Smogon University PO Statistics — December 2011

[Tribute]

Sigh...cress back in RU...

 

[alexwolf]

Volt-Switch teams in OU are really the dominating strategy! Well this is another reason to stop playing OU... OU is less and less fun each round that passes.

UU is going to change a lot with all these new additions and Donphan leaving... It is going to be very fun!

Now for RU... Why the fuck is Swellow not RU but that piece of shit KlingKlang is? I mean this bird is many times the mvp of my team and RU is slow enough so Swellow can afford to go Adamant. And with Adamant and Toxic Orb activated it reaches ~450 attack and has two Stab moves with 120 and 140 base power AND priority! I mean what's not to love about this guy?
Ah and Scyther is a beast too, that deserves to be RU!
I think that Cresselia will be fine in RU, with Spiritomb,Drapion and some hard hitters that don't give a shit about Cressy's attacks like Aggron and Durant...
As for Sigilyph i honestly don't know, but if i was to make a guess i would say broken because of amazing speed for a wall,godlike defences after one boost,cannot be hurt from the physical side due to Psycho Shift, cannot be worn by passive damage,deals massive damage after enough boosts and also boost nice versatility,which could screw you, if for example you bring in the wrong check on the wrong set...

 

[b3astown]

oh boy uu and ru are gonna be pretty crazy, why is dugtrio going up? I would have thought it would have its highest usage back when tyranitar was on every team. Dugtrio made an excellent killer from tyranitar easily winning the weather war. Surprised its Ou no

 

[skymastergamerpt]

oh boy uu and ru are gonna be pretty crazy, why is dugtrio going up? I would have thought it would have its highest usage back when tyranitar was on every team. Dugtrio made an excellent killer from tyranitar easily winning the weather war. Surprised its Ou no

And the best Ttar killer right now is Landorus.

 

[malomyotismon]

He's a reliable spinner and physical wall, he's basically an improved version of Sandslash. To be honest, as solid as he is, there are so many better spinners in OU like Forretress and Tentacruel, I can't see Donphan surviving very well up there.

Donphan is a better spinner than both on sunny day teams, thats why his usage is picking up.

 

[Antar]

Someone asked me about posting unrated stats for Little Cup.

I said no. The reason is not because the logs don't exist--they do--but because tiers and other rules aren't enforced in unrated battles.

Here's the unrated Little Cup stats for December:

 [B]Total battles: 1065[/B]
 Total teams: 2130
 Total pokemon: 12780
 + ---- + --------------- + ------ + ------- + ------ + ------- + 
 | Rank | Pokemon         | Usage  | Percent | RealUse| RealPct | 
 + ---- + --------------- + ------ + ------- + ------ + ------- + 
 | 1    | Mienfoo         | 860    | 40.376% | 719    | 42.789% | 
 | 2    | Chinchou        | 751    | 35.258% | 623    | 37.076% | 
 | 3    | Bronzor         | 526    | 24.695% | 452    | 26.899% | 
 | 4    | Gastly          | 492    | 23.099% | 391    | 23.269% | 
 | 5    | Scraggy         | 432    | 20.282% | 341    | 20.294% | 
 | 6    | Staryu          | 420    | 19.718% | 328    | 19.520% | 
 | 7    | Croagunk        | 369    | 17.324% | 316    | 18.806% | 
 | 8    | Hippopotas      | 336    | 15.775% | 301    | 17.913% | 
 | 9    | Drilbur         | 330    | 15.493% | 247    | 14.699% | 
 | 10   | Lileep          | 249    | 11.690% | 201    | 11.962% | 
 | 11   | Slowpoke        | 233    | 10.939% | 187    | 11.129% | 
 | 12   | Larvesta        | 231    | 10.845% | 194    | 11.545% | 
 | 13   | Natu            | 215    | 10.094% | 180    | 10.712% | 
 | 14   | Dwebble         | 215    | 10.094% | 183    | 10.891% | 
 | 15   | Ferroseed       | 202    |  9.484% | 175    | 10.415% | 
 | 16   | Frillish        | 200    |  9.390% | 159    |  9.462% | 
 | 17   | Drifloon        | 195    |  9.155% | 144    |  8.570% | 
 | 18   | Snover          | 184    |  8.638% | 137    |  8.153% | 
 | 19   | Houndour        | 179    |  8.404% | 135    |  8.034% | 
 | 20   | Stunky          | 167    |  7.840% | 132    |  7.856% | 
 | 21   | Magnemite       | 166    |  7.793% | 135    |  8.034% | 
 | 22   | Abra            | 156    |  7.324% | 121    |  7.201% | 
 | 23   | Wynaut          | 143    |  6.714% | 121    |  7.201% | 
 | 24   | Dratini         | 140    |  6.573% | 118    |  7.022% | 
 | 25   | Shelmet         | 139    |  6.526% | 117    |  6.963% | 
 | 26   | Tentacool       | 133    |  6.244% | 107    |  6.368% | 
 | 27   | Diglett         | 128    |  6.009% | 97     |  5.773% | 
 | 28   | Taillow         | 127    |  5.962% | 105    |  6.249% | 
 | 29   | Timburr         | 127    |  5.962% | 99     |  5.892% | 
 | 30   | Ponyta          | 120    |  5.634% | 102    |  6.070% | 
 | 31   | Munchlax        | 107    |  5.023% | 80     |  4.761% | 
[B] | 32   | Missingno       | 106    |  4.977% | 0      |  0.000% | [/B]
 | 33   | Meowth          | 104    |  4.883% | 94     |  5.594% | 
 | 34   | Omanyte         | 101    |  4.742% | 80     |  4.761% | 
 | 35   | Clamperl        | 94     |  4.413% | 61     |  3.630% | 
 | 36   | Shellder        | 88     |  4.131% | 72     |  4.285% | 
 | 37   | Axew            | 86     |  4.038% | 68     |  4.047% | 
 | 38   | Lickitung       | 73     |  3.427% | 57     |  3.392% | 
 | 39   | Bagon           | 65     |  3.052% | 55     |  3.273% | 
 | 40   | Solosis         | 65     |  3.052% | 55     |  3.273% | 
 | 41   | Exeggcute       | 61     |  2.864% | 52     |  3.095% | 
 | 42   | Elekid          | 61     |  2.864% | 47     |  2.797% | 
 | 43   | Koffing         | 60     |  2.817% | 46     |  2.738% | 
 | 44   | Cottonee        | 56     |  2.629% | 46     |  2.738% | 
 | 45   | Duskull         | 55     |  2.582% | 40     |  2.380% | 
 | 46   | Porygon         | 54     |  2.535% | 43     |  2.559% | 
 | 47   | Tirtouga        | 54     |  2.535% | 42     |  2.500% | 
 | 48   | Pawniard        | 53     |  2.488% | 43     |  2.559% | 
 | 49   | Aipom           | 51     |  2.394% | 44     |  2.619% | 
 | 50   | Shroomish       | 50     |  2.347% | 42     |  2.500% | 
 | 51   | Teddiursa       | 49     |  2.300% | 39     |  2.321% | 
 | 52   | Cyndaquil       | 48     |  2.254% | 36     |  2.142% | 
 | 53   | Vullaby         | 48     |  2.254% | 42     |  2.500% | 
 | 54   | Paras           | 47     |  2.207% | 34     |  2.023% | 
 | 55   | Pineco          | 47     |  2.207% | 40     |  2.380% | 
 | 56   | Growlithe       | 46     |  2.160% | 36     |  2.142% | 
 | 57   | Cranidos        | 41     |  1.925% | 32     |  1.904% | 
 | 58   | Bulbasaur       | 40     |  1.878% | 26     |  1.547% | 
 | 59   | Turtwig         | 38     |  1.784% | 30     |  1.785% | 
 | 60   | Onix            | 36     |  1.690% | 31     |  1.845% | 
 | 61   | Smoochum        | 35     |  1.643% | 26     |  1.547% | 
 | 62   | Buneary         | 35     |  1.643% | 22     |  1.309% | 
 | 63   | Joltik          | 33     |  1.549% | 25     |  1.488% | 
 | 64   | Darumaka        | 32     |  1.502% | 28     |  1.666% | 
 | 65   | Machop          | 31     |  1.455% | 29     |  1.726% | 
 | 66   | Anorith         | 31     |  1.455% | 28     |  1.666% | 
 | 67   | Skorupi         | 31     |  1.455% | 28     |  1.666% | 
 | 68   | Charmander      | 30     |  1.408% | 28     |  1.666% | 
 | 69   | Zorua           | 30     |  1.408% | 26     |  1.547% | 
 | 70   | Starly          | 29     |  1.362% | 25     |  1.488% | 
 | 71   | Riolu           | 28     |  1.315% | 24     |  1.428% | 
 | 72   | Mantyke         | 28     |  1.315% | 20     |  1.190% | 
 | 73   | Glameow         | 27     |  1.268% | 22     |  1.309% | 
 | 74   | Horsea          | 26     |  1.221% | 22     |  1.309% | 
 | 75   | Rufflet         | 25     |  1.174% | 17     |  1.012% | 
 | 76   | Spoink          | 24     |  1.127% | 14     |  0.833% | 
 | 77   | Doduo           | 23     |  1.080% | 19     |  1.131% | 
 | 78   | Archen          | 23     |  1.080% | 18     |  1.071% | 
 | 79   | Nosepass        | 22     |  1.033% | 20     |  1.190% | 
 | 80   | Gible           | 22     |  1.033% | 13     |  0.774% | 
 | 81   | Eevee           | 21     |  0.986% | 18     |  1.071% | 
 | 82   | Larvitar        | 21     |  0.986% | 16     |  0.952% | 
 | 83   | Sandile         | 21     |  0.986% | 16     |  0.952% | 
 | 84   | Squirtle        | 20     |  0.939% | 16     |  0.952% | 
 | 85   | Cacnea          | 20     |  0.939% | 17     |  1.012% | 
 | 86   | Buizel          | 20     |  0.939% | 18     |  1.071% | 
 | 87   | Grimer          | 19     |  0.892% | 15     |  0.893% | 
 | 88   | Makuhita        | 19     |  0.892% | 16     |  0.952% | 
 | 89   | Trapinch        | 19     |  0.892% | 18     |  1.071% | 
 | 90   | Spheal          | 19     |  0.892% | 11     |  0.655% | 
 | 91   | Voltorb         | 18     |  0.845% | 14     |  0.833% | 
 | 92   | Bellsprout      | 17     |  0.798% | 14     |  0.833% | 
 | 93   | Wailmer         | 17     |  0.798% | 14     |  0.833% | 
 | 94   | Chimchar        | 17     |  0.798% | 14     |  0.833% | 
 | 95   | Oddish          | 15     |  0.704% | 15     |  0.893% | 
 | 96   | Mankey          | 15     |  0.704% | 10     |  0.595% | 
 | 97   | Treecko         | 15     |  0.704% | 12     |  0.714% | 
 | 98   | Aron            | 15     |  0.704% | 7      |  0.417% | 
 | 99   | Cubone          | 14     |  0.657% | 12     |  0.714% | 
 | 100  | Goldeen         | 14     |  0.657% | 7      |  0.417% | 
 | 101  | Magikarp        | 14     |  0.657% | 4      |  0.238% | 
 | 102  | Wooper          | 14     |  0.657% | 12     |  0.714% | 
 | 103  | Wingull         | 14     |  0.657% | 9      |  0.536% | 
 | 104  | Woobat          | 14     |  0.657% | 8      |  0.476% | 
 | 105  | Trubbish        | 14     |  0.657% | 12     |  0.714% | 
 | 106  | Zubat           | 13     |  0.610% | 9      |  0.536% | 
 | 107  | Mudkip          | 13     |  0.610% | 11     |  0.655% | 
 | 108  | Skitty          | 13     |  0.610% | 12     |  0.714% | 
 | 109  | Baltoy          | 13     |  0.610% | 12     |  0.714% | 
 | 110  | Deino           | 13     |  0.610% | 11     |  0.655% | 
 | 111  | Sandshrew       | 12     |  0.563% | 6      |  0.357% | 
 | 112  | Venonat         | 12     |  0.563% | 11     |  0.655% | 
 | 113  | Totodile        | 12     |  0.563% | 12     |  0.714% | 
 | 114  | Barboach        | 12     |  0.563% | 11     |  0.655% | 
 | 115  | Shieldon        | 12     |  0.563% | 6      |  0.357% | 
 | 116  | Petilil         | 12     |  0.563% | 10     |  0.595% | 
 | 117  | Litwick         | 12     |  0.563% | 8      |  0.476% | 
 | 118  | Chikorita       | 11     |  0.516% | 9      |  0.536% | 
 | 119  | Cleffa          | 11     |  0.516% | 9      |  0.536% | 
 | 120  | Magby           | 11     |  0.516% | 11     |  0.655% | 
 | 121  | Corphish        | 11     |  0.516% | 7      |  0.417% | 
 | 122  | Yamask          | 11     |  0.516% | 9      |  0.536% | 
 | 123  | Kabuto          | 10     |  0.469% | 8      |  0.476% | 
 | 124  | Electrike       | 10     |  0.469% | 7      |  0.417% | 
 | 125  | Happiny         | 10     |  0.469% | 10     |  0.595% | 
 | 126  | Snivy           | 10     |  0.469% | 9      |  0.536% | 
 | 127  | Roggenrola      | 10     |  0.469% | 9      |  0.536% | 
 | 128  | Foongus         | 10     |  0.469% | 7      |  0.417% | 
 | 129  | Electrode       | 9      |  0.423% | 6      |  0.357% | 
 | 130  | Tyrogue         | 9      |  0.423% | 7      |  0.417% | 
 | 131  | Torchic         | 9      |  0.423% | 9      |  0.536% | 
 | 132  | Blitzle         | 9      |  0.423% | 7      |  0.417% | 
 | 133  | Klink           | 9      |  0.423% | 6      |  0.357% | 
 | 134  | Spearow         | 8      |  0.376% | 5      |  0.298% | 
 | 135  | Geodude         | 8      |  0.376% | 4      |  0.238% | 
 | 136  | Rhyhorn         | 8      |  0.376% | 7      |  0.417% | 
 [B]| 137  | Skiploom        | 8      |  0.376% | 3      |  0.179% | [/B]
 | 138  | Remoraid        | 8      |  0.376% | 7      |  0.417% | 
 [B]| 139  | Combusken       | 8      |  0.376% | 6      |  0.357% | [/B]
 | 140  | Carvanha        | 8      |  0.376% | 7      |  0.417% | 
 | 141  | Budew           | 8      |  0.376% | 5      |  0.298% | 
 | 142  | Shellos         | 8      |  0.376% | 6      |  0.357% | 
[B] | 143  | Garchomp        | 8      |  0.376% | 5      |  0.298% | [/B]
 | 144  | Deerling        | 8      |  0.376% | 7      |  0.417% | 
 | 145  | Ekans           | 7      |  0.329% | 7      |  0.417% | 
 | 146  | Poliwag         | 7      |  0.329% | 5      |  0.298% | 
 | 147  | Krabby          | 7      |  0.329% | 5      |  0.298% | 
 | 148  | Togepi          | 7      |  0.329% | 2      |  0.119% | 
 [B]| 149  | Steelix         | 7      |  0.329% | 6      |  0.357% | [/B]
 | 150  | Phanpy          | 7      |  0.329% | 6      |  0.357% | 
 | 151  | Ralts           | 7      |  0.329% | 5      |  0.298% | 
[B] | 152  | Volbeat         | 7      |  0.329% | 5      |  0.298% | [/B]
 | 153  | Piplup          | 7      |  0.329% | 6      |  0.357% | 
 | 154  | Tepig           | 7      |  0.329% | 5      |  0.298% | 
 | 155  | Pansage         | 7      |  0.329% | 3      |  0.179% | 
[B] | 156  | Excadrill       | 7      |  0.329% | 3      |  0.179% | [/B]
 | 157  | Cubchoo         | 7      |  0.329% | 3      |  0.179% | 
[B] | 158  | Raticate        | 6      |  0.282% | 3      |  0.179% | 
 | 159  | Vulpix          | 6      |  0.282% | 2      |  0.119% | [/B]
 | 160  | Drowzee         | 6      |  0.282% | 5      |  0.298% | 
[B] | 161  | Electabuzz      | 6      |  0.282% | 4      |  0.238% | [/B]
 | 162  | Sentret         | 6      |  0.282% | 6      |  0.357% | 
 | 163  | Zigzagoon       | 6      |  0.282% | 4      |  0.238% | 
[B] | 164  | Shedinja        | 6      |  0.282% | 4      |  0.238% | 
 | 165  | Medicham        | 6      |  0.282% | 6      |  0.357% | [/B]
 | 166  | Numel           | 6      |  0.282% | 5      |  0.298% | 
 | 167  | Snorunt         | 6      |  0.282% | 2      |  0.119% | 
 | 168  | Cherrim         | 6      |  0.282% | 4      |  0.238% | 
 | 169  | Mime Jr.        | 6      |  0.282% | 4      |  0.238% | 
 | 170  | Lillipup        | 6      |  0.282% | 6      |  0.357% | 
 | 171  | Gothorita       | 6      |  0.282% | 4      |  0.238% | 
 | 172  | Ducklett        | 6      |  0.282% | 6      |  0.357% | 
 | 173  | Vanillite       | 6      |  0.282% | 6      |  0.357% | 
 | 174  | Elgyem          | 6      |  0.282% | 6      |  0.357% | 
 | 175  | Zweilous        | 6      |  0.282% | 4      |  0.238% | 
 | 176  | Rattata         | 5      |  0.235% | 5      |  0.298% | 
 | 177  | Nidoran-M       | 5      |  0.235% | 3      |  0.179% | 
 [B]| 178  | Wigglytuff      | 5      |  0.235% | 3      |  0.179% | 
 | 179  | Golduck         | 5      |  0.235% | 2      |  0.119% | 
 | 180  | Machoke         | 5      |  0.235% | 4      |  0.238% | 
 | 181  | Rapidash        | 5      |  0.235% | 4      |  0.238% | [/B]
 | 182  | Seel            | 5      |  0.235% | 2      |  0.119% | 
 [B]| 183  | Tauros          | 5      |  0.235% | 2      |  0.119% | [/B]
[B] | 184  | Zapdos          | 5      |  0.235% | 5      |  0.298% | 
 | 185  | Bellossom       | 5      |  0.235% | 3      |  0.179% | [/B]
[B] | 186  | Azumarill       | 5      |  0.235% | 3      |  0.179% | 
 | 187  | Espeon          | 5      |  0.235% | 1      |  0.060% | 
 | 188  | Sceptile        | 5      |  0.235% | 3      |  0.179% | [/B]
 | 189  | Wurmple         | 5      |  0.235% | 2      |  0.119% | 
 | 190  | Silcoon         | 5      |  0.235% | 3      |  0.179% | 
 | 191  | Lotad           | 5      |  0.235% | 4      |  0.238% | 
[B] | 192  | Ludicolo        | 5      |  0.235% | 3      |  0.179% | [/B]
 | 193  | Surskit         | 5      |  0.235% | 2      |  0.119% | 
 [B]| 194  | Lairon          | 5      |  0.235% | 3      |  0.179% | 
 | 195  | Altaria         | 5      |  0.235% | 2      |  0.119% | 
 | 196  | Banette         | 5      |  0.235% | 4      |  0.238% | 
 | 197  | Metagross       | 5      |  0.235% | 3      |  0.179% | 
 | 198  | Luxio           | 5      |  0.235% | 4      |  0.238% | 
 | 199  | Lopunny         | 5      |  0.235% | 5      |  0.298% | 
 | 200  | Chingling       | 5      |  0.235% | 2      |  0.119% | 
 | 201  | Hippowdon       | 5      |  0.235% | 3      |  0.179% | 
 | 202  | Finneon         | 5      |  0.235% | 2      |  0.119% | 
 | 203  | Servine         | 5      |  0.235% | 4      |  0.238% | 
 | 204  | Oshawott        | 5      |  0.235% | 4      |  0.238% | [/B]
 | 205  | Munna           | 5      |  0.235% | 4      |  0.238% | 
 [B]| 206  | Seismitoad      | 5      |  0.235% | 1      |  0.060% | 
 | 207  | Whimsicott      | 5      |  0.235% | 3      |  0.179% | 
 | 208  | Krokorok        | 5      |  0.235% | 4      |  0.238% | 
 | 209  | Darmanitan      | 5      |  0.235% | 2      |  0.119% | [/B]
 | 210  | Minccino        | 5      |  0.235% | 5      |  0.298% | 
 | 211  | Tynamo          | 5      |  0.235% | 3      |  0.179% | 
 | 212  | Golett          | 5      |  0.235% | 3      |  0.179% |

I cut it off after this point. It gets kind of ridiculous.

First off, note that, contrary to popular opinion, there were NOT more unrated LC battles than rated. Second, bolded are the pokemon that shouldn't be there. Well, some of them, at least.

So yeah, unrated battles do not make for good stats.

 

[waterwarrior]

| 30 | Espeon | 29350 | 6.209% | 23290 | 5.876% |
| 31 | Jellicent | 29025 | 6.140% | 24835 | 6.266% |
| 32 | Gastrodon | 27746 | 5.870% | 23640 | 5.965% |

So umm... what the hell?

 

[MaestroXXVI]

if youre asking why jellicent is below espeon, youre looking at the wrong column...thats the % a poke was actually used in battle, while two columns to the left is the % it was placed on a team. Subtle difference, and the latter is the one smogon uses.

 

[Princess Bubblegum]

if youre asking why jellicent is below espeon, youre looking at the wrong column...thats the % a poke was actually used in battle, while two columns to the left is the % it was placed on a team. Subtle difference, and the latter is the one smogon uses.

Thank you, that was bugging me.

 

[Sabinfrost]

This. Is getting STAB on both Dark and Fighting really that big? Having to either use Drain Punch (weak) or Hi Jump Kick (reckless) is still not that appealing IMO.

Also, just pointing this out, you spelled it wrong. It's Scrafty.

He also lacks a niche, that's the most important thing.

If you want a bulky fighting type, you take Conkeldurr, if you're running Rain, you take Toxicroak, for all else there is Breloom, and that is without mentioning the "T" word as the tiers most dominant Fighting type.

In that company, Scrafty just doesn't look that appealing, he's like Machamp, a good, solid Pokemon, with little reason to consider him over other options when building a team.

In UU however, he'd be very welcome and we might see a bit more diversity (ie. less Herracross) if he did.

 

[Chou Toshio]

UU Bronzong sounds cool (give us metagross god damn it)

Swampy also cool

Donphan, wtf?

 

[ThatGuyNamedJoseph]

ADV OU stats please?

 

[GatoDelFuego]

1 | Tyranitar | 7469 | 45.523% | 6857 | 48.250% | | 2 | Scizor | 6705 | 40.867% | 5803 | 40.834% | | 3 | Rotom-W | 6603 | 40.245% | 6133 | 43.156% | | 4 | Landorus | 5202 | 31.706% | 4593 | 32.319% | | 5 | Terrakion | 4802 | 29.268% | 3824 | 26.908% | | 6 | Dragonite | 4049 | 24.678% | 3294 | 23.179% |

That's a whole team right there! Does anybody at LEET rating or above use anything but sand?

 

[Cheapoman]

I'm thinking a combination of Volt-turn pokes + bulky, hard hitters makes those 6 pokes a good combination.

 

[Thundur]

Ok I though I would just note this. I just ran into literally the same team 5 times in a row while laddering. Tyranitar / Scizor / Rotom-W / Landorus / Terrakion / Latios. Voltturn makes the metagame so stale.

 

[Taylor]

"VoltTurn" is insanely popular because it wields priority, weather and maintains the pace at which the game is played; competitively stable on all fields and is why it is perhaps the most reliable and consistent strategy in this moment of time.

Now we've whittled down to the fine aspects of the newest BW OU metagame, there are more viable playstyles (in theory) however that is only half the story. Pokemon (and all its glory) is explored vastly and they're experimented in new ways so that we continue to adapt to what is considered "standard". It just so happens the way this particular "VoltTurn" style is utilized in a mainstream of conditions whilst staying true to the weather of choice; more often than not, Sand Storm.

Eventually we may see solid builds and effective solutions that could take advantage of this, admittedly, overused and manipulative playstyle, that thrives on the ladder because it doesn't need a direct tactic to win; it's essentially more of a "play as you go".

 

[Drifloon]

Volturn is ridiculously stale... you see it on almost all the teams.

While I agree it is a ridiculously effective playstyle, as well as utilizing weather and other conditions, it is extremely boring and easy to play with. Just look at the top six pokemon. There's a team right there, and the most ridiculous part is that all of them are able of acheiving over 20% usage, meaning that at least half of them were with each of them on the same team. Seriously, nothing compares to the strategy; it is much too easy to climb the ladder with volturn. :/

 

[Avira]

VoltTurn is a powerful strategy in tiers where there enough viable users. I have seen Jubilee and other use it to good effect in UU, and have seen an effective VoltTurn team in RU. The strategy is popular for the reasons that Taylor has already mentioned, and it wouldn't surprise me if it eventually becomes the dominating strategy in a lower tier as well.

 

[Mario With Lasers]

Just look at the top six pokemon. There's a team right there

Why do people insist on this argument? This probably happens since RBY (in fact, it was probably worse back then), just look at last Gen. It's to be expected the top six pokémon form a team: if they're really that good, they'll be used a shitload and, if they're REALLY that good, they'll have some kind of synergy. And hell, the top six always has Tyranitar since ADV, and we all know how easy it is for it to synergize with anything else (except, huh, other Rock-types I guess).

 

[lordkira]

How is Garchomp in Ubers?
Wasn't it straight out bad now?
Thanks for the stats g

 

[PkMARIO]

How is Garchomp in Ubers?
Wasn't it straight out bad now?
Thanks for the stats g

...Nope. Whoever said that?
In fact it may had become better.

 

[New World Order]

lordkira, it doesn't matter if a Pokemon is good in Ubers or not, if it is deemed to overwhelming for OU, it goes to Ubers.

Now in order to not cause this thread to be turned into a free Garchomp thread or something. Lets take a look at Voltturn shall we?

The first thing you notice is that Scizor and Rotom-W are far and away the most used Voltturn users. The next most common carriers of U-Turn/ Volt Switch are Jirachi and Landorus, both whom run many non Voltturn movesets. Going by advanced stats from last month, Scizor and Rotom-W are the only Voltturn users that are commonly seen together.

Could this be perhaps that Voltturn isn't itself a dominant strategy as much as Scizor and Rotom-W just both being so damn good, and happen to have excellent synergy between them. I mean, many common Scizor checks, such as Gyarados and Jellicent shat their pants when they see Rotom-W, while common Rotom-W checks, such as Blissey and Latios don't exactly welcome Scizor with open arms either.

This begs the question, what's is it that's so dominant about Voltturn? Is it the momentum it provides? Is it that it takes no thought to use whatsoever? Or is it simply because of the great synergy between Scizor and Rotom-W (and god, stop calling it the Scrotom combination people, it was funny like 0 times). In my opinion, it is the last statement that is true. Its not the strategy itself that's freaking annoying, its Rotom-W and Scizor individually being douches, and teamining up together just makes them all the more irritating.

I don't believe there is a need to find methods for combating Voltturn the strategy, but merely finding Pokemon who can screw over the combination of Scizor and Rotom-W. Protect is perhaps the best way to deal with this, as this allows you to know if they're going to U-Turn or Bullet Punch, if they're going to Volt Switch or Hydro Pump. There are also a number of Pokemon who can shut this combination down cold, such as Celebi, CM HP Fire Latias, and Bulk Up Breloom. If worse comes to worse, and something troublesome like Hydreigon joins the frey, Voltturn can still be manageable, simply by luring in and disposing of a member. Once one link is broken, the entire chain collapses. All in all, no need to get worked up about Voltturn, is it whoreish and annoying to combat? Indded. But it is by no means insurmountable.

And the best Ttar killer right now is Landorus.

That is most definitely false...

 

[Cheapoman]

Just wait till next gen when psychic, normal, flying, etc. types of Volt-turn pop up. You'll then be seeing entire teams based off this strategy and spamming them from start of the battle till the end.

 

[New World Order]

Just wait till next gen when psychic, normal, flying, etc. types of Volt-turn pop up. You'll then be seeing entire teams based off this strategy and spamming them from start of the battle till the end.

First of all, this doesn't matter, as these moves do not exist yet. Besides, even if this did occur, one could always just toss Spikes onto the field and force a Rapid Spinner to come in, ending the opponent's momentum. All that would change is that Spikes will become the more important entry hazard than Stealth Rock.

 

[TheTraininator]

These tier changes were really a mixed bag, mostly positive I find but some, like the lack of steels in NU, are scary. Swellow + Sawk = dominate. Golem up, Regirock up, Alomomola up.
Anyways, One of the most interesting changes I have seen in Mamoswine moving up. I know why Duggy moved up, I know why Alakazam moved up, I can even see Jolteon and Donphan moving up, but why Mamo? Don't get me wrong, its a good poke, but I don't really see its current niche.
Also, one last thing. Cress and Sigilyph in RU... *shudder*