Bulbapedia

Tier: Difference between revisions

Article Discussion

Tier (view source)

Revision as of 15:38, 15 August 2016

925 bytes removed ,  15 August 2016
Making good on the "six most common" statement above... (All the Borderlines are entirely silly)
mNo edit summary
(Making good on the "six most common" statement above... (All the Borderlines are entirely silly))
Line 1: Line 1:
'''Tiers''' are an attempt by players to classify {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} in a given [[generation]] by their utility in competitive battles. The classification of Pokémon into tiers can be challenging, as a Pokémon's [[stat]]s or [[move]]s are not the only factors that can impact a match. Combinations of Pokémon, along with player skill and overall strategy greatly affects the outcome.It should be noted that this page only details smogon's teiring system
'''Tiers''' are an attempt by players to classify {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} in a given [[generation]] by their utility in competitive battles. The classification of Pokémon into tiers can be challenging, as a Pokémon's [[stat]]s or [[move]]s are not the only factors that can impact a match. Combinations of Pokémon, along with player skill and overall strategy greatly affects the outcome.


==Tiers in Pokémon==
==Tiers in Pokémon==
Line 6: Line 6:
Tier lists are often targets of discussion because there is no "official" tier list for Pokémon. Tiers are often quite fluid—as strategies evolve, Pokémon may move from one tier to another. However, even official tournaments will present lists of disallowed Pokémon.
Tier lists are often targets of discussion because there is no "official" tier list for Pokémon. Tiers are often quite fluid—as strategies evolve, Pokémon may move from one tier to another. However, even official tournaments will present lists of disallowed Pokémon.


As commonly defined, a "standard" battle allows any Pokémon not listed in the Uber tier. Tiers are 'exclusive' in only one direction; for instance, in a UU battle, Pokémon from tiers above UU (BL, OU, or Uber) are banned, but Pokémon from lower tiers (such as RU or NU) are allowed.
As commonly defined, a "standard" battle allows any Pokémon not listed in the Uber tier. Tiers are exclusive in only one direction; for instance, in a UU battle, Pokémon from tiers above UU (OU or Uber) are banned, but Pokémon from lower tiers (such as RU or NU) are allowed.
 
A common addition to the tiers below may be several "Borderline" tiers ("BL", "BL2", and so on). Pokémon in a borderline tier are "too strong" for one tier, but not sufficiently used in the next higher tier. In essence, borderline tiers serve as a ban list for a lower tier.


===Uber===
===Uber===
Line 19: Line 21:


OU status does not have to do with a Pokémon's power or ability. The Pokémon that make up OU, as with all tiers, are determined based on usage. A Pokémon's tier may change from generation to generation. For instance, {{p|Magneton}} is often considered OU in [[Generation III]] because of its advantage over {{p|Skarmory}}, another commonly used Pokémon. In [[Generation IV]], {{p|Magnezone}}, the evolution of Magneton, took Magneton's role in OU in some tier lists due to its generally higher base stats. If an OU Pokémon is not used enough in the OU tier, it will fall to the UU tier.
OU status does not have to do with a Pokémon's power or ability. The Pokémon that make up OU, as with all tiers, are determined based on usage. A Pokémon's tier may change from generation to generation. For instance, {{p|Magneton}} is often considered OU in [[Generation III]] because of its advantage over {{p|Skarmory}}, another commonly used Pokémon. In [[Generation IV]], {{p|Magnezone}}, the evolution of Magneton, took Magneton's role in OU in some tier lists due to its generally higher base stats. If an OU Pokémon is not used enough in the OU tier, it will fall to the UU tier.
===Borderline===
Pokémon in Borderline, commonly referred to as "'''BL'''", are "too strong" for Underused, but are not sufficiently used in Overused battles. In essence, BL serves a ban list for Underused.


===Underused===
===Underused===
Underused, commonly referred to as "'''UU'''", consists of Pokémon that are not used enough to be in OU. Pokémon classified as UU are often outclassed by Pokémon in higher tiers, possibly as a result of generally lower base stats, available moves, or Abilities. For example, in Generation V, {{p|Machamp}} fell to UU in some tier lists largely as a result of the introduction of {{p|Conkeldurr}}, which has {{m|Mach Punch}}, {{m|Drain Punch}}, and generally superior base stats. UU Pokémon are commonly used in OU battles, but most have smaller niches. If a UU Pokémon is not used enough in the UU tier, it will fall to the RU/LU tier.
Underused, commonly referred to as "'''UU'''", consists of Pokémon that are not used enough to be in OU. Pokémon classified as UU are often outclassed by Pokémon in higher tiers, possibly as a result of generally lower base stats, available moves, or Abilities. For example, in Generation V, {{p|Machamp}} fell to UU in some tier lists largely as a result of the introduction of {{p|Conkeldurr}}, which has {{m|Mach Punch}}, {{m|Drain Punch}}, and generally superior base stats. UU Pokémon are commonly used in OU battles, but most have smaller niches. If a UU Pokémon is not used enough in the UU tier, it will fall to the RU/LU tier.
===Borderline 2===
Pokémon in Borderline 2, commonly referred to as "'''BL2'''", are "too strong" for Rarelyused/Littleused, but are not sufficiently used in Underused battles. In essence, BL2 serves a ban list for Rarelyused/Littleused.


===Rarelyused/Littleused===
===Rarelyused/Littleused===
This tier is referred to as either "'''RU'''" or "'''LU'''". While the name of the tier varies, its "level" is equivalent. The tier consists of Pokémon that are not used enough to be in UU. For example, {{p|Escavalier}} is considered RU in Generation V in some tier lists because it is not used enough in UU battles. If an RU/LU Pokémon is not used enough in the RU/LU tier, it will fall to the NU tier.
This tier is referred to as either "'''RU'''" or "'''LU'''". While the name of the tier varies, its "level" is equivalent. The tier consists of Pokémon that are not used enough to be in UU. For example, {{p|Escavalier}} is considered RU in Generation V in some tier lists because it is not used enough in UU battles. If an RU/LU Pokémon is not used enough in the RU/LU tier, it will fall to the NU tier.
===Borderline 3===
Pokémon in Borderline 3, commonly referred to as "'''BL3'''", are "too strong" for Neverused, but are not sufficiently used in Rarelyused/Littleused. In essence, BL3 serves a ban list for Neverused.


===Neverused===
===Neverused===
Neverused, commonly referred to as "'''NU'''", consists of Pokémon that are not used enough to be in RU/LU. The name is not literal, stemming from the tiers of [[Generation I]], where Neverused Pokémon had generally lower "competitive value" in comparison to other Pokémon. Some Pokémon that are pre-evolutions of Pokémon in higher tiers may be classified as NU.
Neverused, commonly referred to as "'''NU'''", consists of Pokémon that are not used enough to be in RU/LU. The name is not literal, stemming from the tiers of [[Generation I]], where Neverused Pokémon had generally lower "competitive value" in comparison to other Pokémon. Some Pokémon that are pre-evolutions of Pokémon in higher tiers may be classified as NU.
===Borderline 4===
Pokémon in Borderline 4, commonly referred to as "'''BL4'''", are "too strong" for PU, but are not sufficiently used in Neverused. In essence, BL4 serves a ban list for PU.
===PU===
'''PU''' (which doesn't stand for anything, instead referencing the exclamation of disgust) is a tier below Neverused in Smogon's tier list (other tier lists do not have a tier this low) which consists of Pokémon that are not used enough to be in NU.


===Not Fully Evolved===
===Not Fully Evolved===
Retrieved from "https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Special:MobileDiff/2488697"