(kinda repeat of some of spurrific's noms but I already wrote some of these so :x)
Tier 1 -> Tier 2
In the situations where Dragonite looks really impressive, it usually has a Chien-Pao next to it. On its own it's still a good Pokemon, but it's not effective enough to be Tier 1 on its own. Assault Vest and Dragonite's other sets are good, but don't nearly exert as much influence on the builder as CB Dragonite does. Even then, CB Dragonite gets substantially worse without Chien-Pao not only due the substantial drop-off in power, but also the fact Chien-Pao outright beats the vast majority of Extreme Speed's resists, such as Gholdengo and Garganacl (the latter is 2HKOd by Sacred Sword and it takes about 30 from Extreme Speed, so while it is a big commitment, and Gholdego is still KOd by Sucker+Extreme Speed usually, even after becoming only Steel-type).
In addition, Chien-Pao also helps beat two common forms of priority blocking by removing Psychic Terrain and threatening Tsareena with Ice Spinner, which allows Dragonite to break through the opposing team with Extreme Speed with less worry about both of those. All of the above help illustrate how CB Dragonite's dominance is partially due to Chien-Pao, and not the Pokemon by itself. Practically no other Pokemon can replicate what Chien-Pao does for Dragonite, and while Dragonite is undeniably outstanding on those structures, it would be more accurate if both Dragonite and Chien-Pao were placed in Tier 2 due to both of them being effective Pokemon in their own right, but they both drive physical offense team's success when paired together.
Tier 2 -> Tier 1
Possesses strong defensive utility with its typing and Good as Gold allowing it to come on on a number of Pokemon, including Amoonguss and Dragonite (mainly Extreme Speed for the latter). It's offensive presence is also very strong (pretty sure +2 Make it Rain does 80+ to Ting-Lu with Tera Steel lol), especially considering how Make it Rain is still a spread move, making it pretty much the best offensive Pokemon in the format, and I think its usage in both kickoff/DWCOP reflects that.
Tier 2 -> Tier 1
Extremely strong wincon with Bulk Up that can run away with games early on, puts on a lot of builder strain so you don't lose on preview to it while still having quite a bit of unpredictability, and has been insanely dominant in DWCOP semis so far.
Tier 3 -> Tier 2
Talked about most of Chien's strengths in the Dragonite nom, but this thing enables physical attackers to go from decent to outright monsters just by being on the field, while still possessing a strong offensive presence by itself, threatening stuff like Ting-Lu and Amoonguss relatively well, and I feel having it ranked in the same tier as the main Pokemon it enables is the right call.

In the situations where Dragonite looks really impressive, it usually has a Chien-Pao next to it. On its own it's still a good Pokemon, but it's not effective enough to be Tier 1 on its own. Assault Vest and Dragonite's other sets are good, but don't nearly exert as much influence on the builder as CB Dragonite does. Even then, CB Dragonite gets substantially worse without Chien-Pao not only due the substantial drop-off in power, but also the fact Chien-Pao outright beats the vast majority of Extreme Speed's resists, such as Gholdengo and Garganacl (the latter is 2HKOd by Sacred Sword and it takes about 30 from Extreme Speed, so while it is a big commitment, and Gholdego is still KOd by Sucker+Extreme Speed usually, even after becoming only Steel-type).
252+ Atk Choice Band Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Ruin Gholdengo: 153-181 (48.5 - 57.4%) -- 94.9% chance to 2HKO (94.90% chance to 2HKO after accuracy)
252 Atk Chien-Pao Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Ruin Gholdengo: 151-178 (47.9 - 56.5%) -- 86.3% chance to 2HKO (86.30% chance to 2HKO after accuracy)
252 Atk Chien-Pao Sacred Sword vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Ruin Garganacl: 198-234 (49 - 57.9%) -- 96.1% chance to 2HKO (96.10% chance to 2HKO after accuracy)
252+ Atk Choice Band Tera Normal Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Ruin Garganacl: 117-138 (28.9 - 34.1%) -- 2.1% chance to 3HKO (2.10% chance to 3HKO after accuracy)
252 Atk Chien-Pao Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Ruin Gholdengo: 151-178 (47.9 - 56.5%) -- 86.3% chance to 2HKO (86.30% chance to 2HKO after accuracy)
252 Atk Chien-Pao Sacred Sword vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Ruin Garganacl: 198-234 (49 - 57.9%) -- 96.1% chance to 2HKO (96.10% chance to 2HKO after accuracy)
252+ Atk Choice Band Tera Normal Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Ruin Garganacl: 117-138 (28.9 - 34.1%) -- 2.1% chance to 3HKO (2.10% chance to 3HKO after accuracy)
In addition, Chien-Pao also helps beat two common forms of priority blocking by removing Psychic Terrain and threatening Tsareena with Ice Spinner, which allows Dragonite to break through the opposing team with Extreme Speed with less worry about both of those. All of the above help illustrate how CB Dragonite's dominance is partially due to Chien-Pao, and not the Pokemon by itself. Practically no other Pokemon can replicate what Chien-Pao does for Dragonite, and while Dragonite is undeniably outstanding on those structures, it would be more accurate if both Dragonite and Chien-Pao were placed in Tier 2 due to both of them being effective Pokemon in their own right, but they both drive physical offense team's success when paired together.

Possesses strong defensive utility with its typing and Good as Gold allowing it to come on on a number of Pokemon, including Amoonguss and Dragonite (mainly Extreme Speed for the latter). It's offensive presence is also very strong (pretty sure +2 Make it Rain does 80+ to Ting-Lu with Tera Steel lol), especially considering how Make it Rain is still a spread move, making it pretty much the best offensive Pokemon in the format, and I think its usage in both kickoff/DWCOP reflects that.

Extremely strong wincon with Bulk Up that can run away with games early on, puts on a lot of builder strain so you don't lose on preview to it while still having quite a bit of unpredictability, and has been insanely dominant in DWCOP semis so far.

Talked about most of Chien's strengths in the Dragonite nom, but this thing enables physical attackers to go from decent to outright monsters just by being on the field, while still possessing a strong offensive presence by itself, threatening stuff like Ting-Lu and Amoonguss relatively well, and I feel having it ranked in the same tier as the main Pokemon it enables is the right call.
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