Other ORAS OU Viability Ranking: Sets (V2)

[heritage]

Approved by AM
Old thread by Valmanway


Have you ever looked at some sets on a Pokemon and wondered "Wow. How is this set A+ worthy?", or "Is this set really that much better than the other sets?"? Have you ever just wondered where your favorite sets truly stand in terms of viability? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then let me introduce you to OU Viability Ranking: Sets!

In this thread, we as a community will decide the viability of each individual set for every Pokemon that's viable in OU. There are a few rules here that will explain how things will work around here:

1. If a Pokemon is in the ORAS OU Viability Ranking list, regardless of how bad it is, then that Pokemon is going to be on this list as well, even if it's in D Rank.

2. Do not make nominations here for Pokemon that are not on the ORAS OU Viability Ranking list. Make those nominations there, as they will be ignored here, so no nominating Beartic for D Rank or anything like that.

3. A Pokemon's set cannot be ranked higher than its rank in the ORAS OU Viability Ranking list, so Sand Rush Excadrill can't be S Rank here because it's only A Rank there. If a Pokemon's ranking is moved down in the ORAS OU Viability Ranking list in a way that would make it lower than one of its set placements here, then its placement here is also lowered. No exceptions.

4. Post maturely and intelligently, as well as with good evidence and support for any nominations you make. I don't want to see any one-liners like "Why is *insert a Pokemon set* A Rank? It sucks, so bring it down!".

5. For the love of god, don't forget rule #4.

ORAS OU Ranking Sets Tier List

(In alphabetical order)

S Rank: Reserved for Pokemon that are amazing in the OU metagame. These Pokemon are usually able to perform a variety of roles effectively, or can just do one extremely well. Their use has low risk involved and high reward exerted. Pokemon in this rank have very few flaws that are patched up by numerous positive traits.

(Offensive Dragon Dance: S)
(Support: S)
(Special Attacker: S)
(Defensive Dragon Dance: A)

(Substitute + Calm Mind: S)
(Choice Specs: A+)
(Choice Scarf: A)
(Life Orb: A)

(All Out Attacker: S)
(Rock Polish/Agility: S)

(Rock Polish: S)
(Wallbreaker: S)
(Calm Mind: A+)

A Rank: Reserved for Pokemon that are fantastic in the OU metagame, and can sweep, support, or wall significant portions of the metagame. These Pokemon require less support than most others to be used effectively and have few flaws that can easily be compensated for when compared to their positive traits.

A+ Rank

(Choice Band: A+)
(Belly Drum: A+)
(Assault Vest: A-)

(Swords Dance: A+)
(Pursuit Trapper: A+)
Assault Vest: A-)

(Mega X)

Hide

(Bulky Will-O-Wisp: A-)

Charizard @ Charizardite X
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 248 HP / 148 SpD / 112 Spe
Careful Nature
- Earthquake / Fire Punch
- Dragon Claw
- Will-O-Wisp
- Roost

(Bulky Dragon Dance: A+)

Charizard @ Charizardite X
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 144 HP / 252 Atk / 112 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake / Fire Punch
- Roost

(Dragon Dance: A)

Charizard @ Charizardite X
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 104 HP / 220 Atk / 184 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Fire Punch / Flare Blitz
- Dragon Claw / Outrage
- Earthquake / Roost

(Swords Dance + Tailwind: A)

Charizard @ Charizardite X
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly / Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Tailwind
- Dragon Claw / Outrage
- Earthquake

(Unaware +Calm Mind: A+)
(Stealth Rock: A)
(Unaware Cleric + Wishpasser: A-)
(Magic Guard + Calm Mind: A+)

(All-Out Attacker: A+)
(Rock Polish: A+)
(Calm Mind: A)

(Life Orb: A+)
(Sub-Split Attacker: A+)
(Stall Breaker: A)
(Choice Scarf: A)

(Swords Dance: A+)
(Specially Defensive: A+)
(Defensive: A)
(Substitute + Toxic: C+)

(Offensive Dragon Dance: A+)
(Sub + Dragon Dance: A+)
(Mega RestTalk: B+)

(Specially Defensive: A+)
(Fast Support: A+)
(Choice Scarf: A)

Landorus-T (Choice Scarf: A+)
(Offensive Pivot: A)
(Defensive: A)
(Double Dance: A-)

Latios

Hide

(Life Orb: A+)

Latios @ Life Orb
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Psyshock
- Surf / Thunderbolt / Hidden Power Fire
- Defog / Roost

(Choice Scarf: A)

Latios @ Choice Scarf
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Psyshock
- Trick
- Hidden Power Fire / Surf

(Dual Screen: B)

Latios @ Light Clay
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Memento
- Draco Meteor / Hidden Power Fighting / Psychic

Lopunny (Mega) (All-Out Attacker: A+)
(Utility Attacker: A+)
(Sub + Power Up Punch: A)

(Swords Dance: A+)
(Specially Defensive: A+)
(Revenge Killer: A)
(Swords Dance + Natural Gift: B)

(Bulky SD: A+)
(Offensive SD: A)
(Defensive: A-)

(Utility: A+)
(Calm Mind: A)

(Prankster Attacker: A+)
(Nasty Plot: A)
(Defiant Attacker: A)

A Rank

(Baton Pass: A)
(Support: A)
(Offensive: A-)

(Wallbreaker: A)
(Specially Defensive: A-)

(Sand Rush Sweeper: A)
(Specially Defensive: B+
(Choice Scarf: B+)

(Utility: A)

(Offensive: A)
(Defensive: B+)

(Defensive Rocky Helmet: A)
(Lead: A)
(Scarf: B+)

(Offensive Defog: A)
(Defensive Defog: B+)

(Defensive: A)
(Calm Mind: A)

(Defensive: A)

(Tail Glow + Rain Dance: A)
(Calm Mind: A)
(Tail Glow + 3 Attacks: A)

(Revenge Killer: A)

(Physically Defensive: A)
(Specially Defensive: B)

(Physically Defensive: A)

Slowbro (Mega) (Calm Mind: A)
(Offensive Tank: A-)

(Offensive: A)
(Defensive: A)

(Life Orb: A)
(Assault Vest: A-)

(Choice Scarf: A)
(Choice Band: A)
(Support: A-)

(Offensive: A)
(Defensive: A-)

A- Rank

(Revenge Killer: A-)

(Special Attacker: A-)

(Wallbreaker: A-)

(Bulky Dragon Dance: A-)
(Defensive: B+)

(Specially Defensive: A-)
(Sub-toxic: A-)
(Offensive: A-)
(Choice Scarf: B+)

(Life Orb: A-)
(Lead: B+)

(Hazard Control: A-)
(Offensive: B)

(Substitute + 3 Attacks: A-)
(Choice Scarf: B+)

(Defensive Rain Support: A-)
(Offensive Rain Support: B+)

(Assault Vest: A-)
(Choice Specs: A-)
(Calm Mind: B+)

(Offensive Quiver Dance: A-)

(Swords Dance + 3 Attacks: A-)

B Rank: Reserved for Pokemon that are great in the OU metagame. These Pokemon have more notable flaws than those above them that affect how they function in the tier. Their positive traits still outshine their negatives, but they require a bit more team support to bring out their full potential.

B+ Rank

(Focus Sash / Life Orb: B+)
(Specially Defensive Poison Heal: B)
(Leech Seed: D)

(Support: B+)
(Wish Support: B+)

(Physically Defensive: B+)
(Belly Drum: B-)

(Choice Band: B+)
(Dragon Dance: B-)
(Bulky Roost: B)

(Swords Dance: B+)
(Choice Scarf: B+)

(Offensive Toxic Spikes: B+)
(Defensive Toxic Spikes: B+)
(Wallbreaker: B)

(Choice Scarf: B+)
(Choice Specs: B)

(Swift Swim Sweeper: B+)

(Swift Swim Mixed Attacker: B+)
(CritDra: B-)

(Spikes: B+)

(Wall Breaker: B+)
(Swords Dance + Substitute: B+)

(Specially Defensive: B+)
(Physically Defensive: B-)
(Custab Lead: C+)

(Calm Mind: B+)

(Swift Swim: B+)

(Hazard Control: B+)

(Lead: B+)
(Choice Band: B+)
(Choice Scarf: B)

(Stallbreaker: B+)
(Defensive: B)

(Choice Band: B+)
(Defensive: B-)
(Special Lure: B-)

(Life Orb: B+)

B Rank

(Pivot: B)

(Dedicated Lead: B)
(Dual Screens: B)
(Rain Dance: B-)

(Pivot: B)

(Assault Vest: B)

(Defensive: B)
(Bulky Trick Room: B-)

(Stallbreaker: B)
(Choice Specs: B)

(SubSD: B)

(Physically Defensive: B)

(Choice Specs: B)

(Physically Defensive: B)

(All-Out Attacker: B)
(Substitute: B)

(CB: B)
(Bulky SD: B-)
(Offensive SD: B-)

(Offensive: B)

(Cleaner: B)


B- Rank

(Wish Pass: B-)

(Swords Dance: B-)

(Defensive: B-)
(Choice Specs: C+)

(Dragon Dance: B-)
(Swords Dance: C+)

(Mixed Attacker: B-)
(Mega SD Wallbreaker: C+)

(Nasty Plot: B-)
(Sunny Day: B-)

Hydreigon (Wall Breaker: B-)
(Revenge Killer: C+)

(SD Cleaner: B-)

(Calm Mind: B-)

(Lead: B-)
(Quick Pass: B-)
(Offensive: C+)

(Defensive: B-)
(Assault Vest: B-)

(Choice Specs: B-)
(Cleric: B-)

(Assault Vest: B-)

(Swords Dance: B-)

(Dragon Dance: B-)
(Bulky Tank: C+)

(Physically Defensive: B-)
(Specially Defensive: B-)

C Rank: Reserved for Pokemon that have notable niches in the OU metagame, but have just as many notable flaws that prevent them from being effective. Pokemon in the C tier often require significant support to be effective. Pokemon from this rank tend to face a lot of competition with the more commonly used Pokemon.

C+ Rank

(Tank: C+)
(Trick Room: C)

(Offensive Pivot: C+)

(Wallbreaker: C+
(Guts: C)

(Physically Defensive: C+)

(Wallbreaker: C+)

(Choice Scarf: C+)

(Defensive: C+)

(All Out Attacker: C+)
(Work Up: C)

(Choice Band: C+)
(Choice Scarf: C+)

(Trapper: C+)

(Choice Band: C+)
(Dragon Dance: C+)

C Rank

(All-Out Attacker: C)
(Swords Dance: C)

(Focus Sash: C)
(Life Orb: C)

(Rapid Spin: C)

(Wallbreaker: C)

(Choice Scarf: C)

Entei (All-Out Attacker: C)

(Assault Vest: C)

(Lead: C)
(Physically Defensive: C-)
(MixApe: D)

(Calm Mind: C)

(Defensive: C)

(Sticky Web: C-)

(Agility: C)

C- Rank

Ampharos (Agility: C-)
(All-Out Attacker: C-)
(Specially Defensive: C-)

(Wish Passer: C-)

Dugtrio (Revenge Killer: C-)

(Baton Pass: C-)

(Tank: C-)

(SubRoost: C-)

(Life Orb: C-)

(Wallbreaker: C-)

(Geomancy: C-)
(Hazard Setter: D)

Whimsicott (Prankster: C-)

(Coil: C-)

D Rank: Reserved for Pokemon that are mediocre in the OU metagame, but are viable enough to justify their use on select teams. These Pokemon are either usable but have no real niche, or are only capable of doing their specific task and fail at doing anything more than that. Pokemon from this rank have multiple crippling flaws that prevent them from being successful a majority of the time, and are often severely outclassed because of it.

(Defensive: D)

(Choice Scarf: D)
(Stallbreaker: D)

(Dragon Dance: D)
(Swords Dance: D)

(MurderKrow: D)

(Shell Smash: D)

(Rain Sweeper: D)

(Assault Vest: D)

(Quick Pass: D)

(Life Orb: D)

(All-out Attacker: D)

(MoxieMence: D)

(Life Orb: D)

(Bulky Trick Room: D)

(Trick Room: D)

(Spikes Suicide Lead: D)

(Prankster: D)

(Choice Specs: D)

Have fun!

 

[heritage]

Reserved, just to be safe, you can post now.

E: lmao finally finished updating this thread it only took my three thousand years

 

[DarkNostalgia]

You don't have CM+MG clefable!

 

[Puralux]

There are two landorus-i

 

[MaestroDeSWAG]

Lando I is S and A+. Also, whatever's going on where like 5 mons are listed together than it just says like "life orb, C+" for all of them together is really confusing.

 

[SparksBlade]

Hide

Mega Gyara and Heatran(choice scarf)
zard-y exca ferro together(i assume you just havent put in the set names)
m-garde m-chomp (choice scarf)--->isn't actually informant about the sets, needs to be separately mentioned imo
latias manaphy (Tail Glow) maybe you messed the order
m-mana m-pinsir rotom-w m-scizor (SD+3 attacks) idek
hippo rachi is confusing as well
magnezone needs scarf as well
mamo could include the sash lead set
klefki is with kyu-b and hawlucha in sub+3 attacks
tenta and terrak are together, mention of scarf and band is confusing
B Rank LO section is messed (it's after conk)
quagsire in cleaner(idk if suicune should be there either)
in c+, cobalion gastro and m-medi are together
the grass-ghost is with heracross
the agility section later on is messed
in c-, ludicolo noivern smeargle tornadus-i panda are together

i guess that's most of it, feel free to point out any flaws in this

 

[Anduril]

Put Volcarona's Offensive QD set with the bulky one for now, and put TR next to Porygon2, Diancie (reg) and Cofagrigus

 

[bludz]

Landorus-I All-Out Attacker: S
Gliscor Swords Dance: A+
Sableye Calm Mind: A+
Sableye Utility: A+
Talonflame Stallbreaker: A or A+

Ferrothorn Utility: A
Charizard Y Wallbreaker: A
Rotom-W Defensive: A
Tyranitar Choice Scarf: A
Garchomp SD + Lum Berry (SR): A
Garchomp Rocky Helmet (SR): A
Gardevoir Stallbreaker: A
Tornadus-T Life Orb: A- (change to A if torn moves up in the viability ranks)
Tornadus-T Assault Vest: A-

These are my own personal opinions on the sets so yeah. Anyway I'll let you clean it up a bit before I post more as maybe you have sets listed for the mons that got lumped together.

 

[LeoLancaster]

Lando-I AoA and SR sets are missing.

 

[boltsandbombers]

Lando-I AoA and SR sets are missing.

They're basically the same set, as the all out Attacker set (Landorus) can just opt to run stealth rock over a coverage move.

 

[NinetyNineNo]

How come there are some mons with no sets up to their current rank?

 

[MANNAT]

Things Needed That Haven't Been Mentioned
Endeavor Keldeo
MG + CM Clefable
Defensive Lando-T
Rock Polish Mega Diancie
Sub + Disable Gengar
Sub PuP lopunny
Defiant Thundy-I
Lum SD Bisharp
Offensive Air Balloon Tran
Nastypass Celebi (sub+bp and bp)
Physically and Specially based LO Kyub
(more added as thread is cleaned up)

I'll add more as mons are unclumped.

 

[pretty little liAr]

Wall breaker Lando-I-S
Choicd Scarf Gengar-A
Swords Dance gliscor-A+
Rock Polish mega diancie-A+
Calm mind mega Sableye-A+
Utility Mega Sableye-A+
Life orb offensive clefable-A-/B+/B
Magma trapper heatran-A+
Dragon dance mega Gyarados-A+
Wall breaker thunderus (defiant)-A+
Choice specs latios (yes it is still used)-A
Nasty pass celebi-A
Wall breaker Mega Charizard Y-A
Sand Rush Excadrill-A
Choice Scarf excadrill-B+
Wall breaker mega gardevoir-A
Life orb latias-A/A-
Offensive pivot mega Manentric-A
Bulky Defog mega scizor-A/A-
Dragon dance Gyarados- A-
Para flinch jirachi- A-
Natural gift jirachi (thank starmiegod)- A-
Sub calm mind jirachi-B+/B
Reflect type starmie- B+
Choice Specs Raikou- A-
Life orb Tornadus-T-A
Assult Vest Tornadus-A

Just a few things, might have already been mentioned so just ignore unfortunate repeats.

 

[BlueLobster]

Skarmory's PDef set and Suicide set needs a mention. I'd say both B+ (maybe B for the PDef). Also WTF happened to B and lower, most of them have no sets.

What is MegaBro's "double dance" set, and why is is ranked higher than it's defensive one?

 

[Karxrida]

Things Needed That Haven't Been Mentioned
Endeavor Keldeo
MG + CM Clefable
Defensive Lando-T
Rock Polish Mega Diancie
Sub + Disable Gengar
Sub PuP lopunny
Defiant Thundy-I
Lum SD Bisharp
Offensive Air Balloon Tran
Nastypass Celebi (sub+bp and bp)
Physically and Specially based LO Kyub
(more added as thread is cleaned up)

I'll add more as mons are unclumped.

Lum SD Bisharp is treated as part of Defiant Attacker since all variants do the same job.

Also is Endeavor Keldeo really a thing? It sounds more like an OO move (assuming it's viable) than its own set.

 

[firehusky]

Just want to point out that Landorus-I also has an all out attacker set, that needs to be ranked along with RP and CM. Probably A+ or S is good for now, it's coverage is fantastic and screws up so many balanced builds.

Gliscor has a Specially Defensive set with SD, and is very effective in this meta. Definitely should be ranked too. imo, SD Gliscor should probably be S, many teams actually lack a switch in to +2 Gliscor, as it actually hits quite hard. It can just lol at Sableye and is also a decent answer to stuff like non HP Ice Landorus, non Icy Wind Gengar, and many other physical attackers.

(AV)
Also, I'll go ahead and nominate AV Tornadus-T for A rank. Tornadus-T in itself is very effective. It's an effective user of AV; as it becomes a great pivot with Regenerator, allowing it to offset SR damage, and U-turn which allows it to confer momentum and basically get back free health. AV Tornadus-T handles lots of Pokemon, such as Serperior (I know this isn't the most relevant threat but it's pretty common), All out attacking Landorus-I (just knocks off the Life Orb that Lando relies so much on), etc.

tl;dr, AV Tornadus-T makes for a very effective pivot with access to a bunch of nice utility moves like U-turn and Knock Off, while also having Regenerator, making it hard to wear down, and is able to go head to head against many Pokemon such as Serperior and Lando-I.

Oh yeah and btw Power Herb + Sky Attack Hawlucha really sucks, and imo SubLiechi and SubSD are much better options. SubLiechi is definitely B material, but Sky Attack is probs B- at best tbh.

 

[MANNAT]

Lum SD Bisharp is treated as part of Defiant Attacker since all variants do the same job.

Also is Endeavor Keldeo really a thing? It sounds more like an OO move (assuming it's viable) than its own set.

SD Lum and Blackglasses are two very different sets and Endeavor Keldeo is a legit niche set that can cripple and possibly even KO many of its normal counters, but it is somewhere in the Low A to High-Mid B range in terms of viability.

 

[AM]

Uh don't put Endeavor Keldeo. In fact only use basic terms for sets such as All Out Attacker, Calm Mind, Rock Polish in the case of Landorus-I as one example. Stealth Rock is considered an aspect of the All Out Attacker set which means you shouldn't be making a separate set rank for stuff such as this. All these Landorus sets should be S btw.

Specially Defensive Gliscor should just be A+ while Physically Defensive being A. I don't like the idea of putting "SD Gliscor" when there are a bunch of variations that in a general sense SpDef Gliscor is better in all those variations. Again this brings me back to just using basics and not try to count every single nuance people think requires an exclusive rank.

I'll make a much more in depth post to give you a "prelim" ranking I suppose for as much as possible cause this is a bit messy with people going on about everything they want but you need something to start off and from there people can add sets and foster discussion. Expect that later in the evening.

 

[Karxrida]

Just want to point out that Landorus-I also has an all out attacker set, that needs to be ranked along with RP and CM. Probably A+ or S is good for now, it's coverage is fantastic and screws up so many balanced builds.

Gliscor has a Specially Defensive set with SD, and is very effective in this meta. Definitely should be ranked too. imo, SD Gliscor should probably be S, many teams actually lack a switch in to +2 Gliscor, as it actually hits quite hard. It can just lol at Sableye and is also a decent answer to stuff like non HP Ice Landorus, non Icy Wind Gengar, and many other physical attackers.

Mons cannot be listed in ranks higher than their Viability Ranking... ranks.

 

[MANNAT]

Also, can you add don't post sets because Verlis has told you that they are good to the rules?

 

[AM]

I think this should be a given but echoing the point above me let's not add unviable sets. If it's garbage there's no point in establishing a ranking for it when it should be the usable sets in the meta. So saying stuff like "Specs Scizor" or w/e abomination you come up with is the general principle of what I mean. Basically let's not include obviously bad stuff.

 

[Karxrida]

I love how we have to establish that we won't rank bad/unviable things.

Anyway, Smeargle's set should be GeoPasser while Espeon's should be GeoPass Recipient/Sweeper, as those are the only reason either are worth using.

 

[MaestroDeSWAG]

Just want to point out that Landorus-I also has an all out attacker set, that needs to be ranked along with RP and CM. Probably A+ or S is good for now, it's coverage is fantastic and screws up so many balanced builds.

Gliscor has a Specially Defensive set with SD, and is very effective in this meta. Definitely should be ranked too. imo, SD Gliscor should probably be S, many teams actually lack a switch in to +2 Gliscor, as it actually hits quite hard. It can just lol at Sableye and is also a decent answer to stuff like non HP Ice Landorus, non Icy Wind Gengar, and many other physical attackers.

As was mentioned slightly, the blackglasses set, as far as I've seen, is more of a pursuit trapper, where as swords dance is obviously meant to sweep more than to eliminate specific threats.

Also, since we're talking about bisharp, I think assault vest deserves a mention.

 

[dadoux]

Mega-Slowbro being A+ but having every set lower than A+ is a bit weird isn't it?

 

[Karxrida]

As was mentioned slightly, the blackglasses set, as far as I've seen, is more of a pursuit trapper, where as swords dance is obviously meant to sweep more than to eliminate specific threats.

Also, since we're talking about bisharp, I think assault vest deserves a mention.

Assault Vest is already mentioned.