If theres one thing that gamers tend to get all kinds of riled about, its character balance.
In fighting games, which are super-competitive by nature, this is especially crucial.
Take something like Super Smash Bros., for instance.
Discussion of the series is always dominated by tier lists, matchups, and whos better than who.
Remember when Little Mac was added to the series?
Still, there was so much uproar about him that he was quickly nerfed.
In the Pokemon world, balancing is an even greater headache.
Game Freaks approach to this balancing dilemma was a novel one.
25Banned: Mewtwo
Well, naturally.
Its sprite was darn unsettling and it absolutely would not get in the Poke Ball.
Still, thats the fault of anyone challenging themselves not to use the Master Ball.
Never mind all of that, though.
Sometimes its just outright too strong, but its allowed anyway.
Still other times, a Pokemon isnt particularly strong, but its banned anyway.
Its a bit of a mess.
Deoxys boasts several of these traits at the same time.
23Should Be Banned: Mega Kangaskhan
So, yes.
Mega Kangaskhan is one example.
Before this change, Mega Kangaskhan was absolutely monstrous (why does Power-Up Punch give it two attack boosts?
), and dominated tournament play as a result.
22Banned: Mew
Now, Mews quite an interesting case.
As of writing, Smogon has zero issues with Mew.
Its not especially fast, powerful, or defensive, but boasts base 100 stats across the board.
A Pokemon thats too broken for standard play?
Yes, and thats the issue.
21Banned: Shaymin
So, yes.
Its difficult to implement Mythical Pokemon in official tournament play, what with the restrictions on obtaining them.
This also means that Shaymin (also boasting base stats of 100 all around) is out.
Theres an interesting caveat in this case, though.
20Should Be Banned: Smeargle
Lets just take a moment here to look at Smeargle.
Does that look like the face of might, malice, and relentless destruction?
No, no it doesnt.
It looks like a beagle.
Dont be deceived, though.
Largely due to one asset: Dark Void.
19Banned: Blaziken
There was a time when Blaziken wasnt really all that much to fear.
It had a neat movepool and reasonable power, but was nothing really excessive.
When it got its hidden ability, though, everything changed.
Speed Boost allows this battlin bird to snowball incredibly quickly.
Often, a simple Protect is all it needs to outspeed entire teams.
Its in the Ubers tier for good reason.
17Should Be Banned: Talonflame
Ah, yes.
Heres another Pokemon that had a period of notoriety throughout the earlier days of X and Y.
Like Mega Kangaskhan, its ability was to blame for this.
Gale Wings gave it priority on all Flying-pop in moves, which meant one thing: priority Brave Bird.
Fortunately, Talonflame got a well-deserved nerf in the transition to generation seven too.
Gale Wings now only kicks in when the user is at full HP.
Players can definitely appreciate this Pokemon in all its visual glory.
But what can players not appreciate?
Mega Gengars Perish Trap shenanigans.
