Metagame SV Doubles UU

[Imgi_nova21]

Mew 1->3 kinda mid and shut down by Murcow, Brut bonnet, Thunderous (both) and a few more

Iron jugulis 2-> 4 bro fell off

Metagross, Heatran, moltress galar and volcanion 2 -> 1

Sorry for any misspellings and lack of pictures

 

[Jazz721]

Having played the last of my derby games, I thought it'd be fun to discuss the format and share some of my thoughts on different pokemon. Finished the season 3-4. Not the record I was really wanting but at least I got some wins vs some of the strongest talent in the pool. After having played uu in both dpl and derby, I can confidently say this format really needs some type of tiering action. It feels rather imbalanced as a whole, and certain pokemon dominate the format in ways not seen in other formats. I think if the format stays the same by the time dpl comes around there should be a serious discussion on whether or not duu is included. I made a tier list maker for everyone to use that is updated with the recent drops and rises.
https://tiermaker.com/create/doubles-uu-19439966

This guy is leagues above everything else in the format. Everything pretty much needs to ev to avoid the 2hko from it. Personally I think this thing should be banned to dou.


Another dumb pokemon. It was more or less fine when goltres was around, but now I think it is more problematic. I think the concept of being rewarded for losing is unhealthy and unlike houndstone, basc has the stats to actually make use of last respects. Would like to see this banned too.


Mew is cool because it can do so many things. I like that its bulky enough to withstand hits from ogerpon and do stuff like set up trick room/tailwind. Toxic Spikes are incredibly busted on it because the tier is hurting for poison types. Has coaching, pollen puff, wisp, etc. Great poke.


I really like this guy. Magma storm is incredible for breaking past some of the fatter guys in the format, and with tera it can become unkillable at times.


Not even sure that metagross is even that good, the tier just desperately wants an ivy cudgel resist.

I think this pokemon is better than tier 5 or wherever its currently ranked. Encore + Disable is an incredibly strong combo especially with how fast scream tail is, and stuff like thunder wave is pretty good against rain and the likes.

Not gonna write about my battles and teams I brought since I didn't do all too well, unless people want that. just lmk. would like to see more duu players post their tier lists and opinions on the meta. might change my mind on some of the guys. till next time, peace

 

[pengu]

derby team dump. i didn't have the best record but for a first derby at least i didn't go 0-X LMAO. Had a lot of fun building this tour and playing, would like to thank Idyll and mimi for picking me up as the DUU starter for Spacial Week. Super big shoutout to xmarsh , helped me with literally all of my prep and honestly i wouldn't have done literally anything without them. goated friend and hope to team with u again sometime soon.

not going to do explanations bc im lazy, most of these teams again were made by the GOAT xmarsh
week1 vs Actuarily (L)
vs
https://pokepast.es/1ee484f350e2f7e6

week3 vs SeaLife (W)
vs
https://pokepast.es/a3c34096d219ea77

week4 vs Jazz721 (L)
vs
https://pokepast.es/0a1e3bd6958d2f73

week5 vs Knull (L)
vs
https://pokepast.es/db6ce527f849e977

semis vs Jazz721 (W)
vs
https://pokepast.es/abacbf52ec241f33

tier list:

Maybe I do more in depth write-ups later but here are my standouts rn:


Broken. Leagues above the rest, tbh I'd like to see it go away because this thing just runs the whole format; it's the leading reason why Steel-types such as Cobalion get considered.


Not really S-Tier material anymore IMO. It is very versatile, but with Basculegion-F only rising in popularity and Pokemon such as Hydreigon becoming more and more popular, it struggles a bit defensively, as Mono-Psychic doesn't hold up great in that regard.


I am a diehard psyspam enjoyer. I think it is genuinely a great archetype despite what I have just said about Mew. Even solo Indeedee with Choice Scarf I think is an option that can be explored.

&
Both are amazing disruption Pokemon that I feel are often overlooked. Scream Tail in particular should really be explored more, especially if Ogerpon-C gets the hammer (which i hope it does!!!!!!)


Overrated. Next. But in all seriousness, as a Rain player (as I would consider myself), I don't think it is totally necessary anymore. Now that we have Pelipper (which needs development, hence T4), you don't need Draco or Hurricane to hit things as much anymore, plus Basculegion-F (mixed sets could be cool just saying...) is really really strong. Idk I might just hate this thing bc of how unreliable it can be with Draco and Muddy Water.


PLEASE use this Pokemon. I feel it is actually really strong but underdeveloped. Beats Ogerpon-C, Mew, Metagross, and more. Even has stuff like Dragon Tail.

 

[Marsh]

Post-Derby Metagame Report
​

With another Doubles Derby officially wrapped up (massive congrats to the Cosmogs!), it's the perfect time to take a look at how the tier has evolved over the past few weeks.
I only played DUU for one week this Derby. pengu was our main slot, and I ended up playing SV DOU in the later weeks. However, I still helped heavily with DUU prep and followed every game closely

Here's the team I used the one time I subbed in:
Me vs Hys

Prep

I suggested pengu use basc because Hys loaded a very Ghost weak team in the previous week, and we eventually settled on this setup-spam team with Comfey. Basculegion didn't actually come into play during the match, but the team felt really solid regardless.

We've seen some pretty important rises and drops recently, so let's break them down one by one
​

Moltres-Galar ​

We lost one of the best Pokémon in the tier. It was a highly splashable win condition with a defensive profile that matched up incredibly well against many of the top threats

Winners

Dark-types benefit massively from G-Moltres leaving, as it was very clearly the best among them. Hydreigon, in particular, proved to be a very nice piece in teambuilding, seeing 3 uses this Derby


Psychic- and Ghost-types obviously appreciate the removal of a bulky Dark-type. This makes Psyspam a little better and Basculegion-F as scary as ever


Other Flying-types gain a lot of value now that they can act as substitutes for the Flying slot Moltres used to occupy

Losers

IronPress users really appreciated Moltres's unique ability to pressure and remove Ghost-types like no other Pokémon in the tier could

​

Okidogi ​

Okidogi was an incredibly valuable Pokémon that could comfortably wall Ogerpon and act as a very scary setup wincon with Bulk Up

Winners

The tier already had very few good Fighting-types; with Dogi rising, the remaining ones gain a lot of value. Scrafty, especially, was kept in check by Guard Dog and can now find a much better place in the metagame, being one of the few mons with access to Fake Out

Losers

Okidogi was a crucial piece for Psyspam teams, benefitting from Psychic Seed and getting rid of Dark/Steel types for the core
​

Espathra ​

Not much to add here. Luckily, this thing was banned from DOU, meaning it can't be used in DUU anymore either. Won't be missed

​

Pelipper ​

Rain now has a new toy, and the playstyle really appreciates Pelipper's Flying typing, especially with G-Moltres gone. Concepts like double Flying Rain cores paired with Earthquake Metagross are much easier to achieve now that you don't have to rely on Politoed as your rain setter. Here's a team I built that features this exact idea:


​

General Metagame thoughts
​

I've seen some people doomposting about this tier, but I honestly don't think DUU is in a particularly bad spot. You can still build very original teams without resorting to the usual 3 Pokémon. G-Moltres and Okidogi rising is probably a net positive for the tier, especially since the former had a pretty toxic signature move. Let's go over the most common complaints:


While this guy is undeniably the best Pokémon in the tier, I don't think it's unhealthy or banworthy at all. Often during building, I find myself having to choose between it and Brute Bonnet, and now that G-Moltres is gone, there are even more reasons not to slap it on every single team. It does deal massive damage, but it's pretty exploitable: it gets walled by Steel-types and is very susceptible to hazards and speed control


This one is much trickier. There were many games this Derby where this thing didn't even enter the field, but it sat in the back as the ultimate get out of jail free card if something went wrong. Having lost G-Moltres and a very common Tera Dark user in Okidogi, the council might need to consider taking action on it (or on Last Respects, if tiering policy allows).
This Derby game perfectly highlights how terrifying it can be late-game:
Kcric vs Jazz721

I’ll wrap things up by sharing the usage stats and my personal VR. Thanks to everyone for reading!
​

Usage Stats

+ ---- + ------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| Rank | Pokemon             | Use  | Usage % |  Win %  |
+ ---- + ------------------- + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| 1    | Ogerpon-Cornerstone |   23 |  63.89% |  60.87% |
| 2    | Volcanion           |   17 |  47.22% |  41.18% |
| 3    | Metagross           |   12 |  33.33% |  33.33% |
| 4    | Mew                 |   11 |  30.56% |  45.45% |
| 5    | Moltres-Galar       |   11 |  30.56% |  72.73% |
| 6    | Heatran             |    9 |  25.00% |  55.56% |
| 7    | Brute Bonnet        |    8 |  22.22% |  37.50% |
| 8    | Great Tusk          |    8 |  22.22% |  50.00% |
| 9    | Dragapult           |    7 |  19.44% |  57.14% |
| 10   | Basculegion-F       |    7 |  19.44% | 100.00% |
| 11   | Politoed            |    5 |  13.89% |  40.00% |
| 12   | Kommo-o             |    5 |  13.89% |  60.00% |
| 13   | Okidogi             |    5 |  13.89% |  80.00% |
| 14   | Porygon2            |    4 |  11.11% |  25.00% |
| 15   | Tinkaton            |    4 |  11.11% |  50.00% |
| 16   | Kingdra             |    4 |  11.11% |  50.00% |
| 17   | Thundurus           |    4 |  11.11% |   0.00% |
| 18   | Iron Jugulis        |    4 |  11.11% |  25.00% |
| 19   | Regieleki           |    4 |  11.11% |  50.00% |
| 20   | Necrozma            |    3 |   8.33% |  66.67% |
| 21   | Hydreigon           |    3 |   8.33% |  66.67% |
| 22   | Baxcalibur          |    3 |   8.33% |  66.67% |
| 23   | Comfey              |    3 |   8.33% |  66.67% |
| 24   | Enamorus-Therian    |    2 |   5.56% |  50.00% |
| 25   | Hariyama            |    2 |   5.56% |  50.00% |
| 26   | Ribombee            |    2 |   5.56% | 100.00% |
| 27   | Enamorus            |    2 |   5.56% |   0.00% |
| 28   | Spectrier           |    2 |   5.56% | 100.00% |
| 29   | Espathra            |    2 |   5.56% |  50.00% |
| 30   | Thwackey            |    2 |   5.56% |  50.00% |
| 31   | Araquanid           |    2 |   5.56% |   0.00% |
| 32   | Bronzong            |    2 |   5.56% |   0.00% |
| 33   | Hippowdon           |    2 |   5.56% |   0.00% |
| 34   | Houndstone          |    2 |   5.56% |   0.00% |
| 35   | Samurott-Hisui      |    1 |   2.78% | 100.00% |
| 36   | Tauros-Paldea-Blaze |    1 |   2.78% | 100.00% |
| 37   | Overqwil            |    1 |   2.78% |   0.00% |
| 38   | Ninetales           |    1 |   2.78% | 100.00% |
| 39   | Venusaur            |    1 |   2.78% | 100.00% |
| 40   | Scream Tail         |    1 |   2.78% | 100.00% |
| 41   | Scrafty             |    1 |   2.78% |   0.00% |
| 42   | Thundurus-Therian   |    1 |   2.78% | 100.00% |
| 43   | Iron Bundle         |    1 |   2.78% | 100.00% |
| 44   | Sableye             |    1 |   2.78% |   0.00% |
| 45   | Keldeo-Resolute     |    1 |   2.78% | 100.00% |
| 46   | Magmar              |    1 |   2.78% | 100.00% |
| 47   | Palafin             |    1 |   2.78% |   0.00% |
| 48   | Weezing-Galar       |    1 |   2.78% |   0.00% |
| 49   | Toxapex             |    1 |   2.78% | 100.00% |
| 50   | Kleavor             |    1 |   2.78% |   0.00% |
| 51   | Garchomp            |    1 |   2.78% |   0.00% |
| 52   | Klefki              |    1 |   2.78% | 100.00% |
| 53   | Volcarona           |    1 |   2.78% |   0.00% |
| 54   | Indeedee            |    1 |   2.78% |   0.00% |
| 55   | Iron Crown          |    1 |   2.78% |   0.00% |
| 56   | Azumarill           |    1 |   2.78% |   0.00% |
| 57   | Meowscarada         |    1 |   2.78% |   0.00% |
| 58   | Dragalge            |    1 |   2.78% |   0.00% |
| 59   | Oranguru            |    1 |   2.78% |   0.00% |
| 60   | Rhyperior           |    1 |   2.78% |   0.00% |
| 61   | Smeargle            |    1 |   2.78% |   0.00% |
| 62   | Pecharunt           |    1 |   2.78% | 100.00% |
| 63   | Wo-Chien            |    1 |   2.78% | 100.00% |
| 64   | Zapdos-Galar        |    1 |   2.78% | 100.00% |

VR

 

[Actuarily]

In the most recent tier shifts, Okidogi & Moltres-Galar moved up to DOU. Sadly these two were common on the sample teams, so we've updated the samples! Thank you to everyone who provided teams, these were selected from teams that largely saw success in Derby.

 

[LogIce]

Post Derby Thoughts:​

Gonna echo and build off of some of the points in xmarsh 's post as he beat me to it. DUU is in a great spot right now, and I think there is a lot of flexibility in building and room for it to continue to be innovated. Banning overbearing pieces like Moltres-G and Okidogi (and Espathra) have helped to diversify roles of Dark types and setup options.

Basculegion-F
Let's get the fish shaped elephant out of the room first. I've been a starch proponent of Basculegion-F being banned for over a year now, and while the tier has changed and evolved over time adapting to it being in and out of the meta, I think it does more harm to the metagame than it does good. While dark types are naturally good in this tier (Brute Bonnet, Iron Jugulis, Hydreigon, Scrafty, and formerly Moltres-G), Basculegion puts immense pressure on the builder, often forcing pokemon like Necrozma or Volcanion to run tera normal as a check to not be completely reversed by last respects. Basculegion is unhealthy for the metagame and I would be in support of a second suspect test, now that we've seen the metagame evolve more since the initial vote and key pokemon that helped to keep it in check like Moltres-G and Okidogi have risen to DOU.

The Biggest Winners
Volcanion
I feel slightly differently about the winners post meta shifts. I think the biggest winner is Volcanion. It was already a very driving force and glue-piece, but with removal of basculegion checks, Volcanion becomes one of the best checks to it with tera normal, and forcing damage trades with a majority of the metagame.

Iron Crown and Necrozma
Even though psyspam's partner in Okidogi is gone, I think that psyspam, as well as psychics that can be solo benefit hugely from shifts. Sets like AV Iron Crown and Meteor Beam Necrozma have a good place in the metagame currently, especially on Jugulis teams.

Great Tusk
This mon is something that in the past I always felt was lacking due to the presence of Moltres-G, with it gone, Tusk is free to run dual stabs without the need to run moves that do more damage into molt (head smash). Strong Ground type damage is lacking, and Tusk fills that role.

Baxcalibur
My favorite winner of the new meta, bax is insane on screens, tailwind offense, and fits on a lot of other structures. With scrafty being the only semi-regular intimidate in the tier, loaded dice and assault vest are freed up and allow coaching cores to really catapult this mon into being a top tier meta threat.

Basculegion-F
Already yapped about this girl, ban legion.

Closing Thoughts
With the introduction of champions, DUU's place in DPL may not happen, but I think that if it does the meta is in a really good place, aside from legion. I'd like to see another suspect vote on it prior to DPL.

 

[Getsuga Raiga]

SVDUU Summer Tour Teamdump (4-3)

Warning: Teams provided will get better as the post progresses. Some are ultra experimental and bad. Therefore I won't be providing the most embarrassing replays of all time.

Week 1: Game Vs Dead by Daylight (L)

https://pokepast.es/d6aac25e0b8b3252

Despite having a good mu into this week's opponent, I seem to struggle a lot in game. Didn't tera in time (which WON'T be the last time I do this) and didn't make good predictions. A poor performance for the amount of prep. Oh well. . . Not much else to say.

Week 2: Game Vs SEA (W)

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen9doublesuu-964754?p2

https://pokepast.es/d6aac25e0b8b3252

Was absolutely pissed at myself for not showing what the team was capable of. If I didn't do my favourite archetype justice, I could never ask for help/tests EVER again. Made some good calls and some questionable ones. Overreading 2 separate turns almost cost me the game. Was pressured by the wide guard possibility and simply wanted to force the rain setter out, after absorbing their weather ball. Neither ended up happening, due to a focus sash and a lack of an eject button. Most meta rain teams run lorb & eject. Seeing that Politoed lacked eject made me think that Kingdra was specs. I feel weird for even connecting those dots in my head. Nevertheless, I was right and managed to secure the win.

Week 3: Game Vs Optidox (W)

https://pokepast.es/7b28f59957f0d706

I've had a variation of this in my "absolutely horrid" file. Had taken a page out of Actuarily's teams when we were testing. Instead of Chansey I went with screens. And instead of Scrafty I went with a guts sweeper. The idea was there, but the execution always felt off. . . Was about to bring a team made of the "Big 6", but Code ended up dropping an absolute NUKE of an idea few hours before my game. The team wasn't perfect yet, but this would be the first of many Code-Getsuga stall variations to come. Some good and poor reads ended up happening from both sides. One would say "A chaotic game, where both players had many chances to win". It was alright in the end, since I managed to get the upper hand with some luck (and knowing that I'll be fine, thanks to Conkeldurr always running priority), despite a missclick. A shout-out to Actuarily is needed here. As he helped quite a lot during those 2 weeks.

Week 4: Game Vs zee (L)

(Absolutely horrid team. Won't waste your time)

Christ Almighty. . . This was an absolutely horrible week. Both in game and irl. From university obligations, to zero inspiration, to awful private tests and health issues starting to appear. I'm losing my mind and with no time (or team) I scramble & load what would be my worst spreadsheet of the tournament. VolcaronaVGC tried helping me that week, but i was never in this game to begin with. I'm clicking random buttons, I terastalize too early and I lose on the spot. Rain sucks for me. But I will get better at it.

Week 5: Game Vs pengu (L)

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9doublesuu-2679939362-25pj4uttx454ukdjt7xmmuucdqwa4yypw

https://pokepast.es/deb2fee8b77ed963

Motivation is at it's all time low. Needless to say im devastated from last week's blowout. I try to put my mind at ease by loading the archetype I feel the most comfortable with, but this week's mirror mu into Volcan, P2, BB & a different fighting-type is absolute bs. I grid my teeth and try my best, but I can't play to save my life these 2 weeks. I've never regretted an item swap so badly (lorb for goggles). Also, not terastalizing Volcanion in time is absolutely dumb. Another loss and another disappointment to the lads.

At this point I'm thinking I shouldn't be playing this game at all. I'm feeling useless. I'm trying my best, only to lose to cheese and samples. Am I losing the edge? Am I a one trick pony? All these teams and nothing works other than trick room & horribly put together stall? No time for questions. Nobody cares, as long as you win. I have 1 more chance before I need to take a step back, for health reasons. I'm about to get sh!t done this week.

Week 6: Game Vs Knullify (W)

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9doublesuu-2684701264-6216idv5kitqjwqmim4c5im4m93llw7pw

https://pokepast.es/5cb472cd24e0704e

Put up, or shut up time. A new variation of Code-Getsuga stall. I really don't wanna talk too much about this week. I take a page from our previous team structure and slap on 2 pieces I stole from zee. Made tons of great reads this game. I'm playing like myself again. But I'm playing mons, right? Disaster strikes. . . I'm about to get ultra unlucky (2 hypnosis land in a row), before I get ultra lucky (knull attacks his own mon) and unlucky again (confusion strikes, after a hurricane, as I'm about to burn Basculegion). I manage to recover (!) by making the most aggressive read of my life and dealing the final blow to take home the win.

Week 7: Break

Week 8: Game Vs FRD DecK (W)

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9doublesuu-2692778071-hfak184hxf3rqi1qtfr2mg2449ug2ydpw?p2

https://pokepast.es/a6a738be30dd0186

It's nice to come back and feel like yourself again. I may have been away for a week, but I didn't stop building. Some new teams and improved old ones. The strat is simple. I'm running the big 6 of the format. Balance is an archetype I feel really comfortable with, other than trick room. Although the victory was bittersweet, considering I had to go up against an old friend. Overall a positive experience, but unfortunately this is where our team's journey would end. . .

I wanna say a huge thanks to those who didn't turn your back on me. Who didn't give me the cold shoulder, despite what happened recently. Huge thanks for offering me tests, stress management advice, team building advice and lots of laughs (especially you, you little cheeky brit). Thank you volcaronavgc Ann thepokemonuploads dialgasucksnow Code alcachofa1490 MADARAAAA MyPokemonRBad12 el pauasito and my wife (the gamer gal of my heart). I genuinely didn't expect so many folks to show up to help out of nowhere. I'm blessed to have met great people along the way. Overally proud we managed to go positive. Competition was tough. Some big names Vs a first time DUU competitor. Meeeh, we didn't do that bad

(⁠◠⁠‿◠⁠)

Teams I didn't end up using, cause I wanted to keep them in my back pocket. May have ended with a better record personally, but I wanted to switch things up during the playoffs. A controversial decision, but I believe it would have payed off. Keeping the best for last is a good way to approach things.

[1] A rain team I've been working on, ever since I started experimenting with it. I'm ultra happy with the result, after weeks of trying to nail it down. The team doesn't get walled by it's most common threats and the different forms of speed control, debuffs and spore are able to slow the pace of the game enough. All that while the sweepers get the job done. I think rain has stayed the same for far too long and Kingdra isn't as great. Some of these pieces are able to find more success.

https://pokepast.es/04c5581375225bcc

[2] A second version of the notorious Alcachofa sand structure. I feel that the addition of a secondary grass-type, in the form of BB, is able to slow the pace of the game enough. Gives you ways out, through guaranteed sleep turns, just like with rain. The speed control, along with chip damage (from sand & rocks) and spore are able to get the job done. All while the hound is in the back waiting to pop up. Any set up is prevented through clear smog. And Hippowdon can be devastating after 1 stockpile (ultra rare, but cool). The only issue may lie against hazards & screens. Defog seems to be the only way to remove those.

https://pokepast.es/3f8b06e106b31b15

[3] A fullroom variation including Hariyama & Enamorus, that has found a lot of success during testing. Don't want to take credit for this either, as it's a remake. But I definitely feel like the additional pieces fit the current meta a bit more. Hoopa's item is not necessarily for spore, but more so for the rise of toxic spikes. Ogerpon can be replaced with Brute Bonnet's ability to redirect. Feel free to navigate the team with whatever pieces float your boat.

https://pokepast.es/26a0041afeea725a

Final thoughts and conclusions:

I think DUU isn't as great as it used to be. I think the format has condensated itself somehow. Leading to Last Respects, Volcanion, Ogerpon and Metagross being necessary for almost any team (with Metagross checking the latter & having to run tera dark as a semi check to Basculegion). Each of these can find a place on almost any spreadsheet and be successful. In the end I think the best teams someone might wanna use are the trick room variations, the rain structures, or the balance teams (either the samples, or the ones provided earlier). Stall, as previously mentioned, is arguably underexplored right now. I have a few more ideas I'd like to incorporate, but as it stands the archetype has some major flaws. Despite me winning both my games with it, it was by the skin of my teeth. And putting your record on the line just to experiment is ultra dumb, but also ultra me.

*I managed to put together a Zongroom variation too. It is just a prototype though. Had the pleasure to share with a few friends. I worked for a couple of days on it and I'm really proud with the end result, as it topped the ladder pretty fast (the only good player we faced was Horamir, but we did great every time). We've recently started experimenting with Rhyperior a lot more, considering it's natural synergy with Bronzong. It's able to threaten the genie duo a lot more. It manages to remove them from the field immediately, or forces them to burn tera. It has amazing STAB, so steel-types (Metagross, Cobalion, Tinkaton, Heatran and Crown) are a lot more threatened by the OHKO potential as well. Zong is also relatively safe in the presence of a spore threat, considering Rhyperior's access to Megahorn. This also threatens Heatran if terastalization into a grass-type takes place. Scrafty's pressure and Bonnet's redirection ability guarantee that room is almost always up (Ogerpon works too, duh). But every team has it's weaknesses. I feel that the removal of Goltres has allowed this little blue blob to pop up in DUU.*

Once again, I wanna thank every bratan and sestrenka for their help and support. It is unfortunate our team couldn't pull through. But I want to thank y'all for drafting a first timer like me, despite coming from absolutely nowhere. Thanks TakingNotesKinda In the end I can only hope I made the team proud, despite a lack of motivation sometimes. I also hope I made the lads proud. All the time you put into me wasn't wasted. I may not have done y'all justice the way I wanted, but I didn't fail you either. Thanks BigFatMantis Larry evakiyama! & goldmason for the amazing tournament hosting. DUU doesn't see as much spotlight as it should! Had a lot of fun and a lot of stress!

(⁠≧⁠▽⁠≦⁠) / (⁠╥⁠﹏⁠╥⁠)

 

[volcaronavgc]

SVDUU Summer Tour Teamdump (4-3)

Warning: Teams provided will get better as the post progresses. Some are ultra experimental and bad. Therefore I won't be providing the most embarrassing replays of all time.

Week 1: Game Vs Dead by Daylight (L)

https://pokepast.es/d6aac25e0b8b3252

Despite having a good mu into this week's opponent, I seem to struggle a lot in game. Didn't tera in time (which WON'T be the last time I do this) and didn't make good predictions. A poor performance for the amount of prep. Oh well. . . Not much else to say.

Week 2: Game Vs SEA (W)

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen9doublesuu-964754?p2

https://pokepast.es/d6aac25e0b8b3252

Was absolutely pissed at myself for not showing what the team was capable of. If I didn't do my favourite archetype justice, I could never ask for help/tests EVER again. Made some good calls and some questionable ones. Overreading 2 separate turns almost cost me the game. Was pressured by the wide guard possibility and simply wanted to force the rain setter out, after absorbing their weather ball. Neither ended up happening, due to a focus sash and a lack of an eject button. Most meta rain teams run lorb & eject. Seeing that Politoed lacked eject made me think that Kingdra was specs. I feel weird for even connecting those dots in my head. Nevertheless, I was right and managed to secure the win.

Week 3: Game Vs Optidox (W)

https://pokepast.es/7b28f59957f0d706

I've had a variation of this in my "absolutely horrid" file. Had taken a page out of Actuarily's teams when we were testing. Instead of Chansey I went with screens. And instead of Scrafty I went with a guts sweeper. The idea was there, but the execution always felt off. . . Was about to bring a team made of the "Big 6", but Code ended up dropping an absolute NUKE of an idea few hours before my game. The team wasn't perfect yet, but this would be the first of many Code-Getsuga stall variations to come. Some good and poor reads ended up happening from both sides. One would say "A chaotic game, where both players had many chances to win". It was alright in the end, since I managed to get the upper hand with some luck (and knowing that I'll be fine, thanks to Conkeldurr always running priority), despite a missclick. A shout-out to Actuarily is needed here. As he helped quite a lot during those 2 weeks.

Week 4: Game Vs zee (L)

(Absolutely horrid team. Won't waste your time)

Christ Almighty. . . This was an absolutely horrible week. Both in game and irl. From university obligations, to zero inspiration, to awful private tests and health issues starting to appear. I'm losing my mind and with no time (or team) I scramble & load what would be my worst spreadsheet of the tournament. VolcaronaVGC tried helping me that week, but i was never in this game to begin with. I'm clicking random buttons, I terastalize too early and I lose on the spot. Rain sucks for me. But I will get better at it.

Week 5: Game Vs pengu (L)

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9doublesuu-2679939362-25pj4uttx454ukdjt7xmmuucdqwa4yypw

https://pokepast.es/deb2fee8b77ed963

Motivation is at it's all time low. Needless to say im devastated from last week's blowout. I try to put my mind at ease by loading the archetype I feel the most comfortable with, but this week's mirror mu into Volcan, P2, BB & a different fighting-type is absolute bs. I grid my teeth and try my best, but I can't play to save my life these 2 weeks. I've never regretted an item swap so badly (lorb for goggles). Also, not terastalizing Volcanion in time is absolutely dumb. Another loss and another disappointment to the lads.

At this point I'm thinking I shouldn't be playing this game at all. I'm feeling useless. I'm trying my best, only to lose to cheese and samples. Am I losing the edge? Am I a one trick pony? All these teams and nothing works other than trick room & horribly put together stall? No time for questions. Nobody cares, as long as you win. I have 1 more chance before I need to take a step back, for health reasons. I'm about to get sh!t done this week.

Week 6: Game Vs Knullify (W)

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9doublesuu-2684701264-6216idv5kitqjwqmim4c5im4m93llw7pw

https://pokepast.es/5cb472cd24e0704e

Put up, or shut up time. A new variation of Code-Getsuga stall. I really don't wanna talk too much about this week. I take a page from our previous team structure and slap on 2 pieces I stole from zee. Made tons of great reads this game. I'm playing like myself again. But I'm playing mons, right? Disaster strikes. . . I'm about to get ultra unlucky (2 hypnosis land in a row), before I get ultra lucky (knull attacks his own mon) and unlucky again (confusion strikes, after a hurricane, as I'm about to burn Basculegion). I manage to recover (!) by making the most aggressive read of my life and dealing the final blow to take home the win.

Week 7: Break

Week 8: Game Vs FRD DecK (W)

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9doublesuu-2692778071-hfak184hxf3rqi1qtfr2mg2449ug2ydpw?p2

https://pokepast.es/a6a738be30dd0186

It's nice to come back and feel like yourself again. I may have been away for a week, but I didn't stop building. Some new teams and improved old ones. The strat is simple. I'm running the big 6 of the format. Balance is an archetype I feel really comfortable with, other than trick room. Although the victory was bittersweet, considering I had to go up against an old friend. Overall a positive experience, but unfortunately this is where our team's journey would end. . .

I wanna say a huge thanks to those who didn't turn your back on me. Who didn't give me the cold shoulder, despite what happened recently. Huge thanks for offering me tests, stress management advice, team building advice and lots of laughs (especially you, you little cheeky brit). Thank you volcaronavgc Ann thepokemonuploads dialgasucksnow Code alcachofa1490 MADARAAAA MyPokemonRBad12 el pauasito and my wife (the gamer gal of my heart). I genuinely didn't expect so many folks to show up to help out of nowhere. I'm blessed to have met great people along the way. Overally proud we managed to go positive. Competition was tough. Some big names Vs a first time DUU competitor. Meeeh, we didn't do that bad

(⁠◠⁠‿◠⁠)

Teams I didn't end up using, cause I wanted to keep them in my back pocket. May have ended with a better record personally, but I wanted to switch things up during the playoffs. A controversial decision, but I believe it would have payed off. Keeping the best for last is a good way to approach things.

[1] A rain team I've been working on, ever since I started experimenting with it. I'm ultra happy with the result, after weeks of trying to nail it down. The team doesn't get walled by it's most common threats and the different forms of speed control, debuffs and spore are able to slow the pace of the game enough. All that while the sweepers get the job done. I think rain has stayed the same for far too long and Kingdra isn't as great. Some of these pieces are able to find more success.

https://pokepast.es/04c5581375225bcc

[2] A second version of the notorious Alcachofa sand structure. I feel that the addition of a secondary grass-type, in the form of BB, is able to slow the pace of the game enough. Gives you ways out, through guaranteed sleep turns, just like with rain. The speed control, along with chip damage (from sand & rocks) and spore are able to get the job done. All while the hound is in the back waiting to pop up. Any set up is prevented through clear smog. And Hippowdon can be devastating after 1 stockpile (ultra rare, but cool). The only issue may lie against hazards & screens. Defog seems to be the only way to remove those.

https://pokepast.es/3f8b06e106b31b15

[3] A fullroom variation including Hariyama & Enamorus, that has found a lot of success during testing. Don't want to take credit for this either, as it's a remake. But I definitely feel like the additional pieces fit the current meta a bit more. Hoopa's item is not necessarily for spore, but more so for the rise of toxic spikes. Ogerpon can be replaced with Brute Bonnet's ability to redirect. Feel free to navigate the team with whatever pieces float your boat.

https://pokepast.es/26a0041afeea725a

Final thoughts and conclusions:

I think DUU isn't as great as it used to be. I think the format has condensated itself somehow. Leading to Last Respects, Volcanion, Ogerpon and Metagross being necessary for almost any team (with Metagross checking the latter & having to run tera dark as a semi check to Basculegion). Each of these can find a place on almost any spreadsheet and be successful. In the end I think the best teams someone might wanna use are the trick room variations, the rain structures, or the balance teams (either the samples, or the ones provided earlier). Stall, as previously mentioned, is arguably underexplored right now. I have a few more ideas I'd like to incorporate, but as it stands the archetype has some major flaws. Despite me winning both my games with it, it was by the skin of my teeth. And putting your record on the line just to experiment is ultra dumb, but also ultra me.

*I managed to put together a Zongroom variation too. It is just a prototype though. Had the pleasure to share with a few friends. I worked for a couple of days on it and I'm really proud with the end result, as it topped the ladder pretty fast (the only good player we faced was Horamir, but we did great every time). We've recently started experimenting with Rhyperior a lot more, considering it's natural synergy with Bronzong. It's able to threaten the genie duo a lot more. It manages to remove them from the field immediately, or forces them to burn tera. It has amazing STAB, so steel-types (Metagross, Cobalion, Tinkaton, Heatran and Crown) are a lot more threatened by the OHKO potential as well. Zong is also relatively safe in the presence of a spore threat, considering Rhyperior's access to Megahorn. This also threatens Heatran if terastalization into a grass-type takes place. Scrafty's pressure and Bonnet's redirection ability guarantee that room is almost always up (Ogerpon works too, duh). But every team has it's weaknesses. I feel that the removal of Goltres has allowed this little blue blob to pop up in DUU.*

Once again, I wanna thank every bratan and sestrenka for their help and support. It is unfortunate our team couldn't pull through. But I want to thank y'all for drafting a first timer like me, despite coming from absolutely nowhere. Thanks TakingNotesKinda In the end I can only hope I made the team proud, despite a lack of motivation sometimes. I also hope I made the lads proud. All the time you put into me wasn't wasted. I may not have done y'all justice the way I wanted, but I didn't fail you either. Thanks BigFatMantis Larry evakiyama! & goldmason for the amazing tournament hosting. DUU doesn't see as much spotlight as it should! Had a lot of fun and a lot of stress!

(⁠≧⁠▽⁠≦⁠) / (⁠╥⁠﹏⁠╥⁠)

Well why am i catching strays bro <3 :D good run :3

 

[Actuarily]

In the most tier shifts, Regidrago has shifted down to DUU once again. While we have seen it before in the tier, it's a top offensive threat on hyper offense teams, so everyone should be prepared with a reliable dragon resist.

In other news, in lieu of a circuit, there is a $100 DUU doubles elimination tournament to end the year. Everyone interested should sign up!