All the Strongest New Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet

Go to buyraycon.com/mandjtv and use code HOLIDAY to get 15% off site-wide! Brought to you by Raycon.
The Top 32 strongest new Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet!
📽️Subscribe here! bit.ly/mandjtv_sub
👕Merch store! mandjtvmerch.com/
🎮Gameplay Channel MandJTV Plays! bit.ly/mandjtv_plays
💸Patreon for exclusive videos! / johnmichaelandco
📱 TikTok! bit.ly/mandjtv_tiktok
📸Instagram! bit.ly/mandjtv_insta
👽Reddit! bit.ly/mandjtv_reddit
🏪Amazon Storefront! bit.ly/mandjtv_shop
I make Pokemon videos, such as Pokemon Scarlet and Violet content, Pokemon Legends Arceus content, Pokemon playthrough challenges, Top 10 or Top 5 Pokemon videos, Pokemon Talk, Pokemon Meme Review, and lots more! If you're any level of Pokemon fan, subscribe for videos you're sure to love!
Edited by KeeLoker! / keeloker
Mytey subscribe animation by Spoody: / @_judepayne_
Palafin thumbnail art by RainingRoses: / rainingroses_
#Pokemon

[@timmyreobed5043]

"I look forward to seeing if people can make Palafin work." It's already banned in Smogon OU. Switching in and out is barely an inconvenience, so it essentially doesn't have an ability, and Jet Punch is one of the most insane priority moves in the game.

[@luisgarcia1337]

Same thing for Iron Bundle, who was banned for basically having a currently unresisted STAB combination of Hydro Pump, Blizzard, and Freeze Dry. Literally nothing in the current dex could resist that, and it typically ran Boots to avoid Stealth Rocks meaning that switching in and out wasn't too bad for it.

[@jazzyj5374]

Flutter Mane stares Menacingly

[@dinovamaster858]

*Spooky doggo noises*

[@timmyreobed5043]

@@dinovamaster858 Ah yes, the doggo that was banned because we just can't tell if the base 300 power 100 acc move is too strong.

[@TheMightyWobb]

That bulk up/drain punch set was absolutely demonic.

[@Tem07]

In singles, Gholdengo blocks rapid spin and defog, making it insanely good for maintaining hazards.

[@jonathanpeters6734]

There is currently discussion of banning it from casual play

[@Tem07]

@@jonathanpeters6734 hes not too fast so he is easier to manage, Fire and Ground moves deal with him easily too.

[@soulofsomething6651]

In Doubles has Steel Astral Barrage

[@Aeistheticism]

Gholdengo is this gen's Landorus.

[@jonathanpeters6734]

@@Tem07 sure, but at the same time, it enables you to lock hazards easily. It blocks all but one way to get rid of them, that being tidy up on maushold.

[@emilysmith2965]

Two very important things that Grass/Dark types get in VGC: 1. Immunity to powder moves, i.e. automatic Safety Goggles 2. Immunity to Prankster

[@adammorin2955]

Yeah i think he forgot to mention that lol

[@christopherbennett5858]

@@adammorin2955 As well as the fact that Meowscarada has access to U-turn, putting it in a similar boat to Palafin.

[@vapor0148]

Also, and there’s no way for Mikey to have know this at the time, but Meowscarada counters Gholdengo, Hydregon, Haze Murkrow, Garchomp, Annihilape, and Dondozo with it’s incredible Physical attack stat, Knock off, and access to STAB Play Rough and U-Turn via Protean.

[@llamadrama1090]

@@vapor0148 if he knew more about competitive he would have known about that

[@99wins31]

Just look out for U-Turners

[@whydowehavehandlesnow]

I absolutely LOVE the gimmick of palafin having to switch out first before taking hero form. It's literally the classic superman hiding in a phonebooth to change

[@DigiBrad]

I love the gimmick but don't like it being a evolution that changes so little. Either had it be a stand alone pokemon or atleast had the first stage be a smaller dolphin like pokemon

[@Sheenifier]

​@@DigiBrad Finizen. Fin + Citizen. A normal fin citizen. That's the gimmick. Clark Kent's whole thing is he hides with glasses and a side comb, but he still stands out

[@Sheenifier]

I just wish that when it comes back out there's more of a... dramatic flair?

[@DigiBrad]

@@Sheenifier I get the gimmick, what I'm saying is Palifin or Finizen could've been either a 1 stage line. Or have a 1st stage that atleast looked more different. For the gimmick to work it really didn't need to evolve

[@Lissy_YT481]

​@@DigiBrad that's a kinda stupid complain tbh.

[@creepydwarf8714]

Something Mikey left out for Skeledirge is that it gets unaware, which vastly adds to its defensive profile. That, and having two immunities with one of the most defensive types in the game in fire, I think, really adds a lot as well. I don’t think it will become a juggernaut by any means because it’s move. p is too limited, but I still think it will fare better than he says it will

[@dzrk8183]

he also left out endure/sash weak armor on ceruledge and armarouge, though its a lot more niche

[@edgyanole9705]

@@dzrk8183 yeah they aren't that good

[@edgyanole9705]

It's actually pretty amazing since it gets will o wisp, and torch song to boost it's spat

[@artisticsmeargel4019]

@@edgyanole9705 yeah he also left out the fact that in SV when tatsugiri faints it is counted as exiting the dondozo so it loses the Omni boost but since he used showdown it makes sense he wouldn’t know that because showdown doesn’t program that type of mechanic like Pokémon does because they like chaos over balance

[@NoName-ov5xf]

Theres also the fact that it can use Tera Fairy for an even better typing to abuse Unaware even more

[@dapperdabber13]

I absolutely love Palafin. He's Superman the Pokémon. The design is lackluster on purpose. It's a disguise. Then when he needs to go hero mode BAM he becomes like the Sidon of Pokemon I love it. His ability name Zero to Hero is a fun nod to Hercules too I think

[@Xavaren_1]

He’s actually based on superman, the zero to hero ability is based on clark kent turning into superman, and his level to evolve (38) is a reference to the first comic superman was seen in, released in 1938

[@tysonvienneau1830]

I also love how Finizin is a play on words for citizen is great

[@austinpokevids]

Yeah I used Palafin on my team as it’s my favorite paldean Pokémon.It reminds me of Superman but also All Might from MHA(My favorite superhero)

[@dapperdabber13]

@@tysonvienneau1830 OMG I didn't even put that together. That's fun. Gen 9 mons are fun

[@Mustache99]

Yes but his regular form is like his previous evolution with a heart, i would have made him a single staged evolution

[@veevendetta3448]

Long live Annihilape. That guy carried me through the Elite Four, The Two Champions and The Final Boss Battle in the Great Crater single-handedly. Annilape w/Poison Tera Type is God. Shoutouts to the 3 starters with their Hidden Abilities too.

[@bellslimes]

Annihilape is so fucking badass it’s not even funny

[@Chordata7]

Annihilape is goated

[@trentonkern4803]

The applejacks mascot comparison was spot on 🤣

[@leafeon8956]

I always saw him at the string cheese man, but Applejack's also works really well

[@cinderfeather]

I love that with Dondozo and Tatsugiri you make Dondozo stronger by kinda pulling a Yu-Gi-Oh via Polymerization. Like it just gives me that kinda vibe.

[@ggrarl]

Sounds more like using a Union monster than a Fusion.

[@Bitchmadeshay]

So what your saying, is that one day we can get flamewingman in pokemon?

[@TheRibottoStudios]

@@Bitchmadeshay when it comes to Polymerization THAT'S your go to monster to bring up? I always think of like Chimera.

[@Bitchmadeshay]

@@TheRibottoStudios the anime. It's jadens main card. It's like his dark magician

[@TheRibottoStudios]

@@Bitchmadeshay ahhhh never got past the first series lol

[@gambadrawing5669]

1 major thing missed when discussing Annihilape is it’s signature move Rage Fist. 50 power but it gets boosted by another 50 power each time it’s hit. Combine that with its pretty high bulk and decent speed and you can build an entire set around Rage Fist.

[@themudkipmando4125]

Add a metronome and it becomes unstoppable

[@raulbrenes778]

there is a strat with sneasle that uses beat up and weakness policy, also terra ghost to power it up even further

[@thelegendaryarceus5618]

He's Uber so yeah. Pretty good

[@t1r1g0n]

As far as I know the BP boost doesn't reset on switch out or dying. Thereforre you can make this thing an absolute monster with Revival Blessing...

[@adammorin2955]

Right now he is being used to use final gambit to get rid of annoying pokemon

[@chilif1sh287]

Due to how insanely good the new item clear amulet is going to be, I think the legendary quartet actually could be quite viable in vgc as well

[@dimplest]

The drop from the abilities are considered different that stat drops

[@veevendetta3448]

I put it on Gholdengo. It fits like a Glove on a hand.

[@TechnoArpan]

@@veevendetta3448 It's ability already does that, no?

[@akion37]

@@TechnoArpan good as gold makes you immune from status moves as far as i know you could still get your stats lowered with things like lumina crash or shadow ball also make it rain (gholdengos op signature attack) lowers its spatk so thats probably the main reason

[@Naro_Rivers]

Even without the amulet, the ruin quartet would be fantastic paired with Defiant or Competitive partners.

[@sanderbeljaars5404]

Some things to note about Koraidon vs Miraidon is that electric terrain gives 1.3x boost since gen 8 and Miraidon going to have more trouble keeping it's terrain up in doubles because of returning terrain setters with supportive roles like Indeedee.

[@loremastre6682]

Not to mention the new Ice Spinner move that, not only has type effectiveness over Dragon but clears terrain. Meaning you’ll have to switch back out or have another way to set terrain.

[@thelegendaryarceus5618]

They both still managed to get a place in Ubers along with two paradox forms and two regular Pokemon

[@adammorin2955]

But even with a format with other legendaries zacian is king

[@gator-tater9827]

@@adammorin2955 Miraidon is a better Ubers mon than Zacian was, I’m pretty sure. It absolutely crushes opponents thanks to Electro drift plus terrain plus 135 sp atk plus item bonus, it just has too many multipliers

[@adammorin2955]

@@gator-tater9827 fairy steel is one of the best typings ever. Zacian gets a +1 boost as soon as he comes in and his stats are insane. Zacian got banned in ubers and it was at the end of the generation with shadow caltrex and all that when he was banned sooo lol. miraidon has no moves that are super effective against zacian even with electric drift it wouldn’t ko. koraidon is better against zacian if he could get a fire move off.

[@SemiHypercube]

18:22 "its movepool is extremely narrow" I'm pretty sure hydro pump and freeze dry were and some good special attack and speed were all it took for it to get banned to Ubers Also shoutouts to Houndstone for being able to sweep with a 300 BP ghost move while being boosted by Sand Rush

[@yourfriendlyneighborhoodsm4708]

One of the first Pokémon banned from Gen 9 OU

[@rissaliew]

@@yourfriendlyneighborhoodsm4708 The second tied with Palafin to be exact. Unless you mean houndstone, it was the first ban tied with flutter mane. Shouldn't have banned it honestly, should have banned the move as Basculegion also gets it and once home is released everything will die painfully and horribly

[@jonathanpeters6734]

It has literally unresisted STAB (bar terra-steel with water immune)

[@moon4236]

Who needs moves when you have unresisted coverage

[@gengarzilla1685]

Hydro Pump and Freeze-Dry alone is completely unresisted. This thing didn't need a wide movepool when it already has what it needed.

[@drewbernert7050]

Fun fact about annihilape: it’s signature move, rage fist, increases its base power by 50 every time it gets hit, with 350 base power being the highest it goes. With bulk up, drain punch, rage fist, rest, and a chesto berry, it is an absolute menace in competitive singles Edit: out of all of the Pokémon still in generation 9 OU, Gholdengo is the 3rd most used Pokémon in competitive singles, so I’d say it’s pretty good Edit again: the comments pointed out some inaccuracies so I updated this original comment to reflect the actual facts

[@golork3267]

Actually it's even more insane as the max power is it can reach is 350.

[@silentshiranui4351]

Imagine you become tera fighting, and someone hits you with population bomb.

[@grunkleg.3110]

@@silentshiranui4351 No, just turn Tera Water. You though Calm Mind Suicune was a great battler? Try a physical version with a 100+ STAB move that even Unaware Pokemon quiver in fear at

[@wikiuser92]

The best part? That counter isn't reset even if Annihilape is switched out.

[@danielbernhardt1327]

Give it a weakness policy and have it be hit by beat.

[@neowolf09]

Ceruledge is pretty badass. It learns a super high damage fire type move that restores HP, and with flame wheel you can boost your speed while hitting.

[@Alex_Doesnt_Exist]

with the right moves and ev spread, its a perfect glass cannon

[@FreakishGeek]

I don't know much about competitive, but when talking about the Ruins pokémon, I immediately thought about the Paradox ability, since you could utilize it to boost their second highest stat. It might not be the smartest thing, but I'm sure you could set up some unique teams and strats to take advantage of your opponent's confusion and the shift in strengths.

[@huntermengel2683]

Meowscarada gets play rough so I think its niche would be to come in, change to fairy, then maybe keep some odd terra type to offset Fairy weakness. Then speedily hit you a lot

[@Nicole-wt3wr]

She has no niche ,she is straight up a OU pokemon used in a loooot of teams who would have guess banded u-turn whit protean is busted ,skeledirge is in the same level of how good they are ,Quaquaval is sadly the least used of all 3 (its barely used in general)

[@gambadrawing5669]

Meowscarada also gets Knock Off and rn (pre Pokémon home) not as many Pokémon get it so that’s a boon for it

[@SilverAceOfSpades]

He's too dangerous to be kept alive!

[@Nicole-wt3wr]

@@gambadrawing5669 facts been using her on showdown got to 1700 whit her nothing like a banded ,stab, flower tric, crit doing some damage .

[@huntermengel2683]

@@SilverAceOfSpades 😂😂

[@georgspielberger9780]

I'm probably one of the few people who actually likes Palafin in it's hero mode Not only do I like super heroes, so it's a plus already, I also love so many details in it - The gimmick based on Clark Kent turning into Superman is genius. Plus its evolution level Lv. 38 is based on the year the first superman-comic got released (1938) - Combining a dolfin - a creature believed and known to help people in danger at sea - with a superhero is just perfect - The design is ok in both forms (Normal form is fitting and hero has some cool looks to it) - The insane BST is honestly wonderful, as I really like non-legendary powerhouses

[@Jaricko]

You can also name it dolmight after MHA

[@georgspielberger9780]

@@Jaricko Omg you're right!

[@ItsDaNewGuy]

I have taken years, YEARS, of watching your videos on occasion, and just today, I have decided to subscribe to you. No idea why I didn't before, I genuinely enjoy your content.

[@Dragon_Moth]

Me too

[@ezlofarcarver2124]

NOT a competitive guy here, but in my friendgroup I'm the one with the most experience for actual battle strategy. Wo-Chien is SLEPT ON. That pile of raked leaves just kinda eats through my pals like crumpets because when we go doubles, I go with my Scizor for backup and their combo just allows me to rip my pals apart 'til the Skeledirges come out. That's where I throw out a Ruination then hit them with the Flutter Mane. I have a win/loss log going 15/4 right now.

[@Silvamoon]

I like how Mikey just greets Grunty Boy like seeing an old friend instead of groaning at seeing his arch enemy. They went from enemies to frenemies to friends.

[@wikiuser92]

I personally hate those sponsor segments, and by extension, Grunt.

[@umi_sings_28]

@@wikiuser92 that means I hate you

[@wikiuser92]

@@umi_sings_28 To each their own.

[@robertlupa8273]

@@wikiuser92 Same here. I clicked on the video for the stuff advertised in the thumbnail, not advertised in the... adverts. :/ Anyway, whenever I watch any of Mikey's videos, I almost always put a comment listing when Grunty Boi's ad starts and ends, always finishing with "Thank me (and send death threats) later" :)

[@wikiuser92]

@@robertlupa8273 Good. Too bad they probably won't get much upvotes.

[@SaintoftheHonest]

The thing I love about Ceruledge & Armorouge is how they're built for old berry boost strats. Endure lets you ensure you get low and proc either a Liechi or Petaya berry, while Weak Armour gives them the speed they need to sweep.

[@asprinjuice8877]

And Ceruledge gets Shadow Sneak so that it can get one last hit out before biting the dust

[@SaiOkami777]

An ideal partner for a Harvest user

[@josiahsmith9657]

You didn’t mention it for Annihilape but Rage Fist is a really scary move If you get hit once it goes to a base 100 move with no draw backs, then getting hit twice base 150 It’s so menacing Furthermore, Annihilape gets Bulk Up so it can further boost its attack stat, also it can take physically attacks better while still getting the same boost for rage fist It’s an insane move

[@t1r1g0n]

And don't forget that the hit count isn't resetted by switching out or dying. Which makes it pretty absurd with Revival Blessing.

[@aakwok9240]

Doubles is different in singles

[@12jswilson]

Poor Mikey. On the starters, he figured that Quaquaval would be the best when it's the worst competitively. Torch Song and Unaware are amazing godsends for Skelidirge while base 123 Speed with good attack and Uturn will mean Meowscarada will always have some viability

[@astercat49]

In my opinion, Skeledirge is actually the best of the starters. It has good physical bulk, consistent recovery thanks to slack off, and the hidden ability unaware makes it even harder to ko. Quaquaval is frankly too reliant on getting a speed boost, and is too frail to avoid getting ko’ed by faster flying and electric types.

[@respecthalo2963]

Meow is actually really good because she has uturn so the protean nerf isn’t as bad for her because she is so fast she can uturn out, swap to the type need to ko opponent then uturn back out

[@SupremeKingDragonTrey]

I agree quaxly line isn’t very good it’s stat spread is pretty bad it dies to one thunderbolt unfortunately it’s not very bulky at all

[@edgyanole9705]

You forgot will o wisp, so it's one of the few pokemon who can reliably get burns

[@kaelanmcalpine2011]

I saw a chart for OU usage stats and while I don't know if it necessarily denotes who's the best in descending order, for starters, Houndstone and Iron Bundle are banned to ubers despite being in 18th and 13th place respectively, but the cat is the most used of the starters (at 23), and the dancing duck is last (at 40), so clearly the singles community agrees in regards to Quaquaval. Something I'm surprised to see is Lokix is super high, being in 20th place, as well as Maushold, in 38th.

[@edgyanole9705]

@@kaelanmcalpine2011 SD tinted lens lokix is amazing, especially since it has priority

[@rantynadege7849]

Thanks for telling me the strongest Pokémon before I get it for Christmas

[@jacobjohnson6109]

True

[@toga_fanboy4516]

You need co op mode to evolve it

[@sukyeechung535]

True

[@rantynadege7849]

How do I Already have 11 likes

[@meaganlloyd7280]

Yo same

[@Sylviks]

For the paradox pokemon, the weather/terrain actually activates first, so if you use a miraidon and then an iron bundle, the speed/sp. atk boost from the terrain would happen first- then when it ends the booster energy is used.

[@chrisacker499]

Also, a silly idea for a run through would be to pick an animal type. All dog team, the good bois. Etc etc.

[@pavansakthivelvijayakumar7756]

The offensive Ruin legends are pretty successful in doubles, because in hyper offence teams which cannot take hits anyway, you are making it easier to finish off enemy Pokémon. Chi-Yu with Flutter Mane deals insane damage as both of them are strong special attackers who benefit from the lowered sp.def.

[@gator-tater9827]

Mikey’s a good guy, but it’s always funny to me how little he understands the way VGC actually works, despite previously having competed in gen 6

[@SerDerpish]

Plus, they have built-in wombo combos with anything rocking Defiant or Competitive. Also, switching exists

[@DoomedDragonz]

Honestly I found Skeledirge to be the most useful of the three final starters in Tera raids. Torch Song guarantees spatk boosts while ignoring your opponents def boosts with Unaware. Surpringly it can take hits quite well despite its weaknesses.

[@mohammadmurie]

And if the weaknesses are a big issue tera to fairy and make it just a better Clefable

[@IgnitedQuils]

Its defensive typing is also underrated due to having 7 resistances and 2 immunities so it’s pretty good.

[@anisuperketchup7776]

Quaquaval much better, u got better defensive mons, and terrasstrializing it to fairy will just make it weak to basically every violet paradox pokemon lol

[@DoomedDragonz]

@@anisuperketchup7776 Quaquaval requires a fair bit of support in order for it to be viable in Tera raids. Still takes alot of damage even from neutral hits

[@anisuperketchup7776]

@@DoomedDragonz I meant competitievely lol; didnt see the tera raids part

[@jameshorton3846]

As someone who did research into the comp stuff and is posting this late with the dondozo strategy the funny part comes in if the opponent has an Espathra with the Opportunist ability. Where while yes the player gets two double omniboosts on a pure water and a flying fighting type…the opponents Espathra now gets a Quad Omniboost and being a faster psychic type gets the advantage over Flamigo making it quite the menace

[@jasruss989]

Interesting information about Palafin. It’s based off of super man and the requirement for Finizen to evolve Into Palafin is level 38 in a union circle, and the first action comic (Witch is a super man comic) was made in 1938.

[@thewatcher6969]

Gen 9 really knocked it out of the park with the themes and designs of the Pokémon. The starters are all great, Skeledirge is the best. The Legendary Pokémon are incredible. And even the early route stuff is fun. Not to mention new evolutions and move names are great. Make it Rain has to be the best named move ever.

[@blitz4779]

Bro I love lokix. Dark bug is great and it's hilariously good, especially for a early bug

[@TheRibottoStudios]

@@blitz4779 I don't even like bug pokemon but I love his design. He just looks awesome.

[@thewatcher6969]

@@blitz4779 I LOVE Lokix. He's just so cool

[@vindovilles3419]

@@TheRibottoStudios alright misty

[@larsg.2492]

I don't really get why they changed the four symbols so much. Black Tortoise is a snail, Vermillion Bird a goldfish and Azure Dragon a Stag? Kind of weird all together. And as charismatic as the Japanese salaryman as a gym leader is, there isn't really that much Spanish flavour in Pokemon Spain. The evolved duck is more of a Brazilian Carneval dancer, the undead croc makes me think of Haitian Hoodoo, and grass cat burglar rates as furry fanservice.

[@shiveringtimber49]

Pawmot has a move that can revive fallen team members and restore half their health. I look forward to seeing how this will be used in the competitive scene

[@jonathanpeters6734]

Rabsca has it as well, and some idiots and myself realized that it can be combo'd with lunar dance.

[@AlldaylongRock]

Let Anhilliape die with a Beat Up mon , use Pawmot, and Anhilliape's sig move is 200 BP.

[@The76532]

@@AlldaylongRock wont the stat boost be cancelled

[@brystol.]

@@jonathanpeters6734 even better leppa berrys will restore it's PP allowing it to be used again

[@jonathanpeters6734]

@@brystol. does it just happen to get recycle?

[@rexusiglesias_08]

Even without the added effects of max moves, weather and terrain will still be prevalent as always in competitive battles. Not as easy to setup but will still make an impact

[@InfinityZeroEX]

So to add on with Skeledirge. It has okay bulk and with Torch song you can get buffed by attacking with it. Assault vest on Skeledirge turns it into a bulky nightmare. Because it can boost while having an assault vest, hidden ability being unaware to ignore opposing Pokémons boosts. In doubles this could be combined with intimidate to become truly terrifying.

[@fchef8370]

Something to note about Goldengo is that it’s ability allows it block defog which means that the only hazard removal methods that can be used are very uncommon ones and not stuff like Rapid Spin.

[@megablazitile7395]

even then, Gholdengo is immune to rapid spin

[@harunmiah4293]

And mortal spin or whatever it's called

[@cjtrahey4195]

literally the only mon available that can remove hazards in front of it currently is Maushold, and when mons get expanded to other gens the only other one would be Cincerace with Court change, if memory serves me right

[@InfinityZeroEX]

Hazards are why I like to have magic bounce around in singles.

[@rescuerex7031]

He did say he was basing it off of VGC where Hazards are too slow

[@javitelee9562]

As well, let's mention how Terastalization fixes almost every Pokémon with a type that drags it down. Kingambit can change to flying and be not only resistant to Fighting but immune to Ground. Roaring Moon switches to Steel and says bye bye to the x4 weakness to Fairy

[@dapperdabber13]

Not to mention the starters. You can get rid of their weaknesses via Tera types too. Skeledirge especially.

[@rissaliew]

It's actually better to terastalise Roaring Moon into a poison type so that it resists fighting as Close Combat and Focus Blast are common moves but I get your point.

[@mohammadmurie]

@@dapperdabber13 yeah as unaware + slack off + fairy typing makes it just Clefable with an amazing signature move in torch song

[@daniellageorgiou-norman2244]

another thing to note about iron hands, it is one of the best pokémon to do five and six star raids with. it gets belly drum by level up and you can get drain punch too. so you belly drum and then heal whilst doing massive damage as well especially again the types that it’s strong against

[@tylertichoc7330]

Yet more proof that HP Draining damaging moves are by far the best moves. Aside from a certain other move that is less than 50% accurate and spells instant death and RUIN for an opponent. . . . (🥣) I like Deer.😅 (((🦌))) "He Danmce"

[@LuisGonzalez-qc9jh]

Cyber bike dragon also had access to Charge beam, a electric move that boosts its Sp. Atk and Parabolic Charge, a move that heals it from half the damage inflicts.

[@joegoff1895]

Meowscarada is better than you think (in singles I don’t know about doubles) due to protean’s nerf not really affecting it since it usually liked to use choice band/scarf. Additionally, it’s stab knock off is extremely valuable after the nerf to its distribution, otherwise it’s double stab of flower trick and sucker punch is disgusting offensively (and u-turn is a really nice additional to its movepool) Kingambit is already very offensively potent even with its low speed but what I personally am excited for it the ability for bisharp to hold eviolite. Bisharp doesn’t seem like something that would use a bulky set but steel will always be an amazing defensive typing and with its access to stealth rock, taunt and thunder wave (even sucker punch could be useful for checking frail sweepers) it could be a surprising useful defensive backbone

[@shammyyyy]

Yah KG broken

[@frostshadow1345]

I know Mikey usually does this by BST, but I was a little surprised there wasn't at least an honorable mention of Houndstone. Sure it has early game stats, but last respects makes this thing an absolute BEAST as an anchor with a base 300 move before even factoring in STAB and super-effective damage. Toss a choice scarf on, and you have probably one of the scariest new additions this gen ( unless you have a strong normal type ).

[@leonel392]

Dragonite? And anything with Sucker Punch

[@skybattler2624]

@@leonel392 In practice, when that comes, Dragonite is usually dead. Also, Dragonite is just simply dead if Multiscale is broken, esp. since Houndstone is paired with Tyra. And Sucker Punch? Terrastalization exists. Fighting is the favorite Houndstone terrastalization PRECISELY to stop Sucker Punch.

[@sushi287]

Yeah, no mention of the actually good competitive mons like Tatsugiri, Maushold, Houndstone or Lokix

[@gengarzilla1685]

Maushold and Houndstone are entirely on their way busted signature moves, not their stats. Maushold especially would be lucky to see NU without having Tidy Up and Population Bomb. Calling those two "good competitive mons" is frankly an insult to the term.

[@sushi287]

@@gengarzilla1685 wdym mate moves are what make a pokemon good or bad. They are what made houndstone banned and Maushold op. BST is kind of irrelevant when a 450 BST mon can be incredibly viable in competitive

[@theonlineninja7596]

10:01 "I can see this Pokemon doing some serious damage on Trick Room teams" Kingambit: *laughs in one of the most used mons in OU and being able to clean teams up with Supreme Overlord boosted Sucker Punches*

[@GazeGamerX]

1:17 JEN MOMENT😂

[@BladeTNT2018]

I get the joke

[@awesomeperson5150]

Something to note about Glimmora is that it gets a move called Mortal Spin, which works similarly to Rapid Spin, but it Poisons the enemy instead of boosting speed. This is also great in singles, since you can remove Hazards while putting them on the enemy It also gets Spikes and Stealth Rock Annihilape also gets a move called Rage Fist, which increases in power by 50 every time you get hit. This is also very strong in singles, as it goes up to 300 BP and stays even if you switch or faint (and get revived)

[@yoiptree]

no, pretty sure it doesnt cap ur messing it up with last respects

[@awesomeperson5150]

@@yoiptree Both of them cap, I’ve seen people say so

[@yoiptree]

@@awesomeperson5150 just because you have seen someone say that doesn’t mean it’s true

[@awesomeperson5150]

@@yoiptree I just looked it up, it appears to cap at 350, not 300. Not sure if it’s true though The same source also says that Last Respects doesn’t have a cap of 300 if you revive

[@Duganator]

Personally, I think your ranking of Skeledirge would change if you used one. I don't think it would jump too far up the list, but it's been kicking ass on my playthrough team.

[@TheRibottoStudios]

hahahahahahaha. IT'S SO BULKY IT'S INSANE

[@Jaricko]

it seems like just a wallbreaker maybe (with low starting damage)

[@Duganator]

@@Jaricko it's great in playthrough. It counters 4 gyms (grass, bug, psychic, ice), 1 Star crew (fighting), 2 titans (Lurking Steel, Quaking Earth), & 1 elite 4 member (Poppy), before taking atypical tera types into account.

[@swagboss9720]

@@Duganator and don't forget the fact that it basically Solos Geeta's team as well

[@prokemongaming5149]

26:22 I think there was a confusion, Electric Terrain gave a 1.5x boost in Generation 7. In Generation 8, however, it was nerfed to only give a 1.3x boost. Hence making the power of Electro Drift 253.5 and not 292.5 with all factors considered.

[@yk_o5car]

1:18 Mikey realizing his mistake is the funniest thing ever.

[@CryoJnik]

Put it this way: Bisharp and Cloyster were also highly predictable mons. Didn't stop either from being extremely effective in their roles

[@decepticonmaster7702]

Bait them by having ghost tera Kingambit and you're good to go

[@Jollofmuncher2000]

They were extremely effective because they are pretty unguardable once you remove the right mon

[@gumdrop_gaming2076]

I love the Superman reference with the dolphin and how they have to leave and come back to activate it’s ability, it’s just amazing

[@WilczycaCzarownica]

There was a time when MandJTv explains why Game Freak didn't make dolphin pokemon.

[@solitare4602]

They have to run off and find a telephone booth.

[@marcorodriguez8792]

In doubles, I am already loving the Flutter Mane and Koraidon combo

[@thelegendaryarceus5618]

Both in Ubers so you gotta love it

[@adammorin2955]

Just wait into zacian comes to ubers.

[@adammorin2955]

Also groudon is slightly better then koraidon

[@Darkwaltz4]

Something to note about the paradox pokemon, they are compatible with Iron Serpent (Miraidon) and Winged King (Koraidon) as their abilities meet the requirements for the other’s abilities. Winged King gives harsh sunlight for protosynthesis and Iron Serpent gives electric terrain for quark drive. Also Miraidon can learn charge making electric EVEN MORE POWERFUL.

[@javitelee9562]

9:12 "I'm not sure if this applejack's mascot.covered in gold will end up being a top.tier pokemon..." Gholdengo is the single most used Pokémon in Gen 9 OU pre Lando-T arrival.

[@sleepy_kiwi]

it low-key hurt hearing that while knowing how insane my boy Gholden is

[@Azull_33]

I think I have an idea of how to use palafin quite well. So if you start with palafin, then use flip turn in to cyclisar, then use shed tail back into palafin, you’d get one turn of guaranteed protection for palafin, and if lucky you can get one extra turn of substitute

[@edgyanole9705]

That's not viable in OU, since palafin is already banned

[@An_Entire_Lime]

@@edgyanole9705 It IS viable, so viable that they had to ban it to ubers, just goes to show how good it was

[@jonathanpeters6734]

@@An_Entire_Lime and remember, you can use pokemon from the lower tiers in tiers higher than their own

[@rissaliew]

@@An_Entire_Lime It probably isnt. What got it banned was its taunt bulk up sets having basically no counters or even checks besides maybe Iron Bundle with freeze dry as Flutter Mane with thunderbolt was already banned. Not many faster mons can hit it hard. Even dragapult only has 100 base special attack.

[@edgyanole9705]

@@An_Entire_Lime that's what I was saying, I said the non-viable thing as a joke

[@jayrome1884]

2 months later, ranking Pokemons based on BST has its limitations, Wo-Chien isn't even OU in Singles while Pokemon not even in Mikey's ranking, such as Clodsire or Garganacl are OU, Houndstone is even Uber. But I still think that eventhough not perfect Mikey's ranking is pretty good.

[@Amelia4111]

THE PLURAL FOR POKEMON IS NOT POKEMONS! REMOVE THE S RIGHT NOW!

[@CarRant]

Loving the references in the box art mons. Orichalcum is a mythic metal from Greek lore (and the Black Cat anime) whereas Hadron is a total riff on Hadron Collider.

[@parallel2465]

Solved the Koraidon issue with having it's Tera type be fire, which covers all of its weakspots with resistances and tosses in the tera stab boost with it's two regular on top of the intense sun boost. The new gimmick honestly makes most if not all potential type combos unstoppable with the right strat

[@TheRibottoStudios]

"Maybe it could be good on a trick room team." Bingo baby. Unaware Skeledirge, maybe give it a Fairy Tera Type to get rid of one of those weaknesses, run Hex, Will-O-Wisp, Slack Off, Torch Song, give yourself 2x special attack right away, burn someone, hex and boom. He's so tanky too. Able to take Earthquakes with ease, and my boi Hector (yes that Hector from Coco) even tanked a STONE EDGE. The killer of Charizards everywhere. He's gonna be a menace in whatever tier he's in. And I'm willing to bet that he will become a big staple of trick room teams in VGC as well. He's my all time favorite mon, because HE'S SO SPANISH! As someone from Tucson, his WHOLE theme is just MMM. So good.

[@mohammadmurie]

Yeah going tera Fairy literally makes it a better Clefable and instead of using throat spray and go for boots works as well to not have to worry about rocks

[@TheRibottoStudios]

@@mohammadmurie GOD it makes me all giggly just thinking about what kinda menace this croc is gonna be lol

[@mohammadmurie]

@@TheRibottoStudios oh yeah people really underestimating this croc I got to say though honestly this set of starters are all competitively viable which haven't been seen in a long time as usually it was only 1 or 2 of them hardly ever all 3

[@TheRibottoStudios]

@@mohammadmurie I know it's great to finally see them viable

[@mohammadmurie]

@@TheRibottoStudios yeah it is amazing

[@VorpalHellReaper]

I always LOVED the Pawniard evo line, but Gholdengo is godly in standard fights. Kingambit is probably my favorite other than Palafin and Annihilape

[@ken2479]

Yoooo I really appreciate this video! Looking forward to the next one! You should consider doing some competitive battling!

[@babel_UV]

skeledirge's physical bulk is amazing, second only to incineroar in the starters

[@5ashll303]

Plus his signature move is op

[@TheRibottoStudios]

He tanks. SO. MANY. SUPER EFFECTIVE MOVES. It's actually insane lol

[@Fenrir_Unshackled]

I remember one shoting him with a wavecrash though 😂 while lower level

[@babel_UV]

@@Fenrir_Unshackled wave crash is 120 base power plus every pokemon who learns it has a fairly high attack stat to match that so i mean you could one shot a hippowdon or a tyranitar with that as well

[@TheRibottoStudios]

@@Fenrir_Unshackled Wave Crash is base 120, Physical. Skeledirge has a base defense of 100 with base HP of 104. His special defense is actually not great at 75. Maybe you just got lucky cause even with being hit by most PHYSICAL moves my skeledirge was able to tank, setup sweep. But man that ghost typing can be scary against Pokemon like Mabosstiff so during my battle against Arven I HAD to terastalize otherwise two crunches would've been over for me. That dog is just oomph. Good attacker. Makes sense given his base attack is 120.

[@juros5811]

I think an honorable mention should be Garganacl. Its pretty bulky. Hits hard. And its Purifying Salt ability is great. Immune to status conditions and takes only half damage from ghost moves. Id personally give it an assault vest to make its decent sp def much better.

[@cintronproductions9430]

I agree. Plus its Salt Cure move is DOPE. It punishes Steel and Water types that try to switch in, Corviknight would normally wall Garganacl to hell and back, but not with Salt Cure! Plus it's a bulky Rock type with reliable recovery for once, sure, recovery moves were nerfed but they're still not awful! I gotta say, Garganacl might just be one of the best Rock types of all time!

[@leonel392]

@@cintronproductions9430 It's particulary good considering how many monstrous water and steel types there is this Gen, Palafin, Dondozo, the paradox mons

[@mrf8687]

The legendary ones with tablet of ruin can be used in doubles to help a fast sweeper like garchomp sweep easier with a move like rock slide and since chien pao is fast it can help finish certain things

[@dudebro2535]

Annihilape is one of my new favorite Pokémon. Fighting type has always been one of if not my favorite type. I never really cared about Primeape, and seeing it get an evolution, and that evolution being really good, I love it so much.

[@ConnorWhitney95]

I know this was very much made before much testing vids were seen, but Chi-Yu and Chien-Pao have both already shown they’re very capable in VGC formats. Both go in just super offensive designed teams and you just punch through everything. They’re currently banned from usage atm but I think once they’re allowed again (with paradox mons) we will see more of them showing.

[@ShadowSword88ee]

Armourge is already becoming strong in VGC. It has access to trick room and has flash fire. Also, it is the only Pokémon with access to expanding force. Mikey's ranking is already not aging well.

[@dabmonstr7403]

And ceruledge is a beast in singles. Access to swords dance weak armor and broken moves. It's absolutely good. Not broken like palafin but as good as chien Pao imo

[@box7147]

@@dabmonstr7403 i use armarouge in singles and i think its better

[@inferno41]

Terrestrial defense

[@seanwilliams6613]

I use weak armor armarouge and if u paid it with endure and weakness policy u have a 2x spa and 2x spe sweeper and paired with a Pokémon that has psychic terrain u won’t die to prio moves. A weird build around but I’ve won like 18 games in a row using it

[@thelegendaryarceus5618]

But outside VGC he's in the UU tier, lower than Ceruledge who is in the OU tier so THAT is aging like milk but not too much Armarougr

[@ofirsoroka4264]

1:18 Mikey: I don't see them becoming beacons of opi- Everysinglebody: okay I pull up

[@crimsonpresents]

Judging from the thumbnail, it looks like Drowzee has some competition. Edit: You could pair the Ruin Legends with a Pokémon that has clear body

[@agent_star]

I found that big weed cat was amazing... as long as it outspeed and avoided attacks, it meant I had to retry alot of fights and everytime the results were completely different

[@LordRemiem]

I'm really excited to see if Tatsugiri and Dondozo will be viable in VGC, and I think Wolfey Glick is doing some tests already 🤔

[@Wyldboy3124]

I love all three of the Paldea region's starters, not only are their base stat totals the same, but their signature moves are very unique and wholesome, i also like the future and past Paradox legendaries since they're all pretty awesome and even the Ruinous legendaries: Wo-Chein, Chein-Pao, Chi-Yu and Ting-Lu. But some of the other Pokemon that I find amazing that are listed in this video are: Dondozo, Armarouge, Ceruledge, Palafin, Annihilape, Kingambit, Gholdengo and Baxcalibur. They all are very amazing and awesome and they would be very helpful to me in a playthrough team.

[@raccoon_lord9430]

I really didn't know the official format was doubles maybe if they add some of the ice types that were good like Alolan Ninetales and Sandslash I could join especially since the new snow gives a defensive boost so we'll be much tankier than ever before!

[@linsteven9163]

Ting-Lu, Chi-Yu, and Chien-Pao are actually used very extensively in VGC. The power/bulk that these 3 give way outweighs the drawback that they provide. There are some Pokemon that they pair with that either just one shot the opponents so they dont have opportunities to attack, or are frail anyways and were going to die regardless

[@xXIxidor92Xx]

It is worth noting that Palafin has also been banned by smogon. So it's safe to say the hindrance to activation was not enough to stop it from cleaning house

[@spiritedchung5926]

And iron bundle. To think out of all pokemon Delibird is the one who was banned to Ubers

[@jmurray1110]

Yeah you can get it in extremely early if you built right Flip turn into Uturn being the most obvious choice

[@theaverian5513]

"This basically excludes all of them from viability in double battles." He says talking about the ruined quartet.

[@zyrex8118]

I'm very sure that miraidon will be more powerfull in competitive play (i love competitive), for all the points you stated, and also for the fact that special attackers and special bulk are generally a lot more valued than physical, because of intimidate, contact effects, burn (if only frostbite was still a thing this wouldn't have been a point oc argument), spa has a big advantage in general

[@gator-tater9827]

True, but sun is overall better than Electric Terrain, so while Miraidon on its own is probably better than Koraidon, the latter will probably support a team better than Miraidon can

[@leonel392]

@@gator-tater9827 I mean, if Torkoal still exists then of course Miraidon and the past paradox will thrive with excitement

[@respecthalo2963]

With the starters Meow is by far the best, ya it’s type isn’t great for defense but that’s not what it’s made for, it’s a fast physical sweeper and does that the best of the starters comp wise

[@W_Alex18]

Loving the MandJTV content! And this as per usual 👍

[@kaylaa2204]

I know you aren't super big on the competitive scene Mike, but Meowscarada right now is looking like it will see amazing play as a Pivot It has teh moves to make it work, including access to moves like U-Turn. What you do is have a ton of ways to attack and switch out immediately. You fill the rest of the party with effects that activate on entering battle (because things like U-turn will drag them out alot with this strat) and Meowscarada is fast enough to challenge Greninja and Dragapult speed, so it will avoid getting hit while dealing damage whenever it pivots in EDIT: You mentioning Palafin made me realize that would work very well on a team with a Meowscarada pivot Also yes, there are unlimited formats that allow legendaries and they usually have no restrictions, or only restrict duplicates

[@MrSonicHedgehog]

My team consisted of Pikachu, Annihilape, Kilowattrel, Meowscarada, Armarouge and Palafin and taking on the Titans first gave me such a huge boost that by the time I got to the Gym Leaders and Team Star bits, it was mere child's play to finish the game

[@theboi5584]

Skeledirge honestly seems like it could be really good in Doubles. It’s bulk stat wise is quite good, plus it gets Unaware and Slack off to stick around. Plus add on Torch Song to make its presence on the field scarier and Terastilization to aid in Offense and Defense.

[@fin5887]

Amazingly, despite it’s amazing stat spread, meowscarade is probably the worst starter

[@mohammadmurie]

Yeah as going tera fairy it becomes just Clefable it literally becomes Clefable but better

[@IgnitedQuils]

Plus it has a good defensive typing with 7 resistances and 2 immunities. Gotta be careful of the 5 weaknesses though.

[@cameroncottingham9923]

Really I thought quaquaval is the worst because meowscarada is quite good especially with Flower Trick while Quaquaval is just frail

[@tay602_]

I absolutely love Flutter Mane. I got a random shiny while running around and I’m hyper training and getting it ready

[@logicavietii4461]

Some things to note, Iron bundle doesn't need more coverage since hydro pump and freeze dry already hit most pokemon for neutral or super effective damage, being the reason why it was banned in gen 9 ou, also Great Tush seems to be way better than Iron Threats.

[@Lycan4]

I'm well aware that I'm not a competitive player, but I take issue with Skeledirge ranking lower because of its Speed stat. Mine essentially tanked half the game, to the point that he even took care of problems that not even Frostclaw the Baxcalibur was able to handle. He even tanked a hit from the Gym Leader's Veluza and one-shot that fish with Shadow Ball. I've built up a lot of love for this croc almost immediately, and my boy is my biggest ace. And this was without me dedicatedly training his stats! I barely even used vitamins or feathers on him. I will agree, though, that Torch Song boosting is huge. I've taken a lot of pleasure in utilizing that particular snowball. lolz.

[@gator-tater9827]

Mikey is also discounting the fact that Unaware is an incredible ability, especially for a mon with a stat spread like Skeledirge. It can set up with Torch Song, heal with Slack Off, and not get blown away by other set up sweepers. Doesn’t really need speed because of all that

[@rogamu7531]

The Dondozo Flamigo strat looks awesome! Can't wait to try it for myself

[@teamcheeseyt]

Skeledirge is actually op with blunder policy, sing, torch song, earth power, and shadow ball with timid, it swept a lot in showdown

[@veevendetta3448]

I ran Thunder Fang for Water Coverage over Sing but Sing is interesting. Thanks for that 👊 lol

[@Gonna-Cry]

throat spray is good imo

[@ziqi92]

I always forget about the hero form. I spend too much time fawning over Palafin's normal form. It's so adorable!

[@matthewkunis4364]

this is a good list, and I could be wrong, but I think he should have mentioned Tombhound. It has a move called last respects doing 50dmg, but doing 50 more for every mon fainted. So, if houndstone is the only one left, it's a 300 base power move. And it's ability is sand rush, so if u combind Tyrainitar and choice item Houndstone, you can easily get a reverse sweep.

[@GMOPsyche]

I believe Koraidon will still be super busted in restricted VGC formats, but moreso because of how broken harsh sunlight is. You get a crazy strong legendary alongside a photosynthesis or solar power user and absolutely destroy everything, and that's whithout considering that it can buff Flutter Mane. Basically, take Groudon's main use and give it even better stats, making it hit less hard than its counterpart but have broken synergy with its team mates.

[@jasond.b-w]

Thank you for not describing Armarouge and Ceruledge’s OPnesses 💀 edit: Flying tera type Iron Volcarona could be interesting. It doesn’t really need the flying Tera Blast for much since Grass, Bug, and Fighting aren’t a threat to it and its own STAB moves already take care of 2/3 of them, plus flying gives it some new weaknesses, but I don’t feel like it can take many hits so turning its 4x weakness into an immunity instead of a resistance seems like the better play. Especially because Ground is so common and strong in competitive. It could probably work as long as it’s used strategically with the rest of your team to keep it from taking too many hits!

[@noname-702]

The ruin legendaries are extremely good, it doesn't matter if you lower your partners defense if your ohkoing your opponents with smth like Tera normal espeed with dragonite and your own ice and dark moves in chien-paos, same goes to chi-yu, slap specs on it, set tailwind and your demolishing 3/4 of the meta with heat wave

[@ReijiNRen]

pair miriadon and iron hands with bellydrum and watch the enemy get flattened. It's great in tera raid battles with this method too, given an ally can use a healing cheer to recover the lost hp or depending on the opponent, you can use drain punch, effectively nullifying the damage taken to boost it's attack.

[@mahdboss3991]

I like how you've gone from "Hating" [Using "Hating" loosely] Grunty Boy, to greeting him and conversing with him as if you guys are best buds 😅

[@craigl0902]

Please continue to use OPness in your future vids!🤣

[@madamereddeath1982]

I’d like to point out that Meowscarada learns U-turn. Implying it’s made a to be a switch in menace

[@braindead2228]

i like when he says there never a time to lower your own defence in doubles but i remember theres a abillity that doesn't let your defence go down and if you try to make it go down it'll raise it instead i learned this in a nuzlocke when i was swept with a pokemon with this abillity but i understand the point sense its very spiecific and hard to do unless your whole team revolves around it

[@leonel392]

It isn't a stat drop, so Contrary (the ability you mentioned) doesn't work

[@likmattress]

Armorouge can definitely work well, since it has trick room, expanding force and I think works well with garganacl

[@gabehorsley9236]

Gholdengo is going to be really interesting once steely spirit perrserker becomes legal. Choice specs gholdengo+tera steel+helping hand+steely spirit make it rain is a scary amount of damage. Edit: Boy were you wrong about the ruin legends. Chien-Pao and Chi-Yu both got major usage before the official ruleset dropped. Chien-Pao was paired with tera normal extreme speed dragonite as a near unstoppable duo and Chi-Yu was paired with flutter mane to create terrifying damage output. You dont have to worry about being hit if you KO the opponent first. Ting-Lu has also gotten usage with Garganacl.

[@davidescobar9309]

Gotta love how the very first comment is that Armorouge will not be very good competitive and through out most of the seasons its been the main pokemon of the Trick Room Core strategy in VGC.

[@eaglest0554]

Hmm... I wonder if it would be worth it to run heat rock/terrain extender on the box legends to have the boost up longer for the paradox mons. I feel like it definitely would be for koraidon at least since sun teams are always fun and the only currently available drought pokemon in scarlet and violet is torkoal.