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The two most common criticisms I see levelled against Smogon are that:
a) They promote copy and paste cookie-cutter teams, and
b) Their tier system makes it more difficult to use Pokémon that you like.
I've never understood these positions at all. In fact, the complete opposite is true.
Smogon has listings on every single Pokémon in the game. If you want to use Raticate, Smogon provides advice on how to bring out the very best in it. If you want to use it in OU, you can. You might not win, but Smogon has given you all the advice and encouragement you could possibly want to use a Pokémon like Raticate in OU.
You can't blame Smogon if people use their resources to make boring teams, and you can't blame Smogon for telling you that your bro isn't OU material. You should direct your anger towards the uncreative team builders out there, and you should still feel free to use your bro Raticate if you so wish.
