Board Game Based Meta-Games

With the new combination of chess room and the scrabble room into the board games room, we will also be centralizing both of the meta-games in this thread. The two metagames are chessmons and scrabblemons based on chess and scrabble respectively. If you have any replays or teams you want to share with the community, feel free to make a post in this thread!

Gen 8 Board Game-Based Metagames Update!

With Gen 8 come some slight changes to Chessmons and Scrabblemons. Mostly they are the same metagames you know and love from Gen 7, with some slight changes.

1. Chessmons will be played in the Gen 8 Ubers format. Dynamaxing is legal in Chessmons, but only the Queen may Dynamax (provided it is not on the Ubers Dynamax Banlist). 05/18/20 Edit: Zacian-C is banned!
2. Scrabblemons will be played in the Gen 8 Nat Dex OU format. This way we retain the largest number of Pokémon to be used for each letter!

Without any further ado, here are the official rulesets for each metagame:
Chessmons
Your team must consist of the following:

1. a King (a legal* pseudo-legendary OU Pokémon, so either Tyranitar, Hydreigon, Goodra, Kommo-o, or Dragapult)

2. a Queen (a legal* Ubers (or below) mon. Zacian-C is banned.)

3. a Rook (a legal* OU (or below) mon.)

4. a Bishop (a legal* UU (or below) mon.)

5. a Pawn (a legal* Little Cup mon, excluding LC Ubers.) The pawn may be level 100

6. a Knight (The final stage of your Pawn. For example, if Riolu is the Pawn, then Lucario is the Knight). Additionally, Knights have to be legal in the OU tier.

***************************
Your Pokemon is legal if its move set and ability is allowed in the respected tier. (eg Arena Trap is allowed on a Pawn, but not a Knight). The exception is that Pawns are allowed to be level 100.
***************************

Gameplay Rules:
1. The winner is the first person to knock out the opponent's King.
2. Only the Queen may be Ubers-tier.
3. Only the Queen may Dynamax or Gigantamax, and only if it is not on the Ubers Dynamax Banlist.
4. Pokémon must have nicknames matching their roles (name your King "King", etc.).
5. Standard Smogon clauses minus certain exceptions for STAG on Uber Pokémon apply.

To challenge an opponent, select their username and challenge them using the "Gen 8 Uber" tier.

Point of Clarification: Wobbuffet cannot be used as a Knight if it has STAG, but Wynaut can be used with STAG as a Pawn because STAG is allowed in LC.


Scrabblemons Guide
In Scrabblemons, every Pokemon on your team must be ordered in a way such that it spells out a legal Scrabble word.; for example: If your word is SPOOKY, your team could contain Sableye, Pinsir, Octillery, and Omastar, Kyurem, and Yanmega. Scrabblemons battles should be played with OU tiering and standard OU rules unless otherwise specified.

Scrabblemon Formats:

1v1

In a 1v1 format, the rules are the same as standard. However, the letters of the word need only be 3 letters long (as 1v1 only lets the player use 3 Pokemon). The player spells the 3 letter word with their Pokemon and picks one of the Pokemon to battle.
Scrabblemons Roulette
In the Roulette format, you still use a 2-6 letter word. To spice things up a bit, you are also given random Pokemon for each letter, provided by the host of the tournament. You may not choose your own Pokemon in this variation of Scrabblemons, you must use the Pokemon given by the host. The host may also decide to give players another random set of Pokemon for each round but is not required to do so.

To challenge an opponent, select their username and challenge them using the "Gen 8 National Dex OU" tier.
 
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Chessmons Sample Teams
(accepting submissions)


Chessmons Sample Teams:

:tyranitar: :zacian-crowned: :keldeo: :noivern: :excadrill: :drilbur:
Sand Bulky Offense


Queen (Groudon) @ Red Orb
Ability: Drought
EVs: 252 Atk / 100 SpD / 156 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Rock Polish
- Swords Dance
- Precipice Blades
- Stone Edge

Rook (Tapu Bulu) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 248 HP / 68 Atk / 192 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Horn Leech
- Wood Hammer
- Stone Edge
- Nature's Madness

Bishop (Alomomola) @ Leftovers
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 40 HP / 252 Def / 216 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Wish
- Protect
- Toxic
- Healing Wish

Pawn (Ferroseed) @ Eviolite
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Knock Off
- Thunder Wave

Knight (Ferrothorn) @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Leech Seed
- Toxic
- Protect
- Gyro Ball

King (Garchomp) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Earthquake
- Outrage
- Fire Blast
- Stone Edge




Queen (Lunala) @ Psychium Z
Ability: Shadow Shield
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hypnosis
- Moongeist Beam
- Calm Mind
- Moonblast

Rook (Tapu Lele) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Moonblast
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Fire]

Bishop (Gligar) @ Eviolite
Ability: Immunity
EVs: 56 HP / 252 Def / 200 Spe
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Roost
- Taunt
- Defog

Knight (Ferrothorn) @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Leech Seed
- Toxic
- Power Whip
- Gyro Ball

Pawn (Ferroseed) @ Eviolite
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Knock Off
- Thunder Wave
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes

King (Garchomp) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Earthquake
- Outrage
- Fire Blast
- Stone Edge



Queen (Yveltal) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Dark Pulse
- Oblivion Wing
- Heat Wave
- Focus Blast

Rook (Landorus-Therian) @ Groundium Z
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 248 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- U-turn
- Defog

Bishop (Scizor) @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn
- Superpower
- Pursuit

Knight (Amoonguss) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 44 Def / 216 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Spore
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Toxic

Pawn (Foongus) @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Clear Smog
- Toxic
- Stun Spore
- Synthesis

King (Tyranitar-Mega) @ Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Ice Punch
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance





Necrozma-Dawn-Wings @ Ultranecrozium Z
Ability: Prism Armor
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Photon Geyser
- Dragon Pulse
- Moongeist Beam
- Heat Wave

Biahop (Gastrodon) @ Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover
- Toxic
- Earth Power
- Scald

Roook (Landorus-Therian) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Knock Off

Knight (Gengar) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Cursed Body
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 1 Atk
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Destiny Bond
- Focus Blast

Pw (Gastly) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Destiny Bond
- Trick
- Shadow Ball
- Taunt

Tyranitar @ Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Fire Punch
- Stone Edge
- Ice Punch

 
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Is Ferroseed/Pawniard/Vullaby allowed as a pawn in this metagame?
Wobbuffet is not allowed with STAG as a knight, please clarify that in the rules.
 

MZ

And now for something completely different
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Is Ferroseed/Pawniard/Vullaby allowed as a pawn in this metagame?
Wobbuffet is not allowed with STAG as a knight, please clarify that in the rules.
yes to the first, the second is already clarified. I assume gothitelle should have a similar restriction though since it's PU and a final evo
 

UltiMario

Out of Obscurity
is a Pokemon Researcher
Some people outside of the Chess Room have started to pick up on this meta, myself included, because it's an interesting idea. But I'm posting to put an opinion that's come up between the rest of us about the following rule:

2. Only the Queen or King may Mega-Evolve.
This rule is pretty much a chokehold, and it's entirely making the meta and team building entirely restrictive and much worse. I can't imagine using a mega except Salamence (as Queen) or Metagross (as King), as all the other Uber megas aren't notably better than just running another Uber, and probably worse than running Uber + MegaGross. There probably means that (ironically, like chess) the teambuilding in this meta is so restrictive it might be solvable, which is generally considered a bad thing. There's probably some combination of Uber + Megagross + TBD Optimal Pawn/Knight + Two filler that's the best team in the metagame and once its found this meta will pretty much die on the spot since there will be no reason to run anything else. This single rule probably reduces the teambuilding possibilities to <0.1% of whats possible without it, and is probably a huge oversight from the Chess room making a flavorful rule. I suggest two solutions.

1. Remove it.
2. Your King is a mega OU or under.

Both open up significant teambuilding avenues. Both have their own flavor to them: 1 keeps the pseudos, while 2 results in a more varied (but ultimately more ou-like) meta. I like 1 more personally. Of course, your rook/bishop/knight slots are still defined by the tier of your mega, not the base mon, just like the current tiering system. Edit: I guess theres a third option to just ban megas entirely, which is still better than the current rules, but worse than the two above.

I get that this rule probably was just made for flavor, but it's bad for the tier, and shouldn't even make it to the first tour. That's what outside teambuilding/testing indicates, anyways.


Oh, and as an additional notice, you might want to add BP clause. Basically: No Geopass Smeargle as your Rook, please.
 
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Tyranitar-Mega (M) @ Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Crunch
- Stone Edge

Xerneas @ Power Herb
Ability: Fairy Aura
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Geomancy
- Moonblast
- Focus Blast
- Psyshock

Nosepass @ Berry Juice
Ability: Sturdy
Level: 1
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Pain Split
- Magic Coat

Donphan @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 112 Atk / 140 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Ice Shard
- Stealth Rock
- Rapid Spin

Probopass @ Berry Juice
Ability: Sturdy
Level: 2
IVs: 0 HP / 0 Atk / 0 Def / 0 SpD
- Toxic
- Stealth Rock
- Pain Split
- Magic Coat

Clefable @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 228 HP / 120 Def / 160 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Calm Mind
- Soft-Boiled
- Cosmic Power

There haven't been many made yet, but I can safely say this is the worst team ever in this tier
 
Some people outside of the Chess Room have started to pick up on this meta, myself included, because it's an interesting idea. But I'm posting to put an opinion that's come up between the rest of us about the following rule:



This rule is pretty much a chokehold, and it's entirely making the meta and team building entirely restrictive and much worse. I can't imagine using a mega except Salamence (as Queen) or Metagross (as King), as all the other Uber megas aren't notably better than just running another Uber, and probably worse than running Uber + MegaGross. There probably means that (ironically, like chess) the teambuilding in this meta is so restrictive it might be solvable, which is generally considered a bad thing. There's probably some combination of Uber + Megagross + TBD Optimal Pawn/Knight + Two filler that's the best team in the metagame and once its found this meta will pretty much die on the spot since there will be no reason to run anything else. This single rule probably reduces the teambuilding possibilities to <0.1% of whats possible without it, and is probably a huge oversight from the Chess room making a flavorful rule. I suggest two solutions.

1. Remove it.
2. Your King is a mega OU or under.

Both open up significant teambuilding avenues. Both have their own flavor to them: 1 keeps the pseudos, while 2 results in a more varied (but ultimately more ou-like) meta. I like 1 more personally. Of course, your rook/bishop/knight slots are still defined by the tier of your mega, not the base mon, just like the current tiering system. Edit: I guess theres a third option to just ban megas entirely, which is still better than the current rules, but worse than the two above.

I get that this rule probably was just made for flavor, but it's bad for the tier, and shouldn't even make it to the first tour. That's what outside teambuilding/testing indicates, anyways.


Oh, and as an additional notice, you might want to add BP clause as a rule clarification. Basically: No Geopass Smeargle as your Rook, please. Its pretty clear for me from the rules but it hasn't been clear for everyone I've discussed the meta with.
I have seen people run Kings aside from Metagross like Tyranitar, Hydreigon, Garchomp, and Goodra (the latter is annoying for its hydration + rest antics). I don't think removing the "Only the Queen or King may Mega-Evolve" rule is the right choice. You say there is an "optimal" team in which a combo of an Uber + Megagross + Optimal Pawn/Knight and two fillers will result if this rule is not abolished. However, I disagree. There are many upon many of Ubers you can pick (Xerneas/Arceus/Groudon/Kyogre to name a few), the King is not only limited to Metagross, and there are many Pawn/Knight Combos out there.

Please explain how the single rule reduces teambuilding possibilities to <0.1% of whats possible without it. The only reason only the King/Queen should be able to mega-evolve is because they are the most powerful pieces in chess and they are the only ones that should be granted that opportunity.
 

UltiMario

Out of Obscurity
is a Pokemon Researcher
Please explain how the single rule reduces teambuilding possibilities to <0.1% of whats possible without it. The only reason only the King/Queen should be able to mega-evolve is because they are the most powerful pieces in chess and they are the only ones that should be granted that opportunity.
Because you can't (reasonably) mega evolve something other than Metagross, TTar, Salamence, and MAYBE Gengar. Yeah, you COULD use something like MKhan, MLuc, MM2, etc but they're pretty suboptimal compared to other choices. There's a LOT of megas, and a LOT of playstyles in Pokemon, and very few of them are compatible with that tiny list of megas. There'd actually be more diversity not having megas at all because the current megas push teambuilding towards offense, and removing them would improve the viability of defensive teams, and improve the diversity of the King slot since you're not using a Scarftar or MGross as an offensive utility. BO/HO is the absolute limit of what's viable with the current ruleset since no other team types can even exist.

I get the idea of wanting Queen/King to stand out, but your King is typically the third worst member of your team (after your pawn and bishop) and that's even when you're using the OU ones. Hydreigon and Goodra probably leave them as the second worst mon on your team, if you're not using shitmons. With rule 2 in place as it currently is, teambuilding gets no options to invest defensively other than your single rook (of which can't even be like, Mega Scizor to check Xerneas, leaving M-Gross, Bronzong, and Aegis the only viable xern counters in the tier), which pretty much turns every single team into a queen, 3 mons that let that queen sweep, and then 1 or 2 deadweights that don't contribute to the game. A single rule is making a metagame significantly worse than what it could be for the sake of flavor. If King/Queen must really be that special, find something else interesting to do with them. Just not something that slashes teambuilding possibilities.
 
Yesterday, I asked for another speed chess tournament in a different time. 8 pm East is really unconfortable for all European players. Thanks in advance.
 

Reverb

World's nicest narcissist
is a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Smogon Media Contributor Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Moderator Alumnus
Yesterday, I asked for another speed chess tournament in a different time. 8 pm East is really unconfortable for all European players. Thanks in advance.
Hi, we are looking into other times in the future. Right now we don't have the staff power to support more tournaments, but we are actively expanding our staff right now.
 
Hi, we are looking into other times in the future. Right now we don't have the staff power to support more tournaments, but we are actively expanding our staff right now.
Thanks a lot. I have not so much spare time at this moment, otherwise I'd ask you if I could give you my permanent contribution.
However, if you need some different persons to do that (like Smogon Tours), perhaps I could help you.
 

Austin

Schismatic
is a Programmeris a Community Contributoris a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Moderator Alumnus
Some people outside of the Chess Room have started to pick up on this meta, myself included, because it's an interesting idea. But I'm posting to put an opinion that's come up between the rest of us about the following rule:



This rule is pretty much a chokehold, and it's entirely making the meta and team building entirely restrictive and much worse. I can't imagine using a mega except Salamence (as Queen) or Metagross (as King), as all the other Uber megas aren't notably better than just running another Uber, and probably worse than running Uber + MegaGross. There probably means that (ironically, like chess) the teambuilding in this meta is so restrictive it might be solvable, which is generally considered a bad thing. There's probably some combination of Uber + Megagross + TBD Optimal Pawn/Knight + Two filler that's the best team in the metagame and once its found this meta will pretty much die on the spot since there will be no reason to run anything else. This single rule probably reduces the teambuilding possibilities to <0.1% of whats possible without it, and is probably a huge oversight from the Chess room making a flavorful rule. I suggest two solutions.

1. Remove it.
2. Your King is a mega OU or under.

Both open up significant teambuilding avenues. Both have their own flavor to them: 1 keeps the pseudos, while 2 results in a more varied (but ultimately more ou-like) meta. I like 1 more personally. Of course, your rook/bishop/knight slots are still defined by the tier of your mega, not the base mon, just like the current tiering system. Edit: I guess theres a third option to just ban megas entirely, which is still better than the current rules, but worse than the two above.

I get that this rule probably was just made for flavor, but it's bad for the tier, and shouldn't even make it to the first tour. That's what outside teambuilding/testing indicates, anyways.


Oh, and as an additional notice, you might want to add BP clause. Basically: No Geopass Smeargle as your Rook, please.
I am not the creator of this meta but I was the person to mainly bring it to the chess room meaning most of the current rules are mine or was approved by me. I'm pretty open to rule improvements and agree with the megas especially since you showed how much team building is limited by this (either of your options work, and I'll run it by the other chess room staff to get their opinions) but for BP I think it'd be better to have a bit more play testing before banning unless there's enough people complaining.
 
Tyranitar-Mega (M) @ Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Crunch
- Stone Edge

Xerneas @ Power Herb
Ability: Fairy Aura
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Geomancy
- Moonblast
- Focus Blast
- Psyshock

Nosepass @ Berry Juice
Ability: Sturdy
Level: 1
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Pain Split
- Magic Coat

Donphan @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 112 Atk / 140 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Ice Shard
- Stealth Rock
- Rapid Spin

Probopass @ Berry Juice
Ability: Sturdy
Level: 2
IVs: 0 HP / 0 Atk / 0 Def / 0 SpD
- Toxic
- Stealth Rock
- Pain Split
- Magic Coat

Clefable @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 228 HP / 120 Def / 160 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Calm Mind
- Soft-Boiled
- Cosmic Power

There haven't been many made yet, but I can safely say this is the worst team ever in this tier

Worst is not bad enough to describe this team. This team is a failure
 
Rook (Keldeo-Resolute) @ Leftovers
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Calm Mind
- Scald
- Secret Sword

I think Sub CM Keldeo is one of the best and most underrated rooks there is. It punishes people who use suicide lead pawns, and can actually do quite alot of damage. It can beat many of the kings, and Dragonite/Salamence wont appreciate Scald damage or Scald burns (and you get chip damage which is good).
 
Incidentally, for those of you wondering about the discrepancy between the Soul Dew rules posted above by Reverb and those currently listed in the chess room (and before someone posts about said inconsistency): we'll be resolving said difference shortly. The version Reverb posted above is, obviously, the one to go by for the tour.
 
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