yo here's a big ass post looking at the potential viability of the stuff we've seen so far in gen 7 bh
im only looking at things that have a shot at being viable in bh here, so if youve come looking for an analysis of the competitive potential of cutiefly in gen 7 bh youll have to try elsewhere
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Pokemon =====
Note: I'm assuming that Solgaleo and Lunala follow the pattern set by previous box art legends and have 680 BST
Solgaleo -
Steel/Psychic
Steel/Psychic is a good but still somewhat flawed defensive typing, and an extremely awkward offensive typing. Steel/Psychic has a lot of resists, but also weaknesses to some of the most common attacking types in the tier, and the ground weakness in particular is very awkward considering the fact that PDon and Perfect Zygarde will likely run the metagame in its early stages, meaning that Solgaleo may be more of a liability defensively at times. Meta Metagross has proven that not even fantastic offensive stats can salvage Steel/Psychic as an offensive typing -- it hits almost nothing relevant super effectively, and Steel-types can come in very freely. Speaking of, Solgaleo will have to compete for a teamslot with MMetagross.
Lunala -
Ghost/Psychic
As much as I'd love for Lunala to be good, the simple fact of the matter is that Ghost/Psychic is just a really bad typing. The 4x weakness to Dark is crippling in a meta so infested with Knock Off, and it doesn't really have any notable resists to make up for it. Ghost and Psychic don't really have any offensive synergy either, and with its STABs alone Lunala will really struggle to get past common walls, and will be completely reliant on coverage moves to get past Dark-types. A Judgment sweeper set with Spooky Plate could be a decent option, but even then it's facing competition from Mega Gengar. Without knowing its stats it's hard to know how well Lunala will do, but with that typing it's going to really struggle to find a niche.
Lunala @ Spooky Plate
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Judgment
- Secret Sword
- Shell Smash / Quiver Dance
- Pursuit / Psystrike
Magearna -
Steel/Fairy
Even though it's most likely a 600 BST event legendary, Magearna may be able to make up for that mediocre BST with its fantastic defensive typing. Steel/Fairy just has so many resists, and Magearna sets itself from other Steels with its neutrality to fighting and resistance to Dark, which let it take on mons like MM2X and MTTar better than other Steels -- assuming its defensive stats are at least decent, that is. It has useful STABs too -- Fairy STAB is always great, and being a Steel-type that can hit every common -ate user super effectively with its STABs is very neat.
Magearna @ Leftovers / Safety Goggles
Ability: Flash Fire / Magic Bounce / Fur Coat
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Flash Cannon
- Roost
- Stealth Rock / Defog / possibilities are endless
cant rly make ev spreads for a mon that u dont even know the stats of ://
Tapu Koko -
Electric/Fairy
I have no clue what Tapu Koko's stats will look like, but its got a pretty cool typing I guess, lots of neat resists and hits a lot of stuff SE with its STAB. This mon is probably a 600 BST legendary tho so idk.
Silvally -
Normal
This thing's some kind of Arceus clone, so there's a good shot that it'll have some pretty ballin stats I reckon. As a Normal-type it'll really struggle to find a niche amongst Arceus, Slaking and Regigigas, but if its other typed forms are usable independently then that could be neat, I've been wanting a good BH Grass-type for ages. Unlikely seeing as Arceus' forms aren't, but you never know.
Complete Zygarde -
Dragon/Ground
This is undoubtedly the most exciting of the new Pokemon revealed so far. Dragon/Ground is a fantastic offensive typing, and also sports quite a few notable resists to ensure that Complete Zygarde can provide defensive synergy too. Its reveal trailer showed that its base HP stat is probably around 180, indicating that it will probably have a ton of bulk, and I have no doubt that it will have hugely buffed attacking stats from base form Zygarde too. I think there's a very good chance that this could be another ~780 BST mon, and if so then I would not be surprised to see a quickban/suspect early on in SM BH.
Zygarde-Complete @ Choice Scarf / Choice Band
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Core Enforcer (if this is actually a good move) / Dragon Claw
- Thousand Arrows
- Precipice Blades
- Trick / U-turn
adaptability scarfchomp 2: electric boogaloo
Zygarde-Complete @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Poison Heal
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Coil / Shift Gear
- Thousand Arrows
- Will-O-Wisp
- Taunt
beating stall 101
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Abilities =====
Comatose -
The Pokémon can only be affected by the Sleep status condition.
Could have a niche as a way for Pokemon that can't run Poison Heal or want to run a different item to absorb status, but the fact that it doesn't prevent sleep makes it kinda iffy and probably outclassed by Magic Bounce or whatever.
Stakeout -
Deals twice the normal damage if the opponent just switched into battle.
This is a really cool ability that could make for some devastating wallbreaker sets. Obviously best on Pokemon that force lots of switches, this could be very potent for luring.
Groudon-Primal @ Choice Band
Ability: Stakeout
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- V-create
- Precipice Blades
- Trick
+2 (stakeout boost) 252+ Atk Choice Band Primal Groudon Precipice Blades vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Giratina: 523-616 (103.7 - 122.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Electric Surge -
Activates Electric Terrain when being sent out.
Another very interesting ability. The main benefit of Electric Terrain in a BH context is the immunity to sleep it provides, and Electric Surge has quite a few advantages over other means of blocking sleep -- it isn't bypassed by Mold Breaker, can't be knocked off like Safety Goggles, and doesn't require a turn to turn on like Poison Heal, meaning an Electric Terrain Pokemon can be switched directly into a sleep move on turn 1. Overall however, Electric Surge faces huge competition from Poison Heal, and I feel that the most viable users of the ability will be those that can take advantage of the second effect of Electric Terrain -- the 50% boost to the power of Electric-type moves. Unfortunately the only really BH viable Electric-types are Zekrom and maybe MAmpharos, so your options are kinda limited ://
Zekrom @ Life Orb / leftovers or goggles or something if ur a weenie
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Bolt Strike
- Dragon Claw
- Roost
- literally whatever
+1 (elec terrain boost) 252+ Atk Life Orb Zekrom Bolt Strike vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Registeel: 273-321 (75 - 88.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Brutal wallbreaker, flying check, and sleep absorber all in one!
Dazzling / Queenly Majesty -
Prevents moves with an increased Speed Priority from hitting.
This ability has a lot of potential on frail offensive Pokemon to allow them to avoid being blown away by powerful -ate priority, but by taking up their ability slot it likely lessens their damage output and thus their ability to get through bulky mons. If Dazzling shuts down Prankster then it will be especially valuable on set-up sweepers, letting them avoid things like Prankster Topsy-Turvy. Definitely one to look out for.
Mewtwo-Mega-X @ Life Orb / Fist Plate
Ability: Dazzling
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Shift Gear
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Substitute / Taunt / Spore
Disguise -
Allows the Pokémon to escape damage from an enemy’s attack just one time, and then its appearance changes.
If this isn't hardcoded to Mimikyu then it has a ton of potential. It's a completely free turn of set up, and if combined with a sash you can potentially get two turns for free, which is pretty wild. Additionally, if the disguise remains intact it can give a frail Pokemon a one-time immunity to priority, helping them to sweep. The best Pokemon to take advantage of Disguise are probably frail set-up sweepers and hazard leads -- that is, assuming it isn't hardcoded to Mimikyu, which is very feasible.
Gengar-Mega @ Spooky Plate
Ability: Disguise
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Shell Smash
- Judgment
- Secret Sword
- Sludge Bomb
Wimp Out -
When this Pokémon's HP drops below half in battle, it will run away or swap out for another Pokémon.
If this ability lets you choose which Pokemon switches in, then it might be cool on a Trick Room setter or something, but it's a bit iffy.
Dancer -
If another Pokémon in the field uses a dancing move, then the Pokémon will be able to use the same move immediately afterward.
If some Quiver Dance set starts taking over the metagame, this could see some niche use as a counter to it -- otherwise, this is very situational and likely won't see much play.
Surge Surfer -
Doubles Speed inside Electric Terrain
If there's a way to make Electric Terrain last more than 5 turns, then I can see potential for a cool Electric Terrain team that makes use of this ability.
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Moves =====
Accelerock -
Rock - Physical - Increased Priority
Assuming this is just a Quick Attack clone, then it might be cool on something like Mega TTar to bop Mega Rayquaza and the like.
Core Enforcer -
Dragon - Physical - Can remove abilities of a Pokémon if the Pokémon it hits has already moved this turn
Without knowing the base power of this it's hard to say how good this will be, but removing abilities is always good, particularly in a meta like BH where so many Pokemon are reliant on them.
Dragon Hammer -
Physical - Dragon
Again, without knowing the base power of this it's impossible to know how good it will be, but if it's high enough then this could replace Dragon Claw as the physical Dragon move of choice.
Fleur Cannon -
Fairy (probably) - Special - Drops users SpA by 2 stages
I'm assuming this is just a Fairy-type Draco Meteor clone, and if that's so then it'll be a very useful option on Contrary sets, giving them another option to hit Dragon and Dark-types.
Diancie-Mega @ Focus Sash
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- King's Shield
- Fleur Cannon
- V-create
- something
Moongeist Beam -
Ghost - Special - This move ignores effects of the opponent's abilities
Sunsteel Strike -
Steel - Physical? - This move ignores effects of the opponent's abilities
These two moves are very interesting, and I think have the potential to really shake up the metagame. They presumably break through Unaware which could make them neat options on set-up mons, but the main reason that they're so cool is that they go through Shedinja's Sturdy. This gives us for the first time a move that KOes Shedinja that Shed can't Baton Pass out of, which is a really big deal. It makes Shedinja far less safe overall, as it can't safely scout for Moongeist Beam and Sunsteel Strike the way it can Leech Seed or Infestation, and unlike Mold Breaker, these moves don't come with a warning message. Any Pokemon that used to run Infestation or whatever just to hit Shedinja now gets a straight upgrade with one of these two moves, and these moves will force players to play more carefully with their Shedinja, because it can't just safely click Baton Pass or whatever to scout for moves that can hurt it, lest it just get bopped by Moongeist Beam or Sunsteel Strike.
Multi Attack -
Normal - Physical? - This move's type changes depending on the Pokémon's hold item
If this is a physical Judgment, then it'll open up so many new options for anti-impostering on physical attackers. Ice Multi Attack Mega Rayquaza anyone? If the base power is 100 like Judgment then it will actually be the superior physical move for many types -- I certainly appreciate us finally getting a decent physical Ghost-type move.
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Other Shit=====
Z Moves
If these can be hacked to be usable without the item then they'll absolutely need to be banned, but otherwise it's really hard to know how good these will be without knowing how powerful they are. Being forced to run an otherwise useless item is a pretty huge drawback, but if they're strong enough then they could be useful stallbreaking tools. As well, they'll be cool for anti-Imposter sets, as the Imposter won't have the Z Crystal to use your Z move. Anyone else looking forward to Normal Z Move -ate?
Parental Bond nerf
If you hadn't heard the news, the second hit of Parental Bond is now only 1.25x as powerful as the first hit, which nerfs PBond pretty significantly. However, the main reason that PBond was banned in XY was the ShadeFang set, which 2HKO'd literally everything that wasn't named Giratina, and unless PBond's interaction with set damage moves has changed too, I can't imagine it being any less broken.
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I'm pretty pumped for SM BH tbh, so much cool new stuff to try out :0