Lower Tiers BW Sub-Zero Used Discussion + Resources

[missangelic]

Approved by Monai and the BW mod team

Image credit: kodama for the Pokemon TCG - Darkness Ablaze
BW SU Discussion + Resources Thread​

This thread hosts resources for and discussion of BW Sub-Zero Used (SU), the lowest unofficial tier on Smogon. BW SU saw early speculation during the creation of new resource for SU old gens in 2022 and 2023, and a tierlist was established based on ZU tournament usage. Since then, the SU Discord has hosted tournaments, scheduled roomtours, matchmaking, and discussion of BW SU and the new trends that have emerged as we've adjusted the tierlist over time. Now, we're happy to share our tier's resources and discuss more directly on Smogon!

Pokemon tiered as ZU

Pokemon are tiered as ZU based on BW ZU tournament usage, where >3.41% cumulative usage in all of ZUPL IV-VI, Olympiad I-II, Classic V-VI, and BWPL II-III.

Arbok, Bibarel, Clefairy, Emolga, Frillish, Glaceon, Grumpig, Hippopotas, Ivysaur, Kingler, Lairon, Leafeon, Meganium, Mienfoo, Mr. Mime, Muk, Pawniard, Pelipper, Persian, Pikachu, Raichu, Shlegon, Simisear, Slaking, Solrock, Staryu, Vibrava, Walrein, Whiscash, Wormadam-Trash

Pokemon tiered as ZUBL, PU, and above are also not allowed in SU.

SUBL

SU has its own banlist for Pokemon and other metagame elements. This includes:
Butterfree, Dustox, Heat Rock, Mothim, Munchlax, Raticate

Sleep moves, Arena Trap, Drought, and Shadow Tag are also disallowed

Viability Rankings

Last update: June 25th, 2025
Pokemon's names lead to links of their sample sets, though these are still being updated!

S Ranks

S

Luxray
S-

Fearow

A Ranks

A+

Chimecho

Gloom

Lopunny

Phione

Pignite

Vanilluxe
A

Granbull

Hypno

Magmar

Plusle

A-

Budew

Corsola

Croconaw

Eelektrik

Graveler

Leavanny

Lickitung

Lunatone

Pupitar

Seviper

Sudowoodo

Swalot

Wormadam-Sandy

B Ranks

B+

Abra

Dewgong

Drilbur

Dunsparce

Girafarig

Lampent

Masquerain

Seaking

Shelmet

Stantler

Vullaby

B

Archen

Beartic

Bellossom

Gastly

Grotle

Lumineon

Marshtomp

Mightyena

Octillery

Onix

Palpitoad

Wailord

B-

Beautifly

Beedrill

Exploud

Grovyle

Heatmor

Illumise

Kecleon

Lileep

Magcargo

Porygon

Sandshrew

Seadra

Squirtle

Togetic

C Ranks

C+

Anorith

Chinchou

Furret

Mankey

Meditite

Pineco

Servine

C

Duskull

Flareon

Venipede

C-

Baltoy

Carnivine

Cranidos

Noctowl

Prinplup

Slowpoke

Solosis

Weepinbell

VR Visual

Last update: June 25th, 2025

Personal VR Tool

Challenge Command

Use this challenge command to play on Pokemon Showdown!
/challenge gen5zu @@@ -Arbok, -Bibarel, -Butterfree, -Clefairy, -Emolga, -Frillish, -Glaceon, -Grumpig, -Hippopotas, -Ivysaur, -Kingler, -Lairon, -Leafeon, -Meganium, -Mienfoo, -Mr. Mime, -Muk, -Pawniard, -Pelipper, -Persian, -Pikachu, -Raichu, -Shelgon, -Simisear, -Slaking, -Solrock, -Staryu, -Vibrava, -Walrein, -Whiscash, -Wormadam-Trash, +Damp Rock, -Butterfree, -Dustox, -Heat Rock, -Mothim, -Munchlax, -Raticate

Sample Teams

Sudowoodo HO by EternumTagerMain
Chimecho Screens by missangelic
Rain by missangelic
Marshtomp Offense by sleid
Mighty Deer Offense by Fastwalker22
Pizza Party Volt-turn by missangelic
Double Eelectric Volt-turn by Fastwalker22
Choice Hazard Stack by Aides
Spikes BO by Fastwalker22
Serpents BO by Zpice
Choice Luxlluxe BO by Zpice
Beach Bunny by missangelic
BU Granbull by missangelic
Gloomtar by sleid
Magmar Hazard Stack by missangelic
Lickitung Hazard Stack by missangelic
Sandshrew Fat Spikes by sleid
"Lillith Stall" by Zpice

Council: missangelic (SU leader), sleid, Zpice, Aides, Fastwalker22, Gerrychu29, Valerie

 

[missangelic]

Additional resources​

Speed Tiers

Tier 0: 400 and above​

Speed​	Sprites​	Pokemon​	Base​	Nature​	EVs​	IVs​	Boosts​
634​	​	Grovyle​	95​	Positive​	252​	31​	+2​
634​	​	Vanilluxe​	79​	Positive​	252​	31​	+1(+1)​
622​	​	Leavanny​	92​	Positive​	252​	31​	+2​
618​	​	Lumineon​	91​	Positive​	252​	31​	+2​
590​	​	Girafarig, Seadra​	85​	Positive​	252​	31​	+2​
578​	​	Grovyle​	95​	Neutral​	252​	31​	+2​
577​	​	Vanilluxe​	79​	Neutral​	252​	31​	+1(+1)​
566​	​	Leavanny​	92​	Neutral​	252​	31​	+2​
564​	​	Vanilluxe​	79​	Positive​	252​	31​	+2​
562​	​	Lumineon​	91​	Neutral​	252​	31​	+2​
538​	​	Girafarig, Seadra​	85​	Positive​	252​	31​	+2​
524​	​	Lunatone​	70​	Positive​	252​	31​	+2​
516​	​	Seaking​	68​	Positive​	252​	31​	+2​
514​	​	Vanilluxe​	79​	Neutral​	252​	31​	+2​
502​	​	Beautifly​	65​	Positive​	252​	31​	+2​
492​	​	Fearow​	100​	Positive​	252​	31​	+1​
480​	​	Masquerain​	60​	Positive​	252​	31​	+2​
478​	​	Lunatone​	70​	Neutral​	252​	31​	+2​
475​	​	Plusle​	95​	Positive​	252​	31​	+1​
472​	​	Croconaw​	58​	Positive​	252​	31​	+2​
470​	​	Seaking​	68​	Neutral​	252​	31​	+2​
469​	​	Magmar​	93​	Positive​	252​	31​	+1​
466​	​	Leavanny​	92​	Positive​	252​	31​	+1​
459​	​	Furret​	90​	Positive​	252​	31​	+1​
458​	​	Weepinbell​	55​	Positive​	252​	31​	+2​
442​	​	Girafarig, Stantler​	85​	Positive​	252​	31​	+1​
442​	​	Pupitar​	51​	Positive​	252​	31​	+2​
436​	​	Beartic, Bellossom​	50​	Positive​	252​	31​	+2​
430​	​	Croconaw​	58​	Neutral​	252​	31​	+2​
426​	​	Gastly / Phione​	80​	Positive​	252​	31​	+1​
423​	​	Vanilluxe​	79​	Positive​	252​	31​	+1​
418​	​	Weepinbell​	55​	Neutral​	252​	31​	+2​
412​	​	Girafarig​	85​	Neutral​	0​	31​	+2​
409​	​	Beedrill​	75​	Positive​	252​	31​	+1​
402​	​	Pupitar​	51​	Neutral​	252​	31​	+2​

Tier 1: 300 - 399​

Speed​	Sprites​	Pokemon​	Base​	Nature​	EVs​	IVs​	Boosts​
398​	​	Beartic, Bellossom​	50​	Neutral​	252​	31​	+2​
393​	​	Luxray, Mankey, Mightyena​	70​	Positive​	252​	31​	+1​
392​	​	Gloom, Porygon​	40​	Positive​	252​	31​	+2​
387​	​	Exploud​	68​	Positive​	252​	31​	+1​
385​	​	Vanilluxe​	79​	Neutral​	252​	31​	+1​
384​	​	Hypno​	67​	Positive​	252​	31​	+1​
376​	​	Beautifly, Chimecho, Falreon, Heatmor, Seviper​	65​	Positive​	252​	31​	+1​
360​	​	Masquerain, Meditite, Wailord​	60​	Positive​	252​	31​	+1​
358​	​	Gloom, Porygon​	40​	Neutral​	252​	31​	+2​
354​	​	Cranidos, Croconaw​	58​	Positive​	252​	31​	+1​
348​	​	Exploud​	68​	Neutral​	252​	31​	+1​
348​	​	Magcargo, Sudowoodo​	30​	Positive​	252​	31​	+2​
343​	​	Lampent, Pignite​	55​	Positive​	252​	31​	+1​
339​	​	Lopunny​	105​	Positive​	252​	31​	0​
331​	​	Pupitar​	51​	Positive​	252​	31​	+1​
328​	​	Fearow​	100​	Positive​	252​	31​	0​
322​	​	Croconaw​	58​	Neutral​	252​	31​	+1​
318​	​	Magcargo, Sudowoodo​	30​	Neutral​	252​	31​	+2​
317​	​	Grovyle, Plusle​	95​	Positive​	252​	31​	0​
311​	​	Leavanny​	92​	Positive​	252​	31​	0​
309​	​	Lumineon​	91​	Positive​	252​	31​	0​
306​	​	Abra, Furret​	90​	Positive​	252​	31​	0​
301​	​	Pupitar​	51​	Neutral​	252​	31​	+1​

Tier 2: 200 - 299​

Speed​	Sprites​	Pokemon​	Base​	Nature​	EVs​	IVs​	Boosts​
295​	​	Girafarig, Seadra, Stantler​	85​	Positive​	252​	31​	0​
291​	​	Servine​	83​	Positive​	252​	31​	0​
289​	​	Grovyle​	95​	Neutral​	252​	31​	0​
284​	​	Gastly, Phione​	80​	Positive​	252​	31​	0​
283​	​	Leavanny​	92​	Neutral​	252​	31​	0​
282​	​	Vanilluxe​	79​	Positive​	252​	31​	0​
281​	​	Lumineon​	91​	Neutral​	252​	31​	0​
273​	​	Anorith, Beedrill​	75​	Positive​	252​	31​	0​
269​	​	Girafarig, Seadra​	85​	Neutral​	252​	31​	0​
262​	​	Archen, Dewgong, Lunatone, Luxray, Mankey, Mightyena, Noctowl, Onix​	70​	Positive​	252​	31​	0​
258​	​	Drilbur, Exploud, Seaking​	68​	Positive​	252​	31​	0​
257​	​	Vanilluxe​	79​	Neutral​	252​	31​	0​
256​	​	Hypno​	67​	Positive​	252​	31​	0​
251​	​	Beautifly, Chimecho, Flareon, Heatmor, Seviper​	65​	Positive​	252​	31​	0​
240​	​	Masquerain, Meditite, Wailord​	60​	Positive​	252​	31​	0​
239​	​	Dewgong, Lunatone, Luxray, Mightyena​	70​	Neutral​	252​	31​	0​
236​	​	Cranidos, Croconaw​	58​	Positive​	252​	31​	0​
235​	​	Drilbur, Exploud, Seaking​	68​	Neutral​	252​	31​	0​
234​	​	Venipede​	57​	Positive​	252​	31​	0​
233​	​	Hypno​	67​	Neutral​	252​	31​	0​
229​	​	Heatmor, Seviper​	65​	Neutral​	252​	31​	0​
229​	​	Lampent, Pignite, Swalot, Weepinbell​	55​	Positive​	252​	31​	0​
221​	​	Pupitar​	51​	Positive​	252​	31​	0​
219​	​	Meditite​	60​	Neutral​	252​	31​	0​
218​	​	Beartic, Bellossom​	50​	Positive​	252​	31​	0​
215​	​	Croconaw​	58​	Neutral​	252​	31​	0​
210​	​	Carnivine​	46​	Positive​	252​	31​	0​
209​	​	Lampent, Pignite, Swalot, Weepinbell​	55​	Neutral​	252​	31​	0​
207​	​	Granbull, Octillery​	45​	Positive​	252​	31​	0​
206​	​	Girafarig​	85​	Neutral​	0​	31​	0​
201​	​	Pupitar​	51​	Positive​	252​	31​	0​

Tier 3: 100 - 199​

Speed​	Sprites​	Pokemon​	Base​	Nature​	EVs​	IVs​	Boosts​
199​	​	Beartic, Bellossom​	50​	Neutral​	252​	31​	0​
196​	​	Lumineon​	91​	Negative​	0​	31​	0​
196​	​	Phione​	80​	Neutral​	0​	31​	0​
196​	​	Gloom, Porygon​	40​	Positive​	252​	31​	0​
191​	​	Carnivine​	46​	Neutral​	252​	31​	0​
189​	​	Granbull, Octillery​	45​	Neutral​	252​	31​	0​
186​	​	Beedrill​	75​	Neutral​	0​	31​	0​
179​	​	Gloom, Porygon​	40​	Neutral​	252​	31​	0​
176​	​	Phione​	80​	Negative​	0​	31​	0​
176​	​	Dewgong, Lunatone, Luxray, Mightyena, Noctowl​	70​	Neutral​	0​	31​	0​
174​	​	Palpitoad​	69​	Neutral​	0​	31​	0​
174​	​	Magcargo, Sudowoodo​	30​	Positive​	252​	31​	0​
172​	​	Drilbur, Exploud, Seaking​	68​	Neutral​	0​	31​	0​
170​	​	Chinchou, Hypno​	67​	Neutral​	0​	31​	0​
168​	​	Lumineon​	91​	Negative​	0​	0​	0​
166​	​	Chimecho, Flareon, Seviper​	65​	Neutral​	0​	31​	0​
159​	​	Magcargo, Sudowoodo​	30​	Neutral​	252​	31​	0​
156​	​	Vullaby, Wailord​	60​	Neutral​	0​	31​	0​
152​	​	Croconaw​	58​	Neutral​	0​	31​	0​
148​	​	Phione​	80​	Negative​	0​	0​	0​
146​	​	Baltoy, Budew, Pignite, Swalot, Weepinbell​	55​	Nuetral​	0​	31​	0​
141​	​	Pineco​	15​	Positive​	252​	31​	0​
138​	​	Pupitar​	51​	Neutral​	0​	31​	0​
136​	​	Bellossom, Marshtomp, Prinplup​	50​	Neutral​	0​	31​	0​
128​	​	Carnivine​	46​	Neutral​	0​	31​	0​
126​	​	Dunsparce, Granbull, Octillery​	45​	Neutral​	0​	31​	0​
122​	​	Squirtle​	43​	Neutral​	0​	31​	0​
116​	​	Eelektrik, Gloom, Kecleon, Porygon, Sandshrew, Togetic​	40​	Neutral​	0​	31​	0​
108​	​	Grotle​	36​	Neutral​	0​	31​	0​
106​	​	Corsola, Graveler​	35​	Neutral​	0​	31​	0​

Tier 4: 99 and below​

Speed​	Sprites​	Pokemon​	Base​	Nature​	EVs​	IVs​	Boosts​
96​	​	Lickitung, Magcargo, Sudowoodo​	30​	Neutral​	0​	31​	0​
86​	​	Duskull, Shelmet​	25​	Neutral​	0​	31​	0​
82​	​	Lileep​	23​	Neutral​	0​	31​	0​
76​	​	Eelektrik​	40​	Negative​	0​	0​	0​
76​	​	Solosis​	20​	Neutral​	0​	31​	0​
73​	​	Lileep​	23​	Negative​	0​	31​	0​
66​	​	Pineco, Slowpoke​	15​	Neutral​	0​	31​	0​

Role Compendium

Pokemon listed are organized by the VR and if they can viably perform the intended role

Utility Roles

Entry Hazards
Stealth Rock
|
Spikes
|
Toxic Spikes
|
Rapid Spin
|
Spinblockers
|
Grounded Posion-types
|

Item Control
Trick / Switcheroo
|
Knock Off
|

Other Utility
Encore
|
Taunt
|



Offensive Roles

Attackers
Physical Attackers
|
Special Attackers
|
Mixed Attackers
|

Choice Item Users
Choice Band
|
Choice Specs
|

Setup Users
Agility/Autotomize/Rock Polish
|
Bulk Up
|
Calm Mind
|
Coil
|
Curse

Dragon Dance

Nasty Plot
|
Quiver Dance
|
Rain Dance

Salac Berry
|
Sunny Day
|
Swords Dance
|
Weak Armor
|
Work Up
|
Other Setup Users
(Howl, Moxie) |(Unburden),(Shell Smash),(Growth)

Priority
Aqua Jet

Fake Out
|
Ice Shard

Quick Attack
|
Sucker Punch
|
Other Priority Users
(Mach Punch) |(Bullet Punch)



Hyper Offensive Roles
note: Heat Rock is banned

Self-KO move users
Explosion
|
Memento
|

Rain
Setters
|
Beneficiaries
|

Trick Room
Setters
|
Beneficiaries
|



Defensive Roles

Walls
Physical Walls
|
Special Walls
|
Mixed Walls |

Pivots
U-turn (Fast/Offensive)
|
U-turn (Slow/Defensive)
|
Volt Switch (Fast/Offensive)

Volt Switch (Slow/Defensive)
|
Regenerator
|

Anti-Setup
Dragon Tail

Haze

Roar / Whirlwind


Clerics
Wish
|
Aromatherapy/Heal Bell
|
Healing Wish


Status Spreading
note: Sleep moves are banned
Burn
Will-O-Wisp
|
Lava Plume / Scald
|
Flame Body
|
Paralysis
Glare
|
Stun Spore
|
Thunder Wave
|
Discharge
|
Poison
Toxic (typical users)
|
Poison Jab / Gunk Shot / Sludge Bomb
|
Misc. Status
Leech Seed
|
Other
(Serene Grace + Ice Beam), (Disable) | (Tri Attack)

Status Absorbers
Magic Guard
|
Natural Cure

Shed Skin

 

[missangelic]

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[missangelic]

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[Aides]

With the advent of an ongoing tournament, BW SU has received the most hype that it ever has within its lifespan. I’ve been playing the tier for over a year now, and I’ve grown attached to the significant amount of possibilities that lie within it. Compared to the ADV and DPP SU, the other SUs that I’m on council for, BW SU is by far the most complicated, and is the farthest from being solved. Part of what makes this tour so important is how the player diversity will unlock so many options that could've gone past us otherwise.

In this post, it's my intention to give a rundown of the tier with our current impression of the metagame. This should hopefully make teambuilding easier for anyone who joined the tour with limited knowledge of the tier, and for those who just want to play casually. One thing I want to make note of, however, is that I have a lot of hot takes about the tier, so some of my opinions won't match what others may think of the tier. That said, I'm going to try to keep my bias of certain Pokémon to a minimum, even if it can't always be avoided.

THE GOATS

While the "GOATs" aren't universally agreed to be the best Pokémon in the tier, they are the three that shape teambuilding the most. If your team is weak to one of these then it's terrible garbage. Oftentimes, it's best to have checks that can take care of multiple of these options, as finding space to check all three of them can sometimes be a challenge.

Luxray is often considered the best Pokémon in BW SU. Its most threatening set is Choice Scarf, which can safely pivot around the early game, and can autowin in the late game. This set is the easiest to build around, but that's only because Ground-types are required on nearly every team because of it. What really makes Luxray king is the set variety. Physical, defensive, and mixed sets are all very strong and keep you guessing on how to defeat it.

Fearow lives up to its name in the most terrifying ways imaginable. Without a Rock type, it just mows over everything with its insanely strong STAB. Even then, you always have to be careful around Drill Run, which always keeps you guessing on how to defeat it. This makes Fearow very prediction reliant in the early and mid game, but just like Luxray, it can often autowin in the late game.

Vanilluxe fell to SU almost a year ago, and it's been the most impactful drop of the metagame. Without a Water or a Fire-type, Vanilluxe simply breaks things way too effectively. What's scarier is the set variety of Choice Speces, Choice Scarf, and Never-Melt Ice with Taunt. While both Fearow and Vanilluxe have limited walls, they're both Stealth Rock weak, so they're thankfully hard to justify pairing together, and are usually on a timer. Out offensing them is another valid form of defeating them, and HO is quite a strong playstyle.

Luxray + Fearow Checks

One of my most used Pokémon in this tier is Pupitar. The typing makes it great for role compression, and Shed Skin helps it a ton with longevity through Rest. If you want to go more offensive, then Dragon Dance is a great alternative option, albeit matchup fishy.

Graveler is very similar to Pupitar, but it trades having better moves and abilities for a more specialized stat spread. Sucker Punch is also an incredibly useful tool that can come in really clutch.

Lileep only kind of counts for this category. It still lets Luxray use Volt Switch despite the resistance, and Fearow can hit it with a super effective U-Turn. This results in Lileep being much worse than its alternatives. Despite this, it still has some unique tools. Synthesis is the most important one, giving Lileep the most reliable form of recovery. The second one is that it fits Gravitar's role while also checking them with a hard hitting Giga Drain. Because of this, Lileep is worth considering against players like me who spam the former two options, but is otherwise hard to justify.

Luxray + Vanilluxe Checks

Seaking is the only major Pokémon in the tier who can take the Boltbeam combo. This has made it a very splashable special wall. This is despite its passivity and lack of reliable recovery, as the role compression often makes it worth using.

Chinchou is a cute alternative to Seaking that has a small niche due to having Volt Switch and Heal Bell. It's mostly outshined by Eelektrik as a bulky pivot, but it has its place.

Fearow + Vanilluxe Checks

Corsola is the most common check to both Fearow and Vanilluxe. With Regenerator, this allows it to take at least one Drill Run comfortably, although it unfortunately folds to Vanilluxe's Hidden Power Grass. It may be more passive than Pupitar, Graveler, and Sudowoodo, but at least Scald can make up for that a bit.

Lampent is one of the most underrated Pokémon in the meta imo, and its typing is the reason for it. It switches into Fearow, Vanilluxe, and opposing Fire-types. Along with its defensive utility, it also provides amazing offensive utility against the extremely common Psychic and Grass types of the metagame. The Stealth Rock weakness and lack of speed hold it back, but I think its traits make up for that.

Magcargo is very similar to Corsola, but it trades being a long term wall for being an extremely sweeper with Shell Smash. This certainly works well in certain matchups and paraspam teams, but it's not a fixture of the tier imo. Choice Scarfers feast on this thing.

Slowpoke is an extremely niche Corsola alternative who trades Stealth Rock and an outright Normal resist for a better overall typing. It hasn't been explored much, but the potential seems clear.

Fearow Checks

I feel like mentioning Sudowoodo first because it's the most straightforward to describe. I think it's notably worse than Pupitar and Graveler due to the lack of role compression. However, Sudowoodo also doesn't get OHKOed by Grass types while also having greater item flexibility. This still makes it a solid option worth using, just not my cup of tea.

Lunatone may not be not the best Fearow check due to the U-Turn weakness, but its speed is surprisingly decent and it has a lot of set variety. It can be a Calm Mind sweeper, wall, and an HO screens lead, all of which are pretty good options.

Don't get it twisted. Gastly is not a Fearow check when it's OHKOed by Drill Peck. What it is, however, is a check to other Normals like Lopunny and Granbull, and this gives it a genuinely solid role in the tier despite having pretty subpar stats.

Duskull hasn't been used much at all due to how passive it is, and also due to how stall hasn't really taken off in the tier yet. Even so, it has its place on slower paced Spikes teams that need a sturdy spinblocker.

Has Knock Off over Duskull, but is otherwise worse. It technically exists.

Normals

I wanted to mention the "Fearow checks" first since they're also fantastic checks to Normal types, of which are some of the strongest Pokémon in the metagame.

While Lopunny isn't as threatening as Fearow, many players, including myself, would say that it's on par with it. This is because Lopunny has some of the best utility options in the tier. Thunder Wave makes it good on paraspam teams, Healing Wish makes it near required on HO teams, Switcheroo ruins every Eviolite user ever, Encore prevents passive Pokemon and sweepers from taking advantage of it, and it's also the reason that I will forever fight against Baton Pass ever being legal. Lopunny can't fit all of its eggs in one basket, but it almost doesn't matter when it's bulkier and faster than Fearow in addition to having comparable strength to it. Your team will hardly ever auto lose to it when the tier is much bulkier than in DPP, but that doesn't stop Lopunny from still being one of the best Pokemon in the tier.

Granbull is Fearow's slow but bulkier cousin. While Granbull can't destroy an end game, it can certainly poke holes in the early and mid game, being the one Normal in the tier with the coverage to destroy all of its checks. Just watch out for Gastly if you choose to replace Crunch with Bulk Up or Thunder Wave.

Stantler is the awkward middle ground between Fearow and Granbull, but it has its place. It notably has Megahorn which is pretty good. Sap Sipper is also unique, but then you miss out on Intimidate. It's solid and it works, it's just harder to fit.

Furret struggles to stand out much, but it is technically able to repeat its niche in DPP as a non-Stealth Rock weak Normal-type U-Turn user. Again, it's not bad, but I've never seen it for a reason.

Exploud is a very niche alternative to Granbull who trades some stats for better mixed options and a pretty niche Scrappy. I don't think it's really worth using much, even more so when Porygon is another solid alternative, but it's not bad by any means.

Vanilluxe Checks

Phione is often considered the best overall Vanilluxe check as a result of its set variety. Phione has good AoA, Choice item, utility, and defensive sets. Combine this with U-Turn and Phione is generally preferred over most Waters.

Croconaw has become incredible as a Vanilluxe check since it can set up on it with Swords Dance. This makes it by far the easiest sweeper to use, and one that can fit on almost any team style.

Octillery may not be as fast as Phione, or as defensively potent as Seaking, but it's still very bulky while having very high offenses. This results in Octillery being one of the most underrated mons in the meta imo, with Thunder Wave being the extra tool it needs to stand out.

Dewgong is used as a budget Vanilluxe that can check Vanilluxe. It's less common now because of Vanilluxe, but is still very solid both offensively and defensively.

Lumineon is a Phione alternative who trades some power and bulk for a Scald immunity and a little more speed. It's not used a ton, but it's very much a valid part of the metagame.

Wailord has seen some recent innovation with an extremely annoying Pressure set that destroys both passive teams, and breakers who rely on low pp moves. Otherwise, the offensive sets feel outdone by other options.

Seadra is a Pokemon that many feel is too hard to justify when its traits bleed into a lot of other options. Being faster and stronger than Phione, however, while also having Eviolite, makes it a solid stats mon, even if it doesn't have much of a utility movepool. I personally find it underrated.

Shellos feels like the Water version of Duskull. I think it has a lot of untapped potential as a wall despite its passivity.

Prinplup is a Water type with Stealth Rock. It's extremely niche role compression, but it exists if you need it.

Bulky Grasses

Before I mentioned the other Vanilluxe checks (Fires), I want to mention the Pokemon that respond to how Water infested Vanilluxe has made the metagame. Bulky Grass types, while not required, are a very important part of the metagame.

Gloom is one of the best Pokemon in the tier, being an extremely sturdy wall that checks Normals, Rocks, Waters, and Luxray. It's not the best check to everything, but it's one of the only Pokemon who is this defensively adaptable. Gloom is the reason why Psychic types are so much better than they are in other metagames, and the Fires are similarly popular as Gloom answers. The cherry on top is Stun Spore, which means that Gloom is hardly ever passive while it's taking things.

Bellossom is a niche, but very valid Gloom alternative that lacks a Psychic weakness, and additionally has Nature Power (Earthquake in BW) to threaten Fires. Unfortunately, it's not as bulky, and its typing is a lot less favorable overall.

Grotle is Gloom but with Stealth Rock. This is good role compression, but lacking Stun Spore makes it absurdly passive, and lacking a Poison typing makes it very easy to wear down with Toxic.

Servine is a Bellossom alternative that trades Nature Power for Eviolite and certain utility options like Taunt, Coil, and Calm Mind. It's under explored, but the potential seems pretty apparent.

Carnivine is another Bellossom alternative, but with a Spikes immunity. It can come in handy, but is rarely worth using when its alternatives have better stats and movepools.

More Vanilluxe Checks

Pignite is often considered the best Fire, and is one of the go-to anti-meta Pokémon of BW SU. As a wallbreaker, it beats Rocks, Grasses, and Lickitung, which makes it very good against defensive teams. Combine this with its lack of a Stealth Rock weakness and this makes Pignite way easier to fit than its competition.

Magmar is similar to Pignite, and is notably potent for its high speed and surprisingly solid bulk with Eviolite. The Stealth Rock weakness, however, makes it a lot harder fit despite it being one of the scariest Pokemon to face up against, as Fearow and Vanilluxe usually get you more for that weakness.

Heatmor is at the cusp of viability when it has some really good options like Knock Off, Sucker Punch, and Giga Drain, but it often feels outshined by Pignite and Magmar in the builder.

I've never seen Flareon, but it doesn't seem like the worst thing ever when it has notably high special defense and the capacity for a Guts set.

Psyshics

Due to the strength of Gloom and Pignite, Psychic types are much better in BW SU than they are in a lot of other metagames.

Chimecho is usually considered the best Psychic type due to having a Spikes immunity, Recover, and Heal Bell. These traits make it a great sweeper with its Calm Mind set, but also makes it very good defensively and offensively.

Hypno is an alternative to Chimecho. While it's affected by Spikes and lacks Heal Bell, Hypno has enough options for many players to believe that it's on par with Chimecho. These options include Wish for team support and Nasty Plot to make it a more explosive sweeper. The latter makes it surprisingly good on HO teams.

I know I already mentioned Lunatone, but being a Psychic is a pretty big part of what makes it so solid.

Girafarig is a Pokémon who everyone knows is good, but nobody uses. Normal/Psychic is an insanely stupid STAB combination for this tier, and yet it's never seen, perhaps due to an awkward speed tier. Either way, this is probably the biggest potential mon of the tier.

Abra is mostly used as either an anti-lead, or a late game cleaner. It fills some very notable holes on certain teams, but is not great otherwise.

Solosis basically does what Chimecho does, but it doesn't need to run Heal Bell since it has Magic Guard. It has potential for sure, but I've yet to see it personally.

Spikes

Spikes are one of the most important playstyles in BW SU, and Budew is largely responsible for it. Budew shares Gloom's typing, and is also one of the best Gloom answers in the tier. While Gloom can switch out of most of its checks, Budew is always garunteed a Spikes layer against it. It can't even paralyze it because of Natural Cure. Budew also has surprisingly good bulk with Eviolite, notably being able to live one attack from Vanilluxe. This makes it really good against Waters and Grasses. This allows Budew to be one of the best partners to the breakers of the tier, and playing around Spikes is one of the most important parts of getting good at the tier.

Shelmet, while no longer the main option, is still a very valid alternative to Budew. The greater mixed bulk and Ground resistance are both very useful tools. Unfortunately, Shelmet has a Stealth Rock weakness, and takes status much worse. It's still very useful, though, and notably doesn't have type overlap with Gloom.

Pineco, through sharing Shelmet's typing, is pretty hard to justify, but its movepool gives it a small niche, despite lacking Recover. Stealth Rock, Toxic Spikes, Rapid Spin, and Explosion are all good options that mostly make it good as a lead, but give it options elsewhere too.

Venipede is a suicide lead with Endeavor. Very niche, but usable.

Rapid Spinners

Drilbur is often considered the most usable Rapid Spin user because it has a genuinely solid offensive presence. Despite lacking bulk, it has a high attack stat. Mold Breaker is additionally an extremely good ability in a tier with Chimecho, Eelektrik, and Lunatone. This capacity to force switches is what makes its Rapid Spin easier to use than other options.

Sandshrew is a necessary evil in the tier, being... not the greatest, but often needed on a lot of slower teams due to how strong Spikes are. Knock Off at least prevents it from being a complete blob.

Squirtle is a Water type version of Sandshrew, replacing Knock Off with Scald. It's on par with Sandshrew imo.

Anorith is a kind of like a budget Drilbur, with better speed and workable offenses, but often struggles to do anything noteworthy. The typing is quite good in a meta filled with Psychics though.

I will forever be Kabuto believer when it's the only spinner with a Normal resist. It's not good, but it has a niche imo.

Baltoy is a spinner that spins on Pupitar, Graveler, and Luxray.

Eelektrik

It feels kind of weird to dedicate a section to Eelektrik, but nothing else really replicates what it does. Eelektrik is my personal pick for the best anti-meta Pokémon in the tier. At a first glance, Eelektrik is a bulky pivot version of Luxray. This doesn't sound great on paper, but what makes it so good is that it demolishes Luxray's checks. U-Turn ignores Ground types, Giga Drain ruins Pupitar and Graveler, and Knock Off makes it annoying to wall. These traits make Eelektrik an amazing Luxray partner, and also suit it very well to this metagame.

HO Leads

When breaking, pivoting, and Spikes are so good, hyper offense teams are some of best ways to stop them. Here are some of the best HO leads.

Onix is, in my opinion, the most consistent HO lead in BW SU. The reason I believe this is because Sturdy is just a fantastic ability. This allows Onix to run Custap Berry, which garuntees it either Stealth Rock after a Taunt, or an Explosion for momentum. Mental Herb is another great option for bamboozling Archen leads.

While I don't find Archen to be as consistent as Onix, it is a more rewarding option since Endeavor often does more than Explosion. It's also faster than Onix in HO mirrors. The lack of smooth momentum, however, makes it harder to use despite the higher reward.

Lunatone, while lacking Sturdy, shares Onix's speed while having actual stats. Combine this with dual screens and it's a very effective HO lead despite not technically being as consistent.

Beyond Lunatone, there are other dual screen users, but Chimecho and Hypno are the only two with notable usage.

Rain is another offensive playstyle with dedicated leads. Lopunny and Illumise are the two options, and both have their perks. I personally believe Lopunny to be the superior option when it has much better stats, but Illumise has its perks. Illumise's Prankster means that it can set up against Choice Scarf users, and that alone makes some players believe it's better. Roost is also really nice for being able to stay alive, although I personally prefer Lopunny's Healing Wish for its momentum. At least Illumise still has U-Turn, at the cost of a Stealth Rock weakness.

Sweepers

Plusle is often considered the best sweeper in BW SU. The only two Pokemon who can really contend with it are Hypno and Croconaw, of which I've already mentioned. Plusle got buffed big in BW by gaining Volt Switch, but I've found that the classic Encore set is still its best option. Being a sweeper that can annoy its walls is a huge part of what makes it so good.

When Vanilluxe has forced Water spam, Leavanny really shines as an offensive Grass type. The Bug typing is very notable against Psychic types as well. Combine this with a workable speed tier and Leavanny one of the most reliable Pokémon on HO.

Beartic feels comparable to Croconaw. What it loses in having a Stealth Rock weakness, it gains in being impossible to switch into. While it needs more team support than other sweepers, it's often the scariest to go up against. Additionally, it's pretty much the only reason why Rain teams exist, although Seaking is also very common on Rain.

The Quiver Dance sweepers are both very explosive, but also have awful defensive typings which makes them high risk, but high reward. Of these, Masquerain is generally considered the best option. Beautifly has quite a shallow movepool, but Masquerain's Hydro Pump gives it all the coverage it needs. Beautifly, meanwhile, is slightly faster, so at least that's something.

Grovyle's a little on the fishy side, but Flying Gem Acrobatics with Grass STAB absolutely destroys unprepared teams. The odd unexpected special set has a similar effect. The high reward honestly makes it worth running on a lot of HO.

Mightyena is a Pokémon I've slowly fallen out of favor with, but it's still usable. Its only set up move is Howl, which isn't really enough for this tier. Moxie is a really good ability, but most good players won't let you activate it, so it's a lot harder to use than other sweepers despite still having the potential to explode a win.

Sun isn't really used at all, but if you're gonna use it, Weepinbell is kind of the only good Sun sweeper. Growth is so good, in fact, that Heat Rock is banned, so Weepinbell is really hard to use. It seems worth going for once in a blue moon though.

Luxray Checks

You may find it baffling that I took this long to mention additional Luxray checks, but really, I just wanted to wait to mention Eelektrik and Plusle first, as both are very relevant to explaining what Ground types do in this metagame.

Wormasand may seem unimpressive at first, but it's actually really damn good. It's most comparable to Graveler as a Ground type with Sucker Punch, and it has a lot of perks over it. Despite lacking a Normal resist, it has better special defense, a Ground resistance, a Fighting resistance, and no Grass weakness.

Marshtomp and Palpitoad, lacking an Ice weakness, are the best Luxray checks in the tier. They're also hard to fit since they're Water types that get hit hard by Vanilluxe. That said, they have their place and are both pretty good. Marshtomp distinguishes itself with higher offenses, while Palpitoad finds its niche through Water Absorb.

Blobs

Out of all of the "blobs," Lickitung is pretty by far the best. It's the only real blanket check to every special attacker, and this makes it really good glue for balance and stall teams. Part of why Spikes are so good is directly because they're by far the best way to wear it down. Lickitung is passive, unfortunately, so mons like Plusle can really dismantle it, despite it having Dragon Tail.

Vullaby is a solid blob who is both physically bulky with a Foul Play to boot, and an amazing stop to Psychic types. It's not seen a ton due to the Stealth Rock weakness, but it's quite good.

Dunsparce is another option that isn't seen a ton as its stats aren't amazing for the tier, but Serene Grace is really good and gives it a place.

Togetic is very similar to Lickitung. While it has a Stealth Rock weakness, it makes up for it by being able to use Soft-Boiled instead of Wish. It also has Encore to annoy sweepers, notably being able to go past Substitute.

Porygon is a really cool mix of a blob and whatever Exploud was trying to do. Both offensive and defensive sets are solid, and the variety of three very good abilities always gives it something to do. It's not super noteworthy, but it has its place.

Kecleon is basically everything I've said about the other blobs, but it lacks Eviolite and has Stealth Rock in return. If you need a Stealth Rock user, it's pretty good, but I personally think it's slightly worse than the other blobs.

Noctowl is extremely niche, but it has a solid speed tier and a Spikes immunity that at least make it usable.

Poisons

Seviper is the best Poison type, being a very strong mixed attacker and Coil sweeper. Poison isn't an amazing typing, but Seviper's traits still make it useful along with its coverage and Sucker Punch.

Swalot is a lot bulkier than Seviper, and that's the main reason to use it. It hasn't been super meta lately, but options like Encore will always make it worth using.

Stunky is the same Pursuit trapper it was in DPP, just in a harsher meta. I don't think it's good, but enough players rate it to where I wanted to bring it up.

Toxic Spikes

In my opinion, Toxic Spikes are not very good. Gloom is one of the most common Pokémon, and Seviper is also fairly common on more offensive teams. This makes fitting Beedrill pretty hard. Sure, it's a decent pivot, but with that Stealth Rock weakness, I don't really find it worth using a lot of the time. It's not awful, and Toxic Spikes can shine in the right matchup, but they are harder to use.

Pineco and Venipede are alternate Toxic Spikes users, although they're not very common.

Fightings

Mankey is pretty niche, but has been seen more recently as a result of sharing Luxray's speed tier. This makes Mankey a workable revenge killer, even more so in a metagame ruled by Normal and Rock types.

Meditite takes what Mankey does, but applies it as a wallbreaker instead of a revenge killer. It's seen a lot less, but is still usable.

It's not a Fighting type, but Cranidos is similar enough to Mankey to where I want to discuss it here anyways. I don't see the vision, but others seem to. It has a decent Fearow matchup at least.

Thank you to anyone who was able to read through my overly drawn out yap session. I hope this post can make it easier for newer players to get into the metagame, and I'm excited to see what newer players discover in the tournament. Now I just have to hope that I don't lose my first round and look like a fraud (don't worry I will)