Frail Pokemon who really can't afford to set up a Sub. Like Infernape, who's health is already being lowered through LO recoilHowever, there are a lot of pokemon that use substitute "well". Perhaps more often than not. Gengar likes to come in, forcing a switch on a revenge killer, and getting his sub up to mess with whatever comes in next. Anyone with a sleep move can sleep their opponent and take the free sub and do the same thing. Perhaps a better question is, what pokemon absolutely CANNOT use substitute successfully?
A smart Breloom will ALWAYS use Substitute as it's first move. Only Scrub Brelooms use Spore first.Encore alakazam anyone? Simply switch in blissey take the spore and lol as you encore.
Generation 1: Available from a TM that (almost) anybody could useBefore 4th Gen Subsitute was fairly thinly spread.
While that is a potential benefit, alakazam does not necessarily gain a free attack on a new pokemon. Since it's faster, it's guaranteed to break the sub, but the encored user can stay in and use sub to predict that. This may allow you to gain a free turn, but keep in mind that the metagame has many entry hazards and forms of residual damage, namely SR, SS, t-spikes, burn, toxic, and spikes. Alakazam may lose as much as 56.25% in one switch-in turn, assuming no leftovers, SS/hail, burn, 3 layers of spikes, and SR. But usually they will lose about 18.75%, assuming hail/ss without Lefties, and one layer of SR. In addition, the item choice on the alakazam will make a difference as LO helps gain 2hko's but severely decreases longevity, but Lefties will nullify SS/hail damage, and reduce damage done.I think that the encore Alakazam will do extremely well in the new meta. It's downright faster than anything that makes good use of substitute, and then encores the sub. At this point it just lols when the next move fails and gets a free attack on whatever comes in.
Taunt, phasing moves and encore have tons of utility outside of stoping subs. I don't use those moves because of subs, I use them because with prediction they can add to your team.To stop Substitute I pack Taunt on most of my teams.
indeed. few things in life are funnier than screwing up a Ninjask with an encore from Pikachu. I don't think Sub needs a nerf, though-I like how it stops statuses, since not everyone will fun a Protect/Safeguard.Before 4th Gen Subsitute was fairly thinly spread. Now its a TM and every pokemon can use it. If this becomes the case with Encore in gen 5, we're good to go.
On another note, I like Substitute's concept a lot, but now it's pretty broken. If they nerf it in Gen 5 so that status attacks go through it, this "era" will end just like that.