[OVERVIEW]
Articuno's typing is excellent offensively, allowing it to hit the majority of the NeverUsed tier neutrally with its STAB moves except for Steel-types. Articuno also has access to the rare Freeze-Dry, which allows it to hit Water-types super effectively and makes it even harder to switch into. Articuno's natural special bulk along with its access to Roost also allows it to act as a decent pivot, switching into weak special hits and then threatening the foe out. On the other hand, Ice / Flying is not good defensively, as Articuno has a variety of weaknesses and loses half of its health if it switches into Stealth Rock. On top of this, Articuno's Speed is somewhat average, which means that it is outpaced by faster offensive threats.
[SET]
name: Burd (Offensive)
move 1: Freeze-Dry
move 2: Hurricane
move 3: Roost / Ice Beam
move 4: Ice Beam / U-turn
item: Life Orb / Choice Specs
ability: Pressure
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Freeze-Dry is one of the main draws of using Articuno, as it gives it nearly perfect neutral coverage, hitting Water-types such as Lanturn and Kabutops super effectively. Hurricane is a more powerful STAB move that hits Pokemon that resist Ice, such as Thick Fat Hariyama, Magmortar, and Piloswine. Roost is used for recovery on sets that utilize a Life Orb, while Ice Beam is used as a more powerful alternative to Freeze-Dry. U-turn is used to gain momentum early-game, pivoting out of Pokemon that Articuno can't break, and it also has the added benefit of hitting Malamar. Substitute in conjunction with Roost can be used to Pressure stall foes. Hidden Power Fire can be used over U-turn, as it targets common Steel-types that switch into Articuno like Klinklang, Ferroseed, and Mawile.
Set Details
========
The given EVs are used to maximize Articuno's Speed and power. Life Orb is used to increase Articuno's damage output and afford it the ability to switch moves. Choice Specs can be used for even more power at the cost of locking Articuno into a move. Using a Timid nature allows Articuno to outspeed Adamant Sawk and positive-natured base 80 Speed Pokemon such as Mesprit and Kabutops, as well as Speed tie with Jolly Sawk.
Usage Tips
========
Articuno should be used to force switches, as its STAB moves threaten the majority of the tier, but it usually can't OHKO foes early-game. Bring it in on foes that can't do too much back or that Articuno threatens out such as Ludicolo, Poliwrath, and Vileplume. You then have two options: either use the appropriate STAB move or, if the opponent has a specially bulky Pokemon such as Regirock or Mega Audino, use U-turn to gain momentum. After the opponent's special walls have been weakened enough, just use Articuno's STAB moves accordingly. Roost can be used on predicted switches to gain back health, as well as on relatively weak special attacks due to Articuno's good bulk. Because Articuno has relatively good special bulk, you can use it as a pivot, switching in on special attackers and then using U-turn for momentum. Having Stealth Rock off the field is pretty much mandatory before bringing Articuno in, as one round of Life Orb recoil means it can't switch back in after Stealth Rock, so if you need to bring it in to force a switch, you can click Roost instead of attacking to save Articuno for the late-game.
Team Options
========
A Defogger such as Prinplup or a spinner such as Claydol is pretty much required when using Articuno, as it is 4x weak to Stealth Rock. Shiftry and Sandslash are also good options for this role, as they can additionally break through common Steel-types such as Klinklang and Probopass, which Articuno has a hard time dealing with. Xatu in particular provides a much-needed Stealth Rock deterrent due to Magic Bounce. Unfortunately, Articuno's and Xatu's typings clash, so having a Pokemon immune to Electric such as Lanturn or Rhydon is a good idea. Lanturn and Rhydon are also nice switch-ins to Fire-type moves. Because Articuno has a tough time dealing with Steel-types, Pokemon that can break through them such as Gurdurr, Sawk, and Magmortar make for great teammates. Another option is to use Articuno on a rain team for its perfectly accurate Hurricane and decent matchup against other rain teams; common Pokemon on rain teams include Ludicolo, Kabutops, Liepard, and Mesprit. Toxic Spike users such as Garbodor and Weezing can wear down Articuno's checks, giving it an easier time PP stalling foes if it is running Substitute.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
============
Toxic is an option alongside Roost and Substitute to wear down bulky walls. Agility can be used to turn Articuno into a dedicated late-game cleaner. A set running an EV spread of 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD with a Calm nature, Substitute, and Toxic in combination with Pressure can wear down a lot of bulky teams by PP stalling their only ways to break Articuno's Substitute while whittling them down with Toxic.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Stealth Rock**: Stealth Rock strips 50% of Articuno's HP upon switching in and effectively neutralizes all of the switching that Articuno wants to do. When it is up on the field, your main objective should be to try to remove them. Common Stealth Rock setters include Rhydon, Golurk, and Mawile.
**Offensive Pressure**: Offensive pressure from Pokemon such as Pyroar, Magmortar, Archeops, and Rotom can force Articuno out. However, most of these Pokemon can't switch directly into Articuno, as they will risk taking a lot of damage.
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Specially bulky Pokemon such as Regirock, Musharna, and Lanturn can all switch into Articuno's attacks and take little damage in return. They can all also threaten Articuno out with their STAB move or use it as setup fodder. However, they have to be careful of switching in on U-turn and subsequently losing momentum.
**Fire-types**: Offensive Fire-types such as Pyroar can take a Hurricane and proceed to OHKO Articuno back with Fire Blast. Other Fire-types such as Assault Vest Magmortar can take multiple hits, and Articuno has to rely on hitting multiple Hurricanes in order to break through them.
Articuno's typing is excellent offensively, allowing it to hit the majority of the NeverUsed tier neutrally with its STAB moves except for Steel-types. Articuno also has access to the rare Freeze-Dry, which allows it to hit Water-types super effectively and makes it even harder to switch into. Articuno's natural special bulk along with its access to Roost also allows it to act as a decent pivot, switching into weak special hits and then threatening the foe out. On the other hand, Ice / Flying is not good defensively, as Articuno has a variety of weaknesses and loses half of its health if it switches into Stealth Rock. On top of this, Articuno's Speed is somewhat average, which means that it is outpaced by faster offensive threats.
[SET]
name: Burd (Offensive)
move 1: Freeze-Dry
move 2: Hurricane
move 3: Roost / Ice Beam
move 4: Ice Beam / U-turn
item: Life Orb / Choice Specs
ability: Pressure
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Freeze-Dry is one of the main draws of using Articuno, as it gives it nearly perfect neutral coverage, hitting Water-types such as Lanturn and Kabutops super effectively. Hurricane is a more powerful STAB move that hits Pokemon that resist Ice, such as Thick Fat Hariyama, Magmortar, and Piloswine. Roost is used for recovery on sets that utilize a Life Orb, while Ice Beam is used as a more powerful alternative to Freeze-Dry. U-turn is used to gain momentum early-game, pivoting out of Pokemon that Articuno can't break, and it also has the added benefit of hitting Malamar. Substitute in conjunction with Roost can be used to Pressure stall foes. Hidden Power Fire can be used over U-turn, as it targets common Steel-types that switch into Articuno like Klinklang, Ferroseed, and Mawile.
Set Details
========
The given EVs are used to maximize Articuno's Speed and power. Life Orb is used to increase Articuno's damage output and afford it the ability to switch moves. Choice Specs can be used for even more power at the cost of locking Articuno into a move. Using a Timid nature allows Articuno to outspeed Adamant Sawk and positive-natured base 80 Speed Pokemon such as Mesprit and Kabutops, as well as Speed tie with Jolly Sawk.
Usage Tips
========
Articuno should be used to force switches, as its STAB moves threaten the majority of the tier, but it usually can't OHKO foes early-game. Bring it in on foes that can't do too much back or that Articuno threatens out such as Ludicolo, Poliwrath, and Vileplume. You then have two options: either use the appropriate STAB move or, if the opponent has a specially bulky Pokemon such as Regirock or Mega Audino, use U-turn to gain momentum. After the opponent's special walls have been weakened enough, just use Articuno's STAB moves accordingly. Roost can be used on predicted switches to gain back health, as well as on relatively weak special attacks due to Articuno's good bulk. Because Articuno has relatively good special bulk, you can use it as a pivot, switching in on special attackers and then using U-turn for momentum. Having Stealth Rock off the field is pretty much mandatory before bringing Articuno in, as one round of Life Orb recoil means it can't switch back in after Stealth Rock, so if you need to bring it in to force a switch, you can click Roost instead of attacking to save Articuno for the late-game.
Team Options
========
A Defogger such as Prinplup or a spinner such as Claydol is pretty much required when using Articuno, as it is 4x weak to Stealth Rock. Shiftry and Sandslash are also good options for this role, as they can additionally break through common Steel-types such as Klinklang and Probopass, which Articuno has a hard time dealing with. Xatu in particular provides a much-needed Stealth Rock deterrent due to Magic Bounce. Unfortunately, Articuno's and Xatu's typings clash, so having a Pokemon immune to Electric such as Lanturn or Rhydon is a good idea. Lanturn and Rhydon are also nice switch-ins to Fire-type moves. Because Articuno has a tough time dealing with Steel-types, Pokemon that can break through them such as Gurdurr, Sawk, and Magmortar make for great teammates. Another option is to use Articuno on a rain team for its perfectly accurate Hurricane and decent matchup against other rain teams; common Pokemon on rain teams include Ludicolo, Kabutops, Liepard, and Mesprit. Toxic Spike users such as Garbodor and Weezing can wear down Articuno's checks, giving it an easier time PP stalling foes if it is running Substitute.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
============
Toxic is an option alongside Roost and Substitute to wear down bulky walls. Agility can be used to turn Articuno into a dedicated late-game cleaner. A set running an EV spread of 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD with a Calm nature, Substitute, and Toxic in combination with Pressure can wear down a lot of bulky teams by PP stalling their only ways to break Articuno's Substitute while whittling them down with Toxic.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Stealth Rock**: Stealth Rock strips 50% of Articuno's HP upon switching in and effectively neutralizes all of the switching that Articuno wants to do. When it is up on the field, your main objective should be to try to remove them. Common Stealth Rock setters include Rhydon, Golurk, and Mawile.
**Offensive Pressure**: Offensive pressure from Pokemon such as Pyroar, Magmortar, Archeops, and Rotom can force Articuno out. However, most of these Pokemon can't switch directly into Articuno, as they will risk taking a lot of damage.
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Specially bulky Pokemon such as Regirock, Musharna, and Lanturn can all switch into Articuno's attacks and take little damage in return. They can all also threaten Articuno out with their STAB move or use it as setup fodder. However, they have to be careful of switching in on U-turn and subsequently losing momentum.
**Fire-types**: Offensive Fire-types such as Pyroar can take a Hurricane and proceed to OHKO Articuno back with Fire Blast. Other Fire-types such as Assault Vest Magmortar can take multiple hits, and Articuno has to rely on hitting multiple Hurricanes in order to break through them.
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