OU Pokémon in 1v1

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Introduction

OU is the most popular Smogon tier, with Pokémon being brought in teams of 6 and players being allowed to send out and switch whenever they want. This allows Pokémon to play roles in different archetypes, like balance, stall, and offense. In 1v1's case, you can only bring 3 Pokémon to a battle and send out one. Once that Pokémon faints, the battle is over. These rules change up which kinds of Pokémon are good in the tier; Pokémon that are individually strong but aren't necessarily good fits on these OU archetypes or playstyles are much better in 1v1 than in OU, and vice versa. The mechanic that has perhaps the largest impact on USM 1v1 is Z-Moves, as there's no downside to running these, as you only send 1 Pokémon out. The same is true for Mega Evolutions. The huge role of these Pokémon with high stats and high-Base Power attacks makes 1v1 a very polarizing format, with threats being either extremely offensive or defensive.

In this article, we'll be looking at OU Pokémon and see how well they work in 1v1.

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Pokémon better in OU

While still strong in 1v1, Landorus-T is not on the same level as it is in OU. One reason for this is the different purpose Pokémon serve in OU. Without hazards, 1v1 doesn't require any utility or momentum, so Landorus-T's capabilities as a Stealth Rock setter, Defogger, or U-turn pivot as well as its good role compression are entirely moot. Its ability Intimidate is still good in 1v1 but not nearly as good as in OU, where it can switch in on physical attackers as a pivot. That being said, one issue Landorus-T has is in the 1v1 metagame it loses to common threats like Mega Slowbro, Tapu Lele, and Dragonite. In OU, Landorus is a jack of all trades with the ability to be a setup sweeper, a pivot, a Defogger, or a suicide lead, while in 1v1 it's a niche offensive Pokémon opting to beat specific threats like Mega Gyarados with Flyinium Z or Greninja with a Choice Scarf set.

Viable Sets: N/A

Ash-Greninja just doesn't mechanically work in 1v1. If you KO a Pokémon with Greninja, the battle is over. Therefore, Battle Bond is useless, and better abilities for the metagame like Protean and Torrent are run instead. Protean sets run coverage moves with Choice Specs due to the bulkiness of the tier; a Choice Scarf set doesn't hit hard enough to justify the drop in Special Attack, although it can be used as a lure for frailer Pokémon that attempt to beat Greninja by outspeeding it. A key factor in the success of this set is its ability to use Hydro Cannon, as one turn of recharge isn't a drawback that matters in a metagame where many battles are decided in just one turn. Torrent isn't seen in OU, but in 1v1, it is used in conjunction with Substitute and Waterium Z or Petaya Berry to get down to 25% HP, boosting the power of its Water-type moves and activating the Berry (if applicable) to demolish the opposing Pokémon with a huge boosted Hydro Cannon.

Viable Sets: None

Regenerator Pokémon like these are in the same situation as Ash-Greninja, as the ability that makes these mons shine in OU just doesn't work in the 1v1 format. In addition to this, many Regenerator Pokémon rely on their bulk to be viable. However, due to the Z-Move metagame that 1v1 is currently in, to be viable as a bulky Pokémon, you must have immense bulk that these pivots just don't have. For example, there's almost no reason to use Tangrowth over other Grass-types like Mega Venusaur due to its weaknesses to Charizard and Greninja as well as its inferior stats and ability. Without being able to serve their role as pivots, Pokémon with Regenerator are generally outclassed in the tier by stronger solo Pokémon.

Unbanned Ubers Pokémon in 1v1

Despite its stellar stats, Aegislash isn't the monster that it was in OU. While the 50/50s with King's Shield are still bad, it only has one viable set: a Ghostium Z attacker that is bulky and hits hard but is weak to key metagame threats like Gyarados and Charizard. Also, while its stats were too much for OU, they are are reasonable in the specialized metagame of 1v1.

Without the incredible setup ability it had in OU, Blaziken is just mediocre, lacking the raw offensive power to break through 1v1's bulky Pokémon without being KOed first.

Without the role of setting up hazards at a blistering Speed, this formidable Pokémon is relegated to a fast special attacker using Choice Specs or a stall Pokémon with Iron Defense and Amnesia.

Without the great pivoting ability that it provided in OU on top of threatening offensive capabilities, Genesect is merely a decent Choice Specs or Choice Scarf Pokémon in the 1v1 meta, not hitting hard enough to be a standout threat.

With Sheer Force and Life Orb and a solid 101 Speed, this Pokémon could just run through OU with bulky or fast breaker sets. In the bulkier format of 1v1, however, this offensive ability isn't enough to break through most Pokémon, and it is outclassed by bulkier or harder-hitting attackers such as Landorus-T and Naganadel.

Similarly to Blaziken, this Pokémon doesn't have to opportunity to set up, making Choice Specs its best set. This removes the extreme counterplay and guesswork that were required to deal with it in OU. It has a niche due to its solid Poison / Dragon coverage and Speed tier but loses to key metagame threats such as bulky Mega Charizard X, Dragonite, Magearna, and Greninja.

Too frail to ever get off a Quiver Dance against 1v1's offensive metagame and too weak to OHKO many of the bulky threats, this Pokémon isn't the threatening sweeper it was in OU and possesses far more checks. In addition to this, it is weak to the most common Pokémon in the metagame like Mega Charizard and Mega Gyarados, a flaw that makes it a rarer pick.

While still quite strong, this monster is checked and often finds itself OHKOed or 2HKOed by powerful Ice- and Fairy-type moves and by strong special attackers like Porygon-Z and Tapu Lele, and it struggles with Taunt users like Mega Gyarados, not getting the same opportunities to set up as it would in OU. It often doesn't have an opportunity to change its forme due to the offense present in the metagame.

Borderline

Magearna is fantastic in OU, acting in roles ranging from a formidable setup sweeper to a solid defensive pivot. Soul-Heart and Shift Gear mitigate Fleur Cannon's stat reductions and Magearna's low Speed, allowing it to effectively sweep if given a chance to set up. Its incredible coverage and ability to beat almost every wall given the right moves make it one of the most consistent sweepers in the tier. Defensively, its incredible typing and solid bulk provide both offensive and bulkier teams alike with a fantastic check to top-tier threats such as Ash-Greninja, Kartana, and Mega Alakazam. It can even set Trick Room. However, in 1v1 Soul-Heart doesn't work, Magearna can't act as a sweeper, and Mega Charizard X and Y run rampant. All of which beg the question: how is Magearna still a threat?

Early in the generation, most Magearna sets used Choice Specs, which was useful versus Aegislash and other Pokémon unable to break Magearna in one hit. This wasn't a meta-defining set, as it was weak to common threats like Earthquake Mega Gyarados, Dragonite, and Donphan. However, a Fairium Z Double Dance set emerged over time that turned out to be incredibly effective at defeating a wide range of Pokémon, including non-Choice Band Dragonite, Sturdy Ground-types investing into Speed, and even stall Pokémon like Mega Slowbro. Iron Defense and Calm Mind along with Pain Split allow Magearna to whittle down opposing Pokémon while setting up on them, and Fleur Cannon demolishes most Pokémon when boosted up. Just this one set has shaped the USM metagame, forcing people to run niche picks like Laser Focus Meloetta and Metal Sound Aegislash to break through this solid bulk, as well as causing the rise of Substitute to exploit Fleur Cannon and Pain Split's drawbacks. Alternative item options include Shuca Berry and even Choice Scarf to offset its Ground weakness and win in key matchups like Garchomp and Zygarde.

Magnezone is still great in OU, but for radically different reasons than in 1v1. Magnezone is primarily used in OU to trap bulky Steel-types like Celesteela, Ferrothorn, and Mega Scizor. It has solid flexibility in its sets as well, be it Choice Scarf, Choice Specs, or Electrium Z to set up.

However, in 1v1 this trapping potential is not necessary, allowing Magnezone to use Sturdy as its ability. Sturdy is incredibly effective in 1v1 with the foramt's lack of switching and entry hazards, guaranteeing that it isn't disrupted in every matchup. With this ability, Magnezone can defy death and KO opposing Pokémon back with Mirror Coat or Electrium Z-boosted Zap Cannon. In addition to this, it has access to great speed control in the form of Electroweb and solid stallbreaking potential with Metal Sound. It can also run Choice Specs or Steelium Z for items. Move options can include Endure to support a Custap Berry set and even Magnet Rise. Overall, this Pokémon's power and access to speed control make it a Sturdy threat in 1v1.

Pokémon better in 1v1

In OU, both Charizard formes are solid wallbreakers, but they are held back by a crippling Stealth Rock weakness, the dominating presence of many of their checks, such as Ash-Greninja, Toxapex, and Landorus-T, as well as competition from more consistent wallbreakers such as Mega Mawile and Mega Alakazam. Additionally, Mega Charizard X suffers from terrible four-moveslot syndrome, having to decide between recovery and a secondary STAB option in Dragon Claw. Yet Charizard is consistently one of, if not the top metagame threat in 1v1. The key reason for this lies in the fact that Charizard has 2 completely different Mega Evolutions with high viability, surprising amounts of both physical and special bulk, and a stellar typing and movepool.

One can EV Mega Charizard X in 1v1 to tank almost every move and beat almost everything, including Naganadel's Draco Meteor, Choice Scarf Porygon Z's Hyper Beam, and Choice Specs Greninja's Hydro Cannon. With access to Belly Drum and Swords Dance, Mega Charizard X can wallbreak with incredible effectiveness, beating typical "counters" like Type: Null and Zygarde-C. Flame Charge beats Substitute users like Mega Lopunny and Jumpluff, while Will-O-Wisp can demolish Sturdy users, non-Substitute Dragonite, and other physical attackers. Its two STAB attacks in Outrage and Flare Blitz along with Tough Claws can demolish most of the tier just by themselves. And this is just the tip of the iceberg, with access to moves like Earthquake, Roost, and Substitute allowing Charizard to edge out even more matchups. It has more exotic options like Confide, Tailwind, and Thunder Punch. This Pokémon really has it all, which makes it easily a top-tier threat in 1v1.

Mega Charizard Y is in a similar boat. This Pokémon can be very bulky, being able beat Pokémon like Mega Gyarados and Mega Lopunny when properly EVed. Access to an immediate Solar Beam thanks to Drought allows it to easily beat the bulky Water-types that typically wall its other forme, such as non-Rain Dance Tapu Fini and Mega Swampert. In addition to this, STAB sun-boosted Blast Burn can OHKO a majority of the tier, even if they are only hit neutrally by it. Other options for coverage include Air Slash for Mega Venusaur and Hidden Power Electric for a more consistent offensive Mega Gyarados matchup. In addition to this coverage, Mega Charizard Y can use speed control like Rock Tomb or Flame Charge and other utility such as Will-O-Wisp, Substitute, and Roost. All of these factors make Mega Charizard Y great in 1v1 as well.

Another reason why Charizard is just so good is that the formes look identical at Team Preview. Both are viable and cover different threats, making some matchups hinge on correctly predicting which forme it is on the first turn.

Mega Gyarados has long been the definition of a 1v1 S-rank pokemon that is just decent in other formats, with both its formes being good, but not great, offensive threats in OU.

One reason for this is the amount of flexibility the two formes give you. Having an ability like Intimidate whose effects persist after Mega Evolution is always great, making Gyarados one of the best physical checks in the tier. Mold Breaker is incredible, allowing Gyarados to beat Sturdy and Magic Bounce users, as well as ignore Dragonite's ability Multiscale. The ability to choose its typing also allows Gyarados to gain an edge in matchups against Pokémon like Mega Lopunny and Pheromosa that have moves resisted by one forme or the other. Its Dark typing also gives it an immunity to Prankster, which helps it beat Pokémon like non-Moonblast Whimsicott. In addition to this, Gyarados has one of the most solid movepools in the game. Dual STAB attacks of Waterfall and Crunch are available, along with Outrage, Ice Fang, Earthquake, Stone Edge, and Bounce. Along with this, Gyarados gets solid utility with Dragon Dance and Taunt. Often enough, though, all this Pokémon needs to succeed is Dragon Dance, Waterfall, and two attacks or Taunt. Similarly to Mega Charizard X, its incredible 95/103/130 bulk, especially when combined with Intimidate, allows it to be EVed to take almost any desired attack.

Dragonite is considered a niche pick in OU, as it faces direct competition from many other notable wallbreakers such as Landorus-T and Gyarados and is notably overreliant on Multiscale to find turns to set up. However, it is one of the best Pokémon in 1v1 and was even suspected.

One key reason is the application of its best ability, Multiscale. In a format without entry hazards or switching, Multiscale guarantees that Dragonite can tank a hit from all but the heaviest of attackers or Mold Breaker users, even being able to tank an Ice Beam from Choice Specs Protean Greninja given the correct investment. With this turn, Dragonite can set up with Dragon Dance or simply use its Z-Move followed up by Extreme Speed the next turn. Such access to a strong priority move is huge, as there are many matchups against faster but bulky Pokémon like offensive Mega Charizard X where Dragonite almost OHKOes the opposing Pokémon with its Z-Move and can then finish it off with Extreme Speed. In addition to this, Dragonite shines with its incredible offensive stats, diverse movepool that allows it to run either physical or special sets, and great offensive typing. With access even to options like Firium Z or Groundium Z to beat the Steel-types that usually counter it, this is truly an unpredictable Pokémon that is incredibly good in the format.

Banned 1v1 Pokémon that are legal in OU

For both of these, an issue was that they exemplified both bulky and hyper offense to the maximum degree, which proved too broken for the metagame.

Tapu Koko's incredible offensive abilities with Electric Terrain-boosted massive-BP Z-Moves as well as access to great bulk via Charge, Iron Defense, and Roost made it too overcentralizing and broken.

Relieved of the pressure of Stealth Rock and freed from its reliance on its Z-Move due to the nature of the metagame, Kyurem-B's incredible bulk and offensive capabilities proved too overcentralizing for the 1v1 metagame. A plethora of unpredictable sets, including Choice Scarf, Choice Band, Choice Specs, Icium Z, Weakness Policy, and Haban Berry, forced the community to run very specific checks like Genesect and specially defensive Mega Mawile to securely beat any variant.

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Final Thoughts

While sharing a largely similar pool of Pokémon, 1v1 and OU are fundamentally different tiers that require different strategies and mindsets due to a stark difference in mechanics and pace. Hopefully the lessons 1v1 teaches us about effective setup and efficient movesets can help us in OU and other metagames as well.

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