My thoughts on some of the nominations that I'm particularly opinionated about:
Azumarill to S
I am in agreement here 100%. Choice Band is definitely its best set right now and there are about three things that can reliably switch in. It's a fucking monster. As others have said, when played correctly, it's pretty much guaranteed at least one kill per game, especially against offensive teams. AJ also boasts really nice power and coverage, so it cleans teams incredibly well. Tbh. without one of its three or so counters, your opp will have to play very carefully around a CB Azu. BD Azu is also quite threatening, especially against balance teams that try to get by running something slow as their Azu check. It does have some issues in setting up versus offense, but if it does, its likely going to blow some major holes in the team. AV Azu is probably the least useful set, but it still can be a nice check to some things like Zam and rain. All three of Azu's sets suffer from low speed, but its bulk and typing is so phenomenal that it really doesn't hurt it too much. Its typing gives a ton of useful resistances and amazing STABs, while its bulk gives it enough staying power to do what it needs to do. Its relative unpredictability is a rather nice boon as well.
Definitely worthy of S-rank imo.
Keldeo to S
Keldeo is quite good right now, but I don't really think it deserves S rank. It's so widely used that every team will pack at least one or two checks, and checks are not really all that hard to come by - Latis, Torn, Slowbro, Slowking, Electrics, Alt, Amoong, Venu, etc. It's speed tier also leaves quite a bit to be desired because it really struggles to pull its weight against offensive teams. The scarf set can remedy this, but we all know scarf keld is piss weak. Specs is still the best set as it limits switchins, but it is painfully easy to take down in a late game scenario. RestTalk Keld is kinda cool given its extra longevity, but relying on Sleep Talk leaves you vulnerable. LO Taunt is cool, but the power drop from Specs to Orb is very significant. CM Keld is kinda ass as it doesn't really get all that many chances to set up anymore. However, I think perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind here is the competition that Keldeo gets as an offensive water type from Manaphy and Azumarill, who are both arguably better right now.
Keep Keldeo A+.
Torn-T to S
I love this thing almost as much
bludz, but I think S is overselling it. It's an amazing mon with all of the utility that Knock Off + U-Turn provide, but AV is still weak as piss and LO can't switch into anything. Having to rely on Hurricane to hit is also a huge factor working against it, especially for the LO set. As such, even with the utility it can provide, I don't think it will ever warrant S rank - just because of the degree of uncertainty Hurri adds to the mix. It's probably one of the better A+ mons,
but it should stay A+.
M-Gardevoir to A+
Yeah, I can't see this one either. It's got amazing power and just about all it needs in terms of movepool, but the one thing it lacks above all else is speed. Base 80 speed before mega without a safe way of ensuring you mega evolve really sucks, especially because it's only handling weaker special attacks well. Even when mega evolved, its finds itself in a very crowded speed tier with a bunch of stuff it doesn't want to face down - Jirachi, Zards, Medicham - not to mention the loads of threatening stuff that sits above base 100. It's physical bulk is shit too, which means priority threatens it out almost every time. So, yeah, I'd
leave M-Garde in A.
Cobalion to B-
Cobalion is cute and all in that beats darks really well and can set up SR and even Vswitch, but there is just far too much in the tier that takes advantage of it. I think C+ is fitting alongside the few other niche SR setters sharing the rank - Azelf, Seismitoad, and Rhyperior.
Keep it C+.
