Monotype OMs: Monsters and Babies
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Art by LifeisDANK.
Introduction
Monotype OMs have been present in the Monotype community for several years with rising popularity; however, several of them have broken off from their base metagame and have formed their own banlists. At base, they are essentially other tiers or metagames with the Same Type Clause slapped on. While Monotype OMs are typically just a for-fun format, only challengeable through battles with friends or room tournaments, they have been featured in several Monotype tournaments including several team tournaments. The first rendition of Monotype Premier League featured Monotype AAA, Hidden Type, and STABmons, while the second rendition featured Monotype AAA, Doubles, STABmons, and UU. Due to Monotype OMs being dropped from MPL3, they were picked up by the most recent Monotype team tournament, Monotype Winter Premier League, which features Monotype AAA, Little Cup, STABmons, and Ubers. Through this two-part series of articles, we’ll be exploring the different facets of the four Monotype OMS in the MWP tournament.
Monotype LC
Overview
Type spam in LC is a common strategy, stacking same-type offensive Pokémon such as Mienfoo and Croagunk or Vullaby and Pawniard while covering their shared weaknesses with the remaining team slots. Monotype LC takes this to the extreme without the luxury of being able to cover weaknesses nearly as well. This makes Monotype LC a much more offensive metagame than regular LC with an even larger influence from setup sweepers. Monotype LC features three unbanned Pokémon compared to the base tier; Vulpix due to its inability to work in tandem with Chlorophyll sweepers, Gothita due to its lack of team support and redundancy with other Psychic-type Pokémon, and Misdreavus due to its lack of team support on Ghost-type teams.
As you’d expect, Pokémon have differing viability in Monotype LC than the regular tier depending on their coverage options, secondary typing, and ability to cover weaknesses or counter a specific type. For example, Lileep acts as an amazing wall against Water-types for Rock, and Stunky is a great hazard removal option for Dark and Poison teams while also acting as a solid Scraggy check due to its access to Play Rough. With that in mind, several amazing Pokémon in base LC don’t see usage in Monotype LC due to their type’s limited options. While both Abra and Spritzee are excellent in LC, Psychic and Fairy teams have extremely limited options and don’t have much competitive use. Let’s touch base on some of the top types and notable threats you’d expect to see.
Top Types
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Fighting is one of the most fortunate and overwhelming types in Monotype LC. It has a myriad of bulky, yet offensive Pokémon that have access to Knock Off, recovery in Drain Punch, and a few priority options. Also, notably, Pokémon that threaten Fighting aren’t nearly as common in Monotype LC as in the base tier. As described, Psychic- and Fairy-types are essentially nonexistent in the metagame, and most other teams don’t have access to worthwhile Flying-type Pokémon. The combination of these variables makes Fighting extremely threatening, especially to unprepared teams.
Pokémon commonly used are as you’d expect: Croagunk, Mienfoo, Timburr, and Scraggy. However, Pokémon not as commonly seen in base LC such as Mankey, Riolu, and Stufful are useful to the type. Mankey is often run with Choice Scarf as an offensive pivot, Riolu acts as a Swords Dance sweeper in conjunction with Prankster Copycat, and finally, Stufful is generally a very bulky Pokémon with excellent coverage options allowing it to act as a blanket check. The main downside to Fighting, however, is the rigidity in its team building; teams lack variance, which means opponents can adequately prepare for the type.
Due to the overwhelming power of Fighting, other teams are typically built with it in mind, utilizing very specific means of beating the type. For example, Psychic- and Fairy-type coverage is run commonly, which can be seen on Pokémon such as Dazzling Gleam Chinchou and Gastly, Play Rough Stunky, and Zen Headbutt Scraggy and Riolu. Certain tech sets can be run to take advantage of Fighting's lack of special attackers outside of Croagunk. Dark and Rock teams can run Iron Defense Vullaby and Archen, respectively, which can prove unbreakable for Fighting unless a Pokémon lands a critical hit. Overall, Fighting is definitely one of the most metagame-defining types in Monotype LC and should be prepared for with every team built.
Water is unique in the fact that it's blessed with arguably the highest number of viable team options in the metagame out of any type. It has access to several metagame-defining tools, those being Shell Smash sweepers, Sticky Web users, hazard removal, and great coverage options. Additionally, while Grass-type Pokémon and coverage are hardly sparse in the metagame, Electric-types are essentially nonexistent due to their limited numbers. Water tends to be a very versatile type to build in Monotype LC, proving to be a tough adversary to face.
Little Cup titans such as Shellder, Carvanha, Wingull, Mareanie, and Chinchou are all excellent for their roles in Monotype LC. However, lesser used Pokémon such as Tirtouga, Tentacool, and Skrelp, to name a few, help fit specific niches for the team. Tirtouga typically acts as a Shell Smash sweeper, utilizing Sturdy with Berry Juice; Tentacool acts as a more defensive Rapid Spin user, resisting Fighting-type coverage and punishing Drain Punch with Liquid Ooze; and finally, Skrelp acts as an offensive variant to Tentacool, hitting hard with its STAB attacks due to Adaptability.
Water isn’t without its weaknesses, however. Grass-type Pokémon and coverage typically eat through Water once the Grass-neutral Pokémon are removed. Bullet Seed Pikipek threatens nearly every Water-type Pokémon, and Z-Trick-or-Treat Pumpkaboo can cleanly sweep through Water-type teams that lack a Carvanha. Pokémon such as Zigzagoon and Pawniard are very difficult to play around, as Water has a difficult time dealing with priority. Croagunk gets a special mention due to its Water immunity in Dry Skin, access to priority, and decent bulk. While Water isn’t nearly as metagame defining as Fighting may be, it’s definitely something to look out for and prepare for thoroughly.
Dark has an interesting spot in the Monotype LC metagame. The glaringly obvious weakness to Fighting-type coverage may dissuade people from using the type; however, it has the necessary tools to deal with Fighting. Dark is filled to the brim with powerful Pokémon that help define the metagame. On top of this, it is blessed with plenty of Knock Off users, which is arguably the best attack in LC. Dark also has priority users, decent hazard removal options, and setup sweepers. One of Dark’s keys to success is its Pokémon’s dual typings, which allow it to cover a wide array of threats.
Pokémon you’d expect to see based off of standard LC, such as Vullaby, Pawniard, Alolan Grimer, Carvanha, and Scraggy, are all big players in Monotype LC. However, Pokémon such as Houndour, Stunky, and Sandile see use as well. Houndour is a strong and fast special attacker with a notable immunity to Fire-type coverage, Stunky can utilize Defog to free Vullaby up to run other sets, and Sandile can act as either a hazard setter or a Choice Scarf sweeper with Moxie. While Fighting certainly inhibits Dark-type’s usage to an extent, Vullaby alone can sweep through the type or wall it completely if given the opportunity. Dark’s access to Sucker Punch users also helps the team deal with fast but frail Choice Scarf and Shell Smash sweepers.
Despite the strengths Dark-types possesses, the type isn’t without its weaknesses. While Vullaby is unpredictable in its sets, not all sets are globally useful. A Weak Armor set can sweep through several types, but the Defense drops allow Rock Blast users to easily KO it, and while an Iron Defense set helps defeat physically offensive teams, its passive nature can allow it to be walled. Other commonly seen Vullaby sets such as offensive pivot, Choice Scarf, and defensive utility leave much to be desired, as it misses out on countering Fighting. Additionally, Dark can be very prediction heavy in its revenge killing. The team can be forced into coin-flip situations of whether the foe will attack or switch out in fear of Sucker Punch. All of Dark's amazing Pokémon, offensive and defensive tools, ability to cover its weaknesses, and unpredictable sets help contribute towards its place in the metagame.
Metagame Titans
Shell Smash Sweepers
As stated earlier, Shell Smash is one of the most defining features of Monotype LC. With it being such an offensive metagame, several types lack the defensive capability to deal with a +2 sweeper, especially if their Eviolite has been removed. While Shell Smash isn’t accessible to most types, those that can take advantage of it tend to have success. Shellder is the most notable Shell Smash sweeper, as due to its great Defense, it finds ample opportunity to set up; the combination of Rock Blast and Icicle Spear with Skill Link allows it to cleanly sweep through a large number of types. Another notable Shell Smash user is Dwebble. Dwebble not only has the ability to take advantage of Sturdy plus Berry Juice, but it also reaches an amazing 30 Speed when at +2, which allows it to outspeed the entire +1 Speed metagame. Dwebble also has access to decent offensive options such as Rock Blast, X-Scissor, Knock Off, and Earthquake, which can cover a large majority of threats.
Scraggy
Scraggy alone is one of the most metagame-defining Pokémon in Monotype LC. Compared to regular LC, the overall lack of Fairy-types allows Scraggy to be much more threatening. In every set it runs, it acts as a Moxie sweeper, plowing through unprepared teams. Typically, it runs two different sets, either a Choice Scarf sweeper or a bulky Eviolite booster with Dragon Dance. Despite its low Speed of 15, several types lack the ability to overcome Scraggy once it starts to gain Attack boosts. Due to Scraggy’s overwhelming presence in the metagame, its common to find Pokémon run Fairy-type coverage to help revenge kill it, as seen in Dazzling Gleam Chinchou and Gastly.
Zigzagoon
Much like Scraggy, Zigzagoon can be a very daunting Pokémon in Monotype LC. Though it only runs one set commonly, being Belly Drum with Berry Juice, that’s all it really needs. The sheer power of +6 Extreme Speed gives it the ability to sweep through several types if given the opportunity. It also has the ability to inhibit Pokémon that would stop its sweeping ability through the use of Thief, which allows Zigzagoon to stop Sturdy plus Berry juice users from walling it completely or to act as a last-ditch effort to support its teammates if it fails to sweep. Unfortunately, the most consistent way to beat Zigzagoon is to Knock Off its Berry Juice. However, the overall presence of Fighting definitely diminishes Zigzagoon’s use, but it is still a very threatening Pokémon to nearly every other type.
Replays
Conclusion
Monotype LC can be an intimidating metagame to learn, especially for those without previous LC experience. The overarching threat of sweepers in the metagame molds the way teams are built and define the metagame itself. However, limited team options present a fun puzzle to build as successful of a team as possible while trying to cover your own weaknesses. While the three types talked about in this article are very prominent, a large variety of types are viable and fit a specific niche in beating other types. The main key to success in Monotype LC is to assess what threatens your team and think outside of the box to figure out how to overcome those threats. If you're interested in learning more about Monotype LC or are looking for a sample team or two, head on over to the LC post in the Monotype OM Mega Thread. Monotype LC is definitely a metagame worth trying out and can be a fun alternative to regular LC!
Monotype Ubers
Overview
Monotype Ubers is an exciting metagame, driven by the immense power and bulk creep compared to regular Monotype. The metagame is populated by Pokémon that take advantage of setup moves to cleanly sweep through teams, making it difficult to navigate for a newcomer. Monotype Ubers has one more Pokémon banned than regular Ubers, Marshadow. Its ability to completely negate slower setup sweepers, particularly physically based ones such as Swords Dance Arceus-*, when combined with the defensive Pokémon backbone of Ghost proved to be too overwhelming for the metagame to handle.
Specific type viability is extremely polarizing in Monotype Ubers, with types being either good or completely unusable, and can be defined by three factors: its access to Uber Pokémon, its overall synergy, and its ability to tackle the immense strength or bulk of other types. For example, Bug, which only gains Pheromosa and Genesect, struggles to keep up with the metagame. While the specific viability of Pokémon in Monotype Ubers doesn’t stray too far from the base tier, Monotype Ubers features several Pokémon you typically wouldn’t see in Ubers to help cover specific niches. Genesect helps fill the lack of strong and fast special attackers for Steel and Aegislash helps contribute towards the Ghost defensive backbone. Other non-Uber Pokémon also see usage to help cover specific roles as well, such as Quagsire, which helps Ground check setup spam with Unaware plus Haze. Let’s take a close look at some of the top types and notable threats you’re likely to run into in Monotype Ubers.
Top Types
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Ground is uniquely blessed with the small selection of Uber Pokémon it gains. Access to arguably the single best Uber Pokémon, Primal Groudon, seals the deal for Ground in the metagame. It is best defined by brute force, utilizing numerous setup Pokémon when coupled with a few utility options. At the surface, Ground may seem rigid in its teambuilding, as teams typically run similar Pokémon. However, there is unpredictability in the movesets run on the team, which can vary from coverage options to setup moves utilized.
While Ground only gains three Pokémon based off of Ubers tiering, they're all extremely influential and versatile Pokémon. Primal Groudon, Zygarde-C, and Arceus-Ground each have multiple sets they can run, all of which are setup sweepers. Their offensive presence combined can be overwhelming to unprepared teams. However, Ground needs to utilize non-Uber Pokémon in order to fill in the empty slots. Some commonly run Pokémon include Excadrill, which acts as a lead hazard setter, Quagsire or Gastrodon, which act as Xerneas and setup checks, and finally a filler Pokémon that can help with specific matchups such as Krookodile, Mamoswine, or Landorus.
Ground does still have some prominent issues, however. Fast and offensive Grass-types such as Shaymin-S and Kartana can be very threatening when played correctly. Bulky Flying-types and Levitate users such as Lugia and Giratina-O can be difficult to play around, as they have the ability to Toxic stall Ground-type teams if given the opportunity. Other teams aim to take down Ground with brute force before it has the opportunity to set up; however, this can be difficult thanks to the immense bulk seen in Primal Groudon and Zygarde-C. The tremendous trio featured on Ground can be a threatening combination in Monotype Ubers to deal with and should be considered when building any team.
Ghost is one of the most flexible types in Monotype Ubers. It has a plethora of both offensive and defensive Pokémon, giving it the ability to run both archetypes and everything in between. This wide variety can make Ghost a fun type to build as well as a daunting one to face. The banning of Marshadow definitely hurt its viability as a type, but it still manages to surface as one of the best.
As described, Ghost can be either offensively or defensively oriented, and the Pokémon associated with it can run very different sets. Defensive teams can utilize Uber Pokémon such as Giratina-O, Aegislash, and Mega Gengar to trap and remove threats while utilizing non-Uber Pokémon such as Mega Sableye for its bulk or even Shedinja, which can be difficult to knock out for unprepared teams. Offensive teams can utilize Uber Pokémon such as Swords Dance Arceus-Ghost, Lunala, and Necrozma-DW while utilizing non-Uber Pokémon such as Mimikyu. As many of these Pokémon are very flexible, they can fit on either archetype as well.
Unfortunately, Ghost does have a glaring weakness, Dark. While Dark isn't the most prevalent typing or coverage found in Monotype Ubers, it can be very difficult for Ghost to deal with. Pokémon like Yveltal and Hoopa-U can rip through the type if not handled correctly. Opposing Ghost-types can also be tricky to deal with, including Choice Scarf Lunala on Psychic and Giratina on Dragon. Other Pokémon can be seen running specific moves to help deal with certain Pokémon on Ghost. For example, Primal Groudon can run Dragon Pulse to help deal with Giratina-O, allowing it to more easily deal with the remaining Pokémon. While it can be hard to prepare for a well-built Ghost-type team, it is definitely something to keep in mind.
Flying is among the types that gain access to the most Uber Pokémon, all of which are extremely relevant. It can be seen as the "do it all" type in Monotype Ubers due to its access to Pokémon that can fill nearly every role. The main feature that keeps Flying exciting to build and play with is the amount of unpredictability involved. While a handful of Flying-types are limited to utilizing only one specific role, the vast majority of them can take advantage of multiple sets, which are all useful in different combinations and in different situations.
The most common method of building Flying is to take advantage of its overwhelming bulk. Pokémon such as Lugia and Ho-Oh can be extremely difficult to take down for many different teams; taking advantage of that bulk is key in wearing down opposing Pokémon. This pairs well with the many different offensive Pokémon that Flying gains access to. Yveltal, Mega Salamence, Rayquaza, Arceus-Flying, and Shaymin-S all can be very threatening due to their great combined coverage, each of which helps out with different matchups. Even a few non-Uber Pokémon can manage to squeeze into Flying-type teams. They include Skarmory, which can act as a phazer, hazard setter, and hazard remover; Celesteela, which can utilize its bulk to help support the defensive backbone of Lugia and Ho-Oh; and even Landorus-T, which can act as a decent revenge killer with Choice Scarf while providing Intimidate support.
Flying surely isn't without its weaknesses, however. Due to the overarching threat of the defensive backbone commonly featured on Flying-type teams, several Pokémon can utilize super effective coverage to help deal with it. For example, Mega Lucario, Primal Groudon, and Necrozma-DM can run Stone Edge while Pokémon such as Lunala and Genesect can utilize either Electric- or Ice-type coverage. Additionally, the pressure to keep Stealth Rock off of the field can be difficult to deal with, as neither Ho-Oh nor Lugia wants to switch into it. Depending on the Flying-type team's composition, specific setup Pokémon can be difficult to deal with as well. For example, both commonly utilized Xerneas sets as well as Coil Zygarde-C can be tricky to handle. The combination of Lugia and Ho-Oh alone is something every team needs to prepare for, though, otherwise they'll be in for a wild ride.
Metagame Titans
Xerneas
Xerneas is hands down one of the best Pokémon in the Ubers metagame, which is only amplified more so in Monotype Ubers. Typically, Xerneas utilizes two different sets, either Power Herb Geomancy or Z-Geomancy. The Power Herb set is typically favored due to its immediate power and use of coverage moves such as Thunder and Focus Blast, allowing it to sweep through several types. The Z-Geomancy set is much more defensive, and it can prove difficult to break between its boosted defenses, Ingrain, and Rest. Whether or not a team is viable in Monotype Ubers can be determined solely by if they have a means of dealing with and overcoming Xerneas, often requiring very specific checks in order to prevent it from sweeping your team. Stat removers such as Haze Wacan Berry Toxapex, Unaware Quagsire, and Clear Smog Alolan Muk are often utilized solely to check Xerneas. On top of its immense stat boosting, it is provided with great team support from dual screens Klefki as well as the coverage provided by the Tapu group, proving to be an overarching threat to the metagame.
Primal Groudon
Much like in standard Ubers, Primal Groudon is a force to be reckoned with. It lends a stellar defensive typing with excellent bulk, a much-needed immunity to Water, superb offenses, and access to stat-boosting moves. While it can run a variety of sets from offensive to defensive in standard Ubers, it is almost exclusively seen running an offensive set in Monotype Ubers. The sheer power of Precipice Blades along with sun-boosted Fire Blast or Fire Punch plows through teams that fail to check this offensive combination. Rock Polish provides it with the Speed to back up its amazing base 180 Attack, allowing it to outspeed and sweep through unprepared teams. Its last moveslot can be dedicated to a coverage or a second setup move, which can enable Primal Groudon to have maximum sweeping potential. Checking Primal Groudon can prove very difficult; it can be worn down by very bulky Pokémon with Toxic such as Lugia, and other teams can try to knock it down offensively before it has a chance to set up and sweep. It should be noted, however, that Primal Groudon is limited to only being used on Ground due to the restrictions in the Same Type Clause requiring the Pokémon’s base forme to be the team's type.
Arceus-*
Arceus is one of the most versatile Pokémon in the entire game and is available for every single type in Monotype Ubers. Due to its flexibility and movepool, Arceus is often molded into a specific role that its team could utilize best, varying between offensive or defensive options. Due to Z-Crystals changing Arceus's type, one of the most common sets seen is Swords Dance with a Z-Move, which can commonly be seen on Ground and Ghost. Another commonly run Arceus set is Calm Mind + Recover. This set is often run on types that are lacking strong special attackers or benefit from its special coverage, such as Dark and Steel. Other sets run can include bulky Defog or status spreader to help clear the field of hazards, whittle down bulky Pokémon with Toxic, or nullify physical attackers with Will-O-Wisp, which can be seen on types such as Water and Psychic. A key aspect of every Monotype Ubers battle is to analyze their team composition and figure out what kind of Arceus set they may be running. While you already know what type of Arceus they’re running, it takes different strategies to overcome the varying Arceus sets, which will therefore affect your plays greatly.
Replays
Conclusion
Monotype Ubers is a very exciting metagame featuring a myriad of setup sweepers and overly bulky Pokémon. The metagame itself is hardly defined by only one factor, but there are several overarching threats one has to keep in mind. It can be tricky to figure out which non-Uber Pokémon to add on your Monotype Uber team rather than simply slap 6 Uber Pokémon together. The unpredictability of sets utilized helps keep the metagame fresh and open for innovation. The main key to success in Monotype Ubers is to analyze your team to see if you're able to deal with the big players in the metagame while still having your own win conditions, whether that be an overwhelming offensive or defensive presence. If you're interested in learning more about Monotype Ubers or are looking for a sample team or two, head on over to the Ubers post in the Monotype OM Mega Thread. Monotype Ubers is an interested look into what Monotype might be like without (many) bans and can be a fun challenge to play.