Smogon Community
Bubble
Skill
The Smogon Community is a global group of Pokémon enthusiasts dedicated to competitive battling using custom tiering, deep strategy ana...Show more
Smogon Community
Bubble
Skill
The Smogon Community is a global group of Pokémon enthusiasts dedicated to competitive battling using custom tiering, deep strategy analysis, and vibrant online forums centered around Smogon University.
Statistics
Estimated Global Reach
1.3M
Popularity
Medium
Regional Hotspot
Worldwide
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General Q&A
The Smogon Community focuses on developing and maintaining a competitive Pokémon metagame through custom tier lists, strategic rule sets, and in-depth analysis, setting the global standard for serious battling.
Community Q&A
The Smogon Community focuses on developing and maintaining a competitive Pokémon metagame through custom tier lists, strategic rule sets, and in-depth analysis, setting the global standard for serious battling.
Most interaction happens on the Smogon forums and the Pokémon Showdown simulator, where users share guides, sign up for tournaments, and participate in heated, often humorous forum debates.
Community Q&A
Summary
Key Findings
Tier Sovereignty
Community DynamicsSmogon members deeply respect the tiering system as the community’s structural backbone, defending tier boundaries fiercely while collaboratively evolving them via suspect tests and council votes—outsiders often miss this democratic, methodical balance of power.
Theorycraft Authority
Identity MarkersInside Smogon, possessing or contributing theorymon knowledge grants social capital; detailed analysis and innovative movesets are prized over casual play, creating a meritocratic hierarchy based on intellectual rigor and strategic creativity.
Ritualized Debate
Communication PatternsForum discussions follow an unspoken norm of sharp-edged, humorous but respectful debate, where intense disagreements over game balance coexist with community rituals like tier updates and tournaments, fostering solidarity despite controversies.
Metagame Gatekeeping
Gatekeeping PracticesSmogon restricts competitive legitimacy through formal banlists and tier policies, enforced by dedicated council members, creating an insider-outsider divide that outsiders often perceive as elitism, but insiders view as essential for strategic integrity.
Sub Groups
Smogon University Forums
The core forum-based community for competitive Pokémon discussion, tiering, and policy-making.
Smogon Discord Servers
Real-time chat and coordination for tournaments, team-building, and social interaction.
Competitive Pokémon Subreddits
Broader discussion and meme-sharing spaces for competitive Pokémon, including Smogon-specific and general competitive play.
Content Creators (YouTube/Twitch)
Video and streaming personalities who produce educational and entertainment content for the Smogon and competitive Pokémon audience.
Statistics and Demographics
Platform Distribution
1 / 2
Niche Forums
45%Smogon University operates its own dedicated online forums, which are the central hub for competitive Pokémon discussion, tiering, and community interaction.
Discussion Forumsonline
Discord
25%The Smogon community maintains active Discord servers for real-time chat, team-building, and live tournament coordination.
Reddit
10%There are active subreddits (e.g., r/stunfisk, r/Smogon) where competitive Pokémon players discuss strategies and share resources.
Gender & Age Distribution
Ideological & Social Divides
Community Development
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Insider Knowledge
Terminology
Inside Jokes
'Smogonology is a religion'
A humorous nod to how passionately some members discuss Smogon rules and strategies, as if they follow a strict doctrine of competitive battling.
'Use Protect or lose'
A running joke referring to how the move Protect is ubiquitous in battle strategies for scouting opponents and stalling critical moves, so failing to use it is seen as a beginner mistake.
Facts & Sayings
„OU“
Stands for 'OverUsed,' a primary competitive tier that includes the most commonly used and competitively viable Pokémon according to Smogon usage stats.
„Ubers“
A tier comprising extremely powerful Pokémon often banned from standard competitive play due to their overwhelming strength, requiring separate rulesets.
„Suspect Test“
A community-driven process where a particular Pokémon’s usage or power is analyzed to determine if it should be banned or restricted within its tier.
„Smogon set“
A recommended moveset for a Pokémon that is carefully optimized for competitive battling according to Smogon’s theorycrafting and analysis.
Unwritten Rules
Always read and follow tier rules before battling.
Ensures fair play and avoids accidental use of banned Pokémon or sets that break community standards.
Use Pokémon Showdown for ladder and testing matches.
Smogon heavily relies on this simulator for consistent battle conditions and community standardization.
Be respectful during debates and theorycrafting.
While passionate discussions are encouraged, personal attacks or dismissive behavior are frowned upon to maintain a welcoming environment.
Cite sources or data when making competitive claims.
This practice strengthens arguments and aligns with the community’s emphasis on evidence-based strategy.
Fictional Portraits
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Emily, 22
StudentfemaleA university student who discovered Smogon during her first year and quickly became fascinated by competitive Pokémon battling and strategy.
Strategic depthCommunity learningRespectful competition
Motivations
- Mastering strategic play to climb Smogon's rankings
- Connecting with like-minded players who share her passion
- Learning advanced mechanics and team-building skills
Challenges
- Balancing time between studies and competitive play
- Overwhelmed by the depth and volume of strategy discussions
- Occasionally intimidated by veteran players' expertise
Platforms
Smogon forumsDiscord servers dedicated to competitive battling
OUNUEV spreadsIVsteambuilding
Insights & Background
Historical Timeline
Main Subjects
Organizations
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Organizations
First Steps & Resources
Get-Started Steps
Time to basics: 2-3 weeks
1
Read Smogon Tiering Basics
1-2 hoursBasic
Summary: Learn about Smogon’s competitive tiers, rules, and the logic behind tiering decisions.
Details: Understanding Smogon’s tiering system is foundational for meaningful participation. Start by reading official guides and forum posts that explain how Pokémon are grouped into tiers (OU, UU, etc.), the reasoning behind bans, and the rulesets for each format. Pay attention to how tiers are determined by usage statistics and community votes. Beginners often overlook the importance of these distinctions, leading to confusion or frustration when their teams are disqualified or criticized. Take notes on key terms and revisit explanations as needed. This step ensures you can follow discussions, build legal teams, and engage respectfully. Progress is evident when you can explain the difference between major tiers and identify which Pokémon are allowed in each.
2
Lurk and Read Battle Analyses
2-3 hoursBasic
Summary: Browse analyses of top Pokémon to understand metagame trends, movesets, and strategic roles.
Details: Spend time reading detailed analyses of popular Pokémon in your chosen tier. These analyses break down optimal movesets, abilities, EV spreads, and common roles in the current metagame. Focus on understanding why certain sets are preferred and how they fit into team strategies. Beginners may feel overwhelmed by jargon or depth, but start with a few Pokémon and gradually expand. Take notes on terms you don’t understand and look them up. This step is crucial for building competitive teams and for participating in forum discussions. Evaluate your progress by being able to summarize the strengths and weaknesses of at least three Pokémon in a tier.
3
Build and Test a Sample Team
3-5 hoursIntermediate
Summary: Use Smogon’s sample teams or builder tools to assemble and test a legal team in a chosen tier.
Details: Team building is a core skill in the Smogon community. Start by selecting a tier and reviewing sample teams provided by experienced players. Use online team builder tools to assemble your own team, either by copying a sample or making small adjustments. Test your team in online battle simulators, focusing on learning the flow of competitive matches and how your team’s synergy works. Beginners often make the mistake of ignoring type coverage or role balance—use analyses to guide your choices. This step is important for hands-on learning and prepares you for deeper strategic discussions. Progress is shown by successfully completing several matches and identifying areas for improvement in your team.
1
Read Smogon Tiering Basics
1-2 hoursBasic
Summary: Learn about Smogon’s competitive tiers, rules, and the logic behind tiering decisions.
Details: Understanding Smogon’s tiering system is foundational for meaningful participation. Start by reading official guides and forum posts that explain how Pokémon are grouped into tiers (OU, UU, etc.), the reasoning behind bans, and the rulesets for each format. Pay attention to how tiers are determined by usage statistics and community votes. Beginners often overlook the importance of these distinctions, leading to confusion or frustration when their teams are disqualified or criticized. Take notes on key terms and revisit explanations as needed. This step ensures you can follow discussions, build legal teams, and engage respectfully. Progress is evident when you can explain the difference between major tiers and identify which Pokémon are allowed in each.
2
Lurk and Read Battle Analyses
2-3 hoursBasic
Summary: Browse analyses of top Pokémon to understand metagame trends, movesets, and strategic roles.
Details: Spend time reading detailed analyses of popular Pokémon in your chosen tier. These analyses break down optimal movesets, abilities, EV spreads, and common roles in the current metagame. Focus on understanding why certain sets are preferred and how they fit into team strategies. Beginners may feel overwhelmed by jargon or depth, but start with a few Pokémon and gradually expand. Take notes on terms you don’t understand and look them up. This step is crucial for building competitive teams and for participating in forum discussions. Evaluate your progress by being able to summarize the strengths and weaknesses of at least three Pokémon in a tier.
3
Build and Test a Sample Team
3-5 hoursIntermediate
Summary: Use Smogon’s sample teams or builder tools to assemble and test a legal team in a chosen tier.
Details: Team building is a core skill in the Smogon community. Start by selecting a tier and reviewing sample teams provided by experienced players. Use online team builder tools to assemble your own team, either by copying a sample or making small adjustments. Test your team in online battle simulators, focusing on learning the flow of competitive matches and how your team’s synergy works. Beginners often make the mistake of ignoring type coverage or role balance—use analyses to guide your choices. This step is important for hands-on learning and prepares you for deeper strategic discussions. Progress is shown by successfully completing several matches and identifying areas for improvement in your team.
4
Participate in the Smogon Forums
2-4 hoursIntermediate
Summary: Register and join discussions in beginner-friendly threads, ask questions, and share your experiences.
Details: Active participation in the Smogon forums is key to community integration. Register an account and introduce yourself in the appropriate threads. Start by reading and contributing to beginner Q&A or mentorship threads. Ask questions about team building, strategies, or rules, and share your battle experiences. Be respectful and open to feedback—Smogon values thoughtful discussion. Beginners sometimes hesitate to post, fearing criticism, but the community is generally supportive of earnest learners. This step helps you build relationships, gain insights, and stay updated on metagame shifts. Progress is measured by receiving constructive responses and feeling comfortable engaging in discussions.
5
Join a Live Tournament or Ladder
1-2 weeks (multiple sessions)Advanced
Summary: Enter a beginner-friendly online tournament or participate in ladder matches to gain real experience.
Details: Applying your knowledge in real battles is essential for growth. Look for beginner-friendly tournaments or start playing on the official ladder for your chosen tier. These events are often announced in forums or on battle simulators. Focus on learning from each match—record your games, analyze mistakes, and seek feedback from more experienced players. Beginners may feel intimidated by competitive play, but participation is valued and helps you rapidly improve. This step is important for testing your skills under pressure and for meeting other active community members. Progress is evident when you can identify your own misplays and adapt your strategies in subsequent matches.
Welcoming Practices
„Welcome threads for new members“
Newcomers are invited to introduce themselves and receive advice, promoting integration and connection to the community.
„Calling new players freshmons“
A playful term to acknowledge beginners warmly while encouraging learning and growth within the competitive metagame.
Beginner Mistakes
Ignoring tier banlists and using banned Pokémon.
Check the specific tier’s banlist carefully to avoid disqualification or wasting battles.
Not using recommended 'Smogon sets' and relying on casual movesets.
Start with community-vetted sets to understand competitive viability before experimenting.
Pathway to Credibility
Tap a pathway step to view details
Participate actively in forum discussions and theorycrafting.
Engaging thoughtfully in conversations demonstrates commitment and expertise.
Contribute to tier discussions and suspect tests.
Helping analyze potential bans or shifts shows deeper understanding and earns respect.
Perform well in Smogon tournaments and ladder rankings.
Success in gameplay under Smogon rules signals practical skill and solidifies status.
Facts
Regional Differences
North America
North American Smogon players often use American English terms and slang and are heavily active on the Smogon forums and Discord servers.
Europe
European Smogon participants tend to engage in different tournament schedules and have strong French and German-speaking subcommunities within Smogon.
Misconceptions
Misconception #1
Smogon players are elitist and gatekeep competitive Pokémon.
Reality
While some outsiders feel Smogon is strict, the community values detailed analysis and collaboration to make battles fair and engaging, welcoming newcomers who wish to learn.
Misconception #2
Smogon rules are official Pokémon game rules.
Reality
Smogon’s metagame rules and tiers are fan-developed and separate from official Pokémon game modes, though they often influence broader competitive play.
