Resource 1v1 Sets Viability Rankings

[The Official Glyx]

Art by AmirAlexander
Sets VR​

• Similar to the main VR, the Sets VR is also on a 2 month nomination cycle, and shall also have its nomination list presented beneath it, as well as its nomination deadline being shown and made clear.
• When making nominations for the Sets VR, please keep in mind that a set's rank should never surpass the main VR ranking of its user. Conversely, not all sets of a Pokemon will be as viable as the user's rank (see: Choice Scarf Tapu Lele).
• The Sets VR will not have an Untested Rank, so please be sure to be thorough when nominating new sets that currently aren't on the Sets VR, or else they may not end up getting ranked!
• The deadline for next cycle's sets VR nomination is March 6th

By popular demand of one person, we are now including links to previous Sets VR updates:

• Cycle 1
• Cycle 2 | nom list
• Cycle 3 | nom list
• Cycle 4 | nom list

S Rank

Charizard-Mega-X

Offensive: A+
Specially Defensive: A+
Physically Defensive: A
Curse: B+

Dragonite

Z-Outrage: S
Z-Fly: A+
Choice Band: A
Z-Hurricane: A
Z-Draco Meteor: A-

Gyarados-Mega

Dragon Dance: S

S- Rank

Magearna

Fairium Z: A+
Choice Specs: B+

A+ Rank

Charizard-Mega-Y

Bulky: A+
Fast: A

Greninja

Substitute+Torrent: A-
Life Orb: A-
Choice Specs: A-
Choice Band: B
Choice Scarf: D

Metagross-Mega

Physically Defensive: A
Offensive: B
Specially Defensive: B+

Porygon-Z

Z-Conversion: A+
Choice Scarf: A
Choice Specs: B
Custap Berry: C+

Tapu Lele

Psychium Z: A+
Choice Scarf: C+

A Rank

Gardevoir-Mega

Bulky Attacker: A-
Offensive: B

Magnezone

Electrium Z: A
Choice Specs: B+

Meloetta

Z-Celebrate: A
Z-Laser Focus: A
Choice Specs: B-

Mew

Kee Berry Mew: A-
Genesis Supernova: B+

Slowbro-Mega

Setup Stall: A

Zygarde-Complete

Physically Defensive Groundium Z: A
Offensive Groundium Z: B
Dragonium Z: B

A- Rank

Aegislash

Special: A-
Physical: B-

Kommo-o

Specially Defensive: B+
Offensive: B
Haban Berry: C-

Landorus-Therian

Groundium Z: A-
Flyinium Z: B+
Choice Scarf: C+

Tapu Fini

Waterium Z: B+
Tapunium Z: B+
Choice Specs: C+

Zeraora

Electrium Z: B+
Choice Band: B-
Life Orb: B-
Dragonium Z: C

B+ Rank

Altaria-Mega

Defensive: B+
Confide: B
Specially Defensive Dragon Dance: B
Offensive Dragon Dance: B-
Cotton Guard+3 Attacks: C

Celesteela

Steelium Z: B+
Leech Seed: B
Choice Specs: B-
Maranga Berry: D

Clefable

Psychium Z: B+

Donphan

Choice Band: B+
Groundium Z: B+
Rockium Z: C+

Garchomp

Choice Band: B
Groundium Z: B
Dragonium Z: B-
Haban Berry: C-
Choice Scarf: B-

Genesect

Offensive Choice Specs: B+
Steelium Z: B
Bulky Choice Specs: B+
Choice Scarf: B-

Heatran

Air Balloon: B
Z-Solar Beam: B-

Jumpluff

Grassium Z: B+
Wide Lens: B+

Mawile-Mega

Offensive: B
Specially Defensive: B
Physically Defensive: C

Primarina

Waterium Z: B
Primarium Z: B+
Icy Wind+Substitute: B+
Z-Baby Doll Eyes: B
Choice Specs: B-

Sableye-Mega

Specially Defensive: B

Serperior

Grassium Z: B+
Psychium Z: C

Togekiss

Z-Thunder Wave: B+
Z-Charm: B-
Choice Scarf: C+

Tyranitar-Mega

Bulky Offensive: B+
Iron Defense Stall: B-

Venusaur-Mega

Defensive: B+
Sleep Powder+Leech Seed: B+

Victini

Psychium Z: B
Choice Band: B
Icium Z: C+
Choice Scarf: C+
Z-Celebrate: B-

B Rank

Blaziken-Mega

Mega All-Out Attacker: B

Crustle

Rockium Z: B

Ferrothorn

Grassium Z: B
Defensive Leech Seed: B
Z-Confide: B-

Hoopa-Unbound

Choice Band: B-
Choice Specs: B-
Z-move: C+
Choice Scarf: C+

Incineroar

Incinium Z: B

Kartana

Grassium Z: B
Choice Band: B
Choice Scarf: C

Lopunny-Mega

Offensive: B
Substitute+Flail: B
Substitute+Encore: C+

Naganadel

Choice Specs: B
Dragonium Z: B-
Firium Z: B-
Poisonium Z: C-

Necrozma

Choice Specs: B
Stored Power: B

Pheromosa

Fightinium Z: C+
Choice Band: C
Choice Specs: C
Icium Z: C-

Pinsir-Mega

Offensive: B
Substitute+Flail: B-

Porygon2

Defensive: B-
Curse: C
Offensive: C-

Registeel

Double Dance Stall: B

Sawk

Fightinium Z: C+
Choice Band: C+
Choice Scarf: C
Custap Berry: C

Scizor-Mega

Curse: B

Type:Null

PP Stall: B

Volcarona

Offensive Quiver Dance + Z-move: B
Defensive Quiver Dance + Z-move: B

B- Rank

Aggron-Mega

Metal Burst: B-
Curse+Rest: B-

Archeops

Choice Band: B-
Choice Scarf: C+
Z-move: C+

Camerupt-Mega

Yawn: B-
Specially Defensive: C-

Carracosta

Waterium Z: B-
Rockium Z: C

Deoxys-Speed

Psychium Z: B-
Choice Specs: C+
Setup PP Stall: B-
Substitute PP Stall: C-

Diancie-Mega

3 Attacks: B-
All-Out Attacker: C+

Golem

Groundium Z: B-
Rockium Z: C+

Haxorus

Choice Band: B-
Choice Scarf: B-
Z-move: C-

Krookodile

Groundium Z: B-

Kyurem

Z-Noble Roar: B-
Groundium Z: B-
Icium Z: B-
Haban Berry: C

Latias-Mega

Reflect Type: B-
Stored Power: C-

Magneton

Electrium Z: B-

Manaphy

Waterium Z: B-
Custap Berry: C

Medicham-Mega

All-Out Attacker: B-

Swampert-Mega

Yawn: B-
CounterCoat: C

Tapu Bulu

Grassium Z: B-
Choice Scarf: C+
Assault Vest: C+
Leech Seed Stall: C-

Vivillon

Sleep Trap: B-

Whimsicott

Babiri Berry: B-
Occa Berry: C+

Zapdos

Electrium Z: B-

C+ Rank

Aggron

Rockium Z: C+

Araquanid

Waterium Z: C+
Z-Stockpile: D

Audino-Mega

PP Stall: C+

Avalugg

Groundium Z: C+
Choice Band: C

Blacephalon

Ghostium Z: C+
Choice Scarf: C+
Choice Specs: C-

Blissey

Z-Charm: C+

Chansey

Defensive: C+

Durant

Choice Band: C+
Choice Scarf: C-

Emboar

Choice Scarf: C+
Choice Band: C

Entei

Rockium Z: C+

Gallade-Mega

Bulk Up+Will-O-Wisp: C+
Offensive: C

Gengar-Mega

Will-O-Wisp: C+
HypnoHex: C+

Gigalith

Rockium Z: C+

Gyarados

Flyinium Z: C+

Heracross-Mega

All-Out Attacker: C+
3 Attacks: C+

Latios

Psychium Z: C+
Choice Scarf: C
Choice Specs: C+

Nihilego

Choice Specs: C+
Rockium Z: C+

Quagsire

Z-Stockpile: C+

Raikou

Electrium Z: C+

Regice

Icium Z: C+

Rotom-Heat

Electrium Z: C+

Salamence

Dragonium Z: C+

Scolipede

Buginium Z: C+
Poisonium Z: C
Liechi Berry: C

Scrafty

Darkinium Z: C+

Skarmory

Flyinium Z: C+

Steelix-Mega

Curse: C+

Terrakion

Rockium Z: C+
Choice Band: C-

Umbreon

Z-Charm: C+

Xurkitree

Electrium Z: C+

C Rank

Ambipom

Normalium-Z: C

Aerodactyl-Mega

All-Out Attacker: C

Blastoise-Mega

All-Out Attacker: C
CounterCoat: C

Blaziken

Substitute+Reversal: C
Life Orb: C
Firium Z: C

Buzzwole

Choice Band: C
Z-move: C
Assault Vest: C
Choice Scarf: C

Celebi

Psychium Z: C

Crobat

Poisonium Z: C
Flyinium Z: C-

Darmanitan

Choice Scarf: C

Diggersby

Choice Scarf: C

Empoleon

Waterium Z: C

Excadrill

Groundium Z: C
Choice Scarf: C-

Infernape

Life Orb: C
Grassium Z: C-
Fightinium Z: C-
Sub + Petaya: C-
Sub + Liechi: C-

Garchomp-Mega

Physically Defensive Mega: C
Specially Defensive Mega: C

Keldeo

Waterium Z: C
Fightinium Z: C

Lucario-Mega

All-Out Attacker: C
Substitute+Reversal: D

Lycanroc-Dusk

Splintered Stormshards: C

Marowak-Alola

All-Out Attacker: C

Milotic

Waterium Z: C

Pidgeot-Mega

Feather Dance: C

Pyukumuku

PP Stall: C
Hail: C-
Soak+Toxic: C-
Counter+Taunt: C-

Rhyperior

Z-move: C
Choice Band: C-
Assault Vest: D
Custap Berry: C

Rotom-Wash

Electrium Z: C

Slaking

Choice Band: C

Smeargle

Spore+Imprison+Transform: C

Talonflame

Flyinium Z: C

Thundurus

Electrium Z: C

Thundurus-Therian

Electrium Z: C
Choice Specs: C
Choice Scarf: C-

Volcanion

Choice Specs: C
Z-move: C-
Choice Scarf: C-

C- Rank

Alakazam

Psychium Z: C

Alakazam-Mega

Calm Mind+3 Attacks: D
Encore+Disable: D

Azumarill

Choice Band: D
Z-Belly Drum: D
Z-Charm: C-

Delphox

Firium Z: C-

Hydreigon

Choice Scarf: C-
Choice Specs: C-

Illumise

Z-Charm: C-
Z-Confide: C-

Landorus

Life Orb: C-
Choice Scarf: C-

Muk-Alola

Aguav Berry + Recycle: C-

Ninetales-Alola

Fairium Z: C-

Reuniclus

Psychium Z: C-

Salazzle

Poisonium Z: C-
Firium Z: D

Sceptile-Mega

Mega All-Out Attacker: C-

Staraptor

Flyinium Z: C-
Choice Band: D

Suicune

Setup Stall: C-

Trevenant

Iapapa Berry Harvest Stall: C-

Tyranitar

Rockium Z: C-

Vaporeon

Yawn: C-

Weavile

Darkinium: C-

D Rank

Abomasnow-Mega

Offensive: D

Ampharos-Mega

Bulky Offensive: D

Arcanine

Defensive: D

Aron

FEAR: D

Bellossom

Grassium Z: D

Breloom

Toxic Orb: D
Z-Snatch: D

Chandelure

Ghostium Z: D

Chesnaught

Grassium Z: D
Rocky Helmet: D

Cloyster

Life Orb: D
Choice Scarf: D

Dhelmise

Grassium Z: D

Gliscor

Toxic Orb: D

Hawlucha

Flyinium Z: D

Lilligant

Grassium Z: D

Mamoswine

Choice Scarf: D

Rampardos

Choice Scarf: D

Relicanth

Rockium Z: D

Riolu

Custap Berry+Copycat+Dig: D

Roserade

Sleep Powder + Leech Seed: D

Rotom-Mow

Electrium Z: D

Sceptile

Substitute+Overgrow: D

Shedinja

Wonder Guard Wall: D

Stakataka

Choice Band: D

Sylveon

Choice Specs: D

Togedemaru

FEAR: D
Liechi Berry: D
Toxic Stall: D

The deadline for next cycle's sets VR nomination is August 8th

Sets VR Nomination List

Choice Band Garchomp B > B- : Osra

Maranga Berry Celesteela UR > D : AllFourtyOne

 

[Morgan]

I’d like to nominate custap manaphy for like C
Nominating Band Lycanroc for C
I’d also like to nominate a set me and Elo Bandit built together for D or C- or C
Sawk @ Custap Berry
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Naughty Nature
IVs: 8 SpD
- Close Combat
- Laser Focus
- Poison Jab
- Ice Punch
8 spd IVs makes sure timid magnezone activates Custap with Electroweb
It’s a basic custap sturdy with laser focus, which lets it beat Tapu Lele and other fairies and dragons.

Rank haban Kyurem C

 

[Morgan]

Haban Berry Kyurem UR -> C+

Kyurem @ Haban Berry
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 72 Def / 96 SpA / 88 SpD
Calm Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Glaciate
- Rock Tomb
- Earth Power / Laser Focus

Beats Zards, Dnite, Chomp, Haxorus (even band), naga, spdef kommo-o, Scarf Kartana, potentially Gyara, PZ, rolls v Greninja, Zygod, Zone, Alt, Zera, Heatran, Quite a few others

Drop Specs Fini to like C
I’ve never seen this set win, I don’t see it having a real niche over either GoA or Waterium

 

[Synonimous]

This is part 2 of my big boi VR update. You can find the first part here. I looked at every set currently listed in the set rankings and may have made a few changes. At the end will be a list of the changes and major changes. Some of the changes are just tweaking the names of the sets to make them a bit more clear, don’t be too alarmed.

TLDR:
Offensive Zard X: S -> A+
Belly Drum X: UR -> S
Curse X: A- -> UR

Dragonite
Flyinium Z: S -> Z Fly S
Z Hurricane: S
Dragonium Z: A+ -> Z Draco Meteor: A+
Z Outrage: UR -> A+

MGyara
Dragon Dance: S -> DD + Taunt: S
DD + 3 Attacks: UR -> A+

Gren
Choice Specs: A- -> A

Slowbro
Setup Stall: A -> Calm Mind: A-
Amnesia: UR -> A

Zygod
Groundium Z: A- -> A

LandoT
Flyinium Z: A- -> B
Choice Scarf: UR -> B-

Zone
Electrium Z: A- -> A

Mew
Kew: A- -> A
Genesis Supernova: B -> A-

Aegislash
Special: B+ -> A-

Donphan
Groundium Z: B- -> B+
Rockium Z: C -> C+
Endeavor: UR -> B+

Genesect
Bulky Choice Specs: B- -> B

Kommo-o
Specially Defensive: B+ -> A
Offensive: B -> UR

Primarina
Waterium Z: B+ -> A-
Icy Wind + Sub UR -> B+

Tapu Fini
Tapunium Z: B+ -> A-
Choice Specs: B -> B-

Tyranitar
Iron Defense Stall: B -> B-

Zeraora
Dragonium Z: C- -> B-

Celesteela
Steelium Z: B -> B+

Mega Sableye
Specially Defensive: B- -> Snarl + Foul Play: B
Taunt + Metal Burst: B+

Clefable
Psychium Z: B- -> A-

Deoxys S
Psychium Z: B- -> Z Screens B-
PP Stall UR -> C+
Choice Specs: C+ -> B-


Incineroar
Incinium Z: B- -> B

Carracosta
Waterium Z: C+ -> B-
Rockium Z: C- -> C

Nihilego
Rockium Z: C -> C+

Porygon2
Defensive: C+ -> B-

Magneton
Electrium Z: C -> B

Pyukumuku
Counter+Taunt: D -> UR

Raikou
Electrium Z: C -> B-

Rhyperior
Choice Band: C- -> UR
Custap: UR -> C

Umbreon
Z-Charm: C -> C+

Alakazam
Barrier: C- -> UR
Psychium Z: C- -> UR
Calm Mind+3 Attacks: D -> UR
All-Out Attacker: D -> C-
Encore+Disable: D -> C-
Counter: D -> UR

Staraptor
Flyinium Z: C-
Choice Band: UR -> C-

Type:Null
PP Stall: C- -> Setup Stall: C+

Mega Abomasnow
Offensive: D -> UR

Araquanid
Z-Stockpile: UR -> D/C-

Smeargle
Spore+Imprison+Transform: D -> C

The Noms

S Rank

Offensive X: S -> A+

Fast Char X’s end up losing to Gren and other mons which can be beaten with bulkier Char X spreads without losing out on much.
Bulky X: S

Belly Drum X: UR -> S

Belly drum is an incredibly potent stall-breaking set that many can argue is Zard’s best set. The fact that this is not even ranked is wack.

Curse X: A- -> UR

No one uses this over better options. The goal of sets VR is to rank viable sets. UR please.

Bulky Y: A+
Fast Y: A

Flyinium Z: S -> Z Fly S
Z Hurricane: S
Dragonium Z: A+ -> Z Draco Meteor: A+
Choice Band: A
Z Outrage: UR -> A+
Z DD + Outrage is very strong, and is at least A+ in the current meta. Also, in general you have to differentiate between these sets, as the physical and special Dragonite sets beat different things.

Dragon Dance: S -> DD + Taunt S
DD + 3 Attacks: UR -> A+
Just want to separate taunt MGyara from non-taunt. Taunt has a lot more matchups where it wins than DD + 3 Attacks


A+ Rank
No Changes

A Rank

Substitute+Torrent: A-
Life Orb: A-
Choice Specs: A- -> A
Specs is a very strong set that beats most Gyaras and Dnites and is a constant threat to ev for. Dark Pulse also beats Mew and Meloetta as well as most Metagrosses, while HPF beats Magearna.

Choice Band: B

Setup Stall: A -> Calm Mind: A-
Just wanted to differentiate the CM and Amnesia sets, probably not necessary
Amnesia: UR -> A

Groundium Z: A- -> A
This set is A tier. If it's an A tier mon, why is it's main (only) set not A tier?

Dragonium Z: B


A- Rank

Groundium Z: A-

Flyinium Z: A- -> B

Choice Scarf: UR -> B-

Flynium Z really not that seen or good anymore. Scarf should’ve been included as it’s actually a solid set that can beat the zards, PZ, and Greninja most notably.

Electrium Z: A- -> A

Change on the VR post.

Choice Specs: B+

Kew: A- -> A

Change on the VR post.

Genesis Supernova: B -> A-

Change on the VR post.


B+ Rank

Special: B+ -> A-

Change on the VR post.

Physical: B

Choice Band: B+

Groundium Z: B- -> B+

Groundium Z is arguably Donphan’s best set, why is this B-???

Rockium Z: C -> C+

Consistently beats both zards. Nuff said.

Endeavor: UR -> B+

Very good set that lets Donphan edge out pokemon that traditionally beat it like Genesect.

Offensive Choice Specs: B+
Steelium Z: B
Bulky Choice Specs: B- -> B

Good set, isn’t that much worse than fast specs.

Choice Scarf: B-

Specially Defensive: B+ -> A
Changes on the VR post.

Offensive: B -> UR
Straight up not used.

Waterium Z: B+ -> A-
Changes on VR post. The reason this set specifically is rising is that I believe it to Prima's best set atm as it hits the hardest despite being weak to sub.

Primarium Z: B+
Z-Baby Doll Eyes: B
Choice Specs: B-
Icy Wind + Sub UR -> B+
Very solid set, beats Magearna and other faster stall mons.

Waterium Z: B+
Tapunium Z: B+ -> A-
Changes on the VR post. I consider Tapunium to be the better set as it's better in a wider set of matchups.

Choice Specs: B -> B-
Really not a good set, worse Primarina for specs.

Bulky Offensive: B+
Iron Defense Stall: B -> B-
No good recovery, not a great stall mon.

Electrium Z: B+
Life Orb: B-
Dragonium Z: C- -> B-

Z Outrage is a far more solid set than people take it to be, allowing Zeraora to take out Dragonite and Char X.


B Rank

Steelium Z: B -> B+
Changes on the VR post.

Leech Seed: B
Choice Specs: B-

Specially Defensive: B- -> Snarl + Foul Play: B
Taunt + Metal Burst: B+
Needed to clarify the difference between the two main Sableye sets and put the main set at B where it should B (get it). Changes on VR post.

Psychium Z: B- -> A-
Changes on VR post.

Psychium Z: B- -> Z Screens B-
PP Stall UR -> C+
Choice Specs: C+ -> B-
Psychium Z is far too broad for sets that serve completely different purposes.

Z Screens

Deoxys-Speed @ Psychium Z
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psycho Boost
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Recover

PP Stall

Deoxys-Speed @ Mental Herb / Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover
- Taunt
- Amnesia
- Iron Defense

Incinium Z: B- -> B
Changes in VR post.


C+ Rank

Waterium Z: C+ -> B-
Changes in VR post.

Rockium Z: C- -> C
Solid set as well, consistently beats both Zards.

Choice Specs: C+
Rockium Z: C -> C+
Acid spray makes this set quite potent as well.

Defensive: C+ -> B-
Changes on VR post.
Curse: C
Offensive: C


C Rank

Electrium Z: C -> B

Changes on VR post.

PP Stall: C
Hail: C
Soak+Toxic: C-
Counter+Taunt: D -> UR

Not a set lol.

Electrium Z: C -> B-

Changes in VR post.

Z-move: C
Choice Band: C- -> UR
Assault Vest: D
Custap: UR -> C

Custap invalidates Band for the most part and is a great set for this mon.

Z-Charm: C -> C+

Changes on the VR post.


C- Rank

Barrier: C- -> UR
Psychium Z: C- -> UR
Calm Mind+3 Attacks: D -> UR
All-Out Attacker: D -> C-
Encore+Disable: D -> C-
Counter: D -> UR

The two I kept are the only two real sets, thanks TDA.

Flyinium Z: C-
Choice Band: UR -> C-

Band + reckless is a solid set for this mon, not much else to say

PP Stall: C- -> Setup Stall: C+

Changes in VR post.



D Rank

Offensive: D -> UR

Actually just not viable.

Waterium Z: D
Z-Stockpile: UR -> D/C-

Z-Stockpile is a really solid set this mon can run, needs to be up here.

Spore+Imprison+Transform: D -> C

Change on VR post.

That concludes this long af post. Hopefully I'm not too dumb. Thank u for coming to my TED talk.

 

[Morgan]

Psychium Z: B- -> C-

Oml na, Psychium is by far deoxys speed’s best set. Be it my iron defense taunt set, Z Screens, or Z Cosmic power, psych is god

Psychium Z: C- -> UR

Wtf no big zam is good

 

[Synonimous]

Oml na, Psychium is by far deoxys speed’s best set. Be it my iron defense taunt set, Z Screens, or Z Cosmic power, psych is god

Oml I'm so dumb. What I really should've done was split up psychium z like I had the other sets.

 

[The Official Glyx]

Charizard-Mega-X
Belly Drum X: UR -> S
Gyarados-Mega
Dragon Dance: S -> DD + Taunt: S
Donphan
Endeavor: UR -> B+
Sableye-Mega
Specially Defensive: B- -> Snarl + Foul Play: B
Taunt + Metal Burst: B+

These are coverage moves that can be used by the corresponding sets, they are by no means defining enough to be their own set.

Dragonite
Z Draco Meteor: A+

After writing an analysis on Dragonite and trying to build multiple Dragonite sets as viably as possible, I can now solidly confirm that Z-Draco Meteor is arguably the worst of Dragonite's Z-move sets, and is better off being used as a niche coverage move on physical Dragonium sets in order to bypass Counter. Analysis here if you want to read up for yourself (though special Dragonium wasn't good enough to be included as a main set, so it got moved to Other Options).

Primarina
Icy Wind + Encore UR -> B+

Change to Icy Wind + Substitute, since Z-moves get around Taunt and Encore.

 

[Synonimous]

These are coverage moves that can be used by the corresponding sets, they are by no means defining enough to be their own set.

Fair enough, I agree with you with the exception of Endeavor Donphan. I'd argue that it should be defined as it's own set

After writing an analysis on Dragonite and trying to build multiple Dragonite sets as viably as possible, I can now solidly confirm that Z-Draco Meteor is arguably the worst of Dragonite's Z-move sets, and is better off being used as a niche coverage move on physical Dragonium sets in order to bypass Counter. Analysis here if you want to read up for yourself (though special Dragonium wasn't good enough to be included as a main set, so it got moved to Other Options).

Fair enough, I agree that Z Hurricane is definitely better.

Change to Icy Wind + Substitute, since Z-moves get around Taunt and Encore.

Sounds good, changed

 

[Eriey]

Electrium Z: B+
Life Orb: B-
Dragonium Z: C- -> B-

Z Outrage is a far more solid set than people take it to be, allowing Zeraora to take out Dragonite and Char X.

I have to point that both electrium with bulk up outrage and life orb can both beat Charizard X and Dragonite with Fake Out (assuming it isn't mixed if you're going bulk up) What you could say is that dragonium can go jolly and still beat Kommo-o while Life Orb has to go Adamant for a very decent damage roll, but that's not a very good argument. I would certainly not see it at the same spot as life orb.

EDIT: The biggest reason to use dragonium zeraora was KyuB but uhhhhh you don't need that anymore? And yes it does help with Kommo-o and if they decide to go full tank Dragonite or something but I'm saying it's not enough for B-

 

[The Official Glyx]

The deadline for next cycle's sets VR nomination is March 6th

As of this post, no more nominations shall be counted for this cycle. Further nominations from this point onwards will go into the next cycle. The deadline for next cycle's nominations will be determined once the VR Council has finished voting on all the nominations.

Sets Nomination List

https://pastebin.com/raw/KP05f6Jk : TDA's last minute nominations that didn't get to carry over

Liechi Togedemaru Ur > C- : Elo Bandit

Life Orb Greninja A- > B+
Split Normalium Z Meloetta between Z-Celebrate (Ur > A) and Laser Focus (Ur > A-)
Substitute + Encore Lopunny-Mega Ur > B-
Physically Defense Mawile-Mega Ur > C ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: all by AllFourtyOne
Choice Scarf Victini B- > C+
Z-Charm Azumarill Ur > D
Normalium Z Araquanid Ur > D

Choice Band Zeraora Ur > C+/B- : Eriey

Z-Thunder Wave Togekiss B > A-/A : Osra

Custap Berry Manaphy Ur > C : both by AllFourtyOne
Custap Berry Sawk Ur : D/C-

Curse Charizard-X A- > B+/lower : all by ayedan
Groundium Zygarde A- > A
Z-Celebrate Victini C+ > B-

Haban Berry Kyurem Ur > C+ : both by AllFourtyOne
Choice Specs Tapu Fini B > C

Synonimous's big bunch of noms

 

[The Official Glyx]

(Ok maybe it wasn't so shortly but I still got it done ok-)

Here's the Sets VR shifts:

Sets VR Shifts

S Rank
Offensive Charizard-X: S > A+
Physically Defensive Charizard-X: UR > A
Specially Defensive Charizard-X: UR > A+
Curse Charizard-X: A- > B+
Z-Fly Dragonite: UR > A+
Z-Hurricane Dragonite: UR > A
Z-Outrage Dragonite: UR > S
Z-Draco Meteor Dragonite: UR > A-

A+ Rank
Choice Specs Porygon-Z: B+ > B
Choice Scarf Tapu Lele: B+ > C+

A Rank
Offensive Groundium Z Zygarde: UR > B
Physically Defensive Groundium Z Zygarde: UR > A
Choice Scarf Greninja: C > D
Z-Celebrate Meloetta: UR > A
Laser Focus Meloetta: UR > A

A- Rank
Genesis Supernova Mew: B > B+
Offensive Gardevoir-Mega: B+ > B
Flyinium Landorus-Therian: A- > B+
Choice Scarf Landorus-Therian: UR > C+
Electrium Magnezone: A- > A

B+ Rank
Physical Aegislash: B > B-
Special Aegislash: B+ > A-
Cotton Guard + 3 Attacks Altaria-Mega: C+ > C
Groundium Z Donphan: B- > B+
Rockium Z Donphan: C > C+
Choice Specs Tapu Fini: B > C+
Substitute + Encore Lopunny-Mega Ur > C+
Choice Band Zeraora: UR > B-
Dragonium Zeraora: C- > C
Bulky Choice Specs Genesect: B- > B+
Waterium Primarina: B+ > B
Icy Wind + Sub Primarina: UR > B+
Iron Defense Stall Tyranitar-Mega: B > B-

B Rank
Poisonium Z Naganadel: B- > C-
Defensive Leech Seed Ferrothorn: B- > B
Haban Berry Garchomp: B- > C-
Icium Z Victini: B- > C+
Choice Scarf Victini: B- > C+
Z-Celebrate Victini: C+ > B-
Defensive Quiver Dance + Z-move Volcarona: B- > B
Choice Scarf Togekiss: C > C+
Z-Thunder Wave Togekiss: B > A-
Physically Defensive Mawile-Mega: UR > C
Steelium Celesteela: B > B+

B- Rank
Setup PP Stall Deoxys-Speed: C+ > B-
Custap Berry Manaphy: UR > C
Haban Berry Kyurem: UR > C
Psychium Clefable: B- > B+
Incinium Incineroar: B- > B

C+ Rank
Choice Scarf Latios: C+ > C
Offensive Porygon2: C > C-
Leech Seed Stall Tapu Bulu: UR > C-
Choice Band Terrakion: UR > C-
Custap Berry Sawk: Ur > C
Waterium Carracosta: C+ > B-
Rockium Carracosta: C- > C
Rockium Nihilego: C > C+
Defensive Porygon2: C+ > B-

C Rank
Hail Pyukumuku: C > C-
Electrium Magneton: C > B
Counter + Taunt Pyukumuku: D > C-
Electrium Raikou: C > B-
Custap Berry Rhyperior: Ur > C

C- Rank
Choice Scarf Landorus: D > C-
Choice Band Slaking: C- > C
Barrier Alakazam/Mega: C- > Ur
Psychium Alakazam: C- > C
Calm Mind + 3 Attacks Alakazam/Mega: C- > D
All-Out Attacker Alakazam/Mega: D > UR
Counter Alakazam/Mega: D > UR
Choice Band Staraptor: Ur > D

D Rank
Liechi Berry Togedemaru: Ur > C-
Z-Charm Azumarill: Ur > C-
Z-Stockpile Araquanid: UR > D
Spore+Imprison+Transform Smeargle: D > C

Click here to see the voting results for every nomination from last cycle.

Click here to see the votes of each individual VR Council member.

The deadline for this cycle's VR and Sets VR nominations is May 24th

 

[Eriey]

Nominating Life Orb Zeraora for B
An immediate boost in power for Outrage and the ability to run more coverage moves than Electrium can afford to allows Life Orb a good amount of matchups over Electrium, such as Dragonite, Kommo-o, Non Scarf Garchomp, Donphan, Golem, and Swampert if Grass Knot is brought (and Electrium is not special with Grass Knot).

Life Orb is more versatile than band is and this has more sets, but here is a sample Grass Knot Life Orb set:

Sample

Life Orb (Zeraora) @ Life Orb
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 Atk / 32 SpA / 224 Spe
Naughty Nature
- Plasma Fists
- Outrage
- Grass Knot
- Fake Out

And now for my tryhard copy paste the vr, but I'm lazy so only B- and above:

Semi-Tryhard Copy Paste

I will count matchups that require charge or bulk up as a SW, Iron Tail as a lose, and Stuff like Close Combat as a SW. SW = Situational Win/ Set Dependent/ Sometimes Win
S Rank

Charizard-Mega MW as long as they're don't have 200 IQ in choosing to mega or not and are running bulky zard

Dragonite W Unless they're some sort of physical tank Dragonite

Gyarados-Mega SW Damage Roll against no bulk, just lose against bulk, unless bulk up

Magearna SW Unless you go Charge with some bulk and/or they do something dumb

A+ Rank

Porygon-Z SW Lose to Scarf, Win against Normalium

Tapu Lele SW Unless you go Charge with some bulk

A Rank

Greninja W Unless you fall for scarf hp ground but you can just Outrage

Magnezone W What's it gonna do? Just 4hko with Plasma Fists

Meloetta W Plasma Fists spam

Metagross-Mega ML Unless they don't bring EQ and you have a little luck with damage rolls

Mew ML Unless you run charge

Slowbro-Mega W Yeah it's dead

Zygarde-Complete L Yeah you're dead


A- Rank

Aegislash L You don't have the damage

Gardevoir-Mega L You need Iron Tail (hint, band)

Jumpluff W Yeah it's dead

Kommo-o MW Damage Roll

Landorus-Therian L Yeah you're dead

Togekiss W Unless they have hax over 9000

B+ Rank

Altaria-Mega L Not enough damage

Celesteela W It's dead

Clefable L Unless you run iron tail

Donphan SW As long as you have Grass Knot and they don't have protect

Garchomp SW if scarf lose, if not win

Genesect SW If you need to beat Genesect swap to Lonely and you should be good against specs, or bring fire punch

Heatran SW Need any of these: Close Combat, Lonely and a little luck with the damage roll, Charge

Lopunny-Mega ML if you like Naive/Hasty you can do it, but keep in mind this will hamper damage rolls

Primarina W Yeah it's dead

Sableye-Mega L You'd need Thunder or something for this one

Tapu Fini W Yeah it's dead

Tyranitar-Mega SW You would need Close Combat

Venusaur-Mega L Not enough damage

Zeraora ???


B Rank

Aggron-Mega L Yeah no

Crustle L Yeah no

Ferrothorn SW Would need Close Combat or Fire Punch

Incineroar L As long as they have a brain and attack

Jirachi ML You would need to not get flinched twice in a row

Kartana SW Close Combat or Fire Punch

Magneton W Same Story as Magnezone

Mawile-Mega L Yeah no

Naganadel W unless they go scarf or something

Necrozma L 2muchdmg4me

Pinsir-Mega W You should kill it no problem

Porygon2 SW P2 runs tons of stuff

Victini L yeah no

Volcarona W it's dead


B- Rank

Archeops SW if scarf lose, if not win

Audino-Mega L at least I think it loses

Blastoise-Mega W yeah it's dead

Blaziken L unless they're some sort of no protect Blaziken

Camerupt-Mega L It's not happening

Carracosta W no one runs protect Carracosta

Deoxys-S L if specs you die, if not you get stalled

Diancie-Mega MW If they mega first turn you should just kill (unless they're not hasty, then damage roll), if they don't they shouldn't be able to ohko and you can just use Plasma Fists twice

Durant SW You'd need fire punch

Golem SW Grass Knot and if they're not protect

Haxorus SW Life Orb isn't running bulk so scarf with kill you but you will win against band or z move

Hoopa-Unbound W You should kill no problem

Krookodile L You'd need close combat and them to run bulk

Kyurem SW This one's a doozy
EDIT: VG said Kyurem wins so Kyurem wins I guess

Latias-Mega W just kill it

Manaphy W yeah it's dead

Medicham-Mega W it's dead

Raikou W what exactly is it going to do

Sawk MW unless they bring rare protect

Swampert-Mega SW Grass Knot and they're not special tank

Vivillon W yeah it's dead

Whimsicott L You should just get stalled out

Zapdos W just start wailing on it

Notice a very large number are set dependent, because Life Orb Zeraora has quite a bit of diversity. If you look at it, you can change Matchups very easily by changing moves to fit your specific team. My argument this time is diversity and versatility. As Life Orb Zeraora has many viable sets, it is much easier to fit on a team. If we compare it to say, band, life orb has more variety and thus can be fitted more easily on a team. While Life Orb does have some pretty severe four moveslot syndrome, the ability to adapt to a team's needs gives it an extra edge on viability. This also adds a little to unpredictability especially because Life Orb isn't the most common set.

tldr: It has extra outrage power and extra special attacking power over Electrium and more diversity in sets than band.

 

[Morgan]

Kyurem SW This one's a doozy

Nah, Z Noble Wins Groundium Wins Haban Wins Icium wins

 

[Eriey]

Nah, Z Noble Wins Groundium Wins Haban Wins Icium wins

Well then shoot lol

 

[Morgan]

Bulky Zard Y -> Phys Def (A+) Spdef (A+)
Serve different roles, should be recognized.

 

[The Official Glyx]

Bulky Zard Y -> Phys Def (A+) Spdef (A+)
Serve different roles, should be recognized.

Unless there's some tech with like Calm Zardy, I don't see there being much use for SpD EVs beyond the 84 evs + max hp to tank a PZ Hyper Beam.

 

[Ginger Princess]

nomming Mixed Zeraora to B

Mixed Electrium (Zeraora) @ Electrium Z
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 60 Atk / 168 SpA / 128 SpD / 152 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Charge
- Plasma Fists
- Thunder
- Fake Out

Used this to get to rank 4 starting from about 1300s (got to 1600s with only two pokemon xd).

This Pokemon lures and beats traditional Zeraora answers, such as Magearna, Tapu Lele, Clefable, Kee Mew, Mega Sableye, Crustle (unless u ran 415 max speed bulk up zera), necrozma, standard salamence (81% of the time), and avalugg, as well as being able to hit both defensive and specially defensive Pokemon on their weaker stats, respectively, and being able to tank strong special hits such as naganadel's and latios' choice specs draco meteor after a charge and ohko with z-thunder and z-plasma fists, respectively, assuming fake out damage. You do lose access to outrage, which mainly affects your mu against Char x, but paired with good teammates fixes that problem.

 

[Eriey]

nomming Mixed Zeraora to B

Mixed Electrium (Zeraora) @ Electrium Z
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 60 Atk / 168 SpA / 128 SpD / 152 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Charge
- Plasma Fists
- Thunder
- Fake Out

Used this to get to rank 4 starting from about 1300s (got to 1600s with only two pokemon xd).

This Pokemon lures and beats traditional Zeraora answers, such as Magearna, Tapu Lele, Clefable, Kee Mew, Mega Sableye, Crustle (unless u ran 415 max speed bulk up zera), necrozma, standard salamence (81% of the time), and avalugg, as well as being able to hit both defensive and specially defensive Pokemon on their weaker stats, respectively, and being able to tank strong special hits such as naganadel's and latios' choice specs draco meteor after a charge and ohko with z-thunder and z-plasma fists, respectively, assuming fake out damage. You do lose access to outrage, which mainly affects your mu against Char x, but paired with good teammates fixes that problem.

Hey I was going to do this one! I would actually say instead of nomming mixed to B, I would say split Electrium into physical and mixed and put it in B+ with physical/Outrage. While Outrage does get to beat Zard X and Haxorus, and brings Bulk Up for a few matchups, the matchups of such high rated Pokemon like Magearna, Tapu Lele, and Mew make it easily worth it in my opinion. You lose the ability to even hit things immune to electric, but the only thing this really matters for is other Zeraora and Thundurus Therian. What Mixed does is optimize charge as much as possible, instead of Bulk Up. As multiple people told me, "special attackers are general better" when I was talking about Zekrom vs Reshiram, it makes sense that a set focusing on beating common special attackers (it also helps against some stall) would be at least as good as a physical attacker.

I think the bigger change here is not bringing Bulk Up, and instead focusing entirely on Charge.

 

[ryyjyywyy]

nomming electrium togekiss to b:
the only thing this has going for it is really being able to beat a decent amount of top mons, after that its matchups arent that great. it loses to pretty much every steel, which everyone knows are super common, most calm minders, fini, speed traps, electrics (like zera, zapdos, raikou, etc), and even shit like victini and haxorus, while also struggling hard vs mons like slowbro. imo, it loses to way too many common threats to be considered a- or b+, and only really is able to fill the roll of being a nice anti meta for the s tiers not named magearna.

 

[lost heros]

3 noms inc

Speed Trap Togedemaru > C-/C
Togedemaru @ Figy Berry
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Toxic
- Substitute
- Spiky Shield
- Zing Zap

I think this should be the new standard for Togedemaru really. Beats everything below its speed tier besides steels, poisons, and mgyara. It doesn't rely on zing zap shenanigans tho they can help. Overall it really does remind me of curse mimikyu except a lot worse.

ZyDog UR > C/C+
Zygarde-10% @ Groundium Z
Ability: Power Construct
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
IVs: 30 HP
- Substitute
- Dragon Dance
- Thousand Arrows
- Outrage

You keep all of the offensive pressure from Zygarde-50 for some bulk. A lot of the time you can opt for double sub to become a bulky Zyg-C. It's stronger than it seems.

Sub+Blaze UR > C
Infernape @ Petaya Berry / Liechi Berry
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature / Jolly Nature
IVs: 30 HP
- Blast Burn / Flare Blitz
- Fake Out
- Substitute
- Close Combat / Focus Blast

Reminiscent of Sub + Torrent Greninja is Sub + Blaze Infernape. +1 Blaze Blast Burn after a Fake Out packs a lot of punch. There's really not much to say about this set.

 

[Morgan]

Grassium Z Heatran: C+ -> B-
The rise of a lot of Water/Fairies like Prim and Fini to counter the rise of Pokemon like Kommo-o and Jirachi has gotten me thinking about a rise for Grassium Heatran. Z Solar Beam gives Heatran immense versatility as it can easily KO these Water-types before they know what hit them. Swampert has also been heavily rising in usage, and that’s another great grassium target. Grassium Z can still slot in Rock Tomb and Earth Power, allowing it to beat the Mega Charizards and Naganadel with ease. It obviously still beats Magearna and Aegislash, and Rock Tomb Taunt, a very strong set, allows it to beat Pokemon like Kee Berry Mew, Stall Deoxys Speed, and other stall oriented Pokemon. Metal Sound is a strong option that can allow Heatran to beat others such as Type Null. Its ability to beat the entire cast of fairy types sans Azumarill, Earth Power Diancie, and the OCCAsional taunt Occa whimsicott gives it incredible splashability in the meta.

Custap Porygon Z: Unranked -> C-Range/B-
This set has been known for a while but hasn’t gotten any love yet from the sets page or sets vr. Endure + Nasty Plot with adaptability Hyper Beams is ludicrous.

Psychium Z Serperior: Unranked -> C
Reasoning goes with other people’s VR posts

Haban Kommo-o: Unranked -> C-
This thing is like a bootleg Haban Kyurem with different matchups, I’ve talked a lot with mace a good deal about this. Beats Zards, Kommo-o, Melo, Chomp, Naga, Ferrothorn, Haxorus, and more

 

[Eriey]

So erm I was looking at the Garchomp analysis and I noticed something that doesn't match the set vr so I went to go nom it

Current Set Standings

Choice Band: B
Groundium Z: B
Dragonium Z: B
Haban Berry: C-
Choice Scarf: B-
Physically Defensive Mega: C+
Specially Defensive Mega: C

What the Analysis Says

"Dragonium Z can be run in order get the power of Choice Band Garchomp while still maintaining a freedom of choice against certain Pokemon such as Landorus-T, which neither Groundium-Z or Choice Band can hit effectively. However, given that most Dragon-type Pokemon cannot be defeated by Garchomp, and the ones that do are beaten by Choice Band, and the loss of coverage against Fairy-type Pokemon like Magearna and Tapu Lele, Dragonium Z is mostly outclassed by its main sets. "

"After careful consideration, 1v1 QC has decided to remove Dragonium Z and Garchompite as a main spread to an OO. This was due to the overall irrelevance of these sets not only in current 1v1 metagame but also due to the overlapping qualities these sets presented that did little to set them apart from the more relevant and practical mains sets.

So nomming Dragonium Garchomp for B-

 

[The Official Glyx]

Nominating banded Garchomp for B-

Simply just not as good as it used to be, due to changes in mechanics from oras to sm.

Fast Metagross just outspeeds and ohkos or uses mrise.

252 Atk Choice Band Garchomp Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Metagross-Mega: 344-408 (94.5 - 112%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO

And bulky gross actually eats hits quite reliably, so you're really just banking on rolls/crits + them not having Ice Punch.

-1 252 Atk Choice Band Garchomp Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mawile-Mega: 270-320 (88.8 - 105.2%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Choice Band Garchomp Outrage vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Multiscale Dragonite: 306-360 (79.2 - 93.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

The loss of Rough Skin killing the opponent first also means Mawile and Dragonite beat you p reliably, now.

Not only does Groundium take on/have a chance against more significantly viable mons, it does so while suffering less from 4MSS than Banded.

 

[Morgan]

Maranga Berry Celesteela Unranked ->D

Celesteela @ Maranga Berry
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Leech Seed
- Protect
- Heavy Slam
- Toxic

Acts as a really strong special wall that can deal with numerous opponents, and can beat zygarde if played correctly, and beats pz 100% of the time

 

[Synonimous]

CB Chomp -> B+
Ground Z -> B+/A-