Here's my take on Trick Room! I saw Eevee's team and decided to give it my own shot. This team focuses on Mega Camerupt, not Mega Mawile. What Mega Camerupt offers is a fullproof check to Tapu Koko, literally always stopping it in its tracks. Firstly, I've selected Uxie as the main Trick Room setter which provides Stealth Rock, to make Camerupt's job a bit easier. Lunar Dance gives Mega Camerupt or Cofagrigus another shot in the spotlight, so I decided on that over Memento since Cofagrigus doesn't really
need the drops Memento provides. Next, Porygon2 is my hazard control and secondary Trick Room setter. It compliments Uxie well in that it appreciates a Fighting-type check. It's a very simplistic Pokemon and I can't explain much else. Provides a one-time check to Porygon-Z, too, and can work with Cofagrigus to take it down. Camerupt is the next Pokemon. Now with access to recovery! Blue Flare is still incredibly strong, and the metagame trends of Tapu Koko being used, along with Grass-types being used more frequently to check Tapu Koko make it a lot nicer. Also, Celesteela is annoying, and Camerupt just happens to perfectly beat it. Mega Camerupt is a very solid Pokemon, and its bulk allows it to take FakeSpeeders on as well. Cofagrigus is the third Trick Room setter, but it works on its own. Flipping the match and unleashing havoc with Never-Ending Nightmare! Cofagrigus is legit scary to face, and it beats FakeSpeeders with ease. Also forces Porygon-Z to think before clicking. Next is Magearna, the final Trick Room setter. It's more of an offensive pivot that stops Porygon-Z cold and holds its own. If it starts rolling, it's difficult to stop. Finally, Rotom-Wash provides momentum and a Water-type that isn't Slowbro, which is what I wanted. Fairly simplistic set.
Now that I've shared my team, I'd like to move onto some other things.
Firstly, the Viability Rankings have a few changes I think need to be made.
A+ Rank → S Rank
Tapu Koko is an undeniable offensive force. With such versatility, offensive prowess, and ability to beat nearly every single one of its checks / counters, if it even has hard counters, I believe Tapu Koko needs to be moved up to the S Rank to reflect just how powerful it is in the metagame and how it's better suited there. Tapu Koko is just such an insanely strong Pokemon, and I've noticed that Grass-types seem to be running more and more rampant, partly due to Tapu Koko in my opinion. This change in the metagame reflects how Tapu Koko is a very strong presence in the tier. Therefore, I believe it should be ranked S Rank, not A+ Rank. I've gone into much further depth below this, so keep reading!
A+ Rank → lower ranking
Garchomp-Mega is just not a good Pokemon. I don't know why it's A+ Rank, I really could not tell you. It's a bulky Dragon Dancer that costs you a Mega slot and isn't ever seen. In the last dozens of battles I've played, I've seen Garchomp. Not one has been Mega. It's just simply not a common or good Pokmon. While usage ≠ viability, I don't see why Garchomp-Mega deserves an A+ Rank position. If someone would care to enlighten me, I'm all ears. Because as of right now, it feels out of place. That is why I haven't said which rank to go to, as I simply do not know. All I do know, however, is that Mega Garchomp is not in the right ranking.
A Rank → A+ Rank
Porygon-Z is a monster. It's very obvious what it does, and it does it incredibly well. It's such a frightening powerhouse that it's hard for me to not see it in anything but A+. Pokemon like Zygarde, which is also incredibly powerful in its own right, are the same viability as Porygon-Z. While I don't think anything in the metagame has necessarily changed to make a change warranted, I believe it was ranked improperly in the first place. Furthermore, I've noticed that it's started to run Choice Scarf sets more to make up for its somewhat lackluster Speed stat. Porygon-Z is just ferocious and I think it should be reflected in the rankings as an A+ Rank Pokemon.
Unranked → A Rank
Mega Mawile isn't ranked, and it needs to be. Sunsteel Strike is actually such a cool move that it's got now. After giving it a try myself, it's easily an A Rank Pokemon and it's so frightening to face. Seriously, Sunsteel Strike is so powerful that it's insane. I understand it wasn't released until recently, which is why it isn't ranked, but I believe it's an A Rank. Also, seeing Eevee's Trick Room team convinces me more. It can really shine under multiple lights, and although Sucker Punch received a nerf, it deserves to be ranked. Like, +2 Sunsteel Strike OHKOes Celesteela after the tiniest bit of residual damage. That's insane power right there. I just feel Mega Mawile is a great Pokemon.
Unranked → A Rank
Rain is such an underrated playstyle, and also an incredibly threatening playstyle. Mega Swampert is the face of Rain. The mechanic change which allows it to gain the Speed boost the very turn it Mega Evolves is insanely great to its viability. Mega Swampert checks Tapu Koko, though it's 2HKOed by Play Rough. However, Shore Up is an incredible buff, and it can run things like Refresh (my personal favorite), Ice Punch, Stone Edge, or Superpower. It's a versatile powerhouse that crushes the competition under Rain. Even out of Rain, it's bulky and powerful, so it's not deadweight out of it (like Kingdra is) and it's easily an A Rank Pokemon. I could even be leaning towards A+, but I don't think it's really on that level. Regardless, Mega Swampert is an A Rank Pokemon.
Unranked → A- Rank
Alakazam is a very strong Pokemon. It even got a buff this generation – Counter. Now it can beat FakeSpeeders if it needs to, and provides an emergency check to dangerous set up Pokemon such as Kyurem-B (lacking Icicle Spear). Even Life Orb sets shine, too. Though, it's not the strongest Pokemon out there, and the ever common Celesteela puts a thorn in its side, it can even beat it with Counter, as it'll be forced to either switch, or Beak Blast / Anchor Shot, which Alakazam can capitalize on. Psystrike is just as strong as ever, and although Tapu Lele isn't here anymore, I've tested out a Psychic Terrain set, and it's actually pretty neat. More power, and no priority to worry about. Just a little hard to find a reason to use, though. Still deserves an A- Rank in my opinion. Or B+, which I will get into later in the post.
Unranked → A- Rank
Pelipper saw a huge buff with Swampertite being released. Now, Rain is a viable and potent playstyle. It wouldn't be possible without Pelipper. Roost and Defog are great assets, and it has U-turn. Scald, Steam Eruption, Oblivion Wing, Hurricane. Pelipper's very versatile. It even has Knock Off! Whatever Pelipper wants to do, it does. However, it's slow, easily exploitable, and not very strong in its own right. It's got the bulk and utility down, but lacks offensive prowess at all. Drizzle in itself is enough to get this Pokemon ranked, as it's its main selling point. Therefore, I find A- Rank to be the perfect position for it. Not any higher, not any lower.
Unranked → A- Rank
Tangrowth is a strong Grass-type, with stronger competition. However, I feel that Tangrowth should be ranked. Regenerator, insanely good physical bulk to take on Tapu Koko better, or even an Assault Vest set to stop Greninja, Tangrowth is a cool Pokemon. Spore is great if you're into that, too. I feel its biggest competition is Ferrothorn and Mega Venusaur. Regenerator, Knock Off, and neutral Grass-type make it stand out to me. It doesn't cost a Mega Slot, or lose momentum easily. It's just a very solid glue Pokemon that needs to be ranked. While it's not as good as Ferrothorn and Mega Venusaur, it's uniquely good in its own respect, and should be ranked A-. Also lower than both Ferrothorn and Mega Venusuar.
There's some Pokemon that could use a ranking, too, which is why I propose a B Rank that need to be added. Here's some contenders for B+:
Alakazam-Mega: A very strong Pokemon, but it faces competition from itself and other Mega Pokemon. It's so susceptible to being weakened through pretty much all priority, and it lacks strong ways to beat Celesteela without relying on Focus Blast. It's a solid Pokemon, but not worthy of the A Ranks, and if anything, matching to its base form in A- would be best if not B+.
Araquanid: Genuinely find this Pokemon really overhyped. Yes, it's really strong. Tail Glow sets are absolutely devastating. However, it's really easy to completely wall. With Tapu Koko being on so many teams, it's hard pressed to actually set up and it doesn't offer much defensively either. Being weak to Stealth Rock, and just being all-around mediocre. It's not a bad Pokemon, and I see it as like the lowest of A-, top of B+, but more fitting in B+.
Jirachi: Jirachi is a great stop to Porygon-Z, and a defensive Steel-type is always great. It provides so much momentum and utility in just one little set that it needs to be ranked somewhere in my opinion. However, it's really, really weak to some of the most common Pokemon (Tapu Koko, Greninja, Silvally-Ghost, Zygarde) and it provides so many opportunities to be taken advantage of. However, it deserves a ranking.
Kingdra: If the other rain Pokemon are ranked, Kingdra should be as well. I don't see it as an
excellent pick, but I certainly see why it would be run. Core Enforcer is a nice buff for it. It's a solid rain Pokemon, but falls short outside of Rain, unlike Swampert. Therefore, I think it needs to be ranked the lowest of any rain Pokemon.
Scizor: Scizor being unranked is a true crime against humanity. Choice Band Gear Grind is so incredibly, immediately, threatening. Momentum, strength, bulk, synergy. Scizor is a great Pokemon. However, I feel Mega Scizor is the better pick in the metagame. Therefore, I think it should be one rank lower than Scizor-Mega. Though, with more and more Grass-types surging, it's nice to have Scizor to help out.
Volcarona: Incredibly threatening Pokemon in its own right. It can boost alongside Silvally, which is something not a lot of Pokemon can claim. It scares FakeSpeeders thanks to Flame Body, and it can overwhelm the opponent if they slip up even once. With more Grass-types popping up, it's easy to see Volcarona popping up more, too. After using it, I can safely say it deserves a rank. Not in the A Ranks, but a rank.
There's obviously more, but this is what I see as immediate standouts for the uncreated rank, should it be created. Some other ideas I've had are Uxie, solely for being great on Trick Room and all-around really cool; Gyarados-Mega for being really frightening and strong; and Bisharp for being a really strong Pokemon that really doesn't fit in the higher rankings. Just some ideas to explore.
Finally, something somewhat controversial, but I believe it needs to be addressed.
Tapu Koko needs to be suspected.
Tapu Koko is quite obviously one of the, if not the, best offensive Pokemon in the tier. With its blistering Speed and high Attack stat, alongside Electric Terrain Bolt Strike, it's really hard to actually stop Tapu Koko. Choice Band sets push it over the edge in my opinion. Bringing a Ground-type is cute, until it just U-turns out and comes back in later to keep forcing you to lose momentum in order to stop it. There's even more to Tapu Koko, with it often donning a Choice Scarf to make it even harder to check. These sets carry Hidden Power Ice, so good luck bringing in your Landorus-T. Tapu Koko has shaped the metagame to allow for Grass-types like Mega Venusaur to rise, though this is also due to how insanely good Greninja is, but anyways. Brave Bird walks over these sets, and though you do get recoil, you eliminate the thing stopping you from spamming Bolt Strike mindlessly. However, Tapu Koko can even run fully special sets to launch off Moonblasts, which really do terrify most of the tier. Tapu Koko is far too versatile and overbearing for the tier in my eyes.
What about Tapu Koko's flaws? Ground- and Grass-types. Of the ranked Ground- and Grass-types, let's dissect how Tapu Koko actually can break through them. No, it can't do it all, but it can attempt to and do a pretty damn good job at it. Firstly, Diggersby. Diggersby gets smacked by Life Orb Play Rough, and even Choice Scarf sets 2HKO it. Choice Band straight up KOes after any residual damage. Next, the best Ground-type check: Landorus-T. All-out physical sets cannot break through Landorus-T, but even Jolly Hidden Power Ice 2HKOes after Stealth Rock. And it's OHKOed by any special sets. Garchomp and Zygarde both gets walked all over by Play Rough, or Moonblast / Hidden Power Ice on special / mixed sets. Dugtrio doesn't stand a chance against Play Rough, and it can attempt to trap and get hit by U-turn. Not good. Let's move on to Grass-types. Mega Venusaur stops it if and only if it runs primarily Defense investment. Which it will. Even then, Brave Bird is a clean 2HKO, and Bolt Strike will just 2HKO it after a tiny bit of residual damage. Tapu Bulu is OHKOed by Brave Bird, but does stop Electric Terrain! Which is great. Play Rough still 2HKOes it. Serperior obviously drops. I've saved the best stop to Tapu Koko for last: Ferrothorn. Ferrothorn is probably the most reliable way to beat Tapu Koko. However, don't let it get worn down, as it will be 2HKOed by Bolt Strike (it does ~42%-~49%). Choice Band sets run through normal checks. Life Orb makes it even harder to know what to do. Choice Scarf sets halt offensive stops. Special sets lure out things that it shouldn't beat.
Let's discuss more of Tapu Koko's flaws: FakeSpeed, Speed control, and residual damage. Firstly, it is checked by FakeSpeed. Tapu Koko gets worn down a little quickly, and it will fall to FakeSpeed if kept in. This is one of the best ways to check Tapu Koko, and quite a reliable one at that, too. I'll not deny that FakeSpeed puts a dent in Tapu Koko's viability. It does the same to Greninja, though, which is arguably just as strong. Speed control means Sticky Web and Choice Scarf. Sticky Web is hardly run, and it's quite easy to remove with the plethora of entry hazard removal available. However, it does make it harder for Tapu Koko to shine. Choice Scarfers like Garchomp or Rotom-H can reliably check and outspeed Tapu Koko. Until it runs Choice Scarf. Then they can't even do that, and will be sacrificing their bulk they could be using to use Choice Scarf. Tapu Koko has ways to manage each and every one of its checks and all are viable. None of the ways Tapu Koko beats its checks is in the slightest unviable. Finally, being forced to switch a lot means Tapu Koko absolutely needs entry hazard control. That's the only essential support it needs. Obviously partners help it, but it just
needs entry hazard removal support, and that isn't a huge demand to make.
Tapu Koko is one of those Pokemon that if you don't handle it in a multitude of ways, you just can't beat it. While Tapu Koko does have notable flaws, I don't think they hold it back from being suspect worthy. And keep in mind, a suspect is not a ban. However, I think Tapu Koko needs to be looked at. Even if you disagree with my idea of banning it, it's really difficult for me to see it not at the very least suspected. Tapu Koko shapes the metagame in a way I'm not a fan of, and I think its presence is overwhelming in the tier, and it should be removed.
Congratulations if you've read this very long essay! Hopefully it was worth the read. :)
