One of the interesting characteristics I have noticed about this generation is the huge expansion of priority options compared to last generation. From 4th generation to 5th generation, the common priority users stayed the same. The mainstay priorities were Bullet Punch (Scizor / small Lucario), Ice Shard (Mamoswine), Mach Punch (Breloom), and Extremespeed (Lucario / Dragonite). Only a handful of Pokemon that were common in the OU metagame really used these powerful priorities. Not to say that other Pokemon couldn't use a priority, such as Weaville; Feraligatr; Metagross; and Conkeldurr, but the priority used in OU was almost always from Mamoswine, Breloom, Scizor, and Dragonite (these were the strongest priority moves).
From 5th Generation to 6th Generation we have seen a huge bloom in priority users. First, many Pokemon were introduced that have a new type of priority or have an old priority move that didn't have a good user. Second and more importantly, many old Pokemon that had priority were buffed to get a chance to shine in OU or got priority this generation. As opposed to just 5 pokemon really using priority in OU, we now have a good variety of Pokemon that have powerful priority.
New Priority Users:
Shadow Sneak
Aegislash is currently one of the most dominant Pokemon in OU right now and it is also the most common priority user. In addition to its stellar defensive typing of Steel/Ghost and 60/150/150 defenses, it has access to immediate base 150 Atk and base 150 SpA through Stance Chance. Aegislash is the first user of Shadow Sneak to have base +120 attack.
It shouldn't be a mystery as to why Shadow Sneak is such a popular option on Aegislash. The priority makes up for Aegislash's low base 60 speed. Since Steel does not resist Ghost anymore and Ghost has great neutrality, Shadow Sneak can become a nifty option to clean up late game. The base 150 priority can also be a nice revenge killing tool against fast Ghost and Psychic types or weakened sweepers.
Unfortunately, Aegislash can be easily out-prioritized due to his slow base speed.
Aqua Jet (why stupid formating issues xenoforums q.q)
Last generation, Aqua Jet was only found on Rain teams looking for a sweet endgame sweeper. Rain-boosted Aqua Jets were some of the most powerful priorities in the tier, usually with Feraligatr. Now, Aqua Jet is a common sight in the OU tier thanks to a newly buffed Azumarill. Azumarill gained a Fairy-typing this generation that adds an impressive set of resists and an immunity to Dragons. In addition, Azumarill can now use Belly Drum + Aqua Jet together legally due to new breeding mechanics this generation. Normally, one finds Azumarill firing off its powerful Huge Power boosted moves with a Choice Band, acting as a pivot and revenge killer, or boosting with Belly Drum, acting as a late game sweeper.
Another new Aqua Jet user is Crawdaunt. Crawdaunt is not as popular as Azumarill because it does not have a nice pair of resists, but it does make up for it with a better STAB and power. Since Steel does not resist Dark anymore, Crawdaunt can spam its Dark-type STAB much more easily. Knock Off now has 95 base power when an opposing Pokemon has an item. That stings very much coming off an Adaptability+Choice Band boost. Crawdaunt also has a base 100 physical water-STAB: Crabhammer. In tandem, few Pokemon can stomach the awesome power Crawdaunt offers.
Sucker Punch
Sucker Punch is not resisted by Steel-types anymore. This new property makes it much harder for offensive teams to stomach, in addition to its great 80 base power. Bisharp takes advantage of this new property the most because now its Steel+Dark STAB combination compliment each other perfectly. With just one SD and a Dread Plate, Bisharp has the capability of to OHKO Garchomp with Sucker Punch. Talk about power.
Sucker Punch has been a common move among many of the Mega-Evolutions introduced into the tier. Mega-Mawhile incorporates Sucker Punch into its moveset because with Play Rough Mega-Mawhile obtains perfect neutral coverage. It also makes up for its low speed. While Mega-Mawhile does not have STAB on Sucker Punch, having the highest attack stat in the game makes up for the power (base 105 Huge Power). Mega-Absol can use Sucker Punch very well because Magic Bounce prevents the usage of most non-attacking moves. It also has STAB and base 150 attack to back it.
Our mega-friend Mega Kanghaskan used his 120 base power (after parental bond) Sucker Punch too well in OU to beat faster threats so he got the boot.
Flying-type Priority
For the first time time in Pokemon, we have flying type priority! Talonflame is very popular right now, since its Gale Wings Brave Bird is such a great revenge killing tool. While Talonflame isn't very powerful on its own with base 81 attack, it effectively has the strongest priority move in the game coming in at 180 base power (factoring in STAB). That makes it twice as powerful as Scizor's STAB-Technician Bullet Punch, which clocks in at 90 base power. Here is a calc that shows that power difference:
252+ Atk Choice Band Technician (Scizor) Bullet Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def (custom): 162-192 (47.5 - 56.3%) -- 82.42% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band (Talonflame) Brave Bird vs. 0 HP / 0 Def (custom): 235-277 (68.91 - 81.23%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Talonflame can out prioritize every other priority user in OU due to its extremely high base speed. Gale Wings has the nifty side effect of also giving priority to Roost and Tailwind.
Mega-Pinsir also has priority in the form of Aerialite Quick Attack. While its priority is not as strong as Talonflame, its main sweeping move Return, blows Talonflame out of the sky. Return clocks in at 199 base power when factoring in Aerialite's 30% boost. This same boost applies to Quick Attack, which becomes 78 base power after the Aerialite boost. When you bring in Swords Dance and a nice base 155 attack into the equation with the Aerialite boost, you have a monster on your hands.
Unfortunately, both of the users of Flying-type priority are x4 weak to Stealth Rock!
Bullet Punch
Lucario had access to Bullet Punch in generation 5 and included it on his SD set to beat Terrakion and Gengar. What distinguishes Bullet Punch Lucario this generation is that Bullet Punch is boosted by Adaptability on Mega Lucario. Adaptability boosted Bullet Punch on Mega Lucario is just as strong as Scizor's Technician boosted Bullet Punch. After an SD, Mega Lucario's Bullet Punch is actually strong enough to kill many fairy-types that might stand in its way. While its Bullet Punch is mainly to aid its sweep, it can still be used as a revenge killing tool.
Quick Attack / Extreme Speed
Diggersby adds another Huge Power user on our list. His Quick Attack actually hits harder than Azumarill Aqua's Jet on a neutral target. While not as good as Aqua Jet for a revenge killing tool, since it is resisted by more targets, Quick Attack can still allow Diggersby to pick off threats late game and combat its low speed.
While not as powerful as Dragonite, Zygarde does have access to Extemespeed. Zygarde's Extremespeed is not great for revenge killing because it is quite weak, but it is an excellent aid to Zygarde's sweeping potential. DD Zygarde is a weird combination of Dragonite and Garchomp. It has the bulk and movepool that Dragonite has, but the extra Ground-STAB to help it take out Steel / Fairies that Garchomp can and it isn't weak to Stealth Rock.
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So how do these new priority moves contribute to OU? Well, the addition to all these priority users in addition to all the old ones means teams are not as reliant on speed to check offensive threats. Azumarill, Mega-Mawhile, and Aegislash all make excellent bulky pivots for an offensive team, but still maintain the ability to check offensive threats. This variety also means in an offense vs offense matchup, one can not easily "clean" sweep through an opposing team with just one sweeper (multiple priorities can chip at one sweeper). What do you guys think? Anymore new / improved users you can think of?
From 5th Generation to 6th Generation we have seen a huge bloom in priority users. First, many Pokemon were introduced that have a new type of priority or have an old priority move that didn't have a good user. Second and more importantly, many old Pokemon that had priority were buffed to get a chance to shine in OU or got priority this generation. As opposed to just 5 pokemon really using priority in OU, we now have a good variety of Pokemon that have powerful priority.
New Priority Users:
Shadow Sneak
Aegislash is currently one of the most dominant Pokemon in OU right now and it is also the most common priority user. In addition to its stellar defensive typing of Steel/Ghost and 60/150/150 defenses, it has access to immediate base 150 Atk and base 150 SpA through Stance Chance. Aegislash is the first user of Shadow Sneak to have base +120 attack.
It shouldn't be a mystery as to why Shadow Sneak is such a popular option on Aegislash. The priority makes up for Aegislash's low base 60 speed. Since Steel does not resist Ghost anymore and Ghost has great neutrality, Shadow Sneak can become a nifty option to clean up late game. The base 150 priority can also be a nice revenge killing tool against fast Ghost and Psychic types or weakened sweepers.
Unfortunately, Aegislash can be easily out-prioritized due to his slow base speed.
Aqua Jet (why stupid formating issues xenoforums q.q)
Last generation, Aqua Jet was only found on Rain teams looking for a sweet endgame sweeper. Rain-boosted Aqua Jets were some of the most powerful priorities in the tier, usually with Feraligatr. Now, Aqua Jet is a common sight in the OU tier thanks to a newly buffed Azumarill. Azumarill gained a Fairy-typing this generation that adds an impressive set of resists and an immunity to Dragons. In addition, Azumarill can now use Belly Drum + Aqua Jet together legally due to new breeding mechanics this generation. Normally, one finds Azumarill firing off its powerful Huge Power boosted moves with a Choice Band, acting as a pivot and revenge killer, or boosting with Belly Drum, acting as a late game sweeper.
Another new Aqua Jet user is Crawdaunt. Crawdaunt is not as popular as Azumarill because it does not have a nice pair of resists, but it does make up for it with a better STAB and power. Since Steel does not resist Dark anymore, Crawdaunt can spam its Dark-type STAB much more easily. Knock Off now has 95 base power when an opposing Pokemon has an item. That stings very much coming off an Adaptability+Choice Band boost. Crawdaunt also has a base 100 physical water-STAB: Crabhammer. In tandem, few Pokemon can stomach the awesome power Crawdaunt offers.
Sucker Punch
Sucker Punch is not resisted by Steel-types anymore. This new property makes it much harder for offensive teams to stomach, in addition to its great 80 base power. Bisharp takes advantage of this new property the most because now its Steel+Dark STAB combination compliment each other perfectly. With just one SD and a Dread Plate, Bisharp has the capability of to OHKO Garchomp with Sucker Punch. Talk about power.
Sucker Punch has been a common move among many of the Mega-Evolutions introduced into the tier. Mega-Mawhile incorporates Sucker Punch into its moveset because with Play Rough Mega-Mawhile obtains perfect neutral coverage. It also makes up for its low speed. While Mega-Mawhile does not have STAB on Sucker Punch, having the highest attack stat in the game makes up for the power (base 105 Huge Power). Mega-Absol can use Sucker Punch very well because Magic Bounce prevents the usage of most non-attacking moves. It also has STAB and base 150 attack to back it.
Our mega-friend Mega Kanghaskan used his 120 base power (after parental bond) Sucker Punch too well in OU to beat faster threats so he got the boot.
Flying-type Priority
For the first time time in Pokemon, we have flying type priority! Talonflame is very popular right now, since its Gale Wings Brave Bird is such a great revenge killing tool. While Talonflame isn't very powerful on its own with base 81 attack, it effectively has the strongest priority move in the game coming in at 180 base power (factoring in STAB). That makes it twice as powerful as Scizor's STAB-Technician Bullet Punch, which clocks in at 90 base power. Here is a calc that shows that power difference:
252+ Atk Choice Band Technician (Scizor) Bullet Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def (custom): 162-192 (47.5 - 56.3%) -- 82.42% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band (Talonflame) Brave Bird vs. 0 HP / 0 Def (custom): 235-277 (68.91 - 81.23%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Talonflame can out prioritize every other priority user in OU due to its extremely high base speed. Gale Wings has the nifty side effect of also giving priority to Roost and Tailwind.
Mega-Pinsir also has priority in the form of Aerialite Quick Attack. While its priority is not as strong as Talonflame, its main sweeping move Return, blows Talonflame out of the sky. Return clocks in at 199 base power when factoring in Aerialite's 30% boost. This same boost applies to Quick Attack, which becomes 78 base power after the Aerialite boost. When you bring in Swords Dance and a nice base 155 attack into the equation with the Aerialite boost, you have a monster on your hands.
Unfortunately, both of the users of Flying-type priority are x4 weak to Stealth Rock!
Bullet Punch
Lucario had access to Bullet Punch in generation 5 and included it on his SD set to beat Terrakion and Gengar. What distinguishes Bullet Punch Lucario this generation is that Bullet Punch is boosted by Adaptability on Mega Lucario. Adaptability boosted Bullet Punch on Mega Lucario is just as strong as Scizor's Technician boosted Bullet Punch. After an SD, Mega Lucario's Bullet Punch is actually strong enough to kill many fairy-types that might stand in its way. While its Bullet Punch is mainly to aid its sweep, it can still be used as a revenge killing tool.
Quick Attack / Extreme Speed
Diggersby adds another Huge Power user on our list. His Quick Attack actually hits harder than Azumarill Aqua's Jet on a neutral target. While not as good as Aqua Jet for a revenge killing tool, since it is resisted by more targets, Quick Attack can still allow Diggersby to pick off threats late game and combat its low speed.
While not as powerful as Dragonite, Zygarde does have access to Extemespeed. Zygarde's Extremespeed is not great for revenge killing because it is quite weak, but it is an excellent aid to Zygarde's sweeping potential. DD Zygarde is a weird combination of Dragonite and Garchomp. It has the bulk and movepool that Dragonite has, but the extra Ground-STAB to help it take out Steel / Fairies that Garchomp can and it isn't weak to Stealth Rock.
___________________________________________________________
So how do these new priority moves contribute to OU? Well, the addition to all these priority users in addition to all the old ones means teams are not as reliant on speed to check offensive threats. Azumarill, Mega-Mawhile, and Aegislash all make excellent bulky pivots for an offensive team, but still maintain the ability to check offensive threats. This variety also means in an offense vs offense matchup, one can not easily "clean" sweep through an opposing team with just one sweeper (multiple priorities can chip at one sweeper). What do you guys think? Anymore new / improved users you can think of?
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