Pak
vortex
I meant to post this in my UUPL dump way back but forgot so here's this.
Celebi @ Psychium Z
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Giga Drain
- Psychic
- Nasty Plot
- U-turn
This set probably looks whack on the surface but let me explain. Something I really liked about Scarf Celebi while I used it, aside from the obvious Healing Wish, was its uncanny ability to get goons in good positions on Dragons and Steels. The downside is that it legit could never ever lock into STAB moves. Then it kind of hit me. As seen by its Recover + 2 attack set, Celebi only really needs its STAB moves to be effective. Realistically, you will never hit everything you want to, no matter the combination of moves, and sometimes it results in a huge loss of momentum. In less-than-stellar matchups, Celebi can have a tough time getting the ball rolling. It doesn't make much immediate progress on its own, and that is where U-turn comes in.
As mentioned with Scarf, the positioning U-turn Celebi provides is simply amazing. Especially with rocks up, getting other attackers into favorable positions vs Steels or Dragons can go a long way in applying immediate pressure. Your Rotom-Hs, Volcanions, and Infernapes, etc. vs the former and obviously Fairies vs Hydreigon. Perhaps the most appealing aspect is its ability to lure Latias and chunk it for an easier trap with Scarf Krookodile, as well as other scenarios like a Celebi mirror (honestly dropping 4 Speed EVs might be better to get a slow turn there but I never took the time to fully theorize, Mew makes it more complicated). Anyway, the premise in a nutshell is: U-turn early on to make progress with other mons or remove stuff like Latias, then clean with Celebi later. Another factor that plays into this is that they may expect Scarf, since U-turn is basically unseen otherwise besides dicks rocks sets.
Jarii vs hs, UUPL week 5
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen7uu-439596
This is kind of an extreme example since there's a Mandibuzz in 2019, but U-turn's value here is undeniable. It legit doesn't click a single other attack, since it can simply pivot out to CB Terrakion or Rotom-H to put on further pressure. Facing Mandibuzz, Latias, and Mega Aggron, Celebi would ordinarily be near dead weight, but instead it played a large role in handing Jarii the momentum early-on and pretty much for the rest of the game as a result.
Celebi @ Psychium Z
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Giga Drain
- Psychic
- Nasty Plot
- U-turn
This set probably looks whack on the surface but let me explain. Something I really liked about Scarf Celebi while I used it, aside from the obvious Healing Wish, was its uncanny ability to get goons in good positions on Dragons and Steels. The downside is that it legit could never ever lock into STAB moves. Then it kind of hit me. As seen by its Recover + 2 attack set, Celebi only really needs its STAB moves to be effective. Realistically, you will never hit everything you want to, no matter the combination of moves, and sometimes it results in a huge loss of momentum. In less-than-stellar matchups, Celebi can have a tough time getting the ball rolling. It doesn't make much immediate progress on its own, and that is where U-turn comes in.
As mentioned with Scarf, the positioning U-turn Celebi provides is simply amazing. Especially with rocks up, getting other attackers into favorable positions vs Steels or Dragons can go a long way in applying immediate pressure. Your Rotom-Hs, Volcanions, and Infernapes, etc. vs the former and obviously Fairies vs Hydreigon. Perhaps the most appealing aspect is its ability to lure Latias and chunk it for an easier trap with Scarf Krookodile, as well as other scenarios like a Celebi mirror (honestly dropping 4 Speed EVs might be better to get a slow turn there but I never took the time to fully theorize, Mew makes it more complicated). Anyway, the premise in a nutshell is: U-turn early on to make progress with other mons or remove stuff like Latias, then clean with Celebi later. Another factor that plays into this is that they may expect Scarf, since U-turn is basically unseen otherwise besides dicks rocks sets.
Jarii vs hs, UUPL week 5
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen7uu-439596
This is kind of an extreme example since there's a Mandibuzz in 2019, but U-turn's value here is undeniable. It legit doesn't click a single other attack, since it can simply pivot out to CB Terrakion or Rotom-H to put on further pressure. Facing Mandibuzz, Latias, and Mega Aggron, Celebi would ordinarily be near dead weight, but instead it played a large role in handing Jarii the momentum early-on and pretty much for the rest of the game as a result.