LOOK INTO THE SHEER TERROR!
[OVERVIEW]
Articuno is notorious for normally being one of the worst legendary Pokemon of all time, but Battle Spot Singles flips that notion on its head thanks to Sheer Cold being legal! Sheer Cold makes Articuno one of the most terrifying stallbreakers in the game, allowing it to run through defensive staples such as Cresselia, Suicune, Porygon2, Slowbro, and Chansey. Articuno is very bulky for an OHKO move user, and access to Roost lets it stick around longer than other users of Sheer Cold such as Lapras and Glalie. Pressure makes Articuno an effective stall Pokemon itself, making it very usable on both stall and balanced teams. Finally, Articuno has some decent STAB moves in Freeze-Dry, which also allows it to hit Water-types, and Hurricane.
Articuno sounds like it should be a Battle Spot Singles staple on paper, but in reality the only thing that makes it a rather niche Pokemon is its absolutely atrocious typing. It has a crippling 4x weakness to Rock-type attacks, severely compromising its ability to deal with physical attackers, as prominent ones such as Garchomp, Landorus-T, Breloom, Tyranitar, and Hippowdon all carry Rock-type attacks, and Stealth Rock is sometimes seen on offensive teams as well. Its additional weaknesses to Steel and Fire make it even more vulnerable to common Pokemon such as Blaziken, Talonflame, Aegislash, and Heatran. Articuno's middling Speed makes it only a bit faster than Dragonite, meaning it has to choose between being fast and compromising bulk and being outsped by Pokemon such as Breloom and Gyarados. While Sheer Cold might be Articuno's selling point, Articuno also tends to rely on it a lot, which makes Articuno deadweight if it uses up Sheer Cold's meager PP and tends to make offensive teams very problematic for Articuno due to the move's 70% miss rate.
[SET]
name: Sheer Cold Fisher
move 1: Sheer Cold
move 2: Substitute
move 3: Roost
move 4: Freeze-Dry / Protect / Hurricane
item: Leftovers
ability: Pressure
nature: Calm
evs: 220 HP / 4 Def / 4 SpA / 252 SpD / 28 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Sheer Cold is the big selling point of Articuno, allowing it to become an effective stallbreaker. Substitute protects Articuno from status moves and helps scout what Pokemon your opponent has chosen without forcing Articuno to switch on the next turn. Thanks to Articuno's bulk, most defensive Pokemon such as Cresselia, Suicune, Porygon2, and Slowbro will fail to break through its Substitutes. Roost ensures that Articuno can stick around, also allowing it to take Electric-type and weak Rock-type moves if it is faster than its foe.
Freeze-Dry gives Articuno some offensive presence outside of the Sheer Cold dice roll, allowing it to OHKO Garchomp and Mega Salamence, have a shot at 2HKOing Mega Gyarados, 2HKO most Dragon-types and Swampert, and deal good damage to Rotom-W. It's also good for saving Sheer Cold's PP when facing Suicune and Slowbro that are low on health. Alternatively, while Protect makes Articuno extremely reliant on Sheer Cold, it allows Articuno to effectively take advantage of Pressure to stall out Stone Edge from slower Pokemon with its Substitute and take advantage of timer stalling in emergencies. Hurricane has shaky accuracy, but it allows Articuno to OHKO Mega Heracross and have a shot at OHKOing Mega Blaziken switch-ins, in addition to letting Articuno hit Mega Venusuar hard without using valuable Sheer Cold PP.
Set Details
========
Articuno should always run Leftovers to set up Substitutes more often. 220 HP EVs maximize Leftovers recovery while letting Articuno switch into Stealth Rock twice without recovery. Maximum Special Defense lets Articuno tank plenty of special attacks, avoiding important 2HKOs such as defensive Rotom-W's Thunderbolt and offensive Mega Gengar's boosted Hex. Also, most defensive Pokemon that Articuno preys on use their Special Attack stat, while most of its checks are physical. 28 Speed EVs let Articuno outspeed most defensive Rotom-W and Suicune, while the rest go in Defense and Special Attack so EVs aren't wasted.
Alternate EV spreads are a viable option to consider if you are willing to give up on bulk. 220 HP / 148 SpD / 140 Spe allows Articuno to outspeed Adamant Breloom, while 220 HP / 52 SpD / 236 Spe beats Jolly Breloom. Finally, if you need to outspeed Jolly Gyarados and Dragonite, run a Timid nature with an EV spread of 220 HP / 60 SpD / 228 Spe.
Usage Tips
========
Articuno should be trying to prey on the defensive Pokemon of Battle Spot Singles, but you must note that directly switching into them risks getting Articuno crippled with Toxic poison or paralysis. Usually, it's best to come in via a slower U-turn or Volt Switch, bring in Articuno after a Pokemon of yours gets KOed, or even lead with Articuno. Once Articuno is safely in, use Substitute to block status. Most defensive Pokemon will be unable to break Articuno's Substitute, so use Sheer Cold as much as possible to apply a terrifying offensive pressure against your foes. If Articuno is carrying Protect, you can opt to whittle down the timer if you feel that your team is in a tough spot, because if the timer runs out and you have a higher number of Pokemon than the opponent, you'll win the match!
Against more offensive Pokemon that fail to 2HKO Articuno such as Mega Gengar, you should still use Sheer Cold as much as possible; however, don't bother using Substitute unless you intend to stall them out with Protect, as it's better to Roost in most cases. Articuno doesn't do very well against hyper offense teams in particular, so if you feel that many Pokemon on your opponent's team will just OHKO it with a move it's weak to, benching Articuno for the match might be the best course of action. This is especially true against Pokemon with Rock Blast such as Cloyster and Mega Heracross. However, note that Articuno's chances against offensive teams become much higher with paralysis support, since it can effectively use Substitute and Roost to stall out many Pokemon with weaker Rock-type attacks.
Team Options
========
Carrying Pokemon that resist Rock-type attacks is almost mandatory for Articuno, as it simply can't handle faster Rock-type attacks from the likes of Garchomp, Landorus-T, Breloom, Tyranitar, and Excadrill. Fire-, Electric-, and Steel-type attacks should also be covered if possible. Mamoswine is a great teammate to consider, because while it can't handle Steel-type attacks, it smashes through Garchomp and Landorus-T with Icicle Spear, has a shot of OHKOing Breloom if it gets at least three Icicle Spear hits, and hits Rock-, Steel-, and Fire-types hard with Earthquake. Bulky Landorus-T can take on most physical and Electric-type attacks aimed at Articuno and is your best bet against a Mega Heracross switch-in. Garchomp isn't as bulky as Landorus-T, but the two make for a fine offensive Ground-type pair that also resists Fire-type attacks and can use Choice Band Dual Chop to have a chance at defeating Breloom in emergencies. While Conkeldurr only resists Rock-type attacks, it's notable for being an excellent Tyranitar check and revenge killing Excadrill with Mach Punch. Mega Altaria is handy for dealing with Tyranitar, and being one of the few Pokemon to check both Charizard Mega Evolutions. Finally, Gliscor and Articuno can form a frightening OHKO attack duo, with Gliscor being chosen for teams with plenty of physical attackers while Articuno handles teams with dangerous special attackers.
Another avenue of support to consider is status. Paralysis in particular allows Articuno to set up Substitute more easily, Will-O-Wisp makes it much harder for most physical threats to check Articuno, and Toxic support means that Articuno won't have to rely as much on Sheer Cold. Porygon2 is an excellent teammate to consider, doing a great job spreading paralysis or Toxic and making a very good check to most offensive Ground-types and Aegislash that lack Substitute. Cresselia also works well, and while it can't check Aegislash, it can work as an emergency check against Mega Blaziken. Serperior is a more offensive twist on paralysis that shares an unfortunate Fire-type weakness with Articuno but makes a great Rotom-W check, gets a Speed boost from Rock Tomb, and can paralyze Ground-types with Glare. It can even use Reflect to make Articuno more difficult to check. Ferrothorn is even more weak to Fire-type attacks, but it makes a good status spreader and can even use Leech Seed to potentially restore more of Articuno's health. Rotom-H shares the dreaded Rock-type weakness, but it does great against Steel- and Electric-type Pokemon, except for Rotom-W, and it makes a good Mega Charizard Y check. It also is good at spreading around one of the three listed status moves if you wish. Heatran is a Fire-type that isn't weak to Rock-type attacks, and thanks to Flash Fire, it can switch into opposing Fire-types while spreading around Toxic and burns for Articuno. Mega Gengar is especially notable for its ability to trap and burn offensive Pokemon that Articuno has trouble with, and it also takes advantage of Pokemon with status via Hex.
When using Articuno on more balanced teams, it's a good idea to pair it with devastating sweepers that appreciate Articuno's stall-breaking power. Mega Kangaskhan is one of the most dangerous examples around, since it does very well against offensive teams. Mega Salamence shares Articuno's weakness to Rock, but it's very bulky otherwise, revenge kills Mega Heracross, and can switch into Fire-type attacks. Mega Blaziken appreciates Articuno's wallbreaking, smashes through Tyranitar and Excadrill (though it should watch out for Earthquake), revenge kills Mega Heracross, and can take on most Steel-types. You can even use a mixed Blaziken set to defeat non-Choice Scarf Landorus-T and Garchomp.
[SET]
name: Assault Vest
move 1: Sheer Cold
move 2: Freeze-Dry
move 3: Hurricane
move 4: Ice Shard / Ancient Power
item: Assault Vest
ability: Pressure
nature: Modest
evs: 108 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 140 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Sheer Cold is Articuno's way of threatening bulky Pokemon like Porygon2, Cresselia, Chansey, and Slowbro. Freeze-Dry 2HKOes Rotom-W and Azumarill and even has a shot at 2HKOing Suicune, saving Articuno's Sheer Cold PP! Hurricane's accuracy is a bit shaky without rain support, but it happens to OHKO Mega Heracross and Mega Blaziken, common Articuno switch-ins. As a bonus, it also 2HKOes Mega Venusaur. Ice Shard is extremely weak, but it can pick off weakened Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Mega Salamence even with the Attack-lowering nature, and it's particularly helpful against Focus Sash Pokemon that survive Sheer Cold. If Ice Shard is too weak for your taste, you can use Ancient Power to OHKO offensive Talonflame switch-ins, have a 50% shot at OHKOing Charizard switch-ins, and deal over 50% to defensive Talonflame and Mega Charizard Y switch-ins.
Set Details
========
Assault Vest makes Articuno much more specially bulky, allowing it to run maximum Special Attack for dealing decent damage outside of Sheer Cold. 108 HP EVs allow Articuno to switch into Stealth Rock twice and avoid a 2HKO from defensive Rotom-W. 140 Speed EVs with a Modest nature let Articuno outspeed Adamant Breloom, but if you're more worried about Jolly Breloom, you can run an EV spread of 12 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 236 Spe with a Modest nature. If outspeeding Dragonite and Gyarados is more important, run a Timid nature with 28 HP / 252 SpA / 228 Spe.
Usage Tips
========
Don't be reckless with switching this Articuno in. While Assault Vest makes Articuno very bulky, it also prevents Articuno from using Roost, limiting the times it can switch in and threaten Pokemon with Sheer Cold (especially when Stealth Rock is up). Articuno also can't protect itself against status at all. This means that its usually best to try to switch in Articuno via Volt Switch or U-turn or after a Pokemon of yours has been KOed.
Assault Vest Articuno doesn't do quite as well against defensive teams as other Articuno, but in exchange, it can effectively lure and defeat some of its common switch-ins, such as offensive Rotom-W, Blaziken, and Mega Heracross. However, if its apparent that your opponents team just has too many fast Rock-type attackers or Stealth Rock in tow, benching Articuno isn't a bad idea.
Team Options
========
Pokemon with Rock-type attacks such as Garchomp, Landorus-T, Excadrill, and Tyranitar are the bane of Articuno's existence, meaning that you'll need teammates that resist those. Partners that resist Steel-, Electric-, and Fire-type attacks are also good to bring. Mamoswine is a superb answer to the Ground-types barring Excadrill, being able to smash Garchomp and Landorus-T with Icicle Spear and deal with Rock-, Steel-, and Fire-types with Earthquake. A Garchomp or Landorus-T of your own also deals with Tyranitar and Rock-type moves fairly well and can hit Steel-, Electric-, and Rock-types pretty hard too. Conkeldurr only resists Rock-type moves for Articuno, but it's a very good teammate to consider because its one of the best Tyranitar counters around, can revenge kill Excadrill with Mach Punch, and is a great switch-in to status moves that Articuno loathes so much.
This Articuno really appreciates paralysis support to make up for its middling Speed, which is especially helpful to make Blaziken lose its ability to check Articuno. Serperior is an excellent choice despite being weak to Fire-type moves, since it lures in Blaziken, Talonflame, and Charizard and can paralyze Ground-types thanks to Glare. Porygon2 is a great choice as a bulky paralysis spreader, since its offensive variants can defeat special attacking Aegislash and can generally deal with most offensive Ground-types. Cresselia works in a similar manner to Porygon2, trading the ability to check Aegislash with being able to handle Mega Blaziken better. Rotom-H can work well despite sharing the Rock-type weakness, since it helps against Steel-types, Talonflame, Mega Charizard Y, and Thundurus. Rotom-W doesn't deal with Electric- and Steel-types as well, but it does do better against Ground-types in comparison thanks to the lack of a Rock-type weakness.
Volt Switch and U-turn support can be useful to make the best use of Articuno's limited opportunities to switch in. Landorus-T, Mega Manectric, Scizor, Rotom-W, and Rotom-H are great choices for this role. Finally, Politoed is a special teammate to consider for Articuno, since its Drizzle makes Hurricane have 100% accuracy and lessens the blow of Fire-type attacks.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Mind Reader might seem like a terrific idea because it guarantees that Sheer Cold hits, but its effects go away when Pokemon switch out, meaning that it's only particularly useful against a final Pokemon. Rest and Sleep Talk together rid Articuno of its problems with status moves, but the possibility of Sleep Talk choosing a bad move makes Articuno rather vulnerable. Reflect allows Articuno to soak physical attackers more easily, but it's a difficult move to fit in. Toxic is nice for wearing down defensive Pokemon, but it conflicts with Sheer Cold. Hail and Snow Cloak together can make Articuno difficult to hit (especially in conjunction with Double Team), but Pressure is just too good of an ability to give up.
Hidden Power Fire allows Articuno to deal decent damage to Steel-types, while Hidden Power Ground hits Magnezone and Heatran hard. However, getting a good Hidden Power on Articuno is an extremely difficult task. Ice Beam has more power than Freeze-Dry, but losing out on Water-type coverage is just too big of a sacrifice for Articuno. U-turn lets Articuno scout in switch-ins, but Ice Shard and Ancient Power are usually more useful, and U-turn is extremely risky if Stealth Rock is set up.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Sturdy Steel-types**: Magnezone is immune to Sheer Cold thanks to Sturdy, and it resists Articuno's entire moveset, making it the best Articuno counter in the game. Skarmory only has to worry about a 3HKO from Freeze-Dry or a 2HKO from a rare offensive Ice Beam. Otherwise, Sturdy makes it immune to Sheer Cold. While very rare, Steelix also has Sturdy before Mega Evolving and can smash through Articuno with Rock-type attacks.
**Rock Blast Users**: Mega Heracross is OHKOed by Hurricane, but it otherwise defeats Substitute Articuno by OHKOing it with Rock Blast. If Cloyster has its Focus Sash intact, it can also OHKO Articuno through its Substitute.
**Tyranitar**: Tyranitar walls Articuno thanks to Sand Stream, and it easily OHKOes with any Rock-type move. However, Tyranitar must watch out for Roost, Substitute, and Pressure outstalling its Stone Edge.
**Rock-type Attacks**: Articuno's 4x weakness to Rock-type moves is devastating, and plenty of Pokemon that are faster than Articuno have access to them. Excadrill, Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Breloom depending on Articuno's Speed all OHKO. Note that while these often carry Focus Sash, Ice-type moves will outright OHKO Garchomp and Landorus-T, making them unsafe switch-ins.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Aegislash, Heatran, Mega Mawile, Ferrothorn, Scizor, Mega Lucario, and Mega Metagross all hit Articuno very hard and, with the exception of Mega Lucario, they are usually bulky enough to take Hurricane. Aegislash and Heatran can use Substitute and King's Shield or Protect to tank Sheer Cold.
**Fire-types**: Entei stands out as a good Fire-type check to Articuno due to its special bulk. Mega Charizard X and Y and Talonflame do fine as long as they avoid the rare Ancient Power, while Blaziken and Volcarona can roast Articuno as long as they don't switch into Hurricane. Note that their effectiveness goes down if Articuno is paired with Politoed (except for Mega Charizard Y).
**Electric-types**: With the exception of Electric-types weak to Freeze Dry such as Rotom-W, Thundurus, and Zapdos, most Electric-types only have to worry about Sheer Cold. Substitute + Calm Mind Raikou actually sets up on Articuno, while Rotom-H resists Articuno's entire moveset.
**Status**: While Articuno is a huge threat to defensive Pokemon, Articuno that take too many risks might get crippled by Toxic or Thunder Wave as they switch in. Substitute + Toxic Suicune is especially threatening, since it can use Substitute to defeat Sheer Cold attempts and usually runs enough Speed to outpace Articuno. The rare Timid Chansey can also get a surprise Toxic in, though note that Minimize will not affect Sheer Cold's accuracy. Substitute variants can even make a mockery out of Sheer Cold.
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