Tier List Change Log
Small adjustments to placements of several Sync Pairs were made.
- Physical Strikers: Tier 3 was rather crowded, and Tier 4 was empty, while there were differences within Tier 3 that could be made more clear by populating Tier 4. Three Sync Pairs were moved to Tier 4 as a result. Additionally, an adjustment was made for Bugsy & Mega Beedrill.
- Tech: This group of Sync Pairs has a few hidden gems that were not initially apparent. A few Sync Pairs have had their placements moved up.
New Sync Pair Placements
Wulfric & Avalugg moved down to Tier 4. Previously, their counter and taunt combo was thought to be useful, although in practice, their speed is a bit too slow for this combination to be reliable. Additionally, their bulk is rather poor, and for a counter to be effective the Sync Pair must survive. Their effectiveness is decent against Physical Attackers, but poor against Special Attackers, making them workable but highly situational. This tier placement shift was accomplished by modifying the weight of the Taunt skill towards tier point calculation.
Iris & Haxorus moved down to Tier 4. Their original placement already had them near the bottom of Tier 3 with their mediocre stat spread and moveset. However, Haxorus’s Outrage is guaranteed to confuse itself, which can be a liability that was not initially accounted for. This tier placement shift was accomplished by modifying the threshold of Tier Points for Tier 3 to be 27 or higher rather than 20 or higher.
Hapu & Mudsdale moved down to Tier 4. This sync pair also had initially low placement along with Iris & Haxorus for having a mediocre stat spread. The power rating of Mud Slap, combined with Mudsdale’s low inherent Sp. Atk, make it a move that is not necessarily worth using despite how attractive the accuracy decreasing effects may look at first glance. The remainder of its moveset is also hampered by its base stats. Furthermore, X Accuracy costs an extra move to compensate only for a 90 and 95 Accuracy move in Mudsdale’s moveset without providing any further effects, which is relatively low return for a trainer move. This tier placement shift was also accomplished by modifying the threshold of Tier Points for Tier 3 to be 27 or higher rather than 20 or higher.
Bugsy & Mega Beedrill moved down to Tier 2. This Sync Pair has the potential to become very strong once they get rolling, but in practical application, the amount of time it takes for this pair to get their Critical hit train going to accumulate Speed buff stacks is quite long. Moreover, the universal effect of enemy Sync Moves removing all positive stat boosts will put Beedrill’s stats back to base, which puts a dent in this Sync Pair’s momentum. It is a slow process for them to rebuild their momentum, and as a result they have been moved down a tier. This tier placement shift was accomplished by modifying the threshold of Tier Points for Tier 1 to be 41 or higher rather than 40 or higher.
Brawly & Makuhita moved up to Tier 3. The Defense debuff provided by Rock Smash is quite probable and more powerful than it may initially seem. The debuffs can stack repeatedly and over time, greatly improving damage dealt by all sources of Physical damage on a target. This tier placement shift was accomplished by adding +2 Adjustment Points to the Brawly & Makuhita Sync Pair. This is pending a broader Tier List overhaul that allows Tier Points to include On-hit effects, their probability, and the base accuracy of said moves.
Wikstrom & Aegislash moved up to Tier 2. The flexibility of this Sync Pair was understated and was not properly considered in its prior tier placement. Its ability to deal high damage (particularly against opponents with Speed buffs), a high probability of Flinch, along with its ability to quickly switch to the role of a high-Bulk tank that doubles as an Attack debuff for any attacking opponents makes it remarkable as a Tech Sync Pair. This tier placement shift was accomplished by modifying the weight of the “Form Change” passive to +1 Tier Points.
