NU Pokes in RU? RU Nuts?

[Phazon00]

Hello. As you know, the RU metagame is not strictly limited to Pokemon in RU. Some of the biggest powerhouses in RU are not from that tier, but from the NU tier. However, many players seem afraid to expand beyond RU, and never touch NU. My goal is to bring those NU behemoths to light, and to give your RU teams more options. Remember- NUs are not NU because they are weak. They are NU cause they are not used in RU. Methinks it's time to fix that.

Here is an example that, from my RU experience, can function well in the RU metagame despite its NU placement.

Tauros by Phazon00

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Tauros (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 HP
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Fire Blast
- Rock Climb

Selling Points- Tauros, Tauros, Tauros. One of the biggest behemoths in NU, it can still hold its own when it steps into RU. A big selling point of this set is Tauros' brand new DW ability, Sheer Force. With this ability, Rock Slide, Fire Blast and Rock Climb get power boosts and prevent your LO recoil. This allows Tauros to do MAJOR damage to anything that wants to face it, Rock Climb especially being a very powerful move. Rock Slide and Fire Blast are its best coverage moves, with all still getting the Sheer Force Boost. However, all of these moves are slightly inaccurate. So, Earthquake makes a fantastic last option as it is 100% accurate, making it great for a revenge kill.

Why use it in RU? When looking at RU, you can see many threats that go unchecked. Nidoqueen and Moltres are quite likely the two biggest threats in the metagame, yet Tauros outspeeds both and hits them hard with Zen Headbutt and Rock Slide, respectively. Let's look at some others. Kabutops is weak to EQ, Entei is weak to EQ and Rock Slide, Sceptile is not strong enough to stand up to Rock Climb, and Archeops is taken out by Rock Slide. With that many threats handled, it is a great choice!

Why NOT use it in RU? But, there are always shortcomings. The big one is Poliwrath. Poliwrath can easily live one hit due to the lack of super effectiveness, and can easily set up a sub or phaze Tauros out. Tangrowth and Ferroseed can take one Fire Blast, and regains lost health with Leech Seed. Also, Accelgor can outspeed a Tauros and take it out swiftly with a Focus Blast. These problems are gigantic things to think about when using Tauros in RU.

However, the Pros outweigh the cons. Tauros is a great pick for RU teams, and one that has worked well for me in the past.

[Phazon00]

Here is where I will keep the posted sets.

Tauros by Phazon00

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Tauros (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 HP
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Fire Blast
- Rock Climb

Selling Points- Tauros, Tauros, Tauros. One of the biggest behemoths in NU, it can still hold its own when it steps into RU. A big selling point of this set is Tauros' brand new DW ability, Sheer Force. With this ability, Rock Slide, Fire Blast and Rock Climb get power boosts and prevent your LO recoil. This allows Tauros to do MAJOR damage to anything that wants to face it, Rock Climb especially being a very powerful move. Rock Slide and Fire Blast are its best coverage moves, with all still getting the Sheer Force Boost. However, all of these moves are slightly inaccurate. So, Earthquake makes a fantastic last option as it is 100% accurate, making it great for a revenge kill.

Why use it in RU? When looking at RU, you can see many threats that go unchecked. Nidoqueen and Moltres are quite likely the two biggest threats in the metagame, yet Tauros outspeeds both and hits them hard with Zen Headbutt and Rock Slide, respectively. Let's look at some others. Kabutops is weak to EQ, Entei is weak to EQ and Rock Slide, Sceptile is not strong enough to stand up to Rock Climb, and Archeops is taken out by Rock Slide. With that many threats handled, it is a great choice!

Why NOT use it in RU? But, there are always shortcomings. The big one is Poliwrath. Poliwrath can easily live one hit due to the lack of super effectiveness, and can easily set up a sub or phaze Tauros out. Tangrowth and Ferroseed can take one Fire Blast, and regains lost health with Leech Seed. Also, Accelgor can outspeed a Tauros and take it out swiftly with a Focus Blast. These problems are gigantic things to think about when using Tauros in RU.

However, the Pros outweigh the cons. Tauros is a great pick for RU teams, and one that has worked well for me in the past.

All-Out Attacker Zangoose by Jarc

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Zangoose @ Toxic Orb
Trait: Toxic Boost
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
-Facade
-Close Combat
-Night Slash
-Quick Attack

Anyone who plays NU knows what a boss Zangoose is. Once Toxic Boost is in effect he can clean up teams like nothing. Facade has the equivalent power of a Draco Meteor, without any drawbacks. Close Combat decimates the steel and rock types that resist Facade, and Night Slash nabs the ghosts that are immune to the other 2 moves. Quick Attack allows Zangoose to avoid getting revenged by priority, and gets STAB.

Pro's: Zangoose hits incredibly hard and fast and can sweep/clean up a team easily.
Con's: Zangoose is extremely frail, and dies to basically any strong attack. Also Physical tanks like Steelix and tangrowth wall it.

Scarf Pinsir by cirlo

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Pinsir (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Moxie
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- X-Scissor
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge

Selling Points: A combination with Scarf+Moxie is always dangerous, and like Salamence and Heracross in upper tiers, Pinsir can be a very effective late-game sweeper. Thanks to his base 125 attack and a nice coverage he can easily take a rkill and start to sweep the opponent's team.

Why use it in RU? Is the only reliable moxie user in low tier (I think Mightyena isn't really used) and like all moxie user is very dangerous. A base 85 speed, when scarfed, isn't bad in RU. He can rkill a significant part of the RU tier hitting threats like Entei, Moltres, Nidoqueen, Slowking with a very little support. The point that makes it usable in RU is that most used pokemon often share weakness and if you manage to eliminate resistors of certain moves you can easily sweep the opponent's team.

Why NOT use it in RU? A scarf physical pokemon in RU can be easily stopped by the excelent walls, and even if moxie helps, not weakened bulky pokemons can ban Pinsir existence in RU (for example tangrowth isn't 2hko even with SR damage by an unboosted X-Scissor, but most of the physical tanks are untouchable for an unboosted Pinsir). Ghost types are very difficoult to take down by Pinsir and even a Scarf Rotom can be a problem for Pinsir. Finally a criplingweakness to SR doesn't help him to sweep, and he often needs rapid spin support.

Swords Dance Zangoose by Phazon00

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Zangoose @ Toxic Orb
Trait: Toxic Boost
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Facade
- Quick Attack
- Swords Dance

Selling Points: Swords Dance Zangoose is, undeniably, one of the biggest threats in NU. After a Swords Dance and Toxic Boost, Zangoose has +3 attack, equalling a gargantuan 822.5 attack! If this doesn't draw you in, I don't know what will. Facade is a crazily powerful move once you set up, as, after factoring in STAB, is 210 Base Power. That is an intense move! Only 10 BP less than Giga Impact, and it doesn't have the wasted turn afterwards. However, Steels and Rock types can easily wall this set, as Facade will not do much even with its power. Close Combat offsets this very well, as it covers them Steels and Rocks easily. However, Zangoose is still not fast enough, as even with Jolly, it is outsped by certain threats. Quick Attack neutralizes this problem, as it hits very powerfully even with its paltry base power.

Why use it in RU? Zangoose is definitely a big threat in RU, as it can handle some of the scarier things in RU. Look at these calcs-

252 Atk Toxic Boost Zangoose Facade vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Cresselia: 201-237 (45.27 - 53.37%) -- 1.17% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Toxic Boost Zangoose Facade vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Moltres: 342-403 (106.54 - 125.54%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Toxic Boost Zangoose Facade vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Nidoqueen: 354-417 (109.93 - 129.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Toxic Boost Zangoose Facade vs. 248 HP / 144 Def Slowking: 321-378 (81.67 - 96.18%) -- possible OHKO after Rocks
252 Atk Toxic Boost Zangoose Facade vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Rotom-C: 297-351 (123.23 - 145.64%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Holy shit, that hurts. I don't even think I need to say more.

Why NOT use it in RU? I know I have mentioned this, but Zangoose is not that fast. 90 Speed may seem fast enough, but commonly it is not. Anything Rotom-N and above will always outspeed, and Moltres will tie. Also, Ghosts like Rotom or Spiritomb wall this set 100%, but this is unavoidable unless you use Night Slash. Also, even though priority covers the speed problem decently, Quick Attack is relatively weak unless you set up the SD, and many things can easily survive. Thankfully, Zangoose really does not have a high number of issues with it. Try it out!

Fraxure by Jarc

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Fraxure @ Eviolite
Ability: Mold Breaker
Nature: Jolly
EV's: 4 hp/252 att/252 spe
-Dragon Dance
-Outrage
-Taunt
-Low Kick

Selling Points: Fraxure is cool. After a DD, this monster's already immpressive attack stat is boosted, and its low speed is elevated to outrun almost the entire unbootsed metagame. Taunt and Eviolite make setting up easier, as you can set up right in front of guys like Tangrowth and Ferroseed. Outrage decimates most non-steels after a boost, which is just awesome. Finally, Low Kick helps against steels like Steelix and Klingklang who eat your outrage.

Why use it in RU? There aren't many steels in RU, which means that there aren't many things to sponge your outrages. Even those bulky steels are taken out by Low Kick. Plus, you outspeed the whole metagame bar Aerodactyl and Accelgor once you DD, allowing you to sweep.Taunt allows you to set up on a ridiculous amount of pokes, and eviolite makes you much harder to take out. Fraxure is actually usually a low-risk, high-reward pokemon. Heck, its viability is A in RU!

Why NOT use it in RU? Anything with the combination of a speed higher than 67, a choice scarf, and a move to KO it can beat it. Also a poke who can take a hit and either stall it out or KO it can beat it. Morover, it faces stiff competition from fellow dragon Druddigon, who is bulkier, has a better movepool, and a much more useful ability.

All-Out Attacker Absol by Jarc

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Absol @ Life Orb
Trait: Super Luck
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Naughty / Adamant Nature
-Sucker Punch
-Fire Blast / Pursuit
-Superpower
-Night Slash

Selling Points: Absol is a monster in NU and it's no different in RU. A 80 base power priority attack that gets STAB, backed by a gigantic attack stat of 130 is nothing to scoff at. Sucker Punch is easily manuvered around, but is downright powerful, OHKOing stuff like Sceptile, Galvantula, and Gallade. Fire Blast allows Absol to take out otherwise untouchable walls like Tangrowth and Steelix. An option instead of Fire Blast is Pursuit, which puts psychics and ghosts in checkmate, catching things like Cresselia, Uxie, and Slowking as they switch out. Superpower gives steel and rock types something to think about before they try to switch in on Absol. Finally, Night Slash gives you a STAB move with no drawback for ease of prediction in some cases. Also, Super Luck gives you that much more of a chance to twist hax in your favor.

Why use it in RU? The rising popularity of the recently dropped Cresselia allows Absol to gain popularity, as it is one of Cress' counters. It also threatens anything that is a ghost, psychic, or physically frail, giving you something less for you to worry about. Its stupidly powerful priority allows you to KO sweepers and gives you a potent revenge killer. It can even possibly sweep late game itself when its checks and counters are weakened or downed.

Why NOT use it in RU? As far as sweepers go, Absol is very slow. If everything else had max speed, it would be outsped by a whole slew of pokes, ranging from Nidoqueen to Cresselia to Kabutops and so forth. Also, its bulk is atrocious, even worse than Galvantula's, so it dies to any neutral or better attack with some power. The final nail in Absol's coffin is the unreliability of it's priority Sucker Punch.

Swellow by Molk

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Swellow (M) @ Toxic Orb
Trait: Guts
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Facade
- Brave Bird
- U-Turn
- Protect / Quick Attack

Selling Points: Swellow has always been in a solid Pokemon in the lower tiers during the past 3 generations, and BW2 RU is no exception. One of the main things that makes Swellow so good is its excellent Speed tier. Sitting at an amazing base 125 Speed, Swellow outspeeds almost the entirety of the unboosted RU tier, only losing out on Aerodactyl and Accelgor. While Swellow's Attack stat looks average at best at first, its ability, Guts completely changes that, after Swellow's trusty Toxic Orb activates, its base Attack shoots up from base 85 to the equivalent of base 152! Add on Swellow's high powered STAB moves in Facade and Brave Bird and you have an excellent late game cleaner in your hands.

Why use it in RU?: Swellow often struggles in the higher tiers due to the abundance of Steel- and Rock-types can can take easily take its STAB moves, and these pokemon, while not nonexistant, are significantly less common in RU than they are in say, OU. This makes it much easier to make good use of Swellow's power and speed on an offensive team. Swellow is a good addition to pretty much any spikestacking offense team thanks to the fact that the Rock- and Steel-types that give it a hard time often completely lack a form of reliable recovery, making it much easier to wear them down with a few layers of hazards up and good play with U-turn. Swellow is also a decent revenge killer on an offensive team thanks to its speed and priority, and can end up saving your ass more times than you can count. The entry hazards also help Swellow score quite a few OHKOs and 2HKOs on some bulkier pokemon.

Why NOT use it in RU?: Although Swellow looks absolutely incredible on paper, there is a reason that it is often relegated to the lower tiers. As mentioned before, Swellow struggles greatly with Rock- and Steel-types, and while they arent as common in RU, they are still a massive roadblock for the speedy bird to overcome. The combination of Swellow's fraility, Stealth Rock weakness, and its own Toxic Orb also hurts Swellow quite a bit. Its pretty damn hard to switch Swellow in on almost any attack, and it can usually only come in after a KO, because of the stealth rock weakness, repeated switching will often wear Swellow down to the point where it isnt accomplishing as much as it could. Swellow is also on a timer thanks to its Toxic Orb, wearing it down course of the match even further.

Amoonguss by IceSpade

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Amoonguss @ Leftovers
Trait: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpDef / 4 Def
Calm Nature
-Spore
-Giga Drain
-Sludge Bomb / Clear Smog
-Stun Spore / Synthesis

Selling Points: Amoonguss is a Pokemon that can be effective in OU, yet it is there ruling in NU. The combination of Spore, Regenerator, and Synthesis, along with good typing and decent bulk, give Amoonguss the ability to compete in RU.

Why use it in RU? There are a lot of Pokemon in RU that Amoonguss can threaten such as Kabutops, special attacker Sceptile, and more. A 100% accurate sleep move is also good, it can render one opposing Pokemon useless for the rest of the match.

Why not use it in RU? There are a lot of Fire types in RU that can threaten Amoonguss with their STAB moves. Especially Magmortar which also have Vital Spirit against Spore. Sap Sippers such as Bouffalant can also use Amoonguss to its advantage. Cresselia and other Psychic types can use Amoonguss as set-up bait.

Overall, Amoonguss has some weaknesses (although every Pokemon does), and also faces competition to things such as Roselia, but if its decent bulk and good typing might be useful to your team, then it won't disappoint.

Amoonguss by Chimpakt

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Amoonguss (F) @ Life Orb
Trait: Regenerator
EVs: 240 HP / 252 SAtk / 16 Spd
Modest Nature
- Sludge Bomb
- Spore
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Ground]

HP Ground is really effective against steel types that want to wall you like Aggron (without Magnet Rise), Magneton or Steelix. 240 HP minimizes LO recoil, but I'm not sure if its the most efficient with Regenerator. 16 Speed EVs is to speed creep on opposing Amoongus and other pokemon that have base 30 speed.

Amoongus is capable of winning a lot of 1v1 matchups against a lot of pokemon in this metagame. And with Regenerator and Giga Drain, you can't just wear it down with weak attacks, like you can against other defensive pokemon like Sandslash or Qwilfish.

Being able to take something out of the game with spore is great in itself but it can really take advantage of its typing in this meta. It's a great check to fighting types and has pretty good matchups against some of the more common pokemon in the tier. Here's how Amoongus matches up against the top 15 according to usage stats:

Nidoqueen - Fire blasts does a little too much damage, but you have a really high chance to live it if you're healthy 252 SpAtk Life Orb Sheer Force Nidoqueen Fire Blast vs 252 HP/0 SpDef Amoonguss: 85.65% - 100.93% (12.5% chance to OHKO). It has to hit fire blast and get a high roll to ohko at full health.
Sceptile - Great answer to it. Not much it can do bar the SD Acro set or hope to get big crits with HP Ice/Fire.
Slowking - Takes psychics very well and respond back with Giga Drains.
Gallade - Psycho Cut is an easy 2hko, while a majority of them run Lum Berry so it's really not a great matchup.
Uxie - it sets up on Amoongus like it does on a lot of other pokemon. You can still weaken it with Sludge Bombs and Giga Drains.
Entei - Absolutely nothing you can do, but Entei has that effect on a lot of pokemon in this metagame.
Galvantula - Galvantula can't do much to Amoongus, but Amoongus can't do much back. You can always put it to sleep if necessary.
Typhlosion - Similar to entei but is a lot less threatening than it.
Aerodactyl - Not much it can do to you, but Giga Drain may not be a 2hko unless you're life orbed.
Sandslash - EQ is not a 2hko and Giga Drain is an easy OHKO.
Hitmonlee - Blaze Kick is the only move that can really do anything to you. And that's not a guaranteed 2hko if you run defense EVs, and it has to hit consecutively. Blaze Kick is only used 32% of the time on hitmonlee as well.
Cresselia - Psychic is a 2hko and there's not much you can do to it. Sludge Bomb does around 30 + %, but they can just moonlight off the damage. Sporing Cresselia is an option, but
Tangrowth - It can't do much to you other than Sleep Powder, but Sludge Bomb is an OHKO on defensive variants.
Spiritomb - Similar to Galvantula. Will-O-Wisp can be a little annoying. Clear Smog can be pretty effective against Calm Mind variants, but that's not the set I'm trying to advocate.
Feralgatr - Feralgatrs rarely run ice punch and it won't be able to OHKO regardless. Giga Drain hits Feralgatr's weaker specially defensive side and there's always Regenerator to fall back on.

[Honko]

Fire Blast is much better than Zen Headbutt on Tauros. It beats most of the counters you listed, plus Steelix. Zen Headbutt really isn't necessary against anything except Poliwrath.

[Phazon00]

With a low SpA stat, Fire Blast does not do much, as even Ferroseed is 2HKOed.

[The Reptile]

Originally Posted by Fat Phazon00

With a low SpA stat, Fire Blast does not do much, as even Ferroseed is 2HKOed.

The fact that Fire Blast 2HKO's Ferroseed, Tangrowth, and Escavalier while also denting Steelix for solid damage (much more than EQ does) means that Fire Blast already accomplishes more than Zen Headbutt does. Even though tauros has 40 SpAtk, the targets you hit with Fire Blast (which has decent enough power thanks to Sheer Force + LO) are either 4x weak to Fire or have bad Special Defense.

[Espyboss]

I don't have as much experience with the RU tier, but it seems like with popular pokemon such as Slowking and Dusknoir able to learn and abuse trick room, that a slow, powerful pokemon like Rampardos should take advantage of that.

Rampardos@Life Orb
252HP/ 252Atk/ 4Def Brave (+Atk, -Speed)
-Head Smash
-Earthquake
-Fire Punch
-Substitute

This is the set from here for Rampardos in RU under trick room, and I don't see why it wouldn't work out on a trick room team. Head Smash for crazy powerful STAB, Earthquake for coverage with rock, fire punch for ferroseed and the likes, and substitute to avoid status. EVs and nature are obvious, change the item how you want, life orb is just a solid option.

[Phazon00]

Thank you for your submission! I'd elaborate a little more on why to use Rampardos over other TR sweepers like Aggron, and also what are it's main counters (Like Slowking).

I'll add it once that stuff is put in the description.

Remember, mention counters! Why not to use it is almost as important as why to use it!

[Nozzle]

Cinccino @ Choice Band
Trait: Skill Link
EVs: 4 HP 252 Atk 252 Spe Jolly nature +Spe -SpA
-Bullet Seed
-Tail Slap
-Rock Blast
-U-Turn

Selling Points: Okay, this guy is a top threat in NU and for a reason. STAB Tail Slap with Skill Link coupled with a decent 95 base attack stat, and this guy even is pretty fast. Tail Slap is even further boosted by Choice Band which gives it a whopping 281,5 base power attack coming from 95 attack. U-Turn is a good scouting move which actually does alot of damage. Bullet Seed and Rock Blast are mainly filler but can hit ghost types.

Why use this in RU: Not many Rock, Steel and Ghost pokemon in the tier helps alot.

Pros: 281,5 base power move coming off 95 attack hits like a bulldozer. And the 10% Critical Hit chance on each hit can be game saving.

Cons: Ferroseed and Druddigon are a pain in the buttcrack because of their abilities. Make sure you got these covered by your teammates.

[Phazon00]

Thank you for your contribution, Nozzle! CB Cinccino is an underrated set (most people just use Life Orb) and I'm glad to see something outside the box!

I'll add this right away.

[Phazon00]

I feel that there is still more discussion to be spawned here! I'm surprised no-one has mentioned Zangoose yet. That thing is a beast in this tier.

[Nozzle]

If you insert these it might look a lot fancier :P.

[SceptileObliterate]

Eelektross
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 Def or Sp.Def or Speed

Nature: Modest
- Substitute

- Flamethrower
- Grass Knot
- Thunderbolt


Why use in RU?

Base 105 Sp.attack is nothing to mess with, especially when you see Eelektross' movepool and coverage!

Base 85 HP and 80 defenses isnt too bad if given enough investment and having no weakness thanks to levitiate is also a bonus (alternatively you can run coil to boost physical defense)

Once you have got a sub up you can hit most of the RU tier for super effective damage; Aerodactyl, Archeops, katutops, Slowking, Ferroseed, Tangrowth, Escavalier, Steelix, Sceptile, etc cant switch in safely if you have a sub up


Why Not use in RU?
Base 50 speed is far too slow in the RU metagame! Even with investment you will get outspeed by most pokemon in RU



However by running bulky sets this problem can be averted if you get a chance to substitute ;)

[Phazon00]

hmm... eelektross... interesting. I know this poke works in RU, but I would like this expanded. Please build on this before I add it to the OP. Also, mention how easy it is to revenge kill, despite the decent mixed bulk.

[Jarc]

Zangoose
Item: Toxic Orb
Ability: Toxic Boost
EV's: 4 hp/252 att/252 spe
-Facade
-Close Combat
-Night Slash
-Quick Attack

Anyone who plays NU knows what a boss Zangoose is. Once Toxic Boost is in effect he can clean up teams like nothing. Facade has the equivalent power of a Draco Meteor, without any drawbacks. Close Combat decimates the steel and rock types that resist Facade, and Night Slash nabs the ghosts that are immune to the other 2 moves. Quick Attack allows Zangoose to avoid getting revenged by priority, and gets STAB.

Pro's: Zangoose hits incredibly hard and fast and can sweep/clean up a team easily.
Con's: Zangoose is extremely frail, and dies to basically any strong attack. Also Physical tanks like Steelix and tangrowth wall it.

[Phazon00]

Yay! Zangoose! I'm so happy this finally got added! This thing is a monster, and that is a good set. I may have to take over on the SDGoose, though. Nobody do that one! But don't worry- I'll add the Goose.

Oh- you forgot the nature. I'll assume it's Jolly, so I'll put that.

[Bent1ey]

Maybe a Swords Dance set deserves some mention? I know that Zangoose is hard to set up, but unless you're using a slow U-turn/Volt Switch you still have to set up Toxic Orb, so it's an option.

[cirlo]

Pinsir (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Moxie
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- X-Scissor
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge

Selling Points: A combination with Scarf+Moxie is always dangerous, and like Salamence and Heracross in upper tiers, Pinsir can be a very effective late-game sweeper. Thanks to his base 125 attack and a nice coverage he can easily take a rkill and start to sweep the opponent's team.

Why use it in RU? Is the only reliable moxie user in low tier (I think Mightyena isn't really used) and like all moxie user is very dangerous. A base 85 speed, when scarfed, isn't bad in RU. He can rkill a significant part of the RU tier hitting threats like Entei, Moltres, Nidoqueen, Slowking with a very little support. The point that makes it usable in RU is that most used pokemon often share weakness and if you manage to eliminate resistors of certain moves you can easily sweep the opponent's team.

Why NOT use it in RU? A scarf physical pokemon in RU can be easily stopped by the excelent walls, and even if moxie helps, not weakened bulky pokemons can ban Pinsir existence in RU (for example tangrowth isn't 2hko even with SR damage by an unboosted X-Scissor, but most of the physical tanks are untouchable for an unboosted Pinsir). Ghost types are very difficoult to take down by Pinsir and even a Scarf Rotom can be a problem for Pinsir. Finally a criplingweakness to SR doesn't help him to sweep, and he often needs rapid spin support.

[Phazon00]

Yeah, SDGoose is one of my favorite sets, so I'm definitely taking it over. SD / Facade / CC / Quick Attack is a beastly set.

Also, excellent contribution from cirlo! I'm gonna have to add this right away, as it is a very indepth entry! Thank you for the Pinsir contribution.

[Phazon00]

Zangoose @ Toxic Orb
Trait: Toxic Boost
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Facade
- Quick Attack
- Swords Dance

Selling Points: Swords Dance Zangoose is, undeniably, one of the biggest threats in NU. After a Swords Dance and Toxic Boost, Zangoose has +3 attack, equalling a gargantuan 822.5 attack! If this doesn't draw you in, I don't know what will. Facade is a crazily powerful move once you set up, as, after factoring in STAB, is 210 Base Power. That is an intense move! Only 10 BP less than Giga Impact, and it doesn't have the wasted turn afterwards. However, Steels and Rock types can easily wall this set, as Facade will not do much even with its power. Close Combat offsets this very well, as it covers them Steels and Rocks easily. However, Zangoose is still not fast enough, as even with Jolly, it is outsped by certain threats. Quick Attack neutralizes this problem, as it hits very powerfully even with its paltry base power.

Why use it in RU? Zangoose is definitely a big threat in RU, as it can handle some of the scarier things in RU. Look at these calcs-

252 Atk Toxic Boost Zangoose Facade vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Cresselia: 201-237 (45.27 - 53.37%) -- 1.17% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Toxic Boost Zangoose Facade vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Moltres: 342-403 (106.54 - 125.54%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Toxic Boost Zangoose Facade vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Nidoqueen: 354-417 (109.93 - 129.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Toxic Boost Zangoose Facade vs. 248 HP / 144 Def Slowking: 321-378 (81.67 - 96.18%) -- possible OHKO after Rocks
252 Atk Toxic Boost Zangoose Facade vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Rotom-C: 297-351 (123.23 - 145.64%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Holy shit, that hurts. I don't even think I need to say more.

Why NOT use it in RU? I know I have mentioned this, but Zangoose is not that fast. 90 Speed may seem fast enough, but commonly it is not. Anything Rotom-N and above will always outspeed, and Moltres will tie. Also, Ghosts like Rotom or Spiritomb wall this set 100%, but this is unavoidable unless you use Night Slash. Also, even though priority covers the speed problem decently, Quick Attack is relatively weak unless you set up the SD, and many things can easily survive. Thankfully, Zangoose really does not have a high number of issues with it. Try it out!

[Phazon00]

Also, anyone who tries Absol or Carracosta, you can post your sets here, as well! Remember- we're always trying to build on this guide.

[Jarc]

Fraxure @ Eviolite
Ability: Mold Breaker
Nature: Jolly
EV's: 4 hp/252 att/252 spe
-Dragon Dance
-Outrage
-Taunt
-Low Kick

Selling Points:Fraxure is cool. After a DD, this monster's already immpressive attack stat is boosted, and its low speed is elevated to outrun almost the entire unbootsed metagame. Taunt and Eviolite make setting up easier, as you can set up right in front of guys like Tangrowth and Ferroseed. Outrage decimates most non-steels after a boost, which is just awesome. Finally, Low Kick helps against steels like Steelix and Klingklang who eat your outrage.

Why use it in RU? There aren't many steels in RU, which means that there aren't many things to sponge your outrages. Even those bulky steels are taken out by Low Kick. Plus, you outspeed the whole metagame bar Aerodactyl and Accelgor once you DD, allowing you to sweep.Taunt allows you to set up on a ridiculous amount of pokes, and eviolite makes you much harder to take out. Fraxure is actually usually a low-risk, high-reward pokemon. Heck, its viability is A in RU!

Why NOT use it in RU? Anything with the combination of a speed higher than 67, a choice scarf, and a move to KO it can beat it. Also a poke who can take a hit and either stall it out or KO it can beat it. Morover, it faces stiff competition from fellow dragon Druddigon, who is bulkier, has a better movepool, and a much more useful ability.

[Biobizbarto]

With Durant in RU, Tauros with Fire Blast OHKOs and with + speed nature Tauros always outspeeds. Of course Tauros can't switch into Superpower and has a 33% chance to be OHKOed if it switches in on X-Scissor or Iron Head. However, if he switches in on Hone Claws Durant is as good as done.

[Phazon00]

Ok, fine. You people win. I'll change Zen Headbutt to Fire Blast.

Also, thank you for another contribution, Jarc! Fraxure was one of the ones I wanted to see added to the guide, and I'm happy that it did! Absol is another, though. I have no experience with it, so I hope someone else can pick that one up?

[Slory]

Fire Blast is an staple on Tauros, not for Durant really. Despite have a bad Special Attack, thanks to Sheer Force Tauros can use Fire Blast succesfully; with Fire Blast Tauros can 2HKO with relative ease Pokemon such as Tangrowth, Steelix, Escavalier or Ferroseed, this is the ability that makes Tauros really good Wallbreaker. Also, Zen Headbutt is only useful to hit harder Nidoqueen, but Earthquake still does a lot of damage on it. Please, replace it ;D

Choice Scarf Pinsir is great Cresselia check and late-game cleaner, but Swords Dance its better at the moment. Pinsir Speed its not that great, and its easy outsped by any other Scarfer. Also Pinsir locks into not really good moves; for example there a lot of Pokemon that can easily take an +1 X-Scissor such as Entei, Poliwrath, Moltres, Escavalier, Aggron or Misdreavus for name a few. Swords Dance Pinsir is difference, much more harder to take since its not force to lock on any move. Also its a pretty good Wallbreaker since there few Pokemon that can check it and has a fantastics abilities in Mold Breaker / Moxie. And with the properly support, Swords Dance Pinsir is a pretty good late-game cleaner.

Choice Band Cinccino dont deserve to be add. Yes, with Choice Band, Cinccino can hit really hard, but makes it really easy to take. Normal-type its not a good type to lock since there are a lot of common Pokemon that can take it like Rotom, Misdreavus, Aggron, Escavalier and Spiritomb for name few. Also even with Choice Band, Cinccino is not capable to break some walls such as Steelix, Tangrowth or Ferroseed. Really, Cinccino likes versatility, and Life Orb boost its hit enough to destroy a lot of offensive threats like Drapion, Moltres, Nidoqueen or Jynx and still does a number on a lot of walls such as Poliwrath, Qwilfish or Rhydon.

Finally, remove Rampardos is not viable, Aggron its better than it and there are any reason to use it. Even without having its montruosly Attack, Aggron dont receive recoil from Head Smash, thats a really important difference. Also Steel-type its pretty good, because with it, Aggron is capable of switch on a lot of Pokemon, for example, Aggron can take very easily Pokemon like Cresselia. And finally, Aggron has better overall bulk and its not that frail like Rampardos.

[Jarc]

Well, no one is posting, and I really like this thread, so i'll post another poke. This time it's one Phazon00 wanted to see, the disaster pokemon Absol.

All-Out Attacker Absol:

Absol @ Life Orb
Ability: Super Luck
Nature: Jolly/Adamant
EV's: 4 hp/252 att/252 spe
-Sucker Punch
-Fire Blast/Pursuit
-Superpower
-Night Slash

Selling Points: Absol is a monster in NU and it's no different in RU. A 80 base power priority attack that gets STAB, backed by a gigantic attack stat of 130 is nothing to scoff at. Sucker Punch is easily manuvered around, but is downright powerful, OHKOing stuff like Sceptile, Galvantula, and Gallade. Fire Blast allows Absol to take out otherwise untouchable walls like Tangrowth and Steelix. An option instead of Fire Blast is Pursuit, which puts psychics and ghosts in checkmate, catching things like Cresselia, Uxie, and Slowking as they switch out. Superpower gives steel and rock types something to think about before they try to switch in on Absol. Finally, Night Slash gives you a STAB move with no drawback for ease of prediction in some cases. Also, Super Luck gives you that much more of a chance to twist hax in your favor.

Why use it in RU? The rising popularity of the recently dropped Cresselia allows Absol to gain popularity, as it is one of Cress' counters. It also threatens anything that is a ghost, psychic, or physically frail, giving you something less for you to worry about. Its stupidly powerful priority allows you to KO sweepers and gives you a potent revenge killer. It can even possibly sweep late game itself when its checks and counters are weakened or downed.

Why NOT use it in RU? As far as sweepers go, Absol is very slow. If everything else had max speed, it would be outsped by a whole slew of pokes, ranging from Nidoqueen to Cresselia to Kabutops and so forth. Also, its bulk is atrocious, even worse than Galvantula's, so it dies to any neutral or better attack with some power. The final nail in Absol's coffin is the unreliability of it's priority Sucker Punch.