hello again all, we're back with another suspect test! Despite Latias' departure from the tier, the metagame is seemingly somewhat unbalanced at the moment, as seen by the UU playerbase survey results. The UU Council has decided that Terrakion is the next Pokemon for the chopping block.
Terrakion, much like Latias, returns to the top of the tier after its SM campaign. Despite its lack of Z Moves, Terrakion faces no struggle in overrunning the metagame with its immense power, ideal speed tier, and impeccable STAB coverage. Unlike SM, however, there are a multitude of checks and counters that are not available or not viable like they were before. Things such as Mega Altaria, Gligar, Latias, and Hippowdon are unavailable to UU, while things like Doublade and Starmie are nonexistent, further limiting a teams ability's to combat Terrakion easily. With its introduction into Sword and Shield, it also gained the ability to use Megahorn, which allows it to blow past things such as Slowking much easier than before.
Unlike Latias, Terrakion is a rather straightforward Pokemon; it only needs to click its two STAB attacks to be a top tier Pokemon. Currently, there are only three Pokemon ranked on the Viability Rankings that resist both of Terrakion's STABs; Nidoqueen, Doublade, and Palossand. Between its STABs and access to the only two coverage moves it will ever need, Megahorn and Earthquake, it is more than capable of taking down any Pokemon available in the tier. Only Palossand is capable of switching into a Choice Band Terrakion, but fails to knock it out, which can lead to dicey situations vs Swords Dance, while ignoring the fact it is a liability if there is not a Terrakion.
While its strength is unmatched, Terrakion will rarely dominate the game to the extent it is immediately done. Terrakion is very easily revenge killed; all three of January's most used Pokemon (Scizor, Zeraora, Krookodile) are frequently used to force Terrakion out given the free opportunity. Terrakion does not have the longevity or defensive typing to thrive throughout the game without easily being forced out after clicking one move. Terrakion also very frequently is forced into guessing games; while its two STABs together are nigh on impossible to wall, every team will have resists to both of its STABs, and it is more than realistic to have someone try to pivot in a Pokemon that can tank one of them and force it out. Despite its incredibly well rounded stats, Terrakion frequently struggles to switch into attacks, and can only find opportunities when given a free turn.
The UU Council held an informal vote on which of the three things to prioritize; a Victini suspect test, a Terrakion suspect test, and an Aegislash retest. While the community at large very slightly preferred a Victini suspect test, Terrakion was the preferred of the two within the Council. It is highly likely these are the next two things we do following the conclusion of this suspect test, but we did not want to merge them together and have elected to start with Terrakion.
The voting requirements are a minimum GXE of 80 with at least 50 games played. In addition, you may play 1 less game for every 0.2 GXE you have above 80 GXE, down to a minimum of 30 games at a GXE of 84. As always, needing more than 50 games to reach 80 GXE is fine.
| GXE | minimum games |
| 80 | 50 |
| 80.2 | 49 |
| 80.4 | 48 |
| 80.6 | 47 |
| 80.8 | 46 |
| 81 | 45 |
| 81.2 | 44 |
| 81.4 | 43 |
| 81.6 | 42 |
| 81.8 | 41 |
| 82 | 40 |
| 82.2 | 39 |
| 82.4 | 38 |
| 82.6 | 37 |
| 82.8 | 36 |
| 83 | 35 |
| 83.2 | 34 |
| 83.4 | 33 |
| 83.6 | 32 |
| 83.8 | 31 |
| 84 | 30 |
Other than that, the test will operate as always. There will be no suspect ladder. Instead, the standard UU ladder will remain open. Those who wish to participate in this suspect test will instead use a fresh, suspect-specific alt. All games must be played on the Pokemon Showdown! UU ladder on a fresh alt with the following format: "UU8T (Nick)." For example, I might register the alt UU8T TDK to ladder with. You must meet the listed format in order to qualify.
Participants will have until Friday, March 5th at 8:59 PM GMT -5 to meet voting requirements and post in the Alt Identification Thread. PLEASE DO NOT POST YOUR CONFIRMED SUSPECT RESULTS HERE - there is a dedicated thread for identifying your suspect results. Happy laddering!
Zeraora, faster, has CC and Play Rough, CC OHKOs, PR KOs after chip.
Azu, banded jet KO's after chip damage, Rak cannot KO back unless gets the highest possible roll on a Choice Band Stone Edge (but realistically it's not staying in and is getting forced out)
Scarf Jirachi, Iron Head, 60% flinch, then KO. Ok this one is not the best and I hate using hax Jirachi (in fact if you suspected this it would probably be the only UU mon I would vote to ban), but I'm just going down the VR's in order so we'll keep this on here.
Kommo can eat a hit, any hit, and KO with CC if it's offensive or Body Press if it's defensive.
Scizor is the easiest thing to use to KO it. Banded BP is a guaranteed OHKO. Life Orb BP is about a 63% chance to OHKO (guaranteed OHKO after chip)
Rak cannot KO Tapu Bulu with any attacks and Bulu will OHKO it with Horn Leech.
Keldeo w/ Scarf will KO it, and if it's not scarf then it's a Speed tie.
Scarf Krook is an easy revenge killer to Rak
Zam is faster and will OHKO
Conk will need a bit of chip to KO Terrakion with Mach Punch, but will get the job done.
Rak's main competion, Lycandog, is faster and will KO with CC.
Thundurus (the I form) will OHKO with Focus Blast, or KO with Psychic after some chip.
