Welcome to a guide on writing analyses! This guide specifically is tailored to NDUU and our preferred structure when it comes to analyses, but the advice here can be applied across different tiers. We hope to provide a good starting ground for those unfamiliar with writing analyses but wanting to try their hand. Regardless of if you have experience writing or are writing your first analysis, we encourage everyone to read this post to understand the formatting NDUU uses to avoid complications in the Quality Control (QC) phase.
Here are a few more tips/rules not included in the Format that are important to know.
Here is an example analysis to help you understand the general flow of writing. Please do not use this as a template for every analysis you write, as each Pokemon is different and will need to be written about differently.
It is recommended as well that you read a few analyses before writing your analysis. It is helpful to find Pokemon that perform similar roles to the one you are writing about. However, as with referring to any other piece of work while writing, DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. First of all it isn't worth it (this is a community project that provides no value to anyone if you plagiarize), and you WILL be caught and your credit removed. Use examples wisely; you may use similar structure, but don't copy word for word, and be creative with how you explain your specific Pokemon.
Feel free to reach out to me or other QC members on Discord, either through DMs or the National Dex UU Discord server. We would love to answer any questions or concerns you have while writing. Also be sure to read the Reservation Thread for a walkthrough of the analysis process beyond writing, and the Resources thread for updates in tiering or management!
Happy analyzing!
[SET]
(paste from teambuilder)
Written by:
user link here
Quality checked by:
user link 1 here
user link 2 here
Grammar checked by:
user link here
(paste from teambuilder)
- When reserving a Pokemon, check the Reservation Sheet located on the Reservation Thread. A set will be included there. Please do not edit the sets listed on the Reservation Sheet before consulting QC. The movesets, spreads, and item choices are often very intentional, and unless you have extensive metagame knowledge, it is not a good idea to alter them. If you believe you have a valid reason to do so, check with QC either before writing or before moving it to QC.
- The first sentence of an analysis should explain the role the Pokemon performs and why it performs that role well or better than other options (or worse if it is ranked lower on the tier Viability Rankings). Writers may also mention what options the Pokemon lines up well against.
- Examples:
-
Mega Venusaur's great overall stats and ability make it a powerful tank in the metagame, capable of checking staples like Clefable, Rotom-W, and Zeraora while providing excellent offensive pressure, since Sludge Bomb, Knock Off, and Earth Power can cripple or threaten the majority of its checks, like Mega Latias, Aegislash, and Celesteela.
-
With Life Orb and Regenerator granting it fantastic power while maintaining its longevity, Mienshao is able to be a consistent offensive threat capable of wearing down defensive options like Skarmory, Rotom-W, and Clefable over time while still immediately threatening common defensive and offensive options such as Ting-Lu, Aegislash, and Excadrill.
-
With great special bulk, Regenerator, and Teleport, Slowking is an effective pivot and defensive check to prominent threats like Iron Moth, Enamorus, and Keldeo, being able to switch in against their powerful moves and either bring another teammate to maintain momentum or set up Future Sight and switch out right after.
-
Choice Band Galarian Zapdos is really hard to switch into because it is so strong.
Blissey is a really good special defensive option and can check many special attackers. - Good first sentences go as in-depth as possible without creating a run-on sentence and provide concrete reasons for why the Pokemon performs. Examples are often used, but not required.
- After explaining the Pokemon’s role in the metagame, writers should explore the Pokemon’s moveset. DO NOT ALTER MOVESETS WITHOUT APPROVAL FROM QC. STAB moves do not need to be explained unless they have been slashed with a different move (ex. Hydro Pump/Surf: Hydro is more powerful but less reliable/accurate), or they provide some sort of utility (ex. Fiery Dance for Iron Moth instead of Flamethrower/Fire Blast, or Torch Song for Skeledirge). For options beyond STAB moves, explain what Pokemon they help handle and why they are useful (ex. Knock Off helps against Ghost-types, Extrasensory targets Mega Venusaur). Explain the utility of moves that are slashed and what they do (ex. Stealth Rock/Calm Mind on Clefable: Stealth Rock allows Clefable to set hazards, while Calm Mind lets it become a set up sweeper). Use your best judgment; if you think a move doesn’t need to be explained, feel free to omit it, but QC may comment on it (ex. Recovery moves often do not need to be explained on defensive walls like Quagsire or Clefable.)
- After explaining the Pokemon’s moveset, if a Pokemon has multiple options for an item, explain the benefits and drawbacks of each one (ex. Leftovers/Heavy-Duty Boots).
- If a Pokemon has a unique EV spread or has multiple EV spreads provided, explain what the spread accomplishes or what each separate spread does. If you don’t know, feel free to reach out to a QC member for guidance. For Pokemon with standard EV spreads (252/4/252), it is not often necessary to explain the moveset, but again, use your best judgment.
- After explaining a Pokemon’s moveset, items, and EV spread, move on to a more in depth explanation of its role in the metagame. The first sentence should explain what teams a Pokemon fits on and for what reasons.
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Swords Dance Bisharp works best on offensive teams with teammates such as Swords Dance Scizor that put pressure on shared checks such as defensive Hippowdon, Skarmory, and Buzzwole.
Mega Gardevoir commonly finds itself on offensive teams that appreciate a strong wallbreaker, such as teams with VoltTurn cores, as these teams may struggle to properly break stall and bulkier teams. -
Ting-Lu best fits on bulky offense and balance teams looking for a potent hazard setter and tank capable of checking dangerous threats such as Iron Moth and Mega Latias.
Slowbro best fits on bulky offense and balance teams looking for a reliable defensive pivot that can also generate momentum for wallbreakers.
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- Use this sentence to springboard into options that cover this Pokemon’s weaknesses, take advantage of its strengths, and generally like being alongside it. Be careful when listing examples, and be sure to only list Pokemon that would actually be seen on the same teams as the analysis Pokemon (ex. Don’t list Chansey alongside Sticky Web Ribombee, as they do not fit on the same playstyle).
- If the Pokemon has any glaring weaknesses (4x weaknesses, completely walled by 1 very common Pokemon) be sure to address those weaknesses and either explain how they hinder the Pokemons performance or include teammates that are necessary to overcome those weaknesses
Written by:
user link here
Quality checked by:
user link 1 here
user link 2 here
Grammar checked by:
user link here
Here are a few more tips/rules not included in the Format that are important to know.
- Consult the Spelling and Grammar Standards while writing if you are unsure how to format/spell something
- Important Highlights:
- American English Spellings for words: utilize not utilise, offense not offence, etc.
- Correct forme names: Rotom-W not Rotom-Wash, Galarian Moltres not Moltres-Galar, Mega Latias not Latias-Mega, etc.
- Appropriate Pokemon slang: Terms like OHKO, stallbreaker, spinner, outspeed, Pursuit Trap, etc.
- Answers to ANY grammatical questions you have are likely in this post. Refer to it frequently.
- Important Highlights:
- Be concise. It is better to have a shorter analysis with only the relevant information than to have a long analysis that discusses every Pokemon in the tier.
- When listing examples, always use AND not OR (Steel-types like Aegislash and Skarmory). I'm sure the GP team is tired of changing those in every single one of my analyses.
- More tips will be added as the need arises.
Here is an example analysis to help you understand the general flow of writing. Please do not use this as a template for every analysis you write, as each Pokemon is different and will need to be written about differently.
[SET]
Life Orb (Mienshao) @ Life Orb
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- U-turn
- Fake Out / Poison Jab
[SET COMMENTS]
With Life Orb and Regenerator granting it fantastic power while maintaining its longevity, Mienshao is able to be a consistent offensive threat capable of wearing down defensive options like Skarmory, Rotom-W, and Clefable over time while still immediately threatening common defensive and offensive options such as Ting-Lu, Aegislash, and Excadrill. Knock Off removes Leftovers and Rocky Helmet from Clefable and Skarmory, which assists Mienshao in wearing them down long-term while also ensuring Fighting-immune and -resistant Pokemon like Aegislash and Iron Moth are unable to switch in freely. U-turn can wear down switch-ins such as Mega Venusaur and Hippowdon until they are in 2HKO range of Close Combat, and also allows Mienshao to remain healthy by constantly triggering Regenerator. Fake Out is a fantastic option against offensive teams, allowing Mienshao to rack up chip damage against faster threats like Iron Moth and Zeraora, but Poison Jab is an option to help Mienshao break through Clefable immediately after Leftovers is removed. Mienshao typically finds itself on balance teams that appreciate its longevity with Regenerator as well as on offensive teams that appreciate Mienshao's ability to remove physical walls like Skarmory and Clefable for teammates such as Iron Boulder and Scizor. Given Life Orb Mienshao's subpar speed, teammates such as Zeraora and Greninja are appreciated for their natural Speed and ability to outrun threats such as Alakazam and Iron Moth. Mienshao also enjoys using U-turn to create momentum, so strong wallbreakers such as Aegislash and Iron Moth are appreciated, with the latter being able to bring Mienshao in on Ting-Lu in return. Other pivots such as Rotom-W and Victini can help Mienshao come in multiple times per match, allowing it to better break holes in the opposing team's defensive core. Because Mienshao enjoys pivoting in and out, entry hazard support from the likes of Ting-Lu and Skarmory is mandatory to wear down Mega Venusaur and Hippowdon while also providing defensive support against faster threats such as Iron Moth and Iron Boulder.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/danbear02.589016/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/pubo.535121/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adorluigi.528364/
Life Orb (Mienshao) @ Life Orb
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- U-turn
- Fake Out / Poison Jab
[SET COMMENTS]
With Life Orb and Regenerator granting it fantastic power while maintaining its longevity, Mienshao is able to be a consistent offensive threat capable of wearing down defensive options like Skarmory, Rotom-W, and Clefable over time while still immediately threatening common defensive and offensive options such as Ting-Lu, Aegislash, and Excadrill. Knock Off removes Leftovers and Rocky Helmet from Clefable and Skarmory, which assists Mienshao in wearing them down long-term while also ensuring Fighting-immune and -resistant Pokemon like Aegislash and Iron Moth are unable to switch in freely. U-turn can wear down switch-ins such as Mega Venusaur and Hippowdon until they are in 2HKO range of Close Combat, and also allows Mienshao to remain healthy by constantly triggering Regenerator. Fake Out is a fantastic option against offensive teams, allowing Mienshao to rack up chip damage against faster threats like Iron Moth and Zeraora, but Poison Jab is an option to help Mienshao break through Clefable immediately after Leftovers is removed. Mienshao typically finds itself on balance teams that appreciate its longevity with Regenerator as well as on offensive teams that appreciate Mienshao's ability to remove physical walls like Skarmory and Clefable for teammates such as Iron Boulder and Scizor. Given Life Orb Mienshao's subpar speed, teammates such as Zeraora and Greninja are appreciated for their natural Speed and ability to outrun threats such as Alakazam and Iron Moth. Mienshao also enjoys using U-turn to create momentum, so strong wallbreakers such as Aegislash and Iron Moth are appreciated, with the latter being able to bring Mienshao in on Ting-Lu in return. Other pivots such as Rotom-W and Victini can help Mienshao come in multiple times per match, allowing it to better break holes in the opposing team's defensive core. Because Mienshao enjoys pivoting in and out, entry hazard support from the likes of Ting-Lu and Skarmory is mandatory to wear down Mega Venusaur and Hippowdon while also providing defensive support against faster threats such as Iron Moth and Iron Boulder.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/danbear02.589016/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/pubo.535121/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adorluigi.528364/
It is recommended as well that you read a few analyses before writing your analysis. It is helpful to find Pokemon that perform similar roles to the one you are writing about. However, as with referring to any other piece of work while writing, DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. First of all it isn't worth it (this is a community project that provides no value to anyone if you plagiarize), and you WILL be caught and your credit removed. Use examples wisely; you may use similar structure, but don't copy word for word, and be creative with how you explain your specific Pokemon.
Feel free to reach out to me or other QC members on Discord, either through DMs or the National Dex UU Discord server. We would love to answer any questions or concerns you have while writing. Also be sure to read the Reservation Thread for a walkthrough of the analysis process beyond writing, and the Resources thread for updates in tiering or management!
Happy analyzing!
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