Other XY OU Viability Ranking Thread (B- and C+ Pokemon discussion)

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I'm not denying that it has quite the power, I'm just arguing it is one of the worse Megas out there and is arguably outclassed by Mega Alakazam. Both are not anywhere near what I'd call good, though.

Power alone doesn't make up for all of MGarde's shortcomings, and there are a lot of them. It simply doesn't work as well as it could've in this metagame.
 
All valid points, but with STAB Hyper Voice and even 1 calm mind Gardevoir does not need a second turn. Yes, it may only be able to kill 1-3 pokemon, but it can still defeat a lot of Pokemon. B+ or A from what I've seen in battle and through calculations. Also remember that Gardevoir often gets the chance to pull off at least one Calm Mind.

You must've ignored the fact that all of those calcs have max hp investment on Mega Garde... which you should never do if you're planning to sweep with it. Realistically, you'll just get one shot and you're attempt of sweeping will have been a complete waste of time and you should have never even attempted it in the first place with those threats still alive. Mega Garde is a very late game sweeper because gets eaten alive by all of the current metagame defining threats(A and S ranks) and it needs any physical attacker and any if the current metagame threats out of the way before it can even think about sweeping. Otherwise, it is a solid pokemon.

Mega Gardevoir - B-
 
I think you're not looking at what is probably Aegislash's best set, Shadow Ball Aegislash. While Swords Dance Aegislash is decent, I'll say that a simple set of King's Shield/Shadow Ball/Shadow Sneak/Iron Head is pretty good; Aegislash also has a nifty 150 Special Attack to work with, so a Shadow Ball off of that has some really nice immediate power and Shadow ball is pretty strong in general. Aegislash doesn't necessarily need to be a setup sweeper to succeed, mixed Aegislash is very good as well. It can wallbreak pretty well, since it has a lot of power and Steel/Ghost isn't to shabby of coverage. Either way, definitely look at Shadow Ball Aegislash, that set is very good, and along with the other sets I feel this secures Aegislash's placement in S-Rank.

What a great S Rank Aegislash is.

252+ SpA Choice Specs Aegislash-Blade Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hippowdon: 313-370 (74.5 - 88%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Choice Specs Aegislash-Blade Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-T: 288-340 (75.3 - 89%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Choice Specs Aegislash-Blade Shadow Ball vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Zygarde: 250-295 (69.8 - 82.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

This is pretty sad because we all know damn well it is not getting by with its physical set.

252+ Atk Choice Band Aegislash-Blade Sacred Sword vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mandibuzz: 172-203 (40.5 - 47.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252+ Atk Aegislash-Blade Shadow Sneak vs. 0 HP / 0- Def Tornadus-T: 214-253 (71.5 - 84.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252+ Atk Aegislash-Blade Shadow Sneak vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Reuniclus: 276-326 (65 - 76.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252+ Atk Aegislash-Blade Shadow Sneak vs. 0 HP / 0- Def Genesect: 186-219 (65.7 - 77.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252+ Atk Aegislash-Blade Shadow Sneak vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Togekiss: 168-198 (44.9 - 52.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

The reason why Mandibuzz got the CB is because if the thing tries to SD, mandibuzz wrecks it with Foul Play because it outspeeds it.

+2 0 Atk Mandibuzz Foul Play vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Aegislash-Blade: 1314-1548 (405.5 - 477.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

It fails to OHKO Reuniclus with a +2 SE STAB Shadow Sneak, so how is this thing S Rank?
 
I'm not denying that it has quite the power, I'm just arguing it is one of the worse Megas out there and is arguably outclassed by Mega Alakazam. Both are not anywhere near what I'd call good, though.

Power alone doesn't make up for all of MGarde's shortcomings, and there are a lot of them. It simply doesn't work as well as it could've in this metagame.

I will agree that it has flaws but I do think that the power makes up for the flaws, along with the coverage available. I think that B or B+ is aproperiate for what Gardevoir is capable of. Generally you can get two calm minds in during a game, and while physical Greninja and Talonflame along with the steels are serious threats, other Pokemon collapse under it.
 
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252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mega Gardevoir: 232-274 (68.2 - 80.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

If Gardevoir can't set up on something it's supposed to be countering I don't want it on my team.

In other news Galvantula is ranked while Mega Garchomp isn't ranked at all.

Galvantula should be no higher than C while Mega Garchomp should be no lower than A. Galvantula literally has one useless niche in that it's the fastest Sticky Web setter. I'd use Smeargle over it any day if I actually wanted Sticky Web up anyways.

I don't think I could put into words how good Mega Garchomp is any better than this does so I'll just let you read that instead. (Scroll down to Garchomp)
 
Although I am new to posting here, I have been lurking for quite some time. And with that small unnecessary introduction:

I'd like to nominate Malamar for not a huge jump, but a C - C+ ranking.

Many reasons for people giving movesets for Malamar have looked at his usable bulk, when in practice, that isn't where the investment should be. I have been running a different set, which has literally swept teams of 3 in the online Battle Spot against teams whom lack a direct counter, or powerful enough check. And when used as a reserve in 6v6, can cause havok for a team whose fairy or bug type has been dealt with.

Release the Kraken
Malamar @ Assault Vest
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
(Alternate spread: 4 HP / 126 Def / 126 SpDef / 252 Spd)
Nature: Jolly
Ability: Contrary
- Psycho Cut
- Night Slash
- Superpower
- Rock Slide/Strength

Given the alternate spread, which is what I run although unorthodox, I can quite often sweep unsuspecting teams. Even those with a M-Scizor can see trouble if his counter is dealt with by even a measly flamethrower from an invested Noivern. Although not OHKOing anything outright, with a +1/+2 Superpower boost you can see even a the largest walls sometimes switch out in fear. With the choice between two STABs or just going for a boost, you can easily catch a switch off guard with some minor effort towards worrying of what may come out. With a speed coming out around 133-137, she is not at all outspeeding all or most of the meta game. But with 120 Defense and a rather bulky 180 Sp. Defense, she can handle herself even a STAB Moonblast from a Florges and come back with a STAB Psycho Cut for the KO after +2 Atk Boost.

I know, it isn't pretty, and I am completely new to overviewing here. But I did want to put a good word out for what has become a key player in my online battle team of late. She won't be a truly powerful player in Uber by any means, and in OU it may seem outclassed. But if any mon can sweep a team of ubers multiple times a night in a rather carefree environment online, then in competitive play there is definitely a use to be had, and a slot to be filled. Also, feel free to rip my post apart, it'll just encourage me to use it more to anger those who believe it weak. :P
 
Although I am new to posting here, I have been lurking for quite some time. And with that small unnecessary introduction:

I'd like to nominate Malamar for not a huge jump, but a C - C+ ranking.

Many reasons for people giving movesets for Malamar have looked at his usable bulk, when in practice, that isn't where the investment should be. I have been running a different set, which has literally swept teams of 3 in the online Battle Spot against teams whom lack a direct counter, or powerful enough check. And when used as a reserve in 6v6, can cause havok for a team whose fairy or bug type has been dealt with.

Release the Kraken
Malamar @ Assault Vest
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
(Alternate spread: 4 HP / 126 Def / 126 SpDef / 252 Spd)
Nature: Jolly
Ability: Contrary
- Psycho Cut
- Night Slash
- Superpower
- Rock Slide/Strength

Given the alternate spread, which is what I run although unorthodox, I can quite often sweep unsuspecting teams. Even those with a M-Scizor can see trouble if his counter is dealt with by even a measly flamethrower from an invested Noivern. Although not OHKOing anything outright, with a +1/+2 Superpower boost you can see even a the largest walls sometimes switch out in fear. With the choice between two STABs or just going for a boost, you can easily catch a switch off guard with some minor effort towards worrying of what may come out. With a speed coming out around 133-137, she is not at all outspeeding all or most of the meta game. But with 120 Defense and a rather bulky 180 Sp. Defense, she can handle herself even a STAB Moonblast from a Florges and come back with a STAB Psycho Cut for the KO after +2 Atk Boost.

I know, it isn't pretty, and I am completely new to overviewing here. But I did want to put a good word out for what has become a key player in my online battle team of late. She won't be a truly powerful player in Uber by any means, and in OU it may seem outclassed. But if any mon can sweep a team of ubers multiple times a night in a rather carefree environment online, then in competitive play there is definitely a use to be had, and a slot to be filled. Also, feel free to rip my post apart, it'll just encourage me to use it more to anger those who believe it weak. :P

I beg of you to read the earlier pages to see how horribly wrong you are.
 
I can give it B at best, at the very least it'll sit there with MAlakazam.

Galvantula should be no higher than C while Mega Garchomp should be no lower than A. Galvantula literally has one useless niche in that it's the fastest Sticky Web setter. I'd use Smeargle over it any day if I actually wanted Sticky Web up anyways.

Yes, Galvantula is quite frankly a waste of a teamslot. I agree fully to C.
 
I beg of you to read the earlier pages to see how horribly wrong you are.

I don't see anything previous in this thread through the search other than yourself and one or two others mildly or outright stating "No.". If you can, please elaborate with experience of his use in the meta game on any level, other than number crunching, for why he could be so terrible. Teams aren't all centralized around the same counters or checks of fairy/bug typing to make him that useless.
 
Deoxys-S to A+ Deoxys is very frail if deoxys-s cant ohko a pokemon then it is basically done for. It can be walled by alot of the A and A+ pokemon.
 
I don't see anything previous in this thread through the search other than yourself and one or two others mildly or outright stating "No.". If you can, please elaborate with experience of his use in the meta game on any level, other than number crunching, for why he could be so terrible. Teams aren't all centralized around the same counters or checks of fairy/bug typing to make him that useless.

All right I'll explain.

D Rank: Reserved for Pokemon who have a small niche in the current OU metagame, but have very noticable flaws that make them more trouble then their worth the majority of the time.

A. It has a very small niche that is both predictable and gimmicky.

B. Awful stats

C. Awful offensive typing

D. Awful defensive typing

Quite simply put it is just far more trouble than it's worth most of the time. Against very well built teams and experienced players you can very quickly realize that using Malamar is almost like battling a 5v6.
 
Deoxys-S to A+ Deoxys is very frail if deoxys-s cant ohko a pokemon then it is basically done for. It can be walled by alot of the A and A+ pokemon.

A lot of people lead with Scarf Genesect, which Deo-S can outspeed and OHKO with firepunch. From that point on, the enemy just lost one of his most important pokemon and you can proceed to do your normal Deo-S things with the terrifying efficiency that Deo-S is known to have. Also, 50/90/90 defenses are not frail. The low hp is crippling but the 90 defenses easily bring his bulk back up to about average and a lead Deo-S always has sash anyways so it doesn't really matter all that much. It got banned last gen because it completely denied all other leads of hazards and it garuntees at least 2 layers of its own. And of course, it simply does its job better than anything else in the tier.
 
What a great S Rank Aegislash is.

252+ SpA Choice Specs Aegislash-Blade Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hippowdon: 313-370 (74.5 - 88%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Choice Specs Aegislash-Blade Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-T: 288-340 (75.3 - 89%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Choice Specs Aegislash-Blade Shadow Ball vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Zygarde: 250-295 (69.8 - 82.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

This is pretty sad because we all know damn well it is not getting by with its physical set.

252+ Atk Choice Band Aegislash-Blade Sacred Sword vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mandibuzz: 172-203 (40.5 - 47.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252+ Atk Aegislash-Blade Shadow Sneak vs. 0 HP / 0- Def Tornadus-T: 214-253 (71.5 - 84.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252+ Atk Aegislash-Blade Shadow Sneak vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Reuniclus: 276-326 (65 - 76.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252+ Atk Aegislash-Blade Shadow Sneak vs. 0 HP / 0- Def Genesect: 186-219 (65.7 - 77.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252+ Atk Aegislash-Blade Shadow Sneak vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Togekiss: 168-198 (44.9 - 52.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

The reason why Mandibuzz got the CB is because if the thing tries to SD, mandibuzz wrecks it with Foul Play because it outspeeds it.

+2 0 Atk Mandibuzz Foul Play vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Aegislash-Blade: 1314-1548 (405.5 - 477.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

It fails to OHKO Reuniclus with a +2 SE STAB Shadow Sneak, so how is this thing S Rank?

Aegislash is S material, because there's little that can come into a 150 Sp.Atk STAB Shadow Ball. It's Tanky, powerful, has a STAB priority, has a protect move that harshly lowers your attack. Can run an effective Weakness Policy set, and in general is just a pokemon that can be put onto any team. It 2HKOs just about everything with Shadow Ball, and has incredible synergy with Rotom-W. Also, all the examples you've given can't OHKO Aegislash:

0 Atk Hippowdon Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Aegislash-B: 168-200 (51.85 - 61.72%) -- 96.88% chance to 2HKO
100 Atk Landorus-T Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Aegislash-B: 224-266 (69.13 - 82.09%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Zygarde Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Aegislash-B: 212-252 (65.43 - 77.77%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Hell, I can continue:
252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Aegislash-B: 230-272 (70.98 - 83.95%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Genesect Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Aegislash-B: 248-294 (76.54 - 90.74%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (Not that hard to avoid the +1 sp.atk. You just have to lower your iv in def. by 1 for Genesect to get a +1 in atk)
 
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Aegislash is S material, because there's little that can come into a 150 Sp.Atk STAB Shadow Ball. It's Tanky, powerful, has a STAB priority, has a protect move that harshly lowers your attack. Can run an effective Weakness Policy set, and in general is just a pokemon that can be put onto any team. It 2HKOs just about everything with Shadow Ball, and has incredible synergy with Rotom-W. Also, all the examples you've given can't OHKO Aegislash:

0 Atk Hippowdon Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Aegislash: 168-200 (51.85 - 61.72%) -- 96.88% chance to 2HKO
100 Atk Landorus-T Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Aegislash: 224-266 (69.13 - 82.09%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Landorus-T Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Aegislash: 212-252 (65.43 - 77.77%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Hell, I can continue:
252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Aegislash: 230-272 (70.98 - 83.95%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Genesect Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Gengar: 248-294 (76.54 - 90.74%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (Not that hard; you just have to lower your iv in sp.def by 1 for Genesect to get a +1 in atk)

Aegislash doesn't even need to OHKO since it possesses two Stabs, one of em priority. So even if Shadow Ball doesn't OHKO, as long as it survives(which it most likely will), Shadow Sneak can finish the job.
 
I think florges is a little overrated up there as a B. It is completely outclassed by Sylveon now that eevee can transfer heal bell and hyper voice. Sylveon can pass larger wishes, hit back with more damage, and take physical hits better. I don't think florges slightly better speed and SpD are a reason to use it over Sylveon. I would place Florges as a C+/ B- as it is outclassed by Sylveon and Clefable as well
 
Are you sure you read my post on page 16?

Yes, yes I did. Topsy-Turvy is a gimmicky 2v2/3v3 move however. And I did not once mention the reliance on Sticky Web. Superpower spam is nice, but 1-2 uses is all that is necessary to become a powerful enough hitter, even in the OU metagame.

All right I'll explain.



A. It has a very small niche that is both predictable and gimmicky.

B. Awful stats

C. Awful offensive typing

D. Awful defensive typing

Quite simply put it is just far more trouble than it's worth most of the time. Against very well built teams and experienced players you can very quickly realize that using Malamar is almost like battling a 5v6.

With nearly as much offensive presence as a Nidoking, and more of a defensive presence due to those neutral resistances and better overall defensive stat, I believe that it can overcome for the most part. A small niche in using Superpower once or twice is not a guaranteed dead weight on a team. Typing leaves much to be desired as does movepool due to the poor typing. But that unique typing is what leaves him in a spot to nearly always be force switched out on a powerful enough or fast enough bug or fairy.

Also, as I stated in my little first time ever post, I did mention to use as a possible reserve if you notice that the opposing team has a 'mon that may be trouble for what is a very powerful lead. With a free +1 from intimidate Gyarados, he OHKOs our little blue friend with a rock slide, off defensive variations. And with a free set-up on popular lead T-tar, you can easily get that pesky mega out of the way on unprepared or less informed players.

I do want to say, I did not say that Malamar is B or higher material. He has a useful slot in a team who may have room, does not rely on superpower for a KO, and can definitely cause some damage on a team either later in a match, or to open and possibly force a switch on some rather handy leads. His Aegislash - breaking use is great, but at this point, I hardly ever see Aegislash used anymore as compared to more classic 'mons like Dragonite or newer very commonly used ones such as Greninja and Talonflame. He can hold his own against both Greninja and Talonflame, and come back with a KO for those who believe that this bulky squid is fodder for their sweeper.
 
Since Ropeburn pretty much made the point I was going to make, I'll just reiterate it. People can play using king's shield, which changes Aegislash back to it's shield form. There's absolutely no reason to do calcs with the blade form because we all know it's frail. What's not frail is the shield form and running weakness policy on it can allow one to absolutely annihilate a hippowdon if it outslows it, which could be a pivotal set to be considered for later.

I'm also going to back up Chev although I don't agree with some of his spreads I feel like Malamar is a cool threat to be considered for the C rank, where mons like Genesect and other u-turning threats aren't as prevalent. Its cool ability allows the user to use a move such as Superpower, which effectively kills pokes such as Tyranitar, and it receives +1 attack and +1 defense. Sticky web has become more and more popular on a few teams I've played on the ladder and I feel like it is a hazard worth considering as a lot of fast threats will be out-sped after being caught in the sticky web(top lel). Therefor I support the decision to make Malamar a C tier pokemon.
 
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Wait what? Aegislash now runs Shadowball, ironhead/sacred sword, shadow sneak kings shield, with what a weakness policy? I thought the standerd and preferd set was SD King shield. Honestly I would think the King shield SD set would be rank s while the other set would be A+. SdlD king shield seems better imo. But ethier way most of its theeas are dead (Except Mandibuz unlessyou run head smash)
 
I think florges is a little overrated up there as a B. It is completely outclassed by Sylveon now that eevee can transfer heal bell and hyper voice. Sylveon can pass larger wishes, hit back with more damage, and take physical hits better. I don't think florges slightly better speed and SpD are a reason to use it over Sylveon. I would place Florges as a C+/ B- as it is outclassed by Sylveon and Clefable as well

Florges should not be B-, C+, or even D, really. It has no reason to be ranked at all; there is no reason to use it because Sylveon exists.
 
Wait what? Aegislash now runs Shadowball, ironhead/sacred sword, shadow sneak kings shield, with what a weakness policy? I thought the standerd and preferd set was SD King shield. Honestly I would think the King shield SD set would be rank s while the other set would be A+. SdlD king shield seems better imo. But ethier way most of its theeas are dead (Except Mandibuz unlessyou run head smash)

Every half decent player found out that SD+King Sheild is possibly the worst Aegislash set about 2 months ago...
 
252 SpA Genesect Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Aegislash-B: 248-294 (76.54 - 90.74%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (Not that hard; you just have to lower your iv in sp.def by 1 for Genesect to get a +1 in atk)
No need to lower sp.def iv because just the last 4 evs is enough. Is not like those 4 evs matter most of the time anyway.

I think florges is a little overrated up there as a B. It is completely outclassed by Sylveon now that eevee can transfer heal bell and hyper voice. Sylveon can pass larger wishes, hit back with more damage, and take physical hits better. I don't think florges slightly better speed and SpD are a reason to use it over Sylveon. I would place Florges as a C as it is outclassed by Sylveon and Clefable as well
Seconding this, but with Florges going to D or not ranked at all because its little advantage(higher sp.Def) over Sylveon is almost non existent.
Just 3 stupidly strong special attackers for this:
252 SpA Mega Charizard Y Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Sylveon in Sun: 187-222 (47.4 - 56.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Mega Charizard Y Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Florges in Sun: 168-198 (46.6 - 55%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Keldeo Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Florges: 142-168 (39.4 - 46.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Keldeo Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Sylveon: 160-190 (40.6 - 48.2%) -- 7.4% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery. Considering Sylveon will probably use protect, this is more realistically a 3hko too(too lazy for math).
+3 252 SpA Manaphy Surf vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Sylveon: 184-217 (46.7 - 55%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
+3 252 SpA Manaphy Surf vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Florges: 162-192 (45 - 53.3%) -- 89.8% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
Barely a real difference you can say will actually matter. As for physical bulk, Sylveon obviously has better bulk on the physical side, so the only "real advantage" over Sylveon is hitting Manaphy for super effective damage.

Honestly I would think the King shield SD set would be rank s while the other set would be A+.
Just wondering, how low are you on the ladder? Because when I watch Molk who only has 2k+ alts play, Shadow Ball Aegislash is by far the most common set. Not saying the ladder is a true measure of skill or anything like that, just pointing this out.
 
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What I want to know is why Clefable is even ranked on here, let alone at B+. Sure it just got its typing changed to Fairy but what is the point of using it? Bulky Unaware or Offensive MG? Could someone explain this to me or copy+paste a link to a previous post i somehow overlooked that explains the reasoning behind this?
 
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