Hello world!
First, I'd like to say that I'm aware that a thread has been made about this a while ago. I checked it in the archive and still decided to make a post because the targeted metas are not the same.
So yeah, the purpose of this thread is not to question species clause overall because, just as it was stated within the old thread, why should we change something that is working well for almost no reason?
Then, the point is definitely not to ask for any change in metagames like OU, UU, Ubers, etc... because in those metas, a change from the species clause to forms clause will not result in something more interesting (rather the opposite in fact).
However, they are numerous metas in which such a change might open up some new possibilities that might be worth the change if we put everything together: other metagames.
It's not new that OMs make some exceptions to "standard rules" even though they try not to, to still be consistent with the overall tiering policy framework. (see the Electrify ban in AAA, Godly Gift banning Swift Swim, Camomons banning Calm Mind, etc through this gen or another). This is simply related to the nature of OMs themselves being, by definition, not something "standard" and the reason why they have to build their own set of rules most of the time to account for their specifities.
Again, if it doesn't change a lot of things in OMs like AAA (bar Zapdos?), a change from the species clause to a form clause might have some impact in the builder of some others.
Here are a few examples associated with the explanation of how the metagame works for those who don't know them:
Those are a few examples because I'm not an expert in every OMs but it shouldn't be that hard to find some other "nice" possibilities in metas like Inheritance, Convergence, Bonus Type, etc.
As a matter of fact, some metas are already using a form clause like National Dex Balanced Hackmons (with an added Arceus-form clause) allowing to run things like MMX and MMY or were using it like SS BH. However, I don't know in what conditions it's been approved with respect to the tiering policy.
I think a change from species clause to forme clause in some OMs could be audited by council and submitted to their respective communities considering what it can bring in terms of diversity with respect to technical or competitive issues if any. Of course, the change will certainly not drastically change any of those metas because running 2 forms will still be rare cuz only very few of them are "viable" together but it might still be an interesting degree of freedom to have in the builder.
At the moment, it feels like species clause has been "grandfathered" from older gens because it was still working perfectly fine in "standard metas" but, due to GF releasing more and more new regional forms, species clause feels kind of outdated in some metas in which forms can be decently viable together.
Thanks for reading and have a good day!
First, I'd like to say that I'm aware that a thread has been made about this a while ago. I checked it in the archive and still decided to make a post because the targeted metas are not the same.
So yeah, the purpose of this thread is not to question species clause overall because, just as it was stated within the old thread, why should we change something that is working well for almost no reason?
Then, the point is definitely not to ask for any change in metagames like OU, UU, Ubers, etc... because in those metas, a change from the species clause to forms clause will not result in something more interesting (rather the opposite in fact).
However, they are numerous metas in which such a change might open up some new possibilities that might be worth the change if we put everything together: other metagames.
It's not new that OMs make some exceptions to "standard rules" even though they try not to, to still be consistent with the overall tiering policy framework. (see the Electrify ban in AAA, Godly Gift banning Swift Swim, Camomons banning Calm Mind, etc through this gen or another). This is simply related to the nature of OMs themselves being, by definition, not something "standard" and the reason why they have to build their own set of rules most of the time to account for their specifities.
Again, if it doesn't change a lot of things in OMs like AAA (bar Zapdos?), a change from the species clause to a form clause might have some impact in the builder of some others.
Here are a few examples associated with the explanation of how the metagame works for those who don't know them:
Explanations: Here's how the Uber's stats are distributed to each team mate.
You will be able to recognize from team preview how your opponent is gifting their stats, based upon the position of their Uber.
Benefits:
Here the removal of the species clause could allow for a new type a Regecore to work with (Slowking + Slowking-G) considering their role can be very different depending on the stat you give to them. For instance, you could go with a Speed stat Slowking-G with an offensive LO NP set and a Slowking on the defense slot being a pretty decent defensive pivot. A team could also run both Landorus's forms, a defensive one and an offensive one. If we take into account the fact that this meta didn't ban tera, forms can become even more differents by virtue of being able to change their types.
Idk if greninja-bond counts as a different form but we could imagine a standard greninja in the Spa or Atk slot (or any stat for a lead hazard setter one) paired with bond one either in Atk or Spa slot.
We could also imagine stategies with both Zapdos, Rotom or Hoopa forms even though they are less likely considering their overall viability.
Multiple forms mons like Arceus shouldn't be an issue due to the nature of the metagame allowing for only one "god" (therefore, you can't run 2 Arceus, or 2 Kyurem (one is banned btw)).
Issues:
I don't really see some.
You will be able to recognize from team preview how your opponent is gifting their stats, based upon the position of their Uber.
Benefits:
Here the removal of the species clause could allow for a new type a Regecore to work with (Slowking + Slowking-G) considering their role can be very different depending on the stat you give to them. For instance, you could go with a Speed stat Slowking-G with an offensive LO NP set and a Slowking on the defense slot being a pretty decent defensive pivot. A team could also run both Landorus's forms, a defensive one and an offensive one. If we take into account the fact that this meta didn't ban tera, forms can become even more differents by virtue of being able to change their types.
Idk if greninja-bond counts as a different form but we could imagine a standard greninja in the Spa or Atk slot (or any stat for a lead hazard setter one) paired with bond one either in Atk or Spa slot.
We could also imagine stategies with both Zapdos, Rotom or Hoopa forms even though they are less likely considering their overall viability.
Multiple forms mons like Arceus shouldn't be an issue due to the nature of the metagame allowing for only one "god" (therefore, you can't run 2 Arceus, or 2 Kyurem (one is banned btw)).
Issues:
I don't really see some.
Explanations: Mix and Mega is an Ubers-based metagame that allows you to use any transformation item on any permitted pokémon. When that Pokémon then transforms, it undergoes the same stat modifications that the original user of that item does, along with its ability and any type changes that the altered form has compared to the base species. Primarily this takes the form of the Gen 6 Mega Evolution mechanic, with the usual restrictions of one per team removed, but also included are the Red and Blue Primal Orbs as well as the Gen 8 Rusted items.
Benefits:
Slowking-Galar@Latiasite/Gyaradosite + Slowking@Sablenite might be a decent core if you're looking for a pivoting core setting up snow (Weather Ball or Blizzard abusers in the back?
Zapdos@Manectite/Lucarionite + Zapdos-Galar@Loppunite might be a decent combination.
Issues:
Nothing is preventing to run multiple Arceus forms there. Also applies to both Kyurem or Deoxys forms.
Benefits:
Slowking-Galar@Latiasite/Gyaradosite + Slowking@Sablenite might be a decent core if you're looking for a pivoting core setting up snow (Weather Ball or Blizzard abusers in the back?
Zapdos@Manectite/Lucarionite + Zapdos-Galar@Loppunite might be a decent combination.
Issues:
Nothing is preventing to run multiple Arceus forms there. Also applies to both Kyurem or Deoxys forms.
Explanations: Pokemon change their type to match the types of their first two moves in their moveslots. Pokemon with multiple moves of the same type in their first two slots will have only one type. Types are revealed to the player instantly upon being sent out.
Benefits:
You can now run Slowking and Slowking-G together to form a nice Regecore and abuse very different types to cover each other weaknesses. You could try multiples Ogerpon forms if you want to (let's not forget they can get a STAB on Ivy Cudgel without running an actual Fire, Water or Rock move making them definitely worse in Camo). Double Avalugg stall? Double Urshifu? Double Hoopa Sticky Web?
Overall, the change may allow for more diversity due to the nature of Camomons being able to make similar mons very differents by changing their types.
Issues:
I don't see some.
Benefits:
You can now run Slowking and Slowking-G together to form a nice Regecore and abuse very different types to cover each other weaknesses. You could try multiples Ogerpon forms if you want to (let's not forget they can get a STAB on Ivy Cudgel without running an actual Fire, Water or Rock move making them definitely worse in Camo). Double Avalugg stall? Double Urshifu? Double Hoopa Sticky Web?
Overall, the change may allow for more diversity due to the nature of Camomons being able to make similar mons very differents by changing their types.
Issues:
I don't see some.
Explanations: Pokemon can learn any move that matches their typing. This transfers with evolutions and out of battle forme changes, so if a Normal-type evolves into a Psychic-type in the game, you can teach the Psychic-type Pokemon any Psychic and Normal moves.
Benefits:
As always, you could try a Regencore with both Slowking (phy def pivot Slowking + AV Gking). Rotom forms are much more viable in this meta due to the very large movepool they can abuse from so you could perfectly imagine a core with both Rotom-H and Rotom-Wash that have quite a different set of resists. Zapdos and Zapdos-G is another possibility as always. Double Indeedee for Expanding Force spam team.
Issues:
Ogerpons might have been an issue but both Hearthflame and Wellspring are banned so...
Benefits:
As always, you could try a Regencore with both Slowking (phy def pivot Slowking + AV Gking). Rotom forms are much more viable in this meta due to the very large movepool they can abuse from so you could perfectly imagine a core with both Rotom-H and Rotom-Wash that have quite a different set of resists. Zapdos and Zapdos-G is another possibility as always. Double Indeedee for Expanding Force spam team.
Issues:
Ogerpons might have been an issue but both Hearthflame and Wellspring are banned so...
Those are a few examples because I'm not an expert in every OMs but it shouldn't be that hard to find some other "nice" possibilities in metas like Inheritance, Convergence, Bonus Type, etc.
As a matter of fact, some metas are already using a form clause like National Dex Balanced Hackmons (with an added Arceus-form clause) allowing to run things like MMX and MMY or were using it like SS BH. However, I don't know in what conditions it's been approved with respect to the tiering policy.
I think a change from species clause to forme clause in some OMs could be audited by council and submitted to their respective communities considering what it can bring in terms of diversity with respect to technical or competitive issues if any. Of course, the change will certainly not drastically change any of those metas because running 2 forms will still be rare cuz only very few of them are "viable" together but it might still be an interesting degree of freedom to have in the builder.
At the moment, it feels like species clause has been "grandfathered" from older gens because it was still working perfectly fine in "standard metas" but, due to GF releasing more and more new regional forms, species clause feels kind of outdated in some metas in which forms can be decently viable together.
Thanks for reading and have a good day!
