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Congrats to the winners of the 2023 Smog Awards!
Pet Mod Clean Slate: Micro
- Thread starter earl
- Start date
According to the voting rules you're not allowed to vote for yourself at first place.
Actually Spook voted for itselt at first and wasn't allowed to do so. So G-Luke should take the win.
Here's our winner then:
Name of the Pokemon: Wailord
Role(s): Defensive Wall, Wish Passer, Fire Resist (+1 vote), Ground Immunity (+1 vote)
Type: Water / Flying
Abilities: Oblivious / Pressure
Stats: 140 HP / 65 Atk / 70 Def / 88 SpA / 82 SpD / 55 Spe (BST 500)
Movepool Additions: Wish, Air Slash, Roost, Defog, H U R R I C A N E
Justification: Stall teams need a Wish passer, so here comes Wailord and saviour. Water / Flying is an interesting defensive typing which allows it to wall various threats in the tier, such as Ninetales, non Stone Edge Dugtrio, Heracross and Ludicolo. Its massive electric weakness and rather passive nature however is probably its biggest downfall.
Lo! Wailord is live on the server.
Balance Slate #1
Magearna Buff
Abilities: Clear Body / Triage | Pure Power
Movepool Additions: Draining Kiss
Movepool Removals: Calm Mind
Reasoning: It's still mediocre- But unpredictably so! While Triage gives it a great set-up check option against targets like Farfetch'd and Purugly, Pure Power gives it a somewhat scary wallbreaker slant. It can beat Torterra with Moonblast and otherwise be a bad Type:Null that can check stuff like Purugly. AV with Iron Head/Brick Break/Moonblast/Volt Switch sounds very tasty.
Rotom Buff
Abilities: Prankster / Levitate | Speed Boost
Movepool Additions: Defog, Recover, Work Up, Haze
Reasoning: This thing needs reliable recovery. No clue why Defog was removed in the first place (hazard stack meta?), so it's back. Work Up for the potential to exert some pressure. Prankster Haze is a REAL way to counter setup. Now for abilities: Levitate makes it a much better Pupitar check, fully blocks Dugtrio, and is generally a great ability for an electric to have. Speed Boost, idk. Anti-offense to be had there, maybe it can do something with it. Options are always fun!
Pupitar Nerf:
Abilities: Shed Skin | Rough Skin
Reasoning: Guts was the problem, yo
Purugly Nerf
Stats: 64 / 90 / 84 / 59 / 84 / 119 (500 BST)
Reasoning: It was just too bulky for its job. It's not a hazard resistant pivot with 84/84/84 bulk, it's an everything resistant pivot. This should force more conservative usage of it
Ludicolo Nerf:
Abilities: Swift Swim / Rain Dish | Cloud Nine
Reasoning: Unaware is broken with such good stats. Keep the stats, ditch Unaware. Cloud Nine is cool for blocking TortTales cores.
Purugly:
New Stats: 74 / 90 / 64 / 50 / 84 / 119 ( -10 HP, -20 Def )
Movepool: -Stomping Tantrum
Reasoning: It needs to be easier to kill this thing. Removing Stomping Tantrum also lets Ninetales and Magearna handle it better.
Ludicolo:
New Abilities: Swift Swim / Rain Dish | Natural Cure (HA)
Reasoning: Bye-bye Unaware. Natural Cure is a comparable ability in that it circumvents one typical way of dealing with a wall.
Pupitar:
New Stats: 80 / 110 / 100 / 50 / 60 / 60 ( - 10 HP )
New Abilities: Victory Star ( -Guts, -Shed Skin )
Reasoning: A bit less bulky and no longer laughs at status. Victory Star is at least a little perk so you don't have to cringe as much when you click Stone Edge.
Magearna:
New Move: Earth Power
New Stats: 80 / 60 / 90 / 85 / 100 / 50 ( +5 SpA )
Reasoning: This is mostly outclassed by Malamar and its mostly because Malamar gets Flamethrower. With Earth Power it will be able to threaten Steel, Fire, and Poison types that didn't really care about it before.
Rotom:
No Eviolite
New Type: Electric / Normal
New Moves: Hyper Voice, Hyper Beam, Defog, Topsy Turvy, Growth
New Stats: 50 / 50 / 97 / 105 / 112 / 91 ( +20 Def, +10 SpA, +35 SpD )
New Abilities: Prankster | Levitate (HA)
Reasoning: Removing its reliance on Eviolite opens up more potential set diversity. Normal type balances out the tier's type chart a little better. Prankster Wisp looks to be getting a lot stronger with Purugly and Pupitar getting nerfed, but Levitate is great as well. Copycat shenanigans are bolstered by Growth, more SpA, and maybe even items.
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Purugly:
New Stats: 74 / 80 / 84 / 50 / 84 / 119 ( -10 HP, -5 Atk )
Movepool: -Stomping Tantrum
Reasoning: This Pokémon Attack was to high and it's coverage to good. Removing 10 points in Atk makes it weaker enough not to be the absolute revenge killer. Also a little nerf in bulk is there to make it easier to revenge kill.
Ludicolo:
New Stats: 80 / 60 / 70 / 100 / 100 / 75 ( -5 HP, -10 Def )
New Abilities: Swift Swim / Rain Dish | Thick Fat
Reasoning: Unaware was to good. It's now easier to break through Ludicolo even if it keeps it's ability to check Ninetales. Its bulk also got nerfed to make it easier to take down on the physical side.
Pupitar: No Eviolite
Abilities: No Guts
Reasoning: Makes it easier to beat and to switch into. Without Eviolite it doesn't set so easily two DD.
Magearna
Abilities: Clear Body / Boiler
Boiler: Poison Heal clone for burn.
Movepool Additions: Psycho Shift, Aura Sphere
Reasoning: Boiler gives Magearna a better recovery and allows it to come on Knock Off. If Magearna didn't get hit by Knock Off it can spread burns with Psycho Shift. It can also be used on Rest sets but I doubt they'll be good. Aura Sphere gives AV Magearna a way not to be completely walled by Steel-types.
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Stats: 64 HP / 90 Atk / 84 Def / 50 SpA / 84 SpD / 119 Spe (-20 HP)
Moves: -Stomping Tantrum
Reasoning: Nerfing its HP stat allowed for easier means of knocking out the monster cat, and removing it Stomping Tantrum solidifies Ninetales and Magearna as solid counters.
Abilities: Swift Swim / Rain Dish / Trace
Reasoning: Unaware allowed Ludicolo to almost single handly invalidate set up sweepers within the tier. Trace still grants it an interesting ability while not limiting defensive builds.
Stats: 80 HP / 60 Atk / 95 Def / 95 SpA / 100 SpD / 50 Spe (+5 Def, +10 SpA)
Abilities: Clear Body / Competitive / Iron Barbs
Moves: +Rapid Spin, +Focus Blast, +Thunderbolt
Reasoning: With higher bulk and power, Magearna ever so slightly improves on its previous role. But where it shines are its new abilities - Competitive allows it to become a threatening wallbreaker if its stats are lowered, and Iron Barbs makes it punish physical attackers even more. Rapid Spin also gives it a new niche. Focus Blast and Thunderbolt expand its offensive coverage options outside of STABs and Hidden Power.
Stats: 70 HP / 50 Atk / 77 Def / 97 SpA / 77 SpD / 91 Spe (+20 HP)
Abilities: Prankster / Levitate / Triage
Moves: +Defog, +Synthesis, +Work Up, +Parabolic Charge
Reasoning: The bulk increase allows Rotom to successfully compete with the other Ghost types within the tier, with Levitate being a generically great ability and Triage giving it a niche with Parabolic Charge. Defog shouldnt have been removed, Synthesis gives it more staying power and Work Up gives it offensive presence on Triage sets.
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Purugly Nerf
Stats: 74 / 90 / 79 / 59 / 79 / 119 (-10 HP, -5 Def, -5 SpD)
Moves: -Stomping Tantrum
Reasoning: Same as everyone else, except I chose to lower its all-around bulk to make it easier to revenge kill by the likes of Mowtom and Malamar, while removing Stomping Tantrum allows it to no longer hit Steels and Ninetales for SE damage.
Ludicolo Nerf
Abilities: Swift Swim / Rain Dish / Sap Sipper
Reasoning: Unaware was just too cancerous for the meta, making setup sweepers completely moot. Instead, Sap Sipper was chosen instead to check the likes of Mowtom before an SG, as well as walling opposing Ludicolo.
Pupitar Nerf
Stats: 90 / 110 / 100 / 50 / 60 / 60
Abilities: Shed Skin / Battle Armor
Reasoning: Guts was overkill for this pokemon, so I replaced it with a more fitting ability in Battle Armor, which does nothing to help its offensive power.
Magerna Buff
Stats: 85 / 60 / 95 / 95 / 100 / 60 (+5 HP, +5 Def, +10 SpA, +10 Spe)
Abilities: Clear Body / Heatproof / Lightning Rod
Moves: +Aura Sphere, +Stealth Rock, +Nasty Plot
Reasoning: Good lord did I fuck my creation up. Can't wall, can't sweep, can't do anything at all. Until now. With a little increase in its bulk, it can finally become the wall it wanted to be. Heatproof in particular lets it deal with Ninetales, both NP and Flower Gift, while Lightning Rod does the same to Rotom and Galvantula. Stealth Rock offers some more role compression, Aura Sphere lets it be the check to Steel-types it was meant to be, and Nasty Plot offers a better offensive sweeping option than CM.
Rotom Buff
Stats: 50 / 50 / 82 / 105 / 82 / 91 (+5 Def , +10 SpA , +5 SpD)
Abilities: Prankster / Infiltrator
Moves: +Defog, +Encore, +Taunt
Reasoning: Infiltrator offers a nifty alternative to Prankster, in exchange for losing priority status, you can now status and attack foes behind subs, which can make it a pain for set-up sweepers. Speaking of Prankster, it got a few nifty tools in that department too, with Encore and Taunt truly being able to cripple foes, both offensive and defensive, and Defog was completely stupid to remove.
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Ok voting is open. "No change" is an available vote option. You do not need to vote 3 times.
Purugly: Tuther, Demon Dragon, Scoopapa (they're all the same lol)
Ludicolo: G-Luke, Demon Dragon, Scoopapa
Pupitar: Scoopapa, Leonard, Demon Dragon
Magearna: Leonard, Scoopapa, G-Luke
Rotom: G-Luke, Scoopapa, Leonard
Purugly: Tuther, Demon Dragon, Scoopapa (they're all the same lol)
Ludicolo: G-Luke, Demon Dragon, Scoopapa
Pupitar: Scoopapa, Leonard, Demon Dragon
Magearna: Leonard, Scoopapa, G-Luke
Rotom: G-Luke, Scoopapa, Leonard
Purugly: Scoopapa, Demon Dragon, Tuther1
Ludicolo: Tuther1, G-Luke, leonard
Pupitar: leonard, Demon Dragon, Scoopapa
Magearna: G-Luke, Demon Dragon, Leonard
Rotom: Leonard, Scoopapa, G-Luke
Bruv leonard (from big bang theory) isnt there a no vote for self in first rule
Ludicolo: Tuther1, G-Luke, leonard
Pupitar: leonard, Demon Dragon, Scoopapa
Magearna: G-Luke, Demon Dragon, Leonard
Rotom: Leonard, Scoopapa, G-Luke
Bruv leonard (from big bang theory) isnt there a no vote for self in first rule
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No, check the OP. Basically every sub you do gives you 2 vote points that you can spend. Voting yourself #1 costs 3, 2nd costs 2, 3rd costs 1
Tuther wins with Purugly and Ludicolo, hopefully this should open up the offensive meta a bit.
Demon Dragon's Pupitar change is the winner. Long live Will-o-Wisp
Purugly:
New Stats: 74 / 80 / 84 / 50 / 84 / 119 ( -10 HP, -5 Atk )
Movepool: -Stomping Tantrum
Reasoning: This Pokémon Attack was to high and it's coverage to good. Removing 10 points in Atk makes it weaker enough not to be the absolute revenge killer. Also a little nerf in bulk is there to make it easier to revenge kill.
Ludicolo:
New Stats: 80 / 60 / 70 / 100 / 100 / 75 ( -5 HP, -10 Def )
New Abilities: Swift Swim / Rain Dish | Thick Fat
Reasoning: Unaware was to good. It's now easier to break through Ludicolo even if it keeps it's ability to check Ninetales. Its bulk also got nerfed to make it easier to take down on the physical side.
Magearna is now rocking an effective 169 attack stat (lol) or has priority healing STAB. Regardless this will be a big change to how this Pokemon functions.
Pupitar Nerf
Stats: 90 / 110 / 100 / 50 / 60 / 60
Abilities: Shed Skin / Battle Armor
Reasoning: Guts was overkill for this pokemon, so I replaced it with a more fitting ability in Battle Armor, which does nothing to help its offensive power.
My rotom also wins. Changes will go live on sheet soon
Magearna Buff
Abilities: Clear Body / Triage | Pure Power
Movepool Additions: Draining Kiss
Movepool Removals: Calm Mind
Reasoning: It's still mediocre- But unpredictably so! While Triage gives it a great set-up check option against targets like Farfetch'd and Purugly, Pure Power gives it a somewhat scary wallbreaker slant. It can beat Torterra with Moonblast and otherwise be a bad Type:Null that can check stuff like Purugly. AV with Iron Head/Brick Break/Moonblast/Volt Switch sounds very tasty.
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Lets get some sets/teams shared, kick off some meta discussion:
Magearna @ Normalium Z
Ability: Pure Power
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
Brave Nature
- Iron Head
- Heal Bell
- Volt Switch
- Moonblast / Brick Break / Giga Impact
Z-Heal Bell Magearna makes an amazing Purugly switch-in and generally great Knock Off absorber, while also being a competent wallbreaker, pivot, and cleric. Lots of role compression here. Moonblast and Brick Break offer coverage for different stuff while Giga Impact can be a silly nuke.
Rotom @ Eviolite
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Shadow Ball
- Work Up
- Protect
Spooktune dumpstered me with this today and would have clean swept me if he had Shadow Ball instead of Volt Switch, so I adjusted the set to reflect that. Good bulk allows it to spam work up against stuff like Ludicolo (goodbye unaware!) and then steamroll through the frailer members of the opponent's team which it now outspeeds. Fun set, try it out.
Magearna @ Normalium Z
Ability: Pure Power
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
Brave Nature
- Iron Head
- Heal Bell
- Volt Switch
- Moonblast / Brick Break / Giga Impact
Z-Heal Bell Magearna makes an amazing Purugly switch-in and generally great Knock Off absorber, while also being a competent wallbreaker, pivot, and cleric. Lots of role compression here. Moonblast and Brick Break offer coverage for different stuff while Giga Impact can be a silly nuke.
Rotom @ Eviolite
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Shadow Ball
- Work Up
- Protect
Spooktune dumpstered me with this today and would have clean swept me if he had Shadow Ball instead of Volt Switch, so I adjusted the set to reflect that. Good bulk allows it to spam work up against stuff like Ludicolo (goodbye unaware!) and then steamroll through the frailer members of the opponent's team which it now outspeeds. Fun set, try it out.
I have some sets
Malamar @ Normalium Z
Ability: Analytic
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Happy Hour
- Psychic
- Flash Cannon
- Flamethrower
Standard Malamar. Set up towards the end of the game once wall breakers have done their job. Otherwise it has trouble getting past walls like Umbreon and Ludicolo.
Malamar @ Leftovers
Ability: Analytic
EVs: 20 HP / 252 SpA / 236 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Calm Mind
- Flash Cannon
- Flamethrower
This set is noteable for beating almost everything that walls the above set, and it makes better use of Analytic. EV's outspeed Jolly Pupitar.
Malamar @ Choice Specs
Ability: Analytic
EVs: 120 HP / 252 SpA / 136 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psyshock
- Flash Cannon
- Flamethrower
- Toxic
This is a decent breaker due to the boosted hit against switches provided by Analytic, and the abliity to hit special walls with Psyshock.
Edit:
Both of these sets have enough speed to outspeed the next slowest pokemon in the tier, saving a few EV's for physical defense.
Galvantula @ Leftovers
Ability: Fluffy
EVs: 252 HP / 60 Def / 196 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Toxic
- Bug Buzz
- Slack Off
The best way of defensively dealing with Farfetch'd, but it's a good check to Purugly, Type: Null, Rotom-Mow, and to some degree Magearna. Toxic and Volt Switch makes it hard to switch into.
Dugtrio-Alola @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 64 Def / 192 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Taunt
- Spikes / Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Toxic
Really good at setting Spikes while denying the opponent's hazards.
Galvantula @ Leftovers
Ability: Fluffy
EVs: 252 HP / 60 Def / 196 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Toxic
- Bug Buzz
- Slack Off
Dugtrio-Alola @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 64 Def / 192 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Taunt
- Spikes / Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Toxic
Really good at setting Spikes while denying the opponent's hazards.
This has gotten a bit weaker with the addition of Wailord but I think it still works:
Dragalge @ Damp Rock
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Sludge Bomb
- Dragon Tail
- Rain Dance
- Rest
Primary rain setter and pivot into various threats to Rain like Wailord and Ludicolo.
Ludicolo @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Surf
- Giga Drain
- Ice Beam
- Rain Dance
Late-game sweeper and secondary setter.
Rotom-Wash @ Waterium Z
Ability: Rain Dish
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hydro Pump
- Shadow Ball
- Taunt
- Pain Split / Defog
Wall breaker that hits like a nuke, shuts down recovery and eats up Wailord's giant HP.
Rotom-Wash @ Leftovers / Flyinium Z
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Hurricane
- Substitute
- Roost
New arrival. Wailord's STABs both benefit and it's a beast in general. Not sure how much Speed it should run.
Galvantula @ Choice Specs
Ability: Fluffy
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunder
- Volt Switch
- Bug Buzz
- Energy Ball
Fast breaker that isn't walled by Ludicolo and Wailord.
Dragalge @ Damp Rock
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Sludge Bomb
- Dragon Tail
- Rain Dance
- Rest
Primary rain setter and pivot into various threats to Rain like Wailord and Ludicolo.
Ludicolo @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Surf
- Giga Drain
- Ice Beam
- Rain Dance
Late-game sweeper and secondary setter.
Rotom-Wash @ Waterium Z
Ability: Rain Dish
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hydro Pump
- Shadow Ball
- Taunt
- Pain Split / Defog
Wall breaker that hits like a nuke, shuts down recovery and eats up Wailord's giant HP.
Rotom-Wash @ Leftovers / Flyinium Z
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Hurricane
- Substitute
- Roost
New arrival. Wailord's STABs both benefit and it's a beast in general. Not sure how much Speed it should run.
Galvantula @ Choice Specs
Ability: Fluffy
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunder
- Volt Switch
- Bug Buzz
- Energy Ball
Fast breaker that isn't walled by Ludicolo and Wailord.
Extrasensory covers Dragalge, while Power Gem covers other Ninetales and helps vs. Wailord. I could see HP Electric being run just the smack the whale too.
Ninetales @ Fairium Z
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fire Blast
- Moonblast
- Extrasensory / Power Gem
- Nasty Plot
This is the set it was made for. No more Unaware Ludicolo makes it a bit stronger.
Ninetales @ Choice Specs
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fire Blast
- Moonblast
- Extrasensory
- Toxic / Power Gem
This was noteable for 2HKOing Umbreon with Moonblast and Ludicolo after SR with Fire Blast; Wailord and Thick Fat Ludicolo might have made this a lot worse.
Ninetales @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fire Blast
- Moonblast
- Power Gem / Flamethrower
- Toxic
Despite the SR weakness, Ninetales has some great traits for a Scarf user, making this a very valid option.
Ninetales @ Choice Band
Ability: Flower Gift
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Extreme Speed
- Play Rough
- Solar Beam
Unwallable in the sun.
Ninetales @ Fairium Z
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fire Blast
- Moonblast
- Extrasensory / Power Gem
- Nasty Plot
This is the set it was made for. No more Unaware Ludicolo makes it a bit stronger.
Ninetales @ Choice Specs
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fire Blast
- Moonblast
- Extrasensory
- Toxic / Power Gem
This was noteable for 2HKOing Umbreon with Moonblast and Ludicolo after SR with Fire Blast; Wailord and Thick Fat Ludicolo might have made this a lot worse.
Ninetales @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fire Blast
- Moonblast
- Power Gem / Flamethrower
- Toxic
Despite the SR weakness, Ninetales has some great traits for a Scarf user, making this a very valid option.
Ninetales @ Choice Band
Ability: Flower Gift
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Extreme Speed
- Play Rough
- Solar Beam
Unwallable in the sun.
Malamar @ Normalium Z
Ability: Analytic
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Happy Hour
- Psychic
- Flash Cannon
- Flamethrower
Standard Malamar. Set up towards the end of the game once wall breakers have done their job. Otherwise it has trouble getting past walls like Umbreon and Ludicolo.
Malamar @ Leftovers
Ability: Analytic
EVs: 20 HP / 252 SpA / 236 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Calm Mind
- Flash Cannon
- Flamethrower
This set is noteable for beating almost everything that walls the above set, and it makes better use of Analytic. EV's outspeed Jolly Pupitar.
Malamar @ Choice Specs
Ability: Analytic
EVs: 120 HP / 252 SpA / 136 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psyshock
- Flash Cannon
- Flamethrower
- Toxic
This is a decent breaker due to the boosted hit against switches provided by Analytic, and the abliity to hit special walls with Psyshock.
Edit:
Type: Null: A decent mid-tier pick. Choice Band and Swords Dance sets seem like its bread and butter. It's a bit inconsistent with many offensive and defensive checks to it existing, and its defensive presence is not great despite the Steel typing. The saving graces, in my opinion, are a decent speed tier vs. balance teams and very punishing U-turn. I wouldn't be surprised to see Scarf becoming a set.
Crobat: This pokemon's great bulk and access to Magic Guard make it look promising, but its role in the meta is uncertain to me. As a wall it loses to Pupitar, Rotom-Mow, Farfetch'd, and Dugtrio, (just on the physical side) while beating Type: Null, Magearna, and Purugly. As a defensive Defogger it loses to Dugtrio, Pupitar, and Heracross, only stopping Torterra. It may have other niches by utilizing Taunt + Super Fang together with its good speed, or abusing Life Orb + Magic Guard to make up for its low offenses.
Galvantula: A really solid pivot. The ability to outspeed most of the tier makes it a nasty Toxic staller and lets it click Volt Switch for free in many situations. It's good against several pokemon both offensive and defensive, which is what makes it pretty reliable. I don't have much experience with Specs ( outside of the Thunder set I posted ) but I think it has potential. Dugtrio is its natural predator.
Dugtrio-Alola: Another fast support pokemon that can range from bulky to full offense. It's the fastest pokemon in the tier and the only Spiker; it also has Intimidate and a great defensive typing, letting bulkier sets switch in multiple times. It seems very solid right now; it doesn't have a lot of sheer power or bulk, but it can do its job of setting hazards, checking some pokemon, and stallbreaking very well.
Ludicolo: Ludicolo's place in the metagame has changed a lot with its nerf and the introduction of Wailord. I think offensive Rain Dance is definitely its best set now, with defensive sets being overshadowed by Wailord, who also deals with Ninetales but is a lot bulkier.
Rotom: Another pokemon that received recent major changes. With Levitate and the removal of Guts from Pupitar, it can now burn the two pokemon who used to turn it into a liability: Pupitar and Purugly. Recover is also a big deal; Rotom is a valid defensive threat now. Work Up sets have potential too but are fairly unexplored so I'm not sure what to say about them atm.
Torterra: Kind of a niche pokemon right now. It's the most solid Pupitar answer there is, and has a decent time setting Stealth Rock for a team. It's also the only way to set sun for Ninetales. It's held back by many weaknesses and terrible STAB typing. A Choice Band set is pretty decent too, as it still checks physical attackers and has good coverage.
Dragalge: Pretty underrated in my opinion. It's the tier's sole Toxic Spiker, has solid mixed bulk and a great defensive typing. Dragon Tail goes a long way towards keeping it from being passive, and it's Hydration+Rest set is good enough to be worth running with a couple of Rain abusers. Its low speed, lack of reliable recovery, and difficulty with Steel types keep it mid tier.
Ninetales: Thanks to good stats and great STABs, Ninetales is a high-tier pick that can run a lot of sets. It has a good speed tier, notably outspeeding Farfetch'd, which is part of why its Scarf set works. The variety of sets means that most teams need a defensive answer to it, not just checks.
Pupitar: Pupitar is a huge sweeping threat thanks to its Eviolite-enhanced bulk and powerful STAB EdgeQuake. Outside of dual-STAB and Dragon Dance, it has a "free" moveslot that can be used well for Stealth Rock, Toxic or a coverage move, or Rest to abuse Shed Skin. Its typing leaves it with many weaknesses, which in combo with its low speed can leave it highly pressured by the opposing team. However, there's no denying that it can win games on the spot if it finds the right opportunity to Dragon Dance.
Farfetch'd: A really solid wallbreaker or Scarf user. Defiant Scarf is very consistent and probably a good pair with Spikes Dugtrio to bait Defog. It's definitely one of the go-to scarfers. Stick + Sniper is basically unwallable as Cross Chop is guaranteed murder to non-resists and its coverage moves have a 50% chance to get a 2.25x boost as well. Well-played on VoltTurn it should dismantle the opponent. It's a bit of a glass cannon, and if you don't get your crits it can fall flat, but it's really scary.
Purugly: I'm not sure what to say about this as it was pretty heavily nerfed recently. It was an absolute terror despite only 90 base Atk due to incredible STABs that were covered perfectly by Stomping Tantrum. This together with good bulk and Regenerator and high speed left it with very few weaknesses. It now has less power and no Stomping Tantrum, and is a bit less bulky. It also no longer can switch into Rotom without fearing Will-o-Wisp. I wouldn't be surprised if the same sets still work, but I'm not sure yet.
Kyurem: This thing is an interesting pick but a bit inconsistent; it has good bulk, but only one resistance ( which is only relevant for walling itself ). It has good SpA, but poor coverage and no boosting ability. Still, a special attacker that can break Wailord, Ludicolo, and Dragalge while stalling out Umbreon definitely has its uses. Wailord makes a great partner as it can join in on the Pressure stall and heal it up with Wish.
Rotom-Wash: A very versatile pokemon that is equally at home being a wall as a wall breaker. It's a good Defog user thanks to a good matchup vs. Dugtrio and Pupitar and a decent one vs. Heracross. Offensive sets work because of the power of Hydro Pump and because both Water and Ghost are good STABs in the tier. 76 is actually a decent troll speed tier getting the jump on Heracross and Malamar. Taunt and Pain Split help it chip away at pokemon who can take its attacks.
Umbreon: Umbreon is a decent special wall that sports great bulk and only one weakness to Fairy. Merciless makes it a big threat to anything that it can poison, which allows it to apply some pressure. However, it has a hard time dealing damage if it can't poison the opponent, and its niche as a Wish passing wall is somewhat overshadowed by Wailord. Physical attackers don't have much trouble with it if they can dodge Foul Play.
Heracross: A very interesting pokemon that provides a lot of support in Stealth Rock, U-turn, Will-o-Wisp, and status immunity. All of these make it a pretty consistent choice for a Stealth Rock setter. Its pitfalls are its weak STABs and poor special bulk, which leave it with a choice between its damage or bulk being lacking, depending on EV's.
Magearna: Well I really don't know what to say about this as it was recently overhauled. It seems like the only candidate for a Trick Room sweeper, if nothing else, but I wouldn't be surprised to see other tank sets being successful.
Rotom-Mow: A pretty cool anti-offense pokemon. It has really good stats for a Shift Gear user, easily fitting a bit of bulk and an Adamant nature into its EV spread. Its coverage of Grass/Psychic/Steel is kind of awkward, as is its defensive typing, which leave it vunlerable to Galvantula and Heracross, as well as Steel types. I don't think it's a great spinner but it might still be worth using Rapid Spin on a Spikes stacking team.
Malamar: This pokemon's typing works very well for it, but this is balanced out by mediocre stats. All of its sets have trouble with Umbreon, while Happy Hour has trouble dealing damage in general. I suspect Happy Hour is not really its best set, and that sets like Sub+CM and Specs are more consistent due to their ability to have an impact prior to the late game.
Wailord: The new arrival, and it's been proving itself to be a beast. Wall sets are very good as Hurricane is threatening even with no EV's and its bulk is really off the charts by the tier's standards. Walling Ninetales is a great asset. I've also seen offensive sets work due to the power of its STABs.In all honesty it's probably a bit too strong, due to the combo of bulk and offensive presence; something has to give between those two.
Crobat: This pokemon's great bulk and access to Magic Guard make it look promising, but its role in the meta is uncertain to me. As a wall it loses to Pupitar, Rotom-Mow, Farfetch'd, and Dugtrio, (just on the physical side) while beating Type: Null, Magearna, and Purugly. As a defensive Defogger it loses to Dugtrio, Pupitar, and Heracross, only stopping Torterra. It may have other niches by utilizing Taunt + Super Fang together with its good speed, or abusing Life Orb + Magic Guard to make up for its low offenses.
Galvantula: A really solid pivot. The ability to outspeed most of the tier makes it a nasty Toxic staller and lets it click Volt Switch for free in many situations. It's good against several pokemon both offensive and defensive, which is what makes it pretty reliable. I don't have much experience with Specs ( outside of the Thunder set I posted ) but I think it has potential. Dugtrio is its natural predator.
Dugtrio-Alola: Another fast support pokemon that can range from bulky to full offense. It's the fastest pokemon in the tier and the only Spiker; it also has Intimidate and a great defensive typing, letting bulkier sets switch in multiple times. It seems very solid right now; it doesn't have a lot of sheer power or bulk, but it can do its job of setting hazards, checking some pokemon, and stallbreaking very well.
Ludicolo: Ludicolo's place in the metagame has changed a lot with its nerf and the introduction of Wailord. I think offensive Rain Dance is definitely its best set now, with defensive sets being overshadowed by Wailord, who also deals with Ninetales but is a lot bulkier.
Rotom: Another pokemon that received recent major changes. With Levitate and the removal of Guts from Pupitar, it can now burn the two pokemon who used to turn it into a liability: Pupitar and Purugly. Recover is also a big deal; Rotom is a valid defensive threat now. Work Up sets have potential too but are fairly unexplored so I'm not sure what to say about them atm.
Torterra: Kind of a niche pokemon right now. It's the most solid Pupitar answer there is, and has a decent time setting Stealth Rock for a team. It's also the only way to set sun for Ninetales. It's held back by many weaknesses and terrible STAB typing. A Choice Band set is pretty decent too, as it still checks physical attackers and has good coverage.
Dragalge: Pretty underrated in my opinion. It's the tier's sole Toxic Spiker, has solid mixed bulk and a great defensive typing. Dragon Tail goes a long way towards keeping it from being passive, and it's Hydration+Rest set is good enough to be worth running with a couple of Rain abusers. Its low speed, lack of reliable recovery, and difficulty with Steel types keep it mid tier.
Ninetales: Thanks to good stats and great STABs, Ninetales is a high-tier pick that can run a lot of sets. It has a good speed tier, notably outspeeding Farfetch'd, which is part of why its Scarf set works. The variety of sets means that most teams need a defensive answer to it, not just checks.
Pupitar: Pupitar is a huge sweeping threat thanks to its Eviolite-enhanced bulk and powerful STAB EdgeQuake. Outside of dual-STAB and Dragon Dance, it has a "free" moveslot that can be used well for Stealth Rock, Toxic or a coverage move, or Rest to abuse Shed Skin. Its typing leaves it with many weaknesses, which in combo with its low speed can leave it highly pressured by the opposing team. However, there's no denying that it can win games on the spot if it finds the right opportunity to Dragon Dance.
Farfetch'd: A really solid wallbreaker or Scarf user. Defiant Scarf is very consistent and probably a good pair with Spikes Dugtrio to bait Defog. It's definitely one of the go-to scarfers. Stick + Sniper is basically unwallable as Cross Chop is guaranteed murder to non-resists and its coverage moves have a 50% chance to get a 2.25x boost as well. Well-played on VoltTurn it should dismantle the opponent. It's a bit of a glass cannon, and if you don't get your crits it can fall flat, but it's really scary.
Purugly: I'm not sure what to say about this as it was pretty heavily nerfed recently. It was an absolute terror despite only 90 base Atk due to incredible STABs that were covered perfectly by Stomping Tantrum. This together with good bulk and Regenerator and high speed left it with very few weaknesses. It now has less power and no Stomping Tantrum, and is a bit less bulky. It also no longer can switch into Rotom without fearing Will-o-Wisp. I wouldn't be surprised if the same sets still work, but I'm not sure yet.
Kyurem: This thing is an interesting pick but a bit inconsistent; it has good bulk, but only one resistance ( which is only relevant for walling itself ). It has good SpA, but poor coverage and no boosting ability. Still, a special attacker that can break Wailord, Ludicolo, and Dragalge while stalling out Umbreon definitely has its uses. Wailord makes a great partner as it can join in on the Pressure stall and heal it up with Wish.
Rotom-Wash: A very versatile pokemon that is equally at home being a wall as a wall breaker. It's a good Defog user thanks to a good matchup vs. Dugtrio and Pupitar and a decent one vs. Heracross. Offensive sets work because of the power of Hydro Pump and because both Water and Ghost are good STABs in the tier. 76 is actually a decent troll speed tier getting the jump on Heracross and Malamar. Taunt and Pain Split help it chip away at pokemon who can take its attacks.
Umbreon: Umbreon is a decent special wall that sports great bulk and only one weakness to Fairy. Merciless makes it a big threat to anything that it can poison, which allows it to apply some pressure. However, it has a hard time dealing damage if it can't poison the opponent, and its niche as a Wish passing wall is somewhat overshadowed by Wailord. Physical attackers don't have much trouble with it if they can dodge Foul Play.
Heracross: A very interesting pokemon that provides a lot of support in Stealth Rock, U-turn, Will-o-Wisp, and status immunity. All of these make it a pretty consistent choice for a Stealth Rock setter. Its pitfalls are its weak STABs and poor special bulk, which leave it with a choice between its damage or bulk being lacking, depending on EV's.
Magearna: Well I really don't know what to say about this as it was recently overhauled. It seems like the only candidate for a Trick Room sweeper, if nothing else, but I wouldn't be surprised to see other tank sets being successful.
Rotom-Mow: A pretty cool anti-offense pokemon. It has really good stats for a Shift Gear user, easily fitting a bit of bulk and an Adamant nature into its EV spread. Its coverage of Grass/Psychic/Steel is kind of awkward, as is its defensive typing, which leave it vunlerable to Galvantula and Heracross, as well as Steel types. I don't think it's a great spinner but it might still be worth using Rapid Spin on a Spikes stacking team.
Malamar: This pokemon's typing works very well for it, but this is balanced out by mediocre stats. All of its sets have trouble with Umbreon, while Happy Hour has trouble dealing damage in general. I suspect Happy Hour is not really its best set, and that sets like Sub+CM and Specs are more consistent due to their ability to have an impact prior to the late game.
Wailord: The new arrival, and it's been proving itself to be a beast. Wall sets are very good as Hurricane is threatening even with no EV's and its bulk is really off the charts by the tier's standards. Walling Ninetales is a great asset. I've also seen offensive sets work due to the power of its STABs.
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I have some teams, cheesy as they may be
The best version of rain I could come up with in this meta, and it certainly is not a bad playstyle. Team centres around Ludicolo and the gang busting holes into the opposing team until weakened enough for based sweeper Malamar to come in, set up and bring it home. Dugtrio brings rocks, and Electric immunity and a speedy mon outside of rain. Drag sets rain and is a basic special tank that also forces out enemy of the state Torterra. Wailord is weird, as nobody has pinned down an exact set for the titan, but once Wailord is under the weather, its switchins are limited to nothing. Galvan drops Specs Thunder like the best of them.
Team functions with Pupitar and Mowtom setting up and battering each other's checks. Ludicolo, while it has fallen out of favour, still can wall shit and spread nasty status while being a good check to Pupitar. Purugly is well known at this point, and packs nice priority to pick off weakened sweepers. Galvan can check all of of the problematic birds, and is in general a decent physical tank. Farfetch'd rounds it out as the resident scarfer.