PPR (Pool Power Rankings)
1. Incineroar Pool - This furry fighter is the real deal, boasting solid bulk, a broken ability in Intimidate, and the coveted Fire typing (in addition to a Psychic immunity and Dark/Ghost resist).
2. Dragonite Pool - Dragonite is a leviathan. Seriously, this thing is absolutely broken. Solid bulk coupled with a strong Attack stat and access to the best boosting move in the game, Dragon Dance, makes this thing a top tier threat.
3. Klefki Pool - With a support toolbox to be envious of and one of the most overpowered abilities known to Pokemon-kind in Prankster, this Pokemon is definitely one of the most powerful. Klefki users may explore more conventional moves such as Light Screen, Thunder Wave, and Reflect, or they may peruse the more devious options such as Iron Defense paired with Calm Mind and Stored Power to pack an overwhelming punch.
4. Zarude Pool - First of all, a distinction must be made between the unequivocally inferior Zarude and the universally superior Zarude-Dada. For the purposes of these Pool Power Rankings we will assume the Zarude to be Dada, for any burgeoning Pokemon player would make this logical choice. Zarude-Dada boasts a powerful setup move in Bulk Up. Paired with strong STABs in Darkest Lariat and Power Whip, in addition to its naturally high speed stat, Zarude-Dada is one of the premiere Pokemon to choose from. This is further supported by Zarude-Dada's access to not one but TWO healing moves, Synthesis and Jungle Healing, the latter which can heal status ailments while simultaneously healing Zarude-Dada's ally. The only reason Zarude-Dada is not higher up on this list is because of its 4x weakness to Bug-type moves; however, Zarude-Dada is often able to eat these hits in stride, especially after one or two Bulk Ups.
5. Aromatisse Pool - Aromatisse may very well be one of the most annoying Pokemon to play against. With access to Wish and natural bulk, Aromatisse can be very hard to kill and can keep the rest of its team alive with Heal Pulse. If that wasn't enough, Aromatisse's ability Aroma Veil eliminates the most common counterplay to defensive Pokemon, Taunt. Furthermore, Aromatisse has access to Ally Switch, perhaps one of the games most frustrating moves. However, the same assets that make Aromatisse debilitating to play against also serve to bring it down to number 5 on our list. Aromatisse always wants to do everything, and therefore struggles to do something.
6. Dhelmise Pool - Dhelmise is a deceptive killer. It may appear frail and weak, but in fact it can unleash unthinkable damage upon unaware foes. With a staggering 131 base Attack stat and access to strong STABs in Power Whip and Poltergeist, in addition to its ability Steelworker turning Anchor Shot into effectively a 3rd, trapping STAB, Dhelmise is a force to be reckoned with. It also has access to a premier boosting move in Swords Dance and reliable healing with Synthesis. However, this Pokemon's greatest weakness is its inability to strike fast.
7. Pheromosa Pool - This odd, slender insectoid may appear to be an enigma. It is one of the fastest Pokemon in the game, and it also boasts strong offensive stats, both Physical and Special. It can even share its serendipitous speed with the move Speed Swap, enabling its teammates to great effect. However, Pheromosa is woefully fragile. Almost any attack can quickly shatter its high-flying dreams, sending it crashing back down to reality.
8. Ludicolo Pool - You may find it odd that a Swiftly Swimming Pokemon might find itself near the bottom of the Pool Power Rankings. However, this is not without just cause. Despite Ludicolo's access to a strong toolbox including Swift Swim, Fake Out, and Leech Seed, its offensive capabilities have never been strong enough to compensate for its staggering weaknesses defensively. Just like a real lily pad, Ludicolo is unable to carry any weight on its shoulders.
9. Magearna Pool - This pick might surprise many, as Magearna is commonly regarded as one of the best Pokemon in the game, boasting Legendary stats and a snowballing ability. The main reason Magearna is so low on this list is because of its lack of strong, reliable STAB moves. Flash Cannon dishes out a pitiful amount of damage, and Fleur Cannon while having better damage output comes at the price of reducing Magearna's own offensive capabilities.
10. Kingler Pool - This Pokemon attempts to wrestle its way through the tier with Sheer Force. A Pokemon capable of netting up countless kills should be par for the course, right? Wrong. Kingler struggles with the ever-present dilemma of sheer ineptitude: it seeks to kill Pokemon without being killed itself, but ends up being killed without killing Pokemon.
11. Mudsdale Pool - At first glance, this Pokemon seems like the perfect tank. An ability that allows it to become more defensively bulky every time it's hit, and naturally high bulk, coupled with a move, Body Press, that can make use of its defensive bulk. However, Mudsdale finds itself paced far too slow to see efficient use, and greatly suffers from a lack of countermeasures for Specially-based attacks.
12. Aggron Pool - This Pokemon learns one of the strongest moves in the game, Head Smash. Unfortunately, it often finds itself unable to land this move, as its Accuracy is only an astounding 80%.
I hope you enjoyed reading my Pool Power Rankings. It was great fun writing them. Please don't be too offended by what you see; I am journalistically obligated to write the truth and only what is true.
