BW RU Viability Rankings

stolen from Molk and then MrAldo
approved by Lutra

JgnbmiA.jpg


Most of you know the drill by now, but if you don't: viability rankings are a method of sorting Pokemon in a given tier based on how good they are in said tier. S rank is reserved for the defining Pokemon of the tier, while D rank is the place for less viable Pokemon that have no clear use in the metagame. As the metagame changes, the rankings are periodically updated by players who are well-versed in the tier. Everything is ranked alphabetically. Within every other rank, Pokemon are listed alphabetically.

Now, what is your job here? Your job is to discuss the ranks given to every Pokemon, make arguments for making a Pokemon higher or lower ranked, and also to discuss the possible ranks for the "untested" rank. These are Pokemon that might have potential, but haven't been tested enough to get official ranks yet, if you have used any of these, now is your time to say so!

S Rank: Reserved for the top threats in the RU metagame. These Pokemon are usually able to perform a variety of roles effectively, or can just do one extremely well with little to no extra support. Their use has low risk involved and high reward exerted. Pokemon in this tier have very few flaws that are patched up by numerous positive traits.
  • 621.png

    Druddigon
  • 632.png

    Durant
  • 146.png

    Moltres
A Rank: Reserved for Pokemon that are outstanding in the RU metagame and can sweep, wall, or support the majority of the tier. These Pokemon require less support than other Pokemon to be used effectively, but still perform less consistently than the average S rank Pokemon. A rank Pokemon have few flaws that can be overlooked when compared to their positive traits.

Top:
  • 594.png

    Alomomola
  • 141.png

    Kabutops
  • 82.png

    Magneton
  • 211.png

    Qwilfish
  • 254.png

    Sceptile
  • 561.png

    Sigilyph
Mid:
  • 142.png

    Aerodactyl
  • 623.png

    Golurk
  • 549.png

    Lilligant
  • 112.png

    Rhydon
  • 479-mow.png

    Rotom-C
  • 479.png

    Rotom-N
  • 199.png

    Slowking
  • 208.png

    Steelix
Low:
  • 306.png

    Aggron
  • 591.png

    Amoonguss
  • 615.png

    Cryogonal
  • 244.png

    Entei
  • 475.png

    Gallade
  • 124.png

    Jynx
  • 481.png

    Mesprit
  • 139.png

    Omastar
  • 545.png

    Scolipede
  • 442.png

    Spiritomb
  • 235.png

    Smeargle
  • 465.png

    Tangrowth
  • 480.png

    Uxie
B Rank: Reserved for Pokemon who are slightly above average in the RU metagame. These Pokemon have more notable flaws than of those above it that affects how they function in the tier. Their positive traits still outshine their negatives, but they require a bit more team support to bring out their full potential

Top:
  • 617.png

    Accelgor
  • 628.png

    Braviary
  • 573.png

    Cinccino
  • 36.png

    Clefable
  • 589.png

    Escavalier
  • 500.png

    Emboar
  • 597.png

    Ferroseed
  • 575.png

    Gothorita
  • 310.png

    Manectric
  • 315.png

    Roselia
  • 537.png

    Seismitoad
  • 389.png

    Torterra
Mid:
  • 359.png

    Absol
  • 567.png

    Archeops
  • 626.png

    Bouffalant
  • 558.png

    Crustle
  • 103.png

    Exeggutor
  • 611.png

    Fraxure
  • 596.png

    Galvantula
  • 569.png

    Garbodor
  • 93.png

    Haunter
  • 106.png

    Hitmonlee
  • 115.png

    Kangaskhan
  • 601.png

    Klinklang
  • 171.png

    Lanturn
  • 272.png

    Ludicolo
  • 308.png

    Medicham
  • 221.png

    Piloswine
  • 479-frost.png

    Rotom-F
  • 586-spring.png

    Sawsbuck
  • 123.png

    Scyther
  • 128.png

    Tauros
  • 335.png

    Zangoose
Low:
  • 565.png

    Carracosta
  • 452.png

    Drapion
  • 426.png

    Drifblim
  • 160.png

    Feraligatr
  • 297.png

    Hariyama
  • 467.png

    Magmortar
  • 200.png

    Misdreavus
  • 241.png

    Miltank
  • 518.png

    Musharna
  • 62.png

    Poliwrath
  • 377.png

    Regirock
  • 503.png

    Samurott
  • 277.png

    Swellow
  • 157.png

    Typhlosion

C Rank: Reserved for Pokemon that have notable niches in the RU metagame, but have just as notable flaws that prevent them from being top tier threats. Pokemon in the C tier often require significant support to be as effective as higher ranked Pokemon in RU. C rank Pokemon tend to face a lot of competition with the more commonly used Pokemon.

Top:
  • 334.png

    Altaria
  • 332.png

    Cacturne
  • 6.png

    Charizard
  • 342.png

    Crawdaunt
  • 148.png

    Dragonair
  • 578.png

    Duosion
  • 604.png

    Eelektross
  • 282.png

    Gardevoir
  • 533.png

    Gurdurr
  • 107.png

    Hitmonchan
  • 630.png

    Mandibuzz
  • 127.png

    Pinsir
  • 57.png

    Primeape
  • 275.png

    Shiftry
  • 634.png

    Zweilous
Mid:
  • 466.png

    Electivire
  • 64.png

    Kadabra
  • 195.png

    Quagsire
  • 479-spin.png

    Rotom-S
  • 581.png

    Swanna
  • 71.png

    Victreebel
Low:
  • 24.png

    Arbok
  • 550-red-striped.png

    Basculin
  • 12.png

    Butterfree
  • 323.png

    Camerupt
  • 444.png

    Gabite
  • 463.png

    Lickilicky
  • 510.png

    Liepard
  • 198.png

    Murkrow
  • 369.png

    Relicanth
  • 28.png

    Sandslash
  • 559.png

    Scraggy
  • 288.png

    Vigoroth
  • 313.png

    Volbeat
  • 110.png

    Weezing
  • 547.png

    Whimsicott
D Rank: Reserved for Pokemon that are below average in the RU metagame. These Pokemon often require very significant amounts of support with a relatively low reward compared to higher ranked Pokemon.

Top:
  • 132.png

    Ditto
  • 136.png

    Flareon
  • 470.png

    Leafeon
  • 264.png

    Linoone
  • 105.png

    Marowak
  • 089.png

    Muk
  • 447.png

    Riolu
  • 497.png

    Serperior
  • 516.png

    Simipour
  • 435.png

    Skuntank
  • 324.png

    Torkoal
Low:
  • 144.png

    Articuno
  • 531.png

    Audino
  • 477.png

    Dusknoir
  • 76.png

    Golem
  • 368.png

    Gorebyss
  • 177.png

    Natu
  • 291.png

    Ninjask
  • 78.png

    Rapidash
  • 292.png

    Shedinja
  • 372.png

    Shelgon
  • 528.png

    Swoobat
  • 045.png

    Vileplume

Untested Rank: Reserved for pokemon that might have niches, but havent been sufficiently tested. Post your experiences with them here so we can give them a tier.
and now onto: THE RULES.

~Rules~
~Only nominate viable Pokemon. We are not going to put every legal Pokemon in RU on the list. There is no reason to put stuff that no one will ever use.
~Post intelligently. Posts like "I think pokemon X should be in this tier" will not be tolerated
~No flaming
~Usage statistics may be used to support an argument or a claim, but don't base your ENTIRE argument around them. For example, you can't just say "Pokemon X shouldn't be this tier because they aren't used that often!"
~No talk about editing the OFFICIAL smogon tier lists.
~Only Pokemon in RU and below are up for nomination, Pokemon in higher tiers are not allowed to be nominated, this should be common sense but lol someone nommed nidoking for S rank.
 
Last edited:
If you are gonna make this into a separate thread, make use of the one on this post so you can update it:

https://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/ru-old-gens-hub.3631702/post-7741531

Far up to date and has been discussed with players of the meta like SilentVerse, Oglemi, Molk, and col49, and discussed with the community in general. This is more reflective of todays BW RU meta. Check the thread to see what has changed.
 
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