Tomo Takino
Smash Ace
So, the new Ant pokemon has stats very similar to Scizors physical defense stats, Scizor has more HP by 12, the ant has 12 more defense. How does this calculate?
At 0 EVs, neutral nature, the ant comes out slightly bulkier
Lead Metagross EQ to Scizor: 44.1
Lead Metagross EQ to Ant: 43
So far it seems the ant is bulkier, meaning that high defense but low HP is more desirable. This makes ghost walls with their low HP but high defense look more appealing for reasons other than Pain Split.
At Max EVs, neutral nature, Scizor comes out slightly bulkier by the same small distance.
This is good news for balanced bulky pokemon, who with mixed stats want to play both offensive and defensive roles simulatiously, (looking at you, Snorlax). Now it appears that HP is more important.
At Max EVs, Bold nature, they are both even.
This is good news for all dedicated walls, as they have advantage over balanced Pokemon who want to run an Adamant or similar nature, and will not be able to otherwise outclassing themselves from other walls.
So in summary:
Higher defense (as to HP) is more desirable when you are an offensive pokemon who wishes to abuse their bulk. You will take less damage (varying depending on the gap) allowing you to switchin and setup easier.
High HP (as opposed to your defense stat) is more desirable when you have the liberty to run a lot of EVs in your defenses. Pokemon who are like Suicune or Snorlax would most enjoy this, and Snorlax frequently does.
When looking at a pokemon as a total wall in one particular stat, the amount of base HP/DEF does not matter assuming a completely dedicated wall running max and plus nature in one particular defensive stat.
There are other things to take into consideration, such as Pain Split, Toxic, and Leech Seed from potential counters, all of which also make HP less desirable.
At 0 EVs, neutral nature, the ant comes out slightly bulkier
Lead Metagross EQ to Scizor: 44.1
Lead Metagross EQ to Ant: 43
So far it seems the ant is bulkier, meaning that high defense but low HP is more desirable. This makes ghost walls with their low HP but high defense look more appealing for reasons other than Pain Split.
At Max EVs, neutral nature, Scizor comes out slightly bulkier by the same small distance.
This is good news for balanced bulky pokemon, who with mixed stats want to play both offensive and defensive roles simulatiously, (looking at you, Snorlax). Now it appears that HP is more important.
At Max EVs, Bold nature, they are both even.
This is good news for all dedicated walls, as they have advantage over balanced Pokemon who want to run an Adamant or similar nature, and will not be able to otherwise outclassing themselves from other walls.
So in summary:
Higher defense (as to HP) is more desirable when you are an offensive pokemon who wishes to abuse their bulk. You will take less damage (varying depending on the gap) allowing you to switchin and setup easier.
High HP (as opposed to your defense stat) is more desirable when you have the liberty to run a lot of EVs in your defenses. Pokemon who are like Suicune or Snorlax would most enjoy this, and Snorlax frequently does.
When looking at a pokemon as a total wall in one particular stat, the amount of base HP/DEF does not matter assuming a completely dedicated wall running max and plus nature in one particular defensive stat.
There are other things to take into consideration, such as Pain Split, Toxic, and Leech Seed from potential counters, all of which also make HP less desirable.