I played in the Nexus server and Sword and Shield is looking like an interesting meta. I want to share my thoughts.
Dragapult could end up going the Koko route where it abuses its great STAB combination, useful SpA and better special coverage. It looks top tier from experience.
I’ve heard people say that Kyurem-B is gonna break the meta but its too early to tell. Remember when people thought Zard X would break the meta back in X and Y? But no thought this thing got a huge buff in both DD and physical ice stab.
Gyarados is much better this generation. DD + Wacan Berry + Dynamax is nearly unstoppable. It could be banworthy but its wayyyy to early to tell.
Keldeo gained Air Slash and lost main competition via Greninja, and Rain is looking very good with some new abusers and Gyarados. Keldeo also lost alot of its usual counters like Fini, Bulu, the Latis, and Amoonguss. Gen 6 Keldeo might have returned. Sub-CM could also be a viable set again. It looks to be a check to potential threats like Melmetal and Excadrill.
Corviknight looks clean. I used a SpD Bulk Up set with Taunt and Roost which sets up on stuff like Excadrill, Galar Coral, Rillaboom, Ferro, and non offensive variants of Melmetal. The lack of defog could make Corviknight vital on some fatter teams too. Alot of people are sleeping on it.
Excadrill looks S rank material rn. After a SD and Dynamax, it 2HKOs almost the entire theoretical meta. A decreased amount of hazard removal is also beneficial to Drill’s viability.
Melmetal happens to hit hard and take hits like a champ. Not much can come in on it safely. Its also the best Kyurem-B answer we have rn.
Galarian Corsola is a fantastic spinblocker and physical sponge. This is what regular Corsola should’ve been. It sponges hits from DD Gyara, Kyurem-B, Drill, and Melmetal. It has recovery, can set up rocks, and cripples the stuff I mentioned with Will O Wisp.
Nobody here is talking about how much of a serious threat Terrakion might be. Nearly every common offensive rocker from Gen 7 is gone which gives it more of a purpose. Scarf Terra revenges everything I mentioned about Corsola.
Hatterene has good bulk, TR, Mystic Fire, and Magic Bounce. Its looking like one of the best wallbreakers/stallbreakers rn.