Metagame NP: Stage 0 - We've Only Just Begun (Welcome to SV NU) [Quickbans Post #142]

[Oathkeeper]

Hello everyone! We've finally got our SV NU Alpha that we've been waiting for. After about 2.5 months of OU, UU, and RU having their fun with new toys, it's our turn. As with any alpha state of a meta, there won't be any bans until beta hits on March 1. Until then, we can have all the fun we want with the mons that RU was kind enough to give us via the usage stats from January. The list of mons that we got is below (anything used in RU with a usage % of less than 4.52%). Feel free to discuss any happenings, trends, or notable mons in this thread!

NU mons

| 45 | Zoroark | 4.262% |
| 46 | Venomoth | 4.201% |
| 47 | Oricorio-Sensu | 4.169% |
| 48 | Frosmoth | 4.058% |
| 49 | Braviary | 4.027% |
| 50 | Goodra | 3.988% |
| 51 | Masquerain | 3.855% |
| 52 | Crocalor | 3.825% |
| 53 | Drifblim | 3.709% |
| 54 | Dudunsparce | 3.707% |
| 55 | Medicham | 3.681% |
| 56 | Veluza | 3.513% |
| 57 | Mabosstiff | 3.507% |
| 58 | Rabsca | 3.478% |
| 59 | Oricorio-Pom-Pom | 3.256% |
| 60 | Eelektross | 3.242% |
| 61 | Umbreon | 3.186% |
| 62 | Jolteon | 3.166% |
| 63 | Sandaconda | 3.160% |
| 64 | Copperajah | 3.077% |
| 65 | Spidops | 3.075% |
| 66 | Glimmet | 3.045% |
| 67 | Lycanroc | 2.634% |
| 68 | Farigiraf | 2.551% |
| 69 | Honchkrow | 2.538% |
| 70 | Clawitzer | 2.377% |
| 71 | Indeedee-F | 2.287% |
| 72 | Bruxish | 2.238% |
| 73 | Passimian | 2.201% |
| 74 | Chansey | 2.196% |
| 75 | Ursaring | 2.148% |
| 76 | Basculin | 2.098% |
| 77 | Vaporeon | 2.069% |
| 78 | Morgrem | 2.001% |
| 79 | Qwilfish | 1.964% |
| 80 | Oricorio | 1.889% |
| 81 | Squawkabilly | 1.875% |
| 82 | Klawf | 1.826% |
| 83 | Beartic | 1.771% |
| 84 | Whiscash | 1.631% |
| 85 | Muk | 1.511% |
| 86 | Zangoose | 1.504% |
| 87 | Scyther | 1.470% |
| 88 | Scovillain | 1.411% |
| 89 | Toxicroak | 1.388% |
| 90 | Vivillon | 1.200% |
| 91 | Skuntank | 0.978% |
| 92 | Lurantis | 0.977% |
| 93 | Flareon | 0.922% |
| 94 | Cacturne | 0.878% |
| 95 | Lilligant | 0.791% |
| 96 | Flapple | 0.790% |
| 97 | Appletun | 0.757% |
| 98 | Houndoom | 0.743% |
| 99 | Crabominable | 0.724% |
| 100 | Vespiquen | 0.720% |
| 101 | Gogoat | 0.705% |
| 102 | Wugtrio | 0.668% |
| 103 | Perrserker | 0.607% |
| 104 | Camerupt | 0.539% |
| 105 | Spiritomb | 0.504% |
| 106 | Jumpluff | 0.492% |
| 107 | Tinkatuff | 0.488% |
| 108 | Luxray | 0.482% |
| 109 | Gothitelle | 0.427% |
| 110 | Haunter | 0.414% |
| 111 | Rotom | 0.413% |
| 112 | Hattrem | 0.412% |
| 113 | Dugtrio | 0.395% |
| 114 | Falinks | 0.371% |
| 115 | Slaking | 0.352% |
| 116 | Ampharos | 0.344% |
| 117 | Tauros-Paldea-Combat | 0.334% |
| 118 | Eiscue | 0.333% |
| 119 | Glaceon | 0.270% |
| 120 | Toedscool | 0.267% |
| 121 | Dunsparce | 0.236% |
| 122 | Banette | 0.233% |
| 123 | Rotom-Frost | 0.223% |
| 124 | Carkol | 0.201% |
| 125 | Dedenne | 0.185% |
| 126 | Persian | 0.179% |
| 127 | Raichu | 0.177% |
| 128 | Sawsbuck | 0.167% |
| 129 | Golduck | 0.152% |
| 130 | Electrode | 0.149% |
| 131 | Kricketune | 0.124% |
| 132 | Stonjourner | 0.117% |
| 133 | Drakloak | 0.103% |
+ ---- + ------------------ + ------- +

NU Council

Meri Berry (TL)
Finchinator (TL)
Rabia (TL)
OnArceus
Ren-chon
etern
Luck O' the Irish
Pokeslice

 

[iLiekMudkipz_]

first

FROGADIER HYPE


Frogadier @ Choice Specs
Ability: Protean
Tera Type: Ground
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Tera Blast
- Grass Knot

 

[Finchinator]

| 64 | Copperajah | 3.077% |

| 49 | Braviary | 4.027% |
| 50 | Goodra | 3.988% |

| 63 | Sandaconda | 3.160% |

| 70 | Clawitzer | 2.377% |
| 71 | Indeedee-F | 2.287% |

| 73 | Passimian | 2.201% |

| 77 | Vaporeon | 2.069% |

| 89 | Toxicroak | 1.388% |

Welcome back home my friends

 

[Kizaco]

Can’t wait to actually play NU it’s usually just right when it comes to power level

 

[mothra_moth]

#Frosmothsweep is coming.
Where will you be when they Moth all over everything?

 

[Tornadic]

Goodra is looking mad spooky. Nothing is breaking the AV set.

 

[Kizaco]

Does anyone know when NU will be playable? I can’t see the tier in team builder rn

 

[Pabloaram]

Hello Hazzard control.. where are you??

is the only fully evolved rapid spiner. meta let's go

are okay-ish option from defog

 

[WilhelmTheOkay]

It is time, the gang is together

 

[iLiekMudkipz_]

#Frosmothsweep is coming.
Where will you be when they Moth all over everything?

with my lycanroc

"frosmoth is kil"

"yes"

 

[Perla]

Who's going to be the best defogger/spinner?

- Braviary
- Drifblim
- The Oricorios
- Lurantis
- Scyther
- Toedscool
- Quaxwell

 

[Pabloaram]

Who's going to be the best defogger/spinner?

- Braviary
- Drifblim
- The Oricorios
- Lurantis
- Scyther
- Toedscool
- Quaxwell

Stop bulling my man Deligoat

 

[Machineae]

Lots of super exciting things for us to use. Gonna be using Goodra quite a bit in response to all the quiver dance mons.

Goodra @ Assault Vest
Ability: Sap Sipper
Tera Type: Steel
EVs: 252 HP / 160 SpD / 96 Spe
Careful Nature
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Dragon Claw
- Power Whip​

Going full physical to take advantage of Rock Slide against brokenmoth/ori/vivi. EQ should also function nicely because I’m expecting a bunch of SpDef Pers/Copper.
Speed/SpDef evs are nonsense until the homework is done on speed tiers.

+4 252+ SpA Venomoth Bug Buzz vs. 252 HP / 160+ SpD Assault Vest Goodra: 144-171 (37.5 - 44.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

Fat dragon save us

​

 

[TTK]

>| 86 | Zangoose | 1.504% |
>| 81 | Squawkabilly | 1.875% |
>| 115 | Slaking | 0.352% |
>| 55 | Medicham | 3.681% |

Time to play this tier.

 

[1LDK]

Okay but, here is a fun fact
has rapid spin
does not
therefore, in this particular aspect, wins
Everything is gonna be fine boys, now let me just start spamming webs all over the tier for early Halloween decoration of course

 

[Duck Chris]

I've been toying with Glaceon a it, and I discovered that very few can safely switch into Glaceon once it gets 2 Calm Minds off. I had some decent success on a max Defense set that keeps the Modest Nature and with Leftovers this thing is surprisingly bulky under snow, but I'm experimenting with Weakness Policy right now as well

 

[N ™]

Who's going to be the best defogger/spinner?

- Braviary
- Drifblim
- The Oricorios
- Lurantis
- Scyther
- Toedscool
- Quaxwell

Love how delibird, despite being the only fully evolved spinner, isn't even in the question

 

[Meri Berry]

Reminder that you should be putting a bit of effort into your posts, future one liners will be deleted. Hypotheticals or questions are fine since the tier is about an hour old, but please do not make a post that doesn't add to the thread. Thanks!

 

[Perla]

Love how delibird, despite being the only fully evolved spinner, isn't even in the question

All the mons listed above have higher base stats than Delibird

In extremis I could have added Frosmoth or Carkol (still higher stats than the bird) xD

 

[mothra_moth]

After a generation of begging, and pleading with the powers that be to get coverage that hits the fire and steel types it hates, Frosmoth is back, and is ready to bully anything that doesn't resist either one of it's three moves.

Revenge (Frosmoth) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Ice Scales
Tera Type: Ground
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Quiver Dance
- Bug Buzz
- Ice Beam
- Tera Blast​

Just go all in on maximizing your special attack and speed here, standard QD user stuff here.
Ground Tera type is to make fire, rock and steel types regret they switched in when you pull it out.

Some stupid calcs for fun


252+ SpA Tera Ground Frosmoth Tera Blast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Lycanroc: 396-468 (136 - 160.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO (You DO have to fear close combat though)

252+ SpA Tera Ground Frosmoth Tera Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Magneton: 504-592 (165.7 - 194.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ SpA Tera Ground Frosmoth Tera Blast vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Copperajah: 374-444 (83.6 - 99.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

I'm so excited to use Frosmoth in this tier.

 

[Squaredash]

Glimmet looks like it’ll be really annoying with so few spinners and defoggers left, and those that are don’t actually want to switch into a power gem or sludge bomb, as they provide great coverage against the flying types that comprise most of the remaining hazard removers. I don’t think a pokemon so frail and slow will define the tier, but it will certainly show up on a lot of teams I think.

 

[Eve]

Klawf @ Heavy-Duty Boots / Rocky Helmet
Ability: Regenerator
Tera Type: Poison
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Rock Blast
- Knock Off
- High Horsepower
- Stealth Rock

This guy is really splashable, not at all sure about the EVs but Regen Rocks is amazing and especially when it comes with Knock Off which is super rare otherwise. Tera Poison lets you own Passimian and remove TSpikes which is vital for any team that wants to play even slightly defensively. Give it a go!

 

[WilhelmTheOkay]

Some stuff:


Whiscash @ Leftovers
Ability: Oblivious
Tera Type: Steel
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Earthquake
- Liquidation
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes

A taunt-immune hazard stacker with a good defensive typing and bulk. EVs are basically a placeholder for a mixed set. One of my favorite pokemon and could have a real niche!


Crocalor @ Eviolite
Ability: Unaware
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flamethrower
- Slack Off
- Will-O-Wisp
- Roar

Talked about how much I liked this guy in the RU and I can only imagine he'll be even better in this tier. The only viable Unaware pokemon this low down with access to reliable recovery, useful status moves like Wisp, Roar, and Encore. With Eviolite this guy has very solid bulk with a nice 90 SPA Flamethrower to not be entirely passive.


Magneton @ Eviolite
Ability: Analytic
Tera Type: Water / Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Discharge / Thunderbolt
- Flash Cannon
- Volt Switch
- Tera Blast

While Magneton can act as a trapper for the presumably good Copperjah (w/o Assualt Vest). What I find fun is the ton of extra bulk from it gets from Eviolite to become a super sturdy special attacker that can really punish switches with Analytic.


Fraxure @ Life Orb / Eviolite
Ability: Mold Breaker
Tera Type: Fire / Dragon
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Iron Head / First Impression
- Tera Blast / Stomping Tantrum

With a surprisingly high attack stat of 117 and access to Dragon Dance + Mold Breaker, Fraxure can certainly bring the pain. It also has a nice variety of coverage moves with Dragon/Fire/Steel offering perfect coverage and Dragon/Bug/Ground offering effectively perfect coverage + priority.


Tinkatuff @ Eviolite
Ability: Mold Breaker
Tera Type: Ghost
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Careful Nature
- Knock Off
- Encore
- Stealth Rock
- Thunder Wave

Yay more Eviolite NFEs! And this one looks quite annoying with a fantastic typing, good defenses with her special purple rock, and a wide variety of support options including those listed above along with Fake Out. While not as all encompassing as her big sister with her hammer, Tinkatuff could be a fun pokemon to play around with.

 

[Stories]

Who's going to be the biggest bird in NU?

- One of few Defog users available in the tier, has a good matchup against most hazard setters and even deters opposing Defog thanks to Defiant.
- One of the most POWERFUL Pokemon in the tier. Its STAB Brave Bird and Close Combat as coverage 2HKO's almost everything available in the tier, and now has Sheer Force Body Slam to consider, along with U-Turn.
- Extremely bulky when invested, and appreciates defensive Tera a lot. I can imagine Ground and Steel pairing very well with Defog sets, and Fire on Bulk Up sets to beat Crocalor 1v1.


- Very powerful priority in Sucker Punch, further boosted by Moxie. Can definitely snowball games against offensive teams. Beyond Moxie, its other abilities are quite useful. Super Luck crit sets can muscle past Coil Sandaconda and other defense-boosters, and Insomnia can allow it to pivot into the Sleep Powder QD monsters like Vivillon and Venomoth.
- More powerful than Braviary, and can even use STAB Acrobatics now. It lost Superpower, but Fighting coverage isn't that necessary when you 2HKO most of the tier with Brave Bird anyway, and can U-Turn on anything you don't KO for later.


- Pretty underrated, but with Guts or Hustle is probably the strongest Pokemon in the tier, period.
- Guts and Hustle sets are going to be insane wallbreakers but will require good hazard control without stacking weaknesses, like Hattrem, Quaxwell, or Toedscool.


- All the forms are going to be quite absurd in NU, with Taunt Roost beating Chansey 1v1, and being able to pick what beats you based on your Tera.
- Tera Water on Pom Pom in particular is great natural coverage and hits Crocalor very hard.
- One of few Defog users, although honestly not using QD on this will be a waste.


- Levitate with Tera and good offensive stats with make an overall amazing Pokemon offensively and defensively.
- Nasty Plot with Tera Blast Water with its STAB makes for perfect coverage.
- Screens setter with Volt Switch and good bulk and speed.


- Accurate Sleep Powder and Hurricane with Quiver Dance.
- Tera with Quiver Dance is going to be amazing on all Pokemon, Ground makes for perfect coverage with Flying, and can allow Vivillon to set up on Rock- and Electric-type attacks.

I'm expecting Braviary to be one of the best Pokemon in the tier by a mile, am looking forward to what creative sets people can pull with it.

 

[EonX]

Ok, so there's some insane things. Here's some that I'm looking at... some balanced and some not so much:

Probably the best bulky Water in the tier. It lost a lot of tools (Toxic, Scald, Heal Bell) but it gained Calm Mind and Tera. I can easily see it running a typical WishTect set with Surf or Ice Beam as the attacking move based on team needs and then Calm Mind to become an endgame sweeper. Probably Tera Steel (especially if Ice Beam) to dodge poison and flip the script on Grass types

With a complete lack in pure Fairy types, Fighting spam is going to be a thing. Medicham got CC this gen and Trailblaze can make LO sets that much more threatening. Passimian in a meta with no pure Fairy types aside from Tera Fairy mons? If it's not good, I'll be shocked. You probably Tera Fairy it with Tera Blast bc what else do you need aside from CC Knock and Turn? May as well blow up Spiritomb and become hard to kill.

Dark types good in a meta with limited Fairy type options? I never would have guessed. Mabosstiff has a solid speed tier and really good Attack that gets backed by Stakeout. Conversely, you can run Intimidate to pivot a little better, but I'd rather just CB Stakeout things and watch stuff fall. Honchkrow sadly lost Superpower and Knock Off, but gained U-turn to make choice sets a thing. Acrobatics is also interesting and can lead to some interesting item shenanigans. Mirror Herb Swagger... you heard it here first lol

There's going to be a lot of dancing around here. I expect these to be the big 4 sweepers of the alpha stage that receive use. Venomoth is probably Tera Ghost so that Chansey can't ever do anything with it while Bruxish goes Dark to push past Vaporeon (which probably runs Haze if it's not CM) Sensu and Pom-Pom I expect to be the best two Oricorios here and I'm honestly a bit surprised both came down. I anticipate that they'll either use Tera offensively with Revelation Dance or run a bit of a bulkier spread and Tera Flying with Defog in the last slot to double as hazard removal before they can sweep.

This thing got some really good additions this gen. Nasty Plot is fine and all, but I expect Sub sets and Scarf to be more common currently as Sensu is the better Ghost-type setup sweeper. SubSplit and Scarf look pretty promising as Focus Blast gives it some much needed coverage on Normals and Steels

This thing is going to be a lifesaver. SpDef Rocks is probably the way to go on this one and it has Whirlwind to ruin all the QDers trying to setup on it. Heavy Slam also happens to crush a lot of the QD mons while not being super enjoyable to switch in on for most offensive pokes.

There's others I'm sure, but the tier overall looks fun (and a bit wild as all alpha metas are)