RU Showcase V2.

[Sparky]

Hmm, I'll suggest Cinccino, seeing as it is amazing in the tier.

Edited June 11, 2015 by Sparky

[Shadow Tack]

Hmm, I'll suggest Cinccino, seeing as it is amazing in the tier.

sparky, i'm not going to lie and say cinccino is very good, it's hilarious with a kings rock, but the tier is either scarfing past most sets, or just taking 50+hits honstly cincinno isn't the best mon, but fun to use to screw w/ low ladder once in a while.

[Chase]

But I'm not a rapper.....I'm back, with Gallade

Gallade was a very nomadic Pokemon when the tier list is concerned. Upon ORAS megas dropping the Blade Pokemon saw itself raised all the way up to the unfriendly confines of OverUsed along with it's currently Borderline Mega. Since, Gallade has been everywhere from UU to NU before returning home to RU. Gallade isn't the first thing that should come to mind when looking for a fighting type Pokemon as Hitmonlee, Scrafty, Virizion, and fellow Fight-Psi counterpart Medicham are available options ahead of it. However, in comparison to Medicham, Gallade has an impressive 115 base Special Defense, 125 base Attack, and decent 80 base speed, with boosting moves outside of Medichams move-pool, such as Sword's Dance and Bulk Up - while retaining Medicham-esqe freedom in move-pool to arm itself with nearly whatever coverage it wants.

B - Like I said above, there's just STIFF competition from other fighting type threats in the tier for Gallade to be considered anything higher. Priority and status could be match-killers for Gallade as well - however, if you're looking for a little bit of surprise factor, or something different then the average Fighting type on a squad, Gallade is a very interesting and workable option.

Starting with it's offensive arsenal we've got Close Combat, the STAB hay-maker that will cause Gallade to lose it's defenses but most likely will put something on the floor. We have secondary STAB Zen Headbutt, another powerful attack, and we have Knock Off, the utilitarian coverage move that will keep any Ghost type standing in front of Gallade honest. RarelyUsed is still very kind to Dragon types, so if you're running three or more attacks Ice Punch is always a considerable option. Leaf Blade (my favorite attack ever.) is viable as Seismitoad, Gastrodon, and Rhyperior are very good Pokemon that don't like Grass type attacks. Fire and Thunder Punch rounds out any other elemental punch you can use, Earthquake is available, Shadow Sneak provides weak priority. X-Scissor and Stone Edge are there as well. Finally, bulkier sets, particularly Bulk Up oriented ones, do have access to Drain Punch for sustain. Psycho Cut seems like an interesting signature move if you wish to go dual stabs, and Night Slash has a high critical hit chance.

With regards to the toolbelt, Gallade picks up Trick, which allows it to be used as an interesting Choice Band or Choice Scarf Pokemon with the ability to cripple an opposing Pokemon. Swords Dance gives Gallade a x2 attack boost and sets it up for a sweep, while Bulk Up boosts Attack and it's bad Defense one stage to increase power and sustainability. From there, there's not really many moves that should be considered out outside of Substitute, but there are interesting gadgets like Grudge, Momento, Lucky Chant, Hypnosis, Sing, Toxic, Trick Room, et....Yeah, just use SD or Bulk Up.

The Reinforcement Knight

Gallade @ Life Orb / Lum Berry
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- Zen Headbutt
- Knock Off

This set gives Gallade the chance to clean up. Dual Stabs + Knock Off cover many threats when played appropriately. Gallade is a good consideration as a sweeper because of it's more-than-satisfactory special bulk, which allows it to pivot on things that use special offenses. It's attack is good enough to threaten offensive opponents without a Sword's Dance and Defensive ones with the boost. Lum Berry will provide Gallade with a safety net in order to punish a would be Mega Banette or Specially defensive Jellicent for going for Will-O-Wisp.

The Axeman

Gallade @ Choice Band / Scarf
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Zen Headbutt
- Knock Off
- Trick / Drain Punch / Ice Punch

Depending on the choice item Gallade will either be able to dent some walls or catch a few unsuspecting weakened mons by surprise. Trick allows for Gallade to shut down a cleric or opposing wall, Drain Punch with the Band will hurt the opponent and simultaneously recover any damage taken, and Ice Punch deals with opposing Dragon types.

The Patient Swordsman

Gallade @ Leftovers
Ability: Justified
EVs: 248 HP / 96 SpD / 164 Spe
Careful Nature
- Bulk Up
- Drain Punch
- Knock Off
- Substitute / Safeguard / Zen Headbutt / Psycho Cut / Ice Punch

The Bulk Up set allows Gallade to shore it it's poor defensive stats by raising it's defense to +6, complimenting it's contrasting stellar special bulk. It also allows for Gallade to boost it's sky high attack. Knock Off ensures that Gallade can at least hit everything in the tier allowing the mon to be used as a win condition. Drain Punch is the best Fighting type STAB for this type of set, because it recovers the substitute damage and increases the strain Bulk Up puts on opponents. Sub is used to help pave the way for Gallade by shielding it from attacks and status, while Safeguard can be used to somewhat do the same thing without losing HP. -IF- you are cheeky enough to SubPass with a partner, you can go for the secondary STAB or Ice Punch to slay the dragon and get to the princess that is known as Lady Victory.

The Hunter (Hilda's fun set.)

Gallade @ Assault Vest
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Drain Punch
- Leaf Blade
- Psycho Cut
- Shadow Sneak

By no means is this set really fantastic, but it does account for two things that Gallade is chastised for not carrying. Ability to deal with Water/Grounds and Priority. With an AV set Drain Punch is a good move to use > particularly on Gallade as it's natural special bulk is damn near perfect on it's own, making special attackers greatly ineffective. Shadow Sneak allows for a way to hit Ghost types for super effective damage and gives it priority against fast mons, which enable the ability to for it to be useful at revenge killing. Normal types that would not fear Sneak are in danger because to STAB Drain, so the move if you can jam it somewhere does fit nicely. Leaf Blade tears up Rhyperior to shreds where Drain Punch would not, and also punishes things like Seismitoad and Gastrodon.

Stay tuned!

[Chase]

Today, we'll have somewhat of a doubleheader...starting with Togetic

Togetic is one of the few fairy type options available in RarelyUsed, and is one of the more intriguing ones due to it's vast support movepool, stellar bulk that is boosted even more by the Eviolite, and secondary Flying typing. It's Special Attack is naturally usable as well. Togetic spent a good deal of time among the PU ranks prior to the depature of Whimsicott and Slurpuff from RU, and only reacently saw it's usage ascend past NeverUsed. Viability-wise, Togetic's unique typing allows for it to wall a significant allotment of Pokemon, hailing from the Fighting, Dark, and crowded house of Dragon types. With Nasty Plot and Baton Pass, Togetic is able to pass strong Special Attack boosts to it's team, and with access to cleric moves such as Heal Bell and Wish, you -may- opt for Togetic over Aromatisse if you are in need of more Fighting type walls specifically. Finally, the surprise factor could be brought in to make use of Tic's decent Special Attack, outright stunning would be offensive opponents with it's ability to use Nasty Plot for itself. The most important move on Togetic's list is Defog, which will free up your partners from hazard damage.

A - The only competition Togetic sees in my eyes is Alomomola and Aromatisse with regards to Wish-passing. Aside from that, Togetic's niche is comparable to other Defoggers and walls and depending on the composition of your team, it deserves some recognition when building. Togetic is a very good Pokemon.

Starting with it's offensive movepool we see that Air Slash is a move used by it's tertiary evolution Togekiss, and that Togetic does indeed get Serene Grace - albeit it does lack the speed to use it nearly as effective as it's parent 'mon and thus won't cause as many flinches. Dazzling Gleam is the most used STAB on this particular evolution stage, as it maximizes opponents it will hit for super effective damage. Seismic Toss allows Togetic to fell walls in a standoff. Fire Blast is an option for offensive sets, as it's a very powerful coverage attack, and if you are worried about Rock type Pokemon when using an offensive Togetic, you can consider Water Pulse, which will likely mean you will have to fish for the fifth of a shot at confusion. Utimately, Togetic is best served as a Utilitarian.

It's utility moves are the selling points of this Pokemon. Starting with Nasty Plot, a move that raises a Pokemon's special attack by two stages - Togetic is able to double it's decent special attack and become both an offensive -and- defensive presence. Baton Pass allows Togetic to take a hit (which it does very well, I might add.) and move it's Nasty Plot boost to a better suited Pokemon that may not learn Nasty Plot cleanly. Defog should see a lot of use on defensive wall oriented Tic, and Roost allows for it to heal back up and cause further consternation from the opponent. Wish and Protect are viable moves if you wish to use a cleric not named Aromatisse or Alomomola. Thunder Wave can be used to paralyze opponents and spread some status, and Encore can stick your opponents in a situation where they would have to switch out. Soft-Boiled is in the move-set, but with Roost, there's no reason to have it as the grounded Flying-to-Normal resist is helpful for incoming Rock types. You may run Dual Screens on Togetic, and finally, Tailwind is a good move because Togetic is able to Baton Pass out right after using it and immediately can fetch momentum for your team.

The Flying Fortress

Togetic @ Eviolite
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
- Dazzling Gleam / Seismic Toss
- Roost
- Defog
- Heal Bell / Encore / Thunder Wave

This set is essentially an all around wall. Seismic Toss or Dazzling Gleam serve as the lone attack, and Defog allows you to save your team from hazards. Roost prolongs it's life, and the final slot is really up to you on what you need most. Heal Bell removes status, Encore stops set-ups, and Thunder Wave spreads status.

The Team Player

Togetic @ Eviolite
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Baton Pass
- Roost
- Fire Blast / Dazzling Gleam

This is the NastyPass set, and it's sole purpose is to get that Nasty Plot boost to another teammate. Roost allows Togetic to sustain and either pass to more special attackers or fight more defensive oriented teams. Fire Blast is a very powerful attack that will help take out Steels that threaten it, and Dazzling Gleam is the STAB of choice.

Vidia

Togetic @ Eviolite
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 248 Def / 252 HP / 8 SpDef
Bold Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Dazzling Gleam
- Roost
- Fire Blast

The offensive set possibility. Fire Blast takes cares of Steels, Dazzling Gleam takes care of non-resists, Nasty Plot provides Togetic with it's offenses.

Stay tuned!

[Chase]

Tonight's nightcap presentation is another newcomer - Smeargle

Smeargle is a descendant of the onslaught of Pokemon used in XY's opening meta, often seen testing the likes of King's Shield in the picture above as well as using dual hazards such as Sticky Web -and- Stealth Rocks, as well as sleep inducing moves Spore and signature move of Darkrai - Dark Void. Smeargle get's access to these interesting moves because the only move in it's learn-set is "Sketch" - which allows it to sketch any move in the game. Unfortunately for Smeargle, it's stats don't allow for it to be an attacker or wall that would adequately fire off it's immense array of moves with any kind of effectiveness - so it's relegated to just utility moves. Because of this Smeargle will only be given one set - and a few move suggestions from me - in this showcase. The opportunities are endless, but not always effective.

A - - Smeargle's role on teams is incredibly transparent due to it's restraining stats. This allows for your opponent to get the upper hand by outplaying it's predictability. However, Smeargle is the only Pokemon that can get Sticky Web -and- Stealth Rock in the tier, and there is not anything to fear from overcoat users to use moves like Dark Void, where you can trip up smart alecks who try to switch in their grass types for the obvious Spore. Sticky Web is a beautiful hazard to set, allowing slower Pokemon like Tyrantrum to shine where they otherwise wouldn't be able to without a Choice Scarf. Smeargle can put some serious sabotage work on the opponent if played against poorly as well - so it's worth a consideration.

Offensively - Explosion will probably be your go-to move here, although ExtremeSpeed is a good move to consider if you could use the high priority to revenge kill something. Assuming you get the opportunity to switch out Smeargle after use.

For Smeargle, the sky as a limit as far as utilities are concerned, but the most important pair of them are team supporters in Stealth Rock and Sticky Web, which no other Pokemon in the tier can run at the same time. Spore is a good never-miss sleep inducing move to play the numbers game and buy Smeargle some time, while Dark Void is just as serviceable and can trip up Grass types. Taunt is a good move to use when matched up against slower hazard users, and allows you get both of your hazards up. Whirlwind can get the ball going with Sticky Web as well as cause some residual damage.

The Artful Dodger

Smeargle @ Focus Sash
Ability: Own Tempo
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Spore / Dark Void
- Stealth Rock
- Sticky Web
- Explosion / Whirlwind / Nuzzle / Extremespeed / ???

This is the standard gist for Smeargle. The last slot is really open to interpretation.

Extremespeed is a good move for the final spot if you can manage to save Smeargle after fulfilling it's use. As a priority attack, E-Speed makes Smeargle a serviceable revenge killer and it will get STAB due to being a normal type Pokemon.

Nuzzle does two things really well - Damage the opponent slightly, and paralyze the foe. Nice!

King's Shield is a good move to consider here because it functions like Protect, having it's priority and saving Smeargle from damage. This should be used against those that try to attack it with physical contact moves, as it will cause their attack to fall two stages upon contact. This allows Smeargle to usually get an entry hazard up -or- if you haven't set a Pokemon to sleep yet, allows you do that and prepare to use the move again.

Magic Coat is a priority prevention move that bounces back non-offensive moves, which includes Taunt. This is HUGE for Smeargle, because it can then be free to go for hazards without fear of being shut down by Taunt itself.

Thanks for hearing me out, and remember- Stay Tuned!

[Shadow Tack]

Looking at the list of RU mons, venomoth perhaps?