PU Sets Viability Ranking Thread

[Raiza]

op stolen from Recreant
approved by galbia and Dell

The PU Viability Ranking Thread: Sets​

​

Have you ever looked at some sets on a Pokemon and wondered "Wow. How is this set A+ worthy?", or "Is this set really that much better than the other sets?"? Have you ever just wondered where your favorite sets truly stand in terms of viability? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then let me introduce you to PU Viability Ranking: Sets!

In this thread, we as a community will decide the viability of each individual set for every Pokemon that's viable in PU. There are a few rules here that will explain how things will work around here:

1. If a Pokemon is in the PU Viability Ranking list, regardless of how bad it is, then that Pokemon is going to be on this list as well, even if it's in D Rank.

2. Do not make nominations here for Pokemon that are not on the PU Viability Ranking list. Make those nominations there, as they will be ignored here.

3. A Pokemon's set cannot be ranked higher than its rank in the PU Viability Ranking list. If a Pokemon's ranking is moved down in the PU Viability Ranking list in a way that would make it lower than one of its set placements here, then its placement here is also lowered. No exceptions.

4. Post maturely and intelligently, as well as with good evidence and support for any nominations you make. I don't want to see any one-liners like "Why is *insert a Pokemon set* A Rank? It sucks, so bring it down!".

5. For the love of god, don't forget rule #4.

PU Ranking Sets Tier List
(In alphabetical order)

S Rank: Reserved for Pokemon that are the pinnacle of the PU metagame. These Pokemon are able to perform a variety of roles very effectively, or can just do one extremely well. Their use has low risk involved and high reward exerted. Pokemon in this rank have very few flaws that are patched up by numerous positive traits. These Pokemon define the metagame.
S-Rank

(Defensive Spikes: S)
(Offensive Spikes: A+)

A Rank: Reserved for Pokemon that are fantastic in the PU metagame, and can sweep, support, or wall significant portions of the metagame. These Pokemon require less support than most others to be used effectively and have few flaws that can easily be compensated for when compared to their positive traits. These Pokemon exert a strong presence in the metagame.

A-Rank

A+

(Stealth Rock: A+)

(Specially Offensive: A+)
(Choice Band: A)
(Baton Pass: B)

(Mixed Attacker: A+)
(Choice Scarf: A+)
(Nasty Plot: A)

(Offensive Utility: A+)

(All-Out Attacker: A+)
(Choice Specs: C)
(Physical Attacker: C-)
(Choice Scarf: C-)

(Focus Sash: A+)
(Life Orb Wallbreaker: B)

A

(Wallbreaker: A)
(Choice Scarf: B+)

(3 Attacks + Morning Sun: A+)
(Choice Scarf: B)
(Choice Band: B-)

(Offensive: A)
(Defensive: A)

(Life Orb Special Attacker: A)
(Nasty Plot: A)
(Choice Scarf: C+)
(Physical Attacker: C+)

(Scrappy Wallbreaker: A)
(Sand Sweeper: A-)
(Choice Scarf: C+)

(Quick Feet: A)
(Guts: D)

(Utility Support: A)
(Offensive Support: A)
(Calm Mind: B+)

(Rock Polish: A)
(Tank not AV: B)

A-

(Dragon Dance: A-)
(Choice Band: B-)

(Offensive Pivot: A-)
(Defensive Stealth Rock: B+)

(Choice Scarf: A-)
(Sub + Swords Dance: B+)
(Sun Sweeper: B)

(Support: A-)
(Offensive: C+)

(Nasty Plot: A-)
(StallTales: C+)

(Nasty Plot: A-)
(Defensive: A-)

(Mixed Attacker: A-)
(Nasty Plot: B)

(All-out Attacker: A-)
(RestTalk: B)
(Choice Band: B)

(Choice Scarf: A-)
(Life Orb Utility: B)
(Nasty Plot: C+)

(Life Orb Cleaner: A-)

(Specially Defensive: A-)
(Calm Mind: B+)

(Offensive Coil: A-)
(Defensive Coil: B)
(Choice Scarf: C+)


B Rank: Reserved for Pokemon that are great in the PU metagame. These Pokemon have more notable flaws than those above them that affect how they function in the tier. Their positive traits still outshine their negatives, but they require a bit more team support to bring out their full potential. These Pokemon exert an above average presence in the metagame.

B-Rank


B+

(SubRoost: B+)
(Agility: B)
(Life Orb: B-)

(Calm Mind: B+)
(Trick Room: C)

(Rain Dance Sweeper: B+)

(Offensive Stealth Rock: B+)
(Tank: B-)

(XL) (Physical Wall: B+)
(Offensive: C)

(Physically Defensive Defog: B+)
(Specially Defensive Defog: B+)
(Offensive Pivot: C+)

(Choice Scarf: B+)
(SubSplit: B)

(Wallbreaker: B+)
(Nasty Plot: B-)

(Offensive Defog: B+)

(Bulk Up: B+)

B

(Mixed Attacker: B)
(Choice Band: B-)

(Choice Specs: B)
(Choice Scarf: B)
(Nasty Plot: B-)

(Tank: B)
(Offensive Stealth Rock: C+)

(Defensive Bulk Up: B)
(Offensive Bulk Up: C+)

(Small) (SubSeed: B)
(Offensive: C)

(RestTalk: B)
(Offensive Shift Gear: C+)
(Choice Band: C+)

(Swords Dance: B)
(Defensive Pivot: B-)

(Suicide Lead: B)

(Specially Defensive: B)
(Offensive: C+)

(Belly Drum: B)
(Choice Band: C+)

(Offensive Utility: B)
(Physically Defensive: B)

(Suicide Lead: B)
(All Out Attacker: B)
(Defensive Stealth Rock: C+)

(Choice Band: B)
(Speed Baton Pass: C-)

(Defiant Attacker: B)

(Offensive: B)
(Specially Defensive: B-)

(Suicide Lead: B)

(Weather Support: B)
(Tail Glow Pass: D)

B-

(Offensive Support: B-)
(Bulky Rapid Spin: C+)
(Rain Sweeper: C)

(Choice Specs: B-)
(Trick Room: B-)

(Choice Scarf Revenge Killer: B-)

(Choice Band: B-)
(WoW + 3 Attacks: B-)
(SubPunch: C)

(Physically Defensive Sand Support: B-)

(Dual Screens: B-)
(Weather Support: C-)

(Life Orb Attacker: B-)
(Prankster Utility: C+)
(Calm Mind: C-)

(Defensive Spikes: B-)
(Suicide Lead: C+)

(Specially Defensive Defog: B-)

(Defensive Defog: B-)
(Specially Defensive Defog: C+)

(Suicide Lead: B-)
(Eviolite Lead: C)

(Specially Defensive: B-)
(Choice Band: B-)


C Rank: Reserved for Pokemon that are mediocre in the PU metagame, but have just as many notable flaws that prevent them from being effective. Pokemon in the C tier often require significant support to be effective. Pokemon from this rank tend to face a lot of competition with the more commonly used Pokemon. These Pokemon exert a below average presence in the metagame.

C-Rank


C+

(Rapid Spin: C+)

(Swift Swim Sweeper: C+)

(Pivot: C+)

(Specially Defensive Wall: C+)

(Choice Band: C+)
(Assault Vest: D)

(Offensive: C+)

(Curse: C+)
(RestTalk Wall: C)

(Nasty Plot: C+)
(Pivot: C-)

(Stealth Rock Anti-Lead: C+)
(Wallbreaker: C+)
(Choice Scarf: C+)

(Tank: C+)

(Eviolite Attacker: C+)
(Choice Scarf: C-)

(Wall: C+)
(Dual Screens: C)

(Sun Sweeper: C+)

C

(Calm Mind: C)
(Sun Support: D)

(Custap Lead: C)

(Eviolite Attacker: C)

(Mixed Attacker: C)

(Agility: C)
(Choice Scarf: C)
(Choice Band: C)
(Double Dance: D)

(All Out Attacker: C)
(Choice Specs: C-)
(Curse: C-)
(Dragon Dance: D)

(Rock Polish: C)
(Baton Pass: C-)

(Almost Inferior Vullaby: C-)

(Rain Support: B-)
(Rock Polish: C+)
(Choice Band: C+)

(Wallbreaker: C)
(Choice Scarf: C)

(Pivot: C)
(Swords Dance: C-)

(Utility: C)
(Assault Vest: C)
(Choice Band: D)
(Choice Specs: D)
(Curse: D)

(Autotomize: C)
(All Out Attacker: C-)

C-

(Quiver Dance: C-)
(Dual Powder: C-)

(Healing Wish: C-)

(AcroBlim: C-)
(Special Attacker: C-)

(Calm Mind: C-)
(Defensive Utility: C-)

(Choice Band: C-)
(Wish Support: D)

(Offensive Toxic Spikes: C-)
(Choice Scarf: C-)
(Life Orb Attacker: D)

(Baton Pass: C-)
(Special Attacker: D)

(Substitute + Baton Pass: C-)
(Inferior-to-Volbeat Weather Support: D)

(Stealth Rock: C-)
(Choice Scarf: D)

(Sun Lead: C-)

(Calm Mind: C-)

(Offensive Rapid Spin: C-)
(Defensive Rapid Spin: C-)

(Anti-Lead: C-)
(All-out Attacker: C-)
(Wish Support: C-)

D Rank: Reserved for Pokemon that are highly mediocre in the PU metagame, but are viable enough to justify their use on select teams. These Pokemon are only capable of doing their specific task and fail at doing anything more than that. Pokemon from this rank have multiple crippling flaws that prevent them from being successful a majority of the time, and are often severely outclassed because of it. These Pokemon exert a poor presence in the metagame.


D-Rank

(Healing Wish Support: D)

(RestTalk: D)
(Mixed Wallbreaker: D)
(Dragon Dance: D-)

(Rain Lead: D)
(Special Attacker: D)

(Sticky Web Utility: D)

(Magic Bounce Support: D)

(Guts Sweeper: D)

(All-out Attacker but inferior Stoutland: D)
(Mixed Attacker: D)

(Specially Defensive Spin: D)

(StallLord: E)

(Foresight + Rapid Spin: D)

E Rank: Total garbage don't use these

E-Rank

(Sticky Web + Toxic Spikes Lead: E)

(Inferior Probopass with Roar: E)

(Inferior Butterfree: E)
(Inferior Mothim: E)

(Defensive Stealth Rock: E)

(Offensive Spikes: E)

(Sticky Web: E)

(Inferior Tangela with Moonblast: E)

(Dragon Dance Grass-type Bait: E)

(Simple Sweeper: E)

(SPORE: E)

(Inferior Jumpluff: E)

(Inferior Weather Abuser: E)

(Cute Coral Thing: E)

(Worse Raichu: E)

(Bad Purugly / Persian: E)

(Spikes setter: E)

(Inferior Lapras: E)

(Very weak Physical Attacker: E)

(Inferior Golem: E)

(Use Gourgeist-Small: E)

(Large) (Use Gourgeist-XL: E)

(Inferior Pelipper: E)

(S) (Utility: E)

(Lightningrod Attacker: E)

(HAPPY DINO - Swords Dance + Outrage: E)
(Cleric: E)

(Offensive Smash: E)
(CoilPass: E)

(Competitively terrible Sweeper: E)

(ParaFlinch: E)

(See Beautifly: E)

(Physical Attacker: E)

(Worse Dodrio / Jumpluff: E)

(Worse Linoone / Purugly: E)

(Dual Screens: E)

(Inferior Relicanth: E)

(NastyPass: E)

(Choice Specs: E)
(Quiver Dance: E)

(Choice Specs: E)
(Life Orb: E)

(Special Tank: E)

(Rain Dance + Rest: E)

(Outclassed by Dodrio: E)

(Inferior Raichu: E)

(Choice Band: E)
(LO Encore: E)

(Contrary Attacker: E)

(Worse Gigalith with Wood Hammer: E)

(Suicide Sun: E)

(SubSeed: E)
(Sun Sweeper: E)
(Swords Dance: E)

(Inferior Dodrio / Jumpluff / Fearow: E)

(lol: E)

(Wall: E)

(See Dewgong: E)

(Inferior Linoone / Purugly with Hypnosis: E)

(Bulky Death Fodder: E)

(Wall: E)

(Bad Golem / Piloswine: E)

(Annoying: E)

 

[MZ]

Just going through this and looking at a few things. Suicide lead pawniard isn't anywhere near b-, I don't see a reason to use it over almost anything and it has a shit matchup vs most leads. Scarf and specs Zebstrika are just bad, more like C rank sets. Raichu does it better outside of countering Jumpluff, and overall choice electrics aren't great aside from scarf rotom. I also don't agree with LO and NP mime being B+, it's just not that threatening thanks to its slow speed. LO is a solid B rank, but NP really doesn't deserve more than B- imo. There are plenty of other mons to use instead like Missy and Raichu, which are faster or can spin block and have taunt.

 

[Raiza]

Just going through this and looking at a few things. Suicide lead pawniard isn't anywhere near b-, I don't see a reason to use it over almost anything and it has a shit matchup vs most leads. Scarf and specs Zebstrika are just bad, more like C rank sets. Raichu does it better outside of countering Jumpluff, and overall choice electrics aren't great aside from scarf rotom. I also don't agree with LO and NP mime being B+, it's just not that threatening thanks to its slow speed. LO is a solid B rank, but NP really doesn't deserve more than B- imo. There are plenty of other mons to use instead like Missy and Raichu, which are faster or can spin block and have taunt.

Thanks for your input! The ones you mentioned I was already not really sure, so I decided to change them as suggested.

 

[gasquakee]

Is tank Regice really a B set? It seems pretty bad since it has a rocks weakness and zero recovery. :X

also you should put AV Regice in some rank. Even just to say its bad for clarification ^_^

 

[TONE]

I'd would also make a mention of offensive pivot Pelipper. It's pretty much a bulkier Swanna in a sense so B should be a fine rank for it. Same thing for offensive pivot Grumpig as well. You also misspelled Autotomize wrong for Vanilluxe.

 

[Mistress Remilia]

I think wallbreeaking Rampardos can also be B-, its insane power makes it deserving B- to me, it sure is pretty slow & struggles vs Fast offense, but it can still try ( and by that, i almost mean do ) to punch huge holes.
CB Zweilous doesn't have as much utility as SpD most of the times, due to the things it counters/checks being pretty common in the tier, drop to C+ imo.
Victreebel is so " high " mainly because of his Sun set, i'm not saying Mixed Atker is bad, but i consider it inferior to Sun Sweeper, B is more accurate to me, because there's more variety when it comes to Mixed Atker than Specially Oriented Sun sweeper.
We all know Watortle is awful from now, and completely outclassed as a spinner, i think we can drop his only set to C/C-/D where it belongs.

 

[Magnemite]

Hi, not calling anyone out in particular here, but this thread is more like the viability rankings than the role compendium, so changes in the thread should have more arguments to them instead of just suggesting changes with minimal support to them.

 

[trc]

sorry if im going against magnemite here please don't use me as an example of what to do:

rd poli s ---> a+
subpunch a+ ---> a

each of these sets has the intrinsic ability to counter a plethora of pokemon which is what gives poliwrath its s rank. however its s rank isn't a result of an individual set, it's the combination of sets in addition to its ability to check a variety of pokemon. i feel like resttalk could be possibly a rank but that's personal opinion. imo the special tank is better than the rd set, though both are a+ level

wall costa a ---> a+

u should add a scarf jumpluff for like c-/d rank or something. and im not even joking. scarf + its speed + infiltrator make it the most reliable revenge killer to subsalac simipour which is valuable enough in itself and while it sounds absolutely ludicrous its minor niche is actually quite interesting. i won't push too strongly though lol

i think u should seperate sd 3 attacks/sub and sd pass into separate leafeon sets. defensive is probably b-

suicide lead pawniard is garbage

offensive spikes roselia is really good but it should be one rank less than defensive (a+ and a) primarily because it loses its ability to check the pokemon it needs to in a pinch as the loss in bulk is actually quite significant compared to calm. things like haunter and stuff

subsplit rotom-f is only a-

scarf zebstrika is outclassed, specs should be like c-, and physical is probably c- too simply because it's just as bad as specs!

rename sr golem defensive and it's a-, custap or weakness policy are both a

scarf haunter is a- and subdisable is just as good as life orb if not better, it's a beast with tspikes

u might wanna mention cm kadabra, it has a niche over duosion and grumpig with the fast

id personally put buth missy sets in a- but up to u i suppose

not sure on the distinction between offensive pivot probo and defensive… they always run sr unless ur using some garbage magnemite specs set ;-; and it's variation is in the form of ev spreads and items. would merge them imo

scarf raichu is b not b+

both simipour sets are easily a+. easily

defensive tangela is a-, offensive is slightly better. funny how it's opposite to rose

i don't want to look at the rest but this should do for now

 

[Choice Banned]

Magnemite, for the teambuilding compendium, for Pokemon above the baseline (iirc it was C+ but I may be wrong), are what sets pass judged by this thread now?

 

[Raiza]

Updated

 

[Raiza]

Updated.

 

[Raiza]

Up to date again.

changes

Barbaracle from S to A+
Carracosta from S to A+
Sawsbuck from B+ to A-
Victreebel from B+ to A-
Avalugg from B to B-
Duosion from B to B-
Marowak from B to B-
Carbink from B- to C+
Servine from B- to C+
Dusknoir from C+ to B-
Meowstic-M from C+ to B-
Relicanth from C+ to C
Swoobat from C+ to C
Wigglytuff from C+ to C
Dusclops from C to C-
Furfrou from C to C+
Glaceon from C to D
Regigigas from C to C+
Sliggoo from C to C-
Shedinja C- to C
Swalot from C- to C
Tropius from C to C-
Tentacool from D to C-

 

[Dundies]

just a few things here and there i see could be added

Scarf Barbaracle deserves a mention (gets Switcheroo)
Sash Lead for Aurorus
Smashpass can be taken off of Huntail and Offensive Shell Smash and CoilPass can be added
Life Orb 3 Attacks + Roost Articuno deserves a mention (U-Turn is viable)
Banded Klang could be added, but that's your call
Bulk Up could be considered a totally different set for Vigoroth than Stallbreaker
Drifblim is listed twice
Curse is the more viable set on Munchlax so that should be listed as C+ over the other
AV can be added to Swalot
For Vanilluxe, Weakness Policy deserves a mention along with Endure and Weak Armor, but again, your call

 

[Raiza]

just a few things here and there i see could be added

Scarf Barbaracle deserves a mention (gets Switcheroo)
Sash Lead for Aurorus
Smashpass can be taken off of Huntail and Offensive Shell Smash and CoilPass can be added
Life Orb 3 Attacks + Roost Articuno deserves a mention (U-Turn is viable)
Banded Klang could be added, but that's your call
Bulk Up could be considered a totally different set for Vigoroth than Stallbreaker
Drifblim is listed twice
Curse is the more viable set on Munchlax so that should be listed as C+ over the other
AV can be added to Swalot
For Vanilluxe, Weakness Policy deserves a mention along with Endure and Weak Armor, but again, your call

implemented most of the suggestions, thanks!

 

[Froggyboy]

Huntail from B+ to C
Beheeyem from B to B-
Zweilous from B to B-
Luxray from B- to C+
Quilladin from B- to C+
Gastly from unlisted to C-

 

[Raiza]

Huntail from B+ to C
Beheeyem from B to B-
Zweilous from B to B-
Luxray from B- to C+
Quilladin from B- to C+
Gastly from unlisted to C-

updated

 

[Raiza]

I did the big update and changed set ranks accordingly

update

Ninetales from A+ to A
Rotom-F from A+ to A
Golem from A to A-
Rapidash from A to A+
Sawsbuck from A- to A
Pelipper from B+ to A-
Torkoal from B- to C+
Seviper from C+ to C
Butterfree from C to C-
Gabite from C to B-
Huntail from C to C-
Illumise from C to C-
Lampent from C to C-
Lapras from C to C-
Octillery from C to D
Swoobat from C to C-
Chimecho from C- to D
Dragonair from C- to D
Electrode from C- to D
Krokorok from C- to D
Lairon from C- to D
Masquerain from C- to D
Sliggoo from C- to D
Tentacool from C- to D
Tropius from C- to D
Wartortle from C- to D
Ariados from D to E
Bastiodon from D to E
Bibarel from D to E
Fearow from D to E
Gigalith from D to E
Gourgeist from D to E
Gourgeist-Large from D to E
Lumineon from D to E
Meganium from D to E
Meowstic-F from D to E
Seaking from D to E
Wormadam-S from D to E

 

[Raiza]

UPDATED; now it matches Viability Rankings!

 

[Raiza]

Updated

update

Golduck from B to B+
Lickilicky from B+ to B
Electabuzz from C+ to C
Kingler from C+ to C
Lunatone from C+ to C
Metang from C+ to C
Lapras from C- to C

 

[TONE]

Scarf Simipour needs a mention, A+ or A should be fine. Also Will-O-Wisp + 3 Attacks Dusknoir deserves a mention as B- as well

 

[Raiza]

Scarf Simipour needs a mention, A+ or A should be fine. Also Will-O-Wisp + 3 Attacks Dusknoir deserves a mention as B- as well

I actually thought I added Simipour in the past oo well w/e I added now along with Wow + 3 Attacks Dusknoir

 

[Raiza]

Ok updated

 

[Cheryl.]

Um, why are both of Seviper's sets C rank when it is D rank? Edit also remove masquerain's quiverpass set

 

[Raiza]

Um, why are both of Seviper's sets C rank when it is D rank? Edit also remove masquerain's quiverpass set

Ops my bad fixed both

 

[Raiza]

Updated