haunter
Banned deucer.
Reposting here for posterity:
After two weeks of community and council deliberation, taking into account a public thread, a poll, and a Policy Review topic, the OU Council has come to the conclusion that Kangaskhanite is overpowered and, as such, will be quickbanned from OU. Remember, a quickban is considered an extension of the initial banlist, meaning we are implying that Kangaskhanite deserved to be on the initial banlist and is considered that overwhelmingly strong.
As we all know, Kangaskhan received a huge buff in X/Y with its Mega Stone. Its attack got pumped to a respectable base 125, its defenses were also improved, and its speed reached the above-average 100 base tier. The most valuable improvement it received though, was its new ability: Parental Bond. It allows the Pokémon to attack twice, with the second attack being half as powerful as the first one. Basically, Parental Bond acts like a free Choice Band boost, but without locking the user into one single attack. Also, Mega-Kangaskhan's new ability works wonderfully with attacks such as Power Up Punch (allowing Mega Kangaskhan to usually get 2 Attack boosts) and Seismic-Toss (which always inflicts a damage of 200 Hit Points to the opponent). Not to mention the ability to hit the opponent through their Substitute. Couple the above mentioned points with a close to perfect physical movepool (with access to coverage moves such as Fire Punch, Crunch and Earthquake) and priority in the form of Sucker Punch, and you have a Pokémon that's nearly impossible to counter or even revenge kill.
Though we aren't directly using the 4th generation suspect characteristics anymore, they still provide a reliable framework to assess the situation. Let's take a look at the Offensive Characteristic:
1) The raw power of its attacks is too much for the OU tier
A few damage calculations show how Mega Kanga can 1-2HKO even premier physical walls like Hippowdown and Skarmory after a singe Power Up Punch (which, unlike Swords Dance, can't be taunted):
Add onto that that Mega Kanga is fast enough to outspeed every defensive Pokémon in the game so that it can land the decisive hit before they can even attempt at statusing it.
With a virtual base Attack of 213, factoring in Parental Bond, the only Pokémon that can afford to switch into this monster with relative ease are: Cofagrigus, Sableye and a very healthy Gourgeist. Everything else is immediately obliterated by Mega Kanga's attacks. Other gimmick strategies to stop it are Rocky Helmet/Rough Skin (or Iron Barbs) users like bulky Garchomp and Ferrothorn, that use Mega Kanga's ability to hit twice against it;
2) Mega-Kangaskhan is nearly impossible to revenge kill
Sucker Punch at +2 kills pretty much every wanna-be revenge killer. Pokémon like the Lati twins, the genies, Focus Sash Alakazam and even Genesect (with the X/Y Steel nerf) are all OHKO'd before they can even scratch Mega Kanga. Furthermore, Mega Kanga's 105/100/100 defences are nothing to laugh at, and even when uninvested, they give Mega Kanga excellent survivability. Basically, Mega Kangaskhan's offensive checks are restricted to strong and fast Fighting types such as Terrakion and Mega Lucario;
3) Mega-Kangaskhan limits team building
Like the 5th Generation Excadrill, Mega-Kanga severely limits team bulding, forcing the player to run dedicated, obscure Pokémon (with the exception of Sableye) to avoid getting swept by it. And, in the case of Rocky Helmet/Rough Skin users, the player is usually just trading their check in order to have Mega-Kangaskhan kill itself through passive damage.
The above points don't address a less common but not less threatening set Mega-Kangaskhan is capable of running:
Kangaskhan (F) @ Kangaskhanite
Ability: Early Bird
Impish/Careful Nature
- Seismic Toss
- Wish
- Protect
- Crunch
With this set, Mega Kanga can stay around for a longer time, while simultaneously supporting its team mates with Wish passing and 2HKO'ing everything with less than 401 HP.
In conclusion, with a combination of raw power, bulk, above average Speed, ability to hit through Substitute and Focus Sash, and excellent movepool, the OU Council considers Mega Kangaskhan's presence in OU unhealthy for the development of the metagame, and for this reason, Mega-Kangaskhan will been banned to Ubers with immediate effects.
After two weeks of community and council deliberation, taking into account a public thread, a poll, and a Policy Review topic, the OU Council has come to the conclusion that Kangaskhanite is overpowered and, as such, will be quickbanned from OU. Remember, a quickban is considered an extension of the initial banlist, meaning we are implying that Kangaskhanite deserved to be on the initial banlist and is considered that overwhelmingly strong.
As we all know, Kangaskhan received a huge buff in X/Y with its Mega Stone. Its attack got pumped to a respectable base 125, its defenses were also improved, and its speed reached the above-average 100 base tier. The most valuable improvement it received though, was its new ability: Parental Bond. It allows the Pokémon to attack twice, with the second attack being half as powerful as the first one. Basically, Parental Bond acts like a free Choice Band boost, but without locking the user into one single attack. Also, Mega-Kangaskhan's new ability works wonderfully with attacks such as Power Up Punch (allowing Mega Kangaskhan to usually get 2 Attack boosts) and Seismic-Toss (which always inflicts a damage of 200 Hit Points to the opponent). Not to mention the ability to hit the opponent through their Substitute. Couple the above mentioned points with a close to perfect physical movepool (with access to coverage moves such as Fire Punch, Crunch and Earthquake) and priority in the form of Sucker Punch, and you have a Pokémon that's nearly impossible to counter or even revenge kill.
Though we aren't directly using the 4th generation suspect characteristics anymore, they still provide a reliable framework to assess the situation. Let's take a look at the Offensive Characteristic:
Actual battle experience has quickly proved that Mega Kangaskhan easily fulfills the Offensive Characteristic. Mega Kangaskhan's unhealthy effects on the metagame can be summed up in 3 points:
1) The raw power of its attacks is too much for the OU tier
A few damage calculations show how Mega Kanga can 1-2HKO even premier physical walls like Hippowdown and Skarmory after a singe Power Up Punch (which, unlike Swords Dance, can't be taunted):
+2 252 Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Return vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Hippowdon: 420-495 (100 - 117.85%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252+ Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Fire Punch vs. 252 HP / 232+ Def Skarmory: 303-357 (90.7 - 106.8%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
+2 252 Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Return vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Slowbro: 328-387 (83.24 - 98.22%) -- 68.75% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252+ Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Fire Punch vs. 252 HP / 232+ Def Skarmory: 303-357 (90.7 - 106.8%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
+2 252 Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Return vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Slowbro: 328-387 (83.24 - 98.22%) -- 68.75% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
Add onto that that Mega Kanga is fast enough to outspeed every defensive Pokémon in the game so that it can land the decisive hit before they can even attempt at statusing it.
With a virtual base Attack of 213, factoring in Parental Bond, the only Pokémon that can afford to switch into this monster with relative ease are: Cofagrigus, Sableye and a very healthy Gourgeist. Everything else is immediately obliterated by Mega Kanga's attacks. Other gimmick strategies to stop it are Rocky Helmet/Rough Skin (or Iron Barbs) users like bulky Garchomp and Ferrothorn, that use Mega Kanga's ability to hit twice against it;
2) Mega-Kangaskhan is nearly impossible to revenge kill
Sucker Punch at +2 kills pretty much every wanna-be revenge killer. Pokémon like the Lati twins, the genies, Focus Sash Alakazam and even Genesect (with the X/Y Steel nerf) are all OHKO'd before they can even scratch Mega Kanga. Furthermore, Mega Kanga's 105/100/100 defences are nothing to laugh at, and even when uninvested, they give Mega Kanga excellent survivability. Basically, Mega Kangaskhan's offensive checks are restricted to strong and fast Fighting types such as Terrakion and Mega Lucario;
3) Mega-Kangaskhan limits team building
Like the 5th Generation Excadrill, Mega-Kanga severely limits team bulding, forcing the player to run dedicated, obscure Pokémon (with the exception of Sableye) to avoid getting swept by it. And, in the case of Rocky Helmet/Rough Skin users, the player is usually just trading their check in order to have Mega-Kangaskhan kill itself through passive damage.
The above points don't address a less common but not less threatening set Mega-Kangaskhan is capable of running:
Kangaskhan (F) @ Kangaskhanite
Ability: Early Bird
Impish/Careful Nature
- Seismic Toss
- Wish
- Protect
- Crunch
With this set, Mega Kanga can stay around for a longer time, while simultaneously supporting its team mates with Wish passing and 2HKO'ing everything with less than 401 HP.
In conclusion, with a combination of raw power, bulk, above average Speed, ability to hit through Substitute and Focus Sash, and excellent movepool, the OU Council considers Mega Kangaskhan's presence in OU unhealthy for the development of the metagame, and for this reason, Mega-Kangaskhan will been banned to Ubers with immediate effects.