A few thoughts on the Species Clause.
I think that the proposed clause outlined in the poll options is NOT what BH needs. I believe that some balance is needed in this area, mainly to limit the teams that use like 4+ of the same mon. I do not believe that double Chansey, MMY + MMX, or double MMX/MMY teams are inherently broken or uncompetitive.
A species clause that limits you to two mons with the same dex number seems much more reasonable for this meta. Some might say it is arbitrary to put two as the limit, but it makes sense for BH. Why does it make sense for BH? Because it is one of the few metas where you can use both MMX and MMY on the same team. On top of that, they generally have very different roles as well as different checks. It is also a meta that sees high usage of Chansey, but with multiple roles like Imposter, Fur Coat, or more niche options.
Sure, a team with double MMX will still be able to run a standard set + lure set (example being Adaptability + Pixilate), but I don't think this combination will be as effective without two or more MMX backing them up. While this still allows you to stack a threat, limiting the amount to two hampers the threats' unpredictability. Looking at the double MMX example, if you see this from team preview it is relatively safe to assume that one MMX is fairly standard while the other is some type of lure. Various forms of scouting are available to help you figure out which MMX is which.
This can be said for other threats as well, like Mega Gengar or Mega Diancie. Seeing two of either at team preview tells you they are either running duplicate sets (which I don't recommend doing) or that they are running a standard set + a lure or niche set. Sure, you might fall for the lure set first and open up a weakness to the other threat, but that's the point of lures and I don't find lures uncompetitive.
This wouldn't be a perfect solution, but I think it would help alleviate some of the troubles that species spam teams have been causing while also not eliminating a method of teambuilding that is not unhealthy. Sure, this modified clause would still allow for a team structure like two MMX + two Mega Gengar, but this is certainly not the most effective way of teambuilding. I'd like to see what some of the voters in favor of the species clause think about this.
This is an option on the poll, it’s “Other”.
I basically said having 2 Pokemon as a limit a while back, (yours is based on Pokedex #, mine is based on form, such as 2 MMX & 2 MMY, not just the Pokedex #) and using a single shiny of the two keeps the coding from overlapping Movesets.
Anyways, your idea is close enough to what I wanted and I’ll change my vote from No Ban, to “2 x Species with what
a loser said.”
But honestly, I do feel using a Shiny check allows people to not have the move stacking issue, and it won’t obligate a MMX + MMY limit.
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EDIT: For some reason it didn’t show
E4 Flint or the
The Immortal posts until now.
The Immortal are we changing the Species Clause poll option to a Forme Clause?
^ Your reply will impact the voting poll itself.
Beyond Mewtwo (MMX + MMY), and Necrozma (Dusk-Mane + Necromoza-Ultra), Kyurem (B+W), Deoxys (Attack + Speed), and niche offensive Aegislash & Giratina forms, what else is meta relevant?
Can’t people just use the different forms of some Pokemon, without type/ability/base stat changes?
Look at Magearna’s other form (only an aesthetic change), Arceus, etc? Different Arceus Formes without the Plate/Multi-type are still the same Pokemon... and type.
Even if it’s based on Multi-type, if you have an Arceus Normal-type without Multi-type (for ability clause), and an additional Arceus with Plate+Multi-type (a literal Forme change), does that count?
See? Now we need complex bans even for your proposed Forme Clause, as people can have multiples of the same Pokemon only different in appearance.
Your idea needs to cover these bases too.
Also for Gen 8, with the 1 Ability Clause, do we need to count all -ates and Galvanize as an ability because having Refrigerate + Pixelate, etc. with 1 ability limits on defensive abilities, like Soundproof, Regenerator, etc. available will be an eventual concern.
I guess I’ll maintain my vote, for now, as do nothing then. Until the Species Vs Forme clause is finalized.
Lastly, since Gen 8 will ban Mega Stones, and Z-move Crystals (No Necrozma-Ultra), that means Mewtwo, Charizard, and Necromoza will no longer be a Species / Forme clause concern for Sword and Shield.
Kyurem-B+W might be the only BH actual Relevant beneficiary, barring Gen 8 additions.*
*I don’t believe people typically use them on the same team, but just the most likely Pokemon reason to keep it Forme Clause over Species Clause in Gen 8.