The issue isn't necessarily your Poliwrath as we were trying to explain to you the other night, Smogon bans Drizzle and SS altogether.
Why? Because it is something that is very easy to set up, and abuse - while offering amazing benefits.
Speed becomes no factor, because, as long as you're not EVing like a moron, your key attackers should faster than even most Scarfers - who are locked into a single move.
And think of it this way, you can see why Base 600s and such are overpowered, yes?
Well, having Swift Swim is a stat multiplier right?
Let's look at the base stats of various Swift Swimmers under the effects of said Swift Swim.
First off, Ludicolo.
It has Base 70 Speed, for a Stat Total of 480.
Under Swift Swim, it appears to have Base 158 Speed - not including contribution from EVs and Nature (which is Multiplied by 2x too - extremely important)
This takes its total above 568.
Poliwrath has the same speed - meaning, again, with no investment, seemingly 158 Speed.
So, its stat total tends to be above 588.
Kabutops is likely the most dangerous Swift Swimmer.
With 80 Speed, it becomes approx 178.
So, above 593 stat total.
Kingdra - already intimidating as hell.
85 Speed becomes 188.
643+ Base Stats.
Are you kind of seeing it?
Simply for chucking in a Pokemon at the start of the Battle, which takes 0 skill, you're gaining a huge stat advantage over the opponent.
The balance philosophy behind PU frowns on this already.
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That's not actually why it was banned from Smogon though (they don't consider "effort" when it comes to banning)
The reason why it has been banned is that it is extremely difficult to counter unless you get
a) Extremely lucky (you know, critting half their team to death)
b) A stupid opponent.
You need to counter it through the following methods:
- Your own weather abuse
- Tailwind (rare and generally not useful)
- Trick Room
- Cloud Nine
- Having a VERY bulky team which does not rely on Speed, hopefully with key resistances to whichever weather is being abused (in this case, Water resistance).
Tailwind and Trick Room are very rare.
Cloud Nine is unreliable as only UU/RUs have it generally.
Having a slow, bulky team with weather threat specific resistances is very specific - it means you're using a weather-counter team, because you know they're using weather. It's over-centralising (forcing the game to be played a certain way so you have a chance)
Being forced to use your own weather to counter the weather team is similarly over-centralising.
So, the only real strategies to beat a good weather team are to either tailor your team to abuse it yourself, or, make a team to directly counter theirs - otherwise you're relying on them misplaying or luck.
This over-centralisation means that everyone will be using the same teams after a while.
This makes the game a lot less fun.
And all because you sent out your lead.
It doesn't even take skill.
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Compare this to say, Baton Pass teams - that everyone is fine with and has adapted to.
Baton Pass teams take a while to set up, and a lot of effort. With each turn, there's a chance that the strategy can be completely unfolded.
The moves that counter Baton Pass teams do it very effectively (stop the strategy altogether, forcing it to reboot) and are common.
Taunt, Whirlwind, Haze, Roar.
You should always have a couple of these moves on your team anyway, as they counter other common strategies - so you don't need to really make huge changes to your team - you just need to make sure that you can get those moves out when you need.
So, comparison:
Weather is easy to set up
Weather is generally countered by specific Pokemon rather than moves (which are rare).
Weather usually requires specific teams to reliably counter.
Baton Pass is hard to set up
BP is countered by very common, necessary moves.
BP does not require specific teams to reliably counter.
I think that should do it, right?
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want to hear an OP poke. Sableye. with prankster and double team it's OP. Double team it's self is OP. Takes no skill, only luck.
Double Team is always banned as per Evasion Clause...?
