What Went Wrong? Lesser Used Monotypes

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Introduction

With each metagame come top-tier threats and those that fall behind. Monotype has the special case of teams being separated by type and suffers the same fate: unfortunately, not every type is created equally. In this article we'll be focusing on four of the worst types in the Monotype metagame and discussing their flaws. Keep in mind that while these types may not be particularly viable, they're still fun to use, and each has its own niche within the Monotype metagame.

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Fighting Type

Introduction

New Pokémon in SM

What's used and what's wrong?

Fighting type only has one viable archetype in Monotype, hyper offense. It will typically run a lead Cobalion utility set, with moves such as Taunt, Stealth Rock, and Thunder Wave. This is accompanied by an offensive core of Mega Gallade, Choice Specs Keldeo, and either Double Dance or Choice Scarf Terrakion. The last two Pokémon on the team are typically some combination of Breloom, Infernape, Heracross, and Buzzwole.

Unfortunately for Fighting type, it has too many unfavorable matchups with other popular types due to the influx of Fairy Pokémon that Sun & Moon brought. Top types such as Fairy, Flying, and Psychic are very difficult matchups for Fighting type. Even less obvious matchups such as Ghost, Poison, Dragon, Rock, and Bug can be challenging for it, depending on team composition. Additionally, compared to Generation 6, Mega Medicham has been banned from Generation 7 Monotype, which removed an extremely powerful and overwhelming wallbreaker from Fighting type teams. Keldeo, which was previously one of the best special wallbreakers in the metagame, is walled by several new additions to Sun & Moon such as Toxapex and Araquanid. New offensive Pokémon such as Alolan Raichu and Mimikyu are extremely troublesome for Fighting type. Finally, other new additions such as Ghost Z-Conversion Porygon-Z, Mega Diancie gaining its Speed the same turn as Mega Evolution, and other buffed Pokémon such as Drizzle Pelipper and Roost Mantine all are problematic for Fighting teams. The type sadly did not gain enough in Sun & Moon to keep up with the rest of the metagame.

Uses for the Type

Fighting type is a "win more" type. It does very well against types it has a natural advantage against, such as Steel, Normal, and Ice. Steel is a popular tournament choice, and with the Magearna ban, Fighting has a strong chance of winning against it. Steel no longer runs Doublade commonly, therefore relying on Celesteela and Skarmory to deal with Fighting-type attacks. Normal type also has an extremely difficult time dealing with STAB Fighting moves, relying solely on defensive Staraptor and occasionally Mega Pidgeot to win the matchup. Ice is regarded as one of the two worst types in the metagame, so it's not worth counterteaming.

Fighting type can run "tech" Pokémon to have an easier match with certain types. For example, Hawlucha can be used to cleanly sweep through Grass or Bug type. This all being said, Fighting type is an extremely risky choice in a tournament setting. Nearly all of its bad matchups are extremely popular choices in Sun & Moon Monotype for tournaments, and Fighting type generally isn't worth the risk to use.

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Grass Type

Introduction

New Pokémon in SM

What's used and what's wrong?

Grass type typically follows a balanced archetype. Teams usually build around a defensive core of Mega Venusaur, Cradily, and Ferrothorn. This is followed up by a combination of offensive Pokémon such as Tapu Bulu, Breloom, Celebi, Rotom-C, and Serperior.

While several types have difficulty breaking through the defensive core that Grass type utilizes, it has a hard time keeping up with the offensive metagame of Sun & Moon Monotype. Grass type relies on chipping down foes with hazards and Leech Seed while walling opposing Pokémon with one of the defensive core members. Unfortunately, Grass is a terrible offensive typing, with seven types resisting their STAB attacks. Due to this, it lacks the power needed to break through many other types, even those without a natural advantage versus Grass type. Grass type's offensive Pokémon also tend to have redundant coverage options, as most of its offensive options carry a Grass-type attack with mediocre other moves. For example, while Serperior has the wonderful combination of Leaf Storm with Contrary, its other three slots fail to provide necessary coverage for Grass type teams. In addition to its bad offensive coverage, Grass is also a bad defensive typing. Grass is weak to both Ice and Fire, two of the most commonly run coverage moves, which puts a huge amount of pressure onto Mega Venusaur to deal Ice- and Fire-type coverage.

Uses for the Type

Grass type's main niche would be wearing down opposing teams that have difficulty breaking through its defensive core. This would include types such as Electric, Water, and non-Togekiss Fairy. Most Water-type archetypes have a very difficult time breaking past Mega Venusaur. It relies on Pokémon such as Pelipper or Bounce Gyarados to break past it, both of which can be dealt with by Mega Venusaur's teammates. Additionally, it has a strong match up against Ground type, which is nearly swept by Choice Scarf Tapu Bulu alone. Even Normal type can have difficulty with Grass type, as Breloom's Mach Punch heavily pressures the type, especially if a team is not running Mega Pidgeot.

All this being considered, Grass type has too much difficulty with the majority of other commonly used types to see much use in competitive tournaments. It is a misfit in the Monotype metagame, failing to be a great offensive or defensive type.

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Ice Type

Introduction

New Pokémon in SM

What's used and what's wrong?

Ice type is typically built following a bulky offense or hyper offense archetype. Alolan Ninetales is run on nearly every team, as it provides good coverage between Moonblast and Freeze-Dry, coupled with the amazing utility move Aurora Veil. Kyurem-B is also an Ice type staple, acting as the type's wallbreaker. It usually runs a mixed set of Ice Beam, Earth Power, Fusion Bolt, and Outrage. The remainder of the team can be variable. Alolan Sandslash and Avalugg are both Rapid Spinners, offensive and defensive ones respectively. Mamoswine and Piloswine can be either of the type's Stealth Rockers. Lapras or Walrein is also run as the type's only way to deal with Scizor variants, as the type is otherwise swept by Bullet Punch alone. Finally, the type has several other filler Pokémon such as Cloyster, Weavile, and Froslass that each have their own niche.

While Ice type gained two very good Pokémon and an improved offensive playstyle in Sun & Moon, it's an absolutely horrid defensive typing. It has difficulty getting past Pokémon with strong Fighting-, Steel-, or Fire-type moves. This means Ice teams can be easily swept through by Pokémon such as Mega Lopunny, Scizor, Heracross, and Volcarona, just to name a few. Ice is also naturally a very slow type, with most of its most powerful Pokémon sitting below the base 100 Speed benchmark. Its fastest Pokémon only reaches 502 Speed under hail, which is still slower than many common Choice Scarf users. Ice type also lacks potent special attackers, outside of Kyurem-B, meaning the type is easily walled by most common walls. Much like Fighting type, Ice type can't keep up with the current metagame. It has several very, very bad matchups such as Bug, Fighting, Fire, Normal, Psychic, Rock, and Steel.

Uses for the Type

Given all of its bad matchups, Ice type still does have a few favorable matchups, those being Dragon, Flying, Grass, Ground, and Swift Swim Water. Dragon type most notably has a very difficult match against Ice type, as every Pokémon on Ice Teams typically carries an Ice STAB attack. While the Flying type matchup generally should be in favor of Ice type, Ice has a very difficult time dealing with Mega Charizard Y and Celesteela. Swift Swim Water also has a hard time defeating Ice type, as Ice has the ability to cancel their rain, and KO a large portion of their Pokémon with Freeze-Dry. That being said, if the Water team has the odd Keldeo, it becomes difficult for Ice. Finally, Ground is arguably a good match up for Ice type, as long as the Ice user preserves Alolan Ninetales.

Even with these favorable matchups, none of them are necessarily top meta types at the moment, and they don't reflect the majority of types used in tournaments. Therefore, Ice type really has no niche in a tournament setting, unless you have a very strong reason to believe your opponent will be using one of those types.

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Rock Type

Introduction

New Pokémon in SM

What's used and what's wrong?

Rock type is typically restricted to running a bulky offense archetype. Teams usually center around Sticky Web from Shuckle, relying on it for speed control. This is followed by an offensive core of Terrakion and either Mega Diancie or Mega Tyranitar. Rock type requires a dedicated Scizor check, which would be either Weakness Policy Rhyperior or Firium Z Alolan Golem. The last slot can be filled with non-Mega Tyranitar, Cradily, Nihilego, or Omastar.

Unfortunately for Rock type, it has very few favorable matchups. Nearly every type in Monotype can easily beat Rock type; once Sticky Web is removed, the type lacks speed control. Even Flying type can be a tricky for Rock type, as they commonly run Landorus, Focus Blast Mega Charizard Y, and Celesteela. However, with the reintroduction of Mega Diancie to the metagame, Rock type does have a few favorable matchups.

Uses for the Type

Rock type has nearly no use in competitive tournaments. Due to its bad matchup with most commonly used types in tournaments, it's an extremely risky choice. That being said, if certain tech sets are used, it can win some matchups. For example, Air Balloon Shell Smash Omastar can cleanly sweep through Ground type, when set up correctly. However, you'd be better off just using another type if you want to counter Ground type. Additionally, types that have difficulty dealing with Mega Diancie, especially with Sticky Web up, such as Fire, Fighting, and Electric, have a hard time beating Rock type. However, it's typically more consistent to use Fairy type if you're looking to use Mega Diancie's power. Overall, while Rock type can win some matchups when played correctly, it's too risky and inconsistent to see competitive tournament play.

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Sample Teams

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Conclusion

Hopefully this article has shed some light on some of the inherent flaws of each of these types and why they might not see the most success. Some types are inherently bad, suffering from subpar offensive or defensive Pokémon options, inability to cover their weaknesses, or inability to keep up with the metagame. Other types' viabilities, such as Fighting type, are a product of the generation switch due to their inability to handle newly introduced Pokémon and mechanics. Feel free to give these types a try the next time you're in the Monotype room or practicing on the Monotype ladder. Not all types may be created equally, but they all can be fun to use!

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