>>38668158Smogon has a ban list then Pokémon that don't fall in there are assorted in tiers by their usage.
OU are the most used, as long as they aren't broken(Uber) how used they are is irrelevant as long as they fit in the minimal usage %. Any Pokémon OU and below can be used here with only Uber Pokémon being banned.
Then we have UU wich are less used than OU, however given that OU status is purely based on usage for UU to work there has to be a ban list to prevent abuse, hence the creation of borderline. Any non Uber, OU or borderline Pokémon can be used in UU.
It goes like this from NU and below.
The smogon system gives a chance to get a fairfight while using your favorites in an environment they aren't outclassed, that's the reason it was created.
VGC is based on availability and flavor rulesets, there isn't much to it as a result it gets really repetitive as clear overpowered Pokémon quickly become used in favor of anything else.
The rest are autistic banlist based on ingame status and titles people mostly use to roleplay, they are quite shitty.
