Jorogumo

Reserved.

PRO PvP Speed Tiers Speed stats are an important defining characteristic of each Pokémon species. They determine the order of moves made by Pokémon during a battle. Assuming an equal level of priority, Pokémon with a higher Speed stat at the start of any given turn will make a move before those with lower Speed. In the case of a Speed tie, which occurs when two Pokémon have the same Speed, one of them will randomly go first. Speed-altering moves, like Dragon Dance or Hammer Arm, only start affecting a Pokémon’s Speed on the following turn. You should first identify the maximum Speed of the Pokémon of your choice. You must take into account its Speed IVs and, based on the Pokémon that you want it to outspeed, distribute its EVs accordingly. For example, if your Jolly Gliscor has 31 Speed IVs, you can give it 112 EVs to reach 279 Speed and outspeed any non-Choice Scarf Timid Heatran with max Speed IVs and EVs (i.e., 278 Speed). If your Jolly Gliscor only has 26 IVs, you can give it 132 Speed EVs to achieve the same feat. When you do this, it is best to assume perfect IVs for opposing Pokémon. This thread will only provide the Speed stats of currently viable Pokémon, so it will not cover every single Pokémon in the game, since it primarily is a PvP-focused resource. The updated Viability Rankings can be found here. For individual PvP sets for each viable Pokémon, you may check out this resource. Both threads will continue to be updated in the future with more accurate and relevant information. Since there are far too many viable Speed tiers and Pokémon sets, some will understandably be missing from the list. For example, you may encounter a Bold Volcarona with 240 or 241 Speed or a Pokémon not even mentioned in this thread. Similarly, you may also run into a Zapdos with an unlisted Speed number. Many players do not have perfect Speed IVs on all their Pokémon and some opt for unusual or custom EV spreads tailored according to the needs of their teams. The following Speed tier list is separated into six different tiers: Pokémon with 500+ Speed, those with 400+ Speed, those with 300+ Speed, those with 200+ Speed, those with 100+ Speed, and those with less than 100 Speed. The items within each tier are arranged in descending order, that is, from the fastest Pokémon to the slowest. In some cases, specific scenarios or boosts are taken into account. For example, Trace Mega Alakazam using its ability to copy Sand Rush or Swift Swim becomes twice as fast as normal when the relevant weather is up. Only 2 additional Speed stages will be counted at most for Pokémon that can boost their own Speed thanks to Quiver Dance, Dragon Dance, Beast Boost, etc. Tier 0: 500 and above Pokémon Base Nature EVs IVs Stage Speed Mega Alakazam 150 Positive 252 31 +2 876 Mega Alakazam 150 Neutral 252 31 +2 798 Ribombee 124 Positive 252 31 +2 762 Hawlucha 118 Positive 252 31 +2 736 Mega Diancie 110 Positive 252 31 +2 700 Mega Metagross 110 Positive 252 31 +2 700 Hawlucha 118 Neutral 252 31 +2 670 Thundurus-Therian 101 Positive 252 31 +2 662 Mega Charizard X 100 Positive 252 31 +2 656 Volcarona 100 Positive 252 31 +2 656 Mega Diancie 110 Neutral 252 31 +2 638 Mega Metagross 110 Neutral 252 31 +2 638 Landorus-Therian 91 Positive 252 31 +2 618 Excadrill 88 Positive 252 31 +2 604 Thundurus-Therian 101 Neutral 252 31 +2 602 Mega Charizard X 100 Neutral 252 31 +2 598 Volcarona 100 Neutral 252 31 +2 598 Kommo-o 85 Positive 252 31 +2 590 Gyarados 81 Positive 252 31 +2 574 Mega Gyarados 81 Positive 252 31 +2 574 Ribombee 124 Positive 252 31 +1 571 Dragonite 80 Positive 252 31 +2 568 Mega Altaria 80 Positive 252 31 +2 568 Greninja 122 Positive 252 31 +1 565 Landorus-Therian 91 Neutral 252 31 +2 562 Excadrill 88 Neutral 252 31 +2 550 Kingdra 85 Neutral 252 31 +2 538 Serperior 113 Positive 252 31 +1 535 Mega Tyranitar 71 Positive 252 31 +2 530 Gengar 110 Positive 252 31 +1 525 Latias 110 Positive 252 31 +1 525 Latios 110 Positive 252 31 +1 525 Cloyster 70 Positive 252 31 +2 524 Mega Swampert 70 Positive 252 31 +2 524 Keldeo 108 Positive 252 31 +1 519 Dragonite 80 Neutral 252 31 +2 518 Mega Altaria 80 Neutral 252 31 +2 518 Venusaur 80 Neutral 252 31 +2 518 Blacephalon 107 Positive 252 31 +1 516 Venusaur (HP Fire) 80 Neutral 252 30 +2 516 Tier 1: 400-499 Pokémon Base Nature EVs IVs Stage Speed Garchomp 102 Positive 252 31 +1 499 Manaphy 100 Positive 252 31 +1 492 Mega Charizard X 100 Positive 252 31 +1 492 Jirachi 100 Positive 252 31 +1 492 Volcarona 100 Positive 252 31 +1 492 Victini 100 Positive 252 31 +1 492 Hydreigon 98 Positive 252 31 +1 486 Cloyster 70 Neutral 252 31 +2 478 Mega Swampert 70 Neutral 252 31 +2 478 Landorus-Therian 91 Positive 252 31 +1 463 Annihilape 90 Positive 252 31 +1 459 Porygon-Z 90 Positive 252 31 +1 459 Excadrill 88 Positive 252 31 +1 453 Manaphy 100 Neutral 252 31 +1 448 Mega Charizard X 100 Neutral 252 31 +1 448 Volcarona 100 Neutral 252 31 +1 448 Rotom-Wash 86 Positive 252 31 +1 447 Kommo-o 85 Positive 252 31 +1 442 Mega Aerodactyl 150 Positive 252 31 +0 438 Mega Alakazam 150 Positive 252 31 +0 438 Gyarados 81 Positive 252 31 +1 430 Mega Gyarados 81 Positive 252 31 +1 430 Dragonite 80 Positive 252 31 +1 426 Mega Altaria 80 Positive 252 31 +1 426 Togekiss 80 Positive 252 31 +1 426 Diggersby 78 Positive 252 31 +1 420 Heatran 77 Positive 252 31 +1 417 Mega Altaria 80 Neutral 28 31 +2 406 Mega Lopunny 135 Positive 252 31 +0 405 Mega Manectric 135 Positive 252 31 +0 405 Tier 2: 300-399 Pokémon Base Nature EVs IVs Stage Speed Mega Alakazam 150 Neutral 252 31 +0 399 Mega Tyranitar 71 Positive 252 31 +1 397 Dragonite 80 Neutral 252 31 +1 388 Mega Altaria 80 Neutral 252 31 +1 388 Weavile 125 Positive 252 31 +0 383 Ribombee 124 Positive 252 31 +0 381 Greninja 122 Positive 252 31 +0 377 Tornadus-Therian 121 Positive 252 31 +0 375 Mega Pidgeot 121 Positive 252 31 +0 375 Alakazam 120 Positive 252 31 +0 372 Hawlucha 118 Positive 252 31 +0 368 Tyranitar 61 Positive 252 31 +1 364 Azelf 115 Positive 252 31 +0 361 Starmie 115 Positive 252 31 +0 361 Magnezone (HP Fire) 60 Positive 252 30 +1 358 Serperior 113 Positive 252 31 +0 357 Serperior (HP Fire) 113 Positive 252 30 +0 356 Thundurus-Incarnate 111 Positive 252 31 +0 353 Gengar 110 Positive 252 31 +0 350 Latias 110 Positive 252 31 +0 350 Latios 110 Positive 252 31 +0 350 Mega Diancie 110 Positive 252 31 +0 350 Mega Gallade 110 Positive 252 31 +0 350 Mega Latias 110 Positive 252 31 +0 350 Mega Latios 110 Positive 252 31 +0 350 Mega Metagross 110 Positive 252 31 +0 350 Alolan Ninetales 109 Positive 252 31 +0 348 Keldeo 108 Positive 252 31 +0 346 Infernape 108 Positive 252 31 +0 346 Blacephalon 107 Positive 252 31 +0 344 Mega Pinsir 105 Positive 252 31 +0 339 Hawlucha 118 Neutral 252 31 +0 335 Garchomp 102 Positive 252 31 +0 333 Thundurus-Therian 101 Positive 252 31 +0 331 Baby XD001 100 Positive 252 31 +0 328 Jirachi 100 Positive 252 31 +0 328 Manaphy 100 Positive 252 31 +0 328 Mega Charizard X 100 Positive 252 31 +0 328 Mega Charizard Y 100 Positive 252 31 +0 328 Mega Gardevoir 100 Positive 252 31 +0 328 Mega Medicham 100 Positive 252 31 +0 328 Mew 100 Positive 252 31 +0 328 Volcarona 100 Positive 252 31 +0 328 Victini 100 Positive 252 31 +0 328 Zapdos 100 Positive 252 31 +0 328 Hydreigon 98 Positive 252 31 +0 324 Mimikyu 96 Positive 252 31 +0 320 Mega Diancie 110 Neutral 252 31 +0 319 Mega Metagross 110 Neutral 252 31 +0 319 Gliscor 95 Positive 252 31 +0 317 Kyurem 95 Positive 252 31 +0 317 Kyurem-Black 95 Positive 252 31 +0 317 Mega Garchomp 92 Positive 252 31 +0 311 Landorus-Therian 91 Positive 252 31 +0 309 Mega Pinsir 105 Neutral 252 31 +0 309 Annihilape 90 Positive 252 31 +0 306 Porygon-Z 90 Positive 252 31 +0 306 Mega Altaria 80 Neutral 28 31 +1 304 Excadrill 88 Positive 252 31 +0 302 Thundurus-Therian 101 Neutral 252 31 +0 301 Tier 3: 200-299 Pokémon Base Nature EVs IVs Stage Speed Baby XD001 100 Neutral 252 31 +0 299 Manaphy 100 Neutral 252 31 +0 299 Mega Charizard X 100 Neutral 252 31 +0 299 Mega Charizard Y 100 Neutral 252 31 +0 299 Mega Gardevoir 100 Neutral 252 31 +0 299 Mega Medicham 100 Neutral 252 31 +0 299 Volcarona 100 Neutral 252 31 +0 299 Victini 100 Neutral 252 31 +0 299 Rotom-Wash 86 Positive 252 31 +0 298 Gliscor 95 Positive 176 31 +0 297 Hydreigon 98 Neutral 252 31 +0 295 Kommo-o 85 Positive 252 31 +0 295 Nidoking 85 Positive 252 31 +0 295 Suicune 85 Positive 252 31 +0 295 Mimikyu 96 Neutral 252 31 +0 291 Kyurem 95 Neutral 252 31 +0 289 Kyurem-Black 95 Neutral 252 31 +0 289 Gyarados 81 Positive 252 31 +0 287 Mega Gyarados 81 Positive 252 31 +0 287 Suicune 85 Positive 216 31 +0 286 Dragonite 80 Positive 252 31 +0 284 Hoopa-Unbound 80 Positive 252 31 +0 284 Mamoswine 80 Positive 252 31 +0 284 Mega Altaria 80 Positive 252 31 +0 284 Togekiss 80 Positive 252 31 +0 284 Mega Garchomp 92 Neutral 252 31 +0 283 Landorus-Therian 91 Neutral 252 31 +0 281 Diggersby 78 Positive 252 31 +0 280 Annihilape 90 Neutral 252 31 +0 279 Gliscor 95 Positive 112 31 +0 279 Heatran 77 Positive 252 31 +0 278 Excadrill 88 Neutral 252 31 +0 275 Mega Heracross 75 Positive 252 31 +0 273 Mega Scizor 75 Positive 252 31 +0 273 Kingdra 85 Neutral 252 31 +0 269 Mega Tyranitar 71 Positive 252 31 +0 265 Tentacruel 100 Positive 16 31 +0 264 Togekiss 80 Positive 176 31 +0 264 Garchomp 102 Neutral 92 31 +0 263 Bisharp 70 Positive 252 31 +0 262 Breloom 70 Positive 252 31 +0 262 Cloyster 70 Positive 252 31 +0 262 Mega Swampert 70 Positive 252 31 +0 262 Volcanion 70 Positive 252 31 +0 262 Dragonite 80 Neutral 252 31 +0 259 Hoopa-Unbound 80 Neutral 252 31 +0 259 Mamoswine 80 Neutral 252 31 +0 259 Mega Altaria 80 Neutral 252 31 +0 259 Venusaur 80 Neutral 252 31 +2 259 Venusaur (HP Fire) 80 Neutral 252 30 +0 258 Diggersby 78 Neutral 252 31 +0 255 Heatran 77 Neutral 252 31 +0 253 Pelipper 65 Positive 252 31 +0 251 Scizor 65 Positive 252 31 +0 251 Mega Heracross 75 Neutral 252 31 +0 249 Mega Scizor 75 Neutral 252 31 +0 249 Garchomp 102 Neutral 20 31 +0 245 Gliscor 95 Neutral 72 31 +0 244 Jirachi 100 Neutral 32 31 +0 244 Landorus-Therian 91 Neutral 104 31 +0 244 Mew 100 Neutral 32 31 +0 244 Zapdos 100 Neutral 32 31 +0 244 Tyranitar 61 Positive 252 31 +0 243 Manaphy 100 Neutral 20 31 +0 241 Tentacruel 100 Neutral 20 31 +0 241 Aegislash 60 Positive 252 31 +0 240 Annihilape 90 Neutral 96 31 +0 240 Clefable 60 Positive 252 31 +0 240 Gliscor 95 Neutral 56 31 +0 240 Kommo-o 85 Neutral 136 31 +0 240 Zapdos 100 Neutral 16 31 +0 240 Bisharp 70 Neutral 252 31 +0 239 Breloom 70 Neutral 252 31 +0 239 Cloyster 70 Neutral 252 31 +0 239 Magnezone (HP Fire) 60 Positive 252 30 +0 239 Mega Swampert 70 Neutral 252 31 +0 239 Volcanion 70 Neutral 252 31 +0 239 Crawdaunt 55 Positive 252 31 +0 229 Pelipper 65 Neutral 252 31 +0 229 Scizor 65 Neutral 252 31 +0 229 Excadrill 88 Neutral 40 31 +0 222 Landorus-Therian 91 Neutral 16 31 +0 222 Mega Heracross 75 Neutral 144 31 +0 222 Mega Scizor 75 Neutral 144 31 +0 222 Rotom-Wash 86 Neutral 56 31 +0 222 Tyranitar 61 Neutral 252 31 +0 221 Annihilape 90 Neutral 16 31 +0 220 Bisharp 70 Neutral 176 31 +0 220 Aegislash 60 Neutral 252 31 +0 219 Clefable 60 Neutral 252 31 +0 219 Magnezone (HP Fire) 60 Neutral 252 30 +0 218 Azumarill 50 Positive 252 31 +0 218 Diancie 50 Positive 252 31 +0 218 Landorus-Therian 91 Neutral 0 31 +0 218 Annihilape 90 Neutral 0 31 +0 216 Heatran 77 Neutral 80 31 +0 210 Crawdaunt 55 Neutral 252 31 +0 209 Rotom-Wash 86 Neutral 0 31 +0 208 Kommo-o 85 Neutral 0 31 +0 206 Suicune 85 Neutral 0 31 +0 206 Mega Altaria 80 Neutral 28 31 +0 203 Bisharp 70 Neutral 96 31 +0 200 Clefable 60 Neutral 176 31 +0 200 Mega Altaria 80 Neutral 16 31 +0 200 Mega Scizor 75 Neutral 56 31 +0 200 Mega Tyranitar 71 Neutral 88 31 +0 200 Mega Venusaur (HP Fire) 80 Neutral 20 30 +0 200 Tyranitar 61 Neutral 168 31 +0 200 Tier 4: 100-199 Pokémon Base Nature EVs IVs Stage Speed Azumarill 50 Neutral 252 31 +0 199 Mega Mawile 50 Neutral 252 31 +0 199 Togekiss 80 Neutral 0 31 +0 196 Clefable 60 Neutral 136 31 +0 190 Heatran 77 Neutral 0 31 +0 190 Conkeldurr 45 Neutral 252 31 +0 189 Klefki 75 Neutral 0 31 +0 186 Mega Scizor 75 Neutral 0 31 +0 186 Seismitoad 74 Neutral 0 31 +0 184 Azumarill 50 Neutral 164 31 +0 177 Bisharp 70 Neutral 4 31 +0 177 Mega Mawile 50 Neutral 164 31 +0 177 Tyranitar 61 Neutral 76 31 +0 177 Bisharp 70 Neutral 0 31 +0 176 Mantine 70 Neutral 0 31 +0 176 Skarmory 70 Neutral 0 31 +0 176 Volcanion 70 Neutral 0 31 +0 176 Uxie 95 Negative 0 01 +0 176 Jellicent 60 Neutral 44 31 +0 167 Alomomola 65 Neutral 0 31 +0 166 Pelipper 65 Neutral 0 31 +0 166 Scizor 65 Neutral 0 31 +0 166 Seismitoad 74 Negative 0 31 +0 165 Aegislash 60 Neutral 16 31 +0 160 Clefable 60 Neutral 16 31 +0 160 Conkeldurr 45 Neutral 136 31 +0 160 Tyranitar 61 Neutral 0 31 +0 158 Cresselia 85 Negative 0 01 +0 158 Aegislash 60 Neutral 0 31 +0 156 Clefable 60 Neutral 0 31 +0 156 Jellicent 60 Neutral 0 31 +0 156 Porygon2 60 Neutral 0 31 +0 156 Blissey 55 Neutral 0 31 +0 146 Tyranitar 61 Negative 0 31 +0 142 Mega Heracross 75 Negative 0 01 +0 140 Alolan Muk 50 Neutral 0 31 +0 136 Azumarill 50 Neutral 0 31 +0 136 Mega Mawile 50 Neutral 0 31 +0 136 Chansey 50 Neutral 0 31 +0 136 Sableye 50 Neutral 0 31 +0 136 Hippowdon 47 Neutral 0 31 +0 130 Alomomola 65 Negative 0 01 +0 122 Tangrowth 50 Negative 0 31 +0 122 Gastrodon 39 Neutral 0 31 +0 114 Aegislash 60 Negative 0 01 +0 113 Porygon2 60 Negative 0 01 +0 113 Crawdaunt 55 Negative 0 01 +0 104 Gastrodon 39 Negative 0 31 +0 102 Tier 5: 99 and below Pokémon Base Nature EVs IVs Stage Speed Cofagrigus 30 Neutral 0 31 +0 96 Mega Slowbro 30 Neutral 0 31 +0 96 Reuniclus 30 Neutral 0 31 +0 96 Slowbro 30 Neutral 0 31 +0 96 Slowking 30 Neutral 0 31 +0 96 Amoonguss (HP Fire) 30 Neutral 0 30 +0 95 Mega Mawile 50 Negative 0 01 +0 95 Quagsire 35 Negative 0 31 +0 95 Alolan Marowak 45 Negative 0 01 +0 86 Amoonguss (HP Fire) 30 Negative 0 30 +0 85 Ferrothorn 20 Neutral 0 31 +0 76 Mega Sableye 20 Neutral 0 31 +0 76 Torkoal 20 Neutral 0 31 +0 76 Cofagrigus 30 Negative 0 01 +0 59 Slowbro 30 Negative 0 01 +0 59 Slowking 30 Negative 0 01 +0 59 Reuniclus 30 Negative 0 01 +0 59 Ferrothorn 20 Negative 0 01 +0 41

The PvP Coordinator team has discussed some more changes to the Viability Rankings based on latest metagame trends and developments.  Rises: Bisharp: A → A+ A staple on BO and HO teams, Bisharp pairs well with other offensive threats, like Mega Lopunny and Mega Pinsir, to overwhelm physically defensive Pokémon that it would otherwise struggle to overcome by itself, such as Zapdos and Skarmory. It is also a top-tier teammate for Pokémon that appreciate the removal of commonplace walls like Clefable, the Slow twins, Chansey, and more.  Zapdos: A → A+ In a metagame where it can check some of the most dangerous offensive threats, like Mega Lopunny, Bisharp, Tornadus-T, Mega Scizor, Mega Pinsir, and much more, Zapdos fits on many offensive, balanced, and defensive builds where it can provide much-needed Defog support, the possibility of chipping down physical assailants with Rocky Helmet, the chance to paralyze them with Static, and decent offensive pressure and momentum even without running HP Ice, thanks to Heat Wave, Hurricane, and Volt Switch.  Kyurem-B: A- → A Kyurem-B is a strong wallbreaker with a lot of set diversity and the ability to blow past some would-be checks, like Clefable and Ferrothorn, thanks to Icium Z. While it certainly has its own drawbacks, like its lackluster speed and vulnerability to Stealth Rock, its bulk allows it to stomach a hit and retaliate even in an offensively leaning metagame.  Slowbro: B+ → A- Slowbro finally joins its specially defensive twin in the A ranks as a strong answer to some of the most prevalent offensive Pokémon in the tier: Mega Lopunny, Mega Metagross, Keldeo, and more. Thanks to Rocky Helmet in conjunction with Teleport, it can swiftly switch into a hit then generate momentum and recover health back with Regenerator. This makes Slowbro an option on more teams than just defensive and balanced structures.  Breloom: B- → B Breloom is a valuable member of specific HO builds that appreciate its priority and ability to incapacitate an opposing Pokémon thanks to Spore and the safety net of Focus Sash. It also performs well against other offensive staples, like Bisharp, Mega Lopunny, and Azumarill just to name a few.  Mega Pinsir: B- → B Just like Breloom, Mega Pinsir finds home on some of the HO builds that heavily benefit from its unique offensive coverage, priority, and ability to overwhelm physical checks with the help of its teammates.  Cresselia: C → C+ Porygon2: C- → C+ Uxie: C- → C+ Trick Room carves itself a notable niche in an offensively oriented metagame where it can turn the speed of opposing HO teams into a disadvantage. The addition of Ursaluna also means that TR builds now gain another valuable member that appreciates common setters like Cresselia, Porygon2, and Uxie.  Drops: Kyurem: S → A+ While Kyurem continues to be a force to be reckoned with in this metagame and can excel against specific team structures, it is decidedly less effective into most of the increasingly common offensive builds.  Mega Medicham: A- → B Mega Medicham continues to struggle in this metagame because wallbreaking requires the widespread presence of walls it can effectively break with its coverage. However, it is quite prediction-reliant against structures that revolve around the likes of Clefable, Landorus-T, Zapdos, the Slow twins, etc. Mega Medicham also suffers from 4MSS (4 Moveslot Syndrome) and must pick between Zen Headbutt, Thunder Punch, and Bullet Punch to round out its coverage. Even then, it is left completely walled by Pokémon like Mega Sableye and Aegislash, the latter of which it can only severely damage with Fire Punch, which it simply cannot afford to run. Pelipper: B+ → C+ Mega Swampert: B+ → C+ Kingdra: B- → C In what is the steepest, longest overdue drop of this update, common Rain staples find themselves tumbling down the viability ranks for a multitude of reasons. Rain structures are not particularly effective against other offensive teams, like Breloom HO, Veil offense, or even Trick Room. Moreover, the matchup-fishy nature of this playstyle also makes it less reliable against Pokémon like Freeze-Dry Kyurem and Chilly Reception Slowking. The PvP Coordinator team believes that Rain has been ranked exceedingly generously for a while now, and this sudden drop seeks to correct a long-standing misperception. Additions: Gengar: Unranked → C+ Gengar has a decent match-up against offense, thanks to its 110 base speed tier, offensive coverage, and access to utility options in Taunt and Destiny Bond. It also fits well on offensive builds, where it can spam Shadow Ball pretty freely while being able to hit common Dark-type switch-ins with Focus Blast and taking advantage of Focus Sash to fire off another hit or use Destiny Bond before fainting. The PvP Coordintor team continues to monitor the VR in lights of the release of new Pokémon, such as Arcanine-Hisui and Ursaluna, and the addition of moves that potentially affect the viability of the likes of Alomomola, the Lati twins, Mega Charizard Y, and Skarmory. However, due to the recency of those events, we are choosing to wait a bit longer before making any further adjustments to the list.

The rankings in this thread reflect those in the other VR thread, so please use that one to make nominations instead. If you believe that a currently unranked Pokémon deserves to be ranked, provide your reasoning, and we will look into the nomination and consider its validity. If you wish to recommend a new set for a Pokémon already on the list, you may use this thread to keep nominations organized accordingly. The label "Offensive Stealth Rock" has already been discussed as an option for Mega Diancie, Mega Metagross, and Mega Swampert. Even though it is a variation of an overall offensive set, we figured it would still be useful to separate an all-out attacker set from one with a utility move, at least until a more detailed list of sets, including moves, is produced.

Not to turn this into a semantics course, but let's not forget the difference between a check and a counter. A Kyurem counter would be able to switch into it manually and still defeat it, even behind its Substitute. A Pokémon like Slowking would not qualify, because it would come in to Future Sight the Sub then switch to another Pokémon that can handle Kyurem after Future Sight breaks the Sub. This makes Slowking a Kyurem check. The list of actual Kyurem counters is extremely limited. There are more offensive and defensive checks, but they would either need to be given a free switch into it or require that no Substitute be up on the other side of the field. Also, another thing worth noting is that, while a Pokémon like Bronzong counters Kyurem, its limited viability means that it would not be worth running in most cases, whereas Clefable and Mega Scizor are both reliable and viable. Encore Alolan Ninetales is also able to switch into Kyurem and lock it into a move, but its usage is exclusive to Veil teams. Bulky Volcarona is a good switch-in as well and, like Mega Gardevoir (which saw some usage on Silver server), can hit Kyurem behind its Substitute. However, Volcarona is weak to Stealth Rock, making it a less reliable answer than Clefable and Mega Scizor. Also, for those of you who enjoy looking at statistics, here are the Kyurem numbers for Silver server and for Gold server that were shared in the official PRO Discord by Wally. While statistics are indicative, they still show that Kyurem excels with certain teammates that can handle some of its weaknesses. I would also encourage each of you, regardless of your opinion on Kyurem and whether you think it is broken or not, to avoid looking at match-ups in a vacuum. Kyurem is not isolated, it is paired up with Pokémon that can help it to handle its checks. Just like you, the Kyurem user can also switch out and not be locked behind Substitute. There are many variables to consider.

As part of our continuing commitment to monitoring developments in the metagame, the PvP Coordinators have noticed that Kyurem is quite possibly a presence that is overcentralizing, difficult to prepare for, and perhaps too strong for our current available answers. This belief is reflected in our recent Viability Rankings update, where Kyurem is now in S-tier. We highly encourage you to participate in this discussion and offer opposing viewpoints, as we recognize that any discussion within a small group of relatively similar people is liable to produce the same ideas, regardless of their competence. We are especially interested in hearing your thoughts on Kyurem's role in the current metagame. Have you had difficulty handling it with your current team? Has it invalidated any builds you wanted to try? Or, on the other hand, are you having success utilizing it? While Kyurem has several viable sets, including Choice Specs and Choice Scarf, we believe it is at its most dangerous when running Substitute, Roost, and Freeze-Dry. On Gold server, players tend to prefer the fourth move Earth Power, while on Silver, players also favor Toxic. This set is able to safely create Substitutes on a vast majority of the viable defensive Pokémon in the PRO metagame, especially balance staples such as Tangrowth and Rotom-Wash. Its titanic base HP stat permits it to easily reach 405 maximum HP, thereby creating 101 HP Substitutes which Seismic Toss Chansey cannot break. Ferrothorn, despite a nominal type advantage, is simply run out of Gyro Ball due to Pressure, while even something like Eviolite Bisharp is faced with the possibility of a straight 2HKO from Earth Power as well as both Substitute and Roost, denying Sucker Punch. Against offensive teams, the combination of Freeze-Dry, Earth Power, and Kyurem's natural bulk forces switches to no end, which it can easily set Substitute on, guaranteeing that it claims a kill shortly thereafter. However, Kyurem's weakness to Stealth Rock and the relative speed of the metagame do somewhat hold it back. Mega Lopunny teams tend to play at a pace that does not often let Kyurem enter the field, while Mega Scizor is one of very few immediately safe defensive answers (though, in an extended interaction, it can certainly eventually get frozen or worn down by hazards). Mega Metagross immediately threatens Kyurem with its faster speed and massive power but simply cannot come in on Kyurem using Substitute more than once. Slowking, which is rapidly gaining popularity, is both a good teammate for Kyurem and a form of counterplay. With Future Sight, it can ensure that a teammate safely enters the field to face a Kyurem without a Substitute while barely dodging the 2HKO from Freeze-Dry. Ultimately, Kyurem is sometimes manageable in battle, even when it poses extreme strain on the teambuilder. We will take into account all feedback we receive before the end of the season, when we intend to make a final decision. Well-constructed and defended reasonings will naturally be given more weight, but we do care even if your opinion is simply that you like the Pokémon. At this time, there are no other Pokémon or combinations that are immediately on our radar, but we will keep you updated as soon as possible if that changes.

Thank you for the suggestions, Bash. Your feedback is appreciated. This thread is in its final form, but we will discuss adding missing sets like the Mega Diancie one you mention or Stealth Rock Mega Metagross. We may need to rename some of the sets to clarify what we mean and avoid any potential confusion. I will just add that usage does not necessarily dictate viability; the most used sets may not automatically be deemed the most viable ones, so we reserve the right to rank all options accordingly while remaining open to changes and additions posted by players in this very thread. We wanted to get the viability rankings and set viability rankings out first as indicative resources while we continue working on the rest. One of the projects would be a detailed list of sets including Abilities, Natures, items, moves, and EV spreads in alignment with what you propose. However, that one would understandably take time and would also link back to this one. Ideally, clicking on each recommended set would take the user to the corresponding set details, but that may not be possible, and we may need to settle for a direct link to the other thread instead. Set explanations would take even longer and are not currently being considered because the time investment would not be worth their limited utility.

Reserved.

Hey. We'll work on a separate list of viable sets, but it'll take time. For now, if there is any Pokémon for which you'd like to know the set(s), please let us know.

PRO PvP Viability Rankings by @Aggs, @Cyanirl, @Jorogumo, and @Pisforpenguin Welcome to the PRO PvP Viability Rankings thread! This thread is maintained by the PvP Coordinator team and will be updated regularly, but we want to hear your thoughts and opinions on both the metagame at large and specific Pokémon. Please understand that viability rankings are fundamentally a subjective matter — and as such, opinions may certainly differ. Please note the following: Usage is not the same as viability. Please do not nominate Pokémon on the grounds that they are frequently used. Be detailed when submitting nominations for changes. It is difficult to convince anyone, us included, to change their mind with a one-liner. All discussion is welcome, especially if you have personal experience laddering with a certain Pokémon for a substantial number of games. Remain civil. While spirited and contentious debate is encouraged, please do not resort to personal attacks. The following Pokémon are ranked in alphabetical order within each sub-tier: S Rank: S Rank Clefable Landorus-T A Rank: A+ Rank Aegislash Bisharp Kyurem Lopunny-Mega Mawile-Mega Serperior Tornadus-T Zapdos A Rank Diancie-Mega Dragonite Ferrothorn Garchomp Heatran Keldeo Kyurem-B Metagross-Mega Tangrowth A- Rank Alakazam-Mega Annihilape Azumarill Charizard-Mega-Y Excadrill Gliscor Hoopa-U Manaphy Ninetales-Alola Rotom-Wash Scizor-Mega Slowbro Slowking Thundurus Victini Volcarona B Rank: B+ Rank Amoonguss Blacephalon Chansey Charizard-Mega-X Greninja Jirachi Kommo-o Latias Latias-Mega Latios Magnezone Sableye-Mega Tyranitar Weavile B Rank Alomomola Breloom Gyarados-Mega Hippowdon Hydreigon Latios-Mega Medicham-Mega Mew Pinsir-Mega Skarmory Suicune Thundurus-T Tyranitar-Mega Venusaur-Mega Volcanion B- Rank Altaria-Mega Crawdaunt Gastrodon Heracross-Mega Porygon-Z Reuniclus Ribombee C Rank: C+ Rank Alakazam Cresselia Diggersby Ditto Gallade-Mega Gengar Mamowsine Manectric-Mega Pelipper Porygon2 Quagsire Scizor Swampert-Mega Togekiss Uxie C Rank Cloyster Conkeldurr Gardevoir-Mega Gyarados Hawlucha Kingdra Marowak-Alola Mimikyu Slowbro-Mega Torkoal Venusaur C- Rank Aerodactyl-Mega Azelf Blissey Cofagrigus Garchomp-Mega Infernape Jellicent Klefki Mantine Muk-Alola Nidoking Pidgeot-Mega Seismitoad Starmie Tentacruel

Hey. There's a more recent version of this thread here. However, it's not fully up-to-date anymore. There's been several metagame developments since the last update and I haven't had time to keep up with all of them. Z-Moves, Tapus, and other Pokemon are allowed in Ranked PvP for the time being, but they were announced as temporary additions, so I didn't feel the need to rework the other VR list yet.

This is another scenario that will almost never matter in practice. If your Ditto is slower than an opposing Ditto, the nature and the speed will help you in a Struggle war. Otherwise, any nature and speed IV can work as long as your Ditto has Imposter.

Hey. This is minor and will mostly never matter in practice. Basically, 29 HP IVs minimize Life Orb recoil. If Gengar has 30+ HP IVs, it will have 260+ HP and will lose 26 HP every time that Life Orb activates. However, with 29 HP IVs, it will have 259 HP and will only lose 25 HP with every hit because 25.9 is rounded down to 25 due to the way Pokemon mechanics work. This makes 29 HP IVs an optimal choice, but it's totally optional and having higher or lower HP IVs will work just as fine. For the purpose of this (now outdated) thread, I tried to optimize sets and spreads as much as possible.

Starmie Serperior Jynx

Small VR changes: Garchomp: A+ → A Breloom: B+ → B Cofagrigus: C- → C The reasons for these changes were mentioned in the #top25-pvp-chat channel of the PRO Discord server on June 8, 2022. I recommend reading them if you are curious about them. There was also some discussion about Landorus-T, Amoonguss, and Starmie. For now, they all remain in their respective tiers (S, B+, and B-). However, while I generally agree with their current placements, I haven't fully made up my mind one way or the other and would like to see them being discussed further. Kyurem-B is still a recent addition and more time is needed before ranking it. Feel free to discuss that one as well. Edit: Kyurem-B has been tentatively added to A- on August 17, 2022.