Pokemon X/Y

[Neosquid]

Unlike what seems to be most other people, I really like Diggersby. I liked it before, but it's been growing on me a lot. It's hilarious, and it's actually a pretty good Pokemon with its access to Huge Power.

So Gourgeist/Pumpkaboo... What an interesting pokemon. The 4 different sizes affect its stats quite largely; the smallest of the forms being a frail but speedy sub-seeder with potential for perhaps a choice set while the largest size can be a defensive wall to mix things up... Hmmm...

So you guys know what I'm talking about,

Gourgeist Size Base Stats;

Small: 55/85/122/48/75/99

Average: 60/85/122/48/75/84

Large: 70/90/122/48/75/69

Supersize:85/100/122/48/75/54

This poke is so intriguing its disgusting. Plus it has its own signature move, Trick r' Treat, the effects of which give the opponent the 'Ghost' typing. Did I mention it gets Shadow Sneak to make up for that horrible speed in Supersize form? Oh yes, also a less than reliable yet still usable recovery in the form of Pain Split. Frisk as an ability? Trick as an egg move? I could see a Scarf-Trick set for this.

(Btw, Trick or Treat is more useful than it seems. You can take away the opponents STAB bc it replaces the secondary typing with Ghost. This also means that after Trick or Treating,
priority Shadow Sneak will hit for super effective damage)

While on the topic of type changing, I feel meta gross will be sinking this format, possibly to high UU if for nothing but the prevalence there will be of Mega Gengar in OU. Reason I say is because Steel no longer resists Ghost or Dark, so Gengars Shadow STAB ball will hit Gross where it hurts for a super effective and clean OHKO. Also makes ghost moves more viable coverage moves now seeing as dark is all that resists them (unless I'm missing one) but I feel that Ghosts will rise in OU this format simply for the fact that they are now one of the most unpredicted attack options, making them also one of the safest to use.

To be fair, 55/122/75 is pretty bulky on the physical side, although not amazing. I see your point, though. Indeed, it's a very interesting Pokemon. I like its design a lot too.

Now, I'm not totally sure, but on various Smogon threads I've been reading, it was mentioned that Trick or Treat actually adds the ghost-type even to dual type Pokemon. For example, using the move on Salamence would make it Dragon/Flying/Ghost. I could see this move being used alongside a Pursuit user.

I didn't really play BW OU, but I did hear bad things about Metagross, so it very likely will drop down to UU. Unfortunate. And regarding ghosts, they did get better, although they can't protect entry hazards quite as well due to the Defog buff.

Really wondering if Sableye gets Parting Shot via breeding from Pangoro. I think we would have figured it out already if it did, but I didn't see people really researching it on Smogon, unless I missed something...

 

[Splash_King]

i need to stop being awakre at six in the morning

secondkarp.jpeg

So Gourgeist/Pumpkaboo... What an interesting pokemon. The 4 different blah blah blah...

It'l be garbage competitively, but it's literally the only foodmon I like... though it's only borderline foodmon, I s'pose. No wonder.

While on the topic of type changing, I feel meta gross will be sinking this format, possibly to high UU if for nothing but the prevalence there will be of Mega Gengar in OU. Reason I say is because Steel no longer resists Ghost or Dark, so Gengars Shadow STAB ball will hit Gross where it hurts for a super effective and clean OHKO. Also makes ghost moves more viable coverage moves now seeing as dark is all that resists them (unless I'm missing one) but I feel that Ghosts will rise in OU this format simply for the fact that they are now one of the most unpredicted attack options, making them also one of the safest to use.

It lost super-Explosion in Gen V. In Gen VI, Mega Aggron's presence and Psychic-typing officially bein' mega-dead weight for Metagross put quite a few nails in the coffin. Metagross is definitely gonna loose a lot of presence in the higher tiers.

Diggersby is actually a pretty good Pokemon

No.

Defog buff

... Is completely irrelevant if a bunch'a Pokes don't get it as an egg move.

Really wondering if Sableye gets Parting Shot via breeding from Pangoro.

would b broken

Either way, it probably gets Confide, yeah? WoW + Confide + Recover + ? = Sableye ****s anythin' not a Fairy-type.

 

[Neosquid]

No.

Hey now Dirge, let's not underrate it from a gameplay standpoint. You're far too hasty with dismissing Pokemon as bad before we even really see them in action. An effective ~160 base attack is nothing to laugh at. The rest of its stats are almost exactly average, and it even gets stuff like Quick Attack, Swords Dance, and Agility.

... Is completely irrelevant if a bunch'a Pokes don't get it as an egg move.

I thought we concluded that Defog Pokemon can be transferred from Gen IV come December (not directly of course)?

would b broken

Either way, it probably gets Confide, yeah? WoW + Confide + Recover + ? = Sableye ****s anythin' not a Fairy-type.

It does get Confide, among every other Pokemon that learns TM's, I do believe. It's not enough to save it from nukes like Chandelure (though it wants to switch in even less due to buffed Knock Off hitting it harder than Foul Play ever did), but it does indeed help against a lot of special attackers. The problem is, it has to forgo an attacking move, which really sucks, especially since it now gets a Knock Off that can actually damage things, as stated earlier.

According to Bulbapedia, Confide hits through Protect/variants and lifts their effects, making Sableye even more useful in doubles, especially since it doesn't mind not running Taunt nearly as much.

let me fangasm

 

[Splash_King]

I've decided to derp on Wonder Trade and give away five Spiritomb every day for a number of reasons. First and foremost, ID numbers t' hopefully win some PP Up/Max at the lotto (I already won a PP Up). Secondly, Spiritomb is Friend Safari only and even more rare in past Generations otherwise, so clearly I'll make someone's day every day. Third, if the Masuda method still exists, a lucky *Spiritomb would be nice... not that I expect one. Lastly, it's nigh-Halloween in the mean time. Perhaps I'll give away Delibird come Christmas season.

... Or maybe not, 'cause no one likes Delibird.

Anyways, today's trades are a Hasty Dwebble (Crabicoque) from France, a Quirky Drifloon, a Timid Pancham from Japan (fbhwousruobgtuohegtouh), a Hardy German Fletchling (Dartiri), and a Lonely Luvdisc (looooooooooooooool irony). None'a these Pokes exceed Lv. 15, all of which came from players with high playtime. For shame you shameless, shameful people.

Oh, and I finally got the chance t' nickname my *Magikarp what I've planned since over a year ago: 'Karp Diem. A fitting nickname for a Poke that took 181 fishing rod casts t' hook.

160 base attack

lol

I thought we concluded that Defog Pokemon can be transferred from Gen IV come December (not directly of course)?

i forgot lawl

It does get Confide, among every other Pokemon that learns TM's, I do believe. It's not enough to save it from nukes like Chandelure (though it wants to switch in even less due to buffed Knock Off hitting it harder than Foul Play ever did), but it does indeed help against a lot of special attackers. The problem is, it has to forgo an attacking move, which really sucks, especially since it now gets a Knock Off that can actually damage things, as stated earlier.

Moveslot syndrome is a problem, certainly... but if you predict a Special Attacker is switchin' in, and Confide on said switch, nukes like Chandelure become piddly bottle rockets. All Sableye fears if it runs Knock Off over Night Shade are Physical sweepers with a move for bolstering it's Attack/are Fire-type, or anythin' with Guts.

 

[Neosquid]

"I'm getting tired of wearing my swimsuit. I think I'll make this my last battle in it." yes pls random NPC

... Or maybe not, 'cause no one likes Delibird.

It's actually the favorite Pokemon of one of my irl friends.

lol

Okay now you're just trolling aren't you

Moveslot syndrome is a problem, certainly... but if you predict a Special Attacker is switchin' in, and Confide on said switch, nukes like Chandelure become piddly bottle rockets. All Sableye fears if it runs Knock Off over Night Shade are Physical sweepers with a move for bolstering it's Attack/are Fire-type, or anythin' with Guts.

Speaking of Sableye getting cool moves, in Smogon's new "STABmon" metagame, Sableye has access to Parting Shot, Destiny Bond, Topsy-Turvy, and Dark Void. <3

 

[Splash_King]

It's actually the favorite Pokemon of one of my irl friends.

... Does your friend also have shitty typing? Or just an awful BST?

Okay now you're just trolling aren't you

nope.avi fatrabbit sucks both competitively and design-wise

Speaking of Sableye getting cool moves, in Smogon's new "STABmon" metagame, Sableye has access to Parting Shot, Destiny Bond, Topsy-Turvy, and Dark Void. <3

Now, that is ****in' broken.

 

[Neosquid]

nope.avi fatrabbit sucks both competitively and design-wise

you suck both competitively and design-wise

 

[Splash_King]

No, I am not a Sableye.

 

[Neosquid]

Interesting...

I was confused about Belch's usefulness at first, but upon further examination, it isn't a bad move at all. For one, although you need to consume a berry first, you can use the move as much as you want afterwards. I wasn't sure if it would still work after switching out, but I have confirmed myself that it does. Belch has 120 BP and 90 accuracy, for those that aren't aware.

This is useful for Swalot in particular, as not only is it one of the users of the move with a decent special attack (er, 73 is a bit bad, but not unsalvageable), but it also gets Gluttony to make consuming certain berries far easier. Honestly, Swalot's gotten better this generation, with the good matchup against fairies, Belch, Infestation, and a more accurate Gunk Shot. I'm not going to be hasty to call it a good Pokemon (I'm expecting it to be at least decent in NU, which is better than nothing), but it will definitely have more viability than before. Not sure by how much, at the moment. Not expecting it to move higher than mid or high NU, but I guess RU isn't completely out of the question. I would legitimately be surprised though. Happy, but surprised.

This doesn't actually matter, but I find it notable how the game literally does not allow you to select Belch until you've eaten a berry. I thought it would just have the move fail, but it doesn't allow you to select it at all. Weird.

Edit: Apparently all sound-based moves now go through Substitutes. The animation for Belch looks exactly like a sound based move, so it probably is one. Neat.

 

[The Storm]

Lets talk about something very important... Fairies.

Brand new type, huge upcoming impact on the metagame, but where will which Fairy best lay they're Farfetched typing and strategies? Which Fairy has the best Chansey of being in the Elite group of pokes? Which will Rhy-don the high horse to OU? Well, in my opinion,

It could be Florges.

Yes yes I know, Sylveon has a lot of attention being of the first Fairy types revealed, but this thing can make some noise in OU. HP : 78/Atk: 65/Defense: 68/Sp Attack: 112/Sp Defense: 154/ Speed: 75

Notably, Florges learns Wish and Aromatherapy so it has a viable Wish support set being a team cleric while also sporting that nice 112 base SpAtk. 78/68/154 defenses with its great typing are no laughing matter. This thing will make its mark as one of the new premier walls in OU, possibly even becoming more popular than Blissey because of its impunity to Dragons. Moonblast comes as the STAB of choice while also having an assortment of niche coverage moves such as Psychich and Petal Blizzard, a new grass type move which is essentially the Grass version of Flamethrower.

Depending on what you are using, I feel Florges will find herself scattered amongst many teams. This is only my opinion, who do you think the best fairy will be this gen? And how do you feel about Florges?

 

[Splash_King]

I wonder if Troll Freak intentionally kept Fairy-type away from the Blissey evolution line for balancing purposes... if so, good on 'em.

Petal Blizzard is Physical. Which is actually a good thing, as Grass-types with high Attack have needed somethin' 'sides the ol' recoilin' Wood Hammer. Florges gets Energy Ball anyways (which now has 90 BP). But yeah, Florges is definitely gonna be a useful Fairy-type Sponge. Wish and Aromatherapy team support is amazing for Singles, and a Dragon-type immunity allows it t' switch about Fairyly easily to acquire those needed turns for said moves. Not t' mention it's a Special tank, as it can actually hit back. Even if it's Base 112 Sp.A goes uninvested, STAB Moonblast will hurt anythin' with 0/0 defenses that doesn't resist.

'Course, don't forget 'bout old Pokes reclassed as fairies. Togekiss traded it's Ghost-type immunity for Dragon (which isn't necessarily great), and now has a second Special STAB. Who knows what new tools it's gettin'. Mega Mawile and Mega Gardevoir hit like trucks, and obviously Florges won't be used for it's offenses like those two. I've also heard talk 'bout Azumarill, as Fairy-typing is a blatant blessing for it. And let me tell ya, priority is gonna be REALLY important this Generation... since Azumarill is literally better than it used t' be, we might see it in OU. It ain't no Mega Scizor @ Bullet Punch, but it ain't no joke neither.

As for what the best Fairy-type will be, obvsly xerneas why does that thing learn close combat srsly

Anyways, day four's pack'a Spiritomb have been sent out onto Wonder Trade (started doin' this two days 'fore I posted about it, actually). In return, I received a Lv. 21 Japanese Woobat, a Lv. 10 Sentret, a Lv. 30 Quagsire, a Lv. 12 Espurr, and a newborn Japanese Ralts.

The Espurr was received from someone with only 8 hours clocked, so no hard feelin's. The Ralts, however... was Female, had Synchronize, and an Adamant nature. Either the breeder mindlessly tossed their Mega Gardevoir-incompatible, "worthless" Ralts onto Wonder Trade like a dick, or they intentionally gave away a Ralts capable of breedin' down more Ralts @ Synchronize (female Pokes have a 80% chance to pass down their ability to off-spring when bred with a not-Ditto)... with a lovely Adamant nature. Who knows what their intent was, but I'm happy either way. Might as well breed some synchronizes for chaining I intend to do later.

Interesting...

I was confused about Belch's usefulness at first, but upon further examination, it isn't a bad move at all.

No.

Belch is the Special version of Gunk Shot, which sacrifices your item in exchange for 10% more accuracy. It's a bad move usable only on Pokes that are using a berry for their set regardless.

Edit: Apparently all sound-based moves now go through Substitutes. The animation for Belch looks exactly like a sound based move, so it probably is one. Neat.

Certain types have a (new) immunity to related status, Fairy-type is a direct hard counter to the previously two most common types during the last two Generations, the aforementioned property of sound moves, Destiny Knot's new effect, Friend Safari Pokes havin' two guaranteed 31 IVs, Super Training... every Generation, there's more 'n more things to balance and expand competitive battlin', and even make the pre-battle stuff (breeding 'n EV trainin') more accessible to veterans 'n newbies alike. Ninty might be anti-competitive, but Game Freak sure as **** has us super-srs gamers' backs.

 

[Neosquid]

Lets talk about something very important... Fairies.

Brand new type, huge upcoming impact on the metagame, but where will which Fairy best lay they're Farfetched typing and strategies? Which Fairy has the best Chansey of being in the Elite group of pokes? Which will Rhy-don the high horse to OU?

Dedenne

But really, the fairies getting the most hype on Smogon seem to be Azumarill, Togekiss, and (Mega)Mawile. I don't know which will be the "best" right now, but I'll do some simple analysis on each of them. I won't be looking in detail at any of them, so it won't be amazing, but bear with me.

Clefable: Too outclassed for the upper tiers, and isn't good enough statwise to compete with some of the other pure fairies. Magic Guard, as always, will be its main saving grace. Not taking damage from poison, spikes, etc is really awesome. Might have competition with Sylveon and Slurpuff in the lower tiers, but I do believe Magic Guard puts in mostly above Slurpuff competitively.

Wigglytuff: Can't tell. Sadly one of the less useful fairies, and that normal typing is a hit and miss. On one hand, it can better counter ghost-types, and it also has better neutral STAB coverage. On the other hand, it loses most of its ability to counter fighting types. With Steel losing its ability to take on ghost types, Wigglytuff will have a niche among lower tier fairies, but its stats are not impressive whatsoever, although its high HP allows it to spam Double Edge with less recoil, at least. It will most likely end up being top tier NU if most of the other fairies end up in higher tiers.

Mr. Mime: I guess it doesn't learn Draining Kiss, so it can't abuse it with Technician, which really sucks for it, especially considering its hilarious HP stat. It might end up being a good low tier sweeper, since unlike most fairies, it has both above average offenses and speed. It has decent special bulk too, although its low HP and defense make any defensive sets outclassed (god it wishes it had Draining Kiss).

Togetic: A pre evo that's worth mentioning since it has amazing bulk with Eviolite. It might outclass the other low-tier defensive fairies in certain ways, although its crappy HP makes Wish passing a lesser option. It's also Stealth Rock weak and can't hold an item outside of Eviolite.

Azumarill: I've been hearing things about Bully Drum + Aqua Jet, which I guess it has now? Kind of surprised to see that getting so much hype, considering Belly Drum, but indeed, it's bulky enough to take certain hits even after using Belly Drum once. If the opposing team doesn't have either a wall that can outspeed, finish it off, and take an Aqua Jet, or strong priority, they're out. It also has great defensive typing, so its usefulness isn't limited to setting up and sweeping. Fantastic.

Granbull: The most physically bulky fairy in the game ('sides Arceus) if you take into account Indimidate. Besides Mawile, Carbink, and to a lesser extent Togekiss and Azumarill, every fairy has decent physical bulk at best. Considering that Mawile, Azumarill and Togekiss will probably be OU, and that Carbink seems to lack recovery, offense, and enough supportive moves, Granbull will be one of the best physical walls in the lower tiers. Sure, it lacks recovery, but a teammate can Wish support it. It also hits quite hard and gets EQ to hit most things that resist its STAB. I imagine that it will be UU due to the really unique role it plays. Countering many physical fighting types, physical dragon types, physical bug types, and physical dark types is really cool.

Gardevoir: It would have probably raised a few tiers even if it didn't get a mega, but it's looking to be pretty cool. Good speed and godlike Sp. Attack allow it to go offensive even without something like a Life Orb or Scarf, and things like Wish, Will o wisp, and great special bulk allow it to be supportive too (while still hitting like a truck). Really good.

Mawile: Like Gardy, I suspect it might have raised a tier or two even without its mega (Mawile with pure steel typing wasn't too bad in NU despite what its stats suggested), but it appreciates the mega form even more than Gardevoir does. I don't think I need to broadcast this thing's absurd power again. Sucker Punch partially makes up for its bad speed, Pain Split gives it recovery if it needs it, Intimidate, etc.

Togekiss: Not as obviously good as the new megas I just mentioned, but still pretty good. It can abuse flinches even better now with the addition of Sticky Web, making faster Pokemon vulnerable to being flinched. It also has some cool stuff that comes with being a flying type, like being immune to ground. It also has high physical bulk compared to Gardevoir and Florges, while having a great support movepool that Mawile and Azumarill lack.

Eh. That's it for now. Quite frankly I'm too lazy to go into more detailed research regarding Pokemon I'm not that interested in. I'm interested in Mawile, but I didn't need research to tell me that it's amazing. Perhaps I should look into certain damage calculations regarding Wigglytuff soon, I'm curious to see how well it could take moves like, say, Mismagius's +1 Thunderbolt, among other things.

No.

Belch is the Special version of Gunk Shot, which sacrifices your item in exchange for 10% more accuracy. It's a bad move usable only on Pokes that are using a berry for their set regardless. .

30 minutes prior to posting that I was under the impression that Belch was another crappy 1-time use move like Natural Gift, so finding out this wasn't the case caused me to briefly overrate it. I was briefly excited that Swalot might have a decent niche, but at work I had to accept the fact that a fairly accurate 120 BP poison-attack simply isn't worth giving up Black Sludge or Leftovers. Swalot with Belch looks pretty damn gimmicky, but maybe it's better than it seems. Key word being maybe, it'll probably end up still being a gimmick. It'll definitely be using it in game sometime, of course. It's a fun move even if it's not competitively good in most situations (maybe on Salac Seviper). I <3 it.

 

[Splash_King]

Maybe if Belch had perfect accuracy, guaranteed Poison (how the 'Karp does a poisonous belch from somethin' like a Garbodor not have ANY chance to inflict Poison?) and higher BP than Gunk Shot it'd be usable on a gimmick set competitively.

Sylveon wholly bests Clefable, Wigglytuff and Mr. Mime just by havin' better stats. Togetic gets reliable recovery, better bulk (for either spectrum), and a superior moveset overall, but Sylveon can actually hit things back. Hard. Wouldn't expect the two to play similar roles, 'sides bein' a go-to Sponge.

Granbull is ugly. Sylveon is cute. No comparison.

 

[Neosquid]

Mr. Mime outclasses it as a (somewhat) fast attacker, but I doubt Mr. Mime will be all that good as a fast attacker anyway. Granbull outclasses it as a physical tank, because let's be honest, 95/65 isn't horrible, but it's still not good in any sense of the word. 90/75 may not be much better but Intimidate goes a long way. Sylveon will probably be better in a supporting role than everything you mentioned in your post, yes.

 

[Splash_King]

Granbull outclasses it in an ugly contest.

fix'd

Stupid dogs.