SPL XVI Power Rankings

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Welcome to the Power Rankings for the sixteenth installment of the Smogon Premier League! This will be the twelfth edition of the Power Rankings, an article intended to boost excitement for the upcoming tournament, give a representation of where each team is believed to stand in relation to other teams, and distract everyone from the fact that we still don't have an answer to continental teams with WCoP right around the corner. To obtain an overview, we have asked knowledgeable players of each respective tier and anyone willing to sit down and rank 36 SV OU players to rate the expected players for each one, averaged the rankings while removing outliers, and ended up with an attempt at a mostly unbiased list. From there, we gathered all of the rankings and assigned points accordingly: first place in each tier gets ten points, second place in each tier gets nine points, and so on until you look closely at the ADV rankings and realize no one actually knows if these players are good or not. Given that there are four slots for SV, this was extrapolated out and groupings of four for each point value were created. This year, we brought back manager rankings, having the managers rank each other and using the same scoring system as all other pools. Manager rankings didn't count towards a team's total but rather served as a tiebreaker between teams.

Despite our best efforts, it isn't possible to obtain perfectly accurate pre-tournament rankings. Ultimately, there are too many variables to account for that can lead to teams or individuals doing better or worse than predicted, so the Power Rankings are more fun than a serious prediction. Our hope is that these PRs will be an enjoyable read for the community, shed some light on the community's newest rising stars, or tell you for the 13th year that Conflict is on top of the GSC pool. But hey, we can always hope that our predictions do come true, as, based on the BIGS' final ranking, it may finally contribute to the deflation of ABR's ego without him even playing.

There are, of course, lingering questions on everyone's minds coming into this SPL: How much of a difference will three managers actually make? Can Raiza and Tricking pull it together after last year's disappointing finish? Will yet another managerial change save the Cryos from eternal mediocrity? How many alt rule-based infractions will the host team hand out, and will tournament players find a new way to express their creative freedom in the wake of this oppressive new regime? We'll have all of our answers in at least eleven but no more than fourteen weeks.

Before we look at the rankings, it wouldn't be SPL without some pre-tournament shenanigans. This year, player signups opened again for a limited window less than 24 hours before the auction began, bringing us mostly undrafted players but also somehow raising spies and PDC from the dead for their first SPLs in years. The auction, as always, took four hours, but, for the first time ever, also came with a livestream that featured MANNAT in a full suit and tie.

Conflict was this year's most expensive player at 30.5k despite making a commencement post begging to not have to carry his team for once. McMeghan and SoulWind followed close behind at 30k and 29.5k, respectively, and ten other players were more than 20k at the auction, significantly less than last year. The most expensive SV OU starter was lax to the BIGS for 25k, 25% more than the next most expensive player in emforbes. Either years of Shake's propaganda in tours or Jimothy Cool's breakdown over the state of the tier lead to DPP being the least expensive pool overall, with players costing an average of 8.25k, carried in large part by BKC's 25k price tag, though SS wasn't far behind at 8.5k per player. Despite early stirrings about a potentially bad and shallow pool, BW was the most expensive generation, averaging 12.1k per player.

Additionally, congratulations to the following players for participating in their first-ever SPL: RufflesPro, aesf, Pkel SweeTforU, bhkg, Drachenkeule, leng loi, Skarpherim, zS, Hiko, nicole7735, temp, charizardsnuts, Danny, Metallica126, mielke, JUST ONE GALATINA, Abyssal Ruins, Ahy Wddicted, Brine, Chiharu, Fusien, heileone, Kate, Luirromen, marsandback, MeEsSm, Quarante8, Renegade, Paprikaflow, Plague, and vk. Great work getting here, and hopefully this is both a wonderful experience and the start of a long tenure in many SPLs to come.

Finally, before we get to the rankings themselves, a special and massive thank you to all of the amazing people who made this article possible:

Writing, stat collecting, and other assistance: -Tsunami-, 3d, Aliss, BKC, Cow, Finchinator, goldmason, Larry, Lily, shiloh, teal6, Vertigo, We Three Kings, xray

GP, HTML, and Graphics: adorluigi, Kalalokki, Lumari, Quite Quiet, sunny004, zastra, Zracknel

Rankers: ABR, Aliss, Amaranth, ArcticBreeze, Attribute, baddummy, BluBirD, Charmflash, chuva de perereca, clean, Conflict, d0nut, D4 Repertoire, damien the genius, dice, Dj Breloominati, Don Eduardo, Dridri457, elodin, fade, Fear, Finchinator, Gefährlicher Random, Genesis7, GeniusX, Giannis Antetokommo-o, Gondra, gorgie, Groudon, Hayburner, hellom, Hiko, ima, Isza, Kaz, Laurel, lax, leng loi, Luigi, Mada, mako, marsandback, MeEsSm, mielke, McMeghan, Monai, nicole7735, Niko, obii, oldspicemike, Ox the Fox, pj, Punny, Raiza, RaiZen1704, Rewer, reyscarface, robjr, Rubyblood, Santu, Sceptross, SEA, Sergio Aguero, Serpi, SFG, shiloh, Siatam, Skarpherim, Skypenguin, spies, Star, Tace, Triangles, Tony, vani, Vileman, Void, xavgb, z0mOG, zioziotrip

And a personal thank you from me to all of you for reading; I hope everyone enjoys this SPL and has an amazing 2025!

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1. hellom
2. lax
3. myjava
4. oldspicemike
5. Storm Zone
6. ACR1
7. Attribute
8. Niko
9. Pais
10. Nat
11. clean
12. JJ09LIE
13. emforbes
14. mncmt
15. Mada
16. Lily
17. DAHLI
18. zS
19. ewin
20. pdt
21. Jytcambell
22. Fogbound Lake
23. Stareal
24. aesf
25. S1nn0hC0nfirm3d
26. DugZa
27. 3d
28. Mimikyu Stardust
29. leng loi
30. Hiko
31. TheFranklin
32. Eternal Spirit
33. crying
34. LpZ
35. bhkg
36. Laroxyl
37. Luispeikou
38. Danny
39. Fusien
40. Yovan

In what might be the last year of SV OU being the current generation, we have the Stark Sharks coming in hot with a first-place ranking in this year's SPL. With a grouping of players that have all mainly come up through other tiers, they now all look to focus on SV OU and showcase why they are ranked so highly. Attribute starts off as the highest ranked OU player on the Sharks, and also their only retain. Once only known within the Monotype community, and well-known at that with strong play and builds, he now continues to show that dominance with the most recent OU generations. With decent showings in SS and an appearance in the most recent Smogtour playoffs, he's shown off his chops in other OU generations, but when it comes to SV his 10-3 overall record speaks for itself. Big wins this past SCL over other top players like CTC, Mako, myjava, and Pais further show how well his skill has translated into SV in particular. Niko is up next for the Sharks roster, and if he's able to keep up his SCL form this ranking is well deserved. After starting 2-2 he rolled off six wins in a row in route to helping the Dynamos win it all. With especially big wins going 2-0 in the playoffs, he played a key part and was integral to their team. While his recent history before that might not be the best, going 1-10 in his prior 10 official tour games (though he did win the five before), if he's able to keep up the level of SV play we saw in SCL, the Sharks will be happy with the price they paid.

Similar to Attribute, Lily came up through another tier when she started making her name known on Smogon, quickly becoming UUTL and one of the top players. In her only SPL showing she had a fantastic 5-0 record after subbing in mid-season, and since then she has been very active in the tier, even making her way onto council. While her recent SCL run wasn't amazing, she did cap it off going 3-2 in OU, still showing that she knows the tier. Rounding off the Sharks quartet is Jytcampbell, who ranks the lowest of the bunch mostly due to his lack of experience playing SV OU. While has has a ton of experience under his belt with 70 official games, his best record was going 3-0 in WCoP 2019 for Canada, with most of his other performances being 5-4 or 4-5. However, in this most recent SCL he picked up PU for the Dynamos and cruised to a 6-1 record, with the only loss being in UU. This record, as well as the plays he made along the way to win the trophy with his team made him a hot player for this auction, going for 12.5k. Having his "breakout" tour over six years after making his debut on the Smogon scene is somewhat unexpected, but if he's able to keep that form up he has the experience playing at the highest level to go with it. He's had great individual performances in the past as well, making it to the semifinals of Smogon Tour 31 and the playoffs of the most recent one.

In terms of support, the Sharks have one of the strongest managerial duos (sorry obii you don't count here) in terms of SV knowledge. Both Starmaster and Giannis would easily rank in the top 10 of this pool as well and are known for being two of the strongest players in recent memory. Both are able to build and support these already well-lauded players, easily cementing the Sharks's rank at the top of the SV standings. They also do have a solid sub in Fc if ever needed, but with how much the Sharks invested, they are hoping this core can go all the way.

The Indie Scooters shoot up to second place in the overall Power Rankings, trailing the Sharks by a few points but also having the overall #1 player in the pool. There's no question about it, hellom is the star player of this core, and also this pool. If we look at where he was just a year ago, this was his SPL XV writeup that went alongside his 31st overall ranking: "hellom has done well in unofficials and keeps up well with the metagame but also is not the most proven player." Since that point he's gone 10-1 in SPL, 2-0 in WCoP, and 3-1 in SCL, which is an absurd 88.24% win rate. Alongside decent individual performances as well, he's quickly become one of the faces of SV, and the best player to debut in the last year. While he did only play four games in SCL, a lot of that was due to being busy and some other issues that hopefully will not repeat this tournament. So, pending him playing a good number of games, the Scooters have set themselves up nicely with such a cheap retain with the highest upside. Not far behind him is a fellow "ex" ladder rager in Nat. For someone that started their career 1-7 overall (though mainly in RU), Nat has had an amazing rebound and most recently put up an overall 16-6 record in 2023. While she did take 2024 off, her ranking is mainly due to her past strength and expectation that she can reach that level again.

aesf finally gets a chance to team with his OM buddy in stresh, though it is when stresh has finally taken up the mantle of managing. Known for being one of the most creative builders in multiple Other Metagames as well as being a top player, aesf finally decided to follow in the footsteps of past OM legends and make the transition to official tiers last year. His first tour was SCL III, where he was a hefty 11k yet only played 3 games. However, one of these was in the finals, where he had a massive win over heavy favorite mind gaming to help his team reach the tiebreak. Since then he's mainly terrorized hopeful OLT competitors with monotype teams on the ladder, as well as putting up a 3-1 record in the most recent WCoP. Despite this continued lack of true experience, he still fetched a 12k pricetag this SPL, which can mainly be attributed to stresh being his manager and having a lot of faith in him due to their experiences in OMs. Rounding off this OU core is TheFranklin, current RU tier leader and top player. While most of his impressive resume comes from there, he still has had good OU showings in the past, with a 6-3 in SPL XIV and a combined 5-4 over the last two WCoPs. His ranking being this low can also be tied to his most recent RU showing not even being the best, going 3-6 in the most recent SCL.

The biggest potential weakness to this OU core is building and support, as hellom is generally someone who has needed building support and prep, especially if he gets busy, and Nat specifically mentioning that she would need a lot more help than usual. Luckily for the Scooters, they have a manager who has been at the top of the OU pool ever since picking up the tier himself in SPL XIII, stresh. While this is his first time managing, he's not new to having to play a support role after being retained a combined five times in the last few SCLs and SPLs and also being a past OMPL champion as a manager. Coming fresh off an OLT trophy, theres no question as to his ability to build and support. The Scooters also have Srn on the bench, an OU moderator who has played in WCoP and is very in tune with the tier and metagame, hopefully lifting some of the load off stresh being the only other real support.

The Wolfpack's management made the most of their Wi-Fi in late 2024 as they assembled a trio of SV OU players who achieved new peaks in the official tournament arena during this time. While mncmt has been in the upper echelon of tournament players for numerous years now, all of clean, Ewin, and Stareal are up and coming. You know what you will get from mncmt: he is not going to break the metagame with teambuilding of his own, but he is a remarkable pilot who thrives with random RMTs or masterpieces constructed by his peers all the same. It is just a matter of him trying to approach his best form as he is roughly even at 50-49 across officials despite doing so through highs and lows rather than repeated average showings. The remainder of this core is less proven and has a lot on the line, which will dictate the narrative here more than mncmt perhaps.

This group's ability to not only be competitive but live up to their top three placement among OU cores will be up to their collective preparation and attitudes towards the metagame and tournament. SV OU constantly evolves, especially during official tournaments, and finding sustainable success comes with being adaptable both in diversifying oneself and in reacting to the opponent. clean had one superb tournament in OLT but lacks the sample size of a true SV1. Ewin was a strong player across a few tournaments in 2024, but definitely has a particular style people identify with him that he used regularly during this stretch. Finally, Stareal had two positive official tournaments in 2024, but will he be able to keep this up against stronger opponents while more information is out there on him?

Manager zioziotrip could be a difference maker as an SV veteran himself while ladder hero and WCoP champion heileone will also be serving as a passionate supporter or substitute when needed. Ultimately, the heavy lifting will have to be done by the four players though. We established mncmt's reputation as a superb, but potentially streaky, player. clean can build off of greatness and dominate SPL if his OLT is the indicator and not the exception. As for Ewin and Stareal, they have yet to flirt with outright dominance, but their progression in results inspires some confidence that more strong performances are to come. Let's hope for some good developments for the Wolfpack's OU core this season!

The Tigers drafted a core that is quite difficult to find the words for. Between Storm Zone's billion teams, JJ and DugZa's piloting skills, and 3d's incomprehensible ability to yap all day every day, this core seems set up for some decent success. Storm Zone is the highlight of the core with a solid 5th place position with a decent overall team tournament record; the highlight here is his history of excellent individual records, though. If he can channel that energy here he's set up for major success.

JJ09LIE and DugZa also find themselves decently ranked with some solid accomplishments to their names, including good OLT and OST placements, respectively, as well as positive team tournament records. 3d finds himself closer to the bottom, though; his sheet is overall quite poor, but he does have decent SPL results historically and a good OLT performance to his name, which puts him above some of the less proven players in the pack.

The Tigers are frankly difficult to write about, as their players are quiet, yet impressive. You won't see them hyping themselves up after every win in the Smogtours discord, or talking there much in general... with one exception in 3d, who may drum up so much activity that this idea could be proven entirely wrong. This is a solid set of players that know their way around an SV OU game; while they're middle of the pack overall, they aren't messing around either. Don't be surprised to see a decent number of wins from the Tigers.

The Cryonicles embody third with a bunch of rankings that are all multiples of three; as a bonus fun fact, if you add up the placements of the first three players on this roster, you get the rank of the last. Fibonacci would be very proud. ACR1 headlines this core, coming off an extremely solid 7-2 SCL run in the tier alongside a smattering of strong placements in side tournaments; it's clear he's got things together, and he's joined by another strong newly established name in Pais, who has been on fire lately with a great 6-3 SCL campaign to his name.

Things do taper off a little bit with zS, who lacks too many notable SV OU results but does have a strong overall team tournament record and an OST quarterfinals placement to his name—given his overall skill and the strong support of his teammates, it's easy enough to see him succeeding. One teammate he is unlikely to get support from is crying, who finds themselves ranked lower than usual; their eccentric teambuilding does not seem to sit too well with rankers right now, and one too many Leavannys seems to have led to their recent records taking a hit, but they are still a good player with solid SV experience. TPP could also be an option if an opportunity pops up.

Ultimately, the Phionicles haven't quite cracked the golden ratio of SV players. There's a ton to like on this team though; consistent players who are proven, some up-and-comers that have been winning much more often than not, and then a wildcard that will throw all of their opponents off without a doubt. Every team needs to make sure they're looking out for the Cryos; this SV core is not to be trifled with.

The Ruiners find themselves ranked at 6th despite technically only having one player in the upper half of the pool; this speaks to the impressiveness of oldspicemike's rise through the ranks, though. It wasn't too long ago that he was US Midwest's latest "who?", but since then he has put up incredibly solid performances in SCL and SPL alike. Joining him is pdt, who dons one of the most absurd sheet records of all time at 32-19—most of this was in UU, but he is still a force to be reckoned with as a player and is an active SV OU player as well.

Fogbound Lake isn't far behind pdt in the rankings despite some poor recent results; his history in the tier has evidently not been forgotten, as he was among the most dominant SV OU players once upon a time. Laroxyl is unfortunately slightly less dominant, having put up decent but unspectacular records, and a relatively poor SCL run involving an unfortunate Knock Off on a Kingambit leaves him without much favor in the eyes of the rankers.

While the Ruiners are relying a fair amount on oldspicemike to put up an excellent performance, there aren't many better folks to hedge your bets on there; if the other three can buckle up and put up a decent combined record alongside this, the Ruiners will find themselves in a great position with a very cost-effective SV OU core. In terms of odds? Honestly, you could do a lot worse. All three of these players have strong sheets and proven track records, even if their recent OU escapades have been middling. A little bit of magic could go a long way here, and the Ruiners may just surprise you yet.

The BIGs SV OU core can certainly be described as top heavy with two of the top fifteen players, including second-ranked lax, accompanying two of the bottom five players without a lot of depth or support in-house. What this surface-level description does not factor in would be the intangibles. While the lower end of this core is absolutely unproven and deserves to be ranked accordingly, there are factors we see sway results in every tournament that go beyond the perceptions we have coming into the tournament—team environment, work ethic, creativity, and so much more can make or break a campaign while not being captured in a preliminary ranking.

While it is fair to be critical of lax for the occasional tournament flop, he is one of the architects of modern SV OU. lax has been a constant in the story of the metagame's tournaments, and this SPL appears likely to be a continuation of that. lax is one of the most creative and open-minded players, refusing to compromise on his ideas for the sake of standards. On a similar note, emforbes has transitioned from being one of VGC's best players to also being an experienced and motivated OU player. His ladder escapades and tournament success all point towards a player who is likely to bounce back from a lackluster SCL! The tone these two set can foster an environment of activity and innovation that could stand out in this tournament despite being joined by less proven players, and we have not even had to mention the obvious: both are poised to do well in their own games this season if they maintain form.

Pivoting to the back half of this group, bhkg is a lesser known player who has played the metagame throughout the generation. He builds his own teams and is not afraid to take risks in the teambuilder, championing Maushold and other underappreciated options in the past. He was involved with supporting official team tournament SV OU cores in the past despite not being on the roster himself, so the setting is not entirely foreign, but this will be a big step for him to adapt. Danny, on the flip side, has experience in NU, where he has been regarded highly over the years. He played OU at the circuit level with some success, but this will be an opportunity for him to fully translate his skills to the flagship metagame. With the leadership of experienced managers, lax, and emforbes, the hope is that these two will adjust nicely and outperform their rankings. If they do, expect the BIGs to have one of the best SV OU cores. If not, it could be a long season. Ruft and JustFranco could hold their own in SV OU, but they do not stand out relative to bhkg or Danny, and tko is experienced in officials but not so much in OU.

With two valuable retains and a hodgepodge of up-and-comers, the Tyrants have a new look to their OU core due to the cinnamon toast crunch shortage with supply chain issues originating in China. After building a winning culture but falling just short in the playoffs on numerous occasions, the Tyrants finally won their first SPL last season. They did this with an outstanding performance in SV OU and will need to tap back into this in order to repeat. Their collective ranking is relatively low and living up to that expectation could prove challenging, but there is still a lot of promise to be found here!

Returning from the aforementioned championship team to this core will be myjava, Mada, and Luispeikou. All of them seem to be starting, but we will start with the retained duo of myjava and Mada. myjava stood out as one of the best SV OU tournament performers in 2024; he cooled off with a neutral SCL, but prior to that he went 11-2 across SPL and WCoP. The vast majority of players never put up fifteen wins on the sheet in a year ever, but myjava did it in the same year as his first ever SPL and SCL. It is safe to say that the sky is the limit for this slot. Mada was no slouch either after an 11-5 2024 with three consecutive positive tournaments; he is also well known for being a detail-oriented scouter, which can be helpful to the whole group including his own slot. The questions do not come from these two, who are projected to do well, but rather the remaining slots.

Luispeikou is a soft-spoken Spanish player who has some signature victories under his belt, but ultimately has been underwhelming with mostly average or slightly subpar performances outside of one WCoP. Perhaps the experience from last year can help him level up, but that is not a forgone conclusion. Fusien, who previously played for US West and is plenty active in OU circles, looks to make the most of his debut after grinding himself up to a respectable level, but it is yet to be seen how he will respond to getting this opportunity. The Tyrants have sufficient depth to supplement these slots, however, as Metallica126 is a great alternate option in SV or SS and Plague is an underrated Brazilian player who could start if called upon as well. vk, who played on Team India with myjava and is continuing to grow as an OU prospect, and temp can also chip in here if and when needed. The Tyrants have good upside and a lot of options, but it will be interesting to see how they go about making the most of each of these pieces.

With the five most proven OU players on the Classiest all slotted in old generations, perhaps it is no surprise that their collective ranking in SV OU is closer to the bottom of the barrel. Make no mistake: not all hope is lost with this core, just most of it. This team has three managers that do not cover SV OU whatsoever and only one player who frequents the metagame over 8k, which could prove problematic seeing as it makes up a third of the slots in the tournament. That one player is DAHLI, who is a quality acquisition at 13.5k but is more seen as slightly above average based off of their results than a true top-end option.

As for the rest of their OU players, the potential is there, but the historic results in the format are lacking. Leng Loi is perhaps the most promising of this group, as she garnered a lot of attention later in the year after winning both of her SCL games. She is not only an up-and-coming player but also an ambitious teambuilder who is motivated to continue improving. A lot will be asked of her this season, and this could prove troublesome, but Leng would not want it any other way as she looks to earn her keep and establish herself. I would personally not be surprised to see her take another leap and go positive, but the sheer inexperience caused plenty of rankers to have some pause before hyping her up too much.

The last two slots consist of players who primarily played lower tiers and may need some support when it comes to team construction but at least know the generation well and have performed well in those formats. LpZ won Grand Slam and went even in official team tournaments during 2024, but this will be an entirely new journey for the Brazilian player. S1nn0hC0nfirm3d had a slightly above average 2024, where he played SPL and did well, after a dominant 2023; he has dabbled in SV OU on multiple occasions at least and has a very high ceiling as a player, as we have seen in PU, but he is by no means seen as a metagame mainstay in OU. Exotic64, who is a creative teambuilder, knows SV OU well and provides much-needed depth and support for this core. Kate is also a generally strong player who could see action if a slot opens up, but she is more known for Ubers. Overall, there is a whole lot of "if" with this core, and they will be banking on lesser proven entities than most cores ranked above, but anything is possible in SPL after all.

The Raiders have the last ranked SV OU core, with all four of their starters being in the bottom third of the pool, which we have not seen before in recent history. We must admit that their ranking got shafted with MichaelderBeste2 moving to ORAS OU after a player was removed from their team; he was initially slotted into SV and ranked within the top half of the pool based on initial data. Yovan defaulted to being ranked at the bottom of the pool due to the timing of this and his late addition to their roster and lineup, which did not bode well for their collective placement. However, the Raiders were always going to finish near the bottom given how the other rankings shaped out.

Eternal Spirit is perhaps their most exciting SV OU prospect. He has a great track record as a player but came into the tournament admitting his form had seen better days and noting that he may need support. This could be resolved by the first week, or it could be the sign of a longer season for the veteran, but we will have to wait and see. Rankers were understandably skeptical of what was to come and did not put him particularly high, but there is absolutely a timeline where Eternal Spirit hits his stride and does well. For him, it is just a matter of using his creative teambuilding to his advantage, which likely will come with getting experience firsthand. Mimikyu Stardust is another somewhat experienced player in their lineup. He has held his own in prior official team tournaments with a mostly average 2024, and with Prime Pult finally being retired to the RMT section, perhaps Mimikyu Stardust can reach a new level as a tournament competitor. He absolutely has the metagame knowledge and commitment to thrive in a reactive SPL environment, but only time will tell how he handles this campaign.

The aforementioned Yovan will also be in SV OU for the Raiders after winning the SV OU circuit. He has mostly dabbled in lower tiers like ZU until recent times, where he began doing well in OU. Yovan qualified for OLT and went 1-1 in SCL during the later portion of 2024 after a 2-1 WCoP for Africa. There is still more room for improvement, but Yovan already took big strides last year, and it will be interesting to see what is next. Hiko rounds out the core after having a superb 5-2 showing across official team tournaments last year. He has yet to get a big opportunity to play a full season, so this will be his chance to prove this is not just a flash and instead something sustainable, but he will need to do it against tougher competition. Luirromen is a very capable substitute who knows the metagame well, and Thiago Nunes or BlazingDark can potentially slot in if needed as well. Overall, the Raiders have some solid players but lack the top end talent virtually every other core has, so they are banking on some players to outperform their lower rankings this campaign.

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• Team: SPL SS: 12-7
• Individual: Smogon Tour 35 Finalist, Smogon Masters I Quarterfinalist, Smogon Tour 34 Top 16

Little Cup standout turned recent generation OU mainstay turned Smogon Classic semifinalist turned hopeful SPL DPP player turned Tyrants SS player Luthier tops the power rankings in SS OU! Coming off of a multi-trophy 2024, Luthier will be occupied and unable to play during the first leg of the regular season due to an exam that is important towards his career according to his commencement post. This could open up an opportunity for Metallica126 to make his much-anticipated debut after performing well across a handful of individual tournaments. The defending champion Tyrants will be getting an elite SS player whenever Luthier returns to action, too, as he has been successful across various stints in the metagame. While Luthier is not known for his teambuilding innovation like the second-ranked player, he is the most proven pilot in this field by a fair margin as a positive player in each of the three official team tournaments, including a 48-31 overall record.

• Team: 17-5 overall, SS SPL: 10-1, WCoP SS: 3-0
• Individual: N/A

Nobody is perfect, but TDNT's initial stint in SS OU is about as close as you can get in competitive Pokemon! He is now 10-1 in SPL in what some know as the humble tier of Landorus-T and Heatran, but TDNT has managed to do this with the likes of Substitute + Calm Mind Jirachi, Choice Band Zygarde-10%, and Eject Pack Garchomp. Couple this SPL success with a strong WCoP showing and it should be no shock that despite a limited sample, TDNT is among the top players in the pool. It is worth noting that in his commencement post, TDNT noted his primary focus is on having fun and making the most of his limited spare time rather than going full-fledged tryhard this season. However, this may lend itself well to TDNT's already creative playstyle and affinity for making the most out of resources others may not find sufficient. If his level of play from last year can carry over, so will the wins for TDNT in his sophomore campaign.

• Team: 25-24 all-time, SCL SS: 8-3
• Individual: OLT VIII Champion, Smogon Tour 31 Top 16, Smogon Tour 32 Quarterfinalist

After dominating the current generation metagame of SS OU, Ox took a hiatus to focus on watching the second half of his username. While his involvement was conservative throughout most of 2024, Ox has shown some signs of returning to good form during the later portion of the year in OUPL and Smogon Masters, including a signature victory over SoulWind. If the Tigers are getting anything close to peak Ox the Fox, he is easily worth his 11.5k price tag and will live up to his top three ranking. However, any successful return will come with growing pains. While SS OU has not shifted substantially, a strong cast of characters surrounds him in this pool, including numerous more recently active players of the format. It will be up to Ox and the support of the Tigers to try and reach his high ceiling.

• Team: 17-6 all-time SPL SS
• Individual: N/A

Another player returning to the scene this SPL in SS OU will be fourth-ranked Gtcha, who is playing in his first SPL since a forum ban. Between 2021 and 2023, Gtcha was one of the most efficient tournament players, as he went positive each year and combined for an impressive 29-15 record. Gtcha did almost all of his heavy lifting in SS OU, too. Similarly to third-ranked Ox, a return to form would be a huge win for the Wolfpack, who only spent 9.5k on the SS prodigy of the past. Unlike Ox, Gtcha is not as well known for building his own teams and could potentially benefit from some support, especially as he adjusts back to this generation. With One Last Kiss, clean, Ewin, mncmt, and Stareal all on board, there is plenty of SS knowledge and experience to go around the Wolfpack chat, so it will be on Gtcha to convert this into a strong performance and live up to his high ranking!

• Team: 3-1 overall
• Individual: Smogon Tour 35 Top 16, Smogon Masters Finalist** ONGOING

ChrisPBacon is a player who has experienced unofficial and individual success in SS but has yet to get a chance in the biggest stage of SPL until now. To be ranked fifth in your debut is impressive, and it highlights how much faith rankers have in Chris after a 3-1 WCoP in SM and a dominant Smogon Masters run. While his limited showing for Team Oceania was a good peek into how well Chris can perform at this level in another generation, SS is rumored to be his best tier, which has been on full display throughout Smogon Masters. In two do-or-die game threes in SS OU, Chris was able to defeat Star in quarterfinals and Yovan in round two of the playoffs. He is currently in the semifinals as he looks to keep this run alive, but in the meantime rankers have rewarded Chris's strong play and good metagame range with a fifth place ranking for his upcoming SPL debut!

• Team: 11-8 all-time SPL SS
• Individual: OLT VII Quarterfinalist

Once upon a time, Sacri' was a promising UU and OU current generation player who had a great deal of modern experience and positive performances. 2025 is not that time, however, and Sacri' is going to have to prove his modern form is on par with his old form to outperform a middle-of-the-pack ranking this SPL. His ceiling is of that of a top third of the pool player perhaps, but it is yet to be proven he will be closer to that than his more middling floor. He has been a positive player in SPL historically at 20-17, and overall Sacri sneaks into the top 50 in wins all-time in official team tournaments with an impressive +14 differential, but this is all from years prior, not recently. The Cryonicles SS player does enjoy SS the most heading into the tournament, and he has the support of DJ Breloominati, his manager, and Finchinator, his teammate, so hopefully the transition back to peak form will go smoothly. Until we see a decent sample of him performing beyond just the recent Smogon Masters, it is best we do not draw any conclusions and keep him right in the middle of the rankings.

• Team: 6-5 all-time SPL SS
• Individual: 2023 SS Circuit Top 16

Coming off of a six-win campaign with the SPL champion Tyrants last year, damien looks to build off of his success this campaign. While his overall record in team tournaments is rather middling at 13-18, a 6-5 SPL inspires some faith that damien has what it takes to perform at this level in this metagame. From afar, it seems like damien is passionate about SS OU but can sometimes limit himself in the teambuilder with certain preferences. Thankfully for the Classiest, he only cost a mere 5k and a performance similar to last year would easily prove worthwhile, but it is up to damien to live up to that standard rather than that of some of his other, less ideal showings. If damien is able to keep opponents on their toes and continue to play steadily, then expect him to outperform this conservative ranking.

• Team: 4-3 all-time
• Individual: OLT VIII Swiss 2-3

SpookyZ joins Gtcha as a player returning from a ban to give SPL SS OU a chance. While he is positive on the sheet like Gtcha, SpookyZ has a very limited sample of 7 total games at a 4-3 pace in only WCoP thus far. He has shown good performances in tournaments like OLT and a handful of unofficials in both SV OU and SS OU, which inspires some confidence, but it will still be uphill for the Canadian player to mature into his slot this season. SpookyZ naturally pilots bulkier teams at a high level, which is a strong characteristic for someone on the newer end of the spectrum, and he is still comfortable using generic offenses in the metagame. This foundation coupled with a low-risk 3k price tag will make SpookyZ a potential great value purchase for the Raiders. If things do not pan out, they have some interchangeability among Fairygen players like Suzuya, who quite likes SS OU, and BlazingDark as well.

• Team: 4-3 all time SS SPL
• Individual: N/A

Hayburner is one of the longest-tenured players in this field despite being ranked ninth. With his track record mostly consisting of average performances and his time split between SS and other tiers like RBY, we find him at a price of only 3k without huge expectations for a sudden breakout campaign though. Make no mistake: Hayburner is a reliable starter who has danced the dance in SPL numerous times before. The Canadian veteran has a duo of capable managers and the support of Ruft with what is likely to be an active team environment, so there is reason to believe we will get a worthwhile showing here from the eye test alone. However, the book has been out on Hayburner for a number of years now with a 61-game official sample at 29-32 thus far, which lends itself to a more mediocre ranking. I do think Hayburner's floor is higher than some of the higher-ranked players, but his ceiling may be limited as well.

• Team: N/A
• Individual: 2024 SS OU Circuit Winner, OLT IX Quarterfinalist

Rounding out the pool of SS players will be German regular RaiZen1704. He, like Hayburner, has dabbled in RBY while playing a couple of Fairygens in recent years. His SPL performances thus far have left a lot to be desired with a 3-7 record in the tournament, but it is definitely worth giving RaiZen a chance with a little more experience under his belt and a mere 3k price this season. With the support of strong SS players like Xrn and xavgb as managers and the depth of recent Smogon Masters standout Chiharu, RaiZen is in a good position to outperform his ranking if he can continue to improve as a player. If not, at least there is still a contingency plan for the Scooters while they did not invest substantially into the slot.

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• Team: 21-8 all-time SM SPL
• Individual: 2024 SM Circuit Winner, Smogon Tour 34 Semifinalist, Smogon Tour 31 Quarterfinalist, Smogon Tour 36 Top 16, 2022 SM Circuit Finalist

Despite a rocky start to last season, Skypenguin turned it around and ended up with a 7-2 record in SM OU. Such numbers are almost to be expected at this point from the unanimously voted #1 SM OU player of SPL XV, having shown incredible consistency in all of his three prior SPL's. The Canadian is not only a great player, but also perhaps the tier's primary innovator, consistently bringing new ideas and surprises to the battlefield. Reunited with Raiza and Tricking at the Team Raiders, where the trio took home the grand prize in 2023, Skypenguin may have been what the Raiders were missing last season. The 26.5K price tag is a hefty one, but it is thoroughly justified for perhaps the most consistent performer in the whole tournament.

• Team: 11-9 all-time SM SPL
• Individual: Smogon Tour 28 Quarterfinalist, Smogon Tour 35 Top 16, OST XV Finalist, OLT V Swiss 1-3, OLT VI Swiss 0-3

Punny is one of the most successful tournament players in modern history and does not really need an introduction. Part of the golden Italian generation that took Smogon by storm, Punny has, like his peers, multiple accolades under his belt, including a World Cup of Pokemon win in 2020, a Smogon Grand Slam win in 2021, and an SPL win in 2022. While the recent years have been drier, Punny always puts up good records, as backed by his consistently high price tag, this time 26K, proving how highly the community values him. While Punny has been average in SPL historically, he has put up a crazy 42-20 record in SSD and SCL, which is the best record ever. Look for him to try and mirror this form in SPL to have a complete 2025!

• Team: 16-9 SM SPL
• Individual: OLT VI Top 16

After a few rather disastrous seasons, Charmflash came back with a bang in 2024, putting up an 8-3 record for The Alpha Ruiners. Since his breakthrough in OST XIV, the Austrian has been through both highs and lows in his SPL career, ranging from a 7-3 record on his debut in SPL X, to a 0-5 the following season. Known for his quirky teams and love for Ditto, Charmflash is both pesky to prepare for and play against for opponents. Be it winning a game with Silvally-Ground in SPL SM OU or confidently pulling out his newest stall team, Charmflash's campaign is bound to be a spectacle yet again.

• Team: WCoP SM: 5-1
• Individual: Smogon Tour 31 Top 16, Smogon Tour 36 Quarterfinalist, OLT V Swiss 1-3, OLT VI Top 16

In a perhaps similar case to Charmflash, we have another resurging player in Tace. One of the main proponents of Team US Midwest's remarkable WCoP campaign, where they ended up going the whole way, Tace was a standout performer with his 6-1 record, in which five of his wins were in SM OU. This was the best record of the tournament, which naturally led to a lot of hype going into the auction, and he would eventually end up at the Congregation of the Classiest for 13k. Tace is not new to tournament success, however, as he has won all three of Smogon's official team tournaments in the past. With the support of some long-time teammates and the familiarity of his clear best generation, expect Tace's comfort levels to be high as he hopes to leave his putrid 9-15 SPL record in the past in favor of his respectable 2024 form.

• Team: 5-0 SM SPL
• Individual: OLT IV Round 2

c0mp is, unsurprisingly, returning to fight for the Circus Maximus Tigers for the third season in a row. Struggling to find his footing in ORAS OU at the start of SPL XV, a tier swap was all it took for c0mp to blossom, and he finished the second half of the season with a 5-0 record in SM OU. Under the wing of manager, long-time friend, and SM OU veteran z0mOG, the pair will be looking to continue on that hot streak. This partnership may have proven to be worth its weight in gold, and the Tigers have chosen to invest, seen by the 10K retention. This year will be a greater test with a strong SM field surrounding c0mp and higher expectations surrounding him. Can he coast through like the second half of last season, or will the Tigers's success put a target on his and z0mOG's back as opponents prepare? Any sophomore campaign risks a slump if players do not adapt well, and this will be a big test for c0mp!

• Team: 7-6 SM SPL
• Individual: Smogon Tour 27 Quarterfinalist, Smogon Tour 18 Top 16, Smogon Tour 30 Top 16, Smogon Tour 35 Top 16

ima is a veteran at this point, returning to SM OU after a handful of stints in SV OU. ima is known for his creative playstyle, oftentimes making the most out of certain Pokemon or cores while doing it in a fashion that is not standardized. It may be a struggle translating this to SM OU for him after some time away, but we will have to wait and see if the US West regular has any tricks up his sleeve. ima did get started in high-level tournaments in SM OU, but in sticking with the most recent generation like many others do, it becomes harder to pinpoint where he may be at right now in a generation like SM. With a 7-6 SPL record in the tier and a mixed bag of overall showings including making Masters playoffs last year, his middle-of-the-pack placement in the rankings makes the most sense. The main question now is if dedicating himself to SM for the first time in a while can pay dividends or if ima will find himself overwhelmed by the more proven SM opponents he will face most weeks.

• Team: 40-31 overall
• Individual: Smogon Tour 32 Semifinalist, Smogon Tour 36 Quarterfinalist, Smogon Masters I Top 16

fade is our first player on the list without previous SPL experience in SM OU, but he is not without accolades. With multiple years as perhaps the hottest name in ORAS OU, fade looks to conquer a whole new tier this SPL. He is certainly not unfamiliar with SM OU either, having made notable runs in Smogon Masters as well as Smogon Tour, where he gathered the most SM points out of anyone last iteration. If fade could equal his former results in a new tier, the Wi-Fi Wolfpack management will certainly be rubbing their hands together over 9.5K credits well spent. Should things go south however, there's the option of moving fade to his home tier ORAS OU, as they have an excellent substitute in GeniusX, who went 5-4 in SM OU for the Sharks last season.

• Team: N/A
• Individual: Smogon Tour 27 Champion, Smogon Tour 30 Top 16

Luigi is another player with no SM OU experience in SPL, but has plenty otherwise, including an infamous Smogon Tour win from 2019. While the former tournament director is perhaps most known today for his involvement in the politics surrounding Smogon and its tournaments, the Brazilian is still an avid player, and it's rarely a surprise when he shows up in a playoff. Despite an SPL win with the Alpha Ruiners in 2019, Luigi has since then failed to make an impact on SPL as a player, hopping between multiple tiers with average records. His reliance on team support and lack of main tier oftentimes leaves him as a filler starter for teams, but Luigi can play at a high level and certainly has the pedigree to go positive with the abundance of SM support his managers blunder and reyscarface can provide. With some direction and the right environment around him, look at Luigi as a potential dark horse candidate in the SM field!

• Team: N/A
• Individual: Smogon Masters II Semifinalist

Drachenkeule rose to fame just in time for SPL, with a stellar Smogon Masters run that would end in the semifinals, fittingly only days before the SPL auction. Taking down players such as Sabella, Ewin, and last but not least Giannis Antetokommo-o, his to-be SPL manager, will naturally open people's eyes, and the Stark Sharks would take the chance on him for their SM OU starting spot. Not much else is known about Drachenkeule. He has played in the WCoP qualifiers for Austria in the past, but has otherwise mostly smaller tournaments with varied success. This SPL could be a springboard for Drachenkeule though, and with success, he will have taken the leap from an unknown quantity and into a well-known tournament player.

• Team: N/A
• Individual: Smogon Tour 33 Top 16, 2022 SM Circuit Quarterfinalist

The by far most experienced player of the ten also happens to find himself last on the rankings this season. This may seem peculiar, as robjr has never had any woeful showings in SM OU, nor any other tier for that matter. However, time has unfortunately not been kind to robjr, as with years of "average" results, the community seems to believe the reward is not quite there anymore. As with many jack-of-all-trades players before him, not being a tier specialist often comes back to bite you in a tournament where even the most versatile player can only win one game per week. Do not sleep on robjr however, as he has proven several times that he can compete with the best of the best when he is on his day.

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• Team: 32-18 all-time SPL, 31-17 SPL ORAS
• Individual: Smogon Masters I Quarterfinalist, Smogon Tour 27 Quarterfinalist, and Smogon Tour 29 Top 16, 2024 ORAS Circuit Winner

The insightful Italian, Rome's relentless revolutionary, Adam's adorable admirer, and last but not least, Tony's talented titan. After finishing the previous edition of the tournament with an 8-1 performance, securing the best record in the entire pool in the process, as well as going 21-6 in the past three editions of the tournament combined, he is now back and even stronger than ever: This time around, he can access ABR's auspicious assistance against all adversaries. What this boils down to is that you have the fiercest fighter paired with the strongest support in this slot, making it nigh impossible to predict anyone to emerge victorious in combat against these monsters among men, resulting in a well-deserved first seed on the ranking.

• Team: 10-9 all-time SPL, 10-3 SPL SS, and 41-24 overall
• Individual: Smogon Masters I Winner, Smogon Tour 34 winner, 2x Smogon Tour quarterfinalist, 4x Smogon Tour playoffs

As one of the most well-known players on this website and someone who has proven himself to be competent in all kinds of tiers by now, netting himself a very impressive 52-34 record on the sheet, Michael finds himself in ORAS this time around. Fortunately, Michael isn't a stranger to this tier either, as he has played it before in SPL. Unfortunately for Michael, it was but a single game against a certain catgirl enthusiast two years ago, which he lost. However, Michael's playing has drastically improved since then, and he is expected to take this pool by storm, as he did with VGC for the past two years. Unfortunately for Michael, though, his VGC kryptonite Amoonguss is also viable in ORAS OU. Fortunately, however, he can simply smoke the Amoongusses by Fire Blasting them with Mega Charizard Y here.

• Team: 59-58 overall, 4-6 SPL ORAS
• Individual: N/A

The first of three Spanish ORAS players in the pool, rivaling Poek and Axel, will be Garay oak. Garay has put on quite the show throughout his official tournament tenure, winning four trophies and gaining the reputation as a clutch playoff performer. While he has done well across various current generation tiers over the years, Garay is no stranger to old generations either, having played ORAS before in SPL and dominating even older formats in Smogon Classic. His status as a "set-it-and-forget-it" type of capable starter across generations warrants great value. While his current ORAS form may be lesser than some metagame mainstays, he will have the support of RaiZen1704 and Chiharu to get back up to speed, and he has shown a high ceiling as a player to warrant his high ranking!

• Team: 14-10 ORAS SPL
• Individual: Smogon Tour 32 Top 16

pj's evolution from community meme presence debuting in 2015 to SPL ORAS field staple in 2025 will be studied by Smogon historians one day. Across the 2020s in particular, pj has perhaps been the most consistent ORAS performer with strong showings across SPL, the tier's invitational tournament, circuit playoffs, and even some individual officials back when ORAS was in Smogon Tour. While this ORAS field has attracted it's fair share of starpower, pj's no slouch having gone even or positive each of the last two campaigns, clearly earning his ranking inside the top half of the pool. No matter where you start out as a player, getting good at the game and putting up results trumps all on Smogon; pj's history is one of the best testaments to that, and this SPL could very well be a continuation.

• Team: 4-1 all-time all ORAS
• Individual: N/A

RufflesPro, who has played as many SPLs as there are posts on r/GermanHumor (zero), finds himself on the Tigers for a lofty price tag of 18.5k auction credits. That is a massive price tag to live up to as someone who is just debuting in SPL. Don't get me wrong here; RufflesPro is an amazing ORAS player who comes fresh off a 4-1 performance in WCoP, so he is a force to be reckoned with, but the most expensive player on the Tigers roster will have an uphill battle if he wishes to rise to similar heights in SPL and carry his team to its first-ever victory. Whether the fifth-ranked player lives up to his ranking and price tag remains to be seen, but morale is high, and Ruffles is sure to attain ample advantage through mean machinations in the teambuilder, assuming the Ruffles Jerk doesn't get leaked again.

• Team: 11-13 ORAS SPL
• Individual: N/A

Erz, also known as Enzengel, Dragon Claw, Erzengel, Erzkrieger, Demon Dance, Sommerregen, 6 eyes demon, Wintersonne, Demon Festival, Battle Drums and Rush of my Blood and probably a couple dozen other edgy aliases, has quite a few SPLs under his belt but has been quite quiet for a while now and thus finds himself coming into 6th place. However, the unusually humorous German is energetically looking to claw his way back in the spotlight. It remains to be seen whether the training in the mountains paid off and he can perform according to his 6th seed ranking or perhaps achieve even greater heights over the course of the tournament. Or will the downward trend from the past few years continue? There's no way of telling what Erz has learned in the past two years or what kind of edgy username he will attempt to intimidate his opponents with this time around.

• Team: 11-2 ORAS SPL, 21-17 overall
• Individual: OLT III Champion, Smogon Tour 23 Top 16

Poek burst out onto the scene by winning the third-ever Official Ladder Tournament back when ORAS was the current generation. Nearly nine years later, he returns to where it all began with an attempt to turn back the clock for the Tyrants, who he won SPL with last season despite going 3-6. That record may not inspire confidence, but Poek did not play ORAS at all and finished strong, going 2-0 in SV OU when it mattered most in the playoffs. With the support of long-time ORAS player blunder and the camaraderie of multiple other Spanish players, this is an ideal environment for Poek to change the narrative from being washed to being clean with his plays. Only time will tell if he can be the dark horse of the field or if we will see another pedestrian record, but the ceiling is as high as it can get for someone ranked seventh at least.

• Team: 8-6 ORAS SPL, 27-27 overall, 9-7 all-time SPL
• Individual: N/A

The Sheriff returns to town for his first SPL since 2018, which conveniently is the last time he played more than five total official team tournament games in a year. The soft-spoken Spaniard has shown good form and a strong peak as a player on the big stage before, but this was many years ago in an ORAS metagame that does not resemble the current one whatsoever. Axel's eighth-place ranking reflects a lack of confidence in his current form and the question of if he has it in him to ever match the level he had in the mid-2010s. Nobody knows what his game will look like in 2025, and his support is similarly crusty among the likes of PDC and Vileman. This could be a triumphant return, but it also could be an ugly one.

• Team: 4-8 all-time SPL
• Individual: N/A

One of the more puzzling and yet simultaneously exciting additions to this year’s ORAS PR is BluBirD. With very little tournament experience (having made it through ORAS play-ins in 2023, losing round 1 to niko), BluBirD’s reputation is mostly that of a builder, with experience in many tiers and building for them expertly for the last 4 SPLs. Many will attest that BluBirD is a strong teammate as far as building is concerned, and thus it is very interesting to see him take the main stage this SPL, though not at all undeserved. Whether BluBirD’s building ability carries him remains to be seen and certainly justifies the 9th placement on this list, but who knows how high this bird can fly?

• Team: 17-19 overall, 1-0 SPL ORAS
• Individual: OST XI Semifinalist

Last, but certainly not least, will be veteran RU and ORAS player Lighthouses, who is playing his first official team tournament games since 2019. It is easy to cast doubt on this pick due to his long hiatus from tournaments, his middling track record overall, and the strength of the pool around him, and that is reflected in his ranking. However, not all is lost. Lighthouses has done well in WCoP ORAS with wins against players like xray and Finchinator historically. He also has a lot of support between Niko and all three of his managers having dabbled in ORAS previously. Maybe it will be an uphill climb, and maybe there will be some growing pains, but there are hopes for a surprising campaign from Lighthouses.

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• Team: 72-50 all-time SPL, 58-36 SPL BW, and 141-113 overall
• Individual: x3 Smogon Tour finalist, x4 Smogon Tour semifinalist, x3 Smogon Tour quarterfinalist, x11 Smogon Tour playoffs, Smogon Classic VI champion, x2 Smogon Classic finalist, Smogon Classic IX quarterfinalist, x6 Smogon Classic playoffs, BW Cup III champion, BW Cup VIII quarterfinalist, BW Cup I finalist

SoulWind is the undisputed top BW player heading into this SPL, boasting a consistent track record of dominance in the tier. His deep understanding of BW's intricate metagame trends alongside his outstanding playing ability sets him apart from the rest of the pool. With countless tournament accolades and an intimidating presence in high-stakes matches, he enters this season as the player to beat. Coming off the back of a 7-5 record in the previous year and with no Fakes this time around, it would be unsurprising to see Soulwind dominate the field this time round.

• Team: 32-17 SPL BW, 46-36 all-time SPL, 109-88 overall
• Individual: BW Cup X Semifinalist, BW Cup IX Semifinalist, BW Cup VI Semifinalist, Smogon Classic IX Semfinalist, Smogon Classic VI Quarterfinalist, 2024 BW Circuit Semifinalist, 2023 BW Circuit Semifinalist, Smogon Tour 28 Top 16, Smogon Tour 26 Finalist, Smogon Tour 22 Top 16, Smogon Tour 18 Top 16

Coming in at second is Finchinator, making a much-anticipated return to BW after a year away from the tier in SPL. A seasoned veteran with years of experience in not only competing but also innovating, Finchinator has consistently proven his ability to adapt and excel in any metagame he tackles. While he didn't play BW in last year's SPL, his performances this year have been nothing short of impressive. Notably, he reached the semifinals of both the BW Circuit and the BW Cup, with a standout win over SoulWind demonstrating exceptional preparation skills and a great understanding of the current meta. In a field that many consider weaker than previous years, a motivated Finchinator could very well post one of the best records in the tier this season.

• Team: 51-39 all-time SPL, 37-24 SPL BW, and 82-72 overall
• Individual: Smogon Tour 17 quarterfinalist, Smogon Classic III finalist, x2 Smogon Classic playoffs, BW Cup V champion, BW Cup III semifinalist

The man who uses all 594 Pokemon accessible to him, dice is back to keep people guessing on if we are going to see Delibird or the next meta-defining team. Ignoring the fact he will use everything and anything, dice is regarded as one of the best BW players of all time, and it's clear to see why. dice's ability to squeeze every resource possible out of the tier is a trait that is very valuable, especially in the BO1 format of SPL. This, combined with his incredible in-game abilities that are only rivaled by a few and a myriad of experiences, makes dice a nightmare for anyone to play. Let's hope dice can channel some of that creative genius into this season and push the builder in ways we haven't seen before.

• Team: 14-9 SPL BW, 27-26 all-time SPL
• Individual: BW Cup VIII Winner, Smogon Classic VIII Top 16, BW Cup IX Quarterfinalist

Another player stepping back into the ring after a year away from BW and SPL is GaryTheGengar, a name already proven to be a strong contender in the tier. His last SPL outing saw him deliver an impressive 5-2 record in BW, cementing his reputation as one of the format’s reliable performers. However, that was two years ago, and the fast-changing, volatile nature of the BW metagame raises questions about how smoothly he can adapt to its current trends. With the support of Blubird and a wealth of prior experience in high-stakes SPL environments, GaryTheGengar has all the tools needed to make a successful return. If he can combine this with his creativity with a solid grasp of the latest developments in the tier, he has the potential to be one of the key players to watch this season.

• Team: 7-9 SPL BW
• Individual: Smogon Tour 18 playoffs, and 2023 BW Circuit playoffs

Our favorite cat-loving Brazilian, Rewer, returns for yet another season in BW. A seasoned competitor with years of experience in this tier, he continues to be a formidable force in the pool. His recent accomplishments outside of BW, including reaching the finals of OLT and the OU Championship, highlight his ability to stay ahead of metagame trends and adapt to any challenge. With the added support of Brine, a fresh face to exchange ideas with and refine strategies, Rewer is well-positioned to elevate his performance even further. This season offers an exciting opportunity for Rewer to showcase his expertise and once again prove why he remains a key player in the field.

• Team: 35-33 all-time SPL, 22-18 SPL BW
• Individual: Smogon Tour XXV playoffs, Smogon Classic I semifinalist, Smogon Classic V quarterfinalist, and BW Cup V quarterfinalist

Starting to scratch out the bottom of the list, we have elodin, a pretty staple name inside the BW environment. 2 years ago, he put up a great record of 7-2, but the most recent SPL can be considered a letdown for anyone who expected results from him, bolstering a pretty mediocre 4-6. As exemplified by the recent records, he is not a name with outstanding qualities, but he also will not sink the team. He is just there, and maybe that is enough.

• Team: N/A
• Individual: 2024 BW Circuit Winner

Now nearing the bottom of the list, we find Sergio—a player who, despite being ranked lower, is far from a pushover. Tired of being sidelined, Sergio has stepped up in a big way, proving he’s more than deserving of a starting spot. His incredible performance across the BW Circuit tournaments this year has been nothing short of dominant, leaving a trail of defeated opponents in his wake and earning himself a coveted ribbon for his efforts. Such achievements make it impossible to ignore the impact Sergio could have this season. With his momentum and hunger to prove himself, Sergio has all the makings of a dark horse in this tournament—capable of pulling off upsets and leaving his mark on the SPL stage.

• Team: 46-42 all-time SPL, 18-19 SPL BW
• Individual: Smogon Tour 17 Top 16, Smogon Tour 22 Quarterfinalist, Smogon Tour 24 Finalist, Smogon Tour 25 Semifinalist, Smogon Tour 26 Top 16, Smogon Classic VII Semifinalist, and BW Cup VI Quarterfinalist

Following up, we start to get into the ugly part of our rankings, and the 8th place is occupied by none other than SPL regular Watashi. Two years ago, he had a good record with 6-4, to be followed by a depressing 3-6 last SPL. This, coupled with other experiences, tells us one thing about him: consistency is a word that apparently doesn't exist in the dictionary of our 8th place; he will either farm the pool or sink the team, no in between. With his plethora of teams that look like the result of a cook that blew up four kitchens and the support of newcomer Marsandback, we cannot wait to see if, by the end of the season, we will see Watashi at the top or at the bottom of the sheet.

• Team: N/A
• Individual: 2024 BW Circuit Quarterfinalist

Climbing down the ranking into levels of despair, we find Monai sitting comfortably in 9th place. Maybe we can call him a semi-newcomer into the SPL scene: on his previous and first SPL appearance, he presented a disappointing 2-7 performance... maybe it's best to forget that one and pretend that this is his debut. But don't let that pathetic record fool you; he has been actively playing since the last tour to reach a higher level and deliver what is expected from him. With an insane support in Raiza and 100% of his teams featuring a Landorus, he has his eyes set to shred any doubts that haters might have towards his skills.

• Team: N/A
• Individual: N/A

Shouldn't be a shock to anyone to see rookie Meessm sitting at the dead-last spot of our list. Being a starter on their first SPL appearance can be a nerve-wracking experience by itself, especially when the player in question has a tendency to misclick on important games. However, not everything is gloom and darkness (we hope...)! We cannot forget that he has excellent support, by the shape of ABR, at his side, and he did showcase decent results in lesser tournaments such as BWPL and ROAPL. Is the last place too harsh on the rookie? Only time will tell.

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• Team: 42-20 all-time SPL, 0-2 SPL DPP, and 74-48 overall
• Individual: Smogon Tour 16 Champion, DPP Cup V winner

Making a long-awaited return to SPL after a two-year hiatus from the official tournaments scene to talk about movies in smogtours and expose Finchinator's many crimes on YouTube, BKC unsurprisingly finds himself on top of these rankings, with his price more than double that of the next most expensive DPP starter. Though he sits at a 0-2 lifetime DPP SPL record and his only time winning the red was as a manager, expectations are high for BKC—after all, he didn't earn the moniker "the GOAT" for no reason.

What makes BKC threatening is simply his complete understanding of Pokemon. A strong awareness of metagame trends, an encyclopedic knowledge of every DPP team ever built, and a complete grasp of in-game management make him an opponent others, especially the less-experienced players in the pool, will have to be aware of.

• Team: 28-21 all-time SPL, 27-20 SPL DPP, and 44-41 overall
• Individual: DPP Cup III finalist

With one of the longest SPL careers on this list, Void has played almost entirely DPP OU during his time in the tournament. Coming off the back of an all-conquering 9-0 run, Void will be entering into this tournament with a huge amount of deserved confidence. A favorite of the WiFi Wolfpack, Void was obviously retained, and this time he'll be looking to pair a red trophy with another undefeated run.

Known for his partnership with enigmatic DPP builder Osgoode, the two will be looking to concoct another sterling run in SPL XVI. With a knack for finding underrated, frustrating strategies like the recently banned Machamp paraspam, Void's opponents will be spending the week leading up to the game wondering what wild idea they'll pull out next. While repeating a 9-0 is difficult, Void's growing consistency in both play and preparation makes him a huge threat in this year's pool.

• Team: 44-38 all-time SPL, 24-21 SPL DPP, and 78-83 overall
• Individual: Smogon Classic IX finalist, x2 Smogon Classic quarterfinalist, x3 Smogon Classic playoffs, Smogon Tour XIII finalist, Smogon Tour XIV semifinalist, x2 Smogon Tour quarterfinalist, x5 Smogon Tour playoffs, and 2020 DPP Circuit playoffs

There will be next to no DPP fans watching this tournament that don't recognize Malekith. The Spain superstar has been a mainstay of Smogon's hardest tournaments, in particular in the DPP slot, for a very long time. Sporting an almost perfectly symmetrical 24-22 over his last five tournaments, Malekith is assuredly a player who can do much better than .500, and if he's motivated and in form, it wouldn't be surprising to see him make a run for a much stronger finish.

Known for using teams that could only be his, Malekith's unique advantage in the battlefield is his unique perspective on the game, always on the hunt for an overlooked meta option or quirky Pokemon to bring. Holding a deep amount of knowledge of DPP entering into the pool, he'll likely be looking to use this esoteric approach against some of his more inexperienced opponents, which could present a challenge for them. As a man with a long history in the tier and more than enough ability to dominate it, be on the lookout for Malekith's campaign this SPL.

• Team: 7-4 overall
• Individual: 2024 DPP Circuit finalist

A new face in the Smogon Premier League, Pkel has been consistently playing his game on the ladder for the better part of a decade. Making his debut for the Indie Scooters, Pkel is known as a player with a depth of metagame knowledge and a confidence that allows him to build and thrive within it.

Questions will be asked if he can make a successful transition from the ladder to tournaments, although he'll come equipped with the element of surprise for his first few adversaries. By all accounts, Pkel is not a player to get flustered in the face of superstar opponents, and if he's able to keep his consistent and considered approach to the game on the big stage, he might find himself feeling more at home in tournaments than on the ladder.

• Team: 6-4 all-time SPL and overall, 5-4 SPL DPP
• Individual: 2023 DPP Circuit champion

After a successful debut campaign where he ended up helping to lift the trophy, Dridri returns to Smogon's flagship tournament looking to prove that last year wasn't a fluke. Having carved out a 6-4 record with wins against players like Malekith (in the regular season) and Le Don (in the finals), Dridri's aim this tournament will be to prove that he continues to belong among the big names of his franchise.

Having only gotten stronger since his first season last year, expectations are quietly high for Dridri, and being that he's finding himself in a similar environment, the deck looks stacked for his success. Whether he can do it or not against an evolving DPP pool is a different question, but the player himself will proudly tell you that it's not a problem—he's here to win again.

• Team: 17-16 all-time SPL, 7-4 SPL DPP, and 21-22 overall
• Individual: Smogon Tour XIX playoffs, and DPP Cup III winner

Returning to SPL for the third year in a row following a nearly half-decade absence, Laurel starts for the Raiders as a DPP OUer with a lot of history, albeit mixed success. A mainstay of the tournament community for many years, Laurel's SPL XV was a mixed bag, with a 5-4 record showing that he wasn't out of place among the pool but leaving hopefuls wondering if he could do better. Having made his mark as a starter, SPL XVI represents Laurel's chance to grab the bull by the horns and ascend to the position he's always coveted—one of the best in class in his tier.

With a handful of successful individual performances underpinning his bid, Laurel will be taking to the field with his unique teambuilding patterns, hoping that he can do one better than last year and help his team to the playoffs. With enough experience to threaten anyone else on this list, Laurel is one to watch out for, but the rankers believe that he'll likely end up at the lower end of an otherwise strong DPP pool.

• Team: 11-10 all-time SPL, 5-5 SPL DPP, and 15-13 overall
• Individual: x2 Smogon Classic quarterfinalist, Smogon Classic III semifinalist

Another player returning to the battlefield after a notable absence, We Three Kings takes the stage in DPP OU once more following a successful season in BW with the Tyrants back in 2019. A player appreciated for their sturdiness and consistency, We Three Kings presents a precise approach to the metagame, akin to Void as another member of the DPP pool.

A player with a significant amount of meta knowledge and a keen knack for picking the effective strategies, We Three Kings will be aiming to prove that he hasn't rusted at the SPL level, last playing DPP in 2018. With a deep roster of opponents in front of him, it'll be interesting to see if he hits the ground running, hoping to avoid having to take a few weeks to get up to speed.

• Team: 7-11 all-time SPL and overall
• Individual: Smogon Classic VII finalist, Smogon Classic X semifinalist, DPP Cup X quarterfinalist

Better known for his BW outings than his DPP ones, crucify finds himself in this pool after tierlocking himself out of his preferred home in Unova. However, he has two deep runs in Smogon Classic under his belt, one finals in 2021 and one semifinals appearance last year, which does include an 8-4 lifetime DPP Cup performance and wins against players of the caliber of SoulWind and ABR, so it's clear this player is no slouch.

This is crucify's third SPL, as well as his third with the Stark Sharks, having played for obii twice before, and he currently sits at a 7-11 lifetime showing, with zero games logged in DPP. While he's shown capability in the tier before, he'll have to rely on the support of manager Star and... elodin? to get him through the gauntlet of players he faces in this pool, their strength reflected by his own low ranking. This isn't a mark against crucify, though, as he's shown himself time and time again to be a strong player capable of going toe-to-toe with the best the site has to offer. However, only time will tell how well he adapts to this landscape and whether or not the trend set by his previous stints on the big stage will continue.

• Team: 29-19 all-time SPL, 3-4 SPL DPP, and 42-31 overall
• Individual: Smogon Tour IX semifinalist, Smogon Tour X playoffs

After almost a decade away from the tournament, Lady Bug makes his vaunted return in SPL XVI. One of the most original and successful players of the DPP era, Lady Bug is notorious for his quirky and offbeat style, often bringing teams that leave viewers dumbfounded, experimenting with Pokemon that would later become meta like Nidoqueen well before the rest of SmogTours caught on.

With a strong 61% win rate in SPL to date, Lady Bug has obviously shown the ability to compete with the best of the best, but there are reasonable questions about how that talent has been maintained since his last winning season in the tournament back in 2012. Hoping to show the newcomers that he hasn't rusted at all, Lady Bug is an interesting watch for this edition of SPL.

• Team: 2-3 all-time SPL, 4-5 overall
• Individual: DPP Cup VII quarterfinalist

World Cup winner Groudon enters this year's DPP pool with one season of SPL behind him back in 2022, where he played (mostly) RBY for the Cryonicles. While his performance was middling at the time, Groudon's reputation as a sturdy and consistent player implies that he'll have more than a chance to do better in this edition of the tournament.

Described as a player without much of a showman's bone in him, fellow DPP competitor BKC wants you to know that "nobody should take him lightly," and that his ability to grind out wins with solid teams means that he's always going to be a threat. Whether something more is needed to rise to the top of the pack is a different story, but having tasted success in the summer, Groudon will want to follow that up with another team tournament trophy and certainly has the chops to do so.

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• Team: 53-43 all-time SPL, 27-21 SPL ADV, and 106-77 overall
• Individual: Smogon Classic V champion, Smogon Classic I semifinalist, x5 Smogon Classic playoffs, Smogon Tour XIV champion, x4 Smogon Tour playoffs, x3 ADV Cup winner, Callous Invitational III 4th place, 2019 ADV Circuit quarterfinalist, and 2021 ADV Circuit playoffs

With a commanding rank 1 from all submissions, in addition to being rank 1 last year, it should not be a surprise that McMeghan is first on this list. After a break to dominate the Fortnite metagame, Roro is back in top form, with a nice 3rd place ADV Cup finish. It should be noted, however, that McMeghan has not played many tournaments this year, with a 0-2 Jimvitational exit (the new ADV invitational) and a 2-1 ADV Revival 2 finish being the only results McMeghan has this year outside of Cup. With so few appearances this year, it will be interesting to see if McMeghan has kept up with some of the ADV innovations that have taken place over the last year, and whether his expert teambuilding will adapt to match some of the hungrier names on this list. Nonetheless, one cannot underestimate raw talent, and McMeghan's games will surely be some of the most exciting to watch in this SPL.

• Team: 11-8 all-time SPL, 20-16 overall
• Individual: N/A

Pak has been an ADV household name for a while, with strong circuit performances including a circuit championship in 2023 as well as strong ADVPL performances. His most recent breakout was a commanding 2nd place finish in ADV Revival 2, only losing to ABR in the bracket stage. With ABR being generally considered the best ADV player currently, this is an exceptionally strong result, and Pak seems to be in top form. Additionally, the Ruiners drafted some strong support for Pak in mielke, who has built for Pak both in ADVPL and ADV Revival 2, and is generally considered a good builder and player in the ADV sphere. It is clear the Ruiners did their ADV homework, and this combination could prove to be a tough obstacle for other teams to beat.

• Team: 2-1 all-time SPL and overall
• Individual: ADV Cup X Top 16

First things first, I will be referring to this player as Fruhdazi for the remainder of this PR. Fruhdazi is a fantastic player, boasting a recent Top-6 finish in Jimvitational as well as decent results in other tours; a tour-clinching victory with a solid record in ADPL against a good pool comes immediately to mind. Fruhdazi is also known for his building, with quite a few trends/innovations in ADV building being largely attributed to him over the last few years. Fruhdazi is also no stranger to SPL; his 2-1 record as a sub in SPL XIV shows that Fruhdazi can handle himself on the big stage. Additionally, Fruhdazi has some of the titans of the metagame on his team, with names like BKC and SOULWIND readily available for him to bounce ideas around with. If the first two names on this list were not incredibly strong, Fruhdazi may well have found himself atop the PR, but a 3rd placement is still respectable, and ADV fans should definitely watch Fruhdazi's games with great interest.

• Team: 6-3 SPL ADV and overall
• Individual: ADV Cup VIII Top 16, 2022 ADV Circuit quarterfinalist

ArcticBreeze might be one of the most versatile names on this list. Arctic is well known for pushing the boundaries of the tier in the builder, bringing lesser-seen mons like Donphan and his signature Articuno to great effect. It is no surprise then that Arctic finds himself on the BIGs, with ABR similarly bringing interesting and out-there teams in his deep tourney runs. This meshing of styles has extremely high potential, but adds an element of volatility; will their unusual building mesh effortlessly, or will there be an element of overcooking? ABR's pristine 2024 record as well as Arctic's own experience in SPL, with a 6-3 record in SPL XIV, surely lends itself to the former.

• Team: 33-31 SPL ADV, and 37-35 overall
• Individual: Callous Invitational III champion, and ADV Cup VIII quarterfinalist

Representing Old Fartcord, Triangles comes close on Arctic's heels as an eclectic builder. Triangles has participated in quite a few SPLs (every SPL from 2014-2019, and then a long break until 2023-2024) with varying but mostly positive records. Triangles also participates in many offsite tours, with a respectable 2-2 record in the most recent Jimvitational. The biggest question marks for Triangles this SPL are whether he has/needs support; there are a few ADV peripheral players like 48 and Finchinator on his team, but no real ADV mainers. If Triangles is on top of his game, or finds some good support to get him there, we can certainly expect a strong showing for this humble polygon.

• Team: 22-18 all-time SPL, and 33-30 overall
• Individual: Smogon Classic IX playoffs, ADV Cup IX quarterfinalist, and ADV Cup X Top 16

After a strong SPL last year, fans of Mako are certainly delighted to see her rise the ranks on the PRs this year. Mako's flexibility and strength across multiple generations will certainly be a boon for her team, but she is also a powerful contender in ADV in her own right. Mako also has some fairly strong players in Void and JabbaTheGriffin backing her, which certainly will help with staying in top form for the duration of the tournament. One fairly important thing to note is that a fair chunk of Mako's builds have come from or been refined by sadlysius, who is competing as a starter this season; it will be interesting to see if she will be able to get that same support, or break out on her own with fresh builds. As a fan of her own building, this writer is excited to see what Mako comes up with this season.

• Team: 8-11 all-time SPL, 6-5 SPL ADV, and 12-14 overall
• Individual: Callous Invitational VII champion

The Webster's dictionary's entry for tenacity might be a signed photograph of baddummy. baddummy's tournament runs in both Callous Invitational 7 and SPL XV are defined by his tenacity in face of adversity. Rising from play-ins to win the tournament through winner's bracket is a feat on its own, but it should be noted baddummy had to rise over a crushing defeat in set 1 of grand finals in that tournament. Similarly, baddummy sat at 1-5 after SPL XV week 6. In both instances, baddummy showed overwhelming determination, going on to win CI7 in set 2, as well as completely turn around his SPL run to end 5-5, including a convincing victory in semifinals. As will be detailed going further into this list, the ADV rankings should be considered incredibly close, which is one of the reasons baddummy finds himself so low on this list. While baddummy has not played as much high-level ADV in tour this year, he and his tenacity will be a force to be reckoned with in this SPL.

• Team: 6-7 overall
• Individual: 2024 ADV Circuit champion

A completely fresh face in the SPL scene is somewhat rare each year, and this year's ADV player is Skarpherim. Skarph has been an absolute force this year, not just in ADV, with appearances in OLT playoffs as well as GSC Cup semifinals. Skarph is no slouch in ADV either, with a 2nd place finish in ADV Seasonal as well as a circuit championship under his belt. Additionally, Skarph made history this year, being the first player to hit 2000 elo on the ADV ladder, which he did while also having every account in the top 5 as one of his. Skarph is an incredibly talented player, and the only question now is whether these results will translate into SPL success. Skarph's weakest point has to be his building, and while there are a lot of ADV peripheral players on his team, none stand out as overt builders. With building being a major make-or-break point in SPL, it will be fascinating to see if the Raiders can find someone to assist Skarph, or if Skarph can come into his own as a builder. If either happens, the sky is certainly the limit for Skarpherim.

• Team: 2-8 SPL ADV, 2-10 overall
• Individual: N/A

Possibly the biggest dark horse of the tournament. sadlysius is no stranger to SPL, having played for the same team last year and presumably building for the slot as well. It is no secret in the ADV community that sadlysius is one of the best builders currently; they have received credits on teams used by some of the most breakout names in the last few years, including SEA, Hclat, and Mako, as well as some very established players like Ban Manaphy. This writer's presumption on why sadly is ranked so low has to come from whether sadly can transition that building prowess into better team tournament results, especially with an unfortunate 2-10 SPL record. Most encouragingly, sadly has already somewhat proven results in individuals with exceptionally strong finishes in the yearly ADV Invitationals, finishing 4th from play-ins in Callous Invitational 7 in 2023 and top 6 in Jimvitational in 2024. Additionally, even if sadlysius doesn't do well in the slot, ADV Seasonal/ADVPL winner charizardsnuts is waiting in the wings, and with support from both SEA and sadlysius, anyone playing on the Scooter's ADV slot could be predicted to do fairly well. We will certainly see when the tournament starts, but counting the Scooters ADV out could prove a very dangerous mistake.

• Team: N/A
• Individual: N/A

They say someone has to be last, and that honor has fallen onto violet river. Once again, this may prove a fatal error, as River has a lot going for her. A top-8 finish in Jimvitational from play-ins, as well as an extremely solid result in ADVPL's Bo3 slot are nothing to sneeze at and again speak to how close the 4-10 rankings are. Fans of ADV will definitely be curious as to where River gets her building from this SPL; players like Zokuru and Conflict on her team can definitely contribute, or she could search elsewhere/build herself. River is a player that thrives on her aggressive playstyle, which this writer personally thinks is somewhat of a mismatch with the players on her team, but it could also prove to be a nice counterbalance to help her grow further as a player. Additionally, River has proven herself most when expectations have been against her, and a 10th place in the PRs is the perfect stage for River to outperform.

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• Team: 71-50 all-time SPL, 41-29 SPL GSC, and 90-70 overall
• Individual: Smogon Classic IX champion, Smogon Classic VIII playoffs, GSC Cup IX quarterfinalist, 2023 GSC Circuit Champion

With a unanimous vote, there should be no debate over Conflict’s rightful place on top of these rankings. As soon as Fear signed up to manage, the German’s status as the consensus top dog was solidified, and Conflict seems primed to live up to his status as the most expensive player in the tournament. With well over 100 games in official tournaments, most of them in GSC, Conflict’s prowess in the tier should need no introduction. The only thing that could possibly stop the veteran from once again dominating the field would be if duty calls him to a different generation once more, like we saw happening last year. If he finishes out the season in his home tier, expect nothing but greatness from Conflict once more!

• Team: 6-4 SPL GSC, and 20-9 overall
• Individual: 2023 GSC Circuit quarterfinalist, 2020 GSC Circuit semifinalist

After taking two years off playing GSC in SPL completing side quests in RBY OU and SV UU, Don Eduardo’s highly anticipated return is finally here. The Dynamos’ Savior is looking to continue his winning ways in his home tier, undoubtedly spamming “Carapinga” along the way. While some time has passed since his GSC Invitational victory and subsequent successful SPL campaign, Don Eduardo has continued to prove himself as a top dog in several other formats and looks more ready than ever to put up a strong record.

• Team: 11-9 SPL GSC and overall
• Individual: Smogon Classic IX playoffs, GSC Cup X quarterfinalist, GSC Cup IX semifinalist, 2024 GSC Circuit playoffs, 2022 GSC Circuit champion, 2021 GSC Circuit playoffs

Siatam finds himself on the Ruiners once more, for a lower price than last year despite his incredible 7-3 performance. The easiest explanation for this is the increased quality of this year’s GSC field, with veterans like choolio and gorgie returning as well as names like Kenix and BIHI choosing to opt for GSC instead of other tiers like last year. Despite all of that, Siatam finds himself near the top of these rankings due to his unique take on the tier that has led him to a lot of success in 2024. Last year saw him using innovative teams like his Porygon2 team vs Vileman and his double Fighting team vs Jester. If he continues to be inspired in his preparation this year, Siatam’s games will surely be a highlight to look forward to each week.

• Team: 28-21 all-time SPL, 0-1 SPL GSC, and 67-58 overall
• Individual: x2 Smogon Classic playoffs, GSC Cup X finalist, 2024 GSC Circuit champion

Having put up results in nearly every tier this site has to offer, BIHI should need no introduction. Despite his track record of being successful in various tiers that lead him to winning every official team tournament on Smogon in 2022, GSC is not one of the many tiers he is known for. Despite that, he made his way to GSC Cup finals last year and ended up winning the Circuit Championship at the end of the year to show that he has more than what it takes to win games in the Snorlax generation. BIHI has consistently been one of the most clutch players of the past few years, winning many playoff games en route to his several trophies. If he can acclimatize to GSC in time, expect more of the same from the French superstar.

• Team: 7-13 SPL GSC, 10-14 overall
• Individual: GSC Cup III semifinalist

After being an instrumental piece to the Team Raiders’ run to the finals in SPL IX, choolio’s activities in tournaments slowed down significantly, only signing up for two of the subsequent six SPLs. Despite not playing as much, the GSC enthusiast still kept in touch with the tier, often going out of his way to watch high-level matches even in tournaments he did not sign up for. His reduced activity led to him going for a mere 3k in the auction, but he finds himself in the upper half of the rankings regardless due to his historical success combined with strong recent performances, like his 3rd place finish in Siatam’s GSC Invitational, where he took down players like Conflict, Don Eduardo, and gorgie. If he can show this form in this season of SPL, a performance similar to his 2018 one might be on the horizon for choolio.

• Team: 37-39 all-time SPL, 15-11 SPL GSC, 37-45 overall
• Individual: N/A

Like the player ranked above him, gorgie is a player of yore, last signing up for SPL four years ago, when he put up back-to-back 6-win seasons in SPL XI and XII. Finding himself on the Cryonicles after his manager went for a hard 8k bid on him, gorgie will be looking to play his first SPL games in nearly half a decade to show everyone that he’s still got it. Despite not having entered the SPL fray in several seasons, gorgie has occasionally shown up in unofficial tournaments since, and there is little to no reason to think his ability to pick up wins has gotten any less sharp. If his 6th place is an omen for a third consecutive 6th win season, gorgie’s 8k prize could end up being a big steal that could be instrumental in a potential deep Cryonicles run.

• Team: 4-9 all-time SPL, 16-13 overall
• Individual: GSC Cup IX finalist, 2023 GSC Circuit playoffs

After switching into GSC at the tail end of last season, Rubyblood’s 3-1 performance in the tier, including a win over Jester in finals, was instrumental to the Tyrants’ first-ever SPL victory. Deeming him a key element to their successful campaign, the Tyrants managers were quick to retain him, securing a solid GSC player in a very competitive field. Ruby also plays several other gens, so his support in those tiers would arguably make him a worthwhile buy even if he struggles to put up a good record, but the upside to perform well is certainly there with his skill ceiling being very high, as well as his familiarity with the tier. Can Ruby lead the Tyrants to the coveted red trophy one more time now that the curse has been broken?

• Team: 5-6 SPL GSC and overall
• Individual: x4 GSC Circuit playoffs

vani finds himself on the Indie Scooters for the third time in his three SPL performances, despite them operating under different management each year. After putting up a strong 5-5 performance including a win in the semifinals last year, the newly established franchise staple returns to the GSC playing field with renewed ambitions to lead his team on an even deeper run this time around. Last year saw vani get off to a 4-1 start, but then fall back to an even record in the back half of the tournament. Can he stay strong for the entire nine weeks this time?

• Team: N/A
• Individual: 2023 GSC Circuit quarterfinalist, 2024 GSC Circuit playoffs

Ranked ninth we find MrSoup, the sole debutant of this year’s GSC pool. Despite his lack of experience playing in SPL before, 2024 saw MrSoup putting up several strong results in GSC that more than prove his right to be among the titans that will compete in GSC this year. After being voted into Siatam’s GSC Invitational as the people’s champion, he made a run all the way to Grand Finals, as well as putting up impressive circuit results like winning the Global Championship. While MrSoup’s rookie status leads him to a low ranking for now, if he performs at the level he has shown to be capable of, next year will certainly be different.

• Team: 5-4 GSC SPL and overall
• Individual: 2022 GSC Circuit quarterfinalist

There is possibly no better testament to the strength of this year’s GSC pool than Chiles Habaneros’s position at the bottom. Despite him putting up a strong 5-4 debut last SPL, almost all of his compatriots find themselves ranked above them due to their greater experience. That said, the increased strength of the pool should be no cause for concern to fans of Chiles, as he proved through his gameplay and team choices last year that he more than deserves to be here. If Chiles can show himself to be on top of the metagame once more like he was last season, he will be sure to outperform his 10th place ranking.

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• Team: 24-14 RBY SPL, 27-15 overall
• Individual: RBY Cup IX finalist, RBY Cup VII semifinalist, RBY Cup VI quarterfinalist, 2023 RBY Circuit finals, x2 RBY Circuit quarterfinalist, 2021 RBY Circuit playoffs

Strutting into SPL with an audaciously good 63% win record, Serpi is the clear successor at the top spot of this year's SPL rankings. Having already stamped his name on the tier as one of the best of his generation, Serpi continued his winning ways from last year's SPL throughout the rest of 2024. Winning the RBYPL, the Summer Seasonal, the Winter Seasonal, and even the Ladder Tournament, Serpi was a man on a mission. In last year's Power Rankings, we noted that he had a very "almost" year—getting close but dropping the big wins right at the very last step. This year's version of him is not the same.

On a team where he feels comfortable, with consistent wins over the rest of the pool and the best RBY record in the tournament, Serpi is the odds-on favorite to come out of this edition of SPL with the best record. Pressure doesn't seem to get to this guy, so let's sit back and watch yet again.

• Team: 20-13 all-time SPL, 12-7 RBY SPL, 42-24 overall
• Individual: RBY Invitational IV champion

Scooters superstar Felix returns to his team for his fifth consecutive SPL, never once going negative for them throughout his entire career with a win percentage over 60%. Last season saw Felix rack up some big wins in a 6-4 effort, where the Scooters fell a bit short of the big prize—something he'll surely want to correct for the team that's taken care of him for so long.

With reasonably strong performances throughout the rest of the year, Felix will be eyeing the top spot among this year's class, and only a fool would bet big against him. A player who doesn't seem to lose his cool mid-match, it'll be interesting to see how he clashes with some of the older, returning players that he might know less of.

• Team: 17-13 RBY SPL and overall
• Individual: RBY Invitational IV finalist, 2022 RBY Circuit finalist, 2021 RBY Circuit semifinalist

After a positive campaign in SPL XV, chuva returns to the tournament to try to claim the top spot in a refreshed RBY pool featuring both old and new faces. One of the few consistent members of the pool, having played the last three SPLs in succession, chuva will be keenly aware of what's required of him to keep up his winning ways.

Having put in a succession of reasonably strong performances over the off-season, chuva, notably, seems to have lacked a big win in 2024 on Smogon, despite notable successes off-site. A player with this much experience will undoubtedly want a postbit for their profile, so he'll need to aim to replicate his debut season or better in order to see that through this time around.

• Team: N/A
• Individual: N/A

Our first and only newcomer in this year's pool, nicole7735 starts the tournament with a high fourth-place ranking, reflecting the confidence the community has in her ability to perform. nicole's performances throughout 2024 were a bit of a mixed bag: losing RBY Cup round 2 to Serpi, making a reasonably deep run in the Seasonal, and most impressively, achieving a second place finish in the Invitational. It's easy to see she has enough winning potential to make a good run, the question for her will be whether the jump up in quality and seriousness of her competitors will require adjustment. Familiarity with her foes, though, will likely have been found in off-site battles, so even this may not get in the way of nicole's debut season.

• Team: 12-14 RBY SPL and overall
• Individual: RBY Invitational I and III finalist, RBY Cup IX semifinalist, 2023 RBY Circuit semifinalist

Kaz has been around for a long time, playing and winning in RBY tournaments all over the site. While his SPL XV didn't quite go as planned, bringing home a 3-6 record for the Classiest, positive performances in RBYPL and RBYWC might suggest that he didn't let it effect him all that much. Still, the competition in SPL is undoubtedly more cut throat, and Kaz's career in the tournament is negative overall. If he wants to change that, SPL XVI might prove to be his last chance for a while.

A player known for thinking outside the box, even in a metagame like RBY, Kaz is sure to bring some quirky options into the tournament this year. Always a fan of punishing passive playing, Kaz has the opportunity to take down anyone, shown by the scalps he's taken here and there over his career. What he'll be looking for this tournament is consistency and making sure he can maintain his best form week after week.

• Team: 3-8 RBY SPL and overall
• Individual: 2024 RBY Circuit quarterfinalist

Sceptross, a man known for having his finger on the pulse of the RBY community, finds his way back to SPL for the third time after two difficult campaigns in 2019 and 2020 left him with a 3-8 record. His 2024 performances on Smogon did not particularly impress either, with a 2-3 performance in RBYPL and a decent fifth-round placing in RBY Cup, albeit with two wins given along the way.

It'll be important for his team for Sceptross to step up to the plate quickly, as no other player seems to be a clear-cut replacement if things don't get off to a good start. While his teammate gorgie has played RBY in SPL in the past, the last time he won a game in the tier was in 2015, so support might not be forthcoming. Still, Sceptross has the backing of the community at large, so he'll likely not be for want of tests or team choice advice; however, the quality of his helpers might matter more than the quantity.

• Team: 25-24 all-time SPL, 3-8 RBY SPL
• Individual: Smogon Classic VII quarterfinalist, RBY Cup VII winner

Another player returning after a small hiatus, spies last appeared in SPL in 2021 during a lukewarm campaign with the Tyrants, where he went 3-8. At the time, spies was considered a returning relic, with his second-to-last season being SPL IV, and questions were asked about his ability to keep up with the metagame.

These doubts were weighed against historical admiration for his abilities, with "players from his era" apparently expressing faith in him due to his relative dominance in the earlier days. In any case, SPL is a truly unforgiving tournament, and past successes mean little for the current day. It'll be interesting to see if spies finds his groove or if this season goes similarly to the last.

• Team: 19-21 RBY SPL, 19-24 all-time SPL and overall
• Individual: RBY Invitational I champion, 2020 RBY Circuit semifinalist

Having been ranked 9th in last year's Power Rankings, Amaranth was challenged to prove the crowd wrong and put together an impressive campaign. Unfortunately, the opportunity didn't seem to pan out, as his two games in the tournament were in BW and SV OU, two places where no Tauros can thrive.

Trusting that this year he'll take the field, Amaranth's goal will remain largely the same: to show the players who weren't around during his peak that they're wrong about his ranking. Whether this is doable or not is a different question. The pool lost its strongest representative this year, and everyone else above him seems to have leveled up in the interim. In either case, by taking the field week one, he'll have taken that first step, and the rest will be in Amaranth's hands.

• Team: 25-20 all-time SPL, 13-16 RBY SPL, 38-35 overall
• Individual: RBY Cup IV winner, RBY Cup III finalist, RBY Cup V semifinalist

Former OLT, World Cup, and SPL winner Prinz arrives at SPL XVI with a ranking that would look completely absurd to anyone who played RBY in the mid-2010s. At one juncture considered to be potentially the best RBY player in the world—a title he jostled over with fellow Italian marcoasd—Prinz's star seems to have faded since then according to today's rankers. His last appearance in SPL was back in 2020, where he helped lead the team to a trophy, amassing a great 9-3 record along the way.

Part of the generation of RBY players that took to the field after the Body Slam change was first discovered, Prinz is no stranger to an evolving metagame. One of the few players on this list to have won RBY Cup, Prinz's placement seems anachronistic—something he'll surely aim to straighten out through his precise play.

• Team: 9-9 all-time SPL, 4-5 RBY SPL, 18-23 overall
• Individual: 2024 RBY Circuit finalist, 2022 RBY Circuit semifinalist, 2023 RBY Circuit quarterfinalist

Canadian heavyweight Genesis7 makes his return to SPL this year after a three year absence, bringing with him a 9-9 record and a lot of underestimation. Backed by teammate Shiloh, also a quality RBY player, Genesis heads into SPL with a support system well-crafted to facilitate a good run. However, he needs to hit the ground running to avoid losing his starting spot.

Drafted but making no appearances for the Sharks in 2021, his last SPL as a player, SPL XVI represents a chance for Genesis to change the tune. Having been a solid and consistent player during his heyday, there's no reason to count him out in this edition. There's a good chance his 10th spot ranking will look silly in just a few weeks.

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For those who even remotely follow this tournament, there was little doubt which trio would land at the top of this list. reyscarface is the embodiment of SPL consistency and greatness as a manager, having made the playoffs in six of his seven attempts, including his last six in a row. With rey at the helm, the Tyrants have consistently been a major player in the tournament, and after the team finally took home the coveted trophy last season, there is little reason to doubt him anymore. His drafts are consistently excellent and he has displayed the ability to succeed despite various setbacks; rey is arguably the only manager in the history of the tournament that you can confidently pencil in as playoff lock. His co-managers this season also bring their own strengths to the table. blunder is highly regarded player and managed alongside rey last season; he is extremely knowledgeable about newer generations. He is an excellent complement to reyscarface, whose knowledge may be lacking in metagames such as SV OU. Gilbert arenas, meanwhile, is a franchise icon, having played for the team on numerous occasions in a variety of tiers. His primary metagame was ADV, and he can definitely aid his team in that slot; however, his comprehension of other metagames should not be understated. The Tyrants finally got over the hump last season, and with this trio leading the charge, it would be surprising to see the franchise fail. That is the main reason why they find themselves ranked first on this list.

For the first time in what feels like an eternity, hope has returned to the Ever Grande BIGs's franchise, entirely due to the entrance of this manager trio. Tony is probably the best manager ever, having consistently fielded competitive rosters in both Snake / SCL and SPL; he is also a big reason why Europe was able to become a powerhouse in World Cup for many seasons. In SPL, Tony's squads have generally been solid; he has made the playoffs three times total in five attempts and taken home the trophy twice. He is known for getting the best out of his players and putting them in the best positions to succeed. His co-managers this time around are ABR and Excal. ABR really needs no introduction, as he is arguably the greatest player of all time. More relevant to this tournament, he has been hailed as a genius teambuilder throughout his career, and can provide nearly limitless support across countless generations in the tournament. There is a reason why his auction value in the tournament has fluctuated around 40k in recent years. Rounding out the core is Excal, who has established himself as arguably the best SCL manager, having won the tournament on two different occasions. His SPLs have gone much more poorly, as he is statistically the worst manager in the history of the tournament in terms of people who have managed more than once. However, it stands to reason that teaming with Tony is just what the doctor ordered. Excal has demonstrated the ability to provide invaluable support to his teammates and without his auction shortcomings to hold him back, it is highly likely he will experience more success in this tournament than ever before. This trio really has everything a trio could want to succeed in the tournament, but unfortunately, the best SPL manager ever edges them out here.

Tricking and Raiza return to the Raiders after a disappointing SPL XV campaign, this time with little-known paolode99 by their side. The trio are ranked highly because of the successes of Tricking and Raiza in SPL XIII and XIV, where they led the Raiders to back-to-back wins despite suffering countless setbacks along the way. Their SPL XIV performance was especially impressive, as despite the loss of their franchise cornerstone, bbeeaa, a man they spent 38.5k on, they still managed to motivate and push their team all the way to a championship over a stacked Sharks roster. Tricking and Raiza have shown that they are some of the best managers ever; after all, there is hardly anyone else on the site that has managed to win multiple SPLs as a manager. While little is really known about paolode99, it stands to reason that his inclusion to the team cannot really be a detriment. However, there is some cause for concern there. The Raiders performed extremely poorly in SPL XV despite boasting excellent retains; the team retained no one this season, meaning that the floor, in theory, should certainly be lower. Nonetheless, the past successes of Tricking and Raiza are enough to give them the benefit of the doubt despite last season's shortcomings.

Northeast comrades, obii, Star, and Giannis have decided to take control of the Sharks this season. obii has been a successful manager for the team in the past, having led them to two straight finals in SPL XIII and XIV; he also led his team to a win in the second edition of the Smogon Snake Draft. obii is not exactly known for being a strong player, but he has consistently demonstrated the ability to create winning rosters. Star, meanwhile, has been less successful as a manager, having missed the playoffs with the Wolfpack last season; he has had some success in SCL, however. What Star does not lack, though, is talent and knowledge, as he has established himself as one of the best players on the site and possesses in-depth knowledge of almost every tier in the tournament. Rounding out the core is Giannis, a man known for excelling in individual tournaments. Thankfully, he is not participating as a player in this tournament, meaning he cannot drag down the Sharks to the bottom of the ocean like he consistently does with Northeast. As a manager, there's little reason to believe he would not be useful, as his motivation and knowledge should definitely be a boon to his players. This trio is definitely strong, and it is rather obvious why they find themselves ranked highly on this list.

Heading into SPL XV, the Tigers's were in complete disarray. The team had only legitimately made the playoffs twice in 14 years, and prominent Tigers player Finchinator campaigned for a rebrand. It turned out not to be necessary, however, as z0mOG led the Tigers to their best-ever result since SPL IV, reaching the finals before narrowly losing to the Tyrants. His team would miss the playoffs in SCL IV, but hopes are still high that z0mOG can replicate his previous SPL success. His co-managers should be up to the task, each possessing a wide amount of experience. M Dragon has managed countless times, with his most notable result being his victory in SPL VII. More importantly, he possesses nearly limitless knowledge of older generations such as ADV and GSC that can help his players thrive. The third manager, Trosko, meanwhile, has been a current gen menace for years, and can certainly put his players in the best spots to succeed in generations 6-9. The fact that such an experienced manager pairing finds themselves in fifth speaks to the incredible depth of the manager pool this season more than any of their own shortcomings; in many years, this trio would likely be top 3.

xavgb decided to abandon the Ruiners this season, instead choosing to try his hand at managing this squad. He is probably the main reason why people seem to have some faith in this core; he has proven himself to be one of the best current gen players of the past 4 years and can provide a good amount of team support to his players. Xrn has also had some solid results, and while Doubles OU is not in the tournament, he can certainly aid his team in multiple tiers as well. SEA, meanwhile, is primarily an ADV player and will likely be more focused on old generations on this team. This trio is ranked 6th despite having no real notable management experience, primarily due to the xavgb's reputation and skillset. It is hard for first-time managers to succeed in SPL, but perhaps this group can make some noise.

The best franchise in SPL features new management this season. FlamingVictini had established himself as one of the best managers ever, so it is fair to say that this trio has big shoes to fill. Gondra possesses the most managerial experience of the three, having managed several times and notching a win in the fourth edition of the Smogon Snake Draft. umbry, meanwhile, is a respected player who has played a variety of tiers across the SPL spectrum, allowing her to provide assistance in multiple slots. The last member of the group is GXE, who has established himself as arguably the best PU player on the site, despite his struggles in SCL IV. While that tier is unfortunately not in this tour, GXE can certainly help his players in SV. In some ways, this seems like a group of players that would be more adept at managing SCL, which is perhaps why the are being rated relatively low by their peers. Nonetheless, Gondra has shown that he can win tournaments as a manager before, so it would be foolish to count this trio out.

Some people may be wondering how legendary SPL manager Tony finds himself ranked 8th on this list. Well, the reason is because he abandoned his franchise in order to try to rejuvenate a much more dire organization. This is D4's team now; this time around, he is joined by GSC legend Fear and a newer OU talent named zioziotrip. The Wolfpack were a competitive team last season but ultimately fell short of the playoffs; this failure perhaps explains why expectations for this trio is rather low coming into the season. There is reason to be hopeful, though. Both D4 and Fear are GSC veterans, and while the team's GSC spot was surprisingly an issue last season, it stands to reason that they can elevate the slot in a way few other manager pairs can. zioziotrip, meanwhile, can provide assistance to newer generations. While Fear is certainly a legend of the game and is highly experienced, he and the other members of this group lack a great deal of official team tournament management experience, which is likely a big reason why they find themselves at 8th on this list.

The Classiest trio find themselves in 9th place after the franchise cratered to the bottom of the standings last season. However, d0nut has proven himself to be a capable SPL manager in the past, having reached the playoffs in three of his five attempts in the tournament. Expulso is coming off a strong managing performance in SCL, where he led his team to a 2nd place finish in the tournament. The third member of the managing core was originally Howkings, but the Anti-Howkings agenda eventually forced d0nut to reconsider his choices; noted Midwest veteran starry was chosen as the replacement manager, helping secure the trio a spot in the tournament. The team headed into the auction prepared, even consulting with legendary Classiest manager -Tsunami- for advice; their decision to spend 3k on DPP OU certainly highlights their wisdom. Ultimately, while this group is ranked low, d0nut's past solid track record makes them a dark horse to surprise in the tournament.

Team India has taken over the Cryonicles this season. It does make sense why this trio is ranked last, as they no prior experience managing in either SPL or SCL. Part of this inexperience was shown during the auction, when Dj Breloominati♬ instantly bid 8k credits on gorgie; he almost certainly would have been cheaper than this, meaning the team likely wasted money for no real reason. Nevertheless, there is some promise with this core. Team India was a strong force in World Cup this season, highlighting the capabilities of these individuals to craft a winning atmosphere. The motivation is also clearly there; Piyu, for example, is coming off a dominant 10-0 SCL campaign, choosing to manage this team instead of accepting what would have been a highly valuable 10k retain by the Wolfpack. These three managers combined can cover the spectrum of SPL metagames, with eden being more focused on tiers such as ADV OU while Piyu and Dj Breloominati♬ focus more on more modern generations. Regardless, there lack of official team tournament management experience knocks them down to 10th in the rankings.

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Overall Team Rankings

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