ehT
:dog:
Changes:
Latias: A+ → S
One need look no further than Latias' astounding success rate in UUPL to see that it's one of the most defining threats in the tier by a large margin. The combination of bulk, typing, Speed, coverage, and the ability to run multiple viable Z-Moves make it threatening to every team in some form, and gives its Calm Mind set only two true counters in the situational Metagross and Unaware Clefable. This also renders most offensive counterplay moot, since the majority of faster Pokemon can't KO it, meaning something often has to be sacked for it to be put in range of a fast Pursuit / U-turn. All this together means that it definitely belongs with the likes of Scizor and Clefable.
Volcanion: A- → B+
Rocks weakness + the amount of competition Volcanion has as a Water-type really hold it back. It's ridiculously strong, and Water Absorb is nice, but the things it wants to switch in to either have a secondary STAB to hit it with or can just U-turn out, compromising its defensive utility, especially compared to Primarina, M-Blastoise, and Keldeo.
Venomoth: C- → B
A Pokemon that's flown under the radar until its recent success in UUPL, Venomoth is a lot more potent than previously thought. Surprisingly easy to set up and has no trouble outspeeding everything not holding a Choice Scarf at +1. Tinted Lens and Z-Moves more than make up for its lackluster typing, as well.
Snorlax: C+ → B-
The addition of reliable recovery via Recycle + Iapapa Berry really helps Snorlax keep pace with this far more offensive meta, since it's far less passive than Rest sets. Having a free moveslot for Earthquake or Fire Punch is really nice, too.
Mega Sharpedo: A+ → A
Was one of the most menacing threats at the start, but the tier has come to adapt, making it far easier to check. Every team now packs reliable checks that tend to have recovery, meaning that a lot of work has to be done for it to reliably clean like it used to. The rise of Conkeldurr and Mega Blastoise in recent weeks doesn't do it any favors, either.
Nidoking: B → B+
An absolute menace versus balance and bulky offense. Its options for a filler move (Thunderbolt, Flamethrower, Sucker Punch, Superpower, Substitute) also make it a headache to reliably scout, and that's on top of the given threat of Sludge Wave + Earth Power + Ice Beam. Its select few 100% counters are also extremely passive, meaning the sky's the limit as far as predictions go once you've accounted for those.
Metagross: C+ → B-
With its Assault Vest set being one of the few true Latias counters available, Metagross has a very viable niche over Scizor and Bisharp. Being a Steel-type that doesn't instantly lose to Fire coverage thanks to its natural bulk is also really nice. Mixed sets with a resistance Berry (usually Shuca, but Colbur also works) also make it a great glue for teams desperate for a check to M-Aerodactyl, Bisharp, Sharpedo, etc.
Decidueye: B- → C+
For the same reason that it dropped before. It has nowhere near as good a matchup versus stall as it used to, and its depressing Speed tier + piss weak priority (it fails to OHKO Swellow at +2) + Pursuit being on every other team mean it'll just drop most of the time versus offense. Really tough to justify over other stallbreakers.
We also decided to clean up C- a bit:
Gardevoir unranked
Umbreon unranked
Kingdra unranked
Rotom (Heat) unranked
Discussion Points:
Gastrodon: B → B-
Mienshao: B → B-
Forretress: B- → C+
Hippowdon: A → A-
Moltres: Unranked → C-
One need look no further than Latias' astounding success rate in UUPL to see that it's one of the most defining threats in the tier by a large margin. The combination of bulk, typing, Speed, coverage, and the ability to run multiple viable Z-Moves make it threatening to every team in some form, and gives its Calm Mind set only two true counters in the situational Metagross and Unaware Clefable. This also renders most offensive counterplay moot, since the majority of faster Pokemon can't KO it, meaning something often has to be sacked for it to be put in range of a fast Pursuit / U-turn. All this together means that it definitely belongs with the likes of Scizor and Clefable.
Rocks weakness + the amount of competition Volcanion has as a Water-type really hold it back. It's ridiculously strong, and Water Absorb is nice, but the things it wants to switch in to either have a secondary STAB to hit it with or can just U-turn out, compromising its defensive utility, especially compared to Primarina, M-Blastoise, and Keldeo.
A Pokemon that's flown under the radar until its recent success in UUPL, Venomoth is a lot more potent than previously thought. Surprisingly easy to set up and has no trouble outspeeding everything not holding a Choice Scarf at +1. Tinted Lens and Z-Moves more than make up for its lackluster typing, as well.
The addition of reliable recovery via Recycle + Iapapa Berry really helps Snorlax keep pace with this far more offensive meta, since it's far less passive than Rest sets. Having a free moveslot for Earthquake or Fire Punch is really nice, too.
Was one of the most menacing threats at the start, but the tier has come to adapt, making it far easier to check. Every team now packs reliable checks that tend to have recovery, meaning that a lot of work has to be done for it to reliably clean like it used to. The rise of Conkeldurr and Mega Blastoise in recent weeks doesn't do it any favors, either.
An absolute menace versus balance and bulky offense. Its options for a filler move (Thunderbolt, Flamethrower, Sucker Punch, Superpower, Substitute) also make it a headache to reliably scout, and that's on top of the given threat of Sludge Wave + Earth Power + Ice Beam. Its select few 100% counters are also extremely passive, meaning the sky's the limit as far as predictions go once you've accounted for those.
With its Assault Vest set being one of the few true Latias counters available, Metagross has a very viable niche over Scizor and Bisharp. Being a Steel-type that doesn't instantly lose to Fire coverage thanks to its natural bulk is also really nice. Mixed sets with a resistance Berry (usually Shuca, but Colbur also works) also make it a great glue for teams desperate for a check to M-Aerodactyl, Bisharp, Sharpedo, etc.
For the same reason that it dropped before. It has nowhere near as good a matchup versus stall as it used to, and its depressing Speed tier + piss weak priority (it fails to OHKO Swellow at +2) + Pursuit being on every other team mean it'll just drop most of the time versus offense. Really tough to justify over other stallbreakers.
We also decided to clean up C- a bit:
Discussion Points:
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