Resource Series 9 Role Compendium

[Giokio]

approved by zeefable
Hi everyone, now that Series 9 is here, I thought about updating our VGC Role Compendium that was stuck in VGC 20.
A Role Compendium helps players to find a Pokémon that could fill specific roles, for example Incineroar, a really useful Intimidate user, will be listed on the intimidate category. You all can also post on this thread to suggest a Pokémon to add in a specific category.

Weather

Sun
Setters:
Chlorophyll:
Solar Power:

Rain
Setters:
Swift Swim:

Hail
Setters:

Sandstorm
Setters:
Sand Rush:
Sand Force:

Other field effects
Tailwind:
Trick Room Setters:
Trick Room Abusers:

Elecric Terrain
Setters:
Abusers:
Grassy Terrain
Setters:
Misty Terrain
Setters:
Psychic Terrain
Setters:
Abusers:

Utility

Fake Out:
Helping Hand:
Taunt:
(Single Strike)

Fake Tears:
Safeguard:
Wide Guard:
Prankster:
Beat Up:
Justified:
Defiant:
Competitive:
Neutralizing Gas: (user) (Abuser)
Shadow Tag:
Perish Song: (G-max Terror)
Imprison (+Trick Room):
Immune to Intimidate:
Queenly Majesty:

Redirection
Follow Me:
Rage Powder:
Storm Drain:
Lightning Rod:
Ally Switch:
Immune to Redirection: (Stalwart)

Speed control
Icy Wind:
Electroweb:
Scary Face:
Quash:
Bulldoze:
After You:

Priority Attacks
Mach Punch:
Extreme Speed:
Ice Shard:
Quick Attack:
Aqua Jet:
Buller Punch:
Grassy Glide:
Sucker Punch:

Boosting

Swords Dance:
Dragon Dance:
Nasty Plot:
Shell Smash:
Belly Drum:
Quiver Dance:
Coaching:
Iron Defense:
Weakness Policy:
Choice Band:
Choice Specs:
Choice Scarf:

Damage Reduction

Dual Screens:
Aurora Veil: (G-Max Resonance)
Intimidate:
Charm:
Eerie Impulse:
Snarl:
Parting Shot:

Status

Sleep: (Sleep Powder) (Hypnosis) (Yawn) (Spore)
Burn: (Will-O-Wisp) (Burning Jealousy) (Sacred Fire)
Paralysis: (Thunder Wave) (Nuzzle)

 

[Ludwigarum_Z]

Thanks much for this Thread, it'll helps me much for team building. I maybe add a line with Snarl, Breaking Swipe, Burning Jealousy and maybe Jynx for the Fake Out, Helping Hand and Lovely Kiss.
Thanks very much

 

[scorbunnys]

I'm not expert on this tier, in fact i'm pretty far for being expert, but i think that sylv could fit into Helping Hand category and Slurpuff could fit on Yawn and HH category.
Good job!

 

[pkmnmasterjim]

What an interesting, organized method of looking at the available options. I would like to recommend some additions. These are not necessarily viable, but since the compendium already includes several sub-optimal picks, it can also be viewed as a guide to the broader metagame:

Galar Zapdos has Defiant
Whimsicott learns charm
P2 learns ally switch (...)
Politoed learns icy wind
Raikou and dusclops learn bulldoze
All the hail inducers learn aurora veil
Torkoal could be viewed as a tr abuser
Thundy learns eerie impulse

Finally, perhaps add a category for trick / switcheroo (those moves are quite relevant, especially eject button whims and full incense grimmsnarl), and another one for pivoting moves (u-turn lando / incin, etc)

 

[KingOfBees]

Great compendium, I think it'll be useful for many newer players although I couldn't help to notice that Mienshao wasn't in the immune to intimidate category, even though it has inner focus. Also, since there seems to be many things in the compendium that could be considered "bad" or "non-meta", could the shuckle-chansey strategy that terrorizes room tours be put in the "TR abusers" category? Oh also torkoal could be viewed as a TR abuser.

 

[Giokio]

Great compendium, I think it'll be useful for many newer players although I couldn't help to notice that Mienshao wasn't in the immune to intimidate category, even though it has inner focus. Also, since there seems to be many things in the compendium that could be considered "bad" or "non-meta", could the shuckle-chansey strategy that terrorizes room tours be put in the "TR abusers" category? Oh also torkoal could be viewed as a TR abuser.

I'm actually waiting to get a good amount of noms before updating, and i'm probably gonna crop a good amount of "worse" mons, so i don't think that Chansey will be there.

 

[Evelyie]

I think this list has plenty of bad options or things that aren't consistent, to name a few:
- Belly Drum Linoone
- Swords Dance Rillaboom
- Meowstic on itself
- Passimian Defiant

and etc.
I understand those are things, but they carry little to no niche and could be eventually misleading information

 

[Giokio]

UPDATE

I updated the role compendium after seeing your posts and discussing on Discord, what I did is cutting “non competitive” mons without limiting myself to those shown in the viability rankings.
All mons under 0.1% usage have been cut except for specific mons with exclusive abilities such as Duraludon and the poor Hail that otherwise wouldn’t have any mentions.
This was made because as Evelyie said, new players could get tricked to thinking that options like Linoone are actually viable, and I think we all know it is not.

I also added some of your noms, for example most of pkmnmasterjim ’s mentions have been added, still no new categories but I will be adding the Trick/Switcheroo category soon.
All and all, I’m liking the discussion on the thread, keep noms coming.

 

[Evelyie]

List looks WAY better now. Good job!

 

[SoulBadguy0408]

Why is Ludicolo not in Swift Swim?

 

[squirmknight]

I think Umbreon should probably be listed with the "Snarl" users but great resource otherwise.

 

[Yourwelcomethanku]

Some suggestions of my own
you can do specific Rotom forms just do : Rotom-Wash : without the spaces

Gigalith Venusaur Regirock Stakataka Excadrill and Mudsdale can all be added to Weakness Policy.
Mudsdale and Araquanid can be added to Trick Room Abusers.
Gyarados can be added to Intimidate.
Gothitelle can be added to Imprison Trick Room
Clefairy can be in After you
Add Weezing as Natgas user alongside Weezing-G

not using kingdra sounds like throwing the game same with venu like zee said.
Gastrodon should Never be sand force. Sand Force Gigalith probably as well but i have seen that used as max rockfall does set the sand.
Also not using kingdra sounds like throwing the game same with venu like zee said.
Tapu bulu shoulndt be in Grassy-Terrain imo.
Perish song isnt really enough to justify even using Gengar so it should be removed.
Peliper so bad probably should not be in rain or Tailwind.

Some other options im less Sure on. Escavalier could be in Trick Room abusers Terrakion could be added to Weakness Policy, Perhaps Grimmsnarl should be in Burning Jealosy i saw it before as a cool tech. If Escav is added add an Overcoat Section.
EDIT: I added Peliper and made the post look neater

 

[Evelyie]

Some suggestions of my own
you can do specific Rotom forms just do : Rotom-Wash : without the spaces

Gigalith Venusaur Regirock Stakataka Excadrill and Mudsdale can all be added to Weakness Policy.
Mudsdale and Araquanid can be added to Trick Room Abusers.
Gyarados can be added to Intimidate.
Gothitelle can be added to Imprison Trick Room
Clefairy can be in After you
Add Weezing as Natgas user alongside Weezing-G

not using kingdra sounds like throwing the game same with venu like zee said.
Gastrodon should Never be sand force. Sand Force Gigalith probably as well but i have seen that used as max rockfall does set the sand.
Also not using kingdra sounds like throwing the game same with venu like zee said.
Tapu bulu shoulndt be in Grassy-Terrain imo.
Perish song isnt really enough to justify even using Gengar so it should be removed.
Peliper so bad probably should not be in rain or Tailwind.

Some other options im less Sure on. Escavalier could be in Trick Room abusers Terrakion could be added to Weakness Policy, Perhaps Grimmsnarl should be in Burning Jealosy i saw it before as a cool tech. If Escav is added add an Overcoat Section.
EDIT: I added Peliper and made the post look neater

Mudsdale is not really a solid Pokémon. Neither Araquanid
Gyarados will never be used as Intimidate since we already have Incineroar and Landorus, to an extent Salamence and Arcanine
After You is a gimmick that requires more fast-ish Pokémon (That's why Groudon + Lilligant was used) but Clefairy's speed tier does not allow it to go for it

 

[Yourwelcomethanku]

Mudsdale is not really a solid Pokémon. Neither Araquanid
Gyarados will never be used as Intimidate since we already have Incineroar and Landorus, to an extent Salamence and Arcanine
After You is a gimmick that requires more fast-ish Pokémon (That's why Groudon + Lilligant was used) but Clefairy's speed tier does not allow it to go for it

Araquanid is in the VR and should be mentioned. Mudsdale is elsewhere on the compendium so it would make sense for it to be there to. After you clefairy is sometimes used as a tech vs TR though nowadays is much less common. Keep in mind this is a role compendium even options or pokemon that arent very good may show up so long they are viable or have a niche like after you clef having a niche vs TR or chande with imprison TR.

EDIT: havent used Gyarados but your reasoning does not make sense intimidate is almost never bad its a unique intimdater a better reasoning would be it needs Moxie to have a niche which i dont think is even true

EDIT: Clefairy is unable to underspeed the majority of TR pokemon so ye it does not need to be mentioned

 

[Giokio]

Updated again following your some of your suggestions, as always, let me know what you think.

Hail is basically gone lol
Yourwelcomthank i considered all of your mentions but I’m unsure about some of them, waiting for someone else to point them out

 

[Giokio]

Why is Ludicolo not in Swift Swim?

Because it’s not a viable option, kingdra is so much better that justifying Ludicolo’s use is impossible

 

[holtbiusmac]

Is it worth including Talonflame under priority for Brave Bird/Peck? I know its not hugely prevalent but its more so, and has more utility, than Quick Attack Scizor does.
Edit: And Giga Drain and Draining Kiss on Comfey.

 

[Yourwelcomethanku]

Is it worth including Talonflame under priority for Brave Bird/Peck? I know its not hugely prevalent but its more so, and has more utility, than Quick Attack Scizor does.

It should be Gale Wings not Brave Bird.
EDIT: Should be called Triage :)

 

[Yourwelcomethanku]

Love the role compendium Giokio keep up the work.

Dragonite should be added to intimidate immune.
Tapu Lele Should be in Choice Specs.
Add Weezing and Weezing-G to Will-O-Wisp. Add Mimikyu to Will-O-Wisp. Add Sableye to Will-O-Wisp
Add Talonflame to Will-O-Wisp

Tyranitar should be added to Thunder Wave as its on its smogdex analysis https://www.smogon.com/dex/ss/pokemon/tyranitar/vgc21/
liligant should be removed entirely so remove it from, Sleep Powder and after you.
As much as i dont like it Politoed could fit in Hypnosis.

Togekiss Should be added to Yawn
Urshifu should be added to Choice Band both of them. you can do to seperate them they should usually be gmax anyways
Tsrareena is on the VR so i think it should have its own section for queenly majesty in utility

Porygon-Z should be added to Trick Room EDIT TR setters if it wasnt obvious
Terrakion should be in Helping Hand
Togekiss can be added to Safeguard.
Sableye can be added to Fake Out.

I know there are ALOT of Taunt users but a taunt section in utility could be cool. and i decided to grab every viable taunt user. if you do think adding one is a good idea consider copying this.

Viable Taunt users

(Single Strike)

Urshifu can run taunt over sucker punch on its standard set. Taunt clops is for sure viable.

Taunt users im less sure on. Fini really does not want to give up moves for Taunt. for Tapu Koko Taunt is an advantage over eleki so probably viable though electric terrain reduces the need for spore counterplay. Zolt i think could be there for sure as it really only needs bolt beak the last 3 moves are pretty free protect on non AV and then 2 more. nowadays feels like lele wants specs or scarf making taunt less useful. Taunt is probably still viable though on non scarf or specs

Drizzle

Pelliper is complete garbage change my mind

EDIT: Didn't realize Talonflame was already on the compendium
EDIT Added sprites cause i realized its much easier to see that way

 

[Bananers]

Good work Gio! I have some suggestions, however.

Fake Out:

I would add Sableye and remove Indeedee. Fake Out Indeedee is awful since, you know, psychic terrain. Sableye is solid and definitely can abuse Fake Out.

Helping Hand:
Fake Tears:

Would add Slurpuff to both of these. I don't like it personally but I know Yuki and others do. I would also add Clefairy to Helping Hand.

Beat Up:

I would remove Weavile. Its completely outclassed by the other Beat Up users, and even Sneasel if you want to use that.

Justified:

Remove Arcanine, unviable Justified Pokemon imo.

Electroweb:

Add Thundy, it has some fringe use on AV sets

After You:

Clefairy runs After You.

Iron Defense:

Iron Defense Bronzong has some use, we rated it on the VR after all.

Intimidate:

Mence is viable.

Burn: (Will-O-Wisp) (Burning Jealousy) (Sacred Fire)

Add Talonflame in WoW section, I love Talonflame and it is rated on the VR.

Paralysis: (Thunder Wave) (Nuzzle)

Add Tyranitar, Focus Sash sets often runs Thunder Wave.

 

[SoulBadguy0408]

Because it’s not a viable option, kingdra is so much better that justifying Ludicolo’s use is impossible

Makes me sad tbh, I loved that pokemon

 

[Evelyie]

Thoughts:

- Using Sand Force Excadrill is bad, it should only be Sand Rush.
- Remove Arcanine from Justified. Arcanine should only be Intimidate.
- Remove Alakazam entirely from this list, there is no reason to run it if you can just run Hatterene
- I am Ok with Indeedee on Fake Out, but change please Hatterene Female for Male. Male can use Fake Out, the female should never run it.
- Remove Weavile from Beat Up. Beat Up users should only be Dragapult and Whimsicott
- I don't even know if Safeguard should be on this list, but if it does, only Pranksters should be on the list. Fini can go 100% even if Safeguard stays because of Misty Terrain
- Remove Rillaboom and Tyranitar from Snarl
- Add Togedemaru to Nuzzle
- Remove G-Zapdos from Choice Scarf. G-Zapdos wants to Dynamax to abuse Airstream. Or just remove G-Zapdos from this list in everything, in my opinion there is no reason to tun G-Zapdos if Thundurus-I just do everything it does but better
- Volcarona shouldn't be Quiver Dance. It should be used supportively
- Remove Terrakion and Cobalion on Coaching. The maximum support they should offer is Helping Hand
- As such, add Terrakion to Helping Hand
- Mention Zapdos get paralysis from it's Static ability, not Thunder Wave, Porygon 2, Dragapult and Rotom should never use Thunder Wave.
- I don't think Chandelure should carry Burning Jealousy, or even be in this list at all. There are better fire-types nowadays
- Talonflame carries some niche and so, should be added into Will-O-Wisp. I also think Weezing and Sableye should be there too
- Add Togekiss to Yawn
- Add Salamence to Intimidate, maybe remove Gyarados (I don't think Gyarados is any good but probably I'm biased against it)
- Bronzong should be in Iron Defense.
- Add Tyranitar to Thunder Wave, also a hot take but maybe use Dragon Dance Tyranitar? I don't think DD TTar is bad
- I think A-Persian deserves to be on the list, although Quash should only be Sableye.


I guess that is all for today. I think some of my recommendations may be "hot takes" but I believe everything I said has sense based on usage and my own experience.

 

[Giokio]

Updated, i agreed with most of your suggestions. Here's some funny quotes.

- I don't even know if Safeguard should be on this list, but if it does, only Pranksters should be on the list. Fini can go 100% even if Safeguard stays because of Misty Terrain

I didn't even remember that i added a safeguard section lol, i'm probably going to crop it entirely.

Remove G-Zapdos from Choice Scarf. G-Zapdos wants to Dynamax to abuse Airstream. Or just remove G-Zapdos from this list in everything, in my opinion there is no reason to tun G-Zapdos if Thundurus-I just do everything it does but better

10% usage of Choice Scarf is enough to justify putting it in that section.

- Volcarona shouldn't be Quiver Dance. It should be used supportively

I know but it has 47% usage on QD so i'm on the edge about this

I know there are ALOT of Taunt users but a taunt section in utility could be cool. and i decided to grab every viable taunt user. if you do think adding one is a good idea consider copying this.

We now have a taunt section thanks for sparing me a lot of work writing the sprites.

Is it worth including Talonflame under priority for Brave Bird/Peck? I know its not hugely prevalent but its more so, and has more utility, than Quick Attack Scizor does.
Edit: And Giga Drain and Draining Kiss on Comfey.

I can add a general Triage section, and Scizor has been removed from Quick Attack.

- I don't think Chandelure should carry Burning Jealousy, or even be in this list at all. There are better fire-types nowadays

We have Hypnosis Gengar so why dropping the Lämp?

Also, I added mence but why does everybody want him in? I think it's garbage tbh

 

[Yourwelcomethanku]

My favorite Role Compendium thank you for taking suggestions Giokio as usual. it is looking very good now though i do have some more suggestions

As Gengar is on the compendium it should be added to Icy Wind. I think removing it entirely meaning from Perish Song would be much better
Not sure if Weavile should be on the list at all suggesting to remove it from Ice Shard.
Clefable Should probably be added to Follow Me and Helping Hand. it top cut Victory Road Qualifiers 2 and Victory Road Qualifiers 3
Unaware section could be worth adding under Utility.
Gothitelle Should be in Helping Hand
Mienshao should be in Helping Hand its on its incomplete analysis and 14% usage (1760+)
Suicune Should be added to Helping Hand and Snarl as its on its analysis
Milotic Should be in Helping Hand 20% usage (1760+)

Persain add this to Fake Tears, Icy Wind, Taunt and Fake Out. or just remove it from the compendium its in Snarl and Parting Shot
Jynx is ranked on the VR so it should be added to Status Sleep(Lovely Kiss),Icy Wind and Fake Out
Should be added to Fake Out about 12% usage (1760+). Offensive Shell smash toise does run Fake Out sometimes also in its unfinished anlysis
Porygon2 while it has almost no usage Icy Wind P2 is mentioned as an option for its analysis so it should be in the compendium.
Dragapult Should be added to Ally Switch and maybe Weakness Policy. Sucker Punch Dragapult isn't even on its usage nor do i see as very good should probably be removed.
Azumarill Should be added to Aqua Jet even though i don't think azu is good
Clefairy Friend Guard could be added to Damage Reduction with Clefairy in it.
Alakazam is in imprison TR so it should be added to Trick Room setters, or removing it entirely from psy terrain and imprison Trick Room sounds better.

Calm Mind should be added to boosing and Tapu Fini in it. Sylveon does have 32% CM usage (1760+) very unsure if you should include it to
More of a hot take but this could totally be in Swords Dance also has 12% usage (1760+).

Remove Safeguard or add Togekiss to it

It should probably be made consistant that the Urshifu's are in there Gmax form throughout the list.

Urshifu should be changed in Sucker Punch to Single Strike Gmax
Urshifu in Aqua Jet should be changed to Rapid Strike Gmax
Urshifu in Taunt should be changed to Single Strike Gmax
I know its implited for Aqua Jet and Sucker Punch just feels weird to not be consistent throughout.

Old

I already said this don't think pelipper or tapu bulu should be on the list at all.

EDITED had a few mistakes with the HH mons fixed them
EDIT added snarl for Suicune
EDIT changed persain
EDIT it seems my post is filled with errors o well

 

[pix]

(Hypnosis)

yo could you add goth and politoed to the hypnosis category?