SS Monothreat: The Prequel
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Art by Ticken.
Introduction
Monothreat is the premier Monotype Other Metagame, in which both players use the same type. It encourages players to explore the movepools of each Pokémon, restricted to only the Pokémon that are available for the specified type, in order to effectively anticipate the opponent's sets and address them accordingly. It has been a staple format of some of Monotype's biggest team tournaments for many years and is a favorite to play amongst room players. The removal of Z-Moves and Mega Evolutions will cause Monothreat to change drastically, as Z-Moves had created many creative opportunities and lures to build from for every type and allowed less common Pokémon to perform roles they couldn't otherwise. With the promise of returning Pokémon from the DLC, the current scarcity of options on many types will be remedied, and SS Monothreat will have the potential of flourishing into an enjoyable, dynamic metagame. With the impending release of the first and second expansion passes, here are some standout cores on select types to keep an eye on in the future!
Dark
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Hydreigon @ Choice Specs
Tyranitar @ Chople BerryHydreigon and Tyranitar are two of the most potent offensive threats in Dark Monothreat due to their immediate power, unique coverage, and great wallbreaking capabilities. Their combined offensive presence makes building defensive cores difficult, as two of the safer Hydreigon pivots, bulky Tyranitar and specially defensive Mandibuzz, lose to offensive Tyranitar, and likewise for Tyranitar's checks in Drapion and Scrafty. This core performs best with hazard setters and Taunt users to keep Pokémon such as Mandibuzz and Grimmsnarl low.
This is a legacy core dating back to ORAS Dark Monothreat, so the likelihood of this core remaining solid after both extension passes are released is high. While both Pokémon can take advantage of their naturally high offensive stats and unique coverage, addressing them offensively by exploiting their lack of immediate Speed is a great strategy to employ. Some nontransferable Pokémon such as Greninja and Krookodile assist with applying offensive pressure to both Hydreigon and Tyranitar, but they are not surefire counters. Both Tyranitar's and Hydreigon's sets are highly customizable based on what the team needs, so it is not uncommon to see Choice Scarf or Chople Berry variants to address threats they would otherwise lose to.
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Grimmsnarl @ Light Clay
Bisharp @ Iapapa BerryGrimmsnarl is the first and only fully evolved Dark-type with a secondary Fairy typing, which gives it an immediate advantage in Dark Monothreat. Various Poison-type Pokémon, namely Drapion and Skuntank, have already been used in past gens and, in theory, should help check Grimmsnarl, but its access to Reflect, Light Screen, Bulk Up, and various Fairy-type moves combined with their lack of reliable recovery puts that assumption into question. Grimmsnarl's combination of Bulk Up and Spirit Break is hard to deal with, but Bisharp's neutrality to Fairy and Defiant ability to take advantage of Spirit Break's guaranteed Special Attack drop make it the best response, especially behind a Reflect or after setting up Iron Defense. This core is most effective with hazards, because the primary way to get rid of both hazards and screens is with Defog from Mandibuzz, Skuntank, or Hydreigon, which can easily be punished with Bisharp's Defiant.
Here is a replay with them in action!
The longevity of this core is bright because the only currently nontransferable Pokémon that can cause problems for Grimmsnarl include Greninja and Alolan Muk. Bisharp behind dual screens is particularly threatening because there are few special attackers available to sidestep Iron Defense, and even fewer are adequate answers to Steel. Some Pokémon such as Grimmsnarl with Bulk Up, Spirit Break, and Drain Punch as well as users of Brick Break can disrupt the core's strategy, but in general this core punishes opponents with a lack of experience or uninspired, cookie-cutter builds.
Threats
Grimmsnarl received many gifts that assist its viability in Dark Monothreat with its unique typing, wide movepool filled with offensive, defensive, and setup options, and convenient abilities. Between Bulk Up, Reflect, Light Screen, Spirit Break, Drain Punch, Rest, Nasty Plot, Draining Kiss, and so on, it has all the coverage it could want and can easily mold its set to fill in any holes on a team. Some of its checks include Bisharp, Drapion, and Skuntank, but these physically defensive checks will not fare well against special variants.
Pangoro is an imposing Pokémon in Dark Monothreat because of Scrappy in conjunction with its Fighting-type STAB, though its role to hit Ghost-type Pokémon with Scrappy has become less important with the loss of Mega Sableye. Both its Choice Band and Chople Berry + Swords Dance sets contribute to it being a destructive force. Its main issue is its very low Speed in comparison to Pokémon like Malamar, Hydreigon, and Skuntank. This makes it easy to revenge kill and limits its opportunities to come in and get a KO.
Tyranitar is a fearsome threat that no player should overlook. Very few Pokémon can withstand Rock and Fighting coverage, and if you factor in Tyranitar's Unnerve ability with Dragon Dance, Chople Berry Pokémon such as Pangoro and opposing Tyranitar no longer act as reliable checks. Some of the best checks for Tyranitar include Bulk Up Grimmsnarl, Intimidate Scrafty, Choice Scarf Weavile, and Crawdaunt, though only Grimmsnarl is common enough to keep Tyranitar in check. Pokémon such as Hydreigon and Incineroar can play around the other threats and keep them at bay.
Fairy
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Rapidash-Galar @ LeftoversAlolan Ninetales is an excellent support Pokémon, as it possesses a wide range of useful utility moves. It is able to help Galarian Rapidash set up more easily with Aurora Veil while also stopping setup sweepers with Encore. Moreover, Safeguard prevents it from being statused, which only adds to Rapidash's Pastel Veil ability, which protects it from being poisoned from Toxic Spikes. Galarian Rapidash is a very threatening setup sweeper with Swords Dance, Agility, Zen Headbutt, and High Horsepower. Zen Headbutt allows it to hit most Pokémon in Fairy Monothreat neutrally and handles Galarian Weezing, one of the most naturally physically bulky Fairy-type Pokémon, in conjunction with High Horsepower addressing Psychic- and Steel-type Pokémon such as Hatterene and Mawile.
This core should continue to be a dominant force in the metagame after the first expansion because the combination of Aurora Veil, setup moves, and immunity to status. These elements will force opponents to play carefully in order to preserve their potential checks and counters, as a small mistake can lead to being completely overwhelmed by Galarian Rapidash. However, this core will be threatened by Klefki with Magnet Rise or Defog as well as Iron Head Tapu Koko when they are re-released.
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Weezing-Galar @ Poison BarbWith a general lack of Steel-types, Galarian Weezing is very threatening offensively and can be tricky to deal with late in the game with its access to a Poison-type STAB attack in Sludge Wave. Furthermore, it utilizes Fire Blast to OHKO Mawile, the only Steel-type currently available and its main defensive switch-in. Choice Specs Whimsicott acts as support by crippling bulky or setup Pokémon with Switcheroo, like Calm Mind Hatterene, and wearing Pokémon down with Moonblast and Psychic so they are in range for Weezing. Whimsicott also boosts Weezing's sweeping capability with Tailwind. Neutralizing Gas can enable Galarian Weezing to act as a great anti-lead because it prevents Snow Warning on Ninetales from activating, allows Galarian Weezing to absorb any lingering Toxic Spikes other Galarian Weezing lay, and grants it better odds against Togekiss's Air Slash, to name a few interactions.
This core has a great shot in the future even as Tapu Bulu and Tapu Koko, two titans from SM Monothreat, return, because Galarian Weezing naturally tanks Tapu Bulu's STAB attacks and outspeeds an unboosted Tapu Koko after Tailwind. Galarian Weezing also has the potential to use Misty Surge as its ability and disrupt Tapu Koko's and Tapu Bulu's abilities in an effort to decrease their non-Fairy-type STAB damage output and set up status protection for setup sweepers against common moves such as Nuzzle, Hypnosis, and Will-O-Wisp. Klefki can prove to be adequate resistance against Galarian Weezing, but it is easily chipped down and does not appreciate Fire Blast.
Threats
Alolan Ninetales alone gives rise to a setup-based offensive metagame where it acts as support for its teammates. Many frailer Pokémon such as Slurpuff, Galarian Rapidash, and Mimikyu are more viable due to Alolan Ninetales's niche of setting up Aurora Veil and Safeguard. It can also act as an offensive variant itself with Choice Specs or Choice Scarf, with only a few Pokémon released that resist its attacks, but these variants are less common. Choice Scarf should be expected to rise when the Island Guardians join so that Alolan Ninetales can outspeed an unboosted Tapu Koko and Choice Scarf Tapu Bulu while still having the option to help the team with Aurora Veil.
Galarian Weezing was gifted with an immediate advantage thanks to its additional Poison typing. Galarian Weezing is rather slow and can be taken advantage of by the various Psychic / Fairy Pokémon, namely Gardevoir, but under Tailwind or as a general physical tank for the likes of Mimikyu and, soon, Tapu Bulu, Galarian Weezing has a niche no other Pokémon can contest. While Galarian Weezing has the coverage to match that of a sweeper, its main downside is having to rely on Tailwind or paralysis support or a Choice Scarf to put in work after opposing Steel-types are down.
Hatterene is an incredible setup sweeper because it cannot be stopped by traditional status moves, such as Toxic, Stun Spore, and Encore, because of its Magic Bounce ability. With the combination of Calm Mind and Stored Power, it is able to sweep entire teams after removing or weakening immediate threats like Mawile and Galarian Weezing. Moreover, it has recovery in the form of Draining Kiss and can remedy its terrible Speed tier with Nuzzle or Trick Room. Here is a replay showcasing its ability to sweep.
Poison
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Gengar @ Black Sludge
Toxtricity @ Throat SprayGengar is a long-time staple of Poison Monothreat, due to its impressive Special Attack and Speed stats paired with its access to great utility moves and a super effective attack in Psychic. With Substitute and Disable, it is able to cripple many Pokémon including Dark-type Pokémon such as Drapion and Skuntank in conjunction with Will-O-Wisp. Its support to Toxtricity comes in the form of its ability to disable the opposing Pokémon's threatening move with Disable or Cursed Body. With the opposing Pokémon being unable to damage Toxtricity, it can freely set up with Shift Gear or use Substitute. Will-O-Wisp furthers this support, as it can enable Toxtricity to set up on the crippled Pokémon or on an a switch out of a weakened Pokémon the opponent is trying to preserve. Its Speed stat with a Timid nature allows it to outspeed the most common and fastest Choice Scarf user, Gengar, which could revenge kill it otherwise. Shift Gear and Throat Spray boost its stats, which will boost the power of Stored Power. The combination of these moves make Toxtricity one of the most offensively threatening Pokémon in Poison Monothreat, as it is able to completely sweep teams with Stored Power and hit Dark-type checks hard with Boomburst when given the opportunity.
This core will continue to be a menacing presence in Poison Monothreat, due to the difficulty in revenge killing a boosted Toxtricity. However, this core is threatened by the return of Alolan Muk, whose great bulk and Dark typing would allow it to stop Toxtricity. The addition of Pokémon like Alolan Muk and Crobat will most likely change Toxtricity's set to Choice Specs or a Payapa Berry to take advantage of switches for the former and Crobat for the latter.
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Garbodor @ Heat Rock
Venusaur @ Occa BerryGarbodor and Venusaur pair very well as a weather setter and sweeper. Garbodor's slightly above average bulk allows it to set sun at least once in a match, with Weak Armor also letting it get up Spikes in the process. Furthermore, with maximum Special Defense investment, it can survive an attack from Toxtricity and OHKO it with Stomping Tantrum or survive numerous Psychics from Gengar and use its supportive moves. Explosion provides a safe switch for Venusaur after setting up, and with the sun, Venusaur can outspeed everything and hit everything neutrally or super effectively with the combination of Weather Ball and Earth Power.
Venusaur's overwhelming offensive presence will always be taken into consideration when preparing a team. With the release of the DLC, answers will come in the form of Crobat and Golbat, which are able to Taunt Garbodor and are able to survive an attack and OHKO Venusaur. To handle these threats while maintaining the relevance of the core, Venusaur's item can be changed to Coba Berry, which will allow it to better manage Crobat, or teammates in the form of Toxtricity, Nidoking, Nidoqueen, and Nihilego can threaten Crobat and Golbat with super effective moves.
Threats
Drapion is an excellent Pokémon in Poison Monothreat because of its great defensive typing, excellent role versatility, and wide movepool. As one of the few Dark-type Pokémon available, it serves as a great response against Psychic-type attacks from Pokémon like Gengar and Roserade that threaten to sweep the entire team. It is able to run different sets like Choice Scarf and utility with Taunt. As a Choice Scarf user, it threatens the opponent with fast and strong moves like Knock Off and Earthquake, whereas the the utility set prevents setup with Taunt or Whirlwind and remains a reliable Psychic-type check. Its solid bulk in combination with Rest and Sleep Talk allows it to round out its role and makes it more difficult to knock out.
Toxtricity is an up-and-coming threat known for its ridiculously high Special Attack stat and unique typing. Whether it is using Choice Specs or the setup variant with Shift Gear, it can 2HKO all other Poison-type Pokémon, so it requires careful positioning to play around when given the opportunity. While Electric coverage hits most Poison-type Pokémon for neutral or super effective damage, its coverage of Boomburst and Stored Power is just as effective for threatening the entire case. It should remain a promising threat once the expansion passes are released, because it can act as a solid answer to Flying-types, which were a powerful strategy in SM Monothreat with Crobat and Golbat. While it can dent teams, dismantle offensive archetypes, and act as another Flying answer, its only decent Speed and average bulk make finding openings to attack or set up difficult.
Venusaur is a top threat in Poison Monothreat because of its offensive presence furthered by its ability Chlorophyll, its access to great setup moves in Growth and Sleep Powder, and its newly gained coverage moves Weather Ball and Earth Power. Paired with a sun setter and Spikes setter, both of which Poison-type teams have a wide variety to choose from, it can easily overwhelm the opposing team. It is able to hit every Poison-type Pokémon super effectively or neutrally and is difficult to revenge kill because of the Chlorophyll Speed boost and its typing.
Honorable Mention (Dragon Monothreat)
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Dragapult @ Dragon Fang
Drakloak @ Choice ScarfDragon Monothreat has always been a stagnant metagame that focused around Haban Berries, Choice Scarfs, and Tailwind. Dragapult and Drakloak add two much-appreciated dimensions in Dragon Darts and Cursed Body or Grudge to diversify the metagame in Mega Altaria's absence and have fantastic Speed tiers in comparison to the rest of the cast. Between Cursed Body and Grudge, Drakloak has two options at its disposal to force commonly Choiced Pokémon into an unusable move for Dragapult to come in on and set up an Agility freely. 36 Speed EVs are required to outspeed unboosted base 100s and below before the Agility boost, 176 Special Attack EVs with Dragon Fang are enough to OHKO max HP Duraludon from full, which would otherwise stomach Dragon Darts, and max Attack investment with a Naughty nature and Dragon Fang beats out any Haban Berry users, especially with Stealth Rock up.
Here is a replay with them in action!
As more Pokémon are released, such as Latios and Latias, the Grudge tech will naturally become less useful, because Drakloak's Speed can not match theirs. However, Cursed Body will still be a crucial factor to keep in mind in while both building and battling. Drakloak alone can not fully replace Mega Altaria, but its ability to have a decent chance at preventing sweeps from Choice Scarf or Outrage users under Tailwind with Cursed Body is just as important.
Final Thoughts
Monothreat strives off innovation, trickery, and clever strategies. While it doesn't make sense to dive too deeply into metagame development until after the second pass is released, postulating possible approaches that predict or drive the future metagame is both fun and intriguing. Monothreat is hardly stale due to every type having a completely different metagame to explore and master, so if you are interested in giving it a shot, head on over to the Monotype room on PS!, where they periodically hold room tournaments!
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