Yeah, we really let this metagame die. :oops: I guess the loss of a dedicated ladder on the Smogon server really made it difficult to maintain interest.
Since we've had so few battles for quite a long stretch of time, it's hard to comprehend the effects of the rises and drops. Still, there is always theorymon in the meantime (At least until I can get a few games in).
Rises:
Basculin,
Gigalith,
Camerupt, and
Golbat
Basculin: It was disappointing to lose such a decently fast Pokemon, and it really sucks to lose a powerful priority user. PU was a pretty offensive metagame before, and having priority Aqua Jet was invaluable to revenge kill main threats. I've noticed that while we've lost some potent defensive Pokemon, we also gained a few that may help bring more defensive teams to light in the metagame. If that is the case, I suspect that Basculin would have had a harder time simply spamming priority and would have needed to make use of its above average base 98 Speed. So I will say this may not have been that big of a loss, since we still have potent Water-type Pokemon to make use of (like the ever useful Golduck).
Gigalith: I never particularly liked it, but I have to admit it was generally a very consistent Stealth Rock user. I disliked its lack of a secondary Ground typing, and I really disliked the fact that its best set was Custap Explosion. I generally preferred Pokemon such as Camerupt or Gabite in its stead simply because they had some defensive utility and could stop Volt Switch shenanigans. That being said, its great offensive presence was often enough to guarantee that the battle became a 5-5 battle. Marowak and Torterra dropping would probably have also given it some excellent competition as a Stealth Rock setter, and both would have also completely stopped it from setting up. I haven't cried over losing this one, but I wouldn't be surprised if several people had.
Camerupt: Ah, this was a small stab in the heart. It was generally considered one of, if not the best, Stealth Rock setters in the PU tier! It was one of the best counters to Rotom-F and Combusken that we had, and it would have been absolutely perfect to handle Zebstrika. It was also a fantastic late game sweeper, with its good Special Attack, high powered moves, and amazing coverage with just its STABs.
Agent Dell @
Ranger Dell mentioned most of its best points in his post, so I don't plan on reiterating too much more.
Golbat: Yeah, I didn't really have a lot of playing experience with this bat, but the few times I used it I was rarely disappointed. Throh is a very potent set up sweeper in PU, and Golbat was very helpful against it thanks to Taunt, Brave Bird/Super Fang, Roost, and Toxic (a whole set basically). It walled a noticeable portion of the tier as well, with almost all Grass, Bug, Poison, and Fighting-types being stopped in their tracks. It made a great weapon against Stall, since it was immune to Toxic and had Taunt to literally cripple the archetype. It would have also been useful in handling Torterra and Munchlax (And maybe Marowak if it outstalled Stone Edge).
Drops:
Zebstrika,
Torterra,
Munchlax,
Articuno, and
Marowak
Zebstrika: This in an exciting drop because it would become of THE fastest Pokemon in the tier (unboosted). It is weaker than some similar Electric-types (notably Rotom-F and Raichu), but that Speed allows it to revenge kill the entire unboosted metagame while still carrying a boosting item. Overheat provides very needed coverage that many Electric-types don't have, though Zebstrika doesn't appreciate the consequences (either being pathetically weak or having to switch out and take hazard damage) very much. A fast Volt Switch is as irresistible on Zebstrika as it is on anything that gets it, and can be used a the main spamming move when you don't want to stay in and duke it out with Tbolt/Overheat/HP Grass. What I really love about it is the fact that it prevents haphazard use of Volt Switch from your opponent as well thanks to Lightningrod. I'm sure people also appreciate that Thunder Wave users are more cautious as well, because a boosted Zebstrika can be quite potent with Life Orb (it doesn't really need Choice Scarf and other, more powerful Electrics can use it better). I anticipate using this Pokemon considerably often.
Torterra: Hmm, I think that Torterra is an amazing Pokemon, and am surprised that it actually dropped. Thankfully it thrives in PU, with great bulk, power, coverage, and an excellent typing that gives it an immunity to Electric-type moves (notably Volt Switch and Thunder Wave of course). A simply Stealth Rock set is very helpful because Torterra can stick around long enough to set it up multiple times if need be. However, one can never ignore its offensive sets. Choice Band has massive power. Very little can stand against its Wood Hammer, especially if it is in Overgrow range. Earthquake and Stone Edge give it all the coverage it needs, though obviously you must be more careful about getting locked into either one of them. Since Torterra rarely needs to use its 4th moveslot, it can carry Stealth Rock or Toxic; Bullet Seed doesn't have much practical use in PU though you may still use it for Relicanth that don't use Rock Head. Rock Polish is as scary a late game sweeper in Pu as it is in NU, but there are considerably fewer ways to stop it (makes you wish Golbat stayed behind doesn't it?). Perhaps this is what will make Scarf Zebstrika popular, since you really don't ever want to be unable to stop this monster.
Munchlax: I actually see potential for Munchlax down in PU. It still has all of its downsides (lack of reliable recovery, easy to wear down), but there are fewer Pokemon that can easily take advantage of its weak points. It is an excellent member for Stall teams, with Whirlwind being so useful and Heal Bell support being so easy to come by. Thick Fat means that it counters Rotom-F outside of Trick, which is a very good trait to have. Walling Golduck entirely cannot be ignored, because Golduck ruled PU when it had high traffic. It walls quite a few other pokemon as well (I think every special attacker in PU has trouble getting by him actually), though these two are the most prominent. I predict that the metagame will skew more towards the physical side in response, or else Special attackers that can surprise Munchlax with a physical move (Superpower Heatmor, Cross Chop Golduck, maybe a few more). I would love to hear other people's thoughts about this tiny bear.
Articuno: Anyone who knows me knows that Articuno is one of my favorite Pokemon of all time (it's so beautiful, elegant, clean, etc.). Now, Stealth Rock will always be a problem for it, but it has decent Speed and bulk to make up for it. I love to Life Orb set because it does a surprising amount of damage to most Pokemon (Hurricane missing can be annoying but you learn not to expect too much). SubRoost is also a very potent set, taking advantage of all of this gorgeous bird's attributes (Speed, bulk, Pressure, reliable recovery, decent STAB move to wear down opponents alongside Toxic/Toxic Spikes). A Specially Defensive set might be popular as well, since it has Heal Bell as well as Roost, and can easily Pressure stall special attackers if it can avoid Rock-type moves. While it isn't the easiest Pokemon to use, it has enough potential to be an excellent addition to PU.
Marowak: Now anyone who knows me will know that the Marowak line is my absolute favorite in the entire game! It is the reason I predominantly play NU/PU, and it is super adorable!:cool: On a more competitive note, it is a very viable Pokemon in PU. It is an effective Stealth Rock user, but I really like it since Bonemerang breaks through so many Pokemon with its tremendous power. While Gigalith is gone (a perfect victim for Marowak), it still has the bulk to live most physical moves and inflict massive damage in return. Still, its low Speed is very difficult to overlook since most of PU can still outspeed it and strike at its low Special Defense. Trick Room is uncommon and rather difficult to use, and Baton Pass users are far and few in between in PU. Still, Marowak looks to be a very effective Pokemon for the early game set up or late game sweep, so I will enjoy making use of it. EDIT: Can't forget about its Electric immunity either!
Let's hear your thoughts on these new drops/rises. A couple of questions for everyone to think about:
1. Do you still expect Golduck, Rotom-F, Beheeyem, and Fraxure to still dominate PU?
2. With 3 new drops that can fit well, will Stall become a more dominant playstyle?
