By CLeonardo77
For the first of many Devon restricted metas, we leveraged a slot-based meta that required a fighter for the first slot. We also restricted some top performers for the second and third slots, but it was optional for trainers as to whether they had to pick these or not. In addition to the fighter and restricted picks, there was an allowed list comprised of different role players to fill out your battle party.
OUR THINKING
Knockout meta had been in the works for a long time, as it was developed before both the Charjabug CD and the latest move rebalance pushed by Niantic. The original idea was to make a whitelisted number of fighters, while a number of allowed typings and some other restricted and/or air-dropped Pokémon provided a place where fighters could have good play, still without being too oppressive. While the meta team was finalising the last details, Charjabug (and Vikavolt) ended up receiving Volt Switch, and many different Pokémon already in the meta received some great and interesting charge moves, forcing us to retrace our steps and adjust the meta accordingly. The high number of bans that had to be set in order to keep the beta version of meta balanced eventually led the team to re-think the whole Knockout, transforming it from an open-style to a totally whitelist-based meta.
Fighter Pick (1 Required)
Slot 1: Machamp, Sirfetch’d, Hitmontop, Primeape, Poliwrath
First slot contains strong, STAB counter users that are fast-charging and hard-hitting. Their coverage make them a threat for a large portion of the meta and each of them has peculiar characteristics that can suit everyone’s playstyle.
Restricted Picks (Up to 2 allowed)
Slot 2/3: Gastrodon, Whiscash, Diggersby, Runerigus, Golisopod, Araquanid, Tentacruel, Ariados, Charjabug, Vikavolt, Galvantula
These picks have been made restricted as they are either strong anti-fighters or dangerous meta breakers – or both! All of them, if unchecked, can wreak havoc so we gave players the chance to use only two Pokémon from this small list. They emerge as the best choices for each of the whitelisted typing (Water, Poison, Ground, Electric) in terms of bulk, offensive or defensive coverage. Here are the premium picks, broken down per typing:
Water: Gastrodon (also ground), Whiscash (also ground), Golisopod, Araquanid, Tentacruel (also poison)
Poison: Tentacruel (also water), Ariados
Ground: Gastrodon (also water), Whiscash (also water), Diggersby, Runerigus
Electric: Charjabug, Vikavolt, Galvantula
Some of these premium mons share similar movesets and coverage, so they were restricted to avoid players doubling up on such strong picks. However, some cheaper variants of these Pokémon are available in the allowed list displayed in the next section.
Allowed List (At least 3 required)
This list mantains the scheme of the slot 1 and 2, with their cheaper choices that do not need to be restricted.
Pseudo Fighters: Donphan, Escavalier
They are the non-STAB counter users and thus can be considered second choices. But don’t sleep on them: both are able to take down a lot of premium picks!
Water Types: Politoed, Dewgong, Walrein, Sealeo, Lapras, Samurott, Blastoise, Milotic, Greninja, Castform Rainy, Wailmer, Seaking, Suicune, Qwilfish
All these waters have the bulk or the moveset to succeed if properly set up. They deal neutral damage to the whole meta, but they are kept in check by electrics.
Poison Types: Gengar, Haunter, Beedrill, Swalot, Galarian Weezing, Alolan Grimer, Grimer, Alolan Muk, Muk, Drapion, Skuntank, Hisuian Qwilfish, Overqwil, Seviper, Scolipede
They represent cheap anti-fighters and a wide variety of coverage comes with them, from ghost moves to poison, water ground, grass, dark, flying and bug moves.
Ground Types: Marshtomp, Seismitoad, Unovan Stunfisk, Sandslash, Golurk, Palossand, Piloswine, Marowak, Hippowdon, Rhyperior, Rhydon
Their main role is to check premium electrics such as Charjabug and Galvantula, but each one of these ground types have some unique moveset allowing them to provide coverage for a wider portion of the meta.
Electric Types: Ampharos, Heliolisk, Dedenne, Alolan Raichu, Raichu, Alolan Graveler, Alolan Golem, Minun, Luxray
Almost the majority of these electrics can boast an extremely useful grass coverage to hit ground types back with strenght: Ampharos, Heliolisk, Raichu and Alolan Raichu, Minun all have access to either Grass Knot or Trailblaze, making them very dangerous once they build up energy.
WHAT DIDN’T MAKE THE CUT
Here we will briefly talk about all those Pokémon that, were initially included in the first iterations of the meta and that eventually were left out, or that did not qualify for a spot in this meta due to its excessive strenght or RPS behaviour.
Fighters: Blaziken, Hitmonchan
They quickly became not strong enough to belong to the first slot, but too good to be included among the cheap fighters in the allowed list.
Restricted picks: Kingdra, Jellicent, Malamar, Swampert, Quagsire
- All of them were initially included, but a double shielded Kingdra felt too dominant outside of the Galarian Weezing matchup.
- Jellicent was considered both risky (slow and weak against dark/poison types) and punishing (towards most fighters, waters and poisons), resulting in a premium pick with too many awkward matchups on its record.
- Malamar was abandoned after meta became more electric/bug-centered as we deemed it would not find its place as a restricted pick. Also, it no longer fitted the typing theme (Water, Ground, Poison, Electric).
- Swampert and Quagsire were left out to allow different mudbois to rise: having a meta with Gastrodon being a premium pick is something we consider a cool achievement.
Poison types: Galarian Slowbro, Galarian Slowking
Despite their clearly great coverage, we did not feel like including the only two confusion users when our efforts were focusing on making the meta a decently safe place for fighters.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Knockout meta has a white list of fighters and other safe mons. The typings allowed work synergistically with the restrictions to provide a decently safe environment to Fighters, without giving them too much power. All fighters have the right coverage to hit their counters for neutral or super-effective; the whitelisted Pokémon have great dynamism as they exhibit defensive/offensive coverage that can be used in most of their worst matchups.
We hope you enjoy the meta and the first month of ranked play! If you have questions for our development team, don’t hesitate to reach out on our Contact Form and/or on Discord.