SM LC Viability Rankings S-Rank: Reserved for the very best Pokémon in the LC metagame. These Pokémon are usually able to perform a variety of roles effectively or can just do one extremely well. Their use has low risk involved and high reward exerted. Pokémon in this tier have very few flaws that are patched up by numerous positive traits. S Vullaby A-Rank: Reserved for Pokémon that are outstanding in the LC metagame and can sweep, wall, or support the majority of the tier. These Pokémon require less support than other Pokémon to be used effectively and have few flaws that can be overlooked when compared to their outstanding traits. A+ Abra Diglett Drifloon Mienfoo Pawniard Porygon Timburr A Carvanha Chinchou Doduo Drilbur Ferroseed Gastly Larvesta Magnemite Ponyta Snubbull Spritzee Staryu Vulpix A- Archen Bunnelby Cottonee Croagunk Foongus Houndour Mudbray Omanyte Pumpkaboo-Super Rufflet Scraggy Shellder Snivy Tirtouga B-Rank: Reserved for Pokémon who are great in the LC metagame. These Pokemon have more notable flaws than of those above it that affects how they function in the tier. Their positive traits still outshine their negatives, but they require a bit more team support to bring out their full potential. Their niches are often slightly smaller than those that are in A and S rank, which leads them to face some competition for a team slot. B+ Alolan Vulpix Alolan Grimer Bellsprout Corphish Dwebble Hippopotas Mareanie Munchlax Onix Pancham Pikipek Zigzagoon B Aipom Alolan Diglett Cranidos Riolu Skrelp Slowpoke Stunky Surskit Taillow Torchic Trubbish B- Amaura Chespin Elekid Magby Pumpkaboo-Small Shellos Tentacool C-Rank: Reserved for Pokémon that have notable niches in the LC metagame, but have just as notable flaws that prevent them from being effective. Pokémon in the C tier often require significant support to be effective in LC. C rank Pokémon tend to find themselves outclassed by Pokémon in the above tiers and face a lot of competition for a team slot. C+ Alolan Sandshrew Aron Axew Binacle Bulbasaur Buneary Clamperl Darumaka Fletchling Koffing Lickitung Lileep Mantyke Numel Salandit Spinarak Teddiursa Tyrunt Wynaut Yungoos C Crabrawler Cubchoo Dewpider Dratini Frillish Goldeen Honedge Jangmo-o Kabuto Krabby Larvitar Meowth Poliwag Purrloin Remoraid Sandile Sandshrew Snover Zorua C- Alolan Meowth Alolan Rattata Anorith Cacnea Cubone Ekans Finneon Fomantis Froakie Glameow Grimer Growlithe Horsea Inkay Joltik Karrablast Litleo Mankey Morelull Natu Oddish Rowlet Shelmet Stufful Totodile Venipede Wailmer Wingull Wooper D-Rank: Reserved for Pokémon that are generally bad in the LC metagame, but are decent enough to justify their occasional use on some teams. These Pokémon are either usable but have no real niche or are only capable of doing their specific task and fail at doing anything more than that. Their niche is often so tiny that they are not worth using the majority of the time. D+ Alolan Geodude Barboach Bronzor Buizel Deerling Eevee Mime Jr. Minccino Pineco Rattata Rockruff Sewaddle Smoochum Tepig Yamask D Azurill Bagon Baltoy Chikorita Chimchar Deino Electrike Fennekin Geodude Golett Goomy Helioptile Litten Litwick Machop Munna Nidoran-M Noibat Nosepass Paras Phantump Piplup Sandygast Seel Shieldon Shinx Shroomish Skiddo Solosis Squirtle Starly Trapinch Treecko Voltorb D- Bidoof Cyndaquil Elgyem Exeggcute Gible Hoppip Lotad Mareep Panpour Petilil Phanpy Popplio Rhyhorn Shuppet Skorupi Slugma Snorunt Spearow Swablu Swinub Togepi Vanillite Wimpod Woobat Zubat Discuss the SM LC metagame and how Pokémon should be ranked in it.