Meta-PokéBase Q&A

Wall for -RisingManectric- (page 113)

It depends on what teams/strategies you're talking about. In general, I'd actually say no.
For example, if I have a new alt that I want to climb with, then I am going to play a HO team so I can quickly win lower ladder games (and because it's more fun). I wouldn't use a stall team like I would if I really wanted to push high onto the leaderboard, because stall takes forever to play and it isn't needed against players who aren't as good.
There are also some small optimisations for the higher ladder that you probably won't get much mileage from in the lower ladder. For example, Safeguard Volcarona became popular in the higher ladder in recent months because it matches favourably against stall and slow balance. But in the lower ladder, you play against far more offence teams, so you might use a different move for the time being.
You should definitely still trust what high-level players are using over what everyone else uses, though. The only reason they do this is because they know what they can get away with -- it's not actually better at a high level.

Re movesets: Yeah that's part of the 'audit' we're doing on moveset threads right now. We're not sure what the final solution to the dated moveset threads is going to be, and it's something we're going to run by the community soon. We might decide to retire the old threads and post new ones, in which case we might keep the old answers like an archive. So we're hanging onto the links so we're prepared for anything. We only really need to record which threads we've been though, though.
Oct 17, 2020 by Fizz
no
Oct 16, 2020 by sumwun
Is that another way to say “i think you are bright and warm?” Lol yeah i forgot Pirygon-Z was a real thing i had meant that to be a pun in your name XD
Oct 16, 2020 by Dyla N
I dont think so, but just to be sure id copy and paste it into an answer
Oct 16, 2020 by y-chai
Hi there! I only just saw where yku said ykur both lol answer me this then... are yku a Pirygin colored Zangokse? Or a Zangokse colored Pirygin? Or maybe your a Portgon shaped luke a Zangokse Porygon-Z? Lol
Oct 16, 2020 by Dyla N
Competition:
Spam my wall with the words “you’re weird” as many times as you can!

Rules:
Every “you’re weird” must be spelt correctly with the apostrophe in the correct place.
Every “you’re weird” must be a separate post.
The winner will receive some beautiful text art.
Oct 16, 2020 by JaJaDingDong
Re Togekiss: If you want to post it, then I won't stop you. Go for it. If you do want my opinion on the set, though, I don't think it's viable. Togekiss has much better special coverage, and Serene Grace to abuse as well. The Scarf + Trick set and Nasty Plot set are both a lot better.
Re sibling: Yep, all good. Thanks for letting us know. Some advice for new competitive players:
* Your ideas and battle skills will suck at first. You need some practice and to do some reading to catch up.
* Reading Smogon analyses will help you get caught on terminology and understand what roles each Pokemon typically plays. Lurking Smogon forums in general is not a bad idea. You will find useful resources like this: https://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/3667732/
* Teambuilding is about having Pokemon that enable each other to beat all the threats in the metagame you're playing. There are multiple correct answers for how you might approach that.
* Think long-term when you're battling. What Pokemon to you need to win the game, and what do you need to do to win? (For example, which Pokemon need to go down before you can set up a sweep? Which Pokemon must you hold onto to counter your opponent's setups?)
Re OU team: Here's what stands out to me at first glance:
* Dragapult + Urshifu is a very solid offensive core. The main gap in its coverage is Fairy-types like Clefable and Togekiss; the latter in particular must go down before you can win the game. Consider using a different pivot like NP Rotom-H so apply more pressure to those Pokemon (plus Pokemon like Mandibuzz).
* I don't think Ferrothorn is super valuable here. Its best matchups are similar to Corviknight's. Spikes is the main draw, which is less important if you can run rocks on a different Pokemon (or use Toxic Spikes on Toxapex instead of Toxic). Go for something like Hippowdon that is sturdier against Urshifu, or Rotom-H per the above. Use Def instead of SpD on Clefable if you use Rotom-H.
* You need a way to stop Volcarona. Use Thunder Wave on Clefable. (Note that Psychic is a staple on Volcarona for high-rated players, so Toxapex is not a counter.) Aromatherapy isn't needed on a team with so many status immunities.
* Use Soft-Boiled over Wish when you have a team with so many self-sufficient Pokemon.
* Use Pressure instead of Mirror Armour because it helps break the balance stalemate.
* Run SpA instead of HP on Dragapult. You don't need to pivot as much with Dragapult when you're playing a slow balance team like this. In fact, Specs might be a better set here seeing as you're short on wallbreaking power.
* Urshifu is a more solid win condition if you use Sucker Punch on it. I like Substitute, but it can be foregone. Consider Black Glasses over Leftovers to ensure OHKOs more easily.
Oct 16, 2020 by Fizz
Yeah! The worst idea is to use Sticky Web against Trick Room teams. I don't play NU at all, but I hate Trick Room teams on Gen 8 Ubers, especially Dracovish and Melemtal
Oct 16, 2020 by Tensa Zangetsu
Hm, I like that, lol
Oct 16, 2020 by Amethyst
That is good, yeah. I should try that set.
Oct 16, 2020 by Amethyst