Balance patch has arrived alongside Trevenant and a datamined new Pokemon incoming! Dragonite, Tsareena, Lucario and Talonflame got nerfs (sort-of), Garchomp and Gengar got a rework to varying degrees, and Machamp, Decidueye and Charizard got buffs. I have not played any of them yet but I'll give my thoughts anyway, because I own a bunch of these characters (except Trevenant, Garchomp and Charizard) so I will likely end up using them somewhen.
Trevenant is our latest addition to the roster and seems to be a Defender with a focus on repositioning the enemy (like Mamoswine) alongside damage over time effects and self-damaging moves with the reward of greater ability output. It evolves at level 5 and you choose between Wood Hammer and Curse / Horn Leech and Pain Split. From what I've seen nobody is actually talking much about it? Seems like a rather uneventful new Pokemon, which also fits the few impressions I was able to glean from people's experiences - it's got a unique and fun toolkit but it's not broken like the last few additions have been, and since it's not a particularly notable Pokemon its reception is quite subdued. It's still really good though, some people are saying it's solid in 1v2 match-ups and can protect a lane pretty well so I'm optimistic about its inclusion into the game! Might make it a good top laner against the usual aggressors like Tsareena or Lucario.
Dragonite got a mixed set of nerfs/buffs - basic attack range was reduced, Unite move is capped at 50% minimum usage when you use it at close range (or it recharges slower, not too clear on that) and Hyper Beam deals less damage BUT it got a buff to Extreme Speed (it has more range and a lower cooldown). Dragon Dance was untouched so I reckon it'll still be the only choice at that level, but now Outrage may have a chance to shine? Maybe we'll see Dragonite act as more of a mid-range attacker who relies more on its sustain than its mobility and range.
Tsareena had a Triple Axel damage nerf alongside a Stomp healing buff and a cooldown increase to Grassy Glide - the damage nerf may not be too substantial but I hope she remains useable especially at higher ranked play.
Lucario got a Meteor Mash nerf and a reduction on healing from Extreme Speed, whilst Close Combat now heals and grants unstoppable? I think it's overall a solid nerf to a solid early-game Pokemon, and the reduced sustain on Extreme Speed should make it more vulnerable across the game.
Talonflame has a Fly nerf of-sorts? It deals less damage and has a longer cooldown, but the cooldown gets reduced by 40% when you hit an enemy with it. Aerial Ace also heals apparently. So yay, Talonflame's Fly shouldn't one-shot people and using it to escape will not go unpunished, but the heal gives it a smidge more sustain to Flame Charge's mobility.
Gengar wasn't really reworked so much as they swapped what levels it learns its moves - Dream Eater and Hex are now the level 5 moves whilst Shadow Ball / Sludge Bomb are the level 7 moves? Dream Eater was also buffed to have a cooldown reset upon killing an enemy, so that's neat. I don't think it'll change much for our spooky boi since Hex really needs Sludge Bomb to actually be any good - it'll make for a funky mobility move until then I guess? But the Dream Eater buff solidifies it and Shadow Ball by extension as the go-to combo, since Dream Eater + the natural lifesteal at level it gains from its abilities should give it better sustain during its weaker early-mid game.
Garchomp got a pretty solid overhaul on all its moves - Dig now increases Garchomp's defenses alongside the knock up it gets and Earthquake / Dragon Rush / Dragon Claw all slow the enemy either when you first unlock the move or at their +level. Dragon Rush also grants unstoppable at its +level. The ground moves should grant Garchomp better survivability at lower levels and the other buffs help alleviate its need to stick on a target to make use of the basic attack stacks? Might fit better as a bruiser now, don't think it'll be the perfect fix but it is a fantastic start given all the other buffs it received.
Machamp got more general buffs than anyone else - more lifesteal at later levels, range increase on DynamicPunch, Submission damage and self-buffs now activate even where the enemy may not have been stunned and Karate Chop deals more damage. Machop is an early-game threat now! It can actually deal heavy damage now until it gets its mobility move at level 5 which were both buffed themselves, it's rad. Machamp was never really bad, but it just doesn't have the skillset to do well at higher levels of play - maybe now it does? Machop-Machoke stage may still be a bit too squishy, who knows.
Charizard basically gained mobility buffs - Flamethrower and Fire Blast can be used while moving and the Unite move gained range, at the cost of the basic attacks landing a bit slower. Seems like a nice quality of life change without changing too much damage? Charizard should remain the same.
Decidueye gained increased lifesteal, buffed Leaf Storm (not damage, but the hinderance effect), increased damage on Razor Leaf and Spirit Shackle gained stacks like Cramorant's Dive or Blissey's Softboiled! It has 3 stacks of the move now alongside increased range (as if it needed that) which is incredible - Decidueye already dealt insane damage at the cost of worse mobility compared to the other ADC carries, now it gets even more damage! Don't know if the changes will make it more accepted over Cinderace or Greninja at higher levels of play, but it seems fun to play so that's the main thing!
X Attack now also increases basic attack speed whilst
Slow Smoke reduces basic attack speed (and also gained a harsher slow and an increased duration). Will these see more play? Maybe! Don't think Slow Smoke will since you'd want it mainly for basic attackers, of which most are ranged and you cannot predict what opponents you'll be fighting. X Attack could see more play since it's a greater buff to a myriad of characters, could be pretty nutty on the likes of Decidueye, Cinderace, Greninja or Garchomp.
Finally, the latest datamined Pokemon is
Aegislash, another All-Rounder who seems to evolve at level 5 and level 7 similar to our ADC carries. Moves seemingly include Shadow Claw and King's Shield, beyond that I'm not entirely sure. . I am personally very excited for this addition to the roster and will have to hold out on buying Trevenant so I can buy this dude! Should be dope.