Registeel has carved out a very useful niche for itself in the UU metagame, where it acts as a very reliable support Pokémon. It can come in on a wide range of threats and proceed to spread status or set up Stealth Rock. Very few special attackers can break through Registeel, making it a great choice for a part of your team's defensive core. Amongst other things, it checks Pokemon such as Mismagius, Espeon, certain Alakazam, and Swellow, due to its Steel typing. Stealth Rock is a fantastic support move, and as such, Registeel is one of the most reliable Pokémon to set it up. It can then proceed to spread status. Thunder Wave is extremely useful for hitting fast Fire- and Fighting-types on the switch, as well as fast Pokémon in general, but Toxic can be used to hurt the bulky Water-types that switch in on Registeel. Either option is fine, and you should choose according to your team's needs. When coming to offense, Registeel has quite a few options, although it has a lackluster Attack stat. Earthquake is the preferred option in the third slot so that you can hurt Raikou, as well as the Fire-types who switch into Registeel, such as Blaziken or Arcanine. However, Seismic Toss deals a decent amount of damage to anything except Ghost-types, and Registeel can beat most Ghosts anyway. In the last slot, you can use Iron Head for STAB - it can 2HKO standard Mismagius if it uses Substitute once - or you can use Shadow Claw to hit Ghost- and Psychic-types for super effective damage, cleanly 2HKOing Mismagius and allowing you to beat Sub/Charge Beam Rotom. Explosion can be used to go out with a bang, and will leave a large dent in anything that does not resist it. If your team utilizes Toxic Spikes, then the status move can be removed to accommodate another attacking move. Note that if you use Seismic Toss in the third slot, then Shadow Claw should be your fourth move, otherwise Registeel will be helpless versus Rotom and Mismagius if you choose Explosion. Registeel is vulnerable to Dugtrio, and also Magneton if Earthquake is absent, so Shed Shell may be used over Leftovers. However, it is generally an inferior option as Registeel needs the recovery provided by Leftovers. Registeel attracts strong Fire- and Fighting-type Pokémon like Arcanine, Blaziken, Moltres, Hitmonlee, and Magmortar. It is also setup bait for Rhyperior, Swords Dance Venusaur, and SubPunch Azumarill. As such, Moltres makes a fantastic partner for this set, as it is immune to Ground-type moves, resists Fire- and Fighting-type moves, outspeeds all the aforementioned threats (it ties with other Moltres), and can beat all of them except Azumarill. Azumarill also makes a great partner, being able to threaten all the above threats except Venusaur and opposing Azumarill with STAB Aqua Jet. Bulky Water-types like Slowbro and Milotic also do well alongside Registeel, as they are able to stop Fire-type attacks aimed at Registeel as well as beat opposing Azumarill. Slowbro has especially good synergy with Registeel, as it also stops Fighting-type attackers cold. Registeel is blessed with many things; however, it lacks a reliable recovery move. It benefits greatly from Wish support, as it can then continue with its tanking duties, especially if it utilizes Shed Shell. Chansey and Clefable are both solid Wish providers, though they share a weakness to Fighting-type moves.
With its Steel typing and base 150 defenses, Registeel makes for a very durable wall. However, Registeel lacks a reliable recovery move. This set remedies that problem by using the Rest and Sleep Talk combination, playing similarly to Crocune. The objective of this set is to boost Registeel's mediocre Attack high enough to actually hurt opponents, while also boosting its stellar Defense to assist in taking hits. Once Registeel has Cursed 2-3 times or more, Rest off any residual damage and attempt to sweep. While Steel isn't generally a very effective attacking type, it does have the luxury of being able to damage every Pokémon except Shedinja. Registeel also defends well against special attacks - an issue for other Curse + Sleep Talk Pokémon - due to its excellent typing and defenses. Earthquake can be used over Sleep Talk for superior coverage and sweeping possibility, but without Sleep Talk, Registeel becomes easy set-up fodder for many Pokémon. Chesto Berry can be used to fix this, however, though the recovery from Leftovers will be missed greatly. Maximizing HP EVs makes Registeel as defensive as possible. A large amount of EVs are allotted to Special Defense to bolster Registeel's non-boosted defensive stat. You can fully invest in Special Defense if you want; however, 216 EVs are sufficient, as full investment doesn't make much of a difference in its tanking ability, while the rest of the EVs are allocated to Attack. With this set being Registeel's best attempt at a sweep, Pokémon that can remove other walls and counters for Registeel are greatly appreciated. Firstly there is Steelix, who is practically impossible to KO with Iron Head due to its awesome Defense stat. Pokémon such as Dugtrio and Magneton can trap Steelix and KO it. Pokémon such as Blaziken and Magmortar can set Steelix ablaze with their strong STAB Fire-type attacks. Pokémon such as Slowbro and Milotic can easily take hits from Registeel, though they can't do much back to it. Toxic Spikes is very useful for this set, since Registeel can easily set up Curse and stall until the Water-types get KOed by poison damage.
This is another incredibly bulky Registeel set, but this Registeel uses Toxic as its main weapon of choice. With the longevity granted by Rest and Sleep Talk, Registeel will be able to KO a good portion of the metagame with just the damage from Toxic alone. Earthquake is the preferred attacking move with this set, as it hits the Steel- and Poison-types who are immune to Toxic. However, Thunder Wave can be used effectively with Iron Head to simply spread paralysis on your opponent's team, while Iron Head takes advantage of paralysis with its flinch chance. You can drop the status move in favor of both offensive moves, but the Curse set is generally superior in matters of stalling. This Registeel set works quite well with Stealth Rock in play, so that the Fire-types that come in to stop Registeel's stalling will be punished by switching in. Pokémon that can stop Blaziken, such as Moltres or Milotic, work well with Registeel, as Blaziken is only hit for neutral by Stealth Rock. Spikes support is also welcome, so Froslass or Omastar make good partners.
Registeel's durability allows it to become an excellent Rain Dance supporter. It can also hold off several threats to Rain Dance teams when the rain runs out, such as Raikou and Sceptile. Rain Dance is there for obvious reasons, and Explosion, often taking down an opponent with Registeel, paves the way for another rain sweeper to come in safely. Explosion also severely dents Milotic, a thorn in the side of rain teams. Earthquake and Seismic Toss are both viable, and Shadow Claw hits Ghosts who are immune to Explosion. Stealth Rock can be used instead of either attacking move if required. However, Registeel must not linger against opponents, as it wastes valuable turns of rain. The EVs focus less on offense than usual, since Registeel's purpose in battle is to set up rain and then get out of there, allowing another sweeper to dominate. Since this Registeel is meant to be used on Rain Dance teams, the usual rain crew of Ludicolo, Gorebyss, Kabutops, Quilfish, and Omastar are the best teammates for Registeel. Someone to set up Stealth Rock is also necessary on a Rain team.
Fantastic defenses, resistance to Dragon-, Ice-, Dark-, and Ghost-type moves, and array of useful support moves make Registeel very useful in the Uber tier. Stealth Rock is always useful to have, and Registeel is a reliable Pokémon to set it up. Thunder Wave is extremely useful for crippling a wide range of Pokemon in the Uber tier, such as the Lati twins and Lugia. Ice Punch is Registeel's offensive move of choice, but don't expect too much out of it, given Registeel's mediocre offenses. Explosion can be used to go out with a bang, and will leave dents in almost everything that doesn't resist it. Toxic deserves a mention for the ability to cripple walls like Lugia, Giratina, and Groudon (on the switch-in), and may be used over Thunder Wave. Make your choice depending on the team's needs. The EVs lean towards Special Defense, with a small investment in Attack and Defense. The Attack EVs allow a guaranteed 2HKO on min/min Rayquaza with Ice Punch, and an OHKO on Latias with Explosion, with Stealth Rock in play. 80 Defense EVs allow you to be almost never 2HKOed by an Adamant, once Dragon Danced Rayquaza with Outrage, allowing you to cripple it with Thunder Wave, or if it is within range, flat out KO it. Additionally, Modest Choice Specs Kyogre's Thunder will be a 3HKO, allowing you to either paralyze it, poison it, or Explode on it, all of which will severely hinder its sweep. While it can survive against Dragon Dance Rayquaza locked into Outrage, DO NOT keep Registeel in against Swords Dance variants. This is because the Swords Dance variants run Dragon Claw instead of Outrage, and hence can simply Earthquake for the KO. You should also beware of Earthquake from any other variant of Rayquaza, especially Dragon Dance Rayquaza, since it will do a ton of damage, with a small chance of an OHKO. Additionally, do not even try to switch in Registeel onto Kyogre unless it is locked into Thunder or Ice Beam, as its STAB attacks OHKO Registeel in the rain. Registeel may resist the premiere attacking types in Ubers, but is still weak against Ground-, Fire-, and Fighting-type moves. It also suffers from a lack of reliable recovery. To these ends, Latias is a fantastic partner for Registeel, providing Wish support for the metal hunk, as well as having awesome defensive synergy with Registeel. Latios is also a decent partner, as Earthquakes aimed at Registeel give him free switch-ins to start wreaking havoc. Someone to take care of Rayquaza is also preferable, such as physically defensive Groudon. Speaking of Groudon, it absolutely mauls Registeel, so having someone like Wobbuffet, Giratina, Lugia, or Scarf Shaymin to check it is preferable.
In a metagame in which teams are constantly threatened by Pokémon such as Dragon Dance Salamence, Calm Mind Latias, Choice Scarf Heatran, Choice Scarf Jirachi, and SubRoost Zapdos, finding a comfortable "check" that simultaneously meshes with a wide variety of teams is difficult. This set serves to effectively "check" various threats without sacrificing general utility. This works either as lead or as a switch-in to check a threat. If utilized as a lead, be careful with common lead Taunters and lead Heatran, which tend to run Shuca Berry. 364 HP and 393 Defense allow Registeel to never get OHKOed by a +1 Attack Life Orb Salamence's Earthquake (even after Stealth Rock), and 228 Attack, when used with the Expert Belt, will allow Registeel to always KO 4 HP / 0 Defense Salamence with Ice Punch after one Life Orb recoil. Registeel will also have no problem switching into Latias or Zapdos, after which it will Ice Punch Latias and Ice Punch / Earthquake (on a predicted Roost) Zapdos. Should Salamence, Latias, or Zapdos carry high Defense or a Fire move, Registeel can easily deal with the threat by using Explosion. This can also surprise the common Choice Scarf Heatran by never getting OHKOed by Fire Blast and OHKOing back with Earthquake (again, with Expert Belt) very close to 100% of the time on a 4 HP / 0 Defense Heatran. Aside from checking these threats, it also supports its teammates by setting up Stealth Rock and Exploding on dangerous threats. The last moveslot is a matter of dealing with Heatran, Metagross, Jirachi, and Tyranitar switch-ins (all of which are common) with Earthquake, or the general usefulness of Toxic. Note that Toxic will help you deal with Zapdos, Togekiss, and non-Taunt Gyarados more effectively. As for the item, that is an issue of personal preference. If specific spreads don't suit your style, you can exchange Expert Belt for Leftovers, and then shift the Attack EVs into the defenses. Since Registeel's Steel typing is optimal for switching into Choice Specs powered Draco Meteors, putting a significant amount into Special Defense is also a plausible option. Fighting-types appreciate the presence of Registeel, because of its ability to take care of Salamence, which is a major setback for sweepers such as Heracross. Registeel can even lure and KO Heatran, which is a great benefit for Pokémon such as Scizor and basically any Pokémon with a Fire-type attack. Registeel needs help with opposing Fire and Fighting-types, namely Infernape. Pokémon such as Starmie and Latias can effectively deal with Infernape, as well as any other Fighting or Fire-types that may cause Registeel trouble. Latias is an especially good partner, considering her beautiful defensive synergy with Registeel. Team OptionsRegisteel lacks reliable recovery, so it greatly benefits from Pokémon with Wish support. Being able to regain lost HP has become even more important for Registeel since Mismagius got Nasty Plot, Alakazam turned up in UU, and Raikou re-entered UU. Registeel has to take a beating if it takes on Mismagius, Raikou, and Alakazam, and since they are often used alongside each other, Registeel will often be left as death fodder. Umbreon, Clefable, and Chansey are great Wish passers with pretty good bulk. However, they all have a Fighting-type weakness, so make sure you have that covered with other Pokémon. All three also have Heal Bell, which any Rest variant of Registeel will appreciate. Registeel is a magnet for powerful wall breakers such as Blaziken and Magmortar, as well as monsters such as Rhyperior and Venusaur. Registeel is greatly benefited by the elimination of these wall breakers so that it may carry out its tanking duties. Bulky Water-types can be used alongside Registeel to good effect. Dugtrio can trap and KO Blaziken, Magmortar, and weakened Venusaur, and can even pick off a greatly dented Arcanine with Sucker Punch, making Registeel's life much, much easier. Alakazam makes a great revenge killer for these threats if need be. Offensively speaking, since Registeel provides paralysis support, strong sweepers that benefit from paralysis support make good partners, such as Blaziken or Azumarill. Registeel brings a solid element of defensive power into a team; however, it does come with common weaknesses to Fire-, Fighting-, and Ground-type attacks. In UU play, the tank set appreciates someone to absorb Fire-, Fighting-, and Ground-type moves. Slowbro has amazing defensive synergy with Registeel, with both of them resisting everything together except Electric- and Ground-type attacks, and both checking different threats. Moltres is a great Pokémon to use Registeel with as well, being able to take Ground-, Fire-, and Fighting-type attacks aimed at Registeel. Moltres and Slowbro combine with Registeel to make an awesome defensive trio, resisting every attacking type except Electric. A bulky Water-type like Milotic also does well to sponge hits from powerful Fire-types like Blaziken and Arcanine, which Slowbro fails to do effectively (though Moltres can do this as well). If you use Registeel in OU, then Rotom-A makes a decent partner, being immune to the Fighting- and Ground-type attacks that plague Registeel. Latias is also a fantastic partner for Registeel. If you are particularly concerned about Fire-type attacks, then Heatran can be used alongside Registeel to absorb them. However, Heatran shares Ground and Fighting weaknesses with it, which should always be considered. Wish support is still welcome in OU, and there you have some fine choices. Latias is perhaps the best one, with her beautiful defensive synergy with Registeel. Other options are Blissey, Vaporeon, and Jirachi. Dugtrio is also a brilliant offensive partner in OU, being able to trap and kill opposing Fire- and Steel-types, especially Magnezone. Many Fighting-types benefit from Registeel taking care of the Dragon-types (mainly Salamence), and many Fire-types also benefit from Heatran being gone as well. Other OptionsRegisteel has a few viable options at its disposal, but none of them are too appealing. Registeel can use a Choice Band or Choice Specs with some success if only from the surprise value. A Choice Band boosted Explosion is definitely powerful from any Pokémon, including Registeel. Registeel can pull off more physically defensive sets, but Steelix often does this better with its 200 base Defense and much higher Attack. Charge Beam can be used to boost Registeel's below average Special Attack stat, and with a decent special movepool, Registeel can make use of the boosts. This also gives Registeel an easier way to deal with bulky Water-types; however, Registeel is much better off walling and supporting than sweeping. EVsAlways maximize HP, with no exceptions; this allows it to withstand any attack in general much more effectively. Next, you want to boost Registeel's defensiveness even more by adding a significant amount of EVs into Special Defense, making Registeel incredibly bulky from the special side. The remaining EVs should be put into Attack, as without them, it isn't hurting anything. 100 Attack EVs suffice, as it gets 2HKOes on Mismagius, Alakazam, and Espeon with Shadow Claw or Iron Head. 156 Special Defense EVs allows Registeel to take special attacks much better. With the Curse set, Registeel can invest more into Special Defense, as Curse is already boosting Registeel's Attack and Defense. OpinionRegisteel has its uses in OU, but it really shines in UU, where things hit a little more softly. With Registeel's defenses and resistances, it can easily put a stop to many threats in the UU metagame, namely Mismagius, Espeon, Porygon-Z, and Swellow. Registeel works well as a support Pokémon, easily finding time to spread status and set up Stealth Rock. Once it is no longer needed, it can eliminate threats with Explosion. While its resistances complement almost any team, it has a major drawback in that it lacks reliable recovery. CountersRegisteel has many counters in the OU metagame, namely Fire- and Fighting-types like Infernape, Lucario, and Heracross. However, the former two both need to be careful of Earthquake, and none of them enjoy Thunder Wave. In UU, Registeel has many counters as well, due to its low Attack stat. Blaziken, Magmortar, and generally any Fire-type can cause serious havoc when they come in on Registeel, firing off strong attacks from both sides to deal damage to Registeel. Blaziken is especially difficult to deal with, because if it gets hit by an Earthquake, it goes into Blaze range and will likely OHKO whatever you switch in if it does not resist and have a hefty amount of (Special) Defense (depending on the attack). Torterra is arguably the best switch-in for Registeel, as all Registeel can do is Ice Punch (which does not even 2HKO defensive variants) or Explode. Rock Polish variants can set up easily and then use Earthquake to dispose of Registeel, while support variants can take advantage of the switch and Roar your Torterra counter out, spreading residual damage across your team. Nidoking can switch in pretty easily, being immune to Thunder Wave and Toxic, while being able to KO Registeel with its STAB Ground-type attacks. Moltres can set up a Substitute if it switches in on Stealth Rock and pose a severe threat. The counters all need to watch out for Explosion, however, so carrying a Ghost-type Pokémon to take the Explosion can always help. |
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