Metagame Alphabet Cup

I have seen those sets before, but I made some changes. Are better than I thougth.

Malamar @ Leftovers
Ability: Contrary
Tera Type: Fighting
EVs: 252 HP / 100 Atk / 156 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Superpower
- Ice Hammer
- Mach Punch
- Milk Drink

Ting-Lu @ Leftovers
Ability: Vessel of Ruin
Tera Type: Fighting
EVs: 100 HP / 252 Atk / 156 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Tidy Up
- Throat Chop
- Earthquake
- Thunderous Kick

I also create this set, is not the best but it does its job.

Sableye @ Light Clay
Ability: Prankster
Tera Type: Dark
EVs: 248 HP / 128 Def / 132 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Sticky Web
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Pain Split
 
Last edited:
AVUser said:
I have seen those sets before, but I made some changes. Are better than I thougth.

Malamar @ Leftovers
Ability: Contrary
Tera Type: Fighting
EVs: 252 HP / 100 Atk / 156 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Superpower
- Ice Hammer
- Mach Punch
- Milk Drink

Ting-Lu @ Leftovers
Ability: Vessel of Ruin
Tera Type: Fighting
EVs: 100 HP / 252 Atk / 156 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Tidy Up
- Throat Chop
- Earthquake
- Thunderous Kick

I also create this set, is not the best but it does its job.

Sableye @ Light Clay
Ability: Prankster
Tera Type: Dark
EVs: 248 HP / 128 Def / 132 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Sticky Web
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Pain Split
Click to expand...
What is the goal of those EV investments? They seem entirely random and also Triple Arrows is better than Thunderous Kick IMO
 
did tera just get banned?
InkyDarkBird said:
Glare is restricted, Dragonite is banned, King's Rock + Razor Fang are banned, and Terastalization is banned!​

EliBandedBodyPressInkyDarkBirdRESULT
GlareRESTRICTRESTRICTRESTRICT3-0-0 RESTRICT
King's Rock + Razor FangBANBANBAN3-0-0 BAN
DragoniteBANBANBAN3-0-0 BAN
VolcanionDNBDNBBAN1-2-0 DNB
Torch SongDNRDNRDNR0-3-0 DNR
V-createDNRDNRDNR0-3-0 DNR
TerastalizationDNBBANBAN2-1-0 BAN
(DNR means do not restrict)

Glare
Glare is the currently the most oppressive and uncompetitive move in the format. Having numerous great users such as Gliscor, Gholdengo, Goodra-Hisui, Great Tusk, etc means that most Alphabet Cup games will have a Glare user. Unlike Thunder Wave or Stun Spore, Glare is 100% accurate and will paralyze you unless you are an Electric type, nearly requiring almost every team to have an Electric type because getting fully paralyzed is devastating for every archetype.

:kings-rock: and :razor-fang:
King's Rock and Razor Fang ban just for generic uncompetitiveness. We don't need gimmicky Toucannons Population Bombing.

:dragonite:
Dragonite is one of the best Pokemon in the format, gaining access to Dragon Ascent and Dragon Darts. However, this has caused Dragonite to become broken, with Choice Banded sets 2HKOing Toxapex and other walls, Dragon Darts being able to counter itself by breaking Multiscale, stopping Prankster Thundurus with Extreme Speed, and resisting both Fire and Water, harming weather teams. Once Dragonite is set up, it becomes extremely difficult to counter besides Corviknight, which already competes for a team slot with Toxapex.

:volcanion:
Volcanion is the best V-create user for outputting dangerous levels of damage, with or without Victory Dance. Gaining access to Volt Tackle also allows it to counter any Water Pokemon that hope to wall it. However, it is still relatively slow and will also be nerfed by the Terastalization ban, so it will remain unbanned.

Torch Song
Torch Song has seen usage on Sceptile, Typhlosion-Hisui, and Thundurus(-Therian) for its synergy with Throat Spray instantly granting a +2 SpA boost while being a great coverage move. However, as listed above, there are not many users of Torch Song, and the most broken one (Sceptile) can be banned if it becomes problematic.

V-create
V-create has 3 main users: Volcanion, Ninetales, and Slaking. Volcanion has been discussed above already, so I will just cover Ninetales and Slaking. Ninetales, due to its frailty and speed, prefers to run Choice Scarf to eliminate fast attackers. However, this is predictable and leaves it weak to hazard teams. Slaking is also simply countered by Protosynthesis and Quark Drive Pokemon, as well as Pecharunt and Gholdengo because Skill Swap fails against them. Therefore, V-create will not be restricted.

Terastalization
Terastalization is being banned for amplifying the power level of the format: Tera Electric Double Shock, Tera Fire V-create/Torch Song, Tera Water Boomburst, etc, all destroy stall Pokemon, even if the move is resisted. Therefore, Terastalization is banned.

pinging dhelmise to implement the changes
Click to expand...
nooo plz dont ban sceptile, ban torch song my phys sceptile must live
 
InkyDarkBird said:
Glare is restricted, Dragonite is banned, King's Rock + Razor Fang are banned, and Terastalization is banned!​

EliBandedBodyPressInkyDarkBirdRESULT
GlareRESTRICTRESTRICTRESTRICT3-0-0 RESTRICT
King's Rock + Razor FangBANBANBAN3-0-0 BAN
DragoniteBANBANBAN3-0-0 BAN
VolcanionDNBDNBBAN1-2-0 DNB
Torch SongDNRDNRDNR0-3-0 DNR
V-createDNRDNRDNR0-3-0 DNR
TerastalizationDNBBANBAN2-1-0 BAN
(DNR means do not restrict)

Glare
Glare is the currently the most oppressive and uncompetitive move in the format. Having numerous great users such as Gliscor, Gholdengo, Goodra-Hisui, Great Tusk, etc means that most Alphabet Cup games will have a Glare user. Unlike Thunder Wave or Stun Spore, Glare is 100% accurate and will paralyze you unless you are an Electric type, nearly requiring almost every team to have an Electric type because getting fully paralyzed is devastating for every archetype.

:kings-rock: and :razor-fang:
King's Rock and Razor Fang ban just for generic uncompetitiveness. We don't need gimmicky Toucannons Population Bombing.

:dragonite:
Dragonite is one of the best Pokemon in the format, gaining access to Dragon Ascent and Dragon Darts. However, this has caused Dragonite to become broken, with Choice Banded sets 2HKOing Toxapex and other walls, Dragon Darts being able to counter itself by breaking Multiscale, stopping Prankster Thundurus with Extreme Speed, and resisting both Fire and Water, harming weather teams. Once Dragonite is set up, it becomes extremely difficult to counter besides Corviknight, which already competes for a team slot with Toxapex.

:volcanion:
Volcanion is the best V-create user for outputting dangerous levels of damage, with or without Victory Dance. Gaining access to Volt Tackle also allows it to counter any Water Pokemon that hope to wall it. However, it is still relatively slow and will also be nerfed by the Terastalization ban, so it will remain unbanned.

Torch Song
Torch Song has seen usage on Sceptile, Typhlosion-Hisui, and Thundurus(-Therian) for its synergy with Throat Spray instantly granting a +2 SpA boost while being a great coverage move. However, as listed above, there are not many users of Torch Song, and the most broken one (Sceptile) can be banned if it becomes problematic.

V-create
V-create has 3 main users: Volcanion, Ninetales, and Slaking. Volcanion has been discussed above already, so I will just cover Ninetales and Slaking. Ninetales, due to its frailty and speed, prefers to run Choice Scarf to eliminate fast attackers. However, this is predictable and leaves it weak to hazard teams. Slaking is also simply countered by Protosynthesis and Quark Drive Pokemon, as well as Pecharunt and Gholdengo because Skill Swap fails against them. Therefore, V-create will not be restricted.

Terastalization
Terastalization is being banned for amplifying the power level of the format: Tera Electric Double Shock, Tera Fire V-create/Torch Song, Tera Water Boomburst, etc, all destroy stall Pokemon, even if the move is resisted. Therefore, Terastalization is banned.

pinging dhelmise to implement the changes
Click to expand...
:sv/sceptile:
For those wondering why Sceptile alone would be potentially banned due to Torch Song, that move is not the only reason. Doubled SpA and Speed (via Unburden) does push Sceptile much over the edge over the other two notable users, given a similar issue Sneasler has caused in standard OU partially thanks to Unburden prior to it’s banishment to (U)Ubers.

Grass / Fire is also a deceptively devastating combination on a fast Pokémon, and combine them with with any of these moves;
  • Scorching Sands / Sandsear Storm (for opposing Fire-types, Toxapex and Gholdengo)
  • Thunderbolt / Thunder / Thunderclap (for Flying-types that resist Fire, or Water with neutrality for Grass)
  • Or even Salt Cure to directly pressure Toxapex, Corviknight and Gholdengo even more…
And there is not a lot of Pokémon that can safely switch-in even before Sceptile sets-up.

:hariyama:
(Not the first time a non-OU/Ubers Hoenn Pokémon would get banned from an OM either. Hariyama got banned from AAA before Triage got banned in it’s turn due to leveraging it’s bulk and power, with Triage bypassing it’s slow Speed and countering even Extreme Speed. Of course, ever since the ban on Triage off AAA, Hariyama got unbanned.)
 
Current threats in the meta in my opinion.
What makes it good? Torch Song, Throat Spray, Unburden. Couple that with a great movepool including Secret Sword to counter SpD walls, and basically every coverage under the sun, it becomes rather scary once established.

What counters it? Surprisingly a decent amount of stuff. If you attack it while it uses Torch Song, it becomes a victim to priority. A great counter is Black Glasses Urshifu.
252+ SpA Sceptile Secret Sword vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Urshifu: 176-208 (51.6 - 60.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Black Glasses Urshifu Wicked Blow vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Sceptile on a critical hit: 345-406 (122.7 - 144.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Slowking-G also isn't phased by it at all.
+2 252 SpA Sceptile Sandsear Storm vs. 252 HP / 96 SpD Assault Vest Slowking-Galar: 212-250 (53.8 - 63.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
144+ SpA Slowking-Galar Sludge Bomb vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Sceptile: 302-356 (107.4 - 126.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Any special defensive wall that isnt scared of Secret Sword with decent attacks and anything with priority counter it. It's also got 4 moveslot syndrome or whatever its called. Torch Song, Giga Drain, then two coverage moves. All of that makes me hesitate to call it banworthy. Its strong, but theres a lot of counterplay.

This dang bear. It doesn't get anything beneficial besides maybe knock off, but that's not replacing Wicked Blow and Sucker Punch. It's just always good.

This bird deserves to rot in hell. Does it get anything great? No. Does it care? No.
 
I think the main argument over Sceptile being broken is that it steamrolls through HO and there are actually only 4 real walls/counters to it: Slowking-Galar, Clodsire, specially defensive Skeledirge, and Prankster Thundurus. While stall can easily shut down Sceptile, balance teams are forced to choose between using Goodra-Hisui (the best special wall in this tier) and walling special threats such as Primarina and Raging Bolt, using a worse Pokemon just for Sceptile, or using both and losing out on offensive power. Thundurus itself has its issues of being frail, being forced to run Heavy Duty Boots, and losing a move since it has to use Topsy-Turvy.

Urshifu and First Impression do exist, but Urshifu requires chip to actually OHKO Sceptile with Sucker Punch (unless Banded) and I doubt any good player is switching Sceptile into Urshifu. Sceptile can also use Substitute and destroy Urshifu.
252+ Atk Black Glasses Urshifu Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Sceptile: 214-253 (76.1 - 90%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252+ SpA Sceptile Secret Sword vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Urshifu: 350-412 (102.6 - 120.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Also, most F Pokemon would prefer a different move than First Impression for coverage or setup.

By the way, how exactly is Iron Bundle broken? I haven't seen it at all lately.
 
Sceptile, Urshifu-Single-Strike, Ursaluna, and Light Clay are banned, and Zamazenta, Regieleki, and Terapagos are unbanned!
​
EliBandedBodyPressInkyDarkBirdRESULT
SceptileDNBBANBAN2-1-0 BAN
VolcanionDNBDNBBAN1-2-0 DNB
Urshifu-Single-StrikeBANBANBAN3-0-0 BAN
UrsalunaBANBANBAN3-0-0 BAN
ConkeldurrDNBDNBDNB0-3-0 DNB
PrimarinaDNBABSTAINBAN1-1-1 DNB
Light ClayBANABSTAINBAN2-0-1 BAN
ZamazentaUNBANUNBANUNBAN3-0-0 UNBAN
RegielekiUNBANUNBANUNBAN3-0-0 UNBAN
TerapagosUNBANUNBANUNBAN3-0-0 UNBAN

:sceptile:
The infamous Torch Song Throat Spray Unburden sweeper can easily destroy most offensive Pokemon with Seed Flare, Torch Song, and Secret Sword paired with another coverage move. In addition, Sceptile benefits from prominent Ice Pokemon being banned (lack of Ice Shard) and the lack of priority in the metagame. Even most priority moves cannot OHKO it without chip.

:volcanion:
Volcanion will not be banned due to its weakness to hazards and ease of being revenge killed. While it is problematic for stall, balance and HO can immediately revenge kill/set up on Volcanion with Pokemon such as Garchomp, Salamence, and Iron Valiant.

:urshifu:
Urshifu-Single-Strike has proven itself to be an extremely destructive wallbreaker and sweeper. It can 2HKO most defensive walls and revenge kill other sweepers with Sucker Punch. It has barely changed from OU.

:ursaluna:
Ursaluna becomes even more terrifying under Trick Room than before. Gaining access to Temper Flare allows for Corviknights to be OHKOed for switching into a Headlong Rush, and being able to setup Trick Room by itself allows it to take advantage of Toxapex. However, the widespread distribution of Trick Room on ordinary stall Pokemon such as Toxapex and Ting-Lu allow Trick Room teams to use Trick Room much more often, enabling Ursaluna to switch in more without having to move last. While Taunt does exist, Ursaluna, Toxapex, and Ting-Lu can all still threaten the opposing Pokemon with Facade/Headlong Rush, Mortal Spin, and Earthquake.

:conkeldurr:
Conkeldurr is the other prominent Trick Room sweeper, running Sheer Force Life Orb with Combat Torque and the elemental punches + Crunch to guarantee 2HKOes on most Pokemon. However, Trick Room itself will become weaker with Ursaluna being banned, and unlike Ursaluna, Conkeldurr does have some walls, such as Scream Tail and Weezing-Galar. In addition, Conkeldurr has less bulk than Ursaluna and suffers from 4mss, making slotting on Trick Room much more difficult.

:primarina:
Primarina's incredible power and set diversity make it contentious for a ban. Through important movepool gains like Boomburst, Burning Bulwark, Blue Flare, Parabolic Charge, and Photon Geyser, it serves as a exemplary wallbreaker and set up sweeper. It's 4mss is never really to its detriment, as over enough time and proper team construction it can wear down its checks like Blissey, Toxapex, Volcanion, Hisuian Goodra, and Ogerpon-Wellspring. However, Primarina isn't bulky or fast enough to have easy switch-ins. While Water/Fairy provides many resistances and few weaknesses, there are still enough gaps in Primarina's armor for a team to break through. It's strengths are equally as overwhelming as the other things banned in this slate, but its weaknesses are more exploitable.

:light-clay:
Light Clay enables too many setup sweepers.

:zamazenta:
Zamazenta basically gets nothing and Terastalization is banned. It should be easy to wall and easily loses to Pokemon such as Iron Valiant and Salamence.

:regieleki:
Regieleki gets nothing besides Recover, Ruination, Razor Shell, and Rising Voltage. Terastalization is also banned, so it cannot run BoltBeam.

:terapagos:
Terapagos does gain notable moves such as Torch Song, Tidy Up, Triple Arrows, etc, but these are moves held by all T Pokemon, and the majority of them can use them (Thundurus-Therian, Terrakion) without being broken. In addition, Terapagos starts off with worse base stats in the first place and only has normal STAB, making it easy to wall. Terastalization is also banned.

pinging dhelmise to implement the changes
 
Last edited:
InkyDarkBird said:
Sceptile, Urshifu-Single-Strike, Ursaluna, and Light Clay are banned, and Zamazenta, Regieleki, and Terapagos are unbanned!
​
EliBandedBodyPressInkyDarkBirdRESULT
SceptileDNBBANBAN2-1-0 BAN
VolcanionDNBDNBBAN1-2-0 DNB
Urshifu-Single-StrikeBANBANBAN3-0-0 BAN
UrsalunaBANBANBAN3-0-0 BAN
ConkeldurrDNBDNBDNB0-3-0 DNB
PrimarinaDNBABSTAINBAN1-1-1 DNB
Light ClayBANABSTAINBAN2-0-1 BAN
ZamazentaUNBANUNBANUNBAN3-0-0 UNBAN
RegielekiUNBANUNBANUNBAN3-0-0 UNBAN
TerapagosUNBANUNBANUNBAN3-0-0 UNBAN

:sceptile:
The infamous Torch Song Throat Spray Unburden sweeper can easily destroy most offensive Pokemon with Seed Flare, Torch Song, and Secret Sword paired with another coverage move. In addition, Sceptile benefits from prominent Ice Pokemon being banned (lack of Ice Shard) and the lack of priority in the metagame. Even most priority moves cannot OHKO it without chip.

:volcanion:
Volcanion will not be banned due to its weakness to hazards and ease of being revenge killed. While it is problematic for stall, balance and HO can immediately revenge kill/set up on Volcanion with Pokemon such as Garchomp, Salamence, and Iron Valiant.

:urshifu:
Urshifu-Single-Strike has proven itself to be an extremely destructive wallbreaker and sweeper. It can 2HKO most defensive walls and revenge kill other sweepers with Sucker Punch. It has barely changed from OU.

:ursaluna:
Ursaluna becomes even more terrifying under Trick Room than before. Gaining access to Temper Flare allows for Corviknights to be OHKOed for switching into a Headlong Rush, and being able to setup Trick Room by itself allows it to take advantage of Toxapex. However, the widespread distribution of Trick Room on ordinary stall Pokemon such as Toxapex and Ting-Lu allow Trick Room teams to use Trick Room much more often, enabling Ursaluna to switch in more without having to move last. While Taunt does exist, Ursaluna, Toxapex, and Ting-Lu can all still threaten the opposing Pokemon with Facade/Headlong Rush, Mortal Spin, and Earthquake.

:conkeldurr:
Conkeldurr is the other prominent Trick Room sweeper, running Sheer Force Life Orb with Combat Torque and the elemental punches + Crunch to guarantee 2HKOes on most Pokemon. However, Trick Room itself will become weaker with Ursaluna being banned, and unlike Ursaluna, Conkeldurr does have some walls, such as Scream Tail and Weezing-Galar. In addition, Conkeldurr has less bulk than Ursaluna and cannot self-set Trick Room, making it dead meat outside of Trick Room.

:primarina:
Primarina's incredible power and set diversity make it contentious for a ban. Through important movepool gains like Boomburst, Burning Bulwark, Blue Flare, Parabolic Charge, and Photon Geyser, it serves as a exemplary wallbreaker and set up sweeper. It's 4mss is never really to its detriment, as over enough time and proper team construction it can wear down its checks like Blissey, Toxapex, Volcanion, Hisuian Goodra, and Ogerpon-Wellspring. However, Primarina isn't bulky or fast enough to have easy switch-ins. While Water/Fairy provides many resistances and few weaknesses, there are still enough gaps in Primarina's armor for a team to break through. It's strengths are equally as overwhelming as the other things banned in this slate, but its weaknesses are more exploitable.

:light-clay:
Light Clay enables too many setup sweepers.

:zamazenta:
Zamazenta basically gets nothing and Terastalization is banned. It should be easy to wall and easily loses to Pokemon such as Iron Valiant and Salamence.

:regieleki:
Regieleki gets nothing besides Recover, Ruination, Razor Shell, and Rising Voltage. Terastalization is also banned, so it cannot run BoltBeam.

:terapagos:
Terapagos does gain notable moves such as Torch Song, Tidy Up, Triple Arrows, etc, but these are moves held by all T Pokemon, and the majority of them can use them (Thundurus-Therian, Terrakion) without being broken. In addition, Terapagos starts off with worse base stats in the first place and only has normal STAB, making it easy to wall. Terastalization is also banned.

pinging dhelmise to implement the changes
Click to expand...
When you say Conk cannot self-set Trick Room, do you mean it doesn't have room for it?
 
I WAS going to post a team but then y'all banned it.

Oh whatever here it is
:toxtricity::polteageist::deoxys-speed::serperior::samurott-hisui::iron_crown:

This team is screens, obviously. The typical lead is a generic Deoxys, which has Taunt to stop opposing hazards, which are very bad for Polteageist (and in general getting revenged, but mostly Polteageist cuz Sash). If the opponent has an Samurott-Hisui I usually lead Serperior, which can OHKO non-sash Hisuirott, and get a +2 while doing so. I use Serperior over Sceptile for pretty much this exact reason. Plus Glare is still legal on it >:).

The stars of this team are Iron Crown and Polteageist, both of which can set up decently easily under the right circumstances and murder anything that try to wall them. Iron Crown is an extremely underrated Pokemon in like, everything. This set uses only its moveset from standard tiers, and sweeps extremely easily. Polteageist is another Pokemon that has extremely high sweeping potential with no hazards or the right screen up, although its better known. Secret Sword broken.

Toxtricity could likely be something else, as it was originally from the Tera metagame when Tera Normal Boomburst was insanely hard to switch into. It's never performed at the level of the other mons, and if I wasn't likely going to dump the whole team I'd ask for recommendations on replacements. Samurrot-Hisui is just... good. It's a source of priority, hazards, and damage which can set up if you want it to, and the only source of physical damage on my team besides Secret Sword on Serperior.

This team is designed to wear down or abuse Psychic resists so that you can sweep with Stored Power. It is rather weak to priority, but with proper play this can often be worked around. There's nothing super innovative but I figured I'd post it anyway. If I do continue to use the team I will likely replace Light Clay with Leftovers and Toxtricity with... something. Maybe Cinderace?

Anyway with that done...
Here are some sets I haven't run or seen yet but seem fun :D
:sv/amoonguss:
Amoonguss @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
Tera Type: Grass
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Flip Turn
- Future Sight
- Sludge Bomb
- Apple Acid / Secret Sword

Amoonguss got pivoting :D and Future Sight :D.
Regenvest is always good, and while I haven't actually calc'd stuff out would likely be a good SpD pivot.

:sv/manaphy:
Manaphy @ Grassy Seed
Ability: Hydration
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Take Heart
- Milk Drink
- Stored Power
- Scald

This set is run alongside Rillaboom (or Pincurchin or some manual terrain setter) and the idea is pretty simple. You get the defense boost, Take Heart up as they swap to something that wants to be able to break you, and win to CM war. Obviously a bit of a one-shot sweeper, but I believe it has a niche thanks to its near-immunity to status due to Take Heart (especially Toxic), access to Stored Power, and new access to recovery (got milk?). It fits best on bulky offense, and works as a late-game sweeper that works best against bulkier teams.

In standard this set would run Acid Armor over recovery. Probably not bad, but I like Milk Drink more.

It's shiny because it's cooler that way. :boi:

:sv/primarina:

Oh boi another Boomburst set! Well kinda...

Primarina @ Leftovers
Ability: Liquid Voice
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Boomburst
- Perish Song
- Block
- Protect

Get trapped nerds.
 
InkyDarkBird said:
Sceptile, Urshifu-Single-Strike, Ursaluna, and Light Clay are banned, and Zamazenta, Regieleki, and Terapagos are unbanned!
​
EliBandedBodyPressInkyDarkBirdRESULT
SceptileDNBBANBAN2-1-0 BAN
VolcanionDNBDNBBAN1-2-0 DNB
Urshifu-Single-StrikeBANBANBAN3-0-0 BAN
UrsalunaBANBANBAN3-0-0 BAN
ConkeldurrDNBDNBDNB0-3-0 DNB
PrimarinaDNBABSTAINBAN1-1-1 DNB
Light ClayBANABSTAINBAN2-0-1 BAN
ZamazentaUNBANUNBANUNBAN3-0-0 UNBAN
RegielekiUNBANUNBANUNBAN3-0-0 UNBAN
TerapagosUNBANUNBANUNBAN3-0-0 UNBAN

:sceptile:
The infamous Torch Song Throat Spray Unburden sweeper can easily destroy most offensive Pokemon with Seed Flare, Torch Song, and Secret Sword paired with another coverage move. In addition, Sceptile benefits from prominent Ice Pokemon being banned (lack of Ice Shard) and the lack of priority in the metagame. Even most priority moves cannot OHKO it without chip.

:volcanion:
Volcanion will not be banned due to its weakness to hazards and ease of being revenge killed. While it is problematic for stall, balance and HO can immediately revenge kill/set up on Volcanion with Pokemon such as Garchomp, Salamence, and Iron Valiant.

:urshifu:
Urshifu-Single-Strike has proven itself to be an extremely destructive wallbreaker and sweeper. It can 2HKO most defensive walls and revenge kill other sweepers with Sucker Punch. It has barely changed from OU.

:ursaluna:
Ursaluna becomes even more terrifying under Trick Room than before. Gaining access to Temper Flare allows for Corviknights to be OHKOed for switching into a Headlong Rush, and being able to setup Trick Room by itself allows it to take advantage of Toxapex. However, the widespread distribution of Trick Room on ordinary stall Pokemon such as Toxapex and Ting-Lu allow Trick Room teams to use Trick Room much more often, enabling Ursaluna to switch in more without having to move last. While Taunt does exist, Ursaluna, Toxapex, and Ting-Lu can all still threaten the opposing Pokemon with Facade/Headlong Rush, Mortal Spin, and Earthquake.

:conkeldurr:
Conkeldurr is the other prominent Trick Room sweeper, running Sheer Force Life Orb with Combat Torque and the elemental punches + Crunch to guarantee 2HKOes on most Pokemon. However, Trick Room itself will become weaker with Ursaluna being banned, and unlike Ursaluna, Conkeldurr does have some walls, such as Scream Tail and Weezing-Galar. In addition, Conkeldurr has less bulk than Ursaluna and suffers from 4mss, making slotting on Trick Room much more difficult.

:primarina:
Primarina's incredible power and set diversity make it contentious for a ban. Through important movepool gains like Boomburst, Burning Bulwark, Blue Flare, Parabolic Charge, and Photon Geyser, it serves as a exemplary wallbreaker and set up sweeper. It's 4mss is never really to its detriment, as over enough time and proper team construction it can wear down its checks like Blissey, Toxapex, Volcanion, Hisuian Goodra, and Ogerpon-Wellspring. However, Primarina isn't bulky or fast enough to have easy switch-ins. While Water/Fairy provides many resistances and few weaknesses, there are still enough gaps in Primarina's armor for a team to break through. It's strengths are equally as overwhelming as the other things banned in this slate, but its weaknesses are more exploitable.

:light-clay:
Light Clay enables too many setup sweepers.

:zamazenta:
Zamazenta basically gets nothing and Terastalization is banned. It should be easy to wall and easily loses to Pokemon such as Iron Valiant and Salamence.

:regieleki:
Regieleki gets nothing besides Recover, Ruination, Razor Shell, and Rising Voltage. Terastalization is also banned, so it cannot run BoltBeam.

:terapagos:
Terapagos does gain notable moves such as Torch Song, Tidy Up, Triple Arrows, etc, but these are moves held by all T Pokemon, and the majority of them can use them (Thundurus-Therian, Terrakion) without being broken. In addition, Terapagos starts off with worse base stats in the first place and only has normal STAB, making it easy to wall. Terastalization is also banned.

pinging dhelmise to implement the changes
Click to expand...
can we get much peaker

"ursaluna dead"

rejoice
 
I found Alphabet cup really interesting with the new bans and restriction, keeps moving things around and people get more creative.

I do have a question that probably someone can help. Today I found 7-8 Ting-Lu that used transform and they always won the speed ties. Is it just my bad hax or is there a reason for it? Thanks
 
aszas said:
I found Alphabet cup really interesting with the new bans and restriction, keeps moving things around and people get more creative.

I do have a question that probably someone can help. Today I found 7-8 Ting-Lu that used transform and they always won the speed ties. Is it just my bad hax or is there a reason for it? Thanks
Click to expand...
Bad luck or probably they were all scarfed
 
Didn't really optimize the EVs on this team, so there is room for improvement.

Volcanion @ Choice Specs
Ability: Water Absorb
Tera Type: Ground
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Flamethrower
- Steam Eruption
- Earth Power

This works okay; might swap it out. If you're gonna be trapped into one move, you might as well through Volt Switch onto one of the hardest-hitting unboosted special attackers.

Avalugg @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Sturdy
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Burning Bulwark
- Recover
- Avalanche

Picks up burns really easy; ideal for playing against Ceaseless Edge spam.

Thundurus-Therian @ Throat Spray
Ability: Volt Absorb
Tera Type: Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderclap
- Torch Song
- Thunderbolt
- Grass Knot

Look... we all know how good this guy is. Probably the strongest mon in the meta. The insanity of this thing cannot be underestimated... Torch Song boosts special attack to well over 700, giving it a monumental Thunderclap that Raging Bolt can only dream of. Must be brought in carefully though, because setting up just to switch out is no fun. Also, Torch Song hits grass types supereffectively and electric types neutrally, giving perfect coverage, and the cherry on top is grass knot to hit those bulky water types and Ursaluna.

Swampert @ Leftovers
Ability: Damp
Tera Type: Poison
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Flip Turn
- Sticky Web
- Earthquake
- Milk Drink

Set up hazards and gtfo with a nice stab move. Plus, a recovery move! Now we're playing with power.

Landorus-Therian @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Intimidate
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Leech Seed
- U-turn
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake

Standard Lando, but with Leech Seed. Great for dealing with Garchomp. Showdown auto-suggested the nature and EV spread, which is trash. Maybe try 76 attack, max defense, and 176 speed with an Impish nature. Should work a lot better.

Magnezone @ Air Balloon
Ability: Magnet Pull
Tera Type: Fire
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Magma Storm
- Volt Switch
- Flash Cannon
- Thunderbolt

Magnezone is a great trapper; gets rid of Corviknight, which the ground types struggle to hit.
 
With Regieleki's unban coming soon, I made this electric terrain rising voltage spam team. I'm not sure if it'll be good or not, but using Eiscue as a secondary terrain setter is hilarious so I don't really care. Maybe U-Turn on Braviary-H could be replaced with something else, I'm not sure if it'll be that good. A Hisuian Goodra answer is probably needed too, but I believe in soak eiscue to solve that problem (it won't)
https://pokepast.es/481f26ea9f0729ff
 
I've been trying a lot of different sets on a lot of different Pokémon, but by far the MVP of all of my teams has been Bellibolt:

Bellibolt @ Assault Vest
Ability: Electromorphosis
Tera Type: Electric
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Parabolic Charge
- Thunderclap
- Torch Song
- Muddy Water

With access to Torch Song and Thunderclap through Tadbulb, this silly frog becomes a monster. At +1 SpA and with the Electromorphosis boost, the opponent is staring down a 50/50 between Parabolic Charge and Thunderclap off effectively 1004 SpA. Most Ground-types don't enjoy switching into Muddy Water, and even most Dragon-types either take neutral damage from one of Electric/Fire/Water or simply aren't bulky enough to shrug off a Charge-boosted Thunderclap. I've been using Assault Vest for extra survivability, because it allows me to tank special attacks with ease and then heal up with a charged Parabolic Charge, but HDB or Leftovers probably work great too. The 4 Speed EVs are just to avoid speed ties with max-IV (non-TR) Ting-Lu / Conkeldurr, because speed ties are annoying. In my experience, it is rare for Bellibolt to go down without taking at least one Pokémon with it, and it frequently takes down two or more. It might not be the best possible Bellibolt set, but it has been consistently putting in a ton of work for me.
 
:Reuniclus: Smeargles Apprentice :Reuniclus:​

This is effectively just a rant about the little green glob :pmd/reuniclus:.

Overall Analysis: Reuniclus is a cool little guy in letter cup not only cause it has some pretty good stats (110/65/75/125/85/30), being able to work as a wall breaker or wall itself, its fantastic abilities (Overcoat, Magic Gaurd, and Regenerator) helping to facilitate those rolls, but it also gains access to R, D, and S moves, giving it a lot more variety in what sets it can run and what those sets run specifically.

Sets:
4 Attacks (Reuniclus) @ Life Orb
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Secret Sword
- Shadow Ball / Dazzling Gleam / Springtide Storm
- Steel Beam / Steam Eruption / Sandsear Storm

4A does its job pretty well at breaking down whatever you need it too. Secret Sword is needed for Darks if you dont have fairy coverage and for steels in general for the lack of reliable coverage into them, notably hoodra (and blissey but it aint steel). Dgleam and Springtide is can be for bulkier non-steel dragons but Shadow ball is more desirable for opposing psychics. Last slot can be almost anything you want to hit or do, Steel beam for fairies, Steam Eruption/Scald for burns or taking down fires, or Sandsear Storm for less predicting (and burns ig). This set is petty simple but still pretty effective into slower or weakened teams.


Calm Mind (Reuniclus) @ Leftovers / Life Orb
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA or 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
Bold / Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic / Psyshock / Stored Power
- Secret Sword / Draining Kiss
- Calm Mind
- Shore Up / Strength Sap / Draining Kiss

Calm Mind can spiral out of control very quickly if your foe doesnt take care of it fast enough. Psyshock is only if you dont run Secret Sword, while Stored Power is litterally just unaware tech, requires a bit more support and planning though. Secret Sword is the same as before but draining kiss is here for cheeky draining sweeps, making it possible to win while being hit down just to heal it all with your reuniclus’ love. Shore Up is litterally just better Recover (or Slack Off), with Strength Sap being generally better on max def sets, cant heal against bisharp or most walls though. This set was better when screens were real but with their inevitable nerf it needs mosre thought about putting it on your team.


Trick Room (Reuniclus) @ Life Orb
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
Quiet Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Psychic
- Secret Sword
- Trick Room
- Steel Beam / Springtide Storm / Shadow Ball / Calm Mind

The worst set, better setters and abusers exist, with this just doing its normal thing with one less moveslot but fast. It’s bad less so cause itself is bad and more so cause tr is generally bad imo. Tr + Cm can be a bit scary to deal with though so dont fully sleep on it just set up the bed

PhyDef (Reuniclus) @ Leftovers / Heavy-duty Boots / No Item
Ability: Regenerator / Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Rapid Spin / Defog
- Scald / Psychic / Scorching Sands
- Stone Axe / Spikes / Knock Off / Dragon Tail
- Shore Up / Strength Sap / Thunder Wave / Knock Off

Premier Defensive set, lots of options (arguably too many) for general support or stone walling. Boots is only for Regen but makes it more reliable with no item being Knock / Polter tech. Similar to Corv, reuniclus gets both Rspin and Defog for hazard control while having the potential to deter removal blockers. Scald is for burns, simple as that, but you can use psychic to put more pressure on pex, or you can go scorching sands for an attack to use into ghold or volcanion (as well as for burns ig). Stone Axe and Spikes are standard for S mons but it can for go those for knock or even dtail to be less immediately passive and help deter sweepers or cripple switch ins. Shore Up is better into other walls or special attackers / bisharp switching in, with SSap being good into just about everything else, even helping into sweepers better. Although with Regen you could run twave for speed control or knock off if you arnet using it already. Unfortanley reuns psychic typing holds it back a bit but it can make for a pretty sturdy wall all in all.


RegenVest (Reuniclus) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD or 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Calm / Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic / Night Shade / Seismic Toss / Super Fang
- Secret Sword / Rapid Spin / Scald
- Stone Axe / Knock Off / Dragon Tail
- Discharge / Future Sight / Spirit Break

This set gets alot of utility moves but unfortunately no pivot. Psychic and Secret sword for pressuring defensive switches, Shade, Toss, or even SFang for easy consistent damage depending on who you want to not hit, Spin and Axe for hazard control, knock for item removal as always, dtail to shuffle around sweepers and rack up hazard chip, discharge or scald for para or burn chance, spirit break for even better spa attacking walling, and future sight for pressuring pex with things pex checks.
Literally a build-a-bear mon, not much you can go wrong with this.

Don’t know what to say to end this besides go use reun more. It most def has more sets than what i listed but these are just the stand outs to me :smogduck:.
 
Hi, I just wanna share some sets :

:Raichu-Alola: @ Choice Specs / Life Orb / Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Surge Surfer
Tera Type: Electric
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid / Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Parting Shot / Volt Switch / Nasty Plot
- Rising Voltage
- Psystrike
- Surf

Electric Terrain seems popular on ladder, Regieleki being now legal with access to Rising Voltage.
The biggest issue of this strategy is that you have to use :Pincurchin: and this thing is really mediocre in every way even though its support movepool is fine (it gets Parting Shot btw).
Anyway A-Raichu has stellar speed under e-terrain, combined with STABed Psystrike against special walls + Surf for hitting Ground types. I personnaly don't like Specs that much so I'd either run LO or Boots, perhaps Magnet as well to lure Choice items.


:Jolteon: @ Icicle Plate
Ability: Volt Absorb
Tera Type: Electric
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Electro Shot
- Judgment
- Earth Power
- Thunderbolt

This set doesn't really need explanation; you have a 130 BP STAB Electric move you can spam with no downside except it needs rain to work.
Combined with Ice type Judgement + Earth Power, you have everything you need as long as Blissey is gone.

:Goodra-Hisui: (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Shell Armor / Sap Sipper
Tera Type: Steel
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Stone Axe
- Gigaton Hammer / Knock Off
- Dragon Tail
- Strength Sap

I've seen this thing a lot and I must admit it's cool. It should pair well with a defensive :swampert.


:Terrakion: @ Life Orb / Air Balloon / Wide Lens (lol)
Ability: Justified
Tera Type: Rock
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Tidy Up
- Triple Arrows
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake / Triple Axel

I haven't tried it myself but it looks fine. Hazard stacking is popular and Tidy Up is a good way to counter that.

See you around!
 
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