Why Pokemon Get Outclassed

[@yserareborn]

Speaking of Delibird, you should maybe do a follow-up on how Robo-Delibird from the future decided to destroy Christmas.

[@georgecortes3416]

Iron Bundle is Pokemon's version of Robo Santa from Futurama, change my mind.

[@darklight6921]

@@georgecortes3416 its standards are so high. everyone has been set to naughty.

[@yserareborn]

@@georgecortes3416 That's brilliant honestly.

[@Neucher]

136 speed is no joke

[@joelwatkins]

Delibot's working through that naughty list with a vengeance

[@brandontherabboat4850]

I find it absolutely hilarious that Delibird spent 2 decades as a living novelty and a target for some of Smogon's most vicious mockery, only to come back as a war machine and utterly terrorize the metagame. That shit's a villain origin story if I ever heard one.

[@TMSreptiles]

That’s no villain. That’s a hero.

[@Neucher]

Well getting a free double attack and speed in a new gen certainly helps with OU usage. Outspeeding almost every non scarfer too.

[@juanig4198]

@@TMSreptiles not the hero we deserve but the one we need

[@eduardoleocadio2678]

They made santa claus a villain, and personally, I'm all for it

[@remus4283]

But Iron Bundle is a completely different Pokémon in every way but it's image... Regional variants are the same... entirely new Pokémon with a familiar look/name

[@Terrified_Dartanyan]

"Delibird from the future destroys competitive play and gets banned from OU" is something i never would have imagined to hear

[@christopherfleetwood5252]

Trunks: I am SICK of these Monkey Fighting Androids in this Monday-to-Friday Timeline!

[@jpraise6771]

God loves you all! Good tidings and peace be unto you🙏

[@amateraceon5202]

Whoever is the artist for the general battle mechanics videos’ thumbnails is doing incredibly right now

[@GalarianG]

They need to pimp this guy out for some commission work, I would wanna cook something up worth paying to be drawn by them in that style immediately. Itd do great in 4 panel gag manga form I feel

[@Chronixium]

@@GalarianG their twitter is in the description! :)

[@aidlord23]

I need that Flygon pepe as a profile pic.

[@paolotrevisanato9028]

Love this channel

[@pkmntrainerred4247]

TBH I love that thumbnail, need to see more from the 5humbnail artist!

[@reignis9937]

One note that i find funny, is that Dagonite in this gen has been genuinely seeing more success due to terastalization, then Salamence. The fact it can now have stab extreme speed really increased its power potential.

[@morningcoffee4384]

I mean, if we don't count Megas, Dragonite has been better than Salamence ever since it got Multiscale in BW

[@hunter_michelie4425]

@@morningcoffee4384 Multiscale allowed Dragonite to adopt a more bulky attacker role rather than focusing on all out offense like Salamence does. Not to mention the Special/Mix coverage Salamence has means you could run both without them fighting one another.

[@bluebird4614]

Salamence Was uu in gen 8 and dragonite was OU that says it all

[@Kastor774]

Mehrunes Dagonite 😩

[@ellachino4799]

@@hunter_michelie4425 salamences all out offense has been pretty mediocre since gen 5 tho

[@Thunderblunder777]

Extremely honored that the goat has used one of my battles in yet another one of his classic videos.

[@FalseSwipeGaming]

Thank you for making this way easier to edit with all your great battle footage!

[@inari8039]

When I first saw Chien-pao I shed a tear cause I knew my dear Weavile was getting outclassed

[@phyllotaxis]

I just thought of it as having a second Weavile

[@BoneTea]

Now you can have two weaviles

[@jalapenobug]

On top of weavile losing knock off and triple axel

[@trctta]

mega weavile 3 gens later

[@christinefarrell6438]

@@jalapenobug Wait Weavile lost Knock Off?!

[@IgnitedQuils]

Flygon in the thumbnail hurts. We all know why it got outclassed due to power creep, and other Pokémon of the same type combo. At least it was in OU for its first two gens though.

[@TheOnlyGBeast]

Just keep in mind it was only OU in dpp after garchomp got banned and was very UU before that

[@cobaltordinaire5219]

at least Flygon flourished in the lower tiers

[@taylorevandale4261]

If Flygon is basically a discount Garchomp, then that means in the tiers it goes to, it is basically a Garchomp for that tier. Feraligatr in Gen IV is basically a discount Gyarados, so when it is in UU, where Gyarados isn’t around, then Feraligatr is basically a Gyarados for that tier.

[@GerrytheHeeHo]

it reminds me that in gen 8, when urshifu was still legal, i would run pangoro over it simply because of scrappy close combat, something urshifu could not replicate and was valuable in smacking would be switch-ins to urshifu but not pangoro. this strategy worked up until near the end of the generation when stall and a lot of defense teams started rising in popularity that easily played around pangoro. it was a sad fall from grace, but i cannot lie and say how utterly essential pangoro was for the team and how much it helped me in those battles, something urshifu couldn't do. urshifu was better in every single other role, but pangoro brought me to the top 100 on the OU ladder

[@gregorymirabella1423]

And people say its ability is useless because of its dark typing.

[@itsyaboychipsahoy.7989]

@@gregorymirabella1423 Well it blocks intimidate now so...

[@gregorymirabella1423]

@@itsyaboychipsahoy.7989 yeah, that was a huge bonus.

[@bkebradley]

The Delibird point reminds me of Dhelmise in Sun/Moon. The only spinner that is also a spinblocker, but has very little to do other than that.

[@craniifer]

Damn shame, too. Dhelmise's triple stab and trapping abilities make it super cool on paper.

[@markosmywords9202]

It’s kinda sad bc Dhelmise has a HUGE movepool. Swords Dance, Liquidation, Earthquake, Power Whip, Heavy Slam, etc. Edit: Also Synthesis, Knock Off, Rock Slide, and Poltergeist. Also also, some of these are only in Gen 8 apparently. Oops.

[@LordRemiem]

Regarding Se Jun Park's Pachirisu, I think that's a great example of the knowledge of Pokémon you need to become a high level player. SJP didn't pick Pachirisu because it's cute, but because he evaluated its strengths and flaws in the context of the current meta and his team, and found out Pachi was useful in that very specific situation :)

[@bloodpoison13]

It also highlights how a restricted Dex can really help a Pokémon. At the time of the tournament there really wasn’t any other mon that could do what Pachirisu did.

[@mycenaeangal9312]

I honestly hate when people talk about pachirisu. No one mentions it had had previous successes in that meta. It wasn't nearly as much of a standout pick as people make it out to be.

[@bloodpoison13]

@@mycenaeangal9312 I mean a few other people used to but it was a weird pick every time. The only reason we talk about this one fight is because it was the only one recorded. But every other time this drugged out rodent was on a team it was chaos god levels of energy and you can’t convince me otherwise.

[@JilanAHmed]

And people somehow never talk about sejun using garchomp gyarados???

[@leonel392]

@@JilanAHmed Both of them are OP mons that with the right support can delete you

[@shoodychakras820]

In Flygons defense, he has a good special set that can justify usage over garchomp with the addition of throat spray

[@Oliver-uz1fs]

Wish flygon had 100/100/80/100/80/100 Tinted lens and quiver dance

[@shoodychakras820]

@@Oliver-uz1fs he should've gotten tinted lens or kept sheer force as a hidden ability (Trapinch has it). Would've 100% made his special sets a threat

[@reallyawesometitle7653]

@@Oliver-uz1fs it learns Quiver Dance in Inclement Emerald and has a mega. It's an absolute monster there

[@Oliver-uz1fs]

@@shoodychakras820 yeah sheer force boosted Earth powers, fire blast and even the likes of rock slide and that bug move that reduces the foe's SpA would've been a massive help to him

[@IgnitedQuils]

Yeah Flygon’s special movepool is pretty large: Earth Power, Giga Drain, Boomburst, Bug Buzz, Air Slash, Fire moves, and Dragon STABs.

[@fruitloop44]

In case a flygon is reading this: I love you flygon. No matter how outclassed you may be, you have a special place in my heart.

[@blazethegame]

It has one in mine because of my Mono-Dragon nuzlocke. Actually all the dragon types in gen 8 are ones I have soft spots for now lmao.

[@Cyburim]

Thanq,,,

[@Pishooter]

So sad that GF hate them af

[@etymonlegomenon931]

Gen 3 players love Flygon for being one of the only spikes immune things that can withstand Aerodactyl

[@chinchillinDaily]

Please do a "How Good was thjs type actually" again! You could even remake that Ice Type one as your production quality has improved significantly as well as new ice type mons

[@justinnzamora5366]

I'd love to see this make a comeback at some point next year.

[@IgnitedQuils]

I’d like to see ones for Grass, Steel and Dragon; the former due to the lack of useful moves and bad coverage, and the latter two due to them becoming relevant typings in the metagame.

[@dahomie253]

@@IgnitedQuils you used former twice

[@christinefarrell6438]

@@IgnitedQuils I think it's really interesting that Tera Grass is useful because of its immunity to Spore and Rage Powder.

[@brendanpryce8009]

Power creep is inevitable in any game. Unfortunately some of our favorite pokemon ain’t inmune to this

[@gamermanzeake]

Power Creep is inevitable because of two reasons in Pokemon. First: there's hundreds of Pokemon. Second: Gamefreak doesn't design them all with balance in mind, purposely. Could you imagine how boring the game would be if every type had the same number of super effective hits and weaknesses as every other type, and if every Mon had the same base stat total, all having access to the same moveset? That's what a balanced Pokemon would look like. Boring.

[@brendanpryce8009]

@@gamermanzeake don’t get me wrong I ain’t tryna refute any points you made. Just saying what I said to say it

[@connorbosley4431]

Meanwhile there are some pokemon that power creep makes them more viable a la floatzel jumping from untiered to uu

[@wacksonjittemore4013]

@@gamermanzeake You think it's not boring seeing the same 10-20 Pokemon in every OU match lmao? Wild

[@leonel392]

@@wacksonjittemore4013 But at least when we see the same 20 mons people is able to think in weird things to counter said 20 Pokemons, and that brings variation and experimentation

[@annaangelic2318]

It’s interesting to see Pokémon outclassing each other for different reasons in the same generation. Alakazam and Azelf are pretty direct in this relationship. Sometimes Alakazam’s kit is better, sometimes Azelf’s is better, and it depends on the shape of the meta. Keldeo, Primarina, and Slowking are also very entangled with each other.

[@gars129]

To be honest, Nasty Plot should had long been a TM. And Hydro Pump should actually have a wider distribution as a TM other than water types or Pokémon who already had access to either it or Surf (mostly non water type Pokémon from Gen 1-4, especially Gen 1 where half the Pokedex can Surf).

[@tilmania361]

isnt azelf a suicide lead and zam a sweeper? just because theyre both psychic types running sash because theyre frail af doesnt mean theyre close to filling the same niche,theyre incredibly different pokemon honestly.

[@CountShaman]

Solgaleo: Hey look! I'm a Steel-Type legendary who keeps major threats like Xerneas and Mega-fairies in check thanks to my great bulk and decent speed! Necrozma: Yeah cool, let me just borrow that and make a few adjustments if you don't mind. Oh look, I'm a top-tier threat now. You're right, it works! Solgaleo: ...Do I get credit- Smogon: Get outta here.

[@mcp1303]

Btw. Did you know that in S/V Ursaring and every other Pokemon, that had an Evolution in Hisui, now is able to use Eviolithe? Even though they are not able to evolve. And it works.

[@UltraZapdos]

I like the occasional shift from talking about specific mons to talking about more general competitive concepts They make for a very interesting contrast to each other!

[@christianbuffum-robbins8904]

Flygon getting kicked repeatedly indeed feels bad, man.

[@TheTimeMage]

if delibird can take it so can we for a while

[@waluigiisthebest2802]

It was gonna have a mega evolution, but the designer had artists block. We were so close to a potentially good flygon, but alas.

[@tilmania361]

flygon is amazing in adv afaik and has a unique niche as a mixed attacker that is also immune to spikes. so just play adv if u wanna use it (its a great tier) i think its also very viable in dpp, where garchomp is banned anyway

[@eduardoleocadio2678]

I lowkey wish that Flygon was yet another pseudo-legendary in gen 3(yes, along with metagross and salamence lmao). Mostly because it looks so cool, I genuinely wouldn't mind it dominating tiers, and also to make Ground/Dragon one of the most feared typings

[@Martenaizor]

Tbh they should have done the same with haxorus in gen 5

[@IgnitedQuils]

Could have been more imposing due to the higher BST than most fully evolved regular Pokemon that aren’t starters. And have a stat spread of 80/120/80/90/80/100. Basically have the BST equal to Ursaluna and Kingambit.

[@christiancinnabars1402]

80 bst is a tough loss. You could just increase all of Flygon's stats by 15% and already see a clear cut niche it has over Chomp. Even the Gen 6 - 7 method of buffing old mons, where they would increase one or two base stats by 10, would really boost Flygon's usage if they buffed its Speed from 100 to 110.

[@kyklous3657]

While I get what you mean, Flygon (and Altaria) filled a role that no other dragon-type before them filled (in-game). You didn't get them super late, didn't have to jump through hurdles, and you didn't have to find some secret area. Flygon was just there waiting for you to catch it and raise it. Now because of its easy accessibility, of course its stats have to be lower to compensate, but I wouldn't give it higher stats if it meant losing out on that. That's what I loved about the Hoenn games. I could either wait for Salamence or settle for Flygon.

[@GustavoJua15]

Hoenn would really be stacked if so. Would have three Pseudos and a giant sloth with the BST of two of its legendaries albeit with a sucky ability.

[@ricardoludwig4787]

If you're talking about outclassed, nothing feels crueler than chien Pao literally just being better weavile. They even took away the tools weavile had that could give them a niche (triple Axel and knock off) just so it's completely worse. They're even based on the same thing, it's so cruel

[@Breakaway-ic5gj]

And Weavile is still waaaaay cooler

[@gio9255]

The line where you said a Pokémon's hidden potential can be unlocked at any time is so dang true: In Gen VI when Assault vest was introduced, Tangrowth became a special wall that could stop the likes of Keldeo, Rotom-W, and Greninja. It could stand side by side with defensive behemoths like Amoongus, and Ferrothorn. Assault Vest Raikou was a stopgap to all bulky waters and monsters like Talonflame, Mega Pinsir, and Thunderus. It was OU viable when monsters like Thunderus and Mega Manectric occupied the tier. In Gen VIII, Rhyperior and Seismitoad jumped from RU to OU due totheir abilities to act as a stopgap to Cinderace and Dracovish respectively. Concerning the paradox mons, GameFreak gave them legendary level stats, abilities that coincide with terrain or sun, and new unique typing to allow them to stand out. Any mons could be found viable either through new items, moves or capitalizing on their abilities. It's all about how a meta develops over time.

[@competitively3315]

You bringing up paradox pokemon mon makes me think of Torkoal. This is by far torkoals best generation already despite the fact that nothing about it changed. Its just that broken new toys came out that were able to become to more broken because of torkoals drought (Chi-Yu, Roaring Moon, Great tusk, etc).

[@gars129]

@@ChaosLord5129 Perhaps one of the worst examples are Thyplosion and Meganium. Why can't it learn thunderbolt yet can learn Thunderpunch, which it has no competitive use for since Gen 4? or Earth Power? Why the hell does Meganium have no niche?

[@Garyisubercool]

@@ChaosLord5129 you are giving of the vibes of someone who doesn't even play the games. You trolling bud?

[@wacksonjittemore4013]

@@gars129 Yeah I don't understand why they give some Pokemon no tools at all, then give others every tool possible. And why they give already good mons Megas and Gigantamaxes

[@Garyisubercool]

@@ChaosLord5129 what lol? Bud, I played Violet and I've been playing on the ladder almost daily.

[@nukester16]

I may never get into competitive Pokémon but it's quite fun learning about it and how it's changed over the years.

[@TailsFiraga]

"There's always a better Pokemon than your favorite" As a Glaceon fan, this is truth that I am well-acquainted with.

[@allenearl1514]

I'm liking these videos to help explain overarching concepts in competitive Pokémon. Could you do one on the idea of a check vs a counter? I've had a hard time explaining that idea to my friends.

[@FraserSouris]

I'm not the most experienced, but the way I understand it: a counter is a Pokemon that can switch in to an opposing Pokemon, take whatever hits is coming its way and then KO the attacker. A Check on the other hand, is a Pokemon that has a chance at stopping the attacker but isn't guaranteed. Or more specifically, to quote Mr. Competitive from the Smogon Forums: "A check is a Pokemon that is capable of being switched into a Pokemon in order to combat it, but it either fears some of the moves of the Pokemon it's switching into or it can't do much in return/has trouble beating it, therefore meaning the opponent MIGHT switch the Pokemon out. For example, Arceus-Steel is capable of checking Kyurem-W as it laughs at Draco Meteor and Ice Beam, as well as having the ability to 2HKO it, but it fears all of the coverage moves Kyurem runs: Fusion Flare, Earth Power, and/or Focus Blast. Another example is that CM Arceus-Steel is capable for checking Dialga as it doesn't care about anything other than Aura Sphere or Fire Blast outside of Rain, which aren't extremely common and it can be dealt with through CM and Recover. In return, however, Arceus-Steel can do little more than tell Dialga to get out since its two offensive moves, Judgement and Thunder, do next to nothing to Dialga unless it racks up a ton of CM boosts, burn with WoW and attempt to stall, or phaze with Roar. While Dialga can phaze it early on, it still can't do anything to Arceus-Steel without Aura Sphere or Fire Blast outside of Rain. and it doesn't stop Arceus from just coming back, meaning the Dialga user naturally will switch out to something more fit in dealing with Arceus-Steel, hence being a check. A counter, on the other hand, is a Pokemon that doesn't really need to worry about the opposing Pokemon's most common moves and can actually beat the said Pokemon in return, meaning the opponent WILL switch out. So, for example, Arceus-Ground is capable of countering Thundurus-T since all it has to fear is the uncommon Grass Knot. In return, Arceus can lay waste to it with Ice Beam or Stone Edge." This is also why a Pokemon might get banned from certain tiers, it may have some checks but no real counters. For example, in Gen 4 OU back in the day, Garchomp could power itself with Swords Dance so its Outrage would even punch through Steel types. Plus it had Earthquake and Fire Blast to destroy them. Weavile could outspeed Garchomp and OHKO it......unless it was using a Yatche berry and then it could OHKO Weavile. Plus Weavile couldn't even switch into Garchomp. It had to come in when another Pokemon was KO-ed. So Garchomp in Gen 4 OU had checks (steel types and Weavile since they had a chance at beating it) but no counters (since nothing could safely switch into Garchomp, live and then KO it) which is why it was banned to Ubers

[@savanchandul7451]

These videos are useless information for those who know the very basics of Pokemon. It's like teaching a sport to players of a sport. Useless.

[@D-S-G.]

I cant believe false swipe gaming would use his platform to insult the metagame defining Spidops like that.

[@beefboi9993]

Salamence and Rayquaza in DPP ubers is an interesting case. Rayquaza outclasses Salamence, but they were occasionally used together (the so-called Salaquaza combo) to have effectively TWO Rayquazas. Similar examples are Latios + Latias teams in BW OU, Haxorous + Kyurem-B on dragmag in BW OU, and a lot teams with multiple swift swimmers. In general, you could say similar things about any team style with the name "spam" in its name.

[@gregorymirabella1423]

same goes for almost any normal type in gen 1 other than the big 3.

[@taylorevandale4261]

Also Feraligatr + Gyarados in Gen 4 OU, even though the former is a discount Gyarados. But the serpentine dragon was so good, that having a second Gyarados is ideal. Same with some of the fast Normal types paired with Tauros.

[@droozyyy]

This video just about sums up what makes a competitive player good, love how it takes into account both the Pokémon’s viability and its true potential

[@axis8396]

It's why I say "niche" and "bad" are two different things, similarly the BL tiers are reflective of this where you can have something too good for UU but not have the usage for OU like Mega Gardevoir and Gallade in gen 7 since they have solid attack and speed but they have to compete with Zam, Diancie, Zard X and Y, Lati's, Medicham, Lopunny, Mawile. They aren't necessarily bad on paper but just a bit more specific than some other mons

[@loford9432]

Just wanna say I love you and the content you make! You're always able to make complicated pokemon stuff very easily understandable. Thank you and keep up the good work!

[@bigpurplepops]

I’d love to see a part two to this, the video was great! Maybe some further concept exploration into the theory such as ‘why speed control typically curbs set-up UU options in OU’ or ‘how pre-evolutions can drastically outclass evolved forms’!

[@zaneheaston8254]

I find it funny how Flygon got outclassed the next Generation after it’s debut, but Garchomp has been consistently one of the best Pokémon since it’s debut

[@WhywouldiTellyou-oj3fe]

And now it’s UU

[@watcherknight8760]

The “Pokémon discovered to be outclassed as the meta develops” thing reminds me of Golem falling off in RBY OU, where Rhydon and Golem were both seen as equally good for a while but the tier shifting after the body slam paralysis glitch was found out just made Golem’s unique trait (Explosion) way less important than Rhydon’s

[@gregorymirabella1423]

to be fair, that was because we weren't simulating the game properly. and that's not a glitch, it's a mechanic.

[@siegemonstrosity2383]

About Spidops, hes meant to give leverage in Tailwind vs Tailwind situations. Once you setup sticky web, Circle throw gives you a moderate advantage, combined with Glimmora things can easily get outta hand because surprisingly a lot of players underestimate its bulk.

[@Chaklun96]

The quality of your essays video is getting through the roof! It's clear, well illustrated and to the point. Thanks and congrats to everyone on the team!

[@ErosionXperment]

Weavile is now outclassed by "OC Donut Steel" Chien-Pao. Won't stop me from using my all-time favorite Pokemon though!

[@PBStriker101]

This is actually an exceptional video. I agree with almost everything with it. I have realized this when I made a team in Sw/Sh, for the last season I was playing Pokemon. I wanted to really get into the Master Ball tier. So i checked the winning teams of the most recent tournament of doubles at the time. For this season I was inspired since Dynamax as a mechanic was BANNED. So the meta would be interesting. I found a very interesting team. One that had Weavile and Urushifu Rapid Strike as their leads for the team composition. The legendary was also Kyogre. One of my favorite Pokemons ever is Golisopod and I thought this team could be what I was looking for. But I had no clue of how to add him. But after making my research with damage calculators and such. I managed to discover a niche. And that was Golisopod actually SURPASSING Urushifu Rapid Strike in this one team. And instead of running a Choice Band set I ran a Life Orb set. I realized that Golisopod could now potentially check 3 more pokemons that Urushifu not only struggled with, but also lost against. One of the Pokemons Golisopod could check was Calyrex Shadow Rider. The eternal bound enemy of the format and the season. After testing and eventually getting into the ranked combat system. I managed to get into Master Ball tier without dropping a SINGLE GAME. Nobody had a clue of what my team was supposed to do. And I felt proud of myself. The circumstances allowed me to really make my favorite Pokemon shine under the right conditions that was the sun of the format. This video is a better synthesis of my experience. Congratulations to you, FalseSweep gaming!!! 10/10 video.

[@IschmarVI]

well, while it is true that some pokemon can shine in very specific niches, that doesn't necessarily prevent them for being outclassed. Best example probably: Sejun Park won the 2014(?) worlds with using Pachirisu as his redirector. In his specific case, its synergy with gyarados and its redirection move being follow me gave it a unique niche that only it could fulfill, thus granting it the spot on the team. However, that doesn't change that Pachirisu is still almost entirely outclassed by Amoonguss which has better bulk, regenerator and spore. But yeah ... Pokemon is very nuanced, especially when it comes to teambuilding. And thats something I really like about the series.

[@KevD1P]

Latios is definitely an example of being outclassed due to power creep or how someone else can perform their role as special attacker better than Latios. Dragapult has naturally better attack/speed and has just a fine time taking on fighting types. Naganadel is only slightly faster but is part poison and can use poison moves to hit fairy types. It’s a shame that the mega evolution is a slower and bulkier Dragapult.

[@itsukizy]

coming back to this video to bring up how GOATed this thumbnail is. literally one of the best thumbnails ever

[@AndrewRKenny]

Pretty dope video, especially for how this is a relatively new style for the channel. I think this gets the idea across pretty well and the progression of comparisons makes a lot of sense (more concrete to more abstract). Mons I love but have been outclassed to varying degrees are Nidoking, Skarmory, Banette, Jellicent, and Reuniclus. Excited to see what other stuff comes from this style!

[@MrSolomonGaming]

Gen 9 has been seeing a lot of this early-gen but some might become main-stay. Especially most of the Paradox mons, Glimmora, Gholdengo and the Ruinous legendaries. One of them even is being nicknamed "Mega-Weavile" for obvious reasons and another has somehow dodge the OU ban despite being the top-played mon of Gen 9 that made everyone shrug at the new Charizard from raids that's legal in Gen 9.

[@MegaRetroRocket]

I still like Delibird. Built one up to be a nemesis and remember a couple times causing opponents on Showdown to rage quit after KOing their Salamence.

[@Derevocsidi]

Ferrothorn is litteraly the evolution of Ferroseed _False swipe gaming 2022

[@jaredadkinson]

Something else important to note, which kinda ties into the role difference thing he touched on. Some Pokémon are good on certain teams when compared to others. Garchomp is almost always a better pick than Flygon unless your team happens to need a setup sweeper, Defog, pivoting, or that ground immunity. In that case, a Garchomp on your team could be replaced with Flygon and wouldn’t suffer terribly for it. Just remember that Garchomp also offers a lot of its own unique qualities so switching it out for Flygon could definitely cause some unintended side effects

[@SeonilKim-ry5lj]

If only Mega Flygon was real, at least in XY and SM gens. Thanks a lot, artist's block.

[@SemiHypercube]

loving these videos on the more general aspects of competitive Pokemon

[@SlamDoink]

I’ve been waiting to make this comment my whole life. Flygon became my favorite Pokémon of all time when I was younger and played ruby version. They introduced garchomp so quickly after they released him and then they gave garchomp a mega evolution and not Flygon. And the guy who teaches you mega evolution has a buddy Pokémon that is actually a Flygon so my first play through I was like this is it! He’s gonna do it! And then the guy throws out a garchomp and my heart just broke. They have been slowly denying him any cool feature of any new generation and giving it to the garchomp. Flygon has a better shiny so I’ve got that going for me.

[@1Bolzard1]

I always find the conversation around what outclasses what depending on metagame fascinating, and the different traits each pokemon brings to a situation. Reuniclus has been a lower tier pokemon post-gen v, but in every gen its in sees tournament usage and some smaller OU play, despite being ostensibly outclassed by other calm mind users and offensive psychic types alike, simply due to its incredible longevity, bulk, and magic guard ability all in one. Its all about weighing if the advantages a pokemon brings are significant enough for a team or strategy versus its competition, combined with how good that actual strategy is. Porygon2 and Hatterene are two of the best trick room setters bar none besides maybe cresselia, and should see use on every trick room team including in ubers, but trick room isn't a good strategy, so they don't get used.

[@cordellwambach2709]

I must confess, I just now got the joke "Kyogre reigns supreme."

[@vyktorehon5995]

*Cries in skarmory, flygon and BW Haxorus*

[@LazurBeemz]

Big fan of all the comments saying "yeah, that's why I ran this sub-optimal off-meta Pokemon with 1 gimmick, to catch people by surprise and steal wins!" Congratulations? That's not what this video is about, though.

[@ppjoao66]

as a represent of the flygon community,i got say this thumbnail deeply upsets our community,flying has a lot of quality better than chomp suck as; 1.cute 2.immune to ground 3.funni bug

[@luigithesmoker]

me is agree

[@cringlator]

That Incredibles meme of the robots and heroes killing eachother but it’s the OU bulky water slot

[@resyrum5301]

In defense of Spidops, it can be made to work fairly easily. Bulk investment means you can live most common hits and get off Sticky Web, plus Silk Trap helps stall out physical attackers, especially with other hazards

[@zivamayne]

Bro this channel has been thriving for years. You love to see it.

[@easyyen]

Honestly kinda surprised you didn’t mention that no one uses Deoxys-N because of it being outclassed in every way possible by Deoxys-A

[@calmuxie4859]

I think the most modern way to explain with is with Weavile, who went from meta staple to the least used fully evolved mon in the tier solely because of Chein-Pao

[@rossthemoss6827]

Also Weavile got heavily nerfed losing both its best stabs, maybe with knock off it could see some use but yeah losing both its best stabs + chein-Pao at once sealed the deal

[@movingtriangle8527]

This is why quagsire is my favorite Pokémon. He can never be replaced

[@egbertmilton4003]

Clodsire though

[@thinkingoffaclevernickname1928]

@@egbertmilton4003 Clodsire doesnt check the same mons as Quagsire. And Clodsire prefers Water Absorb over Unaware anyways

[@naganut9718]

@@egbertmilton4003 Both have different niche

[@ShinyKelp]

Skarmory is still mad at Corviknight for stealing his job and his wife.

[@ViggleTheVirgil]

I’ve always had this internal debate when it comes to playing competitive Pokémon: do I give in to the meta and play what’s best, or do I sacrifice viability and play with my favorites? I tend to lean on the latter but it’ll never not sting to lose against a team with objectively better ‘mons

[@Xx_Oleander_xX]

I feel this. What tend to do is use 'weaker' mons against friends and story but ill allow myself to use meta pkmn when fighting randoms. This way I can use a Absol build around crits against my friends while not suffering Crushing defeats against randoms

[@Ehibika]

that sort of thing is what keeps me from really wanting to get into competitive. if your favorite is bad then it's bad, and there's no getting smart or strategic with it. and sadly I happen to like a lot of bad Pokémon. Now I get that lower tiers exist but the framing always makes it feel like they are illegitimate areas of play that are there for laughs more than anything. and it's not like you can really play with them anyways because using anything less than the meta is asking to get stomped, you don't really get to play the game that way because you'll get mowed down come turn 5. Pokémon isn't like other games where playing a weaker character means you have to work harder and play smarter to outmaneuver the opponent. if the opponent has better numbers and attribute then they're just gonna win. now this isn't me saying that pokemon is a game of "bigger number better", but that wanting to use stuff you like means actively ceding any sort of gameplay advantage to the enemy, if you put a meganium on your team then any opponent you face will have a substantial advantage over you regardless of what you try to do with it, because meganium just sucks. it lacks the tools to tank and can't switch into anything, it can't be an offensive threat by any stretch of the imagination, and it's too slow and frail to fill a utility role of any kind. and the only reason I don't care to play the meta is because unless you really, really know what you're doing, it feels like there isn't much room for deviation or personal flair less you want to get bodied by everyone building for maximum value.

[@TheGameShelf]

I LOVE the new thumbnails so much, the artist is incredibly good at it

[@DarkusFireBlaze3582]

My favorite Pokemon is Adapatibility Crawdaunt and I was so glad it had its stint in OU during the SwSh era. However, it's definitely looking to be outclassed by Basculegion this gen when that comes in. Not that that's particularly important since Crawdaunt didn't make the SV cut, but it's the thought that counts.

[@the_godbodor7026]

What I’ve learned from this is for a Pokémon to be good despite being outclassed is to find its own useful niche that makes it different from its stronger counterpart like with Gen 4 Mence and Nite

[@competitively3315]

I'd love if you did videos where you covered the current gen 8 meta as we shift. I imagine a video would a week or so after smogon posts usage statistics and you would just cover them. Updating on the current meta and the trends that are happening.

[@georgecortes3416]

Gardevoir & Gallade losing their Mega Evolutions: We lost what made us so powerful... Iron Valiant: THE END HAS COME!!! *laughs like Cooler in his Final Form*

[@TheOtherNeutrino]

At least Gallade got the new Sharpness ability out of it.

[@georgecortes3416]

@@TheOtherNeutrino That is true and I actually wanna try Gallade because of it! The problem? I have to find an Ability Patch since the Tera Raid Gallades I've been getting have Justified lmao.

[@TheGBZard]

I really like how you're branching out, your channel is a lot more interesting than ever. Also I have some possible ideas for the top 5 pokemon series: Top 5 Zapdos Top 5 Landorus Top 5 Ferrothorns Top 5 Garchomps Top 5 Heatrans Top 5 Chansey/Blisseys Top 5 Skarmories Top 5 Tyranitars

[@sheeplol2161]

top 5 charizard part 2

[@TheGBZard]

@@sheeplol2161 Hello, wasnt expecting to see u here lol

[@sheeplol2161]

@@TheGBZard hello

[@guccimacncheese]

I’m really enjoying the different types of content you’ve been doing lately! I love the competitive history of individual Pokémon, but these videos are a great change of pace!

[@gustavoschiller6852]

You can now add Weavile to that list now that it got completely outclassed by Chien-Pao

[@ashasha69]

Been loving the content lately. Feels reinvigorated and has me thinking of concepts I can't say I've given much consideration to. Keep it up

[@thomasraaberg8400]

I like the low key against fast bans in the conclusion bit. Discussing how some Pokémon can be overhyped at the start of a new release, but then given a few weeks people remember the old strats that counter their equal from a previous gen.

[@DrCoeloCephalo]

I've actually been drafting an essay on how Pokemon has a huge issue compared to other monster collectors where so many of the monsters suffer from overlap, which makes it so easy for alot of instances of monsters getting outclassed and falling into lower tiers. This gives me some good perspective to work with. I wouldn't really count Se Jun Park's Pachirisu as a good example. All his other Pokemon were meta and prominent VGC stuff was banned or removed that Pachirisu cannot deal with such as Dragon Gem Latios or Landorus-T.

[@catherinestickels2591]

He analyzed the metagame and realized all the ways that Pachirisu outclassed other seemingly better redirecters at dealing with the current meta. A limited metagame meant that there were different requirements to be the best, and he had the metagame knowledge to recognize that Pachirisu outclassed every other pokemon in its role on his team for that tournament. The only meta that matters is the one you are playing in.

[@DrCoeloCephalo]

@@catherinestickels2591 I'd hardly call it analytical. He was using the meta option of Amoonguss beforehand. If the meta you're playing in has only achieved any kind of variety from banning and removing the top stuff, it calls into question the quality and balance of the game itself. The meta you're playing in becoming more of a vaccuum to make monsters more viable just shows how lacking they are in the grand scheme of things which is why with the meta many players were playing in with VGC 2016 being infamous for how samey teams are does not lend much to Pokemon's format when that vaccuum is gone. Even World VGC Champion Wolfey has zero defense for the 2016 format.

[@Matpit18]

I don’t know about you guys, but I personally love all the attention that Gen 2 has been getting in recent games. It started in Legends Arceus with Pokémon like Qwilfish and Stantler getting some very nice regional forms/evolutions. And now, in Scarlet & Violet, we’ve got forms of Donphan and Delibird tearing up the entire meta game

[@spinozilla2421]

1:09 iron bundle: From the moment I understood the weakness of my flesh, it disgusted me. I craved the strength and certainty of steel. I aspired to the purity of the Blessed Machine. Your kind cling to your flesh, as if it will not decay and fail you. One day the crude biomass that you call a temple will wither, and you will beg my kind to save you. But I am already saved, for the Machine is immortal…

[@LinkinPhoenix007]

Still waiting for the Milotic redemption arc

[@jigglyppuff8]

Shout-out to Jigglypuff who might've seen the nichest of VGC usage with it's hidden ability Friend Guard, but drastically loses to Clefairy who has better typing, bulk, and a vital support role in redirection with Follow Me.

[@Crusina]

Kyruem and chesnaught soon I can feel it 🙏

[@Warlord_Megatron]

7:20 A few months later. There are no salamance in VGC and normal terra e speed dragonite has terrorised the meta

[@specs.weedle]

Could we get a redo of the Nidoking analysis for generations 7/8? It's been 5 years since the original history video, and I want to see how the purple rabbit kaiju has held up recently.

[@hopelessamaturerougeofhope4399]

The delibird and iron bundle part is a prime example of the "Be careful who you make fun of in middle school " quote

[@SofterSideStudios]

Still Waiting on HOW BAD WAS PICHU ACTUALLY

[@mandalorianhunter1]

What are you talking about? Pichu was a beast and had to be nerfed

[@SofterSideStudios]

@@mandalorianhunter1 I thought he was the worst little cup Pokémon in history

[@mandalorianhunter1]

@@SofterSideStudios nah man he was broken beyond belief, he was the ULTIMATE Pokemon

[@Neucher]

No usage in LC every gen right ?

[@SofterSideStudios]

@@Neucher right

[@NocturnalPyro]

9:11 not to mention Lugia has Multiscale which effectively gives it zero weaknesses at full hp, and it has an incredible speed stat aswell, which means a lot of the time it can just outspeed and roost to reactivate it again

[@donkarasu-9644]

Nemona being the representative for the competitive fans is funny.

[@roastingnerd8545]

delibird: They have underestimated me powers up robo delibird: now they have to feel my wrath

[@matthewcoyle4131]

My poor Flygon. Doesn't help he doesn't get new forms like his rival Salamence either. Maybe one of these days maybe he'll have a edge over that shark.

[@Hyperneosonic97]

Gen 9 DOES have one clear cut example of a Pokemon totally outclassed already, and it's a pretty strange one, considering the Pokemon outclassed is the historically strong Weavile. Gen 9 introduced a new Pokemon called Chien-Pao, who fills the same niche as Weavile in "Physically offensive Dark/Ice-type", but is objectively better in almost every single way, including stats (Chien-Pao matches or beats Weavile in every stat except for Special Defense), Ability (Sword of Ruin is a _much_ better ability than either of Weavile's), and moves (Sacred Sword is more reliable than Low Kick, and Crunch is stronger than Night Slash, [especially bad given Weavile lost Knock Off in the generational shift], and it even gets and the ever-useful Sucker Punch for priority, whereas Weavile doesn't). It's to the point where some jokingly call Chien-Pao "Mega Weavile", and Chien-Pao is single-handedly the reason for Weavile's cataclysmic drop in OU viability between Gens 8 and 9.

[@Heartrose7]

My favorite Pokemon, who is sadly very easily outclassed by 85% of the series is Butterfree, the mon I consider my psudo starter.

[@friendlyanomaly6109]

Feel the same about Beedrill.

[@gamerwatchproductions8684]

In gen 1 Parasect is the only pokemon in the entire game that learns spore (The most accurate sleep inducing move in the game). You can guess why Parasect isn't used in Gen 1 OU.

[@dragonmaster3030]

It's kinda funny how flygon was outclasedd after one generation. Then the Pokemon that outclassed it gets a mega nerf 2 gens later while still being part of the meta. Then somehow 2 more gens later they give him a couple more toys and make him available in the game. Chomp has been around for 4-5 gens now and is still able to kick ass with little difference outside of fairies existing

[@jacksonparker6983]

Crazy too because fairies don’t even like to switch into chomp because of its powerful earthquakes. It’s interesting how versatile it is cause even with its 102 speed its not considered that fast anymore but still manages to be a mainstay with it’s hazard and offensive sets, when mons like Latios who are much faster are now in BL

[@dragonmaster3030]

@@jacksonparker6983 don't forget chomp also has things like poison jab, iron head and iron tail. while poison jab isn't really used the other two are typical options, coverage for both ice, rock, and fairy plus it's other moves like earthquake, stealth rocks, stone edge, swords dance. It has a move for every weakness it has making it perfect for solo play and still great for competitive

[@grixan8012]

@@dragonmaster3030 Poison Jab had a great niche in being able effectively ohko Bulu in gen 7 cause that bastard is a great check by lowering EQ, and being immune to Dragon. Iron head is much better in other instances yeah, sad that both moves get walled by Corviknight/Skarmory and Lev Bronzong though

[@withnosensetv]

Been trying to get into competitive Pokemon more for a while now, and this video answered a question I had for a long time now. Exactly what I was looking for

[@danielferrieri7434]

New Series Idea: How Good Are These Rivals Actually?

[@GalarianG]

"How Good is X Pokémon, drunk?" Where FSG gets drunk & attempts to do this without a script, if only so we can appreciate the unvoiced talent that goes into writing these videos lol, not that I would find it hilarious or anything. Thats my elevator pitch for a new series idea (I stole the idea from Comedy Central so ya know)

[@prodoofus327]

Another thing id like to add regarding dragonite is its access to multiscale + weakness policy. Ive done quite a few sweeps with that alone, although I've also never really used salamence a lot so I am not sure how much better it is :/

[@adoorwithstaronit8573]

Speaking of outclassed, Wigglytuff is the definition of being outclassed tbh. It has so many utilities that every other pokemon dreams to have it. But it just lacks power to use any of it.

[@goGothitaLOL]

and bulk, there's always Clefable, and even in the lower-tiers Lickilicky is better there

[@PeterGriffin11]

The best thumbnail in human history.

[@luirromenjivar1390]

My favorite pokemon: Luxray Outclassed? Nah, just every single fully evolved electric type is better than it ☠

[@soopakoopa6461]

With videos on general topics like this, I feel like it could make for an interesting watch if you made an episode on how hazards like spikes and rocks (and by extension, their removal tools) have impacted the game over the years. Or maybe you could extend it to chip damage as a whole by throwing things like sandstorm in. The importance of indirect damage and how much of a deciding factor it's been for most of the franchise's lifespan seems like an interesting thing to try and explain to newer or more casual players.

[@kilnareth7970]

I think he already did video about that, specifically Stealth Rocks.

[@mobiuswrx2137]

I still use flygon in competition despite the weaknesses for a couple reasons: The reasons like dragon dance, U-turn, bulk, and levitate are some of the reasons. The other is the team I built is so unorthodox that it does compliment Flygon really well, yes garchomp is stronger but being able to win multiple tournaments in a row with no changes to my team speaks of how effective it is. The last and least important reason is Flygon is my favorite pokemon

[@ace627]

These back to back thumbnail are really good matchup with the quality content

[@Snaxophone]

I want to know why Scarlet/Violets E4 is outclassed by pretty much all E4’s before them.

[@MrSolomonGaming]

I thought they were fine but if I had to wager it was because of typing combined with not fully utilizing Gen 9's Pokedex to it's capabilities. Ground, Steel, Flying and Dragon with a Champion who's ace is less a Sweeper or Powerhouse and more a dedicated hazard-player trying to be used as an ace.

[@noahberan6498]

X and Y's E4 can't be better come on lol

[@justinnzamora5366]

Are there any Gliscor fans out there feeling jealous of how much popularity & viability Landorus gets since the latter's inception in Gen 5? I'm in that camp.