Lower Tier Pokémon in SS Ubers

By fc and Lasen. Released: 2021/10/01.
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Lower Tier Pokémon in SS Ubers art

Art by Albatross.

Introduction

Ubers is often seen as a metagame dominated by cover legendaries with impossible to switch into STAB moves and strategies that every other tier considers uncompetitive. But the truth is, there is ample room for Pokémon in OU, UU, or even RU to fulfill a niche or compress roles even better than the behemoths that have been shackled to Ubers. This article will explore those very Pokémon and their roles in the Ubers ecosystem.

The Pokémon

Zarude

Zarude-Dada

Donning its cape, Zarude uses its incredible typing and solid all-around stats to be a good role compression pick in Ubers. Specially defensive Zarude checks Choice item Calyrex-S fairly well, especially when paired with Ho-Oh, soft checks Pokémon like Kyogre and Groudon, and beats Zygarde. Alternatively, physically defensive Zarude uses Bulk Up to beat some of the tier's most dangerous physical threats, walling wallbreakers such as Zekrom and Excadrill and checking other Pokémon like Groudon, Zygarde, and Necrozma-DM. Specially defensive Zarude runs enough Speed EVs to outspeed positive-natured base 90 Speed Pokémon like Kyogre, while physically defense Zarude needs more bulk investment to check Zekrom and only outspeeds Adamant Dracovish with its Speed EVs. Along with checking all these Pokémon, Zarude also allows the usage of offensive Yveltal, since it can check to Calyrex-S and benefit from offensive Yveltal tearing holes through defensive structures with sets like Hone Claws, Black Glasses, and Life Orb. Jungle Healing is used on the specially defensive set to help against Scald from Kyogre and other sources of status, while physically defensive Zarude needs all the healing it can get from Synthesis to check Life Orb Zekrom.

Buzzwole

Buzzwole

Buzzwole's incredible Defense and Attack make it one of the strongest tanks in Ubers and one of the best switch-ins to strong wallbreakers like Marshadow, Urshifu-S, Groudon, and Zekrom. It's also one of the best ways to deal with the omnipresent defensive Yveltal, using it switching in to generate free momentum and wallbreaking opportunities. Defensive Buzzwole is very reliable at checking these threats and acts as a slow late-game wincon with Bulk Up. Tank Buzzwole, on the other hand, is a powerful wallbreaker that can break through cores consisting of Pokémon like Yveltal, Necrozma-DM, and Ferrothorn. Buzzwole runs enough Speed EVs to outspeed Calyrex-I and check it, although it can still fall to Glacial Lance, and tank Buzzwole's defensive investment lets it always avoid the 2HKO from Choice Band Marshadow's Spectral Thief. Calyrex-S is the best teammate for it, providing cleric support in case Buzzwole absorbs Toxic from Yveltal or Zygarde, or paralysis from Necrozma-DM, Zygarde, or Groudon.

Weavile

Weavile

With an Attack stat equal to Arceus, Swords Dance, and a Speed tier that rivals Marshadow, Weavile doesn't need too much to take over a game. Weavile is an extremely potent wallbreaker due to it threatening the most common defensive core of Yveltal + Necrozma-DM + Eternatus. Weavile's biggest advantage is its Dark typing making Calyrex-S, the best revenge killer in the tier, unable to threaten it while it's relatively healthy. When holding Never-Melt Ice, even extremely bulky Pokémon such as Ho-Oh are in OHKO range after Swords Dance. Weavile does require pivot support, as its multiple weaknesses to relevant types such as Fire, Steel, and Fairy, combined with its mediocre bulk, make it almost impossible for it to switch in safely.

Hydreigon

Hydreigon

Hydreigon faces direct competition from both Yveltal and Eternatus, but it finds a niche by compressing the roles of both Pokémon in one slot. Nasty Plot further separates Hydreigon from offensive Eternatus and lets it guarantee OHKOs against Yveltal, Xerneas, and Groudon. Hydreigon excels with Sticky Web support, which allows it to outspeed Eternatus and win one-on-one. While Hydreigon's firepower is nothing to scoff at, it does rely heavily on having a good matchup. There are multiple revenge killers that easily outspeed Hydreigon if Sticky Web isn't set, and it also requires a boost to get the OHKOs it needs.

Landorus-T

Landorus-T

Landorus-T is a good defensive pivot and Stealth Rock setter, checking some of the tier's best physical attackers such as Groudon, Marshadow, and Necrozma-DM. Landorus-T is also the only Stealth Rock setter that can pivot, allowing it to better punish entry hazard removers with an appropriate switch-in or put them on a timer with Toxic. Its relatively low Speed and Intimidate further enhance its pivoting capabilities, allowing frail wallbreakers like Marshadow and Weavile to be brought center stage without getting OHKOed or crippled by status. Landorus-T is often hurt by its lack of recovery outside of Leftovers and Stealth Rock neutrality, unlike other Ground-types; however, it still offers extremely valuable pivoting while compressing other roles.

Magnezone

Magnezone

Magnezone took its place in the metagame right after the Shadow Tag ban and proved just how crucial removing its main target, Necrozma-DM, from games was. With Air Balloon and Magnet Rise, it takes on even defensive Earthquake Necrozma-DM and deals heavy damage with Iron Defense + Body Press. Xerneas is the premier partner to this set, being incredibly dangerous if Necrozma-DM, the main check to Fairy-types for most teams, is removed. Similarly, Galarian Darmanitan's Icicle Crash is incredibly difficult to switch into for most teams if Necrozma-DM is removed. Ferrothorn is another key trapping target, with its removal freeing up Pokémon like Zygarde. Magnezone is one of the best Pokémon at taking advantage of standard metagame trends; it pressures the incredibly common Necrozma-DM balance teams and forces them to carefully maneuver around it.

Tangrowth

Tangrowth

At the beginning of the Crown Tundra metagame, Tangrowth was seen as a potent answer to Zacian-C and later Zacian. It could switch into their attacks to scout coverage and switch into appropriate partners, specifically fellow Regenerator users like Toxapex and Ho-Oh or Necrozma-DM. In today's Ubers, Tangrowth shines by handling the myriad of physical attackers that run free in the tier, most notably Ground-types that attempt to set up in Groudon and Zygarde-C. Grass Knot is a fantastic way to deal with Ground-types and can even break Substitute from Zygarde-C. Tangrowth also offers a fantastic answer to Zekrom, a sweeper that can easily dispose of the most common walls and pivots in the metagame. With Regenerator, it can even switch in multiple times and remain healthy. Unfortunately for this spaghetti monster, all of the aforementioned Pokémon can either cripple it with Toxic or OHKO it with a special attack in Overheat or Draco Meteor. Regardless, with some proper scouting, Tangrowth is a wall to be reckoned with.

Clefable

Clefable

Clefable's bulk is nothing to write home about, but with Magic Guard making it almost impossible to chip by conventional means, it provides almost unparalleled utility to bulky teams. The advent of Calyrex-S and Kyogre has made specially defensive Yveltal and Eternatus extremely prominent, two Pokémon that rarely get to run offensive sets, which means they give Clefable many opportunities to easily provide utility. It can even check some Stealth Rock setters not named Necrozma-DM, dodging 2HKOs from Groudon and Landorus-T. Clefable is also a terror in long games, as most stall teams rely on residual damage from entry hazards and status to pressure foes, both of which Clefable is completely immune to, and cannot sufficiently beat it. The cleric support it can provide also helps turn long games in your favor.

Garchomp

Garchomp

Garchomp holds a small niche in Ubers as a wallbreaker on specific hyper offense teams with this simple set. After a Speed boost from Scale Shot, Garchomp threatens the most important core in the metagame, Necrozma-DM + Yveltal + Eternatus. Dual STAB moves hit most of the tier fairly well, and it has Stone Edge to OHKO Yveltal and Ho-Oh, which can threaten it with Foul Play and status, respectively. Sticky Web support from Slurpuff or another setter is near mandatory, allowing Garchomp to outspeed revenge killers like Eternatus and Calyrex-S. Garchomp does compete with resident Ground / Dragon type Zygarde, but its massive Attack stat makes tearing through teams much easier. Garchomp also works well with fellow dragon Zekrom, forming a devastating Dragon spam core that wallbreaks very easily due to Zekrom baiting in their common checks, like Tangrowth and Buzzwole, and removing them with Draco Meteor.

Tyranitar

Tyranitar

In a metagame dominated by the Hoenn weather duo and Necrozma-DM, Tyranitar is still able to carve a sizable niche by checking other deadly threats. Its high Special Defense in sand and typing let it check hard hitters like Calyrex-S, specially offensive Yveltal, and Eternatus as well as defensive picks like Ho-Oh. It's a reliable Stealth Rock setter as well, pressuring the tier's best Defoggers in Yveltal and Ho-Oh with Rock Blast. Of course, the main draw of using Tyranitar is checking Calyrex-S, a valuable feat, and it offers other benefits that its competitor Yveltal lacks, such as Stealth Rock and sand. Tyranitar also allows Excadrill to be a threatening late-game cleaner. The prevalence of physical attackers like Groudon, Zygarde, and Necrozma-DM means Tyranitar needs heavy support from dedicated physical walls like Buzzwole and Tangrowth, but it still fulfills an incredible role by itself.

Conclusion

These incredible lower tier Pokémon have taken advantage of what Ubers has to offer and thrived in it. From strong supporters to potent wallbreakers, many Pokémon have succeeded by fulfilling a niche that only they can perform. Ubers has so much room to offer in terms of exploration, and these Pokémon finding their home as viable components of the metagame best shows the creative side of the highest official tier.

HTML by Ryota Mitarai.
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