Alright, I feel like I have to make a comprehensive post as to why I chose each specific number. Also note, I have changed my spread quite a bit (for Gothic Togekiss, mostly) The reason I changed my spread was because I decided to look at the two spreads I thought had the most initial objective reasoning behind them, Mekkah's and my own, and decided to see if I could some how fine tune both of them in order to achieve a more balanced Pokemon. By balanced I mean it does what it is supposed to do more efficiently, but it remains "checkable."
118 HP / 71 Atk / 106 Def / 90 SpA / 91 SpD / 60 Spe, 536 total.
Holy damn, aldaron pulled a spread outta his ass that i almost 100% agree with (Could use more SpA, but this IS your final edit)
First, maximum stats, +nature:
440 HP / 265 Atk / 342 Def / 306 SpA / 309 SpD / 240 Spe
Daim.
Alright, I went through various calculations, but before I get to the specific reasoning for each number, the basic "X-Act Analysis" number for this spread is:
520.
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Everything below this line is simply my thoughts on the 520 number...if you want to see the reasoning for my specific numbers, just move past the next line.
You see, whether or not you agree with the algorithm used by X-Act is irrelevant, because I am using its results to compare Pokemon, not vice versa. Allow me to explain. The algorithm has nicely tiered five Pokemon in its "Very Good" tier...Togekiss, Infernape, Kingdra, Mamoswine and Flygon. I am using "Very Good" because this is the tier that our Pokemon seems to fall under for most spreads.
What do all of the above have in common? STABs that they all use (though Togekiss a little less, even though Tri Attack is still common). You see, whether or not you agree with the algorithm is insignificant because I am simply using it as a comparison tool...Togekiss gets 537, and Flygon gets 500.
Regardless of the algorithm, Togekiss is the ceiling, and Flygon is the floor. I think even if you disagree with the algorithm, this would be acceptable.
That's why I find it anathema to go past Togekiss's limit, and I find it pointless to go below Flygon's number. I won't use the term "Stat efficiency" like I have been using, because if you don't agree with the algorithm, then it isn't efficient. Instead, I'll say "stat result."
Milotic, another Pokemon very similar to the one we are making (it's usually eved defensively to take on Gyarados, meaning it is bulky on both sides and it has passable Special Attack), has a "Stat result" number of 530.
Regardless of the algorithm, there is a definite "trend" among these Pokemon. Milotic, Togekiss, Infernape, Kingdra, Mamoswine and Flygon all are limited for a reason.
Because I feel that this thing's offensive move pool will be comparable if not parallel to Kingdra, and that it will have a better support move pool than this, I really want to keep that "Stat result" number lower than Kingdra's, if possible. That's why I'm seriously hesitating to even consider anything with a "stat result" higher than 530.
I just ignored this all because i have strong disagreements with X-Act's thingy.
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Alright, now the specific reasons for each number.
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Everything below is for Speed.
As I outlined in this post:
http://www.smogon.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1127737&postcount=219
I really do not believe this thing has too many bonafide, true to the true definition of counter, counters. Still, "uncounterable" Pokemon such Infernape (and now Syclant) are prevented from being "broken" by having various "checks" as I have defined against them. Note that a "check" isn't simply a revenge killer; while that might be interpreted as the first half of my definition, I also include Pokemon that take more damage on the switch in than a normal counter. For example, something that is 3HKOed by our Pokemon would still be a "check" against it if it was faster and could pose enough of a threat to have it think twice about hitting attack again.
That said, there are about 7 "checks" (some are weak, admittedly, but if they can 2HKO and not be 1HKOed...then they do their purpose as long as they are faster) in the 61-69 Speed range. Ignoring for a moment that upping this thing's Speed would cause it's "stat result" number to skyrocket to above Togekiss's, I really do not feel comfortable with removing these 7 as checks. All of them really need to be faster than this in order to remain "checks."
Of the fast Pokemon, I only see Aerodactyl, Crobat, Staraptor, Tentacruel, Yanmega, Gyarados, Togekiss, Gallade, and Blaziken as somewhat viable "checks." I'd put Togekiss, Aerodactyl, Crobat and Tentacruel in the counters category, with the others as very flimsy checks since damn, they take a shit load from the appropriate attack or Hidden Power.
That's why if I have to choose between 60 and 70 Speed, I am going to with 60...to make Tyranitar a much more reliable "check" against it, and allow various other Pokemon to be able to "check" however well they can.
Agreed.
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Everything below is for Defenses.
118 HP / 106 Def / 91 SpD
440 HP max, 342 Def max, 309 SpD max
The beauty of this spread is how it switches into common attacks and has the ability to survive them in practical situations. Take the two most common Pokemon on the official server's Ladder, Garchomp and Gengar. My experience tells me that the most common Outrage on a Garchomp is ScarfChomp's, and the most common Shadow Ball is Life Orb Gengar's.
If you run a mixed spread of 252 HP / 140 Def / 116 SpD, Bold, you'll reach 440 HP / 311 Def / 247 SpD.
This spread is NOT 2HKOed on average by either Adamant ScarfChomp's Outrage OR Life Gengar's Shadow Ball AFTER switching into Stealth Rock, assuming Leftovers and no Sand / Hail.
That Stealth Rock weakness some users have been lamenting about? Not a big deal, as on average it will be able to switch into Stealth Rock and take the STAB Attacks from the two most common Pokemon.
That's the "line" I used to determine my defenses...the minimum required on both ends to survive the STAB Attacks of the two most common Pokemon on average after a Stealth Rock. Anything that is bulkier on average than this minimum is in my honest opinion too bulky to also merit a high Special Attack.
You can use this data to extrapolate exactly how well it takes attacks on both sides of the spectrum.
Methinks this lacks on Tar Stone edge, but 118/106 is still good, but not as good as 130/102 or 110/120 IMO.
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Everything below is for Offenses.
Ok, so now we're at the attacking portion of this Pokemon. I am assuming that it will have access to Fire Blast, a 120 BP move, and Grass Knot, a 120 BP move for most of the common threats (possible 100 BP for some). Also, here is where I impose some more "checks" against this Pokemon, to try and ensure it is not broken.
I have 71 Atk / 90 SpA
This allows for a maximum of 265 Attack and 306 Special Attack.
I'll go with Special Attack first:
I'll talk about its potential counters first:
Crobat- would need 252 HP / 176 Atk / 80 SpD Adamant to 2HKO 252 HP / 252 Def Bold (pokemon) on average and not get 2HKOed by a 252 SpA Modest (pokemon). Higher special attack on this Pokemon would NOT allow Crobat to be an effective counter.
Togekiss- A non boosted Togekiss never has the ability to 2HKO this Pokemon, so it has to ensure that it is capable of taking 3 hits while also 3HKOing. 252 HP / 96 SpA / 160 SpD is never 3HKOed by this Pokemon's Fire Blast and has a 92.31% chance of 3HKOing the Max HP / Max SpD Calm equivalent. Keeping the Special Attack limited helps Togekiss more effectively counter it.
Aerodactyl- Grass Knot is 80 BP against it. Would have to run 252 HP / 84 Atk / 172 SpD Adamant to never be 3HKOed by Grass Knot, and always 3HKO with Stone Edge.
Tentacruel- Grass Knot is 80 BP against it as well. In my opinion, along with Togekiss, it is the most reliable counter. I have purposely avoided Hidden Power calculations for a reason, but just for argument's sake, HP Ground from 252 SpA on 252 HP / 164 SpA / 60 SpD / 32 Spe Modest Tentacruel never 3HKOs, and that same Tentacruel always 3HKOs 252 HP / 252 SpD Calm with Sludge Bomb.
As you can see, the Special Attack kind of needs to be limited in order to ensure that the proper "counters" can indeed be counters.
As for Attack, 71 is admittedly slightly arbitrary...64 is the minimum required to guarantee a 2HKO on 252 HP / 0 Def Tentacruel with Wood Hammer assuming you yourself are 252 Atk Adamant. However, placing the other 6 anywhere else would increase this Pokemon's efficiency beyond what I would feel comfortable with...so 71 it is. However, some people enjoy running 252 HP / 216 / 40 (for Def) sets for defensive Pokemon, and in the case that Tentacruel is running 40 Def EVs, you would need a minimum of 69 Base Special Attack in order to guarantee the 2HKO, so I would be comfortable with at least 69 in the Special Attack.
Since it looks like Elagune's art is probably going to win, and since we have decided to severely limit this thing's special move pool, specifically only to its STAB attacks, I think there might be arguments to give it a possibly varied physical move pool. If it got Stone Edge (how appropriate is a humanoid Reptile thingy getting a move called "Stone Edge"), it would have a tiny chance of 2HKOing a 252 HP / 0 Def Togekiss with Leftovers, another slightly interesting advantage of having 71 Atk.
(Btw, I am completely against it getting Swords Dance...though Howl might be acceptable)
It needs swords dance for the gimmick set to work full stop.
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Basic summary? I've combined my original spread with Mekkah's spread (which was actually based off my original spread, at least in theory), and come up with a Pokemon that I earnestly believe has the perfect "bulk" for its typing and just the right amount of Special Attack to be an effective attacker, yet certainly not a sweeper as well.
The lack of Speed allows a higher set of justifiable "checks," and therefore is necessary, as that same set is not too inclusive a group without the Pokemon in between 61 and 70.
Essentially, this Pokemon is able to take hits so efficiently from both sides that it can switch into Stealth Rock and not be 2HKOed by the common Outrage from Garchomp or the common Shadow Ball from Gengar. It also has a respectable 90 SpA, 216 minimum, which would allow it to hit frailer Pokemon quite hard as it is.
The checks in place are essentially the lower Special Attack and 60 Base Speed. Tyranitar remains possibly the most interesting check, important because some very common Pokemon (face it, Togekiss is not as rampant as some may believe, and since December, Tentacruel usage has declined) should be able to pose a threat.
Again, final spread submission:
118 HP / 71 Atk / 106 Def / 90 SpA / 91 SpD / 60 Spe
Also, if you are going to bother to respond to this, please read it all, and don't give me some arbitrary jibe (you know who you are).
