This article analyzes the community day options for September and October 2020: Charizard, Porygon-Z, Muk, and Butterfree. It lists out every matchup improved or worsened by the possible move changes in each relevant league. The focus is mostly on Charizard, since that’s who stands to benefit most. Here’s a tl;dr:
- Charizard with Dragon Breath would become a Tier 1 Pokemon in Ultra League and its Premier Cup, ranking 2nd and 3rd overall respectively in PVP IV’s rankings.
- It adds key wins over both Giratinas, Swampert in the 2 shield (and 1 shield with a bait), Dragonite, and Alolan Muk.
- Charizard will need good PVP IVs to win most of the aforementioned matchups, and doesn’t stand to benefit much from a higher attack stat.
- Shadow Charizard performs worse than regular Charizard with Dragon Breath.
- Charizard remains mostly irrelevant in GL and ML, only seeing a major benefit from Dragon Breath in open ML, where its stats don’t cut it anyway.
- Muk Alolan’s win percentage remains about the same with or without Fire Punch in GL and UL. However, Fire Punch is probably a slight upgrade overall, since it would be Muk’s cheapest move and adds 2-shield win conditions in UL against Registeel, Escavalier, Togekiss, and Abomasnow. It also helps in the mirror.
- Regular Muk has a slightly lower win percentage with Fire Punch instead of Thunder Punch or Dark Pulse in UL Premier Cup, with the only notable new wins being against Escavalier and Ferrothorn (although none of the losses are particularly notable either).
- Butterfree remains irrelevant in all open formats even with Hurricane, although Hurricane is pretty much a strict upgrade over Psychic.
- Porygon-Z is a bit of an unknown since Tri Attack isn’t in the game yet. But speculatively (and optimistically) assuming a Body Slam clone isn’t enough to make this glassy Pokemon relevant. It could possibly be a fringe Tier 3 or 4 option in ML Premier Cup, but its only reliable meta win is against Snorlax in the 1 and 2 shield.
This analysis was done using PVP IV Comparison Battles, a Pro feature in the PVP IV iOS app. This feature finds all matchups in even shielding scenarios that are different between two Pokemon. Different is defined as the outcome of the matchup (win, loss, or neutral – i.e. tie or bait-dependent) being changed.
PVP IV’s Comparison Battles are a very powerful comparative analysis tool; it took less than 10 minutes for me to generate all of this data. More information about PVP IV Pro is available here if you want to check it out, and you can subscribe from in the app. Support from Pro Subscribers is what allows me to continue making content like this.
Contents:
- Charizard
- Ultra League & Ultra Premier Cup
- Great League
- Master League & Master Premier Cup
- Shadow Charizard
- IVs
- Butterfree
- Muk
- Muk Alolan
- Porygon-Z
Charizard
Charizard stands to benefit the most from its Community Day move, although its preferred moveset of Dragon Breath, Dragon Claw, and Blast Burn would be double legacy. Charizard can have play in all 3 leagues, but it does best in Ultra League.
Ultra League & Ultra Premier Cup
Charizard with Dragon Breath would rank 3rd in UL Premier Cup and 2nd in open UL in PVP IV’s rankings. There are only 8 Pokemon that reliably beat it in all 3 even shielding scenarios: Empoleon, Lapras, Melmetal, Mew, Regirock, Suicune, Magnezone, and Tangrowth. For comparison, stereotypical top threats usually have more than this: 10 for Venusaur in Premier Cup, 13 for Registeel in UL.
Some key matchups Dragon Breath flips are Giratina Altered, Giratina Origin, Swampert (win in the 2 shield, bait-dependent win in the 1 shield), Dragonite, and Muk Alolan. And it doesn’t drop its expected wins against Registeel or Escavalier. You can expand the sections below for a full list of matchups that are affected.
DB vs FS in UL Premier Cup (33 better, 12 worse)
Better Matchups (33):- Swampert 1 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Swampert 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Dragonite 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Dragonite 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Dragonite 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Typhlosion 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Typhlosion 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Typhlosion 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Toxicroak 1 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Gengar 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Muk 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Blaziken 1 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Blaziken 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Charizard 0 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Charizard 1 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Charizard 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Gallade 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Hariyama 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Ampharos 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Poliwrath 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Poliwrath 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Poliwrath 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Drifblim 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Drifblim 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Snorlax 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Muk Alolan 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Muk Alolan 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Gyarados 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Snorlax 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Kingdra 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Kingdra 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Kingdra 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Electivire 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Togekiss 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Muk 2 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Clefable 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Clefable 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Granbull 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Lucario 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Lucario 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Abomasnow 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Drifblim 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Tangrowth 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Magnezone 2 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Stunfisk Galarian 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
DB vs FS in open UL (45 better, 14 worse)
Better Matchups (45):- Giratina Altered 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Giratina Altered 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Giratina Altered 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Giratina Altered 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Giratina Altered 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Giratina Altered 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Swampert 1 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Swampert 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Typhlosion 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Typhlosion 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Typhlosion 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Giratina Origin 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Giratina Origin 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Giratina Origin 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Cresselia 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Charizard 0 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Charizard 1 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Charizard 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Muk Alolan 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Muk Alolan 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Poliwrath 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Poliwrath 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Poliwrath 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Blaziken 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Blaziken 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Mewtwo Armored 1 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Snorlax 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Ampharos 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Toxicroak 1 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Gengar 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Dragonite 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Dragonite 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Dragonite 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Mewtwo Armored 1 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Zapdos 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Lickilicky 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Gyarados 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Drifblim 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Drifblim 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Kingdra 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Kingdra 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Kingdra 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Lugia 1 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Lugia 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Feraligatr 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Articuno 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Regice 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Clefable 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Clefable 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Lucario 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Lucario 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Granbull 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Togekiss 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Togekiss 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Abomasnow 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Perrserker 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Stunfisk Galarian 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Drifblim 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Scizor 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
Great League
Charizard has never been a major threat in Great League. It currently ranks 67th of 84 in PVP IV’s rankings, and would actually rank a slightly worse 69th with Dragon Breath. Dragon Breath does help out against Altaria and Alolan Marowak, but it costs wins against Pokemon you’d usually use Charizard to beat, like Tropius and Skarmory.
DB vs FS in open GL (44 better, 40 worse)
Better Matchups (44):- Altaria 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Altaria 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Deoxys Defense 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Cresselia 1 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Marowak Alolan 1 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Marowak Alolan 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Deoxys Defense 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Medicham 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Zweilous 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Zweilous 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Zweilous 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Cresselia 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Cresselia 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Whiscash 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Whiscash 1 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Whiscash 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Snorlax 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Drifblim 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Noctowl 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Noctowl 1 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Obstagoon 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Medicham 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Hypno 0 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Quagsire 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Typhlosion 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Typhlosion 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Typhlosion 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Muk Alolan 0 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Muk Alolan 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Zapdos 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Charizard 0 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Charizard 1 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Charizard 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Toxicroak 1 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Machamp 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Raichu Alolan 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Primeape 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Gengar 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Gengar 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Haunter 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Hitmontop 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Seaking 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Seaking 1 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Seaking 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Tropius 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Tropius 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Skarmory 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Skarmory 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Skarmory 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Skarmory 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Sableye 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Hypno 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Deoxys Defense 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Escavalier 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Wigglytuff 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Froslass 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Froslass 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Whimsicott 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Vigoroth 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Obstagoon 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Perrserker 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Perrserker 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Jirachi 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Jirachi 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Mawile 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Abomasnow 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Bronzong 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Bronzong 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Ninetales Alolan 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Castform Snowy 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Castform Snowy 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Gardevoir 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Lapras 2 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Regice 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Regice 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Raichu Alolan 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Primeape 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Shiftry 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Gengar 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Haunter 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Hitmontop 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Galvantula 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Galvantula 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Gallade 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
Master League & Master Premier Cup
Charizard actually sees quite a bit of benefit from Dragon Breath in the Dragon-dominated open ML, boosting it from dead last to ranking 42nd of 46. Unfortunately it just doesn’t have the stats to be a top option, and while Dragon Breath gives it an occasional chance to beat major threats like Dialga and Zekrom depending on shield usage, it doesn’t have any reliable wins in this league.
Similarly, in Premier Cup, Dragon Breath is a slight boost from 35th of 36 to 32nd. It adds a win against Garchomp, but loses wins against Togekiss and Metagross, meaning it may not be much of an upgrade at all.
DB vs FS in ML Premier Cup (16 better, 15 worse)
Better Matchups (16):- Garchomp 1 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Garchomp 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Snorlax 1 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Haxorus 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Haxorus 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Haxorus 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Garchomp 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Garchomp 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Machamp 1 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Swampert 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Hydreigon 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Gengar 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Rhyperior 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Typhlosion 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Typhlosion 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Typhlosion 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Togekiss 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Togekiss 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Togekiss 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Togekiss 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Machamp 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Metagross 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Metagross 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Mamoswine 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Escavalier 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Magnezone 2 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Gengar 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Tangrowth 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Glaceon 1 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Glaceon 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Magnezone 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
DB vs FS in open ML (26 better, 11 worse)
Better Matchups (26):- Dialga 1 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Dialga 1 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Zekrom 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Palkia 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Giratina Altered 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Reshiram 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Zekrom 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Giratina Origin 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Groudon 1 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Mewtwo 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Garchomp 1 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Garchomp 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Giratina Origin 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Mewtwo 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Latios 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Kyurem 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Snorlax 1 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Garchomp 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Garchomp 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Hydreigon 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Swampert 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Haxorus 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Haxorus 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Haxorus 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Rhyperior 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Darkrai 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Togekiss 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Togekiss 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Togekiss 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Zekrom 2 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Mamoswine 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Metagross 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Regice 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Virizion 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Heatran 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Heatran 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Heatran 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
Shadow Charizard
Availability is always a concern for Shadow Pokemon, especially when they might get a legacy move. Fortunately, it looks like Charizard with Dragon Breath performs better as a bulkier non-shadow in all leagues. In Ultra League, the shadow form mostly just beats Machamp, while adding losses in some shielding scenarios against Cresselia, Giratina Altered, Swampert, and Togekiss.
Shadow vs non-shadow in UL premier cup (9 better, 22 worse)
Better Matchups (9):- Machamp 1 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Machamp 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Clefable 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Gallade 1 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Obstagoon 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Gliscor 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Obstagoon 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Drifblim 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Electivire 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Swampert 1 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Swampert 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Togekiss 2 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Typhlosion 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Muk 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Clefable 2 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Gallade 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Granbull 2 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Gardevoir 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Ampharos 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Lucario 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Abomasnow 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Obstagoon 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Gliscor 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Drifblim 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Snorlax 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Snorlax 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Muk Alolan 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Snorlax 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Snorlax 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Stunfisk Galarian 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Stunfisk Galarian 1 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
Shadow vs non-shadow in open UL (11 better, 35 worse)
Better Matchups (11):- Obstagoon 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Regice 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Machamp 1 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Machamp 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Obstagoon 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Clefable 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Togekiss 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Zapdos 1 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Drifblim 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Scizor 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Feraligatr 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Cresselia 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Giratina Altered 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Obstagoon 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Swampert 1 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Swampert 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Typhlosion 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Regice 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Giratina Origin 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Cresselia 1 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Cresselia 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Clefable 2 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Lucario 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Granbull 2 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Muk Alolan 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Togekiss 2 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Mewtwo Armored 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Mewtwo Armored 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Snorlax 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Snorlax 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Ampharos 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Abomasnow 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Mewtwo Armored 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Mewtwo Armored 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Perrserker 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Zapdos 2 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Lickilicky 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Lickilicky 2 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Stunfisk Galarian 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Stunfisk Galarian 1 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Virizion 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Drifblim 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Honchkrow 1 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Lugia 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Scizor 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Steelix 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
IVs
In some cases, there are key matchups that can be swung by having a higher attack stat rather than higher overall stat product. For Charizard, this is not the case, and in fact, a lower stat product costs key matchups such as against Giratina Altered, Swampert, Cresselia, Giratina Origin, Obstagoon, and Snorlax. The only added win (which is not shown below because it’s not ranked yet) is against other Dragon Breath Charizard in the 2 shield.
Taken to the extreme (maxed attack), you can swing 6 rare matchups like Regice, Clefable, and Drifblim, but it costs 39 other matchups.
7/14/12 vs 0/13/15 in open UL (0 better, 19 worse)
Better Matchups (0): Worse Matchups (19):- Giratina Altered 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Swampert 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Giratina Origin 0 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Cresselia 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Obstagoon 0 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Mewtwo Armored 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Snorlax 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Ampharos 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Toxicroak 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Gengar 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Mewtwo Armored 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Zapdos 2 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Lickilicky 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Stunfisk Galarian 1 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Drifblim 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Honchkrow 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Kingdra 0 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Lugia 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Steelix 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
15/0/0 vs 0/13/15 in open UL (6 better, 39 worse)
Better Matchups (6):- Regice 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Clefable 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Zapdos 1 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Drifblim 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Scizor 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Feraligatr 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Cresselia 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Escavalier 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Giratina Altered 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Giratina Altered 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Giratina Altered 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Obstagoon 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Swampert 1 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Swampert 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Typhlosion 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Regice 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Giratina Origin 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Cresselia 1 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Cresselia 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Obstagoon 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Granbull 2 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Muk Alolan 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Mewtwo Armored 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Mewtwo Armored 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Snorlax 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Snorlax 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Snorlax 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Ampharos 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Gengar 1 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Gengar 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Mewtwo Armored 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Mewtwo Armored 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Perrserker 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Zapdos 2 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Lickilicky 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Lickilicky 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Lickilicky 2 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Gyarados 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Stunfisk Galarian 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Stunfisk Galarian 1 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Drifblim 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Kingdra 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Lugia 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Scizor 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Steelix 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
Butterfree
With a max CP of 1827, Butterfree’s only place is in Great League. Even there, it would rank a distant last in PVP IV’s rankings regardless of which moveset it used – including, unfortunately, any moveset with Hurriance.
But for what it’s worth, Hurricane would essentially be a strict upgrade over Psychic, adding wins over Scrafty and Razor Leaf Tropius in specific shielding scenarios. For those interested, here’s a full list of differences assuming Confusion and Signal Beam as the other moves:
Hurricane vs Psychic in open GL (13 better, 0 worse)
Better Matchups (13):- Scrafty 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Tropius 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Medicham 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Escavalier 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Wigglytuff 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Whimsicott 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Drifblim 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Vigoroth 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Clefable 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Medicham 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Ferrothorn 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Ninetales Alolan 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Seaking 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
Muk
Regular Muk has historically been under-used, but it has seen some play in Ultra Premier Cup lately.
Muk Alolan
Alolan Muk has been a very popular pick in Ultra League and its Premier Cup, occasionally seeing play in Great League as well. It already has great STAB moves in Dark Pulse, Sludge Wave, and Gunk Shot. Fire Punch doesn’t provide any meaningful coverage against Alolan Muk’s only weakness (Ground), and it’s not like it needed more help handling Grass.
But, Fire Punch would be Muk Alolan’s cheapest move, meaning there are definitely situations where you want it. Its overall win ratio is about the same with or without Fire Punch, but it adds key wins in UL against Registeel, Escavalier, Togekiss, and Abomasnow (all in the 2 shield), as well as winning the mirror. Surprisingly, it might end up replacing Dark Pulse rather than Sludge Wave in Premier Cup.
FP vs DP (with SW) in UL Premier Cup (12 better, 7 worse)
Better Matchups (12):- Escavalier 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Togekiss 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Heracross 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Clefable 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Lucario 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Abomasnow 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Ferrothorn 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Magnezone 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Magnezone 1 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Muk Alolan 1 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Muk Alolan 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Sceptile 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Typhlosion 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Muk 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Charizard 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Gallade 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Drifblim 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Drifblim 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Kingdra 1 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
FP vs SW (with DP) in UL Premier Cup (12 better, 16 worse)
Better Matchups (12):- Escavalier 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Ampharos 1 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Lucario 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Empoleon 1 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Ferrothorn 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Magnezone 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Magnezone 1 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Muk Alolan 1 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Muk Alolan 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Gyarados 1 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Kingdra 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Sceptile 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Togekiss 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Togekiss 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Blaziken 1 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Charizard 2 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Clefable 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Meganium 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Meganium 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Granbull 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Granbull 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Gardevoir 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Obstagoon 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Obstagoon 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Snorlax 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Lapras 1 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Snorlax 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Electivire 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
FP vs DP (with SW) in open UL (17 better, 19 worse)
Better Matchups (17):- Registeel 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Escavalier 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Regice 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Clefable 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Lucario 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Heracross 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Muk Alolan 1 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Muk Alolan 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Togekiss 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Abomasnow 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Perrserker 1 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Scizor 1 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Scizor 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Steelix 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Ferrothorn 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Sceptile 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Feraligatr 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Cresselia 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Giratina Altered 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Giratina Altered 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Giratina Altered 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Giratina Altered 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Giratina Altered 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Typhlosion 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Giratina Origin 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Giratina Origin 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Cresselia 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Charizard 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Mewtwo Armored 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Mewtwo Armored 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Mew 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Zapdos 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Drifblim 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Drifblim 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Kingdra 1 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Feraligatr 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
FP vs SW (with DP) in open UL (18 better, 17 worse)
Better Matchups (18):- Registeel 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Escavalier 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Giratina Altered 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Regice 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Lucario 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Muk Alolan 1 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Muk Alolan 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Ampharos 1 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Perrserker 1 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Empoleon 1 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Gyarados 1 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Kingdra 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Scizor 1 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Scizor 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Steelix 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Ferrothorn 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Sceptile 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Feraligatr 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Obstagoon 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Obstagoon 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Clefable 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Granbull 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Granbull 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Charizard 2 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Lapras 1 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Togekiss 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Togekiss 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Snorlax 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Zapdos 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Lickilicky 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Meganium 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Meganium 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Suicune 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Honchkrow 2 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Feraligatr 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
FP vs SW (with DP) in open GL (30 better, 28 worse)
Better Matchups (30):- Registeel 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Lanturn 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Skarmory 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Meganium 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Victreebel 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Skarmory 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Sableye 1 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Munchlax 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Escavalier 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Escavalier 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Froslass 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Snorlax 1 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Snorlax 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Noctowl 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Melmetal 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Melmetal 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Perrserker 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Perrserker 1 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Regirock 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Ferrothorn 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Mawile 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Mawile 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Muk Alolan 0 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Muk Alolan 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Gardevoir 1 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Lapras 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Raichu Alolan 1 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Raichu Alolan 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Beedrill 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Galvantula 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Tropius 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Tropius 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Meganium 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Azumarill 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Azumarill 1 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Azumarill 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Azumarill 1 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Munchlax 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Wigglytuff 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Wigglytuff 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Whimsicott 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Azumarill 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Azumarill 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Clefable 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Clefable 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Obstagoon 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Mantine 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Abomasnow 1 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Pelipper 1 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Pelipper 2 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Typhlosion 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Ninetales Alolan 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Zapdos 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Zapdos 1 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Charizard 0 shields (Loss vs Neutral) Charizard 1 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Machamp 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Seaking 2 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
FP vs DP (with SW) in open GL (25 better, 32 worse)
Better Matchups (25):- Registeel 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Umbreon 1 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Umbreon 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Meganium 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Victreebel 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Azumarill 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Azumarill 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Munchlax 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Escavalier 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Escavalier 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Froslass 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Snorlax 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Azumarill 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Melmetal 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Melmetal 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Perrserker 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Perrserker 1 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Ferrothorn 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Mawile 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Mawile 1 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Abomasnow 2 shields (Neutral vs Loss)
- Muk Alolan 2 shields (Win vs Neutral)
- Raichu Alolan 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Beedrill 0 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Galvantula 2 shields (Win vs Loss)
- Deoxys Defense 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Deoxys Defense 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Deoxys Defense 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Cresselia 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Cresselia 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Marowak Alolan 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Marowak Alolan 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Marowak Alolan 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Deoxys Defense 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Deoxys Defense 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Deoxys Defense 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Skarmory 1 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Medicham 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Azumarill 1 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Castform Rainy 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Skarmory 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Sableye 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Azumarill 1 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Deoxys Defense 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Deoxys Defense 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Blastoise 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Froslass 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Drifblim 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Drifblim 2 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Azumarill 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Noctowl 1 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Medicham 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Typhlosion 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Beedrill 2 shields (Loss vs Neutral)
- Seaking 0 shields (Loss vs Win)
- Seaking 1 shields (Neutral vs Win)
- Gallade 2 shields (Neutral vs Win)
Porygon-Z
Porygon-Z is the hardest to analyze because Tri Attack isn’t in the game yet, so we don’t know how good it would be. However, we do know that Porygon-Z is an attack-weighted Pokemon, which generally isn’t very good for PVP. Even if we optimistically assume that Tri Attack is a Body Slam clone – which would make Porygon-Z insanely spammy with Lock On – it’s probably still not enough to make it relevant.
Master Premier Cup seems like the best place for an attack-weighted non-legendary, and even then Porygon-Z with Body Slam would rank 24th of 36 current options, without guaranteed wins over any of the core meta Pokemon (although it beats Snorlax if it commits a shield). Its performance is even worse in GL/UL.
I’ll refrain from commenting more since the attack’s stats are just speculation, but it doesn’t seem like there’s much that can be done to make Porygon-Z relevant in PVP.
PVP IV 