May 2024 Viability Rankings Update
Thanks to
Cawil Maxamad,
HSOWA, and
Shing as well as the ADV LC Council for helping out with these!
Major Shifts
Abra: A+ → S
Abra's 19 Speed in addition to it's monstrous base 105 Special Attack already made a huge threat, but its newfound set diversity has propelled it to S rank. Abra is most commonly seen running a Calm Mind sweeper set with Psychic and Thief (or Hidden Power Water,) but other movepool options like elemental punches, Barrier, Hidden Power Dark, and even screens have been used, making it difficult to predict, a deadly quality for any Pokemon.
Voltorb: B+ → A
Similarly to Staryu in the last viability ranking update, players have caught on that 20 Speed, Thunder Wave, and Explosion all in one package makes a great Pokemon! Voltorb's Speed, tied only by Diglett and fellow Electric-type Elekid, allows it to reliably spread paralysis as well as get off a last-ditch Explosion if things aren't going its way. While Voltorb does get Explosion, it doesn't get the same coverage options Elekid does, forcing it to rely on the weak Hidden Power Grass instead.
Lileep: B- → B+
Lileep functions well as an annoying defensive Pokemon thanks to its Rock / Grass typing as well as Recover, a move otherwise not seen in LC. If a team isn't prepared for it, it can be quite difficult to take out as the above user discovered, but it struggles to make progress into the opposing team due to a weak offensive movepool.
Magnemite: B- → B+
Magnemite is a surprisingly deadly Pokemon, especially behind a Substitute. Its respectable base 95 Special Attack combined with STAB Thunderbolt and Hidden Power Grass allows it to take out powerful foes including Wailmer and Diglett. Magnemite's Electric / Steel typing also allows it to come in on Doduo and force it out. Magnemite, of course, still suffers greatly in that it is trapped and removed by Diglett (as long as Magnemite isn't behind a Subsitute) as well as Trapinch.
Pineco: B → A-
Spikes have become very popular so it's no surprise to see Pineco, the best Spikes setter, rise significantly in viability. It's interesting to see that Pineco came out on top over Cacnea, it seems players prefer the always reliable Explosion and option to Rapid Spin over the offensive power that Cacnea has.
Teddiursa: Unranked
→ C
Teddiursa, similar to Snorunt and Ralts, has seen use recently as it is the pet mon of a strong player (in this case not
Shing but
Quinn). It's not without its merits though: Teddiursa has a great Attack stat in addition to Swords Dance and has proven itself to be an asset in tournament games. Time will tell if Teddiursa can carve itself a niche as a powerful physical attacker or if it will fall back off the viability rankings.
Minor Shifts
Snubbull: A- → A
Trapinch: A → A-
Houndour: B+ → A-
Cacnea: B → B+
Cubone: B → B+
Horsea: B+ → B
Duskull: B+ → B
Meowth: C → Unranked
May 2024 Metagame Survey Results
The metagame survey has now closed! Thank you to everyone who took the time to fill it out. Let's take a look at what you thought about the current metagame:
Looking at the survey results, we can see that most players enjoy the metagame which I am really happy to see! We can also see that Thunder Wave is a very controversial subject (more on that below) while Abra and Diglett are generally agreed upon to be balanced. Regarding the summer "for fun" tournament, an ADV LC tournament featuring Omanyte was by far the most popular choice, so we will be running that tournament sometime late this summer (think late July or August).
On Thunder Wave
Here is the announcement you have all been waiting for!
The ADV LC council has decided to run a suspect test on Thunder Wave. Players who have
achieved at least one of the following will be qualified to vote in the suspect test:
We have decided not to run any additional suspect tournaments due to the abundance of recent tournaments featuring ADV LC. Due to these requirements depending on tournaments that haven't finished yet, the suspect test will not be held until the conclusion of ADVPL IV and ADV LC Cup (projected to be June 2nd and May 26th assuming no tiebreaks/extensions, both tournaments could "finish" earlier if all the remaining players in semifinals or finals are already qualified).