Metagame Sword & Shield - RU Speculation Thread

[phantom]

All Ability Descriptions: https://pastebin.com/iifYQntd
All Deleted Moves: https://pastebin.com/3FTfUgzd
All moves: https://pastebin.com/fXsN3Bvw
All gmax moves: https://pastebin.com/yZsZgNUc
Movesets P1: https://pastebin.com/Cyg8Rp53
Movesets P2: https://pastebin.com/c6EFsDjr

New Mechanics:

• Dynamax

-Lasts for 3 Turns
-One use per battle
-Doubles HP stat
-Allows the use of dynamax moves
-Immunity to weight-based attacks (Heavy Slam, Low Kick, etc)
-Immunity to Knock Off if no held item used (need further confirmation)
-Damage taken from LO, Leech Seed, Toxic, etc is calculated from base HP, not Dynamax HP
-Immunity to flinch
-Immunity to phasing
-Can be used on any Pokemon at any time
-Removes restriction on choice items (needs further confirmation)

• Terrain boosts nerfed from 50% to 30%
• Rapid Spin buffed to 50 BP, increases Speed by one Stage
• Pinch Berries now only heal 33% (Down from 50%)
• Multi-Attack buffed to 120 BP
• Inner Focus - Prevents Intimidate, normal stat changes still apply
• Own Tempo - Prevents Intimidate, normal stat changes still apply
• Scrappy - Prevents Intimidate, normal stat changes still apply
• Oblivious - Prevents Intimidate, normal stat changes still apply

Below I combed through the information found in the links for more relevant discussion pertaining to RU:

relevant deleted moves

Pursuit
Return
Frustration
Hidden Power
Psywave
Refresh
Punishment
All Z Moves

relevant new items

-Eject Pack An item to be held by a Pokémon. When the holder’s stats are lowered, it will be switched out of battle.
-Heavy-Duty Boots These boots prevent the effects of traps set on the battlefield.
-Blunder Policy Raises Speed sharply when a Pokémon misses with a move because of accuracy.
-Room Service An item to be held by a Pokémon. Lowers Speed when Trick Room takes effect.
-Utility Umbrella An item to be held by a Pokémon. This sturdy umbrella protects the holder from the effects of weather.

relevant new pokemon

Sirfetch'd
Base Stats: 62.135.95.68.82.65 (BST: 507)
Abilities: Steadfast (1) | Steadfast (2) | Scrappy (H)
Type: Fighting

Relevant moves:
-Close Combat
-U-turn
-First Impression
-Knock Off
-Leaf Blade
-Brave Bird
-Poison Jab
-Swords Dance

Alcremie
Base Stats: 65.60.75.110.121.64 (BST: 495)
Abilities: Sweet Veil (1) | Sweet Veil (2) | Aroma Veil (H)
Type: Fairy

Relevant moves:
-Dazzling Gleam
-Mystical Fire
-Calm Mind
-Recover
-Psychic
-Stored Power
-Encore
-Aromatherapy

Falinks
Base Stats: 65.100.100.70.60.75 (BST: 470)
Abilities: Battle Armor (1) | Battle Armor (2) | Defiant (H)
Type: Fighting

Relevant Moves:
-Close Combat
-Megahorn
-First Impression
-No Retreat - New Move: boosts all stats by +1. Cannot retreat after.
-Rock Slide
-Throat Chop
-Iron Head
-Swords Dance

Centiskorch
Base Stats: 100.115.65.90.90.65 (BST: 525)Abilities: Flash Fire (1) | White Smoke (2) | Flame Body (H)
Type: Fire / Bug

Relevant Moves:
-Fire Lash
-Coil
-Leech Life
-Flare Blitz
-Bug Buzz
-Scald
-Fire Blast
-Power Whip

Frosmoth
Base Stats: 70.65.60.125.90.65 (BST: 475)
Abilities: Shield Dust (1) | Shield Dust (2) | Ice Scales (H) - New Ability - Halves damage from special attacks
Type: Ice / Bug

Relevant Moves:
-Quiver Dance
-Ice Beam
-Bug Buzz
-Pollen Puff
-Hurricane
-Giga Drain
-U-turn

Stunfisk Galar
Base Stats: 109.81.99.66.84.32 (BST: 471)
Abilities: Mimicry (1) | Mimicry (2) | Mimicry (H) - New Ability: changes type based on terrain
Type: Ground / Steel

Relevant moves:
-Earthquake
-Sucker Punch
-Stealth Rock
-Thunder Wave
-Scald
-Foul Play

Obstagoon
Base Stats: 93.90.101.60.81.95 (BST: 520)
Abilities: Reckless (1) | Guts (2) | Defiant (H)
Type: Dark / Normal

Relevant moves:
-Double-Edge
-Mega Kick
-Ice Punch
-Close Combat
-Throat Chop
-Hone Claws
-Seed Bomb
-Gunk Shot

Flapple
Base Stats: 70.110.80.95.60.70 (BST: 485)
Abilities: Ripen (1) - New Ability: Ripens Berries and doubles their effect | Gluttony (2) | Hustle (H)
Type: Grass / Dragon

Relevant moves:
-Dragon Dance
-Grav Apple - New Move: Physical, Grass - Lowers Defense
-U-turn
-Outrage
-Heavy Slam
-Leech Seed
-Acrobatics

Appletun
Base Stats: 110.85.80.100.80.30 (BST: 485)
Abilities: Ripen (1) | Gluttony (2) | Thick Fat (H)
Type: Grass / Dragon

Relevant moves:
-Leech Seed
-Recover
-Apple Acid - New Move: Special, Grass, Reduces Special Defense
-Dragon Pulse
-Earthquake
-Superpower
-Curse
-Body Press - New move: Fighting, Physical, damage increases depending on defense
-Seed Bomb
-Heavy Slam

Toxtricity
Base Stats: 75.98.70.114.70.75 (BST: 502)
Abilities: Punk Rock (1) - New ability: Increases damage and reduces damage taken from sound moves | Plus (2) | Technician (H)
Type: Electric / Poison

Relevant moves:
-Overdrive - New move: Electric, Special, 80 BP Sound move
-Boomburst
-Sludge Bomb
-Shift Gear
-Stored Power
-Volt Switch

Pincurchin
Base Stats: 48.101.95.91.85.15 (BST: 435)
Abilities: Lightning Rod (1) | Lightning Rod (2) | Electric Surge (H)
Type: Electric

Relevant moves:
-Recover
-Discharge
-Memento
-Thunder Wave
-Self-Destruct
-Toxic Spikes
-Spikes
-Scald

Inteleon
Base Stats: 70.85.65.125.65.120 (BST: 530)
Abilities: Torrent (1) | Torrent (2) | Sniper (H)
Type: Water

Relevant moves:
-Sniper Shot - New move: Water, Special, 80 BP, increased crit chance
-Sucker Punch
-U-turn
-Hydro Pump
-Air Slash
-Ice Beam
-Dark Pulse
-Focus Energy
-Agility

Indeedee (female)
Base Stats: 70.55.65.95.105.85 (BST: 475)
Abilities: Own Tempo (1) | Synchronize (2) | Psychic Surge (H)
Type: Psychic / Normal

Relevant moves:
-Calm Mind
-Stored Power
-Psychic
-Psyshock
-Healing Wish
-Mystical Fire
-Hyper Voice
-Dazzling Gleam
-Shadow Ball
-Trick
-Future Sight

Perrserker
Base Stats: 70.110.100.50.60.50 (BST: 440)
EV Yield: 0.2.0.0.0.0
Abilities: Battle Armor (1) | Tough Claws (2) | Steely Spirit (H) - New Ability: Boosts Ally Steel moves
Type: Steel

Relevant Moves:
-Iron Head
-Close Combat
-U-turn
-Throat Chop
-Seed Bomb
-Gyro Ball
-Play Rough
-Iron Tail

Cursola & Galar Corsola
Base Stats: 60.95.50.145.130.30 (BST: 510)
EV Yield: 0.0.0.2.0.0
Abilities: Weak Armor (1) | Weak Armor (2) | Perish Body (H)
Type: Ghost

Base Stats: 60.55.100.65.100.30 (BST: 410)
Abilities: Weak Armor (1) | Weak Armor (2) | Cursed Body (H)
Type: Ghost

Relevant Moves:
-Strength Sap
-Mirror Coat
-Night Shade
-Stealth Rock
-Ice Beam
-Scald
-Calm Mind
-Earth Power
-Shadow Ball
-Will-O-Wisp

Sandaconda
Base Stats: 72.107.125.65.70.71 (BST: 510)
Abilities: Sand Spit (1) - New Ability: Activates Sandstream when hit | Shed Skin (2) | Sand Veil (H)
Type: Ground

Relevant moves:
-Coil
-Glare
-Earthquake
-Stone Edge
-Stealth Rock
-Rest

Mr. Rime
Base Stats: 80.85.75.110.100.70 (BST: 520)
Abilities: Tangled Feet (1) | Screen Cleaner (2) - New ability: nullifies reflect, light screen, and aurora veil | Ice Body (H)
Type: Ice / Psychic

Relevant moves:
-Slack Off
-Rapid Spin
-Freeze-Dry
-Ice Beam
-Psychic
-Psyshock
-Thunderbolt
-Trick
-Future Sight
-Grass Knot
-Nasty Plot
-Dazzling Gleam
-Focus Blast
-Taunt

Eldegoss
Base Stats: 60.50.90.80.120.60 (BST: 460)
Abilities: Cotton Down (1) | Regenerator (2) | Effect Spore (H)
Type: Grass

Relevant moves:
-Rapid Spin
-Leech Seed
-Sleep Powder
-Giga Drain
-Synthesis
-Leaf Storm
-Aromatherapy

new moves for ru/potentially ru relevant mons

Venusaur - Weather Ball, Earth Power
Charizard - Hurricane
Blastoise - Shell Smash
Butterfree - Pollen Puff, Hurricane
Vileplume - Pollen Puff, Sludge Wave, Leech Seed (with strength sap and effect spore)
Steelix - Dragon Dance, Body Press, Psychic Fangs, Head Smash
Rhyperior - Heat Crash
Snorlax - Darkest Lariat, Heat Crash, Encore
Quagsire - Liquidation
Mantine - Hurricane
Gardevoir - Mystical Fire
Ludicolo - Leaf Storm
Sableye - Encore
Flygon - Throat Chop, First Impression
Froslass - Reflect
Gastrodon - Hydro Pump
Abomasnow - Earth Power, Aurora Veil, Leaf Storm
Rotom - Nasty Plot
Gigalith - Body Press
Gurrdurr - Close Combat, Defog
Scrafty - Close Combat
Vanilluxe - Aurora Veil
Jellicent - Destiny Bond, Strength Sap
Seismitoad - Power Whip, Liquidation
Escavalier - Close Combat, Razor Shell, Encore
Braviary - Close Combat
Virizion - Megahorn, Air Slash, Leaf Storm
Heliolisk - Weather Ball, Solar Beam
Gourgeist - Power Whip
Incineroar - Close Combat, Heat Crash, Parting Shot
Vikavolt - Sticky Web
Araquanid - Hydro Pump
Bewear - Darkest Lariat, Close Combat
Pyukumuku - Mirror Coat
Golisopod - Close Combat
Dhelmise - Liquidation, Body Press

list of moves blocked by dynamax

Circle Throw
Destiny Bond
Grass Knot
Heat Crash
Heavy Slam
Knock Off
Low Kick
Perish Song
Whirlwind
Pluck
Fake Out - only loses secondary effect
Dragon Tail - only loses secondary effect

Stay on topic and avoid discussion on bans; otherwise, feel free to get into it.

 

[erz]

Hatterene (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Dazzling Gleam
- Psychic

magic bounce is a broken ability and this things defenses work quite well with investment. It's spA is super strong. it's bouncing everything away and while it has good niches such as hardcountering ferro/pex/all defensive mons but aegi it will probably see not much of usage in higher tiers. No clue if it might be uu but my guess would be that this falls to ru and will be a decent mon in our tier. I'm really fond of it, please appreciate our probably-rarelyused-witch!

 

[Zneon]

Toxtricity @ Choice Specs
Ability: Punk Rock
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Boomburst
- Overdrive
- Sludge Wave
- Volt Switch

I can see this mon being like a pure special wallbreaker with specs. Electric / Poison isn't a bad typing but isn't really good either, it has a really good SpAtk stat of base 114, but its speed is pretty mediocre, but the star is its ability, with it, if it comes in safely, it will get a ton of damage against anything that comes in, or just straight up get a kill, Boomburst is such a powerful move on its own and with its ability it can really do some work. Electric STAB with Overdrive is good too especially when it always enjoys the Punk Rock boost. this thing might be UU but if it becomes RU it will indeed be a pretty decent mon here.

 

[spookysocialist]

It's really hard to predict what RU is going to look like with dexit shaking things up so much, but I'd imagine steelix will probably make a decent mon in the new RU. The power level is reduced and it will probably be one of the best steels we'll have. It also get access to rock head head smash, and while it won't be sweeping without stab and a mediocre attack, it provides solid 2 move coverage with EQ letting steelix run a simple toxic/rocks/EQ/HS set. It also gets some more gimmicky stuff life dragon dance and psychic fangs.

If we get Eldegross I also think it will be a star player. 60/90/120 defenses aren't out of the park but they are definitely enough with regenerator, and a good support movepool that includes leech seed, sleep powder, aromatherapy, light screen, and rapid spin. If it falls to use I expect it to be a really strong mon in the meta

 

[Charmflash]

Hatterene (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Dazzling Gleam
- Psychic

magic bounce is a broken ability and this things defenses work quite well with investment. It's spA is super strong. it's bouncing everything away and while it has good niches such as hardcountering ferro/pex/all defensive mons but aegi it will probably see not much of usage in higher tiers. No clue if it might be uu but my guess would be that this falls to ru and will be a decent mon in our tier. I'm really fond of it, please appreciate our probably-rarelyused-witch!

no way this falls below ou once dynamax is gone you can actually make use of a stored power resttalk set

 

[HypnoEmpire]

sets

Indeedee-F (F) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Hyper Voice
- Dazzling Gleam / Mystical Fire / Shadow Ball
- Healing Wish

Indeedee-F (F) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Hyper Voice
- Dazzling Gleam / Mystical Fire / Shadow Ball
- Healing Wish

Indeedee-F (F) @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Psychic
- Hyper Voice
- Dazzling Gleam / Mystical Fire / Shadow Ball

RU would be incredibly lucky to get this Pokémon seeing as its male counterpart will likely end up in OU; however, if it does end up here, I can see it running Specs, Scarf, and Calm Mind as its primary sets. Calm Mind would probably need Colbur assuming Drapion stays in RU and +1 Hyper Voice does like 80 min to it. Indeedee gets nice coverage options in Dazzling Gleam, Mystical Fire and Shadow Ball. The coverage it runs would depend on the kind of Pokémon that end up becoming popular in the tier. Dazzling Gleam could hit some Dark-types like Pangoro and Obstagoon, Mystical Fire could hit Steel-types like Escavalier and Bisharp (it lost Knock Off so it might drop here, who knows), and Shadow Ball... probably wouldn't hit much unless Heatproof Bronzong becomes popular. I'm excited to see if Psychic Seed Unburden Hitmonlee or Drifblim become viable options with this mon as a teammate. Hitmonlee in particular would be absolutely nuts if Dynamax doesn't get the axe.

Sirfetch'd @ Choice Band
Ability: Scrappy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Knock Off / Brave Bird
- Poison Jab / Brave Bird
- First Impression

Sirfetch'd is looking like a legitimate threat, ngl. It's stronger than Machamp and it can spam Close Combat without worrying about immunities. Its coverage is also decent enough to deal with most of its checks. Knock Off hits bulky psychics, Poison Jab hits fairies, Brave Bird nukes Vileplume and hits some Fighting resists for a good chunk of damage. It learns Defog as well, which is interesting I guess. I think the big reason to use this over Machamp or other slow Fighting-type breakers is its access to First Impression. Really strong priority lets it revenge kill stuff and gives this Pokemon more use outside of just breaking slower teams.

neutral Brave Bird hits

252+ Atk Choice Band Sirfetch'd Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Weezing-Galar: 141-166 (42.2 - 49.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
-1 252+ Atk Choice Band Sirfetch'd Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Qwilfish: 119-140 (35.6 - 41.9%) -- 88.7% chance to 3HKO after Black Sludge recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Sirfetch'd Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Garbodor: 181-213 (49.7 - 58.5%) -- 69.5% chance to 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery

Some other thoughts: Slowbro and Cresselia don't exist anymore, so I feel like fighting-types in general will be amazing, assuming we get good ones like Toxicroak and Passimian. Now that I think about it, if we don't get Reuniclus, our best bulky psychics might be Musharna, Xatu and Bronzong. Alcremie looks like garbage, it's straight up worse than Aromatisse unless its speed tier gives it a legitimate niche for a Calm Mind set or something, but it doesn't even learn Moonblast so that seems unappealing. Some Silvally forms might be worth using now, we lost a lot of Pokemon this gen and Multi Attack was buffed to 120 BP so I'm expecting at least a couple forms to be viable. Flapple is looking crazy strong, it could run DD but it might be a little too slow for that. It could also run Choice Band and just nuke stuff; for example, with Hustle and a Choice Band it 2HKOs SpD Bronzong with Outrage. I doubt Cursola will be OU, if it doesn't pick up traction in UU then it might be a "fun" breaker here.

 

[Cheryl.]

Flapple @ Choice Band
Ability: Hustle
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Grav Apple
- Outrage
- U-turn
- Sucker Punch / Facade

It's pretty hard to tell which mons will land in RU this gen as it is the middle ground between UU (mons that are pretty good but not OU level) and NU or below (mons that just suck) but I think Flapple will likely find it's place down in RU. It has some amazing strengths being one of the strongest Pokémon in the game due to 110 Attack + Hustle making it's attacks obscenely strong, along with having a great physical Grass STAB in Grav Apple, which always lowers the opponent's Defense stat. Essentially, if it keeps landing Grav Apples on you, you will not be able to wall it whatsoever. It also has CB STAB Outrage which basically destroys everything that isn't a Fairy-type or really fat Steel-type. U-turn won't be used often since you wanna just spam Grav Apple or go for Outrage with this thing to break walls but it's nice for momentum. Sadly Flapple's movepool is very small so there's not much room for coverage options, so the 4th slot is basically either a neat priority option or a nice nuke for when Flapple gets Scald burned or something. I can see this set being a great wallbreaker in RU on stuff like VoltTurn teams that need something to turn the opponent's walls into mush. Flapple could also run Scarf in theory but like I said before it's coverage isn't the greatest so it'd need a lot of help against stuff like bulky Steels.

Flapple @ Life Orb
Ability: Hustle
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Grav Apple
- Outrage
- Sucker Punch

Flapple also has access to Dragon Dance so a simple DDance + 3 attacks set is pretty plausible. DDance patches up it's mediocre Speed stat and gives it even more Attack to destroy everything with. After a DDance, you can get some fun calcs like this.

+1 252 Atk Life Orb Hustle Flapple Grav Apple vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Alcremie: 294-347 (88 - 103.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
+1 252 Atk Life Orb Hustle Flapple Outrage vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eldegoss: 394-464 (121.6 - 143.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+1 252 Atk Life Orb Hustle Flapple Grav Apple vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Steelix: 185-218 (52.2 - 61.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
+1 252 Atk Life Orb Hustle Flapple Outrage vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Vileplume: 407-480 (114.9 - 135.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+1 252 Atk Life Orb Hustle Flapple Outrage vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Gourgeist-Super: 320-376 (85.5 - 100.5%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

Flapple could also use it's other ability, Ripen, to perform some neat sets like SubDD with Sitrus Berry and Acrobatics or bulky SubSeed but I haven't really explored that yet. I think if it does drop here Flapple's main niche will be in it's sheer power with Hustle and it's STABs, and I'm pretty excited to use it if it does end up dropping here.

 

[phantom]

We’re about a month away from a ladder, but in the meantime here’s some interesting mechanics discovered since the thread was posted.

Scrappy and Oblivious also now block intimidate, which is a pretty nice boon to Sirfetchd should it drop here. Could be decent on CB Pangoro as well.

Terrains seems to have been nerfed from 50% boost to 30%. This means we could potentially see some terrain users in RU that won’t break the tier.

Body Press is one of the most interesting moves of the gen imo. It calculates the damage dealt from the defense stat instead of the attack stat. This is pretty nice on Pokemon like Garbodor, Orbeetle, Bronzong, Steelix, maybe even Mantine since it gives them a decent coverage move that hits pretty hard if they’re invested properly into their physical bulk.

Fishious Rend and Bolt Beak are confirmed to double the damage on Pokemon that are slower. This is huge since this could potentially make Arctozolt and Arctofish into good breakers. Unfortunately, they don’t have access to Slush Rush yet, but once they do they could maybe make hail into a viable archetype since it would finally have decent abusers like rain and sun have had.

Hide

 

[Sage]

The first round of the UU Alpha Tour happened and there's at least something of an idea of what the usage stats are looking like.

Round One UU Alpha Usage Stats

+ ---- + ------------------ + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| Rank | Pokemon            | Use  | Usage % |  Win %  |
+ ---- + ------------------ + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| 1    | Kommo-o            |   65 |  42.76% |  53.85% |
| 2    | Gengar             |   41 |  26.97% |  53.66% |
| 3    | Weezing-Galar      |   28 |  18.42% |  64.29% |
| 4    | Mamoswine          |   23 |  15.13% |  52.17% |
| 5    | Umbreon            |   22 |  14.47% |  50.00% |
| 5    | Polteageist        |   22 |  14.47% |  40.91% |
| 7    | Ribombee           |   21 |  13.82% |  61.90% |
| 8    | Durant             |   20 |  13.16% |  55.00% |
| 8    | Inteleon           |   20 |  13.16% |  40.00% |
| 10   | Doublade           |   19 |  12.50% |  52.63% |
| 11   | Rotom-Mow          |   18 |  11.84% |  44.44% |
| 12   | Braviary           |   16 |  10.53% |  75.00% |
| 12   | Indeedee           |   16 |  10.53% |  56.25% |
| 12   | Heliolisk          |   16 |  10.53% |  43.75% |
| 15   | Crawdaunt          |   15 |   9.87% |  53.33% |
| 15   | Silvally           |   15 |   9.87% |  46.67% |
| 17   | Obstagoon          |   14 |   9.21% |  71.43% |
| 17   | Hippowdon          |   14 |   9.21% |  71.43% |
| 19   | Copperajah         |   13 |   8.55% |  46.15% |
| 19   | Tsareena           |   13 |   8.55% |  38.46% |
| 21   | Claydol            |   12 |   7.89% |  66.67% |
| 21   | Weavile            |   12 |   7.89% |  66.67% |
| 21   | Sylveon            |   12 |   7.89% |  58.33% |
| 21   | Mew                |   12 |   7.89% |  50.00% |
| 21   | Milotic            |   12 |   7.89% |  50.00% |
| 21   | Haxorus            |   12 |   7.89% |  50.00% |
| 27   | Duraludon          |   11 |   7.24% |  72.73% |
| 27   | Eiscue             |   11 |   7.24% |  45.45% |
| 27   | Chandelure         |   11 |   7.24% |  36.36% |
| 27   | Rhyperior          |   11 |   7.24% |  27.27% |
| 27   | Charizard          |   11 |   7.24% |  27.27% |
| 32   | Diggersby          |   10 |   6.58% |  70.00% |
| 32   | Arcanine           |   10 |   6.58% |  60.00% |
| 32   | Lucario            |   10 |   6.58% |  50.00% |
| 32   | Whimsicott         |   10 |   6.58% |  50.00% |
| 36   | Snorlax            |    9 |   5.92% |  66.67% |
| 36   | Espeon             |    9 |   5.92% |  55.56% |
| 36   | Sigilyph           |    9 |   5.92% |  55.56% |
| 36   | Mr. Mime-Galar     |    9 |   5.92% |  44.44% |
| 36   | Reuniclus          |    9 |   5.92% |  33.33% |
| 36   | Cinccino           |    9 |   5.92% |  33.33% |
| 42   | Drapion            |    8 |   5.26% |  87.50% |
| 42   | Alcremie           |    8 |   5.26% |  75.00% |
| 42   | Roserade           |    8 |   5.26% |  50.00% |
| 42   | Coalossal          |    8 |   5.26% |  37.50% |
| 42   | Avalugg            |    8 |   5.26% |  25.00% |
| 47   | Salazzle           |    7 |   4.61% |  71.43% |
| 47   | Sirfetch'd         |    7 |   4.61% |  14.29% |
| 47   | Morpeko            |    7 |   4.61% |   0.00% |
| 50   | Orbeetle           |    6 |   3.95% |  83.33% |
| 50   | Jellicent          |    6 |   3.95% |  66.67% |
| 50   | Cloyster           |    6 |   3.95% |  66.67% |
| 50   | Centiskorch        |    6 |   3.95% |  66.67% |
| 50   | Froslass           |    6 |   3.95% |  66.67% |
| 50   | Xatu               |    6 |   3.95% |  33.33% |
| 50   | Eldegoss           |    6 |   3.95% |  16.67% |
| 57   | Araquanid          |    5 |   3.29% |  60.00% |
| 57   | Bronzong           |    5 |   3.29% |  40.00% |
| 57   | Hitmontop          |    5 |   3.29% |  40.00% |
| 57   | Rapidash-Galar     |    5 |   3.29% |  40.00% |
| 57   | Steelix            |    5 |   3.29% |  40.00% |
| 57   | Rotom-Fan          |    5 |   3.29% |  40.00% |
| 57   | Runerigus          |    5 |   3.29% |  20.00% |
| 57   | Frosmoth           |    5 |   3.29% |  20.00% |
| 57   | Vanilluxe          |    5 |   3.29% |  20.00% |
| 57   | Noivern            |    5 |   3.29% |   0.00% |
| 67   | Barbaracle         |    4 |   2.63% |  75.00% |
| 67   | Flygon             |    4 |   2.63% |  75.00% |
| 67   | Mantine            |    4 |   2.63% |  50.00% |
| 67   | Machamp            |    4 |   2.63% |  50.00% |
| 67   | Quagsire           |    4 |   2.63% |  50.00% |
| 67   | Glalie             |    4 |   2.63% |  25.00% |
| 67   | Octillery          |    4 |   2.63% |  25.00% |
| 67   | Golisopod          |    4 |   2.63% |  25.00% |
| 67   | Gardevoir          |    4 |   2.63% |   0.00% |
| 76   | Mr. Rime           |    3 |   1.97% |  66.67% |
| 76   | Togedemaru         |    3 |   1.97% |  66.67% |
| 76   | Hitmonlee          |    3 |   1.97% |  66.67% |
| 76   | Escavalier         |    3 |   1.97% |  33.33% |
| 76   | Appletun           |    3 |   1.97% |  33.33% |
| 76   | Aromatisse         |    3 |   1.97% |   0.00% |
| 82   | Vileplume          |    2 |   1.32% | 100.00% |
| 82   | Vikavolt           |    2 |   1.32% |  50.00% |
| 82   | Passimian          |    2 |   1.32% |  50.00% |
| 82   | Pyukumuku          |    2 |   1.32% |  50.00% |
| 82   | Falinks            |    2 |   1.32% |  50.00% |
| 82   | Gastrodon          |    2 |   1.32% |  50.00% |
| 82   | Rillaboom          |    2 |   1.32% |  50.00% |
| 82   | Galvantula         |    2 |   1.32% |  50.00% |
| 82   | Flapple            |    2 |   1.32% |  50.00% |
| 82   | Vaporeon           |    2 |   1.32% |  50.00% |
| 82   | Klinklang          |    2 |   1.32% |   0.00% |
| 82   | Gigalith           |    2 |   1.32% |   0.00% |
| 82   | Goodra             |    2 |   1.32% |   0.00% |
| 82   | Arctovish          |    2 |   1.32% |   0.00% |
| 82   | Shuckle            |    2 |   1.32% |   0.00% |
| 82   | Bewear             |    2 |   1.32% |   0.00% |
| 98   | Rotom-Frost        |    1 |   0.66% | 100.00% |
| 98   | Cofagrigus         |    1 |   0.66% | 100.00% |
| 98   | Dhelmise           |    1 |   0.66% | 100.00% |
| 98   | Cramorant          |    1 |   0.66% | 100.00% |
| 98   | Shiinotic          |    1 |   0.66% | 100.00% |
| 98   | Butterfree         |    1 |   0.66% | 100.00% |
| 98   | Drednaw            |    1 |   0.66% | 100.00% |
| 98   | Vullaby            |    1 |   0.66% | 100.00% |
| 98   | Arctozolt          |    1 |   0.66% | 100.00% |
| 98   | Mareanie           |    1 |   0.66% | 100.00% |
| 98   | Cursola            |    1 |   0.66% |   0.00% |
| 98   | Boltund            |    1 |   0.66% |   0.00% |
| 98   | Kingler            |    1 |   0.66% |   0.00% |
| 98   | Dubwool            |    1 |   0.66% |   0.00% |
| 98   | Morgrem            |    1 |   0.66% |   0.00% |
| 98   | Torkoal            |    1 |   0.66% |   0.00% |
| 98   | Shiftry            |    1 |   0.66% |   0.00% |
| 98   | Scrafty            |    1 |   0.66% |   0.00% |
| -    | Gourgeist-*        |    1 |   0.66% |   0.00% |
| 98   | Gourgeist-Super    |    1 |   0.66% |   0.00% |
| 98   | Thievul            |    1 |   0.66% |   0.00% |
| 98   | Sandaconda         |    1 |   0.66% |   0.00% |

While the usage in this is not going to perfectly represent the ladder, there are a few things trailing off in usage that I can't say I was expecting to be in RU, Bronzong and Bewear probably being the most surprising. I think Pyukumuku's usage will probably be significantly higher on the ladder as there is a decent amount of semistall / stall near the top. Rillaboom without Grassy Surge can't quite cut it in UU, but should be neat as both SD and a Choice User in RU. Flygon and Mantine are both waiting for Pokemon Home to reach their full power and as such have not picked up much steam. Most of the heavily used picks don't surprise me although I think Inteleon is going to fall off. Excited to see how hectic the RU Alpha will be.

 

[Mavis]

The first round of the UU Alpha Tour happened and there's at least something of an idea of what the usage stats are looking like.

Round One UU Alpha Usage Stats

+ ---- + ------------------ + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| Rank | Pokemon            | Use  | Usage % |  Win %  |
+ ---- + ------------------ + ---- + ------- + ------- +
| 1    | Kommo-o            |   65 |  42.76% |  53.85% |
| 2    | Gengar             |   41 |  26.97% |  53.66% |
| 3    | Weezing-Galar      |   28 |  18.42% |  64.29% |
| 4    | Mamoswine          |   23 |  15.13% |  52.17% |
| 5    | Umbreon            |   22 |  14.47% |  50.00% |
| 5    | Polteageist        |   22 |  14.47% |  40.91% |
| 7    | Ribombee           |   21 |  13.82% |  61.90% |
| 8    | Durant             |   20 |  13.16% |  55.00% |
| 8    | Inteleon           |   20 |  13.16% |  40.00% |
| 10   | Doublade           |   19 |  12.50% |  52.63% |
| 11   | Rotom-Mow          |   18 |  11.84% |  44.44% |
| 12   | Braviary           |   16 |  10.53% |  75.00% |
| 12   | Indeedee           |   16 |  10.53% |  56.25% |
| 12   | Heliolisk          |   16 |  10.53% |  43.75% |
| 15   | Crawdaunt          |   15 |   9.87% |  53.33% |
| 15   | Silvally           |   15 |   9.87% |  46.67% |
| 17   | Obstagoon          |   14 |   9.21% |  71.43% |
| 17   | Hippowdon          |   14 |   9.21% |  71.43% |
| 19   | Copperajah         |   13 |   8.55% |  46.15% |
| 19   | Tsareena           |   13 |   8.55% |  38.46% |
| 21   | Claydol            |   12 |   7.89% |  66.67% |
| 21   | Weavile            |   12 |   7.89% |  66.67% |
| 21   | Sylveon            |   12 |   7.89% |  58.33% |
| 21   | Mew                |   12 |   7.89% |  50.00% |
| 21   | Milotic            |   12 |   7.89% |  50.00% |
| 21   | Haxorus            |   12 |   7.89% |  50.00% |
| 27   | Duraludon          |   11 |   7.24% |  72.73% |
| 27   | Eiscue             |   11 |   7.24% |  45.45% |
| 27   | Chandelure         |   11 |   7.24% |  36.36% |
| 27   | Rhyperior          |   11 |   7.24% |  27.27% |
| 27   | Charizard          |   11 |   7.24% |  27.27% |
| 32   | Diggersby          |   10 |   6.58% |  70.00% |
| 32   | Arcanine           |   10 |   6.58% |  60.00% |
| 32   | Lucario            |   10 |   6.58% |  50.00% |
| 32   | Whimsicott         |   10 |   6.58% |  50.00% |
| 36   | Snorlax            |    9 |   5.92% |  66.67% |
| 36   | Espeon             |    9 |   5.92% |  55.56% |
| 36   | Sigilyph           |    9 |   5.92% |  55.56% |
| 36   | Mr. Mime-Galar     |    9 |   5.92% |  44.44% |
| 36   | Reuniclus          |    9 |   5.92% |  33.33% |
| 36   | Cinccino           |    9 |   5.92% |  33.33% |
| 42   | Drapion            |    8 |   5.26% |  87.50% |
| 42   | Alcremie           |    8 |   5.26% |  75.00% |
| 42   | Roserade           |    8 |   5.26% |  50.00% |
| 42   | Coalossal          |    8 |   5.26% |  37.50% |
| 42   | Avalugg            |    8 |   5.26% |  25.00% |
| 47   | Salazzle           |    7 |   4.61% |  71.43% |
| 47   | Sirfetch'd         |    7 |   4.61% |  14.29% |
| 47   | Morpeko            |    7 |   4.61% |   0.00% |
| 50   | Orbeetle           |    6 |   3.95% |  83.33% |
| 50   | Jellicent          |    6 |   3.95% |  66.67% |
| 50   | Cloyster           |    6 |   3.95% |  66.67% |
| 50   | Centiskorch        |    6 |   3.95% |  66.67% |
| 50   | Froslass           |    6 |   3.95% |  66.67% |
| 50   | Xatu               |    6 |   3.95% |  33.33% |
| 50   | Eldegoss           |    6 |   3.95% |  16.67% |
| 57   | Araquanid          |    5 |   3.29% |  60.00% |
| 57   | Bronzong           |    5 |   3.29% |  40.00% |
| 57   | Hitmontop          |    5 |   3.29% |  40.00% |
| 57   | Rapidash-Galar     |    5 |   3.29% |  40.00% |
| 57   | Steelix            |    5 |   3.29% |  40.00% |
| 57   | Rotom-Fan          |    5 |   3.29% |  40.00% |
| 57   | Runerigus          |    5 |   3.29% |  20.00% |
| 57   | Frosmoth           |    5 |   3.29% |  20.00% |
| 57   | Vanilluxe          |    5 |   3.29% |  20.00% |
| 57   | Noivern            |    5 |   3.29% |   0.00% |
| 67   | Barbaracle         |    4 |   2.63% |  75.00% |
| 67   | Flygon             |    4 |   2.63% |  75.00% |
| 67   | Mantine            |    4 |   2.63% |  50.00% |
| 67   | Machamp            |    4 |   2.63% |  50.00% |
| 67   | Quagsire           |    4 |   2.63% |  50.00% |
| 67   | Glalie             |    4 |   2.63% |  25.00% |
| 67   | Octillery          |    4 |   2.63% |  25.00% |
| 67   | Golisopod          |    4 |   2.63% |  25.00% |
| 67   | Gardevoir          |    4 |   2.63% |   0.00% |
| 76   | Mr. Rime           |    3 |   1.97% |  66.67% |
| 76   | Togedemaru         |    3 |   1.97% |  66.67% |
| 76   | Hitmonlee          |    3 |   1.97% |  66.67% |
| 76   | Escavalier         |    3 |   1.97% |  33.33% |
| 76   | Appletun           |    3 |   1.97% |  33.33% |
| 76   | Aromatisse         |    3 |   1.97% |   0.00% |
| 82   | Vileplume          |    2 |   1.32% | 100.00% |
| 82   | Vikavolt           |    2 |   1.32% |  50.00% |
| 82   | Passimian          |    2 |   1.32% |  50.00% |
| 82   | Pyukumuku          |    2 |   1.32% |  50.00% |
| 82   | Falinks            |    2 |   1.32% |  50.00% |
| 82   | Gastrodon          |    2 |   1.32% |  50.00% |
| 82   | Rillaboom          |    2 |   1.32% |  50.00% |
| 82   | Galvantula         |    2 |   1.32% |  50.00% |
| 82   | Flapple            |    2 |   1.32% |  50.00% |
| 82   | Vaporeon           |    2 |   1.32% |  50.00% |
| 82   | Klinklang          |    2 |   1.32% |   0.00% |
| 82   | Gigalith           |    2 |   1.32% |   0.00% |
| 82   | Goodra             |    2 |   1.32% |   0.00% |
| 82   | Arctovish          |    2 |   1.32% |   0.00% |
| 82   | Shuckle            |    2 |   1.32% |   0.00% |
| 82   | Bewear             |    2 |   1.32% |   0.00% |
| 98   | Rotom-Frost        |    1 |   0.66% | 100.00% |
| 98   | Cofagrigus         |    1 |   0.66% | 100.00% |
| 98   | Dhelmise           |    1 |   0.66% | 100.00% |
| 98   | Cramorant          |    1 |   0.66% | 100.00% |
| 98   | Shiinotic          |    1 |   0.66% | 100.00% |
| 98   | Butterfree         |    1 |   0.66% | 100.00% |
| 98   | Drednaw            |    1 |   0.66% | 100.00% |
| 98   | Vullaby            |    1 |   0.66% | 100.00% |
| 98   | Arctozolt          |    1 |   0.66% | 100.00% |
| 98   | Mareanie           |    1 |   0.66% | 100.00% |
| 98   | Cursola            |    1 |   0.66% |   0.00% |
| 98   | Boltund            |    1 |   0.66% |   0.00% |
| 98   | Kingler            |    1 |   0.66% |   0.00% |
| 98   | Dubwool            |    1 |   0.66% |   0.00% |
| 98   | Morgrem            |    1 |   0.66% |   0.00% |
| 98   | Torkoal            |    1 |   0.66% |   0.00% |
| 98   | Shiftry            |    1 |   0.66% |   0.00% |
| 98   | Scrafty            |    1 |   0.66% |   0.00% |
| -    | Gourgeist-*        |    1 |   0.66% |   0.00% |
| 98   | Gourgeist-Super    |    1 |   0.66% |   0.00% |
| 98   | Thievul            |    1 |   0.66% |   0.00% |
| 98   | Sandaconda         |    1 |   0.66% |   0.00% |

While the usage in this is not going to perfectly represent the ladder, there are a few things trailing off in usage that I can't say I was expecting to be in RU, Bronzong and Bewear probably being the most surprising. I think Pyukumuku's usage will probably be significantly higher on the ladder as there is a decent amount of semistall / stall near the top. Rillaboom without Grassy Surge can't quite cut it in UU, but should be neat as both SD and a Choice User in RU. Flygon and Mantine are both waiting for Pokemon Home to reach their full power and as such have not picked up much steam. Most of the heavily used picks don't surprise me although I think Inteleon is going to fall off. Excited to see how hectic the RU Alpha will be.

something nifty I saw looking through this list- everything below the usage cutoff was from either RU or below last gen. nothing from usm rubl/uu, however I'm decently surprised araq didn't make it in. it's seeing a ton of ladder play and while that may be the determining factor, I'm surprised it isn't a bit higher given how good webs/hazards in general are rn.

 

[aVocado]

Boltund might be the pokemon I'm most excited for cuz it honestly seems like a guaranteed RU mon at this point. I absolutely love its speed tier but lack of ice fang is annoying. This is probably gonna be the only or at least most viable set:

Boltund @ Choice Band
Ability: Strong Jaw
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Thunder Fang
- Crunch
- Fire Fang
- Play Rough

Volt Switch can be ran over any of the coverage moves too but it would already struggle as is vs electric immunities so I don't think there's really that much space for it. If we do get Flygon as a prominent ground type play rough could at least hit that. It also learns Bulk Up which is cute and I can actually see it working well. Could protect it a bit vs priority as well especially since it's looking like Golisopod isn't getting much usage in the higher tiers atm. Still though, don't know how well it can tank first impression even at +1.

Another mon that's exciting and actually looks really fun to play around with is Thievul:

Thievul @ Choice Specs
Ability: Stakeout
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Dark Pulse
- Psychic
- Grass Knot
- U-turn

For those unaware, Stakeout doubles the damage if a pokemon switches out. Even though it's spatk is pitiful, doubled damage will still hurt anything not resisting it so I can see this mon being a threat if the tier lacks proper dark-resists.

Some other forgotten mons include Sandaconda, Drednaw (if dmax gets banned), Flapple (which was covered above), Falinks, Appletun, Hitmonlee.. There's so many. I love the beginning of a new gen cuz u never know what ur gonna get and it ends up being hectic and fun :)

That being said I think the only mon that is actually confusing me is Falinks. I have no idea whether it would turn out amazing or absolute ass. It needs a boost thats stronger than +1 even if said +1 covers all stats. Feels a bit too slow to sweep and too weak to hit hard. I can see it being outclassed by the million other fighting types we have this gen.

 

[craftyLuke]

Another mon that's exciting and actually looks really fun to play around with is Thievul:

Thievul @ Choice Specs
Ability: Stakeout
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Dark Pulse
- Psychic
- Grass Knot
- U-turn

Unfortunately Stakeout is not released on Thievul, so it only really has Unburden to work with.

 

[phantom]

With special thanks to marty, got the first 12 days of UU stats, which should give some idea on what we can expect from gen 8 RU. Everything below 4.52 (i.e. Lucario and under) is RU. Try not to put too much emphasis on these stats since these will be expected to change significantly should Dynamax get banned. We will be using these stats to start an RU alpha tour, so be on the lookout!

 | 1    | Gengar             | 26.720% |
 | 2    | Kommo-o            | 24.972% |
 | 3    | Obstagoon          | 18.097% |
 | 4    | Mamoswine          | 17.640% |
 | 5    | Weezing-Galar      | 16.335% |
 | 6    | Mew                | 14.165% |
 | 7    | Polteageist        | 13.865% |
 | 8    | Ribombee           | 12.845% |
 | 9    | Charizard          | 11.641% |
 | 10   | Braviary           | 11.075% |
 | 11   | Copperajah         | 10.178% |
 | 12   | Crawdaunt          |  9.383% |
 | 13   | Inteleon           |  8.872% |
 | 14   | Haxorus            |  8.624% |
 | 15   | Doublade           |  8.253% |
 | 16   | Diggersby          |  7.689% |
 | 17   | Arcanine           |  7.581% |
 | 18   | Indeedee           |  7.520% |
 | 19   | Duraludon          |  7.420% |
 | 20   | Durant             |  7.235% |
 | 21   | Coalossal          |  7.182% |
 | 22   | Hippowdon          |  7.073% |
 | 23   | Weavile            |  6.904% |
 | 24   | Chandelure         |  6.770% |
 | 25   | Sigilyph           |  6.705% |
 | 26   | Araquanid          |  6.691% |
 | 27   | Noivern            |  6.669% |
 | 28   | Sirfetch'd         |  6.426% |
 | 29   | Espeon             |  6.269% |
 | 30   | Rotom-Mow          |  6.141% |
 | 31   | Tsareena           |  6.097% |
 | 32   | Cloyster           |  6.086% |
 | 33   | Sylveon            |  5.976% |
 | 34   | Claydol            |  5.939% |
 | 35   | Milotic            |  5.716% |
 | 36   | Avalugg            |  5.687% |
 | 37   | Frosmoth           |  5.685% |
 | 38   | Umbreon            |  5.536% |
 | 39   | Eldegoss           |  5.243% |
 | 40   | Snorlax            |  5.219% |
 | 41   | Morpeko            |  5.163% |
 | 42   | Rhyperior          |  4.968% |
 | 43   | Torkoal            |  4.937% |
 | 44   | Jellicent          |  4.598% |
 | 45   | Steelix            |  4.546% |
 | 46   | Reuniclus          |  4.529% |
 | 47   | Lucario            |  4.419% |
 | 48   | Rotom-Fan          |  4.408% |
 | 49   | Heliolisk          |  4.408% |
 | 50   | Boltund            |  4.322% |
 | 51   | Gardevoir          |  4.224% |
 | 52   | Falinks            |  4.175% |
 | 53   | Bronzong           |  4.071% |
 | 54   | Centiskorch        |  4.071% |
 | 55   | Golisopod          |  3.995% |
 | 56   | Galvantula         |  3.988% |
 | 57   | Goodra             |  3.912% |
 | 58   | Dhelmise           |  3.675% |
 | 59   | Rillaboom          |  3.651% |
 | 60   | Mantine            |  3.566% |
 | 61   | Alcremie           |  3.479% |
 | 62   | Runerigus          |  3.466% |
 | 63   | Shiftry            |  3.303% |
 | 64   | Flygon             |  3.186% |
 | 65   | Barbaracle         |  3.168% |
 | 66   | Flapple            |  3.147% |
 | 67   | Xatu               |  3.116% |
 | 68   | Cramorant          |  3.042% |
 | 69   | Arctozolt          |  2.968% |
 | 70   | Appletun           |  2.945% |
 | 71   | Hitmonlee          |  2.938% |
 | 72   | Eiscue             |  2.911% |
 | 73   | Hitmontop          |  2.895% |
 | 74   | Drapion            |  2.812% |
 | 75   | Whimsicott         |  2.763% |
 | 76   | Pyukumuku          |  2.761% |
 | 77   | Sandaconda         |  2.678% |
 | 78   | Salazzle           |  2.600% |
 | 79   | Mr. Rime           |  2.534% |
 | 80   | Quagsire           |  2.528% |
 | 81   | Orbeetle           |  2.333% |
 | 82   | Gastrodon          |  2.218% |
 | 83   | Rapidash-Galar     |  2.185% |
 | 84   | Froslass           |  2.139% |
 | 85   | Cursola            |  2.132% |
 | 86   | Vaporeon           |  2.088% |
 | 87   | Vanilluxe          |  2.068% |
 | 88   | Roserade           |  2.031% |
 | 89   | Cinccino           |  1.796% |
 | 90   | Lanturn            |  1.793% |
 | 91   | Sableye            |  1.763% |
 | 92   | Accelgor           |  1.740% |
 | 93   | Shuckle            |  1.708% |
 | 94   | Ninetales          |  1.664% |
 | 95   | Jolteon            |  1.657% |
 | 96   | Glalie             |  1.653% |
 | 97   | Drednaw            |  1.609% |
 | 98   | Leafeon            |  1.548% |
 | 99   | Lapras             |  1.522% |
 | 100  | Machamp            |  1.492% |
 | 101  | Bewear             |  1.463% |
 | 102  | Escavalier         |  1.425% |
 | 103  | Vikavolt           |  1.376% |
 | 104  | Passimian          |  1.301% |
 | 105  | Gigalith           |  1.241% |
 | 106  | Butterfree         |  1.199% |
 | 107  | Perrserker         |  1.185% |
 | 108  | Cofagrigus         |  1.124% |
 | 109  | Grapploct          |  1.121% |
 | 110  | Malamar            |  1.003% |
 | 111  | Dubwool            |  0.956% |
 | 112  | Vileplume          |  0.928% |
 | 113  | Silvally-Steel     |  0.917% |
 | 114  | Mr. Mime-Galar     |  0.826% |
 | 115  | Mudsdale           |  0.767% |
 | 116  | Aromatisse         |  0.766% |
 | 117  | Kingler            |  0.736% |
 | 118  | Arctovish          |  0.711% |
 | 119  | Octillery          |  0.694% |
 | 120  | Hitmonchan         |  0.679% |
 | 121  | Rotom-Frost        |  0.654% |
 | 122  | Pincurchin         |  0.637% |
 | 123  | Ludicolo           |  0.634% |
 | 124  | Silvally-Fairy     |  0.627% |
 | 125  | Pangoro            |  0.624% |
 | 126  | Toxicroak          |  0.615% |
 | 127  | Abomasnow          |  0.592% |
 | 128  | Stunfisk-Galar     |  0.574% |
 | 129  | Togedemaru         |  0.569% |
 | 130  | Morgrem            |  0.546% |
 | 131  | Gallade            |  0.545% |
 | 132  | Klinklang          |  0.494% |
 | 133  | Greedent           |  0.492% |
 | 134  | Crustle            |  0.488% |
 | 135  | Ferroseed          |  0.486% |
 | 136  | Scrafty            |  0.484% |
 | 137  | Drifblim           |  0.462% |
 | 138  | Qwilfish           |  0.455% |
 | 139  | Silvally-Ghost     |  0.432% |
 | 140  | Sawk               |  0.391% |
 | 141  | Thievul            |  0.390% |
 | 142  | Golurk             |  0.384% |
 | 143  | Shedinja           |  0.375% |
 | 144  | Stonjourner        |  0.365% |
 | 145  | Indeedee-F         |  0.365% |
 | 146  | Turtonator         |  0.356% |
 | 147  | Beartic            |  0.333% |
 | 148  | Shiinotic          |  0.327% |
 | 149  | Garbodor           |  0.323% |
 | 150  | Trevenant          |  0.317% |
 | 151  | Dusclops           |  0.312% |
 | 152  | Gourgeist-Super    |  0.311% |
 | 153  | Silvally-Dark      |  0.309% |
 | 154  | Glaceon            |  0.306% |
 | 155  | Unfezant           |  0.300% |
 | 156  | Slurpuff           |  0.275% |
 | 157  | Rhydon             |  0.269% |
 | 158  | Skuntank           |  0.263% |
 | 159  | Drampa             |  0.254% |
 | 160  | Ninjask            |  0.241% |
 | 161  | Mareanie           |  0.237% |
 | 162  | Maractus           |  0.236% |
 | 163  | Dusknoir           |  0.230% |
 | 164  | Gurdurr            |  0.225% |
 | 165  | Silvally-Fire      |  0.221% |
 | 166  | Rotom              |  0.196% |
 | 167  | Silvally-Fighting  |  0.195% |
 | 168  | Mawile             |  0.190% |
 | 169  | Silvally           |  0.188% |
 | 170  | Wishiwashi         |  0.188% |
 | 171  | Type: Null         |  0.179% |
 | 172  | Pikachu            |  0.178% |
 | 173  | Onix               |  0.174% |
 | 174  | Trapinch           |  0.173% |
 | 175  | Silvally-Ground    |  0.152% |
 | 176  | Drilbur            |  0.149% |
 | 177  | Manectric          |  0.144% |
 | 178  | Noctowl            |  0.141% |
 | 179  | Bellossom          |  0.134% |
 | 180  | Musharna           |  0.127% |
 | 181  | Vullaby            |  0.117% |
 | 182  | Silvally-Water     |  0.115% |
 | 183  | Mr. Mime           |  0.110% |
 | 184  | Basculin           |  0.110% |
 | 185  | Hattrem            |  0.109% |
 | 186  | Flareon            |  0.109% |
 | 187  | Raichu             |  0.106% |

 

[spookysocialist]

Wanted to drop some thoughts on some mons I'm excited to try, assuming the stats stay the same:

Boltund: surprisingly strong and some really strong coverage options, life orb boltund seems like one of the tougher threats to switch into. But while I was initially hyped on this mon, I've been wondering - when is it switching in? I don't foresee many ghost and steel attacks flying around and it's defenses are bad. Cool mon if you can safely get it in though

Rillaboom: this mon is great, it's stat spread is fantastic for a tank and I think it will shine even without it's HA. It's coverage leaves it with a glaring weakness to flying types, but we actually don't have a lot of flying types likely to drop - Xatu seems to be the best (not counting mantine). Drum beating plus follow up uturn is also super good for wearing down checks. Definitely a great tank that can wear down and outlast answers for it

Appletun: this thing is really bulky, has recovery, leech seed support, stab draco, a great ability. I'm not exactly sure what this will wall but I'm confident it will find a place somewhere just because it's bulk + moves + ability are great

Vanilluxe: this thing didn't get anything new but like... where are our ice resists? Seriously. Lucario is not an ice resist. Blizzard + freeze dry alone seems to have amazing coverage for this meta

Overall super excited, if this is the list we get I think we'll actually have a fairly balanced tier (minus lucario) - assuming dynamax is banned obviously.

 

[Mavis]

very surprised to see Bewear ending up here. we all pitched it as for sure UU, but unless unaware mons end up becoming used, this mon could prove very overbearing. absolutely nothing can handle +2 bear, as it's bulk is ridiculous and it's issue of shadow claw sucking got patched by the much superior darkest lariat. losing return sucked, but i can see bear becoming really good really fast.

 

[Feliburn]

Silvally has gotten significantly stronger due to the Multi-Attack buff. Honestly it's annoying that on top of the respectable bulk and speed, it now has a significant strong hitting STAB that makes it way too annoying to face (at least from the couple of games we've played so far). This goes mainly to Silvally-Steel cause it's probably gonna become our main steel, at least offensive steel, but it could apply to other Silvally types as well like fairy.

Alcremie is another mon I think should be explored more in this upcoming tournament, with it being a decently fat fairy with the ability to set up, and now that Toxic is severly restricted to a few mons it finds the opportunities to Calm Mind up way easier, making it way too annoying to deal with.

 

[Colonel M]

Vanilluxe: this thing didn't get anything new but like... where are our ice resists? Seriously. Lucario is not an ice resist. Blizzard + freeze dry alone seems to have amazing coverage for this meta

We'll have to see how RU wants it, but it did pick up Aurora Veil which makes it potent for suicide leads. It picked up some versatility alongside its power output.

I know Aurora Veil was banned last gen, but it's pretty notable since both Vanilluxe and Abomasnow get the move and set hail automatically.

 

[EviGaro]

Yeah Aurora Veil is a big thing for Vanilluxe, the main issue it had in gen 7 beyond fat steels is that it was really hard to fit on teams: Veil gives it an immediate purpose on top of breaking that just offers quite a bit of synergy.

Few other random thoughts on what I'm seeing so far:

- Echoing the Silvally hype a bit, especially steel. The lack of options is huge for it and having legitimate potential against offence on top of the important stuff steels are asked to check is pretty big, while being good at not foregoing momentum unlike an Escavalier or Bronzong. Other typings seem good, especially dark, ghost and fairy, but like I think spooky said on discord the sheer usefulness of Steelvally is too big to pass up in a lot of matchups.

- I think you will heard a lot about ghosts , and yeah they are very stupid, but so are psychics. Gardevoir and Indeedee-F are the main culprits of this imo, the former being a fantastic overall offensive fairy to degrees that seem even higher than it was at its gen 7 peak, and Indeedee is just ridiculously strong despite the ability being nerfed slightly. Moreover, both these mons benefit tremendously from being within the few to have Healing Wish, which is always appealing in fast paced alpha / beta metas, and have a now way more useful option to trick an item without z-moves and megas being everywhere.

- The lack of bulky waters is really noticeable, and probably is going to put a lot of pressure on something like Vaporeon to do that job, but most of the flaws that were apparent in SM are still here in SWSH, and even worse since it has no toxic or heal bell. Hoping that Jellicent usage will drop a bit for the end of the month cause that's a bit problematic.

- Boots is the greatest item in the game and thank god cause our best defogger is Gurdurr.

Few sets I think are cool:

Runerigus @ Leftovers
Ability: Wandering Spirit
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Impish Nature
- Shadow Claw / Earthquake
- Body Press
- Stealth Rock
- Will-O-Wisp / Toxic Spikes

Speaking of ghosts, this thing is legit af, Body Press is a glorious move, rocks are rocks, and it has a ton of utility. Ability is useful too I guess but having both a ghost and a ground in one that isn't Golurk is really good.

Centiskorch @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Fire Lash
- Leech Life
- Knock Off
- Power Whip

Dope mon in general, even more annoying cause RU is at the point where oh wait we lost all waters and the speed is actually looking kinda clean now. Bulk is underrated, especially with a very valuable resistance to fairy and it's one of the rare Knock users.

Skuntank @ Black Sludge
Ability: Aftermath
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Dark Pulse
- Flamethrower
- Sludge Bomb
- Nasty Plot

This is still a bit more of theorymons, but, well... What has been Skuntank's main problem? It can't setup and needs Acid Spray to actually break with a potentially cool special moveset. Well, it has Nasty Plot now! It's a ghost resist, although the EVs probably should be customized a bit more in case, but that coverage + speed + ability combo has quite a bit of upside in my opinion.

Mr. Mime-Galar @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Screen Cleaner
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Freeze-Dry
- Psyshock
- Rapid Spin
- Encore

... I hate it too.

Ok so this thing is hella frail and weak, but that speed really is key as much as I hate to admit it. It's decent enough for an offensive meta with decent stabs, and Encore has potential in more defensive matchups although you can use something like Focus Blast or Nasty Plot.

Overall though this tierlist seems to offer a lot of possiblities, it's a bit worrying that our defensive play seems really really limited to a few mons whereas the offensive mons are plentiful, but there's a lot of potential variety in offensive strategies still and really looking forward to next year!

 

[Rav3]

Yeah Aurora Veil is a big thing for Vanilluxe, the main issue it had in gen 7 beyond fat steels is that it was really hard to fit on teams: Veil gives it an immediate purpose on top of breaking that just offers quite a bit of synergy.

Few other random thoughts on what I'm seeing so far:

- Echoing the Silvally hype a bit, especially steel. The lack of options is huge for it and having legitimate potential against offence on top of the important stuff steels are asked to check is pretty big, while being good at not foregoing momentum unlike an Escavalier or Bronzong. Other typings seem good, especially dark, ghost and fairy, but like I think spooky said on discord the sheer usefulness of Steelvally is too big to pass up in a lot of matchups.

- I think you will heard a lot about ghosts , and yeah they are very stupid, but so are psychics. Gardevoir and Indeedee-F are the main culprits of this imo, the former being a fantastic overall offensive fairy to degrees that seem even higher than it was at its gen 7 peak, and Indeedee is just ridiculously strong despite the ability being nerfed slightly. Moreover, both these mons benefit tremendously from being within the few to have Healing Wish, which is always appealing in fast paced alpha / beta metas, and have a now way more useful option to trick an item without z-moves and megas being everywhere.

- The lack of bulky waters is really noticeable, and probably is going to put a lot of pressure on something like Vaporeon to do that job, but most of the flaws that were apparent in SM are still here in SWSH, and even worse since it has no toxic or heal bell. Hoping that Jellicent usage will drop a bit for the end of the month cause that's a bit problematic.

- Boots is the greatest item in the game and thank god cause our best defogger is Gurdurr.

Few sets I think are cool:

Runerigus @ Leftovers
Ability: Wandering Spirit
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Impish Nature
- Shadow Claw / Earthquake
- Body Press
- Stealth Rock
- Will-O-Wisp / Toxic Spikes

Speaking of ghosts, this thing is legit af, Body Press is a glorious move, rocks are rocks, and it has a ton of utility. Ability is useful too I guess but having both a ghost and a ground in one that isn't Golurk is really good.

Centiskorch @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Fire Lash
- Leech Life
- Knock Off
- Power Whip

Dope mon in general, even more annoying cause RU is at the point where oh wait we lost all waters and the speed is actually looking kinda clean now. Bulk is underrated, especially with a very valuable resistance to fairy and it's one of the rare Knock users.

Skuntank @ Black Sludge
Ability: Aftermath
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Dark Pulse
- Flamethrower
- Sludge Bomb
- Nasty Plot

This is still a bit more of theorymons, but, well... What has been Skuntank's main problem? It can't setup and needs Acid Spray to actually break with a potentially cool special moveset. Well, it has Nasty Plot now! It's a ghost resist, although the EVs probably should be customized a bit more in case, but that coverage + speed + ability combo has quite a bit of upside in my opinion.

Mr. Mime-Galar @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Screen Cleaner
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Freeze-Dry
- Psyshock
- Rapid Spin
- Encore

... I hate it too.

Ok so this thing is hella frail and weak, but that speed really is key as much as I hate to admit it. It's decent enough for an offensive meta with decent stabs, and Encore has potential in more defensive matchups although you can use something like Slack Off or Nasty Plot.

Overall though this tierlist seems to offer a lot of possiblities, it's a bit worrying that our defensive play seems really really limited to a few mons whereas the offensive mons are plentiful, but there's a lot of potential variety in offensive strategies still and really looking forward to next year!

Isn’t Slack off only learned by Rime not mime

 

[Cold Apple Soda]

Honestly i think Ninetales despite not having Z-Moves will be pretty good. Partially due to Heavy Duty Boots negating its entry hazard weakness to rocks, spikes and TSpikes. The other reason is because lack of bulky waters ig, but you know Solar Beam is a thing.

Ninetales @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Drought
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Fire Blast
- Solar Beam
- Will-O-Wisp/Flame Charge/Hypnosis

I think this is a pretty nice set, +2 allows to deal some pretty hefty damage with Fire Blast along with Solar beam nuking water types and rock types. Will-O is there because this thing can't really deal with Goodra if that thing becomes a threat down here, nor can it deal with Gigalith very well. So burning them allows Ninetales to give them both some residual damage and even cut Lith's attack in half. I think Flare Charge can be run as well if u want to late game clean with Nasty Plot and +1 speed. Lastly, Hypnosis is there cause it can sleep some switch ins and maybe chip them away if possible. Ninetales also has "alright" special bulk being 73/100 which isn't too bad i guess. Just doesn't have recovery.

 

[sensei axew]

To add onto this, and im sorry PU but it’s too late for the horse to return, I think Mudsdale should find its way through the earlier meta. An electric immunity with stamina, rocks, high attack stat, and amazing defenses. Not only is this a physical tank, but with spdef investment it can also take some hits from mons like Gardevoir or Indeedee-F.

Its also a check to the aforementioned Steel-Silvally. The horse is able to stomach +2 hits with the stamina boost and proceeds to KO with Earthquake. Moreover, it beats a majority of RU’s potential rockers in Rhydon, Gigalith, Stunfisk-Galar, and even Bronzong if its running Body Press.

It’s too early to make evs due to the fact that they’ll be catered specifically to take certain hits. However the movset would probably go something like Stealth Rock, Earthquake, Rock Slide, Protect/Body Press with leftovers. In overall, I think Mudsdale will find a pretty big niche in RU and im hella looking forward to explore this mon in the alpha tour

 

[Mavis]

several members of RU's discord server did playtests among each other with the rules yesterday, including but not limited to myself, bebo, ODR, evi, phantom, feli, and cyan- there was a ton of Gardevoir, a ton of ghosts, a lot of Bewear, and I'm pretty sure everyone besides me used a Silvally of some sort.

Evi is right, the lack of bulky waters is very bad and noticeable, especially with Vaporeon losing access to both Heal Bell and Toxic, now having to fill it's fourth slot with some mediocre shit like Haze or Ice Beam. here's to hoping Jellicent drops.

as for sets, I feel like once the meta settles down a bit, Goodra is gonna be really, really good(ra). huge special defense lets it take on stuff like Rotom handifully, and I can see it's scarf and specs sets from USM making a return here.

notable returning veterans include Flygon, now with First Impression, Bronzong, now without Toxic and Psywave, Galvantula, Salazzle, Goodra, Gardevoir, Bewear (somehow, that should be gone soon), and Golisopod. Golis also looks to be a huge threat, with the amount of prevalent psychics we have, there's nothing like stab first impression to shut them down.

 

[spookysocialist]

Btw, I think an underrated threat in this new meta is drapion. Having a dark type is very reliable with all the hype around ghosts, and spdef drapion has numerous switch in opportunities and enjoys the lack of hazard removal on it's toxic spikes. Meanwhile, offensive drapion sits at a very nice speed tier and enjoys the indirect buff to knock off from the removal of mega stones and z crystals, and just the lack of dark resists in general (and toxicroak goes down to EQ)

Salazzle and flygon our back but may not be the all powerful sweepers they were last generation - both relied heavily on z moves to break through dedicated walls. Excited to see if they are more balanced now

 

[Mavis]

ALPHA IS UP, THIS IS NOT A DRILL, ALPHA STATS ARE UP. YOUR FAVORITE BIRD KEEPER IS HERE TO LAY IT DOWN ON YA.

SWORD AND SHIELD RU ALPHA THREATLIST

BANLIST: , , , , ,,, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , (male), , , ,, , ,

WHAT DID WE LOSE IN THE SHIFT? WHAT DID WE GAIN?
The most relevant few we LOST are Gardevoir, Golisopod, and Flygon. Other notables include Heliolisk, Bronzong, Centiskorch, Drapion, and... fucking Cramorant. How. UU, please. Why'd you take dick ass Cramorant. Even Serp can't be happy for three seconds without you and your collective four brain cells of a playerbase messing something up.

However, we GAINED amazing entry hazard control in the forms of Eldegoss and Torkoal, a possibly meta defining addition in Sigilyph, King Snorlax, the all-purpose Stealth Rock user and Dragon Dance sweeper Steelix, and a crucial bulky water to stand in the way of our myriad of Fighting-types, Jellicent.

STEALTH ROCK: , , ,, , ,

Stealth Rock: Notes

Gigalith looks like a great all-purpose Stealth Rock setter, being able to threaten Ghosts with Throat Chop and naturally deterring Xatu from checking it. Cursola looks very deadly as an offensive hazard setter, while Runerigus is our only Bewear counter and packs Body Press for beating down Steel-types, in addition to Shadow Claw for Ghosts and Will-o-Wisp. Golurk provides a more offensive touch to Runerigus's typing, allowing it to directly threaten Xatu while not being able to check Bewear as well. Drednaw goes in the same vein of being able to flatten Xatu and Mudsdale while also posing a sweeping threat under rain with Swift Swim and a Life Orb. Mudsdale is really cool and helps in a team's collective anti-Electric effort. Steelix should be nothing short of incredible, bar being walled by Featherdance Xatu.

SPIKES: , ,

Spikes: Notes

Froslass looks super good right now as a way to start early game with a bang. Losing HP Fire is a massive blow for Roserade, but it means it can now much more easily run Synthesis or Sleep Powder. Garb has great bulk checking our various fightings and grasses, and can set up multiple diff kinds of spikes while also checking Bewear.

RAPID SPIN AND DEFOG: , , , , ,,,,

Rapid Spin and Defog: Notes

Tortunator is niche, but Shell Trap and Shell Smash in tandem with Spin make it a possible threat. It needs timbs, though. Xatu is our best form of hazard control, completely blanking most forms of hazard setting and adopting a new Featherdance set to beat Gigalith and Bewear. Gurdurr is a great offensive defogger thanks to it being burnproof, and while it suffers from the amount of prevalent ghosts, Payback is a sorry excuse for the coverage Knock Off used to provide. Dhelmise is a mostly inferior form of spinner, but blocks spin of its own and has a passable mu against most spinners. God, give it back Synthesis, I'm begging. Mr. Rime has decent Speed, but needs timbs to do much in the ways of spinning. That's a very nice offensive type combination, though. Mr. Mime is a speedier, slightly weaker and less bulky version of its Rime evolution, but that Speed tier is very nice. Lee has excellent speed, Reckless HJK, and Throat Chop for ghosts, making it a good but niche option for removal on offense teams. Eldegoss should be able to shut down and spin on our waters and grounds with ease, clicking leech seed on half the tier and being another great Rotom check. Torkoal is notable for possibly enabling Sun based teams, as well as completely stuffing Grass-types.

GHOST-TYPES: , , , , , , ,

Ghost-types: Notes

Rotom looks excellent with its STAB combination and will-o-wisp, same with Haunter, thought no volt switch means it's much more scared of Drapion. Silvally has a clickable 120bp STAB move, and has Swords Dance potential while being able to threaten pivoting with U-Turn and its myriad of coverage, allowing it to pick and choose its counters. Dhelmise is niche, but being a spinner that blocks spin is unique among RU Pokemon. Runerigus and Cursola are both very strong defensive mons in their respective areas, as Rune is an amazing Fighting-type stopgap, and Cursola can wield a dangerous Colbur Berry / Calm Mind set. Golurk takes on a more offensive role, being able to set Stealth Rock as well. Jellicent looks to be incredibly strong, between the defensive utility of its incredible typing, the loss of Heliolisk, and our abundance of Fighting-types for it to wall.

FIGHTING-TYPES: , , , , , , ,

Fighting-types: Notes

With every single Fighting-type having meaningful ways to fight back against our myriad of Ghosts, our six returning veterans plus Gurdurr and Falinks await the return of fellow Fighting-type and SM RU mainstay Virizion with Dark moves, setup opportunities, a couple burn immunities, and a Stealth Rock resistance in a tier with terrible removal options. Bewear and Pangoro return with their Choice Band and Swords Dance sets from USM, with Bewear gaining augmented coverage in the form of Darkest Lariat and Close Combat, while Pangoro looks to wield Scrappy on its Choice Band sets, thanks to the ubiquity of our Ghost-types. Machamp has the crucial burn immunity an as devastating of Close Combats as ever. Toxicroak and Passimian remain essentially unchanged from USM. Gurdurr now has Defog, but detests its loss of Knock Off. Falinks and No Retreat are as gimmicky on paper as they are unreliable in practice, but can end games then and there is the opponent is unprepared. Scrafty wields Roseli Berry to defend against Fairies under its pairing with Aurora Veil, and can thrash balance with its sets, as well as incorporating Taunt and Iron Head in.

WATER-TYPES: , , ,,

Water-types: Notes

Vaporeon dearly misses Heal Bell and all three miss Toxic, but Gastrodon in particular should be pivotal to shutting down Ghost-types, since they no longer have access to Hidden Power Grass. Bringing back the SubTine set of ORAS NU infamity, Mantine can break down defensive teams that rely on Vileplume to stave off Water-types, breaking apart strong defensive Pokemon like Bronzong with Hydro Pump and Roost. With our number of potential setup sweepers and Electric-types running around, Quagsire should prove useful blocking volt from Rotom and Galv. Heliolisk bring gone is a massive benefit for our newly added Jellicent, who should be crucial in shutting down physical attackers like Silvally.

DARK-TYPES: , ,

Dark-types: Notes

Pursuit being axed sucks, but a valuable Ghost resistance means these three should be pretty good this gen. Silvally-Dark has its opportunity cost of course, but a spammable Multi-Attack makes it a contender for shutting down Ghost-types. Skuntank is hilariously viable with its Nasty Plot set. Pangoro does Pangoro things, clicking buttons and watching the sturdiest of defensive teams fall apart in its path of destruction.

MISCELLANEOUS SPECIAL THREATS: , , , , , , ,

Miscellaneous Special Threats: Notes

Vanilluxe is shaping up to be a top-tier special attacker this gen of RU, with very little if nothing that switches into it with ease. Galvantula is as dangerous as ever, as even with gastro/rune being strong, Energy ball meansit has plenty of opportunities to spam its STABs. Goodra returns with Specs and Scarf sets from USM, raining down Draco Meteors upon a metagame with few fairies and steels. Ninetales misses HP Ice, but doesn't need it as bad this go-around thanks to Noivern being solidly UU, and can now slot in Overheat for a glimpse of the power of its Inferno Overdrive of old, or Energy Ball for a smack on Gigalith. Whimsicott can pull its usual bag of tricks and should make for a fine pivot/wallbreaker. Salazzle really misses HP, but it still has it's really nice STAB combo and great Speed to work with, not to mention Nasty Plot. Indeedee can use its Terrain to go on the offensive well, breaking apart anything not resistant or immune. Sigilyph should be absolutely devastating, between it's perfect neutral coverage, built-in Stealth Rock immunity, and Calm Mind set being as ferocious as ever. Pursuit being gone is nothing but a boost for this game-defining wallbreaker.

MISCELLANEOUS PHYSICAL THREATS: , , , , , ,

Miscellaneous Physical Threats: Notes

Where Gardevoir goes, Golisopod follows, ensuring it will never truly run rampant. Water STAB is always nice for Ground-types, and so are Spikes. Flygon gains access to First Impression, possibly making its Band set better. Barb is scary as ever, even more so without HP Grass. Boltund is meh, but slap a band on it and it might prove scary. Rapidash-Galar has some setup opprtunities thanks to SD, but no bulk means it's easily RKed. Rillaboom looks very good with STAB Wood Hammer and ways to threaten Steel-types. Arctozolt should be a bit gimmicky but bolt beak may prove strong. Flapple has insane hustle DD and broken grav apple, so it's a threat to watch out for. Snorlax drops down onto us from UU and should be another tier-definer, but the abundance of ghosts should make it's Curse antics harder. Let's get ready for Bandlax to become godly.

MISCELLANEOUS DEFENSIVE THREATS: , ,

Miscellaneous Defensive Threats: Notes

God plume is back with broken sap, great STABs, growth, and sleep, ready to beat down every Ghost in the tier bar Cursola and the numerous Fightings too. Indeedee's prevalence hurts it a bit though. Silv-Steel looks to be a fantastic all-around pivot, Goodra check, and hazard-resistant Pokemon with a strong clickable STAB and U-Turn. Alcremie has access to the coveted Aromatherapy and it's high SpD makes it a great check to Goodra and Rotom, as well as having potential for Calm Mind sets thanks to Mystical Fire.

POSSIBLE OTHER THREATS: , , , , , , ,

Possible Other Threats: Notes

I don't feel like going in depth on any of these because I don't see them sticking to RU in any meaningful way, but they all have some unique aspects that could bring edges to a team in need of their specific talents. Vikavolt losing Roost is lame, honestly. Appletun can be a nice Tales check and not much more. Stonjourner has Scarf potential, but holy balls that SpD is bad. Abomasnow has STAB grass moves to warrant possible use over Vanilluxe. Not sure how I feel about the spicy pyukumuku, but terrain setting for the benefit of our various Electrics is cool and so are Spikes. Too bad its bulk is dogshit.

GALAR MONS - SETS

Falinks

@ Lum Berry
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 92 HP / 252 Atk / 164 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Poison Jab
- Throat CHop
- No Retreat
Notes: Close Combat is nice for obligatory STAB. Poison Jab is a move to hit Fairy-types while also retaining coverage on Mantine. Throat CHop is Falinks' only meaningful way of touching Ghost-types. Lum Berry is chosen to go with No Retreat since most people's contingency plan against Falinks will be to poison it, allowing you to get a good hit in. Speed investment hits 340 at +1, allowing you to outspeed Galarian Rapidash.

Alcremie

@ Leftovers
Ability: Sweet Veil
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Dazzling Gleam
- Recover
- Calm Mind
- Aromatherapy / Mystical Fire
Notes: DGleam + Mystical Fire make a good attacking core, and Calm Mind allows Alcremie to flex its offensive muscle. Last slot is up to preference, Aromatherapy acts as a wincon, and Mystical Fire can be used to beat Steel-types on the switch. Sweet Veil is chosen to block sleep from Butterfree and Vileplume.

Runerigus

:runigerus: @ Leftovers
Ability: Wandering Spirit
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Body Press
- Shadow Claw / Night Shade
- Stealth Rock
- Will-O-Wisp
Notes: used as a beefy physical tank that sets rocks and spinblocks, Body Press alows it to crush Steel-types. Shadow Claw makes you immediately threatening to Rotom and Golurk on the switch, and Night Shade can be used for more consistent damage output.

Mr. Rime

@ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Screen Cleaner
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Freeze-Dry
- Rapid Spin
- Focus Blast / Recover
Notes: Boots allows Rime to function as a great hazard remover with its excellent STABs and focus blast's coverage. Recover can be used for more defensive teams, but you give up Silvally and Bronzong coverage. Nothing special here. You can run Speed investment over HP if it suits you.

Cursola

@ Spooky Plate /Colbur Berry
Ability: Perish Body
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Shadow Ball
- Calm Mind
- Stealth Rock
- Strength Sap / Earth Power
Good bulky Stealth Rock setter that thrashes anything not immune to it with spooky plate shadow ball. CM can be used in wincon scenarios where no physical attackers are left on you opp's side, since it gets Earth Power to dunk on cocky Drapion.

Flapple

@ Miracle Seed
Ability: Hustle
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Grav Apple
- Outrage
- Sucker Punch
- Dragon Dance
Notes: Dragon Dance up, then shout FLAPPLE FORCE as you completely shit on everything in sight with Grav Apple. No good way to threaten Steel-types outside of Grav Apple, so keep that in mind. Sucker kills faster shit trying to revenge you, like Rotom or Goodra.

Indeedee-F

(F) @ Choice Scarf / Choice Specs
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Hyper Voice
- Shadow Ball
- Healing Wish
Notes: Powerful revenge killer. Shadow Ball is there to threaten Bronzong. Specs makes a fearsome wallbreaker if revenge killing with this isn't your cup of tea, as it has that sweet base 95 speed that lets it get the jump on Rillaboom, the Rotoms, and tie with Silvally. Healing Wish is nice to re energize your Bewear or Gigalith or something.

Galarian Rapidash

@ Life Orb
Ability: Pastel Veil
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Play Rough
- Zen Headbutt
- Low Kick
- Swords Dance
Notes: Low Kick threatens good damage on SIlvally-Steel and Bronzong. Choice sets can be cool, Band can slot in Wild Charge, Megahorn, High Horsepower, or Throat Chop in slot 4. This thing has some cool coverage.

Rillaboom

@ Choice Band / Choice Scarf
Ability: Overgrow
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Wood Hammer
- Earthquake
- Superpower / Drum Beating / Knock Off
- U-turn
Notes: Wood Hammer is mega clickable and the other two moves are its best coverage moves, EQ is there in case you don't want any drawbacks trying to beat steels and U-Turn is U-Turn. This thing is super spammable. Drum Beating is a recoil-less alternative to Wood Hammer that's safer to throw out when you're at low health. Knock Off is a blessing with our rampant ghost infestation, and can be spammed liberally to remove Timbs from switchins like Centiskorch and Xatu.

Boltund

@ Life Orb / Choice Band
Ability: Strong Jaw
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Thunder Fang
- Psychic Fangs
- Fire Fang
- Crunch
Notes: Ugh, I hate this thing. Try not to die too fast, and kill shit. Predict right if you've got a Band on it. Crunch is for Ghosts and Bronzong. Try not to let Runerigus wall you too hard. At least it can beat Xatu (sorta. TFang won't kill physically defensive Xatu from full on the Life Orb set. You need a Choice Band for that.)

Arctozolt

@ Choice Scarf
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Bolt Beak
- Icicle Crash
- Low Kick
- Freeze-Dry
Notes: Bolt Beak is stupid clickable, Freeze-Dry lets you beat up on unsuspecting Gastrodon that think they're safe. Low Kick threatens relevant damage on Bronzong and is mostly there because you're never gonna be clicking something that isn't a STAB move, and I thought Low Kick was cool from an aesthetics purpose. Something about Arctovish kicking something with it's horribly unbalanced lower body made me giggle.

Drednaw

@ Splash Plate
Ability: Strong Jaw
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stone Edge
- Liquidation
- Stealth Rock
- Crunch / Megahorn
Notes: Splash Plate with Liquidation gives respectable damage output on neutral targets like Bronzong and Silvally. Strong Jaw Crunch threatens an OHKO on every relevant Ghost-type besides Runerigus. Megahorn hits Rillaboom harder than any other move. An all-out rain sweeper set can be used with Swift Swim and Swords Dance, however, this Drednaw likes having rain already set up for it. Choice Band can also be used with a rain-setting partner, or without one on the set listed above.

Galarian Mr. Mime

@ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Screen Cleaner
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Freeze-Dry
- Rapid Spin
- Focus Blast
Notes: Mr. Mime has a nice Speed that lets it scare out weakened Rotoms and Fightings for a good spin, making it the better choice over Mr. Rime for offensive teams. It lacks the recovery and additional firepower Mr. Rime has, though. Base 100 speed gets you the jump on a lot of different threats, though.

 

[Cold Apple Soda]

MISCELLANEOUS SPECIAL THREATS: , , , , , , , ,
Gardevoir and Vanilluxe are shaping up to be top-tier special attackers this gen of RU, with very little if nothing besides Bronzong that switches into them with ease. Heliolisk and Galvantula are as dangerous as ever, as even with gastro/rune being strong, they have plenty of opportunities to spam their STABs. Heliolisk makes a great offensive check to Rotom. Goodra returns with Specs and Scarf sets from USM, raining down Draco Meteors upon a metagame with few fairies and steels. Ninetales misses HP Fire, but doesn't need it as bad this go-around thanks to missing Noivern. Whimsicott can pull its usual bag of tricks and should make for a fine pivot/wallbreaker. Salazzle really misses HP, but it still has it's really nice STAB combo and great Speed to work with, not to mention Nasty Plot. Indeedee can use its Terrain to go on the offensive well, breaking apart anything not resistant or immune.

"Ninetales misses HP Fire" Do you mean HP Ice?