op adapted from nus version
approved by MrAldo
The main goal of this thread is to provide a visual tool to assist teambuilding by giving players a quick way to pick checks and counters for the metagame's top threats. Basically, a "check" as defined here is anything that reliably beats a threat, and they're separated in this list by whether or not they can switch in. The Pokemon will be listed by sprites rather than their names for the sake of easy and quick reference, and they will be organized in descending order of viability ranking. The community is encouraged to get involved and make suggestions as this project will have updates often to become as accurate as possible.
Here are a few guidelines that explain how this compendium will be organized (subject to change):
There might be exceptions to the above rules, so these will be handled on a case-by-case basis. This compendium should give you a wide range of checks to choose from so that you can build until you feel you can cover what you need to between team synergy and in-game decision making. Don't get too caught up having a GSI for everything, because that's basically impossible. As long as you've got a good mixture of Pokemon that can allow you to play against anything somewhat well, you'll be fine, just use this resource as a guideline to push you in the right direction when building.
Remember to read the entire OP before posting!
approved by MrAldo
The main goal of this thread is to provide a visual tool to assist teambuilding by giving players a quick way to pick checks and counters for the metagame's top threats. Basically, a "check" as defined here is anything that reliably beats a threat, and they're separated in this list by whether or not they can switch in. The Pokemon will be listed by sprites rather than their names for the sake of easy and quick reference, and they will be organized in descending order of viability ranking. The community is encouraged to get involved and make suggestions as this project will have updates often to become as accurate as possible.
Here are a few guidelines that explain how this compendium will be organized (subject to change):
- Only Pokemon ranked on the RU Viability Rankings between S and B- will be included to begin with, this is because most Pokemon under B- are too uncommon or require less specific preparation to deal with in comparison to higher ranked threats. This may change in the future, however.
- Anything that drops down from B- will be kept on the compendium in case it rises up again unless if it suffers a massive drop in viability (e.g Decidueye post Mandibuzz drop) it will be removed.
- Checks are separated by guaranteed switch-ins (GSI), situational switch-ins (SSI), and non-switch-ins (NSI), in alphabetical order.
- Only official Smogon Analysis sets are being considered here, so no Specs Rhyperior or AV Bewear.
- This was a very long process so we're subject to have made mistakes here and there, please feel free to make informed suggestions within reason.
- Don't argue if something you've suggested is rejected.
- Defensive Pokemon will only have offensive ways to check it listed on the compendium because defensive Pokemon checking other defensive Pokemon is simply redundant.
Guaranteed Switch-Ins (GSI): These Pokemon can switch into basically anything a threat can throw at them and win the matchup, within reason. They may only be able to switch in safely one or two times, or they may only be able to switch in with certain sets, so that'll be up to the player's discretion. When evaluating which moves a check must be able to switch into, I'll only consider moves that (A) are included as main set slashes on a Pokemon's analysis page, or (B) are at least common enough to show up on a Pokemon's 1825 moveset statistics entry. Anything else will be considered niche or uncommon enough that a check won't have to worry about it too often.
Situational Switch-Ins (SSI): These Pokemon can switch in safely under certain circumstances, but not always. Pokemon in this category can either switch safely into some variants of a threat but struggle against others, or they struggle with common coverage moves but can at least switch into a threat's STABs and other moves commonly used on switches (such as boosting moves and Knock Off) and win the matchup. This is somewhat of a "gray area" category, so there's a bit of flexibility here.
Non-Switch-Ins (NSI): These Pokemon cannot switch safely into a certain threat, generally because they are beaten by one of the threat's STABs, lose if they switch in on a boosting move, etc. Pokemon in this category can, however, defeat a threat in a 1-on-1 matchup. This includes faster revenge killers, as well as Pokemon that can take a single hit and KO back.
Situational Switch-Ins (SSI): These Pokemon can switch in safely under certain circumstances, but not always. Pokemon in this category can either switch safely into some variants of a threat but struggle against others, or they struggle with common coverage moves but can at least switch into a threat's STABs and other moves commonly used on switches (such as boosting moves and Knock Off) and win the matchup. This is somewhat of a "gray area" category, so there's a bit of flexibility here.
Non-Switch-Ins (NSI): These Pokemon cannot switch safely into a certain threat, generally because they are beaten by one of the threat's STABs, lose if they switch in on a boosting move, etc. Pokemon in this category can, however, defeat a threat in a 1-on-1 matchup. This includes faster revenge killers, as well as Pokemon that can take a single hit and KO back.
There might be exceptions to the above rules, so these will be handled on a case-by-case basis. This compendium should give you a wide range of checks to choose from so that you can build until you feel you can cover what you need to between team synergy and in-game decision making. Don't get too caught up having a GSI for everything, because that's basically impossible. As long as you've got a good mixture of Pokemon that can allow you to play against anything somewhat well, you'll be fine, just use this resource as a guideline to push you in the right direction when building.
Remember to read the entire OP before posting!
