Gen 5 BW Monotype

[Jolly Togekiss ^-^]

Banner by Moosical

BW Monotype is the official Monotype metagame for Gen 5. Being the first one to have a ladder, it is regarded as "the original Monotype generation" or "the Weather Wars generation" due to permanent weather being its most remarkable mechanic. Like ORAS, it is still played in both room and forum tournaments, albeit less often.
​

Notably Different Mechanics:

• Fairy type does not exist; most become either Normal-types or have their part-Fairy typing removed
• The abilities Drizzle, Drought, Sand Stream, and Snow Warning enable permanent weather
• Sand Stream + Sand Rush and Drizzle + Swift Swim are not allowed
• Dark and Ghost are resisted by Steel
• Higher base power of following moves: Draco Meteor (140), Overheat (140), Hydro Pump (120), Thunder (120), Fire Blast (120), Hurricane (120), Heat Wave (100), Surf (95), Ice Beam (95), Flamethrower (95), Thunderbolt (95), Dragon Pulse (90), Hidden Power (70)
• Lower base power of following moves: Knock Off (20), Low Sweep (60), Energy Ball (80)
• Critical hits do double damage instead of 1.5
• Defog does not get rid of hazards
• Sleep turns reset upon switching out
• Powder moves affect Grass-type Pokemon, and Electric-types can be paralyzed by Thunder Wave

Banlist [Gen 5 OU]:
- Latios
+ Gems

Viability Rankings:

VR

Bug

S Rank

Volcarona

Scizor

A Rank

Armaldo

Forretress

Heracross

B Rank

Durant

Yanmega

C Rank

Galvantula

Shuckle

Accelgor

D Rank

Crustle

Venomoth

Dark

S Rank

Tyranitar

Sableye

Hydreigon

A Rank

Umbreon

Honchkrow

Drapion

Scrafty

B Rank

Weavile

Spiritomb

Krookodile

Sharpedo

Mandibuzz

C Rank

Crawdaunt

Zoroark

Bisharp

D Rank

Houndoom

Cacturne

Dragon

S Rank

Garchomp

Kyurem-Black

Dragonite

A Rank

Hydreigon

Salamence

Latias

B Rank

Kingdra

Haxorus

C Rank

Flygon

Druddigon

D Rank

Altaria

Electric

S Rank

Rotom-Wash

A Rank

Magnezone

Raikou

Zapdos

Thundurus-Therian

B Rank

Luxray

Eelektross

Electivire

Jolteon

C Rank

Lanturn

Galvantula

Stunfisk

D Rank

Magneton

Zebstrika

Fighting

S Rank

Keldeo

Terrakion

A Rank

Breloom

Cobalion

Infernape

Heracross

Lucario

Scrafty

B Rank

Conkeldurr

Machamp

Toxicroak

Virizion

Mienshao

C Rank

Sawk

Gallade

D Rank

Poliwrath

Hariyama

Hitmontop

Fire

S Rank

Ninetales

Infernape

A Rank

Heatran

Darmanitan

Victini

Volcarona

Rotom-Heat

Torkoal

B Rank

Entei

Chandelure

C Rank

Charizard

Arcanine

D Rank

Houndoom

Flying

S Rank

Dragonite

Thundurus-Therian

Landorus-Therian

A Rank

Skarmory

Aerodactyl

Zapdos

Togekiss

Gliscor

Gyarados

Salamence

Xatu

B Rank

Honchkrow

Staraptor

C Rank

Tornadus

Yanmega

D Rank

Sigilyph

Gligar

Ghost

S Rank

Gengar

Sableye

A Rank

Chandelure

Golurk

Jellicent

Froslass

B Rank

Dusclops

Spiritomb

C Rank

Cofagrigus

Rotom

Mismagius

D Rank

Shedinja

Grass

S Rank

Ferrothorn

A Rank

Breloom

Cradily

Celebi

Rotom-Mow

B Rank

Amoonguss

Virizion

Shaymin

C Rank

Whimsicott

Roserade

Tangrowth

Ludicolo

D Rank

Shiftry

Venusaur

Ground

S Rank

Garchomp

Hippowdon

Gastrodon

Mamoswine

A Rank

Nidoking

Excadrill

Gliscor

Landorus-Therian

B Rank

Seismitoad

Krookodile

C Rank

Quagsire

Gligar

Nidoqueen

D Rank

Swampert

Donphan

Piloswine

Ice

S Rank

Kyurem-Black

Mamoswine

Abomasnow

Walrein

A Rank

Weavile

Cloyster

Piloswine

Froslass

Cryogonal

B Rank

Rotom-Frost

Lapras

C Rank

Jynx

D Rank

Articuno

Regice

Glaceon

Normal

S Rank

Chansey

Porygon2

A Rank

Staraptor

Meloetta

Togekiss

Porygon-Z

Snorlax

Ditto

B Rank

Blissey

C Rank

Smeargle

Cinccino

Ambipom

Exploud

D Rank

Staravia

Braviary

Poison

S Rank

Nidoking

Gengar

A Rank

Tentacruel

Drapion

Weezing

Nidoqueen

Skuntank

B Rank

Crobat

Toxicroak

Amoonguss

C Rank

Venomoth

Skuntank

Golbat

Roserade

D Rank

Garbodor

Venusaur

Qwilfish

Psychic

S Rank

Victini

Jirachi

A Rank

Alakazam

Slowbro

Mew

Meloetta

Reuniclus

Azelf

Starmie

Celebi

B Rank

Latias

Cresselia

Espeon

Gallade

Metagross

C Rank

Xatu

Sigilyph

Slowking

Uxie

Medicham

Bronzong

D Rank

Gardevoir

Jynx

Rock

S Rank

Terrakion

Tyranitar

A Rank

Cradily

Omastar

Aerodactyl

B Rank

Rhyperior

Kabutops

C Rank

Armaldo

Shuckle

Crustle

D Rank

Carracosta

Probopass

Steel

S Rank

Heatran

Skarmory

A Rank

Scizor

Excadrill

Ferrothorn

Jirachi

Lucario

Magnezone

B Rank

Bronzong

Empoleon

C Rank

Durant

Metagross

Forretress

D Rank

Bisharp

Cobalion

Water

S Rank

Keldeo

Politoed

Vaporeon

A Rank

Jellicent

Tentacruel

Gyarados

Lanturn

Cloyster

Starmie

Suicune

Swampert

B Rank

Azumarill

Empoleon

Gastrodon

Rotom-Wash

Alomomola

Quagsire

C Rank

Kingdra

Slowbro

Ludicolo

Swanna

Sharpedo

D Rank

Qwilfish

Slowking

Omastar

Whiscash

Type Viability Rankings:

Type VR

S Rank

A Rank

B Rank

C Rank

D Rank

Sample Teams:

Sample Teams

click on the sprites to get each team's importable!

Bug
- Offensive Bug by Crashy

Dark
- Cacturn Dark by Chaitanya

Dragon

Electric
- Stunfisk Electric by Sabella

Fighting
- Toxicroak Fighting by Chaitanya

-Terrakion + Mienshao Fighting by Chaitanya

Fire
- Expert Belt Infernape Fire by Bondie

Flying
- Balanced Flying by Crashy

Ghost
- Ghost by Crashy

Grass
- Grass by Jyph

Ground

- Offensive Sand Ground by Chaitanya

- Nidoking Ground by Chaitanya

Ice
- Specs Froslass Ice by Crashy

Normal
- Normal by Crashy

Poison
- Balanced poison by Crashy

Psychic

by Attribute & sasha

Rock
- Offensive Rock by Crashy

Steel

- Balanced Steel by Chaitanya

Water

- Balanced Rain Water by Jolly Togekiss ^-^

- Offensive Water by Chaitanya ​

 

[Ronman5]

Welp as an avid player of BW back in the day, here is one of my old teams

Bug

Volcarona @ Leftovers
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 3 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 SpD
- Giga Drain
- Quiver Dance
- Fiery Dance
- Hidden Power [Ground]

Heracross @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Megahorn
- Stone Edge/Pursuit
- Earthquake/Stone edge

Forretress @ Custap Berry
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Explosion
- Rapid Spin
- Rock Slide

Scizor @ Life Orb
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Bullet Punch
- Bug Bite
- Roost

Yanmega @ Life Orb
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 2 Atk / 30 Def
- Bug Buzz
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Protect
- Air Slash

Galvantula @ Focus Sash
Ability: Compound Eyes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 2 Atk / 30 Def
- Thunder
- Bug Buzz
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Ice]

Bug is a terrific offensive powerhouse in the BW era, and this team is designed to basically hit fast and hard.

Forre is the normal lead for the team, being the main source of hazard control, and is the go to mon to basically set up rocks, and then either explode, spin or slide (To handle some threats to this like Lead Aerodactyl flying who with taunt can shut you down, but with rockslide you can 2KO it)

Volcarona is normal old volcarona, however it has HP ground to handle the pesky core that messes with Bug type (And a lot of types in general with BW) the rather infamous Skarm Heatran core.

Scizor and Yanmega I nickname the "dragon busters" as once you have rocks up against dragon these two mons can easily sweep dragon, granted in different ways. Yanmega is also nice to have cause of the speed control it offers

Galv doesn't have much use in general but it makes a very good water counter, as Giga drain counters Swampert, the main switch in to Galv, and thunder handles the rest.. It has hp ice in there when it isn't facing water based teams as the two more popular types (Dragon, ground and flying) feature a few mons who are 4X weak to ice such as Chomp, Dnite, and Lando T

And lastly Heracross. Cross is the mon meant to punch holes in opposing teams. It also is there to threaten a few sweepers. If positioned right Cross can net a few kos and get a much higher attack stat. I prefer Edge + EQ but thats my thing. others might want pursuit to ko mons who just go in and attack once then swap like Victini.

Overall this like a lot of my bug teams served me exemplorarily well back in BW and hope it serves newer BW players very well too.

 

[Dharma]

ice team for gen 5

icy drip squad

Cryogonal @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 2 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Rapid Spin
- Ice Beam
- Blizzard
- Hidden Power [Fire]

Kyurem-Black @ Life Orb
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Earth Power
- Fusion Bolt
- Blizzard / Ice Beam
- Roost

Mamoswine @ Focus Sash
Ability: Oblivious
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
IVs: 0 HP / 0 Def / 0 SpD
- Stealth Rock
- Endeavor
- Ice Shard
- Earthquake

Cloyster @ King's Rock
Ability: Skill Link
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Shell Smash
- Icicle Spear
- Rock Blast
- Hydro Pump

Abomasnow @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Blizzard / Ice Beam
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Earthquake

Walrein @ Leftovers
Ability: Ice Body
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Protect
- Surf
- Toxic

desc.

a team i've been using in every single room tour for the past month or so, been working out quite well. cba making custom evs or whatever so if you find some optimal spread then cheerio. blizzard is a super good move obviously but i can some tough times vs ground now and then since it's so dependent on hail, so up to you which you want to run.

 

[Ronman5]

ice team for gen 5

icy drip squad

Cryogonal @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 2 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Rapid Spin
- Ice Beam
- Blizzard
- Hidden Power [Fire]

Kyurem-Black @ Life Orb
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Earth Power
- Fusion Bolt
- Blizzard / Ice Beam
- Roost

Mamoswine @ Focus Sash
Ability: Oblivious
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
IVs: 0 HP / 0 Def / 0 SpD
- Stealth Rock
- Endeavor
- Ice Shard
- Earthquake

Cloyster @ King's Rock
Ability: Skill Link
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Shell Smash
- Icicle Spear
- Rock Blast
- Hydro Pump

Abomasnow @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Blizzard / Ice Beam
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Earthquake

Walrein @ Leftovers
Ability: Ice Body
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Protect
- Surf
- Toxic

desc.

a team i've been using in every single room tour for the past month or so, been working out quite well. cba making custom evs or whatever so if you find some optimal spread then cheerio. blizzard is a super good move obviously but i can some tough times vs ground now and then since it's so dependent on hail, so up to you which you want to run.

I like the team but i would suggest swapping Mamoswines ability from Oblivious to Thick fat since not many people go for attract strats at all... and thick that is better overall for the fire protection that him and Walrein provide

Also your team is likely to face trouble with fighting like usual... maybe try Froslass as well as a semi check to some fighting mons that are used on other types such as band Gallade on Psychic, or specs Keldeo on water

as for some other stuff I personally like mixed attacking Kyurem but normally with HP fire to counter Ferrothorn when it switches in (since it will always switch in on Kyurem black) this lets it net a ko on Ferrothorn on switches as hp fire kyurem 2hkos ferrothorn, and 1hko forretress for tho
se who use bug type as it bypasses sturdy.

anyways take my advice if you want, these are just things ive noticed while playing with Ice type in gen 5 whilst in the past

 

[Dharma]

I like the team but i would suggest swapping Mamoswines ability from Oblivious to Thick fat since not many people go for attract strats at all... and thick that is better overall for the fire protection that him and Walrein provide

Also your team is likely to face trouble with fighting like usual... maybe try Froslass as well as a semi check to some fighting mons that are used on other types such as band Gallade on Psychic, or specs Keldeo on water

as for some other stuff I personally like mixed attacking Kyurem but normally with HP fire to counter Ferrothorn when it switches in (since it will always switch in on Kyurem black) this lets it net a ko on Ferrothorn on switches as hp fire kyurem 2hkos ferrothorn, and 1hko forretress for tho
se who use bug type as it bypasses sturdy.

anyways take my advice if you want, these are just things ive noticed while playing with Ice type in gen 5 whilst in the past

oblivious on mamo is to not be affected by taunt, since it's a suicide lead set (note the minimum IVs and endeavor-ice shard), so it's not really meant to take hits in the first place, let alone from fire moves.

i guess you could somehow fit froslass, but that would mean getting rid of the only form of emergency hazard removal on the team in cryogonal, which i dont think would be good. fighting's a shitty MU anyways, so might as well prep for other MUs better.

hp fire on kyurem seems alright but between the other hp fire users on the team + kyurem having access to life orb blizzard which dents ferro anyways and walrein being able to outstall it if need be, i dont think hp fire on kyurem is too important but that might just be me.

Edit: as Yami posted below, I was wrong in thinking Oblivious blocks taunt, my bad. Regardless, I would still run oblivious just so I don't take reduced damage from stray fire moves, as I want to get the hp as low as I can for endeavor

 

[Scholar]

oblivious on mamo is to not be affected by taunt, since it's a suicide lead set (note the minimum IVs and endeavor-ice shard), so it's not really meant to take hits in the first place, let alone from fire moves.

i guess you could somehow fit froslass, but that would mean getting rid of the only form of emergency hazard removal on the team in cryogonal, which i dont think would be good. fighting's a shitty MU anyways, so might as well prep for other MUs better.

hp fire on kyurem seems alright but between the other hp fire users on the team + kyurem having access to life orb blizzard which dents ferro anyways and walrein being able to outstall it if need be, i dont think hp fire on kyurem is too important but that might just be me.

Hi, in gen 5, Oblivious does not block Taunt, only attract. It only blocks Taunt gen 6 and up. You can read about it here https://www.smogon.com/dex/bw/abilities/oblivious/

 

[Ronman5]

Hi since I’ve been helping Dieu out so much it’s made me decide I want to make a lot more samples to help newer users understand this meta when users like myself, Jt, Crashy, Jyph etc finally quit mons

Psychic

Gallade (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Steadfast
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Shadow Sneak
- Zen Headbutt
- Drain Punch

Celebi @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 220 HP / 126 SpA / 162 Spe
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Giga Drain
- Baton Pass
- Earth Power

Victini @ Choice Band
Ability: Victory Star
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- V-create
- U-turn
- Bolt Strike
- Brick Break

Latios (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Ice Beam
- Psychic
- Draco Meteor
- Thunderbolt

Azelf @ Focus Sash
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 2 Atk / 30 Def
- Fire Blast
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Taunt
- Stealth Rock

Jirachi @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Iron Head
- Thunder Wave
- Trick
- Fire Punch

This is a very good team to smash steel and water, it’s a nice basic team to learn the ropes on while still being nice and effective

Azelf is a suicide lead made to counter most leads with its great speed, the type coverage it has are for once it’s done it’s taunt/sr combo to badly damage or punish the mons it’s coming in on specifically ones like Ferrothorn, Forretress and Garchomp

Gallade Is one of the best mons to smash Steel for psychic, I made it choice band and Adament because that way steels only safe check (Skarmory) gets 2 shot with or without rocks.

Celebi is support through NP and BP to Latios, but is effective at countering water teams outside of Tentacruel and Gyarados

Latios and Victini are cleaners,with vic being the backup steel counter. Latios should be baton passed into by Celebi to get NP buffs but works fine without, Victini has brick break in case Gallade dies and so it can 2 shot the best counter to it normally on steel in heatran

and lastly Jirachi is just it’s standard annoyance scarf set common for gen5

I’ll likely post more teams soon

 

[sasha]

Hi, with the recent Latios ban we need new samples, I know it's quite early for this but I figured we should get some new ones anyway for now until the meta settles then different ones can be created if necessary, I just thought this would be good for now, if they need more work ping me on cord.

Meloetta + Lati Psy - by Me
Band Gallade Psy - by Me
Scarf Healing Wish Lati Psy - by Attribute (thanks for the help!)

also ty to crashy who looked at my teams to let me know if they were viable
ill probably try to make dragon ones soon but i encourage other people to hop in and get building!