A Guide To Hazards In PU

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Entry Hazards in PU

With 60% of PU's current S- and A-ranked roster being able to either set or remove entry hazards, it's easy to see why entry hazards have always been a factor in the PU metagame. Because PU is the lowest official tier by usage, choices for hazard setting and removal are comparatively less effective than in higher tiers. However, some setters and removers such as Ferroseed, Mesprit, and Skuntank shine as the best Pokémon in the tier. USM brought forth more new Pokémon such as Skuntank, Shiftry, Lurantis, Silvally-Fairy, Hitmonchan, Kabutops, Alolan Sandslash, and Komala with Defog and Rapid Spin, which alleviated the lack of hazard control in the tier. The prevalence of entry hazards pushes defensive and offensive teams into requiring hazard control, such as Defog Skuntank, because of how much pressure stacking entry hazards puts on these archetypes; many of PU's strongest offensive sweepers such as Pyroar and Jynx are susceptible to those hazards. PU also currently has some of the best hazard setters that have ever entered the metagame, with Mesprit and Ferroseed being very prominent due to the synergy they offer, the pressure they deliver to spinners like Hitmonchan and Alolan Sandslash, and the overall utility they provide to teams.

Types of Hazards

As with every tier, Stealth Rock remains a crucial part of the metagame and is required on almost every competitive team. USM PU is not short of great Stealth Rock users, and, in this section, we are going to name a few of the best ones that the tier has to offer. These Pokémon will be split into different categories. Firstly, it will be the offensive Stealth Rock users, which carry Stealth Rock while maintaining a valuable offensive presence; these Pokémon are mostly seen on offensive or balanced team archetypes. The next category will be defensive Stealth Rock users, which are usually used on archetypes such as stall, semi-stall, and balance. These Pokémon provide crucial defensive synergy while carrying Stealth Rock.

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Offensive Stealth Rock users:

Mesprit

Mesprit is arguably the best offensive Stealth Rock user in PU due to its immunity to Spikes and Toxic Spikes, its offensive presence, and its ability to check prominent Fighting-types like Gurdurr and Hitmonchan. Unlike other Stealth Rock users, Mesprit can also fill a few important roles on bulky offense and balance teams thanks to U-turn and Healing Wish. While its offensive presence allows it to force switches and set up Stealth Rock easily, Mesprit is also capable of dealing amazing damage to a plethora of Pokémon, and its access to Dazzling Gleam means it can get past one of its best checks in Spiritomb. Mesprit pairs well with Pokémon like Skuntank that can deal with Ghost-types like Haunter and Oricorio-G. However, Mesprit lacks reliable recovery, which means it has limited opportunities to set up Stealth Rock. Despite that, if you're looking for a Stealth Rock setter with a ton of utility options that is easy to integrate onto a team, then Mesprit is the setter for you.

Aggron

While it is more commonly seen as a Choice Band user, Aggron can also work as a Stealth Rock setter in the PU tier. Head Smash is an extremely solid move when combined with Aggron's high base 110 Attack stat, allowing it to practically beat all the Defoggers in PU and deal heavy damage to common threats such as Mesprit and Stoutland. Taunt cripples opposing Stealth Rock users like Ferroseed, prevents foes such as Type: Null from setting up, and breaks certain defensive cores such as Spiritomb + Clefairy. Taunt can also cripple Pokémon like Weezing that would use Will-O-Wisp to cripple Aggron. However, Aggron has a lot of disadvantages: its low Speed leaves it easily outpaced by a majority of the offensive metagame, and its poor defensive typing leaves it weak to common Fighting- and Ground-types such as Gurdurr and Gastrodon. Both of these flaws can sometimes complicate setting up Stealth Rock. In addition, its low Special Defense means it can even struggle against Magnet Pull users such as Probopass, as well as resisted special attacks such as Mesprit's Psychic, so Pokémon that can take on special attackers such as Lanturn and Clefairy are ideal teammates for Aggron.

Aurorus

Aurorus functions as a dedicated Stealth Rock setter for hyper offense thanks to its solid bulk backed up by Focus Sash, ensuring Stealth Rock is going to be set up. Aurorus is able to pressure hazard removers such as Skuntank and Silvally-Fairy extremely well thanks to its great Special Attack stat, with Hitmonchan and Articuno (for sets lacking Rock Tomb) being its only real switch-ins, and its great bulk, which lets it survive even Swanna's Scald. Snow Warning can break the Focus Sash or Sturdy of the opposing Pokémon so that Aurorus can follow up with a Blizzard and overall helps against hyper offensive teams. Encore is a great utility move that allows Aurorus to cripple bulky Pokémon such as Clefairy and prevents them from using Aurorus as setup bait. Unfortunately, Aurorus's Speed stat is a huge downside compared to other offensive Stealth Rock leads such as Lycanroc, but the type coverage of Blizzard + Freeze-Dry and the utility of Encore are unrivaled. Stealth Rock Aurorus is also super uncommon in comparison to the much more widely used Choice Specs and Choice Scarf sets, but as such, this set also has a bit of a surprise factor.

Golurk

Golurk has a unique role of acting as a Stealth Rock user and a spinblocker at the same time. Its Ghost / Ground typing gives it a good matchup against opposing Stealth Rock setters such as Mesprit and Regirock and makes it one of the few Stealth Rock setters able to switch in on Fighting-types such as Primeape; however, its typing also makes it weak to most entry hazard removers such as Skuntank, Lurantis, and Swanna, although it puts pressure on the former two with its item and attacks. With two decent abilities in Iron Fist and No Guard, Golurk can threaten different Pokémon such as Weezing and Type: Null with Zen Headbutt and Dynamic Punch, while Iron Fist with Ice Punch and Shadow Punch is useful for Torterra and Mesprit. However, although Golurk is the only Pokémon in PU that can set entry hazards and spinblock at the same time, it's hard to justify using it on a team, as it's very slow and isn't very bulky.

Crustle

Like Aurorus, Crustle functions as a dedicated Stealth Rock setter for hyper offensive teams, but what separates it from Aurorus and other entry hazard users is its ability to set up both Stealth Rock and Spikes. Weak Armor gives Crustle +2 Speed whenever it's hit by a physical attack, meaning it can sometimes outspeed the opposing Pokémon so it can get up hazards early-game and deal residual damage from the start. Sturdy can also be utilized as a built-in Focus Sash and, when used in tandem with a Mental Herb, give Crustle a better matchup against lead Taunt and Encore users such as Aggron and Shuckle. Crustle also has a good matchup against most teams, as it can deal sufficient damage with Stone Edge and cripple Eviolite users like Ferroseed with Knock Off. Crustle pairs well with wallbreakers such as Kangaskhan and Pyroar that appreciate the hazards Crustle is able to set. However, Crustle it is hard to justify using in the current metagame due to the influx of Defog users such as Swanna and Skuntank this generation, with the Sturdy set having even more difficulty with keeping hazards up. Crustle also got slightly worse because it faces competition with Smeargle, which has better utility options such as Spore and Sticky Web.

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Defensive Stealth Rock users

Mesprit

Mesprit also functions as an easy-to-fit defensive pivot and Stealth Rock setter. Its Defense investment means that it is able to blanket check physical attackers like Kangaskhan a lot more reliably, as well as Fighting-types such as Hitmonchan and Gurdurr. U-turn offers good momentum and works a lot better with defensive Mesprit, as it can often get a teammate in safely. Defensive Mesprit can also offer great utility in the form of Healing Wish or Thunder Wave so it can either bring back a teammate or cripple setup sweepers such as Carracosta. Colbur Berry allows Mesprit to U-turn away from Pursuit users such as Skuntank and Spiritomb and offers a good way to switch into Knock Off users such as Gurdurr. Mesprit often has an advantageous matchup against opposing Stealth Rock leads such as Regirock and Carracosta. However, Mesprit still lacks reliable recovery and is susceptible to Toxic, meaning it can be worn down by the aforementioned Pokémon. Despite this, the utility that Mesprit offers is unrivaled, and because of this, it tends to find itself on various teams in the PU metagame.

Clefairy

Being one of only a few viable Fairy-types, Clefairy is one of the best Stealth Rock users PU has to offer; it can also run a Calm Mind set that has excellent role compression ,allowing it to act as a solid win condition on bulkier teams. Clefairy's ability to absorb status, access to reliable recovery, immunity to hazards, and respectable bulk augment Clefairy's defensive prowess and ability to fit onto defensive teams. In addition, Clefairy's wide support movepool with moves such as Seismic Toss, Knock Off, Toxic, Thunder Wave, and Encore makes it a very versatile support Pokémon that can blanket check special attackers such as Swanna, Alolan Exeggutor, and Mesprit and synergize well with Pokémon such as Spiritomb and Ferroseed by creating a solid defensive core.

Regirock

Regirock is a premier defensive Stealth Rock user on top of being a good pivot, as its great mixed defensive stats and typing allow it to reliably take on threats such as Pyroar, Kangaskhan, and Oricorio-G. Regirock fits great on balance archetypes, as it can scout Choice-locked Pokémon such as Primeape with Protect and cripple switch-ins such as Gastrodon and Lurantis with Toxic. Scouting with Protect also gives Regirock a decent opportunity to set up Stealth Rock if a Pokémon such as Primeape locks into U-turn. Regirock also synergizes well with Pokémon such as Ferroseed, Lanturn, and Weezing that can take on Grass-, Water-, and Ground-types. Unfortunately, Regirock has trouble maintaining its longevity outside of Leftovers + Protect, and it can be worn down quickly and taken out by powerful Pokémon that deal super effective damage like Kingler.

Carracosta

Similar to Regirock in some ways, Carracosta can be a great defensive Stealth Rock user in PU. Carracosta has access to great utility moves in Scald and Knock Off, which deter physical attackers and Pokémon that rely on their item from switching in. While still being a good switch-in to Normal-types like Zangoose, Carracosta differentiates itself from Regirock due to its Water typing. This gives Carracosta a better matchup against Pokémon such as Alolan Sandslash, Alolan Dugtrio, Silvally-Water, and Golem. However, while Carracosta has many advantages, its large number of weaknesses leaves it easily exploitable by Pokémon such as Lilligant and Gurdurr, and often one would choose to use Regirock or Mesprit instead.

Ferroseed

Ferroseed is the premier Steel-type in the tier and another good defensive Stealth Rock user. Although most of the time it functions purely as a Spiker, Ferroseed can also run a Stealth Rock set to offer your team better role compression at the cost of losing out on one of Ferroseed's usual moves. Ferroseed is able to blanket check a plethora of threats PU has to offer, such as Carracosta, Kangaskhan, and physical Skuntank. Ferroseed is able to fit on balance playstyles and is especially good when paired with good Fire-resistant Pokémon such as Lanturn.

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Spikes and Toxic Spikes

Stealth Rock is not the only noteworthy entry hazard. In USM, Ferroseed has changed the way PU values Spikes support by giving the tier a more defensive setter that is able to set hazards multiple times in a match thanks to its good typing and access to decent support options. Weezing also revolutionized the way PU looks at Toxic Spikes. Toxic Spikes became an incredibly good hazard, and it now pressures most teams into having a grounded Poison-type such as Skuntank or a Ground-immune Defogger such as Swanna.

Ferroseed

Ferroseed is the best Spikes user in the tier. Its good typing coupled with high defensive stats boosted by Eviolite makes it a fantastic wall in PU, capable of checking Psychic-, Electric-, and Water-type Pokémon such as Jynx, Lanturn, and Gastrodon. Ferroseed is easy to justify on defensive teams due to its ability to check a variety of offensive threats, which provides opportunities to set up Spikes and spread Leech Seed. It's able to switch in on the premier Stealth Rock setter of the tier, Mesprit, along with other relevant setters, such as Regirock and Carracosta, and directly force them out while setting its own hazards. Unfortunately, Ferroseed's effect on the metagame is so large that it has dictated coverage moves for numerous Pokémon, including All-Out Pummeling Carracosta, and it has promoted the rise of Clefairy with 0 Speed IVs to reduce Gyro Ball damage. In addition, trappers such as Probopass have become more common due to Ferroseed's omnipresence.

Weezing

Weezing is the best Toxic Spikes user in the tier due to its great bulk, movepool, and Levitate ability, which only leaves it threatened by powerful special attackers and Psychic-type Pokémon. Weezing can take most physical attacks with ease, especially Fighting-type attacks from Pokémon such as Primeape and Gurdurr, meaning it has ample opportunities to set up Toxic Spikes throughout a match. Its access to Will-O-Wisp means Weezing can deal with physical attackers like Kangaskhan better, while Taunt allows it to cripple opposing balance staples such as Regirock, Ferroseed, and Clefairy. While, Weezing lacks recovery outside of Pain Split and is weak to common special attackers such as Pyroar and Oricorio-G, it is still an advantageous choice for teams looking for a Toxic Spikes user and a Pokémon that is able to punish defensive teams with Taunt.

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Sticky Web

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Hazard Control

Defoggers

As probably the most reliable hazard remover in PU, capable of running several viable sets both inside and outside of Defog variants, Skuntank is seen on several different archetypes and is one of the most common Pokémon in PU. Thanks to its access to Pursuit and Defog and its ability to absorb Toxic Spikes, Skuntank is able to compress a ton of different utility options into one slot, freeing up other teamslots relatively easily while also requiring little to no support to actually function. Both the physical and special Defog sets have merit in the current metagame, with the physical set being able to trap many common threats like offensive Mesprit, Choice Scarf Jynx, and Oricorio-G, and slower, weakened Pokémon like Lanturn and Eelektross; physical Skuntank also has access to a powerful Sucker Punch, allowing it to revenge kill Choice Scarf users like Togedemaru and Swanna . The special set acts more of a breaker to bulkier teams, especially stall, with its access to Acid Spray and Black Hole Eclipse allowing it to threaten everything including Pyukumuku at -2 while also having a better matchup versus foes such as Gastrodon and Aggron and most of the common Stealth Rock setters in the metagame. With the amount of pressure Skuntank places on several top-tier threats, even from Team Preview, it is able to either easily Defog on either forced switches, if it opts not to attempt to trap the foes, or use its reasonable Speed tier to Defog on slower Pokémon.

Swanna is another popular Defogger in PU for a variety of reasons. Its great Speed tier, strong STAB combo, Roost utility, and proficiency as a revenge killer with its Choice Scarf set make Swanna one of the best offensive Defoggers in PU. Choice Scarf Swanna allows most balance teams to easy dismantle hyper offensive teams, in particular Sticky Web variants, along with providing great emergency Defog support for both balance and offensive teams alike, especially with the switches it forces versus Pokémon like Primeape and Lilligant. Flyinium Z Swanna acts as more of an aggressive pivot for balance and bulky offensive teams to deal with Fighting-types and Water-types like Hitmonchan and Gastrodon, either threatening severe damage by them staying in or forcing them out on a potential Defog. The decline in usage of Lanturn and Eelektross has also helped bolster the latter set, as Swanna no longer has to worry about giving either a free switch in, boosting its current viability even more. Its immunity to both Spikes and Toxic Spikes also means Swanna isn't as easily chipped as other Defoggers like Lurantis, which is borderline crippled once it has been poisoned.

Spinners

Hitmonchan is by far the most reliable spinner in the tier, with strong priority, great special bulk, and a decent matchup against a lot of the hazard setters in the tier, such as Regirock, Ferroseed, Carracosta, and Golurk. Its ability to pressure common hazard stacking cores like Ferroseed + Clefairy while being a bulky pivot for most teams to fall back on reflect in both its tournament and ladder usage. Hitmonchan is almost always used as a glue Pokémon for teams that struggle against strong special attackers like Pyroar and Aurorus, forcing them out with its priority Mach Punch or spinning on them if it's healthy enough to take a hit from the Choice Specs version of Aurorus and Pyroar—the Choice Scarf versions will almost never stay in against it. Thanks to its bulk, Hitmonchan is often used on balance teams to threaten hyper offensive playstyles like rain, sun, and Trick Room (although it does struggle against Sticky Web), thanks to its ability to check threats such as Ludicolo, Victreebel, and Alolan Exeggutor.

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Control Deterrents

Spinblockers

Defiant

Contrary

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Final Thoughts

As with all other tiers, mastery of hazards and hazard control is an essential part of the USM PU metagame, with some attributes such as a 4x weakness to Stealth Rock making or breaking the viability of certain Pokémon. As the tier continues to fluctuate, one thing can be said for certain: entry hazards will continue to shape the direction of the PU metagame in a big way.

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