Water
: A+ -> A
I find that Base Swampert is hard to justify outside of non Mega-Swampert Rain builds. Empoleon generally fills the phasing + setting up rocks role better thanks to having reliable recovery, and I find that a particular three-eyed slug tends to be a more favorable elec-immune for Rainless builds.
: B -> A+/A
Gastrodon is FAR more splashable than B Rank would suggest, and frankly, it's a travesty it's been stuck here for as long as it has. Has some of the most customizable moveslots within the entire type which makes it an omnipresent threat in builder, and is strong into the ever-popular mono Dragon thanks to being able to nail threats such as Hoodra and Garchomp with Earthquake and Ice Beam respectively. The only thing preventing me from being deadset on it being A+ is the fact that it's not super easy to slot on Rain, unlike other A+ tiers.
I demand financial compensation and a written apology to Gastrodon and their family for their placement in B Rank by the end of the year.
: C -> D/UR
Meet Potential Craw!
Completely outclassed as a sweeper by many mons such as Ogerpon-Wellspring, Manaphy, Mega Gyarados, and Keldeo, and only generally outclassed as a Choice Band wallbreaker and priority user by Urshifu-R. As tempting as Choice Band Adaptability Knock Offs may be, its lack of pivoting (unlike its grizzly fellow wallbreaker) means it completely blanks into many common mons such as Mega Venusaur, Altaria, Lati@s, etc.
Maybe there's some builds where it's actually worth using, but I think Mr. Craw oughta pick up the phone and call the local job center, because he ain't got much going for him in this type.
: A+ -> S
I don't think this ever should've dropped from S Rank if I'm being honest. Water has no auto-includes, but Toxapex is still an incredibly close contender. It remains one of the best blanket checks to the physical side, and threats like Wellspring, Mega Altaria are still as dangerous as ever, making it a hard sell to not run it. Vacuum Wave Kommo-o has been growing in popularity over Taunt or Clangorous Soul, which only continues to boost Pex's viability.
: A+ -> AI find that Base Swampert is hard to justify outside of non Mega-Swampert Rain builds. Empoleon generally fills the phasing + setting up rocks role better thanks to having reliable recovery, and I find that a particular three-eyed slug tends to be a more favorable elec-immune for Rainless builds.
: B -> A+/AGastrodon is FAR more splashable than B Rank would suggest, and frankly, it's a travesty it's been stuck here for as long as it has. Has some of the most customizable moveslots within the entire type which makes it an omnipresent threat in builder, and is strong into the ever-popular mono Dragon thanks to being able to nail threats such as Hoodra and Garchomp with Earthquake and Ice Beam respectively. The only thing preventing me from being deadset on it being A+ is the fact that it's not super easy to slot on Rain, unlike other A+ tiers.
I demand financial compensation and a written apology to Gastrodon and their family for their placement in B Rank by the end of the year.
: C -> D/URMeet Potential Craw!
Completely outclassed as a sweeper by many mons such as Ogerpon-Wellspring, Manaphy, Mega Gyarados, and Keldeo, and only generally outclassed as a Choice Band wallbreaker and priority user by Urshifu-R. As tempting as Choice Band Adaptability Knock Offs may be, its lack of pivoting (unlike its grizzly fellow wallbreaker) means it completely blanks into many common mons such as Mega Venusaur, Altaria, Lati@s, etc.
Maybe there's some builds where it's actually worth using, but I think Mr. Craw oughta pick up the phone and call the local job center, because he ain't got much going for him in this type.
: A+ -> S I don't think this ever should've dropped from S Rank if I'm being honest. Water has no auto-includes, but Toxapex is still an incredibly close contender. It remains one of the best blanket checks to the physical side, and threats like Wellspring, Mega Altaria are still as dangerous as ever, making it a hard sell to not run it. Vacuum Wave Kommo-o has been growing in popularity over Taunt or Clangorous Soul, which only continues to boost Pex's viability.
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