Alright so here we go
My stance on Mega Gengar's (aka. Gengarite’s) suspect testing has always been a bit shaky. I’ve tried to take my time to read every single post in the Ubers threads about the testing to try to consider both sides of the argument and come to a decision on vote day. One theme that has been acknowledged and agreed with is that we are focusing way too much on specific details on definitions and technicalities and not enough on definite facts. So, let’s consider the facts.
1. Mega Gengar’s Overpowering/Overcentralizing/Unpredictable nature are entirely irrelevant to this argument due to this being an Uber’s suspect test.
Basically, when it comes to my decision, Mega Gengar’s supposed impacts on pokemon usage, pokemon strategies, and what is “good” etc aren’t able to be judged here. As a result, any strategies rendered useless by Mega Gengar are irrelevant to my final decision (though this might seem like an obvious point, I felt it needed to be stated for the sake of keeping the decision making process out in the open.)
2. Mega Gengar’s “uncompetitive” threat is what we are suspecting. The only potentially “uncompetitive” element in Mega Gengar’s arsenal is its use of Shadow Tag.
Now, when it comes to my decisions of figuring out when something is competitive or isn’t competitive, I’m thinking in contexts the Ubers metagame. The Ubers metagame was built under this principle:
“The "Ubers metagame" exists to develop an understanding of Pokémon's strongest and most brutal combatants.”
Instead of the Ou Metagame which exists under this philosophy
“The Ou metagame is the result of a search for a balanced game, where player skill, teambuilding skill, and a certain amount of luck combine to execute victory”
From here
http://www.smogon.com/philosophy
So, by that difference in metagame philosophy, we can’t even consider the possibility of banning Mega Gengar. If we want to develop an understanding of all pokemon in this tier then we have to play in an environment that includes all of them.
To restate, I’m well aware that it has been discussed that pokemon should be banned from Ubers if they are proven uncompetitive. I, personally, disagree since I’d rather the meta be established under principles of understanding and acceptance instead of balancing.
So, vote
No Ban
Now, for the sake of addressing some of what I saw coming up in some discussions, I’m going to address some keys points made in the thread. Most namely:
1.
Mega Gengar’s use of Shadow Tag is Uncompetitive because it emphasizes team matchup more than skill: Emphasis is not a problem. Removal is the problem (see #4.) You’re focusing too much about Mega Gengar’s effects on the tier and not on what it’s actually doing.
2.
Mega Gengar’s use of Shadow Tag is Uncompetitive because there are no counters to it, it can easily poke holes in the opposing team, etc: Fact #1
3.
Mega Gengar’s use of Shadow Tag is Uncompetitive because it causes stupid 50/50s (aka, overly aggressive, blind doubling): Fact #1. In addition, these 50/50s are not guaranteed by any means (though they are common) and I think that this focuses a bit too much on the effects of Mega Gengar/Shadow Tag and not the actions of Mega Gengar/Shadow Tag.
4. Mega Gengar’s use of Shadow Tag is Uncompetitive because it prevents a player from switching during 1v1s and removes all of the value of a player’s actions during that moment: I personally think that this is the only valid complaint that I should address.
I am well aware of Mega Gengar’s ability removes skill in 1v1s. However, I will always judge in terms of the 6v6 in this context and, in all of my times getting reqs, there was no instance where Mega Gengar was able to prevent player skill, teambuilding skills, and luck from combining for the duration of the entire match (which is what the requirements would be if we tried to partially establish the rules for the Ou Meta.) I realize that there are people who feel that the 1v1 skill removal holds much more weight. Heck, I think those people might even have a point where, in the impending Shadow Tag Suspect Test, I might even consider change voting sides. However, under this vote, I want to set the precedent that under no circumstances should a pokemon be banned in Ubers. Ever. So, we’ll have to wait till a later voting period before we come to that, final decision (which, in the end, will ban Mega Gengar in a roundabout way >_>)