S1nn0hC0nfirm3d
aka Ho3nConfirm3d
Silvally-Ground is on top of the current ZU metagame for its consistent offensive pressure. It’s been a dominate force for the while, largely due to a lack of competition for good, offensive Ground-types. Some community members voiced their complaints about this threat for months now, however, there were bigger fish to fry back then. Now, the spotlight is on Silvally-Ground, and here's the question: is it too much for the current metagame?
Offensive variability and limited defensive counterplay are the biggest concerns. For starters, Multi-Attack + Rock Slide is great coverage in and of itself, as Silvally-Ground revenge kills and forces out the likes of Alolan Sandslsh, Articuno, Skuntank, and Silvally-Poison. The extra tools of Swords Dance, U-turn, and Ice Beam all make it much harder to deal with and unpredictable, given that defensive Pokemon like Jellicent, Uxie, and Tangela all suffer to the corresponding move options. Perhaps the hardest to cover from these coverage options, though, is U-turn. Great for chipping down most Grass-types and Alolan Persian, U-turn also creates momentum as special breakers can then easily get in against physical walls and start breaking. It isn't easy to stop this turn of events either, especially given that Silvally-Ground resists Stealth Rock and KOes Rocky Helmet and Aftermath users like Qwilfish and Skuntank. Silvally-Ground also pressures entry hazard setters and removers alike, so pivoting around will likely be more rewarding for Silvally-Ground compared to its checks. It isn't easy to prepare for the very strong Multi-Attack, the fear of sweeping with Swords Dance or specific coverage like Ice Beam, and the potential of pivoting from U-turn; this is just a single threat after all.
The limitations of Silvally-Ground are its situational defensive answers and slew of revenge killers. Grass-types like Tangela, Eldegoss, Shiinotic, and Gourgeist-XL come to mind as Multi-Attack + Rock Slide switch-ins, deterring back with STAB attacks and status. Even if Ice Beam and U-turn could be problematic, they usually handle it one-on-one and prevent it from sweeping if they switch into Swords Dance while healthy. Physical walls like Wishiwashi and Uxie can tank hits too and snag momentum back with their slower U-turn. Rotom and Rotom-S aren't the bulkiest, but if they switch into Multi-Attack and land a Will-O-Wisp, then Silvally-Ground is much less of an issue. Still, offensive counterplay is much more consistent and viable than attempting to defensively check every Silvally-Ground variant. Gourgeist-S is a phenomenal check to it thanks to it being a faster Grass-type and offering punishing coverage. Basculin and Cinccino are additional wallbreakers that naturally outpace Silvally-Ground and revenge kill it too. Priority from Thwackey, Kangaskhan, and Gurdurr on top of Choice Scarf users like Sawk and Poliwrath also work to stop sweeps. Even with shaky defensive answers, there are options to play around it and punish back with revenge killers.
- ***THIS IS NEW TO GEN 8 SUSPECTS*** Reading this is mandatory for participating in the suspect test. The voting requirements are a minimum GXE of 77 with at least 50 games played. In addition, you may play 1 less game for every 0.2 GXE you have above 77 GXE, down to a minimum of 30 games at a GXE of 81. Also, needing more than 50 games to reach 77 GXE will suffice.
GXE | minimum games |
77 | 50 |
77.2 | 49 |
77.4 | 48 |
77.6 | 47 |
77.8 | 46 |
78 | 45 |
78.2 | 44 |
78.4 | 43 |
78.6 | 42 |
78.8 | 41 |
79 | 40 |
79.2 | 39 |
79.4 | 38 |
79.6 | 37 |
79.8 | 36 |
80 | 35 |
80.2 | 34 |
80.4 | 33 |
80.6 | 32 |
80.8 | 31 |
81 | 30 |
- You must signup with a newly registered account on Pokemon Showdown! that begins with the appropriate prefix for the suspect test. For this suspect test, the prefix will be ZUSG (ZU Silvally-Ground Suspect). For example, I might signup with the ladder account ZUSG Ho3n.
- Laddering with an account that impersonates, mocks, or insults another Smogon user or breaks Pokemon Showdown! rules may be disqualified from voting and infracted. Moderator discretion will be applied here. If there is any doubt or hesitance when making the alt, just pick another name. There are infinite possibilities and we have had trouble for this repeatedly. If you wish to participate in the suspect, you should be able to exhibit decent enough judgement here. We will not be lenient.
- The aspect being tested, Silvally-Ground, will be allowed on the ladder.
- Any form of voting manipulation will result in swift and severe punishment. You are more than welcome to state your argument to as many people as you so please, but do not use any kind of underhanded tactics to get a result you desire. Bribery, blackmail, or any other type of tactic used to sway votes will be handled and sanctioned.
- Do not attempt to cheat the ladder. We will know if you did not actually achieve voting requisites, so don't do it. Harsh sanctions will be applied.
- Unlike previous tests, we will be posting the voting identification thread immediately after this thread. Please avoid getting more games before getting confirmed.
- The suspect test will go on for about ten days, lasting until August 8th at 11:59 PM GMT -4, and then we will put up the voting thread in the Blind Voting subforum.
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