OMotM/LCotM Spotlight: Cross Evolution & Type Split

By Gambit_Gamin, Released: 2024/05/13
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OMOTM

Art by anundeadboy.

What is an OMotM/LCotM?

The OMotM, or Other Metagame of the Month, is the metagame that is voted by the players to have a ladder for a specific month. The LCotM, or Leader's Choice of the Month, is a second ladder that is chosen specifically by OM Forum Mods. For the most part, the LCotM is a metagame that needs more love, as it may not be able to compete with the metagames that get nominated for the OMotM voting.

For May, the OM of the Month is Cross Evolution, while Leader's Choice is Type Split.

Introduction to Cross Evolution

Cross Evolution is a metagame where nicknaming a Pokémon allows it to "cross-evolve", giving them access to the movepool, ablity, and relevant stat and type gains of the evolution. For example, a Kubfu cross-evolved into Ceruledge grants Kubfu a new typing of Fighting/Ghost, new abilities in Flash Fire and Weak Armor replacing Inner Focus, a new stat spread of 95/165/100/63/110/122, and all of Ceruledge's movepool alongside its own. However, there are certain restrictions to cross-evolving Pokémon, for example, you cannot cross-evolve Charmander with Venusaur, since Charmander is a stage 1 Pokémon while Venusaur is a stage 3 Pokémon. A more comprehensive list of restrictions can be found here. Since Pokémon gain many incredible buffs, Cross Evolution allows most Ubers Pokémon, with the exception of Kyogre and Miraidon. Cross Evolution allows not fully evolved Pokémon with high base stat totals like Dusclops and Bisharp to find great success when cross-evolved with Pokémon that gain high stats upon evolution such as Garganacl and Tsareena. To check the stats and abilities of cross-evolved Pokémon, use the /ce command in any room and format it like this: /ce kubfu, ceruledge. Another valuable command is the /showevo command, which allows you to check the stat boosts that a Pokémon gains upon evolving. All in all, Cross Evolution provides many unique possibilities that overall lead to a fun experience.

Threats in Cross Evolution

electrabuzz

Electabuzz, cross-evolved with Vivillon, is one of the best sweepers in Cross Evolution, thanks to its incredible new base 158 Special Attack and 165 Speed, a new Electric/Flying typing, new moves in Hurricane and Quiver Dance, and a great ability in Compound Eyes to mitigate the poor accuracy of its best moves. Focus Blast nails Steel-types like Bisharp and Magneton, while Quiver Dance gives Electabuzz the ability to sweep opposing teams and pairs well with its unmatched Speed to outrun most Choice Scarf users.

primeape

Cross-evolving with Hisuian Samurott gives Primeape a new Fighting/Dark typing, new moves in Ceaseless Edge, Sacred Sword, and Razor Shell, Sharpness to boost the aforementioned moves, and new base stats including 138 Attack and 120 Speed. Razor Shell allows Primeape to deal with bulky Ground-type Pokémon such as Gligar and Hippopotas. U-turn allows Primeape to pivot out of bad matchups against Clefairy and Hatterene cross-evolutions. Choice Band can be used to deal used to deal massive damage even against the bulkiest of walls, while Choice Scarf allows Primeape to outspeed +0 Electabuzz and Kubfu cross-evolved with Ceruledge.

gligar

Cross-evolving with Hariyama grants Gligar access to Headlong Rush, gives it a new ability in Guts, and increases its base stats to 137 HP, 135 Attack, and 110 Speed. Fling, while removing Flame Orb to boost the power of Acrobatics, also gives a tool to hit walls like Dusclops. Swords Dance further increases Gligar's already massive Attack to higher levels and allows it to sweep and tank hits thanks to hits incredible defenses. Guts is an incredible ability as, in tandem with Flame Orb, it takes Gligar's attack to massive levels.

Introduction to Type Split

Type Split is a new OM where all moves of a type deal either physical or special damage based on what category these moves were in Generations 1-3. Physical types include Bug, Fighting, Flying, Ghost, Ground, Normal, Poison, Rock, and Steel, while the special types include Dark, Dragon, Electric, Fairy, Fire, Grass, Ice, Psychic, and Water. While the Fairy-type didn't exist back in Generation 3, in this metagame, it is considered a special type. This allows Pokémon like Iron Valiant to prosper as it now gains access to special Fire Punch, Ice Punch, Knock Off, and Liquidation, while Pokémon such as Gholdengo lose a great deal of viability as both of its STAB types are now physical. In the end, the unique changes with the categories in moves certainly change things up and create an exciting metagame.

Threats in Type Split

Walking Wake

Walking Wake becomes an absolute monster, gaining many new special attacking options in Knock Off, Flip Turn, Flamethrower, Aqua Jet, and Outrage. Knock Off gives an option to hit Pokémon such as Galarian Slowking, while also being able to remove Assault Vest from Primarina. Flip Turn allows Walking Wake to pivot out of bad matchups versus Primarina and Blissey while still doing solid damage. Alternative moves include Aqua Jet to KO low HP targets, Hydro Steam if Walking Wake is to be used on sun teams, Flamethrower to hit Serperior and Corviknight, and Outrage to give it a Dragon-type move that doesn't lower Special Attack at the cost of being locked in and confused.

darkrai

Darkrai gains a great deal from Type Split, notably gaining special Knock Off and Sucker Punch at the cost of losing Sludge Bomb, Shadow Ball, and Focus Blast. Sucker Punch provides a way to easily take care of fast offensive threats such as Dragapult and Deoxys-S. Ice Beam hits Pokémon like Raging Bolt and Serperior; alternatively, Psyshock can be used to hit Blissey and Primarina. Nasty Plot along with Sucker Punch allows Darkrai to easily sweep, typically only being stopped by Booster Energy Iron Valiant.

dragonite

While losing Outrage and Dragon Claw hurt, Dragonite is still able to prosper thanks to its new physical Hurricane. Extreme Speed gives Dragonite an option to outspeed and threaten fast offensive threats such as Deoxys-S and Iron Valiant, with Tera Normal providing an even greater damage output. Hurricane and Earthquake have incredible synergy, with Hurricane hitting Serperior and Hydrapple, while Earthquake hits Iron Treads and Raging Bolt. Dragon Dance gives Dragonite the potential to sweep opposing teams if they lack bulky answers to Dragonite like Corviknight and Skarmory. Air Slash can be used as an alternative to Hurricane if you prefer the more solid accuracy.

Final Thoughts

Cross Evolution and Type Split, while being quite different metagames, both offer unique experiences that any Pokémon player is able to enjoy. Enjoy these metagames this May and check out the room on PS! to discuss them!

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