to be made

/challenge gen9nationaldex35pokes @@@ -All Pokemon, +Unobtainable, +Past, -ND Uber, -ND AG, -ND OU, -ND UUBL, -ND UU, -ND RUBL, -ND RU, -ND NFE, -ND LC, +Jellicent, +Drakloak, +Vaporeon, +Jumpluff, +Kecleon, +Virizion, +Bronzong, +Arctozolt, +Kingdra, +Centiskorch, +Lunatone, +Wigglytuff, +Gyarados, +Cherrim, +Stonjourner, +Glaceon, +Golduck, +Musharna, +Snorlax, +Cyclizar, +Pincurchin, +Sandslash-Alola, +Tyranitar, +Reuniclus, +Palossand, +Dondozo, +Solrock, +Aerodactyl, +Empoleon, +Dhelmise, +Armarouge, +Armaldo, +Revavroom, +Noivern, +Kilowattrel

Tier Maker

Pre-Ban Analysis

Tyranitar is proving to be a very meta-warping threat with its good bulk and even better raw power. Its Choice Band set hits like a nuke especially with STAB Knock Off from a base 134 attack stat, only being walled by Dondozo, physically defensive Virizion which still gets nuked by Aerial Ace, and Stonjourner which doesn’t enjoy taking Low Kick. Pursuit is another amazing move to use as Tyranitar can force out a lot of switches including faster threats like Kilowattrel and slow walls like Jellicent and Reuniclus. Tyranitar can also opt for a Dragon Dance set with Knock Off, Low Kick for Stonjourner and opposing Tyranitar, and Aerial Ace for the aforementioned Virizion. Dragon Dance sets can use a variety of items, including Expert Belt to use its coverage better, Black Glasses to hit even harder with Knock Off, and Chople Berry to set up in front of Virizion or other Pokémon with Fighting coverage. It’s important to note that a slightly chipped Tyranitar won’t survive a 252 attack Close Combat from Virizion even with Chopple Berry though. With 252+ speed and one turn of set up, it can reach 364 speed, outrunning anything that doesn’t have a Choice Scarf or is slower than Cyclizar while hitting just as hard as its Choice Band set. Tyranitar’s Sand Stream wears down its checks while nullifying Dondozo’s leftovers and limiting Virizion’s Synthesis, though it doesn’t help against Stonjourner. It also gives Tyranitar a special defense boost to survive hits from special attackers it otherwise can’t. 

Tyranitar can easily slot into most bulky offense, balance, and offense teams because of how much damage it does. Choice Band sets often have 2 move slots that they can dedicate to whatever coverage is needed by the team while Dragon Dance sets need to be built around to effectively remove Dondozo before sweeping. Some notable Pokémon that pair well with Tyranitar are Kilowattrel, Dhelmise, Dondozo, mixed Virizion, and Reuniclus. Kilowattrel can make use of Weather Ball under sand to super-effectively hit opposing Kilowattrel and Noivern while comfortably taking Body Press from Dondozo and threatening it out. It can also take both of Virizion’s STAB options and threaten an OHKO with Hurricane or pivot into Tyranitar with Volt Switch on potential switches. Dhelmise is able to wall physically defensive Virizion, check Dondozo with Power Whip and its defensive typing, and switch into other Fighting type coverage. Meanwhile, Dondozo can safely switch into Gyarados, boosted Revavroom, and opposing Tyranitar to avoid risking speed ties while Tyranitar can remove Kilowattrel and Jellicent for Dondozo with Pursuit. Virizion with Grass Knot or Leaf Storm threatens out Dondozo and Stonjourner, Air Slash to 2hko defensive Virizion, and Close Combat as powerful Fighting STAB to deal with opposing Tyranitar while not having to worry about Kilowattrel thanks to Tyranitar. Finally, Reuniclus can safely switch into Close Combat from Virizion and Body Press from both Dondozo and Stonjourner while threatening an OHKO on all three of them. Tyranitar also deals with almost all of Reuniclus’ checks except for opposing Tyranitar. 

While Tyranitar is undoubtedly a very strong Pokémon, it still has some notable weaknesses. Both Choice Band and Dragon Dance sets struggle to break through Dondozo on their own and can’t afford to stay in on it lest they be destroyed by Body Press. Choice Band Tyranitar also have to be wary of spamming Knock Off when there is a Virizion or Stonjourner on the other team, and mispredicting a switch and clicking Aerial Ace or Low Kick can have devastating consequences. Tyranitar also has to be careful of switching in due to the abundance of Fighting coverage, although it’s mostly mitigated by using pivoting moves. In addition, its middling speed stat gets outsped by Noivern even at +1 and undersped by Reuniclus in Trick room. Both have Focus Blast to OHKO Tyranitar even with the added bulk from sand if Noivern activates Throat Spray, but Chople Berry can help it survive and kill those Pokémon in return. 

Sets

Written by AlfrexFrostStaff

QC by Mangoose & Qbking