STABmons is the metagame where Pokemon have access to moves that match their type even if they can't normally learn them! Take Sableye, the Pokemon in the logo above. Besides all its usual moves, now it can learn all Dark and Ghost moves as well. This also applies to Pokemon that change type(s) during evolution. So for instance Eevee is a Normal-type and when it evolves it carries those Normal moves with it to all its Eeveelutions.
Rules:
Mechanic: Pokemon can learn any move that matches their typing. This transfers with evolutions, so if a Normal-type evolves into a Psychic-type in the game, you can teach the Psychic-type Pokemon any Psychic and Normal moves.
Clauses: OU clauses
Bans: [Pokemon] Diggersby, Kyurem-Black, Porygon-Z, Thundurus, [Items] Aerodactylite, Altarianite, King's Rock, Metagrossite, Razor Fang, [Moves*] Acupressure, Belly Drum, Chatter, Dark Void, Geomancy, Lovely Kiss, Shell Smash, Shift Gear, Sketch
Unbans: None
*still available on native learners.
Strategy:
Because a lot of Pokémon can learn powerful new attacks that they previously couldn't use, STABmons is generally a fast-paced metagame. Examples of strong wallbreakers include Water Spout Keldeo, V-create Mega Charizard X, and Boomburst Sylveon. And while a lot of setup moves have been banned, setup is still popular, with Swords Dance Mega Lopunny and Calm Mind Mega Slowbro being top-metagame threats.
People also rely on the combination of Fake Out + Extreme Speed (nicknamed FakeSpeed), which is usable on any Normal-type Pokemon such as Guts Ursaring, Pixilate Sylveon, and Scrappy Mega Lopunny to check setup. This one-two punch delivers a lot of damage all before the target can retaliate, making FakeSpeed a reliable and important element to keep dangerous threats in line.
Q&A:
Q: Do Mega Pokemon transfer types to their base form? For example, can I transfer Dark moves from Mega Gyarados to regular Gyarados?
A: No, any new moves must be "taught" outside of battle. Gyarados is only ever Water/Flying outside of battle so it cannot get access to Dark moves.
Q: What about forme changes, such as Rotom or Shaymin?
A: Similarly to how megas work, any forme changes that happen during battle won't transfer moves. Castform is a good example of this, as it only changes type with the ability Forecast in effect during a battle. Any forme changes that happen outside battle will transfer types, with a few exceptions. See the Resources section below for the full list.
Q: What about unreleased moves such as Thousand Arrows and Light of Ruin?
A: Only released moves are available.
Q: Why can't my Dark-type Tyranitar learn Hyperspace Fury?
A: Hyperspace Fury is coded to work on Hoopa-U only. STABmons only changes the access to new moves, it doesn't change how their coding works.
Q: Can Azumarill still use Belly Drum even though that move is banned?
A: Yep! The banned moves only apply to Pokemon that don't normally learn them.
Resources:
Playability: STABmons is currently on the OMotM ladder.
Council: None, I run it with community input.
Viability Rankings: link
Viable Moves by Type: link
Evolution Type Changes:
->
Grass & Poison
->
Ground, Steel, & Rock
->
Bug, Steel, & Flying
->
Corresponding type & Normal
->
Water, Fairy, & Normal
->
Rock, Dark, & Ground
->
Bug, Flying, & Water
->
Psychic, Fighting & Fairy
->
Bug, Flying, & Ground or
Bug, Ghost, & Ground
->
Dragon, Flying, & Normal
->
Dark, Poison, & Bug
->
Fire, Flying, & Normal
->
Water, Poison, & Dragon
Forme Type Changes:
->
Grass & Flying are interchangeable since forme change happens outside battle via the Gracidea.
->
Psychic, Ghost, & Dark are interchangeable since forme change happens outside of battle via the Prison Bottle.
Although Rotom can change forme outside battle, it isn't allowed to transfer types between formes, except Ghost, because it forgets moves it can't learn when it returns to normal Rotom. For example, under normal circumstances, Rotom-Wash forgets Hydro Pump when it reverts back to Rotom.
Kyurem can also change formes outside of battle, but it stays the same type when it changes, thus it can't carry over Fire and Electric moves from Reshiram and Zekrom respectively. And similar to Rotom, when the Kyurem formes separate with the DNA splicer, they forget their signature moves.
The following Pokémon change only during battle and thus don't transfer types according to the rules of STABmons:
Castform, Meloetta, Darmanitan, all Mega formes.
Mechanic: Pokemon can learn any move that matches their typing. This transfers with evolutions, so if a Normal-type evolves into a Psychic-type in the game, you can teach the Psychic-type Pokemon any Psychic and Normal moves.
Clauses: OU clauses
Bans: [Pokemon] Diggersby, Kyurem-Black, Porygon-Z, Thundurus, [Items] Aerodactylite, Altarianite, King's Rock, Metagrossite, Razor Fang, [Moves*] Acupressure, Belly Drum, Chatter, Dark Void, Geomancy, Lovely Kiss, Shell Smash, Shift Gear, Sketch
Unbans: None
*still available on native learners.
Strategy:
Because a lot of Pokémon can learn powerful new attacks that they previously couldn't use, STABmons is generally a fast-paced metagame. Examples of strong wallbreakers include Water Spout Keldeo, V-create Mega Charizard X, and Boomburst Sylveon. And while a lot of setup moves have been banned, setup is still popular, with Swords Dance Mega Lopunny and Calm Mind Mega Slowbro being top-metagame threats.
People also rely on the combination of Fake Out + Extreme Speed (nicknamed FakeSpeed), which is usable on any Normal-type Pokemon such as Guts Ursaring, Pixilate Sylveon, and Scrappy Mega Lopunny to check setup. This one-two punch delivers a lot of damage all before the target can retaliate, making FakeSpeed a reliable and important element to keep dangerous threats in line.
Q&A:
Q: Do Mega Pokemon transfer types to their base form? For example, can I transfer Dark moves from Mega Gyarados to regular Gyarados?
A: No, any new moves must be "taught" outside of battle. Gyarados is only ever Water/Flying outside of battle so it cannot get access to Dark moves.
Q: What about forme changes, such as Rotom or Shaymin?
A: Similarly to how megas work, any forme changes that happen during battle won't transfer moves. Castform is a good example of this, as it only changes type with the ability Forecast in effect during a battle. Any forme changes that happen outside battle will transfer types, with a few exceptions. See the Resources section below for the full list.
Q: What about unreleased moves such as Thousand Arrows and Light of Ruin?
A: Only released moves are available.
Q: Why can't my Dark-type Tyranitar learn Hyperspace Fury?
A: Hyperspace Fury is coded to work on Hoopa-U only. STABmons only changes the access to new moves, it doesn't change how their coding works.
Q: Can Azumarill still use Belly Drum even though that move is banned?
A: Yep! The banned moves only apply to Pokemon that don't normally learn them.
Resources:
Playability: STABmons is currently on the OMotM ladder.
Council: None, I run it with community input.
Viability Rankings: link
Viable Moves by Type: link
Evolution Type Changes:
The following Pokémon change only during battle and thus don't transfer types according to the rules of STABmons:
Castform, Meloetta, Darmanitan, all Mega formes.
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