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Pet Mod Clean Slate: Micro
- Thread starter earl
- Start date
Season 1 of Pet Mod of the Season:
CLEAN SLATE MICRO
Clean Slate Micro has been selected as the Pet Mod of the Season on main, and with that comes (hopefully) significant metagame development. Given activity and interest is high enough, monthly balance changes will be held in order to further balance the metagame (which may or may not include new Pokemon). For the time being, feel free to post anything you feel is relevant to the metagame at the moment, whether that be sets, first impressions, personal VRs, whatever. I hope our first Pet Mod of the Season goes well so we can continue to have a presence on main!CLEAN SLATE MICRO
Dragalge @ Black Sludge
Ability: Poison Point
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Toxic Spikes
- Pain Split
- Draco Meteor
- Focus Blast
Dragalge is an absolute monster lead. Toxic Spikes are there to set up Poison/Toxic Poison which Umbreon can benefit a TON from, as well as Umbreon taking care of it's Psychic-type weakness. Pain Split helps its health a bunch, since it needs to at least be setting up Toxic Spikes once. It also recovers a lot of health from Wailord, which it otherwise mostly walls. Draco Meteor is a god damn NUKE. I've seen this move OHKO most of the meta, but its also bait for Purugly to come in safely. Focus Blast is definitely an odd choice but a good one nonetheless. Dugtrio-Alola is one of the best leads in the metagame and having a move that can OHKO Dugtrio setting up Spikes and Stealth Rocks is astounding. Focus Blast also smacks Pupitar, Kyurem, and Type: Null in the face. The only problem this set has is the ability to deal with Fairy-types such as Magearna, Purugly, and Ninetales.
I'll edit this post with more mons but god i love this set.
Dropping a hot team that has been serving me well
Some stuff I have been having trouble with is mostly Scarf Fetch. The bird is pretty annoying. Wailord is also an issue but Toxic + my own Wailord should put pressure on it. (So basically flying types)
Replays of the team in action (this is prior to the adjustments of Dugtrio and Wailord)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7petmodcleanslatemicro-1039817494
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7petmodcleanslatemicro-1039870429
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/...-1039834264-9hvx48iajn471dhpenhg2nsaj5imygnpw
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/...-1039895461-w1l94u0d98j149mfl2pl3jzun27828upw
Farfetch'd @ Stick
Ability: Sniper
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Brave Bird
- First Impression
- Cross Chop
- Knock Off
Wailord @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 16 Def / 240 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Roost
- Air Slash
- Defog
- Scald
Ninetales @ Fairium Z
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Fire Blast
- Moonblast
- Extrasensory
Dugtrio-Alola @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Taunt
- Toxic
- Iron Head
Torterra @ Leftovers
Ability: Drought
EVs: 252 HP / 228 Def / 28 SpD
Impish Nature
- Wood Hammer
- Earthquake
- Synthesis
- Stealth Rock
Purugly @ Life Orb
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- U-turn
- Play Rough
- Sucker Punch
Ability: Sniper
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Brave Bird
- First Impression
- Cross Chop
- Knock Off
Wailord @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 16 Def / 240 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Roost
- Air Slash
- Defog
- Scald
Ninetales @ Fairium Z
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Fire Blast
- Moonblast
- Extrasensory
Dugtrio-Alola @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Taunt
- Toxic
- Iron Head
Torterra @ Leftovers
Ability: Drought
EVs: 252 HP / 228 Def / 28 SpD
Impish Nature
- Wood Hammer
- Earthquake
- Synthesis
- Stealth Rock
Purugly @ Life Orb
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- U-turn
- Play Rough
- Sucker Punch
The team is centered around clearing the path for Ninetale's sun breaking sweep. Farfetch'd is the most peculiar member of the team, but it serves me as both a decent priority option, but primarily as a very annoying Wallbreaker, being able to do downright absurd damage if it gets a critical hit. Adamant is to maximise damage output, but can be changed if the speed tier feels lacking to you.
Wailord is the team's chief Ninetales check, defogger and overall special wall. Being on a sun team I have found myself not wanting to click Hurricane, so I swapped it out for Air Slash, but swap it out if you prefer Hurricane.
Ninetales is the lady of the hour, being our very scary Nasty Plot breaker. Ninetales serves as a unique option thanks to being a Fairy type Wallbreaker that beats all of the other Fairies. I run Fairium Z because at +2 nothing outside of resists are living a Twinkulo Takulo.
Dugtrio set I run is a stall breaking ToxTaunt set, as I think Hazard setting variants are not as good with the rise of Wailord. Tox Taunt screws over defensive Umbreon and denies Heracross the opportunity to spread status or hazards in its face. Dugtrio also serves as a decent revenge killer thanks to many offensive options being weak to its STAB combo while being the fastest threat in the tier.
Torterra provides sun support for Ninetales, beats it's best check in Pupitar, and serves as the best physically defensive wall in the tier. Torterra also packs rocks, giving it something to do other than spam Synthesis versus Farfetch'd.
Purugly finally serves as another win con thanks to its high speed and deceptively strong attacks when backed by a Life Orb. Being able to serve as a pivot is a huge plus as well, switching in and out and snagging momentum. Sucker Punch also doubles as a nice form of priority.
Wailord is the team's chief Ninetales check, defogger and overall special wall. Being on a sun team I have found myself not wanting to click Hurricane, so I swapped it out for Air Slash, but swap it out if you prefer Hurricane.
Ninetales is the lady of the hour, being our very scary Nasty Plot breaker. Ninetales serves as a unique option thanks to being a Fairy type Wallbreaker that beats all of the other Fairies. I run Fairium Z because at +2 nothing outside of resists are living a Twinkulo Takulo.
Dugtrio set I run is a stall breaking ToxTaunt set, as I think Hazard setting variants are not as good with the rise of Wailord. Tox Taunt screws over defensive Umbreon and denies Heracross the opportunity to spread status or hazards in its face. Dugtrio also serves as a decent revenge killer thanks to many offensive options being weak to its STAB combo while being the fastest threat in the tier.
Torterra provides sun support for Ninetales, beats it's best check in Pupitar, and serves as the best physically defensive wall in the tier. Torterra also packs rocks, giving it something to do other than spam Synthesis versus Farfetch'd.
Purugly finally serves as another win con thanks to its high speed and deceptively strong attacks when backed by a Life Orb. Being able to serve as a pivot is a huge plus as well, switching in and out and snagging momentum. Sucker Punch also doubles as a nice form of priority.
Some stuff I have been having trouble with is mostly Scarf Fetch. The bird is pretty annoying. Wailord is also an issue but Toxic + my own Wailord should put pressure on it. (So basically flying types)
Replays of the team in action (this is prior to the adjustments of Dugtrio and Wailord)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7petmodcleanslatemicro-1039817494
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7petmodcleanslatemicro-1039870429
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/...-1039834264-9hvx48iajn471dhpenhg2nsaj5imygnpw
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/...-1039895461-w1l94u0d98j149mfl2pl3jzun27828upw
Last edited:
Name of the Pokemon: Dottler
Role: Trapping
Type: Bug/Psychic
Abilities: Compound Eyes/Dauntless Shield/Heat Proof
Stat Distribution: 50/10/130/35/130/10
Movepool Additions: Toxic/Trick Room/Curse
Movepool Removals: None
Justification: A Dottler holding an eviolite is a super defensive Pokemon with Dauntless Shield which can easily set trap with its Infestation, Struggle Bug, Toxic and Sticky Web. Recover will restore its health again and with Heat Proof it will have only a few weakness. With Compound Eyes, its Accuracy will be better even if Defog like moves are used but it is super weak to poison, dark and flying types.
Role: Trapping
Type: Bug/Psychic
Abilities: Compound Eyes/Dauntless Shield/Heat Proof
Stat Distribution: 50/10/130/35/130/10
Movepool Additions: Toxic/Trick Room/Curse
Movepool Removals: None
Justification: A Dottler holding an eviolite is a super defensive Pokemon with Dauntless Shield which can easily set trap with its Infestation, Struggle Bug, Toxic and Sticky Web. Recover will restore its health again and with Heat Proof it will have only a few weakness. With Compound Eyes, its Accuracy will be better even if Defog like moves are used but it is super weak to poison, dark and flying types.
Hello! Unfortunately, Clean Slate Micro will not be accepting new submissions at this time because it has been completed. However, if any new balance slates are announced be sure to stick around. Also, not only is CSM playable on PS!, but for the time being you can contribute to the currently under construction Clean Slate 2.
Now that the VR has been updated, I think I'll explain the placements of each Pokemon:
S-Rank
Dugtrio-Alola is an extremely splashable and effective hazard setter in the current meta thanks to its combination of speed, defensive prowess, and near-perfect utility movepool. A base 126 Speed translates to Dugtrio outspeeding any non-boosted Pokemon, and even then it still outspeeds a few +1 speed threats such as Pupitar. While 55/95/61 bulk is poor on paper, Intimidate and a phenomenal defensive typing give Dugtrio plentiful opportunities to check common Pokemon such as Purugly, Dragalge, Galvantula, and a few more depending on various factors. The typing also gives it decent hazard resilience. Lastly, Dugtrio's movepool gives it a wide variety of sets to improve various matchups: A Rocks+Spikes set alongside Taunt is the best (and arguably only) suicide lead in the meta, Substitute Toxic sets can ravage bulkier teams, and Dual STABs+Coverage can prove to be a headache for offense to handle. There is virtually no downside to running Dugtrio-Alola.
Farfetch'd has 2 incredibly effective sets: Scarf and Stick. Scarf Farfetch'd is the best Scarfer in the metagame, revenge killing a wide range of offensive threats with just its STABs, allowing it to fit U-Turn and 1 other move of choice (Defog for emergency hazard clearing and Leaf Blade for a stronger Pupitar hit particularly stand out). Late game this set can clean by just spamming Brave Bird, which has few sturdy resists. Stick, on the other hand, has a singular defensive check: a full HP Galvantula. Otherwise, Stick Farfetch'd tears through slower teams with its brutally powerful Sniper-boosted guaranteed crit Cross Chop and its absolutely nuclear critical Brave Bird, which occurs 50% of the time thanks to Stick. This set is a literal 50/50. While it is virtually impossible to handle defensively, at least it can be outsped and OHKOed by common Pokemon like Ninetales and Purugly.
Our last (altho not worst, this just alphabetical) S-Rank is Ninetales, another devastating Wallbreaker. Ninetales has perfectly viable standalone sets such as Scarf, Specs, and Nasty Plot, but the Nasty Plot sets paired with Torterra's Sun is where Ninetales is truly brutal. Both Flower Gift and Flash Fire grant Ninetales an easier time setting up, and once boosted nothing but Dragalge and opposing Flash Fire Ninetales can stomach a hit from it. Note that Dragalge lacks consistent recovery, and opposing Ninetales can't threaten you back so you just keep spamming Moonblast. Normally solid counters such as specially defensive Pupitar fold to a Solar Beam, too. At least it's handily revenged killed by Dugtrio-Alola.
I'll explain the A ranks tomorrow
S-Rank
Dugtrio-Alola is an extremely splashable and effective hazard setter in the current meta thanks to its combination of speed, defensive prowess, and near-perfect utility movepool. A base 126 Speed translates to Dugtrio outspeeding any non-boosted Pokemon, and even then it still outspeeds a few +1 speed threats such as Pupitar. While 55/95/61 bulk is poor on paper, Intimidate and a phenomenal defensive typing give Dugtrio plentiful opportunities to check common Pokemon such as Purugly, Dragalge, Galvantula, and a few more depending on various factors. The typing also gives it decent hazard resilience. Lastly, Dugtrio's movepool gives it a wide variety of sets to improve various matchups: A Rocks+Spikes set alongside Taunt is the best (and arguably only) suicide lead in the meta, Substitute Toxic sets can ravage bulkier teams, and Dual STABs+Coverage can prove to be a headache for offense to handle. There is virtually no downside to running Dugtrio-Alola. Farfetch'd has 2 incredibly effective sets: Scarf and Stick. Scarf Farfetch'd is the best Scarfer in the metagame, revenge killing a wide range of offensive threats with just its STABs, allowing it to fit U-Turn and 1 other move of choice (Defog for emergency hazard clearing and Leaf Blade for a stronger Pupitar hit particularly stand out). Late game this set can clean by just spamming Brave Bird, which has few sturdy resists. Stick, on the other hand, has a singular defensive check: a full HP Galvantula. Otherwise, Stick Farfetch'd tears through slower teams with its brutally powerful Sniper-boosted guaranteed crit Cross Chop and its absolutely nuclear critical Brave Bird, which occurs 50% of the time thanks to Stick. This set is a literal 50/50. While it is virtually impossible to handle defensively, at least it can be outsped and OHKOed by common Pokemon like Ninetales and Purugly. Our last (altho not worst, this just alphabetical) S-Rank is Ninetales, another devastating Wallbreaker. Ninetales has perfectly viable standalone sets such as Scarf, Specs, and Nasty Plot, but the Nasty Plot sets paired with Torterra's Sun is where Ninetales is truly brutal. Both Flower Gift and Flash Fire grant Ninetales an easier time setting up, and once boosted nothing but Dragalge and opposing Flash Fire Ninetales can stomach a hit from it. Note that Dragalge lacks consistent recovery, and opposing Ninetales can't threaten you back so you just keep spamming Moonblast. Normally solid counters such as specially defensive Pupitar fold to a Solar Beam, too. At least it's handily revenged killed by Dugtrio-Alola.I'll explain the A ranks tomorrow
A-Rank | Top:
Galvantula's primary niche is to handle Farfetch'd. With Fluffy-boosted bulk, reliable recovery, and enough speed to outspeed Stick variants, Galvantula can take a critical Brave Bird and survive after rocks damage. KOing the bird is trivial with its Electric STAB. Outside of this (very valuable) niche Galvantula functions as a solid offensive pivot with its STABs+Giga Drain threatening a wide swath of the metagame. Finally, purely offensive Thunder variants can be used on rain teams, but Sun's prevalence makes manual Rain an inconsistent archetype.
Pupitar is a very reliable wincon and a solid offensive check to Ninetales. With Dragon Dance, great eviolite-enhanced bulk, and STAB Edgequake, Pupitar can easily clean weakened teams. Rest variants can usually get 2 or more Dragon Dances off while eating hits from threats like (no Solar Beam) Ninetales and Rotom, while offensive Stealth Rock variants can compress roles to ease teambuilding. Not much more to say, a very linear but consistent and threatening pick.
Purugly is a devastating anti-offense measure with a great STAB combo and the second best Speed in the metagame. Life Orb augments Purugly's mediocre attack stat, and Regenerator nearly always offsets the chip damage Purugly will take from hazards and Life Orb, making it a phenomenally consistent and annoying offensive pivot. Pursuit trapping the many ghosts in the tier and spamming Knock Off is a job it fulfills wonderfully. Sadly, Dugtrio exists and is a massive thorn in its side which prevents it from truly being unstoppable.
Torterra is a top-tier physical wall that finds plenty of opportunities to set Stealth Rock against common Pokemon such as Dugtrio, Purugly (yes, it isn't 2HKO'd by Play Rough), Pupitar, and Heracross. It also sets sun for Ninetales, which is self-explanatory in why this is useful. Super straightforward but solid mon.
Wailord is our best hazard control option, able to defog on most of our rockers (Pupitar is situational, but the other 3 are solid wins). Titanic bulk and decent offensive presence just further cement Wailord's niche. Being a competent Ninetales check also never hurts.
A-Rank | Bottom:
Dragalge is the best Ninetales counter in the game, a good toxic spikes setter, and has a wide variety of lure sets to eliminate specific threats, most notably Dugtrio. As with most defensive Pokemon in this meta, there's not much more to say beyond "it has a positive match-up spread against a significant amount of the meta". No recovery outside of lefties and pain split does hurt, though.
Heracross is a defensive pivot rocks setter that switches into Dugtrio for days and uses a slow U-Turn to bring in wallbreakers safely. Access to will-o-wisp discourages Farfetch'd from switching into Heracross. Alternatively, a more offensive Bulk Up set can be ran that utilizes Facade's strong neutral coverage to muscle through teams. However it is still easy to switch into and loathes Farfetch'd and Ninetales.
Rotom is incredibly unpredictable- Eviolite levitate sets are a solid hazard control option and a solid blanket check against most physical attackers, prankster-wisp is the best Farfetch'd counter in the game (but otherwise a pretty mediocre set), and Speed Boost Work Up sets ravage offense. This unpredictability is why Rotom is so effective- if you switch out your Farfetch'd fearing a Wisp you could end up being swept. The unresisted STAB coverage also doesn't hurt. Work Up sets are very frail, however, and defensive sets aren't very threatening offensively. Also, Purugly exists.
Galvantula's primary niche is to handle Farfetch'd. With Fluffy-boosted bulk, reliable recovery, and enough speed to outspeed Stick variants, Galvantula can take a critical Brave Bird and survive after rocks damage. KOing the bird is trivial with its Electric STAB. Outside of this (very valuable) niche Galvantula functions as a solid offensive pivot with its STABs+Giga Drain threatening a wide swath of the metagame. Finally, purely offensive Thunder variants can be used on rain teams, but Sun's prevalence makes manual Rain an inconsistent archetype. Pupitar is a very reliable wincon and a solid offensive check to Ninetales. With Dragon Dance, great eviolite-enhanced bulk, and STAB Edgequake, Pupitar can easily clean weakened teams. Rest variants can usually get 2 or more Dragon Dances off while eating hits from threats like (no Solar Beam) Ninetales and Rotom, while offensive Stealth Rock variants can compress roles to ease teambuilding. Not much more to say, a very linear but consistent and threatening pick. Purugly is a devastating anti-offense measure with a great STAB combo and the second best Speed in the metagame. Life Orb augments Purugly's mediocre attack stat, and Regenerator nearly always offsets the chip damage Purugly will take from hazards and Life Orb, making it a phenomenally consistent and annoying offensive pivot. Pursuit trapping the many ghosts in the tier and spamming Knock Off is a job it fulfills wonderfully. Sadly, Dugtrio exists and is a massive thorn in its side which prevents it from truly being unstoppable. Torterra is a top-tier physical wall that finds plenty of opportunities to set Stealth Rock against common Pokemon such as Dugtrio, Purugly (yes, it isn't 2HKO'd by Play Rough), Pupitar, and Heracross. It also sets sun for Ninetales, which is self-explanatory in why this is useful. Super straightforward but solid mon. Wailord is our best hazard control option, able to defog on most of our rockers (Pupitar is situational, but the other 3 are solid wins). Titanic bulk and decent offensive presence just further cement Wailord's niche. Being a competent Ninetales check also never hurts.A-Rank | Bottom:
Dragalge is the best Ninetales counter in the game, a good toxic spikes setter, and has a wide variety of lure sets to eliminate specific threats, most notably Dugtrio. As with most defensive Pokemon in this meta, there's not much more to say beyond "it has a positive match-up spread against a significant amount of the meta". No recovery outside of lefties and pain split does hurt, though. Heracross is a defensive pivot rocks setter that switches into Dugtrio for days and uses a slow U-Turn to bring in wallbreakers safely. Access to will-o-wisp discourages Farfetch'd from switching into Heracross. Alternatively, a more offensive Bulk Up set can be ran that utilizes Facade's strong neutral coverage to muscle through teams. However it is still easy to switch into and loathes Farfetch'd and Ninetales. Rotom is incredibly unpredictable- Eviolite levitate sets are a solid hazard control option and a solid blanket check against most physical attackers, prankster-wisp is the best Farfetch'd counter in the game (but otherwise a pretty mediocre set), and Speed Boost Work Up sets ravage offense. This unpredictability is why Rotom is so effective- if you switch out your Farfetch'd fearing a Wisp you could end up being swept. The unresisted STAB coverage also doesn't hurt. Work Up sets are very frail, however, and defensive sets aren't very threatening offensively. Also, Purugly exists.
clean slate 2 is open for submissions right nowOh bad! Can you please remember this for Clean State Micro plz....
Some CSM stats for you all:
Malamar, Contrary, 4.5
Heracross, Poison Heal, 4
Rotom, Prankster, 4
Rotom-Wash, Water Absorb, 3.5
Ninetales, Flash Fire, 3.5
Ludicolo, Swift Swim, 3
Pupitar, Shed Skin, 3
Torterra, Rock Head, 3
Rotom-Mow, Rough Skin, 2.5
Umbreon, Infiltrator, 2.5
Kyurem, Pressure, 2.5
Farfetch'd, Defiant, 2.5
Magearna, Clear Body, 2
Dugtrio-Alola, Sand Force, 2
Galvantula, Static, 2
Wailord, Oblivious, 1.5
Dragalge, Poison Point, 1.5
Type: Null, Battle Armor, 1
Purugly, Cute Charm, 0.5
Crobat, Big Pecks, 0.5
Heracross, Poison Heal, 4
Rotom, Prankster, 4
Rotom-Wash, Water Absorb, 3.5
Ninetales, Flash Fire, 3.5
Ludicolo, Swift Swim, 3
Pupitar, Shed Skin, 3
Torterra, Rock Head, 3
Rotom-Mow, Rough Skin, 2.5
Umbreon, Infiltrator, 2.5
Kyurem, Pressure, 2.5
Farfetch'd, Defiant, 2.5
Magearna, Clear Body, 2
Dugtrio-Alola, Sand Force, 2
Galvantula, Static, 2
Wailord, Oblivious, 1.5
Dragalge, Poison Point, 1.5
Type: Null, Battle Armor, 1
Purugly, Cute Charm, 0.5
Crobat, Big Pecks, 0.5
Crobat, Magic Guard, 4
Type: Null, Tinted Lens, 4
Magearna, Triage, 3.5
Rotom, Levitate, 3.5
Rotom-Mow, Chlorophyll, 3
Wailord, Pressure, 2.5
Galvantula, Quick Feet, 2.5
Dragalge, Poison Touch, 2
Farfetch'd, Sniper, 2
Umbreon, Poison Touch, 2
Ninetales, Limber, 2
Heracross, Cursed Body, 2
Ludicolo, Rain Dish, 1.5
Rotom-Wash, Rain Dish, 1.5
Malamar, Suction Cups, 1
Type: Null, Tinted Lens, 4
Magearna, Triage, 3.5
Rotom, Levitate, 3.5
Rotom-Mow, Chlorophyll, 3
Wailord, Pressure, 2.5
Galvantula, Quick Feet, 2.5
Dragalge, Poison Touch, 2
Farfetch'd, Sniper, 2
Umbreon, Poison Touch, 2
Ninetales, Limber, 2
Heracross, Cursed Body, 2
Ludicolo, Rain Dish, 1.5
Rotom-Wash, Rain Dish, 1.5
Malamar, Suction Cups, 1
Magearna, Pure Power, 5
Torterra, Drought, 4.5
Purugly, Regenerator, 4.5
Rotom, Speed Boost, 4.5
Dugtrio-Alola, Intimidate, 3.5
Ludicolo, Thick Fat, 3.5
Rotom-Mow, Steelworker, 3.5
Farfetch'd, Sap Sipper, 3
Galvantula, Fluffy, 3
Malamar, Analytic, 2.5
Rotom-Wash, Cursed Body, 2
Umbreon, Merciless, 2
Dragalge, Hydration, 1.5
Pupitar, Battle Armor, 1
Ninetales, Flower Gift, 1
Torterra, Drought, 4.5
Purugly, Regenerator, 4.5
Rotom, Speed Boost, 4.5
Dugtrio-Alola, Intimidate, 3.5
Ludicolo, Thick Fat, 3.5
Rotom-Mow, Steelworker, 3.5
Farfetch'd, Sap Sipper, 3
Galvantula, Fluffy, 3
Malamar, Analytic, 2.5
Rotom-Wash, Cursed Body, 2
Umbreon, Merciless, 2
Dragalge, Hydration, 1.5
Pupitar, Battle Armor, 1
Ninetales, Flower Gift, 1
Dugtrio-Alola, 126
Purugly, 119
Galvantula, 107
Ninetales, 100
Farfetch'd, 95
Rotom, 91
Rotom-Mow, 86
Kyurem, 85
Type: Null, 85
Crobat, 80
Rotom-Wash, 76
Ludicolo, 75
Heracross, 75
Malamar, 73
Umbreon, 65
Pupitar, 60
Wailord, 55
Magearna, 50
Torterra, 45
Dragalge, 44
Purugly, 119
Galvantula, 107
Ninetales, 100
Farfetch'd, 95
Rotom, 91
Rotom-Mow, 86
Kyurem, 85
Type: Null, 85
Crobat, 80
Rotom-Wash, 76
Ludicolo, 75
Heracross, 75
Malamar, 73
Umbreon, 65
Pupitar, 60
Wailord, 55
Magearna, 50
Torterra, 45
Dragalge, 44
Type: Null, 120
Farfetch'd, 115
Pupitar, 110
Rotom-Mow, 105
Heracross, 95
Dugtrio-Alola, 90
Torterra, 87
Dragalge, 85
Kyurem, 80
Purugly, 80
Ninetales, 75
Crobat, 70
Wailord, 65
Umbreon, 65
Magearna, 60
Malamar, 60
Ludicolo, 60
Rotom-Wash, 50
Rotom, 50
Galvantula, 50
Farfetch'd, 115
Pupitar, 110
Rotom-Mow, 105
Heracross, 95
Dugtrio-Alola, 90
Torterra, 87
Dragalge, 85
Kyurem, 80
Purugly, 80
Ninetales, 75
Crobat, 70
Wailord, 65
Umbreon, 65
Magearna, 60
Malamar, 60
Ludicolo, 60
Rotom-Wash, 50
Rotom, 50
Galvantula, 50
Pupitar, 150
Rotom-Wash, 127
Torterra, 125
Rotom, 115
Rotom-Mow, 107
Heracross, 105
Crobat, 100
Dugtrio-Alola, 95
Magearna, 90
Kyurem, 90
Dragalge, 90
Farfetch'd, 85
Purugly, 84
Type: Null, 80
Malamar, 78
Umbreon, 75
Ludicolo, 70
Wailord, 70
Galvantula, 65
Ninetales, 65
Rotom-Wash, 127
Torterra, 125
Rotom, 115
Rotom-Mow, 107
Heracross, 105
Crobat, 100
Dugtrio-Alola, 95
Magearna, 90
Kyurem, 90
Dragalge, 90
Farfetch'd, 85
Purugly, 84
Type: Null, 80
Malamar, 78
Umbreon, 75
Ludicolo, 70
Wailord, 70
Galvantula, 65
Ninetales, 65
Kyurem, 110
Rotom-Wash, 105
Galvantula, 104
Ninetales, 100
Ludicolo, 100
Malamar, 100
Rotom, 95
Wailord, 88
Dragalge, 87
Magearna, 85
Torterra, 78
Umbreon, 75
Type: Null, 70
Crobat, 60
Purugly, 59
Rotom-Mow, 50
Pupitar, 50
Farfetch'd, 45
Heracross, 44
Dugtrio-Alola, 38
Rotom-Wash, 105
Galvantula, 104
Ninetales, 100
Ludicolo, 100
Malamar, 100
Rotom, 95
Wailord, 88
Dragalge, 87
Magearna, 85
Torterra, 78
Umbreon, 75
Type: Null, 70
Crobat, 60
Purugly, 59
Rotom-Mow, 50
Pupitar, 50
Farfetch'd, 45
Heracross, 44
Dugtrio-Alola, 38
Dragalge, 123
Umbreon, 115
Rotom, 115
Rotom-Mow, 107
Magearna, 100
Ludicolo, 100
Rotom-Wash, 97
Pupitar, 90
Kyurem, 90
Ninetales, 85
Purugly, 84
Wailord, 82
Galvantula, 79
Malamar, 75
Heracross, 73
Crobat, 65
Dugtrio-Alola, 61
Type: Null, 60
Farfetch'd, 55
Torterra, 50
Umbreon, 115
Rotom, 115
Rotom-Mow, 107
Magearna, 100
Ludicolo, 100
Rotom-Wash, 97
Pupitar, 90
Kyurem, 90
Ninetales, 85
Purugly, 84
Wailord, 82
Galvantula, 79
Malamar, 75
Heracross, 73
Crobat, 65
Dugtrio-Alola, 61
Type: Null, 60
Farfetch'd, 55
Torterra, 50
Wailord, 140
Crobat, 110
Torterra, 95
Kyurem, 95
Pupitar, 90
Malamar, 86
Umbreon, 85
Ninetales, 80
Ludicolo, 80
Magearna, 80
Farfetch'd, 75
Heracross, 75
Purugly, 74
Dragalge, 71
Type: Null, 70
Galvantula, 60
Dugtrio-Alola, 55
Rotom-Wash, 50
Rotom-Mow, 50
Rotom, 50
Crobat, 110
Torterra, 95
Kyurem, 95
Pupitar, 90
Malamar, 86
Umbreon, 85
Ninetales, 80
Ludicolo, 80
Magearna, 80
Farfetch'd, 75
Heracross, 75
Purugly, 74
Dragalge, 71
Type: Null, 70
Galvantula, 60
Dugtrio-Alola, 55
Rotom-Wash, 50
Rotom-Mow, 50
Rotom, 50
Dragalge, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 2
Torterra, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 9
Umbreon, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 10
Crobat, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 10
Purugly, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 21
Wailord, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 23
Magearna, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 25
Ninetales, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 25
Kyurem, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 30
Ludicolo, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 40
Malamar, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 40
Rotom, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 45
Type: Null, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 50
Heracross, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 51
Dugtrio-Alola, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 52
Galvantula, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 54
Rotom-Mow, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 55
Rotom-Wash, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 55
Pupitar, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 60
Farfetch'd, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 70
Torterra, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 9
Umbreon, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 10
Crobat, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 10
Purugly, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 21
Wailord, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 23
Magearna, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 25
Ninetales, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 25
Kyurem, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 30
Ludicolo, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 40
Malamar, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 40
Rotom, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 45
Type: Null, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 50
Heracross, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 51
Dugtrio-Alola, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 52
Galvantula, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 54
Rotom-Mow, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 55
Rotom-Wash, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 55
Pupitar, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 60
Farfetch'd, Difference Between Offensive Stats: 70
Pupitar, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 21600
Wailord, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 21280
Crobat, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 18150
Kyurem, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 17100
Torterra, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 16625
Umbreon, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 16150
Magearna, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 15200
Dragalge, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 15123
Ludicolo, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 13600
Heracross, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 13350
Malamar, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 13158
Purugly, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 12432
Ninetales, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 12000
Rotom, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 11500
Rotom-Wash, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 11200
Rotom-Mow, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 10700
Farfetch'd, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 10500
Type: Null, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 9800
Galvantula, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 8640
Dugtrio-Alola, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 8580
Wailord, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 21280
Crobat, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 18150
Kyurem, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 17100
Torterra, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 16625
Umbreon, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 16150
Magearna, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 15200
Dragalge, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 15123
Ludicolo, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 13600
Heracross, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 13350
Malamar, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 13158
Purugly, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 12432
Ninetales, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 12000
Rotom, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 11500
Rotom-Wash, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 11200
Rotom-Mow, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 10700
Farfetch'd, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 10500
Type: Null, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 9800
Galvantula, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 8640
Dugtrio-Alola, (Defense + Special Defense) x HP: 8580
Pupitar, Defense x HP: 13500
Torterra, Defense x HP: 11875
Crobat, Defense x HP: 11000
Wailord, Defense x HP: 9800
Kyurem, Defense x HP: 8550
Heracross, Defense x HP: 7875
Magearna, Defense x HP: 7200
Malamar, Defense x HP: 6708
Dragalge, Defense x HP: 6390
Farfetch'd, Defense x HP: 6375
Umbreon, Defense x HP: 6375
Rotom-Wash, Defense x HP: 6350
Purugly, Defense x HP: 6216
Rotom, Defense x HP: 5750
Type: Null, Defense x HP: 5600
Ludicolo, Defense x HP: 5600
Rotom-Mow, Defense x HP: 5350
Dugtrio-Alola, Defense x HP: 5225
Ninetales, Defense x HP: 5200
Galvantula, Defense x HP: 3900
Torterra, Defense x HP: 11875
Crobat, Defense x HP: 11000
Wailord, Defense x HP: 9800
Kyurem, Defense x HP: 8550
Heracross, Defense x HP: 7875
Magearna, Defense x HP: 7200
Malamar, Defense x HP: 6708
Dragalge, Defense x HP: 6390
Farfetch'd, Defense x HP: 6375
Umbreon, Defense x HP: 6375
Rotom-Wash, Defense x HP: 6350
Purugly, Defense x HP: 6216
Rotom, Defense x HP: 5750
Type: Null, Defense x HP: 5600
Ludicolo, Defense x HP: 5600
Rotom-Mow, Defense x HP: 5350
Dugtrio-Alola, Defense x HP: 5225
Ninetales, Defense x HP: 5200
Galvantula, Defense x HP: 3900
Wailord, Special Defense x HP: 11480
Umbreon, Special Defense x HP: 9775
Dragalge, Special Defense x HP: 8733
Kyurem, Special Defense x HP: 8550
Pupitar, Special Defense x HP: 8100
Ludicolo, Special Defense x HP: 8000
Magearna, Special Defense x HP: 8000
Crobat, Special Defense x HP: 7150
Ninetales, Special Defense x HP: 6800
Malamar, Special Defense x HP: 6450
Purugly, Special Defense x HP: 6216
Rotom, Special Defense x HP: 5750
Heracross, Special Defense x HP: 5475
Rotom-Mow, Special Defense x HP: 5350
Rotom-Wash, Special Defense x HP: 4850
Torterra, Special Defense x HP: 4750
Galvantula, Special Defense x HP: 4740
Type: Null, Special Defense x HP: 4200
Farfetch'd, Special Defense x HP: 4125
Dugtrio-Alola, Special Defense x HP: 3355
Umbreon, Special Defense x HP: 9775
Dragalge, Special Defense x HP: 8733
Kyurem, Special Defense x HP: 8550
Pupitar, Special Defense x HP: 8100
Ludicolo, Special Defense x HP: 8000
Magearna, Special Defense x HP: 8000
Crobat, Special Defense x HP: 7150
Ninetales, Special Defense x HP: 6800
Malamar, Special Defense x HP: 6450
Purugly, Special Defense x HP: 6216
Rotom, Special Defense x HP: 5750
Heracross, Special Defense x HP: 5475
Rotom-Mow, Special Defense x HP: 5350
Rotom-Wash, Special Defense x HP: 4850
Torterra, Special Defense x HP: 4750
Galvantula, Special Defense x HP: 4740
Type: Null, Special Defense x HP: 4200
Farfetch'd, Special Defense x HP: 4125
Dugtrio-Alola, Special Defense x HP: 3355
Dugtrio-Alola
Highest Attacking Stat: 90, Spe: 126, Total: 216
Galvantula
Highest Attacking Stat: 104, Spe: 107, Total: 211
Farfetch'd
Highest Attacking Stat: 115, Spe: 95, Total: 210
Type: Null
Highest Attacking Stat: 120, Spe: 85, Total: 205
Ninetales
Highest Attacking Stat: 100, Spe: 100, Total: 200
Purugly
Highest Attacking Stat: 80, Spe: 119, Total: 199
Kyurem
Highest Attacking Stat: 110, Spe: 85, Total: 195
Rotom-Mow
Highest Attacking Stat: 105, Spe: 86, Total: 191
Rotom
Highest Attacking Stat: 95, Spe: 91, Total: 186
Rotom-Wash
Highest Attacking Stat: 105, Spe: 76, Total: 181
Ludicolo
Highest Attacking Stat: 100, Spe: 75, Total: 175
Malamar
Highest Attacking Stat: 100, Spe: 73, Total: 173
Heracross
Highest Attacking Stat: 95, Spe: 75, Total: 170
Pupitar
Highest Attacking Stat: 110, Spe: 60, Total: 170
Crobat
Highest Attacking Stat: 70, Spe: 80, Total: 150
Wailord
Highest Attacking Stat: 88, Spe: 55, Total: 143
Umbreon
Highest Attacking Stat: 75, Spe: 65, Total: 140
Magearna
Highest Attacking Stat: 85, Spe: 50, Total: 135
Torterra
Highest Attacking Stat: 87, Spe: 45, Total: 132
Dragalge
Highest Attacking Stat: 87, Spe: 44, Total: 131
Highest Attacking Stat: 90, Spe: 126, Total: 216
Galvantula
Highest Attacking Stat: 104, Spe: 107, Total: 211
Farfetch'd
Highest Attacking Stat: 115, Spe: 95, Total: 210
Type: Null
Highest Attacking Stat: 120, Spe: 85, Total: 205
Ninetales
Highest Attacking Stat: 100, Spe: 100, Total: 200
Purugly
Highest Attacking Stat: 80, Spe: 119, Total: 199
Kyurem
Highest Attacking Stat: 110, Spe: 85, Total: 195
Rotom-Mow
Highest Attacking Stat: 105, Spe: 86, Total: 191
Rotom
Highest Attacking Stat: 95, Spe: 91, Total: 186
Rotom-Wash
Highest Attacking Stat: 105, Spe: 76, Total: 181
Ludicolo
Highest Attacking Stat: 100, Spe: 75, Total: 175
Malamar
Highest Attacking Stat: 100, Spe: 73, Total: 173
Heracross
Highest Attacking Stat: 95, Spe: 75, Total: 170
Pupitar
Highest Attacking Stat: 110, Spe: 60, Total: 170
Crobat
Highest Attacking Stat: 70, Spe: 80, Total: 150
Wailord
Highest Attacking Stat: 88, Spe: 55, Total: 143
Umbreon
Highest Attacking Stat: 75, Spe: 65, Total: 140
Magearna
Highest Attacking Stat: 85, Spe: 50, Total: 135
Torterra
Highest Attacking Stat: 87, Spe: 45, Total: 132
Dragalge
Highest Attacking Stat: 87, Spe: 44, Total: 131
Crobat, Roost
Galvantula, Slack Off
Ludicolo, Recover, Synthesis
Rotom, Pain Split, Recover
Torterra, Synthesis
Dragalge, Pain Split
Ninetales, Moonlight, Pain Split
Farfetch'd, Roost, Wish
Rotom-Wash, Pain Split
Umbreon, Moonlight, Recover, Wish
Magearna, Pain Split
Rotom-Mow, Pain Split
Wailord, Wish, Roost
Galvantula, Slack Off
Ludicolo, Recover, Synthesis
Rotom, Pain Split, Recover
Torterra, Synthesis
Dragalge, Pain Split
Ninetales, Moonlight, Pain Split
Farfetch'd, Roost, Wish
Rotom-Wash, Pain Split
Umbreon, Moonlight, Recover, Wish
Magearna, Pain Split
Rotom-Mow, Pain Split
Wailord, Wish, Roost
Dugtrio-Alola, Spikes, Stealth Rock
Torterra, Stealth Rock
Dragalge, Toxic Spikes
Pupitar, Stealth Rock
Heracross, Stealth Rock
Torterra, Stealth Rock
Dragalge, Toxic Spikes
Pupitar, Stealth Rock
Heracross, Stealth Rock
Type: Null, Defog
Crobat, Defog
Rotom, Defog
Farfetch'd, Defog
Rotom-Wash, Defog
Rotom-Mow, Rapid Spin
Wailord, Defog
Crobat, Defog
Rotom, Defog
Farfetch'd, Defog
Rotom-Wash, Defog
Rotom-Mow, Rapid Spin
Wailord, Defog
Type: Null, Swords Dance
Galvantula, Agility
Ludicolo, Swords Dance
Torterra, Rock Polish
Ninetales, Calm Mind, Nasty Plot
Pupitar, Dragon Dance, Rock Polish
Farfetch'd, Agility, Swords Dance
Heracross, Bulk Up
Malamar, Calm Mind
Galvantula, Agility
Ludicolo, Swords Dance
Torterra, Rock Polish
Ninetales, Calm Mind, Nasty Plot
Pupitar, Dragon Dance, Rock Polish
Farfetch'd, Agility, Swords Dance
Heracross, Bulk Up
Malamar, Calm Mind
Type: Null, Explosion, Parting Shot, U-turn
Galvantula, Volt Switch
Rotom, Volt Switch
Farfetch'd, Baton Pass, U-turn
Purugly, U-turn
Umbreon, Baton Pass
Heracross, U-turn
Magearna, Explosion, Volt Switch
Wailord, Self-Destruct
Galvantula, Volt Switch
Rotom, Volt Switch
Farfetch'd, Baton Pass, U-turn
Purugly, U-turn
Umbreon, Baton Pass
Heracross, U-turn
Magearna, Explosion, Volt Switch
Wailord, Self-Destruct
Type: Null, Thunder Wave
Galvantula, Thunder Wave
Rotom, Thunder Wave, Will-O-Wisp
Ninetales, Will-O-Wisp
Pupitar, Thunder Wave
Farfetch'd, Yawn
Purugly, Hypnosis
Rotom-Wash, Thunder Wave, Will-O-Wisp
Umbreon, Sing, Yawn
Heracross, Will-O-Wisp
Magearna, Thunder Wave
Malamar, Hypnosis
Rotom-Mow, Thunder Wave
Galvantula, Thunder Wave
Rotom, Thunder Wave, Will-O-Wisp
Ninetales, Will-O-Wisp
Pupitar, Thunder Wave
Farfetch'd, Yawn
Purugly, Hypnosis
Rotom-Wash, Thunder Wave, Will-O-Wisp
Umbreon, Sing, Yawn
Heracross, Will-O-Wisp
Magearna, Thunder Wave
Malamar, Hypnosis
Rotom-Mow, Thunder Wave
Crobat, Taunt
Dugtrio-Alola, Knock Off, Taunt
Ludicolo, Knock Off
Pupitar, Taunt
Farfetch'd, Knock Off
Purugly, Knock Off, Taunt
Rotom-Wash, Taunt
Umbreon, Taunt
Heracross, Knock Off
Malamar, Knock Off, Taunt
Dugtrio-Alola, Knock Off, Taunt
Ludicolo, Knock Off
Pupitar, Taunt
Farfetch'd, Knock Off
Purugly, Knock Off, Taunt
Rotom-Wash, Taunt
Umbreon, Taunt
Heracross, Knock Off
Malamar, Knock Off, Taunt
Last edited:
B-Rank | Top
Malamar is a functional balance breaker that easily pivots into Dragalge/Torterra/Malamar/Magearna and can then proceed to either set up a calm mind (after which it 2HKOes most of the meta) or threaten an analytic-boosted attack into a telegraphed dugtrio switch-in. Z-Celebrate sets are also usable but have low power and only one chance to sweeper, whereas Calm Mind sets can repeatably take advantage of defensive cores and function as a defensive Steel-type when required. However, Malamar is held back by its middling speed-tier and only decent bulk, leaving it forced out by all 3 S-tiers and several other popular picks, such as Purugly.
Magearna has a wide variety of potential sets, but its best set currently is Specs Triage- Having a surefire way to revenge kill Farfetch'd and a generally solid anti-offensive measure is valuable to a lot of teams, and the recovery from Draining Kiss alongside Magearna's great typing and bulk allows it to stick around, usually until the endgame. There are a handful of other sets Magearna can run, namely a Pure Power set that boasts the highest Attack stat in the meta (albeit deceptively low, courtesy of an only 80 BP Steel STAB and no physical Fairy attacks) that can surprise Dugtrio with a powerful Brick Break, and cleric sets with Heal Bell are also viable. However, Magearna's overall low damage output makes it very easy for the opponent to scout the set and then handle it from there- Triage Magearna despises Dugtrio and Dragalge, while Pure Power sets are very easy to offensively overwhelm. Not to mention Ninetales can switch into Magearna virtually for free, only fearing a Volt Switch into a counter.
Rotom-Mow is a decently consistent Shift Gear sweeper, boasting good natural bulk, an ascendant speed tier at +2 with only 156 EVs (outsped only by quick feet Galvantula, which can be outsped with just a few more EVs if that ever becomes common), and good neutral coverage augmented by Steelworker. It finds easy set-up opportunities against common Pokemon like Dugtrio, choice-locked Farfetch'd, and Pupitar. It can also run a subpar but usable defensive Rapid Spin set. However, it isn't extremely powerful at +1, and can often miss KOs that it needs. Also, Stick Farfetch'd deletes it with First Impression, and Fluffy Galvantula can take a hit and immediately OHKO it back with Bug Buzz.
Rotom Wash is not a bad Pokemon by any degree, it boasts great physical bulk, the second-highest special attack in the mod alongside STAB Hydro Pump and the incredibly spammable Shadow Ball, and access to Defog. However, as a defensive defogger Rotom-Wash is almost entirely outclassed by the much more consistent Wailord, and therefore Rotom-Wash is forced into more offensive roles. Scarf outspeeds the unboosted meta and boasts decent power alongside utility options such as Trick, Defog, and Wisp, while also being a functional Farfetch'd and Dugtrio check, but lacks a pivoting move and is therefore rejected in favor of other Scarfers such as Farfetch'd. Waterium/Ghostium Z sets, on the other hand, are powerful offensive defoggers that beat most Stealth Rock setters with ease and generally pressure opposing teams. However, these sets are outsped by most offensive pokemon and very susceptible to chip over time. Note that these Z-sets can also use a pinch berry if your Z is already taken. Basically, Rotom-Wash would be an A Bottom pokemon if Wailord didn't do it better.
Umbreon is a very fat special wall with reliable recovery that beats virtually every special attacker sans Ninetales and Magearna. However, being a special wall that loses to arguably the only truly relevant special attacker is never a good look. It's also very passive when invested fully in bulk even with hitting with a merciless-boosted Hex, relying mainly on Foul Play for damage, further making it Ninetales bait. More offensive sets are possible, but these sets are largely untested and their efficacy remains unknown.
B-Rank | Bottom:
Kyurem has 2 relevant, vastly different sets: Specs and Pressure Stall. Specs is very straightforward set, leveraging Kyurem's great special attack and decent speed tier to fire off STAB Ice Beam and Freeze Dry (which is a great move, btw), alongside Hidden Power Fire to chip Steels and Stone Edge to catch Ninetales. However, it is a pure Ice-type, so it's obviously going to struggle to find switch-in opportunities. Pressure Stall, on the other hand, utilizes Sub/Protect/Noble Roar to slowly PP drain anything that it can take a hit from, use Noble Roar, and then safely Sub on (read: most fat mons). When paired with hazards this set can wear teams down as they attempt to switch around Kyurem to handle it, but it obviously loses to most offensive mons that can threaten it immediately. Kyurem's viability mainly stems from the fact that both sets mandate a vastly different response from the opponent, so Kyurem is most potent before it has taken a move. Regardless, Kyurem is still a middling speed pure Ice-type with little defensive utility, mandating significant team support (both hazards and removal, at least) to get the most out of it.
Ludicolo is a decent defensive water type, but lacks anything that justifies using it for that role compared to Wailord. Therefore, much like Rotom-Wash, it is forced to use more offensive sets in order to find use, which for Ludicolo is its Rain Dance set. With Life Orb and Swift Swim active Ludicolo is a real threat, but there are several problems for this set. The first one is that Ludicolo usually has to take a hit before setting up rain, which when paired with hazards and life orb recoil leaves it with a short lifespam. The other issue is that Drought exists, and while Ludicolo does beat Torterra with Ice Beam, it still leaves it forced to reset Rain and take another hit from Torterra in the time being if it wants to attempt to continue the sweep.
Type:Null is a wallbreaker that, due to lack of super-effective power in both its STAB (which is all it wants to use outside of U-Turn thanks to tinted-lens) and coverage, rarely OHKOes walls and is quite easy to revenge kill as a result. The ubiquity of Ghost-types in the meta just further hurts Type:Null's damage output by forcing to to use the much weaker Iron Head instead of Double Edge/Return. Swords Dance sets can threaten both walls and still scare offense with Bullet Punch, but Type:Null finds few opportunities to set-up with its bulk and typing, and even after a Swords Dance Farfetch'd tanks a Bullet Punch and cleanly OHKOes back. Band boasts more immediate power and an obnoxiously powerful U-Turn, but flounders against offense. This leaves Adamant Scarf as Type:Null's most consistent set, as it can outspeed Dugtrio with a Scarf while still retaining the Adamant power boost. This gives it a much better offense matchup, OHKOing most offensive staples with a round or 2 of rocks damage (or Type:Null's U-Turn). Anything but dedicated physical walls and Ghosts are still 2HKO'd by Double Edge, too. However, Type:Null doesn't fulfill the traditional role of a scarfer, being outspeed by every other scarfer and having a piss-weak Bullet Punch to revenge kill faster threats. Additionally, it's still very difficult to safely bring into play with the low bulk and inconvenient defensive typing.
C Rank:
Crobat, as a physically defensive defogger, sucks. Being immune to hazard damage initially seems appealing for a defogger, but every other aspect of Crobat in this role is terrible. It loses to most relevant phsyical attackers, and those that lose to it simply pivot out into whatever fat Pokemon easy absorbs Crobat's piss-weak Storm Throw. The only hazard setter it actually beats is Torterra by Toxic-stalling it, but if you have to resort to Toxic-stalling to beat the most passive rocker, that's not a good look. It can't even function as a slow pivot, as it no longer has U-Turn. Therefore Crobat is forced to run a "surprise" offensive Life Orb Defog set that leverage's Crobat's passable power with Life Orb, recoil free (but non-STAB) Brave Bird, and Roost to exert some degree of offensive pressure against rockers like Heracross. This set is still pretty weak, courtesy of 70 base attack, and loses to the ground-type rockers if they ever decide to Earthquake. Also loses a lot of the defensive utility Crobat previously had when it was invested in HP. Not a good Pokemon.
Malamar is a functional balance breaker that easily pivots into Dragalge/Torterra/Malamar/Magearna and can then proceed to either set up a calm mind (after which it 2HKOes most of the meta) or threaten an analytic-boosted attack into a telegraphed dugtrio switch-in. Z-Celebrate sets are also usable but have low power and only one chance to sweeper, whereas Calm Mind sets can repeatably take advantage of defensive cores and function as a defensive Steel-type when required. However, Malamar is held back by its middling speed-tier and only decent bulk, leaving it forced out by all 3 S-tiers and several other popular picks, such as Purugly. Magearna has a wide variety of potential sets, but its best set currently is Specs Triage- Having a surefire way to revenge kill Farfetch'd and a generally solid anti-offensive measure is valuable to a lot of teams, and the recovery from Draining Kiss alongside Magearna's great typing and bulk allows it to stick around, usually until the endgame. There are a handful of other sets Magearna can run, namely a Pure Power set that boasts the highest Attack stat in the meta (albeit deceptively low, courtesy of an only 80 BP Steel STAB and no physical Fairy attacks) that can surprise Dugtrio with a powerful Brick Break, and cleric sets with Heal Bell are also viable. However, Magearna's overall low damage output makes it very easy for the opponent to scout the set and then handle it from there- Triage Magearna despises Dugtrio and Dragalge, while Pure Power sets are very easy to offensively overwhelm. Not to mention Ninetales can switch into Magearna virtually for free, only fearing a Volt Switch into a counter. Rotom-Mow is a decently consistent Shift Gear sweeper, boasting good natural bulk, an ascendant speed tier at +2 with only 156 EVs (outsped only by quick feet Galvantula, which can be outsped with just a few more EVs if that ever becomes common), and good neutral coverage augmented by Steelworker. It finds easy set-up opportunities against common Pokemon like Dugtrio, choice-locked Farfetch'd, and Pupitar. It can also run a subpar but usable defensive Rapid Spin set. However, it isn't extremely powerful at +1, and can often miss KOs that it needs. Also, Stick Farfetch'd deletes it with First Impression, and Fluffy Galvantula can take a hit and immediately OHKO it back with Bug Buzz. Rotom Wash is not a bad Pokemon by any degree, it boasts great physical bulk, the second-highest special attack in the mod alongside STAB Hydro Pump and the incredibly spammable Shadow Ball, and access to Defog. However, as a defensive defogger Rotom-Wash is almost entirely outclassed by the much more consistent Wailord, and therefore Rotom-Wash is forced into more offensive roles. Scarf outspeeds the unboosted meta and boasts decent power alongside utility options such as Trick, Defog, and Wisp, while also being a functional Farfetch'd and Dugtrio check, but lacks a pivoting move and is therefore rejected in favor of other Scarfers such as Farfetch'd. Waterium/Ghostium Z sets, on the other hand, are powerful offensive defoggers that beat most Stealth Rock setters with ease and generally pressure opposing teams. However, these sets are outsped by most offensive pokemon and very susceptible to chip over time. Note that these Z-sets can also use a pinch berry if your Z is already taken. Basically, Rotom-Wash would be an A Bottom pokemon if Wailord didn't do it better. Umbreon is a very fat special wall with reliable recovery that beats virtually every special attacker sans Ninetales and Magearna. However, being a special wall that loses to arguably the only truly relevant special attacker is never a good look. It's also very passive when invested fully in bulk even with hitting with a merciless-boosted Hex, relying mainly on Foul Play for damage, further making it Ninetales bait. More offensive sets are possible, but these sets are largely untested and their efficacy remains unknown.B-Rank | Bottom:
Kyurem has 2 relevant, vastly different sets: Specs and Pressure Stall. Specs is very straightforward set, leveraging Kyurem's great special attack and decent speed tier to fire off STAB Ice Beam and Freeze Dry (which is a great move, btw), alongside Hidden Power Fire to chip Steels and Stone Edge to catch Ninetales. However, it is a pure Ice-type, so it's obviously going to struggle to find switch-in opportunities. Pressure Stall, on the other hand, utilizes Sub/Protect/Noble Roar to slowly PP drain anything that it can take a hit from, use Noble Roar, and then safely Sub on (read: most fat mons). When paired with hazards this set can wear teams down as they attempt to switch around Kyurem to handle it, but it obviously loses to most offensive mons that can threaten it immediately. Kyurem's viability mainly stems from the fact that both sets mandate a vastly different response from the opponent, so Kyurem is most potent before it has taken a move. Regardless, Kyurem is still a middling speed pure Ice-type with little defensive utility, mandating significant team support (both hazards and removal, at least) to get the most out of it. Ludicolo is a decent defensive water type, but lacks anything that justifies using it for that role compared to Wailord. Therefore, much like Rotom-Wash, it is forced to use more offensive sets in order to find use, which for Ludicolo is its Rain Dance set. With Life Orb and Swift Swim active Ludicolo is a real threat, but there are several problems for this set. The first one is that Ludicolo usually has to take a hit before setting up rain, which when paired with hazards and life orb recoil leaves it with a short lifespam. The other issue is that Drought exists, and while Ludicolo does beat Torterra with Ice Beam, it still leaves it forced to reset Rain and take another hit from Torterra in the time being if it wants to attempt to continue the sweep. Type:Null is a wallbreaker that, due to lack of super-effective power in both its STAB (which is all it wants to use outside of U-Turn thanks to tinted-lens) and coverage, rarely OHKOes walls and is quite easy to revenge kill as a result. The ubiquity of Ghost-types in the meta just further hurts Type:Null's damage output by forcing to to use the much weaker Iron Head instead of Double Edge/Return. Swords Dance sets can threaten both walls and still scare offense with Bullet Punch, but Type:Null finds few opportunities to set-up with its bulk and typing, and even after a Swords Dance Farfetch'd tanks a Bullet Punch and cleanly OHKOes back. Band boasts more immediate power and an obnoxiously powerful U-Turn, but flounders against offense. This leaves Adamant Scarf as Type:Null's most consistent set, as it can outspeed Dugtrio with a Scarf while still retaining the Adamant power boost. This gives it a much better offense matchup, OHKOing most offensive staples with a round or 2 of rocks damage (or Type:Null's U-Turn). Anything but dedicated physical walls and Ghosts are still 2HKO'd by Double Edge, too. However, Type:Null doesn't fulfill the traditional role of a scarfer, being outspeed by every other scarfer and having a piss-weak Bullet Punch to revenge kill faster threats. Additionally, it's still very difficult to safely bring into play with the low bulk and inconvenient defensive typing.C Rank:
Crobat, as a physically defensive defogger, sucks. Being immune to hazard damage initially seems appealing for a defogger, but every other aspect of Crobat in this role is terrible. It loses to most relevant phsyical attackers, and those that lose to it simply pivot out into whatever fat Pokemon easy absorbs Crobat's piss-weak Storm Throw. The only hazard setter it actually beats is Torterra by Toxic-stalling it, but if you have to resort to Toxic-stalling to beat the most passive rocker, that's not a good look. It can't even function as a slow pivot, as it no longer has U-Turn. Therefore Crobat is forced to run a "surprise" offensive Life Orb Defog set that leverage's Crobat's passable power with Life Orb, recoil free (but non-STAB) Brave Bird, and Roost to exert some degree of offensive pressure against rockers like Heracross. This set is still pretty weak, courtesy of 70 base attack, and loses to the ground-type rockers if they ever decide to Earthquake. Also loses a lot of the defensive utility Crobat previously had when it was invested in HP. Not a good Pokemon.
With the VR overview finished, I'd like to hear the thoughts of other players on the current health of the metagame, what balance should be done going forward, VR nominations (I guess), and cool new sets. Here's a fun set I have:
Galvantula @ Flame Orb
Ability: Quick Feet
EVs: 56 HP / 252 SpA / 200 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Bug Buzz
- Energy Ball
Fluffy Galvantula is great. Quick Feet Galvantula is, uh, not as good. Regardless, it still has blistering speed (EVs+Timid Nature outspeed scarf Tales) and can outspeed and 2HKO offensive Dugtrios while blanking other scarfers like Farfetch'd. The reason I'm using this over another more traditional anti-scarfer like scarf Tales is for the team archetype I built around this: Hyper Offense. Oftentimes on Hyper Offense using choice-locked Pokemon is a very easy way to forfeit essential momentum, so Quick Feet Galvantula gives the team the speed tier and utility of a Scarfer without affording the opponent free opportunities to bring in their wailord to defog or whatever. Cool set, try it out sometime on Hyper Offense.
Galvantula @ Flame Orb
Ability: Quick Feet
EVs: 56 HP / 252 SpA / 200 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Bug Buzz
- Energy Ball
Fluffy Galvantula is great. Quick Feet Galvantula is, uh, not as good. Regardless, it still has blistering speed (EVs+Timid Nature outspeed scarf Tales) and can outspeed and 2HKO offensive Dugtrios while blanking other scarfers like Farfetch'd. The reason I'm using this over another more traditional anti-scarfer like scarf Tales is for the team archetype I built around this: Hyper Offense. Oftentimes on Hyper Offense using choice-locked Pokemon is a very easy way to forfeit essential momentum, so Quick Feet Galvantula gives the team the speed tier and utility of a Scarfer without affording the opponent free opportunities to bring in their wailord to defog or whatever. Cool set, try it out sometime on Hyper Offense.
This is something of a consensus as I understand it:
-Nerf Stick/Sniper Farfetch'd: Even though it isn't broken against more offensive teams, the fact that it deletes every slower pokemon is a huge strain on teambuilding. The 50% crit chance reduces many of its matchups to coinflips, which is not something we really want in a competitive-based metagame. It's not like we will have no way to break walls without Stick-Fetch; Farfetch'd itself can wallbreak, it will just be subject to normal downsides such as needing to set up, locking into a move, using the team's Z-Crystal, or taking Life Orb recoil.
Personally the 50/50 crit aspect makes me want to ban Stick, but time will tell. It was originally intended to be used with auto-crit moves, but stuff like Brave Bird and First Impression still gets used and a 2.25x damage boost can decide the outcome of games.
-Add more Ninetales Checks: Ninetales currently sets up Nasty Plot and deletes anything that isn't Fire weak ( or Wailord ) with +2 Twinkle Tackle. Wailord is unable to OHKO it with Scald, as well. However, it's not insanely overbearing due to the fact that it has to set up first, so it won't just keep coming in after U-turn and getting a kill every time. The fact that its STABs are both resisted by one type ( Fire ) and we only have one pokemon of that type ( Ninetales ) makes it seem like a new defensive check might be a good idea to try first.
Some news:
There's a role compendium now! Check under the viability rankings to see it and please inform me of anything I missed.
As for other news, the upcoming balance slate is shaping up to be the following:
There's a role compendium now! Check under the viability rankings to see it and please inform me of anything I missed.
As for other news, the upcoming balance slate is shaping up to be the following:
- Change Farfetch'd's Sniper ability to Keen Eye or a similarly useless ability
- Give Ludicolo access to Stealth Rock
- Buff/Rework Crobat to have more relevance in the meta
- Create a new Ninetales counter (I will be extremely liberal with vetoing submissions that infringe on the niches of other pokemon, we don't want another Rotom-Wash and Wailord situation)
I don't know if this is a great team or if it is just countering the current meta very well, but I may as well post it now before we change things. As you may have noticed recently, the tier is rather weak to Ninetales' STABs. With Heavy Offense running rampant on the ladder, Scarf Ninetales is quite the anti-meta pokemon, and a bulky offense team built around its lategame sweep ended up being quite effective.
Ninetales @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flamethrower
- Moonblast
- Power Gem
- Hidden Power [Grass]
Magearna @ Choice Specs
Ability: Triage
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draining Kiss
- Moonblast
- Flash Cannon
- Volt Switch
Purugly @ Groundium Z
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Play Rough
- Dig
- U-turn
Rotom @ Eviolite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 160 HP / 252 SpA / 96 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Volt Switch
- Shadow Ball
- Recover
Pupitar @ Eviolite
Ability: Shed Skin
EVs: 128 HP / 252 Atk / 128 Def
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Toxic
Umbreon @ Leftovers
Ability: Merciless
EVs: 36 HP / 252 SpA / 220 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Toxic Thread
- Hex
- Recover
- Yawn
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flamethrower
- Moonblast
- Power Gem
- Hidden Power [Grass]
Magearna @ Choice Specs
Ability: Triage
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draining Kiss
- Moonblast
- Flash Cannon
- Volt Switch
Purugly @ Groundium Z
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Play Rough
- Dig
- U-turn
Rotom @ Eviolite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 160 HP / 252 SpA / 96 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Volt Switch
- Shadow Ball
- Recover
Pupitar @ Eviolite
Ability: Shed Skin
EVs: 128 HP / 252 Atk / 128 Def
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Toxic
Umbreon @ Leftovers
Ability: Merciless
EVs: 36 HP / 252 SpA / 220 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Toxic Thread
- Hex
- Recover
- Yawn
Ninetales is the pokemon the team was built around. It threatens to clean up many offense teams by outspeeding and KOing staples such as Dugtrio-Alola, Farfetch'd, Purugly, and Galvantula, while also threatening other recurring characters like Rotom-C and Magearna.
Magearna is the workhorse of the team, serving as the primary way of weakening opposing Fairy resists. Despite priority Draining Kiss being a sweeping threat, it works best by spamming Moonblast most of the time. This breaks down Fairy resists for Ninetales, and also helps break down more defensive teams that Ninetales doesn't do much against. It also switches into some threatening pokemon and serves as a backup revenge killer.
Purugly is an excellent lure for many pokemon that get in the way of sweeping with one of Ninetales' STABs. Tectonic Rage KOs opposing Ninetales, and with some chip from Knock Off or Play Rough it can finish off Magearna, Dragalge, and Pupitar.
Levitate Rotom counters the ubiquitous Dugtrio and serves as a hazard remover. Unlike Wailord, who can do the same job, Rotom can keep up the offensive pressure with Volt Switch and a fairly strong Shadow Ball.
Pupitar is the team's Stealth Rocker. It is EV'd to take two Dugtrio Earthquakes, and much like Rotom, it's meant to do its job without sacrificing any offensive momentum. It's also a backup check to Ninetales, who is pretty threatening to the team.
Umbreon is a backup win condition, and a way of dealing with Water types that give Ninetales trouble. With Magearna and Purugly luring and weakening Steel and Poison types, it can finish off teams with pokemon like Wailord that Ninetales could never hope to break.
Magearna is the workhorse of the team, serving as the primary way of weakening opposing Fairy resists. Despite priority Draining Kiss being a sweeping threat, it works best by spamming Moonblast most of the time. This breaks down Fairy resists for Ninetales, and also helps break down more defensive teams that Ninetales doesn't do much against. It also switches into some threatening pokemon and serves as a backup revenge killer.
Purugly is an excellent lure for many pokemon that get in the way of sweeping with one of Ninetales' STABs. Tectonic Rage KOs opposing Ninetales, and with some chip from Knock Off or Play Rough it can finish off Magearna, Dragalge, and Pupitar.
Levitate Rotom counters the ubiquitous Dugtrio and serves as a hazard remover. Unlike Wailord, who can do the same job, Rotom can keep up the offensive pressure with Volt Switch and a fairly strong Shadow Ball.
Pupitar is the team's Stealth Rocker. It is EV'd to take two Dugtrio Earthquakes, and much like Rotom, it's meant to do its job without sacrificing any offensive momentum. It's also a backup check to Ninetales, who is pretty threatening to the team.
Umbreon is a backup win condition, and a way of dealing with Water types that give Ninetales trouble. With Magearna and Purugly luring and weakening Steel and Poison types, it can finish off teams with pokemon like Wailord that Ninetales could never hope to break.
Name of the Pokemon: Crobat
Role(s): Defensive pivot, Physical Wall, Hazard Control
Type: Poison / Fighting
Abilities: Scrappy / Magic Guard
Stat Distribution: 120 / 77 / 100 / 43 / 90 / 90 | 520 BST
Movepool Additions: Circle Throw, Storm Throw, Dynamic Punch, Shadow Sneak, Fake out
Movepool Removals: Aerial Ace, Air Cutter, Air Slash, Fly, Gust, Sky Attack, Tailwind, Wing Attack
Justification: A physical wall that can cycle enemies out using Circle Throw and support it's team using a wide variety of utility moves like Super Fang, Roost, Defog, and Poison Fang. Scrappy allow it to use fighting type move on ghost type and Magic Guard allows it to switch often, but it has mediocre special bulk, attack that won't be doing much unless hitting SE, and a weakness to Ground, Psychic, and Flying, all of which are usually good offensive types. This sub was inspired by the idea of a wall that used utility rather than a great defensive typing or stats to do well
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Is it Better?
Personally I'd prefer Rapid Spin as the option to give Ludicolo a new tool. Stealth Rock has a decent enough distribution IMO, and the sheer splash-ability of Dugtrio-Alola makes running basically anything else for rocks kinda irrelevant anyways. Rapid Spin gives it a rather fun niche as a hazard remover for spike stack teams and it has a favorable matchup against the rocks setters bar Heracross.
Balance Slate #1 of the Season:Crobat Rework, A new defensive Fire-type
-Give Ludicolo Stealth Rocks
-Give Ludicolo Rapid Spin
-Give Ludicolo both
-Give Ludicolo neither
And voting on:
-Replace Sniper on Farfetch'd with Keen Eye
Lastly, Ninetales will lose access to Power Gem at the end of the voting phase.
Have fun submitting! I will be very specific about what role the defensive Fire-type should fill- It should not infringe on other Pokemon's niches, and it should either counter or check ninetales extremely well.
Pokemon: Rotom-Heat
Roles: Special Wall, Defensive Pivot, Mixed Wall, Hazards, Hazard Control, Weather (Sand)
Type:
Abilities: Levitate / Flame Body | Sand Stream
Stat Distribution: 50 / 50 / 97 / 105 / 127 / 76 (505 BST)
Movepool Additions: Recover, Fire Pledge, Stealth Rock, Power Gem
Movepool Removals: Will-O-Wisp, Thunder, Thunderbolt, Discharge, Volt Switch, Overheat
Justification: I'm gonna be thorough for the justification on this one: Here's what Rotom-Heat does for Clean Slate Micro:
- Hard counters Ninetales with the otherwise-inferior Sand Stream set (pack a pinch berry), while having enough weakness overlap with the main sand abuse, Pupitar, to dissuade pairing the 2 without specific team support. Same goes for Dugtrio-Alola, who will now be able to explore Sand Force sets at the cost of more weakness overlap.
- The more consistent Levitate set still checks Ninetales very well (a +2 Solar Beam or Shattered Psych could still prove potent against it), defogs against Dugtrio and Heracross consistently while defogging against any Torterra that isn't packing Head Smash (may encourage usage of more offensive Torterra sets).
- Introduces another Stealth Rock setter into the meta, further easing teambuilding by compressing hazard control and hazards into one slot. However, this leaves only 1 attack for Rotom-Heat to utilize, with Power Gem being needed to beat Ninetales but making Rotom-Heat Dugtrio fodder. Rotom will likely run dual STABs with either Rocks or Defog.
- Loss of Will-O-Wisp, and any other way to spread burn, leaves Rotom-Heat easily exploited by physical attacks such as Type:Null due to Rotom-Heats deceptively mediocre 50/97 physical bulk.
- No pivoting moves means Rotom-Heat doesn't add to the already potent volt-turn archetype, better fitting onto balance and bulky offense. Has little merit to be used on offense compared to dugtrio and ninetales for the role of rocker and fire attacker, respectively. Weaker STABs than Ninetales makes it not as strong as ninetales in spite of the 5 more special attack.
- Indirectly buffs Rotom-Wash and Ludicolo as Water-types compared to Wailord due to Wailord's weakness to Power Gem.
- You could probably run a funny meme Specs set, and Scarf is undoubtedly usable.
- Vote for it because it is a Rotom
Pokemon: Crobat
Roles: Hazard Control, Stallbreaker
Type:
Stat Distribution: 110 / 70 / 80 / 60 / 65 / 90 (475 BST, -20 Def +10 Spe)
Movepool Additions: Poison Jab
Movepool Removals: Circle Throw
Justification: STAB, recoil-free Brave Bird is strong with the LO boost in spite of the 70 base Attack making Crobat a potent Defogger. With Taunt it annoys defensive Pokemon like (no Head Smash) Torterra, Dragalge, etc. New typing makes Malamar appealing (malamar still blows maybe it should have been up for a buff, eh w/e). Bulk nerf is so that it actually dies against fat teams. A little bit more speed in order to outspeed stuff like Rotom-Mow but still crucially outspeed base Rotom.
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Skuntank
Roles:
Special Wall, Hazard Control, Screens Setter
Type:
Abilities:
Stench | Natural Cure | Sticky Hold
Stat Distribution:
103/66/71/93/101/64 (500 BST)
Movepool Additions:
Slack Off, Light Screen, Reflect
Movepool Removals:
Explosion, Night Slash, Dark Pulse, Pursuit
Justification:
While Dugtrio-A and Ninetales are at the top of their class, in comes Skuntank to ruin them both. Access to a Poison and Fire typing that resists both of Ninetales' STABS, as well as being able to take several NP Boosted attacks. While Skuntank cannot safely switch into Dugtrio-A, Dugtrio-A cannot switch into Skuntank, as they both are able to hit each other for super-effective damage. It is both immune to Toxic/Toxic Spikes and Will-o-Wisp, meaning that it can stay happy and healthy, and if it gets Paralyzed, Natural cure can come save the day. However, one of the better reasons to use Natural Cure is the benefit of Rest + Natural Cure switchouts. it's added moves, Light Screen and Reflect introduce the first Screen Setter in the tier. Skuntank's prime role is to be bulky enough to give support to it's teammates.
Crobat
Roles:
Physical Tank, Phaser, Hazard Removal
Type:
Abilities:
Scrappy | Magic Guard | Unnerve
Stat Distribution:
100/80/100/60/65/90 (495 BST)
Movepool Additions:
Glare, Poison Jab All of Crobat's Removed Flying Moves, Mirror Move
Justification:
Making it so that it has a better defensive typing against ground types such as Dugtrio-A, and better offensive moves means that Crobat is no longer a stick in the mud. Glare + Phasing is great for allowing Crobat to just wreck status havoc.
Roles:
Special Wall, Hazard Control, Screens Setter
Type:
Abilities:
Stench | Natural Cure | Sticky Hold
Stat Distribution:
103/66/71/93/101/64 (500 BST)
Movepool Additions:
Slack Off, Light Screen, Reflect
Movepool Removals:
Explosion, Night Slash, Dark Pulse, Pursuit
Justification:
While Dugtrio-A and Ninetales are at the top of their class, in comes Skuntank to ruin them both. Access to a Poison and Fire typing that resists both of Ninetales' STABS, as well as being able to take several NP Boosted attacks. While Skuntank cannot safely switch into Dugtrio-A, Dugtrio-A cannot switch into Skuntank, as they both are able to hit each other for super-effective damage. It is both immune to Toxic/Toxic Spikes and Will-o-Wisp, meaning that it can stay happy and healthy, and if it gets Paralyzed, Natural cure can come save the day. However, one of the better reasons to use Natural Cure is the benefit of Rest + Natural Cure switchouts. it's added moves, Light Screen and Reflect introduce the first Screen Setter in the tier. Skuntank's prime role is to be bulky enough to give support to it's teammates.
252 SpA Ninetales Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skuntank: 75-88 (18.2 - 21.4%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Ninetales Extrasensory vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skuntank: 146-172 (35.6 - 41.9%) -- 85.4% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Ninetales Extrasensory vs. 252 HP / 252 SpD Skuntank: 114-136 (27.8 - 33.1%) -- 85.8% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Dugtrio-Alola Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Skuntank: 67-80 (16.3 - 19.5%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Dugtrio-Alola Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Skuntank: 226-266 (55.1 - 64.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Ninetales Extrasensory vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skuntank: 146-172 (35.6 - 41.9%) -- 85.4% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Ninetales Extrasensory vs. 252 HP / 252 SpD Skuntank: 114-136 (27.8 - 33.1%) -- 85.8% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Dugtrio-Alola Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Skuntank: 67-80 (16.3 - 19.5%) -- possible 7HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Dugtrio-Alola Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Skuntank: 226-266 (55.1 - 64.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Crobat
Roles:
Physical Tank, Phaser, Hazard Removal
Type:
Abilities:
Scrappy | Magic Guard | Unnerve
Stat Distribution:
100/80/100/60/65/90 (495 BST)
Movepool Additions:
Glare, Poison Jab All of Crobat's Removed Flying Moves, Mirror Move
Justification:
Making it so that it has a better defensive typing against ground types such as Dugtrio-A, and better offensive moves means that Crobat is no longer a stick in the mud. Glare + Phasing is great for allowing Crobat to just wreck status havoc.
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Pokemon: Rhyperior
Roles: Special Wall, Hazard Setter (Stealth Rock), Defensive Pivot
Type: Fire/Water
Abilities: Flame Body / Solid Rock / Sap Sipper
Stat Distribution: 95/110/65/65/110/60 (505 BST)
Movepool Additions: Flare Blitz, Liquidation (not sure if I should add recovery)
Justification: Rhyperior is a solid counter to Ninetales, taking little damage from its STABs and even being immune to Grass coverage thanks to Sap Sipper (although this is inferior to Solid Rock). It can hit Wailord with Stone Edge since it also outspeeds it, but it finds it harder to damage Ludicolo due to the latter's Thick Fat. Additionally, while Fire/Water is a good defensive typing, it leaves it vulnerable to mons like Rotom and Galvantula; its low Defense and Speed also makes it beat by most physical attackers like Dugtrio-Alola, Pupitar, and Purugly.
Pokemon: Crobat
Roles: Physical Wall, Hazard Control (Defog), Defensive Pivot
Type: Poison/Fighting
Abilities: Levitate / Magic Guard
Stat Distribution: 110/90/80/60/65/80
Movepool Additions: Knock Off
Justification: With Levitate, Crobat now is an effective check to Dugtrio-Alola and Pupitar, and with Knock Off, mons like Heracross, Rotom, and Farfetch'd are no longer easy switch-ins. With some Defense siphoned into Attack, Crobat is made much less passive, although that hurts its ability to wall mons like Type:Null or Purugly.
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