Doubles is a really a whole new world from the more popular 3v3 singles format. It takes a different level of thinking to come up with a team that can effectively have positive or at least neutral matchups with lots of the common cores. That being said, I wanted to take this time to open up the discussion about the gen 7 doubles metagame. Use this thread to post replays, talk about cores, interesting teams, or meta development, or just general discussion about what's going on in doubles!
Here's a couple of resources that you can use to help understand the format better:
Pokemon Global Link Usage Stats: this is your best tool for learning what the most common sets and what the most popular Pokemon are. It has detailed percentages of everything from Item choices, to movesets, to partners, to Pokemon that commonly end up beating the Pokemon in question! You can also view the rankings to track your own progress and see how close you are to the top
Demaintoid's Preliminary Viability Rankings: While this was made shortly before the release of Pokebank, most of the information is accurate to the current meta and it will be updated to be more accurate as the rapidly evolving metagame develops
Pokemon Showdown Ladder: If you'd like to look at your team in an interactive teambuilder, or try your squad out against a ladder where the games are shorter and easier to play than Battle Spot's (although a less accurate representation of the current metagame).
Sample Teams Thread: Mishimono has put together a thread where users can share their teams for other users. Please read the rules before posting your team there, as simply posting QR teams is not allowed.
Here's a few common cores and a quick summary of how they work together, to inspire you!
This core attempts to bring some of the bulkiest Pokemon in the format together, and it forms a core that is almost deadly in the hands of a strong player. Usually comprised of Assault Vest Landorus, Trick Room Cresselia, bulky Heatran, a slow Amoonguss, and obviously a strong Mega Kangaskhan, it is truly a classic combination
This fast paced core aims to combine Excadrill's Sand Rush and (typically Choice Scarf) Tyranitar's Sand Stream to start the game off with a super fast and offensive lead. Mega Salamence complements the two with its flying coverage, awesome stat distribution, and once again great speed.
Like the core of Tyranitar and Excadrill above, this core is mainly focused around a weather setter + a weather abuser, but rain complements other Pokemon more. Allowing Tapu Koko to follow up with Electric Terrain boosted Thunders to do massive damage, and rain weakening fire's power on the Steel-type Metagross.
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