Electabuzz: One of the council members told me they thought it was broken, so I had to put it on here. It's being suspected because it is extremely centralizing in the meta, and at times it is sometimes seen as limiting team building.
In my experiences from playing, Electabuzz is quite fine really. Eviolite sets are unique and are really interesting, but they just lack raw firepower, while Choice Scarf and Choice Specs set are really easy to play around. Personally, I use Choice Specs for the raw power and it's a really useful Pokemon but it's quite hard to predict and it has a ton of safe switch ins, including Fraxure (can't be giving it free turns!), Machoke, Zwelious, Metang, and Whiscash. Whiscash is really underrated right now, but it can counter Fraxure which is a huge bonus, but this is a discussion for a later time. I don't think it's limiting in teambuilding, it does have solid checks and of the three teams I've made (so many!), they've just naturally had fantastic checks. Plus, with Choice Scarf Gabite and Choice Scarf Krokorok in the tier, it's not exactly a super hard Pokemon to revenge kill. This would be a
no ban.
Machoke: Another very centralizing Pokemon that lacks very little switch-ins or reliable answers. It is strong, very bulky, and nearly impossible to OHKO or sometimes even 2HKO. Guts make it nearly impossible to beat defensively, as it's not crippled by burn and statusing it only makes it stronger. Dynamicpunch is an extremely gay move that can sweep teams without even trying. It's definitely one of the most requested suspects, and for good reason.
Machoke is a very tough Pokemon to call a case on, but I'll just have to be blunt. Machoke is a super bulky, powerful, and annoying Pokemon, and I'm really not a fan of it in the tier. I know this isn't exactly a reason for banning, but Dynamic Punch is so annoying and is just the worst thing ever. Furthermore, its astounding bulk means it's hardly ever KOed, so it will likely get off a Dynamic Punch. I've yet to try out the defensive sets, but they seem to have merit and I'm sure they're probably fantastic for me. The only problem with Machoke I've found is its terribly lackluster Speed and annoying priority in Bullet Punch, which means Fairy-types are a hard stop to it. It has a number of good checks, such as Arbok, Clefairy, and Spritzee, but it's still very annoying to deal with regardless. I'd have to go with
ban on this one.
Fraxure: The best sweeper in the tier hands down. Its bulky with Eviolite, so it can set up on a lot of things, and its strong so it only really needs one boost to sweep through most teams. Taunt shutsdown defensive Pokemon and prevents them from phazing or statusing it. Its combination of bulk, power, and easy set up opportunities make it very suspect worthy.
This thing is absolutely atrocious. If it's given simply one free turn, it can destroy entire teams from scratch. The only support it really needs is maybe Sticky Web, and even then there's a stretch. Fraxure's excellent typing and really great bulk, on top of its high Attack and the menace that is Dragon Dance, it's just too much for the tier. Taunt is just cherry on the cake! Fraxure is just way too powerful for the tier and would deserve to be
banned.
Kingler: One of the strongest Pokemon in the tier. Its great defensive bulk lets it set up on even shit like Life Orb Rapidash, and its so strong that an unboosted Crabhmmaer can OHKO most offensive Pokemon. Agility sets sweep very easily, and the SD Sub Salac set is unwallable as well. Knock Off cripples a lot of physical walls. In general, there are very little defensive answer to Kingler, and not too many offensive ones either.
Kingler is a very powerful Pokemon, but I'm just not sold on the idea of banning it. Kingler has terrible bulk and is really hard to bring in without U-turn, and when it does get switch ins it runs the risk of being forced out by a faster Pokemon. I realize this is the case for practically all Pokemon, but when playing with Kingler it just becomes really noticeable to me. Sure, it's insanely strong, but it's so pressured to setup and then there's Crabhammer's accuracy which just so happens to miss in all crucial moments. I think Kingler is just a very good Pokemon in the tier, but just not banworthy.
No ban.
Unless you're using Scald Sheer Force Kingler!
Gogoat: Very bulky and versatile, being able to run a multitude of sets and living almost any non super effective hit. It also has great coverage and reliable recovery, which makes it rather unpredictable and hard to wear down.
Ban. Plain and simple, this thing is so versatile, powerful, and you can't afford to give it any free turns or Bulk Up will walk over your team. Its immunity to Grass-type moves is a lot better than I originally thought it was as well. Personally, I've had success with Choice Band variants, as the Leaf Blade coming off of its Attack stat is just delicious. Anyways, it's just too good for the tier and isn't much to say about it.
Sticky Web: The best move in the tier aside from Knock Off. Leavanny is an amazing web setter, as well as Kricketune so it's rather easy to set the move up, and both aren't that bad of Pokemon so they're well worth using for Sticky Web. This move lets you abuse powerhouses such as Ursaring and Rampardos that are normally slow as fuck and easy to revenge. Add to the fact that FU lacks solid hazard removers, which only makes the move that much better.
No comment,
abstain.
Dynamic Punch: Some would say that this is the only reason Machoke is very unmanageable. Every time this move connects, which is 100% of the time, the match comes down to a coin flip, adding a huge amount of uncompetiveness to the game each time this move is used. So this move is being suspected because it has been deemed very uncomeptitive, and it should be removed from the tier.
I'm okay with this being banned and then Machoke not being banned. I actually think it's a better idea now, as it really only affects Machoke. +1.
Murkrow: A strong revenge killer with Life Orb, as well as a bulky sweeper or defensive pivot with Eviolite. It has access to many support moves such as Thunder Wave, Taunt, and Tailwind, allowing it to abuse its Prankster ability to the fullest extent. It is being suspected because a member of the council has said it's way too easy to set up Calm Minds and sweep, on top of that fact that its priority Thunder Wave is too easy of an E-Button.
No comment,
abstain.