I'm not sure if what I say is the exact reason. But Char X DD set is less versatile than Gyaras and Altarias one. While CharX DD sets commonly only run DClaw, FlareBlitz, EQ/Roost (which is a hard decision cause you have to think between been count or have recovery) and DD. MAltaria can run DD 3 attacks, DD roost and 2 attacks or DD roost refresh 1attack, and gyara can run DD 3 attacks, DD Sub 2 attacks.Why is it that Mega Gyarados/Altaria have their offensive DD sets as A+ but Zard X is at A? Aren't they all equal? If not, I'd like reasoning why :) cause I really can't see why Zard X isn't on par...
I don't think versatility matters at all for Zard X as knowing its moves (unless it's Bulky WoW, that's different) won't help you one bit. It still dgaf about 95% of the meta, so chances are, your team will be swept by a +1 Zard X most of the time. I use a set with Outrage over Dragon Claw (yes, Outrage) and it gets all the kills and more that you'd get with Earthquake. Honestly, it's just so damn good at sweeping I find it hard to believe that set isn't at A+.I'm not sure if what I say is the exact reason. But Char X DD set is less versatile than Gyaras and Altarias one. While CharX DD sets commonly only run DClaw, FlareBlitz, EQ/Roost (which is a hard decision cause you have to think between been count or have recovery) and DD. MAltaria can run DD 3 attacks, DD roost and 2 attacks or DD roost refresh 1attack, and gyara can run DD 3 attacks, DD Sub 2 attacks.
Also both have resistance to most common priority moves like aquajet and sucker punch, aren't weak to SR.
I wholeheartedly agree. I'd say that this meta isnt very nice to set up sweepers, but Zard does it so well, it is still a devastating force. It has a near-unresisted stab combo, the amazing tough claws, speed that poops on offense once boosted, and to top it off, it has a neat 130 Atk to play with. It def deserves an A+, though also no higher. (Well, I guess It cant be higher anyways, since a set cant be higher than its overall rank, but you get the point)I don't think versatility matters at all for Zard X as knowing its moves (unless it's Bulky WoW, that's different) won't help you one bit. It still dgaf about 95% of the meta, so chances are, your team will be swept by a +1 Zard X most of the time. I use a set with Outrage over Dragon Claw (yes, Outrage) and it gets all the kills and more that you'd get with Earthquake. Honestly, it's just so damn good at sweeping I find it hard to believe that set isn't at A+.
People have actually even called for a ban of geopass smeargle. It def deserves a rankgeomancy pass smeargle shouldn't be ranked lol
Regardless of whether a set is amazing doesn't really matter that much- it's kinda an old relic from DPP, but that doesn't mean the set doesn't deserve a rank. Only problem is that it's not common enough that many people can verify a ranking for itSpecs tran is not an extremely good set. You have other options for an offensive set such as stallbreaker tran or scarf tran anyway.
This thread isn't updated fully, so some important sets still aren't ranked. Something like Empoleon's defensive set falls in this category, as it is Empoleon's best set, and I definitely think it should be put at B- (where Empoleon is on the viability rankings). The set is capable of switching in on and either phazing, defogging on, setting up sr on, poisoning, or attacking a lot of common Pokemon, including Azu, Latios, Latias, Mega Latias, Mega Diancie [takes a big chunk, but penguin still avoids the 2hko, so it can be a good backup check], clefable, altaria without eq, mega slowbro, heatran [last resort check, but still works], and Manaphy.Any reason why Empoleon's defensive/hazard control set is unranked? It should probably be C or C- rank. The resistance to Stealth Rock and immunity to Toxic Spikes are great qualities as a Defogger and it is one of the few Pokemon that can feasibly carry both Stealth Rock and Defog. The metagame isn't too kind to it right now though because it doesn't really check many relevant Pokemon that well aside from Azu, but it does its job.
Just a heads up for Empoleon we'll be discussing moving it up next slate but yes its defensive set should be at the highest rank possible in regards to this threads nature in not exceeding its current rank. Agreeing with this.This thread isn't updated fully, so some important sets still aren't ranked. Something like Empoleon falls in this category, as defensive is it's best set, and I definitely think it should be put at B- (where Empoleon is on the viability rankings). The set is capable of switching in on and either phazing, defogging on, setting up sr on, poisoning, or attacking a lot of common Pokemon, including Azu, Latios, Latias, Mega Latias, Mega Diancie [takes a big chunk, but penguin still avoids the 2hko, so it can be a good backup check], clefable, altaria without eq, mega slowbro, heatran [last resort check, but still works], and Manaphy.
People know how threatening Emboar's power is, so yes, it certainly does force switches often. Against HO teams, a Sub is great for protecting you from fast attackers and the insurance from Sucker Punch means bad news for the Latis, Gengar, Landorus-I, etc. It's also terrific against balance with the amount of things you get a free sub on like Chansey, Heatran, Bisharp, Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Chesnaught for examples.Any reason why Empoleon's defensive/hazard control set is unranked? It should probably be C or C- rank. The resistance to Stealth Rock and immunity to Toxic Spikes are great qualities as a Defogger and it is one of the few Pokemon that can feasibly carry both Stealth Rock and Defog. The metagame isn't too kind to it right now though because it doesn't really check many relevant Pokemon that well aside from Azu, but it does its job.
Emboar should be in C- rank like in the viability rankings. Choice Band is probably D, Scarf should be C, Life Orb should be C- and SubPunch is probably C- or C, but I haven't used that set yet. Band has great trouble getting in on offensive teams and can be taken advantage of on Stall thanks to its item, but its sheer power allows it to 2HKO anything in OU with the right prediction thanks to Reckless. Scarf outspeeds all relevant non-Megas without Choice Scarves and it is still strong with Reckless. Life Orb is like Band, but can carry Sucker Punch for priority and is harder for Stall teams to take advantage of. It gets worn down the quickest out of all of Emboar's sets, however. SubPunch has the most longevity and takes advantage of Emboar's ability to force switches. I'll call Jaroda to talk about it since he has the most experience with it.
Scarf Gengar should be ranked for A- or A. It outspeeds pretty much everything and is tied with Latios for being the fastest viable Scarfer. Trick cripples would-be answers like SpD Gliscor and mixed Wall Hippowdown (which should also be ranked btw) and it's still fast and strong enough be greatly useful after the Trick. All in all, it's a great revenge killer, lure and cleaner that should be ranked.
A Pokemon's set doesn't necessarily need to be the same rank as the Pokemon itself, as even though no one set might be worthy of A+, the variety of sets at a Pokemon's disposal, as well as the overall effectiveness of each set, can be a factor to the Pokemon being ranked higher than its own sets.Just wondering: Mega ZardX is ranked A+, but only has ranked A sets. Is this a mistake or am I missing something?