★ Tiering for Generation 9

[Marty]

Hi! The first set of Generation 9 usage stats will be out tomorrow so here's the planned schedule for how we will implement lower tiers this generation.
(Much of this copied from Hogg's post 3 years ago; thanks Hogg!)

Like last generation we will be using the 4.52% rise/drop standard, which, again, has nothing to do with the number of available Pokemon. Following one month of usage stats from the tier above, a lower tier will enter into its alpha period. Alpha will represent a lower tier's "open" period, with no bans or suspects. It will remain in alpha for one month, after which it will automatically enter its beta period. During beta, tier leadership and councils will work to rapidly get the tier into shape, generally involving council votes for quick bans. Once the tier settles, it will exit beta, and future suspects will generally be by public tests except in cases where rapid action is needed.

This means we will be looking at the following schedule for the formation of lower tiers:

• December 1, 2022: UU Alpha is released
• January 1, 2023: UU exits Alpha. RU Alpha is released.
• February 1, 2023: RU exits Alpha. NU Alpha is released.
• March 1, 2023: NU exits Alpha. PU Alpha is released.
• April 1, 2023: PU exits Alpha.

After the above period of monthly rises/drops at 4.52%, the plan is to transition into the 3-month cycle everyone is familiar with. But of course at some point during this schedule the HOME update will likely throw a wrench in the plan, and then DLC will throw a wrench in any plan after that. You can expect some growing pains as we navigate through whatever Scarlet and Violet have to offer in the coming year.
Good luck to everyone involved!