Metagame SV OU Metagame Discussion v4 [Kyurem suspect now up]

Morkal · Jan 9, 2024

Heatranator said:
Dayum, that is extensive, like shit, it took me a few minutes to read. Still a great read. I'm glad there is another steel beam enjoyer out there, it's a criminally underrated move and if it had 1/3 hp recoil, then it would be a lot more prevelant.

Thank you! I've always liked Steel Beam as a move, and I feel that :lucario:

is one of the best Pokemon to actually take advantage of it because it's naturally frail yet powerful while having a much better typing for the job than other Steel-types do.

tinyranitar said:
It was honestly an interesting read, and the calc suprised me a bit how much Lucario is packing. Though, even then I feel like Lucario's power is great but it is lacking a niche, as NP booster is dime a dozen in OU. Not sure how to express this, but it lacks the "fun" element like your Flygon or Morpeko set.

Hopefully you'll enjoy the :furret:

analysis that I'll be writing up more (that set is a lot more Morkal-y in its unique functionality, I just need more time to finish testing due to EV distribution troubles on it)! Lucario's niche over other Nasty Plot users is that offensive role compression thanks to its stupendous coverage and fantastic natural typing - it can handle unique combinations of OU meta threats that its competition in the role can't, along with being able to go mixed, or run physical if need be.

tinyranitar · Jan 9, 2024

Morkal said:
Hopefully you'll enjoy the analysis that I'll be writing up more (that set is a lot more Morkal-y in its unique functionality, I just need more time to finish testing due to EV distribution troubles on it)! Lucario's niche over other Nasty Plot users is that offensive role compression thanks to its stupendous coverage and fantastic natural typing - it can handle unique combinations of OU meta threats that its competition in the role can't, along with being able to go mixed, or run physical if need be.

Waiting for the Furretillion dollar Tidy Up sweep.
On the Lucario note, don't get me wrong, I understand the appeal behind the Pokemon over other NP users, as well as its powerful and relatively fast Steel Beam, I just feel like press button hit hard is not as funny as Morpeko being an actual spinner that unexpectedly beat Gholdengo.

Edit: as an additional note, would a Pinch Berry works in place of Wise Glasses? Salac Berry proccing after Steel Beam can surprise some tagets coming into revenge kill and didn't expect the boosted speed.

Heatranator · Jan 9, 2024

Morkal said:
Thank you! I've always liked Steel Beam as a move, and I feel that is one of the best Pokemon to actually take advantage of it because it's naturally frail yet powerful while having a much better typing for the job than other Steel-types do.

I've been using it on heatran (shocker I know) to decent success, with one time I was able to score two ko's using it. It allows it to get a little extra damage than flash cannon would, such as ko'ing kyurem from full with no chip, thus meaning that you can stop it early game with air balloon. I haven't seen it or used it other than that, though I would love to see something pop up like steel beam excadrill in gen 8.

Ctann · Jan 9, 2024

Lo

Morkal said:
Lucario
View attachment 589986
Type: View attachment 589996/View attachment 589998
-----------------
Tera Type: View attachment 589999

"Lucario can study auras to predict the movements of its opponents and track their quarry. With sufficient training, a Lucario can read auras to understand how living beings are feeling from more than half a mile (1 kilometer) away."
- Bulbapedia

"252 Atk Protean Meowscarada Triple Axel (40 BP) (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 117-138 (41.6 - 49.1%) -- approx. 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 194-229 (69 - 81.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO"
- Morkal

Base Stat Total
525 Lucario Opinion
Lucario's stat spread is markedly better than the Pokemon I usually work with, so that's not where the difficulties in using Lucario showed up. Both its Attack and Special Attack are great and, thanks to Fighting/Steel typing's slew of resistances, 70/70/70 bulk is workable with only slight adjustments. Its base speed can sometimes be a bit frustrating, but it hits some critically important benchmarks. Despite its flaws, Lucario is a great Pokemon in OU that is woefully underutilized and has been for several generations.
BASE STATS STATS AT LV. 100
HP
70
250 - 344
Attack
110
202 - 350
Defense
70
130 - 262
Sp. Atk
115
211 - 361
Sp. Def
70
130 - 262
Speed
90
166 - 306

Introduction - Lucario's meteoric rise to fame as a fan-favorite Pokemon has not been felt for generations in OU, where its relevance has continued to dwindle. Thankfully SV OU is a metagame where Tera has allowed almost every Pokemon to have a potential OU niche (*cough*), and Lucario is no exception. Thanks to its great offensive and defensive typing, wide movepool, solid offensive stats, and the unique offensive role compression that only Lucario has. Special thanks to 1LDK for helping me with the Lucario set, his item change suggestion along with one of the movepool slash-ins helped bring the final set together in a great way.

View attachment 590036
Lucario OU TL;DR
This section contains a quick "too long, didn't read" portion summarizing Lucario's positive traits in the tier. What is listed here is explained in full throughout the essay.

Lucario is a strong anti-meta breaker with a potent offensive typing and movepool that allows it to handle a unique combination of threats that no other Pokemon can. Lucario's potent offensive role compression, unique tools, and newfound access to Tera allow it to threaten troublesome OU threats such as Archaludon, Darkrai, Excadrill, Gholdengo, Glimmora, Great Tusk, Hatterene, Heatran, Iron Boulder, Iron Crown, Iron Valiant, Kingambit, Kyurem, Meowscarada, Samurott-Hisui, Skarmory, Weavile, and Zamazenta.

Lucario's got great mixed offensive stats, allowing it to perform a wide variety of roles and handle different combinations of threats. Additionally, Lucario's bulk and speed, while both underwhelming, still reach critical benchmarks - such as surviving Choice Specs Kyurem's Earth Power when tera'd, or outspeeding Pokemon like Great Tusk, Rillaboom, Samurott-H, Archaludon, Dragonite, Gholdengo, and Glimmora.

Lucario's movepool is vast, with multiple boosting options in Agility, Bulk Up, Calm Mind, Nasty Plot, and Swords Dance. Lucario has fantastic physical and special STAB options in Aura Sphere, Bullet Punch, Close Combat, Drain Punch, Flash Cannon, Focus Blast, High Jump Kick, Low Kick, Meteor Mash, Steel Beam, and Vacuum Wave.

Lucario's coverage movepool contains multiple powerful options such as Crunch, Dark Pulse, Dragon Pulse, Earthquake, Extreme Speed, Ice Punch, Poison Jab, Psychic, Rock Slide, Shadow Ball, Shadow Claw, Stone Edge, Tera Blast, Thunder Punch, and Zen Headbutt.

Lucario can utilize multiple Tera-types for a variety of different purposes both offensive and defensive; with notable Tera-types being Fairy, Ground, Flying, Steel, and Ghost-type.

Lucario has a surprising amount of utility options for the tier such as Circle Throw and Roar for phasing or more offensive utility such as Trailblaze for breaking sashes while boosting speed.

Lucario has three great abilities - Inner Focus allows Lucario immunity to being flinched and Intimidated, Steadfast gives Lucario a situational +1 speed boost when flinched, and Justified gives Lucario +1 attack when hit by the tier's common Dark-type moves.

View attachment 590040
Nasty Plot Wise Glasses Breaker
(Bolded options are my preferred option picks)
View attachment 590039
Lucario @ Wise Glasses
Ability: Inner Focus
Tera Type: Fairy/Flying/Ghost/Ground/Steel
EVs: 252 SpA / 12 SpD / 244 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Aura Sphere/Focus Blast
- Shadow Ball
- Psychic/Steel Beam/Tera Blast

Lucario's purpose is to muscle past common threats with his unique set of tools, workable speed, and threatening power. First, we'll talk about the specific benchmarks that Lucario hits with its EVs + its item choice, then we're going to go over each of Lucario's main moveset choices. Afterward, we'll finish off the essay by taking a look at Lucario's surprising defensive utility.

View attachment 590068 View attachment 590040
Nasty Plot + Speed Tier + Wise Glasses

Lucario's Speed with a Timid nature and 244 EVs gives Lucario 304 speed, allowing him to outspeed potent threats like 252 Jolly Excadrill (302), 252 Jolly Great Tusk (300), 252 Neutral Mew/Zapdos (299), 252 Timid Rotom-Wash/Glimmora (298), 252 Neutral Iron Crown & 252 +Nature Ceruledge/Kommo-o/Quaquaval/Hamurott (295), 252 Timid Gholdengo (293), and 252 Modest Kyurem (289) along with countless other slower threats. While base 90 speed isn't blazing any trails, it still is higher than a significant portion of the OU tier. Wise Glasses is an item that boosts up the Special Attack of its holder by 1.1x, which boosts up Lucario's ability to break through potent threats with its stupendous neutral coverage. Nasty Plot is the crux of this set, allowing Lucario to leverage its solid 115 base special attack to reach a whopping 658 - decimating anything that doesn't resist Lucario's powerful attacks, with resistances not being enough in many cases.

Moveset Analysis
View attachment 590099
View attachment 589996
Aura Sphere

Lucario gets access to STAB Aura Sphere, a base 80 Power 32PP special Fighting-type move that cannot miss - this move allows Lucario to break through the slew of Dark, Ice, and Steel-type Pokemon permeating the OU meta (along with Normal and Rock-type Pokemon). Let's take a look at some calculations to see exactly what Aura Sphere can do both without and with a +2 Nasty Plot boost.

Aura Sphere
(Super Effective Calculations)

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 204+ SpD Archaludon: 264-312 (68.9 - 81.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 204+ SpD Archaludon: 524-618 (136.8 - 161.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Darkrai: 288-342 (102.4 - 121.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Excadrill: 372-440 (103 - 121.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Heatran: 252-296 (78 - 91.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 212+ SpD Heatran: 188-224 (48.7 - 58%) -- 61.3% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Heatran: 500-590 (154.7 - 182.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 212+ SpD Heatran: 374-444 (96.8 - 115%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 236 HP / 0 SpD Kingambit: 612-720 (153 - 180%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kyurem: 288-342 (73.6 - 87.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kyurem: 576-678 (147.3 - 173.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Meowscarada: 354-416 (120.8 - 141.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roaring Moon: 260-308 (74 - 87.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roaring Moon: 522-614 (148.7 - 174.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Samurott-Hisui: 372-440 (115.8 - 137%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Vessel of Ruin Ting-Lu: 330-390 (64.2 - 75.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Torkoal: 178-210 (51.8 - 61.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Torkoal: 354-417 (103.2 - 121.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Weavile: 604-712 (214.9 - 253.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Aura Sphere
(Neutral Calculations)

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Cinderace: 333-393 (110.6 - 130.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 224 HP / 0 SpD Cinderace: 334-394 (93.5 - 110.3%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Corviknight: 298-352 (74.6 - 88.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Glimmora: 313-370 (101.9 - 120.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gouging Fire: 280-331 (79.7 - 94.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Great Tusk: 438-516 (118 - 139%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Ogerpon-Wellspring: 271-321 (90 - 106.6%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 64 HP / 0 SpD Raging Bolt: 291-343 (71.4 - 84.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rillaboom: 354-417 (103.8 - 122.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Serperior: 276-325 (94.8 - 111.6%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 354-417 (105.9 - 124.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 12 HP / 0 SpD Walking Wake: 307-363 (89.7 - 106.1%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zamazenta: 234-276 (72 - 84.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Zamazenta: 234-276 (60.3 - 71.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Aura Sphere alone breaks through a huge portion of the OU tier with one boost or even neutrally in some cases, while synergizing especially well with Shadow Ball for near-perfect neutral coverage along with STAB Steel Beam to wreak unadulterated havoc on anything that isn't resisted (and sometimes even resisted hits). Speaking of which~

View attachment 589998
Steel Beam

Lucario has access to the utterly terrifying STAB move Steel Beam, a base 140 power 95% accurate special Steel-type attack with the unfortunate side effect of Lucario losing 50% of its max HP. While this may seem costly, this move can become an effective wincon for you as it simply muscles past a huge portion of potential checks, including resisted hits. At +2, almost nothing in the meta can survive beyond Unaware mons and very specific resists. First, let's go over unboosted hits.

Steel Beam
(Super Effective Calculations)

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Clefable: 504-594 (127.9 - 150.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Enamorus: 554-654 (191.6 - 226.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Enamorus-Therian: 462-546 (131.6 - 155.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Glimmora: 548-648 (178.5 - 211%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hatterene: 450-530 (141.5 - 166.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Iron Boulder: 432-510 (134.5 - 158.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kyurem: 504-594 (128.9 - 151.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Iron Valiant: 696-822 (240 - 283.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Steel Beam
(Neutral + Resisted Calculations)

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Unaware Clodsire: 166-196 (35.8 - 42.3%) -- 92.6% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Darkrai: 252-297 (89.6 - 105.6%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Deoxys-Defense: 153-181 (50.3 - 59.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Deoxys-Speed: 252-297 (104.5 - 123.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Unaware Dondozo: 162-192 (32.1 - 38%) -- 96% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 292-345 (92.1 - 108.8%) -- 50% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 244 HP / 12 SpD Gliscor: 288-340 (81.8 - 96.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Poison Heal

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Great Tusk: 382-451 (102.9 - 121.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Great Tusk: 382-451 (88 - 103.9%) -- 25% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Landorus-Therian: 309-364 (96.8 - 114.1%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 279-328 (73 - 85.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Meowscarada: 307-363 (104.7 - 123.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Pelipper: 153-180 (47.3 - 55.7%) -- 80.1% chance to 2HKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Primarina: 204-240 (67.7 - 79.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rillaboom: 309-364 (90.6 - 106.7%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roaring Moon: 229-270 (65.2 - 76.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Samurott-Hisui: 162-192 (50.4 - 59.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Serperior: 241-285 (82.8 - 97.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 154-182 (46.1 - 54.4%) -- 57.4% chance to 2HKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Slowking-Galar: 156-184 (39.5 - 46.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Torkoal: 154-182 (44.8 - 53%) -- 29.7% chance to 2HKO

Now let's turn it up a notch and look at how common threats stack up against a +2 Steel Beam. Pokemon that could deal with a neutral Steel Beam crumble under the explosive offensive pressure that this boosted move exerts.

Steel Beam
(Literally most of OU vs +2 Calculations - Super Effective, Neutral, Resisted)

Resisted

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 204+ SpD Archaludon: 228-269 (59.5 - 70.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Cinderace: 291-342 (96.6 - 113.6%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 224 HP / 0 SpD Cinderace: 292-344 (81.7 - 96.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Corviknight: 261-308 (65.4 - 77.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Excadrill: 325-383 (90 - 106%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gouging Fire: 245-288 (69.8 - 82%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gholdengo: 248-292 (78.7 - 92.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Gholdengo: 249-294 (65.8 - 77.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 32 HP / 0 SpD Iron Crown: 216-254 (65.6 - 77.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 236 HP / 0 SpD Kingambit: 264-311 (66 - 77.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Ogerpon-Wellspring: 237-279 (78.7 - 92.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Pelipper: 306-360 (94.7 - 111.4%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 64 HP / 0 SpD Raging Bolt: 254-299 (62.4 - 73.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Samurott-Hisui: 325-383 (101.2 - 119.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 309-363 (92.5 - 108.6%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Torkoal: 309-363 (90 - 105.8%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 64 SpD Toxapex: 162-191 (53.2 - 62.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Volcarona: 220-259 (70.7 - 83.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Volcarona: 221-261 (59 - 69.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 12 HP / 0 SpD Walking Wake: 269-317 (78.6 - 92.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Neutral

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Darkrai: 501-591 (178.2 - 210.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Deoxys-Defense: 306-360 (100.6 - 118.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 585-688 (184.5 - 217%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Multiscale Dragonite: 230-271 (71.2 - 83.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 555-654 (145.2 - 171.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rillaboom: 618-727 (181.2 - 213.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roaring Moon: 456-537 (129.9 - 152.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Serperior: 481-567 (165.2 - 194.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Slowking-Galar: 312-367 (79.1 - 93.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Vessel of Ruin Ting-Lu: 288-339 (56 - 65.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Zamazenta: 408-481 (105.1 - 123.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

To give you an idea of how ludicrous this move's power is at +2 - out of all the Pokemon in OU, only the following four Pokemon can avoid a 2HKO from +2 Steel Beam without resorting to gimmicky EV distribution, resisted or not - Unaware Clodsire, Unaware Dondozo, Heatran, and Toxapex's Assault Vest Set. This means that 40 out of 44 OU Pokemon can potentially be 2HKO'd by +2 Steel Beam.

View attachment 590087
Shadow Ball + Final Move Tally

Shadow Ball rounds out this set's coverage and additionally allows Lucario to threaten Pokemon such as Gholdengo and Glowking, in addition to its Special Defense drop chance sometimes allowing it to muscle past threats it otherwise wouldn't be able to such as Dondozo. Aura Sphere and Shadow Ball have near perfect coverage together, with Steel Beam tying the two of them together quite nicely.

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 224-264 (70.6 - 83.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 446-526 (140.6 - 165.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gholdengo: 192-226 (60.9 - 71.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gholdengo: 380-448 (120.6 - 142.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Gholdengo: 192-226 (50.7 - 59.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Gholdengo: 382-450 (101 - 119%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hatterene: 172-204 (54 - 64.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hatterene: 342-404 (107.5 - 127%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Iron Boulder: 166-196 (51.7 - 61%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Iron Boulder: 328-388 (102.1 - 120.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 32 HP / 0 SpD Iron Crown: 166-196 (50.4 - 59.5%) -- 82.4% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 32 HP / 0 SpD Iron Crown: 330-390 (100.3 - 118.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Unaware Skeledirge: 154-182 (37.4 - 44.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Slowking-Galar: 238-280 (60.4 - 71%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Final Tally Score
% of OU OHKO'd at +2
(Aura Sphere + Shadow Ball + Steel Beam)
32 of 44 OU Pokemon - Approximately 72% of OU

Lucario at +2 SpA has the potential to OHKO three-quarters of the entire OU metagame with Aura Sphere, Shadow Ball, and Steel Beam, with the OHKO amount for +0 hits not being too far behind given the ubiquity of what Lucario hits super effectively. This is where Lucario's main niche comes in, it blows holes into your opponent's cores in a way that no other Pokemon can both with and without a Nasty Plot boost. It can also run an equivalent set physically, albeit without the insane instant melt button that is STAB Steel Beam.

View attachment 589999
Defensive Utility
View attachment 590098
Thanks to Lucario's newfound access to Tera alongside its naturally fantastic defensive Steel/Fighting-type, Lucario has plenty of opportunities to come in or to stay in despite its comparatively lacking 70/70/70 bulk. Lucario has a handy immunity to Poison, along with critical resistance to Dark, Dragon, Rock, Bug, Normal, Steel, Grass, and Ice-type attacks. It additionally is one of the few Fighting-type Pokemon with neutrality to both Fairy and Flying-type attacks. Lucario's Steel/Fighting type combination does give it three nasty weaknesses to Fighting/Fire/Ground-type attacks, but this is also remedied via Tera Fairy - which grants Lucario a new Dragon-type immunity, a new Fighting-type resistance, and two new neutralities in Fire and Ground-type attacks. Let's take a look at some surprising hits that Lucario can live through.

Steel/Fighting

Super Effective Hits

0 Def Archaludon Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 194-230 (69 - 81.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Corviknight Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 222-262 (79 - 93.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Dondozo Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 236-278 (83.9 - 98.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0 SpA Hatterene Mystical Fire vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 186-220 (66.1 - 78.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
160+ Def Skarmory Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 256-302 (91.1 - 107.4%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO

Neutral Hits

252+ SpA Archaludon Electro Shot vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 199-235 (70.8 - 83.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Enamorus Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 211-249 (75 - 88.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Gholdengo Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 177-208 (62.9 - 74%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Iron Valiant Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 195-229 (69.3 - 81.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 111-131 (39.5 - 46.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

0 SpA Pelipper Surf vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario in Rain: 184-217 (65.4 - 77.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Pelipper Hurricane vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 150-177 (53.3 - 62.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ SpA Raging Bolt Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 222-262 (79 - 93.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Raging Bolt Thunderclap vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 172-204 (61.2 - 72.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 Atk Protosynthesis Roaring Moon Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 220-259 (78.2 - 92.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Razor Shell vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 216-255 (76.8 - 90.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

8 SpA Skeledirge Hex (65 BP) vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 102-120 (36.2 - 42.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Slowking-Galar Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 186-219 (66.1 - 77.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Resisted Hits

252+ SpA Archaludon Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 149-176 (53 - 62.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Archaludon Flash Cannon vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 92-108 (32.7 - 38.4%) -- 99.1% chance to 3HKO

252 SpA Life Orb Darkrai Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 116-136 (41.2 - 48.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 98-116 (34.8 - 41.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252 SpA Gholdengo Make It Rain vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 131-155 (46.6 - 55.1%) -- 69.5% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Power Gem vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 43-51 (15.3 - 18.1%) -- possible 6HKO

252 Atk Iron Boulder Mighty Cleave vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 49-58 (17.4 - 20.6%) -- possible 5HKO
+2 252 Atk Quark Drive Iron Boulder Mighty Cleave vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 127-150 (45.1 - 53.3%) -- 35.5% chance to 2HKO

252+ Atk Kingambit Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 99-117 (35.2 - 41.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 148-174 (52.6 - 61.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 105-124 (37.3 - 44.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 156-185 (55.5 - 65.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 87-102 (30.9 - 36.2%) -- 62% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 129-153 (45.9 - 54.4%) -- 53.1% chance to 2HKO

252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Freeze-Dry vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 113-133 (40.2 - 47.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 145-171 (51.6 - 60.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 210-247 (74.7 - 87.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 Atk Meowscarada Flower Trick vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario on a critical hit: 102-121 (36.2 - 43%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Meowscarada Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 94-111 (33.4 - 39.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Protean Meowscarada Triple Axel (40 BP) (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 117-138 (41.6 - 49.1%) -- approx. 3HKO

252 Atk Wellspring Mask Ogerpon-Wellspring Horn Leech vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 93-110 (33 - 39.1%) -- 99.9% chance to 3HKO
252+ SpA Raging Bolt Dragon Pulse vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 105-123 (37.3 - 43.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Grassy Glide vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario in Grassy Terrain: 126-149 (44.8 - 53%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 113-133 (40.2 - 47.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery

252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Ceaseless Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 93-110 (33 - 39.1%) -- 99.9% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Serperior Leaf Storm vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 97-114 (34.5 - 40.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252 Atk Weavile Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 100-118 (35.5 - 41.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Weavile Triple Axel (40 BP) (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 126-147 (44.8 - 52.3%) -- approx. 18.4% chance to 2HKO

0 Atk Zamazenta Crunch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 45-53 (16 - 18.8%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Zamazenta Crunch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 55-65 (19.5 - 23.1%) -- possible 5HKO

252 Atk Zamazenta Heavy Slam (80 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 55-65 (19.5 - 23.1%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Zamazenta Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 34-40 (12 - 14.2%) -- possible 8HKO

Terastallized

Newly Resisted Hits

0 Def Archaludon Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 48-57 (17 - 20.2%) -- possible 5HKO
252+ Def Corviknight Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 55-65 (19.5 - 23.1%) -- possible 5HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Darkrai Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 114-135 (40.5 - 48%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252 SpA Life Orb Deoxys-Speed Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 90-107 (32 - 38%) -- 93.9% chance to 3HKO
252+ Def Dondozo Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 59-69 (20.9 - 24.5%) -- guaranteed 5HKO

252 Atk Iron Boulder Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 83-98 (29.5 - 34.8%) -- 13.7% chance to 3HKO
+2 252 Atk Quark Drive Iron Boulder Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 215-253 (76.5 - 90%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ SpA Iron Crown Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 90-107 (32 - 38%) -- 96.4% chance to 3HKO

252+ Atk Kingambit Low Kick (80 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 66-78 (23.4 - 27.7%) -- 79.6% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Low Kick (80 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 99-116 (35.2 - 41.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252 Atk Protean Meowscarada Low Kick (80 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 78-92 (27.7 - 32.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
160+ Def Skarmory Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 64-75 (22.7 - 26.6%) -- 31.2% chance to 4HKO

+1 88 Def Zamazenta Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 105-124 (37.3 - 44.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Zamazenta Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 124-147 (44.1 - 52.3%) -- 17.6% chance to 2HKO

Newly Neutral Hits

32 Atk Cinderace Pyro Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 204-240 (72.5 - 85.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Choice Band Dragonite Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 246-290 (87.5 - 103.2%) -- 25% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Dragonite Fire Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 185-218 (65.8 - 77.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Enamorus Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 133-157 (47.3 - 55.8%) -- 79.3% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Excadrill Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 226-267 (80.4 - 95%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0 Atk Gliscor Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 138-163 (49.1 - 58%) -- 96.1% chance to 2HKO

252+ Atk Gouging Fire Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 147-174 (52.3 - 61.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Gouging Fire Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 264-312 (93.9 - 111%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Glimmora Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 130-153 (46.2 - 54.4%) -- 56.3% chance to 2HKO

0 Atk Great Tusk Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 183-216 (65.1 - 76.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Great Tusk Headlong Rush vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 264-312 (93.9 - 111%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO

0 SpA Hatterene Mystical Fire vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 93-110 (33 - 39.1%) -- 99.9% chance to 3HKO

0 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 107-127 (38 - 45.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 130-153 (46.2 - 54.4%) -- 56.3% chance to 2HKO

0 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 178-210 (63.3 - 74.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after trapping damage
252 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 216-255 (76.8 - 90.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after trapping damage

252 Atk Iron Boulder Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 138-163 (49.1 - 58%) -- 97.7% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 194-229 (69 - 81.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 199-235 (70.8 - 83.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Protosynthesis Roaring Moon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 199-235 (70.8 - 83.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

8 SpA Skeledirge Torch Song vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 124-147 (44.1 - 52.3%) -- 17.6% chance to 2HKO
0 Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 157-186 (55.8 - 66.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

8 SpA Torkoal Lava Plume vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario in Sun: 153-180 (54.4 - 64%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
244 SpA Choice Specs Walking Wake Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 187-221 (66.5 - 78.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Conclusion
View attachment 590097

Lucario is an incredibly fun Pokemon to use that is the definition of high-risk/high-reward. It's a (reinforced) glass cannon with absolutely nuclear offenses, a solid speed tier, and incredible synergy with and against the meta. It's simple to use, and yet has a ton of dimension to it. It's one of the most fun Pokemon I've been able to use throughout this entire new stage of SV OU, and I can't wait to tackle my next OU essay -I hope you all enjoyed reading, SV OU DLC2 is in a really good place right now barring a few outliers, and I can't wait to see the metagame develop even further!

love your posts!

it’s sad that the reality is…

Lucarios niche is threatening kingambit with a fighting move, but having steel beam incase your opponent has a Tera intact and it’s gonna become a fairy/flying boi you’ll need to nuke instead

UnusualBoy · Jan 9, 2024

Morkal said:
Lucario
View attachment 589986
Type: View attachment 589996/View attachment 589998
-----------------
Tera Type: View attachment 589999

"Lucario can study auras to predict the movements of its opponents and track their quarry. With sufficient training, a Lucario can read auras to understand how living beings are feeling from more than half a mile (1 kilometer) away."
- Bulbapedia

"252 Atk Protean Meowscarada Triple Axel (40 BP) (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 117-138 (41.6 - 49.1%) -- approx. 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 194-229 (69 - 81.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO"
- Morkal

Base Stat Total
525 Lucario Opinion
Lucario's stat spread is markedly better than the Pokemon I usually work with, so that's not where the difficulties in using Lucario showed up. Both its Attack and Special Attack are great and, thanks to Fighting/Steel typing's slew of resistances, 70/70/70 bulk is workable with only slight adjustments. Its base speed can sometimes be a bit frustrating, but it hits some critically important benchmarks. Despite its flaws, Lucario is a great Pokemon in OU that is woefully underutilized and has been for several generations.
BASE STATS STATS AT LV. 100
HP
70
250 - 344
Attack
110
202 - 350
Defense
70
130 - 262
Sp. Atk
115
211 - 361
Sp. Def
70
130 - 262
Speed
90
166 - 306

Introduction - Lucario's meteoric rise to fame as a fan-favorite Pokemon has not been felt for generations in OU, where its relevance has continued to dwindle. Thankfully SV OU is a metagame where Tera has allowed almost every Pokemon to have a potential OU niche (*cough*), and Lucario is no exception. Thanks to its great offensive and defensive typing, wide movepool, solid offensive stats, and the unique offensive role compression that only Lucario has. Special thanks to 1LDK for helping me with the Lucario set, his item change suggestion along with one of the movepool slash-ins helped bring the final set together in a great way.

View attachment 590036
Lucario OU TL;DR
This section contains a quick "too long, didn't read" portion summarizing Lucario's positive traits in the tier. What is listed here is explained in full throughout the essay.

Lucario is a strong anti-meta breaker with a potent offensive typing and movepool that allows it to handle a unique combination of threats that no other Pokemon can. Lucario's potent offensive role compression, unique tools, and newfound access to Tera allow it to threaten troublesome OU threats such as Archaludon, Darkrai, Excadrill, Gholdengo, Glimmora, Great Tusk, Hatterene, Heatran, Iron Boulder, Iron Crown, Iron Valiant, Kingambit, Kyurem, Meowscarada, Samurott-Hisui, Skarmory, Weavile, and Zamazenta.

Lucario's got great mixed offensive stats, allowing it to perform a wide variety of roles and handle different combinations of threats. Additionally, Lucario's bulk and speed, while both underwhelming, still reach critical benchmarks - such as surviving Choice Specs Kyurem's Earth Power when tera'd, or outspeeding Pokemon like Great Tusk, Rillaboom, Samurott-H, Archaludon, Dragonite, Gholdengo, and Glimmora.

Lucario's movepool is vast, with multiple boosting options in Agility, Bulk Up, Calm Mind, Nasty Plot, and Swords Dance. Lucario has fantastic physical and special STAB options in Aura Sphere, Bullet Punch, Close Combat, Drain Punch, Flash Cannon, Focus Blast, High Jump Kick, Low Kick, Meteor Mash, Steel Beam, and Vacuum Wave.

Lucario's coverage movepool contains multiple powerful options such as Crunch, Dark Pulse, Dragon Pulse, Earthquake, Extreme Speed, Ice Punch, Poison Jab, Psychic, Rock Slide, Shadow Ball, Shadow Claw, Stone Edge, Tera Blast, Thunder Punch, and Zen Headbutt.

Lucario can utilize multiple Tera-types for a variety of different purposes both offensive and defensive; with notable Tera-types being Fairy, Ground, Flying, Steel, and Ghost-type.

Lucario has a surprising amount of utility options for the tier such as Circle Throw and Roar for phasing or more offensive utility such as Trailblaze for breaking sashes while boosting speed.

Lucario has three great abilities - Inner Focus allows Lucario immunity to being flinched and Intimidated, Steadfast gives Lucario a situational +1 speed boost when flinched, and Justified gives Lucario +1 attack when hit by the tier's common Dark-type moves.

View attachment 590040
Nasty Plot Wise Glasses Breaker
(Bolded options are my preferred option picks)
View attachment 590039
Lucario @ Wise Glasses
Ability: Inner Focus
Tera Type: Fairy/Flying/Ghost/Ground/Steel
EVs: 252 SpA / 12 SpD / 244 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Aura Sphere/Focus Blast
- Shadow Ball
- Psychic/Steel Beam/Tera Blast

Lucario's purpose is to muscle past common threats with his unique set of tools, workable speed, and threatening power. First, we'll talk about the specific benchmarks that Lucario hits with its EVs + its item choice, then we're going to go over each of Lucario's main moveset choices. Afterward, we'll finish off the essay by taking a look at Lucario's surprising defensive utility.

View attachment 590068 View attachment 590040
Nasty Plot + Speed Tier + Wise Glasses

Lucario's Speed with a Timid nature and 244 EVs gives Lucario 304 speed, allowing him to outspeed potent threats like 252 Jolly Excadrill (302), 252 Jolly Great Tusk (300), 252 Neutral Mew/Zapdos (299), 252 Timid Rotom-Wash/Glimmora (298), 252 Neutral Iron Crown & 252 +Nature Ceruledge/Kommo-o/Quaquaval/Hamurott (295), 252 Timid Gholdengo (293), and 252 Modest Kyurem (289) along with countless other slower threats. While base 90 speed isn't blazing any trails, it still is higher than a significant portion of the OU tier. Wise Glasses is an item that boosts up the Special Attack of its holder by 1.1x, which boosts up Lucario's ability to break through potent threats with its stupendous neutral coverage. Nasty Plot is the crux of this set, allowing Lucario to leverage its solid 115 base special attack to reach a whopping 658 - decimating anything that doesn't resist Lucario's powerful attacks, with resistances not being enough in many cases.

Moveset Analysis
View attachment 590099
View attachment 589996
Aura Sphere

Lucario gets access to STAB Aura Sphere, a base 80 Power 32PP special Fighting-type move that cannot miss - this move allows Lucario to break through the slew of Dark, Ice, and Steel-type Pokemon permeating the OU meta (along with Normal and Rock-type Pokemon). Let's take a look at some calculations to see exactly what Aura Sphere can do both without and with a +2 Nasty Plot boost.

Aura Sphere
(Super Effective Calculations)

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 204+ SpD Archaludon: 264-312 (68.9 - 81.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 204+ SpD Archaludon: 524-618 (136.8 - 161.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Darkrai: 288-342 (102.4 - 121.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Excadrill: 372-440 (103 - 121.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Heatran: 252-296 (78 - 91.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 212+ SpD Heatran: 188-224 (48.7 - 58%) -- 61.3% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Heatran: 500-590 (154.7 - 182.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 212+ SpD Heatran: 374-444 (96.8 - 115%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 236 HP / 0 SpD Kingambit: 612-720 (153 - 180%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kyurem: 288-342 (73.6 - 87.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kyurem: 576-678 (147.3 - 173.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Meowscarada: 354-416 (120.8 - 141.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roaring Moon: 260-308 (74 - 87.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roaring Moon: 522-614 (148.7 - 174.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Samurott-Hisui: 372-440 (115.8 - 137%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Vessel of Ruin Ting-Lu: 330-390 (64.2 - 75.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Torkoal: 178-210 (51.8 - 61.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Torkoal: 354-417 (103.2 - 121.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Weavile: 604-712 (214.9 - 253.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Aura Sphere
(Neutral Calculations)

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Cinderace: 333-393 (110.6 - 130.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 224 HP / 0 SpD Cinderace: 334-394 (93.5 - 110.3%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Corviknight: 298-352 (74.6 - 88.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Glimmora: 313-370 (101.9 - 120.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gouging Fire: 280-331 (79.7 - 94.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Great Tusk: 438-516 (118 - 139%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Ogerpon-Wellspring: 271-321 (90 - 106.6%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 64 HP / 0 SpD Raging Bolt: 291-343 (71.4 - 84.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rillaboom: 354-417 (103.8 - 122.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Serperior: 276-325 (94.8 - 111.6%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 354-417 (105.9 - 124.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 12 HP / 0 SpD Walking Wake: 307-363 (89.7 - 106.1%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zamazenta: 234-276 (72 - 84.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Zamazenta: 234-276 (60.3 - 71.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Aura Sphere alone breaks through a huge portion of the OU tier with one boost or even neutrally in some cases, while synergizing especially well with Shadow Ball for near-perfect neutral coverage along with STAB Steel Beam to wreak unadulterated havoc on anything that isn't resisted (and sometimes even resisted hits). Speaking of which~

View attachment 589998
Steel Beam

Lucario has access to the utterly terrifying STAB move Steel Beam, a base 140 power 95% accurate special Steel-type attack with the unfortunate side effect of Lucario losing 50% of its max HP. While this may seem costly, this move can become an effective wincon for you as it simply muscles past a huge portion of potential checks, including resisted hits. At +2, almost nothing in the meta can survive beyond Unaware mons and very specific resists. First, let's go over unboosted hits.

Steel Beam
(Super Effective Calculations)

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Clefable: 504-594 (127.9 - 150.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Enamorus: 554-654 (191.6 - 226.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Enamorus-Therian: 462-546 (131.6 - 155.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Glimmora: 548-648 (178.5 - 211%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hatterene: 450-530 (141.5 - 166.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Iron Boulder: 432-510 (134.5 - 158.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kyurem: 504-594 (128.9 - 151.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Iron Valiant: 696-822 (240 - 283.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Steel Beam
(Neutral + Resisted Calculations)

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Unaware Clodsire: 166-196 (35.8 - 42.3%) -- 92.6% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Darkrai: 252-297 (89.6 - 105.6%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Deoxys-Defense: 153-181 (50.3 - 59.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Deoxys-Speed: 252-297 (104.5 - 123.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Unaware Dondozo: 162-192 (32.1 - 38%) -- 96% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 292-345 (92.1 - 108.8%) -- 50% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 244 HP / 12 SpD Gliscor: 288-340 (81.8 - 96.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Poison Heal

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Great Tusk: 382-451 (102.9 - 121.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Great Tusk: 382-451 (88 - 103.9%) -- 25% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Landorus-Therian: 309-364 (96.8 - 114.1%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 279-328 (73 - 85.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Meowscarada: 307-363 (104.7 - 123.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Pelipper: 153-180 (47.3 - 55.7%) -- 80.1% chance to 2HKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Primarina: 204-240 (67.7 - 79.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rillaboom: 309-364 (90.6 - 106.7%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roaring Moon: 229-270 (65.2 - 76.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Samurott-Hisui: 162-192 (50.4 - 59.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Serperior: 241-285 (82.8 - 97.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 154-182 (46.1 - 54.4%) -- 57.4% chance to 2HKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Slowking-Galar: 156-184 (39.5 - 46.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Torkoal: 154-182 (44.8 - 53%) -- 29.7% chance to 2HKO

Now let's turn it up a notch and look at how common threats stack up against a +2 Steel Beam. Pokemon that could deal with a neutral Steel Beam crumble under the explosive offensive pressure that this boosted move exerts.

Steel Beam
(Literally most of OU vs +2 Calculations - Super Effective, Neutral, Resisted)

Resisted

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 204+ SpD Archaludon: 228-269 (59.5 - 70.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Cinderace: 291-342 (96.6 - 113.6%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 224 HP / 0 SpD Cinderace: 292-344 (81.7 - 96.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Corviknight: 261-308 (65.4 - 77.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Excadrill: 325-383 (90 - 106%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gouging Fire: 245-288 (69.8 - 82%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gholdengo: 248-292 (78.7 - 92.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Gholdengo: 249-294 (65.8 - 77.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 32 HP / 0 SpD Iron Crown: 216-254 (65.6 - 77.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 236 HP / 0 SpD Kingambit: 264-311 (66 - 77.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Ogerpon-Wellspring: 237-279 (78.7 - 92.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Pelipper: 306-360 (94.7 - 111.4%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 64 HP / 0 SpD Raging Bolt: 254-299 (62.4 - 73.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Samurott-Hisui: 325-383 (101.2 - 119.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 309-363 (92.5 - 108.6%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Torkoal: 309-363 (90 - 105.8%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 64 SpD Toxapex: 162-191 (53.2 - 62.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Volcarona: 220-259 (70.7 - 83.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Volcarona: 221-261 (59 - 69.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 12 HP / 0 SpD Walking Wake: 269-317 (78.6 - 92.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Neutral

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Darkrai: 501-591 (178.2 - 210.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Deoxys-Defense: 306-360 (100.6 - 118.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 585-688 (184.5 - 217%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Multiscale Dragonite: 230-271 (71.2 - 83.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 555-654 (145.2 - 171.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rillaboom: 618-727 (181.2 - 213.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roaring Moon: 456-537 (129.9 - 152.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Serperior: 481-567 (165.2 - 194.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Slowking-Galar: 312-367 (79.1 - 93.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Vessel of Ruin Ting-Lu: 288-339 (56 - 65.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Zamazenta: 408-481 (105.1 - 123.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

To give you an idea of how ludicrous this move's power is at +2 - out of all the Pokemon in OU, only the following four Pokemon can avoid a 2HKO from +2 Steel Beam without resorting to gimmicky EV distribution, resisted or not - Unaware Clodsire, Unaware Dondozo, Heatran, and Toxapex's Assault Vest Set. This means that 40 out of 44 OU Pokemon can potentially be 2HKO'd by +2 Steel Beam.

View attachment 590087
Shadow Ball + Final Move Tally

Shadow Ball rounds out this set's coverage and additionally allows Lucario to threaten Pokemon such as Gholdengo and Glowking, in addition to its Special Defense drop chance sometimes allowing it to muscle past threats it otherwise wouldn't be able to such as Dondozo. Aura Sphere and Shadow Ball have near perfect coverage together, with Steel Beam tying the two of them together quite nicely.

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 224-264 (70.6 - 83.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 446-526 (140.6 - 165.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gholdengo: 192-226 (60.9 - 71.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gholdengo: 380-448 (120.6 - 142.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Gholdengo: 192-226 (50.7 - 59.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Gholdengo: 382-450 (101 - 119%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hatterene: 172-204 (54 - 64.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hatterene: 342-404 (107.5 - 127%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Iron Boulder: 166-196 (51.7 - 61%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Iron Boulder: 328-388 (102.1 - 120.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 32 HP / 0 SpD Iron Crown: 166-196 (50.4 - 59.5%) -- 82.4% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 32 HP / 0 SpD Iron Crown: 330-390 (100.3 - 118.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Unaware Skeledirge: 154-182 (37.4 - 44.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Slowking-Galar: 238-280 (60.4 - 71%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Final Tally Score
% of OU OHKO'd at +2
(Aura Sphere + Shadow Ball + Steel Beam)
32 of 44 OU Pokemon - Approximately 72% of OU

Lucario at +2 SpA has the potential to OHKO three-quarters of the entire OU metagame with Aura Sphere, Shadow Ball, and Steel Beam, with the OHKO amount for +0 hits not being too far behind given the ubiquity of what Lucario hits super effectively. This is where Lucario's main niche comes in, it blows holes into your opponent's cores in a way that no other Pokemon can both with and without a Nasty Plot boost. It can also run an equivalent set physically, albeit without the insane instant melt button that is STAB Steel Beam.

View attachment 589999
Defensive Utility
View attachment 590098
Thanks to Lucario's newfound access to Tera alongside its naturally fantastic defensive Steel/Fighting-type, Lucario has plenty of opportunities to come in or to stay in despite its comparatively lacking 70/70/70 bulk. Lucario has a handy immunity to Poison, along with critical resistance to Dark, Dragon, Rock, Bug, Normal, Steel, Grass, and Ice-type attacks. It additionally is one of the few Fighting-type Pokemon with neutrality to both Fairy and Flying-type attacks. Lucario's Steel/Fighting type combination does give it three nasty weaknesses to Fighting/Fire/Ground-type attacks, but this is also remedied via Tera Fairy - which grants Lucario a new Dragon-type immunity, a new Fighting-type resistance, and two new neutralities in Fire and Ground-type attacks. Let's take a look at some surprising hits that Lucario can live through.

Steel/Fighting

Super Effective Hits

0 Def Archaludon Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 194-230 (69 - 81.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Corviknight Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 222-262 (79 - 93.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Dondozo Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 236-278 (83.9 - 98.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0 SpA Hatterene Mystical Fire vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 186-220 (66.1 - 78.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
160+ Def Skarmory Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 256-302 (91.1 - 107.4%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO

Neutral Hits

252+ SpA Archaludon Electro Shot vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 199-235 (70.8 - 83.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Enamorus Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 211-249 (75 - 88.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Gholdengo Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 177-208 (62.9 - 74%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Iron Valiant Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 195-229 (69.3 - 81.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 111-131 (39.5 - 46.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

0 SpA Pelipper Surf vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario in Rain: 184-217 (65.4 - 77.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Pelipper Hurricane vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 150-177 (53.3 - 62.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ SpA Raging Bolt Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 222-262 (79 - 93.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Raging Bolt Thunderclap vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 172-204 (61.2 - 72.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 Atk Protosynthesis Roaring Moon Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 220-259 (78.2 - 92.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Razor Shell vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 216-255 (76.8 - 90.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

8 SpA Skeledirge Hex (65 BP) vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 102-120 (36.2 - 42.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Slowking-Galar Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 186-219 (66.1 - 77.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Resisted Hits

252+ SpA Archaludon Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 149-176 (53 - 62.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Archaludon Flash Cannon vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 92-108 (32.7 - 38.4%) -- 99.1% chance to 3HKO

252 SpA Life Orb Darkrai Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 116-136 (41.2 - 48.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 98-116 (34.8 - 41.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252 SpA Gholdengo Make It Rain vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 131-155 (46.6 - 55.1%) -- 69.5% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Power Gem vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 43-51 (15.3 - 18.1%) -- possible 6HKO

252 Atk Iron Boulder Mighty Cleave vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 49-58 (17.4 - 20.6%) -- possible 5HKO
+2 252 Atk Quark Drive Iron Boulder Mighty Cleave vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 127-150 (45.1 - 53.3%) -- 35.5% chance to 2HKO

252+ Atk Kingambit Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 99-117 (35.2 - 41.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 148-174 (52.6 - 61.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 105-124 (37.3 - 44.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 156-185 (55.5 - 65.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 87-102 (30.9 - 36.2%) -- 62% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 129-153 (45.9 - 54.4%) -- 53.1% chance to 2HKO

252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Freeze-Dry vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 113-133 (40.2 - 47.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 145-171 (51.6 - 60.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 210-247 (74.7 - 87.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 Atk Meowscarada Flower Trick vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario on a critical hit: 102-121 (36.2 - 43%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Meowscarada Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 94-111 (33.4 - 39.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Protean Meowscarada Triple Axel (40 BP) (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 117-138 (41.6 - 49.1%) -- approx. 3HKO

252 Atk Wellspring Mask Ogerpon-Wellspring Horn Leech vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 93-110 (33 - 39.1%) -- 99.9% chance to 3HKO
252+ SpA Raging Bolt Dragon Pulse vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 105-123 (37.3 - 43.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Grassy Glide vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario in Grassy Terrain: 126-149 (44.8 - 53%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 113-133 (40.2 - 47.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery

252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Ceaseless Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 93-110 (33 - 39.1%) -- 99.9% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Serperior Leaf Storm vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 97-114 (34.5 - 40.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252 Atk Weavile Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 100-118 (35.5 - 41.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Weavile Triple Axel (40 BP) (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 126-147 (44.8 - 52.3%) -- approx. 18.4% chance to 2HKO

0 Atk Zamazenta Crunch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 45-53 (16 - 18.8%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Zamazenta Crunch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 55-65 (19.5 - 23.1%) -- possible 5HKO

252 Atk Zamazenta Heavy Slam (80 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 55-65 (19.5 - 23.1%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Zamazenta Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 34-40 (12 - 14.2%) -- possible 8HKO

Terastallized

Newly Resisted Hits

0 Def Archaludon Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 48-57 (17 - 20.2%) -- possible 5HKO
252+ Def Corviknight Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 55-65 (19.5 - 23.1%) -- possible 5HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Darkrai Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 114-135 (40.5 - 48%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252 SpA Life Orb Deoxys-Speed Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 90-107 (32 - 38%) -- 93.9% chance to 3HKO
252+ Def Dondozo Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 59-69 (20.9 - 24.5%) -- guaranteed 5HKO

252 Atk Iron Boulder Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 83-98 (29.5 - 34.8%) -- 13.7% chance to 3HKO
+2 252 Atk Quark Drive Iron Boulder Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 215-253 (76.5 - 90%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ SpA Iron Crown Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 90-107 (32 - 38%) -- 96.4% chance to 3HKO

252+ Atk Kingambit Low Kick (80 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 66-78 (23.4 - 27.7%) -- 79.6% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Low Kick (80 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 99-116 (35.2 - 41.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252 Atk Protean Meowscarada Low Kick (80 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 78-92 (27.7 - 32.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
160+ Def Skarmory Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 64-75 (22.7 - 26.6%) -- 31.2% chance to 4HKO

+1 88 Def Zamazenta Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 105-124 (37.3 - 44.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Zamazenta Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 124-147 (44.1 - 52.3%) -- 17.6% chance to 2HKO

Newly Neutral Hits

32 Atk Cinderace Pyro Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 204-240 (72.5 - 85.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Choice Band Dragonite Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 246-290 (87.5 - 103.2%) -- 25% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Dragonite Fire Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 185-218 (65.8 - 77.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Enamorus Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 133-157 (47.3 - 55.8%) -- 79.3% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Excadrill Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 226-267 (80.4 - 95%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0 Atk Gliscor Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 138-163 (49.1 - 58%) -- 96.1% chance to 2HKO

252+ Atk Gouging Fire Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 147-174 (52.3 - 61.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Gouging Fire Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 264-312 (93.9 - 111%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Glimmora Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 130-153 (46.2 - 54.4%) -- 56.3% chance to 2HKO

0 Atk Great Tusk Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 183-216 (65.1 - 76.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Great Tusk Headlong Rush vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 264-312 (93.9 - 111%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO

0 SpA Hatterene Mystical Fire vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 93-110 (33 - 39.1%) -- 99.9% chance to 3HKO

0 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 107-127 (38 - 45.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 130-153 (46.2 - 54.4%) -- 56.3% chance to 2HKO

0 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 178-210 (63.3 - 74.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after trapping damage
252 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 216-255 (76.8 - 90.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after trapping damage

252 Atk Iron Boulder Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 138-163 (49.1 - 58%) -- 97.7% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 194-229 (69 - 81.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 199-235 (70.8 - 83.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Protosynthesis Roaring Moon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 199-235 (70.8 - 83.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

8 SpA Skeledirge Torch Song vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 124-147 (44.1 - 52.3%) -- 17.6% chance to 2HKO
0 Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 157-186 (55.8 - 66.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

8 SpA Torkoal Lava Plume vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario in Sun: 153-180 (54.4 - 64%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
244 SpA Choice Specs Walking Wake Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 187-221 (66.5 - 78.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Conclusion
View attachment 590097

Lucario is an incredibly fun Pokemon to use that is the definition of high-risk/high-reward. It's a (reinforced) glass cannon with absolutely nuclear offenses, a solid speed tier, and incredible synergy with and against the meta. It's simple to use, and yet has a ton of dimension to it. It's one of the most fun Pokemon I've been able to use throughout this entire new stage of SV OU, and I can't wait to tackle my next OU essay -I hope you all enjoyed reading, SV OU DLC2 is in a really good place right now barring a few outliers, and I can't wait to see the metagame develop even further!

This is amazing! Will put in use some of this.

I've always wondered why they made Lucario a mixer attacker, the extra points in either atk or sp atk would've come handy in speed because boy, it doesn't make sense that fat abominations like Purugly and Terrakion have almost 20 points more in speed that Luca, it's ridiculous.

Anchor9 · Jan 9, 2024

Sub-Flying Iron Boulder 6-0.
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9ou-2030806572

DaRotomMachine · Jan 9, 2024

I don't have a calculator

Does Max Speed Iron Val outspeed Max Spe dragapult (I'm sorry if this is obvious)

Schpoonman · Jan 9, 2024

DaRotomMachine said:
I don't have a calculator

Does Max Speed Iron Val outspeed Max Spe dragapult (I'm sorry if this is obvious)

Dragapult naturally outspeeds Iron Valiant assuming same speed investment in both mons, but Iron Valiant very commonly uses Booster Energy to get a speed boost that will put it above Dragapult on first switch-in.

YubelVT · Jan 9, 2024

Cheryl. said:
View attachment 589966

I don't think about kyurem very often in my defense

Cuddly · Jan 9, 2024

Morkal said:
Lucario
View attachment 589986
Type: View attachment 589996/View attachment 589998
-----------------
Tera Type: View attachment 589999

"Lucario can study auras to predict the movements of its opponents and track their quarry. With sufficient training, a Lucario can read auras to understand how living beings are feeling from more than half a mile (1 kilometer) away."
- Bulbapedia

"252 Atk Protean Meowscarada Triple Axel (40 BP) (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 117-138 (41.6 - 49.1%) -- approx. 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 194-229 (69 - 81.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO"
- Morkal

Base Stat Total
525 Lucario Opinion
Lucario's stat spread is markedly better than the Pokemon I usually work with, so that's not where the difficulties in using Lucario showed up. Both its Attack and Special Attack are great and, thanks to Fighting/Steel typing's slew of resistances, 70/70/70 bulk is workable with only slight adjustments. Its base speed can sometimes be a bit frustrating, but it hits some critically important benchmarks. Despite its flaws, Lucario is a great Pokemon in OU that is woefully underutilized and has been for several generations.
BASE STATS STATS AT LV. 100
HP
70
250 - 344
Attack
110
202 - 350
Defense
70
130 - 262
Sp. Atk
115
211 - 361
Sp. Def
70
130 - 262
Speed
90
166 - 306

Introduction - Lucario's meteoric rise to fame as a fan-favorite Pokemon has not been felt for generations in OU, where its relevance has continued to dwindle. Thankfully SV OU is a metagame where Tera has allowed almost every Pokemon to have a potential OU niche (*cough*), and Lucario is no exception. Thanks to its great offensive and defensive typing, wide movepool, solid offensive stats, and the unique offensive role compression that only Lucario has. Special thanks to 1LDK for helping me with the Lucario set, his item change suggestion along with one of the movepool slash-ins helped bring the final set together in a great way.

View attachment 590036
Lucario OU TL;DR
This section contains a quick "too long, didn't read" portion summarizing Lucario's positive traits in the tier. What is listed here is explained in full throughout the essay.

Lucario is a strong anti-meta breaker with a potent offensive typing and movepool that allows it to handle a unique combination of threats that no other Pokemon can. Lucario's potent offensive role compression, unique tools, and newfound access to Tera allow it to threaten troublesome OU threats such as Archaludon, Darkrai, Excadrill, Gholdengo, Glimmora, Great Tusk, Hatterene, Heatran, Iron Boulder, Iron Crown, Iron Valiant, Kingambit, Kyurem, Meowscarada, Samurott-Hisui, Skarmory, Weavile, and Zamazenta.

Lucario's got great mixed offensive stats, allowing it to perform a wide variety of roles and handle different combinations of threats. Additionally, Lucario's bulk and speed, while both underwhelming, still reach critical benchmarks - such as surviving Choice Specs Kyurem's Earth Power when tera'd, or outspeeding Pokemon like Great Tusk, Rillaboom, Samurott-H, Archaludon, Dragonite, Gholdengo, and Glimmora.

Lucario's movepool is vast, with multiple boosting options in Agility, Bulk Up, Calm Mind, Nasty Plot, and Swords Dance. Lucario has fantastic physical and special STAB options in Aura Sphere, Bullet Punch, Close Combat, Drain Punch, Flash Cannon, Focus Blast, High Jump Kick, Low Kick, Meteor Mash, Steel Beam, and Vacuum Wave.

Lucario's coverage movepool contains multiple powerful options such as Crunch, Dark Pulse, Dragon Pulse, Earthquake, Extreme Speed, Ice Punch, Poison Jab, Psychic, Rock Slide, Shadow Ball, Shadow Claw, Stone Edge, Tera Blast, Thunder Punch, and Zen Headbutt.

Lucario can utilize multiple Tera-types for a variety of different purposes both offensive and defensive; with notable Tera-types being Fairy, Ground, Flying, Steel, and Ghost-type.

Lucario has a surprising amount of utility options for the tier such as Circle Throw and Roar for phasing or more offensive utility such as Trailblaze for breaking sashes while boosting speed.

Lucario has three great abilities - Inner Focus allows Lucario immunity to being flinched and Intimidated, Steadfast gives Lucario a situational +1 speed boost when flinched, and Justified gives Lucario +1 attack when hit by the tier's common Dark-type moves.

View attachment 590040
Nasty Plot Wise Glasses Breaker
(Bolded options are my preferred option picks)
View attachment 590039
Lucario @ Wise Glasses
Ability: Inner Focus
Tera Type: Fairy/Flying/Ghost/Ground/Steel
EVs: 252 SpA / 12 SpD / 244 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Aura Sphere/Focus Blast
- Shadow Ball
- Psychic/Steel Beam/Tera Blast

Lucario's purpose is to muscle past common threats with his unique set of tools, workable speed, and threatening power. First, we'll talk about the specific benchmarks that Lucario hits with its EVs + its item choice, then we're going to go over each of Lucario's main moveset choices. Afterward, we'll finish off the essay by taking a look at Lucario's surprising defensive utility.

View attachment 590068 View attachment 590040
Nasty Plot + Speed Tier + Wise Glasses

Lucario's Speed with a Timid nature and 244 EVs gives Lucario 304 speed, allowing him to outspeed potent threats like 252 Jolly Excadrill (302), 252 Jolly Great Tusk (300), 252 Neutral Mew/Zapdos (299), 252 Timid Rotom-Wash/Glimmora (298), 252 Neutral Iron Crown & 252 +Nature Ceruledge/Kommo-o/Quaquaval/Hamurott (295), 252 Timid Gholdengo (293), and 252 Modest Kyurem (289) along with countless other slower threats. While base 90 speed isn't blazing any trails, it still is higher than a significant portion of the OU tier. Wise Glasses is an item that boosts up the Special Attack of its holder by 1.1x, which boosts up Lucario's ability to break through potent threats with its stupendous neutral coverage. Nasty Plot is the crux of this set, allowing Lucario to leverage its solid 115 base special attack to reach a whopping 658 - decimating anything that doesn't resist Lucario's powerful attacks, with resistances not being enough in many cases.

Moveset Analysis
View attachment 590099
View attachment 589996
Aura Sphere

Lucario gets access to STAB Aura Sphere, a base 80 Power 32PP special Fighting-type move that cannot miss - this move allows Lucario to break through the slew of Dark, Ice, and Steel-type Pokemon permeating the OU meta (along with Normal and Rock-type Pokemon). Let's take a look at some calculations to see exactly what Aura Sphere can do both without and with a +2 Nasty Plot boost.

Aura Sphere
(Super Effective Calculations)

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 204+ SpD Archaludon: 264-312 (68.9 - 81.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 204+ SpD Archaludon: 524-618 (136.8 - 161.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Darkrai: 288-342 (102.4 - 121.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Excadrill: 372-440 (103 - 121.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Heatran: 252-296 (78 - 91.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 212+ SpD Heatran: 188-224 (48.7 - 58%) -- 61.3% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Heatran: 500-590 (154.7 - 182.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 212+ SpD Heatran: 374-444 (96.8 - 115%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 236 HP / 0 SpD Kingambit: 612-720 (153 - 180%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kyurem: 288-342 (73.6 - 87.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kyurem: 576-678 (147.3 - 173.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Meowscarada: 354-416 (120.8 - 141.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roaring Moon: 260-308 (74 - 87.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roaring Moon: 522-614 (148.7 - 174.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Samurott-Hisui: 372-440 (115.8 - 137%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Vessel of Ruin Ting-Lu: 330-390 (64.2 - 75.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Torkoal: 178-210 (51.8 - 61.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Torkoal: 354-417 (103.2 - 121.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Weavile: 604-712 (214.9 - 253.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Aura Sphere
(Neutral Calculations)

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Cinderace: 333-393 (110.6 - 130.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 224 HP / 0 SpD Cinderace: 334-394 (93.5 - 110.3%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Corviknight: 298-352 (74.6 - 88.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Glimmora: 313-370 (101.9 - 120.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gouging Fire: 280-331 (79.7 - 94.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Great Tusk: 438-516 (118 - 139%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Ogerpon-Wellspring: 271-321 (90 - 106.6%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 64 HP / 0 SpD Raging Bolt: 291-343 (71.4 - 84.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rillaboom: 354-417 (103.8 - 122.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Serperior: 276-325 (94.8 - 111.6%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 354-417 (105.9 - 124.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 12 HP / 0 SpD Walking Wake: 307-363 (89.7 - 106.1%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zamazenta: 234-276 (72 - 84.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Zamazenta: 234-276 (60.3 - 71.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Aura Sphere alone breaks through a huge portion of the OU tier with one boost or even neutrally in some cases, while synergizing especially well with Shadow Ball for near-perfect neutral coverage along with STAB Steel Beam to wreak unadulterated havoc on anything that isn't resisted (and sometimes even resisted hits). Speaking of which~

View attachment 589998
Steel Beam

Lucario has access to the utterly terrifying STAB move Steel Beam, a base 140 power 95% accurate special Steel-type attack with the unfortunate side effect of Lucario losing 50% of its max HP. While this may seem costly, this move can become an effective wincon for you as it simply muscles past a huge portion of potential checks, including resisted hits. At +2, almost nothing in the meta can survive beyond Unaware mons and very specific resists. First, let's go over unboosted hits.

Steel Beam
(Super Effective Calculations)

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Clefable: 504-594 (127.9 - 150.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Enamorus: 554-654 (191.6 - 226.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Enamorus-Therian: 462-546 (131.6 - 155.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Glimmora: 548-648 (178.5 - 211%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hatterene: 450-530 (141.5 - 166.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Iron Boulder: 432-510 (134.5 - 158.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kyurem: 504-594 (128.9 - 151.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Iron Valiant: 696-822 (240 - 283.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Steel Beam
(Neutral + Resisted Calculations)

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Unaware Clodsire: 166-196 (35.8 - 42.3%) -- 92.6% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Darkrai: 252-297 (89.6 - 105.6%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Deoxys-Defense: 153-181 (50.3 - 59.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Deoxys-Speed: 252-297 (104.5 - 123.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Unaware Dondozo: 162-192 (32.1 - 38%) -- 96% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 292-345 (92.1 - 108.8%) -- 50% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 244 HP / 12 SpD Gliscor: 288-340 (81.8 - 96.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Poison Heal

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Great Tusk: 382-451 (102.9 - 121.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Great Tusk: 382-451 (88 - 103.9%) -- 25% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Landorus-Therian: 309-364 (96.8 - 114.1%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 279-328 (73 - 85.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Meowscarada: 307-363 (104.7 - 123.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Pelipper: 153-180 (47.3 - 55.7%) -- 80.1% chance to 2HKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Primarina: 204-240 (67.7 - 79.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rillaboom: 309-364 (90.6 - 106.7%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roaring Moon: 229-270 (65.2 - 76.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Samurott-Hisui: 162-192 (50.4 - 59.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Serperior: 241-285 (82.8 - 97.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 154-182 (46.1 - 54.4%) -- 57.4% chance to 2HKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Slowking-Galar: 156-184 (39.5 - 46.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Torkoal: 154-182 (44.8 - 53%) -- 29.7% chance to 2HKO

Now let's turn it up a notch and look at how common threats stack up against a +2 Steel Beam. Pokemon that could deal with a neutral Steel Beam crumble under the explosive offensive pressure that this boosted move exerts.

Steel Beam
(Literally most of OU vs +2 Calculations - Super Effective, Neutral, Resisted)

Resisted

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 204+ SpD Archaludon: 228-269 (59.5 - 70.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Cinderace: 291-342 (96.6 - 113.6%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 224 HP / 0 SpD Cinderace: 292-344 (81.7 - 96.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Corviknight: 261-308 (65.4 - 77.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Excadrill: 325-383 (90 - 106%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gouging Fire: 245-288 (69.8 - 82%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gholdengo: 248-292 (78.7 - 92.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Gholdengo: 249-294 (65.8 - 77.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 32 HP / 0 SpD Iron Crown: 216-254 (65.6 - 77.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 236 HP / 0 SpD Kingambit: 264-311 (66 - 77.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Ogerpon-Wellspring: 237-279 (78.7 - 92.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Pelipper: 306-360 (94.7 - 111.4%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 64 HP / 0 SpD Raging Bolt: 254-299 (62.4 - 73.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Samurott-Hisui: 325-383 (101.2 - 119.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 309-363 (92.5 - 108.6%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Torkoal: 309-363 (90 - 105.8%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 64 SpD Toxapex: 162-191 (53.2 - 62.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Volcarona: 220-259 (70.7 - 83.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Volcarona: 221-261 (59 - 69.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 12 HP / 0 SpD Walking Wake: 269-317 (78.6 - 92.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Neutral

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Darkrai: 501-591 (178.2 - 210.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Deoxys-Defense: 306-360 (100.6 - 118.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 585-688 (184.5 - 217%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Multiscale Dragonite: 230-271 (71.2 - 83.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 555-654 (145.2 - 171.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rillaboom: 618-727 (181.2 - 213.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roaring Moon: 456-537 (129.9 - 152.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Serperior: 481-567 (165.2 - 194.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Slowking-Galar: 312-367 (79.1 - 93.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Vessel of Ruin Ting-Lu: 288-339 (56 - 65.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Zamazenta: 408-481 (105.1 - 123.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

To give you an idea of how ludicrous this move's power is at +2 - out of all the Pokemon in OU, only the following four Pokemon can avoid a 2HKO from +2 Steel Beam without resorting to gimmicky EV distribution, resisted or not - Unaware Clodsire, Unaware Dondozo, Heatran, and Toxapex's Assault Vest Set. This means that 40 out of 44 OU Pokemon can potentially be 2HKO'd by +2 Steel Beam.

View attachment 590087
Shadow Ball + Final Move Tally

Shadow Ball rounds out this set's coverage and additionally allows Lucario to threaten Pokemon such as Gholdengo and Glowking, in addition to its Special Defense drop chance sometimes allowing it to muscle past threats it otherwise wouldn't be able to such as Dondozo. Aura Sphere and Shadow Ball have near perfect coverage together, with Steel Beam tying the two of them together quite nicely.

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 224-264 (70.6 - 83.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 446-526 (140.6 - 165.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gholdengo: 192-226 (60.9 - 71.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gholdengo: 380-448 (120.6 - 142.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Gholdengo: 192-226 (50.7 - 59.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Gholdengo: 382-450 (101 - 119%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hatterene: 172-204 (54 - 64.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hatterene: 342-404 (107.5 - 127%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Iron Boulder: 166-196 (51.7 - 61%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Iron Boulder: 328-388 (102.1 - 120.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 32 HP / 0 SpD Iron Crown: 166-196 (50.4 - 59.5%) -- 82.4% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 32 HP / 0 SpD Iron Crown: 330-390 (100.3 - 118.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Unaware Skeledirge: 154-182 (37.4 - 44.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Slowking-Galar: 238-280 (60.4 - 71%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Final Tally Score
% of OU OHKO'd at +2
(Aura Sphere + Shadow Ball + Steel Beam)
32 of 44 OU Pokemon - Approximately 72% of OU

Lucario at +2 SpA has the potential to OHKO three-quarters of the entire OU metagame with Aura Sphere, Shadow Ball, and Steel Beam, with the OHKO amount for +0 hits not being too far behind given the ubiquity of what Lucario hits super effectively. This is where Lucario's main niche comes in, it blows holes into your opponent's cores in a way that no other Pokemon can both with and without a Nasty Plot boost. It can also run an equivalent set physically, albeit without the insane instant melt button that is STAB Steel Beam.

View attachment 589999
Defensive Utility
View attachment 590098
Thanks to Lucario's newfound access to Tera alongside its naturally fantastic defensive Steel/Fighting-type, Lucario has plenty of opportunities to come in or to stay in despite its comparatively lacking 70/70/70 bulk. Lucario has a handy immunity to Poison, along with critical resistance to Dark, Dragon, Rock, Bug, Normal, Steel, Grass, and Ice-type attacks. It additionally is one of the few Fighting-type Pokemon with neutrality to both Fairy and Flying-type attacks. Lucario's Steel/Fighting type combination does give it three nasty weaknesses to Fighting/Fire/Ground-type attacks, but this is also remedied via Tera Fairy - which grants Lucario a new Dragon-type immunity, a new Fighting-type resistance, and two new neutralities in Fire and Ground-type attacks. Let's take a look at some surprising hits that Lucario can live through.

Steel/Fighting

Super Effective Hits

0 Def Archaludon Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 194-230 (69 - 81.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Corviknight Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 222-262 (79 - 93.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Dondozo Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 236-278 (83.9 - 98.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0 SpA Hatterene Mystical Fire vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 186-220 (66.1 - 78.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
160+ Def Skarmory Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 256-302 (91.1 - 107.4%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO

Neutral Hits

252+ SpA Archaludon Electro Shot vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 199-235 (70.8 - 83.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Enamorus Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 211-249 (75 - 88.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Gholdengo Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 177-208 (62.9 - 74%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Iron Valiant Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 195-229 (69.3 - 81.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 111-131 (39.5 - 46.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

0 SpA Pelipper Surf vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario in Rain: 184-217 (65.4 - 77.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Pelipper Hurricane vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 150-177 (53.3 - 62.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ SpA Raging Bolt Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 222-262 (79 - 93.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Raging Bolt Thunderclap vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 172-204 (61.2 - 72.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 Atk Protosynthesis Roaring Moon Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 220-259 (78.2 - 92.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Razor Shell vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 216-255 (76.8 - 90.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

8 SpA Skeledirge Hex (65 BP) vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 102-120 (36.2 - 42.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Slowking-Galar Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 186-219 (66.1 - 77.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Resisted Hits

252+ SpA Archaludon Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 149-176 (53 - 62.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Archaludon Flash Cannon vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 92-108 (32.7 - 38.4%) -- 99.1% chance to 3HKO

252 SpA Life Orb Darkrai Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 116-136 (41.2 - 48.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 98-116 (34.8 - 41.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252 SpA Gholdengo Make It Rain vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 131-155 (46.6 - 55.1%) -- 69.5% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Power Gem vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 43-51 (15.3 - 18.1%) -- possible 6HKO

252 Atk Iron Boulder Mighty Cleave vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 49-58 (17.4 - 20.6%) -- possible 5HKO
+2 252 Atk Quark Drive Iron Boulder Mighty Cleave vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 127-150 (45.1 - 53.3%) -- 35.5% chance to 2HKO

252+ Atk Kingambit Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 99-117 (35.2 - 41.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 148-174 (52.6 - 61.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 105-124 (37.3 - 44.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 156-185 (55.5 - 65.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 87-102 (30.9 - 36.2%) -- 62% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 129-153 (45.9 - 54.4%) -- 53.1% chance to 2HKO

252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Freeze-Dry vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 113-133 (40.2 - 47.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 145-171 (51.6 - 60.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 210-247 (74.7 - 87.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 Atk Meowscarada Flower Trick vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario on a critical hit: 102-121 (36.2 - 43%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Meowscarada Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 94-111 (33.4 - 39.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Protean Meowscarada Triple Axel (40 BP) (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 117-138 (41.6 - 49.1%) -- approx. 3HKO

252 Atk Wellspring Mask Ogerpon-Wellspring Horn Leech vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 93-110 (33 - 39.1%) -- 99.9% chance to 3HKO
252+ SpA Raging Bolt Dragon Pulse vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 105-123 (37.3 - 43.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Grassy Glide vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario in Grassy Terrain: 126-149 (44.8 - 53%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 113-133 (40.2 - 47.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery

252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Ceaseless Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 93-110 (33 - 39.1%) -- 99.9% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Serperior Leaf Storm vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 97-114 (34.5 - 40.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252 Atk Weavile Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 100-118 (35.5 - 41.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Weavile Triple Axel (40 BP) (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 126-147 (44.8 - 52.3%) -- approx. 18.4% chance to 2HKO

0 Atk Zamazenta Crunch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 45-53 (16 - 18.8%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Zamazenta Crunch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 55-65 (19.5 - 23.1%) -- possible 5HKO

252 Atk Zamazenta Heavy Slam (80 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 55-65 (19.5 - 23.1%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Zamazenta Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 34-40 (12 - 14.2%) -- possible 8HKO

Terastallized

Newly Resisted Hits

0 Def Archaludon Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 48-57 (17 - 20.2%) -- possible 5HKO
252+ Def Corviknight Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 55-65 (19.5 - 23.1%) -- possible 5HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Darkrai Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 114-135 (40.5 - 48%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252 SpA Life Orb Deoxys-Speed Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 90-107 (32 - 38%) -- 93.9% chance to 3HKO
252+ Def Dondozo Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 59-69 (20.9 - 24.5%) -- guaranteed 5HKO

252 Atk Iron Boulder Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 83-98 (29.5 - 34.8%) -- 13.7% chance to 3HKO
+2 252 Atk Quark Drive Iron Boulder Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 215-253 (76.5 - 90%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ SpA Iron Crown Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 90-107 (32 - 38%) -- 96.4% chance to 3HKO

252+ Atk Kingambit Low Kick (80 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 66-78 (23.4 - 27.7%) -- 79.6% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Low Kick (80 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 99-116 (35.2 - 41.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252 Atk Protean Meowscarada Low Kick (80 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 78-92 (27.7 - 32.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
160+ Def Skarmory Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 64-75 (22.7 - 26.6%) -- 31.2% chance to 4HKO

+1 88 Def Zamazenta Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 105-124 (37.3 - 44.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Zamazenta Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 124-147 (44.1 - 52.3%) -- 17.6% chance to 2HKO

Newly Neutral Hits

32 Atk Cinderace Pyro Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 204-240 (72.5 - 85.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Choice Band Dragonite Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 246-290 (87.5 - 103.2%) -- 25% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Dragonite Fire Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 185-218 (65.8 - 77.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Enamorus Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 133-157 (47.3 - 55.8%) -- 79.3% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Excadrill Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 226-267 (80.4 - 95%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0 Atk Gliscor Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 138-163 (49.1 - 58%) -- 96.1% chance to 2HKO

252+ Atk Gouging Fire Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 147-174 (52.3 - 61.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Gouging Fire Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 264-312 (93.9 - 111%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Glimmora Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 130-153 (46.2 - 54.4%) -- 56.3% chance to 2HKO

0 Atk Great Tusk Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 183-216 (65.1 - 76.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Great Tusk Headlong Rush vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 264-312 (93.9 - 111%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO

0 SpA Hatterene Mystical Fire vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 93-110 (33 - 39.1%) -- 99.9% chance to 3HKO

0 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 107-127 (38 - 45.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 130-153 (46.2 - 54.4%) -- 56.3% chance to 2HKO

0 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 178-210 (63.3 - 74.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after trapping damage
252 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 216-255 (76.8 - 90.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after trapping damage

252 Atk Iron Boulder Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 138-163 (49.1 - 58%) -- 97.7% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 194-229 (69 - 81.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 199-235 (70.8 - 83.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Protosynthesis Roaring Moon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 199-235 (70.8 - 83.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

8 SpA Skeledirge Torch Song vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 124-147 (44.1 - 52.3%) -- 17.6% chance to 2HKO
0 Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 157-186 (55.8 - 66.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

8 SpA Torkoal Lava Plume vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario in Sun: 153-180 (54.4 - 64%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
244 SpA Choice Specs Walking Wake Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 187-221 (66.5 - 78.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Conclusion
View attachment 590097

Lucario is an incredibly fun Pokemon to use that is the definition of high-risk/high-reward. It's a (reinforced) glass cannon with absolutely nuclear offenses, a solid speed tier, and incredible synergy with and against the meta. It's simple to use, and yet has a ton of dimension to it. It's one of the most fun Pokemon I've been able to use throughout this entire new stage of SV OU, and I can't wait to tackle my next OU essay -I hope you all enjoyed reading, SV OU DLC2 is in a really good place right now barring a few outliers, and I can't wait to see the metagame develop even further!

Almost read this as Wide Lens instead of Wise Glasses.
Anyways, I was thinking if Black Belt would be a better item for this set. It lets your main option do more damage and nab some KOs at higher chances or 100% depending on hazards.

252 SpA Black Belt Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 204+ SpD Archaludon: 288-338 (75.1 - 88.2%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO after 1 layer of Spikes
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 204+ SpD Archaludon: 264-312 (68.9 - 81.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after 1 layer of Spikes and Leftovers recovery

:heatran:

offensive
252 SpA Black Belt Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Heatran: 272-324 (84.2 - 100.3%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO after 1 layer of Spikes
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Heatran: 252-296 (78 - 91.6%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO after 1 layer of Spikes

:heatran:

defensive
252 SpA Black Belt Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 212+ SpD Heatran: 206-246 (53.3 - 63.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after 1 layer of Spikes and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 212+ SpD Heatran: 188-224 (48.7 - 58%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after 1 layer of Spikes and Leftovers recovery

:kyurem:

252 SpA Black Belt Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kyurem: 314-372 (80.3 - 95.1%) -- 50% chance to OHKO after 1 layer of Spikes
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kyurem: 288-342 (73.6 - 87.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after 1 layer of Spikes

:roaring moon:

252 SpA Black Belt Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roaring Moon: 288-338 (82 - 96.2%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO after 1 layer of Spikes
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roaring Moon: 260-308 (74 - 87.7%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO after 1 layer of Spikes

+2 252 SpA Black Belt Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Vessel of Ruin Ting-Lu: 356-422 (69.2 - 82.1%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO after 3 layers of Spikes
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Vessel of Ruin Ting-Lu: 330-390 (64.2 - 75.8%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO after 3 layers of Spikes

(btw Torkoal is in the Super Effective section)

:cinderace:

+2 252 SpA Black Belt Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 224 HP / 0 SpD Cinderace: 364-430 (101.9 - 120.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 224 HP / 0 SpD Cinderace: 334-394 (93.5 - 110.3%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO

:corviknight:

+2 252 SpA Black Belt Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Corviknight: 327-385 (81.9 - 96.4%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Corviknight: 298-352 (74.6 - 88.2%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

:gouging fire:

+2 252 SpA Black Belt Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gouging Fire: 306-361 (87.1 - 102.8%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gouging Fire: 280-331 (79.7 - 94.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

:ogerpon-wellspring:

+2 252 SpA Black Belt Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Ogerpon-Wellspring: 297-349 (98.6 - 115.9%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Ogerpon-Wellspring: 271-321 (90 - 106.6%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO

:ogerpon-wellspring:

Tera
+2 252 SpA Black Belt Lucario Aura Sphere vs. +1 0 HP / 4 SpD Tera Water Ogerpon-Wellspring-Tera: 198-234 (65.7 - 77.7%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock and 1 layer of Spikes
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. +1 0 HP / 4 SpD Tera Water Ogerpon-Wellspring-Tera: 181-214 (60.1 - 71%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and 1 layer of Spikes

:raging bolt:

+2 252 SpA Black Belt Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 64 HP / 0 SpD Raging Bolt: 316-373 (77.6 - 91.6%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 64 HP / 0 SpD Raging Bolt: 291-343 (71.4 - 84.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

:serperior:

+2 252 SpA Black Belt Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Serperior: 300-354 (103 - 121.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Serperior: 276-325 (94.8 - 111.6%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO

:walking wake:

+2 252 SpA Black Belt Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 12 HP / 0 SpD Walking Wake: 336-396 (98.2 - 115.7%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 12 HP / 0 SpD Walking Wake: 307-363 (89.7 - 106.1%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO

:zamazenta:

CB
+2 252 SpA Black Belt Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zamazenta: 255-300 (78.4 - 92.3%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO after 2 layers of Spikes
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zamazenta: 234-276 (72 - 84.9%) -- 12.5% chance to OHKO after 2 layers of Spikes

:zamazenta:

ID
+2 252 SpA Black Belt Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Zamazenta: 255-301 (65.7 - 77.5%) -- 25% chance to OHKO after 3 layers of Spikes
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Zamazenta: 234-276 (60.3 - 71.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after 3 layers of Spikes and Leftovers recovery

And while looking at the calcs presented for Steel Beam and Shadow Ball, very few mattered for both. Some of the Steel Beam calcs mix with other calcs like with Aura Sphere for Darkrai, or Deoxys-S being OHKO’d by Steel Beam when it often runs Focus Sash (and is weak to Shadow Ball too). But it does matter for some Pokemon like Iron Crown and Iron Boulder.

pika pal · Jan 9, 2024

DaRotomMachine said:
I don't have a calculator

Does Max Speed Iron Val outspeed Max Spe dragapult (I'm sorry if this is obvious)

Iron Valiant is Base 116 so yeah, it will never outspeed a standard Drag without Booster Energy or some other aid.

Dragapult's Base Speed is such that at max Investment, it will outspeed anything below Base 125 Speed with a neutral Nature (so anything with Iron Boulder's +Nature speed or lower needs a Boost to outrun any Dragapult). Actually a good benchmark to remember because Drag is both fast enough and "just strong but not quite" enough sometimes where an Offense boosting nature is viable for it (mainly losing +1 Neutral Dragonite and +Speed Zamazenta as common notable match-ups). Dude seems to be eating well post DLC with all the Dragons slower than it that dropped into the tier (funnily its Timid set Speed Ties +1 Adamant Gouging Fire if you need to flip a coin on that thing) and a lot of opposing speedsters it can keep in check like Meowscarada, Iron Boulder, and Weavile (Tera Ice Shard won't KO after SR vs Draco, so still a viable Revenge Kill, especially if Drag has Tera available).

DaddyBuzzwole · Jan 9, 2024

Morkal said:
View attachment 590040
Nasty Plot Wise Glasses Breaker
(Bolded options are my preferred option picks)
View attachment 590039
Lucario @ Wise Glasses
Ability: Inner Focus
Tera Type: Fairy/Flying/Ghost/Ground/Steel
EVs: 252 SpA / 12 SpD / 244 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Aura Sphere/Focus Blast
- Shadow Ball
- Psychic/Steel Beam/Tera Blast

Lucario's purpose is to muscle past common threats with his unique set of tools, workable speed, and threatening power. First, we'll talk about the specific benchmarks that Lucario hits with its EVs + its item choice, then we're going to go over each of Lucario's main moveset choices. Afterward, we'll finish off the essay by taking a look at Lucario's surprising defensive utility.

View attachment 590068 View attachment 590040
Nasty Plot + Speed Tier + Wise Glasses

Lucario's Speed with a Timid nature and 244 EVs gives Lucario 304 speed, allowing him to outspeed potent threats like 252 Jolly Excadrill (302), 252 Jolly Great Tusk (300), 252 Neutral Mew/Zapdos (299), 252 Timid Rotom-Wash/Glimmora (298), 252 Neutral Iron Crown & 252 +Nature Ceruledge/Kommo-o/Quaquaval/Hamurott (295), 252 Timid Gholdengo (293), and 252 Modest Kyurem (289) along with countless other slower threats. While base 90 speed isn't blazing any trails, it still is higher than a significant portion of the OU tier. Wise Glasses is an item that boosts up the Special Attack of its holder by 1.1x, which boosts up Lucario's ability to break through potent threats with its stupendous neutral coverage. Nasty Plot is the crux of this set, allowing Lucario to leverage its solid 115 base special attack to reach a whopping 658 - decimating anything that doesn't resist Lucario's powerful attacks, with resistances not being enough in many cases.

Moveset Analysis
View attachment 590099
View attachment 589996
Aura Sphere

Lucario gets access to STAB Aura Sphere, a base 80 Power 32PP special Fighting-type move that cannot miss - this move allows Lucario to break through the slew of Dark, Ice, and Steel-type Pokemon permeating the OU meta (along with Normal and Rock-type Pokemon). Let's take a look at some calculations to see exactly what Aura Sphere can do both without and with a +2 Nasty Plot boost.

Aura Sphere
(Super Effective Calculations)

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 204+ SpD Archaludon: 264-312 (68.9 - 81.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 204+ SpD Archaludon: 524-618 (136.8 - 161.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Darkrai: 288-342 (102.4 - 121.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Excadrill: 372-440 (103 - 121.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Heatran: 252-296 (78 - 91.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 212+ SpD Heatran: 188-224 (48.7 - 58%) -- 61.3% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Heatran: 500-590 (154.7 - 182.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 212+ SpD Heatran: 374-444 (96.8 - 115%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 236 HP / 0 SpD Kingambit: 612-720 (153 - 180%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kyurem: 288-342 (73.6 - 87.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kyurem: 576-678 (147.3 - 173.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Meowscarada: 354-416 (120.8 - 141.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roaring Moon: 260-308 (74 - 87.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roaring Moon: 522-614 (148.7 - 174.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Samurott-Hisui: 372-440 (115.8 - 137%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Vessel of Ruin Ting-Lu: 330-390 (64.2 - 75.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Torkoal: 178-210 (51.8 - 61.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Torkoal: 354-417 (103.2 - 121.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Weavile: 604-712 (214.9 - 253.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Aura Sphere
(Neutral Calculations)

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Cinderace: 333-393 (110.6 - 130.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 224 HP / 0 SpD Cinderace: 334-394 (93.5 - 110.3%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Corviknight: 298-352 (74.6 - 88.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Glimmora: 313-370 (101.9 - 120.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gouging Fire: 280-331 (79.7 - 94.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Great Tusk: 438-516 (118 - 139%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Ogerpon-Wellspring: 271-321 (90 - 106.6%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 64 HP / 0 SpD Raging Bolt: 291-343 (71.4 - 84.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rillaboom: 354-417 (103.8 - 122.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Serperior: 276-325 (94.8 - 111.6%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 354-417 (105.9 - 124.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 12 HP / 0 SpD Walking Wake: 307-363 (89.7 - 106.1%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zamazenta: 234-276 (72 - 84.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Zamazenta: 234-276 (60.3 - 71.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Aura Sphere alone breaks through a huge portion of the OU tier with one boost or even neutrally in some cases, while synergizing especially well with Shadow Ball for near-perfect neutral coverage along with STAB Steel Beam to wreak unadulterated havoc on anything that isn't resisted (and sometimes even resisted hits). Speaking of which~

View attachment 589998
Steel Beam

Lucario has access to the utterly terrifying STAB move Steel Beam, a base 140 power 95% accurate special Steel-type attack with the unfortunate side effect of Lucario losing 50% of its max HP. While this may seem costly, this move can become an effective wincon for you as it simply muscles past a huge portion of potential checks, including resisted hits. At +2, almost nothing in the meta can survive beyond Unaware mons and very specific resists. First, let's go over unboosted hits.

Steel Beam
(Super Effective Calculations)

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Clefable: 504-594 (127.9 - 150.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Enamorus: 554-654 (191.6 - 226.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Enamorus-Therian: 462-546 (131.6 - 155.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Glimmora: 548-648 (178.5 - 211%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hatterene: 450-530 (141.5 - 166.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Iron Boulder: 432-510 (134.5 - 158.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kyurem: 504-594 (128.9 - 151.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Iron Valiant: 696-822 (240 - 283.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Steel Beam
(Neutral + Resisted Calculations)

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Unaware Clodsire: 166-196 (35.8 - 42.3%) -- 92.6% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Darkrai: 252-297 (89.6 - 105.6%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Deoxys-Defense: 153-181 (50.3 - 59.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Deoxys-Speed: 252-297 (104.5 - 123.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Unaware Dondozo: 162-192 (32.1 - 38%) -- 96% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 292-345 (92.1 - 108.8%) -- 50% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 244 HP / 12 SpD Gliscor: 288-340 (81.8 - 96.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Poison Heal

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Great Tusk: 382-451 (102.9 - 121.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Great Tusk: 382-451 (88 - 103.9%) -- 25% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Landorus-Therian: 309-364 (96.8 - 114.1%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 279-328 (73 - 85.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Meowscarada: 307-363 (104.7 - 123.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Pelipper: 153-180 (47.3 - 55.7%) -- 80.1% chance to 2HKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Primarina: 204-240 (67.7 - 79.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rillaboom: 309-364 (90.6 - 106.7%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roaring Moon: 229-270 (65.2 - 76.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Samurott-Hisui: 162-192 (50.4 - 59.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Serperior: 241-285 (82.8 - 97.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 154-182 (46.1 - 54.4%) -- 57.4% chance to 2HKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Slowking-Galar: 156-184 (39.5 - 46.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Torkoal: 154-182 (44.8 - 53%) -- 29.7% chance to 2HKO

Now let's turn it up a notch and look at how common threats stack up against a +2 Steel Beam. Pokemon that could deal with a neutral Steel Beam crumble under the explosive offensive pressure that this boosted move exerts.

Steel Beam
(Literally most of OU vs +2 Calculations - Super Effective, Neutral, Resisted)

Resisted

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 204+ SpD Archaludon: 228-269 (59.5 - 70.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Cinderace: 291-342 (96.6 - 113.6%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 224 HP / 0 SpD Cinderace: 292-344 (81.7 - 96.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Corviknight: 261-308 (65.4 - 77.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Excadrill: 325-383 (90 - 106%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gouging Fire: 245-288 (69.8 - 82%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gholdengo: 248-292 (78.7 - 92.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Gholdengo: 249-294 (65.8 - 77.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 32 HP / 0 SpD Iron Crown: 216-254 (65.6 - 77.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 236 HP / 0 SpD Kingambit: 264-311 (66 - 77.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Ogerpon-Wellspring: 237-279 (78.7 - 92.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Pelipper: 306-360 (94.7 - 111.4%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 64 HP / 0 SpD Raging Bolt: 254-299 (62.4 - 73.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Samurott-Hisui: 325-383 (101.2 - 119.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 309-363 (92.5 - 108.6%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Torkoal: 309-363 (90 - 105.8%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 64 SpD Toxapex: 162-191 (53.2 - 62.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Volcarona: 220-259 (70.7 - 83.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Volcarona: 221-261 (59 - 69.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 12 HP / 0 SpD Walking Wake: 269-317 (78.6 - 92.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Neutral

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Darkrai: 501-591 (178.2 - 210.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Deoxys-Defense: 306-360 (100.6 - 118.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 585-688 (184.5 - 217%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Multiscale Dragonite: 230-271 (71.2 - 83.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 555-654 (145.2 - 171.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rillaboom: 618-727 (181.2 - 213.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roaring Moon: 456-537 (129.9 - 152.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Serperior: 481-567 (165.2 - 194.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Slowking-Galar: 312-367 (79.1 - 93.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Vessel of Ruin Ting-Lu: 288-339 (56 - 65.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Zamazenta: 408-481 (105.1 - 123.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

To give you an idea of how ludicrous this move's power is at +2 - out of all the Pokemon in OU, only the following four Pokemon can avoid a 2HKO from +2 Steel Beam without resorting to gimmicky EV distribution, resisted or not - Unaware Clodsire, Unaware Dondozo, Heatran, and Toxapex's Assault Vest Set. This means that 40 out of 44 OU Pokemon can potentially be 2HKO'd by +2 Steel Beam.

View attachment 590087
Shadow Ball + Final Move Tally

Shadow Ball rounds out this set's coverage and additionally allows Lucario to threaten Pokemon such as Gholdengo and Glowking, in addition to its Special Defense drop chance sometimes allowing it to muscle past threats it otherwise wouldn't be able to such as Dondozo. Aura Sphere and Shadow Ball have near perfect coverage together, with Steel Beam tying the two of them together quite nicely.

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 224-264 (70.6 - 83.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 446-526 (140.6 - 165.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gholdengo: 192-226 (60.9 - 71.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gholdengo: 380-448 (120.6 - 142.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Gholdengo: 192-226 (50.7 - 59.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Gholdengo: 382-450 (101 - 119%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hatterene: 172-204 (54 - 64.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hatterene: 342-404 (107.5 - 127%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Iron Boulder: 166-196 (51.7 - 61%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Iron Boulder: 328-388 (102.1 - 120.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 32 HP / 0 SpD Iron Crown: 166-196 (50.4 - 59.5%) -- 82.4% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 32 HP / 0 SpD Iron Crown: 330-390 (100.3 - 118.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Unaware Skeledirge: 154-182 (37.4 - 44.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Slowking-Galar: 238-280 (60.4 - 71%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Final Tally Score
% of OU OHKO'd at +2
(Aura Sphere + Shadow Ball + Steel Beam)
32 of 44 OU Pokemon - Approximately 72% of OU

Lucario at +2 SpA has the potential to OHKO three-quarters of the entire OU metagame with Aura Sphere, Shadow Ball, and Steel Beam, with the OHKO amount for +0 hits not being too far behind given the ubiquity of what Lucario hits super effectively. This is where Lucario's main niche comes in, it blows holes into your opponent's cores in a way that no other Pokemon can both with and without a Nasty Plot boost. It can also run an equivalent set physically, albeit without the insane instant melt button that is STAB Steel Beam.

i have to wonder if there's any item out there that can function better than wise glasses in this role. the calcs are good, but i still look at a 1.1x boost as being kind of pitiful. is it possible that metal coat would be a better fit for it to get more comfortable kills with steel beam, or does it lose out on too many kills with aura sphere and shadow ball? what about metronome to get bigger boosts if you spam, which has the opposite trade-off—steel beam doesn't get help because it's ridiculously unspammable, but would the 1.2x boost on a second use of aura sphere or shadow ball be worth losing the 1.1x initial boost? for that matter, what if you kept it wise glasses but went for stellar tera to give a short-term boost to all of your moves, which can only improve these calcs? i think this is a good set that's definitely worth researching more to see how much we can optimize it

NotDaProGamer · Jan 9, 2024

UnusualBoy said:
it doesn't make sense that fat abominations like Purugly and Terrakion have almost 20 points more in speed that Luca, it's ridiculous.

purugly outspeeds two jet planes (and their megas) and a shark, the ogerpons, 1 point below :serperior:

and easily outspeeding the actual stats of the worst legendary :regigigas:

, what's your point? :latias:

Another point: both meowstics, :drakloak:

and

outspeed

and all the base 100s. Speed is weird!

gregdawiz · Jan 9, 2024

Been using a lot of :Volcarona:

on a grassy terrain team I have and I've just been cleaning up. I'm mid-ladder but most games I usually play borderline exactly the same way: just pivot around -> find a volc opening(slightly easier with grassy terrain) -> set up volc (potentially use tera) -> break defensive backbone of my opponent. From there I can kinda just exploit the weakening of their defensive structures and just win with either of my big sweepers or priority. I'm sure this has been discussed a bunch and there are some avid Volc heads out there, but it really doesnt feel like theres a lot to handle :Volcarona:

's presence offensively especially with tera. Best answers Ive seen have been AV Primarina and other water types with super Spdef but they kinda also fall over to tera grass and giga drain, while Im tera ground. And who knows if AV Primarina or any of the past bulky waters will have what it takes to remain viably OU aside from dealing with Volc. I'm not saying :Volcarona:

is definitely 100% broken, but I'm not saying he's not. My experience using da moth has been pretty EZ dubs which is honestly more than i could say for Roaring Moon when he got banned a few months ago.

Welcome to mars · Jan 9, 2024

greetings SV OU Metagame Discussion v4 [See Post #2380 for Jan Usage Stats]

it has come to my attention that raikou, a pokemon from the pokemon game series, has 90/100 special bulk, which means…

I NEED volt absorb (Raikou) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Pressure
Tera Type: Fairy
EVs: 252 HP / 40 SpD / 216 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt/discharge
- Volt Switch
- Aura Sphere
- Scald
with assault vest, raikou is a bulky fast pivot with usable damage output

it takes 40% from enamorus earth power and is favoured to survive dragapults choice specs draco meteor without being heavily dented
(Please don’t ask about other choice specs clickers)
it also can take unboosted and sometimes slighty boosted hits from hatterene, volcarona, darkrai and archaludon plus it borderline walls gholdengo (+2 shadow ball only has a 16% to 2hko)

it can switch into raging bolt lacking draco meteor and all but can’t do much in return so don’t think about it

if running discharge the pokemon it checks can be disposed of with the most skillful status condition so you don’t need to worry about boosts 2hkoing it that much, about 30% of the time

scald can burn ground types trying to block volt switch and aura sphere is pure coverage, tera fairy is good defensively but has no offensive value, but raikou hits like a wed noodle without special attack investment anyway

Morkal said:
Lucario
View attachment 589986
Type: View attachment 589996/View attachment 589998
-----------------
Tera Type: View attachment 589999

"Lucario can study auras to predict the movements of its opponents and track their quarry. With sufficient training, a Lucario can read auras to understand how living beings are feeling from more than half a mile (1 kilometer) away."
- Bulbapedia

"252 Atk Protean Meowscarada Triple Axel (40 BP) (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 117-138 (41.6 - 49.1%) -- approx. 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 194-229 (69 - 81.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO"
- Morkal

BASE STATS STATS AT LV. 100
Base Stat Total
525 Lucario Opinion
Lucario's stat spread is markedly better than the Pokemon I usually work with, so that's not where the difficulties in using Lucario showed up. Both its Attack and Special Attack are great and, thanks to Fighting/Steel typing's slew of resistances, 70/70/70 bulk is workable with only slight adjustments. Its base speed can sometimes be a bit frustrating, but it hits some critically important benchmarks. Despite its flaws, Lucario is a great Pokemon in OU that is woefully underutilized and has been for several generations.
HP
70
250 - 344
Attack
110
202 - 350
Defense
70
130 - 262
Sp. Atk
115
211 - 361
Sp. Def
70
130 - 262
Speed
90
166 - 306

Introduction - Lucario's meteoric rise to fame as a fan-favorite Pokemon has not been felt for generations in OU, where its relevance has continued to dwindle. Thankfully SV OU is a metagame where Tera has allowed almost every Pokemon to have a potential OU niche (*cough*), and Lucario is no exception. Thanks to its great offensive and defensive typing, wide movepool, solid offensive stats, and the unique offensive role compression that only Lucario has. Special thanks to 1LDK for helping me with the Lucario set, his item change suggestion along with one of the movepool slash-ins helped bring the final set together in a great way.

View attachment 590036
Lucario OU TL;DR
This section contains a quick "too long, didn't read" portion summarizing Lucario's positive traits in the tier. What is listed here is explained in full throughout the essay.

Lucario is a strong anti-meta breaker with a potent offensive typing and movepool that allows it to handle a unique combination of threats that no other Pokemon can. Lucario's potent offensive role compression, unique tools, and newfound access to Tera allow it to threaten troublesome OU threats such as Archaludon, Darkrai, Excadrill, Gholdengo, Glimmora, Great Tusk, Hatterene, Heatran, Iron Boulder, Iron Crown, Iron Valiant, Kingambit, Kyurem, Meowscarada, Samurott-Hisui, Skarmory, Weavile, and Zamazenta.

Lucario's got great mixed offensive stats, allowing it to perform a wide variety of roles and handle different combinations of threats. Additionally, Lucario's bulk and speed, while both underwhelming, still reach critical benchmarks - such as surviving Choice Specs Kyurem's Earth Power when tera'd, or outspeeding Pokemon like Great Tusk, Rillaboom, Samurott-H, Archaludon, Dragonite, Gholdengo, and Glimmora.

Lucario's movepool is vast, with multiple boosting options in Agility, Bulk Up, Calm Mind, Nasty Plot, and Swords Dance. Lucario has fantastic physical and special STAB options in Aura Sphere, Bullet Punch, Close Combat, Drain Punch, Flash Cannon, Focus Blast, High Jump Kick, Low Kick, Meteor Mash, Steel Beam, and Vacuum Wave.

Lucario's coverage movepool contains multiple powerful options such as Crunch, Dark Pulse, Dragon Pulse, Earthquake, Extreme Speed, Ice Punch, Poison Jab, Psychic, Rock Slide, Shadow Ball, Shadow Claw, Stone Edge, Tera Blast, Thunder Punch, and Zen Headbutt.

Lucario can utilize multiple Tera-types for a variety of different purposes both offensive and defensive; with notable Tera-types being Fairy, Ground, Flying, Steel, and Ghost-type.

Lucario has a surprising amount of utility options for the tier such as Circle Throw and Roar for phasing or more offensive utility such as Trailblaze for breaking sashes while boosting speed.

Lucario has three great abilities - Inner Focus allows Lucario immunity to being flinched and Intimidated, Steadfast gives Lucario a situational +1 speed boost when flinched, and Justified gives Lucario +1 attack when hit by the tier's common Dark-type moves.

View attachment 590040
Nasty Plot Wise Glasses Breaker
(Bolded options are my preferred option picks)
View attachment 590039
Lucario @ Wise Glasses
Ability: Inner Focus
Tera Type: Fairy/Flying/Ghost/Ground/Steel
EVs: 252 SpA / 12 SpD / 244 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Aura Sphere/Focus Blast
- Shadow Ball
- Psychic/Steel Beam/Tera Blast

Lucario's purpose is to muscle past common threats with his unique set of tools, workable speed, and threatening power. First, we'll talk about the specific benchmarks that Lucario hits with its EVs + its item choice, then we're going to go over each of Lucario's main moveset choices. Afterward, we'll finish off the essay by taking a look at Lucario's surprising defensive utility.

View attachment 590068 View attachment 590040
Nasty Plot + Speed Tier + Wise Glasses

Lucario's Speed with a Timid nature and 244 EVs gives Lucario 304 speed, allowing him to outspeed potent threats like 252 Jolly Excadrill (302), 252 Jolly Great Tusk (300), 252 Neutral Mew/Zapdos (299), 252 Timid Rotom-Wash/Glimmora (298), 252 Neutral Iron Crown & 252 +Nature Ceruledge/Kommo-o/Quaquaval/Hamurott (295), 252 Timid Gholdengo (293), and 252 Modest Kyurem (289) along with countless other slower threats. While base 90 speed isn't blazing any trails, it still is higher than a significant portion of the OU tier. Wise Glasses is an item that boosts up the Special Attack of its holder by 1.1x, which boosts up Lucario's ability to break through potent threats with its stupendous neutral coverage. Nasty Plot is the crux of this set, allowing Lucario to leverage its solid 115 base special attack to reach a whopping 658 - decimating anything that doesn't resist Lucario's powerful attacks, with resistances not being enough in many cases.

Moveset Analysis
View attachment 590099
View attachment 589996
Aura Sphere

Lucario gets access to STAB Aura Sphere, a base 80 Power 32PP special Fighting-type move that cannot miss - this move allows Lucario to break through the slew of Dark, Ice, and Steel-type Pokemon permeating the OU meta (along with Normal and Rock-type Pokemon). Let's take a look at some calculations to see exactly what Aura Sphere can do both without and with a +2 Nasty Plot boost.

Aura Sphere
(Super Effective Calculations)

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 204+ SpD Archaludon: 264-312 (68.9 - 81.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 204+ SpD Archaludon: 524-618 (136.8 - 161.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Darkrai: 288-342 (102.4 - 121.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Excadrill: 372-440 (103 - 121.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Heatran: 252-296 (78 - 91.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 212+ SpD Heatran: 188-224 (48.7 - 58%) -- 61.3% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Heatran: 500-590 (154.7 - 182.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 212+ SpD Heatran: 374-444 (96.8 - 115%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 236 HP / 0 SpD Kingambit: 612-720 (153 - 180%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kyurem: 288-342 (73.6 - 87.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kyurem: 576-678 (147.3 - 173.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Meowscarada: 354-416 (120.8 - 141.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roaring Moon: 260-308 (74 - 87.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roaring Moon: 522-614 (148.7 - 174.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Samurott-Hisui: 372-440 (115.8 - 137%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Vessel of Ruin Ting-Lu: 330-390 (64.2 - 75.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Torkoal: 178-210 (51.8 - 61.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Torkoal: 354-417 (103.2 - 121.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Weavile: 604-712 (214.9 - 253.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Aura Sphere
(Neutral Calculations)

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Cinderace: 333-393 (110.6 - 130.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 224 HP / 0 SpD Cinderace: 334-394 (93.5 - 110.3%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Corviknight: 298-352 (74.6 - 88.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Glimmora: 313-370 (101.9 - 120.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gouging Fire: 280-331 (79.7 - 94.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Great Tusk: 438-516 (118 - 139%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Ogerpon-Wellspring: 271-321 (90 - 106.6%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 64 HP / 0 SpD Raging Bolt: 291-343 (71.4 - 84.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rillaboom: 354-417 (103.8 - 122.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Serperior: 276-325 (94.8 - 111.6%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 354-417 (105.9 - 124.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 12 HP / 0 SpD Walking Wake: 307-363 (89.7 - 106.1%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zamazenta: 234-276 (72 - 84.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Zamazenta: 234-276 (60.3 - 71.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Aura Sphere alone breaks through a huge portion of the OU tier with one boost or even neutrally in some cases, while synergizing especially well with Shadow Ball for near-perfect neutral coverage along with STAB Steel Beam to wreak unadulterated havoc on anything that isn't resisted (and sometimes even resisted hits). Speaking of which~

View attachment 589998
Steel Beam

Lucario has access to the utterly terrifying STAB move Steel Beam, a base 140 power 95% accurate special Steel-type attack with the unfortunate side effect of Lucario losing 50% of its max HP. While this may seem costly, this move can become an effective wincon for you as it simply muscles past a huge portion of potential checks, including resisted hits. At +2, almost nothing in the meta can survive beyond Unaware mons and very specific resists. First, let's go over unboosted hits.

Steel Beam
(Super Effective Calculations)

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Clefable: 504-594 (127.9 - 150.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Enamorus: 554-654 (191.6 - 226.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Enamorus-Therian: 462-546 (131.6 - 155.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Glimmora: 548-648 (178.5 - 211%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hatterene: 450-530 (141.5 - 166.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Iron Boulder: 432-510 (134.5 - 158.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kyurem: 504-594 (128.9 - 151.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Iron Valiant: 696-822 (240 - 283.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Steel Beam
(Neutral + Resisted Calculations)

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Unaware Clodsire: 166-196 (35.8 - 42.3%) -- 92.6% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Darkrai: 252-297 (89.6 - 105.6%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Deoxys-Defense: 153-181 (50.3 - 59.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Deoxys-Speed: 252-297 (104.5 - 123.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Unaware Dondozo: 162-192 (32.1 - 38%) -- 96% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 292-345 (92.1 - 108.8%) -- 50% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 244 HP / 12 SpD Gliscor: 288-340 (81.8 - 96.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Poison Heal

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Great Tusk: 382-451 (102.9 - 121.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Great Tusk: 382-451 (88 - 103.9%) -- 25% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Landorus-Therian: 309-364 (96.8 - 114.1%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 279-328 (73 - 85.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Meowscarada: 307-363 (104.7 - 123.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Pelipper: 153-180 (47.3 - 55.7%) -- 80.1% chance to 2HKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Primarina: 204-240 (67.7 - 79.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rillaboom: 309-364 (90.6 - 106.7%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roaring Moon: 229-270 (65.2 - 76.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Samurott-Hisui: 162-192 (50.4 - 59.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Serperior: 241-285 (82.8 - 97.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 154-182 (46.1 - 54.4%) -- 57.4% chance to 2HKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Slowking-Galar: 156-184 (39.5 - 46.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Torkoal: 154-182 (44.8 - 53%) -- 29.7% chance to 2HKO

Now let's turn it up a notch and look at how common threats stack up against a +2 Steel Beam. Pokemon that could deal with a neutral Steel Beam crumble under the explosive offensive pressure that this boosted move exerts.

Steel Beam
(Literally most of OU vs +2 Calculations - Super Effective, Neutral, Resisted)

Resisted

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 204+ SpD Archaludon: 228-269 (59.5 - 70.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Cinderace: 291-342 (96.6 - 113.6%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 224 HP / 0 SpD Cinderace: 292-344 (81.7 - 96.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Corviknight: 261-308 (65.4 - 77.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Excadrill: 325-383 (90 - 106%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gouging Fire: 245-288 (69.8 - 82%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gholdengo: 248-292 (78.7 - 92.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Gholdengo: 249-294 (65.8 - 77.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 32 HP / 0 SpD Iron Crown: 216-254 (65.6 - 77.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 236 HP / 0 SpD Kingambit: 264-311 (66 - 77.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Ogerpon-Wellspring: 237-279 (78.7 - 92.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Pelipper: 306-360 (94.7 - 111.4%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 64 HP / 0 SpD Raging Bolt: 254-299 (62.4 - 73.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Samurott-Hisui: 325-383 (101.2 - 119.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 309-363 (92.5 - 108.6%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Torkoal: 309-363 (90 - 105.8%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 64 SpD Toxapex: 162-191 (53.2 - 62.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Volcarona: 220-259 (70.7 - 83.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Volcarona: 221-261 (59 - 69.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 12 HP / 0 SpD Walking Wake: 269-317 (78.6 - 92.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Neutral

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Darkrai: 501-591 (178.2 - 210.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Deoxys-Defense: 306-360 (100.6 - 118.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 585-688 (184.5 - 217%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Multiscale Dragonite: 230-271 (71.2 - 83.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 555-654 (145.2 - 171.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rillaboom: 618-727 (181.2 - 213.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roaring Moon: 456-537 (129.9 - 152.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Serperior: 481-567 (165.2 - 194.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Slowking-Galar: 312-367 (79.1 - 93.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Vessel of Ruin Ting-Lu: 288-339 (56 - 65.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Zamazenta: 408-481 (105.1 - 123.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

To give you an idea of how ludicrous this move's power is at +2 - out of all the Pokemon in OU, only the following four Pokemon can avoid a 2HKO from +2 Steel Beam without resorting to gimmicky EV distribution, resisted or not - Unaware Clodsire, Unaware Dondozo, Heatran, and Toxapex's Assault Vest Set. This means that 40 out of 44 OU Pokemon can potentially be 2HKO'd by +2 Steel Beam.

View attachment 590087
Shadow Ball + Final Move Tally

Shadow Ball rounds out this set's coverage and additionally allows Lucario to threaten Pokemon such as Gholdengo and Glowking, in addition to its Special Defense drop chance sometimes allowing it to muscle past threats it otherwise wouldn't be able to such as Dondozo. Aura Sphere and Shadow Ball have near perfect coverage together, with Steel Beam tying the two of them together quite nicely.

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 224-264 (70.6 - 83.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 446-526 (140.6 - 165.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gholdengo: 192-226 (60.9 - 71.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gholdengo: 380-448 (120.6 - 142.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Gholdengo: 192-226 (50.7 - 59.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Gholdengo: 382-450 (101 - 119%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hatterene: 172-204 (54 - 64.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hatterene: 342-404 (107.5 - 127%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Iron Boulder: 166-196 (51.7 - 61%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Iron Boulder: 328-388 (102.1 - 120.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 32 HP / 0 SpD Iron Crown: 166-196 (50.4 - 59.5%) -- 82.4% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 32 HP / 0 SpD Iron Crown: 330-390 (100.3 - 118.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Unaware Skeledirge: 154-182 (37.4 - 44.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Slowking-Galar: 238-280 (60.4 - 71%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Final Tally Score
% of OU OHKO'd at +2
(Aura Sphere + Shadow Ball + Steel Beam)
32 of 44 OU Pokemon - Approximately 72% of OU

Lucario at +2 SpA has the potential to OHKO three-quarters of the entire OU metagame with Aura Sphere, Shadow Ball, and Steel Beam, with the OHKO amount for +0 hits not being too far behind given the ubiquity of what Lucario hits super effectively. This is where Lucario's main niche comes in, it blows holes into your opponent's cores in a way that no other Pokemon can both with and without a Nasty Plot boost. It can also run an equivalent set physically, albeit without the insane instant melt button that is STAB Steel Beam.

View attachment 589999
Defensive Utility
View attachment 590098
Thanks to Lucario's newfound access to Tera alongside its naturally fantastic defensive Steel/Fighting-type, Lucario has plenty of opportunities to come in or to stay in despite its comparatively lacking 70/70/70 bulk. Lucario has a handy immunity to Poison, along with critical resistance to Dark, Dragon, Rock, Bug, Normal, Steel, Grass, and Ice-type attacks. It additionally is one of the few Fighting-type Pokemon with neutrality to both Fairy and Flying-type attacks. Lucario's Steel/Fighting type combination does give it three nasty weaknesses to Fighting/Fire/Ground-type attacks, but this is also remedied via Tera Fairy - which grants Lucario a new Dragon-type immunity, a new Fighting-type resistance, and two new neutralities in Fire and Ground-type attacks. Let's take a look at some surprising hits that Lucario can live through.

Steel/Fighting

Super Effective Hits

0 Def Archaludon Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 194-230 (69 - 81.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Corviknight Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 222-262 (79 - 93.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Dondozo Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 236-278 (83.9 - 98.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0 SpA Hatterene Mystical Fire vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 186-220 (66.1 - 78.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
160+ Def Skarmory Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 256-302 (91.1 - 107.4%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO

Neutral Hits

252+ SpA Archaludon Electro Shot vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 199-235 (70.8 - 83.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Enamorus Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 211-249 (75 - 88.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Gholdengo Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 177-208 (62.9 - 74%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Iron Valiant Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 195-229 (69.3 - 81.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 111-131 (39.5 - 46.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

0 SpA Pelipper Surf vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario in Rain: 184-217 (65.4 - 77.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Pelipper Hurricane vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 150-177 (53.3 - 62.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ SpA Raging Bolt Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 222-262 (79 - 93.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Raging Bolt Thunderclap vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 172-204 (61.2 - 72.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 Atk Protosynthesis Roaring Moon Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 220-259 (78.2 - 92.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Razor Shell vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 216-255 (76.8 - 90.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

8 SpA Skeledirge Hex (65 BP) vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 102-120 (36.2 - 42.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Slowking-Galar Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 186-219 (66.1 - 77.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Resisted Hits

252+ SpA Archaludon Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 149-176 (53 - 62.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Archaludon Flash Cannon vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 92-108 (32.7 - 38.4%) -- 99.1% chance to 3HKO

252 SpA Life Orb Darkrai Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 116-136 (41.2 - 48.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 98-116 (34.8 - 41.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252 SpA Gholdengo Make It Rain vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 131-155 (46.6 - 55.1%) -- 69.5% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Power Gem vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 43-51 (15.3 - 18.1%) -- possible 6HKO

252 Atk Iron Boulder Mighty Cleave vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 49-58 (17.4 - 20.6%) -- possible 5HKO
+2 252 Atk Quark Drive Iron Boulder Mighty Cleave vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 127-150 (45.1 - 53.3%) -- 35.5% chance to 2HKO

252+ Atk Kingambit Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 99-117 (35.2 - 41.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 148-174 (52.6 - 61.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 105-124 (37.3 - 44.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 156-185 (55.5 - 65.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 87-102 (30.9 - 36.2%) -- 62% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 129-153 (45.9 - 54.4%) -- 53.1% chance to 2HKO

252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Freeze-Dry vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 113-133 (40.2 - 47.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 145-171 (51.6 - 60.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 210-247 (74.7 - 87.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 Atk Meowscarada Flower Trick vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario on a critical hit: 102-121 (36.2 - 43%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Meowscarada Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 94-111 (33.4 - 39.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Protean Meowscarada Triple Axel (40 BP) (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 117-138 (41.6 - 49.1%) -- approx. 3HKO

252 Atk Wellspring Mask Ogerpon-Wellspring Horn Leech vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 93-110 (33 - 39.1%) -- 99.9% chance to 3HKO
252+ SpA Raging Bolt Dragon Pulse vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 105-123 (37.3 - 43.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Grassy Glide vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario in Grassy Terrain: 126-149 (44.8 - 53%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 113-133 (40.2 - 47.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery

252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Ceaseless Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 93-110 (33 - 39.1%) -- 99.9% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Serperior Leaf Storm vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 97-114 (34.5 - 40.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252 Atk Weavile Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 100-118 (35.5 - 41.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Weavile Triple Axel (40 BP) (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 126-147 (44.8 - 52.3%) -- approx. 18.4% chance to 2HKO

0 Atk Zamazenta Crunch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 45-53 (16 - 18.8%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Zamazenta Crunch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 55-65 (19.5 - 23.1%) -- possible 5HKO

252 Atk Zamazenta Heavy Slam (80 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 55-65 (19.5 - 23.1%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Zamazenta Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 34-40 (12 - 14.2%) -- possible 8HKO

Terastallized

Newly Resisted Hits

0 Def Archaludon Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 48-57 (17 - 20.2%) -- possible 5HKO
252+ Def Corviknight Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 55-65 (19.5 - 23.1%) -- possible 5HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Darkrai Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 114-135 (40.5 - 48%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252 SpA Life Orb Deoxys-Speed Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 90-107 (32 - 38%) -- 93.9% chance to 3HKO
252+ Def Dondozo Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 59-69 (20.9 - 24.5%) -- guaranteed 5HKO

252 Atk Iron Boulder Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 83-98 (29.5 - 34.8%) -- 13.7% chance to 3HKO
+2 252 Atk Quark Drive Iron Boulder Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 215-253 (76.5 - 90%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ SpA Iron Crown Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 90-107 (32 - 38%) -- 96.4% chance to 3HKO

252+ Atk Kingambit Low Kick (80 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 66-78 (23.4 - 27.7%) -- 79.6% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Low Kick (80 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 99-116 (35.2 - 41.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252 Atk Protean Meowscarada Low Kick (80 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 78-92 (27.7 - 32.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
160+ Def Skarmory Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 64-75 (22.7 - 26.6%) -- 31.2% chance to 4HKO

+1 88 Def Zamazenta Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 105-124 (37.3 - 44.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Zamazenta Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 124-147 (44.1 - 52.3%) -- 17.6% chance to 2HKO

Newly Neutral Hits

32 Atk Cinderace Pyro Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 204-240 (72.5 - 85.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Choice Band Dragonite Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 246-290 (87.5 - 103.2%) -- 25% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Dragonite Fire Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 185-218 (65.8 - 77.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Enamorus Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 133-157 (47.3 - 55.8%) -- 79.3% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Excadrill Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 226-267 (80.4 - 95%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0 Atk Gliscor Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 138-163 (49.1 - 58%) -- 96.1% chance to 2HKO

252+ Atk Gouging Fire Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 147-174 (52.3 - 61.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Gouging Fire Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 264-312 (93.9 - 111%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Glimmora Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 130-153 (46.2 - 54.4%) -- 56.3% chance to 2HKO

0 Atk Great Tusk Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 183-216 (65.1 - 76.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Great Tusk Headlong Rush vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 264-312 (93.9 - 111%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO

0 SpA Hatterene Mystical Fire vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 93-110 (33 - 39.1%) -- 99.9% chance to 3HKO

0 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 107-127 (38 - 45.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 130-153 (46.2 - 54.4%) -- 56.3% chance to 2HKO

0 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 178-210 (63.3 - 74.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after trapping damage
252 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 216-255 (76.8 - 90.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after trapping damage

252 Atk Iron Boulder Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 138-163 (49.1 - 58%) -- 97.7% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 194-229 (69 - 81.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 199-235 (70.8 - 83.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Protosynthesis Roaring Moon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 199-235 (70.8 - 83.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

8 SpA Skeledirge Torch Song vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 124-147 (44.1 - 52.3%) -- 17.6% chance to 2HKO
0 Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 157-186 (55.8 - 66.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

8 SpA Torkoal Lava Plume vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario in Sun: 153-180 (54.4 - 64%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
244 SpA Choice Specs Walking Wake Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 187-221 (66.5 - 78.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Conclusion
View attachment 590097

Lucario is an incredibly fun Pokemon to use that is the definition of high-risk/high-reward. It's a (reinforced) glass cannon with absolutely nuclear offenses, a solid speed tier, and incredible synergy with and against the meta. It's simple to use, and yet has a ton of dimension to it. It's one of the most fun Pokemon I've been able to use throughout this entire new stage of SV OU, and I can't wait to tackle my next OU essay -I hope you all enjoyed reading, SV OU DLC2 is in a really good place right now barring a few outliers, and I can't wait to see the metagame develop even further!

that fraud is more viable in OU than cobalion?

DaddyBuzzwole · Jan 9, 2024

NotDaProGamer said:
purugly outspeeds two jet planes and a shark, 1 point below and easily outspeeding the actual stats of the worst legendary , what's your point?
Another point: both meowstics, and outspeed and all the base 100s. Speed is weird!View attachment 590209

oh don't get me fuckin started on stats, how does fucking krabby throw a harder punch than regirock or giratina-altered? and don't even get me started on getting started about dex entries. why is vikavolt, whose dex entries talk about how fast and agile and mobile it is, slower than omanyte, whose dex entries talk about how it went extinct for being too slow? for that matter, escavalier's dex entries mention it flying around at high speed but it's slower than almost every pokemon described by the pokedex as being slow. pidgeot flies around at mach 2 but furfrou is faster. metang can apparently survive a head-on collision with a jet plane unscathed but it gets physically out-bulked by kartana, a literal piece of paper. who the fuck writes dex entries

Divine Retribution · Jan 9, 2024

DaddyBuzzwole said:
who the fuck writes dex entries

Probably the literal child protagonist to be honest. Larvitar eats an entire mountain (and presumably shits it back out as molten rock or something? I dunno) so any time you're hiking in the mountains, chances are you're hiking through Larvitar shit. Magcargo is hotter than the surface of the sun, so when it uses Shell Smash it should probably incinerate everything and everyone within a two mile radius.

NotDaProGamer · Jan 9, 2024

DaddyBuzzwole said:
oh don't get me fuckin started on stats, how does fucking krabby throw a harder punch than regirock or giratina-altered? and don't even get me started on getting started about dex entries. why is vikavolt, whose dex entries talk about how fast and agile and mobile it is, slower than omanyte, whose dex entries talk about how it went extinct for being too slow? for that matter, escavalier's dex entries mention it flying around at high speed but it's slower than almost every pokemon described by the pokedex as being slow. pidgeot flies around at mach 2 but furfrou is faster. metang can apparently survive a head-on collision with a jet plane unscathed but it gets physically out-bulked by kartana, a literal piece of paper. who the fuck writes dex entries

6 Weird Stat Differences (+a BST Difference)

Expected to be more	Actually higher
Garchomp-Mega and Garchomp: 108 HP.	Stunfisk and Stunfisk-Galar: 109 HP.
Boulder, Weavile, Craw, Ogerpons and Zamazenta: 120 ATK.	Cranidos: 125 ATK (Grimmsnarl mention for also being 120 ATK).
Literally Everything which isn't Mega Aggron and Mega Steelix.	Shuckle da little turtle: 230 DEF.
Iron Moth, Mega Latias and Mega Houndoom: 140 SPA.	Dead Coral (Cursola): 145 SPA.
Deoxys-D: 160 SPD. Toxapex: 142 SPD. Blissey: 135 SPD.	A HUNK OF ICE Regice: 200 SPD (Florges mention for 150 SPD).
Both Mega Zards (and all other base 100s) 100SPE.	Elemental Monkeys: 101 SPE.
Dracovish 505 BST.	Tinkaton: 506 BST.

DaRotomMachine · Jan 9, 2024

NotDaProGamer said:
6 Weird Stat Differences (+a BST Difference)
Expected to be moreActually higherGarchomp-Mega and Garchomp: 108 HP.Stunfisk and Stunfisk-Galar: 109 HP.Boulder, Weavile, Craw, Ogerpons and Zamazenta: 120 ATK.Cranidos: 125 ATK (Grimmsnarl mention for also being 120 ATK).Literally Everything which isn't Mega Aggron and Mega Steelix.Shuckle da little turtle: 230 DEF.Iron Moth, Mega Latias and Mega Houndoom: 140 SPA.Dead Coral (Cursola): 145 SPA.Deoxys-D: 160 SPD. Toxapex: 142 SPD. Blissey: 135 SPD.A HUNK OF ICE Regice: 200 SPD (Florges mention for 150 SPD).Both Mega Zards (and all other base 100s) 100SPE.Elemental Monkeys: 101 SPE.Dracovish 505 BST.Tinkaton: 506 BST.

W.T.F
(also i don't think hat this conversation should be held here correct me if i'm wrong the is the metagame discussion?)

Wolf-X · Jan 9, 2024

Morkal said:
Lucario
View attachment 589986
Type: View attachment 589996/View attachment 589998
-----------------
Tera Type: View attachment 589999

"Lucario can study auras to predict the movements of its opponents and track their quarry. With sufficient training, a Lucario can read auras to understand how living beings are feeling from more than half a mile (1 kilometer) away."
- Bulbapedia

"252 Atk Protean Meowscarada Triple Axel (40 BP) (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 117-138 (41.6 - 49.1%) -- approx. 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 194-229 (69 - 81.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO"
- Morkal

BASE STATS STATS AT LV. 100
Base Stat Total
525 Lucario Opinion
Lucario's stat spread is markedly better than the Pokemon I usually work with, so that's not where the difficulties in using Lucario showed up. Both its Attack and Special Attack are great and, thanks to Fighting/Steel typing's slew of resistances, 70/70/70 bulk is workable with only slight adjustments. Its base speed can sometimes be a bit frustrating, but it hits some critically important benchmarks. Despite its flaws, Lucario is a great Pokemon in OU that is woefully underutilized and has been for several generations.
HP
70
250 - 344
Attack
110
202 - 350
Defense
70
130 - 262
Sp. Atk
115
211 - 361
Sp. Def
70
130 - 262
Speed
90
166 - 306

Introduction - Lucario's meteoric rise to fame as a fan-favorite Pokemon has not been felt for generations in OU, where its relevance has continued to dwindle. Thankfully SV OU is a metagame where Tera has allowed almost every Pokemon to have a potential OU niche (*cough*), and Lucario is no exception. Thanks to its great offensive and defensive typing, wide movepool, solid offensive stats, and the unique offensive role compression that only Lucario has. Special thanks to 1LDK for helping me with the Lucario set, his item change suggestion along with one of the movepool slash-ins helped bring the final set together in a great way.

View attachment 590036
Lucario OU TL;DR
This section contains a quick "too long, didn't read" portion summarizing Lucario's positive traits in the tier. What is listed here is explained in full throughout the essay.

Lucario is a strong anti-meta breaker with a potent offensive typing and movepool that allows it to handle a unique combination of threats that no other Pokemon can. Lucario's potent offensive role compression, unique tools, and newfound access to Tera allow it to threaten troublesome OU threats such as Archaludon, Darkrai, Excadrill, Gholdengo, Glimmora, Great Tusk, Hatterene, Heatran, Iron Boulder, Iron Crown, Iron Valiant, Kingambit, Kyurem, Meowscarada, Samurott-Hisui, Skarmory, Weavile, and Zamazenta.

Lucario's got great mixed offensive stats, allowing it to perform a wide variety of roles and handle different combinations of threats. Additionally, Lucario's bulk and speed, while both underwhelming, still reach critical benchmarks - such as surviving Choice Specs Kyurem's Earth Power when tera'd, or outspeeding Pokemon like Great Tusk, Rillaboom, Samurott-H, Archaludon, Dragonite, Gholdengo, and Glimmora.

Lucario's movepool is vast, with multiple boosting options in Agility, Bulk Up, Calm Mind, Nasty Plot, and Swords Dance. Lucario has fantastic physical and special STAB options in Aura Sphere, Bullet Punch, Close Combat, Drain Punch, Flash Cannon, Focus Blast, High Jump Kick, Low Kick, Meteor Mash, Steel Beam, and Vacuum Wave.

Lucario's coverage movepool contains multiple powerful options such as Crunch, Dark Pulse, Dragon Pulse, Earthquake, Extreme Speed, Ice Punch, Poison Jab, Psychic, Rock Slide, Shadow Ball, Shadow Claw, Stone Edge, Tera Blast, Thunder Punch, and Zen Headbutt.

Lucario can utilize multiple Tera-types for a variety of different purposes both offensive and defensive; with notable Tera-types being Fairy, Ground, Flying, Steel, and Ghost-type.

Lucario has a surprising amount of utility options for the tier such as Circle Throw and Roar for phasing or more offensive utility such as Trailblaze for breaking sashes while boosting speed.

Lucario has three great abilities - Inner Focus allows Lucario immunity to being flinched and Intimidated, Steadfast gives Lucario a situational +1 speed boost when flinched, and Justified gives Lucario +1 attack when hit by the tier's common Dark-type moves.

View attachment 590040
Nasty Plot Wise Glasses Breaker
(Bolded options are my preferred option picks)
View attachment 590039
Lucario @ Wise Glasses
Ability: Inner Focus
Tera Type: Fairy/Flying/Ghost/Ground/Steel
EVs: 252 SpA / 12 SpD / 244 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Aura Sphere/Focus Blast
- Shadow Ball
- Psychic/Steel Beam/Tera Blast

Lucario's purpose is to muscle past common threats with his unique set of tools, workable speed, and threatening power. First, we'll talk about the specific benchmarks that Lucario hits with its EVs + its item choice, then we're going to go over each of Lucario's main moveset choices. Afterward, we'll finish off the essay by taking a look at Lucario's surprising defensive utility.

View attachment 590068 View attachment 590040
Nasty Plot + Speed Tier + Wise Glasses

Lucario's Speed with a Timid nature and 244 EVs gives Lucario 304 speed, allowing him to outspeed potent threats like 252 Jolly Excadrill (302), 252 Jolly Great Tusk (300), 252 Neutral Mew/Zapdos (299), 252 Timid Rotom-Wash/Glimmora (298), 252 Neutral Iron Crown & 252 +Nature Ceruledge/Kommo-o/Quaquaval/Hamurott (295), 252 Timid Gholdengo (293), and 252 Modest Kyurem (289) along with countless other slower threats. While base 90 speed isn't blazing any trails, it still is higher than a significant portion of the OU tier. Wise Glasses is an item that boosts up the Special Attack of its holder by 1.1x, which boosts up Lucario's ability to break through potent threats with its stupendous neutral coverage. Nasty Plot is the crux of this set, allowing Lucario to leverage its solid 115 base special attack to reach a whopping 658 - decimating anything that doesn't resist Lucario's powerful attacks, with resistances not being enough in many cases.

Moveset Analysis
View attachment 590099
View attachment 589996
Aura Sphere

Lucario gets access to STAB Aura Sphere, a base 80 Power 32PP special Fighting-type move that cannot miss - this move allows Lucario to break through the slew of Dark, Ice, and Steel-type Pokemon permeating the OU meta (along with Normal and Rock-type Pokemon). Let's take a look at some calculations to see exactly what Aura Sphere can do both without and with a +2 Nasty Plot boost.

Aura Sphere
(Super Effective Calculations)

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 204+ SpD Archaludon: 264-312 (68.9 - 81.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 204+ SpD Archaludon: 524-618 (136.8 - 161.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Darkrai: 288-342 (102.4 - 121.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Excadrill: 372-440 (103 - 121.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Heatran: 252-296 (78 - 91.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 212+ SpD Heatran: 188-224 (48.7 - 58%) -- 61.3% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Heatran: 500-590 (154.7 - 182.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 212+ SpD Heatran: 374-444 (96.8 - 115%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 236 HP / 0 SpD Kingambit: 612-720 (153 - 180%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kyurem: 288-342 (73.6 - 87.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kyurem: 576-678 (147.3 - 173.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Meowscarada: 354-416 (120.8 - 141.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roaring Moon: 260-308 (74 - 87.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roaring Moon: 522-614 (148.7 - 174.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Samurott-Hisui: 372-440 (115.8 - 137%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Vessel of Ruin Ting-Lu: 330-390 (64.2 - 75.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Torkoal: 178-210 (51.8 - 61.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Torkoal: 354-417 (103.2 - 121.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Weavile: 604-712 (214.9 - 253.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Aura Sphere
(Neutral Calculations)

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Cinderace: 333-393 (110.6 - 130.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 224 HP / 0 SpD Cinderace: 334-394 (93.5 - 110.3%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Corviknight: 298-352 (74.6 - 88.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Glimmora: 313-370 (101.9 - 120.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gouging Fire: 280-331 (79.7 - 94.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Great Tusk: 438-516 (118 - 139%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Ogerpon-Wellspring: 271-321 (90 - 106.6%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 64 HP / 0 SpD Raging Bolt: 291-343 (71.4 - 84.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rillaboom: 354-417 (103.8 - 122.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Serperior: 276-325 (94.8 - 111.6%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 354-417 (105.9 - 124.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 12 HP / 0 SpD Walking Wake: 307-363 (89.7 - 106.1%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zamazenta: 234-276 (72 - 84.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Zamazenta: 234-276 (60.3 - 71.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Aura Sphere alone breaks through a huge portion of the OU tier with one boost or even neutrally in some cases, while synergizing especially well with Shadow Ball for near-perfect neutral coverage along with STAB Steel Beam to wreak unadulterated havoc on anything that isn't resisted (and sometimes even resisted hits). Speaking of which~

View attachment 589998
Steel Beam

Lucario has access to the utterly terrifying STAB move Steel Beam, a base 140 power 95% accurate special Steel-type attack with the unfortunate side effect of Lucario losing 50% of its max HP. While this may seem costly, this move can become an effective wincon for you as it simply muscles past a huge portion of potential checks, including resisted hits. At +2, almost nothing in the meta can survive beyond Unaware mons and very specific resists. First, let's go over unboosted hits.

Steel Beam
(Super Effective Calculations)

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Clefable: 504-594 (127.9 - 150.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Enamorus: 554-654 (191.6 - 226.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Enamorus-Therian: 462-546 (131.6 - 155.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Glimmora: 548-648 (178.5 - 211%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hatterene: 450-530 (141.5 - 166.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Iron Boulder: 432-510 (134.5 - 158.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kyurem: 504-594 (128.9 - 151.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Iron Valiant: 696-822 (240 - 283.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Steel Beam
(Neutral + Resisted Calculations)

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Unaware Clodsire: 166-196 (35.8 - 42.3%) -- 92.6% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Darkrai: 252-297 (89.6 - 105.6%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Deoxys-Defense: 153-181 (50.3 - 59.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Deoxys-Speed: 252-297 (104.5 - 123.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Unaware Dondozo: 162-192 (32.1 - 38%) -- 96% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 292-345 (92.1 - 108.8%) -- 50% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 244 HP / 12 SpD Gliscor: 288-340 (81.8 - 96.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Poison Heal

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Great Tusk: 382-451 (102.9 - 121.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Great Tusk: 382-451 (88 - 103.9%) -- 25% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Landorus-Therian: 309-364 (96.8 - 114.1%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 279-328 (73 - 85.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Meowscarada: 307-363 (104.7 - 123.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Pelipper: 153-180 (47.3 - 55.7%) -- 80.1% chance to 2HKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Primarina: 204-240 (67.7 - 79.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rillaboom: 309-364 (90.6 - 106.7%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roaring Moon: 229-270 (65.2 - 76.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Samurott-Hisui: 162-192 (50.4 - 59.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Serperior: 241-285 (82.8 - 97.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 154-182 (46.1 - 54.4%) -- 57.4% chance to 2HKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Slowking-Galar: 156-184 (39.5 - 46.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Torkoal: 154-182 (44.8 - 53%) -- 29.7% chance to 2HKO

Now let's turn it up a notch and look at how common threats stack up against a +2 Steel Beam. Pokemon that could deal with a neutral Steel Beam crumble under the explosive offensive pressure that this boosted move exerts.

Steel Beam
(Literally most of OU vs +2 Calculations - Super Effective, Neutral, Resisted)

Resisted

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 204+ SpD Archaludon: 228-269 (59.5 - 70.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Cinderace: 291-342 (96.6 - 113.6%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 224 HP / 0 SpD Cinderace: 292-344 (81.7 - 96.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Corviknight: 261-308 (65.4 - 77.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Excadrill: 325-383 (90 - 106%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gouging Fire: 245-288 (69.8 - 82%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gholdengo: 248-292 (78.7 - 92.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Gholdengo: 249-294 (65.8 - 77.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 32 HP / 0 SpD Iron Crown: 216-254 (65.6 - 77.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 236 HP / 0 SpD Kingambit: 264-311 (66 - 77.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Ogerpon-Wellspring: 237-279 (78.7 - 92.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Pelipper: 306-360 (94.7 - 111.4%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 64 HP / 0 SpD Raging Bolt: 254-299 (62.4 - 73.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Samurott-Hisui: 325-383 (101.2 - 119.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 309-363 (92.5 - 108.6%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Torkoal: 309-363 (90 - 105.8%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 64 SpD Toxapex: 162-191 (53.2 - 62.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Volcarona: 220-259 (70.7 - 83.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Volcarona: 221-261 (59 - 69.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 12 HP / 0 SpD Walking Wake: 269-317 (78.6 - 92.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Neutral

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Darkrai: 501-591 (178.2 - 210.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Deoxys-Defense: 306-360 (100.6 - 118.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 585-688 (184.5 - 217%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Multiscale Dragonite: 230-271 (71.2 - 83.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 555-654 (145.2 - 171.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rillaboom: 618-727 (181.2 - 213.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roaring Moon: 456-537 (129.9 - 152.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Serperior: 481-567 (165.2 - 194.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Slowking-Galar: 312-367 (79.1 - 93.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Vessel of Ruin Ting-Lu: 288-339 (56 - 65.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Zamazenta: 408-481 (105.1 - 123.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

To give you an idea of how ludicrous this move's power is at +2 - out of all the Pokemon in OU, only the following four Pokemon can avoid a 2HKO from +2 Steel Beam without resorting to gimmicky EV distribution, resisted or not - Unaware Clodsire, Unaware Dondozo, Heatran, and Toxapex's Assault Vest Set. This means that 40 out of 44 OU Pokemon can potentially be 2HKO'd by +2 Steel Beam.

View attachment 590087
Shadow Ball + Final Move Tally

Shadow Ball rounds out this set's coverage and additionally allows Lucario to threaten Pokemon such as Gholdengo and Glowking, in addition to its Special Defense drop chance sometimes allowing it to muscle past threats it otherwise wouldn't be able to such as Dondozo. Aura Sphere and Shadow Ball have near perfect coverage together, with Steel Beam tying the two of them together quite nicely.

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 224-264 (70.6 - 83.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 446-526 (140.6 - 165.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gholdengo: 192-226 (60.9 - 71.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gholdengo: 380-448 (120.6 - 142.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Gholdengo: 192-226 (50.7 - 59.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Gholdengo: 382-450 (101 - 119%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hatterene: 172-204 (54 - 64.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hatterene: 342-404 (107.5 - 127%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Iron Boulder: 166-196 (51.7 - 61%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Iron Boulder: 328-388 (102.1 - 120.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 32 HP / 0 SpD Iron Crown: 166-196 (50.4 - 59.5%) -- 82.4% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 32 HP / 0 SpD Iron Crown: 330-390 (100.3 - 118.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Unaware Skeledirge: 154-182 (37.4 - 44.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Slowking-Galar: 238-280 (60.4 - 71%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Final Tally Score
% of OU OHKO'd at +2
(Aura Sphere + Shadow Ball + Steel Beam)
32 of 44 OU Pokemon - Approximately 72% of OU

Lucario at +2 SpA has the potential to OHKO three-quarters of the entire OU metagame with Aura Sphere, Shadow Ball, and Steel Beam, with the OHKO amount for +0 hits not being too far behind given the ubiquity of what Lucario hits super effectively. This is where Lucario's main niche comes in, it blows holes into your opponent's cores in a way that no other Pokemon can both with and without a Nasty Plot boost. It can also run an equivalent set physically, albeit without the insane instant melt button that is STAB Steel Beam.

View attachment 589999
Defensive Utility
View attachment 590098
Thanks to Lucario's newfound access to Tera alongside its naturally fantastic defensive Steel/Fighting-type, Lucario has plenty of opportunities to come in or to stay in despite its comparatively lacking 70/70/70 bulk. Lucario has a handy immunity to Poison, along with critical resistance to Dark, Dragon, Rock, Bug, Normal, Steel, Grass, and Ice-type attacks. It additionally is one of the few Fighting-type Pokemon with neutrality to both Fairy and Flying-type attacks. Lucario's Steel/Fighting type combination does give it three nasty weaknesses to Fighting/Fire/Ground-type attacks, but this is also remedied via Tera Fairy - which grants Lucario a new Dragon-type immunity, a new Fighting-type resistance, and two new neutralities in Fire and Ground-type attacks. Let's take a look at some surprising hits that Lucario can live through.

Steel/Fighting

Super Effective Hits

0 Def Archaludon Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 194-230 (69 - 81.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Corviknight Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 222-262 (79 - 93.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Dondozo Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 236-278 (83.9 - 98.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0 SpA Hatterene Mystical Fire vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 186-220 (66.1 - 78.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
160+ Def Skarmory Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 256-302 (91.1 - 107.4%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO

Neutral Hits

252+ SpA Archaludon Electro Shot vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 199-235 (70.8 - 83.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Enamorus Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 211-249 (75 - 88.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Gholdengo Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 177-208 (62.9 - 74%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Iron Valiant Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 195-229 (69.3 - 81.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 111-131 (39.5 - 46.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

0 SpA Pelipper Surf vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario in Rain: 184-217 (65.4 - 77.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Pelipper Hurricane vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 150-177 (53.3 - 62.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ SpA Raging Bolt Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 222-262 (79 - 93.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Raging Bolt Thunderclap vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 172-204 (61.2 - 72.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 Atk Protosynthesis Roaring Moon Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 220-259 (78.2 - 92.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Razor Shell vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 216-255 (76.8 - 90.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

8 SpA Skeledirge Hex (65 BP) vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 102-120 (36.2 - 42.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Slowking-Galar Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 186-219 (66.1 - 77.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Resisted Hits

252+ SpA Archaludon Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 149-176 (53 - 62.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Archaludon Flash Cannon vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 92-108 (32.7 - 38.4%) -- 99.1% chance to 3HKO

252 SpA Life Orb Darkrai Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 116-136 (41.2 - 48.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 98-116 (34.8 - 41.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252 SpA Gholdengo Make It Rain vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 131-155 (46.6 - 55.1%) -- 69.5% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Power Gem vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 43-51 (15.3 - 18.1%) -- possible 6HKO

252 Atk Iron Boulder Mighty Cleave vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 49-58 (17.4 - 20.6%) -- possible 5HKO
+2 252 Atk Quark Drive Iron Boulder Mighty Cleave vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 127-150 (45.1 - 53.3%) -- 35.5% chance to 2HKO

252+ Atk Kingambit Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 99-117 (35.2 - 41.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 148-174 (52.6 - 61.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 105-124 (37.3 - 44.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 156-185 (55.5 - 65.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 87-102 (30.9 - 36.2%) -- 62% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 129-153 (45.9 - 54.4%) -- 53.1% chance to 2HKO

252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Freeze-Dry vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 113-133 (40.2 - 47.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 145-171 (51.6 - 60.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 210-247 (74.7 - 87.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 Atk Meowscarada Flower Trick vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario on a critical hit: 102-121 (36.2 - 43%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Meowscarada Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 94-111 (33.4 - 39.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Protean Meowscarada Triple Axel (40 BP) (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 117-138 (41.6 - 49.1%) -- approx. 3HKO

252 Atk Wellspring Mask Ogerpon-Wellspring Horn Leech vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 93-110 (33 - 39.1%) -- 99.9% chance to 3HKO
252+ SpA Raging Bolt Dragon Pulse vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 105-123 (37.3 - 43.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Grassy Glide vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario in Grassy Terrain: 126-149 (44.8 - 53%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 113-133 (40.2 - 47.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery

252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Ceaseless Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 93-110 (33 - 39.1%) -- 99.9% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Serperior Leaf Storm vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 97-114 (34.5 - 40.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252 Atk Weavile Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 100-118 (35.5 - 41.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Weavile Triple Axel (40 BP) (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 126-147 (44.8 - 52.3%) -- approx. 18.4% chance to 2HKO

0 Atk Zamazenta Crunch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 45-53 (16 - 18.8%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Zamazenta Crunch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 55-65 (19.5 - 23.1%) -- possible 5HKO

252 Atk Zamazenta Heavy Slam (80 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 55-65 (19.5 - 23.1%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Zamazenta Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 34-40 (12 - 14.2%) -- possible 8HKO

Terastallized

Newly Resisted Hits

0 Def Archaludon Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 48-57 (17 - 20.2%) -- possible 5HKO
252+ Def Corviknight Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 55-65 (19.5 - 23.1%) -- possible 5HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Darkrai Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 114-135 (40.5 - 48%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252 SpA Life Orb Deoxys-Speed Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 90-107 (32 - 38%) -- 93.9% chance to 3HKO
252+ Def Dondozo Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 59-69 (20.9 - 24.5%) -- guaranteed 5HKO

252 Atk Iron Boulder Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 83-98 (29.5 - 34.8%) -- 13.7% chance to 3HKO
+2 252 Atk Quark Drive Iron Boulder Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 215-253 (76.5 - 90%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ SpA Iron Crown Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 90-107 (32 - 38%) -- 96.4% chance to 3HKO

252+ Atk Kingambit Low Kick (80 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 66-78 (23.4 - 27.7%) -- 79.6% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Low Kick (80 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 99-116 (35.2 - 41.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252 Atk Protean Meowscarada Low Kick (80 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 78-92 (27.7 - 32.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
160+ Def Skarmory Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 64-75 (22.7 - 26.6%) -- 31.2% chance to 4HKO

+1 88 Def Zamazenta Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 105-124 (37.3 - 44.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Zamazenta Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 124-147 (44.1 - 52.3%) -- 17.6% chance to 2HKO

Newly Neutral Hits

32 Atk Cinderace Pyro Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 204-240 (72.5 - 85.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Choice Band Dragonite Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 246-290 (87.5 - 103.2%) -- 25% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Dragonite Fire Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 185-218 (65.8 - 77.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Enamorus Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 133-157 (47.3 - 55.8%) -- 79.3% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Excadrill Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 226-267 (80.4 - 95%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0 Atk Gliscor Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 138-163 (49.1 - 58%) -- 96.1% chance to 2HKO

252+ Atk Gouging Fire Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 147-174 (52.3 - 61.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Gouging Fire Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 264-312 (93.9 - 111%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Glimmora Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 130-153 (46.2 - 54.4%) -- 56.3% chance to 2HKO

0 Atk Great Tusk Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 183-216 (65.1 - 76.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Great Tusk Headlong Rush vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 264-312 (93.9 - 111%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO

0 SpA Hatterene Mystical Fire vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 93-110 (33 - 39.1%) -- 99.9% chance to 3HKO

0 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 107-127 (38 - 45.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 130-153 (46.2 - 54.4%) -- 56.3% chance to 2HKO

0 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 178-210 (63.3 - 74.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after trapping damage
252 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 216-255 (76.8 - 90.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after trapping damage

252 Atk Iron Boulder Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 138-163 (49.1 - 58%) -- 97.7% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 194-229 (69 - 81.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 199-235 (70.8 - 83.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Protosynthesis Roaring Moon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 199-235 (70.8 - 83.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

8 SpA Skeledirge Torch Song vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 124-147 (44.1 - 52.3%) -- 17.6% chance to 2HKO
0 Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 157-186 (55.8 - 66.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

8 SpA Torkoal Lava Plume vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario in Sun: 153-180 (54.4 - 64%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
244 SpA Choice Specs Walking Wake Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 187-221 (66.5 - 78.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Conclusion
View attachment 590097

Lucario is an incredibly fun Pokemon to use that is the definition of high-risk/high-reward. It's a (reinforced) glass cannon with absolutely nuclear offenses, a solid speed tier, and incredible synergy with and against the meta. It's simple to use, and yet has a ton of dimension to it. It's one of the most fun Pokemon I've been able to use throughout this entire new stage of SV OU, and I can't wait to tackle my next OU essay -I hope you all enjoyed reading, SV OU DLC2 is in a really good place right now barring a few outliers, and I can't wait to see the metagame develop even further!

TLDR: Do not use Lucario unless you memeing around or want to get outsped by everyone and their mother. Its only chance at working out is using its flexibility to catch the opponent offguard

Cuddly · Jan 9, 2024

Wolf-X said:
TLDR: Do not use Lucario unless you memeing around or want to get outsped by everyone and their mother. Its only chance at working out is using its flexibility to catch the opponent offguard

I mean this is assuming you’re using Sticky Web team. But yeah this isn’t meant to be top tier or really that good, just SUPER Niche.

SDK03 · Jan 9, 2024

Morkal said:
Lucario
View attachment 589986
Type: View attachment 589996/View attachment 589998
-----------------
Tera Type: View attachment 589999

"Lucario can study auras to predict the movements of its opponents and track their quarry. With sufficient training, a Lucario can read auras to understand how living beings are feeling from more than half a mile (1 kilometer) away."
- Bulbapedia

"252 Atk Protean Meowscarada Triple Axel (40 BP) (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 117-138 (41.6 - 49.1%) -- approx. 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 194-229 (69 - 81.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO"
- Morkal

Base Stat Total
525 Lucario Opinion
Lucario's stat spread is markedly better than the Pokemon I usually work with, so that's not where the difficulties in using Lucario showed up. Both its Attack and Special Attack are great and, thanks to Fighting/Steel typing's slew of resistances, 70/70/70 bulk is workable with only slight adjustments. Its base speed can sometimes be a bit frustrating, but it hits some critically important benchmarks. Despite its flaws, Lucario is a great Pokemon in OU that is woefully underutilized and has been for several generations.
BASE STATS STATS AT LV. 100
HP
70
250 - 344
Attack
110
202 - 350
Defense
70
130 - 262
Sp. Atk
115
211 - 361
Sp. Def
70
130 - 262
Speed
90
166 - 306

Introduction - Lucario's meteoric rise to fame as a fan-favorite Pokemon has not been felt for generations in OU, where its relevance has continued to dwindle. Thankfully SV OU is a metagame where Tera has allowed almost every Pokemon to have a potential OU niche (*cough*), and Lucario is no exception. Thanks to its great offensive and defensive typing, wide movepool, solid offensive stats, and the unique offensive role compression that only Lucario has. Special thanks to 1LDK for helping me with the Lucario set, his item change suggestion along with one of the movepool slash-ins helped bring the final set together in a great way.

View attachment 590036
Lucario OU TL;DR
This section contains a quick "too long, didn't read" portion summarizing Lucario's positive traits in the tier. What is listed here is explained in full throughout the essay.

Lucario is a strong anti-meta breaker with a potent offensive typing and movepool that allows it to handle a unique combination of threats that no other Pokemon can. Lucario's potent offensive role compression, unique tools, and newfound access to Tera allow it to threaten troublesome OU threats such as Archaludon, Darkrai, Excadrill, Gholdengo, Glimmora, Great Tusk, Hatterene, Heatran, Iron Boulder, Iron Crown, Iron Valiant, Kingambit, Kyurem, Meowscarada, Samurott-Hisui, Skarmory, Weavile, and Zamazenta.

Lucario's got great mixed offensive stats, allowing it to perform a wide variety of roles and handle different combinations of threats. Additionally, Lucario's bulk and speed, while both underwhelming, still reach critical benchmarks - such as surviving Choice Specs Kyurem's Earth Power when tera'd, or outspeeding Pokemon like Great Tusk, Rillaboom, Samurott-H, Archaludon, Dragonite, Gholdengo, and Glimmora.

Lucario's movepool is vast, with multiple boosting options in Agility, Bulk Up, Calm Mind, Nasty Plot, and Swords Dance. Lucario has fantastic physical and special STAB options in Aura Sphere, Bullet Punch, Close Combat, Drain Punch, Flash Cannon, Focus Blast, High Jump Kick, Low Kick, Meteor Mash, Steel Beam, and Vacuum Wave.

Lucario's coverage movepool contains multiple powerful options such as Crunch, Dark Pulse, Dragon Pulse, Earthquake, Extreme Speed, Ice Punch, Poison Jab, Psychic, Rock Slide, Shadow Ball, Shadow Claw, Stone Edge, Tera Blast, Thunder Punch, and Zen Headbutt.

Lucario can utilize multiple Tera-types for a variety of different purposes both offensive and defensive; with notable Tera-types being Fairy, Ground, Flying, Steel, and Ghost-type.

Lucario has a surprising amount of utility options for the tier such as Circle Throw and Roar for phasing or more offensive utility such as Trailblaze for breaking sashes while boosting speed.

Lucario has three great abilities - Inner Focus allows Lucario immunity to being flinched and Intimidated, Steadfast gives Lucario a situational +1 speed boost when flinched, and Justified gives Lucario +1 attack when hit by the tier's common Dark-type moves.

View attachment 590040
Nasty Plot Wise Glasses Breaker
(Bolded options are my preferred option picks)
View attachment 590039
Lucario @ Wise Glasses
Ability: Inner Focus
Tera Type: Fairy/Flying/Ghost/Ground/Steel
EVs: 252 SpA / 12 SpD / 244 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Aura Sphere/Focus Blast
- Shadow Ball
- Psychic/Steel Beam/Tera Blast

Lucario's purpose is to muscle past common threats with his unique set of tools, workable speed, and threatening power. First, we'll talk about the specific benchmarks that Lucario hits with its EVs + its item choice, then we're going to go over each of Lucario's main moveset choices. Afterward, we'll finish off the essay by taking a look at Lucario's surprising defensive utility.

View attachment 590068 View attachment 590040
Nasty Plot + Speed Tier + Wise Glasses

Lucario's Speed with a Timid nature and 244 EVs gives Lucario 304 speed, allowing him to outspeed potent threats like 252 Jolly Excadrill (302), 252 Jolly Great Tusk (300), 252 Neutral Mew/Zapdos (299), 252 Timid Rotom-Wash/Glimmora (298), 252 Neutral Iron Crown & 252 +Nature Ceruledge/Kommo-o/Quaquaval/Hamurott (295), 252 Timid Gholdengo (293), and 252 Modest Kyurem (289) along with countless other slower threats. While base 90 speed isn't blazing any trails, it still is higher than a significant portion of the OU tier. Wise Glasses is an item that boosts up the Special Attack of its holder by 1.1x, which boosts up Lucario's ability to break through potent threats with its stupendous neutral coverage. Nasty Plot is the crux of this set, allowing Lucario to leverage its solid 115 base special attack to reach a whopping 658 - decimating anything that doesn't resist Lucario's powerful attacks, with resistances not being enough in many cases.

Moveset Analysis
View attachment 590099
View attachment 589996
Aura Sphere

Lucario gets access to STAB Aura Sphere, a base 80 Power 32PP special Fighting-type move that cannot miss - this move allows Lucario to break through the slew of Dark, Ice, and Steel-type Pokemon permeating the OU meta (along with Normal and Rock-type Pokemon). Let's take a look at some calculations to see exactly what Aura Sphere can do both without and with a +2 Nasty Plot boost.

Aura Sphere
(Super Effective Calculations)

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 204+ SpD Archaludon: 264-312 (68.9 - 81.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 204+ SpD Archaludon: 524-618 (136.8 - 161.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Darkrai: 288-342 (102.4 - 121.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Excadrill: 372-440 (103 - 121.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Heatran: 252-296 (78 - 91.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 212+ SpD Heatran: 188-224 (48.7 - 58%) -- 61.3% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Heatran: 500-590 (154.7 - 182.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 212+ SpD Heatran: 374-444 (96.8 - 115%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 236 HP / 0 SpD Kingambit: 612-720 (153 - 180%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kyurem: 288-342 (73.6 - 87.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kyurem: 576-678 (147.3 - 173.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Meowscarada: 354-416 (120.8 - 141.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roaring Moon: 260-308 (74 - 87.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roaring Moon: 522-614 (148.7 - 174.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Samurott-Hisui: 372-440 (115.8 - 137%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Vessel of Ruin Ting-Lu: 330-390 (64.2 - 75.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Torkoal: 178-210 (51.8 - 61.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Torkoal: 354-417 (103.2 - 121.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Weavile: 604-712 (214.9 - 253.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Aura Sphere
(Neutral Calculations)

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Cinderace: 333-393 (110.6 - 130.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 224 HP / 0 SpD Cinderace: 334-394 (93.5 - 110.3%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Corviknight: 298-352 (74.6 - 88.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Glimmora: 313-370 (101.9 - 120.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gouging Fire: 280-331 (79.7 - 94.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Great Tusk: 438-516 (118 - 139%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Ogerpon-Wellspring: 271-321 (90 - 106.6%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 64 HP / 0 SpD Raging Bolt: 291-343 (71.4 - 84.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rillaboom: 354-417 (103.8 - 122.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Serperior: 276-325 (94.8 - 111.6%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 354-417 (105.9 - 124.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 12 HP / 0 SpD Walking Wake: 307-363 (89.7 - 106.1%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Zamazenta: 234-276 (72 - 84.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Zamazenta: 234-276 (60.3 - 71.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Aura Sphere alone breaks through a huge portion of the OU tier with one boost or even neutrally in some cases, while synergizing especially well with Shadow Ball for near-perfect neutral coverage along with STAB Steel Beam to wreak unadulterated havoc on anything that isn't resisted (and sometimes even resisted hits). Speaking of which~

View attachment 589998
Steel Beam

Lucario has access to the utterly terrifying STAB move Steel Beam, a base 140 power 95% accurate special Steel-type attack with the unfortunate side effect of Lucario losing 50% of its max HP. While this may seem costly, this move can become an effective wincon for you as it simply muscles past a huge portion of potential checks, including resisted hits. At +2, almost nothing in the meta can survive beyond Unaware mons and very specific resists. First, let's go over unboosted hits.

Steel Beam
(Super Effective Calculations)

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Clefable: 504-594 (127.9 - 150.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Enamorus: 554-654 (191.6 - 226.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Enamorus-Therian: 462-546 (131.6 - 155.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Glimmora: 548-648 (178.5 - 211%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hatterene: 450-530 (141.5 - 166.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Iron Boulder: 432-510 (134.5 - 158.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kyurem: 504-594 (128.9 - 151.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Iron Valiant: 696-822 (240 - 283.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Steel Beam
(Neutral + Resisted Calculations)

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Unaware Clodsire: 166-196 (35.8 - 42.3%) -- 92.6% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Darkrai: 252-297 (89.6 - 105.6%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Deoxys-Defense: 153-181 (50.3 - 59.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Deoxys-Speed: 252-297 (104.5 - 123.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Unaware Dondozo: 162-192 (32.1 - 38%) -- 96% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 292-345 (92.1 - 108.8%) -- 50% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 244 HP / 12 SpD Gliscor: 288-340 (81.8 - 96.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Poison Heal

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Great Tusk: 382-451 (102.9 - 121.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Great Tusk: 382-451 (88 - 103.9%) -- 25% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Landorus-Therian: 309-364 (96.8 - 114.1%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 279-328 (73 - 85.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Meowscarada: 307-363 (104.7 - 123.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Pelipper: 153-180 (47.3 - 55.7%) -- 80.1% chance to 2HKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Primarina: 204-240 (67.7 - 79.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rillaboom: 309-364 (90.6 - 106.7%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roaring Moon: 229-270 (65.2 - 76.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Samurott-Hisui: 162-192 (50.4 - 59.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Serperior: 241-285 (82.8 - 97.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 154-182 (46.1 - 54.4%) -- 57.4% chance to 2HKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Slowking-Galar: 156-184 (39.5 - 46.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Torkoal: 154-182 (44.8 - 53%) -- 29.7% chance to 2HKO

Now let's turn it up a notch and look at how common threats stack up against a +2 Steel Beam. Pokemon that could deal with a neutral Steel Beam crumble under the explosive offensive pressure that this boosted move exerts.

Steel Beam
(Literally most of OU vs +2 Calculations - Super Effective, Neutral, Resisted)

Resisted

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 204+ SpD Archaludon: 228-269 (59.5 - 70.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Cinderace: 291-342 (96.6 - 113.6%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 224 HP / 0 SpD Cinderace: 292-344 (81.7 - 96.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Corviknight: 261-308 (65.4 - 77.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Excadrill: 325-383 (90 - 106%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gouging Fire: 245-288 (69.8 - 82%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gholdengo: 248-292 (78.7 - 92.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Gholdengo: 249-294 (65.8 - 77.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 32 HP / 0 SpD Iron Crown: 216-254 (65.6 - 77.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 236 HP / 0 SpD Kingambit: 264-311 (66 - 77.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Ogerpon-Wellspring: 237-279 (78.7 - 92.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Pelipper: 306-360 (94.7 - 111.4%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 64 HP / 0 SpD Raging Bolt: 254-299 (62.4 - 73.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Samurott-Hisui: 325-383 (101.2 - 119.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 309-363 (92.5 - 108.6%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Torkoal: 309-363 (90 - 105.8%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 64 SpD Toxapex: 162-191 (53.2 - 62.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Volcarona: 220-259 (70.7 - 83.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Volcarona: 221-261 (59 - 69.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 12 HP / 0 SpD Walking Wake: 269-317 (78.6 - 92.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Neutral

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Darkrai: 501-591 (178.2 - 210.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Deoxys-Defense: 306-360 (100.6 - 118.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 585-688 (184.5 - 217%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Multiscale Dragonite: 230-271 (71.2 - 83.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 555-654 (145.2 - 171.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Rillaboom: 618-727 (181.2 - 213.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roaring Moon: 456-537 (129.9 - 152.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Serperior: 481-567 (165.2 - 194.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Slowking-Galar: 312-367 (79.1 - 93.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Vessel of Ruin Ting-Lu: 288-339 (56 - 65.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Steel Beam vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Zamazenta: 408-481 (105.1 - 123.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

To give you an idea of how ludicrous this move's power is at +2 - out of all the Pokemon in OU, only the following four Pokemon can avoid a 2HKO from +2 Steel Beam without resorting to gimmicky EV distribution, resisted or not - Unaware Clodsire, Unaware Dondozo, Heatran, and Toxapex's Assault Vest Set. This means that 40 out of 44 OU Pokemon can potentially be 2HKO'd by +2 Steel Beam.

View attachment 590087
Shadow Ball + Final Move Tally

Shadow Ball rounds out this set's coverage and additionally allows Lucario to threaten Pokemon such as Gholdengo and Glowking, in addition to its Special Defense drop chance sometimes allowing it to muscle past threats it otherwise wouldn't be able to such as Dondozo. Aura Sphere and Shadow Ball have near perfect coverage together, with Steel Beam tying the two of them together quite nicely.

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 224-264 (70.6 - 83.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragapult: 446-526 (140.6 - 165.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gholdengo: 192-226 (60.9 - 71.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gholdengo: 380-448 (120.6 - 142.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Gholdengo: 192-226 (50.7 - 59.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Gholdengo: 382-450 (101 - 119%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hatterene: 172-204 (54 - 64.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hatterene: 342-404 (107.5 - 127%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Iron Boulder: 166-196 (51.7 - 61%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Iron Boulder: 328-388 (102.1 - 120.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 32 HP / 0 SpD Iron Crown: 166-196 (50.4 - 59.5%) -- 82.4% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 32 HP / 0 SpD Iron Crown: 330-390 (100.3 - 118.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Unaware Skeledirge: 154-182 (37.4 - 44.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+2 252 SpA Wise Glasses Lucario Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Slowking-Galar: 238-280 (60.4 - 71%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Final Tally Score
% of OU OHKO'd at +2
(Aura Sphere + Shadow Ball + Steel Beam)
32 of 44 OU Pokemon - Approximately 72% of OU

Lucario at +2 SpA has the potential to OHKO three-quarters of the entire OU metagame with Aura Sphere, Shadow Ball, and Steel Beam, with the OHKO amount for +0 hits not being too far behind given the ubiquity of what Lucario hits super effectively. This is where Lucario's main niche comes in, it blows holes into your opponent's cores in a way that no other Pokemon can both with and without a Nasty Plot boost. It can also run an equivalent set physically, albeit without the insane instant melt button that is STAB Steel Beam.

View attachment 589999
Defensive Utility
View attachment 590098
Thanks to Lucario's newfound access to Tera alongside its naturally fantastic defensive Steel/Fighting-type, Lucario has plenty of opportunities to come in or to stay in despite its comparatively lacking 70/70/70 bulk. Lucario has a handy immunity to Poison, along with critical resistance to Dark, Dragon, Rock, Bug, Normal, Steel, Grass, and Ice-type attacks. It additionally is one of the few Fighting-type Pokemon with neutrality to both Fairy and Flying-type attacks. Lucario's Steel/Fighting type combination does give it three nasty weaknesses to Fighting/Fire/Ground-type attacks, but this is also remedied via Tera Fairy - which grants Lucario a new Dragon-type immunity, a new Fighting-type resistance, and two new neutralities in Fire and Ground-type attacks. Let's take a look at some surprising hits that Lucario can live through.

Steel/Fighting

Super Effective Hits

0 Def Archaludon Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 194-230 (69 - 81.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Corviknight Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 222-262 (79 - 93.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Def Dondozo Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 236-278 (83.9 - 98.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0 SpA Hatterene Mystical Fire vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 186-220 (66.1 - 78.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
160+ Def Skarmory Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 256-302 (91.1 - 107.4%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO

Neutral Hits

252+ SpA Archaludon Electro Shot vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 199-235 (70.8 - 83.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Enamorus Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 211-249 (75 - 88.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Gholdengo Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 177-208 (62.9 - 74%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Iron Valiant Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 195-229 (69.3 - 81.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Iron Valiant Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 111-131 (39.5 - 46.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

0 SpA Pelipper Surf vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario in Rain: 184-217 (65.4 - 77.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 SpA Pelipper Hurricane vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 150-177 (53.3 - 62.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ SpA Raging Bolt Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 222-262 (79 - 93.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Raging Bolt Thunderclap vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 172-204 (61.2 - 72.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 Atk Protosynthesis Roaring Moon Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 220-259 (78.2 - 92.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Razor Shell vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 216-255 (76.8 - 90.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

8 SpA Skeledirge Hex (65 BP) vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 102-120 (36.2 - 42.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
0 SpA Slowking-Galar Future Sight vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 186-219 (66.1 - 77.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Resisted Hits

252+ SpA Archaludon Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 149-176 (53 - 62.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Archaludon Flash Cannon vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 92-108 (32.7 - 38.4%) -- 99.1% chance to 3HKO

252 SpA Life Orb Darkrai Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 116-136 (41.2 - 48.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Dragonite Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 98-116 (34.8 - 41.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252 SpA Gholdengo Make It Rain vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 131-155 (46.6 - 55.1%) -- 69.5% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Glimmora Power Gem vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 43-51 (15.3 - 18.1%) -- possible 6HKO

252 Atk Iron Boulder Mighty Cleave vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 49-58 (17.4 - 20.6%) -- possible 5HKO
+2 252 Atk Quark Drive Iron Boulder Mighty Cleave vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 127-150 (45.1 - 53.3%) -- 35.5% chance to 2HKO

252+ Atk Kingambit Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 99-117 (35.2 - 41.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 148-174 (52.6 - 61.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 105-124 (37.3 - 44.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 156-185 (55.5 - 65.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 87-102 (30.9 - 36.2%) -- 62% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 129-153 (45.9 - 54.4%) -- 53.1% chance to 2HKO

252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Freeze-Dry vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 113-133 (40.2 - 47.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 145-171 (51.6 - 60.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 210-247 (74.7 - 87.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 Atk Meowscarada Flower Trick vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario on a critical hit: 102-121 (36.2 - 43%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Meowscarada Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 94-111 (33.4 - 39.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Protean Meowscarada Triple Axel (40 BP) (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 117-138 (41.6 - 49.1%) -- approx. 3HKO

252 Atk Wellspring Mask Ogerpon-Wellspring Horn Leech vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 93-110 (33 - 39.1%) -- 99.9% chance to 3HKO
252+ SpA Raging Bolt Dragon Pulse vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 105-123 (37.3 - 43.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Grassy Glide vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario in Grassy Terrain: 126-149 (44.8 - 53%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 113-133 (40.2 - 47.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery

252 Atk Sharpness Samurott-Hisui Ceaseless Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 93-110 (33 - 39.1%) -- 99.9% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA Serperior Leaf Storm vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Lucario: 97-114 (34.5 - 40.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252 Atk Weavile Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 100-118 (35.5 - 41.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Weavile Triple Axel (40 BP) (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 126-147 (44.8 - 52.3%) -- approx. 18.4% chance to 2HKO

0 Atk Zamazenta Crunch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 45-53 (16 - 18.8%) -- possible 6HKO
252 Atk Zamazenta Crunch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 55-65 (19.5 - 23.1%) -- possible 5HKO

252 Atk Zamazenta Heavy Slam (80 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 55-65 (19.5 - 23.1%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Zamazenta Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 34-40 (12 - 14.2%) -- possible 8HKO

Terastallized

Newly Resisted Hits

0 Def Archaludon Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 48-57 (17 - 20.2%) -- possible 5HKO
252+ Def Corviknight Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 55-65 (19.5 - 23.1%) -- possible 5HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Darkrai Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 114-135 (40.5 - 48%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252 SpA Life Orb Deoxys-Speed Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 90-107 (32 - 38%) -- 93.9% chance to 3HKO
252+ Def Dondozo Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 59-69 (20.9 - 24.5%) -- guaranteed 5HKO

252 Atk Iron Boulder Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 83-98 (29.5 - 34.8%) -- 13.7% chance to 3HKO
+2 252 Atk Quark Drive Iron Boulder Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 215-253 (76.5 - 90%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ SpA Iron Crown Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 90-107 (32 - 38%) -- 96.4% chance to 3HKO

252+ Atk Kingambit Low Kick (80 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 66-78 (23.4 - 27.7%) -- 79.6% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Supreme Overlord 5 allies fainted Kingambit Low Kick (80 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 99-116 (35.2 - 41.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252 Atk Protean Meowscarada Low Kick (80 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 78-92 (27.7 - 32.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
160+ Def Skarmory Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 64-75 (22.7 - 26.6%) -- 31.2% chance to 4HKO

+1 88 Def Zamazenta Body Press vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 105-124 (37.3 - 44.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Zamazenta Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 124-147 (44.1 - 52.3%) -- 17.6% chance to 2HKO

Newly Neutral Hits

32 Atk Cinderace Pyro Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 204-240 (72.5 - 85.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Choice Band Dragonite Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 246-290 (87.5 - 103.2%) -- 25% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Dragonite Fire Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 185-218 (65.8 - 77.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Enamorus Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 133-157 (47.3 - 55.8%) -- 79.3% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Excadrill Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 226-267 (80.4 - 95%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0 Atk Gliscor Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 138-163 (49.1 - 58%) -- 96.1% chance to 2HKO

252+ Atk Gouging Fire Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 147-174 (52.3 - 61.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Gouging Fire Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 264-312 (93.9 - 111%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Glimmora Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 130-153 (46.2 - 54.4%) -- 56.3% chance to 2HKO

0 Atk Great Tusk Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 183-216 (65.1 - 76.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Great Tusk Headlong Rush vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 264-312 (93.9 - 111%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO

0 SpA Hatterene Mystical Fire vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 93-110 (33 - 39.1%) -- 99.9% chance to 3HKO

0 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 107-127 (38 - 45.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 130-153 (46.2 - 54.4%) -- 56.3% chance to 2HKO

0 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 178-210 (63.3 - 74.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after trapping damage
252 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 216-255 (76.8 - 90.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after trapping damage

252 Atk Iron Boulder Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 138-163 (49.1 - 58%) -- 97.7% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Kyurem Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 194-229 (69 - 81.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 199-235 (70.8 - 83.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Protosynthesis Roaring Moon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 199-235 (70.8 - 83.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

8 SpA Skeledirge Torch Song vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 124-147 (44.1 - 52.3%) -- 17.6% chance to 2HKO
0 Atk Ting-Lu Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tera Fairy Lucario: 157-186 (55.8 - 66.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

8 SpA Torkoal Lava Plume vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario in Sun: 153-180 (54.4 - 64%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
244 SpA Choice Specs Walking Wake Flamethrower vs. 0 HP / 12 SpD Tera Fairy Lucario: 187-221 (66.5 - 78.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Conclusion
View attachment 590097

Lucario is an incredibly fun Pokemon to use that is the definition of high-risk/high-reward. It's a (reinforced) glass cannon with absolutely nuclear offenses, a solid speed tier, and incredible synergy with and against the meta. It's simple to use, and yet has a ton of dimension to it. It's one of the most fun Pokemon I've been able to use throughout this entire new stage of SV OU, and I can't wait to tackle my next OU essay -I hope you all enjoyed reading, SV OU DLC2 is in a really good place right now barring a few outliers, and I can't wait to see the metagame develop even further!

There are way too little Special attacking Fighting types out there. Wish Lucario had better Speed, but still seems pretty fun with the coverage it gets.

NotDaProGamer · Jan 9, 2024

SDK03 said:
There are way too little Special attacking Fighting types out there. Wish Lucario had better Speed, but still seems pretty fun with the coverage it gets.

Agreed! Especially because many of these mons are stuck between TERRIBLE MOVES or focus miss lol :(

658Greninja · Jan 9, 2024

Wolf-X said:
TLDR: Do not use Lucario unless you memeing around or want to get outsped by everyone and their mother. Its only chance at working out is using its flexibility to catch the opponent offguard

DaddyBuzzwole · Jan 9, 2024

SDK03 said:
There are way too little Special attacking Fighting types out there. Wish Lucario had better Speed, but still seems pretty fun with the coverage it gets.

i don't think it even needs better speed, all it needs is some good abilities. the three it has now aren't especially helpful—steadfast and justified require lucario to eat a hit, which you don't like doing with 70/70/70 defenses, and inner focus is basically a worse covert cloak with an added immunity to an ability that isn't ubiquitous in singles anymore. if it got something like technician to boost bullet punch/vacuum wave or magic guard to fire off spammable life orb steel beams, i could see it being viable even with its current stat spread

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Base Stat Total 525	Lucario Opinion Lucario's stat spread is markedly better than the Pokemon I usually work with, so that's not where the difficulties in using Lucario showed up. Both its Attack and Special Attack are great and, thanks to Fighting/Steel typing's slew of resistances, 70/70/70 bulk is workable with only slight adjustments. Its base speed can sometimes be a bit frustrating, but it hits some critically important benchmarks. Despite its flaws, Lucario is a great Pokemon in OU that is woefully underutilized and has been for several generations.
BASE STATS	STATS AT LV. 100
HP 70	250 - 344
Attack 110	202 - 350
Defense 70	*130 - 262*
Sp. Atk 115	*211 - 361*
Sp. Def 70	130 - 262
Speed 90	*166 - 306*

Final Tally Score	% of OU OHKO'd at +2
(Aura Sphere + Shadow Ball + Steel Beam)	32 of 44 OU Pokemon - Approximately 72% of OU

BASE STATS	STATS AT LV. 100
Base Stat Total 525	Lucario Opinion Lucario's stat spread is markedly better than the Pokemon I usually work with, so that's not where the difficulties in using Lucario showed up. Both its Attack and Special Attack are great and, thanks to Fighting/Steel typing's slew of resistances, 70/70/70 bulk is workable with only slight adjustments. Its base speed can sometimes be a bit frustrating, but it hits some critically important benchmarks. Despite its flaws, Lucario is a great Pokemon in OU that is woefully underutilized and has been for several generations.
HP 70	250 - 344
Attack 110	202 - 350
Defense 70	*130 - 262*
Sp. Atk 115	*211 - 361*
Sp. Def 70	130 - 262
Speed 90	*166 - 306*