UU Suspect Coverage: Thundurus-T

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Thundurus-T has been a very controversial threat in UU these past few months. In previous metagames, teams were too offensive and fast for Thundurus-T to truly thrive outside of Sticky Web and other hyper offensive builds. However, in the current UU metagame, Thundurus-T is a worrisome threat, with its vast coverage options and ability to tear teams apart after Nasty Plot. These traits, along with its ability to run multiple sets, have made many players cite Thundurus-T as a vastly unhealthy presence in the tier. Even after suspect tests for Kommo-o and Mienshao, thoughts of Thundurus-T still persisted in many players' minds, and it was finally suspect tested after a dominant showing in the UnderUsed Snake Draft.

The Sets

Pivot

• Thundurus-Therian (M) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
• Ability: Volt Absorb
• EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
• Timid Nature
• IVs: 0 Atk
• - Psychic
• - Focus Blast / Grass Knot
• - Knock Off / Grass Knot / Thunderbolt
• - Volt Switch / U-turn

With 4 Defense EVs, Thundurus-T is able to survive Ice Shard from Mamoswine at full HP. Its moves are largely customizable. Psychic is essential for targeting the prevalent Amoonguss and generally has nice neutral coverage with Thundurus-T's Electric-type STAB attacks. Focus Blast nails Excadrill and Dark-types like Zarude and Krookodile. Grass Knot is great against Swampert and Quagsire. Knock Off makes it easier to wear down foes like Aegislash and Chansey and makes up for whichever coverage move is not used. Volt Switch and U-turn help Thundurus-T get out of unfavorable matchups and make progress; Volt Switch has STAB, but U-turn pairs well with Thunderbolt to better pressure Pokémon like Slowking.

Nasty Plot

• Thundurus-Therian (M) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
• Ability: Volt Absorb
• EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
• Timid Nature
• IVs: 0 Atk
• - Nasty Plot
• - Thunderbolt
• - Psychic
• - Focus Blast

Nasty Plot Thundurus is a true menace against slower teams, shredding balance cores like Swampert + Amoonguss + Mandibuzz, and has no reliable counters. While it lacks usage outside of hyper offense due to how difficult it is to set up and sweep in practice, underestimating Thundurus-T is extremely dangerous; once boosted, it can even 2HKO Chansey with Focus Blast.

Other Options

Thundurus-T can run Sludge Bomb on the pivot set so it can lure in Tapu Bulu and Tangrowth. It can also fit Defog on certain builds, but missing coverage against targets like Amoonguss and Chansey is hard to justify.

Sample Team

This team, used by dunoks in the UnderUsed Snake Draft Finals, is a solid VoltTurn team featuring Thundurus-T. Due to having five different pivots to work with, Nidoking has ample opportunities to wallbreak. Swampert and Mandibuzz form a very durable backbone and provide Stealth Rock and Defog. Zarude is a fast revenge killer and, like Thundurus-T, can lure in slower walls for Nidoking to take advantage of.

The Arguments

Ban Reasoning

Thundurus-T, similarly to its already-banned Incarnate forme, has amazing coverage. Its naturally high Special Attack makes Thundurus-T hard to punish and often forces guessing games on what coverage it is missing for a safe switch—even if the opponent guesses right, it can pivot with either Volt Switch or U-turn. Nasty Plot sets have insane power and nearly invalidate balance teams entirely when played properly. With Thundurus-T's natural bulk, typing, and Volt Absorb, it is definitely possible to set up with the right support. Thundurus-T having both of these sets available on top of the various coverage options simply makes it too much for the Teambuilder. Pokémon like Skarmory that are great against foes like Mamoswine and Excadrill can quickly become a liability when facing Thundurus-T, making a team always start on the back foot. Akin to other wallbreakers banished from UU like Mienshao and Thundurus, Thundurus-T cannot effectively be worn down through passive damage thanks to its Speed tier and Knock Off limiting Rocky Helmet users such as Amoonguss.

Do Not Ban Reasoning

Thundurus-T can struggle to make actual progress with how prediction reliant it can be. Without Nasty Plot, it simply lacks the raw strength that other wallbreakers like Azelf and Hydreigon possess, since it is always running Heavy-Duty Boots. This lack of immediate power is noticeable against Pokémon such as Mandibuzz, Amoonguss, and Slowking, with Thundurus-T struggling to take them down even with correct prediction; this lower power also forces Thundurus-T to trade with foes like Salamence and Aegislash, which is made worse by Volt Switch's low power. Thunderbolt over Volt Switch gives more initial power at the potential loss of early momentum. Nasty Plot Thundurus-T is nearly non-existent with how difficult it is to set up and KO more than one Pokémon; other Pokémon like Mamoswine and Conkeldurr can pressure slower teams just the same. There are also plenty of offensive checks to Thundurus-T, with Lycanroc-D, Zygarde-10%, and Nihilego already being common in the metagame.

Results

Thundurus-T ultimately stayed in the tier, with a quick 18 votes making it impossible for it to be banned. It will be interesting to see how the metagame continues to adapt to Thundurus-T's presence and its impact in the upcoming UnderUsed Premier League!

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