I want to resuggest this idea with a few changes since it got rejected last gen:
Status Quo
Metagame premise:
All attacking moves are banned! However, all status moves now have a base power, and use your higher base attacking stat to hit off. All moves are non-contact.
In addition all normal type moves are changed to your primary typing.
The criteria for base power is as follows:
- Protect moves (protect, endure, etc), substitute, destiny bond are 0BP.
- Priority moves, stat boosting moves (swords dance), self-healing moves are 50BP.
- Moves that lower your opponents stats (screech), weather setting moves are 80BP.
- All other moves are 100BP.
Potential bans and threats:
Bans:
-All attacking moves
-Taunt!
-Accuracy lowering status moves
-Nature Power and other "status" moves that would allow you 2 attacks (Bide, Assist, Me First, Metronome, Counter, Mirror Coat Metal Burst etc)
-Snatch and Magic Bounce/Mirror Coat- either these are allowed and dont steal/reflect anything, or banned bc otherwise they affect every move in the game
-Confusion-inflicting moves
-Infatuation moves
-Prankster should be banned unless the moves count as attacking moves and not status moves
-There is a status clause in place, which works the same as sleep clause but with all statuses. So when you use thunder wave the first time it will be a 100BP move that paralyzes your opponent (assuming not ground/electric type or with limber etc). If you then try and use thunder wave on another opponent, you will hit for 100BP, but it wont paralyze them as well. This is to prevent mass spreading of status and also limit haxing techniques.
An attack can still deal damage if the status element fails: for instance using thunder wave on an electric type will still be a 100BP electric move, it simply will fail the status part which will be a secondary effect to the 100BP attack. In that respect you can expect the secondary element to fail if the attack part is blocked or fails: eg. using electric terrain against a ground type will result in a fail because the damage aspect will fail. Using spikes against a flying type will fail. etc
If you use a Z-status move, it will remain the same BP and priority (? if this is how z-status moves work) as before, and adopt the new Z-move properties. Maintaining the same base power might be relevant if it turns into a boosting move through the Z-version.
-Probably Kyurem-B will be banned
Threats:
Chandelure @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
- Curse
- Will-O-Wisp
- Spite
- Haze
Ghost type Curse is a really powerful attack here since it hits off 100BP and then also deals 25% at the end of the turn, although it costs half your hp. Will-o-wisp is obviously really powerful, and Spite is a great consistent attack that cuts into your opponents pp. If they are relying on 8PP moves you can run them out of pp in 2 attacks! Haze is a good coverage move and destroys setup.
Landorus-Therian (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Swords Dance
- Rock Polish
- Confide
Double dance is a good strategy here because both moves double as attacks, giving you more momentum. Stealth Rock and Confide are your two main moves once you boost up, first being a strong and useful 100BP rock move and the second being your main 80BP ground type move.
Tapu Lele @ Light Clay
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Reflect
- Aromatic Mist
- Light Screen
- Sunny Day
The best sets in this meta are often ones that provide an immediate offensive threat while also setting up useful supportive team buffs. Thiis lele is a specs pivot that will hit like a truck while setting up screens for the team. Sunny Day is a great and widely accessible coverage move that hits for 80BP turn one and then boosts itself next turn.
Omastar @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Rain Dance
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Haze
Omastar is a prime example of a rain abuser. Setting up its own rain turn one, it can then sweep and wallbreak at the same time with +2 speed and its LO + rain boosted rain dance for 80BP. It also boasts one of the nicest coverage combinations in the game with Stealth Rock + Spikes.
Questions for community:
What banworthy things can you see? While it might seem the meta is inherently super offensive there are a lot of defensive options also, such as reflect, charm, calm mind, etc. There are also 6 level of priority to play with.
Atm the main thing that I think could be broken is Block. And any set theorycrafting is welcome!
