Metagame USUM Memetagame Discussion was a mistake

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lets talk about the current metagame. As i'm sure you know the metagame trends from SM are returning from celepex cores to different variants of Hyper offensive builds. With addition of blacephaleon and new defogers to ou the metagame has become a lot more bulky offensive/balance oriented. blacephaleon does its job well breaking through most team with a good matchup. people are running specs hp grass to beat ttars now. stall is still average and hasnt been the same since the arena trap ban but i think people will adjust. defog rotom-w is pretty good for teams that need a pinsir check defogger and pivot in one. trick room got a new toy in stakatacka which is still a average choice outside of full room. i can go on and on about the addition of knock off to kartana which is alot better than night slash or how defog/utility gliscor fits balances really well.
That concludes my post. have a nice day!
 
The most annoying new meta thing is Sash Lando-T with Explosion because it basically always gets up Rocks and then kills or does a ton to most common Defoggers with Explosion (after Rocks). It's a great set and good on HO because your defogger will be so weak post-Explosion that they can just send in any threat and you have to switch out, pretty much ensuring hazards stay up.
 
I'd like to supply my inputs regarding a Pokemon in which I feel could be great when pairing it with Sticky Web.

So, I've been looking at different the attack types and have decided that Rock Type moves only have three resistances: Steel, Ground, Fighting. This made me look for a Pokemon with Fighting Type move coverage. Terrakion captured my interest.

Terrakion blows away a majority of its checks with the following set:


Terrakion @ Rockium Z
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Stone Edge
- Close Combat
- Earthquake

vs Slowbro:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 216+ Def Slowbro: 444-523 (112.6 - 132.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs Landorus-Therian:
+1 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 216+ Def Landorus-Therian: 382-451 (100 - 118%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs Toxapex:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 192+ Def Toxapex: 357-420 (117.4 - 138.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs Tangrowth:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 248 HP / 212+ Def Tangrowth: 408-480 (101.2 - 119.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs Skarmory:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 364-429 (109.3 - 128.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs Cresselia:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Cresselia: 408-480 (92 - 108.3%) -- 50% chance to OHKO

vs Reuniclus:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 212+ Def Reuniclus: 577-681 (136 - 160.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs Scizor-Mega:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 248 HP / 244+ Def Scizor-Mega: 366-432 (106.7 - 125.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs Celesteela:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 132+ Def Celesteela: 501-591 (125.8 - 148.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs Mew:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 240 HP / 156 Def Mew: 552-649 (137.6 - 161.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs Mawile-Mega:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Earthquake vs. 92 HP / 0 Def Mawile-Mega: 394-464 (149.2 - 175.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs Venusaur-Mega:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 248 HP / 88 Def Venusaur-Mega: 498-586 (137.1 - 161.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs Sableye-Mega:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Sableye-Mega: 526-619 (173.5 - 204.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Again, this set would be neat with Sticky Web.
Please let me know what you think! :P
 
I'd like to supply my inputs regarding a Pokemon in which I feel could be great when pairing it with Sticky Web.

So, I've been looking at different the attack types and have decided that Rock Type moves only have three resistances: Steel, Ground, Fighting. This made me look for a Pokemon with Fighting Type move coverage. Terrakion captured my interest.

Terrakion blows away a majority of its checks with the following set:


Terrakion @ Rockium Z
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Stone Edge
- Close Combat
- Earthquake

vs Slowbro:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 216+ Def Slowbro: 444-523 (112.6 - 132.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs Landorus-Therian:
+1 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 216+ Def Landorus-Therian: 382-451 (100 - 118%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs Toxapex:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 192+ Def Toxapex: 357-420 (117.4 - 138.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs Tangrowth:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 248 HP / 212+ Def Tangrowth: 408-480 (101.2 - 119.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs Skarmory:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 364-429 (109.3 - 128.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs Cresselia:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Cresselia: 408-480 (92 - 108.3%) -- 50% chance to OHKO

vs Reuniclus:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 212+ Def Reuniclus: 577-681 (136 - 160.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs Scizor-Mega:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 248 HP / 244+ Def Scizor-Mega: 366-432 (106.7 - 125.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs Celesteela:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 132+ Def Celesteela: 501-591 (125.8 - 148.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs Mew:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 240 HP / 156 Def Mew: 552-649 (137.6 - 161.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs Mawile-Mega:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Earthquake vs. 92 HP / 0 Def Mawile-Mega: 394-464 (149.2 - 175.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs Venusaur-Mega:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 248 HP / 88 Def Venusaur-Mega: 498-586 (137.1 - 161.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs Sableye-Mega:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Sableye-Mega: 526-619 (173.5 - 204.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Again, this set would be neat with Sticky Web.
Please let me know what you think! :P
Looks like a pretty standard set, I can see how this would work nicely on Webs, give it Stealth Rocks and also and pair with Bisharp seeing as every team has Defog now, takes more advantage of Webs.

I know this was discussed a bit already but was it settled who the best Webs user is atm? I'm seeing a lot of Araquanids, lately but I've been handling them fine between Pinsir and Koko, before they even set. Would Sash be an option?

In your calcs you have Slowbro as the first one but Slowbro is now unranked on VR.
 

Blacephalon @ Ghostium Z / Firium Z
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Shadow Ball
- Fire Blast
- Calm Mind

Reuniclus @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 208 HP / 252 Def / 48 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Psyshock
- Focus Blast
- Recover


People say Blacephalon is cursed with prevalence of Tyranitar. While I do not disagree with this, I think there is definitely a way to make it work with its blessed offensive stats and Speed tier. As Finchinator (or anyone else) mentioned Tyranitar is easy to wear down, so I guess that is one way. The sets I have posted is alternate way to deal with Tyranitar that I have copied from a guy around 1700.

I am just trying to make a point that, at least for me, these two cores have been doing fantastic for me lately. Against any teams with Tyranitar, I practically use Blacephalon as a fodder to lure in Tyranitar and double switch to Pokemon like Landorus-T to gain momentum. Also Reuniclus naturally invites Tyranitar because they think they can OHKO with Choice Band Crunch before Reuniclus can react, and that is why Colbur Berry saves me and Tyranitar is going to be popped by +1 Focus Blast, under the assumption I have used Calm Mind on the switch (not to mention that for about 30% of the time, this plan fails).

Also apparently max Special Defense Toxapex is common now, as the analysis page indicates so. Blacephalon also doesn't enjoy having Toxapex around, so it surely appreciates Reuniclus being able to threaten it, while it can beat things like Assault Vest Magearna in return.

What really threatens this core, as you may be able to tell, are Dark-types. Although majority of them are massively threatened by Reuniclus' Focus Blast, things like Bisharp can be a trouble if I let it set up. Substitute + Calm Mind Blacephalon somewhat alleviates this issue, but I still have to try my best to lure Dark-types into my Reuniclus.

So I think this core is pretty cool to use at this moment, if not, just consider this post as my share for the day.

Reuniclus put on work:
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-668105886
 

Blacephalon @ Ghostium Z / Firium Z
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Shadow Ball
- Fire Blast
- Calm Mind

Reuniclus @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 208 HP / 252 Def / 48 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Psyshock
- Focus Blast
- Recover


People say Blacephalon is cursed with prevalence of Tyranitar. While I do not disagree with this, I think there is definitely a way to make it work with its blessed offensive stats and Speed tier. As Finchinator (or anyone else) mentioned Tyranitar is easy to wear down, so I guess that is one way. The sets I have posted is alternate way to deal with Tyranitar that I have copied from a guy around 1700.

I am just trying to make a point that, at least for me, these two cores have been doing fantastic for me lately. Against any teams with Tyranitar, I practically use Blacephalon as a fodder to lure in Tyranitar and double switch to Pokemon like Landorus-T to gain momentum. Also Reuniclus naturally invites Tyranitar because they think they can OHKO with Choice Band Crunch before Reuniclus can react, and that is why Colbur Berry saves me and Tyranitar is going to be popped by +1 Focus Blast, under the assumption I have used Calm Mind on the switch (not to mention that for about 30% of the time, this plan fails).

Also apparently max Special Defense Toxapex is common now, as the analysis page indicates so. Blacephalon also doesn't enjoy having Toxapex around, so it surely appreciates Reuniclus being able to threaten it, while it can beat things like Assault Vest Magearna in return.

What really threatens this core, as you may be able to tell, are Dark-types. Although majority of them are massively threatened by Reuniclus' Focus Blast, things like Bisharp can be a trouble if I let it set up. Substitute + Calm Mind Blacephalon somewhat alleviates this issue, but I still have to try my best to lure Dark-types into my Reuniclus.

So I think this core is pretty cool to use at this moment, if not, just consider this post as my share for the day.

Reuniclus put on work:
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-668105886
The following is just to add on to what I provided in my previous post.

Try out this core with Sticky Webs Support:


Terrakion @ Rockium Z
Ability: Justified
EVs: 176 HP / 252 Atk / 80 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Stone Edge
- Close Combat
- Earthquake


Blacephalon @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 168 HP / 252 SpA / 88 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Calm Mind
- Flamethrower
- Shadow Ball


Basically, if there is a TTar on the opposing team, just sub and then switch into Terrakion. This gives you free setup and you are able to take out most of the checks of Terrakion and Blacephalon. Check the calcs in my previous post.
 
The following is just to add on to what I provided in my previous post.

Try out this core with Sticky Webs Support:


Terrakion @ Rockium Z
Ability: Justified
EVs: 176 HP / 252 Atk / 80 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Stone Edge
- Close Combat
- Earthquake


Blacephalon @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 168 HP / 252 SpA / 88 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Calm Mind
- Flamethrower
- Shadow Ball


Basically, if there is a TTar on the opposing team, just sub and then switch into Terrakion. This gives you free setup and you are able to take out most of the checks of Terrakion and Blacephalon. Check the calcs in my previous post.
I have to ask, what does the EV spread do on both of these mons?
 
I have to ask, what does the EV spread do on both of these mons?
Here's how I got these EV Spreads:

Aerodactyl-Mega isn't effected by Sticky Webs.
Alakazam tends to carry a Focus Sash coupled with Magic Guard, so I decided to also skip Alakazam-Mega.
Sceptile-Mega and Beedrill-Mega are irrelevant in OU, considering all of the Steel and Fairy type Pokemon running around.
Zeraora is Unreleased.

Therefore I decided to speed creep any Pokemon with the same Base Speed or lower than Lopunny-Mega. Lopunny-Mega effected by Sticky Webs would be at speed of 271.

There HP EVs are there to add a bit of bulk.
 
Here's how I got these EV Spreads:

Aerodactyl-Mega isn't effected by Sticky Webs.
Alakazam tends to carry a Focus Sash coupled with Magic Guard, so I decided to also skip Alakazam-Mega.
Sceptile-Mega and Beedrill-Mega are irrelevant in OU, considering all of the Steel and Fairy type Pokemon running around.
Zeraora is Unreleased.

Therefore I decided to speed creep any Pokemon with the same Base Speed or lower than Lopunny-Mega. Lopunny-Mega effected by Sticky Webs would be at speed of 271.

There HP EVs are there to add a bit of bulk.
Max Speed still has a lot of merits even with webs, namely the ability to outspeed Choice Scarf users such as Tapu Lele even with Webs up, or airborne mons such as Landorus-Therian. The extra bulk doesn't do much, especially for Blacephalon. Also with the proliferation of Defog it is never guaranteed that Webs are going to stay up.
 
Max Speed still has a lot of merits even with webs, namely the ability to outspeed Choice Scarf users such as Tapu Lele even with Webs up, or airborne mons such as Landorus-Therian. The extra bulk doesn't do much, especially for Blacephalon. Also with the proliferation of Defog it is never guaranteed that Webs are going to stay up.
Huh, not to sound rude, but this is why it's called a CORE. Of course it's gone have problems. All cores need some kind of support. That's why you build on to it to fill it needs. Again, I'n not trying to come of as rude.

EDIT: But I do see what you mean tho. :]
 
Huh, not to sound rude, but this is why it's called a CORE. Of course it's gone have problems. All cores need some kind of support. That's why you build on to it to fill it needs. Again, I'n not trying to come of as rude.

EDIT: But I do see what you mean tho. :]
You should still try to minimize the situations where a Pokémon has to switch out or can't do its job, especially if the payoff isn't too great for that. Unless there is some very important 2HKO that Terrakion and Blacephalon can avoid by investing in bulk, it's better to invest fully in speed, in order to make them slightly more independent and thus more efficient overall.
 
I cannot make it where my Terrakion out speeds Tapu Lele, as my set strictly relies on Adamant nature. I miss out on multitude of kills if I happen to run Jolly nature.

Check these previously supplied Calcs:
Vegalius said:
vs Slowbro:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 216+ Def Slowbro: 444-523 (112.6 - 132.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs Landorus-Therian:
+1 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 216+ Def Landorus-Therian: 382-451 (100 - 118%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs Toxapex:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 192+ Def Toxapex: 357-420 (117.4 - 138.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs Tangrowth:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 248 HP / 212+ Def Tangrowth: 408-480 (101.2 - 119.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs Skarmory:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Skarmory: 364-429 (109.3 - 128.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs Cresselia:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Cresselia: 408-480 (92 - 108.3%) -- 50% chance to OHKO

vs Reuniclus:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 212+ Def Reuniclus: 577-681 (136 - 160.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs Scizor-Mega:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 248 HP / 244+ Def Scizor-Mega: 366-432 (106.7 - 125.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs Celesteela:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 132+ Def Celesteela: 501-591 (125.8 - 148.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs Mew:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 240 HP / 156 Def Mew: 552-649 (137.6 - 161.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs Mawile-Mega:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Earthquake vs. 92 HP / 0 Def Mawile-Mega: 394-464 (149.2 - 175.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs Venusaur-Mega:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 248 HP / 88 Def Venusaur-Mega: 498-586 (137.1 - 161.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

vs Sableye-Mega:
+2 252+ Atk Terrakion Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Sableye-Mega: 526-619 (173.5 - 204.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
 

p2

Banned deucer.
could uh, use stealth rock along w jolly nature which lets you net nearly all of those same ohkos and means you dont have a useless terrakion because the entire tier outspeeds it including adamant landorus-t of all things

just some food for thought

max speed is simply most efficient because it minimises the chance that your terrakion will be useless, which is not much anyway because terrakion itself is really bad, useless, and you're seriously better off using landot as a breaker instead of it
 

Leo

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Huh, not to sound rude, but this is why it's called a CORE. Of course it's gone have problems. All cores need some kind of support. That's why you build on to it to fill it needs. Again, I'n not trying to come of as rude.

EDIT: But I do see what you mean tho. :]
Your EV spreads being inefficient has nothing to do with the fact that a core needs support, there's no reason to run some arbitrary extra bulk that won't matter in pretty much any scenario in exchange of being outsped by some scarfers, just use good spreads lol
 
Here's how I got these EV Spreads:

Aerodactyl-Mega isn't effected by Sticky Webs.
Alakazam tends to carry a Focus Sash coupled with Magic Guard, so I decided to also skip Alakazam-Mega.
Sceptile-Mega and Beedrill-Mega are irrelevant in OU, considering all of the Steel and Fairy type Pokemon running around.
Zeraora is Unreleased.

Therefore I decided to speed creep any Pokemon with the same Base Speed or lower than Lopunny-Mega. Lopunny-Mega effected by Sticky Webs would be at speed of 271.

There HP EVs are there to add a bit of bulk.
>Alakazam tends to carry a Focus Sash coupled with Magic Guard, so I decided to also skip Alakazam-Mega.
This is untrue, Mega Zam is way more relevant than normal Zam, and Sash Zam has been irrelevant since quite a few months now

Scarfers exist (pretty sure you get outsped by Scarf Lele with that Terrakion set)
Defog exist, and is really hyped up rn
You will not be able to get webs up all the time

And most of the time, that extra bulk won't be relevant
 

INSANE CARZY GUY

Banned deucer.
I've always built stall teams in the past and I've been having problems building offense/balance and accounting for trick room or getting to caught up in focusing on hazard removal.

What something that does a decent job of checking trick room cores? Specs ash gren can be pretty great for sure
 
I've always built stall teams in the past and I've been having problems building offense/balance and accounting for trick room or getting to caught up in focusing on hazard removal.

What something that does a decent job of checking trick room cores? Specs ash gren can be pretty great for sure
As you've said, Specs AshGren does a great job destroying Trick Room. Another mon that can shit on Trick Room is SubMind Blacephalon.
 
why does no one use mane rn? i think it is amazing and I would like to see people's thoughts on it because it is super unpopular right now and I just dont see why
 
Mega manectric? It's got an A+ speed tier, but it doesn't really justify its mega slot. Tapu Koko outpowers it and has better support options and zapdos has the same coverage plus recovery and a ground immunity. Mega lopunny has the same speed tier but has a better stab combo and better support options and also can smack ash gren. I've never used mega mane but I can't theoeymon a reason why I would.
 
i feel like everybody says that it's outclassed by koko but it is one of the only electrics that can actually reliably outspeed ash gren and revenge kill it. it also has really great coverage and has stronger hp ice's than tapu koko. also it can completely wall most kartana's which is super valuable in the meta right now. obviously its not the best mega or anything, but I think that it should definitely be used more
 
Yeah you have to prove why you would use M Mane over Tapu Koko or why you should waste your Mega Slot on it compared to M Lopunny, M Diancie, M Medicham, and if you can't prove it's effectiveness over them then you have your answer. Take it on the ladder and show what it brings to a team that a mon like Tapu Koko or Zapdos don't. Can it check certain things significantly better than them? Does it warrant giving up the power and utility having M Lopunny or M Diancie bring? All this you have to answer if you want to ask "Why does no one use X mon?" or "Can we rank X mon?"
 

Finchinator

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Now that the metagame has taken some time to settle after experiencing a lot of change upon the release of USUM, I was wondering if the readers and posters of this thread had any more experienced stances on the additions and changes to the tier -- just to list a few good discussion points:
  1. The presence of the new Defog users in the metagame (Gliscor, Rotom-Wash, Landorus-T, etc.)
  2. The presence of new Pokemon in the metagame (mainly Blacephalon, but also Stakataka if people would like to comment on it)
  3. The presence of various other new moves on Pokemon that previously could not use them in the metagame (such as Knock Off being found on a few Pokemon that lacked it in SM)
  4. The changes on Pokemon and team archetypes in the metagame that have been provoked by any of the other changes that occurred directly from the USUM drop
I will leave my thoughts this weekend in all likelihood, but I am looking forward to see what some people have to see :toast:
 
Disclaimer: I'm around 1500-1600 so some stuff I say may be irrelevant. Some information might not be the most accurate.

1. The presence of the new Defog users in the metagame (Gliscor, Rotom-Wash, Landorus-T, etc.)

- This fits in number 3 so I will talk about it there.

2. The presence of new Pokemon in the metagame (mainly Blacephalon, but also Stakataka if people would like to comment on it)

- Tyranitar is literally everywhere. I thought AV Tyranitar would lose its relevance after the ban of Naganadel, but there are some people who still use it. I guess they want safety nets against Blacephalon and Tapu Koko?
- Speaking of Blacephalon, it has been amazing. Even if it has matchup against Tyranitar, you can double switch appropriately to things like Landorus-T to gain momentum if opponent has no counterplay for Blacephalon outsides Tyranitar. Also Choice Scarf has been a nice cleaner due to not many 'mons in OU able to take Shadow Ball and Fire Blast well. It doesn't like Toxapex too much, but lures like Extrasensory Greninja can be employed to put SpDef Toxapex into range of +1 Never Ending Nightmare.
- Lycanroc-Dusk. When I was reading VR thread, the OP linked me to "good UR nom examples" and I looked over this wolf. Although it requires massive team support (ranging from Magnezone being mandatory to Stealth Rock and Spikes support needed), it really pays off. Also it is a good late game cleaner that is able to OHKO Toxapex using Drill Run at +2 while functioning as an offensive check to Mega Pinsir and Volcarona, something not many are able to do apart from transformed Ash-Greninja.

3. The presence of various other new moves on Pokemon that previously could not use them in the metagame (such as Knock Off being found on a few Pokemon that lacked it in SM)

- Knock Off on Kartana made is highhandedly turned it into the best Choice Scarfer user (in my opinion). Now it can remove Shed Shell from Skarmory, Leftovers from Celesteela, and do something worthwhile even if it is hardwalled by something, barring situations it is against Mega Venusaur.
- Defog on Landorus-T isn't too good in my opinion. First of all, it doesn't do well against common hazard setters in the tier, namely Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and other Landorus-T. Getting Defog on Landorus-T means you are dropping HP Ice / U-turn / Protect, which results in being completely passive to other Landorus-T / unable to bring momentum for offensive partners / scout for choice users and scout for Z-moves. Rotom-W can drop Pain Split to be a reliable Defog user that hard counters defensive Landorus-T and support offensive teams well. Gliscor may be consistent Defog user but I personally think the 'mon itself is heavily outclassed by Landorus-T outsides matchup against bulkier teams.
- Substitute + Endeavor Mega Diancie is goat. I have been using this in HO teams and it always ends up denting something and keeping Stealth Rock away. It also grabs auto-win from stall because Endeavor followed by Substitute brings Chansey down to soemthing like 20%.

4. The changes on Pokemon and team archetypes in the metagame that have been provoked by any of the other changes that occurred directly from the USUM drop

- Since my knowledge on metagame (and the information I have provided) isn' the best, I will say no comment... other than things like webs offense with Ribombee / Araquanid appearing time to time.
 
I know this was discussed a bit already but was it settled who the best Webs user is atm? I'm seeing a lot of Araquanids, lately but I've been handling them fine between Pinsir and Koko, before they even set. Would Sash be an option?
As a suicide lead wouldn't Ribombee outclass Araquanid? She doesn't suffer from essentially only having two moves worth using (liquidation + webs) and can at least cripple something like the aformentioned pinsir with stun spore, along with 2hko'ing lando with hp ice.
 
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