As you all know, Machamp got banned from DPP OU due to its combination of No Guard and Dynamic Punch, which made it an RNG abuser similar to Jirachi—yet Jirachi somehow remains unbanned. Personally, I think No Guard should have been banned instead of Machamp; even though Machamp might be less effective in OU, banning No Guard would also prevent Machoke from being a viable option in the tier. You’re probably wondering how Machoke, a middle-stage evolution, could even be considered viable in OU, even with the combination of No Guard and Dynamic Punch. Well, Machoke actually has a solid Attack stat of base 100, and with Dynamic Punch, it can hit extremely hard. Alongside that, it also has access to Stone Edge, Payback, and Ice Punch, providing it with excellent coverage. With these moves, Machoke can become a significant offensive threat. However, despite these strong traits, Machoke is frailer and slower compared to Machamp, so it must rely on its offensive power to deal damage before being taken down.
When I experimented with Machoke, I used it on the same playstyle that Machamp excelled in: Paraspam. Paraspam is an archetype where you spread paralysis to the enemy team, allowing slow, bulky attackers to take advantage of the slowed foes. Machamp was a staple on these teams, but Machoke can do the same with Substitute to get free turns when the opponent’s Pokémon is paralyzed. The Dynamic Punch confusion, combined with its strong offensive potential, along with Payback and Ice Punch for coverage against Flying- and Ghost-types, makes Machoke a massive problem. The real challenge for Machoke comes from its lack of bulk, but it still can disrupt an opponent’s strategy in ways other attackers can't. A paralyzed team is often at the mercy of its powerful moves, making Machoke a surprisingly potent choice in the right circumstances. Its role as a mid-tier offensive presence, backed by unpredictable RNG, makes it a worthy consideration in certain team builds. In addition, its ability to come in on the right turn and punish key threats with powerful STAB moves can catch many off guard, potentially shifting the momentum in your favor.
This replay is an example of what I am trying to say sorry that I only have one replay to show I don't really save replays
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen4ou-2310553533-0l0bfmxu9eqbteb7af7p2c18qea2cjnpw?p2
Video from Pokeaimhd using it before machamp ban:
When I experimented with Machoke, I used it on the same playstyle that Machamp excelled in: Paraspam. Paraspam is an archetype where you spread paralysis to the enemy team, allowing slow, bulky attackers to take advantage of the slowed foes. Machamp was a staple on these teams, but Machoke can do the same with Substitute to get free turns when the opponent’s Pokémon is paralyzed. The Dynamic Punch confusion, combined with its strong offensive potential, along with Payback and Ice Punch for coverage against Flying- and Ghost-types, makes Machoke a massive problem. The real challenge for Machoke comes from its lack of bulk, but it still can disrupt an opponent’s strategy in ways other attackers can't. A paralyzed team is often at the mercy of its powerful moves, making Machoke a surprisingly potent choice in the right circumstances. Its role as a mid-tier offensive presence, backed by unpredictable RNG, makes it a worthy consideration in certain team builds. In addition, its ability to come in on the right turn and punish key threats with powerful STAB moves can catch many off guard, potentially shifting the momentum in your favor.
This replay is an example of what I am trying to say sorry that I only have one replay to show I don't really save replays
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen4ou-2310553533-0l0bfmxu9eqbteb7af7p2c18qea2cjnpw?p2
Video from Pokeaimhd using it before machamp ban:
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