Spice UUp Your Game: Electric Slide

By avarice. Released: 2021/06/07.
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Art

Art by anundeadboy.

Introduction

Spice UUp Your Game, a series of UU-based articles that shows off underexplored sets and Pokémon within the UU metagame, has returned for Sword and Shield! The metagame is more stable now that it has adjusted to the release of Crown Tundra and tier shifts. This issue will feature shockingly underrated Electric-type Pokémon like Toxtricity, Arctozolt and... Inteleon? These Pokémon all distinguish themselves apart from the more traditional post-Zeraora Pokémon of Raikou, Rotom formes, and Thundurus formes to really give your playing a spark.

Shift Gear Toxtricity

Toxtricity

Toxtricity has been on the decline for a while since DLC 1. Zeraora's prominence as an Electric-immune foe made Choice Specs sets difficult to justify, and such sets were difficult to use in a meta with so many fast wallbreakers. Shift Gear sets were alright but required heavy support in a meta that also had revenge killers like Bisharp and naturally bulky Pokémon like Victini. However, currently, Toxtricity is a worthwhile pick, as it can dismantle bulky teams with its coverage and immunity to status, primarily Toxic from Chansey, while being able to heal up and stay out of priority range with Drain Punch. Toxtricity stands out as a sweeper, as it resists Bullet Punch and outpaces Choice Scarf users like Krookodile and Zarude after a boost. Life Orb gives Toxtricity the natural strength to punch holes in teams before setting up as well, dealing heavy damage to anything not named Umbreon or Rhyperior. Give Toxtricity a shot next time you're looking for a sweeper that can break past Quagsire and Pyukumuku while keeping a strong offense matchup.

Rest + Sleep Talk Arctozolt

Arctozolt

In a tier with Scizor high in the viability rankings and other prominent priority users like Lycanroc-D, it is not too surprising that hail sees very little usage. While the Light Clay ban was a hit to Alolan Ninetales, it reduced the opportunity cost of using Icy Rock to support the underrated Arctozolt, which has nearly unresisted coverage in the tier with its STAB moves. When Arctozolt is seen it is often simply running four attacks with Life Orb and is worn down fast. The additional coverage helps against Rotom-H and Mamoswine, but those Pokémon do not have reliable recovery. Rotom-H also does not stomach Bolt Beak too well, and Mamoswine also has to worry about Life Orb recoil in addition to Blizzard chip. Rest + Sleep Talk gives Arctozolt some sustainability and prevents bulky teams from stalling it out through its own recoil. It also allows Arctozolt to hard switch into Amoonguss, which could otherwise be annoying to find a sleep absorber for. Once Arctozolt is put to sleep, playing around it is still a gamble and leads toward some very fun games.

Inteleon

Inteleon

While not an Electric-type or even ranked in the UU VR, Inteleon has been seen taking advantage of the more relevant Electric-types with its Speed tier and coverage. Inteleon has not seen usage since DLC 1 but has been a great Pokémon against opposing offense outpacing Pokémon like Lycanroc-D and Thundurus. Focus Energy ensures Inteleon will receive its Sniper boost, and Snipe Shot has a 50% critical hit rate as is thanks to Scope Lens. With a fortunate crit, Inteleon is able to blow past Pokémon like Scizor. Ice Beam hits Thundurus formes and Grass-types like Amoonguss and Tangrowth, most notably OHKOing Amoonguss and needing very little chip to do the same to Assault Vest Tangrowth. Shadow Ball gives Inteleon fair neutral coverage to wear down Pokémon like Keldeo and Primarina. Though, fishing for the 50% Snipe Shot crit will do significantly more to these targets if you haven't set up Focus Energy. Being able to guarantee critical hits also allows Inteleon to prevent Pokémon like Galarian Slowbro from snowballing with Calm Mind safely.

Closing Thoughts

The next edition of Spice UUp Your Game will feature some of the tier's Rock-types that have seen significant usage with UULT. Definitely keep watch and be sure to try out these Electric- (and Water) type Pokémon in the mean time!

HTML by Ryota Mitarai.
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