Metagame Middle Cup [closed]

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I have linked a PS server that allows Middle Cup to be played as a format in the OP. Come over there if you want to play some MC, I'll try to be active on there to give you guys battles :3

Also will try to unload some Sample Teams for beginners to get started in the tier and for those in need of teams. If you have any teams to showcase, feel free to do so!
 
I have linked a PS server that allows Middle Cup to be played as a format in the OP. Come over there if you want to play some MC, I'll try to be active on there to give you guys battles :3

Also will try to unload some Sample Teams for beginners to get started in the tier and for those in need of teams. If you have any teams to showcase, feel free to do so!
Middle Cup's out!?

I don't see it.
 
Gonna just post some more cool mons and sets that I haven't seen talked about very much as of late.

combusken.gif

Combusken @ Life Orb / Fightinium Z
Ability: Speed Boost
Level: 50
EVs: 8 Def / 248 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Protect

Combusken is a really big threat in Middle Cup, boasting the ability Speed Boost which allows it to outspeed the unboosted metagame at +1, and allows it to gain even more Speed Boosts to outspeed pretty much every Scarfer at +2 or +3. Combusken is also really damn powerful, with the amazing offensive typing of Fire/Fighting that is basically unresisted in this tier, and having access to high-powered STAB moves to crush the opponent with. It's very easy to just clean up a weakened team with Combusken late-game thanks to Speed Boost, and because of how hard it is to check naturally because of how strong it is. The item choice is basically up to preference. LO gives Busken the most power in it's moves, but Fightinium Z is an option I've found to be pretty viable, giving a one-time STAB nuke that also doesn't miss, which can be quite nice. I've also seen SD variants of Combusken that can put in some crazy work once set up. Overall, I think Combusken is a top threat in MC because of how powerful Speed Boost is in a frail offensive metagame like this, and I can easily see how it could become overwhelming to deal with in the near future.

frogadier.gif

Frogadier @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Protean
Level: 50
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Grass] / Dark Pulse
- U-turn

Frogadier is normally seen using an AoA set with Life Orb, using its amazing coverage moves that become STAB thanks to Protean to break down opposing teams and sometimes clean up late-game with Frogadier's great speed stat. However, I think a really underrated set has to be Choice Scarf Frogadier, inspired by the Scarf Greninja sets up in OU. It's actually a pretty good revenge killer, outspeeding threats such as +1 DD Fraxure, +2 Rhydon, and even +2 Combusken is outsped by this set. Frogadier's great speed tier also comes into play, as with a Choice Scarf equipped, it outspeeds pretty much every other Scarf user, namely mons such as Trumbeak, Haunter, and Monferno. While this set does lack the power of the LO sets, it makes up for it by being a great revenge killer and a potential late-game cleaner that can also surprise the opponent due to being so unexpected. I think this set has the potential to become one of Frogadier's best sets, and one of the best Scarfers in the meta.

fletchinder.gif

Fletchinder
Ability: Gale Wings
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Swords Dance
- Acrobatics
- Roost / Will-O-Wisp
- Overheat

Now, I won't lie and say that Fletchinder hasn't gotten worse in the transition between ORAS to SM, because it definitely has gotten worse with the Gale Wings nerf. However, I still think that Fletch can be a viable option with the right support. Fletchinder actually has a pretty okay natural speed stat of 84, which lets it outspeed all non-Scarf sets of Monferno even without Gale Wings, which is a pretty decent benchmark that also lets it outspeed mons like Fraxure w/o Gale Wings. This lets Fletch be a decent revenge killer to these mons, as Acro still hits pretty hard because of how frail the meta is. However, it is still important to try and keep the Gale Wings intact, as having a strong priority option is amazing for RKing threats such as Kadabra (Sash broken) and Choice Scarf users. Another niche Fletch has is in it's Fire typing, which allows Fletch to become a Flying-type that also threatens Doublade, one of the common checks to other Flying-types such as Trumbeak. Doublade is not a problem for Fletchinder, as STAB Overheat does massive damage to it.

4 SpA Fletchinder Overheat vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Doublade: 164-194 (98.7 - 116.8%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO

This alone is very helpful to Fletch, allowing it to bypass a normal Flying check. However, Fletch is still walled by Rhydon unless you use Wisp, which means losing Roost which helps in keeping the Gale Wings intact. However, that only makes Trumbeak an even better partner to Fletch, as they both share similar checks that the other can break through. (Fletch breaks Steel-types, Trumbeak has Bullet Seed to bypass Rock-types). This makes for a pretty cool BirdSpam core that can break past their checks and pave the way for one of them to sweep late-game. Overall, while Fletchinder is worse off than in ORAS for sure, and does require a lot of support to work properly, I still find that it can be a relatively decent set-up sweeper and an okay revenge killer when given the right support.

dartrix.gif

Dartrix @ Darkinium Z
Ability: Overgrow
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Sucker Punch
- Leaf Blade
- Brave Bird

After seeing the discussion on it earlier in this thread, I decided to try out Dartrix to try and find a niche for it in the meta. And while I can say that it isn't a very good mon in the tier, it does hold a small niche in being a Flying-type that can break most typical Flying checks (Rhydon, Doublade, Metang) in one set. Dartrix can pull off a SD set pretty well, acting as both a wallbreaker and a potential sweeper with Sucker Punch. Grass/Flying/Dark coverage is surprisingly really good, and having a strong Brave Bird is a nice thing to have, especially when boosted, breaking through pretty much any wall that isn't resistant to Flying. Leaf Blade busts through Rock-types, Ground-types, and Water-types and is also a nice secondary STAB that doesn't have recoil. Sucker Punch gives Dartrix some much-needed hope against faster offense teams because it's so slow, and at +2 it's pretty strong, although I'd advise to have good hazard support because sometimes it just isn't enough to kill some threats. Darkinium Z is probably what makes this set work, as +2 Black-Hole Eclipse (Z-Sucker Punch) busts through Doublade and Metang, who could otherwise give this set some trouble by playing around Sucker Punch. This gives Dartrix it's niche of being a Flying-type that breaks through pretty much every Flying check bar Magneton. However, Dartrix still has plenty of problems, such as being really slow, making it rely on Sucker Punch a lot, which doesn't help because Sucker is sorta weak without the SD boost. It also faces severe competition from Trumbeak as a Flying-type, who has Bullet Seed to break through Rhydon and while it can't break through Doublade as easily, Trumbeak is faster, meaning it doesn't have to rely on priority as Dartrix has to do. Dartrix can still be a useful but very niche option as an effective wallbreaker against defensive core that can also support other Flying-types by breaking down their checks, but it's still very niche and is usually outdone by other options.

I'm also working on a Role Compendium as of late, so stay tuned for that! And if you have any discussions or opinions to share, don't be shy, since this thread does need some activity ^.^
 
So with Ultra Sun and Moon on the way, how do guys think the Middle Cup meta will change? I am all but positive that the Gen 7 starters will have their HA's around the time of release which means Torracat should get a new lease on life with Intimidate backed by a decent speed tier. Long Reach could also be interesting on Dartrix since it can now avoid RH's and contact abilities and what not. On top of that, tutors will be giving Gen 7 mons options they didn't have before. The middle evolution's I'd expect to benefit most from tutors are probably the starters, Hakamo-o, and Trumbeak. I personally would love to see Hakamo-o distinguish itself from the other pseudo-mid Dragons (Honestly, the whole line has a been a big disappointment so far). Also with the unveiling of the 2 new Ultra Beasts, that means new Pokemon are on the table! I personally think the best we could hope for is a new Alolan variant of a 3 stage family. It's unlikely, but getting an Alolan Weepinbell or something from another generation would be cool.

Also, in the interest of sparking discussion, would it be possible to get all the Middle Cup mons ranked in a Viability chart? Given how niche this metagame is, I think it would be great if any souls interested had a place to start.
 
How good are scyther/sneasel/other lc ubers?
I think that sneasel is alredy viable in NU(though I could likely be mistaken)
Also, what about weather? Are aurora veil users good?
Haven't played the meta myself, but I'm looking forward to it when i can use a device with javascript support.
 
How good are scyther/sneasel/other lc ubers?
I think that sneasel is alredy viable in NU(though I could likely be mistaken)
Also, what about weather? Are aurora veil users good?
Haven't played the meta myself, but I'm looking forward to it when i can use a device with javascript support.
The LC Ubers mons are actually not allowed here due to the rules regarding which Pokémon can count as a Middle Cup mon. Seeing as they are Little Cup, they cannot be middle evolutions, and therefore cannot count as a MC Pokémon.

As for weather, I think Sun and Rain teams could have potential as there are many Pokémon that can abuse Chlorophyll and Swift Swim to sweep, such as Weepinbell, Lombre, and Palpitoad. Sadly, there are no Pokémon that can learn Aurora Veil in Middle Cup, so those kinds of teams are off the table.

Also that Role Compendium I've been working on is almost finished, I just was really lazy over the past month xD, but it is coming soon, don't worry!
 
The LC Ubers mons are actually not allowed here due to the rules regarding which Pokémon can count as a Middle Cup mon. Seeing as they are Little Cup, they cannot be middle evolutions, and therefore cannot count as a MC Pokémon.

As for weather, I think Sun and Rain teams could have potential as there are many Pokémon that can abuse Chlorophyll and Swift Swim to sweep, such as Weepinbell, Lombre, and Palpitoad. Sadly, there are no Pokémon that can learn Aurora Veil in Middle Cup, so those kinds of teams are off the table.

Also that Role Compendium I've been working on is almost finished, I just was really lazy over the past month xD, but it is coming soon, don't worry!

oops. my bad; guess i didn't read rules well enough.
are there any dual screeners?
 
oops. my bad; guess i didn't read rules well enough.
are there any dual screeners?
There are probably a few Psychic-types that have access to Dual Screens, but I think Dual Screens is more trouble than it's worth compared to just bashing through the opponent's team with Middle Cup's strong Pokémon.
 
The LC Ubers mons are actually not allowed here due to the rules regarding which Pokémon can count as a Middle Cup mon. Seeing as they are Little Cup, they cannot be middle evolutions, and therefore cannot count as a MC Pokémon.

As for weather, I think Sun and Rain teams could have potential as there are many Pokémon that can abuse Chlorophyll and Swift Swim to sweep, such as Weepinbell, Lombre, and Palpitoad. Sadly, there are no Pokémon that can learn Aurora Veil in Middle Cup, so those kinds of teams are off the table.

Also that Role Compendium I've been working on is almost finished, I just was really lazy over the past month xD, but it is coming soon, don't worry!
IMO, with only around 50 mons or so, LC mons should be allowed. It'd add a lot more diversity to an otherwise somewhat stale metagame. I could see Scyther and Sneasel in particular being super good.
 
IMO, with only around 50 mons or so, LC mons should be allowed. It'd add a lot more diversity to an otherwise somewhat stale metagame. I could see Scyther and Sneasel in particular being super good.
The thing with adding LC mons is that it goes against the criteria of allowing only middle evolutions, which I'm wary about keeping even though I will admit that mons like Scyther and Gligar would be neat additions.
 
Last edited:
Middle Cup Role Compendium

Entry Hazards:
Stealth Rock:
rhydon.png
marshtomp.png
piloswine.png
monferno.png
krokorok.png
graveler.png
075-a.png
gabite.png
prinplup.png
grotle.png
chansey.png
lairon.png
metang.png

Spikes:
whirlipede.png
roselia.png
quilladin.png

Toxic Spikes:
whirlipede.png
roselia.png
frogadier.png
nidorina.png

Sticky Web:
swadloon.png


Hazard Control:

Defog:
togetic.png
prinplup.png
vibrava.png
golbat.png

Rapid Spin:
wartortle.png
762.png


Clerics:
Wish:
chansey.png

Heal Bell/Aromatherapy:
chansey.png
togetic.png
gloom.png
roselia.png


Checks Section:

Fighting-type Checks:
Offensive:
golbat.png
kadabra.png
duosion.png
732.png
staravia.png
marill.png
723.png
fletchinder.png
lampent.png
haunter.png

Defensive:
togetic.png
golbat.png
clefairy.png
gloom.png
doublade.png
nidorina.png
gothorita.png
dusclops.png


Kadabra Checks:
Offensive:
611.png
gabite.png
krokorok.png
haunter.png

Defensive:
chansey.png
porygon2.png
doublade.png
metang.png


Fire-type Checks:
Offensive:
gabite.png
marill.png
frogadier.png
seadra.png
611.png
fletchinder.png
lampent.png
palpitoad.png
croconaw.png

Defensive:
prinplup.png
wartortle.png
dragonair.png
marshtomp.png
sliggoo.png


Water-type Checks:
Offensive:
servine.png
grovyle.png
ivysaur.png
lombre.png
electabuzz.png
magneton.png

Defensive:
chansey.png
porygon2.png
roselia.png
quilladin.png
sliggoo.png
762.png


Grass-type Checks:
Offensive:
monferno.png
charmeleon.png
fletchinder.png
732.png
staravia.png
dragonair.png
fraxure.png
piloswine.png
lampent.png
magmar.png

Defensive:
chansey.png
porygon2.png
golbat.png
dragonair.png
sliggoo.png


Dragon-type Checks:
Offensive:
piloswine.png
haunter.png
kadabra.png
gabite.png

Defensive:
togetic.png
porygon2.png
doublade.png
metang.png


Ground-type Checks:
Offensive:
servine.png
732.png
seadra.png
marill.png
frogadier.png
grovyle.png
lombre.png
piloswine.png

Defensive:
quilladin.png
prinplup.png
marshtomp.png
wartortle.png
762.png


Pivots:
Offensive:
electabuzz.png
monferno.png
732.png
staravia.png
frogadier.png
magneton.png

Defensive:
golbat.png
762.png


Setup Sweepers:
Swords Dance:
monferno.png
rhydon.png
grovyle.png
fletchinder.png
732.png
doublade.png
croconaw.png
723.png

Dragon Dance:
fraxure.png
dragonair.png
783.png
croconaw.png
shelgon.png

Calm Mind:
gothorita.png
kadabra.png
duosion.png

Rock Polish:
rhydon.png
graveler.png
075-a.png
lairon.png

Other:
golbat.png
monferno.png
(Nasty Plot)
gurdurr.png
vigoroth.png
(Bulk Up)
seadra.png
(Agility)
ivysaur.png
(Z-Celebrate)
duosion.png
lampent.png
(Trick Room)
marill.png
poliwhirl.png
(Belly Drum)
servine.png
(Contrary)
sliggoo.png
(Curse)
lombre.png
palpitoad.png
(Swift Swim)
weepinbell.png
ivysaur.png
(Chlorophyll)
klang.png
(Shift Gear)

Wallbreakers:
monferno.png
piloswine.png
rhydon.png
fraxure.png
marill.png
gurdurr.png
servine.png
732.png
723.png
gothorita.png
gabite.png
krokorok.png
lairon.png
zweilous.png
magneton.png
magmar.png
croconaw.png


Choice Scarf Users:
monferno.png
fraxure.png
732.png
gabite.png
krokorok.png
servine.png
frogadier.png
haunter.png
magneton.png
staravia.png


Priority Users:
Mach Punch:
gurdurr.png
monferno.png
magmar.png

Aqua Jet:
marill.png
croconaw.png

Bullet Punch:
metang.png
machoke.png

Ice Shard:
piloswine.png
vanillish.png

Shadow Sneak:
doublade.png

Extreme Speed:
dragonair.png
pikachu.png
 
Last edited:
Middle Cup Role Compendium

Entry Hazards:
Stealth Rock:
rhydon.png
marshtomp.png
piloswine.png
monferno.png
krokorok.png
graveler.png
075-a.png
gabite.png
prinplup.png
grotle.png
chansey.png
lairon.png
metang.png

Spikes:
whirlipede.png
roselia.png
quilladin.png

Toxic Spikes:
whirlipede.png
roselia.png
frogadier.png
nidorina.png

Sticky Web:
swadloon.png


Hazard Control:

Defog:
togetic.png
prinplup.png
vibrava.png
golbat.png

Rapid Spin:
wartortle.png


Clerics:
Wish:
chansey.png

Heal Bell/Aromatherapy:
chansey.png
togetic.png
gloom.png
roselia.png


Checks Section:


Fighting-type Checks:
Offensive:
golbat.png
kadabra.png
duosion.png
732.png
staravia.png
marill.png
723.png
fletchinder.png
lampent.png
haunter.png

Defensive:
togetic.png
golbat.png
clefairy.png
gloom.png
doublade.png
nidorina.png
gothorita.png
dusclops.png


Kadabra Checks:
Offensive:
611.png
gabite.png
krokorok.png
haunter.png

Defensive:
chansey.png
porygon2.png
doublade.png
metang.png


Fire-type Checks:
Offensive:
gabite.png
marill.png
frogadier.png
seadra.png
611.png
fletchinder.png
lampent.png
palpitoad.png
croconaw.png

Defensive:
prinplup.png
wartortle.png
dragonair.png
marshtomp.png
sliggoo.png


Water-type Checks:
Offensive:
servine.png
grovyle.png
ivysaur.png
lombre.png
electabuzz.png
magneton.png

Defensive:
chansey.png
porygon2.png
roselia.png
quilladin.png
sliggoo.png


Grass-type Checks:
Offensive:
monferno.png
combusken.png
charmeleon.png
fletchinder.png
732.png
staravia.png
dragonair.png
fraxure.png
piloswine.png
lampent.png
magmar.png

Defensive:
chansey.png
porygon2.png
golbat.png
dragonair.png
sliggoo.png


Dragon-type Checks:
Offensive:
piloswine.png
haunter.png
kadabra.png
gabite.png

Defensive:
togetic.png
porygon2.png
doublade.png
metang.png


Ground-type Checks:
Offensive:
servine.png
732.png
seadra.png
marill.png
frogadier.png
grovyle.png
lombre.png
piloswine.png

Defensive:
quilladin.png
prinplup.png
marshtomp.png
wartortle.png


Pivots:
Offensive:
electabuzz.png
monferno.png
732.png
staravia.png
frogadier.png
magneton.png

Defensive:
golbat.png


Setup Sweepers:
Swords Dance:
monferno.png
combusken.png
rhydon.png
grovyle.png
fletchinder.png
732.png
doublade.png
croconaw.png

Dragon Dance:
fraxure.png
dragonair.png
783.png
croconaw.png
shelgon.png

Calm Mind:
gothorita.png
kadabra.png
duosion.png

Rock Polish:
rhydon.png
graveler.png
075-a.png
lairon.png

Other:
golbat.png
monferno.png
(Nasty Plot)
gurdurr.png
vigoroth.png
(Bulk Up)
seadra.png
(Agility)
porygon2.png
(Z-Conversion)
ivysaur.png
(Z-Celebrate)
duosion.png
lampent.png
(Trick Room)
marill.png
(Belly Drum)
servine.png
(Contrary)
sliggoo.png
(Curse)
lombre.png
palpitoad.png
(Swift Swim)
weepinbell.png
ivysaur.png
(Chlorophyll)
combusken.png
(Speed Boost)
klang.png
(Shift Gear)

Wallbreakers:
monferno.png
piloswine.png
rhydon.png
fraxure.png
marill.png
gurdurr.png
servine.png
732.png
723.png
gothorita.png
gabite.png
krokorok.png
lairon.png
zweilous.png
magneton.png
magmar.png
croconaw.png


Choice Scarf Users:
monferno.png
fraxure.png
732.png
gabite.png
krokorok.png
servine.png
frogadier.png
haunter.png
magneton.png


Priority Users:
Mach Punch:
gurdurr.png
monferno.png
magmar.png

Aqua Jet:
marill.png
croconaw.png

Bullet Punch:
metang.png
machoke.png

Ice Shard:
piloswine.png
vanillish.png

Shadow Sneak:
doublade.png

Extreme Speed:
dragonair.png
pikachu.png


This is spectacular work! This really gives a clear cut picture of what middle evolutions you'd use in place of stuff you're more familiar with in traditional play. Do think it'd also be possible to get a beta Viability Ranking list or is that unreasonable at this time?
 
This is spectacular work! This really gives a clear cut picture of what middle evolutions you'd use in place of stuff you're more familiar with in traditional play. Do think it'd also be possible to get a beta Viability Ranking list or is that unreasonable at this time?
I can definitely get a Preliminary Viability Ranking out, it wont be perfect of course but it would give a neat little snapshot of how viable the mons in MC are for newer players. (And it can add more activity to the thread with nominations for rises and drops as more people come and test out the mons!)
 
Viability Rankings 1.0
This list will sort Pokemon in Middle Cup according to viability in the current metagame. Viability within a rank will be based on the order of Pokemon in that rank (temporarily in Alphabetical order). Much like every other viability ranking on Smogon, S-Rank features the best Pokemon in Middle Cup (if there are suspects they will most likely come from here), and then viability descends throughout the rankings.

S Rank:
electabuzz.png
Electabuzz
kadabra.png
Kadabra
082.png
Magneton
233.png
Porygon2

A Rank:

A-High:
doublade.png
Doublade
fraxure.png
Fraxure
frogadier.png
Frogadier
444.png
Gabite
gurdurr.png
Gurdurr
monferno.png
Monferno
piloswine.png
Piloswine
rhydon.png
Rhydon
servine.png
Servine

A-Low:
chansey.png
Chansey
croconaw.png
Croconaw
haunter.png
Haunter
044.png
Gloom
golbat.png
Golbat
krokorok.png
Krokorok
magmar.png
Magmar
183.png
Marill
marshtomp.png
Marshtomp
prinplup.png
Prinplup
roselia.png
Roselia
732.png
Trumbeak

B Rank:
B-High:
dragonair.png
Dragonair
duosion.png
Duosion
dusclops.png
Dusclops
783.png
Hakamo-o
lampent.png
Lampent
machoke.png
Machoke
metang.png
Metang
quilladin.png
Quilladin
117.png
Seadra
sliggoo.png
Sliggoo
176.png
Togetic
544.png
Whirlipede

B-Low:
fletchinder.png
Fletchinder
253.png
Grovyle
herdier.png
Herdier
ivysaur.png
Ivysaur
klang.png
Klang
lombre.png
Lombre
pignite.png
Pignite
staravia.png
Staravia
swadloon.png
Swadloon
vigoroth.png
Vigoroth
zweilous.png
Zweilous

C Rank:

C-High:
charmeleon.png
Charmeleon
723.png
Dartrix
eelektrik.png
Eelektrik
075-a.png
Graveler-Alola
lairon.png
Lairon
nuzleaf.png
Nuzleaf
palpitoad.png
Palpitoad
poliwhirl.png
Poliwhirl
sealeo.png
Sealeo
vibrava.png
Vibrava
weepinbell.png
Weepinbell

C-Low:
737.png
Charjabug
clefairy.png
Clefairy

floette-blue.png
Floette
grotle.png
Grotle
luxio.png
Luxio
nidorina.png
Nidorina
nidorino.png
Nidorino
pidgeotto.png
Pidgeotto
shelgon.png
Shelgon
762.png
Steenee
vanillish.png
Vanillish
008.png
Wartortle

D Rank:

D-High:
bayleef.png
Bayleef
braixen.png
Braixen
boldore.png
Boldore
729.png
Brionne
dewott.png
Dewott
flaaffy.png
Flaaffy
575.png
Gothorita
075.png
Graveler
jigglypuff.png
Jigglypuff
kirlia.png
Kirlia
loudred.png
Loudred
025.png
Pikachu
pupitar.png
Pupitar
quilava.png
Quilava
skiploom.png
Skiploom
726.png
Torracat
tranquill.png
Tranquill

D-Low:
cascoon.png
Cascoon
790.png
Cosmoem
kakuna.png
Kakuna
metapod.png
Metapod
silcoon.png
Silcoon
spewpa.png
Spewpa

Discussion Points:
Golbat from A-Low to A-High
Croconaw from A-Low to B-High
Zweilous from B-Low to B-High
Dragonair from B-High to B-Low
Staravia from B-Low to C-High
 
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Oh Cosmoeum. If had gotten Baton Pass or a move that does damage you could have have gotten ranked. Being outranked by Cascoon is...too sad for words.

That aside this looks like a pretty good start. Cool to see Alola gave us at least 1 mon that was viable from the get-go. (Shame Trumbeak's speed goes in the toilet when it becomes a Toucannon). I am also expecting Torracat to shoot up in the world once Intimidate is hopefully released as I can see that Intimidate is not a common utility in this tier. Also give Alolan Graveler Ice Punch so Ground types don't meme on it.
 
Viability Rankings 1.0
This list will sort Pokemon in Middle Cup according to viability in the current metagame. Viability within a rank will be based on the order of Pokemon in that rank (temporarily in Alphabetical order). Much like every other viability ranking on Smogon, S-Rank features the best Pokemon in Middle Cup (if there are suspects they will most likely come from here), and then viability descends throughout the rankings.

S Rank:
combusken.png
Combusken
electabuzz.png
Electabuzz
kadabra.png
Kadabra

A Rank:

A-High:
doublade.png
Doublade
fraxure.png
Fraxure
frogadier.png
Frogadier
gurdurr.png
Gurdurr
magneton.png
Magneton
monferno.png
Monferno
piloswine.png
Piloswine
porygon2.png
Porygon2
rhydon.png
Rhydon
servine.png
Servine

A-Low:
chansey.png
Chansey
croconaw.png
Croconaw
haunter.png
Haunter
gabite.png
Gabite
golbat.png
Golbat
krokorok.png
Krokorok
magmar.png
Magmar
marshtomp.png
Marshtomp
prinplup.png
Prinplup
roselia.png
Roselia
seadra.png
Seadra
togetic.png
Togetic
732.png
Trumbeak
whirlipede.png
Whirlipede

B Rank:
B-High:
dragonair.png
Dragonair
duosion.png
Duosion
dusclops.png
Dusclops
gothorita.png
Gothorita
grovyle.png
Grovyle
lampent.png
Lampent
machoke.png
Machoke
marill.png
Marill
metang.png
Metang
quilladin.png
Quilladin
sliggoo.png
Sliggoo

B-Low:
fletchinder.png
Fletchinder
gloom.png
Gloom
herdier.png
Herdier
ivysaur.png
Ivysaur
klang.png
Klang
lombre.png
Lombre
pignite.png
Pignite
staravia.png
Staravia
swadloon.png
Swadloon
vigoroth.png
Vigoroth
zweilous.png
Zweilous

C Rank:

C-High:
charmeleon.png
Charmeleon
723.png
Dartrix
eelektrik.png
Eelektrik
783.png
Hakamo-o
lairon.png
Lairon
nuzleaf.png
Nuzleaf
palpitoad.png
Palpitoad
poliwhirl.png
Poliwhirl
sealeo.png
Sealeo
vibrava.png
Vibrava
weepinbell.png
Weepinbell

C-Low:
737.png
Charjabug
clefairy.png
Clefairy

floette-blue.png
Floette
graveler.png
Graveler
075-a.png
Graveler-Alola
grotle.png
Grotle
luxio.png
Luxio
nidorina.png
Nidorina
nidorino.png
Nidorino
pidgeotto.png
Pidgeotto
pikachu.png
Pikachu
shelgon.png
Shelgon
726.png
Torracat
vanillish.png
Vanillish

D Rank:

D-High:
bayleef.png
Bayleef
braixen.png
Braixen
boldore.png
Boldore
729.png
Brionne
dewott.png
Dewott
flaaffy.png
Flaaffy
jigglypuff.png
Jigglypuff
kirlia.png
Kirlia
loudred.png
Loudred
pupitar.png
Pupitar
quilava.png
Quilava
skiploom.png
Skiploom
tranquill.png
Tranquill
wartortle.png
Wartortle

D-Low:
cascoon.png
Cascoon
790.png
Cosmoem
kakuna.png
Kakuna
metapod.png
Metapod
silcoon.png
Silcoon
spewpa.png
Spewpa

Discussion Points: None At The Moment!
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't see Steenee on the list anywhere. It would probably just be D-Rank, but it bothers my OCD
 
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't see Steenee on the list anywhere. It would probably just be D-Rank, but it bothers my OCD
Ah, I actually forgot about Steenee when making the rankings, thanks for catching that! I'll add it to C-Low for a starting point since having access to Rapid Spin and not being outclassed by anything in that regard (unlike Wartortle) is at least worth a small niche, bigger than D-High at least.
 
Realize there hasn't been a post in a minute but damn I really feel like Combusken is still as bad as it was in ORAS. There are no solid checks to it and anything that is switching in probably can't take more than 3 hits. It destroys the normal special walls and anything that resist fighting is gonna die to a fire-type attack. The only mon I can think of that can reliably switch in is Lampent. But with it being weak to rocks and also getting walled out super hard by things like P2 it easily finds itself worn down quickly. I feel like Electabuzz and Kadabra are similar issues but are tiny compared to the issue that is Combusken.
 
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