Statistics
|
Min- |
Min |
Max |
Max+ |
| HP |
70
|
- |
281 |
344 |
- |
| Atk |
100
|
212 |
236 |
299 |
328 |
| Def |
115
|
239 |
266 |
329 |
361 |
| SpA |
30
|
86 |
96 |
159 |
174 |
| SpD |
65
|
149 |
166 |
229 |
251 |
| Spe |
30
|
86 |
96 |
159 |
174 |
This is the best that Sudowoodo can do—switch into a move that Sudowoodo resists, and hit the Pokémon that’s switching into it hard. Stone Edge gets STAB and hits even Skarmory for a minimum 38% damage if you decide to use Sudowoodo in OU. Earthquake is there for type coverage, and Ice Punch deals with Torterra, Breloom, Claydol and Flygon which resist the two aforementioned moves. Wood Hammer does more to the bulky water that switches in, though, which makes it somewhat preferable in the UU environment. Fire Punch does more to Bronzong and Forretress. A Choice Banded Explosion always does massive damage, and Sudowoodo's is no exception. This set can also benefit from another Pokémon that has set up Trick Room, in which case Leftovers or Expert Belt might prove to be superior items. It’s also nice if another Pokémon sets up Sandstorm to be able to boost Sudowoodo’s mediocre Special Defense.
Sudowoodo can outspeed even base 105 Speed Pokémon after one Rock Polish, which in UU translates to outspeeding the vast majority of the metagame there. Use Rock Polish while your foe is switching out, then choose one of your three attacking moves accordingly.
Other Options
Hammer Arm and Focus Punch can deal with fighting-weak Pokémon better. Sucker Punch can surprise a Pokémon or two by letting Sudowoodo go first against things that supposedly are faster. Sudowoodo learns Thunderpunch as well but it doesn’t provide much type coverage, or, at least, the listed moves are better in that regard. Rock Slide is an option over Stone Edge if you prefer a more accurate move. Counter is a rather nifty option considering Sudowoodo's average HP stat but high Defense, which can surprise a Pokémon using a non-STAB Earthquake. Sudowoodo can also Stealth Rock.
EVs
For the first set, if you’re assuming that Sudowoodo is going to be under Sandstorm conditions more often than not, then remove most of your Special Defense EVs for more HP EVs. If you’re going to set up Trick Room, try to get a Sudowoodo with the lowest Speed IV you can manage, and go for a Brave nature.
For the second set, you can drop a few Speed EVs for more HP EVs if you intend to outspeed less Pokémon. Don't add more Speed EVs—Sudowoodo can only outspeed base 108 Speed Pokémon if it maximizes its Speed after a Rock Polish. Infernape does have that base Speed, but you won't encounter Infernape in UU.
Opinion
Sudowoodo got some rather nice moves in DP, in particular Wood Hammer and physical Ice Punch, which allows it to cover its types much better. Sadly, it is still extremely slow, but it can do really decently under Trick Room conditions. You really need to question Gamefreak’s wisdom of creating a pre-evolution to Sudowoodo which ends up not contributing anything to Sudowoodo at all, but that is another story.
Counters
Gligar can counter Sudowoodo with a bit of prediction (watch out for Ice Punch, though), as well as Poliwrath and Quagsire (but be careful of Wood Hammer). Hitmontop can also switch in, Intimidating Sudowoodo and resisting its weakened Stone Edge. Forretress and Meganium can also switch into Sudowoodo with relative impunity, if Sudowoodo is not using Fire Punch.
