np SS UU Stage 0 - All I Want for Christmas is UU (UU Alpha is live!)

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Drifblim @ Psychic Seed / Electric Seed
Ability: Unburden
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Modest / Bold Nature
- Psychic
- Thunderbolt
- Strength Sap / Calm Mind
- Shadow Ball

It's a discount Hawlucha, but special-oriented and no Hawlucha to compete within this tier, however it still has the others to compete as an Unburden user, mainly Thievul (a shoutout for MrCookiepants) and Hitmonlee. Recently got Strength Sap, which not only prolongs its longevity but also mitigates Quagsire's main offensive stat (as it ignores yours) as well as other physical powerhouses on the tier. When Dynamaxed, Drifblim can either use Psychic and use its Psychic Seed to provide a +1 SpD and a +2 Spe thanks to Unburden or can pull a Thunderbolt to provide +1 Def and +2 Spe with Electric Seed. If those boosts aren't enough for you, you can set up Calm Mind and then Dynamax to sweep. Shadow Ball provides coverage against Psychic-types who try to make use of the Psychic Terrain plus it gets STAB. Modest nature is key for your offense but if you feel unsure when setting up Calm Mind then pick Bold nature and move 100 EVs from SpA to Def.
Drifblim has a good opportunity thanks to Unburden coupled with Dynamax, but has issues in the form of awful Defense and Special Defense stats and vulnerability to most priority moves that hit super-effectively, which means that it will have a hard time against physical powerhouses and priority users. Not to mention that the poor ballon doesn't get benefits from both terrains (as mentioned by viol and bass), meaning that it is still vulnerable to Sucker Punch, Shadow Sneak and Ice Shard. Unaware Quagsire can ignore the boosts, it is immune to Thunderbolt and proceeds to smite Drifblim with Stone Edge or Max-Rockfall. Drifblim is outclassed by Thievul and directly competes with Hitmonlee as an Unburden sweeper, speaking of which, Thievul can also counter Drifblim aswell as it is immune to Psychic while getting benefits from the terrain. Stealth Rock is also a bane to Drifblim's longevity.
 
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Drifblim @ Psychic Seed / Electric Seed
Ability: Unburden
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Modest / Bold Nature
- Psychic
- Thunderbolt
- Strength Sap / Calm Mind
- Shadow Ball

It's a discount Hawlucha, but special-oriented and no Hawlucha to compete within this tier (still has the others). Recently got Strength Sap, which not only prolongs its longevity but also mitigates Quagsire's main offensive stat (as it ignores yours) as well as other physical powerhouses on the tier. When Dynamaxed, Drifblim can either use Psychic and use its Psychic Seed to provide a +1 SpD and a +2 Spe thanks to Unburden or can pull a Thunderbolt to provide +1 Def and +2 Spe with Electric Seed. Setting up Psychic Terrain helps against anyone trying to Ice Shard, Shadow Sneak or Sucker Punch you on the following turns + helps you hitting Fighting and Poison types harder, otherwise setting up Electric Terrain makes you immune to surprise Yawn users + hit Flying or Water types harder. If those boosts aren't enough for you, you can set up Calm Mind and then Dynamax to sweep. Shadow Ball provides coverage against Psychic-types who try to make use of the Psychic Terrain plus it gets STAB. Modest nature is key for your offense but if you feel unsure when setting up Calm Mind then pick Bold nature and move 100 EVs from SpA to Def.
Drifblim has a good opportunity thanks to Unburden coupled with Dynamax, but has issues in the form of awful Defense and Special Defense stats and vulnerability to most priority moves that hit super-effectively, which means that it will have a hard time against physical powerhouses and priority users before Psychic Terrain sets up. Not to mention that if the poor ballon faces a Dark-type on the turn Drifblim is sent into battle, Psychic Seed set gets completely shut down (except Crawdaunt who gets punished by Thunderbolt). Unaware Quagsire can ignore the boosts, it is immune to Thunderbolt and proceeds to smite Drifblim with Stone Edge or Max-Rockfall.
This looks cool but Drifblim isn't affected by terrain as a Flying-type, unfortunately. :/
 

Estarossa

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I wanted to make a quick post about a really cool application of the Teleport buff this generation, which is Future Sight Xatu. Talked about it quite a bit in UU room on PS and in discord, and a bunch of people have probably already seen the team already.

:sm/xatu:

Xatu @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Magic Bounce
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Future Sight
- Roost
- Grass Knot
- Teleport

Future sight was always a very powerful tool last generation when abused well, by combinations such as Future Sight M-Bro + Mixed Infernape/Cb Terrakion, but one of the issues was getting these breakers in on the turn future sight hits, which limited their opportunities to do so. Teleport on Xatu however offers guaranteed free switches when the opportunity arises to click it, making this a lot easier to pull off while also helping you to react to any double switches that might work otherwise, especially against fatter teams that can't directly threaten Xatu, allowing it to more readily click Teleport. The compression of this future sight + teleport combination onto a magic bounce xatu is also handy, especially right now with the restrictions on building dynamax/gengar/kommo-o places, helping to fit some serious breaking potential onto an otherwise fat defensive magic bouncer for semi stall teams.

The obvious downsides of using this compared to a more bulky future sight setter such as AV reuniclus is that you are going to not be able to set future sight as often, but as this set doesn't prevent xatu doing any normal xatu stuff, enough opportunities still exist to really take advantage of this, it just requires a lot more patience, which is why I feel it really benefits from Semi-Stall type builds which give it this breathing room. I've personally been running Grass Knot as the coverage move due to having a high chance to OHKO rhyperior, but obviously this is a fairly flexible slot.

Grass Knot can also be used fairly threateningly when dynamaxing, which also makes Future Sight very spammable in max form, allowing you to potentially stay in against a threat such as Mamoswine/Gengar and just completely remove them if predicted correctly, and can clean up teams fairly nicely also while being able to replicate the Future Sight -> Z-Future Sight combination from Gen7.

Mew also gets this combination of moves, but due to a lack of recovery right now will find it hard to reliably use. If it doesn't rise to OU before/immediately after Home releases however, it could be a very potent user of it due to it's better bulk.


:xatu: :kommo-o: :hippowdon: :pyukumuku: :doublade: :umbreon: (click for the team)

This was the team i've been running it on atm. When deciding which breaker to actually pair with it, I decided on going for Kommo-o in the end, (instead of something like Passimian), a Fighting-type was obviously hugely important to both force out and prevent swapping in from Dark-types like Umbreon/Obstagoon, but Taunt Kommo-o also offered the ability to deny bulky Waters like Mantine/Pyukumuku from attempting to try and recover the damage after. Taunt Kommo-o was also useful because it helped to supplement the fact I was relying solely on Xatu as Hazard Control here, and its secondary mixed STABs offer it more powerful coverage than the other options would have.

Hippowdon was also a shoe-in for a partner to pair with it, due to the power that Whirlwind posesses when combined with Future Sight, with a lot of Psychic-weak Pokemon with super high usage running around such as Gengar/Kommo-o/Weezing that will get killed if they get brought out and made complete non-issues. It also offered something which could avoid being 2HKOd by Obstagoon, which was fairly important given it forces out Xatu fairly freely, and Kommo-o only likes to double into it not switch in directly.

The rest of the team is fairly standard for a semi-stall, Yawn Umbreon is particularly helpful here due to the momentum it provides offering future sight opportunities for Xatu. Pyukumuku is pretty much essential due for reliably dealing with Gengar, which can otherwise force out Xatu unless you use your Dynamax to remove it. A Soak Toxic Mirror Coat set allows it to still reliably deal with Substitute Gengar, (and mirror coat other stuff like Charizard if you wish), while Soak can offer a much more reliable matchup against Pokemon such as Weavile by removing the STABs. Doublade is really incredible right now, and is important here for offering ways to take down Sigilyph and Reuniclus, while offering a nice win condition, revenge killer against mons like Polteageist if necessary, and is able to also use Future SIght turns decently too.

I'd say the main issue with relying on Xatu as hazard control for a team like this right now is Drapion, which I believe to be a sleeper pick atm anyway, thanks to Fast-Taunt, Knock Off, being a grounded-Poison, a good Polteageist/Gengar/Indeedee check, Tspikers setter etc. Drapion however is able to Get Toxic Spikes up against this team, unlike say Weezing which Xatu will prevent, which makes some matchups a lot harder. I have considered Heavy Duty Boots on Pyukumuku here for such matchups, but obviously losing out on the passive recovery can be an issue. Toxicroak was a slower option for a breaker instead of Kommo-o that could absorb Toxic Spikes also, but the general greater power, coverage and bulk from Kommo-o tends to come in handy a lot more in most matchups, since Drapion isn't too common right now.
 
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Drifblim @ Psychic Seed / Electric Seed
Ability: Unburden
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Modest / Bold Nature
- Psychic
- Thunderbolt
- Strength Sap / Calm Mind
- Shadow Ball

It's a discount Hawlucha, but special-oriented and no Hawlucha to compete within this tier (still has the others). Recently got Strength Sap, which not only prolongs its longevity but also mitigates Quagsire's main offensive stat (as it ignores yours) as well as other physical powerhouses on the tier. When Dynamaxed, Drifblim can either use Psychic and use its Psychic Seed to provide a +1 SpD and a +2 Spe thanks to Unburden or can pull a Thunderbolt to provide +1 Def and +2 Spe with Electric Seed. Setting up Psychic Terrain helps against anyone trying to Ice Shard, Shadow Sneak or Sucker Punch you on the following turns + helps you hitting Fighting and Poison types harder, otherwise setting up Electric Terrain makes you immune to surprise Yawn users + hit Flying or Water types harder. If those boosts aren't enough for you, you can set up Calm Mind and then Dynamax to sweep. Shadow Ball provides coverage against Psychic-types who try to make use of the Psychic Terrain plus it gets STAB. Modest nature is key for your offense but if you feel unsure when setting up Calm Mind then pick Bold nature and move 100 EVs from SpA to Def.
Drifblim has a good opportunity thanks to Unburden coupled with Dynamax, but has issues in the form of awful Defense and Special Defense stats and vulnerability to most priority moves that hit super-effectively, which means that it will have a hard time against physical powerhouses and priority users before Psychic Terrain sets up. Not to mention that if the poor ballon faces a Dark-type on the turn Drifblim is sent into battle, Psychic Seed set gets completely shut down (except Crawdaunt who gets punished by Thunderbolt). Unaware Quagsire can ignore the boosts, it is immune to Thunderbolt and proceeds to smite Drifblim with Stone Edge or Max-Rockfall.
It doesn't have Hawlucha to compete with, but there's Thievul!
This thing seems like a shitmon on paper, but this set has been surprisingly effective at sweeping late game.

Thievul @ Throat Spray
Unburden
252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest nature
-Snarl
-Dark Pulse
-Psychic
-Grass Knot

It sets up braindead easy. Click Snarl and you activate Unburden and get +1 SpA in one turn. With Dynamax, you have just enough power to do your job effectively. Its seriously not bad at all. Compared to Duraludon which has been deadweight consistently. You are walled by opposing Dark types, but Obstagoon and Weavile take a lot from +1 max overgrowth. As said, you want to be saving this for late game when most things are weakened.
 

Moutemoute

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Alright.. since round 1 of UU Alpha is done I'd like to talk a bit about what we got. Since I didn't have access to all replays, I used the 72 replays available on the thread to get my own stats, they're not perfect but that's better than nothing I guess ! Also, I'm not going to talk about Pokemon that have already been raised by Twilight ! Now let's move on the analysis..


Code:
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| Rank | Pokemon                 | Use  | Usage % |  Win %  |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| 5    | [Ribombee]              |   22 |  15.28% |  59.09% |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| Rank | Moves                   | Use  | Usage % |  Win %  |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| 1    | Sticky Web              |   14 |  63.64% |  64.29% |
| 2    | Moonblast               |   13 |  59.09% |  53.85% |
| 3    | Stun Spore              |    8 |  36.36% |  50.00% |
| 4    | Quiver Dance            |    4 |  18.18% |  75.00% |
| 5    | Bug Buzz                |    1 |   4.55% | 100.00% |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| Rank | Teammates               | Use  | Usage % |  Win %  |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| 1    | Gengar                  |   11 |  50.00% |  63.64% |
| 2    | Braviary                |    8 |  36.36% |  62.50% |
| 3    | Mamoswine               |    7 |  31.82% |  71.43% |
| 3    | Kommo-o                 |    7 |  31.82% |  71.43% |
| 3    | Polteageist             |    7 |  31.82% |  57.14% |
| 6    | Durant                  |    6 |  27.27% |  66.67% |
| 7    | Haxorus                 |    5 |  22.73% |  80.00% |
| 7    | Mew                     |    5 |  22.73% |  40.00% |
| 7    | Inteleon                |    5 |  22.73% |  20.00% |
| 10   | Obstagoon               |    4 |  18.18% |  75.00% |
| 10   | Eiscue                  |    4 |  18.18% |  50.00% |
| 12   | Lucario                 |    3 |  13.64% | 100.00% |
| 12   | Rhyperior               |    3 |  13.64% |  66.67% |
| 12   | Falinks                 |    3 |  13.64% |  33.33% |
| 12   | Frosmoth                |    3 |  13.64% |  33.33% |
| 12   | Morpeko                 |    3 |  13.64% |   0.00% |
| 17   | Weavile                 |    2 |   9.09% | 100.00% |
| 17   | Silvally                |    2 |   9.09% | 100.00% |
| 17   | Centiskorch             |    2 |   9.09% |  50.00% |
| 17   | Mr. Rime                |    2 |   9.09% |  50.00% |
| 17   | Charizard               |    2 |   9.09% |  50.00% |
| 17   | Crawdaunt               |    2 |   9.09% |  50.00% |
| 23   | Duraludon               |    1 |   4.55% | 100.00% |
| 23   | Barbaracle              |    1 |   4.55% | 100.00% |
| 23   | Copperajah              |    1 |   4.55% | 100.00% |
| 23   | Tsareena                |    1 |   4.55% | 100.00% |
| 23   | Sigilyph                |    1 |   4.55% | 100.00% |
| 23   | Dhelmise                |    1 |   4.55% | 100.00% |
| 23   | Indeedee                |    1 |   4.55% | 100.00% |
| 23   | Alcremie                |    1 |   4.55% | 100.00% |
| 23   | Goodra                  |    1 |   4.55% |   0.00% |
| 23   | Diggersby               |    1 |   4.55% |   0.00% |
| 23   | Heliolisk               |    1 |   4.55% |   0.00% |
| 23   | Chandelure              |    1 |   4.55% |   0.00% |
| 23   | Dubwool                 |    1 |   4.55% |   0.00% |
| 23   | Glalie                  |    1 |   4.55% |   0.00% |
I'm pretty sure it's not a surprise for anyone that Sticky Web Offense are really great in the current metagame so it's normal to see Ribombee being so high in the usages. We can see that Ribombee is a pretty straightforward Pokemon which set its Sticky Web and then does its things with Stun Spore / Quiver Dance + 2 STABs. We can also see that its teammates are most of the time the same with Gengar / Polteageist which both enjoy the Sticky Web while being able to prevent Rapid Spin thanks to their Ghost-type. On the other hand, Braviary acts as a Defog Detterent thanks to its ability Defiant. Kommo-o and Mamoswine are some well known staples in Offense so once again, not a big surprise to see them there. We can see that most of Ribombee's teammates are offensive Pokemon and most of them setup Sweepers (Mew, Braviary, Kommo-o, Falinks, Mew, Eiscue, Lucario or Haxorus).

doublade-icon.png

Code:
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| Rank | Pokemon                 | Use  | Usage % |  Win %  |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| 8    | [Doublade]              |   20 |  13.89% |  55.00% |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| Rank | Moves                   | Use  | Usage % |  Win %  |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| 1    | Shadow Sneak            |   13 |  65.00% |  61.54% |
| 2    | Iron Head               |    9 |  45.00% |  77.78% |
| 3    | Swords Dance            |    7 |  35.00% |  57.14% |
| 4    | Close Combat            |    4 |  20.00% |  50.00% |
| 5    | Max Phantasm            |    3 |  15.00% |  33.33% |
| 5    | Sacred Sword            |    3 |  15.00% |  33.33% |
| 7    | Shadow Claw             |    1 |   5.00% |   0.00% |
| 7    | Max Knuckle             |    1 |   5.00% |   0.00% |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| Rank | Teammates               | Use  | Usage % |  Win %  |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| 1    | Kommo-o                 |   12 |  60.00% |  58.33% |
| 2    | Umbreon                 |    8 |  40.00% |  62.50% |
| 3    | Weezing-Galar           |    6 |  30.00% |  66.67% |
| 4    | Salazzle                |    5 |  25.00% |  80.00% |
| 4    | Inteleon                |    5 |  25.00% |  60.00% |
| 6    | Hippowdon               |    4 |  20.00% | 100.00% |
| 6    | Whimsicott              |    4 |  20.00% |  75.00% |
| 6    | Morpeko                 |    4 |  20.00% |   0.00% |
| 9    | Obstagoon               |    3 |  15.00% | 100.00% |
| 9    | Xatu                    |    3 |  15.00% |  66.67% |
| 9    | Sigilyph                |    3 |  15.00% |  66.67% |
| 12   | Mantine                 |    2 |  10.00% | 100.00% |
| 12   | Alcremie                |    2 |  10.00% | 100.00% |
| 12   | Indeedee                |    2 |  10.00% |  50.00% |
| 12   | Quagsire                |    2 |  10.00% |  50.00% |
| 12   | Drapion                 |    2 |  10.00% |  50.00% |
| 12   | Sirfetch'd              |    2 |  10.00% |   0.00% |
| 12   | Gengar                  |    2 |  10.00% |   0.00% |
| 12   | Bronzong                |    2 |  10.00% |   0.00% |
| 12   | Sylveon                 |    2 |  10.00% |   0.00% |
| 12   | Espeon                  |    2 |  10.00% |   0.00% |
| 12   | Polteageist             |    2 |  10.00% |   0.00% |
| 12   | Mamoswine               |    2 |  10.00% |   0.00% |
| 12   | Rotom-Fan               |    2 |  10.00% |   0.00% |
| 25   | Rotom-Frost             |    1 |   5.00% | 100.00% |
| 25   | Arcanine                |    1 |   5.00% | 100.00% |
| 25   | Rotom-Mow               |    1 |   5.00% | 100.00% |
| 25   | Centiskorch             |    1 |   5.00% | 100.00% |
| 25   | Rapidash-Galar          |    1 |   5.00% | 100.00% |
| 25   | Duraludon               |    1 |   5.00% | 100.00% |
| 25   | Flygon                  |    1 |   5.00% | 100.00% |
| 25   | Weavile                 |    1 |   5.00% | 100.00% |
| 25   | Claydol                 |    1 |   5.00% | 100.00% |
| 25   | Mareanie                |    1 |   5.00% | 100.00% |
| 25   | Durant                  |    1 |   5.00% | 100.00% |
| 25   | Charizard               |    1 |   5.00% |   0.00% |
| 25   | Rhyperior               |    1 |   5.00% |   0.00% |
| 25   | Diggersby               |    1 |   5.00% |   0.00% |
| 25   | Frosmoth                |    1 |   5.00% |   0.00% |
| 25   | Coalossal               |    1 |   5.00% |   0.00% |
| 25   | Cinccino                |    1 |   5.00% |   0.00% |
Doublade was a staple back in ORAS, it was a staple in SM / USUM.. guess who's back in SS.. ? Doublade is such a great Pokemon which compiling a lot of utility thanks to its amazing typing. Even though the metagame isn't the best for it (mostlty because of dynamax which allows a lot of Pokemon to overpower Doublade), this Pokemon still acts as a great check to common threats such as Braviary. Thanks to its typing it can also threaten Gengar and Polteageist which are top threats in the current metagame. This Pokemon will become for sure better if Dynamax was banned..


Code:
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| Rank | Pokemon                 | Use  | Usage % |  Win %  |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| 8    | [Durant]                |   20 |  13.89% |  55.00% |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| Rank | Moves                   | Use  | Usage % |  Win %  |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| 1    | Iron Head               |   10 |  50.00% |  40.00% |
| 2    | First Impression        |    6 |  30.00% |  66.67% |
| 3    | Max Steelspike          |    4 |  20.00% |  75.00% |
| 4    | Crunch                  |    2 |  10.00% |  50.00% |
| 5    | Max Darkness            |    1 |   5.00% | 100.00% |
| 5    | Max Knuckle             |    1 |   5.00% | 100.00% |
| 5    | Max Flutterby           |    1 |   5.00% | 100.00% |
| 5    | X-Scissor               |    1 |   5.00% |   0.00% |
| 5    | Superpower              |    1 |   5.00% |   0.00% |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| Rank | Teammates               | Use  | Usage % |  Win %  |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| 1    | Kommo-o                 |   10 |  50.00% |  60.00% |
| 2    | Rhyperior               |    7 |  35.00% |  42.86% |
| 3    | Ribombee                |    6 |  30.00% |  66.67% |
| 3    | Mamoswine               |    6 |  30.00% |  33.33% |
| 5    | Polteageist             |    5 |  25.00% |  60.00% |
| 5    | Roserade                |    5 |  25.00% |  40.00% |
| 5    | Haxorus                 |    5 |  25.00% |  40.00% |
| 8    | Crawdaunt               |    4 |  20.00% |  75.00% |
| 8    | Chandelure              |    4 |  20.00% |  50.00% |
| 10   | Inteleon                |    3 |  15.00% |  66.67% |
| 10   | Gengar                  |    3 |  15.00% |  66.67% |
| 10   | Braviary                |    3 |  15.00% |  66.67% |
| 13   | Obstagoon               |    2 |  10.00% | 100.00% |
| 13   | Orbeetle                |    2 |  10.00% | 100.00% |
| 13   | Espeon                  |    2 |  10.00% | 100.00% |
| 13   | Duraludon               |    2 |  10.00% | 100.00% |
| 13   | Centiskorch             |    2 |  10.00% | 100.00% |
| 13   | Eiscue                  |    2 |  10.00% | 100.00% |
| 13   | Weezing-Galar           |    2 |  10.00% |  50.00% |
| 13   | Froslass                |    2 |  10.00% |  50.00% |
| 13   | Heliolisk               |    2 |  10.00% |   0.00% |
| 13   | Mantine                 |    2 |  10.00% |   0.00% |
| 13   | Weavile                 |    2 |  10.00% |   0.00% |
| 13   | Sirfetch'd              |    2 |  10.00% |   0.00% |
| 13   | Snorlax                 |    2 |  10.00% |   0.00% |
| 13   | Indeedee                |    2 |  10.00% |   0.00% |
| 27   | Jellicent               |    1 |   5.00% | 100.00% |
| 27   | Rotom-Mow               |    1 |   5.00% | 100.00% |
| 27   | Mr. Rime                |    1 |   5.00% | 100.00% |
| 27   | Claydol                 |    1 |   5.00% | 100.00% |
| 27   | Mareanie                |    1 |   5.00% | 100.00% |
| 27   | Doublade                |    1 |   5.00% | 100.00% |
| 27   | Sigilyph                |    1 |   5.00% | 100.00% |
| 27   | Umbreon                 |    1 |   5.00% | 100.00% |
| 27   | Bronzong                |    1 |   5.00% |   0.00% |
| 27   | Mew                     |    1 |   5.00% |   0.00% |
| 27   | Pyukumuku               |    1 |   5.00% |   0.00% |
The king is dead long live the king ! Durant is no longer in the shadows of Scizor which doesn't survive the dexit which means it can shine ! First Impression is an amazing tool for this Pokemon as well as Dynamax which allows it to benefit from Hustle without the drop in accuracy of the ability which is insane. It can punish effectively the defensive core "Umbreon/Weezing-Galar" which is pretty neat for teammates like Clangerous Soul Kommo-o which kinda struggle to beat those Pokemon without using Dynamax. While the ban of Dynamax may be annoying for this Pokemon, First Impression is still a nasty attack which may be dreadful to handle for offense.


Code:
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| Rank | Pokemon                 | Use  | Usage % |  Win %  |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| 10   | [Inteleon]              |   19 |  13.19% |  42.11% |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| Rank | Moves                   | Use  | Usage % |  Win %  |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| 1    | Hydro Pump              |    7 |  36.84% |  57.14% |
| 2    | Dark Pulse              |    6 |  31.58% |  33.33% |
| 3    | U-turn                  |    5 |  26.32% |  60.00% |
| 4    | Max Geyser              |    3 |  15.79% |  66.67% |
| 5    | Max Airstream           |    2 |  10.53% | 100.00% |
| 5    | Scald                   |    2 |  10.53% |  50.00% |
| 5    | Max Darkness            |    2 |  10.53% |  50.00% |
| 8    | Snipe Shot              |    1 |   5.26% | 100.00% |
| 8    | Surf                    |    1 |   5.26% |   0.00% |
| 8    | Light Screen            |    1 |   5.26% |   0.00% |
| 8    | Reflect                 |    1 |   5.26% |   0.00% |
| 8    | Ice Beam                |    1 |   5.26% |   0.00% |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| Rank | Teammates               | Use  | Usage % |  Win %  |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| 1    | Kommo-o                 |    7 |  36.84% |  42.86% |
| 2    | Doublade                |    5 |  26.32% |  60.00% |
| 2    | Weezing-Galar           |    5 |  26.32% |  40.00% |
| 2    | Ribombee                |    5 |  26.32% |  20.00% |
| 5    | Obstagoon               |    4 |  21.05% | 100.00% |
| 5    | Rotom-Mow               |    4 |  21.05% |  75.00% |
| 5    | Whimsicott              |    4 |  21.05% |  75.00% |
| 5    | Umbreon                 |    4 |  21.05% |  25.00% |
| 5    | Gengar                  |    4 |  21.05% |   0.00% |
| 10   | Salazzle                |    3 |  15.79% | 100.00% |
| 10   | Durant                  |    3 |  15.79% |  66.67% |
| 10   | Jellicent               |    3 |  15.79% |  66.67% |
| 13   | Rhyperior               |    2 |  10.53% |  50.00% |
| 13   | Hippowdon               |    2 |  10.53% |  50.00% |
| 13   | Escavalier              |    2 |  10.53% |  50.00% |
| 13   | Centiskorch             |    2 |  10.53% |  50.00% |
| 13   | Falinks                 |    2 |  10.53% |  50.00% |
| 13   | Frosmoth                |    2 |  10.53% |  50.00% |
| 13   | Mr. Rime                |    2 |  10.53% |  50.00% |
| 13   | Claydol                 |    2 |  10.53% |  50.00% |
| 13   | Orbeetle                |    2 |  10.53% |  50.00% |
| 13   | Eiscue                  |    2 |  10.53% |   0.00% |
| 13   | Morpeko                 |    2 |  10.53% |   0.00% |
| 13   | Mew                     |    2 |  10.53% |   0.00% |
| 25   | Sigilyph                |    1 |   5.26% | 100.00% |
| 25   | Steelix                 |    1 |   5.26% | 100.00% |
| 25   | Hitmontop               |    1 |   5.26% | 100.00% |
| 25   | Chandelure              |    1 |   5.26% | 100.00% |
| 25   | Bronzong                |    1 |   5.26% |   0.00% |
| 25   | Snorlax                 |    1 |   5.26% |   0.00% |
| 25   | Roserade                |    1 |   5.26% |   0.00% |
| 25   | Xatu                    |    1 |   5.26% |   0.00% |
| 25   | Charizard               |    1 |   5.26% |   0.00% |
| 25   | Indeedee                |    1 |   5.26% |   0.00% |
| 25   | Weavile                 |    1 |   5.26% |   0.00% |
| 25   | Silvally                |    1 |   5.26% |   0.00% |
| 25   | Haxorus                 |    1 |   5.26% |   0.00% |
| 25   | Lucario                 |    1 |   5.26% |   0.00% |
| 25   | Polteageist             |    1 |   5.26% |   0.00% |
| 25   | Crawdaunt               |    1 |   5.26% |   0.00% |
| 25   | Dubwool                 |    1 |   5.26% |   0.00% |
| 25   | Glalie                  |    1 |   5.26% |   0.00% |
| 25   | Diggersby               |    1 |   5.26% |   0.00% |
| 25   | Coalossal               |    1 |   5.26% |   0.00% |
Inteleon is way better than I would have thought.. Specs Inteleon is a threatening Pokemon which can pressure a lot of offensive Pokemon thanks to its great speed and special attack. Specs Hydro Pump hits like a truck and a lot of Pokemon can't handle it. Thanks to Dynamax, Inteleon can boost its speed thanks to Max Airstream or force opponent's switchs thanks to Max Darkness which lowers the special defense of the foe. Ice Beam isn't used a lot at the moment because Air Slash is way better thanks to Dynamax. However Ice Beam is going to be way better in a near future once Dynamax is gone. Overall this Pokemon is a threat and a great surprise for sure so don’t underestimate this Pokemon if you're facing it.


Code:
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| Rank | Pokemon                 | Use  | Usage % |  Win %  |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| 15   | [Braviary]              |   15 |  10.42% |  66.67% |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| Rank | Moves                   | Use  | Usage % |  Win %  |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| 1    | Brave Bird              |    5 |  33.33% |  60.00% |
| 2    | Max Airstream           |    4 |  26.67% |  75.00% |
| 2    | Bulk Up                 |    4 |  26.67% |  25.00% |
| 4    | Substitute              |    2 |  13.33% |  50.00% |
| 5    | Max Guard               |    1 |   6.67% | 100.00% |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| Rank | Teammates               | Use  | Usage % |  Win %  |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| 1    | Ribombee                |    8 |  53.33% |  62.50% |
| 2    | Kommo-o                 |    7 |  46.67% |  57.14% |
| 3    | Haxorus                 |    6 |  40.00% |  83.33% |
| 4    | Polteageist             |    4 |  26.67% |  75.00% |
| 5    | Crawdaunt               |    3 |  20.00% |  66.67% |
| 5    | Mew                     |    3 |  20.00% |  66.67% |
| 5    | Duraludon               |    3 |  20.00% |  66.67% |
| 5    | Obstagoon               |    3 |  20.00% |  66.67% |
| 5    | Mamoswine               |    3 |  20.00% |  66.67% |
| 5    | Rhyperior               |    3 |  20.00% |  66.67% |
| 5    | Durant                  |    3 |  20.00% |  66.67% |
| 12   | Orbeetle                |    2 |  13.33% | 100.00% |
| 12   | Indeedee                |    2 |  13.33% | 100.00% |
| 12   | Barbaracle              |    2 |  13.33% | 100.00% |
| 12   | Gengar                  |    2 |  13.33% | 100.00% |
| 12   | Chandelure              |    2 |  13.33% |  50.00% |
| 12   | Vanilluxe               |    2 |  13.33% |  50.00% |
| 12   | Eiscue                  |    2 |  13.33% |  50.00% |
| 19   | Weavile                 |    1 |   6.67% | 100.00% |
| 19   | Reuniclus               |    1 |   6.67% | 100.00% |
| 19   | Machamp                 |    1 |   6.67% | 100.00% |
| 19   | Cofagrigus              |    1 |   6.67% | 100.00% |
| 19   | Whimsicott              |    1 |   6.67% | 100.00% |
| 19   | Charizard               |    1 |   6.67% | 100.00% |
| 19   | Copperajah              |    1 |   6.67% | 100.00% |
| 19   | Tsareena                |    1 |   6.67% | 100.00% |
| 19   | Falinks                 |    1 |   6.67% |   0.00% |
| 19   | Frosmoth                |    1 |   6.67% |   0.00% |
| 19   | Shuckle                 |    1 |   6.67% |   0.00% |
| 19   | Alcremie                |    1 |   6.67% |   0.00% |
| 19   | Morpeko                 |    1 |   6.67% |   0.00% |
| 19   | Heliolisk               |    1 |   6.67% |   0.00% |
| 19   | Gardevoir               |    1 |   6.67% |   0.00% |
Braviary is another dumb Pokemon which is abusing of the Dynamax fixture because Max Airstream is so hard to deal with. This Pokemon just need to use Bulk Up and then goes rampage thanks to Dynamax. Thanks to Close Combat, Braviary can bypass most Steel and Rock-types. On the other hand, Braviary can also run Shadow Claw which allows it to bypass more easily Doublade which can handle it otherwise. This Pokemon has a great win rate overall (75% on Twilight's post which is pretty clean). While this Pokemon will suffer from the ban of Dynamax, it can still carve its niche thanks to it's Flying-type and its access to the ability Defiant which allows it to be a pretty nice Defog Detterent.


Code:
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| Rank | Pokemon                 | Use  | Usage % |  Win %  |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| 18   | [Obstagoon]             |   13 |   9.03% |  84.62% |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| Rank | Moves                   | Use  | Usage % |  Win %  |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| 1    | Facade                  |    8 |  61.54% | 100.00% |
| 1    | Knock Off               |    8 |  61.54% |  87.50% |
| 3    | Obstruct                |    4 |  30.77% |  75.00% |
| 4    | Bulk Up                 |    2 |  15.38% | 100.00% |
| 4    | Close Combat            |    2 |  15.38% | 100.00% |
| 6    | Switcheroo              |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 6    | Taunt                   |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 6    | Parting Shot            |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 6    | Throat Chop             |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 6    | Double-Edge             |    1 |   7.69% |   0.00% |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| Rank | Teammates               | Use  | Usage % |  Win %  |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| 1    | Mamoswine               |    5 |  38.46% |  80.00% |
| 2    | Orbeetle                |    4 |  30.77% | 100.00% |
| 2    | Kommo-o                 |    4 |  30.77% | 100.00% |
| 2    | Inteleon                |    4 |  30.77% | 100.00% |
| 2    | Chandelure              |    4 |  30.77% |  75.00% |
| 2    | Ribombee                |    4 |  30.77% |  75.00% |
| 2    | Whimsicott              |    4 |  30.77% |  75.00% |
| 8    | Salazzle                |    3 |  23.08% | 100.00% |
| 8    | Doublade                |    3 |  23.08% | 100.00% |
| 8    | Gengar                  |    3 |  23.08% |  66.67% |
| 8    | Braviary                |    3 |  23.08% |  66.67% |
| 12   | Durant                  |    2 |  15.38% | 100.00% |
| 12   | Claydol                 |    2 |  15.38% | 100.00% |
| 12   | Haxorus                 |    2 |  15.38% |  50.00% |
| 15   | Mr. Rime                |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 15   | Polteageist             |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 15   | Mew                     |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 15   | Duraludon               |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 15   | Charizard               |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 15   | Barbaracle              |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 15   | Sigilyph                |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 15   | Lucario                 |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 15   | Dhelmise                |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 15   | Shiinotic               |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 15   | Butterfree              |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 15   | Vileplume               |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 15   | Indeedee                |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 15   | Hitmonlee               |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 15   | Drednaw                 |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 15   | Heliolisk               |    1 |   7.69% |   0.00% |
| 15   | Shuckle                 |    1 |   7.69% |   0.00% |
| 15   | Sirfetch'd              |    1 |   7.69% |   0.00% |
If we look at Obstagoon during this first round of UU Alpha tour.. there is something that appeals to and this is the insane win rate of this Pokemon : more than 84% (and more than 70% on Twilight's post) ! Flame Orb Obstagoon is a pure beast and the most insane thing about this Pokemon is that it actually doesn't need Dynamax at all to be effective ! This Pokemon will love for sure the ban of Dynamax because it means that Pokemon will be less Bulky and will not be able to handle as well its Facade. Even if the most used attack on Obstagoon are Facade / Knock Off and Obstrust, I do believe that its best set is Facade + Knock Off + Taunt (with either Close Combat or Bulk Up in the last slot). Taunt is an amazing tool which allows Obstagoon to shut down defensive Pokemon which allows it to be really effective vs defensive archetypes / cores.. I can't wait to see how good this Pokemon is going to be in less than a week, I can bet that we have here one of the top Pokemon in SS Underused (if it doesn't suffered from the banhammer).

That's all for today folks ! I'll try my best to provide those kind of analysis for every Round.
If you want to check the usages I used for this analysis feel free to check them here.
 
Last edited:

Yung Dramps

awesome gaming

Code:
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| Rank | Pokemon                 | Use  | Usage % |  Win %  |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| 18   | [Obstagoon]             |   13 |   9.03% |  84.62% |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| Rank | Moves                   | Use  | Usage % |  Win %  |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| 1    | Facade                  |    8 |  61.54% | 100.00% |
| 1    | Knock Off               |    8 |  61.54% |  87.50% |
| 3    | Obstruct                |    4 |  30.77% |  75.00% |
| 4    | Bulk Up                 |    2 |  15.38% | 100.00% |
| 4    | Close Combat            |    2 |  15.38% | 100.00% |
| 6    | Switcheroo              |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 6    | Taunt                   |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 6    | Parting Shot            |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 6    | Throat Chop             |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 6    | Double-Edge             |    1 |   7.69% |   0.00% |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| Rank | Teammates               | Use  | Usage % |  Win %  |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| 1    | Mamoswine               |    5 |  38.46% |  80.00% |
| 2    | Orbeetle                |    4 |  30.77% | 100.00% |
| 2    | Kommo-o                 |    4 |  30.77% | 100.00% |
| 2    | Inteleon                |    4 |  30.77% | 100.00% |
| 2    | Chandelure              |    4 |  30.77% |  75.00% |
| 2    | Ribombee                |    4 |  30.77% |  75.00% |
| 2    | Whimsicott              |    4 |  30.77% |  75.00% |
| 8    | Salazzle                |    3 |  23.08% | 100.00% |
| 8    | Doublade                |    3 |  23.08% | 100.00% |
| 8    | Gengar                  |    3 |  23.08% |  66.67% |
| 8    | Braviary                |    3 |  23.08% |  66.67% |
| 12   | Durant                  |    2 |  15.38% | 100.00% |
| 12   | Claydol                 |    2 |  15.38% | 100.00% |
| 12   | Haxorus                 |    2 |  15.38% |  50.00% |
| 15   | Mr. Rime                |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 15   | Polteageist             |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 15   | Mew                     |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 15   | Duraludon               |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 15   | Charizard               |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 15   | Barbaracle              |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 15   | Sigilyph                |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 15   | Lucario                 |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 15   | Dhelmise                |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 15   | Shiinotic               |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 15   | Butterfree              |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 15   | Vileplume               |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 15   | Indeedee                |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 15   | Hitmonlee               |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 15   | Drednaw                 |    1 |   7.69% | 100.00% |
| 15   | Heliolisk               |    1 |   7.69% |   0.00% |
| 15   | Shuckle                 |    1 |   7.69% |   0.00% |
| 15   | Sirfetch'd              |    1 |   7.69% |   0.00% |
If we look at Obstagoon during this first round of UU Alpha tour.. there is something that appeals to and this is the insane win rate of this Pokemon : more than 84% (and more than 70% on Twilight's post) ! Flame Orb Obstagoon is a pure beast and the most insane thing about this Pokemon is that it actually doesn't need Dynamax at all to be effective ! This Pokemon will love for sure the ban of Dynamax because it means that Pokemon will be less Bulky and will not be able to handle as well its Facade. Even if the most used attack on Obstagoon are Facade / Knock Off and Obstrust, I do believe that its best set is Facade + Knock Off + Taunt (with either Close Combat or Bulk Up in the last slot). Taunt is an amazing tool which allows Obstagoon to shut down defensive Pokemon which allows it to be really effective vs defensive archetypes / cores.. I can't wait to see how good this Pokemon is going to be in less than a week, I can bet that we have here one of the top Pokemon in SS Underused (if it doesn't suffered from the banhammer).
To add on this, I think you either underrate or have forgotten Parting Shot as a 4th move option. It's the perfect move to take advantage of the switches Obstagoon forces, allowing you to weaken foes while bringing in checks/counters to them that appreciate their now-reduced offensive power. In the end, it's not too big of a deal because this Pokemon's an absolute beast either way and I'm sure it'll be one of the tier's definitive powerhouses long after the meta settles, with its surprising versatility being just one of many things that makes it great.


Speaking of powerhouses, I've been testing and watching some videos about Boltund and I believe it has huge promise. Strong Jaw gives it the equivalent of nearly 100 BP Electric STAB in Thunder Fang, and moves like Fire Fang and Psychic Fangs nail threats like Kommo-o, weakened Doublade. But what really ties this offensive toolset together is Boltund's awesome 121 speed tier, which gets the jump on huge threats like Gengar and Inteleon while the only relevant picks that surpass that mark are Ribombee and Weavile, neither of which can even begin to consider switching in. It's a bit underlooked right now, but I believe it'll get much better after a Dynamax ban won't allow its moves to be suddenly tanked anymore.
 
Big fan of Araquanid rn as a bulky annoying thing that puts in a good amount of work against fatter teams. Substitute gets a lot of mileage here, there's lots of mindless scald scam in this tier. Immunity to burn is so nice, and leech life lets you recover against the mindless scald spammers like Gastro. You're so specially bulky that this thing acts as a soft check to stuff like Indeedee.

https://play.pokemonshowdown.com/sprites/xyani/araquanid.gif

Araquanid @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Bubble
EVs: 136 HP / 252 Atk / 120 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Sticky Web
- Liquidation
- Leech Life
- Substitute
 

solonor24

Banned deucer.
I want this post to be dedicated to a defensive core of pokemon i have had quite a bit of success with thus far. From reading the thread, it seems everybody is so focused on the offensive aspect of SS UU that the defensive has been put aside. This aim of this core was to shut down most dynamax abusers while still maintaining pressure at the same time.

:Umbreon:
(Umbreon) @ Leftovers
Ability: Synchronize
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Wish
- Yawn
- Foul Play
- Protect

Umbreon practically plays the same role as it did last generation; the dark type specially defensive wish-passer. Although, there have been shifts to the meta that umbreon has enjoyed drastically that account for its supreme rise in usage. Much of the offensive pokemon in SS UU are now specially oriented, with the likes of Charizard, Gengar, Poltageist, Xatu, Sigilyph, Inteleon, Chandelure, being prominent threats in today's metagame. Umbreon is able to effectively shut down these threats quite easily (except cursed body garbage which forces you to dynamax to block the cursed effect on your dark move) with the combination of wish/protect, yawn, and foul play. Yawn replacing heal bell also suits it quite well as it can prevent setup from physical sweepers such as cloyster, barbaracle, and can also help with kommo-o not setting up as easy as normal. It's rise in usage from last generation should come as no surprise when these things are factored in.

:Weezing-Galar:
(Weezing-Galar) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 72 Def / 180 SpD / 4 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Toxic
- Strange Steam
- Pain Split

Mixed defense Weezing-Galar is easily one of the most reliable hazard removers in SS UU. Its defensive typing allows it to shut down the fighting/ground types such as Rhyperior, Sirfetch'ed, Hitmonlee, that Umbreon cannot deal with. It also prevents Kommo-o setup when at full hp. Weezing also has an insane movepool utility wise that can be useful to any team with the likes of toxic, wisp, defog, pain split, and even the occasional aromatherapy. I personally use toxic because it helps with stall, as most stall teams are not running a status cleric at this current moment.

:Rhyperior:
Big Broski (Rhyperior) @ Leftovers
Ability: Solid Rock
EVs: 252 HP / 24 Atk / 228 SpD / 4 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Rock Blast

Rhyperior is not only one of the best rockers in the tier but is also a match made in heaven for this core. This thing gets 808 HP when dynamaxed along with broken solid rock as an ability. This allows it to easily take on any flying types that come at it, including extra Charizard insurance, Rotom-fan, Braviary which is a huge threat to the other two, and so on. Rock Blast is also able to break opposing lead sash pokemon such as Froslass, Accelgor, Ribombee, Galvantula, etc. Swords Dance + Earthquake also allows it to out-muscle Doublade if need be.

Overall, these 3 pokemon as a defensive core stop most of the offensive pokemon in the metagame and allow for creativity for the user to use their own dynamaxers without having to worry about losing to opposing offense. This core still has some minor flaws, such as a really hard time killing Obstagoon. Although, Obstagoon usually nets a kill per game when played correctly, and this "flaw" in the core can be made up for with the other three members of ones team.

Current Team I have been using with this core:
:Rillaboom:
(Rillaboom) @ Grassy Seed
Ability: Overgrow
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Wood Hammer
- Low Kick
- Acrobatics
:Rhyperior:
(Rhyperior) @ Leftovers
Ability: Solid Rock
EVs: 252 HP / 24 Atk / 228 SpD / 4 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Rock Blast
:Kommo-o:
(Kommo-o) @ Throat Spray
Ability: Bulletproof
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Clangorous Soul
- Clanging Scales
- Flash Cannon
- Aura Sphere
:Umbreon:
(Umbreon) @ Leftovers
Ability: Synchronize
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Wish
- Yawn
- Foul Play
- Protect
:Gengar:
(Gengar) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Cursed Body
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Wave
- Substitute
:Weezing-Galar:
(Weezing-Galar) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 72 Def / 180 SpD / 4 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Toxic
- Strange Steam
- Pain Split

Some replays to show how team works: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8uu-1025338127-p93fd34i7mcxmsqjx3barfnu1qcgem4pw
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8uu-1024616186-vch16g8oz8t3s7utyqg38yy8e62uloapw
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8uu-1024488395-1a0fzfizl4fv1pvkszqgvfwa1ay1g46pw
 
Last edited:


It's time for that mother F U C K I N G BUG BOI

Shedinja @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Wonder Guard
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- X-Scissor
- Protect
- Will-O-Wisp
- Shadow Sneak / Sunny Day (Option to deal with Hail / Sandstorm)​

Need a late game wincon? Need an answer to all the choice locked threats running around? Need something that can handle set up sweepers that don't have the coverage to hit it super effectively? Happy that this thing is no longer scared of hazards? Give Shedinja a try.

On the real though, you're probably thinking "well, Doublade exists, why would I use Shedinja?" Because Shedinja has an immunity to the following types - Normal, Fighting, Poison, Ground, Bug, Steel, Water, Grass, Electric, Psychic, Ice (no, Bug is not weak to Ice, I have no idea how that playground rumor even got started), Dragon, and Fairy types. Hazards are no longer an issue thanks to Heavy-Duty Boots. The very moment your opponent sees Shedinja on your team, pressure is applied for the following reasons.

- They feel pressured to either get hazards up (if they think you're not running Heavy-Duty Boots) or feel extra pressure to conserve specific Pokemon that have the coverage or status moves to deal with Shedinja. This can lead to sloppy plays and saccing off otherwise important Pokemon just because Shedinja can't be hit (hell, it even works for me up in OU when I switch it into a Choiced G-Darm's Icicle Crash).
- Shedinja forces switches quite often thanks to Wonder Guard, meaning it's going to get off a Will-O-Wisp most of the time and at the very least cripple something that's coming in.
- Ghost offensive is particularly good right now, and STAB Shadow Sneak can pick off a lot of the weakened threats running around UU (such as damaged Gengar, Froslass, Cursola, etc.
- STAB Leech Life is mostly there for extra coverage, but also means that Pokemon like Indeedee can't just willy nilly switch in without running a huge risk of getting nuked.
- Did I mention the lack of Shedinja giving a solitary fuck about hazards? Also the fact of weather not being as common as in OU really helps it (although it works like a charm on Rain teams due to interestingly nice synergy.

Give bug boi a try if you need a specifically niche threat that handles specific threats in the metagame along with applying constant pressure to your opponent.
 
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It's time for that mother F U C K I N G BUG BOI

Shedinja @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Wonder Guard
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Leech Life
- Protect
- Will-O-Wisp
- Shadow Sneak​

Need a late game wincon? Need an answer to all the choice locked threats running around? Need something that can handle set up sweepers that don't have the coverage to hit it super effectively? Happy that this thing is no longer scared of hazards? Give Shedinja a try.

On the real though, you're probably thinking "well, Doublade exists, why would I use Shedinja?" Because Shedinja has an immunity to the following types - Normal, Fighting, Poison, Ground, Bug, Steel, Water, Grass, Electric, Psychic, Ice (no, Bug is not weak to Ice, I have no idea how that playground rumor even got started), Dragon, and Fairy types. Hazards are no longer an issue thanks to Heavy-Duty Boots. The very moment your opponent sees Shedinja on your team, pressure is applied for the following reasons.

- They feel pressured to either get hazards up (if they think you're not running Heavy-Duty Boots) or feel extra pressure to conserve specific Pokemon that have the coverage or status moves to deal with Shedinja. This can lead to sloppy plays and saccing off otherwise important Pokemon just because Shedinja can't be hit (hell, it even works for me up in OU when I switch it into a Choiced G-Darm's Icicle Crash).
- Shedinja forces switches quite often thanks to Wonder Guard, meaning it's going to get off a Will-O-Wisp most of the time and at the very least cripple something that's coming in.
- Ghost offensive is particularly good right now, and STAB Shadow Sneak can pick off a lot of the weakened threats running around UU (such as damaged Gengar, Froslass, Cursola, etc.
- STAB Leech Life is mostly there for extra coverage, but also means that Pokemon like Indeedee can't just willy nilly switch in without running a huge risk of getting nuked.
- Did I mention the lack of Shedinja giving a solitary fuck about hazards? Also the fact of weather not being as common as in OU really helps it (although it works like a charm on Rain teams due to interestingly nice synergy.

Give bug boi a try if you need a specifically niche threat that handles specific threats in the metagame along with applying constant pressure to your opponent.
I would like to add a tiny degree of theorymoning as footnotes for the moveset that you show. Firstly, X-Scizor is better than Leech Life due to having more PP and equal power, and Shedinja is the only Pokémon in the game that doesn't benefit from Leech Life's healing. Protect and Will-o-wisp are obviously good for utility and scouting respectively. I think that the last slot has a number of options. You *could* run Shadow Sneak, but Shedinja's role generally doesn't require you to out speed or to have wide coverage moves. If you are running shadow sneak, though, then you can consider Swords Dance - oh wait, Shedinja lost swords dance. Thanks for the reminder, Malachite. But you can also, and hear me out here, consider switching Shadow Sneak for Sunny Day. While this could be a method of team support, it is more generally useful for keeping Shedinja alive in weather-related circumstances, allowing you to survive Sand Stream and Snow Warning setters and pokemon that could knock you out with G-Max Ice. Sometimes this requires prediction, but there are specific situations where you can react to sand/hail already being up and get rid of it while your opponent wastes time thinking that you'll have to switch out. Also, it can be a neat little tech against rain teams if that ever becomes a thing in UU.
 
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I would like to add a tiny degree of theorymoning as footnotes for the moveset that you show. Firstly, X-Scizor is better than Leech Life due to having more PP and equal power, and Shedinja is the only Pokémon in the game that doesn't benefit from Leech Life's healing. Protect and Will-o-wisp are obviously good for utility and scouting respectively. I think that the last slot has a number of options. You *could* run Shadow Sneak, but Shedinja's role generally doesn't require you to out speed or to have wide coverage moves. If you are running shadow sneak, though, then you can consider switching wisp or protect for Swords Dance for a slightly better chance at sweeping - the utility is probably better, though. You can also, and hear me out here, consider switching Shadow Sneak for Sunny Day. While this could be a method of team support, it is more generally useful for keeping Shedinja alive in weather-related circumstances, allowing you to survive Sand Stream and Snow Warning setters and pokemon that could knock you out with G-Max Ice. Sometimes this requires prediction, but there are specific situations where you can react to sand/hail already being up and get rid of it while your opponent wastes time thinking that you'll have to switch out. Also, it can be a neat little tech against rain teams if that ever becomes a thing in UU.
Hey there! While I agree with switching out Leech Life for X-Scissor, I'd like to note that Shedinja lost access to Swords Dance in Gen 8. It probably won't get it back until Pokemon Home comes out. Sunny Day is actually an interesting option that I didn't think of, I'm gonna try putting in Sunny instead of Shadow Sneak and see how it works out.
 
This generation brought some great changes I’ve talked about for along time.

1) Toxic no longer being universal
YES! THIS is the greatest change in SM. I’ve always complained about the caretaker Pokemon Blissey having Toxic, and other comical scenarios. Toxic was literally the best move in the game for defensive Pokemon. It was stupid to have it on your bulky waters and steels, and now I’m glad that this is gone. What it has done is that you can now actually switch offensive Pokémon into defensive Pokémon whom they resist and not get poisoned. What it means is teams lacking heal bell are more self-sufficient. What it means is regardless of the dex change, stall has SUFFERED. This is hands down the best change in SS.

2)No more pursuit

Please keep these changes moving forward, Gamefreak. Ghosts and Psychics shot up in viability since now they can’t just be removed by random fast Pokémon with pursuit, or assault vest random with pursuit. Thank you. Others have talked about this before, and pursuit sucked. It simple felt unfair if you had a ghost/psychic. The only counterplay was substitute and perfect switching, but sub drains your hp quickly alongside other damages and the other one has people make mistakes. This was such a GREAT change. I’m blown away that they actually did this. Pursuit was not essential to playing a Pokémon competitively, it simply felt like an extremely cheap way to invalidate the usefulness of most ghost/psychics.

3) Heavy-Duty Boots

Yes. The sheer extent to how amazing this change was is probably not fully understood at this point. But seriously, this change is game-changing. Pokémon with 4x weaknesses to rocks are now viable again. Certain Pokémon with 2x weaknesses will benefit heavily, for example U-turn spammers. Not to mention it also effects sticky web and spikes. This can be an excellent alternative to leftovers on defensive Pokémon. And perhaps may allow you to create hazard removal free teams with a combination of levitate, heavy duty boots, magic guard, a ghost and hazard stack to make the opponent want to defog. This is a beautiful item. Despite the negativity S&S gets, this game competitively has advanced competitively on many fronts bar one we all know.

4) No hidden powers

I never asked nor expected this change, but after playing with it and theorizing it seems great. Finally volt switch users can actually be blocked by a Pokémon that would otherwise counter them but has a 4x weakness. No more 50/50 between hp ice and grass that can cause you to win or lose. No more having two ground types to check which hp they have (common in Gliscor meta of UU). I hope they keep this as well.

Since I’ve only talked positively so far I want to speak of the negatives. Dynamax, first, and no national dex. I am of what I hope is a common camp, the majority in wanting Dynamax banned. We don’t even have ditto, and if ditto is near mandatory on teams that’s symptom uno of a broken meta. (And ditto doesn’t always work). Dynamax is the main counterplay to Dynamax, which is disgusting, and it too doesn’t always work. I’ve mainly used Dynamax SD Rhypherior, and it’s unnerving to imagine a more offensively capable Dynamax tailored Pokémon abusing this mechanic. Even with just Rhypherior, the formula is, 1)Kill Grass/Water 2)SD, then Dynamax and then I win. I tanked a Max Overgrowth from a Dynamaxed Ninetales when I was at half health. I find that silly in a bad way. Dynamax must be banned if Pokémon showdown wishes to remain competitive. If you really want Dynamax to be playable it can stays in AG or a Dynamax tier. But Dynamax ended up somehow being worse than Z moves, which I’m very very glad are gone, and would have made a point to applaud that if Dynamax wasn’t introduced.

As for National Dex, are we going to create an alternate meta set of tiers with Nat Dex? That sounds actually cool. Since with the amount of Pokémon we have in S&S we can only squeeze down to NU probably, but with Nat Dex we could go down to ZU and even lower. It would be interesting to compare the alternate metas. I really would like to see that happen, and I’m pretty sure others would be interested in that idea. Off topic but I forgot to mention, Chandelure is actually half decent for once. Chandelure has always been stuck between a rock and a hard place since being banned from BW UU. With Gamefreak’s cruel withdrawal of shadow tag from gen 6 Chandy, and given the underwhelming ability infiltrator instead of a slew of more useful abilities (Levitate, Magic Gaurd, Regenerator etc) Chandelure has been sinking with each coming Gen. However, now with Pursuit gone, Muk Alola gone, Blissey gone and toxic being restricted, Chandelure has reached at least XY UU levels I think. I believe Modest Choice Specs with Fire Blast, Shadow Ball, Energy Ball and Psychic is most viable, as it handles Umbreon and Kommo-o if you guess correctly, while also hitting other problems such as Milotic hard. No ability, stat or movepool change for Chandelure, but with this at least now my favorite Pokémon is half-decent.

In conclusion I’m impressed with the changes Gamefreak rolled out. I expected very little and got much more than I expected. As long as Dynamax is banned and we develop the Nat Dex meta as an alternative I believe this meta could have the potential to surpasss Gen 6, arguably the best competitive meta we ever had.
 
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Something I haven't seen talked about yet but is really damn good is running Clear Smog or Haze (whichever you prefer) on Galarian Weezing. They do compete with its Swiss army knife of other viable utility moves, but in an HO-heavy meta with Max Moves and setup sweepers everywhere, they've definitely been worth the slot for me.
 
Been playing around with Sword and Shield being out. Clocked in roughly 200 games in the past week getting warmed up on Poke meta for stuff and I got some notes to put in.

1. Kommo-o is broken

Kommo-o: This Pokémon is extremely diverse and poisonous to run into from all sides of the ladder. Because of it’s awesome stats, great move pool, and passable abilities for the tier he gets away with a lot of janky / ratchet stuff. He can do it all. Dynamax late game sweep, early game sweep, stealth rocker, wall breaker, mixed attacker, and a bundle of other good utilities under his disposal. There is very little this Pokémon can’t do and most players I found have run multiple checks and counters SPECIFICALLY to counter Kommo. It is very much not fun to guess the set only to find out the multiple meta related checks that have some universal use don’t really apply when Kommo can find ways to muscle past certain mons. He is really giving me Lando-I vibes and honestly I don’t care to see him run amuck in the tier. If he isn’t yeeted out due to OU Usage then it’s gonna be a very rough couple months with this scaly dragon running around.

2. Sun is fun

A LOT of sun teams I found were on the ladder and I love it. Keep in mind being a Gen 5-6 boomer, it’s great to see Sun finally have some chance in..the sun for meta usage. All the drought abusers in game find a great home in UU with several great sun abusers and chlorophyll users having a good spot to fit in. With rain being locked out to OU, no toad in-game, and Hail being as mediocre as it was every other gen it’s nice to see Sun Teams carve a great niche in this meta right now. A lot of the basic tools have survived into Sw/Sh UU and this isn’t gonna go away for awhile as I predict Sun teams are going to become more and more common as the meta progresses.

Smaller Notes:

-Gengar is currently the best revenge killer in tier. Size him versus anything in the tier currently and they all die or just get hit extremely hard 40-65%
-Umbreon is a very potent wall and one of the best ways to deal with Dynamax Pokémon, Doublade, Obstagoon, etc.
-Genuinely shocked at how much Claydol is being used. It’s stats still suck.

Looking forward to the meta changes and to sticking around for as long as this meta is cool.
 

Yung Dramps

awesome gaming
Dunno, why this hasn't been posted here, but...

With special thanks to marty, got the first 12 days of UU stats, which should give some idea on what we can expect from gen 8 RU. Everything below 4.52 (i.e. Lucario and under) is RU. Try not to put too much emphasis on these stats since these will be expected to change significantly should Dynamax get banned. We will be using these stats to start an RU alpha tour, so be on the lookout!

Code:
| 1    | Gengar             | 26.720% |
| 2    | Kommo-o            | 24.972% |
| 3    | Obstagoon          | 18.097% |
| 4    | Mamoswine          | 17.640% |
| 5    | Weezing-Galar      | 16.335% |
| 6    | Mew                | 14.165% |
| 7    | Polteageist        | 13.865% |
| 8    | Ribombee           | 12.845% |
| 9    | Charizard          | 11.641% |
| 10   | Braviary           | 11.075% |
| 11   | Copperajah         | 10.178% |
| 12   | Crawdaunt          |  9.383% |
| 13   | Inteleon           |  8.872% |
| 14   | Haxorus            |  8.624% |
| 15   | Doublade           |  8.253% |
| 16   | Diggersby          |  7.689% |
| 17   | Arcanine           |  7.581% |
| 18   | Indeedee           |  7.520% |
| 19   | Duraludon          |  7.420% |
| 20   | Durant             |  7.235% |
| 21   | Coalossal          |  7.182% |
| 22   | Hippowdon          |  7.073% |
| 23   | Weavile            |  6.904% |
| 24   | Chandelure         |  6.770% |
| 25   | Sigilyph           |  6.705% |
| 26   | Araquanid          |  6.691% |
| 27   | Noivern            |  6.669% |
| 28   | Sirfetch'd         |  6.426% |
| 29   | Espeon             |  6.269% |
| 30   | Rotom-Mow          |  6.141% |
| 31   | Tsareena           |  6.097% |
| 32   | Cloyster           |  6.086% |
| 33   | Sylveon            |  5.976% |
| 34   | Claydol            |  5.939% |
| 35   | Milotic            |  5.716% |
| 36   | Avalugg            |  5.687% |
| 37   | Frosmoth           |  5.685% |
| 38   | Umbreon            |  5.536% |
| 39   | Eldegoss           |  5.243% |
| 40   | Snorlax            |  5.219% |
| 41   | Morpeko            |  5.163% |
| 42   | Rhyperior          |  4.968% |
| 43   | Torkoal            |  4.937% |
| 44   | Jellicent          |  4.598% |
| 45   | Steelix            |  4.546% |
| 46   | Reuniclus          |  4.529% |
| 47   | Lucario            |  4.419% |
| 48   | Rotom-Fan          |  4.408% |
| 49   | Heliolisk          |  4.408% |
| 50   | Boltund            |  4.322% |
| 51   | Gardevoir          |  4.224% |
| 52   | Falinks            |  4.175% |
| 53   | Bronzong           |  4.071% |
| 54   | Centiskorch        |  4.071% |
| 55   | Golisopod          |  3.995% |
| 56   | Galvantula         |  3.988% |
| 57   | Goodra             |  3.912% |
| 58   | Dhelmise           |  3.675% |
| 59   | Rillaboom          |  3.651% |
| 60   | Mantine            |  3.566% |
| 61   | Alcremie           |  3.479% |
| 62   | Runerigus          |  3.466% |
| 63   | Shiftry            |  3.303% |
| 64   | Flygon             |  3.186% |
| 65   | Barbaracle         |  3.168% |
| 66   | Flapple            |  3.147% |
| 67   | Xatu               |  3.116% |
| 68   | Cramorant          |  3.042% |
| 69   | Arctozolt          |  2.968% |
| 70   | Appletun           |  2.945% |
| 71   | Hitmonlee          |  2.938% |
| 72   | Eiscue             |  2.911% |
| 73   | Hitmontop          |  2.895% |
| 74   | Drapion            |  2.812% |
| 75   | Whimsicott         |  2.763% |
| 76   | Pyukumuku          |  2.761% |
| 77   | Sandaconda         |  2.678% |
| 78   | Salazzle           |  2.600% |
| 79   | Mr. Rime           |  2.534% |
| 80   | Quagsire           |  2.528% |
| 81   | Orbeetle           |  2.333% |
| 82   | Gastrodon          |  2.218% |
| 83   | Rapidash-Galar     |  2.185% |
| 84   | Froslass           |  2.139% |
| 85   | Cursola            |  2.132% |
| 86   | Vaporeon           |  2.088% |
| 87   | Vanilluxe          |  2.068% |
| 88   | Roserade           |  2.031% |
| 89   | Cinccino           |  1.796% |
| 90   | Lanturn            |  1.793% |
| 91   | Sableye            |  1.763% |
| 92   | Accelgor           |  1.740% |
| 93   | Shuckle            |  1.708% |
| 94   | Ninetales          |  1.664% |
| 95   | Jolteon            |  1.657% |
| 96   | Glalie             |  1.653% |
| 97   | Drednaw            |  1.609% |
| 98   | Leafeon            |  1.548% |
| 99   | Lapras             |  1.522% |
| 100  | Machamp            |  1.492% |
| 101  | Bewear             |  1.463% |
| 102  | Escavalier         |  1.425% |
| 103  | Vikavolt           |  1.376% |
| 104  | Passimian          |  1.301% |
| 105  | Gigalith           |  1.241% |
| 106  | Butterfree         |  1.199% |
| 107  | Perrserker         |  1.185% |
| 108  | Cofagrigus         |  1.124% |
| 109  | Grapploct          |  1.121% |
| 110  | Malamar            |  1.003% |
| 111  | Dubwool            |  0.956% |
| 112  | Vileplume          |  0.928% |
| 113  | Silvally-Steel     |  0.917% |
| 114  | Mr. Mime-Galar     |  0.826% |
| 115  | Mudsdale           |  0.767% |
| 116  | Aromatisse         |  0.766% |
| 117  | Kingler            |  0.736% |
| 118  | Arctovish          |  0.711% |
| 119  | Octillery          |  0.694% |
| 120  | Hitmonchan         |  0.679% |
| 121  | Rotom-Frost        |  0.654% |
| 122  | Pincurchin         |  0.637% |
| 123  | Ludicolo           |  0.634% |
| 124  | Silvally-Fairy     |  0.627% |
| 125  | Pangoro            |  0.624% |
| 126  | Toxicroak          |  0.615% |
| 127  | Abomasnow          |  0.592% |
| 128  | Stunfisk-Galar     |  0.574% |
| 129  | Togedemaru         |  0.569% |
| 130  | Morgrem            |  0.546% |
| 131  | Gallade            |  0.545% |
| 132  | Klinklang          |  0.494% |
| 133  | Greedent           |  0.492% |
| 134  | Crustle            |  0.488% |
| 135  | Ferroseed          |  0.486% |
| 136  | Scrafty            |  0.484% |
| 137  | Drifblim           |  0.462% |
| 138  | Qwilfish           |  0.455% |
| 139  | Silvally-Ghost     |  0.432% |
| 140  | Sawk               |  0.391% |
| 141  | Thievul            |  0.390% |
| 142  | Golurk             |  0.384% |
| 143  | Shedinja           |  0.375% |
| 144  | Stonjourner        |  0.365% |
| 145  | Indeedee-F         |  0.365% |
| 146  | Turtonator         |  0.356% |
| 147  | Beartic            |  0.333% |
| 148  | Shiinotic          |  0.327% |
| 149  | Garbodor           |  0.323% |
| 150  | Trevenant          |  0.317% |
| 151  | Dusclops           |  0.312% |
| 152  | Gourgeist-Super    |  0.311% |
| 153  | Silvally-Dark      |  0.309% |
| 154  | Glaceon            |  0.306% |
| 155  | Unfezant           |  0.300% |
| 156  | Slurpuff           |  0.275% |
| 157  | Rhydon             |  0.269% |
| 158  | Skuntank           |  0.263% |
| 159  | Drampa             |  0.254% |
| 160  | Ninjask            |  0.241% |
| 161  | Mareanie           |  0.237% |
| 162  | Maractus           |  0.236% |
| 163  | Dusknoir           |  0.230% |
| 164  | Gurdurr            |  0.225% |
| 165  | Silvally-Fire      |  0.221% |
| 166  | Rotom              |  0.196% |
| 167  | Silvally-Fighting  |  0.195% |
| 168  | Mawile             |  0.190% |
| 169  | Silvally           |  0.188% |
| 170  | Wishiwashi         |  0.188% |
| 171  | Type: Null         |  0.179% |
| 172  | Pikachu            |  0.178% |
| 173  | Onix               |  0.174% |
| 174  | Trapinch           |  0.173% |
| 175  | Silvally-Ground    |  0.152% |
| 176  | Drilbur            |  0.149% |
| 177  | Manectric          |  0.144% |
| 178  | Noctowl            |  0.141% |
| 179  | Bellossom          |  0.134% |
| 180  | Musharna           |  0.127% |
| 181  | Vullaby            |  0.117% |
| 182  | Silvally-Water     |  0.115% |
| 183  | Mr. Mime           |  0.110% |
| 184  | Basculin           |  0.110% |
| 185  | Hattrem            |  0.109% |
| 186  | Flareon            |  0.109% |
| 187  | Raichu             |  0.106% |
 
| 4 | Mamoswine | 17.640% |

I'm a little surprised, I've not seen much Mamoswine. That said; every time I've seen Mamoswine it's bulk has caught me by surprise. So perhaps it's better than I give it credit for.

| 9 | Charizard | 11.641% |

Is anyone shocked that Charizard is higher than it probably should be?

| 25 | Sigilyph | 6.705% |

Too low IMO. LO Sigilyph is a terrifying beast

| 34 | Claydol | 5.939% |
| 37 | Frosmoth | 5.685% |
| 39 | Eldegoss | 5.243% |

These are all way too high. Claydol can spin, sure but it's still Claydol and kind of does nothing. Frosmoth folds to pretty much anything physical and is forced to use Boots; and Eldegoss dosen't have a movepool and if you want a Grass-type spinner, use Tsareena which threatens a sweep if it spins.

| 40 | Snorlax | 5.219% |
| 44 | Jellicent | 4.598% |

Alright... these are far too low. Jellicent is better than Milotic IMO with it's Ghost-typing and Strength Sap.

| 49 | Heliolisk | 4.408% |
| 50 | Boltund | 4.322% |

Come on guys; Heliolisk is much better than Boltund...

| 57 | Goodra | 3.912% |

People appear to be sleeping on Goodra.

| 74 | Drapion | 2.812% |
| 78 | Salazzle | 2.600% |

These two are flat-out crimes. Drapion is one of the best T-Spikers in the tier, and Dark/Poison is a pretty solid defensive typing. Salazzle is one of the most dangerous sweepers, and it is one of the few pokemon who can really abuse Max Ooze.

| 86 | Vaporeon | 2.088% |

There really ain't that much out there that can break through Wish Protect Vaporeon. It's the best Wisher in the tier by far.

| 83 | Rapidash-Galar | 2.185% |

People do realize this thing has Base 100 Atk and Base 105 Speed; and STAB Play Rough; right? And it had Swords Dance? And various coverage options like Drill Run which hits most Fairy-resists SE? Also Indeedee is around to buff up it's Psychic STAB.

| 113 | Silvally-Steel | 0.917% |

This is the most used Silvally. Reminder that Multi-Attack is a Base 120 STAB now.

| 139 | Silvally-Ghost | 0.432% |
| 153 | Silvally-Dark | 0.309% |

And that very little resists Ghost/Dark types and these types purposefully lack high-power moves due to it; and Silvally can just fire off BP 120 no-drawback Dark and Ghost STABs. Also Silvally gets Swords Dance and generally increased coverage in this Gen? Are they top tier UU? Maybe not. Are they 139/153 level material? ABSOLUTELY NOT. Dark Silvally is not worse than blooming Shiinotic; Theivul and Stonjourner.


| 145 | Indeedee-F | 0.365% |
Is the bulkier Indeedee really that unpopular?

| 169 | Silvally | 0.188% |
You guys know Normal Silvally can run it's drawbackless BP120 STAB and an item right? And it gets Crunch to nail Ghosts, and learns Air Slash so has access to Max Windstorm speed boosts in Dynamax?
 

Moutemoute

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| 9 | Charizard | 11.641% |

Is anyone shocked that Charizard is higher than it probably should be?
Charizard is probably one of the best Dynamax user in the tier. So I do not believe it's too high in usages with Dynamax. Don't forget that Charizard can boost its speed with Max Airstream, setup its own Sun with Max Flare which allows it to benefit from its great ability Solar Power. Last but not least it can threaten with ease Rock-types and/or Water-types with either Max Overgrowth or Solar Beam under the sun. Overall this Pokémon is insanely good as a late-game sweeper or a early game breaker. It will drop in usages for sure once Dynamax is banned but right now, it's a great and viable powerhouse.

| 49 | Heliolisk | 4.408% |
| 50 | Boltund | 4.322% |


Come on guys; Heliolisk is much better than Boltund...
Actually, Boltund has a better speed than Heliolisk and a great ability with Strong Jaw which allows it to hit pretty hard with a Choice Band. It has some nice coverage thanks to Crunch, Psychic Fangs and Fire Fang. So I don't think it's a bad Pokemon at all and even a viable one even if it struggles vs Ground-types and the current metagame full of Dynamax Pokémon which are bulky af.

| 86 | Vaporeon | 2.088% |

There really ain't that much out there that can break through Wish Protect Vaporeon. It's the best Wisher in the tier by far.
I have to disagree on that one too.. Umbreon is much better and more efficient Wisher atm..
 

Yung Dramps

awesome gaming
I personally believe that some of these usage stats are just because people are still thinking in terms of USUM rather than how things have changed post-Dexit. Gardevoir, Silvally, Lucario and more are Pokemon that kinda blew last gen due to the power creep but could potentially thrive now that the power bar is generally much lower.

There's also just good ol' new toy syndrome and Dynamax absurdly skewing certain Pokemon with good Max Move sets. I guarantee following a ban of that mechanic that usage for stuff like Charizard is gonna nosedive.
 
| 9 | Charizard | 11.641% |
| 10 | Braviary | 11.075% |

Once Dynamax is banned both of these mons are gonna drop to RU. Braviary has a slight chance to live because he still has a good niche as a revenge killer / defiant abuser but i'm not even sure if that's gonna be enough with other mons like Gengar, Flygon, and Durant running around.

| 34 | Claydol | 5.939% |

Disgusted.gif

| 38 | Umbreon | 5.536% |

A bit surprising to see this. Definitely on lower ladder I have rarely ran into this but smarter players are re-realizing the value of Umbreon. It's been a staple in UU forever and that trend is gonna stay strong. Especially once Dynamax gets banned Umbreon's usage is gonna increase to tackle on some of the other stupid attackers currently in-tier. (Obsta, Gengar, Kommo, Poltergeist)

| 64 | Flygon | 3.186% |

Another situation where it is uncommon on lower but has seen usage in the upper half of ladder. It's kinda sandwiched between the more successful dragons right now between Kommo and Haxorus. First Impression is a very cool move to have on him and Sun teams enjoy having Flygon around as both a ground-immune and as a heavy hitter for mons that beat up Drought Pokemon. It also synergizes well with Heliolisk and other Volt Switchers who appreciate having the Rhyperior, Coalossal, or Doublade removed / chunked.
 
Thought I’d wack a team here that’s performed quite well seeing there isn’t really any samples, especially now that the meta is about to be dumped on its head with the removal of Dmax/Gmax.

https://pokepast.es/d8d438d9efe84f01


It’s a fairly bulky balance team, with a four mon defensive core that relies on spreading status and nullifying threats with haze + whirlwind and taunt. Dual heavy duty boots really helps Mantine + Avalugg check an absolute shit ton of mons (both massively massively underrated) + mixed def Hippo to help with mons that trouble this core (rotom fan, heliolisk, Duraludon etc). Drapion creeps Mamo, Chandie and provides so much utility. I was really impressed with this mon. Lastly to round out a really simple core is Polt + Indeede which both have great MU v more offensive teams and synergise well, breaking each other’s checks and polt really loves having terrain up, making it much harder to revenge especially with Sap. Happy laddering whenever PS comes back online
 
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