RBY RBY LC Viability Rankings

MeepBard

Member
Welcome to the RBY LC Viability Ranking Thread! In case you're not familiar with the concept, we place Pokémon in certain ranks here, based on their impact on the tier as well as their general viability in the tier. This is an excellent help while teambuilding and it serves as a general outline of the tier. Furthermore it is used in our formation of the tier below.

If you feel that a Pokémon is misplaced, feel free to make a post about it - that's what this thread is for. As long as you are reasonably sensible and courteous this thread should run smoothly.

Pokemon are sorted into ranks based on how well they perform in their roles. They are ordered alphabetically within each ranking to avoid overcomplication.

Discussion Thread

S Rank


These Pokémon are the most effective Pokémon in the metagame. Their offensive and defensive prowess, as well as versatility, and ability to fulfill a variety of important roles lend themselves to this.

Spr_1y_102.png
Exeggcute
Spr_1y_050.png
Diglett

A Rank

These Pokémon perform significant roles in the metagame, and perform them very well, however they are not the most dominating forces.

Spr_1y_120.png
Staryu
Spr_1y_079.png
Slowpoke
Spr_1y_084.png
Doduo
Spr_1y_077.png
Ponyta
Spr_1y_001.png
Bulbasaur
Spr_1y_133.png
Eevee
Spr_1y_063.png
Abra
Spr_1y_025.png
Pikachu

B Rank


These Pokémon are strong choices in the metagame, but perform less important roles or are less consistent than Pokémon in the Rank above. They have larger flaws than Pokémon in above ranks, or face greater competition from similar Pokémon, reducing their usefulness.

Spr_1y_096.png
Drowzee
Spr_1y_060.png
Poliwag
Spr_1y_092.png
Gastly
Spr_1y_035.png
Clefairy
Spr_1y_138.png
Omanyte
Spr_1y_019.png
Rattata
Spr_1y_100.png
Voltorb
Spr_1y_037.png
Vulpix
Spr_1y_016.png
Pidgey - Analysis
Spr_1y_052.png
Meowth
Spr_1y_111.png
Rhyhorn
Spr_1y_072.png
Tentacool
Spr_1y_116.png
Horsea

C Rank

These Pokémon are more infrequent sights in the metagame, particularly in top level matches, but are nevertheless viable Pokémon. They are less effective in the metagame than Pokémon in above ranks, but are effective with proper support.

Spr_1y_140.png
Kabuto
Spr_1y_147.png
Dratini
Spr_1y_090.png
Shellder
Spr_1y_027.png
Sandshrew
Spr_1y_046.png
Paras
Spr_1y_081.png
Magnemite
Spr_1y_056.png
Mankey
Spr_1y_109.png
Koffing
Spr_1y_104.png
Cubone

D Rank

These Pokémon are very rare sights in top level matches, and suffer from more crippling flaws. They require a lot of support to be effective, and may have consistency issues.

Spr_1y_074.png
Geodude
Spr_1y_023.png
Ekans - Analysis
Spr_1y_039.png
Jigglypuff
Spr_1y_066.png
Machop
Spr_1y_048.png
Venonat
Spr_1y_098.png
Krabby - Analysis

These Pokemon struggle to define a niche for themselves and are completely outclassed by every other Pokemon in the metagame.

Caterpie
Growlithe
Magikarp
Nidoran-F
Nidoran-M
Grimer
Oddish
Bellsprout
Psyduck
Seel
Goldeen
Spearow - Analysis
Squirtle
Weedle
Zubat
 
Last edited:
I've finally played some games, time for some suggestions:

First of all I would get rid of sub ranks, I don't think they are necessary at all and it makes these rankings look a bit messy, plus I don't think we have a good enough grasp on the tier as of right now to properly say "this B mon is better than this B- mon". Maybe add them back later on but for the moment let's just keep it simple.

S rank for Exeggcute is obv, I don't think Diglett is as good as egg but it's very much like the tauros of the tier.

I think time might tell Slowpoke is a candidate for S rank. Checks fires (Staryu doesn't like switching into Ponyta's Body slams too much), Abra, Exeggcute, and it can go against Normals if you need too. I'm not saying put it in S right now but it's definitely something to keep in mind. Also I'm not too sold on Pikachu in A since Double Grass is really common and you don't want to give Exeggcute the opportunity to come in and throw a psychic/stun spore. Diglett is obviously a factor as well. It doesn't beat Eevee one on one either. The rest of A I agree with.

I haven't tried everything in B rank, but I think Doduo 100% deserves to be in A. Exeggcute and Bulbasaur are very common, it hits hard af without being walled by Gastly (and I haven't seen a lot of rocks for the moment but that might change), it can switch into Diglett's Eq and has the almighty god move Agility to outspeed everything and sweep (in a tier where you'll most likely get sleep at some point to set up). Def put it in A. Pikachu is easy to check if you want to run it. A lot of B ranks need testing tbh I'm not convinced by a lot of what's in it (Voltorb Vulpix Pidgey Rhyhorn?)

My other suggestion is Horsea for B. I think this mon is really good thanks (once again) to Agility. It has very nice coverage and power with Hydro Pump/Blizzard/Dedge and can be very dangerous if you set up (sleeping mon). Its only real checks are Slowpoke and Staryu and once you get past them you can go ham. Slowpoke usually isn't around lategame because it's usually your tool to check a lot of things early and Staryu is checkable by a bunch of things depending on its moveset. Bulbasaur and Pikachu can go one on one but are easy to check. Also Dratini stands out like a sore thumb in C but I haven't tried it. Shellder's boom looks cool too.

tl;dr:

- Get rid of subranks
- Consider Slowpoke for S
- Doduo to A
- Horsea to B
- Let's test those B ranks to sort out what's good and what isn't
 
Last edited:

MeepBard

Member
I've finally played some games, time for some suggestions:

First of all I would get rid of sub ranks, I don't think they are necessary at all and it makes these rankings look a bit messy, plus I don't think we have a good enough grasp on the tier as of right now to properly say "this B mon is better than this B- mon". Maybe add them back later on but for the moment let's just keep it simple.

S rank for Exeggcute is obv, I don't think Diglett is as good as egg but it's very much like the tauros of the tier.

I think time might tell Slowpoke is a candidate for S rank. Checks fires (Staryu doesn't like switching into Ponyta's Body slams too much), Abra, Exeggcute, and it can go against Normals if you need too. I'm not saying put it in S right now but it's definitely something to keep in mind. Also I'm not too sold on Pikachu in A since Double Grass is really common and you don't want to give Exeggcute the opportunity to come in and throw a psychic/stun spore. Diglett is obviously a factor as well. It doesn't beat Eevee one on one either. The rest of A I agree with.

I haven't tried everything in B rank, but I think Doduo 100% deserves to be in A. Exeggcute and Bulbasaur are very common, it hits hard af without being walled by Gastly (and I haven't seen a lot of rocks for the moment but that might change), it can switch into Diglett's Eq and has the almighty god move Agility to outspeed everything and sweep (in a tier where you'll most likely get sleep at some point to set up). Def put it in A. Pikachu is easy to check if you want to run it. A lot of B ranks need testing tbh I'm not convinced by a lot of what's in it (Voltorb Vulpix Pidgey Rhyhorn?)

My other suggestion is Horsea for B. I think this mon is really good thanks (once again) to Agility. It has very nice coverage and power with Hydro Pump/Blizzard/Dedge and can be very dangerous if you set up (sleeping mon). Its only real checks are Slowpoke and Staryu and once you get past them you can go ham. Slowpoke usually isn't around lategame because it's usually your tool to check a lot of things early and Staryu is checkable by a bunch of things depending on its moveset. Bulbasaur and Pikachu can go one on one but are easy to check. Also Dratini stands out like a sore thumb in C but I haven't tried it. Shellder's boom looks cool too.

tl;dr:

- Get rid of subranks
- Consider Slowpoke for S
- Doduo to A
- Horsea to B
- Let's test those B ranks to sort out what's good and what isn't


Implemented. Shellder is only C because it only checks Diglett and threatens stuff with Boom, while not doing much otherwise. Dratini is only C because Clefairy is 10x better in every regard ever since the Wrap ban.
 
Top