Artwork by Bummer
Welcome to the official NU Viability Ranking thread. These rankings have been revamped to meet a new stricter set of criteria as to avoid over inflation and Pokemon being placed in a rank that doesn't denote their appropriate abilities. The concept of this thread is that we will organize the Pokemon in our tier into ranks, varying on how good they are. You are encouraged to post your thoughts on where Pokemon should be ranked. Please note that each section is going to be in alphabetical order; getting any more precise than that isn't really worth the effort when trends change all the time.
The NU Viability Council will consider points brought up in this thread and decide which to implement and which to leave alone; you can find a list of all the council members here:
To make ranking these Pokemon easier the NU Viability Council has come up with a list of positive and negative attributes each Pokemon should meet to fit a certain rank. Positives: Threat level, Splashability, Consistent, Effect on the metagame, Reliability. Negatives: Passive, Outclassed, Weak to Hazards, Speed, General Bulk, Matchup. However, something to remember while ranking is that filling criteria is not a black and white process. Pokemon A might have a stronger effect on the metagame compared to Pokemon B, but Pokemon B might still influence teambuilding a lot. Take into account the varying degrees of these criteria as you reflect on a nomination.
In order to cut down on shitposting, please do not bandwagon post. Unless you have new or different experiences to share, you are defending a nomination, or if the nomination has not been discussed for ~3 days, try to avoid repeating the same information someone else said before you. Posts asking for your favorite Pokemon to jump ranks and don't fill the above criteria will be deleted. Lastly, if you are nominating an unranked Pokemon to be ranked, you must provide replays to back up your argument.
If you click on a sprite it will take you to the Smogon dex page :)
NU Rankings
Pokemon in this rank do an alright job fulfilling criteria, albeit not as convincingly. These Pokemon will have some issues you should be accounting for while building your team.
Pokemon in this rank do a mediocre job at filling criteria. The sizable amount of negative characteristics associated with these Pokemon are something to weigh against their positives before you fit one on a team.
Pokemon in this rank have been found to generally be more trouble than they're worth. Any NU or BL4 Pokemon that aren't good enough for a higher rank will go here.
Ice Cream Rank:
Pokemon in this rank consist mostly of water and are quite tasty. However, they can cause brain-freeze if discussed; please don't talk about these Pokemon until we say they've thawed out from the freezer.
Glalie
Vanilluxe

Welcome to the official NU Viability Ranking thread. These rankings have been revamped to meet a new stricter set of criteria as to avoid over inflation and Pokemon being placed in a rank that doesn't denote their appropriate abilities. The concept of this thread is that we will organize the Pokemon in our tier into ranks, varying on how good they are. You are encouraged to post your thoughts on where Pokemon should be ranked. Please note that each section is going to be in alphabetical order; getting any more precise than that isn't really worth the effort when trends change all the time.
The NU Viability Council will consider points brought up in this thread and decide which to implement and which to leave alone; you can find a list of all the council members here:




To make ranking these Pokemon easier the NU Viability Council has come up with a list of positive and negative attributes each Pokemon should meet to fit a certain rank. Positives: Threat level, Splashability, Consistent, Effect on the metagame, Reliability. Negatives: Passive, Outclassed, Weak to Hazards, Speed, General Bulk, Matchup. However, something to remember while ranking is that filling criteria is not a black and white process. Pokemon A might have a stronger effect on the metagame compared to Pokemon B, but Pokemon B might still influence teambuilding a lot. Take into account the varying degrees of these criteria as you reflect on a nomination.
In order to cut down on shitposting, please do not bandwagon post. Unless you have new or different experiences to share, you are defending a nomination, or if the nomination has not been discussed for ~3 days, try to avoid repeating the same information someone else said before you. Posts asking for your favorite Pokemon to jump ranks and don't fill the above criteria will be deleted. Lastly, if you are nominating an unranked Pokemon to be ranked, you must provide replays to back up your argument.
If you click on a sprite it will take you to the Smogon dex page :)
---NU Rankings
S Rank:
Pokemon in this rank fill all of the main criteria and then some with a strong proficiency in one or more of the positive traits. If a Pokemon in this rank has any downsides, they are usually tame or eclipsed by their obvious assets.
Pokemon in this rank fill all of the main criteria and then some with a strong proficiency in one or more of the positive traits. If a Pokemon in this rank has any downsides, they are usually tame or eclipsed by their obvious assets.
A Rank:
Pokemon in this rank may fill the majority or all of the positive criteria. These Pokemon may have one major or a handful of minor negative characteristics that could set them back.
Pokemon in this rank may fill the majority or all of the positive criteria. These Pokemon may have one major or a handful of minor negative characteristics that could set them back.
A+
Gurdurr
Hitmonchan
Jynx
Lilligant
Magmortar
Rotom
Samurott
Shiftry
Swellow
A
Archeops
Audino (Mega)
Barbaracle
Charizard
Hariyama
Lanturn
Pyroar
Scyther
Skuntank
Steelix
Vivillon
Weezing
A-
Gastrodon
Kangaskhan
Liepard
Ludicolo
Malamar
Piloswine
Vileplume
B Rank:








A












A-







Pokemon in this rank do an alright job fulfilling criteria, albeit not as convincingly. These Pokemon will have some issues you should be accounting for while building your team.
B+
Abomasnow
Aurorus
Clefairy
Ferroseed
Floatzel
Gourgeist-XL
Haunter
Mantine
Miltank
Mismagius
Musharna
Omastar
Regirock
B
Aggron
Carracosta
Claydol
Combusken
Golurk
Kabutops
Pelipper
Pinsir
Primeape
Torterra
Zangoose
B-
Altaria
Articuno
Bronzor
Electivire
Grumpig
Lapras
Poliwrath
Quagsire
Sliggoo
C Rank:












B











B-









Pokemon in this rank do a mediocre job at filling criteria. The sizable amount of negative characteristics associated with these Pokemon are something to weigh against their positives before you fit one on a team.
C+
Camerupt
Chatot
Exeggutor
Kecleon
Klinklang
Manectric
Mawile
Misdreavus
Mr. Mime
Ninetales
Raichu
Regice
Roselia
Sawsbuck
Victreebel
C
Bouffalant
Cacturne
Cradily
Cryogonal
Drifblim
Dusknoir
Electrode
Gorebyss
Gourgeist-S
Jumpluff
Machoke
Prinplup
Simisage
Smeargle
Solrock
Tangela
Vigoroth
C-
Duosion
Fraxure
Frillish
Hippopotas
Kadabra
Leafeon
Pawniard
Probopass
Relicanth
Rotom-Frost
Sandslash
Stoutland
Trevenant
Vanilluxe
D Rank:














C

















C-














Pokemon in this rank have been found to generally be more trouble than they're worth. Any NU or BL4 Pokemon that aren't good enough for a higher rank will go here.
Pokemon in this rank consist mostly of water and are quite tasty. However, they can cause brain-freeze if discussed; please don't talk about these Pokemon until we say they've thawed out from the freezer.


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