Colonel M
I COULD BE BORED!
I actually have a nomination that would contradict DownAbove. I've been meaning to make this nomination last time, but figured I would wait when I have a computer in front of me and not working.
A- -> B+
I disagree with Gengar's current rank and definitely disagree with Gengar's rise. Gengar is a very strong Pokemon, but it's very difficult to get in freely since the loss of Levitate is starting to become more noticeable in a Pheromosa-less metagame and its Speed tier isn't as great anymore. Furthermore, it is crowded with Latios Speed tying, Protean Greninjas considering Dark Pulse to guarantee a reliable OHKO on Gengar, and some of the new Megas that have come out recently. Gengar has to bank on Specs raw power and getting the prediction right almost everytime or it's boned. All-Out Attacker isn't bad, but it gets worn out easily since Life Orb damage can add up (and really can with Spikes / Sandstorm if the opponent has a Tyranitar). Celesteela don't always run Specially Defensive anymore, but it's still pretty solid to take on Gengar while Assault Vest Magearna can shrug quite a few hits. So can Assault Vest Magnezone. Chansey becoming an option on more balanced teams as well as Toxapex don't really do Gengar a ton of favors outside of Tricking Choice Scarf on them - and even then that's risky in some scenarios because it can simply give free switch-ins to other Pokemon. Tyranitar rising in popularity and having a very good win rate also does not do Gengar favors. Even though Weavile hasn't been doing very impressive either it is a Pokemon I feel is still annoying for offensive teams, which usually have Gengar, and can trap Gengar without any issues with Band Pursuit. Other meta trends don't favor it either such as Rain, which to be fair on Mega Alakazam (which I do think deserves B+ in the end sadly), does at least have the benefit of using Trace against Swift Swimmers and posing a threat if Kingdra / Mega Swampert are chipped down.
If that doesn't really help damn Gengar, it was used 12 times in WCoP - and managed to only win 3 games. 3. No Pokemon, even Tapu Fini, have such a pathetic ranking above it. It's actually one of the lowest if you detract from the 0% - only Mega Medicham is lower from what I recall.
I really don't think Gengar is in a great spot in the metagame right now. It's still powerful and has potential to fuck up teams, but more teams are starting to prep with Pokemon that can handle Gengar and its Speed tier is a lot easier to overcome than, say, Greninja's.
There are some things that I feel do salvage Gengar a bit, but I feel currently in the meta it just isn't as good as it could potentially be and the usage recently is starting to show that. Gengar is a bit more paper threatening than in practice. A threat for sure, but not one that isn't difficult to overcome to the point of it being an A Rank mon with things such as Tapu Lele which have utility going along for them as well.
I also want to echo this post as it greatly summarizes Volcarona's reason to stay in A+ rank. The counterarguments against Volcarona in this thread thus far, especially from Seth_ and Toshiro, have been incredibly underwhelming to me.
I disagree with Gengar's current rank and definitely disagree with Gengar's rise. Gengar is a very strong Pokemon, but it's very difficult to get in freely since the loss of Levitate is starting to become more noticeable in a Pheromosa-less metagame and its Speed tier isn't as great anymore. Furthermore, it is crowded with Latios Speed tying, Protean Greninjas considering Dark Pulse to guarantee a reliable OHKO on Gengar, and some of the new Megas that have come out recently. Gengar has to bank on Specs raw power and getting the prediction right almost everytime or it's boned. All-Out Attacker isn't bad, but it gets worn out easily since Life Orb damage can add up (and really can with Spikes / Sandstorm if the opponent has a Tyranitar). Celesteela don't always run Specially Defensive anymore, but it's still pretty solid to take on Gengar while Assault Vest Magearna can shrug quite a few hits. So can Assault Vest Magnezone. Chansey becoming an option on more balanced teams as well as Toxapex don't really do Gengar a ton of favors outside of Tricking Choice Scarf on them - and even then that's risky in some scenarios because it can simply give free switch-ins to other Pokemon. Tyranitar rising in popularity and having a very good win rate also does not do Gengar favors. Even though Weavile hasn't been doing very impressive either it is a Pokemon I feel is still annoying for offensive teams, which usually have Gengar, and can trap Gengar without any issues with Band Pursuit. Other meta trends don't favor it either such as Rain, which to be fair on Mega Alakazam (which I do think deserves B+ in the end sadly), does at least have the benefit of using Trace against Swift Swimmers and posing a threat if Kingdra / Mega Swampert are chipped down.
If that doesn't really help damn Gengar, it was used 12 times in WCoP - and managed to only win 3 games. 3. No Pokemon, even Tapu Fini, have such a pathetic ranking above it. It's actually one of the lowest if you detract from the 0% - only Mega Medicham is lower from what I recall.
I really don't think Gengar is in a great spot in the metagame right now. It's still powerful and has potential to fuck up teams, but more teams are starting to prep with Pokemon that can handle Gengar and its Speed tier is a lot easier to overcome than, say, Greninja's.
There are some things that I feel do salvage Gengar a bit, but I feel currently in the meta it just isn't as good as it could potentially be and the usage recently is starting to show that. Gengar is a bit more paper threatening than in practice. A threat for sure, but not one that isn't difficult to overcome to the point of it being an A Rank mon with things such as Tapu Lele which have utility going along for them as well.
I also want to echo this post as it greatly summarizes Volcarona's reason to stay in A+ rank. The counterarguments against Volcarona in this thread thus far, especially from Seth_ and Toshiro, have been incredibly underwhelming to me.
Last edited: