Jorogumo

I am willing to offer a lot for that Tangrowth. However, I don't know how HP Fire works in this game. There's a rather confusing thread regarding Hidden Power's base power in this game (check it here if you want). Some say it varies depending on the IVs, while others say it's fixed at 50 or 60... Your Tangrowth's HP Fire's power is 38. If I may be so bold and ask, is that why you're selling it? Otherwise, do you think that the base power is always the same (50 or 60)?

He has some checks (like specially defensive Skarmory and specially defensive Gliscor) that can't really switch in, because they would have to roost forever until they out-PP Shadow Ball. However, if Gliscor can be safely brought in, Knock Off will be deadly, unless Gengar is carrying Icy Wind or HP Ice. As far as actual counters go, AV Goodra is up there. Here are some calculations, assuming a Modest nature and a lot of investment in both HP and special attack EVs: 252 SpA Life Orb Gengar Shadow Ball vs. 240 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Goodra: 79-95 (20.7 - 24.9%) -- guaranteed 5HKO 252 SpA Life Orb Gengar Sludge Bomb vs. 240 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Goodra: 90-107 (23.6 - 28%) -- 86.3% chance to 4HKO 252 SpA Life Orb Gengar Focus Blast vs. 240 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Goodra: 81-95 (21.2 - 24.9%) -- guaranteed 5HKO 252+ SpA Goodra Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gengar: 262-309 (101.1 - 119.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO On top of being able to take on all of Gengar's attacks (and never taking more than 28% damage from them), Goodra can be called a counter to Gengar, being able to switch in, tank two hits, then proceed to OHKO Gengar with a powerful Draco Meteor. AV Conkeldurr doesn't appreciate taking hits from Gengar, but can avoid the 2HKO from any of them and OHKO Gengar back with Knock Off. Specially defensive Mandibuzz can survive the 2HKO from Sludge Bomb and OHKO Gengar with Knock Off, too. Calm variants of Dragalge can easily take on Gengar and threaten the latter with Draco Meteor, while regaining HP thanks to Black Sludge. Now that people can get Raikou, they can run Assault Vest and Shadow Ball, too, especially because getting HP Ice IVs is highly unlikely (unless/until it becomes possible in the future to reroll IVs). While it's true that not much can switch into Gengar and tank 2 hits, a lot of Pokémon can easily revenge kill him with priority attacks. Also, keep in mind that, just like offensive Starmie, Gengar is going to force a lot of Pokémon out, while wearing himself down because of Life Orb recoil.

I just recall that, last year, when Vulcan Island was out and many bots were power farming H.A. Torchic, a GM (I forgot the name, but it might have been Shamac) said that it was up to the players to report anyone that they suspect of botting. My friend and I ended up having to record a pretty lengthy video to show a player that we suspected of botting. We still don't know the outcome, but I suppose the player was indeed botting and got banned, because they disappeared a few days later, before Vulcan Island was made unavaiable (at the time). I'm sorry if my post contains misleading information. I will delete the second part and only keep the first one. However, I do think that there are a lot more moderators now than a year ago.

Taunt Gengar is a threat for multiple reasons: 1. Levitate gives Gengar an immunity to Arena Trap and Spikes. Sucker Punch won't work, because Gengar is not going to try to take on Dugtrio and will end up switching out. 2. Taunt allows Gengar to prevent Tentacruel from using Rapid Spin, and Thunderbolt is an option that Gengar can run (although the expected moveset will most likely be Shadow Ball, Sudge Bomb, Focus Blast and Taunt). Not being able to Rapid Spin entry hazards away means that Dugtrio will almost be rendered useless. 3. Taunt also enables Gengar to break past Blissey and a potential Skarmory, respectively with Focus Blast and Shadow Ball. 4. Ferrothorn can not safely switch into Gengar (Focus Blast will almost OHKO your fully physically defensive Ferrothorn), but can OHKO the latter with Gyro Ball. 5. If Gengar is paired with a Magnezone (Gengar synergizes well with the latter thanks to an immunity to ground-type and fighting-type moves), then you'll be in trouble. I recommend a mixed build for Ferrothorn, with the combination of Leech Seed and Protect, which would allow you to regain some HP more easily, while scouting for Gengar's next move. If you run Skarmory and mixed Ferrothorn, go for the physically defensive variant of the steel bird, as it synergizes well with Chansey/Blissey. Because Magnezone is a huge threat to your team (if you fail to remove Stealth Rock, Dugtrio will die to Flash Cannon and won't be able to eliminate Magnezone from play), you should maybe consider running Shed Shell on Skarmory, since you already have a Pokémon that can be trapped by Magnet Pull. This will also allows you to gain momentum, as Magnezone will be expecting to get rid of Skarmory. You can then proceed to switch to Dugtrio rather safely (on a probable Thunderbolt), in order to OHKO Magnezone with Earthquake. Magnezone tends to run a Choice item (usually Specs, but Scarf should still be kept in mind), making Tentacruel a good check to expected Flash Cannon and HP Fire. The latter can also deal with Gengar relatively well, although Shadow Ball will hurt Timid variants more than bulkier ones. Black Sludge is good for passive recovery. AV is too situational and wouldn't enable you to run Toxic Spikes on Tentacruel. However, it would improve Tentacruel's performance against Gengar and, to a certain extent, Magnezone. Choice Band Scizor (with Superpower) can really hurt your team. Physically defensive Skarmory helps with that, but Scald Tentacruel is a decent check. Swords Dance Scizor will OHKO Togekiss with Bullet Punch if it buffs up once, but it usually runs Roost and U-turn, so Ferrothorn can work in tandem with Tentacruel. It must be noted, though, that Scizor will just proceed to buff up against Ferrothorn, because Thunder Wave doesn't really stop Scizor from being a big threat. However, a burn from Tentacruel's Scald will prevent Scizor from sweeping. If you decide to use Skarmory against Scizor, remember that their respective speeds (assuming max IVs) are 176 and 166. Scizor might not have any speed EVs and run HP and attack EVs (if Adamant) or even HP EVs with a mix of attack and defense EVs (if Impish). Other EV combinations are possible, depending on the team's needs. The point is: if you roost against a Scizor, you become vulnerable to Superpower. Skarmory should not be totally shut down by Taunt and, as such, should run a move (Brave Bird and Iron Head are good STAB options). Brave Bird can help against Scizor. Roost is a must. Whirlwind is recommended, in order to avoid being setup bait. Spikes are a good option for the last move slot, but your team, which has Stealth Rock, Spikes and Toxic Spikes, doesn't have a way of preventing the enemy team from using Rapid Spin (e.g. Gengar, Cofagrigus) and can't punish Defog users (like Bisharp can). I hope I have been of some help. Good luck!

You can report someone (or a group of people) that you suspect of botting in the Report Center forum. To do so, you must check this thread to know about the guideline to follow, then start a thread in your server's subforum.

If you want to be safe against Hippowdon (which would otherwise 2HKO Dragalge with Earthquake), you're going to need 131 speed, uninvested Hippowdon with perfect IVs having 130 speed. Draco Meteor will almost always OHKO fully physically defensive Hippowdon, while 2HKOing mixed variants. That's why the speed matters, mostly because you only need to invest 28 EVs in speed, considering you have perfect IVs in that department, but also because there aren't many notable Pokémon worth outspeeding at the cost of sacrificing more HP EVs. The only two other exceptions I can think of are uninvested Clefable at 156 speed and uninvested Tyranitar at 158. This would allow you to hit both of them extremely hard, OHKOing Bold Clefable (and almost OHKOing the Calm variant) with Sludge Bomb and almost nailing Tyranitar with the newly-implemented Focus Blast. It only OHKOs the latter when running no HP EVs, in which case you're not faster. Also, keep in mind that the sandstorm boosts Tyranitar's special defense, so OHKOing it will almost never occur, unless you are running Life Orb or Choice Specs. Your Dragalge doesn't have the highest special attack possible, so you should try to calculate the damage you do to certain Pokémon, as some close OHKOs will not be scored, which might result in you losing your Pokémon, instead of getting ahead. Knowing Dragalge's limits is mandatory. The typing is definitely great and you should abuse it as much as possible. Dragalge can switch into many attacks, get rid of Toxic Spikes, while being able to set them himself. Dragalge also threatens enemy teams with a wide array of moves. Draco Meteor and Sudge Bomb are mandatory. I would also recommend Focus Blast, as it is nigh mandatory to nail Pokémon that resist both of Dragalge's STAB moves and try to switch into them just to be surprised by Focus Blast. The list is long: Bisharp, Ferrothorn, Magnezone and Excadrill are some of the ones you should keep in mind. Toxic Spikes is a great option for the last slot, especially when running Black Sludge for passive recovery (Dragalge can switch into a lot of attacks and bluff an attack, then proceed to set up Toxic Spikes to hurt grounded setup sweepers other than steel-type Pokémon). If the main concern is to deal as much damage as possible to anything that switches in, then you should definitely give Dragalge an item that boosts the power of Draco Meteor, as it lands a powerful, neutral hit on anything that isn't a fairy-type or a steel-type Pokémon. You deal with the latter two with the combination of Sludge Bomb and Focus Blast (which is why you can run Toxic Spikes without worrying too much about not being able to neutrally cover most of the metagame). Otherwise, Life Orb is another option. However, Dragalge is supposed to switch-in a lot and not die early on. Life Orb increases the damage significantly (and your Dragalge, with lower special attack than desired, could benefit from such a boost in power), but recoil damage on top of hits from other Pokémon will prevent Dragalge from performing the role it's supposed to as well as it should. Choice Specs has the advantage of boosting Dragalge's moves' power even further, but has the drawback of being locked into a specific move, which means that, should you predict right, you will deal more damage (e.g. Tyranitar maybe being OHKO'd). If you don't predict right, then you're in big trouble, and Dragalge or another Pokémon might die or just take significant damage. With Choice Specs, you risk losing some momentum and being set behind, which is not always an easy situation to come back from. Not to say it's impossible, though. On Life Orb sets, maybe consider running Scald over Toxic Spikes. On Choice Specs sets, it is nigh mandatory to run it (or any other move that would help your team). Do not run Choice Scarf. That would be pointless. I personally wouldn't use that Dragalge in PvP. However, considering the rarity of H.A. Skrelp, you can if you really want to. Otherwise, I'd recommend using another special wallbreaker, maybe Hydreigon (easier to farm, as Levitate is the only available ability). Hydreigon does lack Toxic Spikes, but functions better than Dragalge in the current metagame, hitting fairy-type Pokémon with Flash Cannon and steel-type Pokémon with Flamethrower or Focus Blast, while having good neutral coverage with both Draco Meteor and Dark Pulse. Earth Power is also a powerful option (which reminds me that your Dragalge does have HP Ground). The main advantage Hydreigon has over Dragalge is sitting at a much higher speed tier. I hope I have been of some help. Good luck!

Re: PRO Viability Rankings (PVP) v0.97_2 <t>Reserving this post for now. I'll be posting about Alakazam and why a rise from B+ to A- might be justified thanks to the addition of Focus Blast, the lack of Pursuit trapping, as well as the combination of Magic Guard and Focus Sash.</t>

Re: PRO Viability Rankings (PVP) v0.97_2 <r>My first post here. Just trying to be as constructive as possible. It's all up for discussion. <br/> <br/> <B><s></s>Name:<e></e></B> Gengar<br/> <B><s></s>Current tier:<e></e></B> A<br/> <B><s></s>Desired tier:<e></e></B> A+<br/> <B><s></s>Reason:<e></e></B> With the addition of the long-coveted Focus Blast and the fact that Pursuit has yet to be coded, Gengar can now deal with some of his counters and check the likes of Tyranitar, Krookodile, Bisharp and Weavile (on the switch for the last two, although the latter doesn't take Sludge Bombs well at all). The new move also allows Gengar to secure OHKOs that he wasn't able to achieve before, namely on non-scarfed Hydreigon (and on the switch if scarfed), Magnezone (while living any hit from scarfed variants), Excadrill (if the latter predicts a poison-type move and chooses to switch in) and Mamoswine, while letting him finish off Ferrothorn after the latter has lost 1/4 of its HP. Some notable 2HKOs include specially defensive variants of Snorlax, Empoleon and Umbreon. Gengar's main poison-type move nails fully physically defensive variants of Clefable (while almost OHKOing Calm sets), Azumarill (while being able to stomach a choice-banded Aqua Jet), Togekiss, Breloom and physically defensive Tangrowth, while his other STAB move, Shadow Ball, has good neutral coverage and OHKOs Metagross, Chandelure, Dusknoir and Bold variants of Slowbro, while hitting Jellicent, specially defensive Jirachi and specially defensive Mew hard (nearly OHKOing the former). With the combination of Focus Blast and Taunt, Gengar can break past Chansey and Blissey. Gengar's ability, Levitate, gives him an immunity to ground-type attacks and Arena Trap, while his typing grants him two extra immunities to normal-type and fight-type attacks. While Gengar has many perks allowing him to function well in the current metagame, his frailty means he gets easily revenge-killed by priority users, mostly Talonflame and Choice Band Scizor, as well as faster Choice Scarf users, namely Tyranitar. While Gengar has a decent speed tier, he is outsped and OHKO'd by offensive and bulky Timid Starmie (Psyshock always neats the OHKO on Gengar), Alakazam, Protect Blaziken (after gaining one Speed Boost), as well as Sand Rush Excadrill (with Iron Head) and most, if not all, Swift Swim users (most notably Kingdra, Omastar and Kabutops). Specially defensive Gliscor carrying Knock Off can also check Gengar lacking HP Ice. Life Orb recoil damage also limits Gengar's longevity and he doesn't like coming in too many times when Stealth Rock is up. Due to his ability, Levitate, Gengar can't clear Toxic Spikes like other poison-type Pokémon. Focus Blast's inaccuracy also hurts Gengar as an expected OHKO on a certain Pokémon will almost always result in Gengar dying to the latter. All in all, Gengar's positive traits outweigh all these drawbacks and, while he's certainly not S-material, he is definitely a top-threat that players should prepare for when building their teams. I think Gengar should be A+ (until Pursuit gets finally coded).<br/> <br/> Multiple sets are certainly possible, but the main (and, in my opinion, best) one should be the Life Orb set with Shadow Ball, Sludge Bomb, Focus Blast and Taunt. Destiny Bond is also an option (although not coded yet, I believe). Will-O-Wisp can be used to burn a Pokémon on a predicted switch and should be used in tandem with Hex (and perhaps even Black Sudge). Icy Wind or HP Ice are also options to surprise the likes of Garchomp, Gliscor, Salamence and Dragonite. The latter should be HP Ice'd after losing Multiscale, but can be Icy Wind'd on an expected Dragon Dance. Choice Specs allows Gengar to hit harder, but being unable to switch between his three main moves on predicted switches (as Gengar can force a lot of Pokémon out) is the main drawback of the set. Choice Scarf variants nail Starmie on a predicted Rapid Spin, while luring the latter to use Psyshock before being OHKO'd by Shadow Ball. This also lets Gengar act as a surprise revenge killer (e.g. Focus Blast on Weavile or Thunderbolt on Gyarados after one Dragon Dance) and even allows him to outspeed some Swift Swim users, depending on the sets they're running. Focus Sash can be used to lead with Gengar, as the coverage and the speed allow it to dismantle a few common leads.<br/> <br/> Apologies to the moderator who had to approve this post so many times, because I kept editing it to add and remove a few words here and there.<br/> <br/> I edited this post a few more times after it got quoted. I must have been brain dead at the time, because I mentioned Focus Blast'ing Skarmory upon roosting and removing Toxic Spikes thanks to Gengar's typing. Obviously, Focus Blast doesn't double the damage on Skarmory when it roosts, because Gengar is faster and can't take advantage of Skarmory becoming a steel-type Pokémon. Levitate makes Gengar unable to remove Toxic Spikes. Both points are now no longer mentioned in this post.</r>