[Overview]
<p>Do not be fooled by Lucario's seemingly underwhelming 110 base Attack (by Ubers standards). Thanks to access to moves such as Swords Dance and Close Combat, Lucario is fully capable of smashing through Uber teams. Additionally, Lucario has superb defensive typing that gives it a Dragon-type resistance, a 4x resistance to Dark-type attacks and Stealth Rock, and an immunity to Toxic Spikes.</p>
<p>Lucario's potent offense, however, is offset by middling Speed and rather meager defenses, which are rendered even weaker in the immensely threatening Uber environment. ExtremeSpeed largely compensates for the former. The latter, however, can be worked around only by playing to Lucario's resistances or by placing a Wobbuffet on your team to provide support. Furthermore, in order to assure that the sweeping sets are not taken down prematurely, Lucario should either weaken its counters early with Close Combat or be provided with sufficient entry hazard support. Follow these guidelines, and Lucario can certainly crush teams with its mighty Close Combat!</p>
[SET]
name: Ubers Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: ExtremeSpeed
move 4: Crunch
item: Life Orb
ability: Inner Focus
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>While notorious for its sweeping capabilities in OU, Swords Dance Lucario is capable of being a potent late game sweeper in the Uber metagame as well. While at first glance Lucario may look like an inferior Rayquaza, Lucario's access to Close Combat and excellent typing ensure that it's not outclassed.</p>
<p>After one Swords Dance, Close Combat will deal an obscene amount of damage. Even the most defensive of Kyogre will almost always be OHKOed after Stealth Rock damage, while Jolly Lucario has a high chance of OHKOing the less bulky offensive Groudon after Stealth Rock damage. While Lucario's ExtremeSpeed is much weaker than Rayquaza's, it's still very useful for its ability to allow Lucario to sweep through weakened teams, and can allow Lucario to revenge kill in emergencies. Finally, Crunch is necessary for Swords Dance Lucario due to its ability to OHKO minimum HP Giratina-O after Stealth Rock damage, and deal a huge amount of damage to Wobbuffet.</p>
[Additional Comments]
<p>The decision between Jolly or Adamant on Swords Dance Lucario can be difficult. The main reason to run Jolly is to always outspeed Naive Giratina-O that use Hidden Power Fire, so it is unable to stop your sweep unless you are in the KO range of Shadow Sneak. On the other hand, Adamant clinches several important KOs over Jolly. To help you decide on the nature, a table comparing damage calculations is included below, in addition to showing OHKO probabilities. All calculations assume that Lucario has used Swords Dance once.</p>
<table class="sortable">
<thead>
<tr class="a">
<th>Move</th>
<th>Target</th>
<th>Jolly</th>
<th>Adamant</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Close Combat</td>
<td>112 HP / 8 Def Groudon</td>
<td>91.3% - 107.6% (79% chance to OHKO after SR)</td>
<td>99.5% - 117.3% (92% chance to OHKO)</td>
</tr>
<tr class="a">
<td>Close Combat</td>
<td>252 HP / 252 Def Impish Groudon</td>
<td>63.4% - 75%</td>
<td>69.8% - 82.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ExtremeSpeed</td>
<td>4 HP Darkrai</td>
<td>78.37% - 92.2% (33% chance to OHKO after SR)</td>
<td>85.46% - 100.71% (87% chance to OHKO after SR)</td>
</tr>
<tr class="a">
<td>ExtremeSpeed</td>
<td>4 HP Mewtwo</td>
<td>62.4% - 73.4%</td>
<td>68.1% - 80.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ExtremeSpeed</td>
<td>4 HP Palkia</td>
<td>62.4% - 73.6%</td>
<td>68.6% - 81.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr class="a">
<td>ExtremeSpeed</td>
<td>Hasty Palkia</td>
<td>70.1% - 82.6%</td>
<td>76.3% - 90%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ExtremeSpeed</td>
<td>4 HP Kyogre</td>
<td>64.6% - 76%</td>
<td>70.5% - 83%</td>
</tr>
<tr class="a">
<td>ExtremeSpeed</td>
<td>4 Def Rayquaza</td>
<td>62.4% - 73.5%</td>
<td>68.4% - 80.6% </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ExtremeSpeed</td>
<td>4 HP Shaymin-S</td>
<td>74.6% - 88% (92% chance to OHKO after SR)</td>
<td>81.9% - 96.5% (OHKO after SR)</td>
</tr>
<tr class="a">
<td>ExtremeSpeed</td>
<td>4 HP Latios</td>
<td>80.7% - 95% (46% chance to OHKO after SR)</td>
<td>88.4% - 104.3% (OHKO after SR)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ExtremeSpeed</td>
<td>112 HP Latias</td>
<td>67.2% - 79%</td>
<td>73.3% - 86.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr class="a">
<td>Crunch</td>
<td>28 HP / 252 Def Bold Wobbuffet</td>
<td>76.1% - 89.8%</td>
<td>83.7% - 98.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Crunch</td>
<td>0 HP Giratina-O</td>
<td>91.2% - 107.5% (OHKO after SR)</td>
<td>100.2% - 118.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr class="a">
<td>Crunch</td>
<td>96 HP Giratina-O</td>
<td>87% - 102.6% (87% chance of a OHKO after SR)</td>
<td>95.7% - 113% (OHKO after SR)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Unlike Rayquaza, Lucario can be used early in the game thanks to its 4x resistance to Stealth Rock (making switching in and out far less punishing). Generally, the best way to play Lucario early in the game is to use Close Combat without boosting, as this will wear down many of Lucario's checks. For example, if a Palkia switches into Close Combat, it will take such a massive amount of damage that it will be in the KO range of ExtremeSpeed! In a similar manner, Garchomp, Rayquaza, Latias, Latios, and most Mewtwo will no longer be able to take a +2 ExtremeSpeed after switching into Close Combat. With entry hazard support, Close Combat will often put defensive Groudon into the KO range of a +2 Close Combat. Finally, Lucario will OHKO any Choice Scarf Dialga that dares to switch in. If Giratina-O is a concern - usually due to choosing Adamant, using Crunch on the switch can also be acceptable.</p>
<p>This particular set has several problems. If it is at full health, Garchomp (and Palkia to a lesser extant) will be able to switch in on a Swords Dance and threaten to OHKO it. Choice Scarf users such as Dialga, Heatran, Tyranitar, and Metagross can also switch into Lucario as it uses Swords Dance, and OHKO Lucario with Fire-type or Ground-type attacks. Finally, if Rayquaza switches in at full health, it will usually be able to barely survive a boosted ExtremeSpeed after Stealth Rock damage (though Life Orb recoil will usually KO it in return) and OHKO it with Earthquake or Fire Blast.</p>
<p>Wobbuffet makes a superb partner for Lucario, as it can revenge kill most of the Choice Scarf users that give Lucario trouble. Thunder Wave Kyogre is an excellent Palkia and Latias lure, can defeat Heatran, and otherwise provide useful paralysis support that can improve Lucario's chances to successfully sweep. Latias and Latios can switch into the Fire-, Water-, Electric-, and Ground-type attacks that are aimed at Lucario and either set-up or attack. In a similar manner, Garchomp can switch into the Fire-type attacks that Heatran, Rayquaza, Palkia, and Dialga may aim at Lucario and threaten to KO in response.</p>
[SET]
name: Ubers Agility
move 1: Agility
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Crunch
move 4: Ice Punch / Stone Edge
item: Life Orb
ability: Inner Focus
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set plays very similarly to Rock Polish Groudon. While Lucario's Close Combats are just a bit less powerful than Groudon's Earthquakes, Lucario's brilliant typing once again ensures that Lucario is not outclassed. The most notable advantages are Ice- and Dragon-type resistances and immunity to Toxic Spikes.</p>
<p>After one use of Agility, Lucario will reach a Speed stat of 558, allowing it to outspeed neutral natured Choice Scarf Mewtwo. Close Combat is once again Lucario's sweeping move of choice as it easily OHKOs Dialga and Darkrai, and OHKOs Hasty Palkia 87% of the time after Stealth Rock damage. If you have Stealth Rock and Spikes support, Lucario's Close Combat will even be able to OHKO Timid Palkia and minimum HP Kyogre! Crunch is your main tool against the many Psychic-types that infest the Uber metagame. Latios is always OHKOed by Crunch after Stealth Rock damage, while most variants of Latias, Mewtwo, Wobbuffet, and Giratina-O are 2HKOed. (Very defensive Mewtwo, Bold 28 / 228 Wobbuffet, and defensive Giratina-o may survive.) Ice Punch is usually the best choice in the last slot as it allows Lucario to OHKO Shaymin-S, Rayquaza, and Garchomp. If your team has few problems with Garchomp, you can use Stone Edge which will still OHKO Rayquaza and Shaymin-S after Stealth Rock damage and will OHKO Ho-Oh, who will be a problem when using Ice Punch.</p>
[Additional Comments]
<p>This Lucario will have serious problems sweeping if Wobbuffet is alive. While Crunch will 2HKO Wobbuffet, it can use Counter to revenge kill Lucario. In a similar manner, Giratina-O will always survive one Crunch and can weaken Lucario with Draco Meteor and Shadow Sneak oreven KO with Hidden Power Fire (in the sun) followed by Shadow Sneak. Maximum HP Kyogre can survive a Close Combat at full health (although it will have a 33% chance of being OHKOed if Stealth Rock and Spikes are on the battlefield), and then threaten to OHKO Lucario with Surf. While Specially Defensive Skarmory is 2HKOed by Close Combat, it is able to stall out Close Combat's PP due to Roost. As mentioned before, without Stone Edge, Lucario will never 2HKO Ho-Oh while Ho-Oh can easily OHKO Lucario with Sacred Fire. +Speed Choice Scarf users such as Darkrai, Shaymin-S, and Mewtwo can outspeed Lucario even after an Agility and OHKO it. Finally, unlike Swords Dance Lucario, every type of Groudon will give this set problems.</p>
<p>Wobbuffet is unfortunately impossible to counter. A good way of knocking it into it into Lucario's KO range is to lure in Wobbuffet with mixed attackers that commonly carry Choice Scarf (such as Palkia and Dialga). Offensive Lugia can also be used to lure in and 2HKO Wobbuffet with a Calm Mind boosted Aeroblast. You can also bluff a Haban Garchomp as a Choice Scarf Garchomp and use Swords Dance as Wobbuffet attempts to Counter. A Wobbuffet of your own can defeat Choice Scarf Shaymin-S and Choice Scarf Mewtwo and can help Lucario find time to set up. Ho-Oh is almost impossible to counter; thus its best to simply team up Lucario with users of Stone Edge to deal with Ho-Oh. Latias and Latios can usually handle Kyogre, take Choice Scarf Darkrai's Focus Blasts, and switch into Groudon's Earthquakes. Mixed Bulk Up Dialga makes a superb Skarmory and Groudon lure by baiting them with Bulk Up, and then smashing them with Fire Blast and Draco Meteor respectively. Dialga is also capable of defeating Giratina-O if it uses a +Speed nature.</p>
[SET]
name: Ubers Lead
move 1: Close Combat
move 2: ExtremeSpeed
move 3: Payback
move 4: Ice Punch / Swords Dance / Magic Coat / Counter
item: Focus Sash
ability: Inner Focus
nature: Adamant
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>When equipped with a Focus Sash, Lucario can defeat several prominent leads in the Uber metagame. While Payback may seem like a strange choice, its a very important move in this set because it allows Lucario to defeat Deoxys-S leads. Payback will put even maximum HP Deoxys-S into the KO range of ExtremeSpeed, limiting it to setting up only one entry hazard. Close Combat is once again Lucario's most powerful option. It always 2HKOs lead Kyogre and Dialga, neither of whom can OHKO thanks to Focus Sash. Due to Lucario's immunity to sandstorm, it will defeat any kind of Tyranitar lead with ease. When up against Deoxys-A, Lucario will usually lose to a combination of Superpower and Extremespeed but will at least be able to break its Focus Sash. If Deoxys-A lacks Superpower or uses Stealth Rock on the first turn, Lucario will usually be able to defeat it with two ExtremeSpeeds.</p>
<p>Several appealing options are available for your last move. Ice Punch is one of your best options - Shaymin-s will be unable to flinch you thanks to Inner Focus while Lucario can OHKO in response. Ice Punch will also defeat Rayquaza leads that lack Focus Sash. Swords Dance can be useful if you predict a switch from your opponent, and it often allows Lucario to deal a massive amount of damage to at least one Pokémon on the team. Swords Dance is also useful in case the opponent's team is ever weak enough to be swept. Finally, if you predict that a Groudon lead will use Stealth Rock, Swords Dance allows you to 2HKO Groudon with Close Combat. If your team has problems with Darkrai leads, Magic Coat can be used to reflect Darkrai's Dark Void back to it! Be warned though - This plan can be ruined if Darkrai uses Focus Blast instead. If you are confident in your prediction skills, Counter can be used to gain a surprise kill on enemy Groudon.</p>
[Additional Comments]
<p>Depending on your choice, Lucario will face different problems. Without Ice Punch, Shaymin-S and Rayquaza will defeat you. Without Magic Coat, Darkrai threatens to put Lucario to sleep and break its Focus Sash with Bad Dreams. Regardless of what moves you choose, lead Giratina-o will always defeat you since Ice Punch cannot 2HKO it (although they will deal a significant amount of damage). Against Groudon, unless Lucario uses Swords Dance and Groudon uses Stealth Rock, Lucario has no chance of KOing it without a critical hit.</p>
<p>Latias makes a superb teammate for lead Lucario - It can take all of Shaymin-S' attacks as long as Air Slash does not flinch too many times and deal a massive amount of damage with Dragon Pulse. Latias is also capable of switching into Rayquaza's and Giratina-O's Fire-type attacks and OHKO both of them with Dragon Pulse (be warned - Some lead Rayquaza have Focus Sash). Although they share weaknesses, Heatran is the best check to most lead Giratina-O. Heatran can also handle lead Rayquaza that lack Brick Break. Tyranitar checks Giratina-o well and can Pursuit it if it tries to escape. Kyogre with Rest and Sleep Talk can defeat Darkrai leads and with Defensive investment can also defeat most Groudon leads. In a similar manner, Bulk Up Dialga can absorb Darkrai's Dark Void and can also defeat Giratina-O one on one. Levitate Bronzong can be a good partner due to its immunity to Shaymin-S' and Groudon's Ground-type attacks and can set up Stealth Rock.</p>
[Team Options]
<p>When using Lucario in Ubers, Stealth Rock support is critical—It provides the necessary support to net several KOs. Stealth Rock will also aid Lucario in defeating Ho-Oh, who would otherwise be problematic. Spikes support is also heavily recommended since it greatly increases Lucario's sweeping potential. Deoxys-S is generally the best Pokemon for the job—it not only is a great lead but can also set up both Stealth Rock and Spikes; Deoxys can be used to the same end. If you want to ensure that Spikes and Stealth Rock will almost always be up, limiting your Deoxys forme to setting up Spikes and dedicating another pokemon to setting up Stealth Rock is advisable. Celebi in particular is a great choice for setting up Stealth Rock, because it resists both Ground- and Fighting-type attacks. A Focus Sash Tyranitar lead is a great teammate for Lucario, as it not only sets up Stealth Rock but can also keep up sandstorm up should it survive past its leading role. Groudon is also a reliable user of Stealth Rock. The same is true for Dialga, Bronzong, and Jirachi, albeit to a lesser extent due to the weaknesses they share with Lucario. While Forretress and Skarmory are mainly used as defensive Pokémon, access to Stealth Rock and Spikes still make them viable partners for Lucario (especially Skarmory, who can set up on Groudon that lack Fire-type attacks). A Deoxys-A lead can not only set up Stealth Rock, but will also sometimes attract Choice Scarfed Pokémon that give Lucario trouble. If used in conjunction with Wobbuffet, Deoxys-A can scout the revenge killer: If it has Choice Scarf, Wobbuffet can promptly trap and kill the Choice Scarfer. There are also several niche options for dedicated Spiking leads. Specially based Cloyster is notable for its ability to defeat Groudon leads while setting up Spikes, while Qwilfish can use its Speed in the rain to Explode on or Destiny Bond a troublesome Pokémon. Froslass can not only set up Spikes but can also use its Ghost-typing to take Fighting-type attacks for Lucario if it lives beyond the lead role.</p>
<p>Because entry hazards are so important to Lucario's success, it is highly recommended that you use a Ghost-type to block Rapid Spin. Giratina-O is a perfect choice for the job, as it's by far the best offensive Rapid Spin blocker in the game. Giratina can also be a fine choice if you wish to capitalize on its defensive capabilities. A Gengar with Hidden Power Fire can be used to switch into Rapid Spin, but Gengar shouldn't be used as a Rapid Spin Blocker unless your team has no better choice.</p>
<p>One of the most effective team building strategies is to simply pair Lucario with Wobbuffet. In addition to setting up Lucario by Encoring support moves, Wobbuffet will also attract Dark-, Bug-, and Ghost-type attacks, all of which Lucario can usually set up on. Wobbuffet is also able to revenge kill most Choice Scarf users that give Lucario trouble.</p>
<p>Another strategy that works well with Lucario is using Reflect and Light Screen. While Lucario may be frail, it's many resistances combined with effectively doubled defenses give it a much better chance of setting up. Mewtwo is one of the best dual screeners in the game due to its impressive 130 base Speed and ability to Selfdestruct after setting up Light Screen and Reflect. If you want your dual screener to be a lead, Deoxys-S is one of the best choices due to its Speed, Taunt, and Stealth Rock. Deoxys-S can also be used as a midgame Spiker with dual screens to help Lucario sweep later. Bronzong is a great dual screener to pair with Lucario due to its ability to set up on Groudon that lack Fire-type attacks. Although it may seem strange, a Jolly Metagross can be used to set up screens. With a Jolly nature, Metagross will outspeed most Groudon and can weaken it with Explosion after setting up the screens (under a Reflect, max HP Metagross will always survive unboosted Earthquakes).</p>
<p>Lucario's most prominent problem in Ubers is dealing with Mewtwo. Although Mewtwo will be 2HKOed by a +2 ExtremeSpeed and an unboosted Crunch, Mewtwo will easily shatter Lucario with Aura Sphere or Flamethrower. Mewtwo can also run a defensive set with Will-O-Wisp that will cripple Lucario. Defensive Groudon is another huge problem for Lucario. At full health, Impish Groudon will never be KOed by a +2 Close Combat, and then it can proceed to OHKO Lucario with Earthquake. With its incredible defensive prowess and Speed, Lugia can set up a Reflect to tank Lucario's boosted Crunchs, and then Whirlwind it away or cripple it with Thunder Wave. Offensive Lugia will OHKO Lucario with Earth Power or a boosted Aeroblast. Finally, Giratina that have Will-O-Wisp will incapacitate Lucario before it can 2HKO Giratina with a +2 Crunch.</p>
<p>Mixed Rayquaza makes a fantastic teammate for Lucario. Rayquaza often lures in Groudon and can obliterate it with Draco Meteor. Mixed Rayquaza can also defeat the occasional slower Lugia with two Draco Meteors. A mixed Bulk Up Dialga can also lure Groudon to its doom. Kyogre is a superb teammate—it can defeat Mewtwo that lack Thunder or Selfdestruct, 2HKO Defensive Lugia with Thunder, and revenge kill Groudon with Surf. A Tickle Wobbuffet paired with a Pursuit user (such as Scizor, Metagross, or Tyranitar) can be used to reliably eliminate Lugia (and sometimes Giratina if you don't Encore Will-O-Wisp). Against Mewtwo that lack Fire-type attacks, Scizor can threaten to cut apart Mewtwo with its Bug-type attacks or hit it with Pursuit as it flees. Metagross can preform a similar feat while also often surviving Mewtwo's Fire-type attacks in the rain. A Jirachi can threaten to paralyze Mewtwo with Body Slam, or even attempt to flinch it to death with a Choice Scarfed Iron Head. Both Metagross and Jirachi can run Grass Knot along with a heavy investment in Special Attack and attempt to lure and 2HKO Groudon. Darkrai can put Giratina and Lugia to sleep and set up on them with Nasty Plot, and it also has the option of running Chople Berry to lure out Mewtwo to its doom. Mewtwo itself can come in handy for its ability to Taunt Lugia and Giratina. A Swords Dance Garchomp can be used to lure out Groudon and 2HKO it with a +2 Outrage. With a Yache Berry, Swords Dance Garchomp will also survive Mewtwo's Ice Beam (unless Mewtwo has Life Orb), and OHKO Mewtwo with a +2 Earthquake. Although Skarmory's defensive playstyle may make it seem like a poor partner, it is able to set up Spikes on defensive Groudon that lack a Fire-type attack and against Lugia and Giratina. If your team has Rapid Spin support, Ho-Oh is an excellent way to defeat most Mewtwo. If your team is especially weak to defensive Mewtwo, Heatran or Choice Scarf Heracross are also viable options.</p>
<p>Lucario's superb typing gives it a whopping 9 resistances and 1 immunity. However, it has weaknesses to Fighting-, Fire-, and Ground-type attacks, all of which are commonly seen in Ubers. Lucario's poor defenses also leave it vulnerable to Water-type attacks. Giratina-O is a fantastic defensive partner for Lucario, it's immune to Ground- and Fighting-type attacks and resists Fire-type, Electric, and Water-type attacks while Lucario covers Giratina-O's weaknesses to Ice-, Dragon-, Ghost-, and Dark-type attacks. Gengar can cover Lucario much like Giratina-O does, except Gengar does not resist Water-, Electric-, and Fire-type attacks. Latias, Latios, and Rayquaza are also excellent choices for teammates as they Fire-, Ground-, Fighting, and Water-type attacks while Lucario resists all of their weaknesses. Lugia provides a 4x Fighting-type resistance and an immunity to Ground-type attacks while Lucario covers Lugia's weaknesses to Ice- and Rock-type attacks. Ho-Oh, while almost requiring Rapid Spin support to work, provides Lucario with resistances to Fire- and Fighting-type attacks and an immunity to Ground-type attacks. Meanwhile, Lucario has a 4x resistance to the Rock-type attacks that tear Ho-Oh apart. While Celebi and Shaymin-S may be weak to Fire-type attacks, they will still aid Lucario by covering its Ground- and Fighting-type weaknesses. Psychic-types like Mewtwo and Wobbuffet resist Fighting-type attacks, and in return, Lucario protects them against Dark-, Ghost-, and Bug-type attacks. Finally, Palkia provides 4x resistances to Fire- and Water-type attacks while Lucario resists Palkia's lone Dragon-type weakness.</p>
[Optional Changes]
<p>With a Choice Band, Lucario's Close Combats are so powerful that they can OHKO Palkia and minimum HP Kyogre after Stealth Rock damage. However, Choice Band Lucario can easily be picked off by Wobbuffet if it is locked into Close Combat and generally does better with a Life Orb. Choice Specs Lucario is notable for its ability to 2HKO Groudon with Aura Sphere but is otherwise unremarkable by Uber standards. At first glance, a Calm Mind set with Life Orb may seem appealing due to its ability to 2HKO Blissey, but its generally outclassed by Swords Dance Lucario. Metal Sound allows Lucario to OHKO Groudon with Aura Sphere, but Lucario's lackluster defenses make it difficult to constantly use Metal Sound. Lucario is fully capable of using Substitute and Salac Berry on a Swords Dance set to defeat Giratina that lack Roar although it will greatly miss the added damage from Life Orb. In a similar manner, Agility Lucario can use Substitute and a Liechi Berry. A Reversal set may seem appealing as well with Substitute or Endure; priority attacks, however, ruins its effectiveness.</p>
<p>If you are wary about the defense drops of Close Combat, Lucario can opt to use Low Kick, as many Ubers are heavy enough to be hit by the full 120 base power of the move, but it comes with the drawback that many lightweight pokemon such as Jirachi and Manaphy will take piddling damage from it. Blaze Kick is a decent move on non-Swords Dance Lucario if you're desperate to OHKO Scizor and Forretress and 2HKO Skarmory, but those KOs come only in the sun and the move does little else."Lucario can run Magnet Rise to try setting up on some Groudon but must give up ExtremeSpeed or Crunch, and Groudon will still win if it has Thunder Wave, Roar, or a Fire-type attack. Reversal is a reasonable option over Close Combat on the lead set, since Lucario is often left at 1 HP but will only outperform Close Combat if Lucario is left with less than 9% of its maximum HP. Copycat is very situational but can be useful on the lead set. It may allow you to set up Stealth Rock and/or Spikes on Skarmory, Forretress (though it may Rapid Spin), and Deoxys-S (until it Taunts you).</p>
[Counters]
<p>Generally, Lucario's biggest counters in Ubers are very physically bulky Pokémon that can either OHKO, cripple, or phaze it. Defensive Groudon is the premier example as it is never OHKOed by a +2 Close Combat while it easily OHKOs in response with Earthquake. Lugia outspeeds, puts a Reflect up, and can Whirlwind Lucario away before it does much damage, and Giratina can cripple it with Will-o-wisp.</p>
<p>Garchomp defeats the Swords Dance set so long as it doesn't switch into Close Combat, but will falter against Agility Lucario with Ice Punch. Mewtwo is bulky enough to survive a +2 ExtremeSpeed after Stealth Rock and Spikes most of the time, and then OHKO Lucario with Aura Sphere. Rayquaza, while KOed by a +2 ExtremeSpeed after Stealth Rock and Life Orb recoil, can sacrifice itself to defeat Lucario. Salamence, although uncommon, has an easier time handling Swords Dance Lucario than Rayquaza thanks to Intimidate. Choice Scarf users that resist ExtremeSpeed such as Dialga, Tyranitar, Metagross, and Heatran can revenge kill Swords Dance Lucario without any difficulty, but struggle if they switch into Close Combat or face Agility Lucario. Gengar in particular can switch into both Close Combat and ExtremeSpeed and threaten to OHKO Lucario with Focus Blast or Hidden Power Fire in the sun.</p>
<p>As for Agility Lucario, healthy Wobbuffet (>50% max HP), Groudon, and Giratina-o can easily revenge kill the Agility set, and Skarmory can attempt to outstall it with Roost. Extremely fast Choice Scarf users such as Darkrai, Shaymin-S, and Mewtwo will outspeed and OHKO it even after the Agility.</p>
