Metagame VoltTurn Mayhem

zastra

you didn't even notice
is a Tiering Contributor
Approved by Isaiah and UT
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amazing art by royalfluxh!

Voltturn Mayhem

Introduction
In this metagame, every move that directly affects your opponent behaves like a pivoting move, like Volt Switch, Parting Shot, or U-Turn. For reference, only moves that specifically target your foe force a switch. Those that target the user (Recover, Dragon Dance, etc), the user's side (Heal Bell, Wish, Reflect, etc), the field (Sunny Day, Trick Room, etc), hazards (Spikes, Stealth Rock, etc), or everyone (Haze, Perish Song, etc) will keep the user in play.

Rules:
Mechanic: Every move that directly affects your opponent forces you to switch.
Clauses: Standard OMs, Sleep Moves Clause, Min Source Gen=9
Bans:
Regular Bans (Pre-HOME):
:Chien-Pao::Chi-Yu::Dragonite::Flutter-Mane::Iron-Bundle::Miraidon::Koraidon::Palafin:
New Pokemon Bans (HOME):
:arceus::calyrex-shadow::calyrex-ice::dialga::dialga-origin::eternatus::giratina::giratina-origin::groudon::kyogre::mewtwo::palkia::palkia-origin::rayquaza::regieleki::zacian::zacian-crowned::magearna:
New New Pokemon Bans (Teal Mask DLC):
:darkrai: :shaymin-sky:
New New New Pokemon Bans (Indigo Disk DLC):
:Deoxys-Attack: :Deoxys: :Deoxys-Speed: :Ho-oh: :Kyurem-Black: :Kyurem-White: :Lunala: :Necrozma-Dawn-Wings: :Necrozma-Dusk-Mane: :Reshiram: :Solgaleo: :Zekrom::terapagos:
  • Fake Out
  • Last Respects
  • Revival Blessing
  • :kings-rock: King's Rock
  • :razor-fang: Razor Fang

Strategy:
  • Set-up offense will be nearly useless. What good is it to set a Swords Dance up if you lose it upon attack?
  • Fast and fragile attackers will be able to strike hard, strike fast, and flee before they can get struck in return. Same goes for priority users.
  • Bulky regenerators will be able to sponge hits to attack or status and then switch for free to heal.
  • Choice items will be REALLY good.
  • Same for hazards.
  • Roar, Whirlwind, etc. shuffles the opposing team and then lets the user switch after, letting them capitalize on the opponent's uncontrolled switch.
  • Field effects, such as weather, will be more potent since one can switch to an abuser without manual switching.
  • Moves that require recharging (Hyper Beam, Giga Impact, etc) will be really good, and possibly broken.
  • Same goes for moves that lower a stat upon use (Draco Meteor, Make it Rain, etc)
Increased Viability:
:pmd/dragapult: Dragapult already has a sky-high speed tier and good offenses, and what's more, it can now spam Specs-boosted Draco Meteors with absolutely no drawbacks and switch out for free.
:pmd/lokix: Priority is extremely valuable, you have the option to strike before your opponent, deal damage, and switch out for free before they can do anything to you.
:pmd/toxapex: Toxapex can now freely set up Toxic Spikes or spam Toxic, sponge hits and switch for free to heal, thanks to its ability Regenerator.

Decreased Viability:
:pmd/polteageist: Setup offense is useless in this metagame.
:pmd/volcarona: Same reason as Polteageist. Besides, Volcarona is weak to Stealth Rock.
:booster-energy: Booster Energy is just worse Choice Band/Specs/Scarf, paradox Pokemon can no longer expect to sweep as their stats get reset upon switching out.

Q&A:

Q: Why is Revival Blessing banned?
A: Due to the nature of how Revival Blessing is currently programmed, it “eats your switch” because it uses a switch to let you select the pokemon to revive. This, is uncompetitive for the metagame.

Q: How do status moves work?
A: Status moves that successfully target your opponent such as Toxic will trigger the switching mechanic. Status moves that target either the field or your Pokemon such as Haze, Stealth Rock, or Swords Dance will not trigger the mechanic.

Q: How do multihit moves work?
A: You will be forced to switch after all the hits have been striked.


Q: How does Future Sight work?
A: Due to the way it's coded right now, using Future Sight does not trigger the switching mechanic and keeps the user in play.

Resources:
  • Playability: Challenge code: /Challenge [USERNAME], [Gen 9] Anything Goes @@@ VoltTurn Mayhem Mod, Standard OMs, Sleep Moves Clause, -king's rock, -razor, fang, -fake out, -last respects, -revival blessing, -Darkrai, -miraidon, -koraidon, -Flutter Mane, -Iron Bundle, -Palafin, -Chi-Yu, -Chien-Pao, -dragonite, -arceus,-calyrex-shadow,-calyrex-ice,-dialga,-dialga-origin,-eternatus,-giratina,-giratina-origin,-groudon,-kyogre,-mewtwo,-palkia,-palkia-origin,-rayquaza,-regieleki,-shaymin-sky, -zacian,-zacian-crowned,-magearna, Deoxys-Attack, Deoxys-Base, Deoxys-Speed, Ho-oh, Kyurem-Black, Kyurem-White, Lunala, Necrozma-Dawn-Wings, Necrozma-Dusk-Mane, Reshiram, Solgaleo, Zekrom, -Terapagos
  • :slowking: Sample Teams! :meowscarada:
  • :toxapex: Viability Rankings :dragapult:
  • Discord server: https://discord.gg/UtGh9wEJ7V

Council:
:pmd/iron-valiant: zastra
:pmd/drampa: drampa's grandpa
:pmd/dewott: KaenSoul
:pmd/leafeon: Gimmicky


Changelog:
 
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zastra

you didn't even notice
is a Tiering Contributor
:sv/slowking: VOLTTURN MAYHEM SAMPLE TEAMS :sv/meowscarada:
[Updated as of 14/01/2023] [OUTDATED: PRE HOME!]

[click on the mini sprites for the Pokepaste!]
:meowscarada::garchomp::dragonite::toxapex::hatterene::gholdengo:
Double Dragon Hazard Stack by KaenSoul *outdated after dragonite ban
:lokix::great_tusk::toxapex::slowking::garchomp::dragapult:
Lokix Balance by zastra
:toxapex::dragonite::gholdengo::hatterene::cinderace::dragapult:
Double Ghost Bulky Offense by Nirvada2000
*outdated after dragonite ban

:toxapex::slowbro::amoonguss::alomomola::tinkaton::cyclizar:
Regenerator Spam Stall by longhiep341
:tinkaton::lokix::hydreigon::hatterene::iron_hands::annihilape:

Tinkaton Hazard Stack Bulky Offense by DeepFriedMagikarp
 
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zastra

you didn't even notice
is a Tiering Contributor
:SV/TOXAPEX: VOLTTURN MAYHEM VIABILITY RANKINGS :SV/DRAGAPULT:
Alphabetically ordered
[OUTDATED]

S Rank:
Reserved for Pokemon that are absolutely meta-defining. These Pokemon are able to perform a variety of roles very 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.

S
:dragapult: Dragapult [Choice Specs / Choice Scarf]

S-
:toxapex: Toxapex [Rocky Helmet / Black Sludge / Assault Vest]

A Rank:
Reserved for Pokémon that perform extremely well in the metagame. These Pokémon are typically considered excellent Pokémon let down by a few faults, thus keeping them out of S Rank. They typically require more support than an S Rank Pokémon, but nonetheless are very effective.

A+
:lokix: Lokix [Choice Band / Heavy Duty Boots]
:meowscarada: Meowscarada [Choice Band / Heavy Duty Boots / Focus Sash]

A
:cinderace: Cinderace [Choice Band / Heavy Duty Boots / Choice Scarf]
:cyclizar: Cyclizar [Heavy Duty Boots / Leftovers / Assault Vest / Choice Scarf]
:garchomp: Garchomp [Focus Sash / Choice Scarf / Leftovers / Rocky Helmet]
:gholdengo: Gholdengo [Choice Scarf / Choice Specs / Air Balloon]
:great-tusk: Great Tusk [ Leftovers / Rocky Helmet / Choice Band]
:indeedee: Indeedee [Choice Scarf / Choice Specs]
:slither-wing: Slither Wing [Choice Band / Choice Scarf / Assault Vest]

A-
:glimmora: Glimmora [Focus Sash]
:hatterene: Hatterene [Leftovers / Air Balloon]
:iron-moth: Iron Moth [Choice Scarf / Heavy Duty Boots / Choice Specs]
:iron-treads: Iron Treads [Choice Scarf / Choice Band / Assault Vest]
:scizor: Scizor [Leftovers / Life Orb / Lum Bery / Choice Band]
:slowbro: Slowbro [Heavy Duty Boots / Leftovers / Rocky Helmet]
:slowking: Slowking [Assault Vest / Heavy Duty Boots / Leftovers]
:sylveon: Sylveon [Heavy Duty Boots / Choice Specs / Leftovers]

B Rank:
B Rank Pokémon are typically considered good, but overall quite niche, and require much more support than a Pokémon in A or S Rank. Their flaws are also much more prominent than Pokémon in S or A Rank, making them less effective overall

B+
:barraskewda: Barraskewda
:roaring-moon: Roaring Moon
:pelipper: Pelipper
:kingambit: Kingambit

B
:alomomola: Alomomola
:amoonguss: Amoonguss
:azumarill: Azumarill
:baxcalibur: Baxcalibur
:ceruledge: Ceruledge
:dugtrio: Dugtrio
:floatzel: Floatzel
:grimmsnarl: Grimmsnarl
:iron-hands: Iron Hands
:kilowattrel: Kilowattrel
:scovillain: Scovillain
:ting-lu: Ting-Lu
:torkoal: Torkoal

B-
:annihilape: Annihilape
:drednaw: Drednaw
:skeledirge: Skeledirge
:slaking: Slaking
:tinkaton: Tinkaton

C Rank:
C Rank Pokémon are generally mediocre in metagame. They typically require much more support than Pokémon higher up the viability rankings, although they can still be effective in the right circumstances.

C+
:clodsire: Clodsire
:ditto: Ditto
:garganacl: Garganacl
:haxorus: Haxorus
:staraptor: Staraptor
:tauros-paldea-fire: Tauros-Paldea-Fire
:umbreon: Umbreon

C
:blissey: Blissey
:breloom: Breloom
:charizard: Charizard
:corviknight: Corviknight
:dondozo: Dondozo
:espathra: Espathra
:hippowdon: Hippowdon
:scream-tail: Scream Tail
:tyranitar: Tyranitar

C-
:arcanine: Arcanine
:cacturne: Cacturne
:klawf: Klawf
:maushold: Maushold
:sandy-shocks: Sandy Shocks

-Items are listed for Pokemon of S and A rank. For full list of possible items, click here.
-Something being absent from or low on the viability rankings does not make it inherently bad. Experiment!
 
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BoingK

back to the lab again
is a Pre-Contributor
First post holyyy


Palafin-Hero @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Zero to Hero
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Jet Punch
- Drain Punch
- Wave Crash
- Outrage

This mon looks like it has potential. With priority stab, getting it into its hero forme is going to be ridiculously easy.
(Someone can probably think of a more intuitive set than this)
 

KaenSoul

FuegoAlma
is a Forum Moderatoris a Community Contributoris a Tiering Contributoris a member of the Battle Simulator Staff
Moderator
:sv/slaking:
I'm surprised the sloth king isn't banned, STAB Giga Impact coming from base 160 Atk seems quite insane, 100 Speed may not be impressive in gen 9, but it still seems like too much, nothing can switch into it and has enough power to just run Scarf and still 2HKO everything.

:sv/pyroar:
Hyper Beam options seem quite limited, Pyroar may be among the best with decent enough offensive stats, it also has Overheat for Steels (no Heatran helps a lot), Noble Roar is pretty much Parting Shot here, but I bet you would prefer to deal damage with all moves being pivoting, so you may want to fill the last two slots with Taunt and Will-o-Wisp if you want any utility, it really lacks options outside that and Dark Pulse. Can't wait for Zoroark-H to have a decent mon to use.

:sv/indeedee: :sv/indeedee-f:
Scarf Indeedee also seems like a nice Hyper Beam user, shutting down priority could end being quite important as a way to check the likes of Palafin and Dragonite. The male one seems like the better one as this would be an offensive role and nothing the female has really helps at that.
Edit: Just noticing this thing is one of the 3 normal types that can't learn Hyper beam, for some reason. Psychic Surge is still great here tho.

:sv/Zangoose: :sv/Ursaring:
You don't have to take Poison/Burn damage as long as you attack, so the Normal Type status abusers sound decent in theory, but I doubt it would really improve them a lot as Facade already had a similar power to Giga Impact and HDB seem mandatory with so many switches.

:sv/torkoal: :sv/scovillain: :sv/Charizard:
Classic Overheat Torkoal from First Blood, but now with HDB instead of Eject Pack. Sun should be quite strong here with Overheat having no cost, Chi-Yu seems like the obvious abuser, but there is also Scovillain who also packs Leaf Storm, and HDB Solar Power Charizard could also be good but that one can abuse Blast Burn.

Kind of sad this gen dexited most mons with recharge moves, we only have the starters and normal types to work with, I guess Tinkaton counts?
And with hazards being so impactful, I expect Kleavor and Samurott-H to at least be decent as they can set them while switching, but we have to wait for those...
 
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If I'm reading that right, Gholdengo prevents opposing mons using status moves that target it from switching due to making that move fail, right?

:SV/Gholdengo:
Gholdengo @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Good as Gold
Tera Type: Fairy / Steel / Fighting / Flying
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Shadow Ball
- Make It Rain
- Focus Blast
- Thunderbolt / Dazzling Gleam / Thunder Wave

Assuming that's true, it's time to switch into targeted status moves and force manual switches or hit the opponent hard first! Tricking Choice items looks fairly useless unless you really need those speed tiers or attack power levels changed. Specs Gholdengo also looks pretty good for really making Choice Rapid Spin/Defog users manually switch out.

I suppose those unlucky chaps who target a Magic Bounce user and Toxic themselves at least switch out that turn. ...Or do they? Do the guys who try to slap status-immune mons like Purifying Salt Garganacl and Comatose Komala with Will-O-Wisp/Toxic/Spore also similarly fail to switch? What about the mons trying to Toxic a Poison- or Steel-type, use a Normal or Fighting move into a Ghost-type, use a Ground move into an Air Balloon holder or Levitate user or Flying-type, or other immunity triggerers? Do the mons who directly attack Disguise Mimikyu (or Ice Face Eiscue with a physical attack) still switch out because at least they did something to the opponent? What about the mons who hit a Flash Fire user with a Fire attack or a Volt Absorb user with an Electric attack? What if the Volt Absorb user is already at full HP when it is hit?

OK, time to stop concentrating on questions and time to put a spotlight on this mon:

:SV/Glimmora:
Glimmora @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Toxic Debris
Tera Type: Grass / Ground
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Power Gem / Sludge Wave
- Earth Power
- Energy Ball
- Mortal Spin

While lead Glimmoras look worse in this meta due to needing to switch back in so they can set a second layer of Toxic Spikes, pivot Glimmoras look quite a lot better - as if these Cramorant-Gorging ultra-lites weren't already looking good in the first place! Just manually switch the guy in or use a fast pivot and watch your opponent get baited into smacking a Glimmora yet again! The Choice Scarf set surprises Great Tusks and Iron Treads who thought they could be pivoted in and Rapid Spin the dreck freely, but Air Balloon pivots still look good, too.

In the meantime, move abuse (and the realization that Substitute and Salt Cure look a lot worse in this meta but Iron Defense at least still looks passable)...

:SV/Slither Wing: :SV/Lokix:
First Impression is looking better than ever because now you completely dodge the first-turn-out-only restriction. Choice Band First Impression looks completely superior over Life Orb First Impression.

:SV/Meowscarada: :SV/Iron Treads: :SV/Great Tusk: :SV/Cyclizar:
Never forget how good Knock Off is at watching opposing (Choice) items fly off.

:SV/Hawlucha: :SV/Noivern: :SV/Talonflame: :SV/Iron Treads: :SV/Great Tusk: :SV/Quaquaval:
Choice Rapid Spin and Choice Defog look better than ever because you aren't locked into it in practice anymore. ...Except for the part where Gholdengo gets in for free unless you're using Choice Mold Breaker Hawlucha, so maybe you don't want your Spinner or Defogger to be Choiced after all.

:SV/Alomomola: :SV/Sylveon: :SV/Vaporeon: :SV/Umbreon: :SV/Scream Tail:
Wish passing is looking really good because now pretty much every Wish user can slow pivot into the mon they want to heal simply by using an attack or opponent-targeting move.
 
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drampa's grandpa

cannonball
is a Community Contributoris a Community Leader Alumnus
:sv/slaking:
I'm surprised the sloth king isn't banned, STAB Giga Impact coming from base 160 Atk seems quite insane, 100 Speed may not be impressive in gen 9, but it still seems like too much, nothing can switch into it and has enough power to just run Scarf and still 2HKO everything.
This is my post telling everybody that Slaking still sucks!
OK maybe that's a little bit of an exaggeration but it has huge downsides which cannot be ignored in this metagame.

First: vulnerability to Protect.
Because Choice items are so good and will inevitably be so common Protect and its clones will also be incredibly good. Protect completely shuts down Slaking, forcing it to switch out or eat a hit while doing nothing. And hard switching in this metagame means losing incredibly valuable momentum.

Second: last mon weakness.
Slaking as your last mon is terrible. It moves every other turn. I don't think I need to go further into this honestly.

Third: Normal typing
Dragapult, Gholdengo, and Flutter Mane are all likely top tier Pokemon that prevent it spamming Giga Impact. It has potential coverage for each, but this requires more prediction and makes Slaking less mindless than it looks.

Overall: Slaking is powerful, but has the potential to be a momentum drain. Momentum is everything in VoltTurn Mayhem, so I would hold your horses on calling for a Slaking QB. Let's see it in action first.

Finally, a weird set!
:sv/dragonite:
Dragonite @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Extreme Speed
- Dragon Tail
- Outrage
- Earthquake / Roost

The idea of this set is you can manage when in the turn you pivot. If you want out fast, click ESpeed. If you want to slow pivot, click Dragon Tail, phase them, then pivot (I think?). If you want to murder something, click Outrage. Last slot is a bit more fluid.

:sv/tyranitar::sv/houndstone:
No sets but I'm looking forward to this core, aren't you ^_^
 

KaenSoul

FuegoAlma
is a Forum Moderatoris a Community Contributoris a Tiering Contributoris a member of the Battle Simulator Staff
Moderator

zastra

you didn't even notice
is a Tiering Contributor
Heya! We have our first voting slate of the generation!

Aggro
Yoru97
Drampa's Grandpa
Final Result
Flutter-Mane
Ban​
Ban​
Ban​
BAN (3-0-0)​
Dragapult
Abstain​
No Ban​
Ban​
NO BAN (1-1-1)​
Iron-Bundle
Ban​
Ban​
Abstain​
BAN (2-0-1)​
Palafin
Ban​
Ban​
Abstain​
BAN (2-0-1)​
Cyclizar
Abstain​
No Ban​
No Ban​
NO BAN (0-2-1)​
Chien-Pao
Ban​
No Ban​
No Ban​
NO BAN (1-2-0)​
Chi-Yu
Ban​
Abstain​
No Ban​
NO BAN (1-1-1)​
Sleep Moves
Ban​
Ban​
Ban​
BAN (3-0-0)​

The council voted on Flutter-Mane, Dragapult, Iron-Bundle, Palafin, Cyclizar, Chien-Pao, Chi-Yu, and Sleep Moves. Flutter-Mane, Iron-Bundle, and Palafin are all now banned from VoltTurn Mayhem! Also, VoltTurn Mayhem has now implemented Sleep Moves Clause!

Reasonings:
:sv/flutter-mane:
Why was this thing free lol Flutter-Mane is arguably more broken in this tier than it was in OU. Its speed tier outspeeds almost the entire unboosted metagame, and its STAB combo is unresisted. This, combined with its already high Special Attack, further boosted by Choice Specs, made it an absolute monster. Due to the nature of VoltTurn Mayhem, it is almost impossible to offensively check it, meaning teams would have to sack a Pokemon every time Flutter-Mane comes in. Defensively, it was somewhat possible to handle it by using Specially defensive RegenVest Pokemon like Tera Steel Slowking and Toxapex, or by scouting (using Protect) or predicting a Shadow Ball into a Normal type like Blissey or Slaking. However, Flutter-Mane also had the option to run Fighting Tera Blast, which overwhelmed all these checks. Is this all? No! VoltTurn Mayhem also gave Flutter-Mane a new tool, Tera Normal Hyper Beam. STAB and Specs boosted Hyper Beam overwhelmed and dealt a ton to anything that wasn't a ghost type, further limiting counterplay. All these traits resulted in Flutter-Mane being proven unhealthy for the metagame, and hence the council banned it.

:sv/iron-bundle:
Not much different from Flutter-Mane, Iron Bundle comes with a ludicrous offensive profile, packing the unresisted STAB combo of Freeze-Dry and Hydro Pump off of a truly insane Speed tier that gets the jump on the entire unboosted metagame barring Dragapult, and a very good Special Attack stat to boot. Its STAB combo is also almost unresisted in the entire metagame, and it also has the option to run Tera Normal Hyper Beam, which turned it to an absolute monster. Whilst Iron Bundle can also be somewhat defensively handled using Specially defensive RegenVesters like Slowking and Toxapex, Blissey, and a few other specially bulky Pokemon, but due to the nature of VoltTurn, all of these are overwhelmed overtime (especially non-regenvesters) and teams are ultimately required to sack a Pokemon everytime Iron-Bundle comes in. Due to all these reasons, Iron Bundle has been voted by the council to be seen as an unbalanced presence and will be removed from VoltTurn Mayhem.

:sv/palafin: :sv/palafin-hero:
While in its base form, Palafin is extremely underwhelming, adorned with low BST and ruinous offenses. So, what makes Palafin such a potent Pokemon? The answer lies in Zero to Hero, an ability that allows Palafin to transform from a Pokemon competing with the likes of Lumineon for a slot in your Untiered team to a Pokemon rivaling box legends just by switching out. Due to the nature of VoltTurn, getting into Hero form is also easier compared to other tiers. Palafin-Hero comes adorned with great bulk, a solid defensive typing, a ludicrously high Attack stat, and a fairly respectable Speed tier, making it an incredibly amazing offensive Pokemon. What's more is that Palafin comes with a superb signature move in Jet Punch, a 60 BP Water-type priority move that synergizes well with its sky high Attack stat, letting it jet through faster threats such as Jolly Great-Tusk, Chien-Pao, Chi-Yu, and Choice Band Fighting Tera Ceruledge. Jet Punch alongside its access to Wave Crash and great coverage makes Choice Band sets very potent at wallbreaking and revenge killing, especially with the aid of Tera Water to let it storm through resisted targets, or Tera Steel to completely shut down potential counterplay like Sludge Bomb Toxapex or Giga Drain Amoonguss. Is that all? No lol! Palafin also had the option of running Tera Normal Giga Impact to overwhelm everything (except Ghosts) and further limit counterplay. This was proven to be too much for the tier, so the council decided to ban it.

:sv/amoonguss:
I will not go to details, but Sleep moves (Spore, Hypnosis, etc) were considered uncompetitive for the metagame as, due to the nature of VoltTurn Mayhem, once you use them, you are forced to switch, gaining instant free momentum. Sleep essentially makes the game 6v5, forcing an unhealthy situation, and making it incredibly difficult for the opponent to win.

Thanks, that's all. Stay tuned for resources and further updates, and enjoy your holidays!
 
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Gimmicky

You give me chills, I've had it with the drills
is a Smogon Discord Contributoris a Contributor to Smogon
Been playing a few friendlies and I've come to say that Great Tusk is pretty good.


Great Tusk @ Heavy-Duty Boots / Choice Scarf
Ability: Protosynthesis
Tera Type: Ground/Fighting
EVs: 252 HP / 32 Atk / 224 Def
Impish Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Headlong Rush
- Close Combat
- Taunt / Knock Off

Alternatively, you can use a spread of 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe on Scarf Sets

I use this EV Spread to get the most defensive utility out of Tusk while ensuring it's not too passive. This thing is really bulky.

Like, REALLY bulky.

Tusk has a good enough speed tier to outpace most uninvested defensive pokemon, meaning you can Taunt them and pivot out before any hazards or status can be sent to your side of the field. Headlong Rush and Close Combat have no drawbacks and a high base power meaning even with functionally base 90 attack, you're hitting really hard. I've used Tera-Normal Giga Impact on this too, but that has a serious drawback in being a terrible last mon, while Taunt and dual STAB make it a formidable last team member. Not much more to say about it, it's about as great as it is in regular formats.

also chien-pao is a menace pls ban
 
As an addition to Drampa's comment on Slaking, I can confirm that while it is dangerous, if you have at least 1 mon with protect, you can basically make it useless. If just for that reason, I hate using it.

As for my thoughts on what might be on the next voting slate, Chi-Yu, Dragapult, and Chien-Pao are going to be revisited, if only for the fact they received 1 ban vote in the previous slate, with additional potential Pokemon being discussed by me and the rest of the council. As of now, I am probably leaning towards No ban for Dragapult and Chien-Pao and Ban for Chi-Yu, but my opinion might change whenever we start the second slate.

Also if you want to suggest any potential bans, ask for games, or just talk about the format with others, join the Voltturn Mayhem discord server, I can assure you that the council and the current members will welcome you with open arms, and if awake, I will be available to assist anyone interested in the tier (even tho I am trash lmao).
 
to anyone that might be confused (like i was) to why chien pao and chi yu arent banned, its because theres actually stuff that keep them in check. mainly toxapex, bulky spreads and priority are all great for facing those 2 mons. toxapex is self explanatory, regen mon with sky high defenses, bulky spreads (like the one AlexSaysBruh123 listed) great tusk eats any hit from chien pao maybe not icicle crash crit but when does that happen and priority, just look

Lokix @ Choice Band
Ability: Tinted Lens
Tera Type: Bug
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- First Impression
- Throat Chop
- Axe Kick
- Taunt

there might be better sets than this one, but STAB tinted lens (alongside chi yu + chien pao bulk) is enough to net a kill on them, i even made the calc

252+ Atk Choice Band Lokix First Impression vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Chi-Yu: 246-291 (98 - 115.9%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO (chip damage with rocks is an ohko)

252+ Atk Lokix First Impression vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Chien-Pao: 330-390 (109.6 - 129.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO (this is also without band)

so thats it, i dont have any other sets i can post since most of them are covered already and have fun with the metagame! what am i doing this is the councils job
 

KaenSoul

FuegoAlma
is a Forum Moderatoris a Community Contributoris a Tiering Contributoris a member of the Battle Simulator Staff
Moderator
Here is a set that has been quite broken in room tours, wonder if it will stay like that in the ladder:
:y/dragonite:
Dragonite @ Choice Band
Ability: Multiscale
Tera Type: Normal
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Extreme Speed
- Giga Impact
- Outrage
- Earthquake / Fire Punch

I don't usually like dedicated Tera users, but this thing is insane, ESpeed is the main reason to use it over anything else, if the opponent isn't using a Ghost-Type you can just click ESpeed and Giga Impact until everything is dead, do NOT tera your Ghost into a different type if your opponent has a Dragonite, I have seen plenty of Gholdengo dying to two ESpeed.

Some funny calcs:
252+ Atk Choice Band Tera Normal Dragonite Giga Impact vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Great Tusk: 327-385 (88.1 - 103.7%) -- 25% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Tera Normal Dragonite Giga Impact vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Iron Treads: 176-207 (54.8 - 64.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Tera Normal Dragonite Giga Impact vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Toxapex: 220-259 (72.3 - 85.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Dragonite Outrage vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Garganacl: 262-309 (64.8 - 76.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Tera Normal Dragonite Giga Impact vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Ting-Lu: 339-400 (65.9 - 77.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Tera Normal Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Chien-Pao: 265-313 (88 - 103.9%) -- 25% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Tera Normal Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Cyclizar: 309-364 (90 - 106.1%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Tera Normal Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Roaring Moon: 292-345 (83.1 - 98.2%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
to anyone that might be confused (like i was) to why chien pao and chi yu arent banned, its because theres actually stuff that keep them in check. mainly toxapex, bulky spreads and priority are all great for facing those 2 mons. toxapex is self explanatory, regen mon with sky high defenses, bulky spreads (like the one AlexSaysBruh123 listed) great tusk eats any hit from chien pao maybe not icicle crash crit but when does that happen and priority, just look

Lokix @ Choice Band
Ability: Tinted Lens
Tera Type: Bug
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- First Impression
- Throat Chop
- Axe Kick
- Taunt

there might be better sets than this one, but STAB tinted lens (alongside chi yu + chien pao bulk) is enough to net a kill on them, i even made the calc

252+ Atk Choice Band Lokix First Impression vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Chi-Yu: 246-291 (98 - 115.9%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO (chip damage with rocks is an ohko)

252+ Atk Lokix First Impression vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Chien-Pao: 330-390 (109.6 - 129.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO (this is also without band)

so thats it, i dont have any other sets i can post since most of them are covered already and have fun with the metagame! what am i doing this is the councils job
I'm not a big fan of running coverage on Lokix, as Tinted Lens kind of makes it redundant most of the time, having Leech Life over Axe Kick to stay healthy against Hazard stack can be huge. I also like HDB on this thing, not just for hazards but also to not end in a bad position against random stuff carrying Protect.
 
Here is a set that has been quite broken in room tours, wonder if it will stay like that in the ladder:
:y/dragonite:
Dragonite @ Choice Band
Ability: Multiscale
Tera Type: Normal
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Extreme Speed
- Giga Impact
- Outrage
- Earthquake / Fire Punch

I don't usually like dedicated Tera users, but this thing is insane, ESpeed is the main reason to use it over anything else, if the opponent isn't using a Ghost-Type you can just click ESpeed and Giga Impact until everything is dead, do NOT tera your Ghost into a different type if your opponent has a Dragonite, I have seen plenty of Gholdengo dying to two ESpeed.

Some funny calcs:
252+ Atk Choice Band Tera Normal Dragonite Giga Impact vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Great Tusk: 327-385 (88.1 - 103.7%) -- 25% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Tera Normal Dragonite Giga Impact vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Iron Treads: 176-207 (54.8 - 64.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Tera Normal Dragonite Giga Impact vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Toxapex: 220-259 (72.3 - 85.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Dragonite Outrage vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Garganacl: 262-309 (64.8 - 76.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Tera Normal Dragonite Giga Impact vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Ting-Lu: 339-400 (65.9 - 77.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Tera Normal Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Chien-Pao: 265-313 (88 - 103.9%) -- 25% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Tera Normal Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Cyclizar: 309-364 (90 - 106.1%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Tera Normal Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Roaring Moon: 292-345 (83.1 - 98.2%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

I'm not a big fan of running coverage on Lokix, as Tinted Lens kind of makes it redundant most of the time, having Leech Life over Axe Kick to stay healthy against Hazard stack can be huge. I also like HDB on this thing, not just for hazards but also to not end in a bad position against random stuff carrying Protect.
...and by "Dragonite 2HKOs Tera-non-Ghost Gholdengo with ESpeed", they mean these:

252+ Atk Choice Band Tera Normal Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Flying Gholdengo: 229-271 (72.6 - 86%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Tera Normal Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Steel Gholdengo: 114-135 (36.1 - 42.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

Admittedly, the one time I caught someone Terastallizing Gholdengo so far in roomtours, it was to the Steel type, but Gholdengo commonly takes chip early in Volt-Turn Mayhem games due to its great defensive typing and ability to put on a Choice Scarf and outspeed Specs/Boots/Band Dragapult.

Speaking of Axe Kick, I've found it and High Jump Kick to be terrible in general and especially on Lokix, as Ghosts switching in and random Protects will make the prospective kickers lose 50% of their max. HP. I've seen opponents switch 4x Bug resists into Lokix - this has typically been Gholdengo so far, but I can imagine people switching in Annihilape, Mimikyu, Ceruledge, Skeledirge, Iron Valiant, Corviknight, Tauros-Paldea-Fire, and even Iron Moth and Salazzle. Imagine if Lokix was trying to use Axe Kick instead of First Impression into the Ghosts.

I'd previously generally made Lokix's 4th moveslot Brick Break just in case someone tries setting up Screens in this meta, but Taunt looks increasingly attractive to halt Spikes stacking, Protect spamming, Wish passing, and recovery spamming. I completely agree that Leech Life on Lokix helps it heal off chip and switching into resisted attacks pretty well, and Throat Chop is STAB with good Tinted Lens coverage with Bug that prevents opponents from using Roar and other sound moves.
 
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KaenSoul

FuegoAlma
is a Forum Moderatoris a Community Contributoris a Tiering Contributoris a member of the Battle Simulator Staff
Moderator
Hey fellas, I was speedrunning the ladder with the best archetype in this format, hazard stack. Here are the results:
bragging.png

Reaching 1400 wasn't that hard, the problem was everyone being worth 6 points in the last 10 (?) games
Team for anyone who wants to use it:
:Meowscarada: :garchomp: :dragonite: :toxapex: :hatterene: :gholdengo:
https://pokepast.es/f6e5aac9aaf25b50

Everyone is spaming some weird variations of HO, so Sash does wonders, Protect make fun of the Bug types and Slaking while making prediction much easier, and the more imunities your team has the better, I have an immunity to every type pex is weak to, so it can spread poison while staying healthy during the game without much to fear, and with over half of the team carrying Protect, poison damage scales quite quickly, also remember to not set a second TS. I'm not using Protean on Meow as it gets nothing from it with this moveset.
I'm most likely be using different teams and alts from now on, but it is a fun team.
 

Gimmicky

You give me chills, I've had it with the drills
is a Smogon Discord Contributoris a Contributor to Smogon
The validator is currently missing the clause that limits Pokemon to only using moves obtainable and valid to the Pokemon in Gen 9.

Test Replay

This currently allows Pokemon to use moves they should not be able to; Toxapex is shown using Scald (coded into the game but not on Pex) and, while not shown in the replay, Cinderace was able to use a move not present whatsoever in Gen 9 (Blaze Kick.)

Not sure who to tag to fix this, but this is not an intended mechanic for the tier.

Hope to see this fixed soon, because I never want to see this message again.
 

Gimmicky

You give me chills, I've had it with the drills
is a Smogon Discord Contributoris a Contributor to Smogon
Could I have help with my bad Rege-Core H-Stack team?
https://pokepast.es/ddd081a6807676b2
Gholdengo does Gholdengo things,
Pec and Guss wall, Chomp and Hydreigon are quite bulky and set hazards, Treads thinks it can Spin and Knock Off.
This team is pretty good! Regen is always good, and your mon choices are also good, so I think the only real optimizations are in the movepools. Give Leaf Storm to Amoonguss, it already struggles with damage output, and the health from giga drain is negligible when you're switching out immediately after.

I'd use Scald on Pex while you still can, but once that's fixed, your Pex moveset is good as well. Maybe Tera-Dark to turn yourself into a Chi-Yu check while that's still in the tier.

Poison Jab doesn't hit very much in the tier that Earthquake or Outrage wouldn't instead smack harder. You can replace it with Outrage, or with Stealth Rock to open up a moveslot on Hydreigon. If Garchomp is meant to be your priority spam check, a Steel Terastalization would serve it better, as you resist E-Speed and First Impression while also not caring about secondary STAB like Outrage or Throat Chop.

Iron Treads is better used with a Choice Item or HDB here. It has a speed tier that allows it to beat Chi-Yu and hit very had with earthquake, so a Scarf Set will provide valuable speed control for your team while still keeping hazards off with spin and threatening big damage on even more threats like Meowscarada and banded Chien-Pao
 

Voden

formerly megaspoopy000
hii, after doing terribly in the ladder, and a lot of trial and error, I've found some stuffs!

Fire tauros has pretty good matchups against all of the ruins! specially that Fucking Cat.
:sv/tauros-paldea-fire:
crime (Tauros-Paldea-Fire) (M) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Intimidate
Tera Type: Fighting
EVs: 252 HP / 104 Def / 152 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Raging Bull
- Body Press
- Will-O-Wisp
- Protect

this set is good against all bugs, Chien-Pao, and other physical breakers, even great tusk!
its ev'd to outspeed full speed jolly Great tusk (not scarf), but you can perfectly make this full def and reap the benefits

Akuma (Tauros-Paldea-Fire) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
Shiny: Yes
Tera Type: Fighting / Fire
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Raging Bull / Flare Blitz
- Earthquake
- Iron Head

Also This. Jolly Scarf outspeeds all non scarfed stuffs, even sum scarfed stuffs, like Indeedee and Gholdengo!

:sv/Pawmot:
Pawmot @ Choice Band / Scarf / Leftovers if wishpasser
Ability: Natural Cure / Volt Absorb / Iron fist
Tera Type: Electric / Fighting / Steel / Flying or sumn idc
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe | 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Spe if wishpasser
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Double Shock
- Mach Punch / Protect
- Nuzzle / Wish

even without revival blessing this is still a versatile fuck, pick the set you want, pick the ability u want (i put them in order of viability), and roll.
band double shock/cc 2hkos most stuff in the meta, only downside its that its kinda frail

ill keep experimenting and fucking up throughly! gl on the ladder everyone.
 
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Some ideas:
Cyclizar @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Regenerator
Tera Type: Dragon
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Giga Impact
- Shed Tail
- Outrage
- Dragon Tail

What do you guys think about pivot dragon tail? Always moves last and switches your opponent randomly before allowing you to choose a pokemon to bring in, quite wacky.
Also:
Gumshoos @ Choice Band
Ability: Stakeout
Tera Type: Normal
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Giga Impact
- Earthquake
- Crunch
- Psychic Fangs/Iron Head

Stakeout now means that if you move second your attacks do double the damage. I don't know how practical it is, but I like the idea of tera normal cb stakeout giga impact being effectively 900 base power
 

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