I’ve been playing RU alpha for a while and I would like to share my thoughts on what I think is really good rn or potentially good.
The queen of RU is ready for another round. Unfortunately it lost Hidden Power and Z-moves crippling its offensive sets which were what made it top 3 in USUM RU. But even then, Sub-Toxic is even more devastating this gen. Heal Bell and Aromatherapy are incredibly rare this gen letting it poison and cripple targets however it pleases. Its speed tier means its the 5th fastest unboosted mon in the tier letting it revenge and outspeed a large portion of the unboosted metagame.
Sigilyph is easily the best mon in the tier rn and possibly one of the most versatile. Roost + Three Attacks, Specs, Cosmic Power, and Calm Mind are all fantastic sets it could possibly run as we learn more about the metagame. Its stupidly strong, Sigi can get a kill every time it gets to safely switch in. Thanks to Magic Guard and decent bulk for the tier, it can manage to get in more times than expected. Its speed tier is great for the tier, it can outrun and 2HKO/OHKO the likes of Roserade, Bewear, Jellicent, Toxicroak, and Goodra with its fantastic coverage. Magic Guard is even more valuable given the lack of good defoggers and spinners.
Easily Top 3 for me. imo is the best bulky water in the tier (sry Jellicent). Its base 110 SpA is starting to finally show and Wish is highly valuable in the tier assisting Lix and Goodra, allowing them to live through longer. Its overall bulk is fantastic, providing a blanket check to alot of strong special attackers. It lost Heal Bell and Toxic but Yawn is a nice move for messing with incoming switch ins. I could even see it run more offensive sets as the meta continues to develop.
Another top 3 mon. Lix is a fantastic rocker/wincon. Steelix this gen can pose more of an offensive presence due to the gift of Body Press in conjunction with Curse and Iron Defense. Its a nice answer to SD FairySilvally and Boltund. It pars fantastically with Vaporeon and Sigilyph, the other big threats imo. Can’t wait to see how the meta develops around it.
Manectric is underrated and I don’t see people talking about it. Its the only electric that isn’t Lanturn that can threaten Vaporeon and Steelix at the same time. Its a great check to Sigilyph, and Bewear while making for a good scarfer, specs user. Switcheroo is nice for trolling with fat walls. Give it a try.
Bewear is insane. If it gets in safely, expect something to either die or get crippled massively. Lariat is icing on the cake letting it stomp on ghosts like nothing. I could see this thing get banned or suspected eventually due to its raw power overall.
Rade is one of the best spikers in the tier. Hits like a truck and Sleep Powder is worth taking to account. It chucks bulky waters like nothing and take a decent hit.
One of the best breakers in the tier and one of the best special walls in the tier as well. Its able to swap into Cursola, bulky waters, Rotom, and Roserade. Time will tell on what it’ll do next as the meta evolves and settles down.
It has a ridiculous speed tier for RU standards and can kill anything that isn’t a ground type. I won’t go too deep with it cause everyone thinks its good already.
Some other stuff worth mentioning real quick:
: Roserade but physical. Has decent defenses and access to Explosion to preserve spikes. Not outstanding but it has a niche.
: Chucks Roserade, Vaporeon, and other bulky waters. Sucker Punch is nice for sneaking a KO vs Sigilyph and SD is very threatening.
: Basically Goodra except stronger + rocks and ghost typing. Hits like a truck and spinblocks.
: Haven’t really seen too much of but it appreciates the lack of HP Fire to ruin its day, it might become more prominent once the meta further develops.
: Underrated defogger. Beats many common hazard setters and has access to the rare Knock Off and Toxic.
: A nice stallbreaker and spinblocker. Can shutdown Vaporeon/Lix cores with Taunt and WillO.
: Solid spinner and spinblocker. Hits like a truck and can check the likes of Bewear and Boltund.
: I like how Mr. Rime and its pre-evo have unique traits that separate them apart with similar but slightly different roles. Mime is faster letting it revenge Sigilyph, Roserade, and Toxicroak. Mr. Rime has better bulk, Slack Off, and higher dmg output. They are imo the best spinners in the tier due to being able to beat spinblockers like Dhelmise and Jellicent.
: Eiscue might actually be good in this tier. Eiscue has more opportunities to setup BD down there. Might have trouble with bulky waters tho.
: Provides alot of role compression for teams. Spinblocker, pivot, scarfer, ground immunity, and even NP sweeper if that becomes a thing in the near future.
: Has to compete with Sigilyph for Psychic type powerhouse, but packs better bulk and has Healing Wish.
Here is the team I had fun using while playing RU Alpha.
https://pokepast.es/fc7a9a7a0c5bfdfe
Replay:
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ru-1039745554