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

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How exactly did sharpedo benefited from the steel nerf at all? Excadrill? Weak to water. Lucario? Still resists dark. Ferrothorn? Still walls you. Skarmory? Takes the same damage from both stabs. Bisharp? Still resists dark. Aegislash? 50/50 on king's shield mindgames (actually not even that since crunch doenst ohko aegislash anyway). In BW sharpedo was decent because of perma rain that gave it a choice band boost for its water stab and thats what it used to clean shit. Now it can no longer count on it making it a LOT easier to wall. It has also received a new weakness with the fairy typing and a new counter in water/fairy azumarill. Its a lot worse now than before and while i am not going to be taking sides for this pokemon in particular youre really overselling it.
Well, the steel neft allows it to hit Aegislash, Jirachi, Metagross, and Bronzong super-effectively. Considering how prevalent Aegislash is, the nerf really did help Sharpedo. However, you are right, the rain nerf did hurt him a lot. It was B ranked last gen, so a B- ranking now means it is worse of this gen, but still good, which is something I do agree with.
 
Well, the steel neft allows it to hit Aegislash, Jirachi, Metagross, and Bronzong super-effectively. Considering how prevalent Aegislash is, the nerf really did help Sharpedo. However, you are right, the rain nerf did hurt him a lot. It was B ranked last gen, so a B- ranking now means it is worse of this gen, but still good, which is something I do agree with.

The Steel nerf also means Jirachi, Metagross, and Bronzong are a lot less relevant now.
 
How exactly did sharpedo benefited from the steel nerf at all? Excadrill? Weak to water. Lucario? Still resists dark. Ferrothorn? Still walls you. Skarmory? Takes the same damage from both stabs. Bisharp? Still resists dark. Aegislash? 50/50 on king's shield mindgames (actually not even that since crunch doenst ohko aegislash anyway). In BW sharpedo was decent because of perma rain that gave it a choice band boost for its water stab and thats what it used to clean shit. Now it can no longer count on it making it a LOT easier to wall. It has also received a new weakness with the fairy typing and a new counter in water/fairy azumarill. Its a lot worse now than before and while i am not going to be taking sides for this pokemon in particular youre really overselling it.
I'm overselling it? If I did oversell it, I would say its A Rank, but no I never said that, I said B which really doesnt fit the dfinition of "overselling something".

Ferrothorn will be hard pressed by multiple Crunches and will eventually fall with SR and U-turn / Volt Switch damage all over the place. Ferrothorn loses and who says you can't Destiny Bond it for another sweeper to sweep? Aegislash will King's Shield as you Destiny Bond. Aegislash can sack itself as it Destiny Bonds next turn or switch or eat a Crunch and wait next turn which means it loses in that scenario. Jirachi and Metagross are hit super effectively. The lack of perma rain sucks, but who cares when Crunch is the move you want to SPAM this generation, so I don't know how it hurt him a lot. Sharpedo is much better this generation and I don't think you are taking in account Aqua Jet for Talonflame > Protect which can actually be used or Destiny Bond. Sharpedo trades a better Crunch and Destiny Bond for a weakness to Talonflame and Azumarill (both have to deal with a possible Aqua Jet / D-Bond). Rain nerf sucks, but Crunch wants to SPAMmed more. Sound solid B Rank to me.
 
Nominating Omastar for C or D-Rank.

Omastar's niche is being the only special smasher that isn't checked by Talonflame. The unbanning of DrizzleSwim gives it a chance to do some serious damage after smashing once its checks are removed. The issues that keep it from being higher are that it's easily revenge killed by scarfers and priority users, forced out by Gyarados, Rotom-W, Mega Venusaur and Ferrothorn, and walled by Chansey/Blissey.
 
The Steel nerf also means Jirachi, Metagross, and Bronzong are a lot less relevant now.
I know, I just mentioned them because it's true. Hitting Aegislash is the main benefit Sharpedo gets from the Steel-nerf, which is why I bolded it.

Anyway, would anyone else support moving Entei up to B or B+. I've been using a lot recently, and it has been amazing. The assault vest variant is very specially bulky and hits very hard. Sacred Fire is a phenomenal move, as most pokemon who can wall Entei and would want to switch in won't enjoy a burn. Tyrannitar, Garchomp, and Dragonite are all very common switch-in's that 50% of the time wish they didn't.

Also, Entei can very easily bait Heatrans coming in, and safely 2HKO (or sometimes OHKO) with Bulldoze. If it had EQ, I'd be pushing for A rank, but oh well.

Additionally, Entei can OHKO Charizard and Volcarana with Stone Edge. It seems to be very unexpected, as most people I've faced leave their Volarona in on Entei. Entei can also OHKO Talonflame on the switch.

Finally, to round it off, Entei has Extreme Speed, which hits very hard, can allow Entei to kill pokemon it barely missed the OHKO on without taking damage, can bypass Sucker Punch, and goes before Talonflame's Brave Bird (while doing 40%-47%).

Overall, I think Entei is very underrated and feel it should move up. Thoughts anyone?
 
I'm overselling it? If I did oversell it, I would say its A Rank, but no I never said that, I said B which really doesnt fit the dfinition of "overselling something".

Ferrothorn will be hard pressed by multiple Crunches and will eventually fall with SR and U-turn / Volt Switch damage all over the place. Ferrothorn loses and who says you can't Destiny Bond it for another sweeper to sweep? Aegislash will King's Shield as you Destiny Bond. Aegislash can sack itself as it Destiny Bonds next turn or switch or eat a Crunch and wait next turn which means it loses in that scenario. Jirachi and Metagross are hit super effectively. The lack of perma rain sucks, but who cares when Crunch is the move you want to SPAM this generation, so I don't know how it hurt him a lot. Sharpedo is much better this generation and I don't think you are taking in account Aqua Jet for Talonflame > Protect which can actually be used or Destiny Bond. Sharpedo trades a better Crunch and Destiny Bond for a weakness to Talonflame and Azumarill (both have to deal with a possible Aqua Jet / D-Bond). Rain nerf sucks, but Crunch wants to SPAMmed more. Sound solid B Rank to me.
Youre not getting, theres absolutely no steel type that care about crunch other than aegislash, who can still play around it. Ferrothorn still walls you, period. Its not getting ''hard pressed'' to take anything, youre the one taking massive amounts of recoil while ferro trolls you with lefties+protect+leech seed. Crunch on sharpedo isnt any more spammable than it was last gen because unlike other dark types it has a much better secondary stab to use. Jirachi and metagross were destroyed by rain boosted waterfalls so thats a moot point. Without perma rain you can no longer do shit like 2hkoing skarmory after stealth rock or do over 90% to garchomp. The steel nerf did essentially nothing for sharpedo while the rain nerf completely wrecked its offensive potential.
 
Youre not getting, theres absolutely no steel type that care about crunch other than aegislash, who can still play around it. Ferrothorn still walls you, period. Its not getting ''hard pressed'' to take anything, youre the one taking massive amounts of recoil while ferro trolls you with lefties+protect+leech seed. Crunch on sharpedo isnt any more spammable than it was last gen because unlike other dark types it has a much better secondary stab to use. Jirachi and metagross were destroyed by rain boosted waterfalls so thats a moot point. Without perma rain you can no longer do shit like 2hkoing skarmory after stealth rock or do over 90% to garchomp. The steel nerf did essentially nothing for sharpedo while the rain nerf completely wrecked its offensive potential.
Clearly, you have never used Sharpedo and you're just theorymoning. Sharpedo does not need to be used in rain. It is viable outside of it. I think you are forgetting that Sharpedo is a late-game PKMN... Jirachi and Metagross are not wrecked by rain-boosted Waterfalls. Crunch hits harder. Ferrothorn is hard pressed after a while and will switch in frequently. I will Power Whip or Gyro Ball and you can just Destiny Bond it. If it stays in, just keep SPAMming Crunch. Garchomp will be weakened late-game to a point where it can be KOed. Garchomp is really easy to where down. The support is why it's in B Rank. gtg cya guys
 
I really think Sharpedo is a C+.

The amount of priority running rampant in OU really makes it shoddy to use. While the Steel-type nerf helped it, it only opened up a couple possible situations (Jirachi, Metagross) while STAB Surf usually hit more of the Steel-types harder. Nevermind it still has issues bypassing Ferrothorn without Hidden Power Fire and Destiny Bond means it loses a coverage move or Protect.
 
Clearly, you have never used Sharpedo and you're just theorymoning. Sharpedo does not need to be used in rain. It is viable outside of it. I think you are forgetting that Sharpedo is a late-game PKMN... Jirachi and Metagross are not wrecked by rain-boosted Waterfalls. Crunch hits harder. Ferrothorn is hard pressed after a while and will switch in frequently. I will Power Whip or Gyro Ball and you can just Destiny Bond it. If it stays in, just keep SPAMming Crunch. Garchomp will be weakened late-game to a point where it can be KOed. Garchomp is really easy to where down. The support is why it's in B Rank. gtg cya guys
Metagross and jirachi are 2hkoed by crunch, just like with rain waterfall. It certainly hits harder but its still a 2hko so they cant switch in either move (tbh i dont even know how is this relevant since metagross and jirachi arent even used anyway). Youre not getting past ferrothorn ever. You hit it on the switch in for pathetical damage and it recovers 6% with leftovers, then it protects and recovers 6% more, then it leech seeds you and repeat while you slowly faint by life orb+iron barbs, so good luck spamming crunch. Sharpedo is not better than it was last gen because it lost its biggest source of power and the steel nerf was completely irrelevant for it, i dont get it whats so hard to understand about this.
 
The only time Sharpedo can afford to lose Protect is when using Focus Sash, but then you lose a lot of fire power.
However Focus Sash lets you counter pokemons you 2HKO/have powerful priority without a boosting item.
I've used Sharpedo, and honestly, the best thing about the Physical set is the fast Destiny Bond after Focus Sash. It's still not B rank.

And tbh Sharpedo is viable in the exact opposite way you said, thnx to Mega Luc, Talonflame, and many other roaming physical threats, most walls are now Physical (Mega Venusaur, Skarmory, Rotom-W, Gliscor, Slowbro, Zapdos (specially too tho)), you are MUCH better using special set, especially when it has better coverage.

Hydro Pump, Ice Beam, HP Fire, Ancient Power (Char Y + Talonflame), Dark Pulse is a much better coverage/power than his physical set. The only thing the physical set is OK with is Crunch (better than Dark Pulse), Aqua Jet (Priority), and EQ, but here is what it ends.

252+ SpA Life Orb Sharpedo Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Mega Lucario: 274-325 (97.5 - 115.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Life Orb Sharpedo Waterfall vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mega Lucario: 196-231 (69.7 - 82.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

252+ Atk Life Orb Sharpedo Crunch vs. 252 HP / 232+ Def Skarmory: 101-121 (30.2 - 36.2%) -- 46.5% chance to 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Life Orb Sharpedo Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 277-328 (82.9 - 98.2%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

252+ Atk Life Orb Sharpedo Crunch vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Slowbro: 242-283 (61.4 - 71.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Life Orb Sharpedo Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Slowbro: 361-429 (91.6 - 108.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

252+ Atk Life Orb Sharpedo Crunch vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Ferrothorn: 105-125 (29.8 - 35.5%) -- 21.1% chance to 3HKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Sharpedo Hidden Power Fire vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Ferrothorn: 265-317 (75.2 - 90%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Life Orb Sharpedo Crunch vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Metagross: 283-335 (77.7 - 92%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Life Orb Sharpedo Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Metagross: 330-390 (90.6 - 107.1%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO

252+ SpA Life Orb Sharpedo Ancient Power vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Mega Charizard Y: 270-322 (90.6 - 108%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Sharpedo Waterfall vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Charizard Y in Sun: 218-257 (73.1 - 86.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Special set is much more viable in this meta.

I'd say B- rank is more fitting.
 
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I'm gonna agree with SmashBrosBrawl and Colonel M on Sharpedo. Yeah, being able to hit Aegislash if it doesn't Kings Shield on you is neat, and in the rare case of a Metagross or Jirachi you're in a better position to hit them super effectively, but otherwise the Steel nerf didn't affect Sharpedo too much. He's still frail as hell and can't take a hit should he be in a position where he cannot OHKO the opponent. While he resists a few priority moves (Aqua Jet, Ice Shard, Bullet Punch and Shadow Sneak,) most neutral priority will at best leave the shark with little health, while SE priority needs to be extremely weak to not OHKO (hell, even powerful enough resisted priority like Scizor's Bullet Punch can 2HKO.) I get that it should be reserved for late-game, but that doesn't automatically negate the issues Sharpedo faces by a long shot.
 
Removed Genesect and Mega Lucario from the list because they were banned. Also emptied the conclusion reached list because there has been a significant metagame change.
 
Nominating Omastar for C or D-Rank.

Omastar's niche is being the only special smasher that isn't checked by Talonflame. The unbanning of DrizzleSwim gives it a chance to do some serious damage after smashing once its checks are removed. The issues that keep it from being higher are that it's easily revenge killed by scarfers and priority users, forced out by Gyarados, Rotom-W, Mega Venusaur and Ferrothorn, and walled by Chansey/Blissey.
I agree with that ranking, as it is essentially a special Kabutops, who is currently C rank. Omastar's main problem is it either has to rely on its terrible 60 base attack or use AncientPower for a dual stab. However, the standard Ice Beam/Hydro Pump/HP Grass set is relatively effective, and I'd support a C- ranking.

---------------

Anyway, with Mega Lucario banned, and so the conclusion reached list erased, I'd like to implement a change: Quagsire for C+.

Quagsire's main problem in the past months of OU has been one of the most popular physical attackers, Mega Lucario, demolished it. It couldn't set up curses/stockpiles or Scald + recover like it could with basically every other physical attacker, namely Scizor. Now, with Adaptability Close Combats nowhere, I feel like Quagsire can shine more in this new-ish metagame.
 
I'm not sure if we should discuss this until we see how much scizor rises in usage, but celebi just had the thing it hated most removed from OU (genesect), not to mention the fact that mega-lucario is no longer a reason to run mega-venesaur over it (though its still mostly better). Once the meta settles maybe we should see if celebi deserves to move up to B-.
 
I'm sorry, I couldn't resist:

Removed Genesect and Mega Lucario from the list because they were banned. Also emptied the conclusion reached list because there has been a significant metagame change.

MegaKangFTW said:
It's not even broken ya scrubs.

Though really, Quagsire is pretty useless. Unaware is nice, but no one really cares since it loses to a lot of stuff at 0 anyway. It's a worse Swampert aside the reliable recovery, which can be solved with Wish support from anything. Even though the conclusion reached list is empty, please no more anti-Rotom stuff. Where do people think regular Lucario should be? For that matter, inb4 rise of everything Fighting weak

bye genesect it was fun while it lasted
 
I'm sorry, I couldn't resist:





Though really, Quagsire is pretty useless. Unaware is nice, but no one really cares since it loses to a lot of stuff at 0 anyway. It's a worse Swampert aside the reliable recovery, which can be solved with Wish support from anything. Even though the conclusion reached list is empty, please no more anti-Rotom stuff. Where do people think regular Lucario should be? For that matter, inb4 rise of everything Fighting weak

bye genesect it was fun while it lasted
Unaware stops setup sweepers. Nothing else can take less than half from +6 Neutral Play Roughs from Azumarill, or completely wall Scizor, no matter how many swords dances it's gotten. It achieved C rank with Mega Luke, and since it's in a much better environment now I'd argue for C+ as a check to physical set up sweepers not named Mega Heracross.
 
I'm going to nominate Mega Absol for B+ rank.

It's an excellent late game cleaner that's highly underestimated by many opponents. +2 Night Slash OHKOs Charizard Y, Mega Medicham, and 2HKOs the omnipresent M-Venusaur. At the same time, +2 Sucker Punch takes care of Talonflame (Who always runs Adamant) and a majority of priority users and faster pokemon. Dark stab is usually enough to KO a majority of the metagame when they're wore down. But Play Rough hits Breloom and Conkeldurr hard on the switch early game.

Lastly, Absol has an easy time setting up Swords Dance this gen due to magic bounce. He can easily set up on Chansey, and even Defensive Rotom-W. Even Hydro Pump doesn't OHKO Absol. With screen support, Mega Absol becomes an absolute nightmare to take down, and one of the best cleaners around. I honestly believe he deserves B+ instead of B-. Especially with Genesect and M-Lucario gone... Two of the most common users of Extremespeed are gone. Once Absol sets up, it's game over.
 
S-rank looks so lonely now...... isn't it great?

With Gene gone, I really believe Deo-D needs to move up to A+ rank. Gene was one of the biggest thorns in its side and now it's just that much easier to stack hazards for your HO team and roll.

Speaking of Gene leaving, not only does it instantly make any Grass/Psychic/Dark type more viable, but Gene and MegaLuke were also two of the most common and threatening ESpeed users in OU. Priority is still plentiful but frail sweepers will really appreciate their banishment! I'm going to hold off on any other suggestions until we get a better idea of what appreciates the metagame changes the most.
 
Now that 2 of its main offensive checks are gone here goes.
Nominating Greninja for A+
With genesect gone the role of a fast strong momentum grabber is up in the air with only four Pokemon who stand a chance at even slightly comparing to genesect, the genies and greninja.
Greninja is the best suited to the job however as it outspeeds the entire unboosted tier sans alakazam and the rare mega manectric, Greninja also has the ability to maintain this great speed tier whilst also running life orb for power (genesect needed scarf) making it actually stronger than genesect. Greninja also has protean which gives STAB to every attack it runs making things like HP Fire/Electric stronger than Genesects Flamethrower/Thunderbolt
Greninja also gets U-turn allowing it to get almost the same free momentum Genesect did. However Greninja is cursed with frailty and gets destroyed by talonflames Brave Bird, Conkeldurrs Mach Punch,Mega Pinsirs Quick Attack, and Dragonites E-Speed.
This sounds worse than it is however as D-nite should only stay in if at full health, Pinsir needs to have greninja weakened first, and Genesect actually had more issues with the flaming falcon. Overall Greninja feels almost like a less broken Genesect

Dragonite for A+
Big friendly dragon was borderline A+ Before but I think that the banning of Genesect pushes it over the edge as it no longer has to worry about lightning fast powerful ice beams coming at it. It is strong, bulky, and extremely versatile and now it has one less major issue to worry about.
 
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Because Mega Luc is gone, the following pokemon (IMO) have lost some of their niche:

1- Physically defensive Zapdos: So probably should go from B+ --> B
2- Skarmory, still walls physical sweepers, but just not as good as when mega luc was around, A- ---> B+
3- Physically defensive Hippowdon: The main reason of it's niche is walling common physical sweepers such as Talonflame and Physical Mega Luc, B+ ---> B
4- Physically defensive Chesnaught & Slowbro, though IMO they are good where they are.
5- Gourgiest XL, should go from C+ ----> C
6- Quagsire, C ---> C-, shouldn't use Quagsire to only wall Scizor, Tyranitar, and Talonflame.

Because Mega Luc is gone, the following pokemon (IMO) have either 1) less competition and/or 2) a check/counter out of the way:

1- Porygon2, the main reason I didn't use this guy over Tangrowth is because of Mega Luc around, yes there is Knock Off, but Trace is really good, getting Aeritilaite, Protean, Prankster (More common users), etc. so I think it should go from C ----> C+ (or even B-)
2- Lucario, basically less competition, and less priority users around, B- ----> B
3- Ferrothorn: the main Fighting type user is gone, while still there is CharY and CharX to kill him, or Conkeldurr to 2HKO, I still think Ferrothorn has been given more space to use his viability, to add to that, Gen B+ ---> A-
4- Blissey, same with Ferrothron, but doesn't have to worry about CharY really. B ----> B+
5- Chansey, again same thing with the above 2, so B+ ----> A-
6- Krookodile, even though a physical wall, it struggled with Mega Luc and all variants of Genesect, deservers to go from C+ ----> B-
7- Moltres, I feel like Moltres doesn't even have to be Physically defensive now, Specially defensive for Rotom-W, Thundurus, Greninja, Special Aegislash (really popular), CharizardY, etc. Plus can take care of Mega Venusaur (SubRoost + Air Slash). C ---> C+ (or even B-)
8- Bisharp, Kurem-B, Terrakion, Excadrill, and Mega Gyarados also love the leave of Mega Luc, but IMO they are good where they are.

9- Tyranitar has gained MUCH more space, AV Tyranitar never dies to a special hit man, Mega Luc was a solid Counter, and so was CB Genesect, but by both being gone, Tyranitar, IMO, should go to A+

Because less priority is in the meta-game, and partly because Genesect is gone, the following pokemon (IMO) gained a small niche:

1- Greninja, no Genesect, no Mega Luc, less priority, basically A+ IMO.
2- Terrakion, Mega Pinsir, Deoxys-S, Gengar love no Gene and less priority, but good where they are at IMO.
3- Mega Alakazam & Mega Aerodactyl, same as Greninja, IMO both should go to B-
4- Noivern, that speed is now REALLY helpful, Specs hits hard, IMP should go to C+
5- Infernape, no Gene and Luc, less priority, versatile. C ---> C+ (or even B+)

Now these are all only my OPINIONS, but please discuss.
 
Because Mega Luc is gone, the following pokemon (IMO) have lost some of their niche:

1- Physically defensive Zapdos: So probably should go from B+ --> B
2- Skarmory, still walls physical sweepers, but just not as good as when mega luc was around, A- ---> B+
3- Physically defensive Hippowdon: The main reason of it's niche is walling common physical sweepers such as Talonflame and Physical Mega Luc, B+ ---> B
4- Physically defensive Chesnaught & Slowbro, though IMO they are good where they are.
5- Gourgiest XL, should go from C+ ----> C
6- Quagsire, C ---> C-, shouldn't use Quagsire to only wall Scizor, Tyranitar, and Talonflame.

Because Mega Luc is gone, the following pokemon (IMO) have either 1) less competition and/or 2) a check/counter out of the way:

1- Porygon2, the main reason I didn't use this guy over Tangrowth is because of Mega Luc around, yes there is Knock Off, but Trace is really good, getting Aeritilaite, Protean, Prankster (More common users), etc. so I think it should go from C ----> C+ (or even B-)
2- Lucario, basically less competition, and less priority users around, B- ----> B
3- Ferrothorn: the main Fighting type user is gone, while still there is CharY and CharX to kill him, or Conkeldurr to 2HKO, I still think Ferrothorn has been given more space to use his viability, to add to that, Gen B+ ---> A-
4- Blissey, same with Ferrothron, but doesn't have to worry about CharY really. B ----> B+
5- Chansey, again same thing with the above 2, so B+ ----> A-
6- Krookodile, even though a physical wall, it struggled with Mega Luc and all variants of Genesect, deservers to go from C+ ----> B-
7- Moltres, I feel like Moltres doesn't even have to be Physically defensive, Specially defensive for Rotom-W, Thundurus, Greninja, Special Aegislash (really popular), CharizardY, etc. Plus can take care of Mega Venusaur (SubRoost + Air Slash).
8- Bisharp, Kurem-B, Terrakion, Excadrill, and Mega Gyarados also love the leave of Mega Luc, but IMO they are good where they are.

9- Tyranitar has gained MUCH more space, AV Tyranitar never dies to a special hit man, Mega Luc was a solid Counter, and so was CB Genesect, but by both being gone, Tyranitar, IMO, should go to A+

Because less priority is in the meta-game, and partly because Genesect is gone, the following pokemon (IMO) gained a small niche:

1- Greninja, no Genesect, no Mega Luc, less priority, basically A+ IMO.
2- Terrakion, Mega Pinsir, Deoxys-S, Gengar love no Gene and less priority, but good where they are at IMO.
3- Mega Alakazam & Mega Aerodactyl, same as Greninja, IMO both should go to B-
4- Noivern, that speed is now REALLY helpful, Specs hits hard, IMP should go to C+

Now these are all only my OPINIONS, but please discuss.
My opinions:
• Quagsire had no niche concerning Mega Luke, as it was always 2HKO'd. It's better now, as no physical pokemon without grass moves can kill it, ever. It doesn't just wall the three pokemon you mentioned. I think it's better now, and should be C+.
• Hippowdon got recked by mega Lucario. I think it's better now, as do a lot of people, and I'd actually push for A-.
• Same goes for gourgeist. It was never a true counter, as +2 Dark pulse demolished it. It's main problem is still Talonflame, so I think it should stay.
• Skarmory was also slaughtered by mega luke, 2HKO'd everytime (due to sturdy), while not really able to do much. I think it's better now, but still worthy of A-.

I agree with everything else, especially with your "will be be better off" category. Ttar is much better now, and I think is definitely worth A+.
 
Because Mega Luc is gone, the following pokemon (IMO) have lost some of their niche:

1- Physically defensive Zapdos: So probably should go from B+ --> B
2- Skarmory, still walls physical sweepers, but just not as good as when mega luc was around, A- ---> B+
3- Physically defensive Hippowdon: The main reason of it's niche is walling common physical sweepers such as Talonflame and Physical Mega Luc, B+ ---> B
4- Physically defensive Chesnaught & Slowbro, though IMO they are good where they are.
5- Gourgiest XL, should go from C+ ----> C
6- Quagsire, C ---> C-, shouldn't use Quagsire to only wall Scizor, Tyranitar, and Talonflame.

Because Mega Luc is gone, the following pokemon (IMO) have either 1) less competition and/or 2) a check/counter out of the way:

1- Porygon2, the main reason I didn't use this guy over Tangrowth is because of Mega Luc around, yes there is Knock Off, but Trace is really good, getting Aeritilaite, Protean, Prankster (More common users), etc. so I think it should go from C ----> C+ (or even B-)
2- Lucario, basically less competition, and less priority users around, B- ----> B
3- Ferrothorn: the main Fighting type user is gone, while still there is CharY and CharX to kill him, or Conkeldurr to 2HKO, I still think Ferrothorn has been given more space to use his viability, to add to that, Gen B+ ---> A-
4- Blissey, same with Ferrothron, but doesn't have to worry about CharY really. B ----> B+
5- Chansey, again same thing with the above 2, so B+ ----> A-
6- Krookodile, even though a physical wall, it struggled with Mega Luc and all variants of Genesect, deservers to go from C+ ----> B-
7- Moltres, I feel like Moltres doesn't even have to be Physically defensive now, Specially defensive for Rotom-W, Thundurus, Greninja, Special Aegislash (really popular), CharizardY, etc. Plus can take care of Mega Venusaur (SubRoost + Air Slash). C ---> C+ (or even B-)
8- Bisharp, Kurem-B, Terrakion, Excadrill, and Mega Gyarados also love the leave of Mega Luc, but IMO they are good where they are.

9- Tyranitar has gained MUCH more space, AV Tyranitar never dies to a special hit man, Mega Luc was a solid Counter, and so was CB Genesect, but by both being gone, Tyranitar, IMO, should go to A+

Because less priority is in the meta-game, and partly because Genesect is gone, the following pokemon (IMO) gained a small niche:

1- Greninja, no Genesect, no Mega Luc, less priority, basically A+ IMO.
2- Terrakion, Mega Pinsir, Deoxys-S, Gengar love no Gene and less priority, but good where they are at IMO.
3- Mega Alakazam & Mega Aerodactyl, same as Greninja, IMO both should go to B-
4- Noivern, that speed is now REALLY helpful, Specs hits hard, IMP should go to C+
5- Infernape, no Gene and Luc, less priority, versatile. C ---> C+ (or even B+)

Now these are all only my OPINIONS, but please discuss.
Hippo, Skarm, and Zapdos definitely should not be dropping in fact hippo actually benefits from the changes as it no longer has to worry about genesect everywhere ruining its day the same goes for skarm. In all honesty they don't lose much from Luke going as they couldn't switch in on him anyways (nothing could) and as such were only shaky checks for him (he really had nothing but shaky checks sans defensive Gyara).
Moltres actually loses out as checking mega Luke when rocks were gone and no prior damage and a free switch in was one of its only niches (and not a very good one at that).
Krookodile and Normal Luke are fine where they are as Krook is still outclassed and normal Lucario just isn't that good this gen ( might drop to UU now)

I do agree on Ttar for A+
 
Because Mega Luc is gone, the following pokemon (IMO) have lost some of their niche:

1- Physically defensive Zapdos: So probably should go from B+ --> B
2- Skarmory, still walls physical sweepers, but just not as good as when mega luc was around, A- ---> B+
3- Physically defensive Hippowdon: The main reason of it's niche is walling common physical sweepers such as Talonflame and Physical Mega Luc, B+ ---> B
4- Physically defensive Chesnaught & Slowbro, though IMO they are good where they are.
5- Gourgiest XL, should go from C+ ----> C
6- Quagsire, C ---> C-, shouldn't use Quagsire to only wall Scizor, Tyranitar, and Talonflame.

Skarmory, Chesnaught, Quagsire and Hippowdown were not able to wall Luke, they didn't really lose any niches. If anything they're even better.

Gourgiest lost to special version. Zapdos' typing is still very handy for a lot of other threats.
 
1- Physically defensive Zapdos: So probably should go from B+ --> B
I disagree. It's still a wonderful defog user, and has a very unique typing that gives it an edge on stuff like Scizor, which will be cropping up with the recent bans.
2- Skarmory, still walls physical sweepers, but just not as good as when mega luc was around, A- ---> B+
Skarmory was never really a counter to Lucario in the first place, considering it was 2HKO'd by CC. It's A- because it is both a defog user and hazard setter.
3- Physically defensive Hippowdon: The main reason of it's niche is walling common physical sweepers such as Talonflame and Physical Mega Luc, B+ ---> B
If anything, Hippowdon should go UP. It's still got amazing bulk and acess to Sand Stream and now it doesn't have to worry about Special Luke or Download Ice Beams.
 
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