Metagame SM NU Alpha Discussion (read post #153)

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6ft Torbjorn

formerly JoycapJoshST
i'm really not sure why people are using aqua tail over earthquake, it hits literally all of the same things coverage wise that aqua tail does while guaranteeing the OHKO on steelix, not being walled by toxicroak (and other poisons) and not missing when youre not using the z-move. if anyone can give me a reasonable answer i'm all for it, i just can't see why aqua tail would be better in the slightest
I think it's main purpose is a Lure for Grounds in general (things like Sandslash, Rhydon etc.). As you can see, he has given HV clacs for Shuckle and Piloswine as well. As for Steelix, SR could be down as well and it's not like it appreciates having it's Lefties or whatever knocked off.

Don't quote me on that.
 
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Natan

...
is a Smogon Media Contributor Alumnus
i'm really not sure why people are using aqua tail over earthquake, it hits literally all of the same things coverage wise that aqua tail does while guaranteeing the OHKO on steelix, not being walled by toxicroak (and other poisons) and not missing when youre not using the z-move. if anyone can give me a reasonable answer i'm all for it, i just can't see why aqua tail would be better in the slightest
Well, basically it's better against Rhydon and Piloswine while is still almost the same against Steelix and allows you to OHKO Minior at +0 (Knock Off is not a OHKO at +2) and as JoycapJoshST pointed out it's also helpful against Shuckle, Moltres (I know that one doesn't matter that much but it will but Knock Off isn't a guaranteed OHKO after Rocks at +2), that being said probably Tectonic Rage sounds a better idea since it allows it to beat a lot of things else like Garbodor, Z-Move Dragalge (while will OHKO defensive Dragalge at +0) and I'm definately going to slash it (basically in NU the choice is between Z-Ice Fang and Z-Aqua Tail so I forgot Earthquake Drapion is a thing to be honest).
 

etern

is a Community Leaderis a Top Tiering Contributoris a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Senior Staff Member Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Moderator Alumnusis a defending SCL Championis a Former Smogon Metagame Tournament Circuit Champion
NU Leader
Been playing a lot of NU Alpha the past couple days, so I'll share some of the more successful teams I've been using:


Pangoro @ Choice Band
Ability: Scrappy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Hammer Arm
- Knock Off
- Gunk Shot
- Bullet Punch

Cofagrigus @ Ghostium Z
Ability: Mummy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
Quiet Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Trick Room
- Nasty Plot
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Fighting]

Delphox @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fire Blast
- Psychic
- Dazzling Gleam
- Grass Knot

Seismitoad @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Scald
- Earthquake
- Knock Off

Porygon2 @ Eviolite
Ability: Trace
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Toxic

Drapion @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sniper
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Poison Jab
- Pursuit
- Earthquake


Made this with nv. The team is centered around CB Pangoro + OTR Cofagrigus, which I thought looked pretty tough to deal with defensively, while also having pretty good type synergy. CB Bullet Punch actually cleans up offensive teams really nicely (revenges stuff like Ribombee, Sneasel, +2/+2 Minior) and a +2 Cofagrigus under trick room can pretty easily tear through offense after a while. I went with scarf Delphox next for some speed, and then threw on Porygon-2 and Seismitoad to blanket check some of the rampant threats in the tier atm (like Specs Yanmega, Tyrantrum, and Slowbro), Toxic is on P2 to catch stuff like Necrozma, AV King, CM Slowbro and other bulky stuff that would otherwise switch into it with ease. I went with a second scarf mon for the 6th slot, because I wanted something fast that could absorb Tspikes, and I just felt like using two scarfed mons lol.


Archeops @ Focus Sash
Ability: Defeatist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Taunt
- Endeavor
- Head Smash

Sawk @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge

Kadabra @ Focus Sash
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Shadow Ball
- Thunder Wave
- Counter

Skuntank @ Life Orb
Ability: Aftermath
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Dark Pulse
- Fire Blast
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Defog

Vivillon-Marine @ Focus Sash
Ability: Compound Eyes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Sleep Powder
- Hurricane
- Energy Ball
- Quiver Dance

Lycanroc @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Keen Eye
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Brick Break
- Stone Edge
- Accelerock


Made this team with erisia around the concept of sash spam hyper offense. The team is pretty straight forward for the most part, lead with archeops to prevent rocks and / or get your own rocks up, and then wreak havoc with the sash abusers. Skunk can defog hazards away if your opp manages to get any up. Pretty easy to use, just be wary of Fake Out users and stuff like Scarf Rotom that can pivot around and break all your sashes.


Toxicroak @ Poisonium Z
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Gunk Shot
- Drain Punch
- Sucker Punch

Sneasel @ Life Orb
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Icicle Crash
- Pursuit
- Ice Shard

Porygon2 @ Eviolite
Ability: Trace
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Toxic

Necrozma @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Prism Armor
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Psychic
- Moonlight
- Hidden Power [Fire]

Seismitoad @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Toxic
- Earth Power
- Scald

Togetic @ Eviolite
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 248 HP / 216 Def / 44 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Roost
- Defog
- Dazzling Gleam
- Fire Blast


Finally, this team was a joint effort with Jarii, around SD Poisonium-Z Toxicroak + LO Sneasel. We chose this duo because both of these mons are a little under appreciated at the moment, and they work really well together. +2 Acid Downpour does ridiculous things like OHKO physdef Slowbro from max HP, and OHKO Garbodor at +4. Sneasel traps any annoying Psychic-types, and weakens Ghosts for Toxicroak to clean up, while in return, Toxicroak decimates any Fairy-types. P2 + Necro + Seismitoad make a very sturdy defensive core which can check a good portion of the meta atm, and Togetic gives us a secondary check to Yanmega + Fighting-types, as well as some hazard control. Pretty fun team in general, does well against most archetypes.

Overall, NU Alpha is really fun, looking forward to see how it progresses as a tier once Beta rolls in and hopefully everyone is enjoying it!
 


Minior @ White Herb
Ability: Shields Down
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Substitute
- Shell Smash
- Acrobatics
- Earthquake

Whimsicott @ Pixie Plate / Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Memento
- Moonblast
- Giga Drain
- Hurricane / U-Turn



Pretty B&B HO core lol. Goes great on every single hyper offense team ever, and falls in with the standard suicide lead w/taunt + spinblocker + setup sweeper + memento mon + fillerx2.
It's not l'm the first to use these sets but I figured since nobody else tmk has posted about this I will. Minior is strong as fuck when it smashes even in shields up forme, as well as having the bonus feature of being immune to status, much like komala. Whimsicott is a nice pivot with u-turn/memento being able to bring different threats in with uturn or to give minior a ree setup opportunity, whilst still hitting hard enough to threaten some mons out with its decently strong moves-especially plate moonblast- in order to create the pressure HO needs. ofc u can also run taunt over hurri too if you want an extra taunter other than like, Mismagius, but then your only momentum is by killing urself. rly standard pair on spikestack, not much else to say xd
 

Charizard @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Flare Blitz
- Earthquake
- Fly

Dragon Dance Flyinium Z Charizard is one of the coolest sweepers I have tested so far, and it functions similarly to other Flyinium users in higher tiers. Set one or two Dragon Dances based on the opposing Pokemon, use Supersonic Skystrike on a would be switch-in to heavily damage/OHKO it, and then proceed to get a few more kills before falling to recoil, Toxic damage, or priority. Blaze is also cool because if you get pushed to low health by Flare Blitz recoil or Toxic damage, you can launch one last extra powerful Flare Blitz to get an extra kill.


Lilligant @ Focus Sash
Ability: Own Tempo
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Quiver Dance
- Petal Dance
- Hidden Power [Fire] / Hidden Power [Ice]
- Sleep Powder

In my opinion, Lilligant is one of the best setup sweepers in the entire tier. Set up one Quiver Dance and then proceed to click Petal Dance and watch how even bulky resists are 2HKOd. The best part is, thanks to Own Tempo, Petal Dance can't confuse you, so you can continue to use Petal Dance without worrying about hurting itself. HP Fire or HP Ice is used for the coverage move of choice. HP Fire is used to hit Ferroseed, as it is one of the only Pokemon that can reliably take a Petal Dance, and is immune to Sleep Powder. HP Ice is used to hit bulky Flying Type Pokemon such as Golbat and Xatu. Sleep Powder is the the last move of choice, as it can make setting up much easier as the opponent would likely switch out or stay asleep for at least another turn.
 

Luck O' the Irish

banned in dc
is a Tiering Contributor
everyone knows yanmega is really fucking broken but I've been surprised to see how much specs i've been seeing in this meta compared to speed boost. yeah specs has exactly one switchin in this tier, but it comes at the price of being not very good vs the generally more common offensive builds in this meta. Offense will probably have 3/4 mons that will outpace yanmega since its speed tier its decent but not good enough unboosted and will likely have an easier time keeping up rocks since hazard control is pretty mediocre and since thats what offense is supposed to do lol. on the other side of things, p2 walls almost half the tier even aside from yanmega, so you can probably expect it to be on bulkier teams. Specs is obviously still rly good since it's yanmega, but as it stands i find there's more opportunity cost to using specs over speed boost.

Speed boost yanmega is still pretty powerful even though it can't just cheese through resists with tinted lens, and all you really need is something to wear down steels (assuming youre using buzz/slash/giga/tect) which isnt super hard with stuff like z move sd drapion as a teammate. Obviously p2 is a hard counter, but its gonna beat yanmega regardless of the set unless youre real enough to run like sub reversal. The thing is that speed boost yanmega just completely barrels through offense (the most common playstyle, from my experience) which generally rely on purely outspeeding it and limiting its switchins by keeping rocks up. it's got more than enough power to plow through the frailer mons on offense and enough of the bulkier mons in the tier, and if you can get to +2, unless you have sneasel/lycanroc its gonna be pretty tough finding ways to deal with it on offense, assuming the yanmega user isnt a dunce and tries to start cleaning when lix is at full health etc.

I'd add replays but I don't really see the point since this ladder is ass, and if you're using yanmega regardless of the set you're gonna get results p much guaranteed. that being said while it's still in the tier, speed boost is generally better at nearly singlehandedly beating entire teams with minimal support, from my experience.
 
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The Goomy

Whitest Mexican Alive
Here's a set I've been having a lot of success with:


Silvally-Steel @ Steel Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Iron Head
- Toxic
- Rest
- Sleep Talk

Super great bulky mon with (obviously) great typing that allows it to come in and check a lot of threats in the tier. Rest gives it longevity throughout the game. Iron Head actually breaks Meloetta sub so Sub/CM isn't a threat.
Definitely does well on fatter teams that don't necessarily need the momentum to succeed as this does suck a lot of momentum out of a game.

Counters: Porygon2, Kingdra, Basically any special Psychic, Lilligant, Slowbro/King, Noivern, etc
Checks: Other annoying stuff.

P much only good on semi-stall or stall, but very effective.
 
An underrated set that work pretty much. Still outclassed Malamar but worth a try. Have a decent success for me.


Porygon2 @ Normalium Z
Ability: Download
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Conversion
- Recover

The reason i choose Thunderbolt as 1st slot is to get rid Unaware Fyukufuku, but still walled by Unaware Quagsire. Also applicable with other move such as Shadow Ball/Ice Beam. Try with HP Bug if you real.(Man Balamar)
When beast mode activated : https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7nualpha-582642685
 
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Is it just me or is future sight slowking actually ridiculous? Whan you pair it with something like Virizion or Pangoro it makes switching into fighting types even harder. And like it's not even hard to set up, if you future sight and then switch into something (not only do you get regenerator), the turn your opponent has to switch into the mon you brought in is always going to be the turn they have to take a future sight. All in one neat bundle, slowking can scald burn, phase, and have a move that in a sense either powers up one of your teammates attacks, or makes resists to certain mons negligible in some scenarios. (Not calling it broken lmao I just want to talk about how stupid good Slowking is)


Slowking @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpA
Quiet Nature
- Scald
- Future Sight
- Dragon Tail
- Ice Beam
 
Okay the last team I'll post before beta, Sticky webs:


Pangoro @ Lum Berry
Ability: Scrappy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Gunk Shot
- Drain Punch
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance

Exploud @ Choice Specs
Ability: Scrappy
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Boomburst
- Fire Blast
- Surf
- Focus Blast

Shuckle @ Mental Herb
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 248 HP / 44 Def / 216 SpD
Careful Nature
- Sticky Web
- Stealth Rock
- Encore
- Rock Tomb

Braviary @ Choice Band
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Superpower
- Return
- Brave Bird
- U-turn

Cofagrigus @ Ghostium Z
Ability: Mummy
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
Quiet Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Shadow Ball
- Trick Room
- Hidden Power [Fighting]

Drapion @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sniper
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Poison Jab
- Earthquake
- Pursuit


Webs are incrediblely threating since there are only a few defoggers in the tier and most rapid spinners have issues with bulky ghosts. Shuckle is a perfect Sticky web user with Mental Herb it's always able to deal with Taunt, Rock Tomb is basicly for fast leads like Accelgor and for Xatu's since those are just annoying. Pangoro is basicly broken under webs, i've had so many sweeps where Pangoro got a SD up and just won. I went for lum so you are able to set up on the bulky ghost types like Spiritomb. Exploud is an another heavy hitter that can do very well under webs, in this tier were its able to almost 2 hit KO'ed by boomburst and with the coverage Exploud has you can also kill the things you don't 2 hit ko (besides porygon 2 but it's porygon 2). Then Banded Braviary, I went for Braviary mainly for the defiant ability. For the people who don't know what Defiant does it gets a +2 attack boost when any stat gets lowered, if the opponant gets a defog off I wish you good luck switching in on a +2 banded Braviary. Then we come to something different from other web teams 'Trick Room Cofagrigus', I didn't want to rely purely on webs because if I don't get my webs up for some reason or Xatu is annoying I have at least Trick room to fall back on. Since this team is of course pretty slow and in a tier with many fast threats like Noivern and Rimbobee I thought it would be a smart idea to add Trick room. Last mon had to be a scarfer for if Sticky Web and Trick room does not work I have at least a scarf in the back. I also wanted a mon that could deal with T-spikes for me, the best mon for that job is Drapion.

http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7nualpha-582678032 - Here saved Trick room the day and it shows why TR works on Sticky Web team
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7nualpha-582363844 - Here it shows how it can function just fine without webs VS PursuitOfHappiny.
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7nualpha-582348405 - Here it showed how strong braviary is with being able to 2 hit KO Tyrantrum after rocks.
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7nualpha-582341586 - Here a good battle vs my good friend Eternally what showed why webs can be broken.
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7nualpha-582318863 - Why panda should be banned.


I personally really like SM NU right now and hope it will become even better when we enter Beta and eventually have the real deal!
 

termi

bike is short for bichael
is a Community Contributoris a Top Tiering Contributor
I have also been playing with some webs teams for a bit, my teams are a bit underdeveloped so I'm not sharing them but I do have one good set and a few tips to share.



Ninetales @ Firium Z
Ability: Drought
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Fire Blast
- Solar Beam
- Hidden Power [Ground] / Flamethrower / Toxic / Will-o-Wisp / Overheat / Psyshock / whatever lol

Inferno Overdrive hits stupid hard in sun, after a Nasty Plot it even deals with Fire resists. A max HP Dragalge can get OHKO'd by +2 Inferno Overdrive after SR damage, it's that strong. Webs help Ninetales outspeed everything except for really fast Scarfers (Durant? I guess?) and floating stuff like Noivern and Mismagius, but what's nice is that even if you fail to set webs it's fast and powerful enough to be a considerable threat. Solar Beam is for bulky Water-types, the fourth slot is whatever you want it to be since you're not clicking that a whole lot - I guess HP Ground helps you in dealing with Tyrantrum while also killing off weakened Fire-types and Dragalge without having to use your Z-move, but I can see Flamethrower being a legitimate option if you don't want to risk a Fire Miss (and if you're using Flamethrower as your main STAB you can opt for Overheat just for that extra power on your z-move, might be worth it idk). Some people like to run Grassium but a +2 Solar Beam takes care of every bulky Water after SR damage bar like AV Slowking, so fuck that imo.


There's a few common threats running around that you absolutely have to keep into account when building your team. Like I said, fast floating stuff doesn't give a fuck about webs, so you absolutely have to do something about shit like Noivern, Speed Boost Yanmega, Mismagius, Dodrio, Scarf Braviary etc. The former two are especially important since they are everywhere and also extremely broken. Ice Shard users are useful since they can revenge kill the Flying-types easily, Swords Dance Abomasnow comes to mind as a wallbreaker that can pick these threats off while also appreciating the webs support, Sneasel might make for an even better fit since it also deals with Mismagius and additionally comes with Pursuit support, which is useful in order to deal with another threat to webs teams: Xatu.

Xatu is an absolute asshole to face because Shuckle (or Smeargle if you're into that) is helpless in front of it, basically incapacitating your team until it's dead. One way to circumvent that is by simply not relying too much on webs and keeping stuff like TR Cofagrigus and Choice Scarf users in the back like Jarii does, but having a powerful Pursuit user in addition to that is also very much recommended. Sneasel is a great option, Scarf Drapion's also fine (although its Pursuit can be a bit lacking in power), but also consider stuff like Life Orb Houndoom or Spiritomb (provides you with a spinblocker as well!). Oh and on the topic of spinblockers, you need one of those at all times, Spiritomb and TR Cofag have already been mentioned, but Mismagius and Sableye are options as well. I like the latter for its ability to act as an emergency check to dangerous setup sweepers that can ruin your day, although it can be a bit too passive on a playstyle as offensive as webs.

Finally, I need to give a shoutout to Whimsicott, which is absolutely amazing in a meta full of setup sweepers that can end a game with one turn of setup. Giving a free turn to something like Minior can be disastrous, so packing a Whimsicott is never a bad idea.
 
Haven't tried out too many Pokemon yet, but I still have some thoughts:
  • So far my favorite Pokemon has been Calm Mind Slowking. It's just so bulky and it sets up Calm Mind with tremendous ease. After a few boosts it can singlehandedly take apart teams, and I love it. I still remember that one Calm Mind war of Slowking v.s Necrozma. One of the best, if not THE best defensive Pokemon in the tier IMO.
  • Ditto's actually pretty good right now. It abuses the amount of broken offensive threats in the tier like Yanmega, Slurpuff, and weather teams, and it likes the decrease of defensive playstyles. It doesn't like Trick Room/Webs though.
  • It's probably only me, but I've found Slurpuff to be...... underwhelming. It's just so frail, I rarely ever get a moment where I can have it set up a Belly Drum and live to tell the tale. It's only one flaw, but I've found it to be such a big one. Again, it's probably just me, and I might not be giving it the right support. I don't see what I can do though. I suppose I could try Dual Screen/Aurora Veil support?
That's all I got for now.
 
An underrated set that work pretty much. Still outclassed Malamar but worth a try. Have a decent success for me.


Porygon2 @ Normalium Z
Ability: Download / Adaptability
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Conversion
- Recover

The reason i choose Thunderbolt as 1st slot is to get rid Unaware Fyukufuku, but still walled by Unaware Quagsire. Also applicable with other move such as Shadow Ball/Ice Beam. Try with HP Bug if you real.(Man Balamar)
When beast mode activated : https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7nualpha-582642685
Well, first of all Porygon2 doesn't get Adaptability and second why use Hidden Power Bug over Signal Beam.
But in all honestly Porygon2 can't really pull this off. The reason it works with Porygon-Z is because of Adaptability. Even though this set could work sometimes against Hyper Offense, it is a waste of a Z-move slot on your team. But that is just my opinion on it.
 

Noivern @ Flyinium Z / Leftovers
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hurricane
- Taunt
- Roost
- Super Fang

I think sg brought this set up once a while back so cred to him. Super Fang + Taunt is great for breaking down fat walls like p2, slowking, audino, and various silvally formes. Set works well with powerful breakers like Sawk, Yanmega, and Exploud but also tends to break down Steel-types like Steelix pretty effectively so Slurpuff is a natural partner. Noivern is surprisingly self sustainable with Taunt + Roost so this variant really thrives vs. bulkier teams. Super Fang into Flyinium Z Hurricane OHKO's most p2's after rocks too btw.


Samurott @ Life Orb
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Rash Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Grass Knot / Hidden Power Grass
- Knock Off

Special Knock Off Samurott does a good job at breaking Lix / p2 / Slowbro cores and I haven't seen it get too much usage. not too much else to say about it.


Piloswine @ Eviolite
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 220 HP / 252 Atk / 36 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Ice Shard

Toxic nails bulky Waters like slowbro, slowking, vaporeon, seismitoad etc. that like to switch in on this. Priority Ice Shard is pretty valuable in this meta with Noivern, Virizion, Tyrantrum and Yanmega running around also.


Meloetta @ Fairium Z
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hyper Voice
- Psyshock
- Focus Blast
- Dazzling Gleam

This is obvious but hasn't been posted yet, but yeah Twinkle Tackle OHKO's Spiritomb and Sab. Pairing this up with Fighters like Medicham and Hitmonlee works well.

None of these are too wild but hopefully people get some use out of them, they've performed well for me.
 
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if we follow things like drizzle ban, I would generally assume so, yes
Yes. Anything that is banned in a tier higher than one that is below it is banned. For example Baton Pass. Since it was banned from OU, this also means that it was banned from every tier lower than OU, which would be UU, RU and NU (and also PU once the tier gets released).
 

Cryogonal @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 84 SpD / 176 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Freeze-Dry
- Rapid Spin
- Toxic
- Recover

I went ahead and decided to try and find the optimal spread for Cryogonal given its hype lately and this is what I came up to. The moves aren't all too important, its the EVs that really make this set shine.

176 speed Timid allows you to creep base 95's, the noteable one in mind being Yanmega. This allows you to switch into it even if rocks are out and chew a specs tinted lens bug buzz/air slash and out speed it and either recover or go straight for Freeze Dry. HP investment gives it more special bulk then Sp.D would so we max out on it. With this combination of bulk and speed defensive Cryogonal can act as a wall against things like Yanmega, Dragalge (if no rocks), speical Kingdra, all the Rotoms, and even LO Noivern, all of which normally give defensive teams a very hard time. I could definitely see this become a staple in the meta.

252 SpA Choice Specs Yanmega Bug Buzz vs. 248 HP / 84 SpD Cryogonal: 147-174 (40.4 - 47.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery


252+ SpA Adaptability Dragalge Draco Meteor vs. 248 HP / 84 SpD Cryogonal: 184-218 (50.6 - 60%) -- 85.9% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Choice Specs Adaptability Dragalge Draco Meteor vs. 248 HP / 84 SpD Cryogonal: 276-326 (76 - 89.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Adaptability Dragalge Devastating Drake (195 BP) vs. 248 HP / 84 SpD Cryogonal: 276-326 (76 - 89.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery


252+ SpA Choice Specs Kingdra Draco Meteor vs. 248 HP / 84 SpD Cryogonal: 204-240 (56.1 - 66.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Life Orb Kingdra Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 84 SpD Cryogonal in Rain: 224-265 (61.7 - 73%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Cryogonal Freeze-Dry vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Kingdra: 304-360 (104.4 - 123.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO


252 SpA Rotom-Mow Leaf Storm vs. 248 HP / 84 SpD Cryogonal: 133-157 (36.6 - 43.2%) -- 99.1% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Choice Specs Rotom-Mow Leaf Storm vs. 248 HP / 84 SpD Cryogonal: 217-256 (59.7 - 70.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Life Orb Noivern Draco Meteor vs. 248 HP / 84 SpD Cryogonal: 164-192 (45.1 - 52.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Noivern Draco Meteor vs. 248 HP / 84 SpD Cryogonal: 187-222 (51.5 - 61.1%) -- 94.9% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Life Orb Noivern Flamethrower vs. 248 HP / 84 SpD Cryogonal: 151-179 (41.5 - 49.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
 
Y'all realize Baton Pass was already banned? It was banned from uu months ago and that ban has carried down to lower tiers.

Anyway, I am going to present one of the craziest things I have put on a serious team, and it actually has worked decently well. I know it seems terrible but it can actually put in some work.


Silvally-Fairy @ Fairy Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Multi-Attack
- Rock Slide
- Crunch/Thunder-Wave
- Parting Shot

"☆spooky❀socialist: silvally is straight innovation
EviGaro: Straight dogass"
":Cmonbruh:" -uwu
"[21:12:59] spooky❀socialist:seriously fuck this thing"

Basically, silvally is a fairy safe switch in for bulky offense to fighting types like hitmonlee and pangoro, while not being completely passive. It can nail moltres and yanmega with rock slide, and either run crunch for slowking and meloetta or use twave to spread status. Parting shot is pretty nice, helping keep up momentum and buy chances for things like vappy to wish or meloetta/necrozma to put up a sub.

I don't have many amazing replays with this mon, since it's job is mostly just to switch into attacks and parting shot around, but here is a game against ADVANTAGE where silvally cripples moltres turn 1 then comes back later to clutch out victory with a crunch def drop. Also just a nice replay in general, probably my favorite alpha match so far http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7nualpha-582669136
 
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Kiyo

the cowboy kid
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Non-pokemon bans are not transitive and lower tiers are not forced to adopt a higher tiers clause. That being said we have adopted OU's baton pass clause.

In the future, please keep all small inquiries to the ask a simple question, get a simple answer thread.
 

Cute mon @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 60 HP / 252 SpA / 196 Spe
Modest Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Giga Drain
- Flamethrower
- Knock Off

Havent tried it yet really but this thing kinda messes with stall I believe, and it p much does the same with what AJB has posted about Samurott, but doesnt rely on Hydro misses to hit hard (could 2HKO Aromatisse with tbolt) :p. EVs are to hit hard as possible and speed creeps uninvested toads. Residual Evs are put into HP to make it somehow bulky. This mon should see some use once the meta settles a bit.



Klinklang @ Leftovers
Ability: Clear Body
Happiness: 0
EVs: 80 HP / 252 Atk / 176 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Shift Gear
- Substitute
- Gear Grind
- Frustration

Idk but this thing is kinda better atm than it was in late ORAS, and lix is p much the only hard counter that's very prominent. I know that lix is everywhere but it's so pressured right now. Slowbro is problematic too people are a bit iffy about using it, and slowking is just great in this alpha. Klinklang still hasn't been what it was since it fell from grace at S, but it's still a strong mon to the finish.
(EVs are from ORAS and not optimized, and it outspeeds Ada Kabu in Rain at +2.)

Not advocating this but, this Golbat set is p nifty and covers some nice stuff.

Golbat @ Eviolite
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 88 HP / 160 Atk / 48 Def / 128 SpD / 84 Spe
Careful Nature
- Brave Bird
- Defog
- Roost
- Taunt / Super Fang

As usual it functions as a hard counter to Ribombee and Yanmega. I've came out to this spread because I wanted a bat that doesnt really drain much momentum so i did a 252/252 Atk/Spe, but i felt it was unecessary since BB won't hit very hard. So i just adjusted the speed and attack EVs to outspeed and to OHKO pangoro after rocks (It does 96 min). 128 EVs gives it the much needed Special bulk (Avoids 2HKO from Slowbro's Psychic just to scale), which is in conjucnction with 88 HP. The 88/48 HP/Def was p much residual, but it avoids the 2HKO from Steelix's Heavy Slam.

So yeah it's just a p much a fun spread for dealing with the current meta, but idt it's still the best, although it still covers what bat should cover.


Idk but there are a lot of underused mons atm, and we should have a better look at it when beta comes~
 
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