Non-Ubers in Ubers

By Minority Suspect and SparksBlade. Art by Tikitik.

Introduction

The Uber tier is synonymous with the powerful monsters that adorn the cover boxes of each game (well... except for RBY). Players see the Uber tier as being ruled by the overpowered legendaries that have been shackled by tiering restrictions. But there is much more to the tier than just that! Many non-Uber Pokémon find a place in the Ubers metagame thanks to a niche that defines them or the ability to role compress significantly. This article showcases some of these warriors that stand firm among the Ubers titans.

RBY

Slowbro

Just like in OU, Slowbro is known for its capacity to come in on most physical attackers including Tauros and Snorlax and shrug off their blows. The general lack of Electric-types due to the power creep in Ubers is another reason Slowbro is able to excel. Just as it is in OU, Amnesia is a powerful boosting move that provides Slowbro with offensive and defensive benefit. In particular, it allows Slowbro to PP stall Mewtwo that lack Thunderbolt.

Slowbro: - Amnesia; - Surf; - Rest; - Thunder Wave

Slowbro can come in to tank physical hits and can proceed to set up with Amnesia or spread paralysis with Thunder Wave. As mentioned earlier, Electric-types and Electric-type moves are less common in RBY Ubers, which means Slowbro can use Amnesia more freely. Because of this, Slowbro has a higher expectation to clean, or at least punch some holes, in the opposing team. Thunder Wave is good for speed control and to manufacture free turns via full paralysis.

Chansey

Chansey is used in RBY Ubers to tank hits from special attackers like Mewtwo, blanket check special attackers in general, and spread paralysis. Thunder Wave is a strong move in RBY, as speed control and full paralysis are crucial in the long run. Chansey also has a decent Special stat, allowing it to run BoltBeam coverage, which provides some offensive presence in conjunction with Thunder Wave.

Chansey: - Ice Beam; - Soft-Boiled; - Thunder Wave; - Seismic Toss / Thunderbolt

With two damaging moves, this set is not especially passive. Soft-Boiled is an obvious pick for recovering health. Thunder Wave is to be used early game when switching into Mewtwo or other special attackers. Seismic Toss has better consistency than Thunderbolt and wears down paralyzed Mewtwo more effectively. It is also notable for how it typically deals more damage to a boosted Slowbro. Light Screen is worth a mention because it makes Chansey much more solid against Mewtwo when trying to fish for a freeze and also helps against Slowbro.

GSC

Snorlax

Snorlax in GSC Ubers functions very similarly to GSC OU Snorlax: sponge special attacks and retaliate. Pokémon that can give it an opportunity to switch in include Mewtwo (very few run Self-Destruct), Zapdos, and Celebi. In addition, all fear being hit by Snorlax or being put to sleep. Pokémon such as Lugia, Steelix, Rhydon, and Tyranitar are able to check Snorlax, however, as they can take a hit and phaze it or just boost alongside it before phazing. Forretress takes minimal damage from Snorlax and can poison it with Toxic, forcing Snorlax to Rest. Forretress can then be switched out to a phazer.

Snorlax @ Leftovers: - Curse; - Rest; - Double-Edge; - Lovely Kiss / Self-Destruct

Snorlax's high HP and Special Defense stats make it an amazing user of Curse, as it can shrug off a variety of unboosted special attacks. Curse is used over Earthquake even though Rock- and Steel-types like Rhydon, Steelix, and Tyranitar are common in Ubers because unboosted Earthquake doesn't do enough damage. Rest is used so that Snorlax cannot be worn down by special attackers over time. Double-Edge and Lovely Kiss threaten the special attackers that provide a window for Snorlax to switch in. Self-Destruct is also a big deal on Snorlax, being able to inflict high damage immediately when Snorlax is no longer of any use.

Zapdos

Zapdos has solid 100 Speed and 125 Special Attack stats along with Electric-type STAB, which are really useful in GSC Ubers. Being able to threaten Lugia, Ho-Oh, and Forretress are worthwhile reasons to use Zapdos in GSC Ubers. While Pokémon that check Zapdos in OU are also present in Ubers such as Snorlax, Raikou, Celebi, Steelix, and Rhydon (if Zapdos lacks Hidden Power Water), its nice bulk in conjunction with Rest and Sleep Talk mean that Zapdos cannot be easily overwhelmed.

Zapdos @ Leftovers: - Thunder; - Rest; - Sleep Talk; - Reflect / Whirlwind

Thunder provides nice neutral coverage in a tier that is short on Electric resists. Rest and Sleep Talk provide nice recovery and increase Zapdos's longevity. This is crucial, as games in GSC Ubers tend to last a high number of turns. Reflect is important for Zapdos to increase its ability to tank physical attacks while providing team support. Whirlwind isn't as common, but it prevents Curse Snorlax from setting up, helps scout the opposing team, and makes it harder for the opponent to regain momentum.

ADV

Snorlax

In ADV Ubers Snorlax is a potent offensive threat with good special bulk. Its popularity is due to the plethora of special attackers that exist in ADV Ubers. It can come in on threats such as Latios, Latias, Mewtwo, Blissey, Jirachi, Magneton, Regice, and Choice Band users locked into a Ghost-type move before threatening them with either Body Slam or appropriate coverage. Thick Fat is also a notable ability that significantly reduces the damage of Ice Beam and Fire Blast, two common special attacks used in the tier. Fighting-types are not seen in ADV Ubers except for the rare Heracross while Fighting-type coverage is rare with the exceptions of Deoxys-A and Dragon Dance Latios. The overall lack of Fighting-type moves make it difficult to knock out Snorlax in a single attack. Snorlax has several sets it can run such as Choice Band, Curse, and ChestoRest, with each having a slightly different application and execution method than others.

Snorlax @ Choice Band: Ability: Thick Fat; EVs: 80 HP / 252 Atk / 176 SpD; Adamant Nature; - Body Slam; - Earthquake; - Shadow Ball; - Self-Destruct

Snorlax excels at switching into the numerous special attackers of the tier and can proceed to unleash powerful attacks. Body Slam is most frequently used due to STAB and the handy chance to paralyze targets. Earthquake allows Snorlax to strike the Steel- and Rock-types that resist its STAB moves such as Jirachi, Magneton, Metagross, Registeel, Steelix, Tyranitar, and Regirock. Shadow Ball is for Ghost-types like Gengar and Shedinja while also hitting Psychic-types such as Latios, Latias, Lugia, and Mewtwo considerably harder. Self-Destruct is Snorlax's strongest attack and will certainly KO anything that doesn't have an immunity or resistance to it while heavily denting any Pokémon that doso that they can easily be picked off later.

Blissey

ADV Ubers has many special attackers, so naturally, Blissey finds a strong niche. Being able to tank hits from special attackers such as Latios, Latias, Kyogre, and Omastar, Blissey finds many opportunities to support its team as a cleric. Certain special attackers like Mewtwo and Regice will carry Self-Destruct or Explosion as a lure almost exclusively for special sponges like Blissey. There are several different options for Blissey sets in ADV Ubers, such as Aromatherapy, Calm Mind, and Psych Up, each differing in how it supports a team and how it's played.

Blissey @ Leftovers: Ability: Natural Cure; EVs: 4 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpD; Calm Nature; - Soft-Boiled; - Aromatherapy; - Seismic Toss; - Toxic

Blissey finds turns to use Aromatherapy due to being impervious to a variety of special attackers. Soft-Boiled is for consistent recovery, as Leftovers alone is not enough to ensure longevity. Seismic Toss provides consistent damage against targets that rely on Leftovers for recovery or those that have no recovery whatsoever. Toxic deters opposing Pokémon from staying in for very long and prevents several special attackers from being able to boost past Blissey's defenses.

DPP

Jirachi

Jirachi has the necessary typing, movepool, and stat spread to help it flourish in the DPP Uber tier. Able to take on the many powerful Dragon-types in the tier, Jirachi has a plethora of options to choose from such as Thunder Wave, U-turn, Wish, Body Slam, and Stealth Rock. Jirachi is also notable for handling Darkrai and Mewtwo well, two large threats in the tier. With a Choice Scarf, Jirachi becomes an effective revenge killer, while Serene Grace-boosted Iron Head can be difficult for opponents to get around. Jirachi largely fits on balance and bulky offense teams.

Jirachi @ Lefotvers: Ability: Serene Grace; EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 216 SpD / 36 Spe; Careful Nature; - Wish; - U-turn; - Thunder Wave; - Iron Head

Jirachi is able to withstand numerous Dragon-type attacks and use Wish to either recover back health or pivot to a teammate. U-turn is used to scout the opposing team, and makes pivoting Wishes to teammates easier. Thunder Wave is used to cripple certain switch-ins and, in conjunction with Iron Head, makes it difficult for the opposing Pokémon to move successfully.

Tyranitar

Since its introduction in GSC, Tyranitar has shown just how versatile it can be, taking on unique roles each generation. In DPP Ubers, it is used as a lead or with a Choice Scarf or Choice Band. The lead set has a couple different options for a held item such as a Lum Berry and a Focus Sash. A Choice Scarf set's main role is to trap Latios and Latias for Kyogre while a Choice Band set is able to more readily click Pursuit.

Tyranitar @ Lum Berry: Ability: Sand Stream; EVs: 252 HP / 56 Atk / 180 SpD; Brave Nature; - Payback; - Fire Blast; - Superpower; - Stealth Rock

There are many variations of Tyranitar's lead set, as each is tailored to beat different threats. Stealth Rock is the main draw of the lead set and this is one of the more common permutations, which is able to handle Darkrai while being able to limit Deoxys-S and Froslass to a single layer of entry hazards. With a Lum Berry, Tyranitar can avoid sleep from lead Darkrai and hit it with Superpower for a guaranteed KO after sand. Payback is used to OHKO Deoxys-S and Froslass. Fire Blast is mainly for OHKOing Forretress, but it also hits Groudon for solid damage in sun.

BW

Ferrothorn

Ferrothorn has an impressive combination of defensive typing, base stats, and support movepool that allows it to succeed in BW Ubers. In a tier dominated by Dragon-types, a defensive Steel-type that is able to set Spikes is of great use. Thanks to Leech Seed, Ferrothorn has a way to deal residual damage while recovering health in a single moveslot. Since BW Ubers is a rain-dominated tier due to the potency of Kyogre, Ferrothorn has to worry about Fire-type coverage much less.

Ferrothorn @ Lefotvers: EVs: 252 HP / 48 Atk / 208 SpD; Sassy Nature; - Spikes; - Protect / Power Whip; - Gyro Ball; - Leech Seed

Ferrothorn is one of the best hazards setters on balance and stall, and hence it is almost always used with Spikes. Protect is great for scouting and stalls for recovery from Leftovers and Leech Seed. Power Whip can be used to hit Kyogre as well as do significant damage to Groudon and Palkia. Gyro Ball hits Latios, Latias, Mewtwo, Darkrai, and Giratina-O. Leech Seed adds to the residual damage of hazards while providing recovery. Thunder Wave is an option to cripple a sweeper,but should not be used with Gyro Ball.

Kabutops

Although Kabutops is RU in BW, it is a huge threat in Ubers due to the legality of Drizzle and Swift Swim on the same team. Having unresisted coverage with its STAB moves and Low Kick, Kabutops can be difficult to switch into. It's a more popular choice than Omastar as a Swift Swimmer due to Low Kick (for Dialga and Ferrothorn) and Rapid Spin (for removing entry hazards).

Kabutops @ Life Orb: Ability: Swift Swim; EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe; Adamant Nature; - Waterfall; - Stone Edge; - Low Kick; - Rapid Spin

Waterfall and Stone Edge are powerful STAB moves, with the former further boosted by rain. These moves also have effective coverage, as they are only resisted by Dialga and Ferrothorn, which are taken care of by Low Kick. Rapid Spin is of great use to remove entry hazards, a dominant force in BW Ubers. Kabutops does have the option to forgo Rapid Spin in favor of either Aqua Jet or Swords Dance, both of which also have utility. Aqua Jet is useful to take out Choice Scarf Terrakion with very little prior damage and boosted Blaziken. Swords Dance can be used to punch heavy holes in the opposing team or sweep entirely if checks have taken prior damage.

ORAS

Mega Sableye

Mega Sableye is blessed with a strong defensive typing in Dark / Ghost, being immune to Normal-, Fighting-, and Psychic-type moves and only weak to Fairy-type moves. It also has an amazing ability: Magic Bounce, which allows it to deflect of entry hazards and status. A decent support movepool and solid bulk allow Mega Sableye to check several physical attackers such as Swords Dance Arceus, Mega Mewtwo X, and Mega Kangaskhan. Mega Sableye also completely walls Lugia, Tyranitar, and Ferrothorn, along with several other Pokémon that depend on status to take down defensive threats. For these reasons, Mega Sableye is a staple for stall teams.

Sableye @ Sablenite: Ability: Prankster; EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD; Impish Nature; - Foul Play; - Will-O-Wisp; - Recover; - Fake Out

Mega Sableye keeps entry hazards away and checks several physical attackers. Foul Play, along with Will-O-Wisp, allows Mega Sableye to check physical threats and is even able to deter Mega Salamence. Mega Sableye also beats Lugia and a variety of support Arceus formes one-on-one while being able to take on non-Dazzling Gleam Klefki by burning it. Recover keeps Mega Sableye healthy. Fake Out ensures a safe Mega Evolution and is useful for residual damage combined with a previous burn or Toxic on the foe.

Klefki

Klefki has a great typing in Steel / Fairy, a fantastic ability in Prankster, and a decent movepool to use it with. With priority Thunder Wave, Klefki is able to check and cripple several of Ubers's most fearsome setup sweepers such as Xerneas, Darkrai, and Mega Salamence. Klefki can also set up Spikes, Toxic Defoggers, and wall a few defensive threats such as Lugia. Klefki is commonly used on bulky offense and balance teams.

Klefki @ Leftovers: Ability: Prankster; EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD; Careful Nature; - Spikes; - Thunder Wave; - Toxic; - Play Rough

This is the definitive Klefki set. A specially defensive spread is for Xerneas, Darkrai, Yveltal, Mega Diancie, and support Arceus formes. Spikes allows Klefki to punish opponents that keep something passive in against it and, combined with Toxic, allows Klefki to stack up residual damage on the opposing Pokémon, particularly Primal Groudon. Thunder Wave cripples Xerneas, Darkrai, Mega Salamence, and a few other threats. Toxic allows Klefki to beat pretty much every Defogger. Play Rough does respectable damage to Xerneas, Yveltal, Latios, Latias, and Darkrai. Some other options Klefki can use include Dazzling Gleam for Mega Sableye, dual screens to aid team members for setup, Heal Block for Rest Xerneas, Magnet Rise to check Rayquaza and Mega Salamence better, and Flash Cannon to OHKO Mega Diancie.

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Conclusion

The Uber tier has always provided niches to lower tier Pokémon and despite the growing list of Ubers continues to do so. Several Pokémon in this article are able to be more successful in Ubers than in their native tiers. Pokémon in lower tiers often have unique traits that Ubers Pokémon are deprived of, usually when it comes to providing a support role or a unique offensive angle. Hopefully this article was able to highlight how non-Uber Pokémon have been able to make a splash, both offensively and defensively, throughout the generations.

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