The Starters

[Nah]

The starter Pokemon tend to vary greatly in competitive viability, ranging from ban-worthy (Blaziken) all the way down to "why the fuck would you use this?" (Typholsion), and everything in between. But what about the latest batch, the Sun/Moon starters?

They have some interesting typings, and some good looking stuff in their movepools:
https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Decidueye_(Pokémon)#Learnset
https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Incineroar_(Pokémon)#Learnset
https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Primarina_(Pokémon)#Learnset

....but at the same time have slightly disappointing stat spreads. 530 BST is not terrible, but they all have low Speed and no hugely outstanding values besides Primarina's base 126 Sp.Attack.

On another note, when their Hidden Abilities are released, that may be worth looking at, as Incineroar gets Intimidate and Primarina gets a new one called Liquid Voice, basically a Water type Pixilate.

It's still early in the meta, but are they/will they be worth using? What are people doing with them right now?

 

[PlatinumDude]

Primarina is the most usable fully Alola starter because of its sheer power alone. It may have a shallow support move pool, but its offensive move pool is rather decent:
-Hydro Pump
-Moonblast
-Psychic
-Hidden Power (Fire)/Scald
Nature: Modest
EVs: 172 HP/252 SAtk/84 Spe
Item: Choice Specs

Decidueye is an interesting case. It has a nice signature move in Spirit Shackle, but personally, I'm unsure how to run it, whether it be offensive or defense.

It hurts to see Incineroar be slower than its pre-evolved form, but it has nice bulk to make up for it and Intimidate will improve its usability once it's released.

 

[5qwerty]

Liquid Voice over Torrent is very arguable, since it doesn't boost the power of your sound-based moves, meaning the only advantage you get from the Ability is bypassing subs with a Water-type Hyper Voice (which, I guess is better in doubles since you hit both opponents and not your ally). Even then, I can see most people going for Scald/Hydro Pump/Both instead for the hax/power. It gets blocked by Soundproof (which is very rare I guess), but you lose out on the power from Torrent (which is less rare I feel). Saying Liquid Voice is basically a Water-type Pixilate is a far stretch in my opinion.

Don't really think Decidueye will be that good, can be alright pivot I guess. I would use Dhelmise over it any day of the week, only real disadvantages are less speed and no U-Turn. Long Reach feels kind of useless.

Feel like Intimidate on Incineroar is strong, but typing sucks and weak to SR. It has good bulk, but I feel like typing hinders it too much.

 

[Nah]

Liquid Voice over Torrent is very arguable, since it doesn't boost the power of your sound-based moves, meaning the only advantage you get from the Ability is bypassing subs with a Water-type Hyper Voice (which, I guess is better in doubles since you hit both opponents and not your ally). Even then, I can see most people going for Scald/Hydro Pump/Both instead for the hax/power. It gets blocked by Soundproof (which is very rare I guess), but you lose out on the power from Torrent (which is less rare I feel). Saying Liquid Voice is basically a Water-type Pixilate is a far stretch in my opinion.

yeah I kinda misread it, it's not really like Pixilate =(

I'd still take it over something risky and unreliable like Torrent though.

 

[Frozocrone]

Liquid Voice is meh IMO. Scald is way more useful since Primarina has poor defence.

Incineroar looks pretty decent as a bulky pivot, especially when Intimidate is released. Flare Blitz for STAB, Darkest Lariat for Bulk Up, U-Turn for slow switch ins and Fake-Out for Sash Breaking/utility.

Decidueye looks interesting but nothing special. Outclassed as a Defog user. Only really useful as a Trap-Passer.