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Metagame Champions OU Metagame Discussion

So, we have Absol Z, Lucario Z, Garchomp Z, Baxcalibur and Rillaboom coming.

Rillaboom is Rillaboom, it's gonna be as good as ever (unless they took Grassy Glide away from it), and Baxcalibur is going to be an even bigger menace than in ScaVi because it can pair up with an even better snow setter than Alolan Ninetales, that being Mega Froslass. (Again, discounting any potential moveset losses).

More interesting are the Z-Megas, but I'm mainly gonna focus on one:

:lucario-mega-z:
I think Lucario Z's gonna be the best of the bunch. Aura Guard is an absolutely nutty ability, effectively being Fluffy without the downside. This affords Lucario a lot more staying power than its 70/70 physical bulk would suggest, like with just a bit of investment, being able to guaranteed live Sneasler's Close Combat (outside of a Crit, anyway), even if it's Adamant. Considering Luc Z needs minimal investment to outspeed non-boosted Sneasler unless they run Jolly, and can always take Sneasler out in one hit with Psychic unless it runs Payapa Berry (this is the only way for Sneasler to survive a single Psychic from Luc-Z, and that's assuming Luc-Z isn't invested at all. If it is, Sneasler just dies even through Payapa). This alone is huge, being able to so thoroughly ruin Sneasler's day, no matter what it does, unless it gets a lucky crit. Effectively speaking, even if Lucario Z fails to actually take Sneasler out, it can always ensure that Unburden is offline by forcing Sneasler out by threatening a revenge kill. In that way, it's similar to Mega Metagross, but it's not weak to Dark or Ghost, and thus also does well into Absol Z.

Sneasler can't even cheese its way through with Dire Claw because Lucario Z is a Steel-type!
 
Well with this regulation coming to a close, I just wanted to mention that Conkeldurr is an absolutely fantastic wallbreaker in the tier with its Sheer Force Life Orb set. You do unfortunately need to heavily invest into speed, but this pokemon completely fries many defensive cores with the raw power of its Life Orb Thunder Punch and Ice Punch. You can EV it to outspeed corviknight and deal over 65% to it with Thunder Punch, while other walls such as pex and Slowbro are taking well over 60% iirc. Ice punch meanwhile trashes many other Pokémon such as Garchomp, Hippowdon, Hydrappl, and Dragalge. Even bulky neutral targets like specially defensive Slowking-galar take over 50% from life Orb thunder punch. This is all pretty great on its own, but what pushes this pokemon above and beyond is its utility with Mach punch and good 1v1 MU into dark-types such as Kingambit and Samurott-H, with Mach punch giving it a good edge in end-games & vs offense. Additionally its great vs many frail megas like Ychu.

My only gripe with this Pokémon is that building with it can be somewhat tough because of it excentuating massive Fairy weaknesses when paired with many other Popular Pokémon like dragapult, making it easier for mega floette to become an auto loss on preview. It's also a bit predictable reliant but still quite strong so it can brute force past certain switch ins.

Mega crab probably is underrated too, but consuming mega slot compared to Conkelduer for not that much upside isn't worth it imo.
 
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No because fur coat doubles the defense stat (x2), 'aura guard' halves damage of contact moves which is the same effect as fluffy. Fur coat works on all physical moves wheras fluffy works on all contact moves (this includes special moves such as grass knot and draining kiss)
You're right I went back to read the description of the ability, it's really not like Fur Coat
 
You're right I went back to read the description of the ability, it's really not like Fur Coat
Yes, although fur coat would be a way better ability on mega lucario Z because fur coat would also affect moves such as earthquake which do not make contact. Mega lucario Z also resists grass knot & doesnt really care about dkiss due to its steel typing :)
 
Yes, although fur coat would be a way better ability on mega lucario Z because fur coat would also affect moves such as earthquake which do not make contact. Mega lucario Z also resists grass knot & doesnt really care about dkiss due to its steel typing :)
Meaning the only relevant special move that Aura Guard works on is Electro Drift... which Lucario Z wouldn't survive anyway because Miraidon just stacks multipliers like that.
 
:garchomp-mega-z: Mega Garchomp Z

Let go of your ZA OU bias. Mega Garchomp Z will be used almost exclusively for its defensive value more than becoming an ender of all worlds. Unlike in ZA-OU, Garchomp's moveset in Champions is much, MUCH worse. No Nasty Plot, no Sludge Bomb. Its coverage is limited to Dragon/Ground/Fire/Water (oh and it has Power Gem). In turn, this means that Fairies will have no problem handling it, especially since it LOSES GROUND STAB. LO Garchomp already does this but better, so you're megaing almost exclusively for that sweet, sweet Speed stat. But I hardly see this one become a problem, except if they buff Garchomp for some reason despite being the #1 used mon both in VGC and BSS. Can never rule out TPC favoritism.
if I may speak quickly on this
32 SpA Life Orb Garchomp Flamethrower vs. 32 HP / 2 SpD Corviknight: 109-130 (53.1 - 63.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
32 SpA Garchomp-Mega-Z Flamethrower vs. 32 HP / 2 SpD Corviknight: 124-146 (60.4 - 71.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

this isn't to showcase like 'oh wow look Garchomp is incapable of getting the job done' but if ever relevant Mega Garchomp Z does hit harder on the Special side than even Life Orb Chomp
I think this guy has enough to carve out a little bit of a niche between the lack of a x3(?) Ice weakness and Levitate and that awesome Speed tier
I still don't know if it's worth the Mega Slot again please please don't think I'm making the case it definitely is
 
:absol-mega-z: Mega Absol Z

Looks pretty decent? Did not get Technician like in ZA, so its priority Shadow Sneak is quite weak, and its breaking power is below the one of the likes of Mega Metagross
32 Atk Sharpness Absol-Mega Shadow Claw vs. 32 HP / 7+ Def Hippowdon: 76-91 (35.3 - 42.3%) -- 91.6% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
Naturally, Swords Dance helps a lot. But in classic Absol fashion, its frailty will get the better of it, losing to almost all scarfers. Its Mega Lopunny matchup is also absolutely TERRIBLE. Should be a decent-ish mon? Mega Raichu Y seems to be better than it.

:lucario-mega-z: Mega Lucario Z

Halves damage from contact moves? uuuh... ok ? It gives more resilience to priority, mainly Mach Punch. But given that it does not help against Earthquake, I'm not sure it's gonna be super useful. 164 SpA is a LOT, but if Mega Chandelure taught us anything, it's that big number does not necessarily translate to good mon. It does have 151 Spe however, and can start clicking buttons against, idk, I've heard there's this Samurott guy who's pretty good... The downfall of this mon is its moves. You must pick the weak Flash Cannon, weak flinch bot Dark Pulse, and between the weak Aura Sphere, or gamble on Focus Blast hitting, which if it does not, you're being sent to the shadow realm given your 70/70/70 bulk, despite your contact move halving thing seriously why does it have this
Overall, I think it's gonna be better than Mega Absol Z, but like... Mega Raichu Y is still better, right?????

:garchomp-mega-z: Mega Garchomp Z

Let go of your ZA OU bias. Mega Garchomp Z will be used almost exclusively for its defensive value more than becoming an ender of all worlds. Unlike in ZA-OU, Garchomp's moveset in Champions is much, MUCH worse. No Nasty Plot, no Sludge Bomb. Its coverage is limited to Dragon/Ground/Fire/Water (oh and it has Power Gem). In turn, this means that Fairies will have no problem handling it, especially since it LOSES GROUND STAB. LO Garchomp already does this but better, so you're megaing almost exclusively for that sweet, sweet Speed stat. But I hardly see this one become a problem, except if they buff Garchomp for some reason despite being the #1 used mon both in VGC and BSS. Can never rule out TPC favoritism.

:baxcalibur: Baxcalibur (and probably Mega Baxcalibur as well)

I am not going to larp. I've never played Bax before its ban early into SV so I have no idea what to expect. What I do know however, is that we have yet to see Boots being revealed. Will this matter? idk, it's hard getting a Thermal Exchange boost when the only mon you can get it from realistically is Rotom-W. But again, no larping, so I'll have to take someone else's word for it.

:rillaboom: Rillaboom

ooooooh boy. Here it comes. Terrain cheese is coming, and it's gonna be cringe. Naturally, this means that Sneasler is getting banned day 1. Outside of this, Hawlucha is gonna be crazy too. Handling Rillaboom by itself is gonna be simple given that Corviknight exists at least. Say goodbye to Sneasler everyone!

:cinderace: Cinderace

If Rillaboom is coming, so is the bunny. And this one is huge, of course. Court Change is here for a new hazard control option on an actual good mon! Fire is still super spammable, like, Pyro Ball is the freest click in the world in the current tier. So yeah, this mon's gonna be good good. Like, reaaaaaaaally good. No boots though! So switching into rocks to remove them is gonna hurt. top 10 mon at least if Boots are in the game. If not, uuuuuh idk we've never had a bootsless Cinderace tier

:inteleon: Inteleon

lol

:heatran: (and Mega Heatran but who cares)

Well, Floette is not getting banned! Heatran's in the game, and with Grassy Terrain bot Rillaboom alongside it, it's gonna be gooooood. It's a Stealth Rock setter that obliterates Corviknight. 'nuff said. Seriously though, this is a HUGE addition to the tier, and it's gonna shake up how defensive cores are built a lot, especially given how great of a typing Fire is to spam. Defensive sets, offensive sets, trapping sets, Taunt, Roar... I love this addition.
Holy Mega YChu glaze man, cut Absol and Lucario some slack they JUST got here
 
Holy Mega YChu glaze man, cut Absol and Lucario some slack they JUST got here
I also dislike the automatic assumption that movepools wont be buffed, also funny to act like Aura Guard isn't just amazing cause it means that you wall most physical mons, especially the likes of Hamu. EQ is scary sure but we're literally getting Rilla, and theres this insane concept called teambuilding where you can cover pretty obvious weaknesses of a pokemon by bringing other pokemon that benefit from the those situations.
 
I also dislike the automatic assumption that movepools wont be buffed, also funny to act like Aura Guard isn't just amazing cause it means that you wall most physical mons, especially the likes of Hamu. EQ is scary sure but we're literally getting Rilla, and theres this insane concept called teambuilding where you can cover pretty obvious weaknesses of a pokemon by bringing other pokemon that benefit from the those situations.
are these not Pokemon that are already in the game though? it's not impossible but I really can't imagine it's very likely considering Absol already has its Ghost Type moves
 
are these not Pokemon that are already in the game though? it's not impossible but I really can't imagine it's very likely considering Absol already has its Ghost Type moves
Nasty Plot was added to Garchomp's movepool in Z-A when the DLC was released. Mega Garchomp Z was already in the data, but they held off on giving Garchomp Nasty Plot until it was "officially" added.
 
Mega Golisopod
pod.gif

The biggest question with the introduction of M-C is 'What will Mega Golisopod's ability be?'. With Mega Pods trash initial ability in Emergency Exit people want Mega Pod to have a good ability obviously and with its sick design there are many angles.

Tough Claws:
-The most boring answer would be Tough Claws, this wouldn't be a bad ability for Mega Pod at all as pretty much all its attacks will be boosted most notably a 130 BP First Impression.

Emergency Exit Clone:
- Could be neat, maybe they tweak Emergency Exit as Mega Pod gaining HP when it switches out like Regenerator. Wouldn't be a great ability by any means but it would be pretty cool from a lore perspective maybe?

Steely Spirit/Steelworker:
- Boosted Iron Head would be very sick, would be very nice for dealing with Fairies as well.

Water Bubble:
- Busted ability that would make Mega Pod banned prob, basically adaptability water stab & immunity to burn and weaker fire moves would be crazy.

Bulletproof:
-
troll ability, wouldn't be bad having immunities to Shadow ball, Focus Blast and Zap Cannon is nice i guess. This would make Mega Pod a herd Ychu counter which is cool i guess.

Regenerator:
- Legends ZA Petmod ability, would make Mega Pod very good ofc but would be super annoying to face. Regenerator slow U-turns alongside its bulk will make this very hard to kill.

Heatproof/Filter:
- Worse Water Bubble but seems like a pretty decent ability individually.

Tinted Lens:
-
Always a possibility of it being Lokix 2.0 and if this is the case then Mega Pod would be an absolutely phenomenal mega. Very unlikely this will happen though.

Stalwart/Overcoat/Clear Body/Light Metal etc.
- Putting these in the same vein because these would be almost useless in a singles perspective. Would be very dissapointing but considering that half of the new megas are troll i wouldn't be suprised.

I think Mega Golisopod needs a great ability to distinguish itself from Mega Scizor which itself is a fantastic Pokemon. Pretty big bar to compete against and if it gets a suboptimal ability it could get overshadowed. If it gets like Regenrator then we have a conversation but as of now I'm hoping for the best and expecting the worst.
 
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Mega Golisopod
View attachment 860968
The biggest question with the introduction of M-C is 'What will Mega Golisopod's ability be?'. With Mega Pods trash initial ability in Emergency Exit people want Mega Pod to have a good ability obviously and with its sick design there are many angles.

Tough Claws:
-The most boring answer would be Tough Claws, this wouldn't be a bad ability for Mega Pod at all as pretty much all its attacks will be boosted most notably a 130 BP First Impression.

Emergency Exit Clone:
- Could be neat, maybe they tweak Emergency Exit as Mega Pod gaining HP when it switches out like Regenerator. Wouldn't be a great ability by any means but it would be pretty cool from a lore perspective maybe?

Steely Spirit/Steelworker:
- Boosted Iron Head would be very sick, would be very nice for dealing with Fairies as well.

Water Bubble:
- Busted ability that would make Mega Pod banned prob, basically adaptability water stab & immunity to burn and weaker fire moves would be crazy.

Bulletproof:
-
troll ability, wouldn't be bad having immunities to Shadow ball, Focus Blast and Zap Cannon is nice i guess. This would make Mega Pod a herd Ychu counter which is cool i guess.

Regenerator:
- Legends ZA Petmod ability, would make Mega Pod very good ofc but would be super annoying to face. Regenerator slow U-turns alongside its bulk will make this very hard to kill.

Heatproof/Filter:
- Worse Water Bubble but seems like a pretty decent ability individually.

Tinted Lens:
-
Always a possibility of it being Lokix 2.0 and if this is the case then Mega Pod would be an absolutely phenomenal mega. Very unlikely this will happen though.

Stalwart/Overcoat/Clear Body/Light Metal etc.
- Putting these in the same vein because these would be almost useless in a singles perspective. Would be very dissapointing but considering that half of the new megas are troll i wouldn't be suprised.

I think Mega Golisopod needs a great ability to distinguish itself from Mega Scizor which itself is a fantastic Pokemon. Pretty big bar to compete against and if it gets a suboptimal ability it could get overshadowed. If it gets like Regenrator then we have a conversation but as of now I'm hoping for the best and expecting the worst.
Based on Mega Eelektross getting Levitate But Better when Eelektross's only ability is Levitate, I'm sadly betting that Mega Golisopod will get a semi-clone of Emergency Exit.

Here are the semi-clones I've speculated, and the most powerful is aimed at shaking up Doubles instead of Singles (with Mega Charizard Y dominance in Champions's Doubles mode):
  • "Territorial Reevaluation": Emergency Exit but it only activates at 25% of max. HP or less
  • "Strategic Retreat": Emergency Exit but it only activates at end of turn
  • "Artillery Rain": Emergency Exit + Drizzle
On another note, Mega Mence returning looks pretty rough for Champions OU. But since Champions OU hasn't banned stuff like Mega Raichu Y, maybe even Mega Mence will stick around for the entire regulation?
 
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