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One simple question, what is MMY-, and MM2Y? And I'd also like to nominate Deo-S for one rank higher. Recently along with Deo-A, it seems to be getting more uses by higher level players. It has Taunt + SR, and Dual Screen support to pretty much stop all sweepers + defoggers. Once Deo-S dies or switches out (maybe run U-turn? New meta?), a GeoXern/Arceus/M-Ray can set up comfortably behind two Screens and leave a huge dent to the opponents teams. Deo-S can also die into mons like M-Gar or Darkrai, both of which would appreciate the Screen support. Also, from a my perspective, or a stall team's perspective, I find Deo-S to be quite threatening because of its ability to set up Rocks and use Taunt to block it, along with surprising bulk after two screens. It also has the Ability Pressure, which means it can chip off a lot of PP from moves like E-speed, Sacred Fire, etc. It even outspeeds Choice Ogre and Xern, and can use Light Screen + Stealth Rock to heavily pressure it. It's a very good Anti Lead and a Suicide Lead, which deserves more credit than Shaymin Sky or Zekrom. I'm so convinced of its utility, I feel like I might make a HO team using Deo-S if I need to prove its viability.

Edit: Deo-S can't learn U-Turn. BibleThump
 
But what is it doing that regular two can't? Its stall breaker set is better thanks to extra bulk but if any of those are talking about bulky or CM regular two can pull that off as well. I just skimmed that and don't disagree with any except
68 Atk Life Orb Deoxys-A Knock Off vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Mewtwo Y: 283-335 (80.1 - 94.9%) -- 50% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
but I also don't see why it fares better versus these than regular two, which is sort of the point of dropping it since it's not worth the slot. But like I said, I haven't used it much so a more qualified opinion is good.
No, there are not Bulky or CM. For obvious reasons (ie, the ones you said), it faces a lot of competition. Sure it better than regular, but not so much better that its worth the mega. In my experience, a set of psystrike+fire blast/focus blast+ice beam+taunt. Not only does it abuse Mewtwo's now stellar speed, it also allows it to beat klefki/darkrai-for its teammates. With this, It can beat other mewtwo, power through Klefki even without fire blast, stop MRay from setting up on it, it can stallbreak... it goes on. While MM2Y isn't the only taunter, its pretty much the best because of its speed and the fact it doesn't mind taunt being bounced back (Darkrai, for one, hates it).

Edit because I missed it:
This was the question I was about to ask until Megazard asked it first. The opportunity cost is pretty huge if you aren't gaining enough to compensate for it. And also, I feel like you overrate MMY to a degree in your analysis.

"Focus blast has a 46% chance to ohko arceus after rocks, while lumceus has only a 70% chance to 2hko it back. Focus Miss makes that matchup even worse, but this is still a coin flip."

You presume you have rocks up but your opponent doesn't. +2 Extreme Speed is a guaranteed OHKO after rocks. If both sides have rocks up, and assuming you run 252 Timid (iirc you need that to beat 252+ Darkrai) your chance to win is that Focus Blast hits and OHKOs. Mathematically, if I do have my math right, this means that you have basically
a 30% chance to win that matchup (minor note, the chance to OHKO is slightly less than what you said, at 43.8%),
a 30% chance your team has to deal with a basically full health +2 Ekiller (FM Misses),
and 40% chance a heavily injured +2 Ekiller still lives.

If neither team has rocks up, you have practically the same scenario. Thats not really what I'd call a coin flip; rather, it's quite against you. And this presumes Jolly LumCeus. While I do think Jolly Lumceus is usually the best set, it is also the one that looks like it is the most in your favor at first glance to me, which means that other matchups against Ekillers may be worse.
Still, it isn't +2, its two espeeds. taunt is way better than people think.
30% isn’t that bad, but yeah, I missed that. (although it’s actually my answer- I factored in the crit chance, which is .2875 and then rounded it down, which is dumb)
Jolly lumceus is the far overwhelmingly the most common, but the point is valid.
"Ice beam deals 76-90 to Mray, guarenteed after rocks, while Mray sometimes misses out on the 2hko back."
I'm fairly confident that Mray doesn't have to worry whether it will get a 2hko.
252 Atk Mega Rayquaza Dragon Ascent vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Mewtwo Y: 334-394 (94.6 - 111.6%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO.
Consequently,
+1 252 Atk Mega Rayquaza Dragon Ascent vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Mewtwo Y: 501-589 (141.9 - 166.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

You win if rocks are up, but otherwise you have a still-alive and boosted Mray, which could either be frustrating or death depending on the circumstances, your team, and whether Mray is holding Life Orb.
MRay has to worry about Ko with espeed. I wan't clear, though. My point, however, is that even with rocks up on both sides, MMY wins, and rocks aren't huge as support goes.You can also taunt them, althogh that does require prediction and thus cannot be counted on.

It can taunt Xern, and 2hko's with psystrike, but loses to scarf variants or xerneas that use moonblast while it uses taunt (or geo while it doesn't). Usually a win.

Even not taking into account that you lose to the Scarf set, a good Xern player will know that the MMY player has 2 acceptable options: Psystrike and Taunt. If the Xern user correctly predicts which one will be used, Xern wins. If not, Xern loses. Hinging on one prediction when both sides have 2 options to choose from seems more like a coin flip to me.
That's... fair. I'm not used to fighting smart Xern players, and the few I do fight don't expect taunt.

TLDR/Conclusion So you say it beats half of S rank 1v1, when it seems to me like it beats like 1 (darkrai) + 0.5 (xern, like coin flip) + 0.3 (mray, mmy absolutely requires rocks) + 0.2 (Arceus, low win probability for MMY huge risk of rampaging ekiller), which adds up to 2.
It beats MRay and Ekiller much more often for that. Even so, however, it should be 0.3 on arc- that's its chance of victory. Still, even with a higher score on both MMy falls a little short on half. Still, perhaps a better argument for me to make is- how many of those does M-Scizor beat? Xerneas, and in lower ranks Diancie?

To not be too lengthy I'll just cover the A ranks briefly. They mostly seem on par to me, but...
I dont see how it "easily beats Klefki" since it has no immunity to swagger, a respectable attack stat to hit itself with, is weak to Foul Play, and is absolutely crippled by Thunder Wave, as speed is one of its biggest assets.
"beats Kyogre Primal"
252 SpA Mega Mewtwo Y Psystrike vs. 172 HP / 0 Def Primal Kyogre: 243-286 (63.2 - 74.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Primal Kyogre Origin Pulse vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Mega Mewtwo Y in Heavy Rain: 324-382 (91.5 - 107.9%) -- 50% chance to OHKO
252+ SpA Primal Kyogre Origin Pulse vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Mega Mewtwo Y in Heavy Rain: 324-382 (91.5 - 107.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
Klefki is an easy win because of the following scenarios.
  1. Klefki twaves. 75% of the time, Klefki is now dead to fire blast. If it does live, it swaggers- in 38% of those scenarios, Klefki is dead. If it tries to sub second turn, the probability repeats with Klefki down 75%
  2. Klefki swaggers. In 50% of worlds, Klefki is dead. Next turn, however, klefki is little better off. It cant foul play because it is slower, it cant twave because it will likely die, and it can't sub easily. There is no safe play for it.
  3. Klefki subs. It is now either no longer behind the sub, or the Mewtwo got clever and taunted.
  4. Mewtwo foul plays. I don't even need to go into why this is bad.
Another big general problem I see is that Psystrike OHKOs very few things, and very many things can 2HKO MMY or at least cripple it in return, limiting its opportunities to switch in and make a difference.
That's true. However, It shouldn't be enough to keep it so low. (regular) Mewtwo is crippled by the same things, and its A-. MMY is better in every way except consuming a mega slot, so I don't see why its grouped with Scizor, for goodness sake.

One simple question, what is MMY-, and MM2Y?

This.
 
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"Offensive Pdon is an ohko on MMY- it loses this. MM2Y has a shot at beating specially defensive varients, but this shouldn't be relied on."
It kind of sounds like different mons.
 
@QT I suppose that's fair what you said about Mray.

For Klefki, (this is the SwagPlay set in AG analysis)
252 SpA Mega Mewtwo Y Fire Blast vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Klefki: 256-302 (80.7 - 95.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Not quite a OHKO, unfortunately. That hurts your matchup big time. And also keep in mind how much Thunder Wave completely screws Mewtwo, since it so dearly relies on its speed. And also,
252 SpA Life Orb Mewtwo Fire Blast vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Klefki: 278-330 (87.6 - 104.1%) -- 25% chance to OHKO

Not only does Mewtwo have a chance to OHKO Klef, unlike MMY, this shows that Life Orb Mewtwo out-damages MMY, which really puts a damper on MMY's viability. While MMY doesn't have to deal with LO chip, it also isn't necessarily better than Mewtwo in all regards besides opportunity cost. Mewtwo also has a 62.5% to OHKO after rocks, where MM2 only has a 12.5% chance to after rocks.
 
@QT I suppose that's fair what you said about Mray.

For Klefki, (this is the SwagPlay set in AG analysis)
252 SpA Mega Mewtwo Y Fire Blast vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Klefki: 256-302 (80.7 - 95.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Not quite a OHKO, unfortunately. That hurts your matchup big time. And also keep in mind how much Thunder Wave completely screws Mewtwo, since it so dearly relies on its speed. And also,
252 SpA Life Orb Mewtwo Fire Blast vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Klefki: 278-330 (87.6 - 104.1%) -- 25% chance to OHKO

Not only does Mewtwo have a chance to OHKO Klef, unlike MMY, this shows that Life Orb Mewtwo out-damages MMY, which really puts a damper on MMY's viability. While MMY doesn't have to deal with LO chip, it also isn't necessarily better than Mewtwo in all regards besides opportunity cost. Mewtwo also has a 62.5% to OHKO after rocks, where MM2 only has a 12.5% chance to after rocks.
[16:49] P1101560: .usage klefki spreads ag
[16:49] +TIBot:Bold:252/0/252/0/4/0 23.255% | Bold:248/0/252/0/8/0 6.885% | Calm:252/0/4/0/252/0 4.802% | Impish:252/0/252/0/4/0 3.554% | Careful:252/0/4/0/252/0 3.092% | Bold:252/0/252/4/0/0 2.982% | Other 55.430%

Most Klefki do, in fact, use phys def. Still, the point is again valid.
 
Why would any smart person using Mewtwo ever want to stay in on Klefki unless they have literally no Pokemon that can afford to switch in? And how many% of Mewtwo even run Fire Blast?
 
Why would any smart person using Mewtwo ever want to stay in on Klefki unless they have literally no Pokemon that can afford to switch in? And how many% of Mewtwo even run Fire Blast?
Well, Mewtwo beats klefki. If mewtwo has a nuetral/bad matchup vs their team, why wouldn't they? or klefki spam team? Or if their team is Klefki weak? Or if they can't beat Klefki behind a sub?
[18:27] P1101560: .usage mewtwo moves ag
[18:27] +TIBot: Psystrike 70.003% | Aura Sphere 44.088% | Ice Beam 37.698% | Shadow Ball 27.160% | Focus Blast 20.653% | Psychic 19.715% | Fire Blast 18.776% | Flamethrower 18.167% | Recover 17.943% | Calm Mind 15.101% | Taunt 12.164% | Thunderbolt 10.887% | Nothing 7.130% | Energy Ball 7.065% | Bl...

Cumulative 37% use fire moves, and usage of a set has very little to do with that set's viability. If this doesn't makes sense, consider this-
Suppose no one uses V-create on Rayquaza. They just don't like the stat drops, and prefer earthquake. This doesn't make V-create much less viable- in fact, its slightly more viable because no one expects it. If nobody used Skarmory, however, that would make it less viable- because it lacks a target.
 
[16:49] P1101560: .usage klefki spreads ag
[16:49] +TIBot:Bold:252/0/252/0/4/0 23.255% | Bold:248/0/252/0/8/0 6.885% | Calm:252/0/4/0/252/0 4.802% | Impish:252/0/252/0/4/0 3.554% | Careful:252/0/4/0/252/0 3.092% | Bold:252/0/252/4/0/0 2.982% | Other 55.430%

Most Klefki do, in fact, use phys def. Still, the point is again valid.
It doesn't matter what people use (I mean Talonflame is top 30 in the 1760+ rankings), it matters what's best, and since all 3 of Klef's AG sets have Calm 252/252 as the recommended EV spread, I think it's fair to say that this is the best spread. And the point is not valid; you go from an OK answer to Klefki to a noticeably worse one. MMY can't hold Lum, is exceedingly vulnerable to Swag+Play given its typing and strong Attack stat, and really crippled for the match by Thunder Wave. I mean, if it's able to move turn 1 it can taunt, but now comes the overarching question which you still need to address; how does it handle this problem better than regular Mewtwo, and where does it have viability that Mewtwo doesn't?
 
It doesn't matter what people use (I mean Talonflame is top 30 in the 1760+ rankings), it matters what's best, and since all 3 of Klef's AG sets have Calm 252/252 as the recommended EV spread, I think it's fair to say that this is the best spread. And the point is not valid; you go from an OK answer to Klefki to a noticeably worse one. MMY can't hold Lum, is exceedingly vulnerable to Swag+Play given its typing and strong Attack stat, and really crippled for the match by Thunder Wave. I mean, if it's able to move turn 1 it can taunt, but now comes the overarching question which you still need to address; how does it handle this problem better than regular Mewtwo, and where does it have viability that Mewtwo doesn't?
My point was that most Klefki you encounter will in fact be beaten. If in AG you see a Klefki, it is probably physically defensive. While Mewtwo hates klefki, It will usually power through 1 or 2 and put you in a good position. While it isn't more viable than mewtwo vs klefki, it is more viable than mewtwo vs MMX, Mewtwo, opposing MMY, Darkrai, special attackers, and (slightly) knock off. It also is rarely outclassed by normal mewtwo- the only sets it really does better at are (ha) lum vs keys and 4 attack sets, because of its better speed and overall stats, as well as its ability. It does take a mega slot, but so does Mega-Scizor is in the same rank who's one (admittedly nice, but not at all meta shaking) niche is in checking Xern. Its also definitively more viable then megaluc. This isn't A ranks, its saying that MMY isn't a total shitmon.
Viability rankings said:
B Rank
Reserved for Pokemon that are great in the AG metagame. These Pokemon have more notable flaws than those above them that affect how they function in the tier. Their positive traits still outshine their negatives, but they require a bit more team support to bring out their full potential.
If that doesn't fit MMY, then dangit if I don't know what does. It doesn't require notable support like C-tanks- It just requires rocks. It might appreciate a keys switchin, but it can power through them if it has too. It has a major niche in stopping Darkrai+fast taunt+offensive presence. It has nice stats. While it does face competition, most of that is only because it consumes a mega slot, which clearly isn't enough to stop Scizor or MMX.
 
Well, Mewtwo beats klefki. If mewtwo has a nuetral/bad matchup vs their team, why wouldn't they? or klefki spam team? Or if their team is Klefki weak? Or if they can't beat Klefki behind a sub?
[18:27] P1101560: .usage mewtwo moves ag
[18:27] +TIBot: Psystrike 70.003% | Aura Sphere 44.088% | Ice Beam 37.698% | Shadow Ball 27.160% | Focus Blast 20.653% | Psychic 19.715% | Fire Blast 18.776% | Flamethrower 18.167% | Recover 17.943% | Calm Mind 15.101% | Taunt 12.164% | Thunderbolt 10.887% | Nothing 7.130% | Energy Ball 7.065% | Bl...

Cumulative 37% use fire moves, and usage of a set has very little to do with that set's viability. If this doesn't makes sense, consider this-
Suppose no one uses V-create on Rayquaza. They just don't like the stat drops, and prefer earthquake. This doesn't make V-create much less viable- in fact, its slightly more viable because no one expects it. If nobody used Skarmory, however, that would make it less viable- because it lacks a target.
Taunt is 12.164% and Nothing is 7.130%. WTF
 
I'm just going to step in and clear up a few misconceptions. Not arguing 1 way or the other but this has flawed arguments.
My point was that most Klefki you encounter will in fact be beaten. If in AG you see a Klefki, it is probably physically defensive.
We go off of what's good, not off of what ladder uses. It's more reasonable to assume SpD keys in an argument like this. Don't use usage stats to define what's good, they're two separate things. Talonflame is a great example, there are many others. Like, only 70% of MMY have Psystrike and almost 20% have psychic for example.
It also is rarely outclassed by normal mewtwo- the only sets it really does better at are (ha) lum vs keys and 4 attack sets, because of its better speed and overall stats, as well as its ability.
Except normal hits harder and allows you to use things like Megaray, which you haven't really addressed other than to say "it doesn't really matter and anyway look at scizor"
It does take a mega slot, but so does Mega-Scizor is in the same rank who's one (admittedly nice, but not at all meta shaking) niche is in checking Xern.
Scizor is the only slow pivot in the meta. That is a definitive niche it does nothing else can except lando-t (puke)
Its also definitively more viable then megaluc. This isn't A ranks, its saying that MMY isn't a total shitmon.
But I immediately know why I want to use Mega Luke, what it does that something else can't. The drop is predicated on the concept that you never actually want to put mmy on a team in practice. I'm not arguing one way or the other, simply saying you're not addressing the point.
It doesn't require notable support like C-tanks- It just requires rocks.
Rank descriptions are dumb and outdated, a reason why many other tiers don't use/fully deleted them. It may not fit the description but it also may not be as good as the other things in B- which take precedence. If Groudon wasn't facing major competition from Primal Groudon it would be higher, and certainly performs well in practice. But because it has that competition (as well as other flaws, ik it's not a perfect comparison) that keeps it lower. Also I'm p sure mmy likes setup sweeper checks so like ekillers don't bust through.
While it does face competition, most of that is only because it consumes a mega slot, which clearly isn't enough to stop Scizor or MMX.
Except both of those clearly do something others can't and aren't directly outclassed by a non-mega which does the same thing (wherever it goes, mmy < regular two)
 
What megazard said
Most definitely agree with all of that. Especially these two things:
Except normal hits harder and allows you to use things like Megaray, which you haven't really addressed other than to say "it doesn't really matter and anyway look at scizor"
...what it (MLuke) does that something else can't. The drop is predicated on the concept that you never actually want to put mmy on a team in practice... simply saying you're not addressing the point.
In fact, I was originally only hoping that MMY went down to C+, I'm looking more forward to a drop to C base (or lower), especially seeing how things in C+ have somewhat respectable niches (Groudon, Espeon, and Deoxys-S stand out in particular to me, and perhaps TTar but I haven't used it much myself so idk as much), and unless some convincing points otherwise appear, I wouldn't have too much problem with MMY in C- with niche stuff like Sableye-Normal and Drifblim. Similar in principle to Ubers VR having a "Chansey rank" for stuff like Chansey and MLatis, except less extreme.

And a minor thing i forgot to mention: after a Swagger, Foul Play is a OHKO on MMY (about 120% minimum even if MMY has 0 IVs 0 investment and a Timid nature). Odds of MMY winning this matchup 1v1 if it uses Taunt and Klefki uses Swagger are about 0 since MMY has to hit 2 fire blasts.
 
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Alright, I've got a nomination

Thundurus C- --> C+
I mainly assume that Thundurus has been placed in C- because of it's ability to SwagPlay as well as being a fast Taunt. However, while holding a Lum Berry it gains the ability to successfully counter Klefki. Looking at the other Klefki switch-ins, namely Diancie-Mega and Sableye-Mega I would say that Thundurus presents relatively the same amount of usefulness at the same time as being able to a) not take up a Mega slot and b) present a really quick Taunt + Status that gives it viability and use throughout the entire match. The only thing it lacks compared to the other two most viable Klefki switch-ins is Magic Bounce, which still in my own opinion leaves it above the others at the end of the day. As such, I feel that a C+ ranking would be a better place for Thundurus than C-.

 
edit: thought I'd contribute something useful.

Don't use MMY. In short, LO M2 hits harder and doesn't take up a mega-slot.

MMY has advantages:
  • no recoil damage (which is sort of beside the point because Mewtwo is stilll OHKOed/2KOed by the same threats anway)
  • absorbing dark void from Darkrai (M2 is not exactly the best Darkrai switchin anyway).
  • better speed tier this is perhaps the most significant point, as you outspeed M-Gar/non Mega-Y M2
These are nice, but the opportunity cost of passing up on other S/A rank megas is too great.

Speaking of which, LO M2 is pretty awesome :D it can be slapped on most teams and is extremely difficult to switch into. Aegislash hard counters it btw XD
 
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I'm just going to step in and clear up a few misconceptions. Not arguing 1 way or the other but this has flawed arguments.

We go off of what's good, not off of what ladder uses. It's more reasonable to assume SpD keys in an argument like this. Don't use usage stats to define what's good, they're two separate things. Talonflame is a great example, there are many others. Like, only 70% of MMY have Psystrike and almost 20% have psychic for example.
Thats... dumb. Like, a seriously dumb argument. I don't want to be offensive, but here's where I'm coming from.

Lets say, in a hypothetical AG meta, with completely different people and trends, you want to use keys. As we know, Klefki is a really, really good mon. However, everyone hates keys, to the point they, at the expense of common sense, run 2 or 3 numels/LumDons/Chanseys/what have you that hardwalls klefki and can switch in multiple times in a match. It's not as though they slap them on at the end, they add them and see what kind of a team they can build with their last 3 or 4 slots. They are dumb for doing so, but they don't car- they hate being haxed more than they hate winning. Here, Its far better to use a powerful mon that can use those setup opportunities. WHile this obviously isn't the same as our meta, the point still stands.
I'm not using usage to decide what's good- or rather, I'm using usage of other mons to decide whats good. Saying that Calm klefki is a reasonable assumption is dumb. AG doesn't have a large enough good playerbase that uses klefki for that to matter. Most Klefki any MMY fights are both bad and bold.
Except normal hits harder and allows you to use things like Megaray, which you haven't really addressed other than to say "it doesn't really matter and anyway look at scizor"

Scizor is the only slow pivot in the meta. That is a definitive niche it does nothing else can except lando-t (puke)

But I immediately know why I want to use Mega Luke, what it does that something else can't. The drop is predicated on the concept that you never actually want to put mmy on a team in practice. I'm not arguing one way or the other, simply saying you're not addressing the point.
The reason you'd want to use MMY is that its a Mon that beats all Darkrai, often several in a row, without being able to be hit by a surprise coverage move. Unlike other counters, it also has other utility. My point with scizor wasn't clear. I meant that a mon that stops MRay from being used doesn't automatically and irrevocably make it terrible.

Off topic, but why would you use Megaluc? It beats exactly 1 s-rank, 1 a-rank, and gets what I suppose is decent chip on a few other mons. Seriously, it's setup bait for Pdon/Arc Ghost/Arc Ground and instadies to PDon/MRay/Groundceus/Giratina-O/MMX.

Rank descriptions are dumb and outdated, a reason why many other tiers don't use/fully deleted them. It may not fit the description but it also may not be as good as the other things in B- which take precedence. If Groudon wasn't facing major competition from Primal Groudon it would be higher, and certainly performs well in practice. But because it has that competition (as well as other flaws, ik it's not a perfect comparison) that keeps it lower. Also I'm p sure mmy likes setup sweeper checks so like ekillers don't bust through.

Except both of those clearly do something others can't and aren't directly outclassed by a non-mega which does the same thing (wherever it goes, mmy < regular two)
That's pretty fair. I've seen the ranks used before in such, but I can see why that isn't a good argument even if for no other reason than because of how its a qualitative description and is noninclusive.
However if other mega's didn't exist/weren't constrained by clauses, life orb Mewtwo would never be used. MMY is nearly flat out better- While it does slightly less, It's within damage varience. Anything Mewtwo ko's that MMY doesn't is something it wasn't guaranteed to beat. The speed is also nice, the special defense is huge, and the ability is way better (in no other meta would you say that about insomnia. It seems really strange to say). However, that really isn't true that its worse, Either. Dialga, Ferrothorn, Shaymin-S... how is it worse? Shaymin is also instagibbed by setup sweepers, is only where it is because of its speed and ability, and its not being argued about. Similarly, Dialga beats MRay if it isn't set up and Dialga runs Shuca Berry, while also beating Diancie. As far as I can etll, thats it. It can't even pull a Megaluc and beat Xern. I suppose it can set up rocks, but that shouldn't be enough for it to be better.

252 SpA Mega Mewtwo Y Psystrike vs. 0 HP / 252 Def Blissey: 439-517 (67.4 - 79.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Mewtwo Psystrike vs. 0 HP / 252 Def Blissey: 477-563 (73.2 - 86.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

And a minor thing i forgot to mention: after a Swagger, Foul Play is a OHKO on MMY (about 120% minimum even if MMY has 0 IVs 0 investment and a Timid nature). Odds of MMY winning this matchup 1v1 if it uses Taunt and Klefki uses Swagger are about 0 since MMY has to hit 2 fire blasts.
If we are going to assume the less common calm, then their is no reason to assume fire blast. Lets, for reference, use flamethrower.
First time- 55% chance of hitting because swagger. 4% chance (approximately) of crit through, so 4% of victory, 51% of damage
Second- Cumulative 25.5% chance of hitting twice, plus 4% chance of having missed the first shot and critting here. 33%., not 0.

Hell, if its only for klefki, you might as well +2 0- Atk Mega Mewtwo Y Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Klefki: 362-426 (114.1 - 134.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
This is with 0 IVs, but that isn't important because you are 2hko'd by foul play anyway and can do this without it even if they are bold.
+2 0- Atk Mega Mewtwo Y Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Klefki: 282-332 (88.9 - 104.7%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
+2 0- Atk Mega Mewtwo Y Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Klefki: 282-332 (88.9 - 104.7%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO
While this is complete and total shit, you can make an MMy to defeat every Klefki, while still beating Darkrai and MRay because MMY really only need fire coverage for the keys.

Please Calc it before you say 0.
 
Thats... dumb. Like, a seriously dumb argument. I don't want to be offensive, but here's where I'm coming from.

Lets say, in a hypothetical AG meta, with completely different people and trends, you want to use keys. As we know, Klefki is a really, really good mon. However, everyone hates keys, to the point they, at the expense of common sense, run 2 or 3 numels/LumDons/Chanseys/what have you that hardwalls klefki and can switch in multiple times in a match. It's not as though they slap them on at the end, they add them and see what kind of a team they can build with their last 3 or 4 slots. They are dumb for doing so, but they don't car- they hate being haxed more than they hate winning. Here, Its far better to use a powerful mon that can use those setup opportunities. WHile this obviously isn't the same as our meta, the point still stands.
I'm not using usage to decide what's good- or rather, I'm using usage of other mons to decide whats good. Saying that Calm klefki is a reasonable assumption is dumb. AG doesn't have a large enough good playerbase that uses klefki for that to matter. Most Klefki any MMY fights are both bad and bold.
I think what you're missing here is that we assume best possible play when ranking these mons. We don't assume our opponents are morons and use Treeko. We don't have every shitty thing on the ladder ranked. The purpose of VR and analyses are to provide competitive sets. We can't suddenly assume people are using an inferior set when deciding this.
The reason you'd want to use MMY is that its a Mon that beats all Darkrai, often several in a row, without being able to be hit by a surprise coverage move.
So can like, anything else faster, and mmy has to hit focus blast. I mean yes, I get what you're saying, I just don't think it's as cut and dried as that, like if they click sub and not void it's automatically a worse position. There are other mons that do this, not with the same characteristics as MMY, but they do give it more competition which is the whole pro-drop argument.

Off topic, but why would you use Megaluc? It beats exactly 1 s-rank, 1 a-rank, and gets what I suppose is decent chip on a few other mons. Seriously, it's setup bait for Pdon/Arc Ghost/Arc Ground and instadies to PDon/MRay/Groundceus/Giratina-O/MMX.
Yeah no I'm not saying it's a great mon by any means, its main ubers niche is to almost just insta-win vs stall which is way less relevant + we have megaray here but at least it clearly does different things with the good SD+BP+CC+speed

However if other mega's didn't exist/weren't constrained by clauses, life orb Mewtwo would never be used. MMY is nearly flat out better- While it does slightly less, It's within damage varience. Anything Mewtwo ko's that MMY doesn't is something it wasn't guaranteed to beat. The speed is also nice, the special defense is huge, and the ability is way better (in no other meta would you say that about insomnia. It seems really strange to say).
I don't disagree with this, but the two mons are nearly the same and one takes up the mega slot, this is just misleading theorymon because it goes against the one argument people are having.
However, that really isn't true that its worse, Either. Dialga, Ferrothorn, Shaymin-S... how is it worse? Shaymin is also instagibbed by setup sweepers, is only where it is because of its speed and ability, and its not being argued about. Similarly, Dialga beats MRay if it isn't set up and Dialga runs Shuca Berry, while also beating Diancie. As far as I can etll, thats it. It can't even pull a Megaluc and beat Xern. I suppose it can set up rocks, but that shouldn't be enough for it to be better.
I mean these are just short snippets about why each mon might not be great, the fact is they all have relevant useful niches which is the reason why they're not being argued about. No, it's not just about "beating MRay if it isn't set up" it's about being a good SR user with more offensive presence than any but offensive SR Pdon which isn't really a good set on its own.

252 SpA Mega Mewtwo Y Psystrike vs. 0 HP / 252 Def Blissey: 439-517 (67.4 - 79.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Mewtwo Psystrike vs. 0 HP / 252 Def Blissey: 477-563 (73.2 - 86.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Power is just the secondary argument here, but while this may technically be within damage variation this is a clear situation in favor of vanilla Mewtwo

If we are going to assume the less common calm, then their is no reason to assume fire blast. Lets, for reference, use flamethrower.
First time- 55% chance of hitting because swagger. 4% chance (approximately) of crit through, so 4% of victory, 51% of damage
Second- Cumulative 25.5% chance of hitting twice, plus 4% chance of having missed the first shot and critting here. 33%., not 0.
It's not just for Klefki though, it hits Steelceus, Ferrothorn, Mega Sableye, Mega Scizor, and while zor and ferro might die to both, Fire Blast lets you 2hko steelceus as it goes for calm mind and FB is obviously unreliable (just an example, the point is higher damage output is just very good).

Hell, if its only for klefki, you might as well +2 0- Atk Mega Mewtwo Y Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Klefki: 362-426 (114.1 - 134.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
This is with 0 IVs, but that isn't important because you are 2hko'd by foul play anyway and can do this without it even if they are bold.
+2 0- Atk Mega Mewtwo Y Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Klefki: 282-332 (88.9 - 104.7%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
+2 0- Atk Mega Mewtwo Y Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Klefki: 282-332 (88.9 - 104.7%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO
While this is complete and total shit, you can make an MMy to defeat every Klefki, while still beating Darkrai and MRay because MMY really only need fire coverage for the keys.
No, fire coverage is useful for other things. Plus you don't have the moveslot for it and you're still going for a tossup. I get you admit it's shit, but yeah this is still a poor comparison.

Alright, I've got a nomination

Thundurus C- --> C+
I mainly assume that Thundurus has been placed in C- because of it's ability to SwagPlay as well as being a fast Taunt. However, while holding a Lum Berry it gains the ability to successfully counter Klefki. Looking at the other Klefki switch-ins, namely Diancie-Mega and Sableye-Mega I would say that Thundurus presents relatively the same amount of usefulness at the same time as being able to a) not take up a Mega slot and b) present a really quick Taunt + Status that gives it viability and use throughout the entire match. The only thing it lacks compared to the other two most viable Klefki switch-ins is Magic Bounce, which still in my own opinion leaves it above the others at the end of the day. As such, I feel that a C+ ranking would be a better place for Thundurus than C-.
My issue with this is that you fail to address the point that Klefki has one of the best defensive typings in the entire game and thundy has like 1 immunity and no relevant resists
edit: lemme expand on this. Thundy is p much guaranteed to die to everything in 1-2 hits and has very few switchin opportunities. Klefki has much more to fall back on and can keep a sub up versus common threats like Darkrai. I just have a hard time thinking of thundy as on the same level as espeon or deo-s when it's really just not that good at its job. It switches into keys, yes, but that's about it. Plus you drop a move for taunt, giving some 4mss to a mon already trying to fit twave, swagger, sub, foul play, tbolt, possibly grass knot, maybe other stuff idk.
 
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If we are going to assume the less common calm, then their is no reason to assume fire blast. Lets, for reference, use flamethrower.
First time- 55% chance of hitting because swagger. 4% chance (approximately) of crit through, so 4% of victory, 51% of damage
Second- Cumulative 25.5% chance of hitting twice, plus 4% chance of having missed the first shot and critting here. 33%., not 0.

Hell, if its only for klefki, you might as well +2 0- Atk Mega Mewtwo Y Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Klefki: 362-426 (114.1 - 134.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
This is with 0 IVs, but that isn't important because you are 2hko'd by foul play anyway and can do this without it even if they are bold.
+2 0- Atk Mega Mewtwo Y Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Klefki: 282-332 (88.9 - 104.7%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
+2 0- Atk Mega Mewtwo Y Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Klefki: 282-332 (88.9 - 104.7%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO
While this is complete and total shit, you can make an MMy to defeat every Klefki, while still beating Darkrai and MRay because MMY really only need fire coverage for the keys.

Please Calc it before you say 0.
No reason to assume Flamethrower because, as Megazard said, Klefki isn't the only thing you need to hit. You apparently did not see that I said "if MMY uses Taunt" and you're assuming MMY attacks. Anyways, you forgot to take into account that confusion might wear off, and from what I can see you made errors in crit chance (actually 6.25%) and chance that you hit while confused (actually 50%). After calcing it all out I actually got something more beneficial to you (42.5% or so), but that's still a very unreliable under 50% (a far cry from "usually powering through one or two and putting you in a good position").

Oh, and that's for Flamethrower. It gets worse for you with Fire Blast. Klef can also Swagger + Twave and send you to probability calculation hell. Not even getting into Earthquake since its complete shit (as you said) you don't have space for.

And as Megazard said, we presume the best options, and he covered that well so ^at him.

Pretty neutral and/or ambivalent on Thundurus rising to maybe mid C but don't see C+ happening.
 
Thats... dumb. Like, a seriously dumb argument. I don't want to be offensive, but here's where I'm coming from.

Lets say, in a hypothetical AG meta, with completely different people and trends, you want to use keys. As we know, Klefki is a really, really good mon. However, everyone hates keys, to the point they, at the expense of common sense, run 2 or 3 numels/LumDons/Chanseys/what have you that hardwalls klefki and can switch in multiple times in a match. It's not as though they slap them on at the end, they add them and see what kind of a team they can build with their last 3 or 4 slots. They are dumb for doing so, but they don't car- they hate being haxed more than they hate winning. Here, Its far better to use a powerful mon that can use those setup opportunities. WHile this obviously isn't the same as our meta, the point still stands.
I'm not using usage to decide what's good- or rather, I'm using usage of other mons to decide whats good. Saying that Calm klefki is a reasonable assumption is dumb. AG doesn't have a large enough good playerbase that uses klefki for that to matter. Most Klefki any MMY fights are both bad and bold.

Are we actually arguing how MMY beats Klefki? It's like saying anything that can OHKO klefki beats it, which is an awful argument. Let's assume for a second that MMY happens to have Fire blast (fmiss will always be picked over it) and the swagkey set happens to not be specially defensive, it's like saying LO e killers will always beat klefki because eq OHKOS it. If Klefki was based entirely on what kills it, it'd be a shitty mon. Nothing that can't reliably deal with swagwave can be considered to "deal well with swagkey", period.

Thats... dumb. Like, a seriously dumb argument. I don't want to be offensive, but here's where I'm coming from.


The reason you'd want to use MMY is that its a Mon that beats all Darkrai, often several in a row, without being able to be hit by a surprise coverage move. Unlike other counters, it also has other utility. My point with scizor wasn't clear. I meant that a mon that stops MRay from being used doesn't automatically and irrevocably make it terrible.

It is terrible because it does nothing LO M2 won't, except its speed tier being better. It is more frail defensively, it consumes a mega slot (which can be allotted to something far better) and doesn't even ensure some kills that LO M2 does (OHKO on e killer after rocks being the most important). There isn't a single good reason why anyone would consider using MMY over LO M2. And yeah, since MMY would switch in vs Rai before being mega evolved,
252 SpA Life Orb Darkrai Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Mewtwo: 382-452 (108.2 - 128%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Darkrai Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Mewtwo: 294-348 (83.2 - 98.5%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

Unless you want to waste your mega slot for a darkrai check that can get OHKO'd by rai on the switch before it mega evolves (admittedly, by a much, much inferior rai set) and gets crippled decisively by the common rai set (with a 68% chance to OHKO), MMY holds little promise. I don't think it beating 4-5 rais in a row is an argument since no one is stupid enough to run 4-5 of them in a team. Rais work solo, and the reason for this is their potential to fall like dominos to e killers/Mray. Running darkrai spam is like asking for an e killer sweep, to begin with. So there's nothing overly special about MMY beating multiple rais in a row(which it may even not do on a switch in).

And yes, it not allowing other megas to be used is a terrible thing. Unless I'm feeling adventurous, there is absolutely no reason I will want to do lesser damage, lose defensive potential (which is huge in a physically offensive meta) while wasting my mega slot and living under the bubble that I have a switch in for rai (I don't).
 
Are we actually arguing how MMY beats Klefki? It's like saying anything that can OHKO klefki beats it, which is an awful argument. Let's assume for a second that MMY happens to have Fire blast (fmiss will always be picked over it) and the swagkey set happens to not be specially defensive, it's like saying LO e killers will always beat klefki because eq OHKOS it. If Klefki was based entirely on what kills it, it'd be a shitty mon. Nothing that can't reliably deal with swagwave can be considered to "deal well with swagkey", period.



It is terrible because it does nothing LO M2 won't, except its speed tier being better. It is more frail defensively, it consumes a mega slot (which can be allotted to something far better) and doesn't even ensure some kills that LO M2 does (OHKO on e killer after rocks being the most important). There isn't a single good reason why anyone would consider using MMY over LO M2. And yeah, since MMY would switch in vs Rai before being mega evolved,
252 SpA Life Orb Darkrai Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Mewtwo: 382-452 (108.2 - 128%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Darkrai Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Mewtwo: 294-348 (83.2 - 98.5%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

Unless you want to waste your mega slot for a darkrai check that can get OHKO'd by rai on the switch before it mega evolves (admittedly, by a much, much inferior rai set) and gets crippled decisively by the common rai set (with a 68% chance to OHKO), MMY holds little promise. I don't think it beating 4-5 rais in a row is an argument since no one is stupid enough to run 4-5 of them in a team. Rais work solo, and the reason for this is their potential to fall like dominos to e killers/Mray. Running darkrai spam is like asking for an e killer sweep, to begin with. So there's nothing overly special about MMY beating multiple rais in a row(which it may even not do on a switch in).

And yes, it not allowing other megas to be used is a terrible thing. Unless I'm feeling adventurous, there is absolutely no reason I will want to do lesser damage, lose defensive potential (which is huge in a physically offensive meta) while wasting my mega slot and living under the bubble that I have a switch in for rai (I don't).

Dangit. I was about to argue some more, but then you come on and cut me down in 3 paragraphs.
Basically, ignore what I said for what he said.
 
People keep mentioning fire blast on Mewtwo. What moveset is it exactly they are running?
I assume it's a set that replaces Focus Blast or Taunt on what you usually run, so something like:

Mewtwo @ Life Orb
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psystrike
- Focus Blast / Fire Blast
- Ice Beam
- Taunt / Fire Blast
 
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People keep mentioning fire blast on Mewtwo. What moveset is it exactly they are running?
I assume it's a set that replaces Focus Blast or Taunt on what you usually run, so something like:

Mewtwo @ Life Orb
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psystrike
- Focus Blast / Fire Blast
- Ice Beam
- Taunt / Fire Blast

I use LO Mewtwo now and run
- Psystrike
- Focus Blast
- Taunt
- Fire Blast

I've never found ice coverage to be that important in AG (in regards to mewtwo Lugia gets taunted and neutralized anyways, and Psytrike does more to Pdon), and am not really seeing what it really hits very usefully besides Rayquaza-Mega. And while a guaranteed OHKO after Rocks is nice, Psystrike has around a 45% chance to do anyway, and I think giving that up is worth it when you gain awesome coverage on Pokemon like ferrothorn/skarmory and rely less on Focus miss.
 
Ice Beam is also handy for catching Yvel on the switch and hitting the Gira's relatively hard. Mewtwo murders Ferro/Skarm without Fire Blast anyway. But ok I see your point Tiksi ty for sharing might give it a try
 
arceus-steel.png

Disclaimer: I'm sorry for all the metal puns in advance, I couldn't otherwise keep this entertaining and not boron.

Steel Arceus. This Pokémon is overrated within the Anything Goes metagame. It's steel being used on many teams, but for what? To provide a defensive backbone to what? Today I will iron out all the misconceptions about Steel Arceus.

"It beats Bouncers + solid defensive typing"
While this may be true, as seen by its ability to use Calm Mind efficiently without worrying about being hurt by Mega Diancie and Mega Sableye, this isn't really something you use a team member for unless you're incredibly weak to it, while in that case, it can't switch-in on Mega Diancie's Earth Power very nicely and is often inferior to Fairy Arceus at providing a check for these Pokémon, as:
A) It can switch-in on all of Diancie/Sableye's attacks without taking much damage.
B) Deals with the more versatile Mega Sableye better than Steel Arceus, the most versatile Diancie can be is Calm Mind tbh.

HOWEVER, you shouldn't need a Pokémon for this in the first place. Mega Diancie weaknesses are common along Stall and BO, however a dedicated check for Diancie seems unnecessary.

Its defensive typing is nice, but it loses to the most common move in the metagame (Earthquake) as well as a very common offensive typing in Fire, which smelts Steel Arceus to the ground. While switching in on Arceus ExtremeSpeed and Mega Rayquaza Dragon Ascent is nice, the only way to avoid death is them not bearing the omnipresent coverage moves required that deplete Steel Arceus to the health of Lithium's atomic number.

It also manages to beat Fairy Arceus 1v1, but other than that struggles offensively without a myriad of boosts or if you steel your opponents save files and replace them with a PU team.

"Well, it has the occasional advantage of winning ties and 2hkoing EKillers after rocks."
Lovely, I'm going to invest full SpA to be able to occasionally beat a common threat, but I won't even be able to if Rocks aren't up. Na, this seems like flawed logic.

>Xerneas check
Many low ladder players mistake this Pokémon for a golden Xerneas check, when many sets run Focus Blast rendering Steel Arceus useless. This pokémon is as solid a Xerneas check as Mercury at room temperature.

Okay, now I can actually move onto why it isn't good. That was just rebutting points I had heard before.
This Pokémon loses to all 5 members of the S rank, ubiquitous threats in Ho-Oh, Ground Arceus, Primal Kyogre, Mewtwo and even Mega Gengar in many situations.
It fails to act as an effective switch-in to ExtremeKiller Arceus and Dragon Ascent Rayquaza, as Steel Arceus is forced to switch the turn after it is sent out on these Pokémon.
This can be accomplished better by Rock Arceus, as it can wall Mega Rayquaza's attacks better due to V-create's rise in popularity.
01fb8613d8608d53c3222bcc2eeebb8d.png

Most of these types are irrelevant, see: Bug, Grass, Ice, Psychic, Poison, Steel and even in many cases Dragon.
The pokémon carrying Fairy, Flying, Normal and Rock moves carry coverage to hit Steel efficiently. This is a fact. Look at Xerneas sets, Mega Rayquaza sets, Arceus sets, e.t.c.

It's a useful pokémon to prevent Toxic.
While this is true, I struggle to comprehend the use of this Pokémon just to absorb Toxic, when it utterly fails at everything else. There are other viable steel types, Taunt is everywhere, ever heard of Magic Bounce, what the hell is Heal Bell?

My Verdict?:
Can we please rank this Pokémon at low B rank. It has no flattering traits at all, it's not the best typing for fodder (as that's what you'd be using it for most of the time). This is all further exemplified by its arsenic-knaming abilities (had to slot in Arsenic somewhere I'm sorry). I honestly struggle to believe why it makes an appearance in so many teams. I can see some use, but not A- level viability. I'm sorry I can't see it at all, maybe I'm just rusty.

I will continue this debate later, it's just like midnight and I have to get up at 5:30. This is the truth, it's not alloy.
 
I zinc I can follow your lead; that's a very tinteresting point. But in seriousness, I do agree, largely because the ubiquity of EQ/Blades and Focus Blast really undermines its seemingly great defensive typing. It dont see really why it should be used in favor of Fairy, Ghost, Rock as you said with Vcreate Mray's popularity, or even Normal in most cases. I'd honestly bring it down with Arceus-Dark in C+. Both have the fighting weakness, while Steel gets Ground and Fire weaknesses while Dark gets Fairy and Bug. Getting shredded by Xerneas sucks, but I still think dark has the upper hand in regards to weaknesses. Steel has cool resistances, but as already said the coverage moves it is hit super effectively by really make these resistances less useful, especially since it doesn't have some ridiculously awesome speed tier.
 
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