RBY OU Alakazam [Done]

Alakazam
Type: Psychic
Stats: 55 | 50 | 45 | 135 | 120

Introduction

Alakazam is one of the best Pokemon in RBY OU; it's fast, powerful, and bulky. It's one of the most consistent leads, able to force out Gengar, and can paralyze and potentially damage Jynx. Alakazam's ability to outspeed Tauros and handle specially attacking threats reasonably well even while paralyzed (on some more aggressive teams, negating the need for Chansey even) make it reliable even outside of the lead spot. If Alakazam gets a Reflect up, it becomes very difficult to break or force out.

Sets

Standard

Alakazam
- Psychic
- Recover
- Thunder Wave
- Seismic Toss / Reflect

Set Details

Psychic is Alakazam's main method of damaging the foe. While most of the time it will be soaked up by Psychic-types or Chansey, its impressive ~1/3 chance to drop the Special stat allows Alakazam to pressure any foe. Alongside Thunder Wave, Alakazam is one of the best methods of forcing out Chansey. Recover is mandatory to last throughout the match, and Thunder Wave allows Alakazam to spread status and pressure almost any target. Seismic Toss must be run when used as a lead, but Reflect is more often the stronger choice on non-lead Alakazam. Seismic Toss allows it to pressure opposing Jynx, Exeggutor, Alakazam, and Starmie more heavily, with Jynx in particular being the main reason it is necessary to carry it in the lead position. Reflect allows Alakazam to beat physical attackers such as Snorlax that would otherwise force it out, often making it the superior option when not run as a lead.

Other Options

Kinesis is probably the best option, allowing Alakazam to mess with various leads and almost any Pokemon, with the main purpose in running it to be able to force out Slowbro, as otherwise it's stalled out due to its incapacity to hit enough of its attacks to sweep. Counter is a poor option due to Alakazam's low HP, and, while doing a bit more damage than Psychic on average in a handful of situations, using it usually leaves Alakazam too crippled to be much use during the remainder of the match. Psybeam is another alternative in the fourth slot, given its ability to confuse the foe, land a critical hit, and benefit from Special drops on the foe, giving it also the benefit of additional attacking PP, making it more useful versus Chansey and Starmie in particular. Hyper Beam is its single strongest move versus opposing Alakazam, and Jynx, but due to the recharge turn it is generally not worth the use of a moveslot.

Checks and Counters

There are three ways to handle Alakazam. The first is by using Slowbro, which resists Psychic, paralyses Alakazam, and proceeds to boost up and threaten a sweep, which Alakazam is helpless to prevent unless it has both Seismic Toss and good luck. The second is simply threatening to stall it out. While Alakazam can potentially power through any one check, having multiple Pokemon that can switch into Alakazam and inflict sleep or paralysis, such as Chansey, Starmie, your own Alakazam (note that Seismic Toss variants beat Reflect), and Exeggutor, should allow you to weather its assault while it depletes its limited Psychic PP. This strategy is much more effective against Reflect variants than Seismic Toss. Lastly, paralysing Alakazam then sending powerful physical attackers into play is another effective means of dealing with Alakazam. Snorlax, Golem, and Rhydon are good candidates for this role due to both their power and the fact that they’re not greatly bothered by Thunder Wave. It is important to note that Reflect variants wall these attackers regardless and that Alakazam must be paralysed for them to be effective, but against Seismic Toss variants, this is the best course of action. Faster attackers such as Tauros and Persian can break through Alakazam with critical hits, but they abhor paralysis.

 

js the last sentence in the set details is really waffling and not all that useful. Really all that needs to be said is that Reflect allows Zam to beat physical attackers such as Lax that would otherwise force it out.

Also I'm just going to post the C&C section of the analysis I did on PO because I prefer my approach which looks at the broad strategy for dealing with Zam rather than simply listing pokemon. This is especially important since Zam beats almost any "check" 1v1, the exception being Bro.

Spoiler: thing

Checks and Counters

There are three general ways to handle Alakazam. The first is Slowbro, which resists Psychic, paralyses Alakazam, and proceeds to boost up and threaten a sweep, which Alakazam is helpless to prevent unless it has both Seismic Toss and good luck. The second is simply threatening to stall it out. While Alakazam can potentially power through any one check, having multiple Pokemon that can switch into Alakazam and inflict sleep or paralysis such as Chansey, Starmie, your own Alakazam (note that Seismic Toss variants beat Reflect) and Exeggutor, should allow you to weather its assault while it depletes its limited Psychic PP. This strategy is much more effective against Reflect variants than Seismic Toss. Lastly, paralysing Alakazam then sending powerful physical attackers into play is another effective means of dealing with Alakazam. Snorlax, Golem and Rhydon are good candidates for this role, due to both their power and the fact that they’re not greatly bothered by Thunder Wave. It is important to note that Reflect variants wall these attackers regardless and that Alakazam must be paralysed for them to be effective, but against Seismic Toss variants this is generally the best course of action. Faster attackers such as Tauros and Persian can break through with critical hits, but abhor paralysis.

 

really great stuff. that's a wonderful C&C section, so clear!

 

AM Check @Rhythms
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Spoiler

Alakazam
Type: Psychic
Stats: 55 | 50 | 45 | 135 | 120

Introduction

Alakazam is one of the best Pokemon in RBY OU - (Remove Hyphen, Add Semicolon) ; it's fast, powerful, and bulky all in one. It's one of the most consistent leads, able to force out Gengar, and paralyze and potentially damage - possibly damaging too with Psychic or Seismic Toss - Jynx. (Add Period, Remove Comma), it's a strong and very reliable choice. (Unnecessary) Outside of the lead spot, its Alakazam's capacity to outspeed Tauros, and handle specially attacking threats reasonably well even whilst while paralyzed (on some more aggressive teams, negating the need for Chansey even) make it reliable even outside of the lead spot. (This statement never really concluded) If it Alakazam gets a Reflect up, it becomes very difficult to break or force out. Overall, Alakazam is a strong and consistent choice in OU. (Feel's unneeded to say it's one of the top Pokémon at the start and say this)

Sets

Standard

Alakazam
- Psychic
- Recover
- Thunder Wave
- Seismic Toss / Reflect

Set Details

Psychic is your main method of damaging things. Whilst While most of the time it will be soaked up by Psychic-types or Chansey, its impressive (approximately) 30% chance to drop the Special stat allows it Alakazam to pressure any opponent. Indeed, aAlongside Thunder Wave, it's Alakazam is one of the best methods of forcing out Chansey, (RC) even if Chansey puts Reflect up. Recover is mandatory to last throughout the match, while Thunder Wave allows it Alakazam to spread status and pressure almost any target. Seismic Toss must be run when used as a lead, but Reflect is more often the stronger choice on one an Alakazam that isn't leading. Seismic Toss allows it to pressure opposing Jynx, Exeggutor, Alakazam, and Starmie more heavily, with Jynx in particular being the main reason it is nessecary necessary (Spelling fix) to carry it in the lead position. Reflect allows Zam to beat physical attackers such as Lax Snorlax that would otherwise force it out, making it often the more superior option when not run as a lead.

Other Options

Kinesis is probably the best option not listed on the set, allowing it Alakazam to mess with various leads and almost any Pokemon in general, with the main purpose in running it to be to force out Slowbro, otherwise allowing it to be stalled as otherwise it's stalled out due to its incapacity to hit enough of its attacks to sweep. Counter is a poor option due to Alakazam's low HP, and, whilst often while doing a bit more damage than Psychic on average in a handful of situations, using it usually leaves Alakazam too crippled to be of as much use during the remainder of the match.

Checks and Counters

There are three general ways to handle Alakazam. The first is Slowbro, which resists Psychic, paralyses Alakazam, and proceeds to boost up and threaten a sweep, which Alakazam is helpless to prevent unless it has both Seismic Toss and good luck. The second is simply threatening to stall it out. While Alakazam can potentially power through any one check, having multiple Pokemon that can switch into Alakazam and inflict sleep or paralysis such as Chansey, Starmie, your own Alakazam (note that Seismic Toss variants beat Reflect) and Exeggutor, should allow you to weather its assault while it depletes its limited Psychic PP. This strategy is much more effective against Reflect variants than Seismic Toss. Lastly, paralysing Alakazam then sending powerful physical attackers into play is another effective means of dealing with Alakazam. Snorlax, Golem and Rhydon are good candidates for this role, due to both their power and the fact that they’re not greatly bothered by Thunder Wave. It is important to note that Reflect variants wall these attackers regardless and that Alakazam must be paralysed for them to be effective, but against Seismic Toss variants this is generally the best course of action. Faster attackers such as Tauros and Persian can break through Alakazam with critical hits, but abhor hate (This isn't technically incorrect, but I literally had no idea abhor was a word, so you may want to keep it simple) paralysis.

 

Implemented

 

Too lazy to repeat myself.

Also, Psychic's Special-fall chance is really better stated as 1/3, as it's 85/256 = 33.20% like BubbleBeam's Speed-fall and Aurora Beam's Attack-fall as opposed to the 77/256 = 30.08% chance for Fire Blast's burn, Body Slam's paralysis, and Stomp/Headbutt's flinch. A quibble, admittedly.

 

done, ty for your additions.

 

Unsanctioned grammar/prose check. This has still only really had one GP check (Peef's was - frankly - ineffectual) and I wouldn't call it 2/2 until someone else takes a look (particularly since I've made a couple of meaning changes and DA also made some due to my earlier post).

Spoiler

Unholy run-on sentence.

A little more concise.

(Also, you missed a space between the two sentences I just quoted.)

You have to mention Thunder Wave before you refer to it.
[SLIGHT DIGRESSION INTO CONTENT: I thought Zam's crit rate should be mentioned as part of the reason it beats Chansey 1v1.]
(Peef Rimgar: "it" meant Psychic, not Alakazam. I had to check the original to even comprehend that sentence.)

Removed duplication of "Reflect better on non-leads", removed abbreviation of Alakazam as Zam.
[DIGRESSION INTO CONTENT: Seismic Toss on lead Zam is crucial vs. Egg, not just Jynx, since while Jynx is a far more common lead Gengar and Starmie leads usually switch to Egg t1. Also, I tried to clarify why Seismic Toss is useful in those cases rather than just saying "it pressures them", particularly since Reflect Zam beats Starmie more often than not.]

Another unholy run-on sentence, and the last bit doesn't say what it's presumably intended to say (parsing it strictly, it says that "it" - ambiguous between Alakazam and Slowbro - can't sweep if Alakazam DOESN'T run Kinesis, which is nonsense).

Worked around some ugly grammar.
[SLIGHT DIGRESSION INTO CONTENT: I was the one who suggested it be added in the first place, so I think I can speak with some authority when I say it was being talked up a bit much.]

[DIGRESSION INTO CONTENT: The reason Slowbro doesn't fear Psychic, and the use of Kinesis, need to be in there somewhere. Three Psychic crits will also defeat Slowbro, so Seismic Toss isn't strictly necessary to luck it.]

 

gp 1/1

Spoiler

Alakazam
Type: Psychic
Stats: 55 | 50 | 45 | 135 | 120

Introduction

Alakazam is one of the best Pokemon in RBY OU; it's fast, powerful, and bulky. It's one of the most consistent leads, able to force out Gengar, and can paralyze and potentially damage Jynx. Alakazam's ability to outspeed Tauros and handle specially attacking threats reasonably well even while paralyzed (on some more aggressive teams, negating the need for Chansey even) make it reliable even outside of the lead spot. If Alakazam gets a Reflect up, it becomes very difficult to break or force out.

Sets

Standard

Alakazam
- Psychic
- Recover
- Thunder Wave
- Seismic Toss / Reflect

Set Details

Psychic is Alakazam's main method of damaging the foe. While most of the time it will be soaked up by Psychic-types or Chansey, its impressive ~1/3 chance to drop the Special stat allows Alakazam to pressure any foe. Alongside Thunder Wave, Alakazam is one of the best methods of forcing out Chansey. Recover is mandatory to last throughout the match, and Thunder Wave allows Alakazam to spread status and pressure almost any target. Seismic Toss must be run when used as a lead, but Reflect is more often the stronger choice on non-lead Alakazam. Seismic Toss allows it to pressure opposing Jynx, Exeggutor, Alakazam, and Starmie more heavily, with Jynx in particular being the main reason it is necessary to carry it in the lead position. Reflect allows Alakazam to beat physical attackers such as Snorlax that would otherwise force it out, often making it the superior option when not run as a lead.

Other Options

Kinesis is probably the best option, allowing Alakazam to mess with various leads and almost any Pokemon, with the main purpose in running it to be able to force out Slowbro, as otherwise it's stalled out due to its incapacity to hit enough of its attacks to sweep. Counter is a poor option due to Alakazam's low HP, and, while doing a bit more damage than Psychic on average in a handful of situations, using it usually leaves Alakazam too crippled to be much use during the remainder of the match. Psybeam is another alternative in the fourth slot, given its ability to confuse the foe, land a critical hit, and benefit from Special drops on the foe, giving it also the benefit of additional attacking PP, making it more useful versus Chansey and Starmie in particular.

Checks and Counters

There are three ways to handle Alakazam. The first is by using Slowbro, which resists Psychic, paralyses Alakazam, and proceeds to boost up and threaten a sweep, which Alakazam is helpless to prevent unless it has both Seismic Toss and good luck. The second is simply threatening to stall it out. While Alakazam can potentially power through any one check, having multiple Pokemon that can switch into Alakazam and inflict sleep or paralysis, such as Chansey, Starmie, your own Alakazam (note that Seismic Toss variants beat Reflect), and Exeggutor, should allow you to weather its assault while it depletes its limited Psychic PP. This strategy is much more effective against Reflect variants than Seismic Toss. Lastly, paralysing Alakazam then sending powerful physical attackers into play is another effective means of dealing with Alakazam. Snorlax, Golem, and Rhydon are good candidates for this role due to both their power and the fact that they’re not greatly bothered by Thunder Wave. It is important to note that Reflect variants wall these attackers regardless and that Alakazam must be paralysed for them to be effective, but against Seismic Toss variants, this is the best course of action. Faster attackers such as Tauros and Persian can break through Alakazam with critical hits, but they abhor paralysis.

mark this as done after you implement my check

 

Most of the problems I pointed out in my check are still there, and given that many of them are very confusing this is kind of a problem IMO.