This was written before the balance changes bellow
for the sake of consistency i will keep writing about the pokemon here
thinking about their state pre balance changes
TL;DR: I'm far from a decent competitive player or a average writer, take all that i say here with a grain of salt bucket of seawater.
I don't think i'll be capable to test and write my thoughts about every individual pokemon but here's my preliminary VR
Note: This is mi opinion, i can be wrong and it can change.
now onto individual thoughts on pokemon i have tested these days
These are my thoughts so far, i'm feeeling too lazy to write more for today.i'll edit this later (in the end i felt too lazy to continue this, sorry) to add my thoughts on the chars, the bugs,
the shark, the dragon that is too tanky and the ghost that should not have priority strenght sap. Poor Galapagon, Haze Pex and CM Fini invalidate
it and Rillaboom is its sleep paralyzis demon.
for the sake of consistency
thinking about their state pre balance changes
I've been a player since 2014 but didn't take competitive seriously until 2016, even then i'm on the more casual side
i rarely do laddering, rarely use convencional teams, and rarely do well. That is because i prefer to have fun with various gimmick
sets and odd team archetypes like trick room. This translates into poor knowledge about current metagame and teambuilding.
This means that anything about competitive i'm going to say here is probably going to be wrong or questionable to better players,
feel free to take my thoughts with a grain of salt.
While this isn't my first language i'm actually almost fluent at it, however, both in my native language and english i have poor grammar,
i'm just too lazy to memorize grammatical rules, so i'll use a spell checker, even then some misspellings and oddly ordered sentences
may slip up sometimes. I apologize in advance.
I hate writing, the only reason i can bother doing this is because i can do it with a keyboard, i know nothing about writing proper
essays, so i'm bound to make mistakes like being overly verbose on some obvious things and too vague on things that would need
to be explained better.
i rarely do laddering, rarely use convencional teams, and rarely do well. That is because i prefer to have fun with various gimmick
sets and odd team archetypes like trick room. This translates into poor knowledge about current metagame and teambuilding.
This means that anything about competitive i'm going to say here is probably going to be wrong or questionable to better players,
feel free to take my thoughts with a grain of salt.
While this isn't my first language i'm actually almost fluent at it, however, both in my native language and english i have poor grammar,
i'm just too lazy to memorize grammatical rules, so i'll use a spell checker, even then some misspellings and oddly ordered sentences
may slip up sometimes. I apologize in advance.
I hate writing, the only reason i can bother doing this is because i can do it with a keyboard, i know nothing about writing proper
essays, so i'm bound to make mistakes like being overly verbose on some obvious things and too vague on things that would need
to be explained better.
I don't think i'll be capable to test and write my thoughts about every individual pokemon but here's my preliminary VR
Note: This is mi opinion, i can be wrong and it can change.
S Pokemon that provide dominant or multifaceted presences within the metagame. Whether it's through offensive, defensive, or supportive roles.
A Pokemon that are also defining but don't quite provide the same extent of splashability, utility, or centralization as what's in S.
, 
, 
, 
, 
, 
, 
B+ Pokemon that have solid places in the tier, but aren't as necessarily defining or consistent despite making their presences known.
, 
, 
, 
, 
, 
B Pokemon with defined niches that may run into more restrictions that prevent consistent usage, as well as Pokemon with untapped yet firm potential
, 
, 
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C Pokemon that have their uses but are often outclassed or more inconsistent.
, 
i've been told to remove Eviolite Venusaur from this, i'll just state i see it as the only decent new eviolite user and i see it as
a better choice than Arbosaur.
A Pokemon that are also defining but don't quite provide the same extent of splashability, utility, or centralization as what's in S.
, , , , , , B+ Pokemon that have solid places in the tier, but aren't as necessarily defining or consistent despite making their presences known.
, , , , , B Pokemon with defined niches that may run into more restrictions that prevent consistent usage, as well as Pokemon with untapped yet firm potential
, , , , C Pokemon that have their uses but are often outclassed or more inconsistent.
, i've been told to remove Eviolite Venusaur from this, i'll just state i see it as the only decent new eviolite user and i see it as
a better choice than Arbosaur.
now onto individual thoughts on pokemon i have tested these days
Arbosaur
At first glance this pokemon seems like an Appletun with worse bulk and lack of access to recover, testing a few teams with it
did not change much these thoughts. It has a few niches over it like access to sleep powder, knock off, flamethrower and earth power.
Even then in the OU tier this pokemon has a rough time finding a place in any team, facing competition on the defensive grass side
with Tangrowth and Amoonguss and being rendered worthless in the defensive dragon side by Starietta. If for some reason you
feel like trying a offensive set let me tell you in advance its a waste of time, being directly outclassed on those fields by the likes of
SD Kartana, Growth Venusaur and DD Dragonite.
This pokemon is a good partner for steel types that appreciate a ground and a fire resist like aegislash, melmetal and magearna.
Overall, i think this pokemon is directly outclassed by other pokemon in the tier, pokemon that can do the same and more while
requiring less team support, this pokemon could drop down to RU and be a top tier threat there, its not weak, its not bad, it just can't
compete.
I think this pokemon is underpowered.
At first glance this pokemon seems like an Appletun with worse bulk and lack of access to recover, testing a few teams with it
did not change much these thoughts. It has a few niches over it like access to sleep powder, knock off, flamethrower and earth power.
Even then in the OU tier this pokemon has a rough time finding a place in any team, facing competition on the defensive grass side
with Tangrowth and Amoonguss and being rendered worthless in the defensive dragon side by Starietta. If for some reason you
feel like trying a offensive set let me tell you in advance its a waste of time, being directly outclassed on those fields by the likes of
SD Kartana, Growth Venusaur and DD Dragonite.
Wall
Arbosaur @ Leftovers
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 HP / 216 SpD / 40 Spe
Calm Nature
- Sleep Powder
- Knock Off
- Leech Seed
- Giga Drain
This set groups most of the tools it has over appletun, the 40 speed evs reach 222 speed, that's 1 point above
adamant ttar and 2 points above 252 base 60 speed pokemon, the benchmark was relevant in the past,
but pokemon like azumarill and offensive ttar are rarely seen nowadays so it may not mean as much, its worth noting
that many walls like heatran and moltres still use similar speed benchmarks. Def vs SpD depends a lot on your team
but the stats lean naturally towards a SpD set, knock off and sleep powder are the main reason to use this pokemon
over appletun, if you don't need sleep (misty terrain, electric terrain and defensive grass types are rather common) you can use
synthesis or earth power over the sleep powder slot to improve the recovery of this pokemon or deal with pokemon like heatran.
If this is your main switch in to other grass types running flamethrower allows you to 2hko ferrothorn and rocky helmet tangrowth.
Arbosaur @ Leftovers
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 HP / 216 SpD / 40 Spe
Calm Nature
- Sleep Powder
- Knock Off
- Leech Seed
- Giga Drain
This set groups most of the tools it has over appletun, the 40 speed evs reach 222 speed, that's 1 point above
adamant ttar and 2 points above 252 base 60 speed pokemon, the benchmark was relevant in the past,
but pokemon like azumarill and offensive ttar are rarely seen nowadays so it may not mean as much, its worth noting
that many walls like heatran and moltres still use similar speed benchmarks. Def vs SpD depends a lot on your team
but the stats lean naturally towards a SpD set, knock off and sleep powder are the main reason to use this pokemon
over appletun, if you don't need sleep (misty terrain, electric terrain and defensive grass types are rather common) you can use
synthesis or earth power over the sleep powder slot to improve the recovery of this pokemon or deal with pokemon like heatran.
If this is your main switch in to other grass types running flamethrower allows you to 2hko ferrothorn and rocky helmet tangrowth.
Dragon Dance
Arbosaur @ Life Orb
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Power Whip
- Earthquake / Knock Off
- Dragon Hammer
- Dragon Dance
There's not much reason to use this over offensive grass types like kartana or offensive dragon types
like dragonite, garchomp and salamence. Its underpowered and just as prone to be revenge killed by choice scarfers and rarities
like ice shard. Under screens with weakness policy this set can clean teams very well but that can be said about any
other pokemon.
Other Options: This pokemon is outclassed in other offensive sets by dragon types, venusaur and kartana so this is really all
i think it can do decently.
Arbosaur @ Life Orb
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Power Whip
- Earthquake / Knock Off
- Dragon Hammer
- Dragon Dance
There's not much reason to use this over offensive grass types like kartana or offensive dragon types
like dragonite, garchomp and salamence. Its underpowered and just as prone to be revenge killed by choice scarfers and rarities
like ice shard. Under screens with weakness policy this set can clean teams very well but that can be said about any
other pokemon.
Other Options: This pokemon is outclassed in other offensive sets by dragon types, venusaur and kartana so this is really all
i think it can do decently.
This pokemon is a good partner for steel types that appreciate a ground and a fire resist like aegislash, melmetal and magearna.
Overall, i think this pokemon is directly outclassed by other pokemon in the tier, pokemon that can do the same and more while
requiring less team support, this pokemon could drop down to RU and be a top tier threat there, its not weak, its not bad, it just can't
compete.
I think this pokemon is underpowered.
With the ability to use eviolite Venusaur gains a massive boost to bulk that allows it to compete against the likes of Tangrowth and
Amoonguss on even footing just by raw stats alone, but can it really make use of it ?.
The bulk is way higher than its original mega form, but the lack of access to thick fat, hidden power fire and knock off taking away
all that bulk make it work like a far weaker alternative.
Venusaur @ Eviolite
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 Spe
Bold Nature
- Synthesis
- Knock Off
- Sludge Bomb
- Giga Drain
This variant is a really decent partner for Heatran, absorbing grass, ground, and fighting type moves aimed at it, but it can't really
switch into the likes of Tangrowth, Rillaboom, Kartana, Toxapex, Clefable and Tapu Fini without being afraid of getting hit by knock off
and if that happens it becomes inferior to its competition. Overall the usage of eviolite can be recognized in team preview and played
around easily. 56 evs in speed reach 210 speed, that outspeeds adamant crawdaunt, kinda important to stall but rarely seen.
I think this can be strong but requires a lot of team support, particularly a knock off absorber, hazard control and a extra ground resist.
Amoonguss on even footing just by raw stats alone, but can it really make use of it ?.
The bulk is way higher than its original mega form, but the lack of access to thick fat, hidden power fire and knock off taking away
all that bulk make it work like a far weaker alternative.
Venusaur @ Eviolite
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 Spe
Bold Nature
- Synthesis
- Knock Off
- Sludge Bomb
- Giga Drain
This variant is a really decent partner for Heatran, absorbing grass, ground, and fighting type moves aimed at it, but it can't really
switch into the likes of Tangrowth, Rillaboom, Kartana, Toxapex, Clefable and Tapu Fini without being afraid of getting hit by knock off
and if that happens it becomes inferior to its competition. Overall the usage of eviolite can be recognized in team preview and played
around easily. 56 evs in speed reach 210 speed, that outspeeds adamant crawdaunt, kinda important to stall but rarely seen.
I think this can be strong but requires a lot of team support, particularly a knock off absorber, hazard control and a extra ground resist.
Scawsert
When this won i was disappointed, i thought its lack of access to calm mind or nasty plot would force it to run choiced sets, and even
with access to swords dance nobody would use it with though claws and scale shot just because the original garchomp already did that
with better physical stats and slighty superior coverage, because of this i thought there was little reason to run this over the likes of gengar
and latios, but after testing it i found it to be good enough, its access to moves like secret sword and earth power give it an edge
when it comes to coverage.
I think this pokemon is ok please give it dragon dance or work up please
When this won i was disappointed, i thought its lack of access to calm mind or nasty plot would force it to run choiced sets, and even
with access to swords dance nobody would use it with though claws and scale shot just because the original garchomp already did that
with better physical stats and slighty superior coverage, because of this i thought there was little reason to run this over the likes of gengar
and latios, but after testing it i found it to be good enough, its access to moves like secret sword and earth power give it an edge
when it comes to coverage.
Choiced
Scawsert @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sand Force
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Earth Power
- Fire Blast
- Secret Sword
- Draco Meteor
Just max/max evs, coverage and clicking buttons, do i need to say more ?, Scarf is what i recommend because of the amount of dragon
dancers in the tier, this is used as a revenge killer, that is all there is to it. A choiced specs can be used, it changes its role into that of a
wallbreaker.
Stealth Rock
Scawsert @ Life Orb
Ability: Sand Force
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Secret Sword
- Earth Power
- Stealth Rock
Mainly used as a lead for more offensive teams, fire blast can be used over earth power for more immediate power and you can run
a berry or focus sash over life orb.
Other Options: You can try to use swords dance and though claws on a physical attacker set with close combat, eathquake, and poison jab
or a sub petaya set to boost its spa, neither of these will get far. Just use swords dance garchomp or calm mind latios for a better experience.
Scawsert @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sand Force
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Earth Power
- Fire Blast
- Secret Sword
- Draco Meteor
Just max/max evs, coverage and clicking buttons, do i need to say more ?, Scarf is what i recommend because of the amount of dragon
dancers in the tier, this is used as a revenge killer, that is all there is to it. A choiced specs can be used, it changes its role into that of a
wallbreaker.
Stealth Rock
Scawsert @ Life Orb
Ability: Sand Force
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Secret Sword
- Earth Power
- Stealth Rock
Mainly used as a lead for more offensive teams, fire blast can be used over earth power for more immediate power and you can run
a berry or focus sash over life orb.
Other Options: You can try to use swords dance and though claws on a physical attacker set with close combat, eathquake, and poison jab
or a sub petaya set to boost its spa, neither of these will get far. Just use swords dance garchomp or calm mind latios for a better experience.
These are my thoughts so far, i'm feeeling too lazy to write more for today.
the shark, the dragon that is too tanky and the ghost that should not have priority strenght sap. Poor Galapagon, Haze Pex and CM Fini invalidate
it and Rillaboom is its sleep paralyzis demon.
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