NU Articuno

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Rabia

Rabia

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GP & NU Leader
[OVERVIEW]

Articuno is a niche utility Pokemon on stall teams thanks to its great special bulk, access to Defog and Heal Bell, and ability to check special wallbreakers like Vanilluxe, Sceptile, and Guzzlord, with Pressure aiding it in stalling out PP of their strong STAB attacks. Thanks to its above average Speed tier, Articuno can outspeed offensive threats like Braviary, Decidueye, and Samurott and threaten them with super effective damage. Unfortunately, a 4x weakness to Stealth Rock restricts Articuno to very specific stall builds that incorporate multiple sources of entry hazard control to support it. This weakness to Stealth Rock also causes Articuno to be an unreliable defensive Pokemon, as it cannot check the Pokemon it is meant to if Stealth Rock is up. Articuno is also quite passive, letting in wallbreakers that don't mind Freeze-Dry such as Incineroar, Diancie, Vikavolt, and Magmortar. Furthermore, sweepers like Comfey, Delphox, and Klinklang can easily set up on Articuno thanks to Freeze-Dry's low damage output.

[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Freeze-Dry
move 2: Roost
move 3: Defog
move 4: Heal Bell
item: Leftovers
ability: Pressure
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 44 SpD / 216 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Freeze-Dry lets Articuno pressure Water-, Ground-, and Grass-types like Seismitoad, Palossand, and Decidueye. Roost allows Articuno to recover health lost to Stealth Rock and consistently check special attackers like Sceptile, Vanilluxe, and Accelgor. Defog enables Articuno to serve as an extra form of entry hazard control on stall builds. Heal Bell makes Articuno a cleric and improves its matchup versus Toxic Vanilluxe.

Set Details
========

216 Speed EVs alongside a Timid nature let Articuno outspeed everything up to maximum Speed Medicham. The remaining EVs go into bulk so that Articuno takes on special attackers more effectively. Leftovers provides Articuno with passive recovery, letting it save Roost's PP for when absolutely necessary. Pressure lets Articuno PP stall powerful moves like Blizzard on Vanilluxe, Fire Blast on Slowking, and Draco Meteor on Alolan Exeggutor.

Usage Tips
========

Articuno should be switched into Pokemon it checks like Slowbro, Sceptile, and Vanilluxe unless Stealth Rock is up, which puts it in 2HKO range of them. When looking to clear entry hazards, it is best to do so when Articuno is up against a passive Pokemon incapable of threatening it like Palossand, Mega Audino, or Blastoise. This also gives Articuno a chance to recover health with Roost. Articuno also is capable of stopping some Stealth Rock setters like Seismitoad and Palossand from successfully setting Stealth Rock in the first place thanks to its high special bulk and passable damage output with Freeze-Dry. Be cautious with Heal Bell's PP; although clearing status from your team is key to outlasting the opponent, its low PP means it is not worth using if only one Pokemon is afflicted by status. Using Roost after taking a strong hit from the likes of Choice Specs Whimsicott and Alolan Exeggutor is imperative so that Articuno can continue defensively checking them.

Team Options
========

Articuno fits best on stall teams, as they can most effectively make up for its defensive shortcomings and support it while also taking advantage of its Heal Bell. Xatu is great to pair with Articuno, being able to pressure Stealth Rock setters into not using Stealth Rock simply with its presence. Other forms of entry hazard control from the likes of Blastoise and Golbat are also effective. Mega Audino is a must on any stall team and supports Articuno well with Wish as well as ability to switch into special Electric- and Fire-types like Heliolisk, Vikavolt, and Delphox. Physically defensive Pokemon like Palossand and Pyukumuku can switch into physical attackers like Passimian, Rhydon, and Medicham. Pyukumuku is also great thanks to its Unaware, which lets it prevent setup sweepers like Incineroar and Klinklang from taking advantage of their solid matchup versus Articuno. In return, Articuno checks Grass-types like Sceptile and Whimsicott while also switching into other special wallbreakers well.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

A Substitute + Toxic set with Leftovers, an EV spread of 248 HP / 44 SpD / 216 Spe, and a Timid nature makes better use of Pressure by stalling moves like Diamond Storm on Diancie and Fire Blast on Magmortar, improves Articuno's matchup against Ice-resistant Pokemon like Incineroar, Delphox, and Thick Fat Miltank, and retains Articuno's defensive utility. Additionally, this set is not limited to stall teams; it can also fit on balance teams that desire Articuno's defensive utility and ability to give defensively inclined teams trouble. Flyinium Z could be used to turn Articuno into a wallbreaker and heavily damage Incineroar as well as other Ice-resistant Pokemon without the risk of missing, but such a set would face heavy competition from Vanilluxe, which is much stronger and has perfectly accurate Blizzard thanks to its Snow Warning.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Fire-types**: Because Articuno must rely on Freeze-Dry for damage, Fire-types like Incineroar, Delphox, and Houndoom are free to set up on it, while Magmortar can switch into Articuno with ease and begin to wallbreak.

**Stealth Rock**: Articuno loses 50% of its maximum health upon switching into Stealth Rock, which greatly limits its effectiveness as a defensive Pokemon.

**Steel-types**: Klinklang easily switches into Articuno's Freeze-Dry and can set up with Shift Gear. Steelix threatens to 2HKO Articuno with Heavy Slam or Gyro Ball and can take advantage of it being forced out by attempting to set Stealth Rock. Silvally-Steel's Multi-Attack and Toxic can pressure Articuno to use Roost and Heal Bell more often than it would like to.

**Physical Wallbreakers**: Although its physical bulk is good, Articuno can still be overpowered by strong physical wallbreakers like Dhelmise, Medicham, and Choice Band Aerodactyl.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Rabia, 336073]]
- Quality checked by: [[quziel, 297859], [Eternally, 295647], [Shadestep, 262983]]
- Grammar checked by: [[CryoGyro, 331519], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
 
Last edited:
Rabia said:
[OVERVIEW]

  • Articuno is a niche utility Pokemon on stall teams thanks to its great special bulk, access to Defog and Heal Bell, and ability to check special wallbreakers like Vanilluxe, Sceptile, and Guzzlord.
  • Thanks to its above average Speed tier, Articuno can outspeed offensive threats like Braviary, Decidueye, and Samurott and pressure threaten them with super effective damage.
  • Unfortunately, a crippling weakness to Stealth Rock forces Articuno onto very specific stall builds that incorporate multiple sources of entry hazard control to support it, making it a difficult Pokemon to fit on teams. This weakness to Stealth Rock also causes Articuno to be an unreliable defensive Pokemon, as it cannot check the Pokemon it is meant to if Stealth Rock are up.
  • Articuno is also quite passive and lets in wallbreakers such as Incineroar, Diancie, Vikavolt, and Magmortar that don't mind Freeze-Dry and can easily muscle by it. Furthermore, setup Pokemon like Comfey, Delphox, and Klinklang can easily set up versus Articuno, as Freeze-Dry's low damage output prevents Articuno from threatening them.

[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Freeze-Dry
move 2: Roost
move 3: Defog
move 4: Heal Bell
item: Leftovers
ability: Pressure
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 44 SpD / 216 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

  • Freeze-Dry lets Articuno pressure Water-, Ground-, and Grass-types like Seismitoad, Palossand, Decidueye.
  • Roost allows Articuno to recover health lost to Stealth Rock and consistently check special attackers like Sceptile, Vanilluxe, and Accelgor.
  • Defog enables Articuno to serve as an extra form of entry hazard control on stall builds.
  • Heal Bell makes it so Articuno can function as a cleric for its team, and it improves Articuno's matchup versus Toxic Vanilluxe.

Set Details
========

  • 216 Speed EVs alongside a Timid nature let Articuno outspeed up to maximum Speed Medicham. The remaining EVs go into bulk so that Articuno takes on special attackers more effectively.
  • Leftovers provides Articuno with passive recovery, letting it save Roost's PP for when absolutely necessary.
  • Pressure lets Articuno stall PP of high Base Power moves like Blizzard on Vanilluxe, Fire Blast on Slowking, and Draco Meteor on Alolan Exeggutor.

Usage Tips
========

  • Articuno should be switched into Pokemon it checks like Slowbro, Sceptile, and Vanilluxe. However, if Stealth Rock are up, it is best to avoid switching directly into strong special attackers, as they are capable of 2HKOing Articuno after Stealth Rock.
  • When looking to clear entry hazards, it is best to do so when Articuno is against a passive Pokemon incapable of threatening it like Palossand, Mega Audino, or Blastoise. This also gives Articuno a chance to recover health with Roost. Additionally, Articuno is capable of stopping some Stealth Rock setters like Seismitoad and Palossand from successfully setting Stealth Rock thanks to its high special bulk and passable damage output with Freeze-Dry.
  • Be cautious with Heal Bell's PP, as although clearing status from your team is key to outsustaining the opponent, its low PP means it is not worthwhile to use if only one Pokemon is afflicted by status.
  • Using Roost after taking a strong hit from the likes of Choice Specs Whimsicott and Alolan Exeggutor is imperative so that Articuno can continue defensively checking them.

Team Options
========

  • Articuno fits best on stall teams, as they can most effectively make up for Articuno's shortcomings defensively and support it while also taking advantage of the support it provides via Heal Bell.
  • Xatu is great to pair alongside Articuno, being able to pressure opposing Stealth Rock setters into not using Stealth Rock simply with its presence. Other forms of entry hazard control from the likes of Blastoise and Golbat are also effective.
  • Mega Audino is a must on any stall team and supports Articuno well with Wish and can switch into special attacking Electric- and Fire-types like Heliolisk, Vikavolt, and Delphox for Articuno.
  • Physically defensive Pokemon like Palossand and Pyukumuku can switch into physical attackers like Passimian, Rhydon, and Medicham. Pyukumuku is also great thanks to its ability Unaware, which lets it prevent setup sweepers like Incineroar and Klinklang from taking advantage of their solid matchup versus Articuno. In return, Articuno checks Grass-types like Sceptile and Whimsicott effectively while also switching into other special wallbreakers well.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

  • A Substitute + Toxic set with Leftovers, an EV spread of 248 HP / 44 SpD / 216 Spe, and a Timid nature makes better use of Pressure, improves Articuno's matchup against Ice-resistant Pokemon like Incineroar, Delphox, and Thick Fat Miltank, and retains Articuno's defensive utility. Note this set can sorta fit on balance, unlike the heal bell set.
  • Choice Specs could be used to turn Articuno into a wallbreaker, but such a set would face heavy competition from Vanilluxe, which is much stronger and has 100% accurate Blizzard thanks to its ability Snow Warning.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Fire-types**: Because Articuno must rely on Freeze-Dry for damage, Fire-types like Incineroar, Delphox, and Houndoom and take advantage of Articuno's passivity and set up on it, while Magmortar can switch into Articuno with ease and begin to wallbreak.

**Stealth Rock**: Articuno's 4x weakness to Stealth Rock forces it to lose 50% of its maximum health upon switching into Stealth Rock, greatly limiting its effectiveness as a defensive Pokemon.

**Steel-types**: Klinklang easily switches into Freeze-Dry from Articuno and can set up with Shift Gear. Steelix threatens to 2HKO Articuno with either Heavy Slam or Gyro Ball and can take advantage of it being forced out by attempting to set Stealth Rock. Silvally-Steel can pressure Articuno to use Roost and Heal Bell more often than it would like to thanks to Multi-Attack's adequate damage output combined with Toxic.

**Physical Wallbreakers**: Although its physical bulk is good, Articuno can still be overpowered by strong physical wallbreakers like Dhelmise, Medicham, and Choice Band Aerodactyl.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Rabia, 336073]]
- Quality checked by: [[, ], [, ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
Click to expand...

Good job, 1/3
 
the only thing missing in this analysis is a bigger emphasis on Pressure as it's a pretty big deal in outstalling certain Pokemon. Mention it in the overview and in the OO where you talk about the Sub Toxic set.

good work, QC 3/3
 
GP 1/2
[OVERVIEW]

Articuno is a niche utility Pokemon on stall teams thanks to its great special bulk, access to Defog and Heal Bell, and ability to check special wallbreakers like Vanilluxe, Sceptile, and Guzzlord, with Pressure aiding it in stalling out PP of their strong STAB attacks. Thanks to its above average Speed tier, Articuno can outspeed offensive threats like Braviary, Decidueye, and Samurott and threaten them with super effective damage. Unfortunately, a crippling 4x weakness to Stealth Rock forces restricts Articuno onto very specific stall builds that incorporate multiple sources of entry hazard control to support it, making it a difficult Pokemon to fit on teams. This weakness to Stealth Rock also causes Articuno to be an unreliable defensive Pokemon, as it cannot check the Pokemon it is meant to if Stealth Rock are is up. Articuno is also quite passive, (comma) letting and lets in wallbreakers that don't mind Freeze-Dry such as Incineroar, Diancie, Vikavolt, and Magmortar that don't mind Freeze-Dry and can easily muscle by it. Furthermore, setup Pokemon sweepers like Comfey, Delphox, and Klinklang can easily set up versus on Articuno, (comma) as thanks to Freeze-Dry's low damage output prevents Articuno from threatening them.

[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Freeze-Dry
move 2: Roost
move 3: Defog
move 4: Heal Bell
item: Leftovers
ability: Pressure
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 44 SpD / 216 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Freeze-Dry lets Articuno pressure Water-, Ground-, and Grass-types like Seismitoad, Palossand, and Decidueye. Roost allows Articuno to recover health lost to Stealth Rock and consistently check special attackers like Sceptile, Vanilluxe, and Accelgor. Defog enables Articuno to serve as an extra form of entry hazard control on stall builds. Heal Bell makes it so Articuno can function as a cleric for its team, and it improves Articuno's matchup versus Toxic Vanilluxe.

Set Details
========

216 Speed EVs alongside a Timid nature let Articuno outspeed up to maximum Speed Medicham. The remaining EVs go into bulk so that Articuno takes on special attackers more effectively. Leftovers provides Articuno with passive recovery, letting it save Roost's PP for when absolutely necessary. Pressure lets Articuno PP stall PP of high Base Power powerful moves like Blizzard on Vanilluxe, Fire Blast on Slowking, and Draco Meteor on Alolan Exeggutor.

Usage Tips
========

Articuno should be switched into Pokemon it checks like Slowbro, Sceptile, and Vanilluxe unless Stealth Rock is up, which puts it in 2HKO range of them. However, if Stealth Rock are up, it is best to avoid switching directly into strong special attackers, as they are capable of 2HKOing Articuno after Stealth Rock. When looking to clear entry hazards, it is best to do so when Articuno is against a passive Pokemon incapable of threatening it like Palossand, Mega Audino, or Blastoise. This also gives Articuno a chance to recover health with Roost. Additionally, Articuno is capable of stopping some Stealth Rock setters like Seismitoad and Palossand from successfully setting Stealth Rock in the first place thanks to its high special bulk and passable damage output with Freeze-Dry. Be cautious with Heal Bell's PP,; (semi) as although clearing status from your team is key to outsustaining outlasting the opponent, its low PP means it is not worthwhile to use worth using if only one Pokemon is afflicted by status. Using Roost after taking a strong hit from the likes of Choice Specs Whimsicott and Alolan Exeggutor is imperative so that Articuno can continue defensively checking them.

Team Options
========

Articuno fits best on stall teams, as they can most effectively make up for Articuno's defensive shortcomings defensively and support it while also taking advantage of the support it provides via its Heal Bell. Xatu is great to pair alongside with Articuno, being able to pressure opposing Stealth Rock setters into not using Stealth Rock simply with its presence. Other forms of entry hazard control from the likes of Blastoise and Golbat are also effective. Mega Audino is a must on any stall team and supports Articuno well with Wish and can as well as ability to switch into special attacking Electric- and Fire-types like Heliolisk, Vikavolt, and Delphox for Articuno. Physically defensive Pokemon like Palossand and Pyukumuku can switch into physical attackers like Passimian, Rhydon, and Medicham. Pyukumuku is also great thanks to its ability Unaware, which lets it prevent setup sweepers like Incineroar and Klinklang from taking advantage of their solid matchup versus Articuno. In return, Articuno checks Grass-types like Sceptile and Whimsicott effectively while also switching into other special wallbreakers well.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

A Substitute + Toxic set with Leftovers, an EV spread of 248 HP / 44 SpD / 216 Spe, and a Timid nature makes better use of Pressure by stalling moves like Diamond Storm on Diancie and Fire Blast on Magmortar, improves Articuno's matchup against Ice-resistant Pokemon like Incineroar, Delphox, and Thick Fat Miltank, and retains Articuno's defensive utility. Additionally, this set is not limited to stall teams; it can also fit on balanced teams that desire Articuno's defensive utility and ability to give defensively inclined teams trouble. Flyinium Z could be used to turn Articuno into a wallbreaker and lets Articuno heavily damage Incineroar as well as other Flying Ice-resistant Pokemon without the risk of missing, but such a set would face heavy competition from Vanilluxe, which is much stronger and has 100% perfectly accurate Blizzard thanks to its ability Snow Warning.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Fire-types**: Because Articuno must rely on Freeze-Dry for damage, Fire-types like Incineroar, Delphox, and Houndoom and take advantage of Articuno's passivity and are free to set up on it, while Magmortar can switch into Articuno with ease and begin to wallbreak.

**Stealth Rock**: Articuno's 4x weakness to Stealth Rock forces it to loses 50% of its maximum health upon switching into Stealth Rock, greatly limiting its effectiveness as a defensive Pokemon.

**Steel-types**: Klinklang easily switches into Articuno's Freeze-Dry from Articuno and can set up with Shift Gear. Steelix threatens to 2HKO Articuno with either Heavy Slam or Gyro Ball and can take advantage of it being forced out by attempting to set Stealth Rock. Silvally-Steel's Multi-Attack and Toxic can pressure Articuno to use Roost and Heal Bell more often than it would like to thanks to Multi-Attack's adequate damage output combined with Toxic.

**Physical Wallbreakers**: Although its physical bulk is good, Articuno can still be overpowered by strong physical wallbreakers like Dhelmise, Medicham, and Choice Band Aerodactyl.
 
Last edited:
CryoGyro said:
GP 1/2
[OVERVIEW]

Articuno is a niche utility Pokemon on stall teams thanks to its great special bulk, access to Defog and Heal Bell, and ability to check special wallbreakers like Vanilluxe, Sceptile, and Guzzlord, with Pressure aiding it in stalling out PP of their strong STAB attacks. Thanks to its above average Speed tier, Articuno can outspeed offensive threats like Braviary, Decidueye, and Samurott and threaten them with super effective damage. Unfortunately, a crippling 4x weakness to Stealth Rock forces restricts Articuno onto very specific stall builds that incorporate multiple sources of entry hazard control to support it, making it a difficult Pokemon to fit on teams. This weakness to Stealth Rock also causes Articuno to be an unreliable defensive Pokemon, as it cannot check the Pokemon it is meant to if Stealth Rock are is up. Articuno is also quite passive, (comma) letting and lets in wallbreakers that don't mind Freeze-Dry such as Incineroar, Diancie, Vikavolt, and Magmortar that don't mind Freeze-Dry and can easily muscle by it. Furthermore, setup Pokemon sweepers like Comfey, Delphox, and Klinklang can easily set up versus on Articuno, (comma) as thanks to Freeze-Dry's low damage output prevents Articuno from threatening them.

[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Freeze-Dry
move 2: Roost
move 3: Defog
move 4: Heal Bell
item: Leftovers
ability: Pressure
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 44 SpD / 216 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Freeze-Dry lets Articuno pressure Water-, Ground-, and Grass-types like Seismitoad, Palossand, and Decidueye. Roost allows Articuno to recover health lost to Stealth Rock and consistently check special attackers like Sceptile, Vanilluxe, and Accelgor. Defog enables Articuno to serve as an extra form of entry hazard control on stall builds. Heal Bell makes it so Articuno can function as a cleric for its team, and it improves Articuno's matchup versus Toxic Vanilluxe.

Set Details
========

216 Speed EVs alongside a Timid nature let Articuno outspeed up to maximum Speed Medicham. The remaining EVs go into bulk so that Articuno takes on special attackers more effectively. Leftovers provides Articuno with passive recovery, letting it save Roost's PP for when absolutely necessary. Pressure lets Articuno PP stall PP of high Base Power powerful moves like Blizzard on Vanilluxe, Fire Blast on Slowking, and Draco Meteor on Alolan Exeggutor.

Usage Tips
========

Articuno should be switched into Pokemon it checks like Slowbro, Sceptile, and Vanilluxe unless Stealth Rock is up, which puts it in 2HKO range of them. However, if Stealth Rock are up, it is best to avoid switching directly into strong special attackers, as they are capable of 2HKOing Articuno after Stealth Rock. When looking to clear entry hazards, it is best to do so when Articuno is against a passive Pokemon incapable of threatening it like Palossand, Mega Audino, or Blastoise. This also gives Articuno a chance to recover health with Roost. Additionally, Articuno is capable of stopping some Stealth Rock setters like Seismitoad and Palossand from successfully setting Stealth Rock in the first place thanks to its high special bulk and passable damage output with Freeze-Dry. Be cautious with Heal Bell's PP,; (semi) as although clearing status from your team is key to outsustaining outlasting the opponent, its low PP means it is not worthwhile to use worth using if only one Pokemon is afflicted by status. Using Roost after taking a strong hit from the likes of Choice Specs Whimsicott and Alolan Exeggutor is imperative so that Articuno can continue defensively checking them.

Team Options
========

Articuno fits best on stall teams, as they can most effectively make up for Articuno's defensive shortcomings defensively and support it while also taking advantage of the support it provides via its Heal Bell. Xatu is great to pair alongside with Articuno, being able to pressure opposing Stealth Rock setters into not using Stealth Rock simply with its presence. Other forms of entry hazard control from the likes of Blastoise and Golbat are also effective. Mega Audino is a must on any stall team and supports Articuno well with Wish and can as well as ability to switch into special attacking Electric- and Fire-types like Heliolisk, Vikavolt, and Delphox for Articuno. Physically defensive Pokemon like Palossand and Pyukumuku can switch into physical attackers like Passimian, Rhydon, and Medicham. Pyukumuku is also great thanks to its ability Unaware, which lets it prevent setup sweepers like Incineroar and Klinklang from taking advantage of their solid matchup versus Articuno. In return, Articuno checks Grass-types like Sceptile and Whimsicott effectively while also switching into other special wallbreakers well.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

A Substitute + Toxic set with Leftovers, an EV spread of 248 HP / 44 SpD / 216 Spe, and a Timid nature makes better use of Pressure by stalling moves like Diamond Storm on Diancie and Fire Blast on Magmortar, improves Articuno's matchup against Ice-resistant Pokemon like Incineroar, Delphox, and Thick Fat Miltank, and retains Articuno's defensive utility. Additionally, this set is not limited to stall teams; it can also fit on balanced teams that desire Articuno's defensive utility and ability to give defensively inclined teams trouble. Flyinium Z could be used to turn Articuno into a wallbreaker and lets Articuno heavily damage Incineroar as well as other Flying Ice-resistant Pokemon without the risk of missing, but such a set would face heavy competition from Vanilluxe, which is much stronger and has 100% perfectly accurate Blizzard thanks to its ability Snow Warning.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Fire-types**: Because Articuno must rely on Freeze-Dry for damage, Fire-types like Incineroar, Delphox, and Houndoom and take advantage of Articuno's passivity and are free to set up on it, while Magmortar can switch into Articuno with ease and begin to wallbreak.

**Stealth Rock**: Articuno's 4x weakness to Stealth Rock forces it to loses 50% of its maximum health upon switching into Stealth Rock, greatly limiting its effectiveness as a defensive Pokemon.

**Steel-types**: Klinklang easily switches into Articuno's Freeze-Dry from Articuno and can set up with Shift Gear. Steelix threatens to 2HKO Articuno with either Heavy Slam or Gyro Ball and can take advantage of it being forced out by attempting to set Stealth Rock. Silvally-Steel's Multi-Attack and Toxic can pressure Articuno to use Roost and Heal Bell more often than it would like to thanks to Multi-Attack's adequate damage output combined with Toxic.

**Physical Wallbreakers**: Although its physical bulk is good, Articuno can still be overpowered by strong physical wallbreakers like Dhelmise, Medicham, and Choice Band Aerodactyl.
Click to expand...
did, ready for gp 2/2 :]
 
remove add / fix (comments); (AC=add comma; RC=remove comma; SC=semicolon)
GP 2/2
[OVERVIEW]

Articuno is a niche utility Pokemon on stall teams thanks to its great special bulk, access to Defog and Heal Bell, and ability to check special wallbreakers like Vanilluxe, Sceptile, and Guzzlord, with Pressure aiding it in stalling out PP of their strong STAB attacks. Thanks to its above average Speed tier, Articuno can outspeed offensive threats like Braviary, Decidueye, and Samurott and threaten them with super effective damage. Unfortunately, a 4x weakness to Stealth Rock restricts Articuno to very specific stall builds that incorporate multiple sources of entry hazard control to support it. This weakness to Stealth Rock also causes Articuno to be an unreliable defensive Pokemon, as it cannot check the Pokemon it is meant to if Stealth Rock is up. Articuno is also quite passive, letting in wallbreakers that don't mind Freeze-Dry such as Incineroar, Diancie, Vikavolt, and Magmortar. Furthermore, sweepers like Comfey, Delphox, and Klinklang can easily set up on Articuno thanks to Freeze-Dry's low damage output.

[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Freeze-Dry
move 2: Roost
move 3: Defog
move 4: Heal Bell
item: Leftovers
ability: Pressure
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 44 SpD / 216 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Freeze-Dry lets Articuno pressure Water-, Ground-, and Grass-types like Seismitoad, Palossand, and Decidueye. Roost allows Articuno to recover health lost to Stealth Rock and consistently check special attackers like Sceptile, Vanilluxe, and Accelgor. Defog enables Articuno to serve as an extra form of entry hazard control on stall builds. Heal Bell makes Articuno a cleric and improves Articuno's its matchup versus Toxic Vanilluxe.

Set Details
========

216 Speed EVs alongside a Timid nature let Articuno outspeed everything up to maximum Speed Medicham. The remaining EVs go into bulk so that Articuno takes on special attackers more effectively. Leftovers provides Articuno with passive recovery, letting it save Roost's PP for when absolutely necessary. Pressure lets Articuno PP stall powerful moves like Blizzard on Vanilluxe, Fire Blast on Slowking, and Draco Meteor on Alolan Exeggutor.

Usage Tips
========

Articuno should be switched into Pokemon it checks like Slowbro, Sceptile, and Vanilluxe unless Stealth Rock is up, which puts it in 2HKO range of them. When looking to clear entry hazards, it is best to do so when Articuno is up against a passive Pokemon incapable of threatening it like Palossand, Mega Audino, or Blastoise. This also gives Articuno a chance to recover health with Roost. Articuno also is capable of stopping some Stealth Rock setters like Seismitoad and Palossand from successfully setting Stealth Rock in the first place thanks to its high special bulk and passable damage output with Freeze-Dry. Be cautious with Heal Bell's PP; although clearing status from your team is key to outlasting the opponent, its low PP means it is not worth using if only one Pokemon is afflicted by status. Using Roost after taking a strong hit from the likes of Choice Specs Whimsicott and Alolan Exeggutor is imperative so that Articuno can continue defensively checking them.

Team Options
========

Articuno fits best on stall teams, as they can most effectively make up for Articuno's its defensive shortcomings and support it while also taking advantage of its Heal Bell. Xatu is great to pair with Articuno, being able to pressure Stealth Rock setters into not using Stealth Rock simply with its presence. Other forms of entry hazard control from the likes of Blastoise and Golbat are also effective. Mega Audino is a must on any stall team and supports Articuno well with Wish as well as ability to switch into special Electric- and Fire-types like Heliolisk, Vikavolt, and Delphox. Physically defensive Pokemon like Palossand and Pyukumuku can switch into physical attackers like Passimian, Rhydon, and Medicham. Pyukumuku is also great thanks to its Unaware, which lets it prevent setup sweepers like Incineroar and Klinklang from taking advantage of their solid matchup versus Articuno. In return, Articuno checks Grass-types like Sceptile and Whimsicott while also switching into other special wallbreakers well.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

A Substitute + Toxic set with Leftovers, an EV spread of 248 HP / 44 SpD / 216 Spe, and a Timid nature makes better use of Pressure by stalling moves like Diamond Storm on Diancie and Fire Blast on Magmortar, improves Articuno's matchup against Ice-resistant Pokemon like Incineroar, Delphox, and Thick Fat Miltank, and retains Articuno's defensive utility. Additionally, this set is not limited to stall teams; it can also fit on balance teams that desire Articuno's defensive utility and ability to give defensively inclined teams trouble. Flyinium Z could be used to turn Articuno into a wallbreaker and heavily damage Incineroar as well as other Ice-resistant Pokemon without the risk of missing, but such a set would face heavy competition from Vanilluxe, which is much stronger and has perfectly accurate Blizzard thanks to its Snow Warning.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Fire-types**: Because Articuno must rely on Freeze-Dry for damage, Fire-types like Incineroar, Delphox, and Houndoom are free to set up on it, while Magmortar can switch into Articuno with ease and begin to wallbreak.

**Stealth Rock**: Articuno loses 50% of its maximum health upon switching into Stealth Rock, which greatly limiting limits its effectiveness as a defensive Pokemon.

**Steel-types**: Klinklang easily switches into Articuno's Freeze-Dry and can set up with Shift Gear. Steelix threatens to 2HKO Articuno with Heavy Slam or Gyro Ball and can take advantage of it being forced out by attempting to set Stealth Rock. Silvally-Steel's Multi-Attack and Toxic can pressure Articuno to use Roost and Heal Bell more often than it would like to.

**Physical Wallbreakers**: Although its physical bulk is good, Articuno can still be overpowered by strong physical wallbreakers like Dhelmise, Medicham, and Choice Band Aerodactyl.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Rabia, 336073]]
- Quality checked by: [[quziel, 297859], [Eternally, 295647], [Shadestep, 262983]]
- Grammar checked by: [[CryoGyro, 331519], [, ]]
 
The Dutch Plumberjack said:
remove add / fix (comments); (AC=add comma; RC=remove comma; SC=semicolon)
GP 2/2
[OVERVIEW]

Articuno is a niche utility Pokemon on stall teams thanks to its great special bulk, access to Defog and Heal Bell, and ability to check special wallbreakers like Vanilluxe, Sceptile, and Guzzlord, with Pressure aiding it in stalling out PP of their strong STAB attacks. Thanks to its above average Speed tier, Articuno can outspeed offensive threats like Braviary, Decidueye, and Samurott and threaten them with super effective damage. Unfortunately, a 4x weakness to Stealth Rock restricts Articuno to very specific stall builds that incorporate multiple sources of entry hazard control to support it. This weakness to Stealth Rock also causes Articuno to be an unreliable defensive Pokemon, as it cannot check the Pokemon it is meant to if Stealth Rock is up. Articuno is also quite passive, letting in wallbreakers that don't mind Freeze-Dry such as Incineroar, Diancie, Vikavolt, and Magmortar. Furthermore, sweepers like Comfey, Delphox, and Klinklang can easily set up on Articuno thanks to Freeze-Dry's low damage output.

[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Freeze-Dry
move 2: Roost
move 3: Defog
move 4: Heal Bell
item: Leftovers
ability: Pressure
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 44 SpD / 216 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Freeze-Dry lets Articuno pressure Water-, Ground-, and Grass-types like Seismitoad, Palossand, and Decidueye. Roost allows Articuno to recover health lost to Stealth Rock and consistently check special attackers like Sceptile, Vanilluxe, and Accelgor. Defog enables Articuno to serve as an extra form of entry hazard control on stall builds. Heal Bell makes Articuno a cleric and improves Articuno's its matchup versus Toxic Vanilluxe.

Set Details
========

216 Speed EVs alongside a Timid nature let Articuno outspeed everything up to maximum Speed Medicham. The remaining EVs go into bulk so that Articuno takes on special attackers more effectively. Leftovers provides Articuno with passive recovery, letting it save Roost's PP for when absolutely necessary. Pressure lets Articuno PP stall powerful moves like Blizzard on Vanilluxe, Fire Blast on Slowking, and Draco Meteor on Alolan Exeggutor.

Usage Tips
========

Articuno should be switched into Pokemon it checks like Slowbro, Sceptile, and Vanilluxe unless Stealth Rock is up, which puts it in 2HKO range of them. When looking to clear entry hazards, it is best to do so when Articuno is up against a passive Pokemon incapable of threatening it like Palossand, Mega Audino, or Blastoise. This also gives Articuno a chance to recover health with Roost. Articuno also is capable of stopping some Stealth Rock setters like Seismitoad and Palossand from successfully setting Stealth Rock in the first place thanks to its high special bulk and passable damage output with Freeze-Dry. Be cautious with Heal Bell's PP; although clearing status from your team is key to outlasting the opponent, its low PP means it is not worth using if only one Pokemon is afflicted by status. Using Roost after taking a strong hit from the likes of Choice Specs Whimsicott and Alolan Exeggutor is imperative so that Articuno can continue defensively checking them.

Team Options
========

Articuno fits best on stall teams, as they can most effectively make up for Articuno's its defensive shortcomings and support it while also taking advantage of its Heal Bell. Xatu is great to pair with Articuno, being able to pressure Stealth Rock setters into not using Stealth Rock simply with its presence. Other forms of entry hazard control from the likes of Blastoise and Golbat are also effective. Mega Audino is a must on any stall team and supports Articuno well with Wish as well as ability to switch into special Electric- and Fire-types like Heliolisk, Vikavolt, and Delphox. Physically defensive Pokemon like Palossand and Pyukumuku can switch into physical attackers like Passimian, Rhydon, and Medicham. Pyukumuku is also great thanks to its Unaware, which lets it prevent setup sweepers like Incineroar and Klinklang from taking advantage of their solid matchup versus Articuno. In return, Articuno checks Grass-types like Sceptile and Whimsicott while also switching into other special wallbreakers well.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

A Substitute + Toxic set with Leftovers, an EV spread of 248 HP / 44 SpD / 216 Spe, and a Timid nature makes better use of Pressure by stalling moves like Diamond Storm on Diancie and Fire Blast on Magmortar, improves Articuno's matchup against Ice-resistant Pokemon like Incineroar, Delphox, and Thick Fat Miltank, and retains Articuno's defensive utility. Additionally, this set is not limited to stall teams; it can also fit on balance teams that desire Articuno's defensive utility and ability to give defensively inclined teams trouble. Flyinium Z could be used to turn Articuno into a wallbreaker and heavily damage Incineroar as well as other Ice-resistant Pokemon without the risk of missing, but such a set would face heavy competition from Vanilluxe, which is much stronger and has perfectly accurate Blizzard thanks to its Snow Warning.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Fire-types**: Because Articuno must rely on Freeze-Dry for damage, Fire-types like Incineroar, Delphox, and Houndoom are free to set up on it, while Magmortar can switch into Articuno with ease and begin to wallbreak.

**Stealth Rock**: Articuno loses 50% of its maximum health upon switching into Stealth Rock, which greatly limiting limits its effectiveness as a defensive Pokemon.

**Steel-types**: Klinklang easily switches into Articuno's Freeze-Dry and can set up with Shift Gear. Steelix threatens to 2HKO Articuno with Heavy Slam or Gyro Ball and can take advantage of it being forced out by attempting to set Stealth Rock. Silvally-Steel's Multi-Attack and Toxic can pressure Articuno to use Roost and Heal Bell more often than it would like to.

**Physical Wallbreakers**: Although its physical bulk is good, Articuno can still be overpowered by strong physical wallbreakers like Dhelmise, Medicham, and Choice Band Aerodactyl.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Rabia, 336073]]
- Quality checked by: [[quziel, 297859], [Eternally, 295647], [Shadestep, 262983]]
- Grammar checked by: [[CryoGyro, 331519], [, ]]
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