Now for the other theorymon of the week,
Stealth Rock calculating damage like Spikes
Just so everyone’s on the right page, this change will make Steath Rock do a flat 1/8 of a Pokemon’s health when they enter battle. Similarly to the standard Stealth Rock, this variant can hit levitating and flying pokemon as well, but will always do 1/8 of their total health. Magic Guard pokemon remain immune, however. There’s not much to say generally about this change aside from certain pokemon changing in viability such as...
The Winners
These pokemon benefit from this change, as the standard Stealth Rock cripple them to certain extents by cutting into their bulk, but losing 1/8 compared to 1/4 or even 1/2 of their health is a big improvement. Some pokemon may improve due to their checks taking more than usual from Stealth Rock, or have a good match up against the pokmon directly getting better due to the change.
Defoggers
These pokemon fall under the category of Defoggers weak to the standard Stealth Rock. Stealth Rock usually tends annoy these pokemon as they attempt to find an opportunity to do their job, and in some cases forced them to use their recovery move more than they would like. The new Stealth Rock would give these defoggers more breathing room and chances to switch in safely, as they would obviously be chipped much slower. Articuno is the biggest winner here, with it usually having a horrible quad-weakness to Stealth Rock, it now becomes an absolute nightmare for balance to effectively pressure and becomes incredibly effective on stall. It would be very likely that a higher tier would take Articuno by usage if this change to Stealth Rock was applied, but it would be very frustrating to defeat down here in PU.
Bug Types
Bug types are fairly uncommon in current day PU, outside Scyther, but the new Stealth Rock can give rise for more popularity and viability for different bugs. Scyther, and even its inferior competition in Ninjask, are obvious benefiters of this change without having to worry about half their health being gone on a switch in. This would make choice sets in particular easier to use, as they don’t have the luxury of Roost to alleviate the usual Stealth Rock weakness, thus making them more effective pivoters and spammers of U-turn. Shuckle’s main selling point over competition like Smeargle as a webber is its longevity, and this new change only solidifies that strength and allows Shuckle to play mid game easier. Even something as silly a Butterfree can, at the very least, receive new attention and usage, with Choice Specs sets not being as frail, or Quiver Dance sets even.
Fire Types
At the moment, PU lacks many stand out fire types, with previous ones getting banned or rising by usage, but reduced Stealth Rock damage can give other fire types a chance to shine. The mini Moltres known as Oricorio has an obvious glaring weakness to regular Stealth Rock, so heavily reducing this weakness opens up opportunities as a new fighting and Lilligant check for teams. It’s possible Oricorio would adopt similar sets to the other Oricorio forms, being the fat set, and the offensive Calm Mind set. Rapidash is one of those mons better on paper than in practice, but part of that is being forced to Morning Sun more often than preferred, thus having the new Stealth Rock be an obvious buff and helps mitigate that issue. Turtonator’s an odd pokemon but taking less chip upon switch in allows Turtonator to capitalize on its bulk to set up and/or tank hits from choice scarfers.
Ice types
With their infamously awful defensive typing, ice types can use all the help they can get in terms of taking hits, and a new Stealth Rock is a big step in the right direction for them. Aurorus and Abomasnow can depend more on raw bulk so they get more chances to break. Regice mitigates a big weakness in hazards to check threats like Lilligant and Swanna easier. Avalugg’s capable of capitalizing on its insane bulk and is not pressured to Recover as often, while also being more appealing as a spinner.
Pokemon benefiting indirectly
I believe these pokemon benefit indirectly, as they have decent match ups against most of the aftermentioned pokemon that directly benefit from the new Stealth Rock. They are capable of pressuring most of them through typing, with rock types appreciating ground and steel types taking more from Stealth Rock, and Alolan Raichu capable of setting up on these pokemon with the threat of its Z move. Jellicent can defensively check fire, bug, and ice types while remaining directly unaffected by Stealth Rock.
The Losers
These pokemon get worse in viability, to varying degrees and for different reasons. Defensive and bulky pokemon may not appreciate the extra chip from the new Stealth Rock, as it leaves them more prone to being worn down. Certain pokemon may get indirectly worse, just like how some may get indirectly better, due to their checks becoming more prominent, or their better match ups becoming less relevant.
Bulky Ground types
Ground types taking an additional 6% may not be a big deal for pokemon like Alolan Dugtrio, but when defensive grounds like Mudsdale are needed for checking Lycanroc and Aggron, the extra chip starts to show in the long run. It does not help that Mudsdale and Stunfisk lack reliable recovery, and thus are easier to pressure from coming in as much.
Fighting types
The many fighting types populating PU would dislike the change to Stealth Rock for obvious reasons. Gurdurr, Hitmonchan, and Poliwrath all rely on their bulk to gain openings to switch in and effectively check various threats, but added Stealth Rock damage makes their job more difficult to outlast their checks. Hitmonchan in particular is also a hazard remover, so winning the hazard game becomes a lot harder with it constantly switching in on Stealth Rock. Even Primeape does not appreciate being chipped into range of Carracosta Aqua Jet or Togedemaru Iron Head quicker than usual.
Pokemon hindered indirectly
As you can probably tell, the pokemon who got better with the changes all pressure grass types quite easily through typing. Mesprit I think also would indirectly get slighty worse, with Defoggers not minding the Stealth Rock damage as much, as well as the bug types, along with certain special breakers capable of pressuring it as well.
————————————————————
But wait, there’s more! I would like to put forth some ideas for future weeks.
What if Pursuit did not exist?
What if Snow Warning was banned?
What if there was a Trick Room extender?
Stealth Rock calculating damage like Spikes
Just so everyone’s on the right page, this change will make Steath Rock do a flat 1/8 of a Pokemon’s health when they enter battle. Similarly to the standard Stealth Rock, this variant can hit levitating and flying pokemon as well, but will always do 1/8 of their total health. Magic Guard pokemon remain immune, however. There’s not much to say generally about this change aside from certain pokemon changing in viability such as...
The Winners
These pokemon benefit from this change, as the standard Stealth Rock cripple them to certain extents by cutting into their bulk, but losing 1/8 compared to 1/4 or even 1/2 of their health is a big improvement. Some pokemon may improve due to their checks taking more than usual from Stealth Rock, or have a good match up against the pokmon directly getting better due to the change.
Defoggers
These pokemon fall under the category of Defoggers weak to the standard Stealth Rock. Stealth Rock usually tends annoy these pokemon as they attempt to find an opportunity to do their job, and in some cases forced them to use their recovery move more than they would like. The new Stealth Rock would give these defoggers more breathing room and chances to switch in safely, as they would obviously be chipped much slower. Articuno is the biggest winner here, with it usually having a horrible quad-weakness to Stealth Rock, it now becomes an absolute nightmare for balance to effectively pressure and becomes incredibly effective on stall. It would be very likely that a higher tier would take Articuno by usage if this change to Stealth Rock was applied, but it would be very frustrating to defeat down here in PU.
Bug Types
Bug types are fairly uncommon in current day PU, outside Scyther, but the new Stealth Rock can give rise for more popularity and viability for different bugs. Scyther, and even its inferior competition in Ninjask, are obvious benefiters of this change without having to worry about half their health being gone on a switch in. This would make choice sets in particular easier to use, as they don’t have the luxury of Roost to alleviate the usual Stealth Rock weakness, thus making them more effective pivoters and spammers of U-turn. Shuckle’s main selling point over competition like Smeargle as a webber is its longevity, and this new change only solidifies that strength and allows Shuckle to play mid game easier. Even something as silly a Butterfree can, at the very least, receive new attention and usage, with Choice Specs sets not being as frail, or Quiver Dance sets even.
Fire Types
At the moment, PU lacks many stand out fire types, with previous ones getting banned or rising by usage, but reduced Stealth Rock damage can give other fire types a chance to shine. The mini Moltres known as Oricorio has an obvious glaring weakness to regular Stealth Rock, so heavily reducing this weakness opens up opportunities as a new fighting and Lilligant check for teams. It’s possible Oricorio would adopt similar sets to the other Oricorio forms, being the fat set, and the offensive Calm Mind set. Rapidash is one of those mons better on paper than in practice, but part of that is being forced to Morning Sun more often than preferred, thus having the new Stealth Rock be an obvious buff and helps mitigate that issue. Turtonator’s an odd pokemon but taking less chip upon switch in allows Turtonator to capitalize on its bulk to set up and/or tank hits from choice scarfers.
Ice types
With their infamously awful defensive typing, ice types can use all the help they can get in terms of taking hits, and a new Stealth Rock is a big step in the right direction for them. Aurorus and Abomasnow can depend more on raw bulk so they get more chances to break. Regice mitigates a big weakness in hazards to check threats like Lilligant and Swanna easier. Avalugg’s capable of capitalizing on its insane bulk and is not pressured to Recover as often, while also being more appealing as a spinner.
Pokemon benefiting indirectly
I believe these pokemon benefit indirectly, as they have decent match ups against most of the aftermentioned pokemon that directly benefit from the new Stealth Rock. They are capable of pressuring most of them through typing, with rock types appreciating ground and steel types taking more from Stealth Rock, and Alolan Raichu capable of setting up on these pokemon with the threat of its Z move. Jellicent can defensively check fire, bug, and ice types while remaining directly unaffected by Stealth Rock.
The Losers
These pokemon get worse in viability, to varying degrees and for different reasons. Defensive and bulky pokemon may not appreciate the extra chip from the new Stealth Rock, as it leaves them more prone to being worn down. Certain pokemon may get indirectly worse, just like how some may get indirectly better, due to their checks becoming more prominent, or their better match ups becoming less relevant.
Bulky Ground types
Ground types taking an additional 6% may not be a big deal for pokemon like Alolan Dugtrio, but when defensive grounds like Mudsdale are needed for checking Lycanroc and Aggron, the extra chip starts to show in the long run. It does not help that Mudsdale and Stunfisk lack reliable recovery, and thus are easier to pressure from coming in as much.
Fighting types
The many fighting types populating PU would dislike the change to Stealth Rock for obvious reasons. Gurdurr, Hitmonchan, and Poliwrath all rely on their bulk to gain openings to switch in and effectively check various threats, but added Stealth Rock damage makes their job more difficult to outlast their checks. Hitmonchan in particular is also a hazard remover, so winning the hazard game becomes a lot harder with it constantly switching in on Stealth Rock. Even Primeape does not appreciate being chipped into range of Carracosta Aqua Jet or Togedemaru Iron Head quicker than usual.
Pokemon hindered indirectly
As you can probably tell, the pokemon who got better with the changes all pressure grass types quite easily through typing. Mesprit I think also would indirectly get slighty worse, with Defoggers not minding the Stealth Rock damage as much, as well as the bug types, along with certain special breakers capable of pressuring it as well.
————————————————————
But wait, there’s more! I would like to put forth some ideas for future weeks.
What if Pursuit did not exist?
What if Snow Warning was banned?
What if there was a Trick Room extender?
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