So, since we've effectively revived this thread, I believe we should actually be posting relevant discussions here! BW2 has given some of our Normal Pokemon some fantastic support, allowing them to be even more threatening than they were a few months ago. Most notably, Zangoose and Cinccino have had their Dream World Abilities released, making them two of NU's top Pokemon. Allow me to expand:
Zangoose
Zangoose received
Toxic Boost from the Dream World, which seems to be an ability exclusive to the Pokemon. With it, it now gives Ursaring much more competition than it used to. Some of you might not get what that means, so allow me to explain: All Zangoose has to do is come in on something that doesn't threaten it, use Swords Dance, and allow Toxic Orb to activate. That's it. If your opponent doesn't have something ridiculously bulky or really strong priority, Zangoose is going to tear them apart. After setting up, Zangoose is sitting on a +3 base 115 Atk stat as well as having a decent base 90 Spe stat. There is virtually nothing in the tier that this thing won't 2HKO. Coverage isn't an issue, either, as Zangoose has an excellent physical movepool to pound the opponent into the ground with.
Currently, the updated analysis hasn't been uploaded, but I'm guessing some possible sets would look something like this:
Swords Dance
Zangoose @ Toxic Orb
Trait: Toxic Boost
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly / Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Facade
- Close Combat
- Night Slash
This obviously sets up Swords Dance, then attempts to sweep the opponent with the best coverage Zangoose has access to. Facade is rofl-strong before and after a Swords Dance. Close Combat offers a powerful Fighting attack. You need Night Slash or you get walled by every Ghost in the tier. Note that you're susceptible to revenge killing, and you're also on a timer with Toxic Orb.
4 Attacks
Zangoose @ Toxic Orb
Trait: Toxic Boost
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Facade
- Close Combat
- Night Slash
- Quick Attack
Sacrifices the boosts of Swords Dance for priority. Slightly weaker, but it can cancel out Sucker Punches, heavily damage potential revenge killers, and doesn't necessarily have to stick to using Close Combat and Night Slash.
Zangoose also has other attacks that might prove useful, such as X-Scissor, Fire Punch, Ice Punch, and Rock Slide.
All in all, the Toxic Mongoose makes a nice addition to any team needing a powerful Normal type sweeper.
Moving on...
Cinccino
Cinccino received
Skill Link, one of the most powerful abilities in the game, as its BW2-released Dream World Ability. Mix in the fact that Cinccino also learns Rock Blast, Bullet Seed, and Tail Slap, and you effectively have three attacks with a base power of 125. Did I mention that you're also working with a base Atk stat of 95 and a base Spe of 115? This thing is idiot-proof. What's that? An idiot might send Cinccino in at the wrong time against something that might check it? Did I mention that it also gets U-Turn? Yeah, idiot-proof.
Cinccino is possibly the most dangerous Pokemon in the tier right now. Similar to past BL3 nominees, Gorebyss and Jynx, Cinccino
will destroy any teams that aren't prepared for it. Cinccino can run quite a few sets such as Life Orb, Choice Band, or Choice Scarf (those are just the standard ones though, experiment as much as you can with it!). Here is my current personal favorite:
Life Orb
Cinccino @ Life Orb
Trait: Skill Link
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Tail Slap
- Rock Blast
- Bullet Seed
- U-Turn
Step 1: Send this in.
Step 2: Select appropriate attack.
Step 3: Repeat steps 1 and 2 until you win. It's as simple as that.
Of course, Cinccino can be revenge killed quite easily, so make sure to switch out if your opponent sends in their obvious RK Pokemon. Life Orb recoil can be a bitch at times, but Cinccino isn't taking many hits anyways. Expect to see this thing everywhere until we ban it.
So, here we have two of NU's best Normal Pokemon. What are your thoughts and opinions on them? Discuss away, and feel free to talk about other great Normal Pokemon, just don't talk about gimmicky shit like Dunsparce. I want to see good posts here.
EDIT: Jesus, I'm fucking stupid. Fixed the Zangoose thing. Feel free to also point out terrible mistakes that I make in my posts!