Metagame Z-less National Dex Monotype

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Z-LESS NATIONAL DEX MONOTYPE

Z moves are one of the biggest debates in the community right now and there are good arguments on both sides. We felt like the only real way to test out what a meta with Z moves banned would look like is to make it a real thing we can play, test, tier, and run tours with.

What is Z-less National Dex Monotype?
Z-less NDM is a new format that bans the use of all Z-Crystals (and moves). This allows Pokemon that are currently banned for being able to abuse Z-moves to be unbanned. Pokemon like Dragapult, Chien-Pao, Spectrier and more. This format allows for a less restrictive meta in terms of banned Pokemon by removing a largely abusable mechanic.


General Rules, Mechanics, and Usage Tips
- All Z-Crystals are banned from being selected as Held Items
- A large group of Pokemon currently banned in NDM are allowed


Bans
Mechanics:
Terastallisation

Items:
Z-Crystals


Abilities:
Moody, Shadow Tag, Power Construct

Moves:
Acupressure, Baton Pass, Last Respects, Shed Tail


Unbans
Pokemon:



Council

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Mateeus (TL)

maroon

Sunnyboi0

Vodoom

Neko


Threatlist and Considerations
Reserved


Notable Additions
Reserved

Challenge Code

/challenge gen9nationaldexmonotype@@@+Baxcalibur,+Chien-Pao,+Darkrai,+Dragapult,+Espathra,+Flutter Mane,+Gouging Fire, +Hoopa-Unbound,+Kingambit,+Spectrier,+Ursaluna-Bloodmoon,+Zamazenta,Z-Move Clause

 

[Sunnyboi0]

Right before the commencement of NDMPL IV, the council has reached the conclusion that Zygarde and Naganadel will be banned from Z-Less National Dex Monotype.

Zygarde
Even without z-moves, Zygarde still proves to be an overwhelming force. It's unpredictability in sets and bulk stemming from its high BST and set variety allow it to get away with too much, coming close to either winning games on its own or at the very least heavily restricting the checks available for it. And this doesn't even account for the support that it can have on ground or dragon to bolster its effectiveness.

Naganadel
No access to a z crystal, no problem (or in this case, it's still a problem). Naganadel once again is too strong, even for a format such as z-less ndm. While power creep may have added more that can check it offensively or defensively, it still far between few. Whether it's beating those faster offensive threats with access to speed boosting sets courtesy of beast boost, or still overwhelming defensive checks through sheer strength with nasty plot, good powered stabs and coverage (not to mention random access to hidden power which could lure would be checks, such as heatran). It may not be as close to effortlessly sweeping teams on its own, but the support on poison or dragon helps augment an already potent mon that was hard to check to begin with.

Gouging Fire
Now we're already well aware of the impact Gouging Fire has had on ndmono. It was so restricting that it got banned in regular SV National Dex Monotype. That being said, with the additional pool of mons in this format, Gouging Fire appears quite tame in the meta, for now. This may change later down the line with more meta developments, but we'll see.

Vote breakdown:

	Style.css	Sunnyboi0	Neko	Vodoom	Maroon	Mateeus
Zygarde	Ban	Ban	Ban	Ban	Ban	Ban
Naganadel	Ban	Ban	Ban	Ban	Ban	Ban
Gouging Fire	Do not Ban	Do not Ban	Do not Ban	Do not Ban	Ban	Ban

The council is still looking into what mons might be questionable for this format but this seems to be a good step for now.
Enjoy ndmpl everyone.