NFE, or Not Fully Evolved is a metagame around the premise of only allowing pokemon that can still evolve. Unlike LC, this includes any stage 2 Pokemon that is able to evolve, rather than just Stage 1 Evolutions.
Strategy
Eviolite or Eviolite? That is the question. Historically, the NFE metagame has mainly consisted of balance and bulky-offense teams that center around Eviolite, as it increases the bulk of non-fully evolved Pokemon by 50%, and by extension, moves like Knock Off, Thief, Covet, and Trick become very valuable for creating progress. However, other playstyles have also been very successful, with hazard stack and Sticky Web teams being especially notable due to the rarity of Heavy-Duty Boots. All in all, NFE is a wide-ranging metagame with a low power creep that offers an enjoyable experience for both beginners and competitive veterans alike.
However, the introduction of threats both old and new means that the metagame is doubtlessly going to evolve from here!
Please use this thread to discuss meta trends and new features that impact the Generation 9 National Dex NFE metagame!
Council
db
sealoo
Velcroc (TL)
zastra (TL)Inactive Council
blinkboy
Cao JieBanlist
Rules: NFE allows any pokemon that is both unbanned from the tier, and can evolve in-game.
Clauses: Standard NDOU Clauses, Terastal Clause
Basculin-White-Striped
Bisharp
Chansey
Doublade
Duraludon
Gligar
Haunter
Kadabra
Magneton
Mr. Mime-Galar
Porygon2
Primape
Qwilfish-Hisui
Ursaring
Scyther
Sneasel
Sneasel-Hisui
Type: NullCodes
/challenge gen9nationaldexag @@@ gen9nationaldex, Not Fully Evolved, -Basculin-white-striped, -Bisharp,-Chansey, -Combusken, -Doublade,-Duraludon, -Gligar, -Kadabra, -Haunter,-Magneton,-Mr. Mime Galar, -Porygon2,-Primeape,-Qwilfish-hisui,-Ursaring, -Scyther, -Sneasel, -Type: Null, +Moody
/tour new gen9nationaldexag, elim,,, [Gen 9] National Dex NFE
/tour autostart 7
/tour autodq 5
/tour rules gen9nationaldex, Not Fully Evolved, -Basculin-white-striped, -Bisharp,-Chansey,-Doublade,-Duraludon, -Gligar, -Kadabra, -Haunter,-Magneton,-Mr. Mime Galar, -Porygon2,-Primeape,-Qwilfish-hisui,-Ursaring, -Scyther, -Sneasel, -Type: Null, +Moody
/tour autostart 7
/tour autodq 5
/tour rules gen9nationaldex, Not Fully Evolved, -Basculin-white-striped, -Bisharp,-Chansey,-Doublade,-Duraludon, -Gligar, -Kadabra, -Haunter,-Magneton,-Mr. Mime Galar, -Porygon2,-Primeape,-Qwilfish-hisui,-Ursaring, -Scyther, -Sneasel, -Type: Null, +Moody
Archive
NEW!
Dipplin
S Rank
Reserved for Pokemon that are absolutely meta-defining. 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.
S
Piloswine [Eviolite, Choice Band, Icium Z]
A Rank
Reserved for Pokémon that perform extremely well in the metagame. These Pokémon are typically considered excellent Pokémon let down by a few faults, thus keeping them out of S Rank. They typically require more support than an S Rank Pokémon, but nonetheless are very effective.
A+
Electabuzz [Fightium Z, Eviolite, No Item]
Golbat [Eviolite]
Gurdurr [Eviolite, Flame Orb]
Misdreavus [Eviolite]
Qwilfish-Hisui [Eviolite, Darkium Z, Poisonium Z, Waterium Z]
Wartortle [Eviolite]
A
Frogadier [Eviolite, Focus Sash, Waterium Z, Heavy Duty Boots]
Raboot [Choice Band, Fightium Z, Firium Z, Heavy Duty Boots]
Rhydon [Eviolite, Choice Scarf]
Servine [Eviolite]
Thwackey [Eviolite, Grassy Seed]
A-
Corsola-Galar [Eviolite]
Duosion [Eviolite]
Sliggoo-Hisui [Eviolite, Steelium Z, Life Orb]
Hattrem [Eviolite]
Machoke [Eviolite, Icium Z, Flame Orb]
Magmar [Fightium Z, Firium Z, Sitrus Berry, Eviolite, Heavy Duty Boots, No Item]
Mareanie [Eviolite]
Roselia [Eviolite]
Tinkatuff [Eviolite]
Tangela [Eviolite]
Vigoroth [Eviolite]
B Rank
B Rank Pokémon are typically considered good, but overall quite niche, and require much more support than a Pokémon in A or S Rank. Their flaws are also much more prominent than Pokémon in S or A Rank, making them less effective overall
B+
Clefairy [Eviolite]
Crocalor [Eviolite]
Dunsparce [Eviolite]
Fraxure [Eviolite, Steelium Z, Choice Band]
Gabite [Eviolite]
Klang [Eviolite]
Lampent [Choice Scarf]
Marshtomp [Eviolite]
Monferno [Electrium Z]
Naclstack [Eviolite]
Pawniard [Eviolite, Steelium Z]
Rufflet [Choice Band]
Vulpix [Heat Rock]
B
Combusken [Eviolite, Firium Z]
Dartrix [Eviolite]
Drakloak [Eviolite]
Girafarig [Eviolite]
Glimmet [Eviolite, Focus Sash]
Hakammo-o [Eviolite, Steelium Z, Dragonium Z]
Ivysaur [Eviolite]
Morgrem [Light Clay]
Quilladin [Eviolite]
Swirlix [Grassy Seed]
B-
Ferroseed [Eviolite, Focus Sash]
Fletchinder [Eviolite]
Krokorok [Choice Scarf]
Magnemite [Eviolite]
Metang [Eviolite]
Murkrow [Eviolite, Choice Scarf]
Palpitoad [Eviolite]
Quaxwell [Eviolite]
Sliggoo [Eviolite]
Toedscool [Eviolite]
Zweilous [Choice Band, Eviolite, Darkium Z]
C Rank
C Rank Pokémon are generally mediocre in the metagame. They typically require much more support than Pokémon higher up the viability rankings, although they can still be effective in the right circumstances.
C
Gastly [Choice Scarf]
Lairon [Eviolite]
Mienfoo [Choice Scarf]
Seadra [Eviolite, Life Orb]
Vullaby [Eviolite]
DipplinS Rank
Reserved for Pokemon that are absolutely meta-defining. 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.
S
Piloswine [Eviolite, Choice Band, Icium Z]A Rank
Reserved for Pokémon that perform extremely well in the metagame. These Pokémon are typically considered excellent Pokémon let down by a few faults, thus keeping them out of S Rank. They typically require more support than an S Rank Pokémon, but nonetheless are very effective.
A+
Electabuzz [Fightium Z, Eviolite, No Item] Golbat [Eviolite] Gurdurr [Eviolite, Flame Orb] Misdreavus [Eviolite] Qwilfish-Hisui [Eviolite, Darkium Z, Poisonium Z, Waterium Z] Wartortle [Eviolite]A
Frogadier [Eviolite, Focus Sash, Waterium Z, Heavy Duty Boots] Raboot [Choice Band, Fightium Z, Firium Z, Heavy Duty Boots] Rhydon [Eviolite, Choice Scarf] Servine [Eviolite] Thwackey [Eviolite, Grassy Seed]A-
Corsola-Galar [Eviolite] Duosion [Eviolite] Sliggoo-Hisui [Eviolite, Steelium Z, Life Orb] Hattrem [Eviolite] Machoke [Eviolite, Icium Z, Flame Orb] Magmar [Fightium Z, Firium Z, Sitrus Berry, Eviolite, Heavy Duty Boots, No Item] Mareanie [Eviolite] Roselia [Eviolite] Tinkatuff [Eviolite] Tangela [Eviolite] Vigoroth [Eviolite]B Rank
B Rank Pokémon are typically considered good, but overall quite niche, and require much more support than a Pokémon in A or S Rank. Their flaws are also much more prominent than Pokémon in S or A Rank, making them less effective overall
B+
Clefairy [Eviolite] Crocalor [Eviolite] Dunsparce [Eviolite] Fraxure [Eviolite, Steelium Z, Choice Band] Gabite [Eviolite] Klang [Eviolite] Lampent [Choice Scarf] Marshtomp [Eviolite] Monferno [Electrium Z] Naclstack [Eviolite] Pawniard [Eviolite, Steelium Z] Rufflet [Choice Band] Vulpix [Heat Rock]B
Combusken [Eviolite, Firium Z] Dartrix [Eviolite] Drakloak [Eviolite] Girafarig [Eviolite] Glimmet [Eviolite, Focus Sash] Hakammo-o [Eviolite, Steelium Z, Dragonium Z] Ivysaur [Eviolite] Morgrem [Light Clay] Quilladin [Eviolite] Swirlix [Grassy Seed]B-
Ferroseed [Eviolite, Focus Sash] Fletchinder [Eviolite] Krokorok [Choice Scarf] Magnemite [Eviolite] Metang [Eviolite] Murkrow [Eviolite, Choice Scarf] Palpitoad [Eviolite] Quaxwell [Eviolite] Sliggoo [Eviolite] Toedscool [Eviolite] Zweilous [Choice Band, Eviolite, Darkium Z]C Rank
C Rank Pokémon are generally mediocre in the metagame. They typically require much more support than Pokémon higher up the viability rankings, although they can still be effective in the right circumstances.
C
Gastly [Choice Scarf] Lairon [Eviolite] Mienfoo [Choice Scarf] Seadra [Eviolite, Life Orb] Vullaby [Eviolite]◆ S Rank ◆ |
Reserved for Pokemon that are absolutely meta-defining. 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.
Dipplin [Eviolite]
Electabuzz [Fightinium Z / Eviolite / Heavy-Duty Boots]
Golbat [Eviolite]
Magmar [Choice Specs / Fightinium Z / Heavy-Duty Boots / Eviolite]★★★ A Rank ★★★ |
Reserved for Pokemon that perform extremely well in the metagame. These Pokemon are typically considered excellent Pokemon let down by a few faults, thus keeping them out of S Rank. They typically require more support than an S Rank Pokemon, but nonetheless are very effective.
A+
Frogadier [Focus Sash / Grassium Z / Heavy Duty Boots / Eviolite / Choice Scarf]
Gurdurr [Eviolite / Flame Orb]
Piloswine [Eviolite / Choice Band / Icium Z]
Servine [Eviolite / Normalium Z / Choice Scarf]A
Corsola-Galar [Eviolite]
Misdreavus [Eviolite / Choice Scarf]
Pawniard [Eviolite / Steelium Z]
Quaxwell [Eviolite]
Roselia [Eviolite]
Thwackey [Eviolite / Grassy Seed / Choice Band]
Wartortle [Eviolite / Icium Z]A-
Clefairy [Eviolite]
Crocalor [Eviolite]
Dunsparce [Eviolite]
Duosion [Eviolite]
Koffing [Eviolite]
Machoke [Eviolite / Icium Z / Flame Orb]
Marshtomp [Eviolite]
Raboot [Choice Band / Normalium Z / Heavy Duty Boots / Fightinium Z / Eviolite]
Rhydon [Buginium Z / Eviolite / Choice Scarf / Focus Sash]
Tangela [Eviolite / Life Orb]
Tinkatuff [Eviolite / Air Balloon]★★ B Rank ★★ |
B Rank Pokemon are typically considered good, but overall quite niche, and require much more support than a Pokemon in A or S Rank. Their flaws are also much more prominent than Pokemon in S or A Rank, making them less effective overall
B+
Ferroseed [Eviolite / Focus Sash]
Fraxure [Eviolite / Steelium Z / Choice Band]
Gabite [Eviolite / Choice Scarf]
Girafarig [Eviolite]
Hattrem [Eviolite]
Vigoroth [Eviolite]B
Drakloak [Eviolite]
Ivysaur [Eviolite / Life Orb]
Klang [Eviolite]
Lampent [Choice Scarf]
Galarian Linoone [Toxic Orb / Eviolite]
Mareanie [Eviolite]
Monferno [Electrium Z / Eviolite]
Morgrem [Light Clay]
Naclstack [Eviolite]
Rufflet [Choice Band / Eviolite]
Sliggoo-Hisui [Eviolite / Steelium Z / Life Orb]
Toedscool [Eviolite]
Vullaby [Eviolite]
Vulpix [Heat Rock]B-
Glimmet [Focus Sash]
Hakammo-o [Eviolite / Steelium Z / Dragonium Z]
Lairon [Eviolite / Choice Band]
Metang [Eviolite]
Swirlix [Grassy Seed]
Zweilous [Choice Band / Eviolite / Darkinium Z]★ C Rank ★ |
C Rank Pokemon are generally mediocre in the metagame. They typically require much more support than Pokemon higher up the viability rankings, although they can still be effective in the right circumstances.
C+
Combusken [Electrium Z / Fightinium Z / Eviolite]
Dartrix [Eviolite]
Krokorok [Choice Scarf]
Mienfoo [Choice Scarf]C
Fletchinder [Eviolite]
Gastly [Choice Scarf / Choice Specs]
Magnemite [Eviolite]
Quilladin [Eviolite]
Seadra [Eviolite / Waterium Z / Icium Z]
Sliggoo [Eviolite]
Vibrava [Eviolite]NEW! |
These Pokemon have just been released, either through a council unban or DLC. They're too "new" for the council to accurately judge the viability rank, and are thus left in this category for now. However, an estimated ranking is given, based on the opinion of the TL(s) and not the whole council. They'll be ranked in due course of time.
Pikachu [Light Ball] (estimated ranking: somewhere between B+ to A-)- This list is based on the opinions of the members of the council. Voting sheet can be found here.
- The list is arranged in alphabetical order.
- The most "viable" items are in bold letters.
- This list is not set in stone! Feel free to post your nominations in this thread; however, make sure to back your opinion with facts and an actual analysis of the metagame. Replays are encouraged. UR nominations are especially encouraged. Based on the quality of your nomination, we may even hold an emergency slate.
- We will not be doing D Ranks.
- The VR will be updated periodically in council 'slates'.
Tiering Log
May 5, 2023 - Kadabra is quickbanned
June 2, 2023 - Basculin-White-Striped and Sneasel-Hisui are quickbanned
June 10, 2023 - Pikachu is quickbanned
October 14, 2023 - Qwilfish-Hisui is quickbanned
December 20, 2023 - Duraludon is quickbanned
March 6, 2024 - Pikachu is unbanned
September 8, 2024 - Combusken is banned via suspect
Last edited:
Prinplup [Eviolite]
