The XY OU Pokemon of the Week is an (obviously) weekly project I will be doing in the Overused forum. The idea originated from when I was reading many of the discussion threads, often the discussion is a bit lacking in the content department. My goal here to is to highlight a threat in the metagame that isn't as well known, or isn't used as much as it should be, and provide a concise amount of information about that Pokemon; this will encourage creativity during teambuilding, and it will also provide an instant wealth of knowledge about that particular threat. This will hopefully be more helpful to the massive influx of new players in the OU subforum and promote better discussion within the individual threads. In this thread though, the main point of discussion should be about experiences with that particular Pokemon and the sets featured, and how it has helped in some way during your battling. Niche sets and gimmicks can be mentioned as well, but bear in mind that this thread is mainly an informative source of knowledge through what is written in the OP; discussion is not its main focus, though it is most certainly allowed. I need to make this point clear. Think of this like an article introducing you to a new threat that you can use; and try it out! Oh yeah, you can also VM me what you think the next POTW should be, bearing in mind that they will be on lesser-used threats, such as Chesnaught, Krookodile, or Cofagrigus.
However, Suicune does face competition from other bulky Calm Mind users such as Reuniclus, Latias, and Jirachi, which often have better coverage or a superior typings, and a fast-paced metagame such as XY often means that Suicune struggles to set up against a lot of the new offensive foes which are stronger than ever. This is also exacerbated by Suicune's poor Speed and initial lack of power.
Suicune @ Leftovers
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Nature: Bold
Ability: Pressure
-Calm Mind
-Scald
-Rest
-Sleep Talk
This set has been known since ADV as CroCune, due to Cromat, the user who popularized it. An acronym used to remember the set is Calm Mind Rest Offensive Suicune. The aim of this set is a sweep, and with the use of Calm Mind, Suicune can boost its offensive power and Special Defense at the same time, which means it is incredibly hard to break through on the special side after a few boosts, and already fairly bulky on the physical side due to its impressive stat spread. Scald is used as the sole attacking move on the set as it allows Suicune to break past some Pokemon that are resistant to the Water-type that could otherwise set up on it easily. By crippling them with a burn, they will not only be worn down more easily, but they will also lose a lot of their attacking power. This is especially relevant for Pokemon such as Dragonite and Mega Gyarados. Rest is Suicune's way of recovering health lost while it boosts, while Sleep Talk allows Suicune to use any of its other three moves while it is asleep from Rest; this lets it either obtain more boosts or deal damage with Scald. Leftovers is great for Suicune as it gives it passive recovery while it boosts, which means it doesn't have to use Rest quite as often. The EV spread in conjunction with a Bold nature fully invests in Suicune's effective Defense, as Suicune will be boosting its Special Defense already with Calm Mind. CroCune works best as a late-game sweeper, after its checks have been removed. This is usually relevant for most sweepers, but it is especially important for Suicune as it only has mono-Water-type coverage, which means Pokemon immune to the Water-type can completely wall Suicune.
Suicune can function as a shuffler with Sleep Talk, Calm Mind, Surf, and Roar, but this loses out on recovery which means that Suicune can not last as long as it would usually. It can funtion as a bulky sweeper with Life Orb, with Surf, Ice Beam, Hidden Power Electric, and Calm Mind, which usually runs an offensive EV spread. Finally, Tailwind is a unique option to boost the Speed of Suicune's teammates.
A Pokemon that can learn Pursuit makes for a great teammate, as they can eliminate Jellicent and Celebi, two of Suicune's checks. Scizor, Tyranitar, Weavile, Bisharp, and Aegislash can all learn Pursuit, and Scizor can also hit Celebi hard with U-turn, while Weavile can revenge it with Ice Shard. Bear in mind that the sand that Tyranitar brings is heavily detrimental to Suicune. Toxic Spikes are also incredibly helpful for Suicune's sweep, as they can wear down Suicune's biggest counters; Jellicent, Blissey, and Quagsire are just 3 examples of Pokemon that take pittance from Scald (or in Jellicen't case, are immune to it), and can simply recover off the damage. However, they are worn down swiftly by Toxic Poison. Finally, Heal Bell and Aromatherapy support is nice for when Suicune has to switch out while asleep, and it would like to switch back in again, awake and ready to set up more Calm Mind boosts.
Pokemon that are immune to the Water-type completely wall Suicune, as it know way of effectively dealing with them on its own. However, they can't really do anything to Suicune either, which leads the matchup into a stall war. If you are looking for a more reliable counter, Celebi can sponge Suicune's Scald, doesn't mind a burn due to Natural Cure, can use Leech Seed to wear Suicune down while also gaining a fair amount of health in the process, or simply just use Perish Song to put an end to Suicune's sweep. Clefable and Quagsire can ignore Suicune's attacking moves even on offensive sets, as their ability Unaware enables them to ignore Calm Mind boosts. Kyurem-B can simply 2HKO Suicune with Fusion Bolt. Users of phazing moves such as Roar and Whirlwind can get rid of Suicune's boosts and effectively get rid of it, while also possible ensuring it is asleep when it enters again, but this doesn't really deal with it, it just "makes it go away". Finally, Thundurus deserves a special mention as it can use Taunt to put a stop to Suicune's shenanigans and then proceed to wear it down with super-effective Thunderbolts.
There we go, that's the third Pokemon of the Week! Let me know whether this has helped you at all, and your results of testing this Suicune set on the ladder, as well as let me know via VM what Pokemon you want to see next. I'm thinking Mega Absol, but all opinions are welcome, as well as opinions about the Pokemon of the Week format and any ideas you want to see implemented, as well as questions for me about either Suicune or POTW itself. Go out there and try Suicune now, and I'll see you next time! (Yay 300th post!)
This week's Pokemon of the Week is Suicune.
Suicune
Type: Water
Base Stats: 100 HP / 75 Atk / 115 Def / 90 SpA / 115 SpD / 85 Spe
Ability: Pressure / Water Absorb (Unreleased)
Suicune has been known since the days of ADV as an excellent sweeper, and while it has fallen from grace in the past few generations, it is still a force to be reckoned with. It's typing is great defensively and offensively, being able to hit at lest neutrally most Pokemon in OU. it also has incredible mixed bulk, giving it ease in setting up against a lot of different foes. It also possesses access to both Calm Mind and Roar, as well as Rest, Sleep Talk, and Scald, which contribute to Suicune's most popular set, CroCune, which has been around since ADV, as mentioned before.
Suicune
Type: Water
Base Stats: 100 HP / 75 Atk / 115 Def / 90 SpA / 115 SpD / 85 Spe
Ability: Pressure / Water Absorb (Unreleased)
However, Suicune does face competition from other bulky Calm Mind users such as Reuniclus, Latias, and Jirachi, which often have better coverage or a superior typings, and a fast-paced metagame such as XY often means that Suicune struggles to set up against a lot of the new offensive foes which are stronger than ever. This is also exacerbated by Suicune's poor Speed and initial lack of power.
Suicune @ Leftovers
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Nature: Bold
Ability: Pressure
-Calm Mind
-Scald
-Rest
-Sleep Talk
This set has been known since ADV as CroCune, due to Cromat, the user who popularized it. An acronym used to remember the set is Calm Mind Rest Offensive Suicune. The aim of this set is a sweep, and with the use of Calm Mind, Suicune can boost its offensive power and Special Defense at the same time, which means it is incredibly hard to break through on the special side after a few boosts, and already fairly bulky on the physical side due to its impressive stat spread. Scald is used as the sole attacking move on the set as it allows Suicune to break past some Pokemon that are resistant to the Water-type that could otherwise set up on it easily. By crippling them with a burn, they will not only be worn down more easily, but they will also lose a lot of their attacking power. This is especially relevant for Pokemon such as Dragonite and Mega Gyarados. Rest is Suicune's way of recovering health lost while it boosts, while Sleep Talk allows Suicune to use any of its other three moves while it is asleep from Rest; this lets it either obtain more boosts or deal damage with Scald. Leftovers is great for Suicune as it gives it passive recovery while it boosts, which means it doesn't have to use Rest quite as often. The EV spread in conjunction with a Bold nature fully invests in Suicune's effective Defense, as Suicune will be boosting its Special Defense already with Calm Mind. CroCune works best as a late-game sweeper, after its checks have been removed. This is usually relevant for most sweepers, but it is especially important for Suicune as it only has mono-Water-type coverage, which means Pokemon immune to the Water-type can completely wall Suicune.
Suicune can function as a shuffler with Sleep Talk, Calm Mind, Surf, and Roar, but this loses out on recovery which means that Suicune can not last as long as it would usually. It can funtion as a bulky sweeper with Life Orb, with Surf, Ice Beam, Hidden Power Electric, and Calm Mind, which usually runs an offensive EV spread. Finally, Tailwind is a unique option to boost the Speed of Suicune's teammates.
A Pokemon that can learn Pursuit makes for a great teammate, as they can eliminate Jellicent and Celebi, two of Suicune's checks. Scizor, Tyranitar, Weavile, Bisharp, and Aegislash can all learn Pursuit, and Scizor can also hit Celebi hard with U-turn, while Weavile can revenge it with Ice Shard. Bear in mind that the sand that Tyranitar brings is heavily detrimental to Suicune. Toxic Spikes are also incredibly helpful for Suicune's sweep, as they can wear down Suicune's biggest counters; Jellicent, Blissey, and Quagsire are just 3 examples of Pokemon that take pittance from Scald (or in Jellicen't case, are immune to it), and can simply recover off the damage. However, they are worn down swiftly by Toxic Poison. Finally, Heal Bell and Aromatherapy support is nice for when Suicune has to switch out while asleep, and it would like to switch back in again, awake and ready to set up more Calm Mind boosts.
Pokemon that are immune to the Water-type completely wall Suicune, as it know way of effectively dealing with them on its own. However, they can't really do anything to Suicune either, which leads the matchup into a stall war. If you are looking for a more reliable counter, Celebi can sponge Suicune's Scald, doesn't mind a burn due to Natural Cure, can use Leech Seed to wear Suicune down while also gaining a fair amount of health in the process, or simply just use Perish Song to put an end to Suicune's sweep. Clefable and Quagsire can ignore Suicune's attacking moves even on offensive sets, as their ability Unaware enables them to ignore Calm Mind boosts. Kyurem-B can simply 2HKO Suicune with Fusion Bolt. Users of phazing moves such as Roar and Whirlwind can get rid of Suicune's boosts and effectively get rid of it, while also possible ensuring it is asleep when it enters again, but this doesn't really deal with it, it just "makes it go away". Finally, Thundurus deserves a special mention as it can use Taunt to put a stop to Suicune's shenanigans and then proceed to wear it down with super-effective Thunderbolts.
There we go, that's the third Pokemon of the Week! Let me know whether this has helped you at all, and your results of testing this Suicune set on the ladder, as well as let me know via VM what Pokemon you want to see next. I'm thinking Mega Absol, but all opinions are welcome, as well as opinions about the Pokemon of the Week format and any ideas you want to see implemented, as well as questions for me about either Suicune or POTW itself. Go out there and try Suicune now, and I'll see you next time! (Yay 300th post!)
Last edited:
