"Attacker Tier List - Updated for Gen 2"

#PokemonGO: Attacker Tier List - Updated for Gen 2Update: added Venusaur to B-Tier, moved Blissey from B-Tier to A-Tier (shout out to /u/thesnorlaxsquad), added visual version, removed references to CP to avoid confusionBased on my own research and predictions about what the gym meta will look like, as well as data from pokemon.gameinfo.io and pokemongo.gamepress.gg .visual version now available: http://ift.tt/2kZv1DK with asterisks (*) indicate significant caveats to the rankingMoveset refers to strongest overall movesetAlt. Moveset refers to a moveset used for a specific purpose i.e. for a specific matchupS-TierMachampMoveset: Counter / Dynamic PunchPros:-Very high damage output with new fighting moves-Key typing advantage against top defenders Snorlax and Blissey-Destroys TyranitarCons:-Lower base stats than other S-tier attackers-Blocked by EspeonDragonite* (Legacy moveset)Moveset: Dragon Breath / Dragon Pulse or Dragon ClawPros:-Dragon Breath variants among highest DPS in the game-Incredibly high base stats-Dragon typing largely unresisted-Primary counter Lapras no longer a viable defenderCons:-*No longer obtainable-Vulnerable to Tyranitar (and to a lesser extent Rhydon) with Stone Edge-Inefficient into certain Blissey movesets (Dazzling Gleam)Gengar*Moveset: Hex / Shadow BallAlt. Moveset: Hex / Sludge BombPros:-Highest DPS moveset in the game (including legendaries!)-Largely unresisted moveset and high attack stat allowing for strong neutral damageCons:-*Reliant on dodging due to low survivability - middling attacker otherwise-Poor matchup into Snorlax and inefficient into BlisseyHeracrossMoveset: Counter / Close CombatPros:-Similar to Machamp, very high damage output and favorable matchups against elite defenders-Stronger matchup into Rhydon than MachampCons:-Lower base stats than other S-tier attackers-Blocked by Espeon-Slightly worse matchup into Tyranitar than Machamp (if running Fire Blast)TyranitarMoveset: Bite / Stone EdgeAlt Moveset: Bite / CrunchPros:-Massive base stats can overwhelm many opponents-Advantageous matchup into most Dragonite movesets-Best counter to EspeonCons:-Variety of weaknesses to common defensive types (particularly water)SnorlaxMoveset: Zen Headbutt / Hyper BeamPros:-High base stats and massive bulk-Neutral typing makes him difficult to counterCons:-Poor against Tyranitar-Low DPS compared to other top-tier attackersVaporeonMoveset: Water Gun / Hydro PumpPros:-Neutral to positive matchups against most elite defenders-High base stats and solid bulk-Destroys RhydonCons:-Poor matchup into Dragonite-So ubiquitous that most would-be defenders with bad matchups with Vaporeon are by definition excluded from gym contentionA-TierEspeonMoveset: Confusion / Future SightPros:-Best all-around psychic type-Good damage and largely unresisted movesetCons:-No particularly advantageous matchups with top-tier defenders-Best quick attack Confusion can be cumbersome due to slow speed-Blocked by TyranitarDragonite (Current)Moveset: Steel Wing / OutragePros:-Same as above, though lower damage output without Dragon BreathCons:-Same as aboveUrsaringMoveset: Counter / Hyper BeamAlt. Moveset: Counter / Close CombatPros:-Functions similarly to Machamp and Heracross-Normal typing allows less damage from Snorlax and Blissey movesetsCons:-No STAB on fighting moves-Lower base stats-Not as strong into Tyranitar due to missing resistances to Rock and DarkScizorMoveset: Bullet Punch / Iron HeadAlt. Moveset: Bullet Punch / X-ScissorPros:-Excellent typing allows for 9 resistances (including Normal, Dragon, and Psychic), with only weakness (Fire) uncommon on defense-Demolishes Exeggutor-Strong matchup against TyranitarCons:-Steel and Bug moves underwhelming on offense-Can be caught off-guard by Tyranitar with Fire BlastExeggutorMoveset: Extrasensory / Solar BeamPros:-Good generalist attacker, with grass moves strong against many good defenders-Best counter to Vaporeon-Strong against RhydonCons:-Inefficient against Tyranitar due to Psychic secondary typing-Strongest movesets are mixed psychic/grass, resulting in possible inefficienciesRhydonMoveset: Mud Slap / Stone EdgeAlt Moveset: Rock Smash / Stone EdgePros:-Very high base stats-Largely unresisted moveset-Strong into legacy Snorlax movesets and Blissey (on paper)Cons:-Weaker into current Snorlax movesets-Advantage into Blissey mostly nullified by battle time-out limitations-Variety of weaknesses to common defensive types (particularly water)-Lower DPS than comparable attackersGyaradosMoveset: Bite or Dragon Breath (Legacy) / Hydro PumpAlt. Moveset: Dragon Breath (Legacy) or Dragon Tail / Dragon Pulse (Legacy) or OutragePros:-High base stats-Capable fighter into Dragonite with dragon movesCons:-Does not excel in any particular matchup-No quick attack with STAB-Strongest movesets are mixed damageBlissey*Moveset: Pound / Hyper BeamAlt Moveset: Pound / Dazzling GleamPros:-Can win almost any 1v1 matchup with sheer bulk alone-Neutral typing provides for good damage coverage-Positive matchup with DragoniteCons:-*Very low DPS - one battle will likely take up the majority of the timerB-TierFlareonMoveset: Fire Spin / OverheatPros:-High base stats including high attack stat-High damage moveset on par with Machamp and Heracross-Effective against Exeggutor and in neutral matchupsCons:-Fire typing is inherently weak in current meta, with most top defenders having resistances to it (Tyranitar, Rhydon, Dragonite, Vaporeon)Alakazam*Moveset: Confusion / Future SightAlt. Moveset: Confusion / Focus Blast or Dazzling Gleam (Legacy)Pros:-Largely unresisted moveset and high attack stat allowing for strong neutral damage-More favorable matchups than Gengar into Blissey, Snorlax, and DragoniteCons:-*Reliant on dodging due to low survivability - middling attacker otherwise-Supplanted by Gengar as best glass cannon-Best quick attack Confusion can be cumbersome due to slow speed-Blocked by TyranitarLaprasMoveset: Ice Shard (Legacy) or Frost Breath / Ice BeamPros:-Strong matchup into DragoniteCons:-Attack rebalancing nerf took her out of the attacker discussion beyond this one matchupDonphanMoveset: Counter / EarthquakePros:-Good base stats including impressive bulk-Good matchup into Tyranitar and RhydonCons:-Not particularly impressive DPS-All movesets are mixed typeGolemMoveset: Rock Throw / Stone EdgePros:-Strong overall stats and bulk-Good matchup into most Dragonite movesets-Similar to Rhydon in strengthsCons:-Limited usefulness outside this one matchup-Similar to Rhydon in weaknessesKingdraMoveset: Dragon Breath / OutragePros:-Has valuable Dragon Breath moveset-Dragon typing largely unresisted-Advantageous typing allows for no easily exploitable weakness-Good matchup into VaporeonCons:-Limited by relatively low base statsJolteonMoveset: Thunder Shock / Thunder BoltPros:-Best attacker into GyaradosCons:-Limited usefulness outside this one matchupVenusaurMoveset: Razor Leaf / Solar BeamPros:-Good attacker into Vaporeon, RhydonCons:-Limited by low base stats via /r/TheSilphRoad http://ift.tt/2kNnGpC