Lower Tiers GSC Little Cup

[Zcarlett]

(Approved by Siatam)

(Banner by Hultizy)
GSC Little Cup is a format that has had several variations, notably being included in Pokémon Stadium 2 and having a Smogon played on and off since 2014. This thread will be picking up where the 2014 Smogon thread left off, continuing with a Smogon tiering policy. There are a number of mechanical differences in GSC and changes from the 2014 thread that anyone planning to play the format should consider:

• No Physical-Special Split: As a result, some Pokémon lose STAB that they would normally have in future generations, but get coverage in moves that would not normally be used like Hidden Power.​
• Limited Item Pool: Even compared to Generation 3, GSC LC sees a drastically reduced item pool. The 3 most common options are: Gold Berry being the standard as it effectively fully heals your Pokémon when they hit half health, Miracle Berry to block any sleep or paralysis attempts, or Item-less Thief to steal your opponent's item.​
• Early Turn Ends: Contrary to the more modern generations of Pokémon, the turn ends immediately upon a Pokémon faints. This allows for the usage of Explosion and Self-Destruct to end turns early or sacrificing a Pokémon to entry hazards.​
• Lack of Abilities: In Generation 2, Pokémon do not have abilities, meaning that Pokémon such as Koffing and Gastly are weak to Ground in this generation, Diglett cannot trap, Staryu is unable to cure status, etc.​

If you have any further questions, want to play the format against experienced players, need advice for a team you are building, or anything else of that nature, feel free to join our Discord server! Right now, the tier does not currently have a format on Pokemon Showdown! and as such you need to use a command to challenge someone on the site, which can be found in the Resources section of the page.

Resources:

Bans

All standard Gen 2 Smogon clauses apply
Pokemon: Chansey, Scyther
Moves: Dragon Rage, Sonic Boom, Present, Sleep Inducing Moves

Challenge Code

/challenge [Gen 2] NU @@@ Little Cup, -Chansey, -Scyther, -Sonic Boom, -Dragon Rage, -Present, -Sing, -Hypnosis, -Spore, -Sleep Powder, -Lovely Kiss

Tiering Council

Camden (Tier Leader)
Zcarlett

Viability Rankings

WARNING: HAVE NOT BEEN UPDATED SINCE SLEEP BAN
S Rank

S1 Rank

Porygon

S2 Rank

Elekid
Abra

A Rank

A1 Rank

Meowth
Houndour
Diglett
Staryu

A2 Rank

Mankey
Chinchou
Doduo

A3 Rank

Gastly
Ponyta
Omanyte
Pineco
Magnemite

B Rank

B1 Rank

Voltorb
Koffing
Cubone
Smoochum

B2 Rank

Sandshrew
Onix
Exeggcute

B3 Rank

Spinarak
Magby
Paras
Slowpoke
Snubbull
Bellsprout

C Rank

*Pokemon in C Rank are more niche options, and as such it is generally recommended for newer players to stay away from these Pokémon. Please do not argue about the ordering of Pokémon within this tier as they are only loosely ordered.

Machop
Poliwag
Ledyba
Bulbasaur
Natu
Grimer

Speed Tiers

19 Speed	Diglett, Elekid, Voltorb
18 Speed	Abra, Meowth, Poliwag, Ponyta, Staryu
17 Speed	Doduo, Gastly, Magby,
16 Speed	Chinchou, Houndour, Mankey, Natu, Onix, Smoochum
15 Speed	Ledyba
14 Speed	Bulbasaur, Magnemite
13 Speed	Bellsprout, Cubone, Exeggcute, Koffing, Machop, Omanyte, Porygon, Sandshrew
12 Speed	Snubbull, Grimer
11 Speed	Slowpoke, Pineco

Sample Teams

WARNING: HAVE NOT BEEN UPDATED SINCE SLEEP BAN
https://pokepast.es/b1ff646871927bf7 - Normal Spam by Zcarlett
https://pokepast.es/ac4efeef3f953415 - Standard Diglett Lead by Zcarlett
https://pokepast.es/ad2d93e54e89c97e - Pony Lead by naere
https://pokepast.es/8f0e64a55d33ecc3 - Paraspam by Zcarlett
https://pokepast.es/c7a3b06c84d688f9 - Elekid Diglett Spikes by corvere
https://pokepast.es/384d52247e0cdfdb - Electric Spam by corvere

 

[2xNoodle]

Are there mechanical differences between GSC and Stadium 2 mechanics? Not sure what the difference is between this format for LC and the Stadium 2 version that has it's own thread (which actually has in one of its more recent posts a statement that the thread is for both versions) besides Chancey and Scyther being banned in this format (and Present banned here while only proposed for ban there).

EDIT: Oh, are they different threads because the other one is 6-3 but this is straight 6v6?

 

[Zcarlett]

April 2024 Tiering Survey

After the conclusion of the kickoff tour, GSC LC is looking to gather opinions on the tiers health and a few specific issues that came up to be particularly problematic.

The survey can be found here: https://forms.gle/QANrFUJD69KE45qj6

 

[Zcarlett]

Sleep is now banned from GSC LC! (plus tiering survey results)

After the conclusion of the kickoff tour, a tiering survey was put in place to gauge opinions on the more divisive aspects of the tier.

The resources will be updated in due time to reflect this change.

Sleep was the primary object at the chopping block, with the majority of people being frustrated at the swingy nature that leads become as a result of this. 18 Speed Pokemon like Meowth and Ponyta using the inaccurate sleep move could easily turn the lead matchup into one big coinflip, not to mention how horrifying it was to run into a sleeper midgame.

Baton Pass may see further investigation and even tiering action in the very near future depending on how it functions with Sleep banned. The primary usage for BP is to pass stat boosts to a powerful sweeper, typically being Cubone with its high attack stat thanks to Thick Club. Not many Pokemon have the tools to deal with a Speed boosted Cubone, and as a result it can be a rather polarizing interaction.

Porygon was by far the least controversial part of this survey. From a conventional sense, Porygon has no defensive checks to its phenomenal STAB Double Edge, its special coverage of Ice Beam and Hidden Power Grass/Ground, and Thief for longevity. However due to it's low speed, it has been an easier Pokemon to position around compared to other more offensively minded threats.

I'm lumping Abra and Elekid together here because on paper they are very similar Pokemon, although they are different. Abra and Elekid are fast, offensively minded Pokemon that with only one real defensive switch in (Houndour and Diglett respectively). Given the variance in the way people responded and the shakeup that a sleepless meta will be, we will be sure to keep an eye on what kind of impact Elekid and Abra have on the meta going forward.