Metagame SM NU Alpha Discussion (read post #153)

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shiloh

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Tiering Lead

Hello! With recent usage statistics out from January we now have usage stats to see what a NeverUsed Tier would look like if it was based on the RU "Pre-Alpha" that took place over the course of January. While originally it looked like we would be getting the official Alpha Tier in February this was just an oversight and you can read more about why it was pushed back and he reasoning for it in this <<FAQ>>

However we still do have usage stats for the month of January (and now February!) so we wanted to have a place to discuss them and have something to do while we wait till April. One thing to note though is that this tier is not official and there will not be a Ladder or even a Challenge option to play this tier. This tier will look very different from what the eventual NU Official or even the NU Alpha Tier(s) will look like in the next few months so its advised to go into this tier not expecting a tier that will be playable in the future. We will still have room tours and I'm sure many room auth and regulars will be willing to play and test so be sure to stop by the room if you want to try out this very undeveloped metagame. There will be no bans, so the tier will stay the same over the next month and won't change until the next batch of usage stats at the end of March.

--

http://www.smogon.com/forums/thread...ion-read-post-153.3594836/page-7#post-7363311

List of mons in NU Alpha

In order to play the tier just challenge people to RU (Beta) from the challenge page and build your teams in that section of the teambuilder as well in order to make it easier to challenge and accept challenges from people.

Feel free to discuss whatever you want in this thread, whether it be cool sets you've been trying out, replays to discuss the metagame or a team that you really like and want to show off. Also here is a link to the old <<thread>> that has some cool sets and mons that you can try out.

Also make sure to come check out our <<Discord Server>> for discussion and a place to have fun with the NU community
 
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shiloh

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Tiering Lead
Here's a mini role compendium for people who are actually brave enough to play this tier:

Hazards:
Stealth Rock:

Spikes:

Toxic Spikes:


Hazard Control:
Rapid Spin:

Defog:

Magic Bounce:


Clerics:
Wish:

Aromatherapy / Heal Bell:


Special "Walls":
(steel)


Physical "Walls":
(poison)

Rain Abusers:


Sun Abusers:


Priority:


And here's some speed tiers:
SMNU Pre Alpha Speed Tiers!

Tier 0: Boosts Required

Stat / Pokemon / Base / Nature / EVs / Boost

571 / Ribombee / 124 / Positive / 252 / +1
568 / Kabutops / 80 / Positive / 252 / +2
558 / Klinklang / 90 / Neutral / 252 / +2
534 / Slurpuff / 72 / Positive / 252 / +2
530 / Tyrantrum / 71 / Positive / 252 / +2
525 / Tauros, Raichu-A / 110 / Positive / 252 / +1
524 / Ludicolo / 70 / Positive / 252 / +2
518 / Kabutops, Stoutland / 80 / Neutral / 252 / +2
516 / Barbaracle / 68 / +Spe / 252 / +2
513 / Pyroar / 106 / Positive / 252 / +1
508 / Scyther / 105 / Positive / 252 / +1
505 / Delphox / 104 / Positive / 252 / +1
502 / Sandslash, Sandslash-A / 65 / Positive / 252 / +2
494 / Seismitoad / 74 / Neutral / 252 / +2
486 / Slurpuff / 72 / Neutral / 252 / +2
478 / Ludicolo, Victreebel / 70 / Neutral / 252 / +2
475 / Primeape, Jynx, Uxie, Haunter, Sawsbuck / 95 / Positive / 252 / +1
472 / Scrafty / 58 / Positive / 252 / +2
470 / Barbaracle / 68 / Neutral / 252 / +2
463 / Rotom / 91 / Posiitve / 252 / +1
459 / Lilligant / 90 / Positive / 252 / +1
458 / Sandslash, Sandslash-A / 65 / Neutral / 252 / +2
456 / Vivillon / 89 / Positive / 252 / +1
447 / Rotom-Mow / 86 / Positive / 252 / +1
430 / Scrafty / 58 / Neutral / 252 / +2

Tier 1: +1 Positive Base 58's to Positive Base 145's

427 / Accelgor / 145 / Positive / 252 / 0
426 / Medicham, Braviary / 80 / Positive / 252 / +1
406 / Vikavolt / 43 / Positive / 252 / +2
397 / Tyrantrum / 71 / Positive / 252 / +1
390 / Meloetta-P / 128 / Positive / 252 / 0
388 / Medicham, Braviary / 80 / Neutral / 252 / +1
386 / Turtonator / 36 / Positive / 252 / +2
381 / Ribombee / 124 / Positive / 252 / 0
379 / Noivern / 123 / Positive / 252 / 0
376 / Emboar / 65 / Positive / 252 / +1
372 / Sceptile, Minior (Shields Down) / 120 / Positive / 252 / 0
364 / Whimsicott / 116 / Positive / 252 / 0
361 / Sneasel, Persian-A, Cinccino, Ambipom / 115 / Positive / 252 / 0
355 / Lycanroc / 112 / Positive / 252 / 0
354 / Scrafty / 58 / Positive / 252 / +1
350 / Tauros, Archeops, Dodrio, Dugtrio-A, Raichu-A / 110 / Positive / 252 / 0
346 / Virizion / 108 / Positive / 252 / 0
342 / Pyroar, Liepard / 106 / Positive / 252 / 0
339 / Cryogonal, Mismagius, Scyther, Manectric / 105 / Positive / 252 / 0
337 / Delphox / 104 / Positive / 252 / 0
328 / Charizard, Typhlosion, Ninetales / 100 / Positive / 252 / 0
322 / Sigilyph / 97 / Positive / 252 / 0
322 / Scrafty / 58 / Neutral / 252 / +1

Tier 2: Positive Base 60's to Positive Base 95's

317 / Silvally (all forms), Houndoom, Jynx, Xatu, Sawsbuck, Haunter, Yanmega, Primeape, Electivire, Drapion / 95 / Positive / 252 / 0
313 / Oricorio (all forms) / 93 / Positive / 252 / 0
309 / Rotom / 91 / Positive / 252 / 0
306 / Meloetta, Moltres, Lilligant / 90 / Positive / 252 / 0
304 / Vivillon / 89 / Positive / 252 / 0
300 / Hitmonlee / 87 / Positive / 252 / 0
298 / Rotom-Mow / 86 / Positive / 252 / 0
295 / Sawk, Articuno, Qwilfish / 85 / Positive / 252 / 0
289 / Yanmega / 95 / Neutral / 252 / 0
289 / Lycanroc-Midnight / 82 / Positive / 252 / 0
284 / Medicham, Gallade, Braviary, Mesprit, Kabutops, Stoutland, Passimian / 80 / Positive / 252 / 0
280 / Vanilluxe / 78 / Positive / 252 / 0
279 / Kangaskhan, Klinklang, Zangoose / 90 / Neutral / 252 / 0
277 / Vivillon / 89 / Neutral / 252 / 0
273 / Garbodor, Absol / 75 / Positive / 252 / 0
269 / Sawk, Articuno / 85 / Neutral / 252 / 0
267 / Slurpuff / 72 / Positive / 252 / 0
265 / Magmortar / 83 / Neutral / 252 / 0
265 / Tyrantrum / 71 / Positive / 252 / 0
262 / Ludicolo, Samurott, / 70 / Positive / 252 / 0
259 / Medicham, Gallade, Braviary, Mesprit, Shiftry, Stoutland / 80 / Neutral / 252 / 0
258 / Barbaracle / 68 / +Spe / 252 / 0
255 / Vanilluxe / 78 / Neutral / 252 / 0
251 / Sandslash, Sandslash-A / 65 / +Spe / 252 / 0
251 / Hitmonchan / 76 / Neutral / 0 / 0
249 / Claydol, Absol / 75 / Neutral / 252 / 0
247 / Seismitoad / 74 / Neutral / 252 / 0
245 / Malamar / 73 / Neutral / 252 / 0
243 / Slurpuff / 72 / Neutral / 252 / 0
241 / Tyrantrum, Bibarel / 71 / Neutral / 252 / 0
240 / Abomasnow, Incineroar, Toucannon / 60 / Positive / 252 / 0

Tier 3: Uninvested Base 54's to Neutral Base 70's

239 / Hitmontop, Ludicolo, Samurott, Victreebel / 70 / Neutral / 252 / 0
236 / Miltank / 100 / Neutral / 0 / 0
236 / Scrafty / 58 / Positive / 252 / 0
235 / Barbaracle, Exploud / 68 / Neutral / 252 / 0
229 / Komala, Sandslash, Sandslash-A, Emboar / 65 / Neutral / 252 / 0
229 / Omastar / 55 / Positive / 0 / 0
226 / Uxie, Xatu / 95 / Neutral / 0 / 0
219 / Abomasnow / 60 / Neutral / 252 / 0
215 / Pangoro, Aurorus, Scrafty / 58 / Neutral / 252 / 0
211 / Torterra / 56 / Neutral / 252 / 0
209 / Machamp, Golurk, Cacturne / 55 / Neutral / 252 / 0
207 / Crustle / 45 / +Spe / 252 / 0
203 / Vikavolt / 43 / Positive / 252 / 0
196 / Mesprit, Braviary/ 80 / Neutral / 0 / 0
189 / Exeggutor-A, Golem-A / 45 / Neutral / 252 / 0
188 / Turtonator / 36 / Positive / 252 / 0
186 / Garbodor, Claydol / 75 / Neutral / 0 / 0
185 / Vikavolt, Crabominable / 43 / Neutral / 252 / 0
184 / Seismitoad / 74 / Neutral / 0 / 0
182 / Malamar / 73 / Neutral / 0 / 0
179 / Carracosta / 32 / Positive / 252 / 0
176 / Hitmontop, Poliwrath, Samurott / 70 / Neutral / 0 / 0
170 / Lanturn / 67 / Neutral / 0 / 0
166 / Komala, Vaporeon / 65 / Neutral / 0 / 0
165 / Seismitoad / 74 / -Spe / 0 / 0
163 / Carracosta / 32 / Neutral / 252 / 0
156 / Weezing / 60 / Neutral / 0 / 0
146 / Golurk, Bouffalant, Exeggutor / 55 / Neutral / 0 / 0
144 / Gourgeist-XL / 54 / Neutral / 0 / 0

Tier 4: Up to Uninvested Base 50's

136 / Hariyama, Mawile, Regirock, Vileplume, Piloswine, Sableye, Eelektross / 50 / Neutral / 0 / 0
132 / Druddigon / 48 / Neutral / 0 / 0
126 / Granbull, Exeggutor-A / 45 / Neutral / 0 / 0
124 / Dragalge / 44 / Neutral / 0 / 0
122 / Vikavolt, Guzzlord / 43 / Neutral / 0 / 0
116 / Camerupt, Togetic, Gurdurr / 40 / Neutral / 0 / 0
114 / Gastrodon / 39 / Neutral / 0 / 0
108 / Drampa, Turtonator / 36 / Neutral / 0 / 0
106 / Quagsire, Spiritomb, Palossand, Mudsdale / 35 / Neutral / 0 / 0
97 / Aromatisse / 29 / Neutral / 12 / 0
96 / Slowking, Shiinotic, Cofagrigus, Steelix, Wishiwashi-School / 30 / Neutral / 0 / 0
94 / Musharna / 29 / Neutral / 0 / 0
58 / Slowking, Cofagrigus / 30 / Negative / 0 IVs / 0
56 / Ferroseed / 10 / Neutral / 0 / 0
56 / Musharna / 29 / Negative / 0 IVs / 0
46 / Pyukumuku, Shuckle / 5 / Neutral / 0 / 0
 
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>Ninetales and Torkoal aren't on the ban list.

SUN TEAMS HERE I COME!

In all seriousness though, I do plan to make a list of stuff about what we gained when compared to last gen. Of course, this is still the stage with no actual ladder, but still.
 
Hey this is a Visual Tier list to see the Fully Evolved Pokemon in the tier by Typing so that you can have an easier time building! I may have missed a few. If I did PM a moderator or me directly on Discord / PS to update it. Anyway here it is and I hope this is helpful:




















(All Forms)
shoutout to Kableye and rozes for making the list
 
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etern

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NU Leader
To get things started I thought I'd post a couple sets that have stood out to me


Venomoth @ Buginium Z
Ability: Tinted Lens
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Quiver Dance
- Bug Buzz
- Sleep Powder
- Roost

This thing is ridiculously good. Tinted Lens Bug Buzz absolutely shreds through offense at +1, and with Sleep Powder and Roost Venomoth becomes a real nuisance for balanced and stall teams to deal with. Buginium Z lets you nuke things like Defensive Arcanine, Steelix, Typhlosion, Talonflame, Dragalge, and Mismagius at +1. Leaving very few things able to actually stomach a hit outside of Moltres (needs rocks off the field), and AV Hariyama (still takes a ton).



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

Sneasel is back again and as good as ever. Dark / Psychic coverage is ridiculous and hits everything really hard. We got plenty of Psychic-types like Sigilyph and Hoopa to trap, and Dragon-types like Tyrantrum and Noivern which Sneasel can revenge with Ice Shard. Partner this up with CB Sawk or Medicham / any fighting-type and you've got a winning core. Low Kick is another good option if you wanted to lure Steelix for Scarf Tyrantrum to clean up.


Slurpuff @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Unburden
EVs: 28 HP / 252 Atk / 228 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Belly Drum
- Play Rough
- Return
- Drain Punch

Slurpuff does the same as it always does. Click BD and just win. With all the Dragon-types and Dark-types around Slurpuff should have a good time cleaning through most teams that dont have a designated check to this, especially with memento support from something like mismagius or gardevoir. Especially since a +6 Return just obliterates Dragalge. Steelix, Weezing, and Vileplume should see some usage to keep this this in check. Overall really scary to see.
 
Just fyi, pretty sure Arcanine should be on the banlist, considering it's uu.

Just thought I would list all the mons that were BL2 or UU last gen and are in the pre-alpha: Venomoth, Shuckle, Durant, Yanmega, Sableye, Umbreon, Pangoro, Tyrantrum, Noivern, Dragalge, Gardevoir, Slurpuff, Machamp, Hawlucha(BL!), Moltres, Talonflame, Shaymin, Froslass, Cresselia, Espeon, Vaporeon.

Now that doesn't mean that these mons are necessarily more viable then RU drops or even previous NU mons, but it's a pretty good place to start looking at stand out mons.
 
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<--- when incineroar's trainer gets a prediction right

Ahhh yes, Incineroar. Base 115 Attack, 95/90/90 bulk not being too shabby, being able to break through mons that say "lol I'm gonna set up my defense", U-Turn access, this mon has a lot to work with. Flare Blitz and Darkest Lariat are good STABs, and Incinium Z is a very viable option that gives you a Dark type nuke for one turn. EQ and Cross Chop are both great coverage options that handle some of Incineroar's checks (mainly Rock types) and a Scarf set is also viable which allows you to outspeed things like Tyrantrum and Virizion, and also allows for a fast U-Turn to get out of double switch scenarios. John Incenaroar is looking to have potential.
 

Jisoo

two slow dancers last ones out
is a Pre-Contributoris a defending SPL Champion

Tyrantrum @ Choice Band / Choice Scarf
Ability: Rock Head
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Head Smash
- Earthquake
- Outrage
- Superpower

hi so i wanted to make this post because i saw tyrantrum on this list and i've had strong opinions on this pokemon for a while because it threatens so many playstyles with Band 2hkoing the whole meta and Scarf invalidating offense because its still so strong. I did some basic calcs and let me know if i missed anything and i'll include it

252+ Atk Choice Band Tyrantrum Superpower vs. 244 HP / 0 Def Steelix: 222-262 (63 - 74.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
-1 252+ Atk Choice Band Tyrantrum Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mawile: 182-216 (59.8 - 71%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Tyrantrum Outrage vs. 252 HP / 196 Def Torterra: 246-291 (62.4 - 73.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Tyrantrum Outrage vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Palossand: 207-244 (55.3 - 65.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Tyrantrum Outrage vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Quagsire: 246-291 (62.4 - 73.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery


Disj Edit: TYRANTRUMISBROKEN
Watchog Edit: Disjunktion
 
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G-Luke

Sugar, Spice and One For All
is a Community Contributoris a CAP Contributoris a Forum Moderator Alumnus
Here are some fun sets I thought of..

Tyrantrum @ Fightium Z
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Ability: Rock Head
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Head Smash
- Outrage
- Superpower

This set is a fav of mine and I believe it should gain recognition. It rekts bulky teams with its raw power, and if any Steel thinks they can wall it...

+1 252+ Atk Tyrantrum All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 244 HP / 0 Def Steelix: 350-414 (99.4 - 117.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

+1 252+ Atk Tyrantrum All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Registeel: 454-536 (124.7 - 147.2%) --guaranteed OHKO

Sharpedo @ Life Orb
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 HP / 252 Spe
Ability: Speed Boost
Modest / Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Dark Pulse
- Ice Beam
- Protect

Neato special cleaner that shreds offensive and defensive teams alike...if this does drop to NU, start praying.

Shaymin @ Life Orb
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Ability: Natural Cure
Timid Nature
- Seed Flare
- Earth Power
- Psychic / Hidden Power [Ice]
- Rest

I love to run Rest on offensive Shaymin, since it helps it to outlast the walls its meant to break.

Dotrio @ Choice Scarf / Choice Band
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Ability: Early Bird
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- High Jump Kick
- Knock Off
- Return / Quick Attack

A nice revengekiller or wallbreaker based on the item held. SD sets are also an option...but I think its waaay too hard to pull off in practice. So its better just to hit hard or fast from the get go.
 

quziel

I am the Scientist now
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So, would just like to bring up Salazzle, and how good its scarf set can be.



With one mon, you can revenge literally any Slurpuff, even Jolly, and take on some of the more threatening mons in the tier in Sceptile, many venomoths, and more, all while literally beating almost every other relevant scarfer in the tier. As a bonus, you even resist what will likely be the most common priority in Mach punch.

Basically, Salazzle allows you to revenge a large percentage of the tier, while having the power, and enough coverage to clean many teams.

Suggested Set:

Salazzle @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Corrosion
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
IVs: 30 Atk
- Fire Blast
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Sludge Bomb
- Knock Off

Replay vs Syncracy: http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7rualpha-528893207

Will edit in more mons as I think of them.
 
Scrafty is won of my favorite mons, and DD scrafty looks like it will be able to tear through NU.


Base 115 defenses allow it to DD on plenty of mons in the tier right now. At +1, it 2HKO's every fairy type in the tier bar max defense granbull. It can live an attack and OHKO venomoth, and iron head, high jump kick, and knock off provide great coverage. If you are going the bulkier route, bulk up, rest, or sub bulk up should enable scrafty to set up late-game. When partnered with mons like durant, salazzle, and venomoth, it forms an offensive core that will be extremely difficult to defeat. No matter the set, scrafty is an extremely valuable late-game tool that is able to break through most of the tier.

Suggested Set:

Scrafty @ Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Iron Head
- High Jump Kick
- Knock Off

I can't wait to watch NU evolve.
 
Heya Pre-pre Alpha Nu is so interesting, so ig i'll drop some few ideas right here.




bad sets (Drapion) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Battle Armor
EVs: 12 HP / 152 Atk / 92 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Knock Off
- Poison Jab
- Substitute

One fun set im using atm, which i also used in ORAS RU. Maybe not so great when dealing with offense, but this thing just plows through balance and defensively oriented teams with the correct support. What i liked in this thing is it dents a lot of defensive archetypes and easily sets up on mons that lack offensive presence (Guzzlord,etc). I ONLY used this EV spread so Plume can't break your sub(and sub has 25% HP), given that 154 atk dont have much difference when investing 252 EVs, and gives it some more bulk to set up. Pretty sure it's not the most effective set-up sweeper atm, but is still fun to use.
+2 252 Atk Drapion Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Vileplume: 198-234 (55.9 - 66.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
+2 152 Atk Drapion Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Vileplume: 180-213 (50.8 - 60.1%) -- 86.7% chance to 2HKO after Black Sludge
(showing that they dont make so much difference, and the second one gives drap more bulk)
0 SpA Vileplume Sludge Bomb vs. 12 HP / 92 SpD Drapion: 59-70 (20.7 - 24.6%) -- guaranteed 5HKO

The first one give Balance and Stall a hard time, and this one gives offense a headache.



BOMB (Ribombee) @ Life Orb
Ability: Sweet Veil
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Quiver Dance
- Moonblast
- Hidden Power [Ground]
- Psychic / Filler

One of the most busted things in the SM wishlist (and we even banned it), and it's back. The Specs set is so fun cause it gives immediate power and breaks tons of walls, especially, this thing sits on a good speed tier, and it has good SpA here for NU. Quiver set is not so bad as well, and it's also very nice, as Ribombee forces many switches, and can easily Quiver on the switch. After a Quiver, it outspeeds everything (including quziel's scarf Salazzle and +2 Slurpuff!) and probably Offense's worst nightmare. Other than that, LO gives it's attacks significant boost and shreds lots of stuff with its cuteness.

Ribombee doing some stuff:

Can't wait for NU alpha, and I hope we could get rid of stupidly broken stuff so our meta starts off harmoniously (which will probably not happen rofl).
~Have fun

PS: SAN BUN
 
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Aaronboyer

Something Worth Fighting For
is a Contributor to Smogon
Hello, everyone. While I might not be so much as an NU player compared to being a PU player, one Pokemon not yet already mentioned that I'd like to shed some light on is one that could sweep entire teams if unprepared way back in XYUU. Today, I'd like to present Cresselia.

cress.jpg


While 120/120/130 bulk is outstanding, this set that bulk to set up against more than half the tier.

Potiential Set:
Cresselia @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 112 SpA / 144 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Calm Mind
- Psyshock
- Moonblast

There are few and far between Pokemon that can switch-in safely and threaten Cresselia out.
  • Yanmega has to watch out for Stealth Rock
  • Umbreon gets walled out after several Calm Mind boosts,
  • Drapion and Skuntank may be able to attempt a Pursuit trap, but not if Cress is behind a Substitute.
  • Sableye can Prankster Destiny Bond but cannot Cresselia can kill it the turn it doesn't Destiny Bond
I'm definitely excited to likely be abusing this in NU real soon!
 
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G-Luke

Sugar, Spice and One For All
is a Community Contributoris a CAP Contributoris a Forum Moderator Alumnus
So, would just like to bring up Salazzle, and how good its scarf set can be.



With one mon, you can revenge literally any Slurpuff, even Jolly, and take on some of the more threatening mons in the tier in Sceptile, many venomoths, and more, all while literally beating almost every other relevant scarfer in the tier. As a bonus, you even resist what will likely be the most common priority in Mach punch.

Basically, Salazzle allows you to revenge a large percentage of the tier, while having the power, and enough coverage to clean many teams.

Suggested Set:

Salazzle @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Corrosion
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
IVs: 30 Atk
- Fire Blast
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Sludge Bomb
- Knock Off

Replay vs Syncracy: http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7rualpha-528893207

Will edit in more mons as I think of them.
Sazzazle would much prefer to run Dragon Pulse than Knock Off, as its nowhere near a momentum drain as Knock Off is on Sazz. Besides with plenty Dragons roaming the tier the ability to hit them hard is really appreciated.
 

erisia

Innovative new design!
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unofficial np)


So you can probably tell I'm hyped AF to be playing again. This tier at the moment doesn't even resemble ORAS NU in the slightest, with most of the threats being more comparable to BL2 level more than anything. However, from my brief experience playing this tier so far I can tell you a few things.


Hawlucha @ Power Herb
Ability: Unburden
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly / Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Sky Attack
- High Jump Kick
- Acrobatics

Probably one of the best sweepers at the moment. Sky Attack is pretty strong and lets you clean up late game without having to set up thanks to Power Herb. Swords Dance makes you powerful enough to sweep if you get a setup opportunity (which is pretty easy with stuff like Whimsicott in the tier at the moment), while High Jump Kick and Acrobatics are your primary sweeping tools. If you get a Swords Dance boost, Sky Attack + High Jump Kick also lets you wallbreak pretty much anything. Here's some calcs. I'd recommend running Jolly so you outspeed Espeon and that sort of Speed tier, but Adamant gives you more power if you just prefer to wallop stuff with Sky Attack early game, and it also lets you break through Cresselia more easily (since it can't OHKO you even after Stealth Rock, you can get the 2HKO if it comes in after a KO).

252 Atk Hawlucha Sky Attack vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Espeon: 273-322 (100.3 - 118.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Hawlucha High Jump Kick vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tyrantrum: 288-342 (94.4 - 112.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252 Atk Hawlucha Sky Attack vs. 248 HP / 216+ Def Jellicent: 337-397 (83.6 - 98.5%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252 Atk Hawlucha High Jump Kick vs. 244 HP / 0 Def Steelix: 362-428 (102.8 - 121.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252+ Atk Hawlucha Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 240 HP / 252+ Def Cresselia: 198-234 (44.8 - 53%) -- 85.9% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery


Espeon @ Choice Specs
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Hidden Power Ground
- Signal Beam / Dazzling Gleam
- Psyshock / Dazzling Gleam

Forget offensive spinners; Espeon is probably the best way for offensive teams to keep hazards off the field and isn't deadweight either, as the lack of Steel-types combined with its excellent power and Speed make it a legitimate offensive threat of its own. While Ribombee's dual STAB combination and higher Speed probably makes it slightly better in general, Espeon's Psychic is overwhelmingly powerful, and Psyshock also lets it heavily damage special walls that can block Ribombee. Signal Beam does good damage to other Psychic-types while Dazzling Gleam hits Scrafty, Spiritomb, and Guzzlord (lol) harder. But you'll want to be clicking Hidden Power Ground most of the time anyways as Drapion and Houndoom are among the more common Dark-types at the moment, and this lets you KO them if they try to switch in and Pursuit trap you.


Aerodactyl @ Focus Sash
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Taunt
- Stone Edge
- Aqua Tail / Earthquake

Excellent lead that is also a good catch-all against offense if you manage to save it for the late game. Pretty much guarantees that you get Rocks up and keep the opponent's away unless they're paying attention. Stone Edge is pretty weak but it's the best STAB you've got, while Aqua Tail is helpful vs Rhyperior, which is another popular lead, and Earthquake gets better coverage in general. Not much more to say really; it's as good as it was in DPP OU.

That's all I have to say at the moment, but expect some more cool posts soon. Here's a cool replay vs Eternally who beat me with Gardevoir (note to self; add a Fairy-resist).

http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7rualpha-529013370
 

pancake

movement and location
is a Contributor Alumnus
wew lad looks like some RU players forgot to use broken mons and now we have them

Moltres
Venomoth
Tyrantrum
Hawlucha
Espeon
Cresselia
Shaymin
Slurpuff
Torkoal / Ninetales / Sun (Politoed / Rain as soon as Drizzle is banned from RU)
Glalie Mega, Minior, Bruxish, Scrafty, Pangoro, Ribombee, Drampa, Yanmega and Sharpedo, Cloyster can win games on their own... my lord the list goes on forever lmao


so yeah as you can see there's a ton of probably broken shit in this meta, mainly things that can win vs. unprepared teams on their own such as Sun, Slurpuff, Yanmega, Sharpedo, and Hawlucha. I was saying you guys were overestimating power creep before and you probably still are (citation: decidueye is still uu showing the extent of the new toy syndrome). But tl;dr even if it is new toy syndrome, this tier is ridiculous and offense will reign supreme. As a result... here's some offense destroyers for you!

Noivern @ Choice Specs
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Hurricane
- Flamethrower / Air Slash
- Switcheroo / U-turn

This set abuses the fact that offense is the best playstyle in this tier due to the new toy syndrome amount of threats that we have and literally everything dies lol. Specs Draco + Hurricane + Flamethrower hits the entire tier for a massive amount of damage and offense literally loses unless if they have a certain set of mons, as long as you hit hurricanes. Super powerful wallbreaker that I'm surprised hasn't been brought up in this thread yet.



Yanmega @ Life Orb
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Protect
- Bug Buzz
- Air Slash
- Giga Drain

While this mon is slightly easier for offense to deal with, offense still has a ton of trouble with it and as long as you remove Steel-types this also is very easy to win with. Luckily there's like none in this tier lol! Unfortunately Magneton just missed the cutoff which would have made this thing twice as broken D: but it is still an extremely threatening mon capable of easily cleaning against offense. a

quziel's Scarf Salazzle is also really good in a "metagame" which looks like it will be "whoever drums first wins" lol. Also sharpedo is another mon that offense has a lot of trouble with, and I won't bring it up again because it was already brought up in the thread.

this looks fun anyway ^_^ i wish the pre-alpha/alpha was more accurate to what nu will look like but hey you can't ask for everything, new toy syndrome is inevitable

Thanks,
pan "if you guys give pu guzzlord I will legitimately throw up" cake
 
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Although he won't be staying with us too long(assuming slowbro moves back up to UU, which it probably will), this little guy is going to make quite the splash in NU as one of the most versatile mons.

Slowking @ Leftovers
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP/ 252 Def/ 8 Spe
Bold Nature
-Calm Mind
-Scald
-Psyshock
-Slack Off

CM Slowking has always proven to be a great wincon, and it'll be just as great here as it was last gen in RU, perhaps even better. The EVs give slowking a regenerator number and allow it to creep uninvested base 30s(not sure if this is optimal tho).

Slowking @ Leftovers/Life Orb
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP/ 252 SpA/ 8 SpD
Quiet Nature
-Trick Room
-Scald
-Slack Off
-Psyshock/Nasty Plot/Fire Blast

Trick room, although not as consistent of a playstyle as opposed to balance, hyper offense, and stall, has received some new absuers such as crabdominable, vikavolt, and drampa, and slowking is a great setter of trick room thanks to its bulk, ability, and reliable recovery.

Slowking @ Choice Specs
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 172 HP/ 252 SpA/ 84 Spe
Modest Nature
-Scald
-Psychic/Psyshock/Future Sight
-Fire Blast
-Ice Beam/Grass Knot

This set takes an offensive approach by denting walls early-to-mid game, allowing teammates to take advantage of the holes slowking punches to clean up and sweep the opposition.

Slowking @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP/ 252 SpA/ 8 SpD
Modest Nature
-Scald
-Dragon Tail
-Future Sight/Psychic/Psyshock
-Fire Blast/Ice Beam

Ahh, AV Slowking, a relic from XY RU that was one of the best switch-ins to life orb moltres. Given that Moltres is here as well(I think?), this set will be more effective as a phazer and offensive tank that can switch into many strong special attacks such as dragalge's draco meteor
 
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Quick s/o to this guy because nobody realized he dropped; nothing too much to say just another of the many really good dark types hanging around this 'tier' and Illusion mindgames are fun.



Quziel already mentioned running Choice Scarf on this thing earlier which is the most successful set I've used with this thing so far; it's really fast, strong, and has a cool typing that resists some nice types and removes t-spikes. It does struggle w/ Dragalge a bit though which is unfortunate. However, that's not the only thing you can do with a Salazzle.

Salazzle @ Choice Specs
Ability: Corrosion
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fire Blast
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Dragon Pulse

Pretty straight-forward set; you use Salazzle's solid 117 speed tier and raw power to blow holes in things. You also have the option for Nasty Plot which I'm planning to try out some today.



Kind of surprising people haven't really talked much about this thing yet, it's really good and from what I've seen a lot of people are using it. Reckless High Jump Kick is ridiculously strong and it's by far the best offensive spinner around, giving it a very strong niche over the many other good Fighting types floating around. You have options to run things like Choice Scarf which are also effective but imo the best set rn looks something like this:

Hitmonlee @ Life Orb
Ability: Reckless
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant or Jolly Nature
- High Jump Kick
- Knock Off
- Rapid Spin
- filler (I've been using Mach Punch, though I'm sure things like Sucker Punch, Stone Edge, Earthquake or even Pursuit can work well)



Rotom-Mow @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Leaf Storm
- Thunderbolt
- Trick

Also basic, but it gets the job done. Rotom-Mow is really strong right now as our traditional electric answers don't tend to enjoy Leaf Storms and it can get momentum on the other stuff like the dragons. As always it's a strong scarf user, and it can trick it away to cripple mons and still be very threatening.
 
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Jisoo

two slow dancers last ones out
is a Pre-Contributoris a defending SPL Champion

Whimsicott @ Pixie Plate
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Moonblast
- Giga Drain
- U-turn
- Encore / Stun Spore / Taunt / Memento / Tailwind

Here is another guy I have been using. Pixie Plate Moonblast hits non resists decently hard plus the utility you can get from U-Turn and Encore is pretty great. In general its a good mon all around that definitely has some use and will continue to have use because of its good speed tier and hard hitting stabs. Another thing thats great is that the last moveslot is so interchangble but I usually prefer Encore because there are a lot of set up sweepers like Hawlucha that can be very dangerous if they manage to get boosts. Moonblast and Giga Drain hit most types either neutral or supereffectively while only hitting not very effective against Steel, Poison and Fire, but its relatively easy to U-Turn on those.

http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7rualpha-529653037 Here is a good example of how Pixie Plate Whimsicott is able to just clean in the end game vs certain teams and how it is somewhat difficult to switch in to without dedicated checks.

http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7rualpha-529657428 Game vs. cyanize where Whimsicott had a fantastic matchup and was able to do most of the work throughout the course of the game


Medicham @ Life Orb / Choice Scarf
Ability: Pure Power
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- High Jump Kick
- Zen Headbutt
- Thunder Punch
- Bullet Punch

This is another pokemon I've been using since pre-alpha came out and I am very impressed with it. It hits so damn hard with Pure Power and Scarf is able to decimate offense which seems to be a trending playstyle. High Jump Kick and ZHB hits so insanely hard with Thunder Punch being nice coverage and Bullet Punch being incredibly useful becauze it can reliably revenge kill Slurpuff which is a major threat at the moment. The one drawback to this pokemon though in my opinon is that its speed tier isn't very great and its pretty easy to revenge kill if you're running Life Orb. Overall this is a great pokemon that will probably not stay with us during Alpha but we'll see.

I'm going to add a lot more to this post later but hope I gave you a better idea on how these pokemon work and their usability in the current meta!
 
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erisia

Innovative new design!
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Another thing thats great is that the last moveslot is so interchangble but I usually prefer Encore because there are a lot of set up sweepers like Hawlucha and Sharpedo that can be very dangerous if they manage to get boosts.
Cool post but just letting you know that Sharpedo is outright immune to Prankster moves like Encore, Stun Spore, and even Memento, so don't try using those moves against it.
 

G-Luke

Sugar, Spice and One For All
is a Community Contributoris a CAP Contributoris a Forum Moderator Alumnus
At least UU looks to be grabbing up Entei, Crawdaunt and Slowking..so dont count on those bastards in NU or even RU beta anytime soon.
 
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