approved by AM
current analysis / now in two parts
smogon dex entry (somewhat outdated)
Name: Tyranitar
Type: Dark / Rock
Abilities
Name: Mega Tyranitar
Mega Stone: Tyranitarite
Type: Dark / Rock
Ability: Sand Stream - Summons a sandstorm for 5 turns
Stats
Notable Moves (STABs are underlined)
The transition to ORAS was interesting for Tyranitar. On the one hand, it's Mega counterpart is considerably worse. Dragon Dance Mega Tyranitar was a feared set thanks to it's incredible bulk and power, but the impressive speed creep from the new Megas has made that set less threatening, as it fails to outrun several notable threats. On the other hand, Regular Tyranitar is as useful as ever. It's ability as a support Pokemon is as useful as ever, as it still makes for an excellent Stealth Rock setter and Pursuit trapper.
Sets
Choice Scarf
Choice Scarf Tyranitar makes for a solid revenge killer, thanks to it's incredible attack power and access to Pursuit. With a Choice Scarf and a Jolly nature, Tyranitar is able to outrun every positive natured mon with Base 115 Speed or lower, including Starmie, Thundurus-I, and the Lati twins, as well as guarantee damage targets with low defense, softening them up for other members of the team. Stone Edge is going to be your main STAB attack thanks to it's absurd power. Crunch can serve as a second, more reliable STAB, but Ice Punch also offers coverage on switch ins such as Gliscor and Landorus-T. Earthquake provides coverage on Steel types. Superpower offers similar coverage, trading lasting presence for the ability to nail other Rock types.
This set pairs extremely well with Keldeo, Landorus-I and Charizard-Y, as it can trap and kill Latias and Latios, some of the most popular switch ins, with Pursuit.
Choice Band
Banded Tyranitar trades the ability to outrun threats in order to hit like a truck. Stone Edge and Crunch, backed by STAB, an Adamant nature, maximum attack investment, and a Choice Band completely trashes anything that isn't either extremely bulky or resistant. Pursuit, again, is intended to trap physically weak targets, while Superpower rounds out your coverage. Ice Punch and Fire Punch are both valid options, the former hitting targets such as Gliscor and Landorus-T, while the latter nails Scizor and Ferrothorn. 172 Speed EVs outruns 16 speed Mandibuzz and everything slower than that. The remaining EVs work on increasing your bulk while minimizing entry hazard damage. The Speed investment for this set can be adjusted for specific targets, so feel free to change it up based on your team.
Like the Scarf set, Choice Band Tyranitar excels at removing the counters of Keldeo, Landorus-I, and Charizard-Y. However, because of the increase in power, sweepers of all kinds appreciate Tyranitar's ability to trap all kinds of defensive Pokemon, pressuring defensive cores so that it's teammates can sweep.
Support
Support Tyranitar makes for an important defensive cornerstone in many teams. Thanks to it's typing and enormous bulk, it makes for a solid switch in to Talonflame and Latios, while also providing Stealth Rock support for it's team. Crunch is your mandatory STAB, with Earthquake being your coverage move of choice. Ice Beam is useful for breaking past Landorus-T and Gliscor, while Fire Blast gives you a way to break past Ferrothorn and Scizor. The EV spread makes sure you survive Dragonite's +1 Earthquake, even after Stealth Rock damage, while maximizing your special bulk in order to take hits from that side more effectively.
The classic partner to this set is Excadrill, who greatly enjoys the sand, support, and luring abilities Tyranitar provides. If you choose to run Excadrill, Smooth Rock is an excellent choice, as it allows Drill more turns at double speed. If you aren't using Excadrill, Leftovers is preferred, as Tyranitar has no other form of recovery.
Dragon Dance
Dragon Dance Mega Tyranitar serves as a strong lategame win condition for offensive teams. Thanks to it's enormous natural bulk, Tyranitar can easily find time to get up a Dragon Dance, boosting it's Speed and Attack. Stone Edge is your primary STAB, while Crunch can be used as a secondary STAB thanks to it's accuracy and neutral coverage. However, Ice Punch allows you to break through Gliscor and Landorus-T far more easily. Superpower provides excellent neutral coverage and allows Tyranitar to break through Steel types. However, the Attack and Defense drop from Superpower make sweeping more difficult, so Earthquake can be used as a suitable replacement.
For Tyranitar to sweep, it needs it's checks and counters to be eliminated or sufficiently weakened. Physical walls such as Skarmory and Hippowdon need to be whittled down before attempting a sweep, while Scarfers or fast Pokemon such as Landorus-T and Mega Lopunny need to be killed, or they'll be able to revenge kill it. Tyranitar is also weak to common priority attacks, such as Azumarill's Aqua Jet and Scizor's Bullet Punch. However, Tyranitar's bulk means that it can take the above hits if needed, so long as it isn't weakened from prior attacks.
Other Options
current analysis / now in two parts
smogon dex entry (somewhat outdated)
Name: Tyranitar
Type: Dark / Rock
Abilities
- Sand Stream - Summons a sandstorm for 5 turns
- Unnerve - Opponents are unable to eat Berries
Name: Mega Tyranitar
Mega Stone: Tyranitarite
Type: Dark / Rock
Ability: Sand Stream - Summons a sandstorm for 5 turns
Stats
Notable Moves (STABs are underlined)
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Pursuit
- Stealth Rock
- Fire Blast
- Ice Beam
- Fire Punch
- Ice Punch
- Earthquake
- Superpower
- Dragon Dance
The transition to ORAS was interesting for Tyranitar. On the one hand, it's Mega counterpart is considerably worse. Dragon Dance Mega Tyranitar was a feared set thanks to it's incredible bulk and power, but the impressive speed creep from the new Megas has made that set less threatening, as it fails to outrun several notable threats. On the other hand, Regular Tyranitar is as useful as ever. It's ability as a support Pokemon is as useful as ever, as it still makes for an excellent Stealth Rock setter and Pursuit trapper.
Sets
Choice Scarf
Importable said:
Choice Scarf Tyranitar makes for a solid revenge killer, thanks to it's incredible attack power and access to Pursuit. With a Choice Scarf and a Jolly nature, Tyranitar is able to outrun every positive natured mon with Base 115 Speed or lower, including Starmie, Thundurus-I, and the Lati twins, as well as guarantee damage targets with low defense, softening them up for other members of the team. Stone Edge is going to be your main STAB attack thanks to it's absurd power. Crunch can serve as a second, more reliable STAB, but Ice Punch also offers coverage on switch ins such as Gliscor and Landorus-T. Earthquake provides coverage on Steel types. Superpower offers similar coverage, trading lasting presence for the ability to nail other Rock types.
This set pairs extremely well with Keldeo, Landorus-I and Charizard-Y, as it can trap and kill Latias and Latios, some of the most popular switch ins, with Pursuit.
Choice Band
Importable said:
Banded Tyranitar trades the ability to outrun threats in order to hit like a truck. Stone Edge and Crunch, backed by STAB, an Adamant nature, maximum attack investment, and a Choice Band completely trashes anything that isn't either extremely bulky or resistant. Pursuit, again, is intended to trap physically weak targets, while Superpower rounds out your coverage. Ice Punch and Fire Punch are both valid options, the former hitting targets such as Gliscor and Landorus-T, while the latter nails Scizor and Ferrothorn. 172 Speed EVs outruns 16 speed Mandibuzz and everything slower than that. The remaining EVs work on increasing your bulk while minimizing entry hazard damage. The Speed investment for this set can be adjusted for specific targets, so feel free to change it up based on your team.
Like the Scarf set, Choice Band Tyranitar excels at removing the counters of Keldeo, Landorus-I, and Charizard-Y. However, because of the increase in power, sweepers of all kinds appreciate Tyranitar's ability to trap all kinds of defensive Pokemon, pressuring defensive cores so that it's teammates can sweep.
Support
Importable said:
Support Tyranitar makes for an important defensive cornerstone in many teams. Thanks to it's typing and enormous bulk, it makes for a solid switch in to Talonflame and Latios, while also providing Stealth Rock support for it's team. Crunch is your mandatory STAB, with Earthquake being your coverage move of choice. Ice Beam is useful for breaking past Landorus-T and Gliscor, while Fire Blast gives you a way to break past Ferrothorn and Scizor. The EV spread makes sure you survive Dragonite's +1 Earthquake, even after Stealth Rock damage, while maximizing your special bulk in order to take hits from that side more effectively.
The classic partner to this set is Excadrill, who greatly enjoys the sand, support, and luring abilities Tyranitar provides. If you choose to run Excadrill, Smooth Rock is an excellent choice, as it allows Drill more turns at double speed. If you aren't using Excadrill, Leftovers is preferred, as Tyranitar has no other form of recovery.
Dragon Dance
Importable said:
Dragon Dance Mega Tyranitar serves as a strong lategame win condition for offensive teams. Thanks to it's enormous natural bulk, Tyranitar can easily find time to get up a Dragon Dance, boosting it's Speed and Attack. Stone Edge is your primary STAB, while Crunch can be used as a secondary STAB thanks to it's accuracy and neutral coverage. However, Ice Punch allows you to break through Gliscor and Landorus-T far more easily. Superpower provides excellent neutral coverage and allows Tyranitar to break through Steel types. However, the Attack and Defense drop from Superpower make sweeping more difficult, so Earthquake can be used as a suitable replacement.
For Tyranitar to sweep, it needs it's checks and counters to be eliminated or sufficiently weakened. Physical walls such as Skarmory and Hippowdon need to be whittled down before attempting a sweep, while Scarfers or fast Pokemon such as Landorus-T and Mega Lopunny need to be killed, or they'll be able to revenge kill it. Tyranitar is also weak to common priority attacks, such as Azumarill's Aqua Jet and Scizor's Bullet Punch. However, Tyranitar's bulk means that it can take the above hits if needed, so long as it isn't weakened from prior attacks.
Other Options
- Mega Rock Polish - Circumvents it's slow Speed by doubling it, but the loss of attacking power can hurt at times. Plays like the Dragon Dance set, but with a better matchup against offense and Hyper Offense, although it doesn't break through defensive cores quite as easily.
- The support spread can be run with a physically defensive spread. It fairs better against Flying types spam, but loses out on some of the special bulk that makes it such a great switch in against special attackers.
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