Underrated Movesets in UU

People often associate a Pokémon with certain movesets that have been their most successful, which shapes how that Pokémon is perceived in a tier. While these standard sets are effective, they do become predictable after a while. Similarly, the Pokémon you frequently encounter on the ladder will usually be the ones that are among the best in the tier. However, this doesn't mean that lesser-used Pokémon cannot be equally effective. It's always important to consider Pokémon and movesets that deviate from the norm while still being viable, seeing as the element of surprise is one of the greatest assets that a player can have in a match. This article will bring to light two lesser-seen Pokémon that can be successful in UU, along with two lesser-seen but effective sets of common UU Pokémon.

Nasty Plot Mega Houndoom

Houndoom @ Houndoominite: Ability: Flash Fire; EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe; Timid Nature; - Nasty Plot; - Fire Blast / Flamethrower; - Dark Pulse; - Taunt / Flame Charge / Protect / Destiny Bond

The development of UU has been harsh on Mega Houndoom. The popularity of other Mega Evolutions such as Aerodactyl, Sharpedo, Swampert, and Beedrill has seen the usage of this former S-ranked Pokémon dwindle. It is also checked by some of the most popular Pokémon in the tier, such as Hydreigon and Suicune. However, with its high Special Attack, excellent offensive typing, access to Nasty Plot, and great base Speed stat of 115, which puts it above popular Pokémon such as Cobalion, Heliolisk, and Mienshao, Mega Houndoom still has the potential to shine. Offensive teams will find themselves struggling to deal with its raw power and speed, while defensive teams won't enjoy eating boosted Fire Blasts and Dark Pulses. While its defensive typing and bulk leave a lot to be desired, they still grant Mega Houndoom the ability to check or set up on certain top threats, such as Chandelure, Azelf, Mandibuzz, and Doublade. Prior to Mega Evolving, Mega Houndoom can also use Flash Fire to grab a free boost from Fire-type moves such as Will-O-Wisp or Choice-locked attacks from the likes of Entei and Darmanitan.

The given set is the one that Mega Houndoom is likely to have the most success with. Nasty Plot boosts its Special Attack to incredible levels and turns it into a wallbreaker that is capable of sweeping both offensive and defensive teams. As a measure of Mega Houndoom's power after a boost, Dark Pulse, the weaker of its two STAB moves, can outright OHKO decently bulky offensive Pokémon, such as Feraligatr, Salamence, and Entei, without any entry hazards up. Fire Blast and Dark Pulse are high-powered STAB moves that offer great coverage, meaning that you can dedicate the last slot to a move that increases Mega Houndoom's effectiveness. Taunt prevents status conditions from ruining Mega Houndoom's sweep and stops Pokémon such as Blissey, Snorlax, and Florges from healing, allowing Mega Houndoom to potentially break past them. Flame Charge can be used to finish off a weakened foe and simultaneously increase Mega Houndoom's Speed, making Mega Houndoom a great late-game cleaner. Protect lets Mega Houndoom Mega Evolve safely against Pokémon that outspeed it in its base forme, and it also allows Mega Houndoom to scout Choice Scarf users such as Hydreigon, which are commonly used to check it. Finally, Destiny Bond can guarantee that Mega Houndoom takes down at least one Pokémon with it before fainting.

Physically Defensive Tangrowth

Tangrowth @ Leftovers: Ability: Regenerator; EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD; Bold Nature; - Sleep Powder; - Giga Drain / Leaf Storm; - Knock Off / Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Fire; - Leech Seed / Synthesis

In a tier filled with ferocious physical attackers such as Feraligatr, Mega Swampert, Krookodile, and Salamence, Tangrowth has a valuable role as one of few Pokémon that can reliably stand up to these threats. Thanks to its massive Defense and its Grass typing, it is probably the only true counter to Feraligatr in UU, being able to take on both Swords Dance and Dragon Dance versions, which have been a big factor in its recent rise in popularity. Even a +2 Life Orb Adamant Ice Punch from Feraligatr fails to OHKO Tangrowth, which is no small feat. Apart from countering brutal physical attackers, Tangrowth is also one of the best defensive pivots in the tier, packing a wide range of support moves and an excellent ability in Regenerator, which makes it even harder to take down. Tangrowth is no slouch offensively either; its base 110 Special Attack stat means that, even uninvested, its attacks are going to pack a punch.

Sleep Powder is the only obvious choice, while the other three slots have several options that you can consider. The choice between Leaf Storm and Giga Drain is whether you want immediate power or the ability to heal while attacking. While Giga Drain is the more reliable choice in longer battles or when Tangrowth is on the field for an extended period, the difference in power can be significant. For example, Leaf Storm cleanly OHKOs Feraligatr while Giga Drain only deals up to 75% damage, so if Feraligatr is near full health, then Tangrowth can actually lose to Swords Dance versions. Knock Off adds to Tangrowth's utility, but Hidden Power Fire or Ice can be used if you want Tangrowth to more effectively counter Steel-types such as Cobalion or Dragon-types such as Salamence, respectively. Leech Seed and Synthesis provide Tangrowth with some form of recovery. Leech Seed + Regenerator is usually enough to sustain Tangrowth throughout a match, but Synthesis can be used if you prefer the instant 50% recovery of health.

Stallbreaker Hydreigon

Hydreigon @ Leftovers / Life Orb: Ability: Levitate; EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe; Timid Nature; - Taunt; - Roost; - Dragon Pulse; - Dark Pulse / Fire Blast

When people think of Hydreigon, its Choice Scarf and Wallbreaker sets immediately spring to mind. However, with Taunt and Roost, Hydreigon can function as an effective stallbreaker. Taunt allows Hydreigon to shut down common specially defensive Pokémon that usually counter it, such as Vaporeon, Blissey, Mandibuzz, and Umbreon. Hydreigon can then proceed to repeatedly attack them, and by preventing any attempts at recovery with Taunt, it can eventually KO them. Taunt also allows Hydreigon to prevent entry hazards from being set up by the likes of Swampert and Forretress. Roost makes Hydreigon very difficult to break, as walls are not able to wear it down after being Taunted thanks to Hydreigon's solid bulk and resistances. Despite the fact that this set takes on a more supportive role than Hydreigon's other sets, it still hits hard and fast with maximum Special Attack and Speed investment. This means that this Hydreigon is still a menace for more offensive teams to face, especially with its increased staying power thanks to Roost. In fact, this makes Hydreigon a much more effective check to the likes of Chandelure, Krookodile, and Entei, which the Choice Scarf set finds it difficult to consistently switch into.

The choice between Life Orb and Leftovers depends on whether you prefer the extra power or survivability. Life Orb helps Hydreigon defeat walls more quickly, and makes it a much bigger offensive threat, while Leftovers grants Hydreigon better staying power and allows it to not get easily worn down by Blissey's Seismic Tosses or annoying Scald burns. Dark Pulse and Dragon Pulse provide Hydreigon with two consistent, reliable STAB moves that hit most of the tier decently hard. Fire Blast is a useful alternative option to consider, as it OHKOes Whimsicott, which is otherwise a big problem for this set.

Specially Defensive Mega Swampert

Swampert @ Swampertite: Ability: Damp; EVs: 240 HP / 252 SpD / 16 Def; Sassy / Careful Nature; - Earthquake; - Rest; - Scald / Ice Punch; - Sleep Talk / Curse

While Mega Swampert is usually seen ripping teams apart with its Rain Dance set, its excellent 100 / 110 / 110 bulk, which often goes unnoticed in favor of its gigantic base 150 Attack stat, provides Mega Swampert with the perfect attributes to effectively run a defensive set. The heavy investment in Special Defense lets Mega Swampert take on even the most brutal special attackers in UU, allowing it to effectively check Hydreigon, Chandelure, Salamence, and Nidoqueen. Major investment in Defense is not needed, as its typing already allows it to counter popular physical threats such as Mega Aerodactyl, Entei, Krookodile, and Cobalion, and the case for not using any Defense EVs is made even stronger if you choose to run Curse. Curse turns Mega Swampert into a boosting tank that, in conjunction with Rest, will hit incredibly hard and become notoriously difficult to take down after a few boosts. Curse also allows Mega Swampert to hard counter Calm Mind Psyshock Reuniclus and Cresselia, and it gives Mega Swamper the potential to completely dismantle more defensive teams.

Both Earthquake + Scald and Earthquake + Ice Punch are very effective combinations. Earthquake, even without any investment, still hits incredibly hard with Mega Swampert's base 150 Attack stat. Scald benefits from STAB and its notorious burn chance, which adds to Mega Swampert's defensive capabilities. Ice Punch hits Dragon-types and Grass-types super effectively, and it benefits from Curse boosts as well. The choice between Sleep Talk and Curse is whether you would prefer to use Mega Swampert for purely defensive purposes by allowing it to attack while sleeping, or from a more attacking point of view. Both can be effective in their own right.

Conclusion

I hope that this article inspires people to try out new things on the ladder and in tournaments and to not always stick to standard sets and Pokémon. Who knows, you might find an effective moveset that has not been discovered before, or you might find potential in a Pokémon from the depths of RU! Be creative, but of course don't overdo it and use something like Luvdisc. Thanks for reading!

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