Resource SM CAP Hub

approved by quziel


art by the amazing Ausma

Because of the absolute demand, and definitely not the fact that I want to have a place where I can talk about SM CAP as much as I want to, I'm creating this thread! SM CAP is a metagame I'm really passionate about; it is perhaps my favorite metagame to play. It would be a real shame if the metagame completely died out due to a lack of upkeep, even if its playerbase may never grow by much if at all. This thread's purpose is to serve as a hub for resources and discussion. I will make sure to keep the resources in this thread up-to-date!

Resources:
Viability Rankings
Sample Teams
Speed Tiers
 
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Welcome to the official USM CAP Viability Rankings. In this thread, we as a community will rank every single usable Pokemon into ranks. In this thread, you're encouraged to post your thoughts and opinions on the various Pokemon that are usable in CAP and what rank they should fall under. The general idea of the topic is to rank each Pokemon under "rankings" that go in descending order. Please keep in mind that the viability rankings are only for reference, they should not be treated as a fact or anything more. Keep in mind that this thread will be heavily moderated, so please stay on topic and keep discussion on relevant Pokemon.

These users make up the viability council and have the final say on what gets moved in the ranking list. It is also their responsibility to gather community input and to make sure discussion remains on topic.

Dj Breloominati♬
Jordy
Lasen
pannuracotta
SHSP

Some general rules we expect everyone to follow are:
  • Posts are to follow CAP and Smogon rules; you should all know what is and is not acceptable.
  • Be respectful to other users. That means no ad hominem arguments or anything else attacking character.
  • Back up all your arguments with evidence where possible, calculations and relevant replays do wonders for supporting nominations.
  • Speaking of nominations, we'll be holding all posts that make nominations for unranked Pokemon to a higher standard than other posts. This means high level and relevant replays with solid reasoning. Anything less will be ignored by the ranking team and may be deleted.
  • Similarly, any post advocating a change of two ranks or more for an already ranked Pokemon will also be held to a higher standard. We expect high level and relevant replays along with solid reasoning, and anything less may be subject to deletion.
  • Lastly, keep your reasoning to the CAP Metagame. A Pokemon's performance in OU or any other official tier is irrelevant and posts using that as reasoning will be moderated.
S Rank: Reserved for Pokemon who shape and define the CAP metagame and are a clear-cut above the rest. These Pokemon are typically very powerful offensive threats that are difficult to prepare for or are phenomenal support and defensive threats that provide significant utility or defensive potential, respectively. Also the home of Pokemon who can easily perform multiple roles effectively, increasing their versatility and unpredictability. If the Pokemon in this rank have any flaws, those flaws are thoroughly mitigated by their substantial strengths.

S Rank

:jumbao: Jumbao
:tornadus-therian: Tornadus-T

A Rank: Reserved for Pokemon that are fantastic in the CAP metagame, and can sweep, support, or wall significant portions of the metagame. These Pokemon require less support than most others to be used effectively and have few flaws that can easily be overlooked when compared to their positive traits.

A+ Rank

:alakazam-mega: Mega Alakazam
:equilibra: Equilibra
:excadrill: Excadrill
:heatran: Heatran
:mawile-mega: Mega Mawile
:toxapex: Toxapex
:tyranitar-mega: Mega Tyranitar
:weavile: Weavile

A Rank

:arghonaut: Arghonaut
:celesteela: Celesteela
:chansey: Chansey
:ferrothorn: Ferrothorn
:gliscor: Gliscor
:kartana: Kartana
:krilowatt: Krilowatt
:kyurem-black: Kyurem-B
:landorus-therian: Landorus-T
:lopunny-mega: Mega Lopunny
:reuniclus: Reuniclus
:rotom-wash: Rotom-W
:tapu-lele: Tapu Lele
:tomohawk: Tomohawk

A- Rank

:greninja: Greninja
:latias-mega: Mega Latias
:magearna: Magearna
:medicham-mega: Mega Medicham
:necturna: Necturna
:pajantom: Pajantom
:scizor-mega: Mega Scizor
:tangrowth: Tangrowth
:tyranitar: Tyranitar
:victini: Victini

B Rank: Reserved for Pokemon that are good in the CAP metagame. These Pokemon have more notable flaws than those above them that affect how they function in the metagame. Their positive traits still outshine their negatives, but they require a bit more team support to bring out their full potential. Their niches are often smaller than those that are in A and S rank, which leads them to face some competition for a teamslot.

B+ Rank

:caribolt: Caribolt
:garchomp-mega: Mega Garchomp
:gastrodon: Gastrodon
:gyarados: Gyarados
:hoopa-unbound: Hoopa-U
:magnezone: Magnezone
:manaphy: Manaphy
:pelipper: Pelipper
:skarmory: Skarmory
:swampert-mega: Mega Swampert
:syclant: Syclant
:tapu-koko: Tapu Koko
:volcarona: Volcarona
:zapdos: Zapdos

B Rank

:charizard-mega-x: Mega Charizard X
:charizard-mega-y: Mega Charizard Y
:clefable: Clefable
:diancie-mega: Mega Diancie
:ditto: Ditto
:gallade-mega: Mega Gallade
:garchomp: Garchomp
:greninja-ash: Ash-Greninja
:jirachi: Jirachi
:pinsir-mega: Mega Pinsir
:latios-mega: Mega Latios
:serperior: Serperior
:tapu-bulu: Tapu Bulu
:tapu-fini: Tapu Fini

B- Rank

:aggron-mega: Mega Aggron
:aurumoth: Aurumoth
:cawmodore: Cawmodore
:colossoil: Colossoil
:cyclohm: Cyclohm
:fidgit: Fidgit
:hawlucha: Hawlucha
:kommo-o: Kommo-o
:naviathan: Naviathan
:sableye-mega: Mega Sableye
:suicune: Suicune

C Rank: Reserved for Pokemon that have notable niches in the CAP metagame, but have just as many notable flaws that prevent them from being effective. Pokemon in the C tier often require significant support to be effective. Pokemon from this rank tend to face a lot of competition with the more commonly used Pokemon.

C Rank

:amoonguss: Amoonguss
:hippowdon: Hippowdon
:mamoswine: Mamoswine
:rotom-heat: Rotom-H
:sharpedo-mega: Mega Sharpedo
:slowbro-mega: Mega Slowbro
:slowbro: Slowbro
:slowking: Slowking
:venusaur-mega: Mega Venusaur

D Rank: Reserved for CAP Pokemon that are considered unviable in the current CAP metagame, but an argument can be made for their viability.

D Rank

:crucibelle: Crucibelle
:crucibelle-mega: Mega Crucibelle
:kerfluffle: Kerfluffle
:kitsunoh: Kitsunoh
:malaconda: Malaconda
:mollux: Mollux
:plasmanta: Plasmanta
:pyroak: Pyroak
:revenankh: Revenankh
:smokomodo: Smokomodo
:snaelstrom: Snaelstrom
:stratagem: Stratagem
:volkraken: Volkraken
:voodoom: Voodoom
 
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Welcome to the SM CAP Sample Teams! Sample teams were last updated a while ago, and I think an update is due. This post will likely be updated after every important event involving SM CAP to really show you what the best of the best teams in the metagame look like.

Sample Teams

:sm/tapu-lele::sm/rotom-wash::sm/garchomp::sm/jumbao::sm/tornadus-therian::sm/victini:
Tapu Lele VoltTurn by Jho

:sm/jumbao::sm/alakazam-mega::sm/ferrothorn::sm/gastrodon::sm/tomohawk::sm/victini:
Drought Jumbao Bulky Offense by Jordy

:sm/kyurem-black::sm/landorus-therian::sm/jumbao::sm/rotom-wash::sm/scizor-mega::sm/tornadus-therian:
Substitute Kyurem-B Bulky Offense by Jordy

:sm/alakazam-mega::sm/magnezone::sm/toxapex::sm/tomohawk::sm/heatran::sm/landorus-therian:
Mega Alakazam + Magnezone Bulky Offense by Jordy

:sm/tyranitar-mega::sm/reuniclus::sm/arghonaut::sm/excadrill::sm/jumbao::sm/tornadus-therian:
Reuniclus Sand Balance by Jordy

:sm/latias-mega::sm/chansey::sm/equilibra::sm/arghonaut::sm/weavile::sm/heatran:
Mega Latias Balance by Jordy

I know these are all my teams save for one from Jho, but I don't really want to bother other users for sample teams during tournament season and these are teams that I think are quite representative of what's good in the metagame that I can miss.
 
In this post, you can find the simple Speed tiers that are relevant to SM CAP.

Tier 0: 500+ Speed
Speed​
Pokemon​
Sprite(s)​
Base Speed​
Nature​
EVs​
Boost​
876​
Mega Alakazam​
:alakazam-mega:
150​
+Spe​
252​
+2​
788​
Aurumoth​
:aurumoth:
94​
+Spe​
252​
+3​
736​
Hawlucha​
:hawlucha:
118​
+Spe​
252​
+2​
718​
Aurumoth​
:aurumoth:
94​
Neutral​
252​
+3​
670​
Hawlucha​
:hawlucha:
118​
Neutral​
252​
+2​
656​
Mega Charizard X / Volcarona​
:charizard-mega-x::volcarona:
100​
+Spe​
252​
+2​
644​
Naviathan​
:naviathan:
97​
+Spe​
252​
+2​
630​
Aurumoth​
:aurumoth:
94​
+Spe​
252​
+2​
618​
Landorus-Therian​
:landorus-therian:
91​
+Spe​
252​
+2​
604​
Excadrill​
:excadrill:
88​
+Spe​
252​
+2​
598​
Mega Charizard X / Volcarona​
:charizard-mega-x::volcarona:
100​
Neutral​
252​
+2​
590​
Kingdra​
:kingdra:
85​
+Spe​
252​
+2​
586​
Naviathan​
:naviathan:
97​
Neutral​
252​
+2​
574​
Weavile​
:weavile:
125​
+Spe​
252​
+1​
574​
Gyarados​
:gyarados:
81​
+Spe​
252​
+2​
574​
Aurumoth​
:aurumoth:
94​
Neutral​
252​
+2​
565​
Greninja​
:greninja:
122​
+Spe​
252​
+1​
562​
Landorus-Therian​
:landorus-therian:
91​
Neutral​
252​
+2​
555​
Kerfluffle​
:kerfluffle:
119​
+Spe​
252​
+1​
550​
Excadrill​
:excadrill:
88​
Neutral​
252​
+2​
538​
Kingdra​
:kingdra:
85​
Neutral​
252​
+2​
535​
Serperior​
:serperior:
113​
+Spe​
252​
+1​
530​
Mega Tyranitar​
:tyranitar-mega:
71​
+Spe​
252​
+2​
525​
Kitsunoh​
:kitsunoh:
110​
+Spe​
252​
+1​
524​
Mega Swampert​
:swampert-mega:
70​
+Spe​
252​
+2​
523​
Weavile​
:weavile:
125​
+Spe​
252​
+1​
522​
Kartana​
:kartana:
109​
+Spe​
252​
+1​
506​
Crucibelle​
:crucibelle:
104​
+Spe​
252​
+1​
502​
Magearna​
:magearna:
65​
+Spe​
252​
+2​


Tier 1: 500 to 401 Speed


Speed​
Pokemon​
Sprite(s)​
Base Speed​
Nature​
EVs​
Boosts​
492​
Mega Charizard X / Jirachi / Manaphy / Victini / Volcarona​
:charizard-mega-x::jirachi::manaphy::victini::volcarona:
100​
+Spe​
252​
+1​
483​
Naviathan​
:naviathan:
97​
+Spe​
252​
+1​
482​
Jumbao​
:jumbao:
96​
+Spe​
252​
+1​
478​
Mega Swampert​
:swampert-mega:
70​
Neutral​
252​
+2​
475​
Tapu Lele / Volkraken​
:tapu-lele::volkraken:
95​
+Spe​
252​
+1​
473​
Aurumoth​
:aurumoth:
94​
+Spe​
252​
+1​
472​
Necturna​
:necturna:
58​
+Spe​
252​
+2​
463​
Landorus-Therian​
91​
+Spe​
252​
+1​
458​
Magearna​
65​
Neutral​
252​
+2​
448​
Mega Charizard X / Jirachi / Manaphy / Victini / Volcarona​
:charizard-mega-x::jirachi::manaphy::victini::volcarona:
100​
Neutral​
252​
+1​
439​
Naviathan​
:naviathan:
97​
Neutral​
252​
+1​
438​
Mega Alakazam​
:alakazam-mega:
150​
+Spe​
252​
0​
433​
Tapu Lele / Volkraken​
:tapu-lele::volkraken:
95​
Neutral​
252​
+1​
431​
Aurumoth​
:aurumoth:
94​
Neutral​
252​
+1​
430​
Gyarados​
:gyarados:
81​
+Spe​
252​
+1​
430​
Necturna​
:necturna:
58​
Neutral​
252​
+2​
405​
Mega Lopunny​
:lopunny-mega:
135​
+Spe​
252​
0​

Tier 2: 400 to 301 Speed


Speed​
Pokemon​
Sprite(s)​
Base Speed​
Nature​
EVs​
Boost​
399​
Ash-Greninja​
:greninja-ash:
132​
+Spe​
252​
0​
394​
Tapu Koko / Stratagem​
:tapu-koko::stratagem:
130​
+Spe​
252​
0​
391​
Gyarados​
:gyarados:
81​
Neutral​
252​
+1​
383​
Weavile​
:weavile:
125​
+Spe​
252​
0​
377​
Greninja​
:greninja:
122​
+Spe​
252​
0​
375​
Tornadus-Therian / Syclant​
:tornadus-therian::syclant:
121​
+Spe​
252​
0​
370​
Kerfluffle​
:kerfluffle:
119​
+Spe​
252​
0​
368​
Cawmodore​
:cawmodore:
118​
+Spe​
252​
0​
360​
Magnezone​
:magnezone:
60​
+Spe​
252​
+1​
357​
Serperior​
:serperior:
113​
+Spe​
252​
0​
350​
Mega Diancie / Kitsunoh / Mega Latias / Mega Latios / Voodoom​
:diancie-mega::kitsunoh::latias-mega::latios-mega::voodoom:
110​
+Spe​
252​
0​
348​
Kartana​
:kartana:
109​
+Spe​
252​
0​
346​
Mega Crucibelle​
:crucibelle-mega:
108​
+Spe​
252​
0​
342​
Caribolt​
:caribolt:
106​
+Spe​
252​
0​
339​
Fidgit / Krilowatt / Mega Pinsir​
:fidgit::krilowatt::pinsir-mega:
105​
+Spe​
252​
0​
337​
Crucibelle​
:crucibelle:
105​
+Spe​
252​
0​
333​
Garchomp​
:garchomp:
102​
+Spe​
252​
0​
331​
Pajantom​
:pajantom:
101​
+Spe​
252​
0​
328​
Mega Charizard X / Mega Charizard Y / Mega Medicham / Manaphy / Plasmanta / Victini / Volcarona​
:charizard-mega-x::charizard-mega-y::medicham-mega::manaphy::plasmanta::victini::volcarona:
100​
+Spe​
252​
0​
322​
Naviathan / Smokomodo​
:naviathan::smokomodo:
97​
+Spe​
252​
0​
320​
Jumbao​
:jumbao:
96​
+Spe​
252​
0​
317​
Colossoil / Kyurem-Black / Tapu Lele / Volkraken​
:colossoil::kyurem-black::tapu-lele::volkraken:
95​
+Spe​
252​
0​
315​
Aurumoth​
:aurumoth:
94​
+Spe​
252​
0​
311​
Caribolt​
:caribolt:
106​
Neutral​
252​
0​
309​
Landorus-Therian​
91​
+Spe​
252​
0​
309​
Mega Pinsir​
105​
Neutral​
252​
0​
303​
Garchomp​
102​
Neutral​
252​
0​
303​
Moltres​
90​
+Spe​
240​
0​
302​
Excadrill​
88​
+Spe​
252​
0​

Tier 3: 300 to 201 Speed
Speed​
Pokemon​
Sprite(s)​
Base Speed​
Nature​
EVs​
Boost​
299​
Mega Charizard X / Mega Charizard Y / Mega Medicham / Manaphy / Plasmanta / Victini / Volcarona​
:charizard-mega-x::charizard-mega-y::medicham-mega::manaphy::plasmanta::victini::volcarona:
100​
Neutral​
252​
0​
295​
Kingdra / Tomohawk​
:kingdra::tomohawk:
85​
+Spe​
252​
0​
293​
Naviathan / Smokomodo​
:naviathan::smokomodo:
97​
Neutral​
252​
0​
291​
Jumbao​
:jumbao:
96​
Neutral​
252​
0​
289​
Colossoil / Kyurem-B / Tapu Lele / Volkraken​
:colossoil::kyurem-black::tapu-lele::volkraken:
95​
Neutral​
252​
0​
287​
Aurumoth​
94​
Neutral​
252​
0​
287​
Gyarados​
:gyarados:
81​
+Spe​
252​
0​
284​
Cyclohm / Hoopa-Unbound / Mamoswine​
:cyclohm::hoopa-unbound::mamoswine:
80​
+Spe​
252​
0​
281​
Landorus-Therian​
:landorus-therian:
91​
Neutral​
252​
0​
278​
Heatran​
:heatran:
77​
+Spe​
252​
0​
275​
Excadrill​
:excadrill:
88​
Neutral​
252​
0​
269​
Kingdra / Tomohawk​
:kingdra::tomohawk:
85​
Neutral​
252​
0​
265​
Mega Tyranitar​
:tyranitar-mega:
71​
+Spe​
252​
0​
262​
Mega Swampert​
:swampert-mega:
70​
+Spe​
252​
0​
261​
Gyarados​
:gyarados:
81​
Neutral​
252​
0​
259​
Cyclohm / Hoopa-Unbound / Mamoswine​

:cyclohm::hoopa-unbound::mamoswine:
80​
Neutral​
252​
0​
253​
Heatran​
:heatran:
77​
Neutral​
252​
0​
251​
Magearna / Pelipper​
:magearna::pelipper:
65​
+Spe​
252​
0​
246​
Fidgit​
:fidgit:
105​
Neutral​
0​
0​
243​
Tyranitar​
:tyranitar:
61​
+Spe​
252​
0​
240​
Garchomp​
:garchomp:
102​
Neutral​
0​
0​
240​
Magnezone​
:magnezone:
60​
+Spe​
252​
0​
239​
Mega Swampert​
:swampert-mega:
70​
Neutral​
252​
0​
238​
Pajantom​
:pajantom:
101​
Neutral​
0​
0​
236​
Jirachi / Mew / Zapdos​
:jirachi::mew::zapdos:
100​
Neutral​
0​
0​
236​
Necturna​
:necturna:
58​
+Spe​
252​
0​
229​
Magearna / Pelipper​
:magearna::pelipper:
65​
Neutral​
252​
0​
229​
Crawdaunt​
:crawdaunt:
55​
+Spe​
252​
0​
221​
Tyranitar​
:tyranitar:
61​
Neutral​
252​
0​
219​
Magnezone​
:magnezone:
60​
Neutral​
252​
0​
218​
Victini​
:victini:
100​
+Spe​
252​
-1​
215​
Necturna​
:necturna:
58​
Neutral​
252​
0​
209​
Crawdaunt​
:crawdaunt:
55​
Neutral​
252​
0​
208​
Rotom-Wash​
:rotom-wash:
86​
Neutral​
0​
0​
206​
Suicune / Tomohawk​
:suicune::tomohawk:
85​
Neutral
0​
0

Tier 4: 200 to 101 Speed


Speed​
Pokemon​
Sprite(s)​
Base Speed​
Nature​
EVs​
Boost​
199​
Mega Mawile​
:mawile-mega:
50​
Neutral​
252​
0​
199​
Victini​
:victini:
100​
Neutral​
252​
-1​
196​
Cyclohm / Mega Venusaur​
:cyclohm::venusaur-mega:
80​
Neutral​
0​
0​
190​
Heatran​
:heatran:
77​
Neutral​
0​
0​
188​
Mollux​
:mollux:
76​
Neutral​
0​
0​
186​
Arghonaut / Mega Scizor / Tapu Bulu​
:arghonaut::scizor-mega::tapu-bulu:
75​
Neutral​
0​
0​
166​
Magearna / Pelipper / Revenankh​
:magearna::pelipper::revenankh:
65​
Neutral​
0​
0​
162​
Snaelstrom​
:snaelstrom:
63​
Neutral​
0​
0​
158​
Celesteela / Tyranitar​
:celesteela::tyranitar:
61​
Neutral​
0​
0​
156​
Clefable / Equilibra / Pyroak​
:clefable::equilibra::pyroak:
60​
Neutral​
0​
0​
146​
Malaconda​
:malaconda:
55​
Neutral​
0​
0​
142​
Celesteela​
:celesteela:
61​
-Spe​
0​
0​
139​
Tapu Bulu​
:tapu-bulu:
75​
-Spe + 0 IVs​
0​
0​
136​
Mega Aggron / Chansey / Mega Mawile​
:aggron-mega::chansey::mawile-mega:
50​
Neutral​
0​
0​
130​
Hippowdon​
:hippowdon:
47​
Neutral​
0​
0​
122​
Tangrowth​
:tangrowth:
50​
-Spe​
0​
0​
121​
Magearna​
:magearna:
65​
-Spe + 0 IVs​
0​
0​
114​
Gastrodon​
:gastrodon:
39​
Neutral​
0​
0​
106​
Toxapex​
:toxapex:
35​
Neutral​
0​
0​
103​
Crawdaunt​
:crawdaunt:
55​
-Spe + 0 IVs​
0​
0​

Tier 5: 100 to 10 Speed


Speed​
Pokemon​
Sprite(s)​
Base Speed​
Nature​
EVs​
Boost​
96​
Amoonguss / Slowbro / Mega Slowbro / Slowking​
:amoonguss::slowbro::slowbro-mega::slowking:
30​
Neutral​
0​
0​
95​
Quagsire​
:quagsire:
35​
-Spe​
0​
0​
94​
Mega Mawile​
:mawile-mega:
50​
-Spe + 0 IVs​
0​
0​
85​
Alolan Marowak​
:marowak-alola:
45​
-Spe + 0 IVs​
0​
0​
76​
Ferrothorn / Mega Sableye​
:ferrothorn::sableye-mega:
20​
Neutral​
0​
0​
40​
Mega Camerupt / Ferrothorn​
:camerupt-mega::ferrothorn:
20​
-Spe + 0 IVs​
0​
0​
 
Last edited:
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Hey everyone! I had a blast playing SM CAP in Snake, though I only went 4-2 this time. I figure that the teams I used that I built are worth sharing.

:kyurem-black::landorus-therian::jumbao::rotom-wash::scizor-mega::tornadus-therian:
Week 1 vs Lasen

So at this point I was still with the mentality of only using bulky offense / balance teams. I figured that this was a pretty solid shout against Lasen in particular because I was certain he'd prep really hard for some fat balance with Reuniclus, as he did. Our matchup ended up being quite even and the game came down to him baiting me into thinking his Mega Mawile was not Fire Fang. I reckon that I would've won if I'd gone Rotom-W instead of Swords Dance on turn 25.

These kinds of teams are generally not my style in SM CAP, but I was definitely satisfied with how this team turned out. Kyurem-B is a phenomenal wallbreaker in SM CAP that has an incredibly high ceiling if you play aggressively with it, and I think it synergized super well with the rest of this team. To be honest, I don't think defensive Landorus-T is a good Stealth Rock setter, at all. But it definitely does what you need on teams like this; it's a Volt blocker and can act as a temporary Mega Medicham check, etc. It can very easily rob momentum off Pokemon like Tornadus-T too. Jumbao is a really cool addition to teams like this as it can use Wish and keep Kyurem-B, Landorus-T, and Rotom-W up easily. Its Grass typing is incredibly useful for Pokemon like Caribolt. Rotom-W is a decent Tornadus-T, Equilibra, and Heatran check, can Defog, and can easily rob momentum. The fact that Rotom-W can Defog frees up Assault Vest Tornadus-T, which is useful for Jumbao. Overall, Hurricane is probably better than Sludge Bomb, but my Drought Jumbao paranoia was kicking in. Lastly, I was expecting a Pokemon like Kyurem-B or Mega Mawile from Lasen, so I figured Mega Scizor was a good fit.

:reuniclus::skarmory::weavile::aggron-mega::gastrodon::chansey:
Week 2 vs Granny Pie

I just said "fuck that" to bringing bulky offense or balance and went back to the typical structure I like to use. Granny Pie didn't really seem to prepare for Calm Mind Reuniclus at all, as he tended to use very offensive teams, so I figured that some type of Reuniclus + Spikes team was going to be strong. This is also the week I realized that Chansey is most definitely god.

This team is a pretty interesting take on Reuniclus + Spikes in my opinion, using one of my favorite Pokemon; Mega Aggron. Swords Dance Skarmory may seem weird, but I'm a big fan of it and think that it is perhaps the best last move. It helps in consistently beating Kartana, which is important here and it's also useful for keeping up Spikes in front of Tornadus-T. This team struggles with Psychic-types and trapping Tornadus-T is always useful, so I figured that Weavile was a pretty good fit. It helps a little with Necturna and Caribolt too. I was quite paranoid about Pokemon like Kyurem-B, Mega Alakazam, and Tapu Lele, which Mega Aggron helps with a lot. Mega Aggron is incredibly good at trading against offensive teams, so I figured it would definitely carry its weight. It's quite the potent offensive threat too; it's really hard to switch into. Gastrodon is really strong alongside Skarmory, as you will never give up momentum to Krilowatt and with Clear Smog, it's a pretty good check to Reuniclus and similar setup Pokemon too. It solidly checks Heatran too, which is really good. If I had greeded up and not went with Clear Smog and instead ran Scald, I easily would've beat Granny Pie's team too, but that's a different story. With Mega Aggron you'll definitely want Wish support, and I still needed a Jumbao check so I figured Chansey was a good move.

:latias-mega::chansey::equilibra::arghonaut::weavile::heatran:
Week 3 vs Pitmore

Against Pitmore I figured I could probably just win on matchup. Mega Latias is a really matchup heavy Pokemon and teams like these are impossible to cheese, which is what I was anticipating.

Thunderbolt + Ice Beam Mega Latias is really strong in SM CAP, so long as you don't face Weavile. With Thunderbolt, it becomes a breeze to get past Celesteela. Normally I'm not a fan of Thunderbolt, but with Spikes you still manage to beat Toxapex pretty well. Heal Bell support is also really strong with Mega Latias; a lot of teams rely on Toxic Heatran or something similar to check it. Wish seemed like a nice shout too in order to keep Equilibra and Heatran healthy. Considering this is a team with Spikes, Rapid Spin was definitely the entry hazard control I wanted. I needed a true Steel-type too; offensive Heatran does not cut it. Arghonaut is another nice Heatran check and is also a good Pokemon to double switch into from Mega Latias against Pokemon like Weavile and Tyranitar. Weavile beats Psychic-types which this team is quite weak to without Toxic Chansey. It also traps Tornadus-T which is inevitably annoying. Lastly, Heatran was a really nice shout as a Stealth Rock setter I figured because it makes it easier to overwhelm Ferrothorn, etc. while also luring Pokemon like Arghonaut and Mega Tyranitar. Overall a really cool team if you're expecting to face some form of cheese.

:pajantom::reuniclus::toxapex::equilibra::jumbao::tyranitar-mega:
Week 4 vs SHSP

Got matched against one of my best friends on this site, so I knew I had to return to my Reuniclus + Mega Tyranitar roots haha. This team is really teched out and I was absolutely prepared to catch SHSP with them.

I was expecting a Tyranitar or Weavile from SHSP given my last 2 weeks, so Groundium Z + Protect Pajantom seemed like a really strong pick. I wanted to trap and remove the Pursuit trappers safely to win with Reuniclus. Because I couldn't quite fit a strong Steel-type here without missing a Ground immune Pokemon, I figured out that Light Screen Toxapex was a nice move to run. It makes playing against Tapu Lele and Mega Alakazam
a lot easier, which is definitely what I was expecting from SHSP. Equilibra was the only way I was fitting a solid Ground immune Pokemon that can also remove entry hazards. Doom Desire + Pajantom is pretty strong too. Jumbao makes it much easier to use Pajantom, Equilibra, and Mega Tyranitar by keeping them healthy with Wish. It's really useful against Caribolt and I was actually thinking that hyper offense could be brought. Mega Tyranitar shouldn't need any explaining. Pursuit is really fucking good. I definitely played too aggressively in this game, but it ended up working out and I completely finessed that Kyurem-B despite the dire matchup, which was cool.

:slowbro-mega::chansey::heatran::skarmory::tyranitar::excadrill:
Finals vs Wulfanator72

Given what Wulfanator had been using, I wanted to try and fish for a win with Calm Mind Mega Slowbro. But really, I should've known that stuff like this was going to be prepared for. I needed to get a Scald burn on Hoopa-U, which unfortunately did not happen.

Calm Mind Mega Slowbro is a pretty strong wincondition in SM CAP because it is a Psychic-type that is not easily trapped by Pursuit users. Chansey is practically the perfect partner as it provides Heal Bell support; Mega Slowbro is pretty prone to getting crippled by Toxic, and they have nice defensive synergy together. Chansey is weak to Fighting-types and Mega Slowbro is pretty much the best check to them. Heatran is cool on this team because it can significantly weaken Tyranitar and is a very convincing wallbreaker with Spikes. It is also perhaps the best Stealth Rock setter in the metagame. I don't think Skarmory needs much explanation here but it's still a really good check to Pokemon such as Colossoil and Necturna, which can generally be a nuisance for this team. Tyranitar is a solid Tornadus-T and Heatran check. The fact that it's a Psychic immune Pokemon is very useful against Tapu Lele. It's also one of the better Pajantom checks. Excadrill felt like the natural last Pokemon for this team as it is a Volt blocker, Speed control that helps with Pokemon like Caribolt, and can Rapid Spin.

My matchup was definitely really difficult, but I probably could've won with Mega Slowbro if I had gotten the burn on Hoopa-U. I figured out that it wasn't Choice Band Hoopa-U as soon as I switched in Skarmory, too. I definitely should have scouted for Thunderbolt with Excadrill. Preserving my Skarmory would've been very good for Landorus-T.

I hope this post was a little insightful to you and I look forward to playing SM CAP in future tournaments!
 
Shoutouts to Jho, SHSP, and Lasen for helping me out with this update to the VR. Here it is!

Code:
Rises:
Weavile from A to A+
Excadrill from A- to A
Mega Mawile from A- to A
Chansey from B+ to A
Tyranitar from B+ to A-
Gastrodon from B to B+
Zapdos from B to B+
Skarmory from B- to B
Mega Slowbro from C to B-

Drops:
Celesteela from A+ to A
Kartana from A+ to A
Mega Latias from A to A-
Necturna from A to A-
Colossoil from A- to B+
Tapu Koko from A- to B+
Volcarona from A- to B+
Clefable from B+ to B
Kommo-o from B+ to B
Mega Latios from B+ to B
Aurumoth from B to B-
Mamoswine from B to B-
Slowking from B to B-
Suicune from B to B-
Stratagem from C to D
 
Big ups to Lasen, SHSP, pannuracotta, and Dj Breloominati♬ for helping me with this new VR update. Here it is!

Code:
Rises:
Excadrill from A to A+
Mega Alakazam from A to A+
Mega Mawile from A to A+
Gliscor from A- to A
Kyurem-B from A- to A
Mega Lopunny from A- to A
Rotom-W from A- to A
Magearna from B+ to A-
Mega Scizor from B+ to A-
Skarmory from B to B+
Mega Diancie from B- to B
Mega Aggron from C to B-
Mega Sharpedo from UR to C
Rotom-H from UR to C

Drops:
Toxapex from S to A+
Caribolt from A- to B+
Colossoil from B+ to B-
Cyclohm from B to B-
Fidgit from B to B-
Kommo-o from B to B-
Mega Sableye from B to B-
Amoonguss from B- to C
Mamoswine from B- to C
Mega Slowbro from B- to C
Naviathan from B- to C
Slowbro from B- to C
Slowking from B- to C
Kitsunoh from C to D
Smokomodo from C to D
Volkraken from C to D
Moltres from C to UR
You can find the voting here. If you have any questions about any drops or rises, feel free to ask here or on Discord, and I'm sure someone will be glad to answer.

Also, I would like to add some teams to the samples. I believe it is most notably missing a Mega Mawile, Mega Lopunny, and Shift Gear Magearna team. If you have any you believe are worthy of being a sample team, feel free to PM me on Discord.
 

SHSP

is a Forum Moderatoris a Community Contributoris a Top CAP Contributor
Moderator
CAPPL VIII is finished, and I think its been an incredible season for SM CAP. There's been a ton of growth in the meta over the last few months, and especially with the upcoming Jumbao nerf and potentially more SM CAP gaming (watch this space), I wanted to talk a bit about some of the interesting trends in how SM really evolved this tour.

:caribolt: The Rise of HO :sharpedo_mega:

One of the more notable things I saw this season in SM was a dramatic uptick in HO, along a few different general structures or ideas. For context, in CAPPL VIII (per usage stats thread) Caribolt got played twice all season. This year, it was in at least 14 teams. Caribolt HOs have been relatively similar all in all: paired with Koko as a screener, oftentimes paired with Mega Gyarados. The most common structure was ran a few times, including my game against Adem in Week 5 and in this HO ditto between Mimi and Mic. This is a team I built (Test HO) that leans heavily into the terrain, both with Hawlucha and with Caribolt, as well as pairing Cari with several options that take advantage of popular checks (grasses like Jumbao, Ferro and Tang). There were a few minor changes on this sort of structure- Victini replacing or complementing Volcarona, lead Hawk over lead Exca- and some different builds entirely that abandoned Electric Terrain, showcasing that Cari works well outside of more supportive teams built around it. Jordy's build with it paired with Sharpedo (more on that later) was ran a few times, and Quz in week 4 against Pannu ran a more stand-alone, Spikes lead Gren team that still shared some similarities with the general archetype. These sort of Caribolt HOs rising in popularity so quickly, most notably by the Lechonkers, have really shown the strength of the build and of the mon itself, especially into common, bulkier archetypes.

The other thing I wanted to talk about on the topic of HO is Sharpedo. Mega Shark was again rarely used in CAPPL VII, appearing twice overall. In CAPPL VIII, that usage doubled. Jordy's previously mentioned Shark built was ran twice, once by him and once by Jho, albeit to less success. It's a much more aggressive pick in the builder, significantly more feast or famine, but can have some very great matchups such as Pannu's bring vs Quz in the aforementioned offense ditto. In this game, it ends up a huge threat against offense, where at +1 speed it's doing serious damage to effectively everything Quz has and threatens more or less just ending the game with one wrong decision. Important to note here are some similar teammates across both- steel type offensive mons like Kart, Mage and offensive Steela, and general mons that often will require defensive answers taking chip to deal with like Kommo-o and Lando.

HO is getting its fifteen minutes of fame here, and I'm curious to see if in the future its better answered- especially with so many of the current teams sharing a lot of structures. Speaking more personally, it can be tricky to think about answering, especially a well supported Caribolt, and I still think there are HO advancements to make- potential Mega Diancie leads, Necturna, maybe even Mewnium Z Mew?

:medicham_mega: Mega Choice :tyranitar_mega:

Comparing usage 1:1 between past CAPPLs and this one is a little weird, as we dramatically increased the number of SM games played this season just going from one to two slots, but it's still worth noting how the mega slot in particular got a lot more diverse over the season. In CAPPL VII, we saw most teams go with Mega TTar or Mega Zam, with other options appearing once or twice outside of a handful (Latias, Mawile, Medicham). In this year's, we saw TTar actually go up in usage while Zam dropped, though both remained the top two choices. As mentioned, MGyara and Mega Shark increased their visibility as HO did, and also of interest was a 100% winrate over 8 games for MMedi. Diancie was a late bloomer of sorts, being used often in the last few weeks of the tour, often to punish teams that relied on AV Torn-T to handle Jumbao. MSab stall made some appearances, and MLop increased in its usage a bit as well. Though the role compression of TTar and the strength overall of MZam are hard to pass up, especially with structures like ReuniTar and ZamBao still being solid options, more and more experimentation is happening, often to strong success as we see with the HO megas, Medi and Diancie.

To close this quick one off, I wanted to talk a bit about a few highlight games-

Me vs Velvet in week 1: I'm a bit biased, but I think this was a great game overall. Think we both took turns playing really great, with my early positioning around Medi+Weav and Velv's lategame positioning around my Zam. Super fun to play, even if it was a loss for me.

Lily vs Career Ended in week 5: This was an incredibly played game by Lily, not much more to say other than that. Well worth a watch, and potentially a hint of a bright future for rain post Drought Bao.

Jordy vs Pannu in week 2: I love both these builds and it's always a joy to see Pannu and Jordy go at it. Two genuinely amazing SM players and a well played game.

Gonna remind myself of the rest of the games and add more later. Been a blast playing SM this season, looking forward to more!
 

LBN

is a Top Tiering Contributor Alumnus
UPL Champion
I will be adding onto this post above me with my OWN VR suggestions, as after playing the tier more as well as talking with a couple people that can feel similarly on most of my points. Without further ado, welcome to thenominations.

First things first, I'd like to propose the creation of the S- Rank. The groupings in A+ are solid, however i think 3 of them are noticeably better in the tier than the surrounding members.

748.png
-> S-
These 3 are above the pack in my eyes. All of them offer fantastic role compression, cover otherwise tough to handle pairing of pokemon, such as Toxapex handling both Jumbao and Mega Lopunny, and Libra handling Magearna and Mega Alakazam. These pokemon aren't one trick ponies either (except toxapex but that's exchanged by the fact that knowing its set perfectly won't change it being obnoxious and incredible at it's job.) Mega Tyranitar, has plenty of tech last moves which change what pokemon you cover. Ice punch handles Gliscor and Landorus-T nicely, Crunch helps with Reuniclus and Mega Latias, Fire punch helps with Libra as well as Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn, Superpower helps more into Libra as well as opposing tyranitars and Heatran, Earthquake helps vs non levitate Libra and Toxapex, and even more fringe options like Toxic can nail an unsuspecting Arghonaut. Meanwhile Libra has Custap Destiny bond, pain split, protect for leftovers healing and catching Medichams and Lopunny's off guard for 50/50s displayed here in my semis game. It also has levitate sets for opposing Libras, Gliscors etc. And this UPL, their usage was all among the top 10, with Tyranitar at 6th, Toxapex at 3rd and Libra at 2nd overall. I think they are clearcut above everything else that the creation of such a subranking to be warranted.

1662348676901.png
-> B/B+
Here we have a Pokemon self confessed to have just been forgotten on the VR. As this is a case of merely forgetting it and not it being unrecognized, I won't go too into detail on it, as SM OU isn't too too different to SM. The main difference is the high usage of Mega Tyranitar, but alternatively the higher usage of Pokemon like Toxapex and Rotom Wash show things to be similar enough to the climate of SM OU relative to Kyurem's talents. Overall a solid pick which has every right to belong on the VR.

-> A/A-
Next i have a pair of steel types sitting in A+, which i think do not belong as high as they are. While they are great, i do not think them to be worthy of A+. Mega Mawile's usage this tour was middling. 5 uses over the course of the tour, while having double the slots from last year isn't an automatic condemnation, isn't a good sign. Doubly troubling i find is the the 4MSS it has. While Mega mawile kills almost everything that's not changed, it's both entering safely and having the coverage it needs to do so, ignoring it's opportunity costs with megas with similar breaking power but more speed, such as Medicham, or better role compression such as Mega Tyranitar. Competing with the steel-type mega slot with Mega Scizor, who exchanges not beating Toxapex for being a great Reuniclus check, far better into Offense, and more defensive utility and entry points. Mawile wants play rough, thunder punch, sucker, fire fang, brick break, SD, or other moves like Substitute, while there's also common faster threats that force it out on balance that don't falter to sucker like Jumbao and Tyranitar.

Speaking of Tyranitar, Excadrill drop suggestion may seem weird, but my main stifle is a simple one. The sand is too short. Excadrill is a strong threat with solid matchups overall, especially with Steelium-Z. However, i find it struggles to find entries with high sand turn numbers to be a crapshoot. Adding the fact that Mega Tyranitar has a lot of things its good at but longevity is among its worst, and using Excadrill outside of sand is unviable. Common pains like Gliscor, Arghonaut, Rotom-Wash, levitate Libra and fake out megas in Lopunny and Medicham can cut its run far shorter. Overall i think it's a solid pokemon but I think that A+ and maybe even A is too high for it. Being a fake steel doesn't help and it's anti synergy with Libra causes even more problems.

1662350198602.png
-> A+
Now for a pair of bulky waters, while lesser to me than Toxapex, their unique traits come together to have notable side-grades and traits that are things Toxapex cannot do. Rotom-Wash is an excellent pivot, being the best water into Tornadus-Therian, who was the most used Pokemon all tour, as well as other more obnoxious threats like Libra, while also having the best speed tier. It's status spreading skills are also the best of the 3. It also landed an insanely high 5th in usage, or 24% usage across the entire tour. Well deserving of the rise. Arghonaut boasts Unaware, spikes and the best anti sweeper role of the 3. Best for teams who have Jumbao covered and would like additional hazard pressure can turn to Arghonaut for such a job, while being arguably the tiers best Mega Tyranitar counter. Being a soft check to multitude of other strong pokemon like Mega Lopunny (if you run impish and dont come in on HJK), and also counters Weavile, Mega Scizor, and Ash Greninja. Arghonaut scored 15th place overall in usage or 12% overall. Both fitting of a raise in my eyes.

-> B
Next up we have 2 bottom feeders with no business being in the A ranks. Tyranitar is a sad case, because it really is simply "just use the mega form" syndrome. On it's own it'd be fine but Mega Tyranitar is just so much better than the original form. Scarf Ttar being slower than Torn-T and just dying to superpower doesn't help. Celesteela where do i begin... This pokemon can be fairly annoying but it hits a wall on the waters, deathly fear of knock off, steel that can't take stone edge. It's decent as an alternative Libra in that it's a steel that beats lele and Alakazam. But it's far more in the short term it feels like than Libra, while not having anywhere near the same team utility. I know the drops are drastic but i think it's accurate for these 2.

-> A+
Now welcome to the thrashers. Both of these 2 are so dangerous for teams overall between Lopunny's proficiency for smashing offense down, while being able to beat down more bulkier balances with spikes down or even the Encore PUP set, which is niche but worth respecting. Minimal good scarfers ensures Lopunny has a solid chance of going first while having good odds to 2 tap most of the offensive metagame, and pressure a good bit of the defensive metagame. Overall i think it's one of the best megas and deserves a higher rating. Kartana, alternatively, is highly disrespcted by builders in this tier, people seem to think Tornadus-T is good enough when it just is not remotely good enough at the job, let alone good at all. Steelium-Z sets are very potent, and most of the anti sweeper pokemon are Waters, which is why pokemon like Caribolt and Kartana are so good on offenses and HOs. It's breaking capabilities with Z moves is superb, and warrants cautious in both the builder and the battle, and deserves a rise to reflect as such.

-> A-
These two breakers are very slept on in their offensive capabilities. People were catching on to Diancie's abilities late into the season, and i think it's to the moon with it. Torn-T's constant prominence is amazing entry for it, with incredible coverage hitting almost all of the tier with Earth power HP Fire stabs, and it's interesting applications with Magic bounce forcing mind games you need to have respect for. On a skilled player this pokemon will shred common teams to bits, and it's applications with Torn-T abuse was showcased nicely by Velvet here. Serperior seems like a strong nod, with Torn-T's omnipotence and all. However, the simple fact of the matter is a paralyzed Torn-T is a C- tier mon. And Serperior is extremely good at forcing Torn-T in to take Glares. With Torn-T crippled, the next entry Serperior gets becomes far more terrifying, and with potential aid from Z moves such as Z-Hyper Beam to send Torn-T packing, aswell as other annoyances like Zapdos and Jumbao. The waters don't want to handle Serperior either, which pairs well with its high speed tier as well as it's varied support tools, such as Defog, Taunt, Aromatherapy; a novelty on offensive structures, and even Knock off. Overall I think both of these Pokemon are great at abusing the tiers best, and deserves that to be reflected on the VR.

-> UR
Why. Why are you here. Get down from there buddy you'll hurt yourself.

-> B+
These 3 Dark types poised for rise are solid members of the tier in their respective roles. Mega Gyarados being UR'd is silly considering how many lazy ass people used the Caribolt HO SHSP made. It's a strong member of HO, being a setup sweeping water unfearful of both Toxapex and Rotom-Wash, as it can easily just Earthquake both of them to the dome and remove an annoying obstacle for Hawlucha or Cawmodore. Arghonaut... it get stonewalled. But that's one pokemon that your opponent isn't always going to have, and it's strengths are high even outside of that. The other troublesome pokemon is Jumbao, but Gyarados has coverage it can tap into if it wants to handle it, with Ice fang and even Bounce as an acceptable option to heavily damage them both. Colossoil alternatively is a powerhouse capable of dismantling teams without Gliscor painfully easily. Even with Gliscor being around it has to be at full health to take 2 facades and that's not counting rocks making it a near perfect 2 shot. It's movepool is varied, and it can forgo facade if it pleases for triple dark stab, in knock pursuit and sucker punch, which adds both surprise factor in exchange for being generally inferior overall, but it's still an option. Don't use Bulky Rebound, use Tyranitar or Libra. Lots of teams can crumble to Colossol easily and is far better than anything in B- at the very least, and outside of those suggested to rise further, better than those in B aswell.

Ash Greninja i can understand it's inclusion in B. Jumbao and Arghonauts existence is a huge blow to it's prospects, and it's thought reliance on specs is a hinderace when dark pulse invites in Mega Ttar to take off 45% with pursuit on demand. However, that's the thing. These Pokemon rely on Greninja not breaking the mold of SM OU, and in breaking lies my rise suggestion, tapping into it's coverage movepool can break past it's answers with a bit of support, as pokemon such as Toxic Heatran or outside hazard support can help Greninja send it's picked fake checks into range for lure sets. Choice Specs is still solid too albeit more niche. It's still something you have to respect, and my game vs Velvet showed what happens when you don't respect it. Even if it plays as a Spikes bot for the midgame, it's still getting them up at a good rate, and you can drop spikes entirely on the specs set if so desired for either Ice Beam or Extrasensory. Overall this nom is the most speculatory, but i think Ash Greninja has both the potential and inherent capabilities to rise to B+ with the other 2.

-> A
Now we have 2 consistent threats. Mega Scizor's defensive profile is nothing short is excellent, checking the things other steels want little part of such as both Kyurems, Kartana, Weavile, and Reuniclus. Bullet punch being as useful as ever for Mega Diancie's sprouted surge, alongside Reuniclus and Mega Alakazam's continued dominance. It's a crapshoot vs Arghonaut and Toxapex, and isn't the biggest fan of Rotom-Wash, but none of these are immovable and are prone to getting lured by Toxic Heatran among others. It's a very consistent Steel-Type and well worth it's mega slot, and again, not game is in a vacuum, and Mega Scizor thrives face to face with nearly the entire rest of the tier. Greninja on the other hand is a terrifying threat with a terrifying batch of coverage. Being able to pick and choose it's responses for the rest of the team is something i'm high on, and it has the tools to do this really easily. Gunk Shot, Ice Beam, Extrasensory, Spikes, U-Turn, Low Kick, Scald, HP Grass, HP Fire, Z Dig, Z Extrasensory, and Rock Slide. All options to pick from for this Pokemon with varying responses you can choose. Obviously some moves here are more valued than each other, but the respect you have to give it at preview cannot be understated, as you are prone to losing your Toxapex to Z-Dig, your Arghonaut to 2 Extransensories, or giving it free layers to enable both itself and it's team.


Now for the messier ones. To start though, i'll mention my wish to create C+, and put these pokemon into it.
003_1.png
-> C+
As there are alot of them, i'll redux. Suicune is honestly worse at it's job than Naviathan, and the only saving grace is it's better Arghonaut matchup. Sharpedo's Rise was outlined by SHSP. Mega Slowbro is a unique CM threat that beats Reuniclus in the mirror while also threatening Libra immediately and lacks a fear of Knock Off. Mega Venusaur is a fairly annoying tank that can annoy Tornadus-Therian in the long run with sludge bomb poisons, even more so if it's assault vest, while also packing a solid punch vs other things and most teams without a Toxapex. Mega Latios struggles against the common Libra Torn-T Jumbao Mega TTar Scizors and more around everywhere, and unlike its twin cant just setup on them like she can, proving to be a mostly inferior choice. Trick Room Is Not Good Offler. A mediocore fish when i can simply be just as lazy and load SHSP Caribolt HO or rain. Stratagem is a unique offensive threat hosting the capabilitity to soft check Heatran in the short term, boasts a speed tier faster than Weavile, and can be threatening to a good amount of teams with Rockium-Z and a good matchup vs no arghonaut balances, as shown here.

-> B
HO is scary man damn. SHSP I hope you never find a Mcdonalds with a functional ice cream machine ever again and your favorite series gets a live action netflix adaptation. Nobody likes fighting these 2 Pokemon, the rise of HO sees their members rise a little and these 2 birds are no exception. There's not as much for me to talk about with these two, they either come in and win or they come in and simply dont.

-> B-
While Pinsir is an alright member on HO, it faces rough competition with all of Cawmodore and Hawlucha for a flying type slot, and moreso Mega Gyarados for the mega slot. It's not a fan of the Rotom-Wash continuing to see rise either, while Gyarados invites the idea. ..Mega Gyarados that is. Regular Gyarados is a useable pokemon of course, but i think the mega form is far superior in this, as you would rather use the Z slot on other Threats such as Volcarona or Necturna. These 2 are still viable on HO, just not Go-tos. Jirachi... i can't tell what this is ranked for. Scarf? Z-Happy Hour? Sp Def Wish? Either way as is the nature of this tier it's Libra or what else you got, and yeah I'm using Libra to answer the Psychics and Magearna, which is the sp def sets main draw. Z-Happy hour is flavor Victini simple as that, even if i wanted to use it myself. Choice Scarf is interesting, but again, the rise of Rotom-Wash annoys it's happy iron head spam a good bit, and clicking much else besides Iron head and U-turn is asking Mega Tyranitar to do its thing.

-> C
The final 2 D rank caps i think have promise are these 2. Kitsunoh is actually a fairly capable pokemon on Offense, with it's decent coverage and interesting defensive properties. Also can deal solid work to Libra with an Air Balloon akin to ORAS, as well as a Wish set if it so pleases for Tapu Lele. Personally my prefered set is Spell Tag 4A, fishing for drops with Shadow strike, with coverage options like Bullet punch or Ice punch to choose from. Smokomodo is an effective offensive fire into teams using Toxapex, and is a pretty solid Stealth Rocker, or can forgo that for Toxic, allowing it to bait and ruin Rotom-Wash and Arghonaut in the long term. Overall i don't think these 2 are the same levels of trash like Malaconda, Snaelstrom or Volkraken, and i think are capable of being effective members of a team similar to the other pokemon in C. Mimikyu can do similar things as it would do in Gen 7, running ghostium z on Offense or spikestacking teams and does well into HO, which is on the rise as people are getting lazier more interested in the playstyle.

-> B-
And now we have the final one. I am very big on infernape, between me bringing it twice in CAPPL, including finals tiebreak to success. It's unique offensive typing paired with U-turn makes it a surprisingly strong threat, teams without Toxapex put under pressure from CC, as even Rotom-Wash can take upwards of 49% from Black Belt pivot without even having max attack. It's an adept Choice Scarfer aswell, being surprisingly solid into HO, checking Cawmodore and Mega Gyarados aswell as Blitzing Koko before it can lay up any Screens. It's defensive profile is good too, with Max defense (not max hp it doesn't give you as much) it can be a good offensive pivot into Weavile, Mega Scizor and Scarf Kartana not clicking Sword. Toxapex can do this too but it doesn't threaten a surprising majority of the tier with it's STABs. While unexplored, Z moves can also prove to be protent, relying on the fact that Toxapex is the entry point can let it lure it effectively if you desire with an SD set, and even outside of SD Teching on Firium-Z for reducing Weavile Knock off damage can be worthwhile, alongside the extra punch vs pokemon like Landorus-T. Both replays of it's success in CAPPL can be found here in the Teamdump thread. Between it's good speed tier, Offensive and defensive profile and good matchups vs a lot of common threats, infernape deserves to be ranked, maybe not B- to start but absolutely deserves at minimum C+.

And Thats it, this got too long so i put them all in spoilers as to not clog the thread. Overall though this tier is a blast to play and i look forward to next CAPPL for further development.
 

pannu

THE GONG OF KNOCKOUT
is a Top Tiering Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Social Media Contributor Alumnus
SM CAP enthusiast pannu "yung cotta" racotta FKA pannuracotta here to talk abt some sets / teams / techs whatever I wanna talk about because I like this tier

Firstly, Id /like/ to think that jumbao isn't nearly as popular as it previous was, meaning IMO at least you're more free to run
A. teams that use "softer" bao checks like Gastrodon, Volcarona, or non-AV Torn-t.
B. Breakers that would usually struggle a lot into jumbao (Garchomp, Ash-gren, CB Kart.)

This is something i personally had in mind when building this season, for example this team that i used against billy uses gastrodon to sponge non leaf storm variants, and heatran / torn-t to scout leaf. I also experimented a lot with some breakers that usually struggle into Defensive bao, this team went unused but i tried building with caribolt, inspired by its SS and SV success. In Jay's w1 game i also passed him a squad with Z-dragon Chomp, a mon i had previously sworn off using due to how terrible it is into Bao, levitate libra, argh, etc.

Secondly, HO has been on a rise recently, with teams like Test HO and my "kartana+lele+4" styles of offense being used a lot, i think this is cool as it sorta swerves away from the previous "reunitar meta solved kekw" the tier was in for a year or so. I've also been more cautious about HO in the builder, having checks to the play style like Priority Spam, Scarfers, Argh, etc when building. Here i use Argh to handle set up sweepers, Twave Chansey to handle special attackers that would pressure Argh, as well as scarf Kart (on balance? cotta's genius truly has no limit) to revenge kill / clean up. And here's an example of a team where i use a lot of naturally fast pokemon as well as load up on priority users.


:ss/landorus-therian:
Landorus-Therian (M) @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 152 HP / 176 Atk / 180 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Fly
- Superpower

SD Landorus is a set I've been really into for the past year or so, i think i came up with the idea but never used it and then i saw i jay use the set vs jordy later that same week and went "yeah, this is a good set". Superpower is what makes it so good because now you actually pressure shit like Skarm, Levitate libra etc and don't just turn into set up fodder, I've liked Rockium-Z quite a bit to catch stuff like Zapdos and Rotom-W on the switch but overall i find that if you're gonna use A Z move Z fly is the one which gives you the most merit (or you can run Zfight/ground on a dual dance set), you don't nessecerily need a Z move on this guy to make him work tho, personally I've used similar sets with custap/lefties/yache/soft sand etc. Personally I'm pretty big on Doing Damage and living hits so i opted for quite a bulky spread that still outspeed alot of stuff, you could def go jolly on this set tho.


:ss/volcarona:

I think volc is very very overlooked in the current meta, it preys so heavily on the common defensive walls we use like Torn-T, Equilibra, Jumbao, Toxapex (smoked by z psyc), and Arghonaut (also a Z-psyc victim) its a really good breaker that also has good defensive utility and can be changed to fit on whatever team its on, Here i run it on a more BO team with Mega Diancie, running Z psychic to lure Pex and allow Scarf Bao to sweep. Here i run it on a more standard offense build, with sitrus to help it set up as it doesn't really need a damage boost due to Tapu Fini and Mega Mawile wearing down its checks so easily. Speaking of fini,,,

:ss/tapu-fini:
Tapu Fini @ Leftovers
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 248 HP / 56 Def / 12 SpA / 96 SpD / 96 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nature's Madness
- Whirlpool
- Taunt
- Scald

One day i was thinking "wait tapu fini preys super heavily on alot of common team structures in this tier especially with stuff like taunt and natures madness to make it really annoying to switch into, also doesn't it pressure / check equilibria as well as potentially force chip onto stuff like Jumbao and Torn?", so i tried it a bit. Idt we ever bought it but its a super cool mon that i def wanna explore more in the future.
Examples of teams w/ fini: 1 2 3 4

:ss/rotom-wash:

Rotom-Wash @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 228 Def / 32 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hydro Pump
- Will-O-Wisp
- Volt Switch
- Pain Split

Moves can really be whatever but, ever since the last CAPPL I've really really loved Rocky Helmet on Rotom-W, the main thing that made me want to run it is that you punish Equilibra for rapid spinning on you, which it sorta freely did otherwise due to munching hydro pumps for breakfast as if it were a ice spice stan. However after using it as my go-to item ALOT i noticed a plethora of other cool benefits, due to the fact that you rarely invest SpA on your washtoms it can sometimes barely miss KO's and 2hkos against alot of naturally bulky-ish mons like MegaTar, Exca, Mlop etc, the chip from Rocky Helmet helps a ton. It also helps wear down mons that love to spam U-turn like Lando-T and Torn-T, in this CAPPL replay after a Torn takes chip from knocking my helmet + volt switch its forced to die to megatar pursuit which basically wins me the game because of some RH chip. With how prone rotom is to taking hits from stuff like Chansey and Scizor, or choice locked breakers like Kartana also can get forced to take chip from Rotom, helping it immensely. I think rh tom is cool and more ppl should use it

woo teamdump + short descriptions (other people should dump their teams too I wanna get samples updated)

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Ive really wanted to experiment with suicune so i built some teams with it, personally I prefer the first team because its less passive but idk if its any better.

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I love kartana alot and i think it enables Scizor pretty nicely, SD Fly lando also enables both of these mons pretty nicely. 2 waters + scarf pajan = finished team

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A team i built pre-tour when i had the realization that "hey, maybe ash-gren isnt all that bad", unfortnately we never got around to using it but i think this team is pretty cool. I think alot of the merit ash-gren brings is being able to spike up as your opponent goes into Av torn / pex / bao / whatever, so i decided to put some of my favourite spikes abusers; Gliscor and CM mage, on the build to round it out.

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I rlly, rlly like current meta mawile, i think this team is a pretty cool :O

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Necturna is like, by FAR my fav CAP to use (more on that if i decide to make a similar post about oras :OO), its such a stupidly good breaker to enable scarf kartana sweeps and mega mawile just compliments this offensive core rlly nicely.

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Idr if we ended up bringing this but i passed this as an option for jay to use in finals, this has such an amazing mu vs fat and is rlly restricting vs HO and offense too.

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A HO i rlly like taking advantage of some of my favourite breakers to run in current meta.

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Tangrowth is a mon ive played with alot as an idea in both oras and sm, basically these tiers are owned by av torn because its the most splashable check to their tiers respective broken, what tang does is put av torn to sleep / paralyze it for the rest of the team to profit. Also consider running Z move jumbao on this team, or rocks glisc > lando.
 

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