Resource SV ZU Viability List [post home/DLC1]

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Corthius

Corthius

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op stolen from the old VL. last updated november 13, 2023.

Welcome to the second viability list of Scarlet and Violet ZU! The metagame has shaken up quite a bit with the multiple ways that new pokemon got introduced. The VR council has come up with the following viability list, shoutout to S1nn0hC0nfirm3d, who was part of the initial vote. Rather than following conventional rankings of A, B, and C, Pokemon for the simple Viability List are grouped into 4 categories, shown down below. Credits to Lily for the descriptions of these rankings from last generation's viability lists.

Top Tier: The absolute best pokemon in the tier. These stand above any other pokemon and are fitting for most, if not all, playstyles that are prominent in the meta. They must always be accounted for when teambuilding.
High Tier: The best Pokemon in the tier. You will see these commonly when playing games, and they will consistently perform their role. They must always be accounted for when teambuilding.
Mid Tier: These Pokemon are strong on their own merits and can pull their weight most of the time, but may require more support than Pokemon in the High Tier, or may be less consistent.
Low Tier: These Pokemon have niches in the metagame and can be used to fill specific roles, but are held back by their lacking consistency and are less common as a result.

:crabominable: Crabominable
:electrode: Electrode
:falinks: Falinks
:lycanroc-midnight: Lycanroc-Midnight
:mabosstiff: Mabosstiff
:masquerain: Masquerain
:perrserker: Perrserker
:raichu: Raichu
:rotom-fan: Rotom-Fan
:rotom-frost: Rotom-Frost
:tauros: Tauros
:ursaring: Ursaring
:wyrdeer: Wyrdeer:
:zangoose: Zangoose

New!
:arbok: Arbok
:klawf: Klawf
:leavanny: Leavanny
:ludicolo: Ludicolo
:sneasel: Sneasel
:thwackey: Thwackey
:trevenant: Trevenant
:victreebel: Victreebel
:volbeat: Volbeat

Top
:indeedee-f: Indeedee-F
:leafeon: Leafeon
:misdreavus: Misdreavus
:rotom-fan: Rotom-Fan
:tinkatuff: Tinkatuff

High
:dugtrio: Dugtrio
:gabite: Gabite
:golduck: Golduck
:sawsbuck: Sawsbuck
:swalot: Swalot

Mid
:ampharos: Ampharos
:banette: Banette
:cacturne: Cacturne
:camerupt: Camerupt
:clefairy: Clefairy
:dachsbun: Dachsbun
:dedenne: Dedenne
:ditto: Ditto
:dunsparce: Dunsparce
:dusknoir: Dusknoir
:flapple: Flapple
:frogadier: Frogadier
:glaceon: Glaceon
:gogoat: Gogoat
:grumpig: Grumpig
:illumise: Illumise
:kricketune: Kricketune
:lumineon: Lumineon
:noctowl: Noctowl
:phione: Phione
:quaxwell: Quaxwell
:sliggoo-hisui: Sliggoo-Hisui
:squawkabilly: Squawkabilly

Low
:beartic: Beartic
:calyrex: Calyrex
:chimecho: Chimecho
:crocalor: Crocalor
:dartrix: Dartrix
:dusclops: Dusclops
:eelektrik: Eelektrik
:flareon: Flareon
:fraxure: Fraxure
:furret: Furret
:glalie: Glalie
:glimmet: Glimmet
:greedent: Greedent
:hakamo-o: Hakamo-o
:jumpluff: Jumpluff
:krokorok: Krokorok
:magcargo: Magcargo
:monferno: Monferno
:persian: Persian
:pincurchin: Pincurchin
:pupitar: Pupitar
:quilladin: Quilladin
:raboot: Raboot
:rabsca: Rabsca
:scovillain: Scovillain
:stonjourner: Stonjourner
:sudowoodo: Sudowoodo
:tropius: Tropius
:vespiquen: Vespiquen
:vullaby: Vullaby
:vulpix-alola: Vulpix-Alola
:wugtrio: Wugtrio
 
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It's quite interesting to see Calyrex so low in the viability rankings. Even with tools such as Calm Mind and Leech Seed, it really is that bad?
 
Gambit_Gamin said:
It's quite interesting to see Calyrex so low in the viability rankings. Even with tools such as Calm Mind and Leech Seed, it really is that bad?
Click to expand...
Yes. Calyrex suffers from one of the worst defensive typings in the game, with a ton of weaknesses, especially to faster revenge killers like Raboot, Frogadier, Choice Scarf Krokorok, Lumineon, Squakabilly.... you name it. Basically anything faster than it and viable will have strong, super effective coverage to nail it, with its nasty U-turn weakness being especially hard to build around given the inherent loss of momentum.

That's a huge liability defensively that other Psychic-types like Grumpig and Girafarig don't worry about. Conversely, those two can pull off roles as Psychic-type sweepers while still offering defensive merit for the team and for themselves in regards to setup opportunities in the form of Grumpig's Thick Fat and Girafarig's Eviolite bulk.

So ultimately, Calyrex is a niche setup sweeper, outclassed by at least two other Psychic-types that fulfill similar yet superior roles. Its best bet is as an Agility + Calm Mind sweeper, as STAB Giga Drain can be decent when backed with a boosted Stored Power. See below:

Calyrex @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Unnerve
Tera Type: Steel
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Agility
- Calm Mind
- Stored Power
- Giga Drain

Weakness Policy can work as well, especially with screens support. Giga Drain can also be swapped for Draining Kiss with Tera Fairy.
 
Henlo sers,

why is the best physical wall in zu not ranked?

MUDBRAY
Stamina/ Terra steel
- stealth rocks/rockslide/whatever else
- earthquake
- rest
- roar
Not many physical attackers can get through this bad boy. I’m too lazy to write more than this.

mudbray good
Stop using triple dive wuggy

walls the apparently top tier stonjourner easily,
Greedent (knock off sucks but isn’t the end of the world)

curse sliggy walled/phazed/wrecked
+ a lot more as long as they aren’t hitting you super effectively with the first hit you’re good

he is always there for you
 
PlayaBeavs said:
Henlo sers,

why is the best physical wall in zu not ranked?

MUDBRAY
Stamina/ Terra steel
- stealth rocks/rockslide/whatever else
- earthquake
- rest
- roar
Not many physical attackers can get through this bad boy. I’m too lazy to write more than this.
Click to expand...
Mudbray suffers from the increased power level from the drops we got. Many special attackers like Frogadier and Glaceon can bypass its physical bulk. These pokemon are very common and will cause a hard time for Mudbray to get in. It also faces increased competition as a physical wall Stonjourner and even Sandshrew. Stonjourner is more capable offensively because of its greater Attack and Speed, and can run a lot more viable sets than Mudbray (who, thanks to its lower Speed, is much more passive than Ston). Sandshrew has the neat Knock Off + Rapid Spin combination, which is what Mudbray can offer. Rest also makes Mudbray a sitting duck since it's going to be doing nothing until it wakes up, giving the opposition the time needed to set up.
Outside of those Stealth Rockers? There's also much more useful setters like Camerupt and Clefairy who have better qualities than Mudbray (who only has Stamina).

It was neat before we got these drops, and you COULD use it, but it's just grossly outclassed by many other Stealth Rock setters at this point. Stamina is a great ability, and it has some cool attacking moves, but it's got too many issues with its low Speed and lesser versatility compared to other hazard setters.
 
new updated viability list is out!
:kricketune: UR --> Mid
:tropius: UR --> Low
:ampharos: High --> Mid
:banette: High --> Mid
:bronzor: Low --> UR
:camerupt: High --> Mid
:clefairy: High --> Mid
:crocalor: Mid --> Low
:dartrix: Mid --> Low
:dedenne: High --> Mid
:dewott: Mid --> UR
:dragonair: Mid --> UR
:drakloak: Mid --> UR
:dunsparce: High --> Mid
:dusclops: Mid --> Low
:eelektrik: Mid --> Low
:eiscue: Low --> UR
:fraxure: High --> Low
:frogadier: High --> Mid
:girafarig: Mid --> UR
:glaceon: High --> Mid
:glalie: Mid --> Low
:glimmet: Mid --> Low
:gothitelle: Low --> UR
:greedent: Mid --> Low
:grimer-alola: Mid --> UR
:grumpig: High --> Mid
:hakamo-o: High --> Low
:hypno: Low --> UR
:krokorok: High --> Low
:lumineon: High --> Mid
:luxray: Mid --> UR
:mareanie: Low --> UR
:monferno: High --> Low
:oranguru: Mid --> UR
:pawniard: Mid --> UR
:persian: High --> Low
:pikachu: Mid --> UR
:pincurchin: Mid --> Low
:prinplup: Mid --> UR
:pupitar: Mid --> Low
:raboot: Mid --> Low
:scovillain: Mid --> Low
:sliggoo-hisui: High --> Mid
:spidops: Low --> UR
:squawkabilly: High --> Mid
:stonjourner: Top --> Low
:toedscool: Low --> UR
:vespiquen: Mid --> Low
:vullaby: High --> Low
:wigglytuff: Low --> UR
:ariados: New --> UR
:cacturne: New --> Mid
:chimecho: New --> Low
:dachsbun: New --> Mid
:ditto: New --> Mid
:dugtrio: New --> High
:dusknoir: New --> Mid
:falinks: New --> Top
:flapple: New --> Mid
:furret: New --> Low
:gabite: New --> High
:gogoat: New --> Mid
:golduck: New --> High
:illumise: New --> Mid
:jumpluff: New --> Low
:magcargo: New --> Low
:mightyena: New --> UR
:misdreavus: New --> Top
:noctowl: New --> Mid
:phione: New --> Mid
:quaxwell: New --> Mid
:rabsca: New --> Low
:swalot: New --> High
:tinkatuff: New --> Top
:wyrdeer: New --> Mid
:wugtrio: Mid --> Low
:beartic: ZUBL --> Low
:indeedee-f: ZUBL --> Top
:leafeon: ZUBL --> Top
:lycanroc-midnight: ZUBL --> High
:rotom-fan: ZUBL --> Top
:sawsbuck: ZUBL --> High
Previous RankFinal RankCorthiusDannyDrudfish anemometerMonaiOranBerryBlissey10Tuthur
AmpharosHighMidmidMidmidmidMidMidLow
AriadosNewURurUrurURURURUR
BanetteHighMidmidMidmidmidMidMidLow
BearticZUBLLowmidLowlowlowMidMidLow
CacturnePUMidmidHighmidmidHighHighMid
CalyrexLowLowlowLowlowurLowURUR
CameruptHighMidlowLowlowmidMidMidMid
ChimechoPULowmidLowlowmidMidLowLow
DaschbunPUMidlowMidmidmidMidMidMid
DedenneHighMidmidLowmidlowMidMidMid
DittoPUMidmidHighhighmidMidMidHigh
DugtrioPUHighmidMidhighhighHighHighHigh
DusknoirPUMidlowLowlowmidMidMidMid
EiscueLowURurUrururURLowUR
FalinksPUToptopHightoptopTopTopTop
FlapplePUMidhighMidmidmidHighMidMid
FlareonLowLowurLowlowlowlowLowUR
FurretPULowlowLowurururLowLow
GlaceonHighMidmidMidmidmidmidMidMid
GlalieMidLowurUrlorlowlowURLow
GogoatPUMidmidHighmidmidmidHighMid
GolduckPUHighhighTophightophighHighHigh
GothitelleLowURurUrururlowLowUR
GreedentMidLowlowLowlowlowlowLowLow
GrumpigHighMidmidLowmidmidmidMidLow
HypnoLowURurUrurururURUR
IllumisePUMidlowMidmidhighlowMidMid
Indeedee-FZUBLToptopToptoptoptopTopTop
JumpluffPULowmidLowlowlowlowURLow
KricketuneURMidlowLowmidmidmidMidHigh
LeafeonZUBLTophighTootoptopTopTopHigh
LumineonHighMidhighMidmidmidmidLowLow
LuxrayMidURurUrurururURUR
Lycanroc-NZUBLHighhighHighhightoptopTopHigh
MagcargoPULowlowUrlowlowurLowLow
MightyenaPUURurUrurururURUR
NoctowlPUMidmidMismidmidlowLowMid
OranguruMidURurUrurlowurURUR
PersianHighLowlowLowlowlowlowLowLow
PhionePUMidmidMidhighhighmidHighMid
PincurchinMidLowlowLowlowlowlowLowLow
RabscaPULowlowMidmidmidlowLowLow
Rotom-FanZUBLToptopTootoptopHighHighHigh
SawsbuckZUBLHighhighTophighhighHighHighHigh
ScovillainMidLowlowMislowmidlowMidLow
SpidopsLowURlowLowurururLowUR
SquawkabillyHighMidmidMismidmidmidMidMid
StonjournerTopLowlowLowlowlowmidLowUR
SudowoodoLowLowlowLowlowlowlowLowUR
SwalotPUHighhighTiphighhighhighHighHigh
TropiusURLowurUrlowlowlowLowLow
VespiquenMidLowmidMidlowlowlowLowLow
WigglytuffLowURurUrurururLowUR
WyrdeerPUMidmidMidhighmidmidHighMid
WugtrioMidLowurLowlowlowlowURLow
ClefairyHighMidmidMidmidmidmidMidMid
CrocalorMidLowlowLowlowlowlowLowLow
DartrixMidLowlowLowlowlowurLowLow
DewottMidURurUrurururURUR
DragonairMidURlowUrlowlowurURUR
DrakloakMidURurUrurururURUR
DunsparceHighMidmidHighmidmidlowMidMid
DusclopsMidLowlowMidlowlowurLowLow
EelektrikMidLowmidLowlowlowlowLowLow
FraxureHighLowmidLowlowlowlowMidLow
FrogadierHighMidhighMidhighmidmidHighMid
GabitePUHighhighTophighhighmidHighHigh
GirafarigMidURurUrururlowLowUR
Hakamo-oHighLowmidLowlowlowlowMidLow
KrokorokHighLowlowLowlowlowlowLowLow
MisdreavusPUTophighToptophightopHighTop
MonfernoHighLowlowLowlowlowlowLowLow
PikachuMidURurUrurururURUR
PrinplupMidURurUrurururURUR
PupitarMidLowlowUrlowlowlowLowLow
QuaxwellPUMidmidLowmidlowlowHighHigh
QuilladinLowLowlowLowlowlowlowLowLow
RabootMidLowmidLowmidlowlowLowLow
Sliggoo-HHighMidmidMidmidmidlowMidMid
TinkatuffPUToptopHighhightoptopTopTop
BronzorLowURurUrurururURUR
GlimmetMidLowlowLowlowlowlowLowLow
Grimer-AMidURurLowurururLowUR
MareanieLowURurUrurururLowUR
PawniardMidURlowUrurururLowUR
ToedscoolLowURur :,(UrurururURUR
VullabyHighLowlowLowlowlowurMidLow
 
I find it hilarious that stonejourner was once considered the one of best pokemon within the zu tier, being ranked top in the viability rankings, but immediately became a low tier pokemon on the level of freaking furret mainly because of lycanroc midnight outclassing it as the tiers premier bulky rock type simply because special attackers don’t instantly fold it, this may be one of the biggest fall offs in smogon history
 
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