I’ve been theorycrafting my idea for a Trick Room OM with permanently reversed speed tiers and Kaen has indicated that’s it’s moving forward. I’m pretty excited about it and I would love to hear some feedback! (I’m also looking for some council members, so let me know if you may be interested. Experience is a plus.)
———————————
The idea is ultimately pretty simple: since a speed inversion disproportionally benefits slower Pokémon and nerfs faster ones, the meta will initially sit at a UU Uber power level, as to not devolve into a total stall-fest. Ideally, I would like to see the meta to settle into diverse bulky balance playstyle, that feels something akin to Balance Hackmons, though a bit less chaotic. The idea of knocking around some slow as dirt Ubers with Ursaluna also just sounds plain fun!
These are some of the mons I believe have potential as meta staples;
Normally slow offensive mons with low base speed become lightning fast and even more effective in their breaking and sweeping roles.
Several Uber-tier Pokémon sit at base speed stats near or above base 90 base, and thus find themselves severely nerfed. This consideration permits us the opportunity to explore the viability of these powerful Pokémon. Despite their higher speed becoming a determent, the Ubers best suited to the OM remain potent offensive juggernauts and maintain excellent bulk. They can also employ the use of the speed halving Power items to try to pick up the pace. I hope you look forward to using them, pending balance testing!
Defensive walls are now able to act faster than many of the offensive threats they are intended to counter.
Non-Ghost type Curse effectively becomes Victory Dance, with its speed reducing stat change. In the same vein, Pokémon able to exploit Body Press in conjunction with either Curse or Iron Defense become potent wincons, in the right conditions.
Low speed offensive pivots gain new viability as scary momentum grabbers.
Hammer Arm and Ice Hammer lower their users’ speed, letting their users snowball to victory.
Low speed utility mons become more effective as fast attackers, while also providing support for their teammates with hazards and field effects.
Speaking of hazards, need some zippy hazard control? Got you covered!
Mid and higher speed Pokémon with good natural bulk can maintain their speed IVs to assume similar slow pivot roles to get their teammates in safely. Deoxys-Defense and Solgaleo deserve special mention for their access to the low priority Teleport.
Mid-speed Pokémon and those with good priority are expected to be the least affected by the speed bracket reversal, but are expected to maintain a healthy presence in the meta. They should enjoy shifting their stats towards the bulky side, regardless.
The Iron Ball and Power items (Power Anklet, Power Band, Power Belt, Power Lens and Power Weight) all have the same function on Showdown! These items cut the holders’ speed in half, essentially serving a similar function as the Choice Scarf does in standard play, except that the holder can still change moves.
Iron Ball also removes its holder’s Ground / Spikes immunity, but may also have some interesting utility on Flying-mons and Levitaters, making them affected by Terrains.
———————————
The idea is ultimately pretty simple: since a speed inversion disproportionally benefits slower Pokémon and nerfs faster ones, the meta will initially sit at a UU Uber power level, as to not devolve into a total stall-fest. Ideally, I would like to see the meta to settle into diverse bulky balance playstyle, that feels something akin to Balance Hackmons, though a bit less chaotic. The idea of knocking around some slow as dirt Ubers with Ursaluna also just sounds plain fun!
These are some of the mons I believe have potential as meta staples;
Normally slow offensive mons with low base speed become lightning fast and even more effective in their breaking and sweeping roles.
Several Uber-tier Pokémon sit at base speed stats near or above base 90 base, and thus find themselves severely nerfed. This consideration permits us the opportunity to explore the viability of these powerful Pokémon. Despite their higher speed becoming a determent, the Ubers best suited to the OM remain potent offensive juggernauts and maintain excellent bulk. They can also employ the use of the speed halving Power items to try to pick up the pace. I hope you look forward to using them, pending balance testing!
Defensive walls are now able to act faster than many of the offensive threats they are intended to counter.
Non-Ghost type Curse effectively becomes Victory Dance, with its speed reducing stat change. In the same vein, Pokémon able to exploit Body Press in conjunction with either Curse or Iron Defense become potent wincons, in the right conditions.
Low speed offensive pivots gain new viability as scary momentum grabbers.
Hammer Arm and Ice Hammer lower their users’ speed, letting their users snowball to victory.
Low speed utility mons become more effective as fast attackers, while also providing support for their teammates with hazards and field effects.
Speaking of hazards, need some zippy hazard control? Got you covered!
Mid and higher speed Pokémon with good natural bulk can maintain their speed IVs to assume similar slow pivot roles to get their teammates in safely. Deoxys-Defense and Solgaleo deserve special mention for their access to the low priority Teleport.
Mid-speed Pokémon and those with good priority are expected to be the least affected by the speed bracket reversal, but are expected to maintain a healthy presence in the meta. They should enjoy shifting their stats towards the bulky side, regardless.
The Iron Ball and Power items (Power Anklet, Power Band, Power Belt, Power Lens and Power Weight) all have the same function on Showdown! These items cut the holders’ speed in half, essentially serving a similar function as the Choice Scarf does in standard play, except that the holder can still change moves.
Iron Ball also removes its holder’s Ground / Spikes immunity, but may also have some interesting utility on Flying-mons and Levitaters, making them affected by Terrains.
Last edited: