Metagame SS OU Metagame Discussion Thread v7 (Usage Stats in post #3539)

How is everyone opinion on zygarde, since its slapable on so many teams, it can run so many sets from the standard coil sub glare, to dragon dance WP on screens. With the removal of Hp ice and the tapu's seeing less and less usage, I can safely say that zygarde is banworthy and has very limited checks, it can setup on most mons, it can beat stall up via 101 hp subs and glare. Zygarde can also be paired with toxic spikes since nothing wants to absorb them when zygarde can t arrow them into oblivion
I actually don't think Zygarde is broken. It has a lot of natural defensive counterplay—unaware Quagsire or Clefable on stall, Buzzwole, Slowbro, grass Knot Tangrowth, etc. There is also a lot of offensive counterplay: teleport/u-turn into infiltrator Dragapult, anything with a strong ice move can force it out, etc. Kyurem-B existing also gives the snake a lot of trouble because it gets fried by icicle spear. It's certainly very good, and has the ability to pick its checks to an extent (Toxic vs Glare, Rest vs Sub) but I don't think it's broken.

In terms of Zygarde + tspike, one of the best Zygarde answers is Heavy Duty boots Buzzwole. Kyurem-B often runs boots. In a pinch, most defoggers can take a hit from Zygarde to get TSpike off, and Pex can take an unboosted Thousand Arrows when it pivots in. if Zygarde is banworthy, it will be banworthy on its own merit, rather than because it's broken with tspike support. Tspike is usually very good in the early meta because people spam mediocre hyperoffense teams, and Zygarde + tspike being good probably reflects more on that than on whether Zygarde is broken or not.
 

TPP

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Tundra Cup Round 2 Usage Stats are here!

Round 2 Usage Stats

Code:
+ ---- + ------------------ + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| Rank | Pokemon            | Use  | Usage % |  Win %  |
+ ---- + ------------------ + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| 1    | Zygarde            |  125 |  33.78% |  48.80% |
| 2    | Clefable           |  114 |  30.81% |  56.14% |
| 3    | Heatran            |  103 |  27.84% |  52.43% |
| 4    | Landorus-Therian   |   90 |  24.32% |  47.78% |
| 5    | Magearna           |   88 |  23.78% |  52.27% |
| 6    | Urshifu-*          |   81 |  21.89% |  48.15% |
| 7    | Toxapex            |   80 |  21.62% |  58.75% |
| 8    | Spectrier          |   75 |  20.27% |  48.00% |
| 9    | Kyurem-Black       |   74 |  20.00% |  45.95% |
| 10   | Melmetal           |   73 |  19.73% |  56.16% |
| 11   | Pheromosa          |   68 |  18.38% |  51.47% |
| 12   | Landorus           |   55 |  14.86% |  41.82% |
| 13   | Zapdos             |   53 |  14.32% |  58.49% |
| 14   | Mandibuzz          |   49 |  13.24% |  55.10% |
| 15   | Buzzwole           |   42 |  11.35% |  59.52% |
| 16   | Ferrothorn         |   37 |  10.00% |  43.24% |
| 17   | Blissey            |   36 |   9.73% |  61.11% |
| 18   | Slowbro            |   35 |   9.46% |  51.43% |
| 19   | Tornadus-Therian   |   34 |   9.19% |  50.00% |
| 20   | Excadrill          |   33 |   8.92% |  36.36% |
| 21   | Tyranitar          |   32 |   8.65% |  50.00% |
| 22   | Pelipper           |   28 |   7.57% |  39.29% |
| 23   | Moltres            |   27 |   7.30% |  55.56% |
| 23   | Zapdos-Galar       |   27 |   7.30% |  33.33% |
| 25   | Swampert           |   25 |   6.76% |  64.00% |
| 25   | Latios             |   25 |   6.76% |  44.00% |
| 25   | Blaziken           |   25 |   6.76% |  40.00% |
| 28   | Dragapult          |   24 |   6.49% |  45.83% |
| 28   | Tapu Fini          |   24 |   6.49% |  41.67% |
| 30   | Slowking           |   23 |   6.22% |  52.17% |
| 30   | Regieleki          |   23 |   6.22% |  30.43% |
| 32   | Dragonite          |   22 |   5.95% |  50.00% |
| 33   | Ditto              |   21 |   5.68% |  76.19% |
| 34   | Tapu Koko          |   20 |   5.41% |  50.00% |
| 35   | Cinderace          |   19 |   5.14% |  63.16% |
| 35   | Latias             |   19 |   5.14% |  31.58% |
| 37   | Corviknight        |   18 |   4.86% |  44.44% |
| 37   | Rillaboom          |   18 |   4.86% |  27.78% |
| 39   | Zarude             |   17 |   4.59% |  52.94% |
| 40   | Kartana            |   16 |   4.32% |  43.75% |
| 40   | Aegislash          |   16 |   4.32% |  43.75% |
| 40   | Shuckle            |   16 |   4.32% |  12.50% |
| 43   | Marowak-Alola      |   15 |   4.05% |  60.00% |
| 43   | Thundurus-Therian  |   15 |   4.05% |  40.00% |
| 43   | Barraskewda        |   15 |   4.05% |  20.00% |
| 46   | Suicune            |   14 |   3.78% |  71.43% |
| 46   | Hatterene          |   14 |   3.78% |  64.29% |
| 46   | Garchomp           |   14 |   3.78% |  50.00% |
| 49   | Cresselia          |   13 |   3.51% |  61.54% |
| 50   | Kingdra            |   12 |   3.24% |  58.33% |
| 50   | Tapu Lele          |   12 |   3.24% |  50.00% |
| 52   | Hydreigon          |   11 |   2.97% |  45.45% |
| 52   | Dracozolt          |   11 |   2.97% |  27.27% |
| 54   | Skarmory           |   10 |   2.70% |  70.00% |
| 54   | Azumarill          |   10 |   2.70% |  20.00% |
| 56   | Regidrago          |    8 |   2.16% |  75.00% |
| 56   | Celesteela         |    8 |   2.16% |  62.50% |
| 56   | Hawlucha           |    8 |   2.16% |  50.00% |
| 56   | Glastrier          |    8 |   2.16% |  37.50% |
| 60   | Ninetales-Alola    |    7 |   1.89% |  57.14% |
| 60   | Porygon2           |    7 |   1.89% |  42.86% |
| 60   | Magnezone          |    7 |   1.89% |  42.86% |
| 60   | Hippowdon          |    7 |   1.89% |  28.57% |
| 60   | Amoonguss          |    7 |   1.89% |  28.57% |
| 65   | Tangrowth          |    6 |   1.62% |  66.67% |
| 65   | Grimmsnarl         |    6 |   1.62% |  50.00% |
| 65   | Blacephalon        |    6 |   1.62% |  50.00% |
| 65   | Mew                |    6 |   1.62% |  33.33% |
| 65   | Scizor             |    6 |   1.62% |  16.67% |
| 70   | Chansey            |    5 |   1.35% |  80.00% |
| 70   | Quagsire           |    5 |   1.35% |  80.00% |
| 70   | Ribombee           |    5 |   1.35% |  80.00% |
| 70   | Crawdaunt          |    5 |   1.35% |  60.00% |
| 70   | Tapu Bulu          |    5 |   1.35% |  60.00% |
| 75   | Shedinja           |    4 |   1.08% | 100.00% |
| 75   | Nidoqueen          |    4 |   1.08% | 100.00% |
| 75   | Victini            |    4 |   1.08% |  75.00% |
| 75   | Seismitoad         |    4 |   1.08% |  50.00% |
| 75   | Gastrodon          |    4 |   1.08% |  50.00% |
| 75   | Moltres-Galar      |    4 |   1.08% |  50.00% |
| 75   | Conkeldurr         |    4 |   1.08% |  25.00% |
| 75   | Jirachi            |    4 |   1.08% |  25.00% |
| 75   | Volcarona          |    4 |   1.08% |  25.00% |
| 84   | Arctozolt          |    3 |   0.81% | 100.00% |
| 84   | Slowking-Galar     |    3 |   0.81% |  66.67% |
| 84   | Nihilego           |    3 |   0.81% |  66.67% |
| 84   | Mamoswine          |    3 |   0.81% |  66.67% |
| 84   | Torkoal            |    3 |   0.81% |  66.67% |
| 84   | Scolipede          |    3 |   0.81% |  33.33% |
| 84   | Bisharp            |    3 |   0.81% |   0.00% |
| 91   | Venusaur           |    2 |   0.54% | 100.00% |
| 91   | Xatu               |    2 |   0.54% | 100.00% |
| 91   | Abomasnow          |    2 |   0.54% | 100.00% |
| 91   | Volcanion          |    2 |   0.54% |  50.00% |
| 91   | Accelgor           |    2 |   0.54% |  50.00% |
| 91   | Azelf              |    2 |   0.54% |  50.00% |
| 91   | Rotom-Wash         |    2 |   0.54% |  50.00% |
| 91   | Uxie               |    2 |   0.54% |   0.00% |
| 91   | Diggersby          |    2 |   0.54% |   0.00% |
| 100  | Comfey             |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 100  | Kyurem             |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 100  | Omastar            |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 100  | Charizard          |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 100  | Crobat             |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 100  | Stakataka          |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 100  | Mantine            |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 100  | Primarina          |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 100  | Regigigas          |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 100  | Weavile            |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 100  | Articuno           |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 100  | Krookodile         |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 100  | Reuniclus          |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 100  | Articuno-Galar     |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 100  | Rhyperior          |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 100  | Celebi             |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 100  | Metagross          |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 100  | Cloyster           |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 100  | Slowbro-Galar      |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 100  | Druddigon          |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 100  | Raikou             |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 100  | Gengar             |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 100  | Tentacruel         |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 100  | Kabutops           |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 100  | Magmortar          |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 100  | Thundurus          |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 100  | Obstagoon          |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
Moves and Teammates
Combos
Round 2 Leads

Code:
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| Rank | Leads                   | Use  | Usage % |  Win %  |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| 1    | Landorus-Therian        |   36 |   9.73% |  50.00% |
| 2    | Pheromosa               |   29 |   7.84% |  31.03% |
| 3    | Clefable                |   20 |   5.41% |  65.00% |
| 4    | Pelipper                |   16 |   4.32% |  37.50% |
| 5    | Toxapex                 |   14 |   3.78% |  71.43% |
| 6    | Zapdos                  |   12 |   3.24% |  75.00% |
| 6    | Zygarde                 |   12 |   3.24% |  66.67% |
| 6    | Heatran                 |   12 |   3.24% |  50.00% |
| 6    | Shuckle                 |   12 |   3.24% |  16.67% |
| 10   | Tornadus-Therian        |    8 |   2.16% |  75.00% |
| 10   | Magearna                |    8 |   2.16% |  75.00% |
| 10   | Swampert                |    8 |   2.16% |  75.00% |
| 10   | Urshifu                 |    8 |   2.16% |  62.50% |
| 10   | Urshifu-Rapid-Strike    |    8 |   2.16% |  37.50% |
| 10   | Spectrier               |    8 |   2.16% |  37.50% |
| 16   | Tyranitar               |    7 |   1.89% |  57.14% |
| 16   | Landorus                |    7 |   1.89% |  57.14% |
| 16   | Regieleki               |    7 |   1.89% |  28.57% |
| 19   | Excadrill               |    6 |   1.62% |  50.00% |
| 20   | Ribombee                |    5 |   1.35% |  80.00% |
| 20   | Slowbro                 |    5 |   1.35% |  40.00% |
| 20   | Latios                  |    5 |   1.35% |  40.00% |
| 23   | Kyurem-Black            |    4 |   1.08% |  75.00% |
| 23   | Aegislash               |    4 |   1.08% |  75.00% |
| 23   | Melmetal                |    4 |   1.08% |  50.00% |
| 23   | Hatterene               |    4 |   1.08% |  50.00% |
| 23   | Kartana                 |    4 |   1.08% |  25.00% |
| 23   | Mandibuzz               |    4 |   1.08% |  25.00% |
| 23   | Ferrothorn              |    4 |   1.08% |  25.00% |
| 23   | Mew                     |    4 |   1.08% |  25.00% |
| 31   | Zapdos-Galar            |    3 |   0.81% |  66.67% |
| 31   | Blissey                 |    3 |   0.81% |  66.67% |
| 31   | Tangrowth               |    3 |   0.81% |  66.67% |
| 31   | Suicune                 |    3 |   0.81% |  66.67% |
| 31   | Slowking                |    3 |   0.81% |  66.67% |
| 31   | Tapu Fini               |    3 |   0.81% |  33.33% |
| 31   | Moltres                 |    3 |   0.81% |  33.33% |
| 31   | Dragapult               |    3 |   0.81% |  33.33% |
| 31   | Thundurus-Therian       |    3 |   0.81% |   0.00% |
| 40   | Victini                 |    2 |   0.54% | 100.00% |
| 40   | Ditto                   |    2 |   0.54% | 100.00% |
| 40   | Nidoqueen               |    2 |   0.54% | 100.00% |
| 40   | Tapu Lele               |    2 |   0.54% | 100.00% |
| 40   | Porygon2                |    2 |   0.54% | 100.00% |
| 40   | Cinderace               |    2 |   0.54% | 100.00% |
| 40   | Cresselia               |    2 |   0.54% |  50.00% |
| 40   | Buzzwole                |    2 |   0.54% |  50.00% |
| 40   | Volcanion               |    2 |   0.54% |  50.00% |
| 40   | Azelf                   |    2 |   0.54% |  50.00% |
| 40   | Blaziken                |    2 |   0.54% |  50.00% |
| 40   | Torkoal                 |    2 |   0.54% |  50.00% |
| 40   | Grimmsnarl              |    2 |   0.54% |   0.00% |
| 40   | Latias                  |    2 |   0.54% |   0.00% |
| 40   | Uxie                    |    2 |   0.54% |   0.00% |
| 40   | Skarmory                |    2 |   0.54% |   0.00% |
| 40   | Garchomp                |    2 |   0.54% |   0.00% |
| 40   | Dragonite               |    2 |   0.54% |   0.00% |
| 40   | Hippowdon               |    2 |   0.54% |   0.00% |
| 40   | Dracozolt               |    2 |   0.54% |   0.00% |
| 60   | Kyurem                  |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 60   | Marowak-Alola           |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 60   | Mamoswine               |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 60   | Regidrago               |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 60   | Abomasnow               |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 60   | Rillaboom               |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 60   | Magnezone               |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 60   | Scolipede               |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 60   | Chansey                 |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 60   | Azumarill               |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 60   | Accelgor                |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 60   | Glastrier               |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 60   | Druddigon               |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 60   | Barraskewda             |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 60   | Ninetales-Alola         |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 60   | Quagsire                |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 60   | Thundurus               |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 60   | Jirachi                 |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
I'll leave the same questions as last time and a few extra ones:

1. What are the biggest differences between these usage stats and usage stats from round 1?
2. What stood out or surprised you the most?
3. Between these usage stats and the stats from round 1, what common trends do you see?
4. What mons (if any) saw a significant increase in usage compared to round 1? Why do you think this increase happened?
5. What mons (if any) saw a significant decrease in usage compared to round 1? Why do you think this decrease happened?
6. Are there any cores/combos that you find interesting or consistent? If so, what are they?
 

Katy

Banned deucer.
Differences to Round 1 - Usage-stats and Win-rates!

:mandibuzz: This Pokemon is definitely one of the best checks to Spectrier and Spectrier has a high Usage being placed in the Top 10 on Rank 8, so it isn't surprising seeing Mandibuzz climbing all the way up to check this and also Dragapult in the current metagame. Mandibuzz serves as the ebst check to them as it has the longevity to serves as such. Blissey and Chansey might be immune to their Ghost-STABs but Dragapult can still get past them with Dragon Darts, especially when these 2 Pokemon are on low HP, or they got Knocked off in the earlier part of the game.

:zygarde: shot up too, with being Rank 1 here in the Crown Tundra Cup Round 2, and :landorus-therian: being up there as well on Rank 4 means these 2 Pokemon define which are the top-grounds currently, with checking Pokemon such as Regieleki and Tapu Koko. Zygardes versatility speaks for itself, with Dual-Dance (DD and Coil) and also Tarrows, Glare, Coil, and Substitute, which is its best Set currently.

Speaking of these 2 electric-types, :regieleki: and :tapu koko:s Usage decreased as Players figured out how mandatory ground-types are in the metagame now, with Zygarde and Lando-T being placed in the Top 5, and also Swampert, which can be used on Rain-teams to get the slow momentum via Flip Turn and helping against opposing electric-types and giving Rain-teams the necessary true electric-immune slot, which is shown in a solid Usage-Winrate-Stat: 25 | Swampert | 25 | 6.76% | 64.00% |

:dragapult: pretty much stagnates from Round 1 to Round 2, same goes to the combination of :tyranitar: and :excadrill: but I think Sand-teams are still the best archetype, when it comes to weather-reliant teams.

:heatran: is a top pick in the metagame, as it can check many Pokemon with its Specially defensive-set, but its usage doesn't end there as to why it is a top threat, being used on Trick Room and occosionally on Sun-teams spamming Eruption clearly helps Heatrans Usage in 2 Rounds, as it was Rank 5 last Round and Rank 3 this very Round. I predict that it'll end up in the Top 5 next Round again, as this Pokemon is just an amazing pick overall and can fullfill many important roles in the current metagame.

:ninetales-alola: Shot up in Usage as well, as I think that many people figured out that Veil-offense might be the way and acts as an Anti-Pick to Pokemon such as Swampert, which actually checks Regieleki very well, so people use the threatening Veil-Setter A-Tales instead to put pressure on especially Rain-teams with their leads being Pelipper or Swampert.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Perish Song

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| 28 | Dragapult | 24 | 6.49% | 45.83% |
This is perhaps the most unexpected part of the usage stats for me. As far as I'm concerned Dragapult is still a force to be reckoned with. It is still the fastest Pokemon in the tier with U-turn after Pheromosa, its typing is superb, now has more targets to annoy with Will-o-Wisp + Hex combo, can revenge kill Zygarde behind a Substitute, and most importantly with an underexplored/unpopular set of Choice Scarf, it can revenge kill about anything, even Adamant Zygarde at +2, a shitload of Choice Scarf users, and Kingdra / Venusaur / Excadrill under their respective weathers.

The Pokemon combinations and individual usage for top Pokemon are not surprising. Zygarde proves itself to be one of the most dangerous Pokemon in the metagame right now, its usage is a clear indication of that. Clefable and Toxapex are doing their own things and it is to nobody's surprise that pairing Zygarde with these Pokemon took the highest usage in both double and triple combinations.
 
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With respect to those competing and the effort involved in compiling the stats, it’s not very meaningful to analyze the “metagame” based on a tiny sample of tournament games — ~300 games from the previous round vs the 100K+ we get at a higher level of play from the 1850+ ladder stats. Ditto getting played in 25 games isn’t the “state of the game”; it’s like 5 people using it on a team...
 
Tundra Cup Round 2 Usage Stats are here!

Round 2 Usage Stats

Code:
+ ---- + ------------------ + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| Rank | Pokemon            | Use  | Usage % |  Win %  |
+ ---- + ------------------ + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| 1    | Zygarde            |  125 |  33.78% |  48.80% |
| 2    | Clefable           |  114 |  30.81% |  56.14% |
| 3    | Heatran            |  103 |  27.84% |  52.43% |
| 4    | Landorus-Therian   |   90 |  24.32% |  47.78% |
| 5    | Magearna           |   88 |  23.78% |  52.27% |
| 6    | Urshifu-*          |   81 |  21.89% |  48.15% |
| 7    | Toxapex            |   80 |  21.62% |  58.75% |
| 8    | Spectrier          |   75 |  20.27% |  48.00% |
| 9    | Kyurem-Black       |   74 |  20.00% |  45.95% |
| 10   | Melmetal           |   73 |  19.73% |  56.16% |
| 11   | Pheromosa          |   68 |  18.38% |  51.47% |
| 12   | Landorus           |   55 |  14.86% |  41.82% |
| 13   | Zapdos             |   53 |  14.32% |  58.49% |
| 14   | Mandibuzz          |   49 |  13.24% |  55.10% |
| 15   | Buzzwole           |   42 |  11.35% |  59.52% |
| 16   | Ferrothorn         |   37 |  10.00% |  43.24% |
| 17   | Blissey            |   36 |   9.73% |  61.11% |
| 18   | Slowbro            |   35 |   9.46% |  51.43% |
| 19   | Tornadus-Therian   |   34 |   9.19% |  50.00% |
| 20   | Excadrill          |   33 |   8.92% |  36.36% |
| 21   | Tyranitar          |   32 |   8.65% |  50.00% |
| 22   | Pelipper           |   28 |   7.57% |  39.29% |
| 23   | Moltres            |   27 |   7.30% |  55.56% |
| 23   | Zapdos-Galar       |   27 |   7.30% |  33.33% |
| 25   | Swampert           |   25 |   6.76% |  64.00% |
| 25   | Latios             |   25 |   6.76% |  44.00% |
| 25   | Blaziken           |   25 |   6.76% |  40.00% |
| 28   | Dragapult          |   24 |   6.49% |  45.83% |
| 28   | Tapu Fini          |   24 |   6.49% |  41.67% |
| 30   | Slowking           |   23 |   6.22% |  52.17% |
| 30   | Regieleki          |   23 |   6.22% |  30.43% |
| 32   | Dragonite          |   22 |   5.95% |  50.00% |
| 33   | Ditto              |   21 |   5.68% |  76.19% |
| 34   | Tapu Koko          |   20 |   5.41% |  50.00% |
| 35   | Cinderace          |   19 |   5.14% |  63.16% |
| 35   | Latias             |   19 |   5.14% |  31.58% |
| 37   | Corviknight        |   18 |   4.86% |  44.44% |
| 37   | Rillaboom          |   18 |   4.86% |  27.78% |
| 39   | Zarude             |   17 |   4.59% |  52.94% |
| 40   | Kartana            |   16 |   4.32% |  43.75% |
| 40   | Aegislash          |   16 |   4.32% |  43.75% |
| 40   | Shuckle            |   16 |   4.32% |  12.50% |
| 43   | Marowak-Alola      |   15 |   4.05% |  60.00% |
| 43   | Thundurus-Therian  |   15 |   4.05% |  40.00% |
| 43   | Barraskewda        |   15 |   4.05% |  20.00% |
| 46   | Suicune            |   14 |   3.78% |  71.43% |
| 46   | Hatterene          |   14 |   3.78% |  64.29% |
| 46   | Garchomp           |   14 |   3.78% |  50.00% |
| 49   | Cresselia          |   13 |   3.51% |  61.54% |
| 50   | Kingdra            |   12 |   3.24% |  58.33% |
| 50   | Tapu Lele          |   12 |   3.24% |  50.00% |
| 52   | Hydreigon          |   11 |   2.97% |  45.45% |
| 52   | Dracozolt          |   11 |   2.97% |  27.27% |
| 54   | Skarmory           |   10 |   2.70% |  70.00% |
| 54   | Azumarill          |   10 |   2.70% |  20.00% |
| 56   | Regidrago          |    8 |   2.16% |  75.00% |
| 56   | Celesteela         |    8 |   2.16% |  62.50% |
| 56   | Hawlucha           |    8 |   2.16% |  50.00% |
| 56   | Glastrier          |    8 |   2.16% |  37.50% |
| 60   | Ninetales-Alola    |    7 |   1.89% |  57.14% |
| 60   | Porygon2           |    7 |   1.89% |  42.86% |
| 60   | Magnezone          |    7 |   1.89% |  42.86% |
| 60   | Hippowdon          |    7 |   1.89% |  28.57% |
| 60   | Amoonguss          |    7 |   1.89% |  28.57% |
| 65   | Tangrowth          |    6 |   1.62% |  66.67% |
| 65   | Grimmsnarl         |    6 |   1.62% |  50.00% |
| 65   | Blacephalon        |    6 |   1.62% |  50.00% |
| 65   | Mew                |    6 |   1.62% |  33.33% |
| 65   | Scizor             |    6 |   1.62% |  16.67% |
| 70   | Chansey            |    5 |   1.35% |  80.00% |
| 70   | Quagsire           |    5 |   1.35% |  80.00% |
| 70   | Ribombee           |    5 |   1.35% |  80.00% |
| 70   | Crawdaunt          |    5 |   1.35% |  60.00% |
| 70   | Tapu Bulu          |    5 |   1.35% |  60.00% |
| 75   | Shedinja           |    4 |   1.08% | 100.00% |
| 75   | Nidoqueen          |    4 |   1.08% | 100.00% |
| 75   | Victini            |    4 |   1.08% |  75.00% |
| 75   | Seismitoad         |    4 |   1.08% |  50.00% |
| 75   | Gastrodon          |    4 |   1.08% |  50.00% |
| 75   | Moltres-Galar      |    4 |   1.08% |  50.00% |
| 75   | Conkeldurr         |    4 |   1.08% |  25.00% |
| 75   | Jirachi            |    4 |   1.08% |  25.00% |
| 75   | Volcarona          |    4 |   1.08% |  25.00% |
| 84   | Arctozolt          |    3 |   0.81% | 100.00% |
| 84   | Slowking-Galar     |    3 |   0.81% |  66.67% |
| 84   | Nihilego           |    3 |   0.81% |  66.67% |
| 84   | Mamoswine          |    3 |   0.81% |  66.67% |
| 84   | Torkoal            |    3 |   0.81% |  66.67% |
| 84   | Scolipede          |    3 |   0.81% |  33.33% |
| 84   | Bisharp            |    3 |   0.81% |   0.00% |
| 91   | Venusaur           |    2 |   0.54% | 100.00% |
| 91   | Xatu               |    2 |   0.54% | 100.00% |
| 91   | Abomasnow          |    2 |   0.54% | 100.00% |
| 91   | Volcanion          |    2 |   0.54% |  50.00% |
| 91   | Accelgor           |    2 |   0.54% |  50.00% |
| 91   | Azelf              |    2 |   0.54% |  50.00% |
| 91   | Rotom-Wash         |    2 |   0.54% |  50.00% |
| 91   | Uxie               |    2 |   0.54% |   0.00% |
| 91   | Diggersby          |    2 |   0.54% |   0.00% |
| 100  | Comfey             |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 100  | Kyurem             |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 100  | Omastar            |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 100  | Charizard          |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 100  | Crobat             |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 100  | Stakataka          |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 100  | Mantine            |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 100  | Primarina          |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 100  | Regigigas          |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 100  | Weavile            |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 100  | Articuno           |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 100  | Krookodile         |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 100  | Reuniclus          |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 100  | Articuno-Galar     |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 100  | Rhyperior          |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 100  | Celebi             |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 100  | Metagross          |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 100  | Cloyster           |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 100  | Slowbro-Galar      |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 100  | Druddigon          |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 100  | Raikou             |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 100  | Gengar             |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 100  | Tentacruel         |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 100  | Kabutops           |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 100  | Magmortar          |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 100  | Thundurus          |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 100  | Obstagoon          |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
Moves and Teammates
Combos
Round 2 Leads

Code:
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| Rank | Leads                   | Use  | Usage % |  Win %  |
+ ---- + ----------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| 1    | Landorus-Therian        |   36 |   9.73% |  50.00% |
| 2    | Pheromosa               |   29 |   7.84% |  31.03% |
| 3    | Clefable                |   20 |   5.41% |  65.00% |
| 4    | Pelipper                |   16 |   4.32% |  37.50% |
| 5    | Toxapex                 |   14 |   3.78% |  71.43% |
| 6    | Zapdos                  |   12 |   3.24% |  75.00% |
| 6    | Zygarde                 |   12 |   3.24% |  66.67% |
| 6    | Heatran                 |   12 |   3.24% |  50.00% |
| 6    | Shuckle                 |   12 |   3.24% |  16.67% |
| 10   | Tornadus-Therian        |    8 |   2.16% |  75.00% |
| 10   | Magearna                |    8 |   2.16% |  75.00% |
| 10   | Swampert                |    8 |   2.16% |  75.00% |
| 10   | Urshifu                 |    8 |   2.16% |  62.50% |
| 10   | Urshifu-Rapid-Strike    |    8 |   2.16% |  37.50% |
| 10   | Spectrier               |    8 |   2.16% |  37.50% |
| 16   | Tyranitar               |    7 |   1.89% |  57.14% |
| 16   | Landorus                |    7 |   1.89% |  57.14% |
| 16   | Regieleki               |    7 |   1.89% |  28.57% |
| 19   | Excadrill               |    6 |   1.62% |  50.00% |
| 20   | Ribombee                |    5 |   1.35% |  80.00% |
| 20   | Slowbro                 |    5 |   1.35% |  40.00% |
| 20   | Latios                  |    5 |   1.35% |  40.00% |
| 23   | Kyurem-Black            |    4 |   1.08% |  75.00% |
| 23   | Aegislash               |    4 |   1.08% |  75.00% |
| 23   | Melmetal                |    4 |   1.08% |  50.00% |
| 23   | Hatterene               |    4 |   1.08% |  50.00% |
| 23   | Kartana                 |    4 |   1.08% |  25.00% |
| 23   | Mandibuzz               |    4 |   1.08% |  25.00% |
| 23   | Ferrothorn              |    4 |   1.08% |  25.00% |
| 23   | Mew                     |    4 |   1.08% |  25.00% |
| 31   | Zapdos-Galar            |    3 |   0.81% |  66.67% |
| 31   | Blissey                 |    3 |   0.81% |  66.67% |
| 31   | Tangrowth               |    3 |   0.81% |  66.67% |
| 31   | Suicune                 |    3 |   0.81% |  66.67% |
| 31   | Slowking                |    3 |   0.81% |  66.67% |
| 31   | Tapu Fini               |    3 |   0.81% |  33.33% |
| 31   | Moltres                 |    3 |   0.81% |  33.33% |
| 31   | Dragapult               |    3 |   0.81% |  33.33% |
| 31   | Thundurus-Therian       |    3 |   0.81% |   0.00% |
| 40   | Victini                 |    2 |   0.54% | 100.00% |
| 40   | Ditto                   |    2 |   0.54% | 100.00% |
| 40   | Nidoqueen               |    2 |   0.54% | 100.00% |
| 40   | Tapu Lele               |    2 |   0.54% | 100.00% |
| 40   | Porygon2                |    2 |   0.54% | 100.00% |
| 40   | Cinderace               |    2 |   0.54% | 100.00% |
| 40   | Cresselia               |    2 |   0.54% |  50.00% |
| 40   | Buzzwole                |    2 |   0.54% |  50.00% |
| 40   | Volcanion               |    2 |   0.54% |  50.00% |
| 40   | Azelf                   |    2 |   0.54% |  50.00% |
| 40   | Blaziken                |    2 |   0.54% |  50.00% |
| 40   | Torkoal                 |    2 |   0.54% |  50.00% |
| 40   | Grimmsnarl              |    2 |   0.54% |   0.00% |
| 40   | Latias                  |    2 |   0.54% |   0.00% |
| 40   | Uxie                    |    2 |   0.54% |   0.00% |
| 40   | Skarmory                |    2 |   0.54% |   0.00% |
| 40   | Garchomp                |    2 |   0.54% |   0.00% |
| 40   | Dragonite               |    2 |   0.54% |   0.00% |
| 40   | Hippowdon               |    2 |   0.54% |   0.00% |
| 40   | Dracozolt               |    2 |   0.54% |   0.00% |
| 60   | Kyurem                  |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 60   | Marowak-Alola           |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 60   | Mamoswine               |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 60   | Regidrago               |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 60   | Abomasnow               |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 60   | Rillaboom               |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 60   | Magnezone               |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 60   | Scolipede               |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 60   | Chansey                 |    1 |   0.27% | 100.00% |
| 60   | Azumarill               |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 60   | Accelgor                |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 60   | Glastrier               |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 60   | Druddigon               |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 60   | Barraskewda             |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 60   | Ninetales-Alola         |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 60   | Quagsire                |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 60   | Thundurus               |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
| 60   | Jirachi                 |    1 |   0.27% |   0.00% |
I'll leave the same questions as last time and a few extra ones:

1. What are the biggest differences between these usage stats and usage stats from round 1?
2. What stood out or surprised you the most?
3. Between these usage stats and the stats from round 1, what common trends do you see?
4. What mons (if any) saw a significant increase in usage compared to round 1? Why do you think this increase happened?
5. What mons (if any) saw a significant decrease in usage compared to round 1? Why do you think this decrease happened?
6. Are there any cores/combos that you find interesting or consistent? If so, what are they?
Why do y’all get win rates but showdown’s regular stats don’t?

With respect to those competing and the effort involved in compiling the stats, it’s not very meaningful to analyze the “metagame” based on a tiny sample of tournament games — ~300 games from the previous round vs the 100K+ we get at a higher level of play from the 1850+ ladder stats. Ditto getting played in 25 games isn’t the “state of the game”; it’s like 5 people using it on a team...
I agree, I use the 1850 stats for everything. 1725 for other meta games since that is their highest.

With that being said, Zygarde at <50% winrate is interesting. I’d really love to see it’s performance in the 1850 stats. Clefable and Toxapex look broken from these stats
 

Zneon

uh oh
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6. Are there any cores/combos that you find interesting or consistent? If so, what are they?
I want to talk about this part since its pretty interesting to speculate and discuss about the cores in this metagame, so why don't I.

+


This is one that I've been seeing a ton, and it's not that hard to see why. They both cover their weaknesses, they both teleport incredibly reliably, and they simultaneously check a vast majority of the metagame, which makes BlissBro in my eyes one of, if not the best defensive core in the entire metagame right now. This core is so incredibly reliable and useful for almost any team that you can put it on almost any team that isn't too far into the offensive spectrum and they will be so much better. This is made pretty apparent when this core has a very high winrate of 82.35%.

+
+


Clefable + Zygarde + Toxapex is is the most common core right now with a pretty great winrate of 67.50% and its easy to see why given how consistent they are. Clefable is a great rocker that is able to remove Leftovers from stuff such as Zygarde, opposing Clefable and Landorus-T, or it can even go Wish for very needed recovery on Zygarde and make it even more of a threat throughout the course of the game. Toxapex does Toxapex things, it Knocks Off items, it Scalds, all that, I've been using Toxic Spikes the most on these cores and I feel that's an excellent move on it right now specifically because of how well it supports Zygarde by poisoning its checks and giving it more room to outlast them and forcing them to recover many times. This is personally my favourite pairing and its easily one of the most consistent right now.

+


Clefable does Clefable things and Heatran does Heatran things, but I want to talk about how they depending on the moves you give them, they can free eachother moveslots for whatever you want for your team. Big mouthful so let me explain, so if you make Heatran your rocker, then you Clefable can be free to whatever it wants with its last moveslot, whether its Wish, Heal Bell, or maybe Calm Mind if you want a great wincon, whereas if you make Clefable your rocker, Heatran has the opportunity to fit Taunt, Toxic, Earth Power or Protect if it wasn't able to fit one of them in its last moveslot due to rocks, which is why I love how they compliment eachother in the teambuilder.
_ _ _

Hope you guys liked this small little post and hopefully it was some interest to you.
Thanks for reading! :blobthumbsup:
 
Last edited:
With that being said, Zygarde at <50% winrate is interesting. I’d really love to see it’s performance in the 1850 stats. Clefable and Toxapex look broken from these stats
While I am not saying Clefable and Toxapex are not broken, I do want to point out that most of the defense/stall(y) pokemon have high win rations. It is sounding like this data might be based on a tournament, if so, what I am about to say will not have any weight.

The reason I think "stall" pokemon have a high win ratio is because stall has the highest chance of winning, just it takes a lot longer to play, so LESS people find it enjoyable to win that way. Again if this is tournament data, people will want to win anyway they can so my comment is measning less. All that being said, with small sample size, any pokemon brought on a team 1 time and won will have 100% win ratio so take that with a grain of salt.
 
While I am not saying Clefable and Toxapex are not broken, I do want to point out that most of the defense/stall(y) pokemon have high win rations. It is sounding like this data might be based on a tournament, if so, what I am about to say will not have any weight.

The reason I think "stall" pokemon have a high win ratio is because stall has the highest chance of winning, just it takes a lot longer to play, so LESS people find it enjoyable to win that way. Again if this is tournament data, people will want to win anyway they can so my comment is measning less. All that being said, with small sample size, any pokemon brought on a team 1 time and won will have 100% win ratio so take that with a grain of salt.
i agree that the sample size is too small to make any big claims, it is something worth mentioning though.

and yeah it's a tournament
 
91 | Volcanion | 2 | 0.54% | 50.00% |

As the one successful user of Volcanion in this tour, I have to say that I'm surprised it didn't get more usage. It's a good anti-meta pick: it annihilates rain, it beats Heatran, the substitute set always gets at least one kill, usually two. It's difficult to prepare for, because it's a Fire-type that beats Water types, and if it double switches in once, it can be really devastating. The weakness to rocks often isn't that big of an issue because it stays in for a few turns, enough to recover most of its HP back. I've been pairing it with WishPort Clefable to alleviate the weakness even more. Weirdly enough it's walled by Porygon2, but that thing is uncommon (and you just burn it anyway).

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1218277095-v17tpisbyxh0p9bgrjx5omhmuug9sdrpw

This is the replay of me using Volcanion in Tundra Cup. My play wasn't fantastic here, but you can see how much of a threat Volcanion is.

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1217455628-bqlcjpfqi4sqzuphw8bak77uerpgj9tpw

This is a replay I have of me testing that team on the ladder (I made some changes—the Clef is still physdef in that game I think, but SpDef in the tour game) but even with a Porygon2, Volcanion is able to burn it and stall it out of Recovery and then win the game. I was somewhere around 1750 on the ladder in this game. (Also s/o BKC for writing that post about SpDef Landorus, even with Landorus-I banned it's shockingly good at keeping up rocks).

TL;DR Use Volcanion
 

Wigglytuff

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With respect to those competing and the effort involved in compiling the stats, it’s not very meaningful to analyze the “metagame” based on a tiny sample of tournament games — ~300 games from the previous round vs the 100K+ we get at a higher level of play from the 1850+ ladder stats. Ditto getting played in 25 games isn’t the “state of the game”; it’s like 5 people using it on a team...
This argument cuts both ways, though. I could say that the smaller consequences for losing on the ladder ("oh shit i lost now im out of the tournament" vs "oh shit i lost now im down 30 points") give more room for players to experiment or counter team. Whereas in tournaments, there's more of a need to weigh innovative vs proven builds. In fact, I know from personal experience that you can shoot up to ~1900 using teams that have the express purpose of being anti-meta, but really start struggling in the 2000s, where players get creative.

All of this is to say that both the Tundra Cup and high ladder are valuable insights into the state of the metagame. I'm pretty amused with Clefable's resiliency; no matter what DLC throws at it, it somehow always finds itself back at the top of the metagame. The prevalence of Zygarde, Pheromosa, and Urshifu-S seems to keep it using the classic PhysDef Moonblast/Knock/Rock/Soft-Boiled set, (69.3%, 35.96%, 34.21%, 21.05% usage, respectively) but I could definitely see the WishPort set making a return if Buzzwole (#15 usage, 59.52% winrate in R2 Tundra Cup) picks up usage as a physical wall. WishPort Clef would make a great partner for Heatran, who tends to get its Boots/Lefties knocked off fairly quickly and gets heavily chipped by Rocks.
 
| 15 | Buzzwole | 42 | 11.35% | 59.52% |
:buzzwole:
I have been loving Buzzwole and spamming it forever but one of the best things it counters right now is standard BoltBeam Kyu-B with either Earth Power, Sub, or Roost in the last slot. To put that matchup on its head, Kyu-B can slot in Dual Wingbeat on its last slot.

:Kyurem-Black:
+1 252+ Atk Teravolt Kyurem-Black Dual Wingbeat (2 hits) vs. 252 HP / 144+ Def Buzzwole: 440-520 (105.2 - 124.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Think it's definitely worth running on some HO teams which can provide dual screens to make up for the loss in longevity especially if Buzzwole continues to maintain this usage to deal with Urshifu-S and Zyg among others.
 

Finchinator

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Kyurem-Black is at the point that it is able to adapt to most counterplay not named Melmetal. It is super restrictive and while some fourth moves (i.e: Substitute and Roost) are more mainstream than others (i.e: Dual Wingbeat), I still feel that the collective is too much for the tier. Obviously a small handful of Pokemon handle it pretty well and those Pokemon deserve credit, but the range of checks is not nearly diverse enough and Kyurem-B's ability to punish underprepared teams is second-to-none due to that attack stat + natural BoltBeam coverage.
 
Personally I find Zygarde to be more overpowering than Kyurem-B, but I'm absolutely for a Kyurem-B ban as well. No other Pokemon has the sheer ability to cheese through so many teams with hax alone. Will my Buzzwole get para'd twice in a row? GG. Games should not devolve into RNG coinflips like this on a regular basis. Zygarde has very few good checks, and most of them lose in the long run with paralysis. Tapu Bulu gets set up on by Zygarde unless it carries Bulk Up, Buzzwole is prone to getting haxed and is easily abused by teammates, and Tangrowth wins in the long term barring extreme hax. Not to mention versatility, as Zygarde has excellent bulk, great typing, and can run an effective Banded set too. Toxic also exists if Tangrowth and Tapu Bulu become more common as Zygarde checks.

As for Kyurem-B, Heavy Duty Boots allow it to have next to zero counter play. Because of the incredible power behind a +1 KyuB and the setup opportunities its bulk provides it, KyuB can switch in and out with little punishment. This makes checking it all the more difficult as its checks have lesser longevity than KyuB itself, despite being rocks weak and having a terrible defensive typing. Please ban this.
 
No offense, but I would like to sed how many paras in a row from BU + Roost +Ice Punch Buzzwole ( standart set) does Zygarde need to actually defeat it. Pretty sure the number will have 2 digits.
I mean, Zygarde can beat Buzzwole with Toxic + Rest but saying it will do the same with Parahax is a pretty lame argument.
 
No offense, but I would like to sed how many paras in a row from BU + Roost +Ice Punch Buzzwole ( standart set) does Zygarde need to actually defeat it. Pretty sure the number will have 2 digits.
I mean, Zygarde can beat Buzzwole with Toxic + Rest but saying it will do the same with Parahax is a pretty lame argument.
Assuming no attack investment on Buzzwole, Zygarde needs 3 full paras on subs/coils before Buzzwole is forced to bulk up in order to break its sub. From there, it depends on the amount of Bulk Ups that Buzzwole gets off, and defence investment, but:
+6 0 Atk Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. +1 252 HP / 0 Def Buzzwole : (23.2 - 27.2%) - possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
However, crit hax still happens, and has happened to me before.
 
Assuming no attack investment on Buzzwole, Zygarde needs 3 full paras on subs/coils before Buzzwole is forced to bulk up in order to break its sub. From there, it depends on the amount of Bulk Ups that Buzzwole gets off, and defence investment, but:
+6 0 Atk Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. +1 252 HP / 0 Def Buzzwole : (23.2 - 27.2%) - possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
However, crit hax still happens, and has happened to me before.
Buzzwole does not even need to break the Sub. It just Stalls all Zygarde PPS bulking up and roosting , so 3 full paras are not enough. In fact, para is the best possible status Buzzwole can get, since it will not fear burns or poisons if it does. Buzzwole's goal is to win against Zygarde ( and other threats), not to win quickly. Just 3 paras don't prevent that.
 
On the topic of Zygarde, one set that I'm having great success with recently is Dragon Dance/Thousand Arrows/Thousand Waves/Rest on a Spikes Mew team. It is a more high-roller set, and less stable than the standard set. However, the beauty of Thousand Waves is that it is almost as difficult to punish as Thousand Arrows. Anything that you nail with Thousand Waves cannot double switch out of Zygarde, always giving you the switch initiative, and it only takes one favorable prediction for Zygarde to trap something like Ferrothorn before get a free boost to +6/+6.

This set takes a lot of the defensive answers to Zygarde such as Tangrowth, Slowbro (lacking Ice Beam), and Clefable and turn them into set-up fodder. Tangrowth fails to 2HKO Zygarde, so Zygarde can simply trap it and brute force through it after getting to +6. Slowbro and Clefable can Teleport out of Thousand Waves, but the next switch-in is still facing a boosted Zygarde, which is no easy task. As for Buzzwole, it still beats this set, but Zygarde can still trap it and switch to something like Volcarona to give it a free turn of set-up.
Zygarde @ Leftovers / Chesto Berry / Metronome
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 252 HP / 48 Def / 176 SpD / 32 Spe
Careful Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Thousand Arrows
- Thousand Waves
- Rest
 
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On the topic of Zygarde, one set that I'm having great success with recently is Dragon Dance/Thousand Arrows/Thousand Waves/Rest on a Spikes Mew team. It is a more high-roller set, and less stable than the standard set. However, the beauty of Thousand Waves is that it is almost as difficult to punish as Thousand Arrows. Anything that you nail with Thousand Waves cannot double switch out of Zygarde, always giving you the switch initiative, and it only takes one favorable prediction for Zygarde to trap something like Ferrothorn before get a free boost to +6/+6.

This set takes a lot of the defensive answers to Zygarde such as Tangrowth, Slowbro (lacking Ice Beam), and Clefable and turn them into set-up fodder. Tangrowth fails to 2HKO Zygarde, so Zygarde can simply trap it and brute force through it after getting to +6. Slowbro and Clefable can Teleport out of Thousand Waves, but the next switch-in is still facing a boosted Zygarde, which is no easy task. As for Buzzwole, it still beats this set, but Zygarde can still trap it and switch to something like Volcarona to give it a free turn of set-up.
Zygarde @ Leftovers / Chesto Berry / Metronome
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 252 HP / 48 Def / 176 SpD / 32 Spe
Careful Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Thousand Arrows
- Thousand Waves
- Rest
Very nice idea, pretty sure it can be useful in HO. However, I fail to see how Clefable will Teleport out, when it literally beats this set unless gets it gets critted. The one way it gets punished is by not being able to outpredict the Zygarde switch to something like Scizor or Bisharp, that scare Clefable out.
 
Very nice idea, pretty sure it can be useful in HO. However, I fail to see how Clefable will Teleport out, when it literally beats this set unless gets it gets critted. The one way it gets punished is by not being able to outpredict the Zygarde switch to something like Scizor or Bisharp, that scare Clefable out.
0 SpA Clefable Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 176+ SpD Zygarde: 156-186 (37.1 - 44.2%) -- 99.8% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
Clefable needs 2 high rolls in a row with one of them critting to 2HKO Zygarde, so Zygarde can literally stall out Moonblast with Rest.

If Clefable does not have Knock Off, Zygarde is basically never getting 2HKOed unless Clefable crits twice in a row.
If Clefable does not have Teleport, Zygarde just PP stall Moonblast out and get to +6.

In the former situation, you are probably getting 2 free DD before you reveal Rest for the first time, and you can either threaten a 2HKO with a +2 STAB or use the time to set-up further. The optimal play as Clefable will be to Teleport out, but even then, Zygarde would have burned a turn of sleep, which means whatever is switching next still needs to be able to directly threaten Zygarde.
The latter situation is where Thousand Waves Zygarde really shines. Sometimes you just accidentally autowin the game because you trapped their Clefable or Ferrothorn.
 
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I think Kyurem-b is the only thing left that deserves a quickban. Anything else I think deserves a suspect and I expect Zygarde would be getting one very soon if thats the route the council goes. After Zygarde I would guess that Melmetal is the next most likely thing to eventually get a suspect, but its hard to speculate that far out.
 
0 SpA Clefable Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 176+ SpD Zygarde: 156-186 (37.1 - 44.2%) -- 99.8% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
Clefable needs 2 high rolls in a row with one of them critting to 2HKO Zygarde, so Zygarde can literally stall out Moonblast with Rest.

If Clefable does not have Knock Off, Zygarde is basically never getting 2HKOed unless Clefable crits twice in a row.
If Clefable does not have Teleport, Zygarde just PP stall Moonblast out and get to +6.

In the former situation, you are probably getting 2 free DD before you reveal Rest for the first time, and you can either threaten a 2HKO with a +2 STAB or use the time to set-up further. The optimal play as Clefable will be to Teleport out, but even then, Zygarde would have burned a turn of sleep, which means whatever is switching next still needs to be able to directly threaten Zygarde.
The latter situation is where Thousand Waves Zygarde really shines. Sometimes you just accidentally autowin the game because you trapped their Clefable or Ferrothorn.
Huh... Rest are 3 turns, not 2. So, let's suppose Zygarde predicts Clef use Soft and uses Rest. Clef then hits Zygarde 2 times while it sleeps. The next turn Zygarde has 2 options: attack or sleep again. If it attacks, Clefable likely lives and Zygarde dies. If it sleeps, Clefable hits 3 times and Zygarde dies without damaging it.
 
Huh... Rest are 3 turns, not 2. So, let's suppose Zygarde predicts Clef use Soft and uses Rest. Clef then hits Zygarde 2 times while it sleeps. The next turn Zygarde has 2 options: attack or sleep again. If it attacks, Clefable likely lives and Zygarde dies. If it sleeps, Clefable hits 3 times and Zygarde dies without damaging it.
Rest has always been two turns of sleep only? And besides, it’s already been established that Clef 3HKOs that spread at best, so you can literally spam Rest until it is incapable of hitting you.
 

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Rest has always been two turns of sleep only? And besides, it’s already been established that Clef 3HKOs that spread at best, so you can literally spam Rest until it is incapable of hitting you.
The turn you spend on using rest also counts. Let me visualize it.

Turn 1: Zygarde Rests, Clefable attacks
Turn 2: Sleep turn 1, Clefable attacks
Turn 3: Sleep Turn 2, Clefable attacks, Zygarde dies.

So no, Rest in the long term will not allow you to beat Clefable one on one unless the Clefable is paralyzed before by another source. A standard Clefable will handle this set as you are lacking Sleep Talk.
 
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