CAP 17 CAP 6 - Final Product

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Sorry about the long wait. The last couple of weeks were... weird... and I spent a while trying to think of what to say for this Final Product thread thing. It's been a bit over four months since the TL nomination thread for this project was posted, and while the actual passing of the four-month mark is my fault for being so slow with this, it does speak to how long this one took compared to other projects. There are many factors that contributed to this, but the aspects that are relevant to competitive battling are finally finished.

Pokemon X and Y are almost a month old now (over a month if you count the leaks that happened), so I'm not sure how much interest there will be in the playtest. I've sensed a lessening interest in CAP 6 in general, compared to past projects. To tell you the truth, I was also losing enthusiasm for CAP a while into CAP 6, so ironically, I found myself less engaged as TL than I ever was. I kind of suspect that this was partly due to the concept itself, though. In a way, every stage brought up pretty much the same discussions, because the goal was so specific.

I'm sure that there were more things I could have done to help move the discussion along, but overall, I think the TLT did a really good job. Regardless of my motivation and priorities with respect to CAP, things would have been really difficult without them. So, kudos to the TLT members for this round: reachzero, Pwnemon, DetroitLolcat and DarkSlay. This concept threw us a very interesting and difficult dilemma that stretched the reliability of our usual heuristics on viability and threat level, and I'm sure that the playtest will answer a lot of interesting questions.

There were a few things about this project that surprised me. I never thought I'd have much fun thinking about a late-game sweeper, mostly because I dislike late-game sweepers, yet there I was at the end of two Concept Assessment threads, making the executive decision to pursue the most extreme form of late-game sweeping. Both the typing discussion and the primary ability discussion started off with clear favourites in the beginning, which lost favour to small suggestions by the respective discussion leader. So while my explicit participation in CAP 6 was on-and-off, it was pretty cool to witness turn-arounds like these.

Anyway, let's get down to the height and weight. I noticed that a lot of movepool submissions, including the winning submission, included the move Block to reference the large wingspans of frigatebirds. The only other fully-evolved Flying-types that have Block are Mandibuzz and Landorus. Hence, I decided to use Mandibuzz as a base. According to Wikipedia, the turkey vulture "has a wingspan of 160–183 cm (63–72 in), a length of 62–81 cm (24–32 in), and weight of 0.8 to 2.3 kg (1.8 to 5.1 lb)." In comparison, Mandibuzz has a height of 1.2 m and 39.5 kg. Moreover, according to this link (figures I'd make this really long explanation and then find a link that makes everything easier):

Length: 35–44.9 in, 89–114 cm
Wingspan: 85.4–88.2 in, 217–224 cm
Weight: 35.3–67 oz, 1000–1900 g

With the goal of keeping the ratios between average weight/height of the Pokemon and the real life analogue the same between Mandibuzz and Cawmodore, I obtained 1.7 m (5' 07") and 37.0 kg (81.6 lbs).

So that's about it, I guess. I'm not really sure as to when I'll be available for the inaugural, though Wednesday evening (EST) might be a good bet.

Over the summer, the original "Falcon Punch" video I linked to in Concept Assessment 1 was deleted. I thought that that was such a shame, so I went and found another version. I feel that it's an appropriate way to end this Final Product post before showing Cawmodore in its full glory.


And now I present to you, the Create-a-Pokemon Project's (crack-free) farewell gift to Pokemon Black and White!

Name: Cawmodore

Name: Show Me Your Moves!

General Description: A good user of moves with effects not frequently used in the OU metagame.

Justification: There are many moves in Pokémon with great effects, but they often end up unused. Moves such as Gravity, Snatch, and Safeguard have potential in OU, but they are neglected for several reasons: the moves are apparently overshadowed, have poor distribution, or are inefficient compared to another strategy. This CAP uses a combination of typing, ability, and stats to make these underused moves not only feasible, but also capable.

Questions To Be Answered:
  • What mechanics of Pokémon determine how viable moves are?--not only the Pokémon's typing, stats, and ability, but also its interaction with playstyles and momentum.
  • What new strategies might emerge by giving a new OU Pokémon underused moves?
  • What challenges do Pokémon that use lesser-used moves face compared to ones that use a more standard moveset?
  • If the Pokémon has options of staple OU moves (high-powered STABs, offensive stat-boosting moves, reliable recovery, Substitute), will those moves be useful to it, even if it's specialized toward a separate and distinct strategy?
  • Can underused moves increase other underused moves' viabilities?
  • Can one user of a strategy unrecognized in a metagame massively influence a pre-existing playstyle?
Typing: Steel / Flying
Abilities: Intimidate / Volt Absorb / Big Pecks
Stats: 50 HP / 92 Atk / 130 Def / 65 SpA / 75 SpD / 118 Spe
Movepool:
0. Leer
0. Peck
5. Growl
9. Swift
13. Metal Claw
18. Screech
22. Wing Attack
26. Detect
31. Steel Wing
35. Belly Drum
39. Bullet Punch
44. Brine
48. Tailwind
52. Flash Cannon
58. Hurricane
Air Slash - Braviary, Crobat, Farfetch’d, Mandibuzz, Noctowl, Pelipper, Pidgeot, Sigilyph, Skarmory, Swanna, Swellow, Swoobat, Togekiss, Unfezant
Drill Peck - Dodrio, Fearow, Honchkrow, Skarmory, Xatu
Metal Sound - Skarmory
Mirror Move - Altaria, Chatot, Dodrio, Farfetch’d, Fearow, Honchkrow, Mandibuzz, Noctowl, Pidgeot, Sigilyph, Swanna, Swellow, Togekiss
Pursuit - Aerodactyl, Altaria, Crobat, Dodrio, Fearow, Honchkrow, Pelipper, Pidgeot, Skarmory, Staraptor, Swellow
Quick Attack - Archeops, Crobat, Dodrio, Farfetch’d, Fearow, Honchkrow, Pelipper, Pidgeot, Staraptor, Swellow, Unfezant, Xatu
Quick Guard - Archeops
Razor Wind - Fearow, Unfezant
Water Sport - Pelipper, Swanna
Legal Move Combinations:
Air Slash + Drill Peck + Metal Sound + Pursuit (Skarmory)
Air Slash + Pursuit + Quick Attack + Water Sport (Pelipper)
Air Slash + Quick Attack + Razor Wind (Unfezant)
Air Slash + Mirror Move + Quick Attack (Farfetch’d)
Drill Peck + Mirror Move + Pursuit + Quick Attack + Razor Wind (Fearow)
Mirror Move + Water Sport (Swanna)
Quick Attack + Quick Guard (Archeops)

Illegal Move Combinations:
Air Slash + Quick Guard
Drill Peck + Quick Guard + Water Sport
Metal Sound + Mirror Move + Quick Guard
Metal Sound + Quick Guard + Razor Wind
Metal Sound + Quick Attack
Metal Sound + Water Sport
Pursuit + Quick Guard
Razor Wind + Quick Guard + Water Sport

Note: There aren't any notable Egg move illegalities, mostly because there aren't many notable Egg moves.
TM06 - Toxic
TM10 - Hidden Power
TM15 - Hyper Beam
TM17 - Protect
TM18 - Rain Dance
TM21 - Frustration
TM23 - Smack Down
TM27 - Return
TM31 - Brick Break
TM32 - Double Team
TM40 - Aerial Ace
TM42 - Facade
TM44 - Rest
TM45 - Attract
TM48 - Round
TM58 - Sky Drop
TM62 - Acrobatics
TM67 - Retaliate
TM68 - Giga Impact
TM77 - Psych Up
TM87 - Swagger
TM88 - Pluck
TM90 - Substitute
TM91 - Flash Cannon
TM94 - Rock Smash
HM02 - Fly
HM03 - Surf
HM04 - Strength
Block
Drain Punch
Endeavor
Iron Head
Knock Off
Sky Attack
Sleep Talk
Snatch
Snore
Tailwind
 
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Great job to all who participated! I can't believe it's over already, though. Also, Cawmodore's standing height is huge.
 

Quanyails

On sabbatical!
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Well done! It was certainly intriguing to see where the concept went as the CAP went on, and I certainly enjoyed the discussion people made over Belly Drum's application to the pokemon. Granted, I felt as if Gen. VI's introduction, among other distractions, lessened the coherency of this CAP slightly, but I hope the process still allows Cawmodore to fulfill its role in the playtest or, otherwise, play a role tangent to the concept that furthers our understanding of the choices made in creating the CAP.

Here are animated versions of Cawmodore I've worked on. I give thanks to paintseagull for helping with making the shiny's animations. :)




Edit: Cawmodore mini-sprite:

Edit 2: I noticed that the colors on the animated version are duller than the ones in the static sprites. I'm not sure how that happened. :/
 
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I find it mildly amusing that just as people are finishing up Cawmodore, GenVI unleashs Belly Drum Azumarill upon the world.

Still, it's been interesting watching the process, and we'll have to see if a Belly Drum sweeper can work in GenV.
 

DetroitLolcat

Maize and Blue Badge Set 2014-2017
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Hooray, CAP 6's Final Product! Many thanks to capefeather for being a kick-ass TL, and let's get ready for a fun playtest!
 
Finally participating in a CAP was a dream come true and it was a lot of fun. I am disappointed that, myself included, people's enthusiasm for the project waned later on in the project but I'm still excited for this CAP.
 

Birkal

We have the technology.
is a Top Artistis a Top CAP Contributoris a Top Smogon Media Contributoris a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Admin Alumnusis a Senior Staff Member Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnus
This was certainly a lengthy process, but that was due to so many factors. You really do place too much of the blame on yourself, capefeather. Overall, I think this project was a definite success, with stimulating conversations and strong leadership. I'm excited to see how this playtest goes. Hopefully we made Belly Drum worth using in the Overused environment!
 

Bull of Heaven

Guest
Oh no I'm not ready for the playtest time for some rushed teambuilding soon I guess!

Well, it's been fun. I might have been absent for some of this project, but I've thoroughly enjoyed the rest of it and I can't wait to see Cawmodore in battle. I'm glad that we ended the generation with a concept that, at least in my opinion, was tricky to balance; a little ambition is usually healthy for the project. Here's to a great generation of CAPs, and hopefully more success for the project in gen VI!

Oh, and having a competitive submission slated for the first time in five years was cool too.
 

Bughouse

Like ships in the night, you're passing me by
is a Site Content Manageris a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a CAP Contributor Alumnusis a Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnus
Excited for yet another playtest and the continuation of flavor elements. I'm also excited for the generation shift CAP is about to undergo and the big PRC cycle we'll be having as a result.

There were definitely problems with Cawmodore, though I think almost all of them stemmed from uncontrollable external factors, most notably the fact that the looming (and then existing) XY was a huge distraction. I agree with Birkal that you're being too hard on yourself, cape. There may have been a poll result or two I wasn't personally thrilled with, but that's just getting down to the results and my opinions of them, not the process. The leadership and the process (read: debate) themselves were quite good. And that's all I can expect of y'all.
 
wohooo the first CAP that has been done since i started Smogon! I hope to help on the next projects instead of just lurking and voting!
 
Yeah, I'd say that the reason CAP 6 wasn't as popular was simply because the timing of its creation was awful, not because of any faults in its direction or leadership. Right on the eve and birth of the next generation, people're gonna be distracted - I know I was.

That said, this CAP is lookin' pretty good; playtesting should be interesting, too. Nice work, guys.
 

ganj4lF

Nobody is safe from the power of science!
is a Team Rater Alumnus
Looking forward to the playtest; I really enjoyed CAP6 even without being able to contribute much. Even if the participation was definitely lower, I still found the discussion threads enjoyable (actually more than CAP5, to be honest) and the whole process very interesting. Even the flavor aspects, that I don't usually care about, impressed me a lot!
 

Base Speed

What a load of BS!
A congratulations and thank you to everyone involved. Sorry my activity dropped off when X and Y were released, very impressed with what you guys have done though. Bring on the playtest!
 

jas61292

used substitute
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I don't want to be any sort of kill-joy here, but every single project when we get to the final product, a lot of people just like to pat ourselves on the back and move on without really doing much analysis, and I don't want to do that myself. I know I probably have in the past, but my view on this has probably changed significantly after having been a TL myself. Anyways, while I do think that overall things seemed to work out OK, I think this project definitely had some very visible issues, beyond the obvious conflict with gen 6.

Of these, I think one of the more obvious one is coordination of the project leadership. While I think that every single project leader did a very good job when they were posting, I feel that as much, if not more, of the delays and the problems related to drifting, repetitive discussions this project were due to an infrequency of leadership posting, rather than a lessened interest due to the new generation of Pokemon. I don't want to blame any individual or anything, since I don't think any one person is particularly at fault or anything, but I think that a lot of small things all around helped contribute to make these issues larger than they might otherwise be.

Another thing I noticed was that I really felt that a lot of the discussions we had either we not focused enough, or were too focused. From the very beginning this contrast was apparent to me in the concept assessments. In the first concept assessment people were all over the place, shouting out various moves and various reasons. People were very fast to jump into getting their favorite moves out there, so, while a few people here and there would give an overview of what kinds of moves they thought were good, for the most part we never really had a good discussion on this, so when it came to making a decision, rather than having narrowed down the pool of moves to a certain selection that we believed would work, we were comparing various things each with a bit of support from different factions, and those moves were really too hard to compare accurately. Now I think we had a fine decision come out of it, the discussion seems to lack a real focus in getting there. However, when we moved on to the second concept assessment, we were so overly focused on Belly Drum that there was not really a ton to discuss, and instead we ended up having it start off with mostly generalized poll jumping, talking about bulk and speed and priority moves, and other things which really have no place in concept assessment. While there were certainly some great concept assessing posts (Korski's post on team roles comes to mind), the discussion on Belly Drum itself was so limited and locked down that there wasn't even anything to talk about, and everyone instead was moving on to things that shouldn't have been there. After a bit this discussion did settle down (thanks in large part to capefeather's focusing of the discussion to fast cleaner vs mid-game wallbreaker), but the start of that discussion shows the kinds of issues that I think this project suffered with throughout. A lack of focus on one thing caused by assuming too much about other things, rather than discussing the other things like we should have.

Those issues of focus I think were caused in large part due to the concept we chose. Its the kind of concept that is very much about choosing something, adding it to a Pokemon, and making it work in OU. There is not a ton of inherent competitive discussion that it brings about, and it is on us to come up with those topics of discussion during the process itself. That does not mean such a concept is doomed to have problems like these, but it does mean we can't simply try and make a working Pokemon within the scope of the concept and get as much out of it as we could with a concepts focusing more on metagame aspects or non-tangible aspects of Pokemon. We really do have to create our own focus with a project like this, and at times I think we really did have problems with this.

Now I don't think any of these things were major issues. Overall I think this project went pretty well, but I do want to (and encourage others to) take that step back and really analyze how things went, rather than simply congratulating ourselves and moving on. I don't think this project is necessarily a clear cut success or failure, but I don't think CAP projects really ever are. Its a lot easier to tell in retrospect (and with the playtest behind us so we have a complete perspective to work with), so I don't really want to make any sweeping judgements at this point.

With that all said, I do still want to say "Good Job!" to everyone, and especially the leadership team. This was a tough project to work with, and a very unfortunate timing for the project. Despite that, we still managed to have some good discussions, and come out with a good looking product. Even without making judgments for how everything went so far as concept, or even project, success, I think the people and process did a good job of dealing with the problems that did come up and preventing things from getting out of hand. There are definitely successes, and so I see no reason not to be happy with what we have done this time.

Can't wait to get this playtest underway so we can really see how accurate our judgements were.
 
It's finally over. I haven't much liked the direction CAP6 was going since the beginning, but whatever. I haven't participated as much as I would've liked to in CAP6 due to school, so I really only got to vote in a few polls here and there. At least we were able to actually come up with something substantial in the end, so we have the TLT to thank for that.
 

Ignus

Copying deli meat to hard drive
I'm sad to say I was one of those to get swept up by gen 6's glory and miss the last bit of Cap 6's creation.
Despite this, I'm relatively surprised by how well it turned out. I've actually been noticing similarities between it and gen 6 Azumarril, which is saying something considering that Azu is the strongest drummer outside of the CAP world.

Even if a playtest doesn't go through it was worth the experience. Thanks to the TLs, Artists, and everyone involved.
 
Well, good job everyone, this has been pretty fun. The playtest will be interesting indeed.

Also, just a quick question: Did we forget about the Pokedex entries/third ability discussions, or are we going to do those after the playtest?
 

Nyktos

Custom Loser Title
Also, just a quick question: Did we forget about the Pokedex entries/third ability discussions, or are we going to do those after the playtest?
Last CAP we did them during the playtest; most likely the same will happen here.
 
Last CAP we did them during the playtest; most likely the same will happen here.
Ah. I was only asking because some of the previous CAPs have had said information in their respective final product threads, so it seemed a bit odd to me that this one was missing them.
 
I see Cawmodore on Smogon. I built a team with him, I got hyped up... If only "The Pokemon 'Cawmodore' does not exist' was not an issue, I would be happy. This is the first project I was really around for and I am hyped to see how playtesting comes along.
 

Birkal

We have the technology.
is a Top Artistis a Top CAP Contributoris a Top Smogon Media Contributoris a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Admin Alumnusis a Senior Staff Member Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnus
The CAP6 Playtest will begin with the inaugural battle. Cawmodore will be available as soon as the playtest challenger, Yilx, is online.


EDIT: Playtest is being conducted in this thread. Enjoy!
 
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