Welcome to GSC Gemini! This format differs from standard GSC in two major ways: Species Clause is replaced with Forme Clause, allowing Pokemon of the same species but different formes to be used on the same team. The second is that Shiny Pokemon are considered a separate forme from non-Shiny Pokemon. This allows, for example, Jolteon and Shiny Jolteon to be used on the same team if they are both legal in the tier.
A GSC Shiny Pokemon differs from a standard competitive Pokemon in the following ways:
Shinies have alternate coloration. This is the only difference Shinies have in later generations.
Shinies Defense, Special and Speed DVs are limited to 10, effectively reducing the Pokemon's base stats. Attack is limited to 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11, 14 and 15 DVs.
Shinies' Hidden Power types are limited to Grass and Dragon due to limited DVs, often restricting a Pokemon's coverage.
Clauses: HP Percentage Mod, Endless Battle Clause*, Stalemate Clause**, Sleep Clause, Freeze Clause, Forme Clause***
Banned Moves: Double Team, Fissure, Guillotine, Horn Drill, Minimize
Banned Pokemon: None at present
* - This clause is the prevention of infinite battles, for the benefit of new players of the game (who might otherwise be forced into these for the fun of people not thinking of the consequences of their actions on the lower ladder).
** - Stalemate Clause is the permission of draws in games at a stage when, after a long amounts of turns, no PP is used (other than from moves gained by Transform), and no damage is dealt.
*** - Teams can only have 1 of each Pokemon forme.
Viability rankings copied from regular GSC Ubers rankings.
S Rank: These Pokemon are formidable threats to the point where they define the meta. They possess incredible offensive and defensive capabilities and should be considered for almost every team.
Mew
Mewtwo
Snorlax
A Rank: These Pokemon are excellent choices in the tier. They are very effective in their roles such that they are extremely common sights in high level matches and they help shape the tier without dominating it.
Celebi
Forretress
Lugia
Raikou
Steelix
Zapdos
B Rank: These Pokemon are generally capable of performing a specific role, though they do suffer from some flaws and may possess a smaller niche than higher ranked Pokemon. Nonetheless, they are regular sights within the tier.
Blissey
Cloyster
Golem
Ho-oh
Jolteon
Skarmory
Tyranitar
Umbreon
C Rank: These Pokemon have a decent niche within the tier but also suffer from significant flaws, which can make them difficult to use effectively. Though they are still capable options, they are usually only seen occasionally.
Exeggutor
Gengar
Marowak
Miltank
Misdreavus
Muk
Rhydon
D Rank: These Pokemon are generally quite difficult to use effectively, whether due to large flaws, inconsistency or a limited niche. They are rare sights in high level matches.
Heracross
Scizor
Smeargle
Vaporeon
S Rank: These Pokemon are formidable threats to the point where they define the meta. They possess incredible offensive and defensive capabilities and should be considered for almost every team.
A Rank: These Pokemon are excellent choices in the tier. They are very effective in their roles such that they are extremely common sights in high level matches and they help shape the tier without dominating it.
B Rank: These Pokemon are generally capable of performing a specific role, though they do suffer from some flaws and may possess a smaller niche than higher ranked Pokemon. Nonetheless, they are regular sights within the tier.
C Rank: These Pokemon have a decent niche within the tier but also suffer from significant flaws, which can make them difficult to use effectively. Though they are still capable options, they are usually only seen occasionally.
D Rank: These Pokemon are generally quite difficult to use effectively, whether due to large flaws, inconsistency or a limited niche. They are rare sights in high level matches.
Current Planned 1U (open for debate):
Banned Pokemon: Celebi, Ho-oh, Lugia, Lugia-Shiny, Mew, Mew-Shiny, Mewtwo, Mewtwo-Shiny, Raikou, Snorlax, Zapdos
Discussion Points:
How do Shiny-formes perform when added to the GSC Ubers meta? With the regular forme and shiny forme being able to cover different sets, how does this affect the viability of Pokemon compared to regular GSC? Do Shinies seem noticeably weaker than their non-Shiny counterparts? Do you feel this format, and possibly tiers within this format is worth exploring?
