This post will be an explainer of the concept and a guide on how to read the document. Lists are contained in subsequent posts. Click here for the CTRL+F section.
Welcome to the Black 2 & White 2 Draft Role Compendium! If you've ever found yourself with 30 points and realized you were missing removal, a crucial speed tier, and useful priority, this may be for you! A number of draft contributors have put together a list of important roles in BW Draft, and ranked each Pokémon within those categories by means of their skill and proficiency accomplishing that role/task. Not every Pokémon is created equal, and not every Pokémon is equally suited for every task it could in theory accomplish.
This document is the next step up from previous editions, but is still an evolving project. I want to thank everyone in the team and in general who weighed in with useful positive advice for this and future versions. You can see credits at the end of this post. This is not an objective ranking, but rather what a group of contributors believed things should be marked as. There are further improvements to be done for sure. This document should be seen as drafting support, and is not a replacement for your own research and team cohesion consideration.
Elite is defined as Pokémon at or exceeding 15 points, High is the range including 14 to 10 points, Low cost is considered the range of 9 to 5 points, and Budget 'mons are valued at 4 or lower points. This value is likely to change in the future depending on the format.
Here is an example of what a part of a section will look like, using the CTRL+F formatting:
Some sections may have additional clarification within their section to elaborate on what the rankings entail or what moves are included. Not every Pokemon is listed, Budget is limited to 'mons worth 2+ points. Your favorite NFE is probably not on the list.
Credits:
Data compilation: a fairy with credit to Princess Autumn and scionicle for data sources
Scoring: Thomas18
QC: Aleksanteri, Monai, and evakiyama!
Formatting: abriel and a fairy
In future editions, this could be you! Reach out to afairy on Discord for more information if you'd like to help out.
Welcome to the Black 2 & White 2 Draft Role Compendium! If you've ever found yourself with 30 points and realized you were missing removal, a crucial speed tier, and useful priority, this may be for you! A number of draft contributors have put together a list of important roles in BW Draft, and ranked each Pokémon within those categories by means of their skill and proficiency accomplishing that role/task. Not every Pokémon is created equal, and not every Pokémon is equally suited for every task it could in theory accomplish.
This document is the next step up from previous editions, but is still an evolving project. I want to thank everyone in the team and in general who weighed in with useful positive advice for this and future versions. You can see credits at the end of this post. This is not an objective ranking, but rather what a group of contributors believed things should be marked as. There are further improvements to be done for sure. This document should be seen as drafting support, and is not a replacement for your own research and team cohesion consideration.
Elite is defined as Pokémon at or exceeding 15 points, High is the range including 14 to 10 points, Low cost is considered the range of 9 to 5 points, and Budget 'mons are valued at 4 or lower points. This value is likely to change in the future depending on the format.
Here is an example of what a part of a section will look like, using the CTRL+F formatting:
[> Landorus-Therian, Ferrothorn <]
[> Garchomp, Terrakion, Jirachi, Tyranitar, Excadrill <]
[> Infernape <]
High:
[> Hippowdon, Cobalion, Nidoqueen, Nidoking, Bronzong, Registeel, Uxie, Swampert <]
[> Heatran, Skarmory, Metagross, Azelf, Landorus, Krookodile, Celebi, Gliscor, Clefable, Donphan, Mamoswine, Empoleon, Seismitoad, Chansey, Forretress, Blissey, Mesprit, Druddigon <]
[> Dugtrio, Bisharp <]
Low:
[> Gligar, Steelix, Piloswine, Golurk, Regirock, Cradily, Stunfisk <]
[> Aerodactyl, Miltank, Claydol, Rhyperior, Archeops, Omastar, Ferroseed, Crustle, Rhydon, Carracosta <]
[> Kabutops, Sandslash, Aggron, Armaldo <]
Budget: Hippopotas, Clefairy, Golem, Torterra, Gigalith, Torkoal, Dunsparce, Smeargle, Camerupt, Rampardos, Probopass, Wigglytuff, Mawile, Kecleon, Monferno, Corsola, Diglett, Marowak, Pinsir, Shuckle, Relicanth, Metang, Bastiodon, Bronzor, Drilbur
There are many Pokémon capable of using Stealth Rock. Pokémon ranked green are capable of regularly running it as needed, and don't miss out on other strategies or roles by doing so. Pokémon ranked yellow can run SR just fine, but relying on them to regularly do so can limit their abilities to do other things or fill other roles. Pokémon in red have access to SRand can use it on rare occasion, but often have linear role strategies or lack the inherent characteristics necessary for the roles associated with SR.
[> Garchomp, Terrakion, Jirachi, Tyranitar, Excadrill <]
[> Infernape <]
High:
[> Hippowdon, Cobalion, Nidoqueen, Nidoking, Bronzong, Registeel, Uxie, Swampert <]
[> Heatran, Skarmory, Metagross, Azelf, Landorus, Krookodile, Celebi, Gliscor, Clefable, Donphan, Mamoswine, Empoleon, Seismitoad, Chansey, Forretress, Blissey, Mesprit, Druddigon <]
[> Dugtrio, Bisharp <]
Low:
[> Gligar, Steelix, Piloswine, Golurk, Regirock, Cradily, Stunfisk <]
[> Aerodactyl, Miltank, Claydol, Rhyperior, Archeops, Omastar, Ferroseed, Crustle, Rhydon, Carracosta <]
[> Kabutops, Sandslash, Aggron, Armaldo <]
Budget: Hippopotas, Clefairy, Golem, Torterra, Gigalith, Torkoal, Dunsparce, Smeargle, Camerupt, Rampardos, Probopass, Wigglytuff, Mawile, Kecleon, Monferno, Corsola, Diglett, Marowak, Pinsir, Shuckle, Relicanth, Metang, Bastiodon, Bronzor, Drilbur
There are many Pokémon capable of using Stealth Rock. Pokémon ranked green are capable of regularly running it as needed, and don't miss out on other strategies or roles by doing so. Pokémon ranked yellow can run SR just fine, but relying on them to regularly do so can limit their abilities to do other things or fill other roles. Pokémon in red have access to SRand can use it on rare occasion, but often have linear role strategies or lack the inherent characteristics necessary for the roles associated with SR.
- In Elite, we can see these examples throughout - a Pokemon like Ferrothorn is more than capable of coming to games and using Stealth Rock, while Infernape is going to struggle to bring Stealth Rock often due to what it will normally want to accomplish in a game, and Jirachi can run it but often prefers to be doing other things on the turns it gets or frequently doesn't have the moveslots to fit SR in.
- In High, Bronzong finds Stealth Rock both easy to run and often has the moveslots to easily slot it in. Clefable, on the other hand, finds more difficulty in slotting SR and can do a number of other roles that SR can be a drain on. Dugtrio, however, cannot really run SR as it needs every turn it gets for its primary strategy.
- In Low, the expectation about showing up to every game is reduced, as these 'mons shouldn't expect to be brought to all or many games. However, Gligar is an example of something that can run Stealth Rock whenever it's needed to come with it, but Claydol will be more flexible as to whether or not it runs Stealth Rock when it shows up. Something like Aggron, however, can often be outright unable to bring SR and will need to rely on teammates to carry removal instead.
- The budget Pokémon is not ranked. These are cheap options that see little to no use in regular Draft play, and are not easily organizable into the Pro/Neutral/Negative categories. A draft may benefit from Smeargle's movepool, or Metang's defensive profile, but this document will not be able to know that. We are leaving Budget mons blank - you should research these Pokémon on your own to determine whether they fit your team.
Some sections may have additional clarification within their section to elaborate on what the rankings entail or what moves are included. Not every Pokemon is listed, Budget is limited to 'mons worth 2+ points. Your favorite NFE is probably not on the list.
Credits:
Data compilation: a fairy with credit to Princess Autumn and scionicle for data sources
Scoring: Thomas18
QC: Aleksanteri, Monai, and evakiyama!
Formatting: abriel and a fairy
In future editions, this could be you! Reach out to afairy on Discord for more information if you'd like to help out.
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