The two most common questions we get from new players to the CAP meta are "How do I make a good CAP team?" and "What CAP Pokemon are the biggest threats?". This post hopes to address the latter, at least to the extent as we've figured out since the beginning of the Gen 6 CAP meta. Hopefully if you're curious about the meta this may inspire you to get started on solid ground rather than with silly strats (this is not the place to be using your Kanto starter team).
This list was made with input from many knowledgeable CAP players such as Animus, PepsiPlunge, viperfang, and several others, as well as from months of observation and experimentation with what works on the CAP ladder. Feel free to disagree or suggest changes if you want, but realize I'm not just pulling these ranks out of my ass.
Some FAQ:
With all that being said, here is the list:
PRELIMINARY POSTULATORY ALPHA OMEGA CAP Ranking tier list Gamma.1.6.X.Q.9
(Subject to change without warning. Individual ranks are in no particular order. FDA and FDIC Approved.)
S Rank: The Pokemon in this tier are capable of not only performing practically every team role well- from offensive sweeper to defensive tank to utility support- but can easily perform multiple roles at the same time. Specific aspects of these Pokemon make them essential to the balance of the meta and it is not uncommon to see at least one of them in every competitive match.
Tomohawk
A Rank: Standard bearers of the CAP tier which can singlehandedly dominate matches, and every competitive team must be prepared to respond to them. These Pokemon often have an offensive or defensive presence which is so overwhelmingly strong that they fit an invaluable niche in the meta and require little to no team support to perform well.
A+ Rank
Cawmodore
Aurumoth
Colossoil
Cyclohm
Chansey
Blissey
A Rank
Revenankh
Necturna
Talonflame
Kyurem-B
Pinsir (Mega)
A- Rank
Syclant
Arghonaut
Mollux
Stratagem
Krilowatt
Aegislash
Landorus-I
Thundurus-I
Charizard (Mega-Y)
Charizard (Mega-X)
B Rank: Pokemon in this tier tend to be manageable even by standard OU teams, but have still have useful traits or niches which aren't easily filled by other Pokemon. They tend to have a much more specialized role in CAP rather than the multipurpose juggernauts in the higher tiers.
B+ Rank
Kitsunoh
Heatran
Venusaur (Mega)
Medicham (Mega)
Scizor (Mega)
Skarmory
Azumarill
Mawile (Mega)
B Rank
Malaconda:
Pyroak
Landorus-T
Garchomp / Garchomp (Mega)
Ferrothorn
Reuniclus
Sylveon
Clefable
B- Rank
Togekiss
Dragonite
Excadrill
Gardevoir (Mega)
Latios
Latias
Keldeo
Cresselia
Gliscor
Gyarados (Mega)
Rotom-W
Quagsire
C Rank: Pokemon in this tier are fundamentally flawed in crucial ways which prevents them from being a major metagame threat. However, they are still functional Pokemon which can serve useful defensive or offensive roles if supported properly.
C+ Rank
Voodoom
Cloyster
Gothitelle
Sableye
Gengar
Terrakion
Zapdos
Wobbuffet
Politoed
Greninja
Infernape
C Rank
Fidgit
Alakazam
Tyranitar (Mega)
Ninetales
Hippowdon
Mandibuzz
Ditto
Bisharp
Scolipede
Espeon
Smeargle
E Rank: Cheap imitations of the great Lord Tomohawk, these false prophets should be banished from all competitive CAP teams.
Hawlucha
This list was made with input from many knowledgeable CAP players such as Animus, PepsiPlunge, viperfang, and several others, as well as from months of observation and experimentation with what works on the CAP ladder. Feel free to disagree or suggest changes if you want, but realize I'm not just pulling these ranks out of my ass.
Some FAQ:
Q: If Tomohawk is so good, why isn't it banned?
A: 1. CAP Pokemon will not get banned no matter how strong they are, 2. Tomohawk is usually countered by most specially bulky walls, and 3. it's a huge force in making stally/balanced teams viable in the meta. CAP would be a heck of a lot less fun and interesting without it.
Q: Why is Chansey/Blissey rated so highly?
A: Special sweepers are a much bigger threat in CAP than in OU with Pokemon like Cyclohm, Quiver Dance Aurumoth, and Tail Glow Syclant running around everywhere. Toxic+Softboiled can win games even against top players.
Q: Why is Wash-Rotom/Excadrill/(insert Pokemon here) not rated higher?
A: Many standards in OU are either outclassed in CAP or simply do not have enough utility to justify their use as a “standard” on the majority of teams.
Q: Why isn't Mamoswine/Diggersby/(insert Pokemon here) listed at all?
A: Similarly to above, either they're generally considered irrelevant by experienced CAP players or simply do not have enough power or utility to ever justify their use. If you think that an unlisted Pokemon is a threat feel free to argue your point and I will put it on the list.
Q: What's the point of ever using any of these lower tier CAP-mons?
A: Some CAP-mons by themselves aren't all that fantastic but are much more effective when combined with certain partners. Kitsunoh is an example of this, as it's a decent scout and revenge killer by itself but becomes a deadly offensive pressure tool when combined with Colossoil as they can both use U-turn and check each others' weaknesses well.
Q: Can my standard OU team be competitive in the tier?
A: Probably not, but it is entirely possible to create an effective team in the tier without using any CAP-mons. However, players in CAP tend to gravitate towards using CAP-mons even when OU alternatives exist. After all, you might as well be playing OU if you're not using CAP-mons!
A: 1. CAP Pokemon will not get banned no matter how strong they are, 2. Tomohawk is usually countered by most specially bulky walls, and 3. it's a huge force in making stally/balanced teams viable in the meta. CAP would be a heck of a lot less fun and interesting without it.
Q: Why is Chansey/Blissey rated so highly?
A: Special sweepers are a much bigger threat in CAP than in OU with Pokemon like Cyclohm, Quiver Dance Aurumoth, and Tail Glow Syclant running around everywhere. Toxic+Softboiled can win games even against top players.
Q: Why is Wash-Rotom/Excadrill/(insert Pokemon here) not rated higher?
A: Many standards in OU are either outclassed in CAP or simply do not have enough utility to justify their use as a “standard” on the majority of teams.
Q: Why isn't Mamoswine/Diggersby/(insert Pokemon here) listed at all?
A: Similarly to above, either they're generally considered irrelevant by experienced CAP players or simply do not have enough power or utility to ever justify their use. If you think that an unlisted Pokemon is a threat feel free to argue your point and I will put it on the list.
Q: What's the point of ever using any of these lower tier CAP-mons?
A: Some CAP-mons by themselves aren't all that fantastic but are much more effective when combined with certain partners. Kitsunoh is an example of this, as it's a decent scout and revenge killer by itself but becomes a deadly offensive pressure tool when combined with Colossoil as they can both use U-turn and check each others' weaknesses well.
Q: Can my standard OU team be competitive in the tier?
A: Probably not, but it is entirely possible to create an effective team in the tier without using any CAP-mons. However, players in CAP tend to gravitate towards using CAP-mons even when OU alternatives exist. After all, you might as well be playing OU if you're not using CAP-mons!
PRELIMINARY POSTULATORY ALPHA OMEGA CAP Ranking tier list Gamma.1.6.X.Q.9
(Subject to change without warning. Individual ranks are in no particular order. FDA and FDIC Approved.)
S Rank: The Pokemon in this tier are capable of not only performing practically every team role well- from offensive sweeper to defensive tank to utility support- but can easily perform multiple roles at the same time. Specific aspects of these Pokemon make them essential to the balance of the meta and it is not uncommon to see at least one of them in every competitive match.
A metagame shaping force. The Reflect set is, bar none, the best physical tank in existence. Tons of utility with Rapid Spin, Stealth Rock, and Haze, and has two fantastic abilities that are useful in every match. The most reliable Baton Pass user and anti-Baton Pass check in the game. Can beat many of its “counters” with a rock solid Taunt+Toxic set. Very effective offensively on both Sun and Rain teams should you choose to run one. There is very little Tomohawk cannot do well (other than than take on Fairies, unfortunately)
A Rank: Standard bearers of the CAP tier which can singlehandedly dominate matches, and every competitive team must be prepared to respond to them. These Pokemon often have an offensive or defensive presence which is so overwhelmingly strong that they fit an invaluable niche in the meta and require little to no team support to perform well.
A+ Rank
A devastatingly powerful sweeper that can OHKO most of the metagame after a Belly Drum boost and is very hard to check thanks to its high speed and priority. Knock Off can cripple predicted switchins and it can continually heal itself with Drain Punch. All competitive teams need to have at least one Pokemon who can deal with Cawmodore reliably.
Illusion is no joke, and neither is this Pokemon's fantastic stats and enormous versatility. Aurumoth is one of the main reasons Colossoil is so popular, as checking it with a hard hitting priority move is often easier than trying to prevent it from setting up. The Tail Glow set is particularly notable as a killer mixed wallbreaker, hitting extremely hard on the special side while obliterating any special walls with a +3 Psyshock.
Two useful immunities, hard hitting priority, and the ability to bounce back hazards make this a standard on many CAP teams. Earthquake+Knock Off is an excellent STAB attack combination which is even stronger in Gen 6 due to the nerfing of Steel types. One of the best Rapid Spinners in existence due to its ability to OHKO practically any Ghost type.
One of the few guaranteed Cawmodore counters and the best CAP answer to Talonflame, but also a great physical wall in general. A specially defensive version is also viable and can take on Tomohawk, Mega Charizard Y, and other common specially offensive threats fairly reliably. It has nice utility as a Whirlwind user with Slack Off/Heal Bell and a whole bunch of special attack moves. Basically a reworking of Hippowdon with better speed and typing, and can run surprise Specs/Scarf sets as well.
A Rank
A fantastic mixed tank that can Bulk Up on practically anything and crush fast, offensive teams with its hard hitting Drain Punch/Shadow Sneak combo. The introduction of Cawmodore made it much more risky to set up with, and its old foe Tomohawk still is present on many teams. Using Revenankh properly requires some support to remove its counters, but once this happens it can easily roll through opponents.
Possibly the most versatile Pokemon in the meta, this Pokemon's access to Sketch and other traits allow it to act both as a specially defensive utility tank and a deadly sweeper. Necturna is at it's most dangerous when it catches an opponent by surprise, and with so many effective sets available it can almost always do just that. Unfortunately, weaknesses to four forms of priority make it difficult to sweep with, and Tomohawk can usually wall every set.
A- Rank
The original CAPmon still has the speed and power to make those Tail Glow sets really hurt. STAB Ice is great for plowing through Tomohawk and Cyclohm, and Mountaineer is a fantastic ability (basically granting it immunity to Stealth Rocks) which makes it far easier to set up with than every other offensive Ice type in the meta. Can be very hard to stop if it ever sets up, but unfortunately is easily checked by Pokemon such as Stratagem which outspeed it can can hit hard on its many common weaknesses.
The best Unaware user, which makes it amazingly useful on many defensive teams but one of the most difficult CAP Pokemon to use correctly. Perhaps its most valuable role is that of an “emergency” Roar user, able to force out any sweeper no matter how many boosts it has. Arghonaut can be specced to handle even super effective special or physical attackers surprisingly well, and has good defensive typing to wall popular CAP Pokemon such as Syclant, Colossoil and Revenankh.
An alternative to Heatran which trades access to Earth Power and Roar with the ability to wall many Pokemon which Heatran could not, such as Azumarill, Mega Mawile, Keldeo and Infernape. Recover though is what sets it a level above Heatran, however, as it can be incredibly frustrating for stall teams to take down due to its immunity to poison/burns and great bulk. Calm Mind sets can potentially sweep opposing teams lacking a reliable ground type move.
A good check to “flyspam” and many offensive threats present in both in CAP and OU. Can serve as filler for many teams looking for a decent all around revenge killer. One of the best checks to Mega Pinsir, which gives many CAP teams a rough time. Somewhat weak to priority, but what it does check makes it a useful asset on balanced teams.
Has enough bulk to be a useful specially defensive pivot, while serving as a reliable counter to Tomohawk and many other common offensive threats in the CAP meta. Unfortunately, it lacks a healing move and simply doesn't have the offensive power to deal with specially bulky Pokemon like Revenankh and Chansey, who can either set up on it or slowly wear down its massive HP stat.
B Rank: Pokemon in this tier tend to be manageable even by standard OU teams, but have still have useful traits or niches which aren't easily filled by other Pokemon. They tend to have a much more specialized role in CAP rather than the multipurpose juggernauts in the higher tiers.
B+ Rank
A good scout and Trick abuser, this Pokemon's solid typing and resistances make it an excellent choice for many teams looking for U-turn pressure. Ice+Thunder Punch allows it to easily revenge kill many of the dragons and Pokemon like Gyarados, allowing it to act as a good revenge killer. It's main limitation is that it can't do much to many of the bulky physical walls in the tier, who can switch into it and set up with impunity.
B Rank
Good against certain CAP Pokemon like Colossoil and Necturna, and has the moves and stat pool to serve as a very versatile special wall. Great at spreading Glare throughout an opposing team while setting up for a late game sweep. Most standard OU special attackers simply cannot break through Harvest and that massive Sp Def stat. Unfortunately, it has a crippling 4x Bug weakness and a low speed that makes it easy to revenge kill.
Rock Head plus a huge Defense stat means that Pyroak can often take down multiple Pokemon before being knocked out itself. Can run very annoying Leech Seed sets to stall opposing teams to death with proper support. Its slow speed is its major downfall, making it an easy target for special attackers like the ever-present Tomohawk to gradually whittle down.
B- Rank
C Rank: Pokemon in this tier are fundamentally flawed in crucial ways which prevents them from being a major metagame threat. However, they are still functional Pokemon which can serve useful defensive or offensive roles if supported properly.
C+ Rank
With proper prediction, Voodoom can defensively solidify teams through its useful immunities to Electric and Psychic moves and 4x resistance to Knock Off. However, it's enormously exploitable Fairy weakness is not doing it any favors. It's decently fast and run powerful mixed attacking sets, but generally tends to get outclassed offensively by Greninja.
C Rank
Is fast and has access to practically every utility move in existence, giving it some killer utility in CAP. As it has no reliable recovery move and a questionably useful ground/poison typing, it isn't going to be doing much of anything offensively to many of the popular bulky attackers in the meta. That being said, if you absolutely need hazards up and want to do so while having access to Encore, this could be a great Pokemon for you.
E Rank: Cheap imitations of the great Lord Tomohawk, these false prophets should be banished from all competitive CAP teams.
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