Metagame - Frantic Fusions (Survey @ Post #434) [OMoTM!] (2025)

Been playing a lot over the last two days or so, been really enjoying it so far.

I'm gonna go over a few of my thoughts and share a few teams I've been using.

Yeah both of these are broken and need to go. You can expect action any day now.

Oh my god. I think I'm in love. When fused with Porygon-Z, Latios becomes ridiculously strong. Choice Specs, Choice Scarf, and Calm Mind are all very good and Latios is certainly one of the most defining forces in the meta.

From a defining offensive presence to a defensive one, RegenVest Swampert is incredibly versatile and checks a ton of threats while maintaining a lot of momentum. Fused with Hydrapple (really good new regen fusion!) or Slowking, it has some really good bulk to back up its great typing. Access to Knock Off, a respectable Attack Stat, and STAB-boosted Earthquake means Swampert is anything but passive while walling a plethora of great mons.

Roaring Moon (fused with Lycanroc-Dusk) is just in a really solid position at the moment. A lot of Psychic-type attacks flying around and a very enviable speed tier means it has a lot of opportunities. Choice Band is a devastating wallbreaker and Choice Scarf is one of the meta's best revenge killers.

I've got mixed feelings about Gouging Fire. Great bulk and typing afford it a lot of opportunities to use Dragon Dance, and it can be quite restrictive to check in the builder. On the other hand, a lot of the best revenge killers are able to handle it without much difficulty, and it's quite slow when unboosted. We'll see how it plays out but as of now I think a ban is decently likely.

Another personal favorite, Skarm is just a very splashable wall with very valuable access to Spikes and Whirlwind, with such high bulk that it can take hits from even the most terrifying of wallbreakers. A defensive mon with access to Spikes and many chances to set them means it slots nicely on a lot of teams. Also has incredible synergy with Swampert.

Just wanting to help out some newer players, here's a small set compendium for some of the new Pokemon, as well as a few of the returning faces that are particularly noteworthy. Not including Iron Boulder and Iron Moth because their time with us is likely coming to a close.
https://pokepast.es/e59badeef0b3ac1f

TEAMS
Choice Band Roaring Moon Hazard Stack

Of the teams I've built, this is probably the best one. Band Roaring Moon is one of the absolute strongest and hardest to answer wallbreakers, and when it has Spikes support and a very effective defensive core to fall back upon, it's just pushed to the next level. Fluffy Skarmory, Regenerator Great Tusk, Flash Fire Gholdengo, and RegenVest Swampert can cover pretty much everything you need, while still making progress with Knock Off, entry hazards, and pivoting. Psychic Surge Azelf is an option over Latios, but I prefer Latios for a better defensive profile to switch into mons in an emergency, while overwhelming Steel- and Fairy-types in tandem with Roaring Moon.

Sneasel Offense

I miss Weavile but dear god was the ban necessary. Sneasel is really fun to use, clicking Beat Up and 2HKOing physically bulky mons is very funny to watch. Certainly isn't as meticulously crafted as my other teams (I built this at 2 AM to be fair) but still pretty solid and fun to play with.

Archaludon + Choice Specs Latios Balance

Regenerator Archaludon is a really interesting check to multiple threats, packing a powerful Draco Meteor and Stealth Rock for a lot of utility. Here it's the team's primary answer to Gouging Fire, Samurott-H, and the Ogerpons, while also acting as a check to a myriad of other threats. Specs Latios is such a strong breaker that it can completely dominate if given too many opportunities. Scarf Roaring Moon is the team's primary speed control with the remaining team members just rounding out the defensive core. RegenVest Excadrill was initially just a novelty, but as I've used it, it has certainly proven how capable it is. It bundles the utility of being a check to Latios and Raging Bolt with hazard removal via Rapid Spin to great effect, and Scorching Sands means it can threaten to burn Great Tusk, which would otherwise dominate it.

MGLO Gouging Fire Bulky Offense

Quite the standard team. Gouging Fire has a lot of defensive utility and can find many setup opportunities, at which point it can often tear open large holes in the opponent's team or just straight-up win. The rest of the team is self-explanatory and I don't think you want me to tell you what Latios, Swampert, and Skarmory do again.

Calm Mind Latios + Choice Band Zapdos-Galar Bulky Offense

I really like Latios, ok? CB Gapdos is another one of those "this is utterly unwallable" mons and Regenerator Samurott-H is a nifty scarfer with a lot of role compression. Flash Fire Gholdengo has some pretty good synergy with RegenVest Excadrill, both handling a lot of each other's vulnerabilities. The last slot can be pretty much anything that checks Great Tusk and Roaring Moon, I just chose Skarmory because it has access to Stealth Rock and Whirlwind is nice utility.