Because Focus Blast misses too many times...
With the introduction of D/P and beasts such as Garchomp, numorous things that were thought to be standard changed. Slow setups like Curselax went to the thrash bin. Skarmory became a lot less effective with the advent of Close Combat. Specsmence basically forced Blisseys to pack Ice Beam. It became painfully obvious that there aren't any uses for specific counters such as McGar anymore in these times.
I wonder...
Sure, Choice Specs, Scarf and Life Orb can make Gengar a menace, but it forces the user to predict well lest it be walled. Hypnosis and Focus Blast, while being great additions, aren't too reliable and Explosion has the nasty effect of not being able to hurt Steel and Ghost. So why not add Subpunching to its arsenal?
Although McGar needs Substitute to punch, it doesn't have problems switching in with three immunities and two x4 resistances (albeit off 60/65/75 defenses). With the addition of two more Choice items, this will often induce an opponent to switch out, fearing a serious whoop ass, which will give it an opportunity to sub up. With a sub up and ready to Focus Punch, Thunderbolt or Shadow Ball/HP Ice, there's not a lot that can safely switch in.
Weavile can't do much now as Focus Punch OHKOs it. With Focus Sash it'll survive, but it won't be able to guarantee a OHKO on 272/156 Gengar with Pursuit without Choice Band. 272 HP will generate 68 HP subs and heal back 17 HP with leftovers which leaves it at 221 HP. Max Jolly Weavile can only do about 191-225 damage. Granted, Weavile is primarily used as a revenge killer.
Not only does Substitute allow Gengar to scout, it makes attacks like Pursuit and Sucker Punch less effective which would have taken out Gengars in most situations. Granted, Spiritomb points and laughs at Gengar, so it's irrelevant in that case.
It doesn't really counter Skarmbliss anymore, but I believe it can still pack a punch.
With the introduction of D/P and beasts such as Garchomp, numorous things that were thought to be standard changed. Slow setups like Curselax went to the thrash bin. Skarmory became a lot less effective with the advent of Close Combat. Specsmence basically forced Blisseys to pack Ice Beam. It became painfully obvious that there aren't any uses for specific counters such as McGar anymore in these times.
I wonder...
Sure, Choice Specs, Scarf and Life Orb can make Gengar a menace, but it forces the user to predict well lest it be walled. Hypnosis and Focus Blast, while being great additions, aren't too reliable and Explosion has the nasty effect of not being able to hurt Steel and Ghost. So why not add Subpunching to its arsenal?
Although McGar needs Substitute to punch, it doesn't have problems switching in with three immunities and two x4 resistances (albeit off 60/65/75 defenses). With the addition of two more Choice items, this will often induce an opponent to switch out, fearing a serious whoop ass, which will give it an opportunity to sub up. With a sub up and ready to Focus Punch, Thunderbolt or Shadow Ball/HP Ice, there's not a lot that can safely switch in.
Weavile can't do much now as Focus Punch OHKOs it. With Focus Sash it'll survive, but it won't be able to guarantee a OHKO on 272/156 Gengar with Pursuit without Choice Band. 272 HP will generate 68 HP subs and heal back 17 HP with leftovers which leaves it at 221 HP. Max Jolly Weavile can only do about 191-225 damage. Granted, Weavile is primarily used as a revenge killer.
Not only does Substitute allow Gengar to scout, it makes attacks like Pursuit and Sucker Punch less effective which would have taken out Gengars in most situations. Granted, Spiritomb points and laughs at Gengar, so it's irrelevant in that case.
It doesn't really counter Skarmbliss anymore, but I believe it can still pack a punch.