Clean Slate

[Scoopapa]

I'm filling in for Leonard this time to initiate voting:
Voting is now open

Here are your options:
Setup Sweeper:
Anaconja's Magearna
Jucherz' Floatzel
Scoopapa's Oricorio-Sensu
leonard (from big bang theory)'s Rhydon
Tuthur1's Oricorio
Squawkerz' Crabrawler
Gravity Monkey's Minior
Origin0's Gallade

Choice Scarf:
Brodaha's Magnezone
Anaconja's Decidueye
Jucherz' Mienshao
Scoopapa's Pangoro
leonard (from big bang theory)'s Vikavolt
Tuthur1's Mr. Mime
Squawkerz' Furret
Origin0's Altaria
Solosist's Archeops

Stall Breaker:
Brodaha's Mudsdale
Anaconja's Claydol
Samtendo09's Infernape
Jucherz' Trapinch
Scoopapa's Torterra
leonard (from big bang theory)'s Seadra
Tuthur1's Vigoroth
Gravity Monkey's Zapdos
Origin0's Gardevoir

Priority User:
Brodaha's Breloom
Anaconja's Ninjask
Samtendo09's Swampert
Jucherz' Swablu
Scoopapa's Aegislash
leonard (from big bang theory)'s Dusknoir
Tuthur1's Ambipom
Gravity Monkey's Liepard
Origin0's Samurott
Stitch98's Whimsicott

Good luck to all!

 

[Scoopapa]

Setup Sweeper: Scoopapa, Squawkerz, Leonard
Choice Scarf: Scoopapa, Origin0, Jucherz
Stall Breaker: Leonard, Samtendo09, Jucherz
Priority User: Anaconja, Origin0, Samtendo09

 

[Origin0]

Setup Sweeper: Tuthur1, Scoopapa, Samtendo09
Choice Scarf: Tuthur1, Origin0, Jucherz
Stall Breaker: Samtendo09, leonard (from big bang theory), Jucherz
Priority User: leonard (from big bang theory), Jucherz, Origin0

 

[anaconja]

Setup Sweeper: leonard (from big bang theory), Anaconja, Origin0
Stallbreaker: Jucherz, Origin0, Gravity Monkey
Choice Scarf: Scoopapa, Brodaha, Anaconja
Priority User: Anaconja, Scoopapa, Tuther1

 

[Tuthur]

Setup Sweeper: Tuthur1, Leonard, Scoopapa
Choice Scarf: Tuthur1, Scoopapa, Jucherz
Stall Breaker: Samtendo09, Origin0, Leonard
Priority User: Gravity Monkey, Origin0, Scoopapa

 

[Samtendo09]

Setup Sweeper: leonard (from big bang theory), Anaconja, Origin0
Choice Scarf: Tuthur1, Scoopapa, Jucherz
Stall Breaker: Samtendo09, Origin0, Leonard
Priority User: Anaconja, Origin0, Samtendo09

 

[earl]

Setup Sweeper: leonard (from big bang theory), Anaconja, Tuther1
Choice Scarf: Tuther1, Origin0, leonard
Stallbreaker: Origin0, Tuther, Jucherz
Priority User: leonard, Jucherz, Samtendo09

Thanks Scoop

 

[Jucherz]

Setup Sweeper: leonard, Origin0, Squawkerz
Choice Scarf: Jucherz, Brodaha, Leonard
Stallbreaker: Jucherz, Tuthur, Anaconja
Priority User: Anaconja, Stitch, Samtendo

 

[Brodaha]

Setup Sweeper: Origin0, leonard, Squawkerz
Choice Scarf: Brodaha, Jucherz, Leonard
Stallbreaker: Jucherz, Tuthur, Anaconja
Priority User: Anaconja, Samtendo, Stitch

 

[Solosist]

Setup Sweeper: Tuthur, Anaconja, Jucherz
Choice Scarf: Brodaha, Scoopapa, Origin0
Stallbreaker: Jucherz, Anaconja, Leonardo
Priority User: Tuthur, Samtendo, Origin0

 

[earl]

Hey Gravity Monkey are you planning to vote or is it fine to call it here?

 

[Gravity Monkey]

Setup Sweeper: Jucherz, Scoopapa, Turthur1
Stallbreaker: Anaconja, Leonard, Scoopapa
Choice Scarf: Squawkerz, Origin0, Leonard
Priority User: Leonard, Gravity Monkey, Samtendo09

 

[earl]

Here's our winners:

I, leonard (from big bang theory), wins category #1:

Pokemon: Rhydon (Eviolite Compatible)
Roles: Set-Up Sweeper, Physical Wallbreaker, Hazards
Type:

Abilities: Lightning Rod / Thick Fat | Mold Breaker (HA)
Stats: 115 / 130 / 110 / 45 / 45 / 45 (490 BST)
Movepool Additions: None
Movepool Removals: None
Justification: A Dual-Dancer that can also viably run a bulkier offensive rocks set. With high physical bulk Rhydon can serve as a solid Raticate and physical Raichu (if thick fat) check while exerting heavy offensive presence itself. However, it struggles against Cofagrigus and especially Meganium without a Swords Dance under its belt while it is heavily threatened on offense if it doesn't Rock Polish. Additionally, its speed is so garbage that all relevant scarfers still outspeed Rhydon even at +2.

Sets

Double Dance Sweeper (Rhydon) @ Rockium Z
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 56 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 196 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Rock Polish
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake

Offensive Rocks (Rhydon) @ Eviolite
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 188 HP / 164 Atk / 112 Def / 44 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Stealth Rock

Scoopapa wins the Scarfer category with their Pangoro sub:

Pokemon: Pangoro
Roles: Choice Scarf, Pursuit Trapper,
Type:

Abilities: Iron Fist / Thick Fat | Sap Sipper (HA)
Stats: 81 / 110 / 93 / 62 / 80 / 84 ( 500 BST )
Movepool Additions: Sky Uppercut, Pursuit, Memento, Final Gambit
Movepool Removals: Swords Dance, Taunt, Bulk Up, Gunk Shot, Poison Jab, Bullet Punch
Justification: Pangoro has a lot of good traits for a Choice Scarf user. This includes resistance to Stealth Rock, decent bulk, STAB Knock Off / Pursuit, and Parting Shot. It's Fighting STAB is somewhat limited but extremely powerful, giving it strong attacks on the revenge kill. Knock Off cripples most switch ins while being a safe, spammable STAB move. Pursuit can trap Raichu, Metagross, and Poipole in particular and also chip many others. Fairy-types give it trouble, however.

Sets

Choice Scarf ( Pangoro ) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sap Sipper / Iron Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Superpower / Sky Uppercut / Hammer Arm
- Knock Off
- Iron Head / Ice Punch
- Pursuit / Parting Shot

Stallbreaker ( Pangoro ) @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Substitute
- Knock Off
- Drain Punch
- Focus Punch

Final Gambit ( Pangoro ) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sap Sipper
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Final Gambit
- Superpower
- Knock Off
- Parting Shot / Memento

(would've been a tie between scoop and tuther but scoop got the +1 vote type bonus)

Jucherz wins #3 with his Trapinch

Pokemon: Trapinch (not compatible with Eviolite)
Roles: Stallbreaker, Trapper
Type:

Abilities: Hyper Cutter / Arena Trap / Mold Breaker (HA)
Base Stats: 65 / 100 / 65 / 45 / 65 / 10 (350 BST)
Movepool Additions: Sucker Punch, Punishment, Pursuit
Movepool Removals: None
Custom Elements: None
Uses: Trapinch is a trapper that helps break down defensive teams by trapping key Pokemon such as Unaware Nihilego, Swalot or Flaafy so its teammates have an easier time sweeping. However it can trap only a handful of passive Pokemon as it is really frail and slow. Sucker Punch can help with the Speed issue but it does only chip damage to most Trapinch checks such as Tapu Bulu, Meganium or Flygon.

Possible sets

Trapinch @ Focus Sash / Groundium Z
Ability: Arena Trap
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Sucker Punch
- Toxic
- Rock Slide

Anaconja nets their first win with their Ninjask submission:

Name of the Pokemon: Ninjask
Role(s): Priority Abuser, Revenge Killer, Special Attacker, Hazard Control
Type:

Abilities: Infiltrator / Technician
Stat Distribution: 70/60/70/110/70/120 (500 BST)
Movepool Additions: Water Shuriken, Ice Beam, Vacuum Wave
Movepool Removals: All Bug-type attacks except U-Turn, Roost
Justification: Ninjask is a unique priority user, utilizing the special Water Shuriken and Vacuum Wave boosted by Technician to finish off the opponent. However, the number of times it can switch in is limited due to its low bulk and weakness to Stealth Rock, and its attacks are quite weak even if they are boosted by Technician.

Discussion time! How will these new boys affect the meta and what kind of sets do you think they would run? Discuss away!

Next slate will be up this evening.

 

[Scoopapa]

Ninjask @ Choice Specs
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Vacuum Wave / Water Shuriken
- HP Water
- Air Cutter
- U-turn / Defog

A solid special attacker that break through Nihilego, Meganium, and Tapu Bulu and revenge kill faster threats.

Utility ( Ninjask )@ Life Orb
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Water Shuriken
- Air Cutter
- Defog
- U-turn / HP Water

A good pivot, defogger, and check to Rhydon and Meganium. Also a reasonable check to Flygon, Raichu, Tapu Bulu. Can't really break through any walls, though.

 

[anaconja]

Ninjask @ Choice Specs
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Timid Nature
- Vacuum Wave / Water Shuriken
- HP Water / HP Flying
- Ice Beam / Giga Drain
- U-turn / Defog / Giga Drain

A solid special attacker that break through Nihilego and revenge kill faster threats. HP Flying might be an option to deal with Tapu Bulu and Meganium more easily, but the loss of ability to reliably 2HKO Nihilego hurts.

Utility ( Ninjask )@ Life Orb
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Timid Nature
- Water Shuriken
- HP Flying
- Defog
- U-turn

A good pivot, defogger, and check to Rhydon and Meganium. Also a reasonable check to Flygon, Raichu, Tapu Bulu. Can't really break through any walls, though.

I'd replace HP Flying with Air Cutter, since it has the same BP while also having a better chance to crit. Is there any reason you chose a bulky spread with Timid nature?

 

[Scoopapa]

I'd replace HP Flying with Air Cutter, since it has the same BP while also having a better chance to crit. Is there any reason you chose a bulky spread with Timid nature?

Whoops, no I just copy pasted from a bulky set and forgot to change that. Also I was looking on the Bulbapedia page, which doesn't show Air Cutter. However I double-checked on PS and apparently it does learn it, so I'll swap that in.

 

[earl]

Sets:

Ninjask @ Choice Specs
Modest Nature
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 Spd / 252 Spe
- Water Shuriken
- Vacuum Wave
- Air Cutter / Hidden Power [Water]
- U-turn

I think this is definitely the best Ninjask set at the moment. Max speed investment outspeeds max speed nihilego even with a neutral nature, which is the only speed tier (as far as I know) that it needs to outspeed. Modest nature+Specs ensures that Vacuum Wave always OHKOes Raichu and that 2 hit Water Shuriken OHKOes bulky Rhydon. 3+ hit Shuriken also 2HKOes SpDef Nihilego, meaning that its not a safe switch-in. Air Cutter is for Meganium, Flygon, and Tapu Bulu while Hidden Power Water is a more consistent option vs Nihilego and stuff like Flaaffy. U-Turn is for momentum against stuff like Swalot. Should be a pretty nice anti-offense measure of a lot of teams, any way to fuck with Raichu is a good thing

Trapinch @ Choice Band
Ability: Arena Trap
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Def
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Crunch
- Sucker Punch
- Toxic
Standard set, I think. Banded Earthquake OHKOes Flaaffy, Celesteela, Swalot while Sucker Punch OHKOes Raichu, and the drawback of being locked into a move doesn't matter when the opponent can't switch. Crunch and Toxic are filler.

Trapinch @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Arena Trap
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Crunch
- Sucker Punch
- Toxic
10 Base Speed + Scarf? Hear me out. With a scarf Trapinch outspeeds all relevant walls sans Nihilego (and Cloyster?) which bypasses the risk of Iron Head hax from Celesteela and suprise physically invested Flaaffy with Dazzling Gleam at the cost of a 2HKO. Probably pointless but worth mentioning.

 

[Jucherz]

I think restricting the typing of future submissions will be necessary, because we have 6 Dark types right now and types such as Fighting or Bug are still almost nonexistent.

 

[Samtendo09]

I think restricting the typing of future submissions will be necessary, because we have 6 Dark types right now and types such as Fighting or Bug are still almost nonexistent.

Spot on reasoning. We do not want to have too many of the same types and we do need at least one Pokemon for every Type. Too little variation can end up to be boring or limited.

 

[Scoopapa]

Types we have only one of:
Fire
Ice
Fighting
Flying
Bug
Ghost

Types we have only two of:
Normal
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Rock
Ground
Fairy
Dragon
Steel

Types we have three of:
Poison

Types we have six of:
Dark

So I would say we could slash Dark and Poison from the next slate and possibly give a bonus to the types which we have only one of.

 

[earl]

Types we have only one of:
Fire
Ice
Fighting
Flying
Bug
Ghost

Types we have only two of:
Normal
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Rock
Ground
Fairy
Dragon
Steel

Types we have three of:
Poison

Types we have six of:
Dark

So I would say we could slash Dark and Poison from the next slate and possibly give a bonus to the types which we have only one of.

I think just limiting Poison and Dark is the way to go right now, giving bonuses to types doesn't necessarily result in those types winning and may even just create a glut of the same type once winners are announced (see how we recieved 2 Ground-types this slate due to the incentive). That and it stifles creativity a bit, so I think just blacklisting (heh) the Dark- and Poison-types for now is good.

Also 6 darks that 1/3rd of all submissions lol

 

[earl]

Slate 6: Fleshing Out Defense

1 Hazard Control, 1 Special Wall, 1 Physical Wall, 1 Free Slot

Additionally, Dark-type subs are not allowed because we have 6 of those boys. Poison type is still fine to submit as it stands. Quick info on each category:
​

Hazard Control:
This pokemon's primary role should be that or removing or preventing the setting of hazards. While it can have other roles, it should primarily be considered for a teamslot due to its ability to deny the opposing team of their hazards, such as Mega Sableye in OU, or Xatu and Cryogonal in NU. Basically, if this pokemon didn't possess their hazard control option, they would be significantly less viable.

Special Wall:
We all know what these do- wall most special attackers to hell and back.

Physical Wall:
Do I even need to explain?

Free Slot:
Let your creativity loose, as long as it fulfills a defensive niche. Perhaps it could a niche pick to check a specific stallbreaker, or maybe a regenerator pivot. Whatever you want to do.

 

[Tuthur]

Name of the Pokemon: Bastiodon
Role(s): Hazard Control, Hazard Setter, Mixed Wall
Type:

Abilities: Sturdy, Filter | Magic Bounce
Stat Distribution: 60/40/170/40/140/20 | 480
Movepool Additions: Leech Rock, King's Shield, Magnetic Control
Movepool Removals: none
Custom Elements: Leech Rock: Rock-type Leech Seed which doesn't affect Rock-type ; Magnetic Control: Special Steel-type Foul Play.
Justification:
+: extremely bulky on both side of the spectrum ; it has some offensive presence thanks to Magnetic Control ; has access to utility moves
-: no reliable recovery ; trapped by Trapinch ; quad-weakness to Ground and Fighting is a pain.

Sample set

Bastiodon @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- King's Shield
- Leech Rock
- Magnet Control

Name of the Pokemon: Lanturn
Role(s): Special Wall, Defensive Pivot, Cleric
Type:

Abilities: Water Absorb, Volt Absorb | Abyssal Light
Stat Distribution: 125/40/50/85/85/70 | 455
Movepool Additions: Recover
Movepool Removals: Ice Beam
Custom Elements: Abyssal Light: Lightning Rod clone for Dark-type which raises Special Defense.
Justification:
+: reliable recovery, super special bulk ; pivoting, clerics, walls Cloyster, walls Raichu
-: bad physical bulk, can't wall both Raichu and Cloyster, can't touch Grass-type

Sample set

Lanturn @ Leftovers
Ability: Volt Absorb / Abyssal Light
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt-Switch
- Scald
- Recover
- Heal Bell / Toxic

Name of the Pokemon: Solrock
Role(s): Physical Wall, Choice Band
Type:

Abilities: Levitate
Stat Distribution: 90/95/85/55/65/70 | 460
Movepool Additions: Flash Canon, Iron Head, Miror Shot, Smart Strike, Metal Sound, Gyroball, Autotomize, Sunsteel Strike
Movepool Removals: Ally Switch, Confusion, Calm Mind, Dream Eater, Heal Block, Magic Coat, Psychic, Psych Up, Psyshock, Psywave, Reflect, Skill Swap, Smack Down, Telekinesis, Wonder Room, Zen Headbutt
Custom Elements: none
Justification:
+: super good defensive typing ; utility moves ; offensive presence ; semi-reliable recovery
-: can't wall anything if Gravity is up ; walled by other Solrock ; decent bulk

Sample sets

Physical Wall
Solrock @ Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Morning Sun
- Will-O-Wisp
- Iron Head / Flare Blitz

Choice Band
Solrock @ Choice Band
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Sunsteel Strike
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge

 

[Gravity Monkey]

Pokemon: Ho-Oh
Roles: Hazard Control, Special Wall, Physical Wallbreaker
Type:

Abilities: Pressure / Magic Guard
Stats: 70 / 100 / 80 / 70 / 130 / 110 (BST: 560)
Movepool Additions: Blaze Kick
Movepool Removals: Sacred Fire, Recover, Thunder, Thunderbolt, Zap Cannon
Justification: The only fully special wall existing in clean slate is Nihilego, and it has a rough day against a lot of the physical threats of the meta like Poipole, Raticate or Metagross. Ho-Oh is another special wall that could handle more efficiently some of those. It also packs great utility with Magic Guard x Defog, which let it come in all safety onto pretty much every hazards. It can also be played offensively with a life orb set.

Pokemon: Probopass
Roles: Physical Wall, Defensive Pivot, SR Setter,
Type:

Abilities: Levitate / Magnet Pull
Stats: 105 / 60 / 125 / 80 / 85 / 30 (BST: 485)
Movepool Additions: Shore Up, Grass Knot, Metal Burst
Movepool Removals: —
Justification: With that typing, plus that ability, Probopass can take on most physical threat of the tier and counter-attack. It packs a lot of utility with Volt Switch, SR, Taunt and eventually Magnet Pull.

 

[earl]

Pokemon: Lickitung (Eviolite Compatible)
Roles: Hazard Control, Special Wall, Belly Drum Sweeper (?)
Type:

Abilities: Own Tempo / Long Reach | Comatose (HA)
Stats: 140 / 95 / 20 / 50 / 85 / 70 (460 BST)
Movepool Additions: Lick*, Rapid Spin, Defog
Movepool Removals: Swords Dance, Dragon Tail (lol comaphaze)
Custom Elements: Lick is now 80 BP.
Justification: A very bulky boy, almost like Chansey in terms of being a special sponge. However Lickitung trades reliable recovery (wish is not reliable) for offensive presence in the form of Lick, Body Slam, Knock Off, anything really. He's a gen 1 pokemon, their movepools are huge. However his physical defense is very lackluster even with Eviolite and investment, falling to powerful attacks such as Pangoro's Knock Off and taking heavy damage from Trapinch's Pursuit/Crunch 50/50. Even neutral hits such as Metagross's Iron Head 2HKO after rocks. But regardless, blanket walling potential and access to comatose makes him an efficient spinner that can threaten future spinblockers with his Ghost STAB or a toxic in the case of Cofagrigus. Or just run Defog.

Pokemon: Throh
Roles: Special Wall
Type:

Abilities: Vital Spirit / Sturdy | Honor* (HA)
Stats: 125 / 100 / 64 / 30 / 96 / 45 (455 BST)
Movepool Additions: Slack Off
Movepool Removals: Bulk Up, Earthquake, Stone Edge
Custom Elements: Honor- When hit by a Dark-type attack, take no damage and raise Attack by 1 stage (storm drain clone)
Justification: The hardest Cloyster counter ever. Fighting-type isn't the most reliable defensive type, however, losing to special attackers such as Ninjask, Flygon, and Poipole. Stall pick in order to handle Raichu and Cloyster.

Pokemon: Litwick (Eviolite Incompatible)
Roles: Physical Wall, Trick Room Setter, Stallbreaker
Type:

Abilities: Illuminate / Flame Body | Magic Guard (HA)
Stats: 95 / 34 / 110 / 91 / 74 / 66 (470 BST)
Movepool Additions: Lava Plume, Freeze Dry, Ice Beam, Ice Burn, Burn Up, Recover, Stored Power
Movepool Removals: Curse, Shadow Ball, Hex, Astonish, Dark Pulse, Confuse Ray, Spite
Justification: Situational physical wall that hard counters Tapu Bulu, SD Meganium, and Non-Choiced Metagross (and Choiced if they don't predict). Can also run a Calm Mind+Acid Armor Stallbreaker set. However, the poor typing does result in Litwick losing against physical attackers such as Celesteela and Pangoro, and it loses to Raticate because Raticate beats virtually any wall that isn't named Cofagrigus. Also hey another Trick Room setter, cool.

Pokemon: Sealeo (Eviolite Compatible)
Roles: Fuck Raichu (Special Wall)
Type:

Abilities: Ice Body / Oblivious | Volt Absorb(HA)
Stats: 130 / 60 / 50 / 75 / 70 / 45 (430 BST)
Movepool Additions: Scald, Refresh
Movepool Removals: None
Justification: Fuck Raichu. Bulk + Eviolite means that it cannot die to a +2 Focus Blast even after Rocks. Other than that acts as a generic bulky water with access to a few cool moves like Super Fang.