Middle Cup ORAS

what kind of question is that lol

Of course Contrary Servine has a niche, striking with a 130 STAB attack and getting a free Nasty Plot for it. And with the pink blob and anorexic frog gone, it just lost one counter and one revenge killer. However, it is very weak before a boost and its speed isn't really impressive. I see it being very good, probably A+ if we get a Viability Ranking, but that's all I see of it at the moment.
i am ashamed on how you failed to mention thick fat pignite
 
unfixable, can you explain Frogadier more in-depth (besides "well greninja is op in ou this must be too). I mean chansey I get, not necessarily disagreeing (probably something I missed)
 
Going to quote Skup since they nailed why Frogadier needed to go.
Frogadier is incredibly fast relevant to everything else, and can more or less toss on the appropriate coverage move to at worst 2hko whatever it pleases. Stall and Offense both get destroyed by it's raw combination of speed, power, and coverage. The absolute bulkiest mons in the tier literally just die in two shots, bar Chansey which is also being suspected. Don't believe me? Observe:

252 SpA Life Orb Protean Frogadier Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Dusclops: 81-96 (55.1 - 65.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Life Orb Protean Frogadier Ice Beam vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Togetic: 109-127 (67.7 - 78.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
4 Atk Life Orb Protean Frogadier Gunk Shot vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Floette: 94-112 (58.3 - 69.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
4 Atk Life Orb Protean Frogadier Gunk Shot vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Prinplup: 86-101 (50.5 - 59.4%) -- 81.3% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Life Orb Protean Frogadier Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Wartortle: 79-95 (47.5 - 57.2%) -- 50.4% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Life Orb Protean Frogadier Grass Knot (60 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Croconaw: 96-117 (55.8 - 68%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

these are the BEST things I can think of to check this monster that a stall team can conceivably run, besides Gurdurr which seems like it's only true check.

This isnt even the DPP Garchomp case of "it has every coverage move, lum, scarf, orb, and has a DD up", it can acomplish everthing it wants too with H.Pump/Ice Beam/Gunk Shot/Dark Pulse, besides failing to 2hko Croconaw. Grass Knot is an option for Croc, and perhaps Prinplups/Wartortles that try and invest to survive you, but beyond that those 4 moves are all it needs.

On, offense, everything not named Electabuz, Kadabra or Gurdurr is getting outsped and in a worst case scenario 2hkoed. Granted, offense can scarf random mons, so they do fair much better against it. The only really viable checks im seeing here are Electabuzz, Kadabra and Gurdurr, none of which can even switch in more than a single time. Everything else either gets outsped and OHKOed or cant hurt Frogadier enough to prevent it from 2hkoing them.
 
I miss poor Froggy already lol. It was on every MC team I ever made except one.
Its banning at least gives a bit of breathing room for Pokemon that were just a bit slower than it like Grovyle and Magmar.

Grovyle @ Life Orb
Ability: Overgrow
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 236 Atk / 16 SpA / 252 Spe or 116 Atk / 140 SpA / 248 Spe
IVs: 30 SpA / 30 SpD (Ground) or 30 Def / 30 SpA / 30 Spe (Fire)
Hasty/Naive Nature
- Rock Slide
- Leaf Storm
- Crunch / Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Ground] / [Fire]
Grovyle has a terrible special movepool; it doesn't even get Focus Blast or Dragon Pulse like Sceptile does. However, it can make itself useful as a mixed attacker and its Leaf Storm is powerful. Grovyle excels against most slower offensive Pokemon and can sometimes struggle at taking on bulkier Pokemon. However, it has good matchups against Doublade, bulky Waters, Lairon, Rhydon, Pupitar and Gurdurr. Togetic is difficult for it, but it beats Sp. Def variants with Rock Slide (especially if Rocks are up, which is likely since Togetic is a Defogger). Clefairy, Porygon2, Dusclops, Sliggoo and Zweilous also prove difficult for Grovyle to break through.

Grovyle @ Life Orb
Ability: Overgrow
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Rock Slide
- Leaf Blade
- Crunch
This set is much simpler for Grovyle and might even be more effective. While it is easily revenge killed by Fletchinder or the omnipresent Kadabra and Electabuzz, it beats most bulkier Pokemon and it doesn't have to awkwardly split its EVs. Swords Dance Unburden sets are also a thing, but they have to either activate Red Card/Sitrus Berry or choose a berry to use Natural Gift with, making them pretty awkward. Plus, since the speed boost from Unburden is lost after switching out, it is even more Fletch-weak and vulnerable to status.
 
Magnezone is going to be a monster in this metagame. Choice Specs + Analytic will smash almost every wall ever.

252+ SpA Choice Specs Magneton Flash Cannon vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Roselia: 88-105 (56 - 66.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Choice Specs Analytic Magneton Flash Cannon vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Roselia: 115-136 (73.2 - 86.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252+ SpA Choice Specs Magneton Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Dusclops: 73-87 (49.6 - 59.1%) -- 69.9% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Choice Specs Analytic Magneton Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Dusclops: 93-111 (63.2 - 75.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252+ SpA Choice Specs Magneton Thunderbolt vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Gurdurr: 202-238 (105.7 - 124.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO (not a defensive behemoth but still a threat)

252+ SpA Choice Specs Magneton Flash Cannon vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Shelgon: 114-135 (66.2 - 78.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Choice Specs Analytic Magneton Flash Cannon vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Shelgon: 148-175 (86 - 101.7%) -- 12.5% chance to OHKO

252+ SpA Choice Specs Magneton Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Eelektrik: 79-93 (45.9 - 54%) -- 6.6% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Choice Specs Analytic Magneton Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Eelektrik: 102-121 (59.3 - 70.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery


Only one true counter

252+ SpA Choice Specs Analytic Magneton Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Chansey: 109-129 (30.5 - 36.1%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Choice Specs Magneton Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Chansey: 84-100 (23.5 - 28%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
i assume you mean magneton in the top?
 

Servine @ Life Orb / Leftovers
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Rock]
- Substitute

With the release of Contrary, how would Servine change up the game? Unfortunately, it doesn't even get dragon pulse and HP Rock is its best coverage move but I think it would still be quite viable. It struggles against Magneton, Metang, Klang and Doublade. What does everyone think?


I really like this meta, its a shame that it has lost interest. Maybe this will spark it up a bit.

Looks like a fun tier. too bad for no popularity. This appears to be a creative, somewhat diverse tier that could be a lot of fun with the right audience that just didn't show up before. Hope it gains popularity, cause I'm on board.
 

InfernapeTropius11

get on my level

Servine @ Life Orb / Leftovers
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Rock]
- Substitute

With the release of Contrary, how would Servine change up the game? Unfortunately, it doesn't even get dragon pulse and HP Rock is its best coverage move but I think it would still be quite viable. It struggles against Magneton, Metang, Klang and Doublade. What does everyone think?


I really like this meta, its a shame that it has lost interest. Maybe this will spark it up a bit.
Don't forget it gets other cool status options like Taunt and Glare :)
It also gets Knock Off, but that would be for the pure utility of removing items as it has bad attack and no way to boost it :(
 
Hey, unfixable, do you plan on doing anything with this metagame to get it more attention? You could try promoting it some more or making a list of threats and try getting some replays. I think this metagame has a lot of potential to become pretty big.
 
Something we really should discuss is Fletchinder. I've pulled off many sweeps with it, after setting up a Swords Dance. A no-item boosted Acrobatics is only walled by Rhydon, if even that. (or, Lairon, but who uses that over Rhydon?)
 

Take Azelfie

More flags more fun
Are LC type of stuff allowed, if so then Scyther is amazing having the 3'rd highest attack and unmatchable speed
 
This meta looks interesting, I'd love to see it come back alive. (I can take it over if you're not interested in managing it anymore, unfixable )

P.S.
<--- This has to be OP here.
 
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No, just the middle evolutions of a line of 3 are allowed
I realise that this is up to the discretion of the mods but I would be in for throwing my hat into the ring for including lc mons too- nearly all of smogons tiers have a top down approach and are all inclusive and 90% of the mons would be irrelevant anyway. But the few mons that would be relevant such as sneasal and scyther would add to the meta but not be overpowered to a tier that has one of the smallest pools to draw from from any meta.
 
On the other hand, the small pool and disregarding the standard tiers are defining aspects of the metagame. It also gives a chance to mons that never see play due to being too weak for PU but not allowed into Little Cup.

Also, allowing LC into MC would invalidate the OM's name :P
 

Combusken @ Life Orb
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Fire Blast
- Focus Blast
- Protect
- Baton Pass
Combusken is a huge threat in this meta with the going of Froggy. Plus it checks Servine beautifully.
It also can OHKO Porygon2 with Focus Blast.
 
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Just wondering if there is a tier list, this meta would be a lot more accessible to newer players if people had some idea of what's good an what isn't. Busken seems really good and plays the same role as in NU just more effectively because it doesn't face nearly as much competition.
 

Cheryl.

Celesteela is Life
Oh cool there's a meta for NFE, finally. Well, time to showcase some cool sets that I've been using.


Grovyle @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Unburden
EVs: 184 HP / 252 Atk / 72 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Substitute
- Swords Dance
- Leaf Blade
- Acrobatics

SubSD Grovyle is a really terrifying threat, as it can set up Sub easily on bulky Water types and then proceed to set up with SD, and once it reaches 50% or lower, the Sitrus Berry will pop, activating Unburden, making a GG appear on the screen (XD) A great partner for this set is Magneton to wall Flying types and trap Steel types who wall this set.


Pidgeotto @ Life Orb / Sky Plate
Ability: Tangled Feet
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Work Up
- Hurricane
- Heat Wave / Refresh
- Roost

Work Up Pidegotto is a really underrated threat as Hurricane is a great move (70 accuracy is meh but whatevs) and Heat Wave is good coverage to hit Steel types, you can go Refresh to break stall as well. While Pidgeotto is often shunned in favor of other Flyers, in Middle Cup I think it has a cool niche that can really shine.


Charmeleon @ Life Orb
Ability: Solar Power
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- Hidden Power Grass
- Ancient Power
- Sunny Day

Solar Power Charmeleon in Sun is one of the scariest wallbreakers, and while it can't use Solar Beam due to Charmeleon apparently not learning it, HP Grass with Solar Power is still pretty strong against bulky Waters like Prinplup. Ancient Power is mainly to hit Fire types like Fletchinder. Not the best mon due to it relying on Sun to be useful, but Charmeleon is definetely a cool wallbreaker in Middle Cup.



Sliggoo @ Leftovers
Ability: Sap Sipper
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Curse
- Outrage
- Rest
- Sleep Talk

Sort of like Curse Sliggoo in NU, but no Eviolite. Sets up easily on Fire, Water, Grass types and is a great bulky win con, but it needs support to beat Fairies and Steel types, making Magneton a great partner for it.

I think a Viability Ranking thread would be great to help newer players to see what's good and what's not, and to be a good discussion place overall.

Also can we take a look at Doublade and Porygon2? I don't know if these two are banned or not but they seem to be pretty powerful in the metagame, as p2 has amazing bulk even without Eviolite and can spread status or go with an offensive set and overall be annoying. Doublade has low SpD and Speed, but has a great typing and Defense that allows it to set up Swords Dances on many mons, and it still has Shadow Sneak to hurt offensive teams.
 
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Oh cool there's a meta for NFE, finally. Well, time to showcase some cool sets that I've been using.


Grovyle @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Unburden
EVs: 184 HP / 252 Atk / 72 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Substitute
- Swords Dance
- Leaf Blade
- Acrobatics

SubSD Grovyle is a really terrifying threat, as it can set up Sub easily on bulky Water types and then proceed to set up with SD, and once it reaches 50% or lower, the Sitrus Berry will pop, activating Unburden, making a GG appear on the screen (XD) A great partner for this set is Magneton to wall Flying types and trap Steel types who wall this set.
Something to note is that Grovyle does get Focus Punch, and since Grovyle forces out so much in the tier already it seems like something cool to run. This thing also doesn't seem like it has many switch ins, Gloom is OHKOd by Acrobatics at +2, Wartortle is OHKOd by Leaf Blade at +2, Physically defensive Dusclops has a 21.9% Chance to be 2HKOd

+2 252+ Atk Grovyle Leaf Blade vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Dusclops: 66-78 (44.8 - 53%) -- 21.9% chance to 2HKO

If you decide to run Focus Punch or even Drain Punch to be safer Magneton is destroyed along with Klang. If Grovyle had a 5th moveslot this thing would be broken, if you want to run coverage like Drain Punch you could drop sub and run either Sitrus or even a SE Berry like Yache, the only thing then is Pikachu's ESPeed beating you.

EDIT: I agree with looking at P2, not sure about Doublade. P2 is really annoying to deal with, it's fast, bulky, it has can have a threatening offensive presence. This thing feels like Chansey just sacrificing some bulk and utility for some offensive presence.
 
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Cheryl.

Celesteela is Life
Speaking of Dusclops...


Dusclops @ Leftovers / Spooky Plate
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Shadow Punch
- Earthquake
- Shadow Sneak
- Will-O-Wisp / Thunder Punch / Ice Punch

Offensive Dusclops is actually really cool in the metagame and can serve you as a more offensive version of Dusclops that still has some defensive capabilities. 70 Base Attack isn't the greatest, but Dusclops still has potential to hit hard with the ban of Eviolite. Shadow Punch is a decently powerful STAB that can be spammed, Earthquake hits Fire and Steel types, Shadow Sneak helps against offensive teams and helps bypass Dusclop's terrible Speed, and the last slot can be used to cripple physical attackers with Will-O-Wisp, hit Water and Flying types with Thunder Punch, or hit Ground, Dragon, and Flying types with Ice Punch. The competition with Doublade may seem like this set isn't good, but offensive Dusclops has a lot of potential in the meta, and definitely can be a good fit on balanced and bulky offense teams.

EDIT: Brick Break can be used to hit Dark types as well as Steel types, but it's a bit weak.

Also I'll talk about what I think may be one of the most threatening mons in Middle Cup:


Fraxure @ Lum Berry / Life Orb
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage / Dragon Claw
- Superpower
- Poison Jab / Taunt

Fraxure is one of the most threatening sweepers thanks to it's stupidly high 117 Attack stat, while it has the Speed to outspeed the whole unboosted meta after a DD. Lum Berry helps Fraxure set up against Scald users, while Life Orb lets it crush everything basically. Superpower helps against Steel and Rock types like Magneton and Rhydon, and Poison Jab is for Fairies like Floette, Clefairy, and Togetic. Taunt can be used instead if you have support to break through Fairies to set up on walls easier. The STABs are up tor your preference, Outrage crushes everything after +1, while Dragon Claw still hits hard while not being locked into. You basically have to wear down Fraxure significantly so it can't set up easily, or run a Fairy if it carries Taunt. Doublade is a good counter though, so at least Fraxure has a counter to rely on, but Fraxure overall is a mon that is very, very threatening and probably should be suspected in the near future. (Swords Dance sets can also be used as one of the best wallbreakers in MC, and can be very effective when paired with another Dragon type like DD Dragonair, as Fraxure can break down Dragonair's checks and counters so it can sweep easier)


Magmar @ Fist Plate / Sitrus Berry
Ability: Vital Spirit
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Belly Drum
- Fire Punch
- Mach Punch
- Cross Chop

BD Magmar is also a pretty cool sweeper. With a great base 93 Speed it can outspeed Monferno before he can Mach Punch Magmar and Magmar can Mach Punch Monferno at +6 for the kill. Fire Punch is the standard STAB move and kills a lot of stuff at +6, and Cross Chop is important to kill Rhydon and also kills physically defensive Prinplup at +6 if you have Fist Plate. Sitrus Berry is an option for more longetivity, but Fist Plate guarantees a lot more kills, so it's more reliable. Belly Drum Magmar definitely needs support to work, but it's definitely a scary sweeper if played right.

+6 252 Atk Fist Plate Magmar Cross Chop vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Marill: 364-429 (105.8 - 124.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+6 252 Atk Fist Plate Magmar Cross Chop vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Prinplup: 385-453 (115.9 - 136.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+6 252 Atk Magmar Fire Punch vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Gurdurr: 450-529 (120.3 - 141.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+6 252 Atk Fist Plate Magmar Cross Chop vs. 240 HP / 252+ Def Marshtomp: 379-446 (111.1 - 130.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+6 252 Atk Fist Plate Magmar Mach Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Monferno: 283-334 (105.2 - 124.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+6 252 Atk Fist Plate Magmar Mach Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Combusken: 255-300 (97.7 - 114.9%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO


EDIT: I also made a bit of a Viability Ranking as you can see below. If you have any comments plz comment.

S Rank
Combusken - Speed Boost lets Combusken be one of the most threatening mons in the tier as it can run a special attacking or SD set to great effect, it doesn't have too many counters or checks as well.
Doublade - Great typing and bulk, allows him to be very splashable and check a bunch of threats, and can also be very threatening offensively.
Porygon2 - Bulky and powerful, can run a variety of sets and pull them off, overall a very dangerous mon.

A Rank

A+
Dusclops - The bulkiest mon in Middle Cup overall, letting it check many threats as well as being an offensive threat with an offensive set. But it does have some flaws, such as being passive if it's defensive and having no reliable recovery.
Fletchinder - Awesome mon due to having priority Acrobatics, letting it be a great revenge killer and even a sweeper thanks to Swords Dance. It also can run a bulky utility set to good effect thanks to walling Fighting and Grass-types. The Stealth Rock weakness hurts it, though.
Fraxure - Stupidly strong sweeper with Dragon Dance and 117 Base Attack and good coverage, only one good counter in Doublade if it runs Poison Jab. Does sometimes have problems setting up and is checked by priority.
Golbat - Probably the best Defogger in MC thanks to walling Roselia and winning against some other hazard setters, like Monferno. It also has great utility in walling Grass-types and Fighting-types, and also has an offensive presence with Brave Bird and can also run a cool Nasty Plot set.
Gurdurr - The premier Fighting-type, with great bulk and a good boosting move in Bulk Up, as well as being a status absorber with Guts and having semi-recovery in Drain Punch and priority in Mach Punch. Knock Off is also great, and you can also run Poison Jab if Fairies are a problem. Great mon overall.
Monferno - Great mon as it can run a variety of sets, like AoA, Stealth Rock, Nasty Plot, and Swords Dance. Receives competition from Busken, but it's unique options let it stand out.
Rhydon - One of the most splashable mons thanks to it's gigantic physical bulk and good typing, as well as Stealth Rock and a good offensive presence. It can also run a very threatening Swords Dance or Double Dance set to goof effect, only problem is the typing letting it be threatened by Grass and Water-types, as well as being lured by stuff like Giga Drain Golbat easily.
Roselia - The best Grass-type in the tier, with good bulk overall and being one of the best hazard setters by winning against most of the Defoggers in Middle Cup. Can check a myriad of threats as well, as well as being an offensive threat with it's good Special Attack.
Sliggoo - A great offensive and defensive threat, with an awesome typing and abilities letting it wall many threats. Can be a great help to many teams, but the low physical defense hurts it a bit.

A
Croconaw - Scary sweeper or wallbreaker with Sheer Force + LO with good boosting moves in DD or SD, also has decent enough coverage as well as Aqua Jet. Be sure to look out for Croconaw.
Electabuzz - The premier Electric-type, with the highest unboosted Speed Stat in MC tied with Kadabra, letting it threaten a lot of teams with his power and coverage. Walled by some threats, though, such as Sliggoo.
Haunter - Great offensive threat with good Speed and can run a variety of sets, like Scarf, AoA, or even a SubSplit or SubWisp set. It doesn't have that good of bulk however, and Shadow Sneak really hurts it.
Kadabra - Amazing Special Attack stat along with a very high Speed stat lets Kadabra be very threatening to many teams, the lack of bulk and vulnerability to priority hurts it though.
Magmar - Very powerful Fire-type with great Speed as well, receives some competition, but it still has a very good niche in it's power and Speed.
Piloswine - Great mon with good typing and a great ability in Thick Fat, reliable Stealth Rock setter, can also be a jerk to offensive builds with Ice Shard.
Prinplup - Great Water type that is also a good Defogger and also can set up Stealth Rocks. It can also run a more offensive set that can threaten a good amount of stuff.
Servine - Threatening sweeper with Contrary Leaf Storm, but it doesn't have the coverage or sometimes the Speed to pull it off. A scary threat definitely, but it's walled by too much overall to be A+.
Togetic - Great check to a lot of things, can WishPass okayly, also can Baton Pass Nasty Plot boosts or run a more offensive Nasty Plot set to good effect as well. It's also a decent Defogger despite being weak to SR.
Zweilous - Terrifying wallbreaker with Hustle, and also has good resistances so it can run a RestTalk set nicely as well. It's pretty suspectible to Fairies and is weak to Fighting however, so not always the best choice.

A-
Gabite - Rough Skin is a really cool ability, and Gabite can make good use of it, detering physical attackers nicely while also setting up Rocks or attacking. Sadly can't learn SD, which is a shame as it can't really break through walls that well.
Gothorita - Shadow Tag's a bitch, as Goth can trap and revenge kill a lot of threats with Choice Scarf, or set up on them with Calm Mind, or be a good overall offensive threat with Specs.
Grovyle - Fast and powerful, letting it be a very big threat to offensive teams. SD sets are also really good sweepers, it is frail though.
Krokorok - Probably could rise to A, it's so good. Ground/Dark is a great offensive typing while also being a good offensive Rocker and having two great abilities letting it be a good cleaner or check to some physical attackers.
Magneton - Traps Steel types and also has Electric typing to beat Water types, Choice Specs hits like a truck, and it can also run Choice Scarf to good effect as well.
Marshtomp - Has a great Water/Ground typing and Stealth Rock, letting it be a good defensive mon overall, but the Grass weakness and overall passiveness hurts it.
Metang - The only relevant Steel-type that gets Stealth Rock, and it also has some nice moves like Ice Punch, Zen Headbutt, and Earthquake to give it a niche over other Steels, still a bit shafted by Doublade though.
Quilladin - May receive competition from Roselia, but Bulletproof and better physical bulk lets it be a very good Spiker on some builds. Unique moves like Zen Headbutt and Drain Punch also lets Quilladin be a good lure as well.
Vibrava - Really underrated Defogger, can check a lot of threats while also having reliable recovery in Roost. Offensive Defogger Vibrava is also really cool, as LO Draco Meteor hits like a truck. Does get checked by some stuff like Piloswine though.

B Rank

B+
Duosion - Probably should drop to B, but let's give it a chance. It's OTR set is very frightening for offense to handle with Duosion's powerful 125 Special Attack, and Calm Mind isn't bad either. Kadabra and Gothorita overshadow it mostly, though.
Clefairy - Great ability in Magic Guard along with decent bulk lets it carve out a niche over Togetic as a Fairy-type, sadly it doesn't have Unaware to stop set-up sweepers and it needs boosts to be threatening.
Gloom - Roselia overshadows it sadly, but Gloom still has a niche in having more physical defense and being able to Sun sweep.
Lombre - Pretty dangerous Rain sweeper with good STABs and coverage overall, sometimes lacks a little power though, Fast SubSeed is also a really fun set that can fuck over walls nicely, try it out sometime.
Seadra - Very scary Rain Dance sweeper even without Swift Swim thanks to a good 85 Speed and awesome 95 Special Attack lets it be a wallbreaker under Rain also. Sort of frail on the special side, though.
Staravia - Crazy powerful wallbreaker with Reckless and it's STABs, it can also run mixed with HP Water to lure in Rhydon as well. Very good with Fletch as BirdSpam.
Vigoroth - GreTat bulky sweeper with Bulk Up, and it also beats stall really nicely. But it can get walled by Ghosts or Steels if you don't run the coverage moves to beat them, so it needs some support to work.

B
Dragonair - Really nice Dragon Dancer with access to neatmoves like ESpeed and Fire Blast to roast Steel type switchins. The mixed set with Draco Meteor is a monstorous wallbreaker as well.
Eelektrik - Has a niche over other Electrics in Levitate and a great movepool with gems like Knock Off and Giga Drain. Sadly it's pretty slow, which means it has a bad time against offense.
Klang - Decent sweeper with Shift Gear and good bulk to set up on Fairy types, but gets walled by a lot of things, like bulky Water-types and Steel-types.
Lairon - decent Rocker that has a niche over Rhydon in Steel typing and Rock Head Head Smash, can also run a nice Rock Polish set or a Choice Band set. Sorta niche though.
Lampent - It doesn't have that bad of a typing, as it can wall stuff like Combusken and Monferno lacking Rock coverage thanks to Flash Fire, and it's OTR set can be a great pain for offense. SubCM sets destroy stall pretty nicely once Rhydon is gone. It is pretty slow though, and it faces competitoon as well. Overall a pretty cool mon indeed.
Pikachu - Powerful with a good priority move in Extreme Speed, but it's insanely frail and gets walled by some mons if it's lacking the right coverage move.
Sealeo - Nice Ice STAB moves and moves like Encore give it a niche over the other Waters, but it has a lot of weaknesses that make it pretty niche in general.

B-

Grotle - has a niche in Stealth Rock and being a neat sweeper with Curse, but faces competition from Roselia as a Grass-type hazard setter and is quite slow.
Ivysaur Another good sun sweeper, but misses out on Weather Ball in exchange for more bulk. Overall pretty good, but faces competition from Gloom and the other Sun sweepers.
Kirlia - Faces massive competiton from the other Psychic types, but it has a secondary Fairy typing that lets it carve out a niche along with unique moves such as Healing Wish, but it's slow and frail.
Marill - Huge Power + amazing typing makes Marill a great check to many top threats and a wallbreaker all in one slot. Sadly it is very slow, meaning it relies on Aqua Jet against offensive teams and it doesn't have much bulk.
Pignite - Probably could rise up a couple of ranks, I haven't really tested it out. It does have nice bulk and a nice enough typing coupled with good moves like Head Smash and Flare Blitz. But I don't see too much of a reason to use it over the other Fire-types.
Shelgon - Quite bulky, maing it a nice bulky sweeper with Dragon Dance, sadly it faces competition from the other Dragon-types. Rock Head Double-Edge is nice coverage though.
Skiploom - A great support mon for sweepers with moves such as Sleep Powder and Memento, as well as U-Turn to gain momentum. Not too powerful tho, and doesn't do much outside of supporting.
Swadloon - Has Sticky Web, whch is awesome, Magic coat is also really good to bounce back taunts, Defogs, other hazards, etc. It sadly doesn't have a very good typing and is pretty predictable.
Weepinbell - Great sweeper in Sun with moves like Growth and Weather Ball. Is pretty frail though.
Whirlipede - Really nice for offensive teams because of it's acccess to Toxic Spikes and Spikes, lettng it function as an effective lead. Sadly it doesn't have much options other than the lead set, and it faces competitoon from other hazard setters.

C Rank

C+
Braixen - A powerful special attacking Fire-type with Psychic coverage as well. Sadly it faces competition from the other Fire-types, especailly Combusken and Monferno.
Charmeleon - Amazing Sun wallbreaker thanks to Solar Power booosting it's Speciial Attack to monstorous levels, but faces competitoon from other Fire-types and is pretty niche in it's role.
Luxio - A cool Electric type with two good abilities in Intimidate and Guts, but it doesn't have great coverage and faces competition from other Electrics in general.
Nidorino - Hustle makes Nidorino pretty powerful , and it has the right physical coverage along with a boosting move in Hone Claws to work, but it's frail and has competition with other physical sweepers.
Nuzleaf - Another Sun sweeper, but it does lack some power sometimes and faces competition.
Pidgeotto - Although it only has 50 Special Attack, access to good moves such as Hurricane and Heat Wave give it a good niche as a special attacking Flying-type, and Work Up lets it beat defensive teams as well. Sadly, it's piss-poor defenses hurt it, and it faces competition from the other Flyers.
Pupitar - Has a niche in being a cool Dragon Dance sweeper with STAB EdgeQuake coverage, but has a bit less power than other sweepers and faces competition from Rhydon.
Vanillish - One of the two relevant Ice-types in Middle Cup, and it's powerful as well. Sadly it can't learn Freeze-Dry to break Water-types, and it sort of slow without a boost as well.
Wartortle - THE ONLY RAPID SPINNER!!!! That's nice and all, but it faces competition from Prinplup and other bulky Waters, and doesn't have much of a movepool to make up for it.

C
Dewott - Has cool stuff like Swords Dance that give it a niche over other Water-types, but the lack of coverage and overall competition make it a mostly inferior choice.
Herdier - Scrappy with Choice Band makes Herdier a great wallbreaker, and paired with Magneton for trapping Steels it can do a great amount of damage, but it does have a lot of competition.
Loudred - Has good mixed attacking stats along with a grear movepool with stuff like Fire Blast and Ice Beamm, but it faces competitipon from the Noraml-types, and it is pretty slow for an offensive mon.
Palpitoad - Has potential in Water Absorb and Swift Swim sadly it can't even learn Earthquake and is suspectible to Toxic.

C-
Flaaffy - Is pretty bulky and has some cool options like Focus Punch, but it's usually a bad choice because of the competititon it faces.
Floette - Amost entirely outclassed by the other Fairies, as even Togetic can pass bigger Wishes. Does have a niche in being offensive and having stuff like Calm Mind (Although Clefairy already gets it)
Nidorina - Only niche is in Toxic Spikes, but even Whirlipede gets it. Sort of cool though.
Poliwhirl - Water Absorb and Swift Swim along with gems like Belly Drum and Focus Punch give Poliwhirl a small niche, but one again, the competition it faces make it a mostly inferior choice.
Quilava - Has a niche in Erption and moves like Extrasensory, but with hazards being so good and the competition, Quilava isn't very good.

D Rank

D
Bayleef - Screens is the only thing Bayleef has over other Grassers, but even then it dosn't have much of a niche.
Boldore - Only niche is in Cutap Berry leading with Stealth Rock and Explosion, even then it faces competiton from Rhydon and other Rockers.
Jigglypuff - Outclassed by Clefairy as a Fairy type Stealth Rock setter. Nuff said.
Machoke - Outclassed by Gurdurr almost entirely except for No Guard DynamicPunch, whcih even then doesn't give Machoke much of a niche.
Tranquill - Bad mon is bad.

^ That is the S - C+ ranks so far. I will work on C - the lower ranks later. I hope you like it! ;)
 
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I noticed that Pikachu actually has a niche in this meta, lol. Light Ball makes its attack usable, and it has OK speed. Still terrible though.


Pikachu @ Light Ball
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Volt Tackle
- Extreme Speed
- Fake Out
- Knock Off

Probably B or B-, I'd say.

Marill is fairly potent in this meta, also. Huge Power really is a blessing, and Marill has great defenses to work with its maxed out 304 attack.


Marill @ Leftovers/Choice Band
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Aqua Jet
- Play Rough
- Belly Drum/Knock Off
 
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Porygon2 @ Life Orb
Ability: Download
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Tri Attack
- Shadow Ball
- Psyshock
- Agility

The god itself P2. This things agility set is so scary, if your team gets rid of mach punchers and weakens some mons/gets hazards the game is over. At +2 P2 hits 224 speed, that's a lot, it outspeeds all of the unboosted metagame and it outspeeds scarfers that arent base 90 +speed it also speedties base 90 scarfers not +speed. Shadow Ball hits Doublade, Psyshock hits Sliggo, Tri-Attack is its best STAB move. The worst part is that it has stupid coverage that can be tailored to any team. I'll list all of its other relevant moves:

-Blizzard(picks up kos that ice beam might not?)
-Ice Beam
-Discharge(Scald that is electric and paralyzes)
-Psychic
-Signal Beam
-Thunder(sick for rain teams)
-Thunderbolt

It also has base 80 attack and a pretty decent physical movepool, combined with analytic over download it sounds pretty cool as a physical attacker as well. It also has an amazing support movepool in things like Rain Dance, Trick, Thunder Wave, Magic Coat, Toxic, Trick Room. Honestly I think despite my love for P2, it needs some kind of suspect.

Some calcs for special given +1 spatk from download.

+1 252+ SpA Life Orb Porygon2 Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Sliggoo: 136-161 (77.7 - 92%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+1 252+ SpA Life Orb Porygon2 Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Doublade: 182-216 (109.6 - 130.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+1 252+ SpA Life Orb Porygon2 Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Pignite: 270-320 (137 - 162.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO


What a monster. I can give more calcs later, I'm kinda busy right now.

EDIT:

An example of a physical set:

Porygon2 @ Life Orb
Ability: Download
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Return
- Zen Headbutt
- Iron Tail
- Sharpen

EDIT again: Some calcs for things it might lure
+1 252+ Atk Life Orb Porygon2 Return vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Sliggoo: 220-259 (125.7 - 148%) -- guaranteed OHKO (insane)
+1 252+ Atk Life Orb Porygon2 Return vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Sliggoo: 220-259 (125.7 - 148%) -- guaranteed OHKO
if you got a +1 from download (not that hard)
+1 252+ Atk Watmel Berry Porygon2 Natural Gift (100 BP Fire) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Doublade: 98-116 (59 - 69.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

then into thief

+1 252+ Atk Porygon2 Thief vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Doublade: 58-70 (34.9 - 42.1%) -- 85.8% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

+1 252+ Atk Life Orb Porygon2 Iron Tail vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Togetic: 143-169 (88.2 - 104.3%) -- 25% chance to OHKO

+1 252+ Atk Life Orb Porygon2 Return vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Dragonair: 191-226 (140.4 - 166.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ Atk Life Orb Porygon2 Iron Tail vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Clefairy: 133-156 (75.1 - 88.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery (+1 ez ohko)

252+ Atk Life Orb Porygon2 Return vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Clefairy: 99-118 (55.9 - 66.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery (just return if you aren't +1)


If Clefairy CMs once before you go in, you get the boost and OHKO

252+ Atk Life Orb Porygon2 Return vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Roselia: 103-122 (65.6 - 77.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery

+1 252+ Atk Life Orb Porygon2 Return vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Roselia: 246-290 (156.6 - 184.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+1 252+ Atk Life Orb Porygon2 Return vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Golbat: 181-214 (100 - 118.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ Atk Life Orb Porygon2 Return vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Golbat: 82-97 (45.3 - 53.5%) -- 2% chance to 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery

252+ Atk Life Orb Porygon2 Return vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Golbat: 82-97 (45.3 - 53.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Black Sludge recovery

252+ Atk Life Orb Porygon2 Return vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gothorita: 82-97 (49.1 - 58%) -- 96.5% chance to 2HKO

+1 252+ Atk Life Orb Porygon2 Return vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Gothorita: 181-214 (108.3 - 128.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ Atk Life Orb Porygon2 Return vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Shelgon: 91-109 (52.9 - 63.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Life Orb Porygon2 Return vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Wartortle: 75-90 (45.4 - 54.5%) -- 3.5% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery


252+ Atk Life Orb Porygon2 Return vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Wartortle: 75-90 (45.4 - 54.5%) -- 90.6% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

252+ Atk Life Orb Porygon2 Zen Headbutt vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gloom: 88-104 (52.6 - 62.2%) -- 96.5% chance to 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
252+ Atk Life Orb Porygon2 Return vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Quilladin: 68-82 (40.4 - 48.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery (probably the best non Steel-, Rock-, or Ghost-type check to non natural gift)

252+ Atk Life Orb Porygon2 Return vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Marshtomp: 82-97 (46.3 - 54.8%) -- 66.8% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery (idk if phys def marshtomp is even good just giving P2 some disadvantages)

252+ Atk Life Orb Porygon2 Return vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Prinplup: 83-99 (48.5 - 57.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

252+ Atk Life Orb Porygon2 Return vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gabite: 86-101 (49.1 - 57.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock (why not Tank Gabite?)

The "Walls"

252+ Atk Liechi Berry Porygon2 Natural Gift (100 BP Grass) vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Rhydon: 132-156 (62.2 - 73.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery (everyone loves a weakened Rhydon)

252+ Atk Apicot Berry Porygon2 Natural Gift (100 BP Ground) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Lairon: 108-128 (64.6 - 76.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252+ Atk Apicot Berry Porygon2 Natural Gift (100 BP Ground) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Klang: 68-82 (40.7 - 49.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

252+ Atk Custap Berry Porygon2 Natural Gift (100 BP Ghost) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Dusclops: 56-66 (38 - 44.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery (the best check)

Few pokemon aren't 2HKOd by this things PHYSICAL set. And these Natural Gift berries are just there for theory, don't bother running Custap/Rowap for Ghost/Dark just bring a check for Dusclops, same can be said for the others especially Klang. Liechie and Apicot seem the best if you want to run the set.


Thats some nice damage, especially it being able to OHKO Sliggoo easily. I'll mess around with this more and maybe make a team based on physical P2.

There are other options that are also viable. The main one being Choice Band Trick, you lose power but still can get +1 from Download and if you run bulky you have Analytic. The other option being Natural Gift with w/e berry you want to run. Maybe Watmel or Ganlon berry. You could run Agility or Recover/Support move instead of sharpen. If you use Natural Gift you can run Thief or even Recycle (wtf is this stupid movepool). Seems pretty nifty and this set is a giant lure if you can predict right. If you want to run agility to outpace things that might try to revenge you that is total viable as well.
 
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