[QUOTE="Jho, post: 8097117, member: 208105"]

1. What are some statistical trends amongst strong Pivots that make them succeed in the CAP metagame and how can we apply them to CAP26?

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Let's divide up some of the strong pivots in the CAP Metagame into two groups:



Sturdier / Slower: Tangrowth, Ferrothorn, Rotom-W, Celesteela

Have ways to gain momentum (Knock Off, Leech Seed, Volt Switch, Hazards, Defog)
Despite defensive inclination retains good damage output
Aren't afraid to lower their speed in favor of mixed attacking stats (Tangrowth, Celesteela)
Frailer / Faster: Tornadus-T, Kitusnoh, Tapu Koko, Mega Crucibelle, Krilowatt

Have ways to gain momentum (U-turn / Volt Switch, Knock Off, Defog, Stealth Rock)
Nearly always maximizes offensive prowess (with the exception of defensive Tornadus-T)
Generally have to run max speed to be effective
A common thread with these pivots is a way to gain momentum, which we have by default with Doom Desire! Though, this isn't exactly related to stats, so let's move on to the next points. Defensive pivots aim to maximize offensive potential after hitting defensive benchmarks, while offensive pivots aim to maximize their power first and use their strength to force switches. Furthermore, slower pivots are able to run mixed sets more easily due to not caring as much about speed.



The way I envision CAP26, we're not exactly going to fall into one of these two categories, though. CAP26 is aiming to maximize its offensive potential to hit as hard as possible with Doom Desire, but it also wants to leverage its defensive potential and perhaps hit some speed benchmarks for Pokemon like Mega Mawile or Heatran. In fact, I think CAP26 should emulate Mega Tyranitar in several ways:

Has ways to gain momentum (Stealth Rock, Pursuit)
Has excellent bulk, allowing them to focus on offense
Do not have to run full speed to be effective, allowing for a mix of HP stats as well
While the last point really only applies to Mega Tyranitar, I think we can apply it to CAP26 as well. You might be thinking that CAP26 could never reach the flexibility of Mega Tyranitar, with Sand Stream-boosted bulk and obscene attack, but remember that Mega Tyranitar carries some extremely common weaknesses. With Levitate and its item slot, CAP26 can leverage momentum even with just good bulk. I think we can make a Mega Tyranitar-esque Pokemon in regards that we can run an HP / SpA / Spe spread, where we hit certain speed benchmarks as needed.



[QUOTE="Jho, post: 8097117, member: 208105"]

2. Whilst CAP26 will need a respectable Special Sweepiness in order to make the best use of Doom Desire; at what, if any, level of power would CAP26 abandon the concept and focus on wall breaking sans Doom Desire?

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I think this is less about Special Attack and more about Speed. The faster CAP26 is, the more it wants to pull off immediate damage with something like Flash Cannon. This is especially true if CAP26 were to outspeed something like Tapu Lele, which it wants to get rid of immediately. Of course, if we create a CAP26 that has really high Special Attack, it could just opt for a true tank set and ditch Doom Desire as well, but that Special Attack ceiling would have to be investigated in conjunction with its speed stat.



[QUOTE="Jho, post: 8097117, member: 208105"]

3. We know that CAP26 will primarily be a Special Attacker due to focusing on Doom Desire, however, in light of its pressures list, should CAP26 have a meaningful mixed option and therefore require a higher Physical Sweepiness?

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This is an interesting question that's asked for most CAP projects and usually the answer is "no it's a distraction..." However, for this CAP it might not be. Our threatlist contains Magearna, and you might think that we're safe with Levitate and a Ground typing. However Magearna's Calm Mind + Pain Split set can really wear CAP26 down quickly, even with Earth Power. Unfortunately, at this point I'd be polljumping if I give specific stats and benchmarks, but please bear with me here. If Magearna gets the Calm Mind boost on the switch, CAP26 may not be able to beat it in a 1v1. This becomes especially true if CAP26 eventually opts to run non-max SpA EV spreads and Magearna decides to run Wiki Berry. Thus, CAP26 could invoke one aspect of the Sturdier / Slower pivot section and run the Speed-lowering nature and have the option to run a physical Ground-type STAB solely to beat Magearna. Surprisingly, the Base Attack required for this, without any EV investment either, is surprisingly not that high from my calculations. Otherwise, a negative Attack nature could still get the job done.



The only real valid argument against CAP26's having a marginally useful Attack stat would be if PT consumes too much of CAP26's BSR, which is definitely valid. I wouldn't call having a marginally useful Attack stat anti-concept though, we can make a CAP26 that still uses Doom Desire and invests in Special Attack. This isn't to say that Earth Power is useless - I think it'll still be a common and good option. However, I don't think we can deny the usefulness of beating a healthy Calm Mind + Pain Split Magearna, especially because that's one of the few Pokemon on our actual switch-in list. Thus, let's not discredit the idea of having a useful Attack stat.



[QUOTE="Jho, post: 8097117, member: 208105"]

4. In order to fulfil its role as a Pivot CAP26 must be able to switch into a variety of attacks. Considering this, should CAP26's bulk be focused into either Special or Physical Tankiness; or would a more well-rounded approach be better?

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CAP26 likely needs to bias towards ST, though PT should not be too low either. We need to deal with Magearna and Tornadus-T at the very least, as they are on our switch-in list, so we should tank their attacks pretty well. Furthermore, CAP26 should have a non-losing matchup with Psychic-types like Tapu Lele, Alakazam, Aurumoth, etc. barring super effective coverage. As for physical tankiness, I think would be useful for CAP26 to survive Mega Mawile's +2 Play Rough so that CAP26 can retaliate effectively. Also, keep in mind that CAP26's ability to switch into Choice Specs Tapu Lele's Psyshock is dependent on PT, not ST.