TheSpecialOne
formerly Santuga
Articuno
QC: 1/3 (tennisace), 2/3 (NatGeo), 3/3 (Ice-eyes)
GP: 1/2 (sirndpt), 2/2 (Shame That)
[Overview]
<p>Since its inception, Articuno has always been the least used of the three legendary birds, and this generation around, it's no different. Articuno remains in the NU tier as it did in DPP, mainly because, upon entering battle, Articuno loses half of its health to Stealth Rock, making it less able to switch in and take hits like it's supposed to. However, despite being overshadowed by its own brothers, Articuno can hold its own in this tier with its good HP stat and amazing Special Defense stat, making it a viable choice as a special wall. Articuno is also blessed with a very good defensive movepool, packing almost every kind of support move, from status inflicting moves, such as Toxic, to phazing moves, namely Roar.</p>
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Ice Beam
move 2: Roost
move 3: Roar
move 4: Heal Bell / Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Pressure
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 252 SpD / 8 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Articuno's Special Defense stat is incredible, and this set really makes good use of it. The combination of Pressure and Roost allows Articuno to survive special assaults with ease while whittling the opponent's PP away at double the speed. Ice Beam is a STAB move that deals a good amount of damage and prevents Articuno from becoming vulnerable to Taunt. Roar lets the bird shuffle around the opponent's team and rack up some residual damage from entry hazards, or just to momentarily get rid of a threat by simply forcing it out of the battle. The moves listed on the last slot have different functions: Heal Bell increases Articuno's survivability and helps out the rest of the team, whereas Toxic lets Articuno stall out opponents more effectively or force switches.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The listed EV spread allows Articuno to make the best use of its high Special Defense stat. However, a spread of 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spe with a Bold nature can also be used to turn Articuno into a mixed wall. Reflect can also be used in the last slot to raise Articuno's average Defense stat. Entry hazard support is very useful to Articuno, because it has the ability to shuffle the opponent's team, therefore racking up residual damage every time a new Pokemon enters the field. Metang, Probopass, Torterra, and Bastiodon are good partners, as they can lay down Stealth Rock and take on the Rock-types Articuno hates. When not running Toxic, it is recommended that you run a Pokemon with Toxic Spikes, as it helps Articuno to perform its stalling job. Garbodor can set up both Toxic Spikes and Spikes, making an excellent choice. Moreover, Rapid Spin support is absolutely mandatory, since the bird loses half of its health just by switching in to Stealth Rock. Wartortle and Torkoal are decent options for this role.</p>
[SET]
name: SubRoost
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Roost
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Pressure
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>The SubRoost set, first popularized in DPP, makes a return in BW. As with the similar Zapdos set, Speed is needed, and Articuno packs just enough. Pressure is even deadlier on this set than on the Defensive set, as Articuno will be able to take many more hits. Substitute protects it from status, while Roost allows it to reliably regain health. When combined with Toxic, Articuno becomes one of the best Toxic stalling Pokemon in the tier, only being stopped by Steel- and Poison-types, who are both immune to Toxic. Ice Beam is used to prevent Articuno from becoming Taunt bait.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>In order to make this set effective, maximum Speed is required to ensure Articuno will have a Substitute up before the opponent has the opportunity to strike. Reflect, Roar, and Heal Bell can all be used in the last slot if Toxic is unneeded, as they raises Articuno's average Defense stat, shuffle out the opponent's team, or heal Articuno and its teammates from any status conditions respectively. Rapid Spin support is absolutely required for this set. Wartortle and Torkoal are good options; the latter is also able to lay down Stealth Rock.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Thanks to Articuno's respectable bulk, it can make use of a RestTalk set with Roar and Ice Beam. Other moves available to Articuno include Tailwind, Hail, Protect, Haze, and Icy Wind, although they are overall inferior to the ones listed above, as these moves don't pack enough power or the strategies implied by them are not as viable as the listed moves. Finally, Articuno can use a Choice Scarf well, creating a surprise factor that may be decisive in some battles.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Articuno is completely walled by Steel-types, such as Bastiodon, Metang, Mawile, and Wormadam-S, as they resist Articuno's STAB moves, and are immune to Toxic. Rock-type moves can take down Articuno very easily, so any potent attacker, such as Sawk, Armaldo, or Gigalith, can take out Articuno in one blow. Laying down Stealth Rock is a very effective way to get rid of Articuno, as it will lose 50% of its health just by coming in. This will leave it vulnerable to being revenge killed by faster threats, such as Sawk, Tauros, and Swellow. Rock Blast is also a very good move to use against Articuno, as it is super effective and it can break through Articuno's Substitutes.</p>
