I would like to suggest Alolan Ninetails be at least an A-. As a Screen Setter and Disrupter it's really good on my team of sweepers. Its fragility does hold it back but with a Timid Nature and +32 HP, +10 Def, and +24 Spe, makes it one of the strongest (relatively speaking) and fastest openers to set up screens and then swap into one of your Setup Sweepers. The moveset I use is Aurora Veil, Dry-Freeze, Moonblast, and Encore its great for controlling or at least limiting my opponents.
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Resource Pokemon Champions BSS Viability Rankings
- Thread starter DerpySuX
- Start date
Alolan Ninetales is not an A-tier threat, nor does the data support that. Beyond being outside Top 50 in usage and having sparse competitive results, it is easily disrupted by the abundance of weather setters in the current meta. It also gets hard checked by a variety of popular Steel-types and Fire-types such as Scizor, Volcarona, and Aegislash. Scizor, Mega Lucario, and Mega Gengar can all OHKO it before it even gets screens up. Even Archaludon can 1v1 it thanks to ATales’ low power and crippling x4 Steel weakness.
In short, there are plenty of mainstream mons that have a pretty easy time invalidating it.
I’m working on finalizing the archive version of M-A and then the council will start getting a preliminary M-B ranking ready within a week or so hopefully
In the absence of a M-B thread...
Grinded up to Master Rank after picking up Champions a few days ago, used the below as my final team:
Meowscarada+Garganacl was the heart of the team, Garg isn't a world beater in the current meta but it has a looot of checkmate scenarios that you can set up and it snowballs similar to Mega Raptor once it gets going. Trick Meow helps a lot in setting up those endings aside from being a generically great utility mon. Meow definitely still deserves A, Garg maybe a B or B+, good mon. Staraptor and Froslass were the next tier of value in the mega slots, Raptor was as generally useful as you would expect, the meta is quickly adapting but it still is a strong value generatorr even if it doesn't pull a full sweep, solid A- I would say. Mega Lass unlocked this team as a firm deterrent to Garchomp and other Dragons, the Blizzard value alone strongly checked a lot of the threats I was facing and Veil value couldn't be understated. Very good mon, satisfied with it. Dragonite then came along as a hole filler to cover the weakness to Fire and Water types I was facing and for lack of a better option came as the third Mega. Both as a regular mon and as a Mega it pulled its weight, sometimes the Tailwind support made a difference, sometimes I just needed a big truck clicking buttons when Lass and Raptor didn't come. Aegislash was the weakest link of the team but not a weak link, just narrow in its role. When all I needed was something to be an effective trader or power down a threat on the special side it got the job done. Wouldn't put it in A rank though, it did feel limited.
Grinded up to Master Rank after picking up Champions a few days ago, used the below as my final team:
Meowscarada+Garganacl was the heart of the team, Garg isn't a world beater in the current meta but it has a looot of checkmate scenarios that you can set up and it snowballs similar to Mega Raptor once it gets going. Trick Meow helps a lot in setting up those endings aside from being a generically great utility mon. Meow definitely still deserves A, Garg maybe a B or B+, good mon. Staraptor and Froslass were the next tier of value in the mega slots, Raptor was as generally useful as you would expect, the meta is quickly adapting but it still is a strong value generatorr even if it doesn't pull a full sweep, solid A- I would say. Mega Lass unlocked this team as a firm deterrent to Garchomp and other Dragons, the Blizzard value alone strongly checked a lot of the threats I was facing and Veil value couldn't be understated. Very good mon, satisfied with it. Dragonite then came along as a hole filler to cover the weakness to Fire and Water types I was facing and for lack of a better option came as the third Mega. Both as a regular mon and as a Mega it pulled its weight, sometimes the Tailwind support made a difference, sometimes I just needed a big truck clicking buttons when Lass and Raptor didn't come. Aegislash was the weakest link of the team but not a weak link, just narrow in its role. When all I needed was something to be an effective trader or power down a threat on the special side it got the job done. Wouldn't put it in A rank though, it did feel limited.
took way longer than expected but the final version of our M-A VR is finished now. We loosely modeled our final version off of DW's post here. A lot changed so I would suggest just going over the new VR and I also may or may not have misplaced the changelog sooooooooo
i swear i know what im doing
expect reg M-B within a week or so.
i swear i know what im doing
expect reg M-B within a week or so.
If you aren't running an aggressive team, a ground type feels required. Also been loving Mamo - it has SO many great matchups. It regularly deals significant damage before going down
I try again...I was using mega bel for a really long time at/towards the start, and I'm all in favor of every drop it's earned and then some. I'm not good at finding high lvl reports, bar found some linked to in simple questions, but it seems very unlikely to have gotten them at #104 presently. The meta changed, but it's been low really the whole time.
I think the ability is easy to play around, I feel to the point it legit relies on them not knowing about it lol. The lack of pre mega ability that helps, speed, and maybe coverage hurt. It doesn't help it isn't the highest Hp around, and needs to invest fully always. I often had it live big hits when I would've wanted it to die for innards.
Otherwise it's too early to tell anything. The meta now has so many more things, and people are experimenting. I'm curious to see what update will have. But this one I feel somewhat good about even if ignoring new stuff.
I think the ability is easy to play around, I feel to the point it legit relies on them not knowing about it lol. The lack of pre mega ability that helps, speed, and maybe coverage hurt. It doesn't help it isn't the highest Hp around, and needs to invest fully always. I often had it live big hits when I would've wanted it to die for innards.
Otherwise it's too early to tell anything. The meta now has so many more things, and people are experimenting. I'm curious to see what update will have. But this one I feel somewhat good about even if ignoring new stuff.
Palafin not being on the vr is criminal
I have got champions rank by using it its really really powerful.
The switch turn is a big drawback for sure you need to build around it but in the right team its deadly.
Jet punch make you instant win to mega brasegalie delphox even raichu Y.
3v3 is not the best environnement for it but its should bé at least C+
And umbreon might be S tier but nobody knows it
31+ Atk Life Orb Palafin-Hero Jet Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Raichu-Mega-Y: 136-161 (100.7 - 119.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
https://pokepast.es/26d0296cf2a7a958
I have got champions rank by using it its really really powerful.
The switch turn is a big drawback for sure you need to build around it but in the right team its deadly.
Jet punch make you instant win to mega brasegalie delphox even raichu Y.
3v3 is not the best environnement for it but its should bé at least C+
And umbreon might be S tier but nobody knows it
31+ Atk Life Orb Palafin-Hero Jet Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Raichu-Mega-Y: 136-161 (100.7 - 119.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
https://pokepast.es/26d0296cf2a7a958
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Those are some impressive results! Sadly, I think you’d still have a hard time convincing VR to rate Palafin. It’s outside top 100 in usage for one (for reg M-A,) and it has several top-level matchups it struggles hard into, not least of which being Flower Trick Scarf Meow. Most high-level teams will naturally have checks that make it difficult for it to get going.
For me personally considering the overall data, Palafin is just too far down the usage totem pole to consider rating; there are other mons I would consider for C before this one, and I haven’t otherwise seen any trends suggesting Palafin is particularly underrated. It’s great that your team is an exception to the data, but it’s not enough by itself to move the dial for me.
Thats awesome!
Do you have a Replica Team Link? If I could also be cheeky I'd be dead curious about the teams plan and its match ups!
I dont really understand wdym by replica team link I have put the pokepast. https://pokepast.es/26d0296cf2a7a958
I have no idea how to explain matchup and teamp plan but I will try.
walls a lot of pokemon in the meta and is the main mega charizard answer, really enjoy not having choice band and specs in the game
I like to lead with it when there is a garchomp, hyper beam can really clutch a lot and its pretty solid always do the job. You are slower than pelipper if he u-turn
Umbreon + sylveon+ scizor is a really solid core , can come safely on meow and metagross, is the main mimikuy and mega mawile answer but be careful of fire fang
Toucannon is more played than than this wtf, I have a already talk about it but it can really help for matchup like mawile
the revenge killer/sweeper, playing this as a lead can really work well even against garchomp, main drawback is when rocks are up he became almost useless
Gambling, hypnosis can solo a team or make you instant loose, work really well against defensive team with corv dragalge
I ussally pick depending on matchup but I can say that mega scizor umbreon sylevon goes really well together and against rain team sylveon sneasler are great. the main plan is win :0
Ive got top 15 too
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Why am I not seeing mega metagross at all???? Like not in game because I see it plenty but on any of these lists, and put Alolan nintales at the bottom of ur lists atleast veil is still good…
The update for new mons hasn't been done yet. It is a shoe in.
If you argue for potential VR additions or changes, you should keep discussion constructive and explain your reasoning behind them.
Update on this, I've been running the same team for the monthly event and I managed a 23-7 record through two days.
Mega Froslass definitely needs to be ranked, it's been the star of the show in the way it gives me lines to outplay my opponent. Just having a fast and powerful Blizzard matches up really well into a significant amount of top threats right now, it's very strong as a pure attacker, and the team support from Veil and Wisp has been terrific. Garganacl has performed very well in the event too, albeit likely as a product of the support this team gives it in the form of Trick, Wisp or Veil, and Mega Raptor breaking for it, but the sheet physical bulk it offers can't be underestimated. I won a game by soloing Meowstic/Garchomp/Mega Metagross simply because the Meowstick went for a kill on Dnite with Triple Axel and I was given the one turn of set up that I needed. Really quite decent at holding off Mimikyu thanks to the Ghost resist, it's more of an even matchup than you'd like but it does work more than not which is valuable in the meta when Mimikyu offense is a top threat.
I'd rank Mega Lass around B+, matching with Mega Delphox feels right to me in the kind of threat they pose and from a structural slot. Garg is comfortable in C tier, I expect it wouldn't be as successful on a team that doesn't support it quite as well as this one. Meowscarada I think should come down from S to A tier, still a great mon but it has a lot more to fear and a lot more difficulty cleaning through teams, but the speed and utility is still fantastic. Mega Dnite is good in A-, Aegislash probably should come down to A just because the meta has grown more hostile but its still just very solid, and Meag Raptor I think probably deserves B tier, it's a solid mon but it's much more of a breaker than a sweeper with every team building in natural answers to its snowball potential, very good at opening holes for a partner though.
Thoughts from a washed Pokemon player with WAY too much time on their hands (whenever the M-B VR drops):
Rises:
Mega Mawile: UR -> A+; An absolute beast in Trick Room, of which not many people have found the correct answers to prevent TR yet. Even outside of TR, there's only a handful of Pokemon that are even remotely equipped to take a hit (Corv fell off; Mega Aggron is unreliable), and Hippowdon is the only one that can do that while underspeeding Mawile if TR is active and can OHKO with correct investment. Steel/Fairy as a type combo in this format is also just so defensively strong; resists/tanks/threatens many of the M-A threats (Meow/Basc/Lop/Sneasler/etc.), and Intimidates the rest of the physical attackers it doesn't. Such a massive teambuilding headache that makes it the best mega in the format right now.
Mega Metagross UR -> A; Missed this mon; still the absolute powerhouse as it ever was. Strong enough to be a top 3 Mega right now, but linear enough to not be better than Mawile. 4 Attacks great as is, taking your pick of BP/MM/EQ/TPunch/Ice Punch/PsyFangs, though I've also seen Rocks occasionally for compression and Hard Press > Meteor Mash for better power (for those that miss Heavy Slam). Has the ability to overtake Mawile sooner than later, but a great place to start out is in A.
Regular Swampert: UR -> B; Regular Pert is good enough on non-rain variants to be a great defensive pivot against the above megas + non-GK Mega Raichu Y's, and is just a generally good wall/compression/support. Very good for skill expression; might see more regular than mega.
Mega Swampert: UR -> B+; Mega Swampert is a different story. Unlike Mega Metagross, there's no guessing with Pert. It's going to be EQ/Wave Crash/Flip/Ice Punch, and if it isn't you've lost so much power and pressure. It's also overly reliant on Pelipper for setting rain and to be the Grass check. In games where Mega Pert isn't paired with Pelipper, it outright loses to Pokemon that it should counter because of coverage (GK Zard Y/Delphox/Raichu Y) simply because there's no weather. I've never seen a Mega require another pokemon so heavily, that simply fails to do its job without it. Not a hater of Mega Pert though, but it feels very conditional to build with; not as useful as people are giving it credit for.
Regular Blaziken: UR -> B+ Mega Blaziken: UR -> A-; Both do p much the same thing; Protect for Speed Boost, click attacking move afterwards. Regular LO Phyisical Blaziken is cool enough for those that don't want to commit to Mega, and those that do want SD Mega Blaziken will feel this thing hit like a truck. Both variants are better with screens support and aren't overly conditional; pretty easy to play without much thought.
Mega Raichu Y: UR -> A-; Fun Mega to use, annoying to play against. No Guard Zap Cannon/Focus Blast is such an insane combination, and the flexibility between Alluring Voice/GK/NP/Surf/Protect is enough to keep people guessing. It's the definitive glass cannon of the format, and we're pretty happy with it.
Mega Raichu X: UR -> C-; lmao. Someone will use this thing somewhere, but the fact that the only Pokemon that works with it gets invalidated right now because of species clause says a lot about how flawed this Mega is. Poor guy.
Mega Barbaracle: UR -> B-; My personal sleeper pick. If you haven't played Shell Smash Mega Barb yet, you should. Tanky enough with better typing at base value to Shell Smash as regular, better to mega after for the type shift. Better with screens. Plenty of time for this mon to be better, and simply isn't right now, but it will be better as more mons get added.
Mimikyu: B+ -> A or A+: Biggest glow up for Regulation B. Easy to splash on TR teams as support, and LO with Ghost STAB is beneficial with the new additions. The lack of multi-hit move and Taunt users in format enable Mimikyu to do whatever it wants and get away with it considering Disguise. A top tier threat that needs appropriate recognition.
Dragapult: C -> B- or B: Criminally low in M-A; needs to be higher for M-B. Set flexibility between DD/WispHex/Specs/Band or general support/utility is necessary to abuse and great to splash on. The only Pokemon in format that will be faster than everything not scarfed or Mega Greninja that also ignores screens a la Infiltrator. Particularly great against this new set of additions.
Rotom-W: B- -> B+: Very good against the new drops. Best, reliable physical wall to Mega Gross/Mawile/Swampert/Blaziken, and VoltTurns with Scizor pretty well; hard to effectively prevent. Useful as a generic physical wall/pivot with lefties/sitrus but also usable as a Trick Scarfer to spook Mega Zard Y and Basculegion.
Regular Greninja: UR(?) -> A- or A; Why is Mega Greninja on the VR and regular Greninja isn't? Regular Gren still puts up crazy offensive mixed pressure on most everything not faster, and flexes its insane movepool to boot. Faster scarfer than Scarf Meow/Basc/Chomp/Hydreigon, naturally faster and can OHKO Mega Metagross/Sneasler/Zard Y/Starmie/Volcarona/Staraptor, doesn't trigger Toxic Debris and can counter hazard with its own Spikes/TSpikes, and can run a variety of sets to compress on teams. Just because it doesn't have an auto-crit STAB move, doesn't mean that Gren isn't useful, and I'm always forced to guess the set every game I see one. We gotta respect the goat's name, man.
Drops:
Mega Gengar: A+ -> A- Became a worse Mega simply because of what was added. Can't really OHKO the things its faster than, but isn't faster than the things it can OHKO, except for Mega Gross/Froslass. WispHex + Dbond is probably the more ideal set for this atm, but is worse than Dpult for this set considering it's a better check to Blaziken/Chomp/Hydreigon. Feels more restricting to use and build around versus other Megas, but not so bad that it's no longer usable.
Mega Floette: A -> B+: Same boat as Mega Gengar; became worse simply because of what was added. More predictable than Mega Gengar though, and Mawile is the better Fairy of the format. Doesn't help that the majority of notable, new megas were either Steels, Physical attackers, and/or both.
Corviknight: A+ -> B; This thing sucks now. Takes too long to set up ID + Body Press against Mawile/Megagross/Pert, and outright loses to Froslass/Raichu Y/Blaziken. With the power creep that's been added, it's more worth using Skarmory for hazard utility/phazing, and debatably does ID + BP better with a speed tier that matches Mega Mawile's.
Debatable topics:
S-tier Pokemon: I'd like to think that currently, only Garchomp is the only mon currently worthy of S-tier, and Meow/Arch/Basc should be A+. Meow can function on its own, and is so versatile to the point where it might still have a case to stay S-. Basc is only viable because of Last Respects, of which more counterplay was introduced, and Archaludon's perfectly in-between the previous two. Not as linear as Basc, not as versatile as Meow, but naturally annoying enough with Stamina + Sitrus Berry to require teambuilding consideration. I don't have a particular preference on this matter, but I don't think they should remain in their positions going into M-B.
Rises:
Mega Mawile: UR -> A+; An absolute beast in Trick Room, of which not many people have found the correct answers to prevent TR yet. Even outside of TR, there's only a handful of Pokemon that are even remotely equipped to take a hit (Corv fell off; Mega Aggron is unreliable), and Hippowdon is the only one that can do that while underspeeding Mawile if TR is active and can OHKO with correct investment. Steel/Fairy as a type combo in this format is also just so defensively strong; resists/tanks/threatens many of the M-A threats (Meow/Basc/Lop/Sneasler/etc.), and Intimidates the rest of the physical attackers it doesn't. Such a massive teambuilding headache that makes it the best mega in the format right now.
Mega Metagross UR -> A; Missed this mon; still the absolute powerhouse as it ever was. Strong enough to be a top 3 Mega right now, but linear enough to not be better than Mawile. 4 Attacks great as is, taking your pick of BP/MM/EQ/TPunch/Ice Punch/PsyFangs, though I've also seen Rocks occasionally for compression and Hard Press > Meteor Mash for better power (for those that miss Heavy Slam). Has the ability to overtake Mawile sooner than later, but a great place to start out is in A.
Regular Swampert: UR -> B; Regular Pert is good enough on non-rain variants to be a great defensive pivot against the above megas + non-GK Mega Raichu Y's, and is just a generally good wall/compression/support. Very good for skill expression; might see more regular than mega.
Mega Swampert: UR -> B+; Mega Swampert is a different story. Unlike Mega Metagross, there's no guessing with Pert. It's going to be EQ/Wave Crash/Flip/Ice Punch, and if it isn't you've lost so much power and pressure. It's also overly reliant on Pelipper for setting rain and to be the Grass check. In games where Mega Pert isn't paired with Pelipper, it outright loses to Pokemon that it should counter because of coverage (GK Zard Y/Delphox/Raichu Y) simply because there's no weather. I've never seen a Mega require another pokemon so heavily, that simply fails to do its job without it. Not a hater of Mega Pert though, but it feels very conditional to build with; not as useful as people are giving it credit for.
Regular Blaziken: UR -> B+ Mega Blaziken: UR -> A-; Both do p much the same thing; Protect for Speed Boost, click attacking move afterwards. Regular LO Phyisical Blaziken is cool enough for those that don't want to commit to Mega, and those that do want SD Mega Blaziken will feel this thing hit like a truck. Both variants are better with screens support and aren't overly conditional; pretty easy to play without much thought.
Mega Raichu Y: UR -> A-; Fun Mega to use, annoying to play against. No Guard Zap Cannon/Focus Blast is such an insane combination, and the flexibility between Alluring Voice/GK/NP/Surf/Protect is enough to keep people guessing. It's the definitive glass cannon of the format, and we're pretty happy with it.
Mega Raichu X: UR -> C-; lmao. Someone will use this thing somewhere, but the fact that the only Pokemon that works with it gets invalidated right now because of species clause says a lot about how flawed this Mega is. Poor guy.
Mega Barbaracle: UR -> B-; My personal sleeper pick. If you haven't played Shell Smash Mega Barb yet, you should. Tanky enough with better typing at base value to Shell Smash as regular, better to mega after for the type shift. Better with screens. Plenty of time for this mon to be better, and simply isn't right now, but it will be better as more mons get added.
Mimikyu: B+ -> A or A+: Biggest glow up for Regulation B. Easy to splash on TR teams as support, and LO with Ghost STAB is beneficial with the new additions. The lack of multi-hit move and Taunt users in format enable Mimikyu to do whatever it wants and get away with it considering Disguise. A top tier threat that needs appropriate recognition.
Dragapult: C -> B- or B: Criminally low in M-A; needs to be higher for M-B. Set flexibility between DD/WispHex/Specs/Band or general support/utility is necessary to abuse and great to splash on. The only Pokemon in format that will be faster than everything not scarfed or Mega Greninja that also ignores screens a la Infiltrator. Particularly great against this new set of additions.
Rotom-W: B- -> B+: Very good against the new drops. Best, reliable physical wall to Mega Gross/Mawile/Swampert/Blaziken, and VoltTurns with Scizor pretty well; hard to effectively prevent. Useful as a generic physical wall/pivot with lefties/sitrus but also usable as a Trick Scarfer to spook Mega Zard Y and Basculegion.
Regular Greninja: UR(?) -> A- or A; Why is Mega Greninja on the VR and regular Greninja isn't? Regular Gren still puts up crazy offensive mixed pressure on most everything not faster, and flexes its insane movepool to boot. Faster scarfer than Scarf Meow/Basc/Chomp/Hydreigon, naturally faster and can OHKO Mega Metagross/Sneasler/Zard Y/Starmie/Volcarona/Staraptor, doesn't trigger Toxic Debris and can counter hazard with its own Spikes/TSpikes, and can run a variety of sets to compress on teams. Just because it doesn't have an auto-crit STAB move, doesn't mean that Gren isn't useful, and I'm always forced to guess the set every game I see one. We gotta respect the goat's name, man.
Drops:
Mega Gengar: A+ -> A- Became a worse Mega simply because of what was added. Can't really OHKO the things its faster than, but isn't faster than the things it can OHKO, except for Mega Gross/Froslass. WispHex + Dbond is probably the more ideal set for this atm, but is worse than Dpult for this set considering it's a better check to Blaziken/Chomp/Hydreigon. Feels more restricting to use and build around versus other Megas, but not so bad that it's no longer usable.
Mega Floette: A -> B+: Same boat as Mega Gengar; became worse simply because of what was added. More predictable than Mega Gengar though, and Mawile is the better Fairy of the format. Doesn't help that the majority of notable, new megas were either Steels, Physical attackers, and/or both.
Corviknight: A+ -> B; This thing sucks now. Takes too long to set up ID + Body Press against Mawile/Megagross/Pert, and outright loses to Froslass/Raichu Y/Blaziken. With the power creep that's been added, it's more worth using Skarmory for hazard utility/phazing, and debatably does ID + BP better with a speed tier that matches Mega Mawile's.
Debatable topics:
S-tier Pokemon: I'd like to think that currently, only Garchomp is the only mon currently worthy of S-tier, and Meow/Arch/Basc should be A+. Meow can function on its own, and is so versatile to the point where it might still have a case to stay S-. Basc is only viable because of Last Respects, of which more counterplay was introduced, and Archaludon's perfectly in-between the previous two. Not as linear as Basc, not as versatile as Meow, but naturally annoying enough with Stamina + Sitrus Berry to require teambuilding consideration. I don't have a particular preference on this matter, but I don't think they should remain in their positions going into M-B.
Corv does not suck now, nor would B be proper if it did. It can be a crucial pivot, do much do they often run u turn even though they are all set up. I mean it's no S, good they drppped it a tad, cause it gets scared out plenty.
I mostly agree otherwise though, just think arch is fine s.
Edit: the other two I kinda agree, except this is already reflected by their-designation within s. They are close to the holy grail, but fall shy for reasons you mention. They are better than A+, as starting points for ex.
I mostly agree otherwise though, just think arch is fine s.
Edit: the other two I kinda agree, except this is already reflected by their-designation within s. They are close to the holy grail, but fall shy for reasons you mention. They are better than A+, as starting points for ex.
Great post. I agree with a lot of the evidence you provided for each mon, even if I don't agree with the rankings you settled on for all of them. I'll highlight a couple of mons:
:mawile-mega: (and :metagross-mega:) : I think we're jumping the gun to nominate Mega Mawile for A+. Yes, this thing is absolutely starting to make waves, but its far from dominating the metagame landscape at the time of writing (unless the top 1000 players are doing things I'm not seeing; I've been hanging out in the 2100-2200 elo area as of late.) I guess we'll see when we start getting report data next week, so I might get proven wrong. Regardless, the influx of Mega Fire-types to try and stop Mega Metagross (who I would rate above Mega Mawile at the time of writing) is not being nice to it either, and there are plenty of high-profile bulky threats that can help stall out Trick Room turns (Archaludon and Hippowdon being the big ones that come to mind.)
:swampert-mega: : I think Mega Swampert being so hamstrung to rain makes it much worse than B+, especially since its easily telegraphed. Waters like Gyarados and Rotom-W have been on the rise all season and give Swampert a hard time; I'm even hearing about Freeze Dry Mamoswine being a thing! It becomes really hard to pilot once you reach Master Ball and I'd argue its even a bit of a "trap" for beginners because it doesn't have the optimization yet to consistently deal with its checks. The absolute highest I'd put it is B right now, and frankly I'd lean more towards B- or even C+.
Honestly, I'd rate :swampert: base Swampert higher than its Mega form right now.
:barbaracle-mega: : Speaking of surging Fire-types, I'm with you in that I actually think that this could find a stronger footing if current trends continue. Its actually something I wanted to try but didn't get to for a number of reasons, but Shell Smash + Rock coverage has the potential to really screw some stuff up. Its also got just enough Speed that +2 Jolly can outrun Jolly Scarf Meowscarada. I think there is still a lot of things that give it trouble though, and it has to compete with other screen abusers like Blaziken, but I would definitely like to see Barbaracle get developed farther.
:dragapult: : This is another good catch, Dragapult is also seeing a nice uptick in usage. Having favorable qualities into Blaziken (resists both STABs,) and Delphox (faster Speed tier, super-effective STAB) is a huge plus for it given recent trends, not to mention Interceptor. I imagine it'll even out in the "pretty good" category.
Thanks again for the high-detail post.
Probably the one guy using Raichu X, but he has some niche uses that I've seen: people over predict this being raichu Y and they switch out fearing the coverage Y gets, and usually they take a big physical hit or rising voltage to the face. It also gets good chip with fake out+boosted volt switches. I do wish raichu got an hp buff at some point because yeah those defense points are just wasted with so low hp. I get good chip but when it comes time to survive a neutral hit and trade with volt tackle or just rising voltage it can't take it or has a low chance to live. My veil helps but its hard to get screens up in this meta with all the psychic fangs/weather wars going on.
I'm an OU player and recently I have been very interested by BSS specifically what are monster which shine specifically in BSS format and aren't that good in OU, after researching of few hours I have realized Mimikyu is pretty much BSS starter but could BSS player inform me more about X mon is better at BSS then OU and why is it good in 3 vs 3 environment and in OU
Simply put Mimikyu’s great at trading at worst and the value of a favorable trade increases exponentially as the team size decreases, additionally it’s a LOT easier for Mimikyu to actually complete a sweep with the swords dance it grabs via disguise since it only has to get through at most 3 pokemon. There’s also a lot more dangerous targets for it to pick off like Mega Gengar, who isn’t allowed in OU, and the presence of these mons means that responses to them such as Umbreon tend to pop up more, which Mimi can also take advantage of for setup.
I agree that base greninja is fairly potent but meowscarada is faster than greninja by one point in fact. So having used scarf greninja I can say the match up against scarf meeoscarada does suck for it. Unless you mean timid gren vs adamant meow (don't know which nature is more common) but greninja's special attack isn't the highest so you want the extra power too.