approved by NixHex
Middle Cup is a tier similar to LC in its idea, however, it is for second stage Pokemon, (Croconaw, Monferno, Vibrava, etc) rather than for first stage Pokemon. All Pokemon must also be level 50.
What usually comes to mind when discussing Middle Cup is defensive behemoths such as Porygon2, Chansey, and Dusclops who can tank various hits thrown at them. Contrary to popular belief, Middle Cup isn't all about stalling, and in fact there are quite a few stallbreakers and ways to get past the item Eviolite, such as via Knock Off, Trick, or powerful setup sweepers. Just because there are only 78 Pokemon in the tier, including useless Pokemon such as Metapod and Kakuna, doesn't mean there isn't much to explore! Please don't complain about things you think are broken, as there are probably various ways to deal with them, we just probably have to think of them!
Some more information on the tier can be found here. Just ignore the banlist (it's a bit outdated, anyways), and there are a few useful links at the bottom.
Also, I'll be keeping a list of interesting/creative sets that I find in this thread or come up with. It'll also include a brief description of them.
Anyways, let's discuss Middle Cup! It's quite an interesting tier. ;)
Middle Cup is a tier similar to LC in its idea, however, it is for second stage Pokemon, (Croconaw, Monferno, Vibrava, etc) rather than for first stage Pokemon. All Pokemon must also be level 50.
What usually comes to mind when discussing Middle Cup is defensive behemoths such as Porygon2, Chansey, and Dusclops who can tank various hits thrown at them. Contrary to popular belief, Middle Cup isn't all about stalling, and in fact there are quite a few stallbreakers and ways to get past the item Eviolite, such as via Knock Off, Trick, or powerful setup sweepers. Just because there are only 78 Pokemon in the tier, including useless Pokemon such as Metapod and Kakuna, doesn't mean there isn't much to explore! Please don't complain about things you think are broken, as there are probably various ways to deal with them, we just probably have to think of them!
Some more information on the tier can be found here. Just ignore the banlist (it's a bit outdated, anyways), and there are a few useful links at the bottom.
Also, I'll be keeping a list of interesting/creative sets that I find in this thread or come up with. It'll also include a brief description of them.
Kadabra @ Flame Orb / Toxic Orb
Trait: Magic Guard
EVs: 76 HP / 252 SAtk / 180 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Trick
- Recover
- Psychic
- Shadow Ball
I saw this set posted in the old thread and it intrigued me. Tricking is an effective tool for removing Eviolite's off Pokemon and this set aims to do that well. Once Kadabra has tricked the item to a Pokemon, it gets Eviolite which gives it more bulk as well as crippling a Pokemon. Psychic and Shadow Ball are just useful attacking moves that do a good amount of damage to even Pokemon with Eviolite thanks to that 120 base Special Attack. The Speed EV's are enough to outspeed Grovyle and Haunter.
Monferno @ Eviolite
Trait: Blaze
EVs: 252 HP / 164 SDef / 92 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Substitute
- Slack Off
- Toxic
- Flamethrower
Not that effective, but pretty entertaining to use! :) It can set up a Substitute on things it forces out, such as Roselia and Metang, and use Toxic to cripple things. Most Pokemon immune to Toxic take quite a lot from Flamethrower, which is useful. 92 Speed EV's with a Timid nature allows Monferno to outspeed most slower Pokemon in Middle Cup.
Metang @ Eviolite
Trait: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 128 SDef / 124 Spd
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Hone Claws
- Substitute
- Meteor Mash
- Earthquake
This set counters and uses Duosion as set-up bait. +1 Shadow Ball doesn't even break Metang's subs, and once it gets a few boosts, you do not want to be near it!
Trait: Magic Guard
EVs: 76 HP / 252 SAtk / 180 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Trick
- Recover
- Psychic
- Shadow Ball
I saw this set posted in the old thread and it intrigued me. Tricking is an effective tool for removing Eviolite's off Pokemon and this set aims to do that well. Once Kadabra has tricked the item to a Pokemon, it gets Eviolite which gives it more bulk as well as crippling a Pokemon. Psychic and Shadow Ball are just useful attacking moves that do a good amount of damage to even Pokemon with Eviolite thanks to that 120 base Special Attack. The Speed EV's are enough to outspeed Grovyle and Haunter.
Monferno @ Eviolite
Trait: Blaze
EVs: 252 HP / 164 SDef / 92 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Substitute
- Slack Off
- Toxic
- Flamethrower
Not that effective, but pretty entertaining to use! :) It can set up a Substitute on things it forces out, such as Roselia and Metang, and use Toxic to cripple things. Most Pokemon immune to Toxic take quite a lot from Flamethrower, which is useful. 92 Speed EV's with a Timid nature allows Monferno to outspeed most slower Pokemon in Middle Cup.
Metang @ Eviolite
Trait: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 128 SDef / 124 Spd
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Hone Claws
- Substitute
- Meteor Mash
- Earthquake
This set counters and uses Duosion as set-up bait. +1 Shadow Ball doesn't even break Metang's subs, and once it gets a few boosts, you do not want to be near it!
Anyways, let's discuss Middle Cup! It's quite an interesting tier. ;)