(Which can't 2HKO Pdon... right Chazm?)
pls
Koko also doesn't get Zap Cannon - it uses Thunder as its main STAB move, which makes it justified to have a B ranking imo
however, I have to agree with basically everything that has been updated here. Whilst I first debated moving Marshadow to
S rank, I realize that its flaws that stop it from becoming S rank are based on its predictability and lack of ability to run other sets with defensive capabilities. However, having Toxic on Marshadow does allow it to blow past Arceus-Fairy, and Stealth Rocks allow it to also blow past Skarmory and Mandibuzz, which make it debatable. There are a few updates that I'd like to make, however:
Arceus-Ghost from
A- to
B-
With the rise of Marshadow and the decline of mons that Arceus-Ghost checks, such as Terrakion, Arceus-Ghost finds itself in a spot where its defensive set no longer has the niche it used to that was a boon for many teams weak to Terrakion. Its physical set also has major problems with Marshadow - it cannot boost up safely without risking a countersweep, and so, Marshadow must be eliminated from the opposing side to even attempt to sweep. As well as this, Mandibuzz, a pivot that has recently gained popularity, also counters Arceus-Ghost with Foul Play.
Ho-oh from
Unranked to
B
Despite having major problems with physical attackers in the meta and common pivots such as Zapdos and potentially Mandibuzz, Ho-oh clearly proves itself to be a worthy physical attacker and special tank in the metagame. This, combined with its Dream World ability, Regenerator, allows Ho-oh the ability to become a viable Choice Band attacker. Its signature move, Sacred Fire, also limits the ability of physical attackers to be able to switch in, due to its 50% burn chance. It also manages to act as a Xerneas check. However, there are a few gaping problems, mainly its 4x Rock weakness, resulting in teams that use Ho-oh to opt for double defog options to support it. Because of this, I do not think it should be any higher than B rank.
Calcs:
208+ Atk Choice Band Ho-Oh Sacred Fire vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Zapdos: 153-180 (39.9 - 46.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO (Sablenite)
208+ Atk Choice Band Ho-Oh Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Blissey: 307-363 (42.9 - 50.8%) -- 3.1% chance to 2HKO (Sablenite, opting to run more Atk can help break Blissey, but at the cost of a roll on Xerneas' Thunder)
252+ SpA Magearna Fleur Cannon vs. 248 HP / 52 SpD Ho-Oh: 85-101 (20.4 - 24.3%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
252+ SpA Magearna Volt Switch vs. 248 HP / 52 SpD Ho-Oh: 124-148 (29.8 - 35.6%) -- 29.2% chance to 3HKO
208+ Atk Choice Band Ho-Oh Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Magearna: 238-282 (65.3 - 77.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (Venusaurite)
208+ Atk Choice Band Ho-Oh Sacred Fire vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Magearna: 338-398 (92.8 - 109.3%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO (Sablenite)
208+ Atk Choice Band Ho-Oh Brave Bird vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Groudon-Primal: 207-244 (51.3 - 60.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
208+ Atk Choice Band Ho-Oh Brave Bird vs. 240 HP / 252+ Def Mandibuzz: 165-195 (39.1 - 46.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 Atk Mandibuzz Foul Play vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Ho-Oh: 181-214 (43.6 - 51.5%) -- 9.8% chance to 2HKO
0 Atk burned Mandibuzz Foul Play vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Ho-Oh: 90-107 (21.6 - 25.7%) -- 1.8% chance to 4HKO
Arceus from
Unranked to
B-/C
I'm surprised the Espeed spammer himself isn't on this list. Despite having incredible problems with Marshadow in the current metagame, Arceus shines through as a late game priority cleaner. However, the meta has been extremely unkind to it, with the introduction of both Mandibuzz and Marshadow plaguing it to no end. Once those two threats are gone however, Arceus can easily sweep unprepared teams with a Life Orb Extreme Speed, able to outspeed the likes of other -atespammers, such as Genesect and Zygarde.
Note: It is heavily advised that you run Stone Edge over Ice Beam on Offensive Extreme Killer Arceus - it is the most optimal move for it in the current meta in its fourth slot.
Calcs:
+1 252 Atk Aerilate Genesect Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Arceus: 223-264 (58.5 - 69.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Arceus Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0- Def Genesect: 156-185 (55.1 - 65.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (Base form/Glalitite)
252+ Atk Aerilate Zygarde Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Arceus: 148-175 (38.8 - 45.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Arceus Stone Edge vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Zygarde: 455-536 (127 - 149.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO (Pinsirite)
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Arceus Extreme Speed vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Zygarde: 273-321 (76.2 - 89.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (Pinsirite)
+2 0 Atk Mandibuzz Foul Play vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Arceus: 252-297 (66.1 - 77.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Arceus Stone Edge vs. 240 HP / 252+ Def Mandibuzz: 281-333 (66.7 - 79%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Arceus Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Magearna: 346-408 (95.3 - 112.3%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO (Sablenite)
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Arceus Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Marshadow: 268-316 (83.4 - 98.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (Metagrossite) - even at +2, it fails to OHKO, just highlighting how problematic Marshadow is for Arceus
Kartana from
A+ to
A/A-
I had always thought Kartana didn't deserve its A+ rank due to Zapdos running amok in the meta, but now, with Marshadow acting as a check to it, Kartana has become a Pokemon that has much more difficulty setting up and sweeping teams, unlike it used to. However, it still deserves its spot on many teams due to its already sky-high Attack stat, making it break through walls even without an Attack boost, 2HKOing most variants of Groudon-Primal.
Other, minor nominations:
Salamence from
Unranked to
B-/C
Keldeo from
B+ to
B
Hoopa-Unbound from
A- to
B+
Shedinja from
B to
C
I also have to agree with dropping Golisopod down to B+, possibly even B - it simply doesn't do its job of checking Pdon well enough; I find it incredibly overrated for that reason.
tl;dr Marshadow has changed a considerable amount in the metagame, I believe moreso than any Pokemon currently at A+ and therefore could be considered for S rank. However, A+ is fine by me.