Resource National Dex AG Set Compendium

[Guard]

approved by Pigeons
idea stolen from Skarph's AG Resources

Welcome to the AG Set Compendium! The goal of this project is to provide a collection of the best sets for Pokemon listed in the Viability Rankings in order to ease the teambuilding process and help newer players get started. Note that this list is by no means exhaustive, and there may be viable sets outside of the ones listed here. Also, the moves, item, and EV spread of each set can be customized freely to fit your team's needs.

If you would like to see set(s) from the compendium added, removed, or modified, please leave a post here indicating which ones. I will be checking this thread for responses weekly in order to ensure that the information is up-to-date. If you wish to add a set, please make sure that the Pokemon in question is listed in the Viability Rankings (and not at D rank), and provide justification such as replays or an explanation of how the set functions if it does not have significant ladder usage.

List of Sets

• Pokemon and their sets are ordered alphabetically.
• D rank Pokemon are not listed.
• Some moves, items, and sets are denoted with an asterisk (*). These options may be viable, but they are considered too niche to add to the Pokemon's analysis.

Arceus

Extreme Killer

Arceus @ Life Orb / Normalium Z
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Naughty / Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Extreme Speed
- Earthquake
- Ice Beam / Recover / Giga Impact / Shadow Claw*

Arceus-Dark

Calm Mind

Arceus-Dark @ Dread Plate
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 252 HP / 132 Def / 124 Spe
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Judgment
- Refresh
- Recover

Perish Trapper

Arceus-Dark @ Dread Plate
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 252 HP / 132 Def / 124 Spe
Bold Nature
- Judgment
- Recover
- Whirlpool
- Perish Song

Support

Arceus-Dark @ Dread Plate
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 252 HP / 132 Def / 124 Spe
Bold Nature
- Judgment
- Recover
- Defog
- Refresh

Arceus-Fairy

Support

Arceus-Fairy @ Pixie Plate
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 244 HP / 176 SpD / 88 Spe OR 244 HP / 176 Def / 88 Spe
Calm / Bold Nature
- Judgment
- Recover
- Will-O-Wisp / Whirlpool
- Defog / Toxic / Perish Song / Refresh

Arceus-Ghost

Swords Dance

Arceus-Ghost @ Spooky Plate
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Shadow Force
- Brick Break
- Stone Edge / Extreme Speed / Avalanche / Substitute

Calm Mind

Arceus-Ghost @ Spooky Plate
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 252 HP / 132 Def / 124 Spe
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Judgment
- Refresh
- Recover

Arceus-Ground

Calm Mind*

Arceus-Ground @ Earth Plate
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 132 HP / 252 SpA / 124 Spe
Modest Nature
- Calm Mind
- Judgment
- Hidden Power Rock
- Recover

Support

Arceus-Ground @ Earth Plate
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe
Bold Nature
- Judgment
- Refresh
- Recover
- Ice Beam / Toxic

Swords Dance

Arceus-Ground @ Earth Plate / Groundium Z
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 228 Atk / 28 SpA / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Ice Beam / Substitute / Recover / Extreme Speed*

Arceus-Poison

Specially Defensive

Arceus-Poison @ Toxic Plate
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 244 HP / 176 SpD / 88 Spe
Calm Nature
- Sludge Bomb
- Ice Beam / Earth Power
- Psych Up
- Recover

Arceus-Water

Calm Mind

Arceus-Water @ Splash Plate
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 248 HP / 136 Def / 124 Spe
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Judgment
- Refresh / Substitute
- Recover

Support

Arceus-Water @ Splash Plate
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 248 HP / 136 Def / 124 Spe OR 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe
Bold Nature
- Ice Beam / Judgment
- Toxic / Earth Power / Ice Beam
- Refresh
- Recover

Perish Trap

Arceus-Water @ Splash Plate
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 248 HP / 136 Def / 124 Spe OR 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe
Bold Nature
- Whirlpool
- Perish Song
- Refresh / Ice Beam / Earth Power
- Recover

Chansey

Wall

Chansey @ Eviolite
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Soft-Boiled
- Confide
- Toxic
- Heal Bell / Wish / Thunder Wave / Seismic Toss

Deoxys-S

Lead

Deoxys-Speed @ Focus Sash
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Taunt
- Spikes / Reflect
- Magic Coat / Light Screen / Thunder Wave

Diancie and Mega Diancie

Support

Diancie @ Diancite / Leftovers
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Stealth Rock / Sleep Talk*
- Heal Bell / Sleep Talk*
- Power Gem
- Rest

Ditto

Choice Scarf

Ditto @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Imposter
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Def
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 30 Atk / 30 SpA / 0 Spe
- Transform

Eternatus

Wallbreaker

Eternatus @ Life Orb
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Dynamax Cannon
- Flamethrower
- Sludge Bomb / Meteor Beam / Toxic
- Recover

T-Killer

Eternatus @ Black Sludge / Firium Z
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 212 SpD / 44 Spe OR 188 HP / 80 SpA / 196 SpD / 44 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Toxic Spikes
- Flamethrower
- Sludge Bomb / Toxic
- Recover

Excadrill

Lead

Excadrill @ Focus Sash
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Rapid Spin
- Rock Tomb
- Toxic / Earthquake

Ferrothorn

Hazard Setter

Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful / Sassy Nature
- Spikes
- Leech Seed
- Power Whip / Knock Off / Gyro Ball
- Protect

Mega Gengar

Offensive Trapper

Gengar @ Gengarite
Ability: Cursed Body
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Substitute
- Encore
- Focus Blast / Sludge Wave / Nasty Plot

Utility Trapper

Gengar @ Gengarite
Ability: Cursed Body
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpD / 252 Spe OR 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Perish Song / Shadow Ball
- Encore
- Substitute
- Destiny Bond / Disable

Gliscor

Stallbreaker

Gliscor @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Poison Heal
EVs: 252 HP / 232 SpD / 24 Spe
Careful Nature
- Sand Tomb
- Roost
- Taunt
- Toxic / Guillotine / Defog / Ice Fang*

Gothitelle

PP Staller

Gothitelle @ Leftovers / Fairium Z
Ability: Shadow Tag
EVs: 248 HP / 56 Def / 204 Spe OR 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Bold / Calm Nature
- Rest
- Taunt
- Charm
- Cosmic Power / Substitute

Grimmsnarl

Dual Screens

Grimmsnarl @ Light Clay
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Taunt
- Thunder Wave

Primal Groudon

Defensive

Groudon @ Red Orb
Ability: Drought
EVs: 252 HP / 36 Def / 220 SpD OR 252 HP / 248 Def / 8 SpD
Sassy / Careful / Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock / Swords Dance
- Precipice Blades
- Stone Edge
- Rest / Overheat / Toxic* / Thunder Wave* / Roar*

Stealth Rock + Swords Dance

Groudon @ Red Orb
Ability: Drought
EVs: 252 HP / 80 Atk / 36 Def / 8 SpD / 132 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Swords Dance
- Precipice Blades
- Rock Tomb / Stone Edge

Mixed

Groudon @ Red Orb
Ability: Drought
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Eruption / Fire Blast / Overheat
- Precipice Blades
- Stone Edge / Rock Tomb
- Swords Dance / Rest / Stealth Rock / Hidden Power Ice

Ho-Oh

Defensive Pivot

Ho-Oh @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 208 Def / 52 SpD OR 248 HP / 192 Def / 52 SpD / 16 Spe OR 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Impish / Careful Nature
- Sacred Fire
- Toxic
- Defog
- Whirlwind / Protect / Brave Bird

Kyogre

Choice Scarf

Kyogre @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Water Spout
- Origin Pulse
- Ice Beam
- Thunder

Choice Specs

Kyogre @ Choice Specs
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid / Modest Nature
- Water Spout
- Origin Pulse
- Ice Beam
- Thunder

Life Orb

Kyogre @ Life Orb
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid / Modest Nature
- Calm Mind
- Origin Pulse
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power Flying / Hidden Power Ground

Primal Kyogre

Defensive

Kyogre @ Blue Orb
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Rest
- Scald
- Sleep Talk / Ice Beam
- Toxic / Calm Mind

Special Attacker

Kyogre @ Blue Orb
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid / Modest Nature
- Origin Pulse
- Ice Beam
- Thunder / Calm Mind
- Water Spout / Rest / Substitute

Lugia

Wall

Lugia @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Roost
- Toxic / Whirlwind
- Ice Beam
- Substitute

Lunala

Choice Specs

Lunala @ Choice Specs
Ability: Shadow Shield
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest / Timid Nature
- Moongeist Beam
- Focus Blast
- Ice Beam / Moonblast
- Trick / Thunder / Psyshock

Defensive

Lunala @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Shadow Shield
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Ice Beam
- Will-O-Wisp
- Toxic / Hex / Moongeist Beam
- Roost

Marshadow

Choice Band

Marshadow @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly / Adamant Nature
- Poltergeist
- Close Combat
- Shadow Sneak
- Pursuit / Spectral Thief

Choice Scarf

Marshadow @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly / Adamant Nature
- Spectral Thief
- Close Combat
- Pursuit
- Toxic

Life Orb

Marshadow @ Life Orb
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Spectral Thief
- Close Combat
- Shadow Sneak
- Bulk Up

Mewtwo

Nasty Plot

Mewtwo @ Life Orb
Ability: Unnerve
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Psystrike
- Fire Blast
- Hurricane / Taunt* / Shadow Ball* / Focus Blast*

Mega Mewtwo Y

Nasty Plot

Mewtwo @ Mewtwonite Y
Ability: Unnerve
EVs: 80 Def / 252 SpA / 176 Spe
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Psystrike
- Fire Blast / Focus Blast
- Focus Blast / Recover

Necrozma-DM

Defensive

Necrozma-Dusk-Mane @ Rocky Helmet / Heavy-Duty Boots / Leftovers
Ability: Prism Armor
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Morning Sun
- Sunsteel Strike
- Stealth Rock
- Knock Off / Toxic

Dragon Dance

Necrozma-Dusk-Mane @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Prism Armor
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe OR 252 HP / 220 Def / 36 Spe
Jolly / Impish Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Sunsteel Strike
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge / Morning Sun / Rock Blast*

Ultra Necrozma

Dragon Dance

Necrozma-Dusk-Mane @ Ultranecrozium Z
Ability: Prism Armor
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance / Swords Dance
- Photon Geyser
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge / Rock Blast* / Outrage* / Knock Off*

Mega Rayquaza

Choice Band

Rayquaza @ Choice Band
Ability: Air Lock
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Ascent
- V-create
- Extreme Speed
- Earthquake / Outrage / Draco Meteor / Waterfall*

Choice Scarf

Rayquaza @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Air Lock
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Dragon Ascent
- V-create
- Draco Meteor
- Earthquake / Toxic / Surf / Defog*

Mixed Life Orb

Rayquaza @ Life Orb
Ability: Air Lock
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive / Naughty Nature
- Dragon Ascent
- Draco Meteor
- V-create
- Extreme Speed / Earthquake

Setup Sweeper

Rayquaza @ Life Orb
Ability: Air Lock
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance / Swords Dance
- Dragon Ascent
- V-create / Earthquake
- Extreme Speed

Mega Sableye

Support

Sableye @ Sablenite
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Impish Nature
- Fake Out / Protect
- Foul Play
- Toxic / Will-O-Wisp
- Recover

Smeargle

SmashPass

Smeargle @ Focus Sash
Ability: Moody / Own Tempo
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Spore
- Shell Smash
- Baton Pass
- Spectral Thief / Taunt

Sticky Web

Smeargle @ Focus Sash
Ability: Own Tempo / Technician
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Def / 252 Spe OR 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Jolly / Timid Nature
- Sticky Web
- Taunt
- Nuzzle / Spore
- Rapid Spin / Whirlwind / Icy Wind

Sweeper

Smeargle @ Leftovers
Ability: Moody
EVs: 4 Def / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Spore
- Substitute
- Shell Smash
- Power Trip

Tyranitar and Mega Tyranitar

Defensive

Tyranitar @ Leftovers / Tyranitarite / Shuca Berry* / Chople Berry*
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD OR 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Careful / Impish Nature
- Pursuit
- Rock Tomb / Stone Edge* / Foul Play*
- Foul Play / Stealth Rock / Roar*
- Rest

Vivillon

Quiver Dance

Vivillon @ Leftovers
Ability: Compound Eyes
EVs: 136 Def / 120 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Sleep Powder
- Substitute
- Quiver Dance
- Hurricane

Xerneas

Geomancy

Xerneas @ Power Herb
Ability: Fairy Aura
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe OR 108 HP / 252 SpA / 148 Spe
Modest Nature
- Geomancy
- Moonblast
- Thunder
- Substitute / Hidden Power Fire

Yveltal

Choice Band

Yveltal @ Choice Band
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- U-turn
- Sucker Punch
- Foul Play

Life Orb

Yveltal @ Life Orb
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Rash / Modest Nature
- Dark Pulse
- Oblivion Wing
- Heat Wave
- Knock Off / Hidden Power Poison / Rock Slide* / Focus Blast* / Taunt*

Physical Life Orb

Yveltal @ Life Orb
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Naughty Nature
- Knock Off
- Sky Attack
- Steel Wing
- Hidden Power Ice / Heat Wave

Stallbreaker*

Yveltal @ Heavy-Duty Boots / Leftovers
Ability: Dark Aura
EVs: 248 HP / 76 Def / 184 Spe
Timid / Jolly Nature
- Foul Play / Knock Off
- Toxic
- Taunt
- Roost

Zacian

Choice Scarf

Zacian @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intrepid Sword
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Play Rough
- Wild Charge
- Close Combat
- Crunch

Swords Dance

Zacian @ Groundium Z
Ability: Intrepid Sword
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Play Rough
- Wild Charge
- Dig

Zacian-C

Offensive

Zacian-Crowned @ Rusted Sword
Ability: Intrepid Sword
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Behemoth Blade
- Wild Charge
- Close Combat / Crunch
- Swords Dance / Crunch / Assurance / Substitute / Play Rough

Zekrom

Dragon Dance

Zekrom @ Leftovers
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Bolt Strike
- Outrage / Dragon Claw*
- Substitute

Zygarde-C

Defensive

Zygarde-Complete @ Leftovers / Safety Goggles*
Ability: Power Construct
EVs: 252 HP / 208 Def / 48 Spe
Impish Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Rest
- Haze / Coil
- Glare / Dragon Tail

Dragon Dance

Zygarde-Complete @ Leftovers
Ability: Power Construct
EVs: 16 HP / 224 Atk / 36 Def / 232 Spe
Impish Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Thousand Arrows
- Substitute
- Dragon Tail

 

[Iguana]

Hello, hello!

First of all, I love this idea for a thread, bigtalk. :) It's going to be really worthwhile, I think, to help educate users about the most likely sets they will see in room tour and ladder battles. This can also be a great resource for teambuilding as the Smogon sets available upon search in the Damage Calculator haven't really been updated for Gen 8 (particularly for AG or AG-related sets). That all being said, I wanted to contribute a set and a couple of thoughts here!

Firstly, you mentioned Fireceus in the "TBD" section, bigtalk; this is the set I've been using, and I think it's worked well! I posted about this in the AG Metgame Discussion.

Arceus-Fire @ Flame Plate
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunder Wave
- Recover
- Judgment
- Roar

The idea behind the set is that it functions well as a defensive option against Zacian-C. Play Rough and Behemoth Blade, Zacian-C's strongest/most viable STAB moves are both ineffective against Fireceus, and while Close Combat still can be a powerful option, it weakens Zacian-C's defensive stats after it uses it. Thunder Wave is a wonderfully versatile move here since it can mess up a lot of the meta. It's great for an anti-meta strategy. You can hit Zacian-C freely if it's Paralyzed and/or Recover as well. The additional function that this set can utilize is soft-checking GeoXern. If you paralyze Xern while it is Geomancying, you can attempt to Roar it away, effectively wasting its Power Herb.

Weaknesses for the set include that it takes 25% damage every time it switches in while Rocks are up on your side of the field. And, of course, it doesn't have much of an impact on some common Pokémon in the meta like Primal Groundon and Ho-Oh (I guess it could Paralyze Ho-Oh, but I'm not sure how helpful that would be since it's usually preferable to Toxic it).

Also, just a couple of minor notes I wanted to mention based on the above sets:

-This is somewhat minor, but I wanted to recommend a different EV spread for the GeoXern set above (at least the non-max Speed set, which I personally wouldn't recommend). 96 Def, 252 SpA, and 160 Speed with Modest nature works very effectively because it gives pretty decent defensive viability (at least enough to get to Dynamaxing), and most importantly, you outspeed Scarf Mray after Geomancy with this EV spread, and as we know, Scarf Mray is pretty common in this Gen 8 AG meta.

-Perhaps MMY is running Substitute effectively and I'm just unaware of that, but I think Taunt is a superior option.

-Also, while Specially Defensive Ttar was a great option for Galar Dex AG, I would say that since Mray is now apart of the meta again (and for some other reasons as well) the physically defensive, Pursuit trapper Ttar set is important to highlight:
Tyranitar @ Shuca Berry
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Foul Play
- Pursuit
- Roar

Thanks for reading! Off to go bang the drum on getting Grimmsnarl ranked in the VR so I can write about it here.

 

[bigtalk]

Swords Dance kartana isnt as good as using him dynamax fighting

Kartana doesn't need Sacred Sword to hit anything in the current meta besides Ferrothorn, which it can use as setup fodder. Attack boosts are also unnecessary when it's already getting them from Beast Boost.

Hello, hello!

First of all, I love this idea for a thread, bigtalk. :) It's going to be really worthwhile, I think, to help educate users about the most likely sets they will see in room tour and ladder battles. This can also be a great resource for teambuilding as the Smogon sets available upon search in the Damage Calculator haven't really been updated for Gen 8 (particularly for AG or AG-related sets). That all being said, I wanted to contribute a set and a couple of thoughts here!

Firstly, you mentioned Fireceus in the "TBD" section, bigtalk; this is the set I've been using, and I think it's worked well! I posted about this in the AG Metgame Discussion.

Arceus-Fire @ Flame Plate
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunder Wave
- Recover
- Judgment
- Roar

The idea behind the set is that it functions well as a defensive option against Zacian-C. Play Rough and Behemoth Blade, Zacian-C's strongest/most viable STAB moves are both ineffective against Fireceus, and while Close Combat still can be a powerful option, it weakens Zacian-C's defensive stats after it uses it. Thunder Wave is a wonderfully versatile move here since it can mess up a lot of the meta. It's great for an anti-meta strategy. You can hit Zacian-C freely if it's Paralyzed and/or Recover as well. The additional function that this set can utilize is soft-checking GeoXern. If you paralyze Xern while it is Geomancying, you can attempt to Roar it away, effectively wasting its Power Herb.

Weaknesses for the set include that it takes 25% damage every time it switches in while Rocks are up on your side of the field. And, of course, it doesn't have much of an impact on some common Pokémon in the meta like Primal Groundon and Ho-Oh (I guess it could Paralyze Ho-Oh, but I'm not sure how helpful that would be since it's usually preferable to Toxic it).

Also, just a couple of minor notes I wanted to mention based on the above sets:

-This is somewhat minor, but I wanted to recommend a different EV spread for the GeoXern set above (at least the non-max Speed set, which I personally wouldn't recommend). 96 Def, 252 SpA, and 160 Speed with Modest nature works very effectively because it gives pretty decent defensive viability (at least enough to get to Dynamaxing), and most importantly, you outspeed Scarf Mray after Geomancy with this EV spread, and as we know, Scarf Mray is pretty common in this Gen 8 AG meta.

-Perhaps MMY is running Substitute effectively and I'm just unaware of that, but I think Taunt is a superior option.

-Also, while Specially Defensive Ttar was a great option for Galar Dex AG, I would say that since Mray is now apart of the meta again (and for some other reasons as well) the physically defensive, Pursuit trapper Ttar set is important to highlight:
Tyranitar @ Shuca Berry
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Foul Play
- Pursuit
- Roar

Thanks for reading! Off to go bang the drum on getting Grimmsnarl ranked in the VR, so I can write about it here.

Thanks for the praise, mc! I thought your suggestions for Xerneas, Mewtwo / MM2Y and Tyranitar were reasonable, so I've updated the OP to reflect those. I'm not entirely convinced about that Arceus-Fire set, though-- Toxic seems like a better status option than Thunder Wave in my opinion for Ground-types like Primal Groudon and Zygarde, and to annoy Ho-Oh more. Also, Thunder Wave / Roar won't work against a Xerneas that has already boosted, since they're blocked by Max Starfall and Dynamax. I'm leaning more towards Judgment / Recover / Toxic / filler as the set, I just haven't decided what that filler should be which is why I haven't posted it yet.

 

[Iguana]

Hello again! :)

First of all, sorry for not responding to your message, bigtalk--I spaced on that. lol That's all good. T-Wave Fireceus is very much a tech set, so for a compilation of sets like this, something more solid in general like Toxic is a good choice.

I am here most importantly, however, because Grimmsnarl is now ranked on the VR! And as such, I excitedly offer up a set to add to this compendium!

Grimmsnarl (M) @ Light Clay
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Thunder Wave
- Taunt

So, just an explanation of the set I've devised: As others have caught onto as well, the combination of Prankster and Screens in Grimmsnarl is really awesome. In the past, options like Speed-Deoxys with Light Clay and Screens have been viable because of the speed tiers. Prankster means that you don't need necessarily a supremely fast Screens-setter option. In addition to the obvious Reflect and Light Screen, I'm enjoying and finding very useful running Thunder Wave and Taunt. Taunt is effective if you just need to prevent a certain status move from occurring (such as if you predict your opponent switching in as Ditto to try and set their own Screens after it Transforms into Grimmsnarl). Thunder Wave I find to be the most helpful status to inflict with Prankster here. The reason is that if you're using Screens Grimmsnarl, your team is going to be offensive, as the idea is to get a sweeper behind Screens and dominate the rest of the game. And in that situation, preventing your opponent from outspeeding your Pokémon (and potentially wasting a move because of Paralysis) is very helpful. Overall, I highly recommend this set! I've used it in tandem with Mega Blastoise (with Shell Smash) and of course Geomancy Dynamaxing Xern.

On a final note, in regards to the EV spread, I just chose max Def as that seemed to be most helpful (a lot of the meta is physical attackers); however, I could certainly hear an argument for a different EV spread.

Hope this helps! :)

 

[bigtalk]

The compendium has been updated to reflect the latest VR slate! I've added Grimmsnarl as part of these changes, mc56556.

 

[Poke Dabz]

I prefer on ghosteus swords dance
that he is really chonky so when he does get hit he survives

 

[IronedSandwich]

The alternative EV spread guarantees that Necrozma-DM survives two +2 Max Flares from Xerneas while Dynamaxed

I've been misreading this as "from Xerneas while [Xerneas is] Dynamaxed

 

[Kate]

I'm MDB and I'm here to say,
Add Band Yveltal, don't you see?
It's a great breaker,
So don't be a hater
No Dynamax required
"You're right, it's hired!"

Lunala has a specs set
It can cause a big dent
It's pretty solid
Definitely not horrid
So add this too, Wynaut?
I'm not asking a lot

Scarf Eternatus hasn't been used
Unfortunately, that's quite true
It can run Sleep Talk, though
To keep Spore on the down low
It's a good clean tech
So once again, add this set

 

[bigtalk]

Update time! Look in the changelog for all of the details. Band Yveltal was added, for Lunala / Eternatus their analyses are already uploaded so I'm just linking to them. I'll talk with other QC members about adding a specs set for Lunala.

edit Specs Lunala was added

 

[Chloe]

Perhaps an unpopular suggestion, but even though the analyses are out can you please have the sets in hide tags underneath the hyperlink still? It's much easier just to come to this thread and copy/paste the sets, when I know what the sets do and don't want to get redirected again.

Additionally, I understand trying to keep this uniform with the analysis sets but stuff like TR WP Necrozma-DM and other viable yet not analysis-worthy sets get shafted. Is it possible to have these sort of things still listed here? We don't need to only link the super standard sets.

Minimal other changes I'd suggest are slashing Leftovers / Safety Goggles for the item on Defensive Zygarde-C. Also the sets are listed out of alphabetical order for Zygarde-C and that rly bothers me :( so please fix it

 

[bigtalk]

Update time! Sample sets have been uploaded to Smogon (same ones as here), so links have been added to each Pokemon's analysis page. Certain moves / items / sets that were considered too niche to include in the analyses have been kept here, but are now marked with *. Full details can be found in the changelog.

 

[Guard]

hey fren got a few suggestions ~

• i think its just safe to go 252 HP on Amoonguss over 248? hits a regen number iirc
• Perish Song should be slashed on last darkceus slot imo, still deals with Zyg + checks cheese / last ditch on stuff like xern etc.
• cm groundceus should be cm/judg/hp rock/recover fwiw
• judg isnt droppable on support waterceus imo
• mention hp rock ivs for Ditto
• def asterisk rocks on Ferro
• unslash Toxic on Don in 3rd slot its almost worthless with all the refreshceus and Edge is a must anyway, and def mention Overheat in 4rth
• mention relaxed Ho-Oh for underspeeding NDM for hazard game purposes, also specially defensive protect should def be mentioned, can be careful/sassy
• unslash Toxic on Tar, it realistically shouldnt ever be used over Rest
• no need to run Spe on Lugia imo
• add cmrere flyceus, imo should be 168 hp/252spa/88spe modest

do whatever u want with these <3

 

[bigtalk]

There have been a bunch of changes since the last VR update! See the changelog for details.

 

[Geysers]

Can the chansey set be updated to have the superior spread of 4 hp / 252 def / 252 spdef calm?
Also, can firium z and Dragonium z be slashed on Eternatus?
Additionally, Lugia should probably mention Ice Beam.
Gliscor should probably have guillotine mentioned somewhere. Thanks!

 

[Guard]

Hello everyone, I shall take over as the host of this thread from here on. Anyway, sets have been updated to the current metagame. Enjoy!

 

[adriancosmoem]

why are you removing mons that dropped to D rank, like just keep them there instead of removing their resources? i dont get ag

 

[Guard]

-

Let's do a simple reading exercise, shall we?

If you wish to add a set, please make sure that the Pokemon in question is listed in the Viability Rankings (and not at D rank), and provide justification such as replays or an explanation of how the set functions if it does not have significant ladder usage.

D-rank Pokemon are too niche to serve a realistic niche on just about any team. Previous iterations of this resource decided against including D-rank Pokemon for good reason, and I do not intend to change that status quo anytime soon. Logically, this also boils down to the removal of Pokemon that drop to the D-rank.

 

[adriancosmoem]

Let's do a simple reading exercise, shall we?

D-rank Pokemon are too niche to serve a realistic niche on just about any team. Previous iterations of this resource decided against including D-rank Pokemon for good reason, and I do not intend to change that status quo anytime soon. Logically, this also boils down to the removal of Pokemon that drop to the D-rank.

put a section at the bottom saying "These Pokemon were dropped to D rank, and were not initially placed there, but their sets are still on display here if you wish to use them." but obviously you have to talk down to me