Surgeon
venice bitch
[OVERVIEW]
Articuno's ability to compress roles as both a Defog and a Heal Bell user allows it to carve a niche on stall teams as a specially bulky support Pokemon, capable of removing entry hazards against Pokemon like Hippowdon, Empoleon, and Nidoking. Pressure is also one of Articuno's most useful traits, allowing it to stall out moves like Stealth Rock and Toxic, making it hard for the opponent to spread residual damage around the team, which any bulky build would appreciate. On top of this, Articuno is able to sponge hits from very strong special attackers like Hydreigon, Mega Blastoise, and Nidoking thanks to its incredibly high Special Defense stat and overall bulk. Articuno also possesses a decent Speed tier for a bulky Pokemon, which gives it the opportunity to outspeed Pokemon like Crawdaunt and non-Timid Primarina with the right EV investment. Despite this, Articuno's 4x weakness to Stealth Rock makes it hard for it to come into play all the time and perform its role, meaning it mandates a lot more team support than most other Pokemon. Its subpar defensive typing also holds it back, providing it with only two resistances and an immunity to Ground-type attacks, aggravating its difficulty to come into play and making it weak to common offensive threats like Scizor, Mega Aerodactyl, and Cobalion. Furthermore, Pokemon like Mega Aggron and Nihilego can easily set up Stealth Rock and prevent Articuno from coming in and using Defog as well. Although Articuno is able to compress roles by running both Defog and Heal Bell on its set, it still faces heavy competition as a Defogger from Pokemon like Moltres, which has a much better defensive typing and consequently a relatively easier time finding an opportunity to Defog. Its passive nature can also provide free turns for certain setup sweepers that are particularly threatening to defensive builds like Terrakion and Infernape.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Defog
move 2: Heal Bell
move 3: Freeze-Dry
move 4: Roost
item: Leftovers
ability: Pressure
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 4 Def / 160 SpD / 96 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Defog allows Articuno to remove entry hazards from the field, and it can find an opportunity to do that against Pokemon like Stealth Rock Empoleon, Klefki, and Hippowdon. Heal Bell provides Articuno with the ability to heal itself and the rest of the team from any status condition. It also eases the matchup against defensive hazard setters that rely on status moves to threaten Articuno. Freeze-Dry hits Water-types like Tentacruel and Primarina super effectively and notably hits Empoleon for neutral damage.
Set Details
========
The given Speed investment allows Articuno to outspeed Jolly Crawdaunt, and the 4 Defense EVs in conjunction with the HP investment allow it to survive a Choice Band-boosted Bullet Punch from Scizor at maximum HP. If outspeeding Crawdaunt is not desirable, it's acceptable to fully invest in Special Defense.
Usage Tips
========
In order to utilize Articuno effectively, it's advised to switch into entry hazard setters like Hippowdon and Seismitoad as often as possible to Defog their hazards away. Articuno will come out on top most of the time, as it can PP stall their moves with Pressure. However, Articuno shouldn't be switching in when Stealth Rock is already up, as it will take a lot of damage . Instead, it's best to use a different Pokemon like Gligar or Tentacruel to remove it first, if feasible. It's also encouraged to take advantage of Pressure and switch into moves like Stealth Rock, Toxic, and Defog as often as possible in order to stall out their PP and consequently make it harder for the opponent to continually damage the team. Roost should be used proactively, as keeping Articuno as healthy as possible is extremely important, in case it's forced to come into play while Stealth Rock is up. Due to its high Special Defense stat, Articuno can also be used to sponge special attacks from Pokemon like Primarina and Starmie if necessary. Be aware and scout for coverage moves such as Krookodile's Stone Edge that could be aimed at Articuno, as they could either OHKO it or leave it at a very low amount of HP. Watch out for Heal Bell's PP, since it can run out very quickly, and defensive teams heavily rely on cleric support in order to succeed.
Team Options
========
Articuno fits best on bulkier builds that appreciate its ability to compress roles as a cleric and a Defogger and shouldn't be used outside of those types of teams due to the specific amount of support it requires. Additional forms of entry hazard removal are a must-have whenever using Articuno, as it can't keep removing hazards throughout long periods of time by itself due to its 4x weakness to Stealth Rock and the number of entry hazard setters that match up well against it. Pokemon like Gligar, Tentacruel, and Empoleon can provide such support. Pokemon that can sponge Rock-type attacks aimed at Articuno like Slowbro and Hippowdon pair well with Articuno. The examples given also benefit from the Heal Bell support. Steel-type checks such as Moltres and the aforementioned Tentacruel also make good partners, as Pokemon like Scizor and Cobalion can prove to be a big nuisance to Articuno. Rocky Helmet Amoonguss is also a notable partner for being able to punish Scizor's U-turn. Wish support from Pokemon like Blissey and Alomomola can be very useful, allowing Articuno to switch into special attackers more easily. It's also useful to minimize any hazard damage that Articuno is forced to take. Bulky Water-types like Alomomola, Suicune, and Slowbro share good synergy with Articuno, as they match up well against most of its checks, such as Mega Aerodactyl, Infernape, and Terrakion. In return, Articuno can keep Grass-types like Amoonguss in check and provide Heal Bell support. Electric-immune Pokemon such as Krookodile and Mega Steelix also pair well with Articuno, as Pokemon like Zeraora and Mega Manectric can threaten it a lot.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
There are no other viable options available.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Stealth Rock**: Stealth Rock deals a lot of damage to Articuno, making it lose half of its maximum health upon switching in, which severely limits its opportunities to come into play.
**Rock-types**: Pokemon like Terrakion, Mega Aerodactyl, and Nihilego can easily OHKO Articuno with their Rock-type STAB moves. Terrakion can set up on it with a relative ease, while Nihilego is able to use the free turns by setting up hazards, as they don't take much from Articuno's attacks. Mega Aerodactyl, however, has trouble directly switching into a potential Freeze-Dry.
**Steel-types**: Offensive Steel-types like Scizor, Cobalion, and Lucario can easily tank Articuno's attacks and use it as a setup fodder, while Pokemon like Mega Aggron and Stakataka also take little to no damage from Freeze-Dry and are able set up Stealth Rock without any drawbacks.
**Strong Physical Attackers**: Pokemon like Mamoswine and Heracross can power through Articuno with ease with their strong hits due to its lack of Defense investment.
**Fire-types**: Pokemon like Infernape, Moltres, and Rotom-H can threaten Articuno with their STAB moves while not taking any notable damage from Freeze-Dry. In addition, both Infernape and Moltres can also freely set up on it.
**Electric-types**: Pokemon like Mega Manectric and Zeraora are big threats to Articuno, as they can hit it very hard with their Electric-type attacks. Zeraora can also use it as a setup fodder, as it doesn't take much from Freeze-Dry.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Surgeon, 347604]]
- Quality checked by: [[Hilomilo, 313384], [martha, 384270 ], [Nuked, 382658]]
- Grammar checked by: [[lotiasite, 302985], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
Articuno's ability to compress roles as both a Defog and a Heal Bell user allows it to carve a niche on stall teams as a specially bulky support Pokemon, capable of removing entry hazards against Pokemon like Hippowdon, Empoleon, and Nidoking. Pressure is also one of Articuno's most useful traits, allowing it to stall out moves like Stealth Rock and Toxic, making it hard for the opponent to spread residual damage around the team, which any bulky build would appreciate. On top of this, Articuno is able to sponge hits from very strong special attackers like Hydreigon, Mega Blastoise, and Nidoking thanks to its incredibly high Special Defense stat and overall bulk. Articuno also possesses a decent Speed tier for a bulky Pokemon, which gives it the opportunity to outspeed Pokemon like Crawdaunt and non-Timid Primarina with the right EV investment. Despite this, Articuno's 4x weakness to Stealth Rock makes it hard for it to come into play all the time and perform its role, meaning it mandates a lot more team support than most other Pokemon. Its subpar defensive typing also holds it back, providing it with only two resistances and an immunity to Ground-type attacks, aggravating its difficulty to come into play and making it weak to common offensive threats like Scizor, Mega Aerodactyl, and Cobalion. Furthermore, Pokemon like Mega Aggron and Nihilego can easily set up Stealth Rock and prevent Articuno from coming in and using Defog as well. Although Articuno is able to compress roles by running both Defog and Heal Bell on its set, it still faces heavy competition as a Defogger from Pokemon like Moltres, which has a much better defensive typing and consequently a relatively easier time finding an opportunity to Defog. Its passive nature can also provide free turns for certain setup sweepers that are particularly threatening to defensive builds like Terrakion and Infernape.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Defog
move 2: Heal Bell
move 3: Freeze-Dry
move 4: Roost
item: Leftovers
ability: Pressure
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 4 Def / 160 SpD / 96 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Defog allows Articuno to remove entry hazards from the field, and it can find an opportunity to do that against Pokemon like Stealth Rock Empoleon, Klefki, and Hippowdon. Heal Bell provides Articuno with the ability to heal itself and the rest of the team from any status condition. It also eases the matchup against defensive hazard setters that rely on status moves to threaten Articuno. Freeze-Dry hits Water-types like Tentacruel and Primarina super effectively and notably hits Empoleon for neutral damage.
Set Details
========
The given Speed investment allows Articuno to outspeed Jolly Crawdaunt, and the 4 Defense EVs in conjunction with the HP investment allow it to survive a Choice Band-boosted Bullet Punch from Scizor at maximum HP. If outspeeding Crawdaunt is not desirable, it's acceptable to fully invest in Special Defense.
Usage Tips
========
In order to utilize Articuno effectively, it's advised to switch into entry hazard setters like Hippowdon and Seismitoad as often as possible to Defog their hazards away. Articuno will come out on top most of the time, as it can PP stall their moves with Pressure. However, Articuno shouldn't be switching in when Stealth Rock is already up, as it will take a lot of damage . Instead, it's best to use a different Pokemon like Gligar or Tentacruel to remove it first, if feasible. It's also encouraged to take advantage of Pressure and switch into moves like Stealth Rock, Toxic, and Defog as often as possible in order to stall out their PP and consequently make it harder for the opponent to continually damage the team. Roost should be used proactively, as keeping Articuno as healthy as possible is extremely important, in case it's forced to come into play while Stealth Rock is up. Due to its high Special Defense stat, Articuno can also be used to sponge special attacks from Pokemon like Primarina and Starmie if necessary. Be aware and scout for coverage moves such as Krookodile's Stone Edge that could be aimed at Articuno, as they could either OHKO it or leave it at a very low amount of HP. Watch out for Heal Bell's PP, since it can run out very quickly, and defensive teams heavily rely on cleric support in order to succeed.
Team Options
========
Articuno fits best on bulkier builds that appreciate its ability to compress roles as a cleric and a Defogger and shouldn't be used outside of those types of teams due to the specific amount of support it requires. Additional forms of entry hazard removal are a must-have whenever using Articuno, as it can't keep removing hazards throughout long periods of time by itself due to its 4x weakness to Stealth Rock and the number of entry hazard setters that match up well against it. Pokemon like Gligar, Tentacruel, and Empoleon can provide such support. Pokemon that can sponge Rock-type attacks aimed at Articuno like Slowbro and Hippowdon pair well with Articuno. The examples given also benefit from the Heal Bell support. Steel-type checks such as Moltres and the aforementioned Tentacruel also make good partners, as Pokemon like Scizor and Cobalion can prove to be a big nuisance to Articuno. Rocky Helmet Amoonguss is also a notable partner for being able to punish Scizor's U-turn. Wish support from Pokemon like Blissey and Alomomola can be very useful, allowing Articuno to switch into special attackers more easily. It's also useful to minimize any hazard damage that Articuno is forced to take. Bulky Water-types like Alomomola, Suicune, and Slowbro share good synergy with Articuno, as they match up well against most of its checks, such as Mega Aerodactyl, Infernape, and Terrakion. In return, Articuno can keep Grass-types like Amoonguss in check and provide Heal Bell support. Electric-immune Pokemon such as Krookodile and Mega Steelix also pair well with Articuno, as Pokemon like Zeraora and Mega Manectric can threaten it a lot.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
There are no other viable options available.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Stealth Rock**: Stealth Rock deals a lot of damage to Articuno, making it lose half of its maximum health upon switching in, which severely limits its opportunities to come into play.
**Rock-types**: Pokemon like Terrakion, Mega Aerodactyl, and Nihilego can easily OHKO Articuno with their Rock-type STAB moves. Terrakion can set up on it with a relative ease, while Nihilego is able to use the free turns by setting up hazards, as they don't take much from Articuno's attacks. Mega Aerodactyl, however, has trouble directly switching into a potential Freeze-Dry.
**Steel-types**: Offensive Steel-types like Scizor, Cobalion, and Lucario can easily tank Articuno's attacks and use it as a setup fodder, while Pokemon like Mega Aggron and Stakataka also take little to no damage from Freeze-Dry and are able set up Stealth Rock without any drawbacks.
**Strong Physical Attackers**: Pokemon like Mamoswine and Heracross can power through Articuno with ease with their strong hits due to its lack of Defense investment.
**Fire-types**: Pokemon like Infernape, Moltres, and Rotom-H can threaten Articuno with their STAB moves while not taking any notable damage from Freeze-Dry. In addition, both Infernape and Moltres can also freely set up on it.
**Electric-types**: Pokemon like Mega Manectric and Zeraora are big threats to Articuno, as they can hit it very hard with their Electric-type attacks. Zeraora can also use it as a setup fodder, as it doesn't take much from Freeze-Dry.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Surgeon, 347604]]
- Quality checked by: [[Hilomilo, 313384], [martha, 384270 ], [Nuked, 382658]]
- Grammar checked by: [[lotiasite, 302985], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
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