Resource Ask a simple question get a simple answer: RU edition

[Lord Death Man]

Hydro Pump hits harder than waterfall, even after the higher attack, because of it's higher base power (110 vs 80). A lot of threats in the metagame are either extremely frail (like Hitmonlee), or have naturally lower special defense (Drapion, Tangrowth). In addition, Ice Beam is widely considered one of Sharpedo's best coverage moves, and it hits harder than Ice Fang.

Here's some relevant physical vs special calcs

in favor of special

252+ SpA Life Orb Sharpedo Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Drapion: 263-309 (93.5 - 109.9%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Sharpedo Waterfall vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Drapion: 164-192 (58.3 - 68.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Life Orb Sharpedo Waterfall vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Gurdurr: 134-160 (35.8 - 42.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Sharpedo Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Eviolite Gurdurr: 238-281 (63.6 - 75.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Life Orb Sharpedo Crunch vs. 216 HP / 200+ Def Seismitoad: 161-191 (39.7 - 47.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Life Orb Sharpedo Dark Pulse vs. 216 HP / 0 SpD Seismitoad: 191-226 (47.1 - 55.8%) -- 19.9% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery (phys def Seis is for Tyrantrum btw)

252+ SpA Life Orb Sharpedo Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Durant: 368-434 (143.1 - 168.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Sharpedo Waterfall vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Durant: 160-188 (62.2 - 73.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Life Orb Sharpedo Waterfall vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Ambipom: 247-292 (84.8 - 100.3%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Sharpedo Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Ambipom: 290-343 (99.6 - 117.8%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO

-1 252+ Atk Life Orb Sharpedo Waterfall vs. 248 HP / 232+ Def Granbull: 105-125 (27.4 - 32.6%) -- 67% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Life Orb Sharpedo Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Granbull: 312-368 (81.4 - 96%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252+ Atk Life Orb Sharpedo Waterfall vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mega Steelix: 172-203 (48.5 - 57.3%) -- 87.5% chance to 2HKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Sharpedo Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Mega Steelix: 307-367 (86.7 - 103.6%) -- 25% chance to OHKO

252+ Atk Life Orb Sharpedo Waterfall vs. 132 HP / 0 Def Tangrowth: 73-86 (19.5 - 22.9%) -- possible 5HKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Sharpedo Hydro Pump vs. 132 HP / 0 SpD Tangrowth: 179-211 (47.8 - 56.4%) -- 85.9% chance to 2HKO

in favor of physical

252+ SpA Life Orb Sharpedo Dark Pulse vs. 232 HP / 4 SpD Venusaur: 149-177 (41.5 - 49.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Sharpedo Crunch vs. 232 HP / 0 Def Venusaur: 207-243 (57.6 - 67.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Life Orb Sharpedo Crunch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Virizion: 116-136 (35.8 - 41.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Sharpedo Dark Pulse vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Virizion: 60-71 (18.5 - 21.9%) -- possible 5HKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Sharpedo Zen Headbutt vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Virizion: 309-364 (95.3 - 112.3%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Sharpedo Ice Beam vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Virizion: 182-216 (56.1 - 66.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Life Orb Sharpedo Waterfall vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Hitmonlee: 290-343 (120.3 - 142.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Sharpedo Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Hitmonlee: 191-226 (79.2 - 93.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ SpA Life Orb Sharpedo Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Meloetta: 242-289 (70.9 - 84.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Sharpedo Crunch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Meloetta: 439-517 (128.7 - 151.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ Atk Life Orb Sharpedo Crunch vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Slowking: 296-351 (75.3 - 89.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Life Orb Sharpedo Dark Pulse vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Slowking: 281-330 (71.5 - 83.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252+ SpA Life Orb Sharpedo Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Eelektross: 165-196 (44.1 - 52.4%) -- 16% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Sharpedo Waterfall vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eelektross: 212-251 (56.6 - 67.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Life Orb Sharpedo Waterfall vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Escavalier: 169-200 (49.1 - 58.1%) -- 98% chance to 2HKO
252+ SpA Life Orb Sharpedo Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Escavalier: 133-157 (38.6 - 45.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

I'm sure there's more, but hopefully that helps make it clear why special is the preferred set for many people. It's also worth keeping in mind that it's also really easy and somewhat popular to support special shark with nasty plot pass togetic, while the best swords dance passers just aren't as reliable.

 

[Thatwackycruton]

I can definitely support the above post by Lord Death Man. I actually am running physical shark on my team (I am not saying for a second that physical shark is better than special. I'm just saying I prefer it) This is mostly because of two things. The first is more reliablility. Yeah, you could run surf, but that's generally only good with nasty pass Togetic in the wings. Missing hydro just sucks. My second is Zen headbutt. So many cheeky offensive teams will run virizion or venusaur as a sharpedo check only to watch them be wasted by zen headbutt. Also, keep in mind that while 95 special attack might not sound to hot, it can be run with a modest nature, giving it a bit more juice than one might expect. This, along with the LO boost, actually gives it really solid power.

 

[Thatwackycruton]

Sorry for double posting, but when will the voter identification thread be up for the RU suspect test?

 

[EonX]

Sorry for double posting, but when will the voter identification thread be up for the RU suspect test?

It usually doesn't go up until we're 7 days into the suspect period. So look for it this Tuesday or Wednesday.

 

[Thatwackycruton]

Okay, thank you.

 

[xRoyUltra]

Just out curiosity when is Hoopa Confined going to be ranked?

 

[MrAldo]

Whenever the new viability ranking thread comes out, which is hopefully soon

 

[Cheryl.]

Is Cofagrigus any good right now? I've been thinking of trying out a Trick Room + Nasty Plot set for late-game cleaning, but I'm not really sure if it's good or not.

 

[Thatwackycruton]

I'm not saying that it would be bad, but I think that TR Diancie or Slowking are better options unless your team needs a Ghost type. I played with TR slowking quite a bit and found it to be pretty good.

 

[Lord Death Man]

Cofagrigus is alright, but it's really let down by the low base power of it's attacks; every time I've used OTR Cofagrigus, I've used it specifically because I needed a fighting check, Durant check, Glalie check, fletch check, soft Tyrantrum check, and a cleaner in one slot. I've found Colbur Berry to be it's best item by far as well, Leftovers are sort of mediocre, Life Orb kills it's usefulness and Spell Tag rarely helps you secure a 2hko/ohko.

The addition of Absol, Venusaur and Diancie to the tier also make it struggle quite a bit, as it can't really do that much back to them, and they all threaten it immensely while being fairly common. You can't even try to use it to lure Absol, as HP Fighting doesn't ohko. It does check a lot of anti-offense threats in a single slot, but it doesn't really do much else. I disagree that OTR Slowking or Diancie are good replacements though, since they check completely different things. It's also let down by being so weak it tries to get 2hkos while relying on a move that last 4 turns.

 

[Realistic Waters]

can someone tell me the most effective Venusaur set(s)?

 

[Kableye]

can someone tell me the most effective Venusaur set(s)?

Try these sets. I've been trying this set with some success but those are generally better.

4atks

Venusaur @ Life Orb
Ability: Overgrow
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Leaf Storm[/URL]

 

[Cogito]

What is the best way to make reqs? I am trying to ladder for the RU suspect and have some teams available but every time I get some good progress, I lose and then crash down. I either overpredict on the lower ladder or be very straight forward, costing me kills. I got so mad that I lost to hax that I quit showdown for the rest of the day.

Any verteren players or new players who made reqs, any advice would be helpful.

 

[Take Azelfie]

What is the best way to make reqs? I am trying to ladder for the RU suspect and have some teams available but every time I get some good progress, I lose and then crash down. I either overpredict on the lower ladder or be very straight forward, costing me kills. I got so mad that I lost to hax that I quit showdown for the rest of the day.

Any verteren players or new players who made reqs, any advice would be helpful.

There are a lot of ways, Stall is for some reason popular rn (IDK Y) so bring stall breakers. Also make sure your sweeper is a reliable one. It may be slower but less riskier. Scarf Emboar is really good for dealing with ant and TTrum although defensive is also nice. Finally you can just bring a sub-style like Rain, Sticky Webs, Dedicated MawPass/TogePass to blow unexpected people back

 

[Cogito]

There are a lot of ways, Stall is for some reason popular rn (IDK Y) so bring stall breakers. Also make sure your sweeper is a reliable one. It may be slower but less riskier. Scarf Emboar is really good for dealing with ant and TTrum although defensive is also nice. Finally you can just bring a sub-style like Rain, Sticky Webs, Dedicated MawPass/TogePass to blow unexpected people back

Thanks for the reply.

I understand how the meta works and which pokes are the major threat lists but I feel my problem is the way I am too aggressive or overpredict which bites me in the ass.

So do you make your own teams for the reqs or use other people's teams because the teams I make look good on paper but don't perform all that great. I also get easily frustrated with crits or hax in general. To get to reqs I need 1400+ rating and here I am struggling to get past 1200 consistently.

 

[atomicllamas]

Thanks for the reply.

I understand how the meta works and which pokes are the major threat lists but I feel my problem is the way I am too aggressive or overpredict which bites me in the ass.

So do you make your own teams for the reqs or use other people's teams because the teams I make look good on paper but don't perform all that great. I also get easily frustrated with crits or hax in general. To get to reqs I need 1400+ rating and here I am struggling to get past 1200 consistently.

/rank opponents name

if they have a good record, making predictions risky predictions might be worth it, if not, I'd just play safe.

 

[Cogito]

/rank opponents name

if they have a good record, making predictions risky predictions might be worth it, if not, I'd just play safe.

Okay and what about changing your play style as you go up? My hazard stacking team does well until 1200 and then balance seems be better..or should I adopt one style and see it all the way through?

 

[lighthouses]

Always play semi-safe, dont ever make predictions that are too risky regardless of how many points your dude should have, try to always make the best midgrouds when you wanna shift momentum(opp has a virizion in front of your rhyperior, you're sure that hes gonna double but instead of just attacking the rhyperior predicting a switch you go into your durant, since it covers the possible double switch, leaf blade or sd, all moves that he is most likely to make, regardless of skill level) sorry if i couldnt express myself too well, am on my phone and english isnt my first language, hope i helped though! Peace

 

[Lord Death Man]

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with using a Life Orb set on Rotom-C and, if so, how their experience with it was? Noticed it got a few key 2hkos and even ohkos over expert belt - notably on 0/0 Venusaur (26% vs like a 95%) while having a like 50% change vs Mega Steelix, plus good odds to ohko offensive Flygon with leaf storm.

I was also wondering which hidden power was best? HP Flying seems very appealing for Virizion, hitting a cool 2hko vs an otherwise somewhat safe switch in, while HP Ice knocks out all Flagon sets easily. Also curious about Thunderbolt vs Wilo / Pain Split, Tbolt seems like the most useful but I was hoping I could get some other opinions.

 

[lighthouses]

yeah, i've used life orb rotom for a bit after sharpedo was banned(it had an yachee) and it felt pretty much the same, personally i run no hidden power whatsoever since i feel like grass/electric cover is more than enough and having willo gives you something to at least annoy venusaur/amoonguss and such(even though volt switch kind of does that, willo is better at that in the long run), so 3 stabs and willo is what i've used; it did okay since rotom is a little hard to switch into but nothing special

 

[Take Azelfie]

I've been trying to build around Specs Melo + NP Doom for awhile now but with the lost of Durant I find myself not finding anything that help the team balance out. Any clues?

 

[Deeerpz]

I literally got into the RU tier 15 minutes ago. I have been an avid NU player a while back, and just started again recently. After dabbling in NU for a while, I realized I wanted to get to know a new tier and chose RU.

So basically what I want to know is:

- what are the biggest differences between NU and RU?
- What archetypes are the most popular right now?
- How harshly is the tier centered around a handful of mon?
- What do I definitely need to account for in teambuilding to get a good RU team?

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[Take Azelfie]

I literally got into the RU tier 15 minutes ago. I have been an avid NU player a while back, and just started again recently. After dabbling in NU for a while, I realized I wanted to get to know a new tier and chose RU.

So basically what I want to know is:

- what are the biggest differences between NU and RU?
- What archetypes are the most popular right now?
- How harshly is the tier centered around a handful of mon?
- What do I definitely need to account for in teambuilding to get a good RU team?

Thanks in advance for the help!

Balance and Bulky Offense are the best.
MLix is really centralizing. Mola is really good. Virizion is one of the best sweepers ATM.
Bring a rock resist so you don't lose to Tyrantrum.

 

[Kableye]

- what are the biggest differences between NU and RU?
not a big NU player so i wouldn't know the exact details. i do know that unlike nu we have dragon types which are pretty influential (in fact one of them, tyrantrum, currently has a pretty large part of the community hoping it is re-suspect tested). mega steelix also makes a huge difference, as it + a bulky water is a really common core.

- What archetypes are the most popular right now?
what azelfie said above, BO and balance. stall is interesting, I haven't really seen it pulled off in a way that's is super impressive. hyper offense is pretty much dead because of Tyrantrum, tho there are ways like Mawile to get around it.

- How harshly is the tier centered around a handful of mon?
Its pretty centered around Mega Steelix, Tyrantrum, Alomomola, Virizion and Venusaur, I'd say these are the 4most influential mons atm.
**5 things I never learned numbers
- What do I definitely need to account for in teambuilding to get a good RU team?
This dope thread might be helpful (its a work in process, my apologies i have a life irl). I would say if you are going to go for BO/balance make sure you have:
-Steelix + bulky water breaker (Virizion, Meloetta, Slowking, etc)
-Fighting type check (we have a lot so gl covering them all)
-Psychic type check (see the fighting check part)

I suggesting building a team and heading to the lovely rarelyused room on pokemonshowdown and someone look at it for you! welcome to ru and good luck man!

 

[Miyami~~]

- How harshly is the tier centered around a handful of mon?
Its pretty centered around Mega Steelix, Tyrantrum, Alomomola, Virizion and Venusaur, I'd say these are the 4 most influential mons atm.

That's 5 things...