Metagame Nature Swap

Approved by Chloe. and The Immortal
Ever felt the urge to play physically offensive Alakazam? Specially defensive Kartana? Well in Nature Swap its not only possible, its viable! Just by choosing a nature, you're able to swap a Pokemon's stats to suit whatever purpose you wish.

Rules:
Mechanic:
A Pokemon's base stats are swapped based on their nature.
Clauses: OU Clauses
Bans: OU Banlist along with the following:

Strategy:

In Nature Swap, a Pokemon's base stats are swapped based on their nature. For example, a Salamence with a Bold nature will have its Attack stat and Defense stat swapped, meaning it how has a base 80 Attack stat and a base 135 Defense stat. The natures affect the same stats as they do in the regular game, with the neutral natures Hardy, Docile, Serious, Bashful and Quirky not swapping any stats. This can be beneficial to some pokemon. The 10% buff is applied to the changed stats as well!!! What this means is Bold Salamence's new base 135 Defense stat is buffed by 10%. Its new 80 Attack stat however, is NO LONGER reduced by 10%. Also note that the nature of the Pokemon is not displayed during battle to the opponent.

BUG UPDATE: EV bug is now fixed



Regarding Mega Evolutions and form changes- the Mega Evolution's stats will be swapped. For example, Abomasnow has base 92 Speed with a Timid nature while Mega Abomasnow with a Timid nature has base 132 Speed.

Here are the possible base stats affected:
Examples of threats:
DEFENSIVE


Salamence @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Roost
- Flamethrower
- Toxic/Roar

(Bold- Attack and Defense swapped, +10% to Defense)
Boasting some of the best physical bulk in the entire game paired with reliable recovery, Salamence was the premier defogger from gen6. While the new influx of fairies seems threatening, Salamence still has a lot to offer when it comes to defensive role compression, and with an intimidate drop even fairies like Mega Mawile fail to beat it 1v1.


Tangrowth @ Leftovers
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Focus Blast
- Sleep Powder

(Calm- Attack and Special Defense swapped, +10% to Special Defense)
Tangrowth is a great special sponge in this tier with the ability to eat hits on both sides while being disruptive with Sleep Powder. In particular it will deal with the high number of rock, steel, and water types in the upper tiers.


Absol-Mega @ Absolite
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Wish
- Protect
- Will-O-Wisp
- Foul Play

(Bold- Attack and Defense swapped, +10% to Defense)
Defensive Mega Absol is a good preventer of hazards in this meta, in particular offering Wish support over Mega Sableye, a fast wisp that will outspeed neutral base 85 speed, and an option of actual offensive presence with moves like Dark Pulse, Fire Blast, Ice Beam and Tbolt. Foul Play ohkos almost all hasty SR setters on offensive teams, and it can provide utility throughout the rest of the match with Wish support that wont be weakened by Toxic. It can also choose to run Impish or Timid offensive sets to be more threatening.

OFFENSIVE


Exeggutor-Alola @ Life Orb
Ability: Frisk
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Hammer
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- Sleep Powder

(Jolly- Special Attack and Speed swapped, +10% to Speed)
Alolator has a number of great sets in this tier thanks to its high mixed offenses. This set is a simple setup sweeper, and holds the most reliable dragon type physical attack along with a good 125 speed tier and Sleep for guaranteed setup.


Aggron @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Iron Head
- Endeavor
- Taunt

(Hasty- Defense and Speed swapped, +10% to Speed)
A tried and tested mon from last gen, Aggron can guarantee a good lead thanks to blistering 180 speed and access to taunt, rocks, and Sturdy. It can also choose a mon to take down with it with Endeavor + Rocky Helmet, or come back later and clean up with a fast Iron Head. Aggron has several sets in the meta, for instance CB Head Smash or Hone Claws, and all of them are dangerous.


Torkoal @ Choice Specs / Charcoal
Ability: Drought
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fire Blast
- Eruption
- Solar Beam
- Earth Power

(Hasty- Defense and Speed swapped, +10% to Speed)
Torkoal is a really fun and powerful cleaner in this meta thanks to 140 base speed and a specs/sun boosted eruption. 85 spa is incredibly deceptive as Torkoal will be able to ohko Lax Mantine after rocks, and hits harder on the special side than a CB adamant V-Create from Victini on the physical. Not only that, but it provides sun support to other scary sweepers such as Chlorophyll SD Tangrowth and DD Zard-X.
 
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Changes for gen 7:

For gen 7 I want to make a few key changes with the intended purpose of freshening up the metagame and increasing the pool of viable natures. One thing that I intend to avoid is granting access to regular pokemon through use of shinies, so this is an alternative that opens up options without introducing regular OU pokemon.
1. Nature Swap no longer will cause a 10% debuff to a swapped stat.

A jolly pokemon will originally swap their SpA and Spe stats, and then apply a 10% buff to speed and a 10% debuff to spa. After this change, the 10% buff will still be applied to speed but it will no longer lower the spa stat- for instance this will allow Mega Scizor to viably run a calm set in order to have 100 atk and 150 spd, turning it into a very bulky pokemon without totally ruining its atk stat. This is a big boon for defensive pokemon who can now choose to swap their defenses over without having to suffer a -10% on one of the defenses- for instance Ferrothorn may hugely appreciate a gentle set which swaps + buffs its special defense while not cutting into its new 116 defense stat.
This buff will definitely be a defensive boon to the metagame. Which will definitely be helpful leading into the next point:

2. New bans and unbans

These bans are mostly aimed at shaking the stallfest that was last gen. While it was not abused to a huge extent, stall was the best playstyle by far and successful teams had to rely far too much on stallbreakers to succeed. This caused the meta to become pretty stale higher up the ladder- and at the start of a new gen it will be more enjoyable to start out with certain threats banned and then reintroduce them, in order to cultivate creativity.
BANS:
Blissey was one of the best pokemon in the game last gen. It could dominate one side of the spectrum with its 255/135 bulk, and its defenses were hidden until it was actually revealed, making it a potentially physical, special or mixed defensive behemoth. These all required different pokemon to break, and it also had the benefit of counter to obliterate those who guessed incorrectly. Also being the best stealth rock setter in the tier made it a very centralizing threat with only one weakness that made physically defensive blissey only reliably broken by things like swords dance mega heracross. This is going to be the biggest ban this gen and change the meta the most.
With Blissey, Chansey, Mega Metagross gone, and the introduction of psychic terrain + icium Z, the best offensive and defensive checks to kyub have been removed- and it is also not checked reliably by any of the new fairy pokemon this gen. this has been cautiously banned at the start of the generation and is the most likely out of these mons to be retested.
Its ability to destroy all playstyles with its speedy, bulky, boosting, stallbreaking, sweeping options cause it to be an obvious quickban. This mon was not in OU last gen but would have also received a quickban.
Ban continuing over from last gen.
Ban continuing over from last gen.
UNBANS:
Talonflame is unbanned this gen (as it was at the very end of last gen). It will likely not be a dominating force as it was before, thanks to the new gale wings criteria, but can still be a potentially strong force with a high speed stat that can be swapped into either offense or special defense
Mega Sableye is unbanned this gen thanks to not being an Uber. Its role compression and hazard control is going to be a help to defensive teams, along with the 10% stat buff removal, and partially help to fill the hole that Blissey and Kyurem-B will leave. It can run a successful speedy set, or even swap a defense into an offense stat for a hard hitting mon that can threaten SR setters more.
__________________________
Azumarill will be on the watchlist- being S rank last gen and buffed by the removal of a 10% debuff to its defense stat on its most viable set. However, new threats such as toxapex are introduced that will happily take anything azumarill throws at it- plus, the playstyle of psychic terrain is something Azumarill will not appreciate whatsoever.
 
reserved- Sample Teams and threats

Sample Teams:

Just a few quick teams from me to get started:



Azumarill @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Lonely Nature
- Aqua Jet
- Belly Drum
- Play Rough
- Waterfall

Victini @ Icium Z
Ability: Victory Star
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- V-create
- Zen Headbutt
- Bolt Strike
- Glaciate

Magnezone @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Flash Cannon

Tentacruel @ Black Sludge
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spe
Lax Nature
- Sludge Bomb
- Scald
- Rapid Spin
- Knock Off

Steelix-Mega @ Steelixite
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Heavy Slam
- Earthquake
- Taunt

Machamp @ Choice Specs
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 40 HP / 252 SpA / 216 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 1 Atk / 30 Def / 30 SpA / 30 SpD
- Focus Blast
- Vacuum Wave
- Fire Blast
- Hidden Power [Poison]

Azumarill and Machamp together create a hard hitting priority core on opposite sides of the spectrum that can also smash through walls and potentially sweep. Steelix is a perfect mega for offense due to its capabilities as a suicide lead, electric immunity, ability to outspeed base 135 scarfers and offers a chance to win a shuckle speed tie for hazards if necessary. Lax Tentacruel is a great hazard control core with Megalix, and is one of the better Azu counters in the tier. Magnezone is a great scarfer in general and also offers the ability to trap mons like Aggron or Ferrothorn. These 3 mons also act as strong poison type checks to allow Azu and Machamp to work successfully. The last slot was Cloyster, but Victini can operate as a similar stallbreaker and lures Salamence for Machamp, as well as check Lele which currently stops this team from going crazy.



Togekiss @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Air Slash
- Aura Sphere
- Dazzling Gleam
- Fire Blast

Metagross @ Life Orb
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Zen Headbutt
- Meteor Mash
- Earthquake
- Bullet Punch

Kommo-o @ Normalium Z
Ability: Bulletproof
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Dragon Claw
- Brick Break
- Poison Jab
- Belly Drum

Shuckle @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Sticky Web
- Stealth Rock
- Encore
- Toxic

Gastrodon @ Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Recover
- Earth Power
- Memento

Venusaur-Mega @ Venusaurite
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
IVs: 1 Atk
- Sleep Powder
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power [Fire]


This is a fast webs team that mainly revolves around Kommo-o sweeping. Web boosts a decent 125 speed tier to something that outspeeds the entire non-flying meta, while Togekiss and Metagross form a core that can also lure setup opportunities such as Magnezone or any popular Rock or Steel types. Togekiss with webs become a flinching nightmare that can steal wins from prepared teams. Metagross also can kill annoying Clear Body mons like Diancie and Regice. Fast Mega Venusaur and defensive Gastrodon round out the team as a decent defensive duo that helps against rain teams which may otherwise cause some problems, and can both render an opposing mon useless in order to facilitate Kommo-o drumming.



Guzzlord @ Normalium Z
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 144 HP / 252 SpA / 112 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Dark Pulse
- Flamethrower
- Stockpile

Magearna @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fleur Cannon
- Aura Sphere
- Flash Cannon
- Volt Switch

Heracross-Mega @ Heracronite
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Close Combat
- Pin Missile
- Rock Blast
- Swords Dance

Carracosta @ Mental Herb
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Aqua Jet
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Grass]

Mantine @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 188 Def / 68 SpD
Lax Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Roost
- Defog
- Scald
- Toxic

Diggersby @ Choice Band
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Naughty Nature
- Quick Attack
- Earthquake
- Return
- Fire Punch


This is a fun Guzzlord balance team. Carracosta is a great anti-meta lead that can beat common shuckles, swamperts, aggrons, and steelixes thanks to sturdy and priority, and its speed tier allows it to even be a potential lategame cleaner. Guzzlord, Magearna and Mantine have great defensive synergy together and Mega Hera + Diggersby provide sheer offensive power. Guzzlord set is running Z Stockpile for a single-time full heal, and just enough special defense to get a spa boost from Beast Boost, while having a comparable defenses to 130/78/130 with full hp/spdef invest.


Tapu Bulu @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Wood Hammer
- Superpower
- Horn Leech
- Zen Headbutt

Torkoal @ Choice Specs
Ability: Drought
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fire Blast
- Eruption
- Solar Beam
- Earth Power

Tangrowth @ Life Orb
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Power Whip
- Earthquake
- Knock Off

Cresselia @ Psychium Z
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 108 Def / 148 SpA
Rash Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonlight
- Psychic
- Calm Mind
- Moonblast

Charizard-Mega-X @ Charizardite X
Ability: Tough Claws
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Flare Blitz
- Thunder Punch
- Dragon Claw

Excadrill @ Leftovers
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Spe
Sassy Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Rapid Spin
- Drill Run
- Toxic


A Sun/Grassy Terrain team that boosts the sweepers Tangrowth and Zard-X to scary levels. Tangrowth is a super fast Chlorophyll user that happily tanks any priority outside of First Impression and a +2 Power Whip in Grassy Terrain ohkos anything non-resistant as well as resists like Hasty Metagross or Magearna. Sassy Excadrill is a very reliable spinner that can toxic Sableye as well as not fearing a 2hko from specs Magnezone. Cresselia is running a tanky hard hitting set that heals for 75% in Sun with Moonlight.



Tyranitar-Mega @ Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Taunt
- Stealth Rock
- Crunch
- Fire Punch

Doublade @ Eviolite
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
Lonely Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Gyro Ball
- Shadow Sneak
- Swords Dance
- Sacred Sword

Latias @ Dragonium Z
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Healing Wish
- Psychic
- Draco Meteor

Gastrodon @ Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 40 Def / 216 SpD
Impish Nature
- Recover
- Toxic
- Earthquake
- Scald

Vileplume @ Black Sludge
Ability: Effect Spore
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Impish Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Strength Sap
- Aromatherapy
- Moonblast
- Hidden Power [Fire]

Snorlax @ Wiki Berry
Ability: Gluttony
EVs: 188 HP / 68 Def / 252 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Recycle
- Toxic
- Yawn
- Seismic Toss


A bulky balance team that has no issues switching into many of the top tier threats of the tier. The core of Ttar, Doublade and Latias is very successful for covering a multitude of threats offensively while providing hazard control, while Gastro + Vileplume + Snorlax is a defensive core that sponges a lot of hard hitting mons. Snorlax in particular is a standout blanket check to offense, thanks to its ability+berry alongside 160/110/110 defenses. Ttar-mega is a fantastic mon to bring against trick room, with taunt and a high special defense that works well against common setters.

If you have any teams, feel free to share!
 
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Viability Rankings

Each mon has a multitude of natures available, but usually one stands out as the premier nature. All the quality natures will be listed, and the premier nature will be bold. Just as a disclaimer, there may be usable sets for unmentioned natures, but they fall into an "other options" category.

S Rank:

S Rank

Magearna (Timid, Hasty, Naive)

A Rank:

A+ Rank

Mega Diancie (Timid)
Kartana (Timid, Hasty, Bold, Sassy, Modest, Gentle, Lonely)
Magnezone (Hasty)
Salamence (Bold)
Tapu Bulu (Hasty, Modest, Gentle)
Tapu Lele (Naive)

A Rank:
Aggron (Hasty)
184203
Mega Aggron (Hasty, Lonely, Modest, Gentle)
Buzzwole (Hasty, Sassy)
Clefable (Impish)
184205
Mega Mawile (Hasty, Lonely)
Mega Steelix (Hasty)
184204
Mega Tyranitar (Hasty, Naive, Modest)

A- Rank:
Doublade (Lonely)
Hawlucha (Brave)
184232
Landorus-Therian (Bold, Calm, Timid, Jolly)
Metagross (Hasty)
184206
Mega Scizor (Modest, Hasty, Gentle, Calm)
Shuckle (Naive, Hasty, Lonely)
Tangrowth (Calm, Jolly)
Wishiwashi (Jolly, Timid, Naive)


B Rank:

B+ Rank:

184207
Mega Absol (Bold)
Araquanid (Naive, Lonely)
Azumarill (Lonely, Naughty)
Celesteela (Impish, Timid)
Ferrothorn (Gentle, Modest)
Gastrodon (Impish)
Heatran (Timid, Naive, Hasty)
Nihilego (Relaxed, Adamant, Naive)
Reuniclus (Impish, Lax)
Skarmory (Hasty, Gentle)
Toxapex (Rash, Gentle, Mild, Lonely, Naughty)

B Rank:
Alakazam (Relaxed)
184213
Mega Alakazam (Relaxed, Adamant)
Amoonguss (Bold, Timid)
184233
Ash-Greninja (Quiet, Bold)
184209
Mega Camerupt (Timid)
Carbink (Rash)
184210
Mega Charizard-X (Jolly)
184214
Mega Gardevoir (Adamant, Naive)
Gliscor (Gentle, Timid, Sassy)
184208
Mega Heracross (Naive)
Jirachi (Calm)
Kommo-o (Hasty, Timid)
184215
Mega Pinsir (Hasty)
Primarina (Naive)
Regigigas (Modest)
184211
Mega Slowbro (Mild, Timid)
Snorlax (Bold, Naive)
Steelix (Hasty, Mild)
Togekiss (Naive, Adamant)
Torkoal (Hasty)
Volcanion (Timid)
Zapdos (Bold, Relaxed)

B- Rank:
184218
Mega Abomasnow (Jolly, Timid)
Accelgor (Relaxed)
Alomomola (Calm)
184217
Mega Charizard-Y (Adamant, Naive, Impish)
Espeon (Relaxed)
184222
Mega Garchomp (Timid, Hasty, Jolly)
Goodra (Naughty, Rash, Lax)
184221
Mega Gyarados (Modest, Naive)
Hippowdon (Calm, Bold)
Hoopa (Naive, Timid, Jolly)
Latias (Naive)
184220
Mega Latias (Impish, Naive)
184224
Mega Lopunny (Timid)
Mantine (Lax, Naughty)
Alolan Marowak (Hasty, Lonely)
Mimikyu (Naughty)
Pelipper (Hasty, Careful)
Quagsire (Calm)
Regice (Naive)
184216
Mega Sableye (Gentle, Jolly)
184226
Mega Sceptile (Adamant)
184219
Mega Swampert (Modest, Jolly)
Tapu Koko (Modest, Brave)
Tyranitar (Naive)

C Rank:

C+ Rank:

Avalugg (Gentle)
184228
Mega Beedrill (Relaxed)
Carracosta (Hasty)
Diggersby (Brave)
Florges (Naive)
Forretress (Hasty)
184229
Mega Glalie (Jolly, Timid)
Alolan Golem (Hasty)
Guzzlord (Impish, Careful, Bold, Calm)
Honchkrow (Bold)
Keldeo (Adamant)
Kyurem (Jolly)
Latios (Impish)
Linoone (Brave)
Machamp (Modest)
Ninjask (Brave)
Regirock (Lonely)
Sylveon (Naive, Adamant)
Tentacruel (Lax)
184235
Tornadus-Therian (Relaxed)
Tsareena (Naive)
184230
Mega Venusaur (Jolly, Timid)
Vileplume (Impish)
Volcarona (Jolly, Naive)

C Rank:
Breloom (Bold, Calm)
Marowak (Hasty, Lonely)
Roserade (Lax)
Swellow (Quiet)

C- Rank:
Bewear (Bold)
Alolan Persian (Relaxed)
Probopass (Mild, Rash)
 
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Would calm natured araquanid be bannable ? Or am I reading into this wrong , 132 with water bubble sounds crazy
I think it will be good, but its very slow and doesnt offer any priority along with 68/92/70 defenses. In a pinch, most bulky water types can switch into it at least once also-
252+ Atk Water Bubble Araquanid Hydro Vortex (160 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Manaphy: 290-342 (84.7 - 100%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO

Definitely a strong candidate for a stallbreaker though
 
Thats aggreeable then , but it will definitely be a monster without question liquidation will do large chunks of dmg on whatever doesnt resist, also water bubble making it immune to burns is and added bonus, or you could just do a careful nature and run a special set
 
OH YES i love this metagame

Shuckle is good in yet another om here, ill expect sticky webs to be really good here


Shuckle @ White Herb
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Sticky Web
- Encore
- Knock Off

With 230 base speed, shuckle becomes the games best hazard setter, it also gets encore which is super cool since it can outspeed and encore even +1 130 base speed mons and encore them into their set up move

Since i was bored i thought of some other potential sets i think could work here

Here it goes:

Hoopa @ Ghostium Z
Ability: Magician
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Shadow Ball
- Psychic
- Focus Blast

Doesnt this 6-0 everything after a nasty plot with 130 spe


Marowak-Alola @ Thick Club
Ability: Rock Head
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Shadow Bone
- Bonemerang
- Swords Dance

This thing gets a good speed tier in 110 and an amazing offensive typing, azumarill has good competition now


Minior @ White Herb
Ability: Shields Down
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Brave Nature
- Shell Smash
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Acrobatics

Not that big of an upgrade, but 120 over 100 atk is a big improvment still


Snorlax @ Figy Berry
Ability: Gluttony
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Belly Drum
- Return
- Fire Punch
- Earthquake

Snorlax resides in a pretty decent speed tier of 110, could be a good late game sweeper with belly drum gluttony


Swampert-Mega (Mantine)
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Naughty Nature
- Acrobatics
- Waterfall
- Gunk Shot
- Earthquake

Mantine has godly coverage, so i thought it would work well as a swift swim sweeper with its 140 attack



Metagross-Mega (Metagross) @ Life Orb
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Meteor Mash
- Ice Punch
- Earthquake
- Zen Headbutt

This fills up the void mega metagross left us with its new 130 speed now


Magnezone @ Choice Specs
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Flash Cannon
- Hidden Power [Fire]

Much better speed tier in 115 now and hits really hard with specs


Ferrothorn? (Kartana) @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Synthesis
- Toxic
- Air Slash

It has 59/131/181 defenses now, Defog kartana stall anyone?


Doublade @ Leftovers
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Substitute
- Protect
- Toxic
- Gyro Ball

Maybe it could work as a sub toxic user?Leftovers over eviolite cause doublade doesnt have any kind of recovery and already has decent bulk in 59/150/110


Espeon @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Dazzling Gleam/Charm
- Wish/Toxic
- Protect/Morning Sun

Uh i guess u could use this if u cant use mega sableye for some reason? Anyhow its typing is garb unfort


Ampharos-Mega @ Ampharosite
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Dragon Pulse
- Focus Blast

This finally becomes usable with its new 110 speed, has a good stab combination too


Better Lando-i (Camerupt-Mega) @ Cameruptite
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Earth Power
- Fire Blast
- Ancient Power
- Substitute

Same thing as godly gift, give it speed and it becomes extremely threatening


Scizor-Mega @ Scizorite
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Ominous Wind
- Vacuum Wave
- Hidden Power [Electric]
- Roost

This thing takes full advantage of its technician boosted perfect coverage and high spa

Or


Pheromosa-Mega (Scizor-Mega) @ Scizorite
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- U-turn
- Bullet Punch/Knock off
- Defog
- Roost

Finally, a good u-turn user that fills the void pheromosa left us


Mawile-Mega @ Mawilite
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Play Rough
- Sucker Punch
- Thunder Punch
- Swords Dance

Is this banned? Because this looks absolutely terrifying with 125 speed


Edit: removes the sets that were terrible
 
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Nice to see this meta coming back. As the former leader, one of my biggest regrets was not banning Blissey last gen because I realized it was actually broken after actually playing it, props to Pipotchi for that.

Also in this meta, 115 Speed is the standard Speed tier (Mega Hera, Lele, Bulu, Zard Y ALL now have 115 Speed). Anyway, one mon that I like using it last gen.


Ursaring @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Quick Feet
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Protect / Swords Dance
- Facade
- Close Combat
- Crunch

People underestimate this thing last gen. 75 Speed with Quick Feet reaches 409 Speed, which outspeeds up to 135 base Speed with positive Nature (up to Naive Mega Gardevoir). And it hits hard with Facade. It has the bulk to setup too but if you are afraid of things hitting too hard in this meta, you can use Protect.
 
Sometimes memes really do come true.

Toxapex @ Life Orb
Ability: Merciless
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpA
Mild Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Venoshock
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Fire]

With Toxic Spikes support, this thing could be a monster under Trick Room.
 
Sometimes memes really do come true.

Toxapex @ Life Orb
Ability: Merciless
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpA
Mild Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Venoshock
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Fire]

With Toxic Spikes support, this thing could be a monster under Trick Room.
But why not heavily lower the amount of support needed by putting TSpikes on Pex itself?
 
But why not heavily lower the amount of support needed by putting TSpikes on Pex itself?
It's an option, but Mild Toxapex is really frail on the physical side, and it comes at the cost of coverage.

EDIT: Came up with possible Toxapex partners.

Cofagrigus @ Mental Herb
Ability: Mummy
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Lax Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Trick Room
- Toxic Spikes
- Hex
- Memento

Nihilego @ Air Balloon
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Trick Room
- Toxic Spikes
- Venoshock
- Psywave

I went with phys def on them since Toxapex's low Defense.
 
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Wishiwashi-School @ Choice Specs
Ability: Schooling
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Grass] (Anything works, I prefer grass or ground though)
- U-turn
45/30/130/140/135/140
Heres a monster, Wishiwashi switches his attack stat with it's low speed to create a pokemon with 417 speed unboosted and 568 special attack after choice specs. It's movepool is very limited, but Water/Ice/Grass covers a lot of the metagame.
 
tfw when you have nothing to start with besides 'holy fuck regigigas'

These are all theorymonned stuff, so...





Landorus-Therian @ Lum Berry
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Swords Dance
- Substitute

New Stats: 89/145/90/91/80/105

Basically just Landorus-Therian, but removing a stat the set doesn't need and gives it to something the set really wants. A Speedy Landorus that is faster than base 100 speed is nice, meaning Rock Polish is ever so slightly less needed (meaning Sub SD set is even better). Nothing really changes past that, Jolly nature is standard, EdgeQuake, etc.




Kartana @ Choice Band
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Leaf Blade
- Smart Strike
- Sacred Sword
- Night Slash

New Stats: 59/181/109/59/31/131

Swaps Kartana's Defense and Speed stats. Kartana's Defense stat passed to Speed means Kartana barely cares anymore about being outsped bar things like Naive Gardevoir-Mega, and is free to click offensive moves to its heart's content.




Gyarados-Mega @ Gyaradosite
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Waterfall
- Crunch
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance

New Stats: 95/155/81/70/130/109

Swaps Defense and Speed. Gyarados-Mega naturally gets Intimidate before Mega-Evolving, which allows him to keep a buffer onto his now-weaker Defense, while being faster for it. After +1 very little is capable of outspeeding it unboosted bar Pokemon like Shuckle, who can't do too much regardless to Gyarados.




Magearna @ Fairium Z
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fleur Cannon
- Focus Blast
- Thunderbolt
- Shift Gear

New Stats: 80/65/115/130/115/95




Tapu Koko @ Life Orb
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 30 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Dazzling Gleam
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- U-turn

New Stats: 70/95/85/115/75/130

"HEY GUYS, LETS MOVE A STAT WE AREN'T USING TO SOMETHING WE ARE USING!"

Tapu Koko likes Special Attack more than Attack, and it now can abuse its dual STAB better and hits harder with HP Ice.




Cobalion @ Leftovers
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Flash Cannon
- Stealth Rock
- Thunder Wave

New Stats: 91/72/129/90/90/108

Here's probably the only one that's relatively interesting and isn't just 'oh this stat isn't used lets swap it to Speed'. Changing Cobalion's Special Defense and Attack means you're still free to run Focus Blast, Flash Cannon, Hidden Power, and Volt Switch, all the while keeping Cobalion defensive. His Speed also remains very good, so that's a helpful bit. Fighting/Steel isn't perfect defensively, but Steel still lets it resist a bunch of types. It's also a fast Rocker that's still defensive coughshucklesuxcough.
 

Dunfan

formerly Dunsparce Fanboy
Talking about Kartana...


Kartana @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 112 Def / 144 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Swords Dance
- Synthesis
- Leaf Blade / Smart Strike
- Sacred Sword

Slow stallbreaking mon.
While not as specially bulky than Calm Kartana, it's not passive and got a pretty useful offensive pressure.
The only problem is it's weakness to Fire... But it tanks surprisingly well the Flamethrower of a Life Orb Clefable, now.

0 SpA Life Orb Clefable Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 144+ SpD Kartana: 239-286 (74.2 - 88.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
 
Also in this meta, 115 Speed is the standard Speed tier (Mega Hera, Lele, Bulu, Zard Y ALL now have 115 Speed).

Primarina @ Choice Specs
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Moonblast
- Psychic
- Hidden Power Fire

80/74/74/126/60/116

Suppose if 115 is the standard speed tier then that makes this thing pretty nifty. Powerful wall breaker with great offensive typing and coverage, now with a niche speed tier to creep the common benchmark. Too bad it's super frail now though. That said, if it can survive a hit it's more likely to be put into Torrent range and can then do work with that extra power and new found speed.
 
Here's an interesting QoL change for this metagame: How about making the five neutral natures (Quirky, Bashful, Hardy, Docile, Serious) apply a 10% buff to one stat each, but retain the effect of not swapping any stats? This may seem logically inconsistent, but it can be justified that the five neutral natures are cases in which the +10% buff and the -10% debuff are applied to the same stat, resulting in them canceling out. This explains why there's five of them, and why each have a different "preferred flavour" in games with Pokeblocks. Applying the new caveat wherein the -10% debuff is removed, the result is simply a +10% increase to a stat. This also results in remembering things like speed tiers becoming easier. For example, although Tapu Koko has a base speed of 130, it can't take advantage of it and hit its max speed of 394 Speed, as any situation where its Speed receives the 10% boost also results in the stat being swapped, and therefore lowered. If it could take advantage of the +10% boost to speed without having to swap, it would be more consistent with the usual metagame, as standard Tapu Koko will be able to be run, and players won't be left wondering why Sylveon can hit 130 speed and Tapu Koko can only hit 359 despite having the same apparent speed stat.

Please forgive me if this suggestion is out of line, seeing as the metagame has already been approved with a large change from last generation. I know suggesting changes to approved metas is frowned upon. I'm sure something like this has been suggested before, too. The main point I'm trying to make is that it's logically consistent, if you justify the neutral natures as cases where the 10% buffs and debuffs cancel out.

So this post isn't a complete wash here's a very preliminary non-exhaustive list of speed tiers, based on last gen's viability ranking and things that look like early threats. I might update it and make it look nicer as things develop.
614:
Hasty Shuckle
Naive Shuckle
Hasty Mega Aggron
Hasty Mega Steelix
548:
Naive Regice
Hasty Regirock
Hasty Steelix
513:
Hasty Avalugg
504:
Hasty Aggron
482:
Timid Mega Garchomp
460:
Timid Mega Diancie
Jolly Mega Diancie
438:
Hasty Mega Tyranitar
Naive Mega Latias
Naive Goodra
427:
Timid Greninja-Ash
416:
Timid Wishiwashi
Hasty Mega Scizor
Hasty Skarmory
414:
Hasty Buzzwole
408:
Timid Mega Lopunny
405:
Naive Mega Gardevoir
Jolly Mega Manectric
399:
Naive Araquanid
Timid Mega Abomasnow
Jolly Mega Abomasnow
397:
Hasty Kartana
Naive Nihilego
394:
Timid Sylveon
Jolly Mega Charizard X
Hasty Metagross
Timid Mega Latios
Naive Hoopa
Jolly Gengar
Jolly Latios
Naive Mega Gyarados
Hasty Gigalith
383:
Hasty Mega Mawile
375:
Hasty Zygarde
372:
Timid Mega Camerupt
Jolly Mega Garchomp
Hasty Mega Pinsir
364:
Naive Primarina
361:
Naive Tapu Lele
Naive Mega Charizard Y
Hasty Tapu Bulu
Naive Magearna
Hasty Magearna
Hasty Magnezone
Naive Togekiss
Hasty Mega Heracross
359:
Modest Tapu Koko
350:
Jolly Marowak-Alola
Naive Snorlax
Jolly Mega Altaria
Timid Mega Altaria
Timid Volcanion
Hasty Tyranitar
342:
Hasty Heatran
Naive Heatran
339:
Jolly Landorus-Therian
328:
Jirachi
Timid Mega Medicham
 
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Here's an interesting QoL change for this metagame: How about making the five neutral natures (Quirky, Bashful, Hardy, Docile, Serious) apply a 10% buff to one stat each, but retain the effect of not swapping any stats? This may seem logically inconsistent, but it can be justified that the five neutral natures are cases in which the +10% buff and the -10% debuff are applied to the same stat, resulting in them canceling out. This explains why there's five of them, and why each have a different "preferred flavour" in games with Pokeblocks. Applying the new caveat wherein the -10% debuff is removed, the result is simply a +10% increase to a stat. This also results in remembering things like speed tiers becoming easier. For example, although Tapu Koko has a base speed of 130, it can't take advantage of it and hit its max speed of 394 Speed, as any situation where its Speed receives the 10% boost also results in the stat being swapped, and therefore lowered. If it could take advantage of the +10% boost to speed without having to swap, it would be more consistent with the usual metagame, as standard Tapu Koko will be able to be run, and players won't be left wondering why Sylveon can hit 130 speed and Tapu Koko can only hit 359 despite having the same apparent speed stat.
Ive always been against the idea of having just regular mons in this metagame since the beginning of the meta despite a few ppl calling for it through different ways (for instance shinies).Its all subjective but I think the metagame should encourage people to abuse its quirks rather than going back to regular OU sets. This metagame nerfs what is "regular" and encourages alternative methods, so I personally find it a good thing that the top OU threats cannot utilise their regular sets to sit at the top of this meta also. If someone wanted to use a tapu koko with a near-identical spread, they could swap defenses, but in return they have to accept being outsped by things like Mega Heracross. On the other side, mons that swap their stats and then take full use of the change (Timid Mega Camerupt for instance) get to max out those stats and outclass the original OU staples.
This also makes the metagame interesting because it changes the set of mons that act as checks and counters to certain mons- especially those that act as offensive checks thanks to their speed tier.
I dont mind people suggesting stuff but thats my reason why Im keen to avoid this change- I dont see it as a bad thing that a metagame gives to some pokemon and takes away from others. (Not to mention most OU mons have a great set here anyway, just forced to shift their role into something else. There are other mons that rise up to take their original/similar role, such as diancie, mega mawile, sylveon, fini, lele etc can all become the fast fairy type that someone may want on their team. )

Also,
Nature Swap now playable on ROM! The bot has a few teams already :) Please share your replays!

Because egg is life, here is another Alolator set that I like:


Exeggutor-Alola @ Figy Berry
Ability: Harvest
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Leech Seed
- Substitute
- Dragon Hammer / Toxic
- Wood Hammer / Toxic / Earthquake

Fast subseed is generally decent, plus with the additional aspect of harvest sub/figy, this mon can survive more than it deserves to against mons that should beat it otherwise. Wood Hammer and Dragon Hammer can be used to simply sweep a weakened team and sub shenanigans work really well with other status moves like Toxic or Sleep Powder also.

It also has the option of a pretty cool offensive Harvest set utilizing Natural Gift and a berry like Watmel (100BP Fire), or Salac (100BP Fighting- which also could be used for the speed boost to outspeed base 200s like Regice and regular Steelix).
 
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Golem-Alola @ Choice Band
Ability: Galvanize
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Explosion
- Double-Edge
- Volt Switch
- Earthquake

80 / 120 / 45 / 55 / 65 / 130

Surprised no one mentioned this. If you're 1. not a Ground type and 2. slower than 130 Speed, then prepare to get hit by Banded Galvanize boosted Explosion from 120 Attack. How strong is it?

252 Atk Choice Band Galvanize Golem-Alola Explosion vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Celebi: 346-408 (101.4 - 119.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Nice resist.
 
this is a semi-joke idea but it might have some merit to it

Xurkitree @ Electrium Z/Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Quiet/Jolly Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Tail Glow
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]

I know this means Xurk now has only 83 base Special Attack, but it still has Tail Glow to patch it up alongside even more speed than flippin timid megachomp
if you run quiet you get some extra power and still outspeed base 150 speed mons like hasty megatar. electrium-Z is good for breaking stuff but lefties means more substitutes
i think this thing might manage a ranking somewhere in the C ranks when viability rankings come out.
 
Say hello to the worst best physical wall in the tier, terrible typing but im sure it can find some niche

Persian-Alola @ Leftovers
Ability: Fur Coat
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spd
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fake Out/Roar
- Parting Shot/U-Turn
- Foul Play
- Toxic

This thing eats physical hits like a boss with its 115 defense boosted by fur coat, and has momentum moves in u-turn and parting shot too

+2 252 Atk Garchomp-Mega Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Fur Coat Persian-Alola: 132-156 (39.5 - 46.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 Atk Ursaring Facade (140 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Fur Coat Persian-Alola: 76-90 (22.7 - 26.9%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Choice Specs Keldeo Secret Sword vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Fur Coat Persian-Alola: 134-162 (40.1 - 48.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
 

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