Articuno

Articuno

QC: 1/3 (tennisace), 2/3 (NatGeo), 3/3 (Ice-eyes)
GP: 1/2 (sirndpt), 2/2 (Shame That)

[Overview]

<p>Since its inception, Articuno has always been the least used of the three legendary birds, and this generation around, it's no different. Articuno remains in the NU tier as it did in DPP, mainly because, upon entering battle, Articuno loses half of its health to Stealth Rock, making it less able to switch in and take hits like it's supposed to. However, despite being overshadowed by its own brothers, Articuno can hold its own in this tier with its good HP stat and amazing Special Defense stat, making it a viable choice as a special wall. Articuno is also blessed with a very good defensive movepool, packing almost every kind of support move, from status inflicting moves, such as Toxic, to phazing moves, namely Roar.</p>

[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Ice Beam
move 2: Roost
move 3: Roar
move 4: Heal Bell / Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Pressure
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 252 SpD / 8 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Articuno's Special Defense stat is incredible, and this set really makes good use of it. The combination of Pressure and Roost allows Articuno to survive special assaults with ease while whittling the opponent's PP away at double the speed. Ice Beam is a STAB move that deals a good amount of damage and prevents Articuno from becoming vulnerable to Taunt. Roar lets the bird shuffle around the opponent's team and rack up some residual damage from entry hazards, or just to momentarily get rid of a threat by simply forcing it out of the battle. The moves listed on the last slot have different functions: Heal Bell increases Articuno's survivability and helps out the rest of the team, whereas Toxic lets Articuno stall out opponents more effectively or force switches.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>The listed EV spread allows Articuno to make the best use of its high Special Defense stat. However, a spread of 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spe with a Bold nature can also be used to turn Articuno into a mixed wall. Reflect can also be used in the last slot to raise Articuno's average Defense stat. Entry hazard support is very useful to Articuno, because it has the ability to shuffle the opponent's team, therefore racking up residual damage every time a new Pokemon enters the field. Metang, Probopass, Torterra, and Bastiodon are good partners, as they can lay down Stealth Rock and take on the Rock-types Articuno hates. When not running Toxic, it is recommended that you run a Pokemon with Toxic Spikes, as it helps Articuno to perform its stalling job. Garbodor can set up both Toxic Spikes and Spikes, making an excellent choice. Moreover, Rapid Spin support is absolutely mandatory, since the bird loses half of its health just by switching in to Stealth Rock. Wartortle and Torkoal are decent options for this role.</p>

[SET]
name: SubRoost
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Roost
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Pressure
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>The SubRoost set, first popularized in DPP, makes a return in BW. As with the similar Zapdos set, Speed is needed, and Articuno packs just enough. Pressure is even deadlier on this set than on the Defensive set, as Articuno will be able to take many more hits. Substitute protects it from status, while Roost allows it to reliably regain health. When combined with Toxic, Articuno becomes one of the best Toxic stalling Pokemon in the tier, only being stopped by Steel- and Poison-types, who are both immune to Toxic. Ice Beam is used to prevent Articuno from becoming Taunt bait.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>In order to make this set effective, maximum Speed is required to ensure Articuno will have a Substitute up before the opponent has the opportunity to strike. Reflect, Roar, and Heal Bell can all be used in the last slot if Toxic is unneeded, as they raises Articuno's average Defense stat, shuffle out the opponent's team, or heal Articuno and its teammates from any status conditions respectively. Rapid Spin support is absolutely required for this set. Wartortle and Torkoal are good options; the latter is also able to lay down Stealth Rock.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>Thanks to Articuno's respectable bulk, it can make use of a RestTalk set with Roar and Ice Beam. Other moves available to Articuno include Tailwind, Hail, Protect, Haze, and Icy Wind, although they are overall inferior to the ones listed above, as these moves don't pack enough power or the strategies implied by them are not as viable as the listed moves. Finally, Articuno can use a Choice Scarf well, creating a surprise factor that may be decisive in some battles.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>Articuno is completely walled by Steel-types, such as Bastiodon, Metang, Mawile, and Wormadam-S, as they resist Articuno's STAB moves, and are immune to Toxic. Rock-type moves can take down Articuno very easily, so any potent attacker, such as Sawk, Armaldo, or Gigalith, can take out Articuno in one blow. Laying down Stealth Rock is a very effective way to get rid of Articuno, as it will lose 50% of its health just by coming in. This will leave it vulnerable to being revenge killed by faster threats, such as Sawk, Tauros, and Swellow. Rock Blast is also a very good move to use against Articuno, as it is super effective and it can break through Articuno's Substitutes.</p>

SubRoost shouldn't be the first set because i literally never see it in NU

in fact its pretty terrible considering Sawk tramples it, gorebyss and carracosta set up on it, etc

tennisace said:

SubRoost shouldn't be the first set because i literally never see it in NU

in fact its pretty terrible considering Sawk tramples it, gorebyss and carracosta set up on it, etc

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Sawk destroys every Articuno set unless you run like an Offensive variant that can outspeed with a Flying move or something else wierd imo. And as for Carracosta/Gorebyss, you have Roar

You have Roar listed as the third option in the fourth set. Honestly, the set should look more like:

Ice Beam
Roost
Roar
Heal Bell/Substitute

with Toxic in AC since Articuno doesn't really have the chops to Toxic Stall in this metagame.

What about Sub?

I would make two sets: one which is tennisaces' set and then a SubRoost which has max speed and HP with Toxic/IB/sub/roost. Arti is fast for the tier and will want the speed for sub/toxic. When going defensive, Heal Bell/roar is arti's best support. Also, unless there's a better reason than "to balance things out" for using a def oriented spread, I would go for SpD. Many of the top physical attackers carry rock moves (are rock-types even) and articuno can't tank that stuff. It can, on the other hand, tank Electric and Fire moves when running a SpD spread. For example you can, on average, stall Timid Scarf Magmortar out of Fire Blast PP by spamming Roost - stuff like Torkoal and non specs Rotom-S are cake. A fast sub roost is definitely warranted because of all of the 8 PP Fire Blast, Stone Edge, Close Combat that fly around the tier, which you can stall out.

Scoopapa said:

I would make two sets: one which is tennisaces' set and then a SubRoost which has max speed and HP with Toxic/IB/sub/roost. Arti is fast for the tier and will want the speed for sub/toxic. When going defensive, Heal Bell/roar is arti's best support. Also, unless there's a better reason than "to balance things out" for using a def oriented spread, I would go for SpD. Many of the top physical attackers carry rock moves (are rock-types even) and articuno can't tank that stuff. It can, on the other hand, tank Electric and Fire moves when running a SpD spread. For example you can, on average, stall Timid Scarf Magmortar out of Fire Blast PP by spamming Roost - stuff like Torkoal and non specs Rotom-S are cake. A fast sub roost is definitely warranted because of all of the 8 PP Fire Blast, Stone Edge, Close Combat that fly around the tier, which you can stall out.

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I support your change of the first "support" set being specially defensive, I was going to say it myself but for some reason I didn't? I don't remember why because Ice/Flying loses that nice Fighting-type resist and it resists Grass, is neutral to Ice, etc. Pretty poor typing in general but what are you gonna do.

As for a fast SubRoost set, I'm kind of on the fence about this. You're right in saying that Articuno has nice speed but I'm not really sure about the strategy in general, especially since giving Sawk or Gorebyss a free turn isn't really ideal, since the best you can do is Toxic them or get in a weak NVE hit. If a QC member wants to test this out a bit and give me their opinion I'll definitely consider it since it seems somewhat viable. If it isn't worth a set then its worth a fairly big OO mention.

When you say free turns are you talking about revenge kills or switchins? Articuno can handle Gorebyss from behind a sub by toxic stalling it, and it can PP stall Choiced Sawk from behind a sub since it can only hurt you with 8 PP moves. Granted, both can force you out on a revenge kill (or gorebyss switching in on ice beam), but it's not necessarily a "free" switch. I'll admit that I haven't used arti much since DDP uu, so testing is definitely in order.

I guess it could, but I'm pretty sure if Gorebyss gets a smash it wins (especially without Special Defense EVs). You may be right about Sawk, but Articuno dies eventually because it can't Sub FOREVER. Zebraiken said he would test this so we'll see what he says.

I made a few changes that are according to your comments, I think

Make sure when you write this you mention good teammates in the AC of each set!

Thank you everybody :)

[Overview]

<p>Since the previous generations its inception, Articuno has always been the less least more/less when talking about two, most/least when talking about three or more used of the three legendary birds, and this time generation around, it's not different. Articuno remains in the NU tier as it did in DPP NU, probably mainly because, when called to upon entering battle, Articuno loses half of its health due to Stealth Rock, making it a very difficult Pokemon less able to switch in and take hits like it's suposed to. However, despite being undershadowed by its own brothers, Articuno can hold itself on its own in this tier with its good HP stat and amazing Special Defense stat, making it a viable choice as a special wall. Not only that, but Articuno is also blessed with a very good defensive movepool, packing almost every kind of support moves, from status inflicting moves like ,<comma> such as Toxic,<comma> to phazing moves like ,<comma> namely Roar.</p>

[SET]
Name: Defensive
Move 1: Ice Beam
Move 2: Roost
Move 3: Roar
Move 4: Heal Bell / Toxic
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
Nature: Calm
EV's evs: 248 HP / 252 SpD / 8 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Articuno's Special Defense stat is incredible,<comma> and this set really makes good use of it. With the help of its ability, Pressure, when paired with the move Roost, Articuno can The combination of Pressure and Roost allows Articuno to restore its health very easily while reducing the opponent's PP to half, giving Articuno the ability to stall out the opponent twice as fast quickly. Ice Beam is a STAB move that deals a good amount of damage and prevents Articuno to struggle under the effects of Taunt from becoming vulnerable to Taunt. Roar lets the bird shuffle around the opponent's team and rack up some residual damage provenient from entry hazards,<comma> or just to momentarily get rid of a threat by simply sending forcing preferential it out of the battle. The moves listed on the last slot have different functions: Heal Bell increases Articuno's survivability and helps out the rest of the team, whereas Toxic lets Articuno stall out opponent's opponents more effectively or force switches.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>The listed EV spread allows Articuno to take maximum income make the best use of its high Special Defense stat. However, a spread of 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spe with a Bold nature can also be used to turn Articuno into a mixed wall. Reflect can also be used in the last slot to raise Articuno's average Defense stat. Entry hazard support are very useful to Articuno, since because it has the ability to shuffle the opponent's team, therefore racking up residual damage every time a new Pokemon enters the field. Metang, Probopass, Torterra,<comma> and Bastiodon are good partners, as they can lay down Stealth Rock and take on those the Rock-types Articuno hates. When not running Toxic, it is recommendable to recommended that you run a Pokemon with Toxic Spikes, as it helps out Articuno to perform its stalling job. Garbodor can set up both Toxic Spikes and Spikes. Moreover, Rapid Spin support is absolutely mandatory, since the bird loses half of its health just by switching in to Stealth Rock. Wartortle and Torkoal are decent options for this role.</p>

[SET]
Name: SubRoost
Move 1: Substitute
Move 2: Roost
Move 3: Ice Beam
Move 4: Toxic
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
Nature: Timid
EV's evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Earned its reputation from the previous generation, The SubRoost set,<comma> first popularized in DPP, makes a second appearence alongside with Articuno return to BW Articuno's analysis. Smilar to the set run by Ziapdos As with the similar Zapdos set note spelling of 'similar' and 'zapdos', Speed is needed,<comma> and Articuno packs just enough Speed to make proper use of this set. Pressure makes even a deadlier presence in is even deadlier on this set, since as Articuno will be able to take a lot many more hits.<period> and preventing it from getting inflicted with status due to being behind a Substitute and constantly regaining its health by using Roost. Substitute protects it from status, while Roost allows it to reliably regain health. swapped out 'constantly' because it sort of infers aqua ring / ingrain-esque constant passive recovery. When combined with Toxic, Articuno stands up as becomes one of the best Toxic stalling Pokemon in the tier, only being stopped by Steel- and Poison-types, who are both immune to Toxic. Ice Beam is used to prevent Articuno from being Taunt bait.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>In order to make this set effective, maximum Speed is required, meaning to ensure Articuno will have a Substitute up before the opponent has the opportunity to strike. Reflect, Roar and Heal Bell can all be used in the last slot if you don't need Articuno to inflict a badly poison status to the opponent Toxic is unneeded, since as they raises Articuno's average Defense stat, shuffle out the opponent's team,<comma> or heal Articuno and its teammates from any status conditions, respectively. Rapid Spin support is absolutely required for this set. Wartortle and Torkoal are good options, ;<semicolon> the latter one also being is also able to lay down Stealth Rock.

[Other Options]

<p>Thanks to Articuno's respectable bulk, it can make use of a RestTalk set with Roar and Ice Beam. A Restalk set can be used with Roar due to Articuno's very respectable bulk. Other moves like available to Articuno include Tailwind, Hail, Protect, Haze,<comma> and Icy Wind can also be used, although they are overall inferior to the ones listed above why?. A Choice Scarf can also be used Finally, Articuno can use a Choice Scarf well try to use the active voice rather than the passive voice; it makes the analysis more lively and easier to read, creating a surprise factor that may be decisive in some battles</p>.

[Checks and Counters]

<p>Articuno is completely walled by Steel-types, such as Bastiodon, Metang, Mawile, and Wormadam-S, since as they resist Articuno's STAB moves, and are immune to Poison Toxic and they can take Articuno's STAB moves very well. Rock-type moves can take down Articuno very easily, so any potent attacker like ,<comma> such as Sawk, Armaldo,<comma> and Gigalith can take out Arcanine ARTICUNO in one blow. Having a Pokemon to lay Laying down Stealth Rock is also a very effective way to get rid of Articuno.<period> since As it loses will lose 50% of its health just by coming in, letting the bird it will be left vulnerable to revenge killing being revenge killed by a potent and fast Pokemon like ,<comma> such as Sawk, Tauros and ,<comma> or Swellow.</p> perhaps mention rock blast for killing it through its sub?

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1/2

I facepalm'd at Arcanine xD

Also, I explained why the moves listed in OO are inferior, but that sentence might need some corrections, but nothing a second person can't do. Thanks for the check sirndpt ;)

REMOVE ADD

64



GP 2/2

Holy crap I am so funny

Thank you all, this is done!

uploaded