Cresselia down to C (was C+)
!!!!!!
Wanted to post further into no-Protean but I really disagree with this.
Thoughout all of Phase 2 of reqs, I included Cresselia on my team. Yes, it is still very early in the no-Protean era, but from the experiences I've had, Cresselia has become MUCH more useful. I've been using it specifically as an Unaware. Since Protean is now gone, set-up sweepers have more of a chance to shine, meaning Unaware is now more useful than getting 2HKO'd by a Protean. Cresselia can now switch in fearlessly on the majority of special attackers due to only being weak to three types, all of which are fairly uncommon other than Spooky Judgment.
Disclaimer: not all calcs are sets I have experience with. Simply using them as offensive benchmarks.
252+ SpA Life Orb Mega Mewtwo Y Boomburst vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Cresselia: 177-209 (39.8 - 47%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ SpA Adamant Orb Dialga Doom Desire vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Cresselia: 201-237 (45.2 - 53.3%) -- 34% chance to 2HKO
Still does get 2HKO'd by Aerilate Boomburst, but off the top of my head, the only walls that don't are resists, Chansey, and Specially Defensive Giratina (which still gets 2HKO'd by fully invested Modest).
That's not the end of it, though! If specially defensive isn't your style, Knock Off isn't a threat to physically defensive, leaving other neutral hits as a non-threat too. Yes, it may not be able to switch in freely WITH an item. However, after a first Knock Off and healing, or even simply not carrying an item, Cress can do as it wants.
252 Atk Mega Tyranitar Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Cresselia: 240-284 (54 - 63.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
That's essentially a 195 BP attack coming off of 164 Attack and STAB.
252 Atk Mega Tyranitar Knock Off vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Cresselia: 162-192 (36.4 - 43.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Even more than that, due to its lack of weaknesses, it performs as an above average Fur Coat user.
252 Atk Primal Groudon V-create vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Fur Coat Cresselia in Harsh Sunshine: 180-213 (40.5 - 47.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
where's your offense now
So yes, Giratina may outshine it in multiple ways, including pure bulk. However, Cresselia's typing, although not offering too many resistances, does not leave it weak to Moonblast or Ice Beam, commonly run on attackers for Giratina. It also serves as a much better Unaware wall that Giratina simply due to its neutrality to Draco Meteor, commonly found on Contrary Pokemon. It still has plenty of bulk to perform well.
With Protean, it was a different story, and definitely deserved to drop in viability. However, without it, I firmly believe that Cresselia fits the description of B Rank much more than C Rank. It no longer has
many notable flaws that prevent them from being effective or
requires significant support to be effective. However, it does in fact have flaws and does in fact require supports, fitting the role of B Rank quite well.
As my own opinion, I believe Cresselia should be B, but isn't simply due to underusage. I'm fine with this! B- is understandable, maybe even C+ (but that's a long shot). C, on the other hand, is not, especially due to the recent metagame shifts.
tl;dr start using cress more k thanks, even if it stays low in viability we'll show them
For other topics:
I feel Chansey should stay in S. Don't believe that it's centralizing enough; probably as a result of my playstyle. I could probably be convinced either way.
No real opinions on other mons mentioned, will give a bit more thought though. Also proposing Slaking down to B-, mostly due to competition from Regigigas. Will talk more about it later.