Approved by Monai and the BW mod team
Image credit: kodama for the Pokemon TCG - Darkness Ablaze
BW SU Discussion + Resources Thread
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 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.
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.
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
Butterfree, Dustox, Heat Rock, Mothim, Munchlax, Raticate
Sleep moves, Arena Trap, Drought, and Shadow Tag are also disallowed
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
Pokemon's names lead to links of their sample sets, though these are still being updated!
S Ranks
S
S-
A Ranks
A+
A
A-
B Ranks
B+
B
B-
C Ranks
C+
C
C-
Last update: June 25th, 2025
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
/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
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
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
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