[Gen 7] CAP Role Compendium

[Mx]

Adapted from the SM OU role compendium by p2 and the Gen 6 CAP role Compendium by cbrevan

The idea of this thread is to provide a visual list of what Pokémon does what in the SM CAP metagame. This will help new and experienced players alike in finding Pokémon that fit their teams when looking for specific roles, as well as help players build more diverse teams by not always using the same Pokémon to fill the same role. Each Pokemon that are on here are on here based on their viability in the CAP metagame and their performance of generic or specific (niche, if you will) roles that benefit your team. If you feel there is a Pokemon viable for the roles mentioned below and it hasn't been added to the group, recommend it in your post.

Pokemon are listed in alphabetical order. More niche Pokemon are separated by a vertical bar.

For those who do not understand what the terminology such as Wallbreaker and Pivot mean: http://www.smogon.com/dp/articles/pokemon_dictionary

Thread Rules:

• One liners are fine here, but avoid double posting.
• Don't be rude or an idiot.
• When suggesting things to be added / removed, provide decent reasoning as to why it should.
• Don't nominate unviable mons, use the CAP Viability Rankings as a guideline for what's viable. However, some exceptions will be made.

Available Mega Pokémon

(♀)(♂)|

Wallbreakers

Physical:|
Special:|
Mixed:(♂)|

Stallbreakers

note: just because Pokémon are listed as stallbreakers does not mean your team will be able to break stall 100%. These Pokémon have the ability to really carve into stall but still require support to do so, you cannot just slap them on any team and call it a day against stall.

Taunt-based:|
Setup-based:(♀)

Walls

Physically Defensive:|
Specially Defensive:|
Mixed:(♀)|

Pivots

Offensive:
(Physical)
|(Special)
(Mixed)
Defensive:
(Physical)
(Special)
(Mixed)
Assault Vest:
U-Turn:|
Volt Switch::krillowatt:
Parting Shot:

Boost Removers

Haze:|
Phazing:|
Unaware:
Heart Swap:

Clerics

Wish:|
Heal Bell/Aromatherapy:|
Healing Wish/Lunar Dance:|(♀)

Entry Hazards

Stealth Rock:|
Spikes:|
Toxic Spikes:|
Sticky Web:
Suicide Leads:|
Hazard Control:
|(Rapid Spin)
(♀)(♂)|(Defog)
(Magic Bounce/Rebound)

Choice Users

Choice Band:|
Choice Specs:|
Choice Scarf:
|(<=100 Spe)
|(>100 Spe)

Trappers

Pursuit:

|

Magnet Pull:

Spirit Shackle:

Partially Trapping Moves (Magma Storm, Whirlpool, etc):

|

Priority

Bullet Punch:

Fake Out:

Ice Shard:

Prankster:

Quick Attack:

Shadow Sneak:

Sucker Punch:

Water Shuriken:

Set-up Sweepers

Beast Boost:

Belly Drum:

Calm Mind:

(♀)

|

Coil:

Contrary:

Dragon Dance:

Moxie:

Nasty Plot:

Power-Up Punch:

Quiver Dance:

Rock Polish:

Shell Smash:

Shift Gear:

Soul-Heart:

Swords Dance:

|

Tail Glow:

Weak Armor:

Z-moves (See below):

|

Z-Moves

Normalium Z:(Celebrate)(Giga Impact)(Nature Power)
Firium Z:(Fire Blast)(Overheat) (Magma Storm)
Waterium Z::(Hydro Pump)(Surf)
Grassium Z:(Solar Beam)(Wood Hammer)
Flyinium Z:(Fly / Bounce)(Hurricane)
Electrium Z:(Fusion Bolt)(Thunder):(Thunderbolt)(Wild Charge)
Dragonium Z:(Outrage)
Groundium Z:(Earthquake)(Earth Power)
Fightinium Z::(Focus Blast)(Sacred Sword)(Superpower)
Rockium Z:(Stone Edge)
Icium Z:(Freeze Shock)(Haze)(Ice Beam)
Psychium Z:(Psyshock / Psychic)(Psycho Cut)
Steelium Z:(Flash Cannon)(Iron Head)(Smart Strike)
Darkinium Z:(Knock Off)(Parting Shot)
Ghostium Z:(Shadow Claw)(Spirit Shackle)
Fairium Z:(Dazzling Gleam)(Fleur Cannon)
Tapunium Z:
Kommonium Z:
Mewnium Z:

Trick Room

Offensive Setters:
Defensive Setters:|
Abusers:|

Weather

Rain:|
Sand:|
Sun:

 

[Mx]

Checks Compendium:

Hide

note: Most Pokemon have ways around many of their counters (this is especially true for the ones with multiple viable sets, like Greninja and Heatran). This list is just supposed to provide answers to the most common sets.

Magearna checks

Hard/Defensive checks:

Soft/Offensive checks:

Tornadus-T checks

Hard/Defensive checks:

Soft/Offensive checks:

Necturna checks

Hard/Defensive checks:

Soft/Offensive checks:

Heatran checks

Hard/Defensive checks:

(♂)
Soft/Offensive checks:

Pajantom checks

Hard/Defensive checks:

Soft/Offensive checks:

Volkraken checks

Hard/Defensive checks:

(♀)

(♂)

Soft/Offensive checks:

Greninja checks

Hard/Defensive checks:

Soft/Offensive checks:

Jumbao checks

Hard/Defensive checks:

Soft/Offensive checks:

Mega Alakazam checks

Hard/Defensive checks:

Soft/Offensive checks:

Aurumoth checks

Hard/Defensive checks:

Soft/Offensive checks:

Ash-Greninja checks

Hard/Defensive checks:

Soft/Offensive checks:

Hawlucha checks

Hard/Defensive checks:

Soft/Offensive checks:

Landorus-T checks

Hard/Defensive checks:

(♀)

Soft/Offensive checks:

(♂)

Mega Latios checks

Hard/Defensive checks:

Soft/Offensive checks:

Mega Medicham checks

Hard/Defensive checks:

(♀)

Soft/Offensive checks:

(♂)

Syclant checks

Hard/Defensive checks:

Soft/Offensive checks:

Tapu Koko checks

Hard/Defensive checks:

Soft/Offensive checks:

Tapu Lele checks

Hard/Defensive checks:

Soft/Offensive checks:

Krilowatt checks

Hard/Defensive checks:

Soft/Offensive checks:

Colossoil checks

Hard/Defensive checks:

Soft/Offensive checks:

Kartana checks

Hard/Defensive checks:

Soft/Offensive checks:

Kitsunoh checks

Hard/Defensive checks:

Soft/Offensive checks:

Kyurem-B checks

Hard/Defensive checks:

Soft/Offensive checks::

Mega Mawile checks

Hard/Defensive checks:

Soft/Offensive checks:

Volcarona checks

Hard/Defensive checks:

Soft/Offensive checks:

 

[Jho]

Guess ill kick us off:
Clef from mixed wall ----> Physical wall: In the current meta, Clef is forced to run max HP and max Def with a bold nature to avoid the 2hko from banded Zygarde whilst also allowing it to deal with common wallbreakers such as Medicham, Lopunny and Galade which can deal with it easily if it splits its defences.

Below is the most common mixed defenses clef spread, as you can see it cannot switch into these
252+ Atk Choice Band Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 252 HP / 184 Def Clefable: 210-247 (53.2 - 62.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Where as if we run max max bold, it is almost impossible to be 2hkod by it- this set has become the most common
252+ Atk Choice Band Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Clefable: 178-210 (45.1 - 53.2%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

This is the main reason this set is run, but it also avoids a gaurenteed 2hko from Medi's Zen Headbutt aswell which is a nice bonus.

 

[sparktrain]

- Add Tomohawk to suicide leads. Priority Taunt/SR, strong STABs, and no Mega Diancie in the meta make it great at this role.
- Add Tapu Koko to Electrium Z users. Most notably for the physical lure set w/ Wild Charge. It's a good filler item over Magnet on most standard sets if the team lacks another Z move user.

Great thread!

 

[snake]

Flyinium Z Cawmodore should be running Fly tbh. It's slightly easier to pivot around after using the Z move, but nuking Tomohawk 84% - 99% unboosted and then finishing off with Bullet Punch is really nice.

Maybe add Tomohawk (Memento) and Kerfluffle (Pshot) to Darkinium Z

Awesome thread, thanks mxmts!

 

[Eris]

You could add Sandslash -Alola in the hail section even if it has a small niche it still is a hail abuser that can set Aurora Veil.

You can also add Rockium-Z with Landorus-t it helps check things like Celesteela which are common.

Great thread, nice work!

 

[JayHeaven]

You should add volkraken to wall breakers as nothing besides very spdef oriented bulky waters and chansey can switch in.

 

[snake]

Remove Krilowatt from wallbreakers. It doesn't exactly crack open walls but rather hits things super effectively and can tank hits with its massive natural bulk. It really just cleans up well. Krilowatt would fit much better in the offensive pivots section with Volt Switch imo.

EDIT: Trimming this resource down one mon at a time :)

Celesteela really isn't a wallbreaker. Specially Defensive = wall, Autotomize = sweeper. Unless I'm wrong, the wallbreaker part doesn't really come into play.

 

[Mx]

I've updated the OP, thanks everyone for the feedback! If anyone has more suggestions, I would love to hear them, either post them here or PM me.

 

[Eris]

I've just realised but Magearna could also be added as a Calm Mind user + Shift Gear

In Power-Up Punch you can add Mega-Lopunny

 

[Airwind]

Where is scarf kitsunoh D: is a really god scarf that outspeed most of the scarfers pokemon

 

[Mx]

It's been a while, but I finally updated this! Here are some of the most important changes:

-Added M-Diancie to viable Megas, Mixed Wallbreakers, Stealth Rock, Hazard Prevention and Calm Mind sections.
-Added M-Latias to viable Megas, Defog, Healing Wish and Calm Mind sections.
-Added M-Altaria to viable Megas, Heal Bell, and Dragon Dance sections.
-Added M-Camerupt to viable Megas, Special and Mixed Wallbreakers, Stealth Rock and TR Abusers sections.
-Moved M-Aerodactyl and M-Sharpedo from viable to niche Megas.
-Moved Celesteela from Special to Mixed in the walls section.
-Removed all mentions of Dugtrio.
-Added a list of Assault Vest users in the pivot sections.

 

[OLD GREGG (im back baby)]

Can we get Cyclohm added to Defensive Trick Room setters. Not the most popular move on Cyclohm but can turn the tables on unsuspecting fast offensive teams real quick. Can pivot also which is not only very rare but very desirable in a setter as well.

 

[Mx]

I've implemented two changes:

-Separated both offensive and defensive pivots into Physical, Special and Mixed (Thanks Khosro for the idea!)
-Merged the Entry Hazard, Suicide Leads and Hazard Control sections into just a single Entry Hazard entry. With this change I hope to put all hazard-related roles into just one big section, instead of being split between three, as I think that was too much.

 

[Mx]

I've just updated this for USM, and I will add Pajantom later, when I get the icon. For now, here are the most important changes:

-Added Blacephalon to Special Wallbreakers, Stallbreakers, Specs, Scarf, Beast Boost, Calm Mind, Firium Z and Ghostium Z sections.
-Added Stakataka to Physical Wallbreakers, Band, Beast Boost, Rockium Z and Offensive Trick Room sections.
-Added Landorus-T, Rotom-W, Serperior, Gliscor, Tapu Koko, Tornadus-T, Thundurus-I/T and Klefki to Defog users.
-Added Azumarill to the Trappers section.
-Added Ribombee to Sticky Web users.
-Added M-Latios to Viable Megas and Mixed Wallbreakers sections.

Please let me know if I forgot about something.

 

[Mx]

Ok, The Role Compendium should be up to date. I decided to copy the OU RC, and separate the more niche Pokemon in each category. However I'd like to ask about feedback about a few mons:

-M-Gardevoir: In OU, Gardevoir is currently unranked, due to being outclassed by Tapu Lele. However, I believe that due to the favorable match up that Psychic/Fairy has against a lot of defensive CAPs (Tomohawk, Arghonaut, Mollux), Gardevoir could see some niche usage in the tier. If no one convinces me otherwise, I'll probably remove it from the Compendium completely.

-M-Heracross and M-Gyarados: Both are ranked as fully viable Megas for OU, but I think it's not same in CAP, due to the fact that the both lose against the omnipresent Tomohawk, I decided to rank them both as niche options, but I could see arguments for both ranking them higher, or outright dropping them.

-M-Pidgeot: Another unranked Mega in OU. Flying is such a great offensive typing in the metagame right now, that I decided to include it.

-Gastrodon: While still one of the best Ant-Rain Pokemon, and an overall great Special wall, it suffers from heavy competition from the likes of Arghonaut, Pyroak and Mollux which are able to check some of the same threats as the Sea Slug and possess better utility options like Stealth Rock, Spikes and Rapid Spin. This lead me to move it to niche special walls.

-Alomomola: I don't think I have seen this mon in CAP recently, but, at least in theory, it faces serious competition from Arghonaut. Therefore I decided to put it under niche walls, at least until someone justifies why would this be more viable than that in this tier.

-Excadrill, Colossoil, Landorus, Tyranitar: I'd like to hear what people think about the Scarf sets of this mons. Currently I have them listed as niche, because they lose against common CAP walls, and their speed tiers leave most of them outspeeded by +1 Aurumoth and Naviathan, two of the most threatening set up sweepers in the tier.

 

[EpicUmbreon29]

Can we get Outrage Dragonium Z Pajantom added underneath Z-Moves? snake_rattler and I were talking earlier and we agree that Dragonium Z is likely one of Pajantom's most potent sets, and Devastating Drake hits just about anything not Steel or Fairy-type harder than Never-Ending Nightmare. It even nets the following damage calc against Chansey for a possible unexpected KO:

252 Atk Pajantom Devastating Drake (190 BP) vs. 244 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Chansey: 418-493 (59.5 - 70.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO​

It can also net possible surprise KOs on Tomohawk:

252 Atk Pajantom Devastating Drake (190 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Tomohawk: 244-288 (58.9 - 69.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery ​

Of course, these no longer become "surprises" once the set is widespread, but in general I feel like this is still potent enough to merit a mention.

I know this next one is a bit of a stretch, but seeing as it's included currently under "Choice Users," I would like to raise the idea of Ditto being added under Boost Removers as a niche option. Imposter + Choice Scarf allows it to turn the tables against many setup sweepers and put intense pressure on the opposing team. Some calcs showing Ditto's power:

A Bunch of Calculations

+3 252 SpA Xurkitree Thunderbolt vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Xurkitree: 301-355 (97.7 - 115.2%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO
+3 252 SpA Xurkitree Grass Knot (100 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Xurkitree: 447-526 (145.1 - 170.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+6 252 Atk Cawmodore (Ditto) Drain Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Cawmodore: 205-242 (84.7 - 100%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO

+6 252+ Atk Huge Power Azumarill Play Rough vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Azumarill: 858-1011 (250.8 - 295.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+1 252 Atk Crucibelle-Mega Head Smash vs. +1 4 HP / 0 Def Crucibelle-Mega: 319-376 (90.1 - 106.2%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO

+1 252+ Atk Zygarde Outrage vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Zygarde: 458-540 (127.9 - 150.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Serperior Hidden Power Ice vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Serperior: 192-226 (65.7 - 77.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+1 252 Atk Naviathan Wild Charge vs. 48 HP / 0 Def Naviathan: 286-338 (79.6 - 94.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 Atk Naviathan Wild Charge vs. 48 HP / 0 Def Naviathan: 382-450 (106.4 - 125.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Hoopa-Unbound Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Hoopa-Unbound: 255-300 (84.7 - 99.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+1 252 Atk Lopunny-Mega Return vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lopunny-Mega: 271-321 (100 - 118.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+1 252 SpA Volcarona Fire Blast vs. +1 0 HP / 4 SpD Volcarona: 178-210 (57.2 - 67.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 340-402 (94.9 - 112.2%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Dragon Claw vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 546-644 (152.5 - 179.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 Atk Kartana Sacred Sword vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Kartana: 398-470 (153 - 180.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+1 252 Atk Tyranitar-Mega Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tyranitar-Mega: 205-243 (60.1 - 71.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Also, somewhat unsurprisingly, it nets KOs against boosted Mega Charizard X, Salamence, Aurumoth, Syclant, and Z-Celebrate Kerfluffle.

 

[Mx]

Can we get Outrage Dragonium Z Pajantom added underneath Z-Moves? snake_rattler and I were talking earlier and we agree that Dragonium Z is likely one of Pajantom's most potent sets, and Devastating Drake hits just about anything not Steel or Fairy-type harder than Never-Ending Nightmare. It even nets the following damage calc against Chansey for a possible unexpected KO:

252 Atk Pajantom Devastating Drake (190 BP) vs. 244 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Chansey: 418-493 (59.5 - 70.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO​

It can also net possible surprise KOs on Tomohawk:

252 Atk Pajantom Devastating Drake (190 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Tomohawk: 244-288 (58.9 - 69.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery ​

Of course, these no longer become "surprises" once the set is widespread, but in general I feel like this is still potent enough to merit a mention.

I know this next one is a bit of a stretch, but seeing as it's included currently under "Choice Users," I would like to raise the idea of Ditto being added under Boost Removers as a niche option. Imposter + Choice Scarf allows it to turn the tables against many setup sweepers and put intense pressure on the opposing team.

Wow, I can't believe I missed Draconium-Z Pajantom, that is definitely one of its best sets. Thanks for noticing, I'm definitely adding it. For Ditto as a Boost remover, I think that would be huge stretch, as it doesn't really remove the boosts, it's more like a deterrent for set-up sweepers.

 

[Hys]

Add gliscor as Boosting stallbreaker (SD), as it's Smogon's recommended set, and beats Standard Stall/sableye-Mega much easier.

Add Tapu Fini as boosting Stallbreaker (CM) Fini is an exception because on CM sets it still runs taunt. I would advocate for boosting as well

Add Mimikyum for Z-moves, as Lets Snuggle Forever is an extremely potent nuke, and is probably more viable IMO that ghostium. Doesnt mind being Hazed by Tomo if running Mimikyum, as seen below.
252+ Atk Mimikyu Let's Snuggle Forever vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Tomohawk: 408-482 (98.5 - 116.4%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO after Leftovers recovery

Add Weavile to Choice band users, as Banded pursuit destroys many threats for bulkier teams, and it's also Smogon's recommended set.

Add Voodoom to either Psychium or Electrium users. Both options have a ~70% chance to OHKO Tomohawk. Electrium is better in this meta(Imo) as it trades hitting Venusaur-Mega and Mollux for Celesteela, Bulky Waters, Charizard-Y, and Pinsir-Mega. Both also act as an all-around solid nuke with a nasty plot up.

Add Kyurem-B under Electrium users, as Z-Fusion Bolt hits quite hard, especially under Electric terrain, which is where it is commonly used.

Add Tapu Fini under Haze users, as it prevents 'Mons from setting up/continuing to sweep such as Volcarona, Revenankh, Voodoom, and Bulk Up Arghonaut. It also can be used with Icium to heal once for 50% of Fini's Hp, making it a more reliable Ash-Gren and Keldeo check.

This may be nitpicky but add Shift Gear in the Rock Polish category for Magearna, as it also boosts it's attack by one.

Under Trick room could you create a section for 'Mons that set their own trick room and abuse it? The sets are normally called OTR, and are abused by Pokemon such as Stakatacka, Hoopa-U and Magearna. If this conflicts too much with Offensive abusers its fine if you don't add this.

Sorry for long post, this thread looks great! n.n

 

[snake]

Hys this is a great post, but I have one nitpick:

Add Colossoil to Fake Out users, with it's Flame Orb Guts set.

Fake Out Colossoil is not that great. Ensuring that you always get Flame Orb boost is a basically wasted moveslot, especially when you can U-turn in Colossoil and activate Flame Orb. Colossoil already wants to be running Earthquake, Knock Off, and Facade on Flame Orb sets, and there are a bunch of good moves for the fourth slot like Fire Fang, Sucker Punch, or Pursuit. I just don't think Fake Out uses Colossoil's moveslots nearly as well as other moves that Colossoil has to offer.

 

[Mx]

A new CAP has appeared in the Role Compendium! Jumbao is now included into Choice Scarf, Choice Specs, Specially Defensive Pivot, Wish user, and Sun support.

As always, all suggestions are welcomed.

 

[JayHeaven]

A new CAP has appeared in the Role Compendium! Jumbao is now included into Choice Scarf, Choice Specs, Specially Defensive Pivot, Wish user, and Sun support.

As always, all suggestions are welcomed.

Should also add jumbao under wall breaker as pyroak, mega venusaur and chansey are its only counters vs specs or lo

 

[Drapionswing]

I would add Necturna into Wallbreaker/Set-Up Sweepers, wherever you think is more appropriate.

 

[G-Luke]

I would move Mega Alt from viable megas to niche, as it took quite a fall from last gen and still struggles to find opportunities to set up. Also it really hurts that all common Scarfers outspeed at +1.

 

[Mx]

Alright, I've updated this to better comply with the new viability rankings, so hopefully this should reflect the current metagame much more accurately. As always, suggestions are welcomed!