Not really. Not being able to set up and sweep safely at the start of a game is pretty much a give for every sweeper. Sure it's underwhelming without any set up, but it can still force switches because of it's typing and in turn manage to set up two shift gears. It's underwhelming power is compensated by outspeeding scarfers who tend to be frail. With Mega-Audino here, klinklang's steel typing should be a viable offensive mon of at least C- rating. What do any of the other C- mons do outstandingly well?
Matches up well vs offense, wears down enemy normal resists for teammates, U-turn support is always nice, a tad outclassed by Cinccino, but Low kick is notable enough to give it C- Rank
Unlimited bulk, Freeze Dry remains an overpowered move. Sub-toxic sets are an excellent win condition when paired with toxic spikes, and legitimately can just win certain matches. Offensive sets are outclassed by vanilluxe, but greater bulk gives them a niche. SR is a bitch.
Amazing wish passer, but needs to be unranked.
Sets up hazards very reliably, forces out Xatu, overall a fairly consistent hazard lead, only real issue is that its outclassed by Omastar
Good bulk, ridiculously hard to switch into for many defensive teams if they're lacking a general purpose special wall like Mega Audino. Good enough bulk and a unique typing/ability combo lets it come in easily vs Steelix, that said, largely outlcassed by Vikavolt, probably would need a drop.
SD Z-Wood hammer breaks basically everything in the tier barring Steelix, and still does 70% to it. Sure its frail as fuck, but it gets easy switchins vs any ghost, as well as status moves. This is enough for a niche.
Hydro pump hits typical ice resists such as Delphox for incredible damage. Typing and Water absorb lets it come in on water and ice types with relative ease.
Rain Dance
Defogger that beats every single relevant rocker, only down here cause garbodor walls it, and general speed issues.
If it actually manages to set up, and the enemy flying resist is weakened enough it wins, that said, the enemy will keep their flying resist healthy, hence why its down here.
Walls so much, shit, it even checks SD virizion, which is just insane. Reason its down here is mainly due to its main playstyle being somewhat lackluster in the tier, could honestly go for a rise.
Frankly, all of these mons have more reason to be used than Klinklang, which is walled by the most common pokemon in the tier, with its only way to break through Steelix being the opponent letting it get worn down to low levels. Without the incredibly telegraphed Z-Wild charge it fails to break Slowbro (which is often run with steelix, only compounding issues), and it struggles to efficiently break pokemon such as Druddigon (you literally KO yourself with gear grind, or get EQ'd/Glared trying to use return) and Seismitoad. The singular recent change to the meta that has helped it is Audino dropping, and Mega Audino is running offensive sets a third of the time, which simply destroy it. Frankly, it is in a very bad place in the current meta, and should not rise. Yes steel typing lets it come into Vanilluxe, but Vanilluxe is so broken it does nearly 70% to standard Klinklang, which basically means the only way you set up on Vanilluxe is if you bring it in after a sack, which ain't guaranteed at all. A similar story applies for Sceptile. Dodrio is running a z-move half the time, meaning that if you predict wrongly you now no longer have a Klinklang.
In other news:
Seismitoad:
B+ => A-
I maintain Seis has been underranked for quite a while, but the sub-toxic set contributes consistently in almost every single matchup, and really assists prediction, as a lot of seis answers are choiced, or dislike toxic. This combo also lets you just deny Slowbro, as you have the bulk to tank a boosted Psyshock, and Slowbro aint' setting up once its toxiced. Its also a fairly ok answer to any Barbaracle not carrying grass knot, which is sorely needed in the meta. Getting a 100% free switchin to the eternally spammed steelix as well as the majority of other rockers also really helps it as sorta an anti-rocker rocker.
Aromatisse:
B+ => B
Not a big change, but like, its basically free setup for Delphox, is really hurt by Steelix being everywhere, and being free spikes for Garbodor really hurts. I haven't used this mon in absolute ages, and really haven't felt a reason to. Plus Mega Audino is here, and Vaporeon is rising, which really edge into its role as a wishpasser, with significantly HP, generally better bulk, and being so much easier to bring in. Honestly, this is a nom more cause I personally haven't had any reason to stick it on a team in ages. Frankly, the only reason to use it atm is if you need a Wish Passer and a Fighting answer in the same slot.
Hariyama:
B = > B+
Agree: Its an offensive check to Vanilluxe, which is otherwise incredibly hard to find, especially one that isn't SR weak, and therefore not worn down instantly. AV only needs 2 moves, so you can customize it to your team's exact needs, from EQ nailing the ever common Garbodor, to Stone Edge nailing golbat. It doesn't really work as a fire check anymore, aside from Houndoom, but with how disgusting Vanilluxe is right now, its really helpful for any team that needs to beat that mon without losing the most momentum.