Why was Pheromosa banned from OU?

Pinsir-M + Aerilate + Quick Attack = Pheromosa Repellent.

Pleaselog inorregisterto add a comment.

Pheromosa is not currently banned from OU.Its suspect test is still ongoing, and is currently in the"voter identification phase"in which players can prove they have met the required COIL rating and number of games necessary to be able to vote. The thread says the deadline for this is 11:59 PM April 7th, so expect a verdict on the suspect test at some point after that time when the voting has taken place and a result is found. Basically, it will be over a week until we know if Pheromosa will be banned.

But if for argument’s sake we assume Pheromosa will actually be banned in the suspect test, your contest as to why it shouldn’t be doesn’t make much sense. As mentioned by sumwun, if you’re under the impression that tiers work such that if a Pokemoncouldbe countered, then it is balanced, you’ve been misinformed. Mega Pinsir is definitely a hard counter to Pheromosa, but if it is theonlygood answer to Pheromosa, then Pheromosa is certainly not balanced because then it forces everyone to use Mega Pinsir or else you will lose to it. That is not in the interest of the game at all; anything that applies such a strain to teambuilding is overcentralising and unbalanced. Mega Pinsir isn’t the only way of dealing with Pheromosa obviously, but this principle certainly manifests in all of Smogon’s decision making and debates.

As for why the suspect was held and why Pheromosa might in fact end up with a ban, the suspect announcement threadhereexplains it quite well, as doactual Smogon OU council membersin the post following. Basically:

As far as I can tell looking through the discussion thread and the opinions of council members (whose votes are weighted extra iirc) there’s a strong chance Pheromosa will end up with the ban.