Yoko
I COULD BE BANNED!
[OVERVIEW]
Thanks to its amazing special bulk, Articuno is very capable of walling and stalling Pokemon like Shiftry and Audino; however, it is severely hindered by its bad typing that lets prominent foes like Monferno, Zebstrika, and Rampardos break it, and its weakness to entry hazards limits it from switching in consistently. Nevertheless, with its ability, Pressure, as well as reliable recovery in Roost, Articuno can be a great defensive asset to teams if it's provided with the proper support like other defensive Pokemon which help cover its weaknesses.
[SET]
Specially Defensive (Articuno) @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Roost
- Ice Beam
- Toxic / Roar
[SET COMMENTS]
With maximum Special Defense, this set focuses on using Articuno's bulk to stall out the opponent's team. Substitute prevents status from crippling Articuno; and allows it to stall out threatening low-PP moves such as Head Smash, Stone Edge, and Close Combat from users like Relicanth, Torterra, and Ursaring. Ice Beam helps Articuno not be too passive, threatening an OHKO on Torterra, Jumpluff, and Gabite, as well as 2HKOs on foes like Shiftry, Maractus, Fraxure, and Marowak. Toxic can be useful to stall out most defensive Pokemon if Articuno's team does not provide Toxic Spikes support; it can also be helpful to spread Toxic in conjunction with Pokemon like Bronzor and be a good option when paired with entry hazard setters like Dwebble, Stunfisk, and Torterra. Roar is an alternative that's useful if Articuno has entry hazard support and has value in phazing setup sweepers like Shiftry, Ursaring, and Mawile. Articuno can alternatively use an EV spread with maximum Speed investment, which lets it outspeed the likes of Gabite, Monferno, and Luxray; however, this leaves it more frail.
Due to the tier's abundance of entry hazard setters that can hinder Articuno, Natu and Rapid Spin users like Tentacool are very good teammates. In return, Articuno can help wall their checks like Shiftry. Articuno's weaknesses to Fire-, Rock-, and Electric-type moves let it be broken down by Pokemon like Monferno, Rampardos, and Raichu, making other defensive Pokemon that can cover these weaknesses like Frillish, Klang, and Stunfisk appreciated. In return, Articuno can help to wall Pokemon that threaten them like Shiftry, defensive Gabite, and Golduck. Articuno appreciates Heal Bell and Wish users like Audino, which can help offset its Stealth Rock weakness.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/yoko.617542/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/akir.231726/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bella.567483/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/therealbigc.532450/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/wrathoftheleopard.511181/
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