Lick is better than Shadow Claw, right?
Just looking to confirm:
- levelling my Shadow Claw Gengar to 40 was now a waste...
- it's worthwhile grabbing at least one Gengar during the event to get Lick (although it will be a while until I have the stardust to get it to 40 to replace shadow claw...)
Just how big is the difference... wondering if it's worth the investment at all at this point. I'm very stardust poor atm. I also have 4 Shadow Ball Mewtwo (levels 40, mid 30s, and two at 20) and many Ttars.
Answers
It's a TINY bit better. In the vast majority of matchups, you would see no difference between Lick and Shadow Claw. It's highly doubtful that having a Shadow Claw Gengar instead of a Lick Gengar will ever cost you a raid, or even a premier ball.
I have 2 maxed Shadow Claw Gengar myself, and I feel no regret. They've long served their purpose, and despite being outclassed by a TINY TINY bit (against a psycho cut/fb mewtwo raid, the TDO difference is like... 1), they will CONTINUE to serve me for the forseeable future. Just that they may now be joined by their cousin from the short-buss that likes to lick what shouldn't be licked.
Funny, I never used Gengar against A-Marowak (partly cloudy both times I raided it) and less than 10 times in the 44 total Mewtwo raids I've done, where I'd say its usefulness was doubtful. My Gengar bought its worth in the solos, like when it helped me solo Claydol with unique attackers and no weatherboost.
Investment to 40 is really expensive. I've only done it for a handful of Pokemon - generally best in class Pokemon with great IVs that are highly unlikely to be outclassed any time soon. A bit easier to do it for Lucky's.
I've taken the following to 40 (all 15 attack unless otherwise stated):
Kyogre (96%, 14a)
Mewtwo, Shadow ball (91%, lucky)
Tyranitar, smack down (98%)
Metagross, meteor (98%)
Machamp (91%, lucky)
Gengar, Shadow claw (89%)
Basically, gengar made that list because of Shadow claw - so being outclassed sucks.
That said, people say they're basically the same, so it's okay then. I thought the difference was larger based on my past reading.
As for the recent usage: I would have only powered to the last breakpoint otherwise. The difference in Stardust between 35 (or wherever the breakpoint is, not checking ATM) and 40 is quite large.
What past readings? Anyone who has claimed Lick is outright better by a significant amount didn't have a lick of truth to their claims. DPS/TDO puts their difference against PC/FB Mewtwo at 0,3%. Yes, less than one per cent difference in DPS. In comparison to Hex being 5% below SC and Tyranitar being 10% below Hex Gengar.
The difference, as has been said, is tiny. The difference between Hex and Shadow Claw Gengar was already small as it is and vastly blown out of proportion. It's absolutely not worth it to invest if you're stardust poor, you have a good enough team for Giratina raids and the incoming 4 irrelevant psychic legendaries.
