Making the Choice: A Guide to PU Choice Item Users

Introduction

Welcome to the wonderful world of PU, where Choice items reign as one of the most valuable parts of the metagame. Some of the most potent wallbreakers in PU make use of Choice Specs and Choice Band in tandem with strong STAB and coverage moves, and these Pokémon can be very threatening if used properly. On the other hand, Choice Scarf Pokémon are crucial on most teams to revenge kill set-up Pokémon, and there are very limited options once you break the base 115 Speed tier. Here I will showcase some common Choice item users, which happen to include a flying refrigerator and a three-headed flightless bird, and tips on how to utilize them.

Choice Scarf

Rotom-F

Rotom-F, with its excellent offensive typing, above-average base 105 Special Attack, and decent Speed tier, holds a place as one of the most effective Choice Scarf users of the tier. Rotom-F is able to hit the majority of the tier pretty hard, especially frail offensive Pokémon like Zebstrika which has a 25% chance of being OHKOed after Stealth Rock damage. It also hits a great deal of Pokémon super effectively like Simisage, Floatzel, and Gabite, making it a very effective revenge killer. Rotom-F is arguably the best user of Volt Switch, as it has Blizzard to punish the Ground-type Pokémon wanting to absorb it.

Utilizing Choice Scarf Rotom-F

Choice Scarf Rotom-F is great on both offensive and balanced teams for its ability to revenge kill Pokémon like Simisage and setup sweepers like Gorebyss. Rotom-F is also a nice hard counter to SubRoost Articuno, which is especially appreciated by balance teams. It often comes down to 50/50 scenarios when deciding to go for Volt Switch or Blizzard; what I like to do to ease this is just look at all my options. For example, if my opponent has a Lapras and a Golem and I only have a Politoed or Lumineon as a Water check but I do have a solid Golem switch-in, I'll always go for Volt Switch to prevent the Lapras from getting in, as Golem will be easier to handle. I often see Chinchou used as a counter to Rotom-F, and I often see Rotom-F using Trick on incoming Chinchou; this is a fine play, but before giving up Rotom-F's Choice Scarf, you should always stop and look at your opponent's team to see if it is more beneficial to keep it.

Mr. Mime

Choice Scarf Mr. Mime has been a staple set in PU for quite some time, having an above-average base 100 Special Attack and perfect neutral coverage with its STAB moves alongside Focus Blast. Choice Scarf Mr. Mime can also boast that it is the best user of Healing Wish in the tier. On top of this, it has options such as Baton Pass for keeping momentum or Trick for crippling switch-ins such as Audino and Metang.

Utilizing Choice Scarf Mr. Mime

Mr. Mime fits on balanced and offensive teams, as it has the ability to offensively check a good number of threats in the PU metagame such as Monferno, Rotom-F, Floatzel, Shell Smash Gorebyss, Arbok, and Roselia. It also sports quite a good selection of abilities, with Filter allowing it to take attacks like Roselia's Sludge Bomb much better and Soundproof letting it be immune to the likes of Chatot's Boomburst.

Chatot

Chatot has access to a very high-powered STAB move in Boomburst, which is a 100% accurate 140 Base Power move only resisted by three types, Rock, Steel, and Ghost. Coming off a decent base 91 Special Attack, this makes Chatot quite a prominent threat to offensive teams. By using Heat Wave and Hidden Power Fighting it can also weaken its own checks, but it wants to be using Boomburst whenever possible.

Utilizing Choice Scarf Chatot

Chatot wants to be using Boomburst as much as possible, so eliminating Pokémon that resist the move is quite crucial to using it effectively. Being one of the strongest Choice Scarf users without having to rely on an inaccurate STAB move makes Chatot a very viable cleaner, but it takes a bit of support to work consistently. Because of its low Speed, Chatot is vulnerable to other Choice Scarf users like Simipour. Being weak to Stealth Rock makes it easy to put in KO range of priority such as Monferno's Mach Punch and limits the number of times it can come in, so having hazard control is something I would recommend with Chatot.

Simipour

Simipour is the most common Water-type that runs Choice Scarf, and it is also the fastest common Choice Scarf user. It hits a fantastic Speed tier with base 101 Speed that allows it to outspeed the majority of the metagame while holding a Choice Scarf. Having fantastic coverage and a powerful STAB Hydro Pump, Simipour makes quite a potent Choice Scarf user. Ice Beam is great for hitting Grass-type switch-ins, and Simipour has several options in the last two slots. Hidden Power Grass, Focus Blast, and Hidden Power Electric are common choices, and with Simipour's decent mixed offense stats, it is very common to see the likes of Knock Off and Superpower (which hits the likes of Audino and Chinchou harder than Focus Blast) or Low Kick.

Utilizing Choice Scarf Simipour

Simipour makes a solid revenge killer and potential cleaner. You have to predict rather well on its incoming checks, which takes a bit of practice, but once you've learned how to deal with this, it will most certainly be putting in work most games it is involved in. Simipour will want to be going for Hydro Pump, so eliminating Pokémon that resist Water is important.

Floatzel

At first, Floatzel does not look does not look like excellent Choice Scarf user, but it, in fact, is potent in the role. With a base 115 Speed, it is able to run a Modest nature. This allows it to hit the same Special Attack stat as Naive Simipour while still keeping the ability to outpace the majority of the metagame, including other users of Choice Scarf. With a powerful STAB Hydro Pump, phenomenal coverage, and the means to keep momentum or cripple walls in Baton Pass or Switcheroo, it is definitely a revenge killer not to take lightly.

Utilizing Choice Scarf Floatzel

Choice Scarf Floatzel is best used on teams that need a reliable offensive check to fast Pokémon such as Ninjask and Electrode and setup sweepers like Dragon Dance Altaria. With its rather poor bulk, Floatzel will have very few opportunities to switch in, meaning it should be brought in on a free switch, after a Pokémon faints, or via slow VoltTurn. Having the same power but slightly lower Speed than Choice Scarf Simipour, it should also be running Switcheroo or Baton Pass, as this and the general surprise factor that Choice Scarf Floatzel brings are what sets them apart.

Dodrio

Dodrio has an excellent base 110 Attack and a good Speed tier, with base 100 Speed making it a reliable user of Choice Scarf; it also has strong STAB options in the form of Brave Bird and Return, meaning it doesn't struggle as much with bulky Grass-types like other Normal-type Pokémon such as Stoutland. Dodrio makes a very respectable revenge killer and cleaner, hitting a good portion of the tier for solid damage but struggling most with bulky Ground and Rock Pokémon such as Stunfisk and Probopass. Access to Knock Off helps in weakening its own checks and crippling Pokémon such as Klang and Prinplup.

Utilizing Choice Scarf Dodrio

Dodrio's typing and frailty leave it with few opportunities to switch in, so getting it in free is crucial to getting the most out of it. Early-game you will be clicking Knock Off quite a bit to cripple and weaken switch-ins like Golem. Eliminating threats like Mawile, Probopass, and priority users is crucial for securing a late-game Dodrio clean, as Steel- and Rock-type Pokémon are becoming more common in the metagame right now.

Choice Band

Floatzel

Having one of the highest Speed stats in the tier, only being outsped naturally by Zebstrika, Electrode, and Ninjask, Floatzel is a power wallbreaker also capable of cleaning and revenge killing, while a lot of other wallbreakers are best left to early- or mid-game. With its above-average base 105 Attack, it does a great job wearing down and breaking a good deal of the bulkier Pokémon in the tier, such as Roselia with Ice Punch and Politoed with Return, 2HKOing 200 HP variants after Stealth Rock damage. It also has access to priority in Aqua Jet, meaning it can even revenge kill the aforementioned faster Pokémon.

Utilizing Choice Band Floatzel

Choice Band Floatzel is appreciated on teams that need a fast and powerful revenge killer and wallbreaker. As with a lot of Choice item Pokémon, learning what coverage move to go for takes a bit of practice. With Aqua Jet it makes an excellent check to Monferno and faster Pokémon like Ninjask with the right amount of chip damage.

Stoutland

Stoutland has an excellent base 110 Attack backed by a wonderful ability in Scrappy. This makes its STAB Return rather easy to spam. Access to Superpower gives it a way to hit Rock- and Steel-type wannabe switch-ins very hard, actually outdamaging Adamant Eviolite Monferno's Close Combat. Having perfect neutral coverage in its STAB move, Crunch, and Superpower, it is able to run Facade very effectively, meaning it can handle status rather well. Getting solid filler moves for its final slot leaves it with very few guaranteed switch-ins, as it can carry Crunch for Solrock and Metang or make good use of Pursuit. Also, note that Stoutland can effectively use a Choice Band on its Sand Rush set, although Life Orb is much more common, and oftentimes using Choice Band on Sand Rush Stoutland can make it much more difficult to clean.

Utilizing Choice Band Stoutland

Stoutland is not very difficult to use effectively. Picking the right move can come down to 50/50 situations now and then, so it is always best to observe the situation and determine what you think is the right move to go for; this can take a bit of practice, but in time it gets easier. Sometimes you might see a Will-O-Wisp coming your way, and while it might seem like a great opportunity to get the boost to Facade, it is always a good idea to think about the situation and see if you would rather keep Stoutland's coverage at full power. Stoutland is a great wallbreaker, and it is a big reason why the neutral base 80 Speed tier is an important benchmark. The most common revenge killer to Stoutland is Monferno, so pairing it with a Monferno switch-in, such as Pelipper, is important to not only keep Stoutland around but to keep your team from getting worn down by it.

Ninjask

Ninjask is the fastest unboosted Pokémon in the tier of PU, with an absolutely ridiculous base 160 Speed. While it has a rather average base 80 Attack, it is just high enough to reliably revenge kill a good number of offensive threats with its STAB moves. With a Jolly nature, it is able to outspeed every unboosted Pokémon in the tier and several Choice Scarf Pokémon including Rotom-F and Mr. Mime. With coverage moves such as Night Slash and Giga Drain, it can get good damage on checks such as Relicanth, Golem, and Misdreavus. Toxic is also an option for wearing down the those Pokémon, and it also is best option for the likes of Stunfisk.

Utilizing Choice Band Ninjask

Ninjask loves keeping up momentum with powerful U-turns. It works very well with other U-turn and Volt Switch users like Zebstrika, Rotom-F, and Monferno. Being in control of entry hazards is crucial in using Ninjask as effectively as possible. Both relying on hazard damage and having Stealth Rock off its side of the field should be a top priority on any team Ninjask is on. Knowing when to U-turn, go for coverage, or hard switch is also very important. Say a Stunfisk comes in on your Ninjask; it is always better to hard switch to your counter rather than going for U-turn and risking the paralysis. Ninjask is not a hard Pokémon to use effectively; it just needs the right support, and you will not be sorry giving this a try.

Leafeon

Choice Band Leafeon is a powerful wallbreaker that gets good coverage between Leaf Blade and Knock Off, making it rather hard to switch into. Thanks to its good natural physical bulk and Speed tier, it is also able to check some common Pokémon such as Golem. It also has the option of running Bullet Seed along with Leaf Blade being able to anti-lead certain Focus Sash / Sturdy leads such as Golem, Rampardos, and Smeargle. Able to round out coverage with Double-Edge to hit Pokémon like Monferno and Jumpluff, it can be quite difficult to deal with, as other Pokémon that handle its coverage well do not appreciate Knock Off like Vullaby and Tangela.

Utilizing Choice Band Leafeon

Choice Band Leafeon fits on both balanced and offensive teams as a reliable wallbreaker and Golem check. You will be using Knock Off a fair amount early-game trying to weaken and cripple Pokémon that resist Grass like Rapidash and Eviolite users. While Bullet Seed has a higher potential damage output than Leaf Blade, it should only be used in situations where it is absolutely necessary like trying to catch a Golem to OHKO through Sturdy or if you need that bit more damage to get a clutch KO.

Dodrio

Choice Band Dodrio has quite a few things in its arsenal to distinguish itself from Choice Band Stoutland, such a higher Speed tier allowing it to outspeed the likes of Leafeon, Rotom-F, and Monferno. It also has STAB Brave Bird to prevent the likes of physically defensive Tangela from reliably checking Dodrio as they could with Stoutland. It also has access to STAB priority in Quick Attack, letting it revenge kill faster weakened frailer threats such as Zebstrika and Raichu.

Utilizing Choice Band Dodrio

To make the most out of Choice Band Dodrio, you will want to be breaking with Brave Bird as much as possible. Defog or Rapid Spin support is very much appreciated, as Dodrio is already weak to Stealth Rock and will be wearing itself down with recoil rather quickly.

Choice Specs

Floatzel

Once again Floatzel is showing why it is one of the most threatening offensive Pokémon in the tier of PU, being in a very rare category of Pokémon that can use all three Choice items effectively. With its blazing Speed, high-powered STAB Hydro Pump, and great coverage, this is arguably one of the best Floatzel sets. With one of the highest Speed tiers, Floatzel is quite hard to revenge kill for a wallbreaker, only being done in by Zebstrika, Electrode, Ninjask, and users of priority moves such as Sucker Punch. Ice Beam hits Grass-types like Gourgeist and Leafeon quite hard, and Focus Blast hits Audino and Lapras for the 2HKO, although Floatzel can run Hidden Power Electric to hit Pelipper much harder.

Utilizing Choice Specs Floatzel

Choice Specs Floatzel fits on both balanced and offensive teams. Hazard stacking is nice, as it helps wear down its switch-ins such as Audino, Roselia, and Politoed. Getting Floatzel in on a free switch is a crucial aspect of using it. Choosing the right coverage move can be quite difficult, but it's worth the practice; this can be remedied a bit by Baton Pass, but you will often time see Switcheroo in the fourth slot to cripple Pokémon such as Audino.

Mr. Mime

Mr. Mime, with its excellent neutral coverage, can act as a very potent wallbreaker, with very few Pokémon avoiding the 2HKO from its moves. Psyshock and Focus Blast are a clean 2HKO on the likes of Audino. Timid Dazzling Gleam hits 176 HP Grumpig for the 2HKO after Stealth Rock Damage, and Psychic has a very high chance of getting the 2HKO on defensive Mawile. As you can see, it is a pretty powerful wallbreaker, but it also takes a bit of prediction and is in an awkward Speed tier, outrunning Monferno but being outsped by quite a few common Pokémon like Leafeon and Rotom-F.

Utilizing Choice Specs Mr. Mime

Mr. Mime has very poor physical bulk and decent special bulk, so it will have trouble switching in on physical attackers and strong special attackers, although it can usually survive one medium-strength special hit such as Raichu's Life Orb Thunderbolt. It also still makes good use of support moves like Healing Wish, Trick, and Baton Pass, so keep these options in mind while playing with Mr. Mime. Some of the biggest threats to Mr. Mime like Metang and Choice Band Dusknoir do not appreciate Pursuit users, making them excellent partners.

Lapras

Lapras is a unique Choice Specs user, as it also has an important role as a Water switch-in. Though it has only decent Special Attack, it does have a very hard-to-resist STAB move combination in Freeze-Dry and Hydro Pump, making it very hard to switch into, as Freeze-Dry hits every Pokémon that resists Water for big damage. Its very powerful STAB combination makes it an effective wallbreaker, but sadly it isn't the strongest, as it fails to 2HKO some common special walls like Audino.

Utilizing Choice Specs Lapras

Lapras fits on most playstyles, as it is both a decent wallbreaker and Water-type check. Hazard control is almost mandatory with Lapras, as it will need to stay as healthy as possible to threaten the Water-types it is meant to check. Lapras has the bulk to check a good number of Pokémon to force as many switches as possible, which is why it can be so devastating to unprepared teams; however, it still struggles with some of the bulkier special walls of the tier, so getting chip damage on things like Audino and specially defensive Clefairy is very nice for Lapras.

Beheeyem

Beheeyem has one of the highest Special Attack stats in the tier of PU, only being outdone by the likes of Glaceon. With Analytic, Beheeyem is incredibly hard to switch into, with even the likes of Audino getting 2HKOed by STAB Psychic on the switch and other potential switch-ins such as Metang and Clefairy getting crippled by Trick or taking big damage from coverage moves such as Shadow Ball. While it hits very hard, it is also very prediction reliant and easy to revenge kill, as it is very slow.

Utilizing Choice Specs Beheeyem

Beheeyem has decent bulk, so it can usually take any non-super effective hit, thus forcing switches, which makes it tough to deal with. However, it is rather slow, making it fairly easy to revenge kill with Pokémon such as Ninjask and Pawniard, so Pokémon like Stunfisk make excellent partners to it.

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