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My Criticism of Smogon
This essay is intended for all competitive battlers of varying “skill”
levels. Reader Discretion is Advised
Introduction
In my opinion, Smogon and their rules are very fair for pokemon battling. I find it
somewhat awe inspiring that groups of people can band together to balance a competitive
game. With no disrespect to Verlisify, he represents a somewhat disruption as to how
people understand pokemon battling by criticizing Smogon rules. Consequently,
upsetting a few people. However, Smogon's rules should be challenged. Their rules have
been conceptualized as the norm. Anything against the norm is going to hated and
backlashed. As a result, Verlisiy is presented as a "cancer" to the general pokemon
community. It is way too easy to discredit Verlisiy on his opinions
I firmly believe that Verlisify represents a new found voice (or advocate) as to
how we can evolve or change pokemon battling. For years, the iron grip of Smogon has
yet to be challenged…until now. This essay criticizes and analyzes how Smogon affects
the majority of pokemon battler’s perception of “competitive” pokemon battling. I make
two key claims; (1) Smogon’s tiers and bans directly affect team building. Which in turn
disrupts creative teams and move sets. (2) Smogon’s ideology is the dominant hegemonic
discourse when pokemon battling. Anything against their discouse is deemed
“uncompetitive”. A further this claim with several concepts that are not conceptualize
amongst pokemon battlers. Hope you all enjoy!
Tier Lists and Bans:
According to a classical theorist, societies evolve to be rational, calculated and
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create hierarchies of power to solve problems with logic. However, evolved societies lose
sight of tradition and religion. This is referred to as bureaucracy. Smogon is a perfect
example of this concept. They define Pokemon into tiers, have constructed unnatural
rules not native within the game and create bans. As a defense, they construct rational
calculations to defend themselves. Consequently, “competitive” pokemon is nothing
more than a bunch of math problems. Inevitably, losing sight (or tradition) as to what
Pokemon was originally intended to be (catch them all and have fun).
My first criticism of Smogon is their tier lists. By relegating pokemon into tiers,
Smogon DIRECTLY affects team building. If a battler wants to use one overused
pokemon, they are force to play in an upper tier. When pokemon are relegated to tiers,
Smogon controls who or what is a significant threat. By separating threats, checks, and
counters, battlers compete in static controlled environment. These controlled
environments limit predictability and glorify “competitive trends” (popularized movesets)
When “competitive” trends are increase in usage, battlers would naturally need to adapt.
When a trend (pokemon/moveset) is deemed too powerful or good, questions are asked
whether that particular pokemon or set affects the “meta game. “When “obscure” checks
or counters are considered or needed, the general consensus believes that the certain
pokemon in questioned should be banned or move into different tiers. As a consequence
tier lists eases “competitive” tends and encourages cookie cutter strategies or sets.
In actuality (on wifi), tier lists do not exists. Pokemon teammates are not
regulated. When you battle a friend or passerby teams are comprised of varying and
unique pokemon. However, because Smogon is the popularized majority, is has become
extremely common for battlers to collude before battling. An other words agreeing to
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play in non existent tier lists with “competitive’ cookie cutter strategies. Tier lists do not
promote individuality or creativity. Instead encourages bland strategies.
Smogon Ideology is the Hegomonic “Competitive Discourse”
My previous criticism on Smogon’s tiers lists and bans can be argued by the fact
that I do not need to play by Smogon rules if I don't want to. That is of course correct but
not entirely. Smogon’s ideology is the common hegemonic discourse in “competitive”
pokemon battling. Hegemony is a theoretical concept that states that the
dominations of beliefs and perceptions equate to the status quo. In other words,
what we consider the norm. Although pokemon battlers are not restricted to use
Smogon rules, the rules of Smogon are almost universally known and introduced
to people wanting to learn about competitive pokemon battling. This perception of
following Smogon rules can be influenced by famous poke tubers. Therefore,
Smogon and their rules are culturally the norm (for the most part). In other words,
Smogon DOES NOT enforce their rules. They do not need to. They’re rules are
universally accepted without debate by the majority.
This in turn is my second criticism of Smogon. Considering the sheer amounts
of backlash Verlisify has received from Smogon defenders, most people cannot
conceptualize that Smogon monopolizes their "competitive" discourse. It is quite
pathetic that most people are delusional to believe that Smogon's rules are the
definitive form of playing pokemon. It is even more pathetic when poke tubers
use Smogon rules without acknowledging how unofficial it is. Inevitably,
reinforcing Smogon's rules and mindset to the general populace. Consequently,
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more and more people are led to believe that Smogon is the definitive authority
over pokemon. Almost every response video to Verlisify opinions are "debunked"
by using Smogon "logic".
Again, Smogon controls the "competitive" discourse. Whatever they deem
to be "uncompetitive" and "competitive" is regurgitated by its community.
Considering their popularity, most people are conditioned to play by their rules.
When moves such as minimize are used, there is an automatic presumption that
the person using it is "uncompetitive". Since “luck” (hax, randomness) is an
integral part of the game, the common discourse is not to use moves that purposely
create it. Instead, battlers are encourage to use “skill” As a consequence, moves
that can help levitate “luck” are also not used. However, “luck” moves are
legitimate strategies to use in game.
Why aren’t people running perfect accuracy moves like Aerial Ace or
Swift? Because evasion boost is illegal by Smogon standards, there is no need to
run definitive accurate moves. When someone does use evasion, it is the fault of
the other player for not acknowledging evasion exists.
Inevitably, Smogon is creating a one-dimensional mindset of playing
pokemon. Bans and clauses levitate the bullshit that could potentially happen in a
pokemon battle. Conditioning to think that everybody plays Smogon, leaves
people vulnerable to “luck” moves or sets. Thus, why luck is perceived to be
"uncompetitive". As expressed in other Verlisify videos, “luck” moves can be
countered. However, people are oblivious to these counters. For example, did you
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know that there are such abilities like Keen Eye and Insomnia? Unique abilities
that can check or counter “luck” strategies. For example, Honchkrow is a direct
counter to spore Breloom. Honchkrow can safely switch into a spore for free and
scare a Breloom with 4x flying attack. Since sleep clause exists, an Insomnia
Honchkrow or pokemon is extremely rare to encounter. By banning multiple
sleep and evasion, possible abilities or creative sets to counter “luck” are rendered
useless.
Another criticism I have related to Smogon’s dominant ideology is a much more
theoretical approach that can be hotly debated. If you have read carefully so far there are
several words that have been quoted “…”. These words are competitive, uncompetitive,
skill, and luck. The trick is answering: What is. What is competitive/uncompetitive?
What is luck? What is skill? Aside from answering what these concepts mean, there are
direct relationships between them. Again the common discourse is to encourage “skillful”
battling (Whatever “skill” maybe). The common discourse is to believe that “skill” is
“competitive” (again, what ever that maybe). On the contrary strategies that perceived to
create luck are the opposite; uncompetitive. I remember reading somewhere that “skill” is
an autonomous deliberate decision. On the other hand, “luck” is a random event.
Remember, these concepts can be debated.
When competing in other activities, is it not the main goal to put your opponents
in a dis-favorable position (therefore decreasing autonomy)? If the majority believes this
to be true, what then is wrong with using moves that are perceived to create“luck”? If the
argument is; that moves that create luck are wrong because they rely heavily on RNG,
would it not be the fault of the recipient player for the not countering the moves to begin
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with? Remember Insomnia and Keen eye mentioned earlier… If “luck” moves can be
countered (albeit very difficult), they are competitive viable.
In sum, anything against Smogon's way of playing is almost immediately
discredited. Thus, deemed "uncompetitive". However, not acknowledging other
ways to play leave most players vulnerable to an attack. Believing luck to be
"uncompetitive" strips players from utilizing and countering these strategies. You
CAN BE COMPETITIVE for using ‘luck” moves. The people that deem ‘luck” to
be “uncompetitive” are sour to believe this to be true.
Conclusion
No where in this essay have I stated that Smogon is evil are a load of crap. I
attempted to do my very best at criticizing what I believe are significant issues that create
hostile relationships between Smogon players and non Smogon players. Instead of
discrediting people that use anti-smogon sets, we should learn from them.
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