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Forgiven and Hanged
Mix and Mega Council has decided to suspect Gouging Fire!
Ever since its introduction, Gouging Fire has risen quietly through the ranks and has proved itself to be a notable threat that one needs to keep in mind while building for the current metagame. A solid pre-mega typing in Fire / Dragon and well-rounded stats when combined with Dragon Dance and strong STABs often ends up punching holes even against the strongest defensive cores of Mix and Mega. Its access to Morning Sun has established itself as one of metagame's best sweepers. Pinsirite DD is one of its strongest sets, allowing it to set up against common defensive staples such as Arceus-Ground , Arceus-Fairy, Hippowdon or even Lunala and using this boost to nuke such mons with Aerilate boosted Double-Edge or Flare Blitz. Pinsirite Gouging Fire can also choose to delay evolving, allowing it to set up on Arceus-Water or Slowbro which would otherwise beat it. Heracronite and Metagrossite are another 2 strong wallbreaking options for Gouging Fire, both making use of Scale Shot or TC boosted Outrage respectively. Heracronite, in particular, can capitalize on the surprise factor of it not being Pinsirite, and beat Mandibuzz, Arceus-Water and Garganacl on the switch. The recent rise of Screens HO in the meta is also extremely beneficial to Gouging Fire further enhancing its influence in the builder.
Answers to Gouging Fire do exist but are a bit situational. Most of the counterplay revolves around KOing it before it sets up or making use of strong offensive checks like Iron Boulder, Urshifu or Great Tusk. Defensively, Arceus-Ground can beat both Heracronite and Metagrossite but is a sitting duck against Pinsirite. Arceus-Water beats Pinsirite but loses to the other two. Defensive Helmet Lunala and Garganacl can 1v1 all varients for the most part. Red-Orb ursaluna and Raging Bolt, Sablenite Mandibuzz and Pecharunt too are a strong check for all varients. Finally, Altarianite Regieleki and Dragonite can revenge kill it which is especially the case of Pinsirite version as it puts itself in range thanks to both STABs having recoil.
Overall, Gouging Fire has established itself as a very influential threat and we believe its best for the community to decide its fate.
Requirements:
Requirements can be achieved by getting 78 GXE in 25 games on the Mix and Mega ladder. In order to participate in the suspect, you must create a fresh alt (creation date no earlier than 5 May 2024) with the prefix MNMGFF at the start of the name. When you have obtained the reqs, make sure to post proof of your alt's record (generally a screenshot) in this thread, and if you wish to do so, you can also share your thoughts on the test here.
Voting:
Once the suspect period is over, everyone who has obtained reqs will be tagged. The post will then outline a process of blind voting, which will be clarified once the time arrives. For now, follow the above "Requirements" subheading to ensure that you have posted your reqs correctly. You must post on this thread in order to be tagged in the voting thread, however you do not need to include your vote on this thread.
A super-majority of 60% ban votes is required to restrict Gouging Fire from Mix and Mega.
TL;DR:
- Gouging Fire is permitted on the suspect Ladder
- The GXE requirement is 78 and the minimum game count is 25
- You must ladder on a newly-created alt using the prefix MNMGFF
- You must post your reqs in this thread, though the voting process will happen in a separate thread in blind voting. You are not required to state your vote in this thread.
- The suspect test will conclude at 11:59pm GMT -5 (EST) on Sunday, May 19th .
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