Changes S Rank:



Genesect

Metagross-Mega

Zygarde



A Rank:



A+



Aegislash

Blastoise-Mega

Clefable

Darmanitan-Galar

Ferrothorn

Heatran

Slowbro

Tangrowth

Tapu Fini

Tornadus-Therian

Toxapex



A



Alakazam-Mega

Corviknight

Dragapult

Greninja

Greninja-Ash

Kartana

Landorus-Therian

Lopunny-Mega

Magnezone

Rotom-Heat

Volcarona



A-



Chansey

Ditto

Excadrill

Hydreigon

Magearna

Medicham-Mega

Mew

Scizor-Mega

Slowbro-Mega

Tyranitar

Tyranitar-Mega

Zapdos GenesectMetagross-MegaZygardeAegislashBlastoise-MegaFerrothornHeatranTangrowthToxapexCorviknightDragapultGreninjaGreninja-AshLopunny-MegaVolcaronaChanseyDittoExcadrillMagearnaMedicham-MegaMewScizor-MegaSlowbro-MegaTyranitarTyranitar-MegaZapdos

One look at the VR is sufficient to note that the contemporary version, the upper echelon in particular, is already slightly outdated. This is something I wanted to bring under attention for a couple of days now, and after extensive playtesting, I feel confident enough to elaborately phrase my thoughts. Do note that some of these proposals might be slightly controversial.Clefable A >>> A+Clefable is a very effective addition to Balance teams right now. Its utility in being able to act as a status absorber, Stealth Rock setter or Wish passer paired with its ability to cripple a vast majority of switch-ins (e.g. Heatran, Mega Metagross, Aegislash, Volcarona) with Thunder Wave, its capability of providing a good check to the likes of Zygarde, Mega Lopunny, Hydreigon and Dragapult, and finally its ability to find an ample amount of turns it can switch into play against a majority of currently popular Balance Pokemon in order to do its job, all amount to a Pokemon that is very self-sufficient and effective in providing a plethora of support options to its team.Darmanitan-Galar A >>> A+See previous postSlowbro A- >>> A+Slowbro, similarly to Toxapex, is a crucial part of many contemporary Balance structures, having its own set of distinct niches that allow it to distinguish itself from Toxapex and Tapu Fini. Most notably, Slowbro is quite easily the best Mega Metagross and Zygarde check out of the three, while also checking Darmanitan admirably. This combined with the fact that these are ubiquitous in the current metagame, means that Slowbro often gets a lot of opportunities to directly switch into play in order to easily regain momentum through Teleport, making it a very effective pivot in the current metagame.Tapu Fini A >>> A+I realize this might be slightly harder to justify, but I do genuinely think that Tapu Fini is at the same level as Toxapex and Slowbro, even though it is more prone to getting overwhelmed. Tapu Fini Balance is a sight as common Slowbro and Toxapex Balance, and this is because Tapu Fini, much like Slowbro, easily distinguishes itself from its fellow Water-types due to offering a unique set of traits. Notably, Tapu Fini diminishes the need of a Defogger, as it does a good job at defogging away hazards itself from the likes of Heatran, Toxapex and Ash-Greninja. Moreover, it is the only Water-type capable of taking on Mega Blastoise, Ash-Greninja, Hydreigon and Heatran without being punished whatsoever. Add the fact that it provides additional support through Knock Off and the often-clutch Misty Terrain, and you have got a Pokemon that, at least in my eyes, is just as appealing to run on a Balance team as Slowbro and Toxapex.Tornadus-Therian A >>> A+Tornadus-Therian has once again reinstated itself as an extremely efficient pivot with its defensive Rocky Helmet/Heavy Duty Boots set, while remaining a fearsome wallbreaker with Flyinium Z/Metronome, and continuing to be among the tiers premier defoggers. Notably, the effectiveness of both sets is enhanced due to the absence of Tapu Koko, leaving only Corviknight, Heatran, Zapdos and Rotom-Heat as somewhat reliable defensive answers, and even these do not appreciate losing their items at all, and, apart from Zapdos, get U-turned on anyway. It remains very hard to properly take advantage of Tornadus-Therian, while it in turn is easily capable of continuously making progress whenever it is pivoted into play.Alakazam-Mega B+ >>> AMega Alakazam excels at taking advantage of the relative passivity of current Balance cores and breaking these down due to the absence of Celesteela, Magearna being less prominent, and due to its ability to 2OHKO Corviknight on the switch after minimal chip. The fact that it can defeat the primary Psychic resists of this tier on the long run (Mega Metagross, Aegislash, Heatran, Ferrothorn) often makes it able to win matchups from team preview and this potential is correctly reflected by an A-ranking.Magnezone A- >>> AAlthough Magnezone is somewhat matchup-reliant, its ability to trap and eliminate/weaken several key Pokemon in the current metagame such as Mega Metagross, Genesect, Ferrothorn and Corviknight in addition to other threats such as Kartana and Mega Scizor makes it a pivotal Pokemon in many matchups and gives it a niche that is more relevant than an A- ranking seems to insinuate.Rotom-Heat B+ >>> ASee above postHydreigon B+ >>> A-Hydreigon has cemented itself as one of the tier's most fierce wallbreakers due to its flagship Nasty Plot sets being able to easily break down common defensive cores not consisting of Tapu Fini, with its coverage moves able to be tailored to its team's specific demands.Kartana A+ >>> ACurrently, Kartana is more of a luxury to have and does not have the splashability of other A+ residents, due to Band being outclassed by Mega Metagross and Scarf facing stiff competition from the likes of Darmanitan and Genesect, both of which offer better breaking qualities. However, the general threat level of SD-Z sets is relevant enough to keep it at A.Landorus-Therian A+ >>> ASimilarly to Kartana, Landorus-Therian is a luxury and does not have the splashability that was ever so characteristic for it. Defensive sets tend to get overwhelmed very quickly due to the likes of Mega Metagross and Zygarde, and fail to keep up rocks against the tier's three best defoggers in Tornadus-Therian, Tapu Fini and Corviknight, while the general compressing prowess of its Scarf set is no longer as desired as it once was. However, the general threat level of SD-Z sets is relevant enough to keep it at A.