Chase

I guess we'll have to disagree. For the record, I don't think swagplay should be allowed, and I -would- be okay with banning Serene Grace Jirachi for the sake of making the game based on relative skill as opposed to RNG. The problem I have with this tiering approach is that it's not getting the job done if that's what it's setting out to do. I believe Aegislash is a Pokemon that can be dealt with. While it may be high use, I don't think it will be as much of a problem as people are making it out to be. I think poor players will want to avoid using it because it is dependent on having relative skill. I think higher level players will be able to take it out without problem and having their hand forced shouldn't be a problem either because - even if to a lesser degree - this already happens. In my opinion, OverUsed -is- overcentralized. In yours, you think the meta is in good shape. That's our impasse. Your approach is "why break something that works fine?" - Mine is "why not continue with one trend or the other."

You can't make a distinction between centralized and centralized. If the tier is going to have -any- degree of it, Aegislash is a perfectly check-able mon. I'd also like to posit that the fact that because there is a chance for high-level play to come down to a 50/50 anyway - this also can't be used against Aegislash. You're fighting an ideal war but not fighting it 100 percent of the way through. "Way more than it should" is an opinion and it implies that Pokemon is a game that can be made to be as skill dependent as possible. That's not the case. Pokemon is a game that will always involve some degree of luck and will always reward daring players just as much as it does intuitive players at times. The definition of being "skillful" at Pokemon is relative and not absolute. I don't think creative teambuilding would suffer as much as your making it sound, and even if it did, there is probably a way to be creative -and- take down Aegislash. At least, I know -I- would be looking for that way because that's the most enjoyable part of the game for me.

That wasn't my point Skitty. I'm not arguing about Heatran and M-Lop being OP here so much as I'm arguing that Aegislash shouldn't be banned for the same purpose. It's a high-use mon that checks a lot of other threats. Heatran is a Pokemon that best exemplifies what "Centralization" is. It's a pokemon that is highly used because it checks so many things to the point where it - itself is a pokemon people prepare for. My argument is that -any- centralization being "okay" nullifies that argument against Aegislash. If Aegislash is a Pokemon that is used a lot and checks so many things, why should it get suspected but Heatran remain the clear? This is where the argument of 50/50 becomes one of "Luck vs. Playmaking" - by most people's definition of "Skill" in Pokemon, it would seem like Aegislash is the embodiment of the word "Skill." The player makes a play to shut down a physical attacker anticipating a contact move and it works. The player goes for Shadow Sneak and it doesn't get the KO - resulting in Aegislash getting KO'd - meaning the play didn't work. Does King's Shield provide a coin-flip? Yes. But it doesn't provide one that is luck-based in any sense of the word - one player outplayed the other in every situation (unless Aegis flinches the opponent with Iron Head and moves first.) From my point of view, if we're not going to actively fight centralization and try to make OU have as much parity as possible - then we should not be throwing Pokemon on a usage island under that reasoning.

Reading through your argument here, Void. It appears that you lead off with an argument about how Aegislash creates a centralized meta, and then go on to explain that the meta is already centralized and always will be. This would indicate that you are more opposed to an Aegislash-centralized meta as opposed to actually caring about parity. I would have to agree with Pyrrhon's earlier suggestion -IF- we're going to base our argument on something that already occurs with or without Aegislash - we -SHOULD- re-suspect and this time BAN MegaGross. We SHOULD put Lopunny, Heatran, Landorus-T in the hot-seat as well. If we can't take that kind of course of action, the argument of parity is out the window. There isn't a distinction between a centralized meta and a centralized meta. The only thing that seems to scare some people is that Aegislash is a Pokemon that fits REALLY well on various teams -and- that the Pokemon is used in a luck-based manner where the supposed "higher-skilled" trainer loses the draw due to a coin-flip. You have to keep in mind that Aegislash also requires some decent play in order to actually exercise the threat that it is. If someone is too obvious with King's Shield, priority users can turn Aegis into set-up bait with the drop of a hat. It's Ghost/Steel typing -is- rather sexy considering one type grants an immunity to what would normally be a weakness to the other - but that's thrown out the window when an another already centralizing Pokemon in M-Lopunny is thrown into the picture. Lopunny is immune to Shadow Sneak, meaning Aegis is going to need to King Shield -or- Dance up in order to hang with it. Lopunny has the ability to bait moves due to it's own relative threat level. Lopunny with Encore can stick Aegis eternally in Shield Form. High Jump Kick would hit like a truck if played with half a brain. Mega Metagross is threatened by Aegis, but also faster and Aegis would need to SD for Sneak to OHKO. Therefore, Gross also has the ability to bait KS to some extent. Aegislash is weak to Fire, Ground, Dark and opposing Ghost type moves. It resists just about everything else, but in today's current meta it's not -really- completely immune to three things as Scrappy immediately knocks that number down to one (Poison). Earthquake is a common Ground type coverage move that is non-contact, making King's Shield a non-issue. Flamethrower and Fire Blast are as well. If you have a reason to critique the way suspect tests are performed, then fine, I suppose - but I think that's the whole INTENT and PURPOSE of the suspect ladder. To somewhat recreate the meta with Aegislash. This is where said argument that it's not being seen around so much is stemming from. If Aegislash is supposed to be so centralizing and broken and what not, you would think that you would see it more often and that it -would- cause problems. I'll give you the point that Ubers is first and foremost the OU banlist - to an extent. "Island" pokemon are pokemon that deserve to have a place they can be a effective - because they aren't in tiers like PU where they absolutely aren't. Putting a pokemon in purgatory isn't justifiable if no real change is being made to the tier below with regards to the cause of the ban. I personally think if we can't stop OU from being centralized, then unbanning Aegislash is the best route to take. I can get behind a concerted effort to make OU full of parity - but staving off Aegis while allowing other things to run free isn't a concerted effort at all.

In response to replacing Krookodile - I often hear two things about Krook in OU as to why it's not good enough to hang. The first is that it doesn't do enough damage to sweep initially and the second is that Tyranitar completely outclasses it. The first statement is ONLY true in the event that Krookodile is trying to attack something with a lot of HP remaining, and the second is....well, yeah, it's true. T-tar is the best Pursuit trapper with access to Earthquake, Stone Edge, and Crunch in it's arsenal. The redeeming factors with Krook is that Focus Blast is a bit more resisted (not by much) than it would be in T-Tar's case, and Moxie is more fun to utilize than Sand Stream is. Unfortunately, I -do- hold a disdain for Keldeo. My best OU teams ALWAYS have it aboard because it's indeed very very useful. I'm trying to break some molds here. Magnezone however -is- looking to be problem, but I'm not sure if it's as much of a problem as you guys are making it out to be. I'll have to get some experience in before I make a decision. Thank you guys for looking out for me! Keep it up!

Just because I like to punish my opponents decisions doesn't mean I like to do it in the most preventative or defensive way. What I mean by this is that I -am- aware of being weak to dragmag + U-turn and I do agree that some shoring up could be done. Problem with that is, I absolutely HATE Gliscor and Landorus-T. Both of them are really good Pokemon in their own right - but they both seriously violate the first criterion of mine (Gliscor is a Pokemon that really ruins the experience for me as an opponent and I wouldn't want to use it against anyone else, and Lando-T sees enough use from everyone else. *hipster glasses* -My- alternative plan for Magnezone is to catch someone off guard. With Volt Switchers, I go out to Krookodile and prevent the switch. With U-turners I go out to Xzard instead of the expected Steel type and either get my Dragon Dance or go after the Dragon/Magnezone. Rather than being particularly brilliant, it's risky. Risk pays off when talking to me. The reason I have Empoleon AND Skarmory on my team is to Allow Skarmory to keep Brave Bird -and- WhirlRock, while also being able to defog hazards away for Xzard. I could definitely see myself trading some moves between Empoleon and Skarmory, but Empoleon makes me feel better about the first Criterion. Remember, OU is a hard tier to enjoy for me, so I have to kinda push the envelope just to find things I like. Heatran...is one the most disgusting legendary pokemon i've ever laid eyes on. It's immune to fire types and immediately pressures them with Earth Power, and it's sooooo commonly used that I get the displeasure of seeing it when I play OU.....alll. the time. Clefable's whole deal is being the bluffing poker player. Is it much more fallable than Softboiled variants? Oh yeah, definitely. It's also more rewarding to be able and assuredly clear it and Bisharp away

Okay, here goes nothing. I.....really don't enjoy OverUsed as much as I do lower tiers. I understand that it's the premier Smogon tier and the one that most people are familiar with so I -do- want to get batter at it. That being said, there are some priorities that I absolutely -have- to follow or an OU team just falls out of my liking. The team has to be composted at least 66.6 percent of Pokemon that I LIKE. One of the biggest things I try to live out is Karen's "Truly skilled trainers try to win with their favorites." quote - because to me, I have the most fun in any Pokemon scenario using Pokemon that I like. The team has to hold a degree of offensive presence. I don't enjoy playing Stall - so if the team is not at least balanced, it's not a good team for me. The team has to be one that benefits greatly from punishing an opponents decision. That's how Hilda does competitive, prey on the opponents decisions until I have enough of an upper hand to close the deal. I have to admit that I won't be terribly open-minded so much as to actually MAKE changes to the team due to those three criteria. That being said, I -still- want your opinions and will gladly take your criticism. Please do behave with one another, and I'll do my best to meet you all half way. Here goes... --- Charizard @ Charizardite X Ability: Blaze (Tough Claws) EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 Def Adamant Nature - Dragon Dance - Dragon Claw - Earthquake - Flare Blitz This is -not- your Bulky Xzard variant. Everything about this Pokemon is to conform to my three criteria as much as possible. Earthquake is pretty standard on Xzard and is used to get rid of smogonturd (Heatran) on the switch, Dragon Claw is the conservative STAB that is a contact move and receives a bit of a lift from Tough Claws, and Flare Blitz is the aggressive stab that is there to do damage to anything like predicted Sylveon on the switch. This Pokemon has Dragon Dance to make everything threatening as well as set up to finish the job speed wise. This Pokemon is one of the Aggresors on my team. Clefable @ Life Orb Ability: Magic Guard EVs: 252 SpAttk / 252 HP / 4 SpDef Modest Nature - Moonblast - Flamethrower - Calm Mind - Focus Blast This Clefable is used as cleri-.......SIIIIKE. Calm Mind decision punisher. Moonblast is the stab that deals with opposing dark, fighting, and dragon types. Flamethrower punishes Bisharp, Scizor, and Ferrothorn - and if you think Heatran can just switch in safely on THIS thing. Think again. Forgoing Soft-boiled - I decided to further terrorize Smogonturd and opt for Focus Blast, which also will hurt the likes of MegaGross and Mega-Lopunny on the switch a little bit. I can also feign Unaware with this Pokemon to force out things like Belly Drum Azumarill with a bit of mind games if needed. Clefable is like a poker player bluffing that he has a good hand in literally all sense of the word "bluff." If the gamble pays off, Xzard gets the breathing room it needs to sweep and the margin starts looking my way. Skarmory @ Rocky Helmet Ability: Sturdy EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe Bold Nature - Roost - Stealth Rock - Brave Bird - Whirlwind Skarmory is one of those Pokemon I enjoy using in Story playthroughs to provide a little bit bulk to my team - specifically in Gen 3. Competitively, it's arsenal is downright annoying and physical attackers are not going to enjoy having this thing around. Namely Lopunny, who's attacks won't be be able to do much to it and is then threatened with Brave Bird if it's HP is low - or susceptible to being Phase bait. Stealth Rock provides the team some help with sash breaking and chip damage, and with Whirlwind those rocks will be a huge pain if push comes to absolute shove. This thing needs Latios, Latias, and Scizor out of the way in order to serve that secondary role of Phaser, which I think I have some answers for. Serperior @ Life Orb Ability: Contrary EVs: 252 SpAtk / 252 Spe / 4 Def Timid Nature - Substitute - Leaf Storm - Giga Drain - Hidden Power Ground The instant sweeper on this team - Serperior's job is to basically clear any and all opposing Rock, Ground, and Water types out of the way for XZard, but it's secondary function could be to take XZard's late game clean-up job if need be due to it's Contrary ability. Sub provides it chances to wail on opposing Pokemon that threaten to end it's sweep. Leaf Storm is the primary move - providing Serp with a ton of damage output right from the get go, as well it's Contrary stat boost. Giga Drain will hurt lots of things after Leaf Storm is used, and provides the Regal Pokemon with recovery, and HP Ground takes care of things like Heatran (because, seriously, this thing needs to stay the heck away from my team.) as well as Poison type Pokemon that look to threaten Serperior and teammate Clefable. Empoleon @ Leftovers Ability: Torrent EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpDef / 8 Def Calm Nature - Scald - Toxic - Protect - Defog The second of my two armored avians is the most defense-minded Pokemon in this team. It's built to take on Special Attacks - and it's tasked to share status inflictions and keep hazards away - helping the rest of the team as it attempts to hit hard and fast. Torrent may potentially boost Scald's damage output and I opted for Empoleon because of criteria 1 (I like Empoleon) and I don't want to get pursuit trapped and taste my own medicine OR carry two Dragon type Pokemon after XZard evolves - so I opted for Empoleon over one of the Lati twins. Empoleon also doesn't hold a x4 Weakness to Fire like Scizor, so this seemed to be my best defogger available taking the rest of the team into consideration. Protect rounds out the set if Empoleon is in need of stalling the opponent out for the win. Krookodile @ Choice Scarf Ability: Moxie EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 Def Jolly Nature - Earthquake - Crunch - Stone Edge - Pursuit Choice Scarf Krookodile has two functions. It will pursuit trap/Crunch Latios and Latias if they are brought in to eat a Special Attack as well as punish switch ins late-game like Gengar (anticipating the Earthquake.) applying some pressure to Psychic and Ghost types. It also is an emergency sweeper with it's Moxie ability if the route to victory is there. Krookodile and Skarmory are the biggest deterrents to Birdspam, as OHKing a Talonflame late game with Stone Edge will provide a Moxie boost and threaten M-Pinsir or something else that comes in with Flying type intentions. Moxie allows Krookodile more of a use than it's Scarf would normally allow. Revenge Killer, Decision Punisher, Emergency Sweeper, and fast enough to do the job most of the time. It's one of my FAVORITE Pokemon. --- The goal of this team is to make the opponent pay dearly for their decisions first and foremost. It's very dependent on outplaying the opponent and has a decent chance of failure if I don't make the plays, but if I do it can be very hard for my opponents to climb back up the mountain. Hit me with your best shot.

Team building around a threat -already- happens without Aegislash - and there are things that will always find a way to rip holes in your team as no team is every truly perfect. It -will- be a centralizing Pokemon and it -will- have that coin flip approach to it. That's pretty much how every prediction in Pokemon works when two players are of equal skill. One person predicts the obvious switch and switchs, the other predicts the other to predict the switch and stays in either to set up or attack the Pokemon switching in with a coverage move. The truth about OverUsed is that so long as we're having debates over Pokemon that should be considered to be in the UBERS metagame against things like Xerneas and Primal Groudon, is that there will always be a few Pokemon that are centralizing. Aegislash is a decent check to aforementioned Xerneas, but it's flip-flop stats may not be enough to hang against other threats. It and things like Greninja (who's speed makes it a bit overkill in OU.) are left on an island as not terribly viable Ubers pokemon - only for things like MegaGross, Landorus T, Mega Altaria, and Mega Lopunny to be the next centralizers.

You're right DD. The player using the Aegislash also has to make predictions. I don't understand why using it is so frowned upon and how it detracts from a game that already has a percentage of luck involved. Aegislash preys on the critical thinking of the opponent. If it fails - Aegislash is caught looking in Blade Form and KO'd often. If it succeeds, the opponent either gets hit with a damaging attack or drops it's attack stat attacking it in Shield Form. It's not so much chance as it seems to be when it's usage is centered on outsmarting and outpredicting the opponent. The rest of the meta is just like this, but not in such an immediate moment as in EVERY turn Aegislash is in play. Causing critical thinking isn't a bad thing. ORAS brought in some much needed Megas to the OU tier that can handle this Pokemon - and a large part of it's ban is in response to a now somewhat antique part of today's meta. Yes. It's a swiss army knife that preys on the play of your opponent in order to thrive. It's also somewhat dependent on the play of your opponent - which means it's certainly not overpowered in that regard. It's one thing to hate a Pokemon being in the tier. (For me, M-Lopunny fits this role due to it's combination of Speed, Scrappy, and plethora of moves that could make it even more threatening) but it's another to truly be game-breaking. I think we're seeing that Aegislash got a bit of a biased vote based on previous perception and that times have changed.

Bring the Royal Sword back. The only reason Aegislash is so polarizing is because you have to, as an opponent, be wary of King's Shield and dance around the thing. If you have half a brain, you'll be able to take it down. As far as how I feel about the subject in general. Mega Lopunny can ruin Aegislash's day with Encore and Scrappy. MegaGross's EQ would be particularly devastating, and there are other things that work particularly well at felling it in the current OU metagame today. It's annoying if you're like me and you just want to click on the attack that -should- work most of the time - but Aegislash makes opponents think twice. If they do so in a timely manner, this thing is capable of being brought down. It has no business being in Ubers today.

Well, obviously people are going to assume you should play to the best of your ability with Reborn due to it's difficulty- but let's be honest. If you're playing fan-made games for the first time, you probably aren't going to be breeding or trying too hard for the best starter you can possibly have. So -my- list is going to focus on the average player. S-rank Torchic Froakie - Speed is Power in story playthroughs, and the two pokemon above have it in spades (one having the ability to get even faster as the match rolls along.) Protean is an ability that makes Froakie a viable teammate later in the game for any team whatsoever - the literal glue mon here as it is competitively. A-rank Chespin Cyndaquil Charmander Mudkip Chimchar Fennekin The following Pokemon have moves, abilities, and typings that really stand out to me. They have times in the game where they struggle. (Charmander and Charmeleon run through the early game with Dragon Rage, and then become x4 weak to Rock type moves that will be carried by MANY opponents as coverage later on. Marshtomp/Swampert have a typing that has a x4 weakness as well and it's a double-edged sword. Chimchar's Iron Fist works really well in a story playthrough. Cyndaquil's Eruption hits like a truck but won't run through the whole game. Chespin being immune to Ball and Bomb moves gives it some noteable protection and could potentially prey on some inadequacy with the AI, but the Pokemon hate's Flying type attacks. Fennekin's abilities are lackluster at times, but it's typing is unique. B-rank Squirtle Treecko Turtwig Snivy Tepig Oshawott Bulbasuar These Pokemon have solid spots on teams with no real defining advantages if just picked at random. These Pokemon need a little breeding or TLC from the trainer to be better, but are still usable just by picking one up. C rank Totodile Piplup Chikorita The worst Pokemon to pick at random would be these three. Piplup is a difficult pokemon to rely on it's learnset with. Totodile doesn't pick up a water type move past Water Gun for waaay too long, and Chikorita needs a lot of support and breeding and care to make somewhat decent. These Pokemon if picked randomly make life really difficult. Sure, Defiant and Sheer Force have redeeming qualities, but they still need some support and patience to really make those abilities pay off.

I think it's typing is very easy to wear down for sure - and I also think that it will quickly become problematic unless you know how to dance around it. - ScarfTres needs to be effectively double-switched on, so that it gets locked into the move and needs to switch out, being left vulnerable for more rocks damage. (which would KO it) - Sunny Day/Agility Tres needs the opposite. If you have a rock type coverage move and you think you're going to get set up on, click that move immediately. It's very dominate in RU because there's not much that can just outright counter it's many options - meaning it does damage to virtually whatever it wants.

I'm not going to say I agree with Moltres being bumped up to BL2, because I don't. That being said, there are a lot of things Moltres can do to be a problem. - Sunny Day Moltres w/ Solarbeam poses a problem and it's already decent speed will mean that it's coverage is fabulous once the sun is up. - AgilityTres will be able to outspeed the entire tier. - ScarfTres will also be able to outspeed the entire tier without set-up in exchange for picking a move. Hurricane Spam is never a bad move to be locked into.

I dropped something....Number 8....Druddigon Druddigon is a Pokemon that has taken a tumble down since it was my original favorite. It's speed is not very ideal and thus it's very susceptible to things as a physical attacker like burns and what not - that being said, there was a reason this thing is one of my all time favorite pokemon and preceeding #1. Druddigon. Takes. Souls. Sheer Force is a downright nasty ability and so many Pokemon that have a place in my heart use it very, very well. As an all out physical attacker, Druddigon gets access to Outrage (for late game sheer power), Dragon Claw (for early game and conservative STAB), Fire Punch (boosted by Sheer Force and dealing with Steel and Grass types) Sucker Punch, a priority attack that deals with the likes of weakened Slowking and Delphox, and Gunk Shot, a powerful Poison type move that punishes incoming Fairies - particularly Whimsicott. It can also play a more of a support role, pairing it's Rough Skin ability with the Rocky Helmet to inflict damage while getting access to the best paralysis inducing move in the game - Glare - as well as Stealth Rocks. So much to experiment with, So much damage to inflict be it passive, active, or even just because your opponent wanted to attack you with a physical attack. Honorable Mentions: Amoonguss, Slowking (I -HATE- Regenerator. Using it feels so cheap to me, and using it against me makes me twitch), Hitmonlee, Cobalion, Moltres, Houndoom, Aromatisse, Tyrantrum, Tangrowth, Clawitzer, Mega-Camerupt. Not even close: Mega-Steelix (The only thing that MegaLix does better than Maggron in UU is block VoltSwitch.) Durant, Slurpuff, Ambipom (A pokemon that is just -too- good at being a real pain)

I'm back... I'll be returning to the RU Showcase thread very soon - but to hold you all off until then, I decided to drop a list of ten Pokemon -I- think are the best to use in the tier. Please keep in mind, this is only an opinion thread. If you disagree with me or have your own list, be sure to post after me. I'm not going to worry about sets here - I have another thread that specifically needs those -and- my attention. Number 10....Shiftry Oh, Shiftry. This Pokemon has use from start to finish of any RU battle. STAB Knock Off gives it the ability to cause some sizeable damage to your opponent and remove items, which helps your team. It gets access to Sucker Punch, giving it a hard hitting STAB priority move on predictable attacks (such as weakened Fire type Pokemon.) Seed Bomb is a decent attack that scares away Gastrodon. It's close behind special attack gives it some unique mixed attacker opportunities, with access to Dark Pulse and Leaf Storm as STABS. This thing also carries DEFOG, a random yet helpful hazard removing move that helps out your teammates, and it also gets access to Sword's Dance, which turns this nuisance into an outright threat....if only it could learn Pursuit...then it would be higher up on my list. Number 9....Mega Banette Banette is a Pokemon that is slightly confused as to what it's ability -should- be when Mega. People fail to remember that Banette gets access to an attack stat this is no laughing matter because the first thing that comes to mind is likely "Ugh, Prankster, I'm going to get Will-O-Wisp'd, or this thing is going to Prankster-Bond me." - With access to Shadow Sneak - Banette gets a STAB priority move that will do a solid number on weakened opponents. Sucker Punch is another option with higher base power. Shadow Claw is a stab move it can use on a particularly nonthreatening pokemon or a switch that isn't a normal type. - and then yes, it does get Will-O-Wisp, Thunder Wave, and Destiny Bond that it can use first to help out the team. If you -really- want to use a Mega in RarelyUsed, this is a solid option. Number 7....Jellicent Jellicent has taken a massive fall from grace, and it was one of my favorite Pokemon in Gen 5. This Pokemon still has the ability to cause some consternation wherever it goes. In RU, it still gets it's chance to be a problem. Water Absorb gives it the ability to switch on predicted Scald from things like Gastrodon and Alomomola and it can proceed to annoy the opposing time with status moves. With access to Scald -and- Will-o-wisp, this thing has the ability to shut down a lot of physical attackers and with Recover, it can win some stall wars if it needs to. Ice Beam, Shadow Ball, Toxic, and Taunt round out the set possibilities on this thing. Man, Jellicent. Good times. Number 6....Rhyperior Rhyperior is a fantastic Pokemon in general. Attacker? Check. Defender? Check. Stealth Rock? Check. Solid Rock? Check. ICE PUNCH for predicted grass and ground types? Check. This thing has -lots- of possibilities and opportunities to succeed on many teams. Number 5....Delphox Delphox is one of the 'mons that I feel best exemplifies the tier. The Vulpine Magician hits hard and very, very quickly. With access to Switcheroo, it can get rid of it's not needed choice item on a wall that would need access to multiple moves. Grass Knot fells Pokemon like Rhyperior and Gastrodon after Stealth Rock damage, and Fire Blast and Psychic/shock...will revenge kill several opponents. Despite not having a helpful competitive ability, this thing still packs a punch, and if you have Blaze, there's a chance it can start swinging for the fences if it manages to survive an attack. Number 4....Gastrodon Gastrodon causes teams many, many problems with it's Storm Drain ability, allowing it a free switch. Water/Ground also means it can switch in to an electric type move from Jolteon and Heliolisk if predicted well. The amount of immunity this thing has is incredible. Slap on Recover, and this thing can stall the lights out of some opposing teams. Scald and Earth Power for stab, and Clear Smog to stop those pesky set-up sweepers dead in their tracks, as well as completely shut down -and- damage Slurpuff. And of course, Toxic. Number 3....Medicham Regular 'ole Medicham is indeed an OU Pokemon, and provided this things checks and a few walls are out of the way, This thing seals the deal with it's multitude of coverage moves at it's disposal and Pure Power. HJK for raw base power, Drain Punch for recovery. Bullet Punch for dealing with Slurpuff and priority, 'ele punches to round out the coverage fest. Hand it a life orb and go to town. Number 2....Emboar Throw a Scarf on this Pokemon and make sure it has the ability 'Reckless'. Emboar's recoil damage moves are steller. Head Smash, Flare Blitz, Wild Charge get hefty boosts from the ability, ensuring a damaging blow and providing some pretty solid coverage in doing so. This thing avenges fallen teammates the best in the tier, if you were to ask me. Number 1....Registeel WHAT'S A SPECIAL ATTACK GONNA DO TO REGISTEEL? NOTHING. That's what. This Pokemon is criminally underused within the tier, and it's the best Pokemon in my opinion. Curse and Amnesia to boost it's already disgusting defense to greater heights. Immune to Poison type attacks. Resto-Chesto works well. T-Wave cripples teams all day long because if you aren't using Physical attacks, there's nothing stopping Registeel from doing so. Stealth Rocks if you want a back up Rocker and want to run a little more Phase or Stally. Toxic. Iron Head for STAB can pair well with Curse and T-Wave for the Paraflinch if you're -really- evil. Registeel....you pretty bae. Many a match won simply because you just stood there and didn't care if the opponent had the advantage. I love you, you massive hunk of metal.

Nidoqueen (King) @ Life Orb Ability: Sheer Force EVs: 252 SpA / 212 Sp / 40 HP Modest Nature - Earth Power - Sludge Wave - Ice Beam - Thunderbolt Both of these Pokemon are essentially the same - Queen trades off a bit of power for bulk, King vise versa. Nidoking and Nidoqueen being offensive isn't terribly a new concept, but the biggest difference is that it drops it's nearly customary Stealth Rock entry hazard (which opponents will immediately assume is in your set at times) for the hard to withstand Ice Beam/Thunderbolt coverage combo - two moves which a few opponents not familiar with the two pokemon may not even be aware of to start with. BoltBeam takes care of Flying, Water, and Ground types - the latter two of which will pressure your Nidomon, so this Pokemon is a very useful pokemon for punishing obvious switch-ins. Sludge Wave is a powerful STAB that doesn't get affected by Bulletproof, meaning it works against more opposing grass types, as well as threatens Fairies. Earth Power takes out Electric and Rock type Pokemon. That's the ability to pressure Flying, Water, Ground, Grass, Fairy, Electric, Rock, Fire, and Steel types with moves that are boosted by Life Orb and Sheer Force. That coverage and power is amazing. Both of these mons can find their place in OverUsed with that kind of potential. (credit - Verlisify)

I'm picking the Badgers. Kentucky had NO reason not being here - Duke's consistent, but this tourney's WIsky's to lose.

There's a lot of variables involved here. I tend to be very reactionary, which is probably going to spell trouble in some scenarios (hiding when in cramped spaces) and could potentially work out in others (grabbing a lengthy piercing object that can be used as a weapon and hacking at them on sight due to fear.) I think most people would get overtaken in a large mob, and I don't like my chances unless I'm in a group of survivors. Well, I dunno how much -you- miss our chats, but I know it's been awhile and that -I- miss them quite a lot. Someday we'll both have some time. Don't worry. I've -never- played a FE game, and there are several reasons for that. It was like pulling teeth to get them originally to be localized in the United States (and that only happened because of the popularity FE characters generated from Super Smash Bros.), and it's not a franchise that I ever remembered to pick up. I have intentions on playing Awakening very soon, but we'll see if that actually works out. I think the franchise is pretty neat, and Marth is one of my Melee mains. I assume you mean RuPaul's Drag Race and not the 'drag races' we Texan folk are familiar with. I haven't seen the show, but I've heard of it from 'Game Theory' and it looks interesting to say the least. Unfortunately, that's all I have to say on the matter.

Um.....that information is classified you two. If I had to tell either of you, that number would just -have- to go up. Nobody want's that, right? --- Contrary to any sense of hard demeanor I may have, I'm actually just a frightful person who occasionally has enough adrenaline rush to persevere though some situations. Various forms of horror media are consistently labeled as "Nopes" - even something as simple as jump scare hell (Lookin' at you 'Woman in Black' and the 'Five Nights at Freddie's franchise) - and it usually takes large group participation if I am to do any of that type of stuff. For this reason, Halloween is a bit of an annoying holiday because there's always the way-to-realistic costume-wearer that shows up on your stoop and all you want to do is scream or react out of instinct. I don't have that kind of poise. I absolutely loathe driving places that I can easily walk to. There are few things I am particularly frugal over, but Gasoline.....man, nothing irrationally kills a day like having to fill up. It's because of this that I am lucky the school I work at is just down the main city road from my subdivision. As Mike and I like to often joke, that's more McNuggets later on. c: I have several insufferable weaknesses regarding living and let living, accepting defeat, and coping with lack of resolution. It's natural of me to not back away until the job is passably finished or the situation is resolved. It's very nerve-wracking to leave issues on the shelf and let them sit on the back of my mind without fixing them. This often gets me into trouble, because I don't have the best sense of "I need to stop, because I may be hurting the other person" until it's a bit obvious and thus too late. Caffeine is ....the replacement for my blood cells or oxygen or something. I'm an absolute fiend for the stuff. Late night soda runs, or multiple cups of coffee every morning. That stuff is like crack. My favorite strategy regarding competitive battling is to punish my opponents decisions. This depends heavily on my opponent doing what I think they are going to do, and is very prone to second-guessing, and making poor assumptions about my opponents next move - and as a result, my win-loss ratio is nothing to be proud of - but when it works, MAN does it work. This makes facets such as trapping opponents using Scarf Pursuit, Magnezone, Dugtrio and making a correct prediction regarding an opposing switch and opting for a coverage move or positively crippling move instead resulting in a KO on the switch extremely rewarding. If it works, my sweepers get their chance to come in and clean up and I win. If it doesn't it usually means I was too sloppy preserving Pokemon I needed later in the match, I was missing the battleship instead of hitting it far too often, or the opponent had a team that was vastly superior to mine from the start of the match (this is referred to as getting counter-teamed, where your Plan A and possible back up plans are adequately checked by the opposing team.) I am not a big fan of public displays of affection, nor is physical touch my love language - although I do understand that it's a part of a relationship I want to improve on because others have different stimuli that they respond to. I feel loved most when people go out of their way to spend time with me, or offer me words of encouragement. My biggest pet peeves are Sore Winners, Lack of Resolution, and Witnessing Self Destruction. - Being a sore winner is being someone who doesn't take their victory with happiness and opts to complain or belittle their own efforts in their stead. Complaining and getting better should be on the losers immediately after the conclusion of a contest. If you come out on top, tip your cap, revel, and take home the trophy. Own it. **This isn't to say you have the right to put others down and be a jerk in the process, just that you have a right to celebrate your victory.** - This was explained as a weakness of mine to overcome, but even when I'm a third wheel in the situation I have a natural tendency to be irked by non-resolution. This comes in the form of non-reconciliation, in "agreeing to disagree" on matters where I feel agreement is important, and in splintered or severed relationships. This one ties with my parents having divorced when I was very young. For the longest, Mom and Dad had nothing nice to say to each other, and even when they split and the immediate problem was "solved" it took years for them to move on from petty dispute. I'm too impatient as is to want to follow suit - even if the other person or the two parties feel separation is best. - I'm guilty of this one all of the time, but putting oneself down or disparaging oneself really hurts me to see. There are times where I care enough to get frustrated and try to intervene, and there are times where I'm not the best counselor in that moment, but every single time, I always feel annoyed somewhere in the back of my heart by stuff like this, and as a humanist who wants to improve the lives around her and counsel others, that's...actually kinda frustrating to deal with. I at least can own it as a problem and fight to display some self esteem, and I have some assurance from God and others to fall back on, but, perhaps hypocrit-esque and unfair of me, it seems to really rub me the wrong way when others do it. I could eat most things, at pretty much any time of day. If I feel full, it's probably because I had the ability to eat 4 or more times in the span of 24 hours, and even if I am full, I wouldn't turn down a free meal. It's probably not very healthy of me, but at least for now...whatever.

I'll fix it. No need for reports here. He fessed up. c:

10. Shell Smash - A crazy stat boosting move that makes some of my favorite pokemon threatening....No, I'm not talking about Cloyster. 9. Doom Desire - I -used- to LOVE Jirachi, back when competitive wasn't really the "in-crowd" and all you did was spam signature moves and powerful attacks. Boosted Future Sight type thing? SWEET. 8. Leaf Storm - Serperior was a super fun starter Pokemon to use due to this ability. Sure, it lowers my stats (unless it's contrary then it's just even more of a great move) but it's really powerful and Grass is one of my favorite types. 7. Fissure/Guillotine/Sheer Cold/etc - OHKO moves are red lighted for good reason in competitive, and competitive battling kinda has slighted these for me, but fond memories of winning battles due to just LANDING the attack were had and are cherished. 6. Sword's Dance - SD Sweepers are some of my recent loves, particularly Physical Virizion and Leafeon, and this move is the not-so-secret to their destructive prowess. 5. "OUTRAGE TILL WE WIN" - Dookieshed....Outrage has seen -much- less use on my Physical dragons as of late due to being locked in and the confusion afterwards, but it's a force to be reckoned with if checks and counters are gone. @Hilda (Hilda) (4) Mach Punch - All about sealing the deal. (3) Dragon Dance - Lend me your strength, fabled friends.... (2) Drain Punch - There's nothing more refreshing than putting someone on the floor. (1) Leaf Blade Leaf Blade has always had the coolest animation ever since I used it with Sceptile in Gen III. It's the STAB move of my favorite eeveelution, and so many Pokemon that I enjoy using carry it in their moveset. Grass is a heavily disrespected and weak type as far as resistances are concerned, which makes speed and/or attack power the bread and butter of the type in my eyes. My favorite grass type all time may go for moves like Wood Hammer and Seed Bomb, but if -I- were a Pokemon, I would be packing the blade. I hope you're proud, Ame.

I had a hamburger in Austin that had a sauce with a Ghost Pepper base. It was delicious, but Ghost Peppers are not for the faint of heart. um.....uh..............um....CARL?!

I'll start the bidding. In honor with the most popular conception of what Easter is from a religious standpoint - build a team around M-Pidgey-Chirst Jesus, Hallelulu-, using fellow semi-avian...thing Empoleon as a Defogger.

......Suuure...why not? The sometimes-unfortunate thing about politics is that it's very precedent heavy. I -wish- I could tell you that all parties involved with the field are not pushing the envelope when it comes to separation of C&S, but I would be lying if I did. I wish that conservatives really were just scaring voters in the name of opposing something that isn't on their agenda, but that's not the whole story. As someone who has worked in a church and sees the other side of the coin every day, church officials are rightfully concerned about infringement of separation. If you want to see something pretty recent, see Indiana's recent Religious Freedom bill (which was to outline the state's specific rights when it comes to religious practice, including the right of refusal) that was eaten alive by activist groups such as the NAACP and communities such as the LGBTs under the grounds that the bill "supported discrimination" and even after immediate amendments to the bill were drafted, the bill was still taking flak from said groups. This is an instance where it would seem that Liberals are just as good at lying and manipulating people to further their agenda. We're are at a point where activist groups don't care about rights that don't concern their respective causes on both sides of the aisle - and these groups are large contributors and supposed benefactors when it comes to political campaigns. I appreciate your vote of support should things "actually be a problem" - and I understand that you are allowed to disagree with me. For that reason, I wish to leave it at that for now. This thread isn't the place. Now, to the fun part of your post. C: My favorite kind of ice cream is Vanilla. It's a safe bet, it's really cheap at McDonald's, and it's just as boring as I am. c: The Temple Cold Stone used to be in the mall...and it's been closed for like....seven years now. My favorite ice cream flavor is actually the Peanut Butter Perfection pre-packaged stuff you put in your home freezer and eat when you just wanna cry. Pepperoni, and LOTS of it. Pepperoni Lover's at Pizza Hut? The bomb. - Pizza actually tears my stomach up though, so it's a rare treat for me, as I have to be in the mood to claim the porcelain throne for the remainder of the night of consumption. Cranberries and Bananas are my favorite fruit. Most of the time, it's Cranberries. 5. SharkTales 4. Toy Story 3. 3. The Incredibles 2. that Mr. Peabody and Sherman movie?....1. Toy Story If I had to spend 1K I would either pay back some of my college debt or....yeah, that's probably all I would do with it. (If I wasn't in debt, I would purchase some game consoles and hunt down some vidya games that I enjoyed in my childhood, as well as keep up with the Pokemon franchise and build up a game library that I don't currently have.) Yes, He and I had something....something special....Well, I guess we still do, we both like 'Tekken' a whole lot. Ah, Christmas parties folks. Super fun. Um......Abraham Lincoln, Hitler, Ame, Adam Sandler, and a carbon copy of Myself so it wouldn't be so weird to laugh at my own plays. C: Dobby, you are a sophisticated, unique, and great individual, who someday someone will be lucky to call theirs. I think. You're certainly a likeable person, and I think you're nice and cool and funny and all that jazz. If this sounds roundabout, I'm trying to spare your life, Elfy. Anime is something that has largely escaped my interests, and not only would I like to delve into it, Ame is probably going to shove it down my throat.