immune to TSpikes allows Dialga and its team to not care about TSpikes at all. Misty Surge Dialga is also a decent check to PH Regigigas, PH Xerneas (assuming no Earth Power), and to some extent Specs Surge Mmy.
- Pdon <Red Orb> (Intim, DL, Misty) -> (DL, Misty/Grassy/Electric, Illusion): People are really sleeping on the Illusion Pdon set, but it is imo the best pre-primal ability for Pdon atm (especially for offense teams). Illusion, even though it doesn't really do a good job at bluffing a different mon due to the instant Primal Reversion effect which reveals DesoLand, does still make Pdon Improof for the first time that it comes in. The Illusion can not be broken by taking damage either because of Primal Reversion, which basically allows offense teams to use Pdon as a one-time setup sweeper that comes in, sets up, puts a huge dent in the opponents team without the fear of getting Impostered, and then dies to allow another team member to come in and clean up. I would personally place Illusion in the first slot but that is probably not a realistic expectation to have, so I'll settle with the third slot.
- Yveltal (Unaware, PH, Regen) -> (Unaware, Regen, PH): I honestly haven't even seen PH Yveltal for such a long time, and I don't really think it's as good as the other two sets either. I'd personally place the RegenVest set in the first slot and Unaware in the second slot, but it's too close to call tbh.
- Chansey (FC): B to A- or A rank: FC Chansey is a really underrated mon that is way more viable than the VR depicts. It is probably the only mon that can reliably wall
ALL of the common -Ate sets, including even the Specs Mega Ray set to a good extent. In addition, it can reliably wall the common Normalize Mega Gengar set with Topsy-Turvy and many Mmy sets including Sheer Force and to some extent, Contrary. It could even wall PH Xerneas with Topsy-Turvy if it is healthy enough. All around, FC Chansey is something that players could use as a blanket check to a good portion of the entire meta without regretting it.
- Ultra Necrozma: B to C rank: I really don't have much respect for this mon, and I certainly don't think it should have the same viability as mons such as Kyub and Mega Sceptile. Imo it should drop to C rank.
- Mega Lati@s: C to D rank: As a result of the previous change, the Lati twins should drop to D rank because of the change in Ultra Necrozma's VR.
- Mega Slowbro (Soundproof, FC, Regen) -> (FC, Prankster, Soundproof): C to B rank: Mega Slowbro has become much more viable after usum since it has the new purpose of walling Mmx. The FC set additionally walls Pdon and Regigigas and many other physical wallbreakers such as CB Mega Ray and Kyub, while the Prankster set can wall many BellyBurden and Smash sets from Mmx, Mega Lucario, and even Kartana to some extent.
- Cresselia (Prankster, Regen) -> (Regen, Prankster): C to B- rank: Another mon that has become more viable thanks to Mmx, the RegenVest set does a very good job at walling both Mmx and Mmy. This mon isn't really too viable outside of that one set, hence the B- rank instead of B.
- Mega Sableye (FC, Regen, Prankster): Unranked to B rank: Mega Sableye owes its viability to Mmx for the most part, but is definitely a very viable mon to use in the current meta. Thanks to its unique typing, it is
immune to both of Mmx's STABs and can wall it very well. It also has a base Speed of 20, which is one of the lowest in the entire game, allowing it to underspeed all of the walls in the metagame (with the exception of Stakataka). It is also a very viable option for walling Regigigas, and can serve as one of the best spinblockers in the game.
- Mega Lucario (Unburden, Steelworker/TC): Unranked to C rank: I was a bit surprised that Mega Lucario wasn't even on the VR, but imo it does deserve a spot next to Mega Blaze and below Kartana, hence the C ranking.
- Blacephalon (Magic Guard, Adapt): Unranked to C or D rank: This is a mon that at the start of usum, I had little to no respect for. But after testing around a bit, I have come to the conclusion that it isn't really as bad as it might look. Blacephalon has this huge niche over Mega Gengar in the wallbreaking department, being able to 2HKO many of the meta's popular walls with sets such as LO MGuard and Specs Adapt. Coupled with the right partners, this mon can truly shine and hopefully change the minds of others as well. I had so much fun with this mon that I'd even recommend
Kris to feature it in the next BH CLC, whenever that may be.
