RESULTS OF ABILITY POLL 1
Competitive Ability: 35
No Competitive Ability: 1
Therefore, Arghonaut (with overwhelming support) will be getting a second ability and the ability may be a competitive ability!
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Step 2B: Ability Update - Competitive Ability Discussion
Now that we've established the boundaries in which we're working in for an ability update, let's get into some discussion on potential abilities for Arghonaut. Here are some of my initial thoughts in which to help frame some of your own comments and suggestions:
Have at it! This discussion will close in 72 hours, which should give everyone ample time to bring up and discuss abilities.
Competitive Ability: 35
No Competitive Ability: 1
Therefore, Arghonaut (with overwhelming support) will be getting a second ability and the ability may be a competitive ability!
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Step 2B: Ability Update - Competitive Ability Discussion
Now that we've established the boundaries in which we're working in for an ability update, let's get into some discussion on potential abilities for Arghonaut. Here are some of my initial thoughts in which to help frame some of your own comments and suggestions:
- Given that Arghonaut is naturally bulky and given our desire to give Arghonaut some utility, purely offensive abilities are suspect. Now, this does not mean that I'll be ruling out abilities that boost Argh's offensive prowess. Some suggestions have been fine. However, I do believe that abilities that provide a blanket power up for Arghonaut's attacks just both doesn't fit the mold of Arghonaut AND isn't as beneficial to Arghonaut as other potential abilities. Keep in mind the role we want Arghonaut to play just as much as keeping in mind things in which Arghonaut can or cannot hit.
- Arghonaut would benefit more from concrete effects rather than temporary effects. What does this mean? I believe that Arghonaut is kind of like a glue, one that can hit pretty hard and take on certain threats in general. Therefore, I'm not a fan of things like weather-reliant abilities or Terrain-reliant abilities. The need to completely shift Arghonaut into one of these team archetypes simply isn't needed, and there are better options out there.
- Remember, we want an ability that aims to be AS GOOD AS Unaware, and not something outright better. Keep this in mind when giving suggestions.
- Be creative! Ability suggestions are narrowing yet open, which promotes discussion. If you find a competitive and/or flavor ability that would truly be beneficial for Arghonaut, then open up discussion for it. This is similar to our own normal CAP creation process. The more diverse and thorough the conversation, the better!
- Sap Sipper: Sap Sipper, otherwise known as "Rum Sipper" for Arghonaut, sounds odd at first, given that it would essentially make a Water-type CAP outright immune to a weakness. However, the notion revolves around giving Arghonaut a broader amount of things to switch into while also increasing its Attack if given good prediction. This would enable it to beat or "better beat" Pokemon such as Tapu Bulu, Pyroak, Stratagem, Leech Seed abusers (including Flying STAB-less Celesteela), and other potential targets. This provides good defensive utility paired with limited offensive utility, and allows Arghonaut to "de-centralize" a certain sect of the metagame. It pairs well with Unaware, and gives players a legitimate choice as to what to choose. It could be a viable choice.
- Rough Skin/Iron Barbs: Rough Skin/Iron Barbs is an interesting ability for Arghonaut, giving it an additional tool against strong Physical threats in the metagame. Additional residual damage would stack on with potential hazard damage and hazard control, which helps with Arghonaut's utility. Furthermore, this would dis-incentivize certain threats from throwing out contact moves, most notably prominent U-Turn users like Pheromosa and Mega Scizor. Rough Skin/Iron Barbs is a good ability that is solid overall and plays well with Unaware. It could be a viable choice.
- Technician: Technician is an example of a normally offensive-based ability potentially having some overall utility for Arghonaut. Technician would currently give some more "oomph" to certain priority moves in Arghonaut's disposal, which may help with its naturally slow Speed. However, Technician's true value may come to light in the future additions to Arghonaut's movepool, which could give it access things like a Tech-boosted phazing move or Tech-boosted status infliction move. This one takes some foresight, but it could be a viable choice.
Have at it! This discussion will close in 72 hours, which should give everyone ample time to bring up and discuss abilities.
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