[OVERVIEW]
Tyranitar has agelessly established itself as a metagame staple in generation 8 OverUsed. Its defensive profile is more valuable than ever with its ability to check some of the metagame's top threats, such as Heatran and Dragapult, while its offensive capabilities when equipped with a Choice Band are desirable for punching through the tier's bulky structures. Additionally, Sand Stream is a fantastic ability that not only enables sand sweepers like Sand Rush Excadrill but also disrupts other weather teams, such as hail from Alolan Ninetales and rain from Pelipper. However, Tyranitar's lack of reliable recovery and numerous type weaknesses make it vulnerable to being worn down over the course of a match, with its low Speed compounding issues, as it moves last more often than not. However, with the right team that can cover for these weaknesses, the Armor Pokemon is still a fearsome adversary to deal with.
[SET]
Choice Band (Tyranitar) @ Choice Band
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Superpower / Fire Punch
- Heavy Slam / Ice Punch / Earthquake
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Choice Band Tyranitar is arguably the best wallbreaker in the metagame. While its STAB moves are obvious, there are a plethora of options for its final two moveslots. Superpower hits Steel-types like Melmetal and Ferrothorn that can otherwise take its STAB moves well, but Fire Punch is a viable alternative if Tyranitar desires to hit Ferrothorn even harder while also covering Steel-types that are neutral to Superpower, such as Corviknight and Scizor. Heavy Slam obliterates Fairy-types like Clefable, but Ice Punch can also be run if targeting Garchomp and Landorus-T is more important. Earthquake is another option to threaten Heatran and Melmetal more effectively when running Fire Punch.
Team Options
========
Choice Band Tyranitar fits perfectly on offensive teams looking for a wallbreaker that can tear holes in sturdy defensive cores for late-game sweepers to take advantage of. Excadrill is an exemplary teammate for multiple reasons: it can take advantage of Tyranitar's sand with Sand Rush to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame, sets up with Swords Dance and Rapid Spin to sweep late-game even if sand is not active, and is an offensive check to Fairy-types like Clefable that can threaten Tyranitar. Choice Specs Dragapult enjoys Tyranitar's wallbreaking so it can cleave through weakened defensive cores with its incredible Speed tier and provides U-turn support to get Tyranitar on the field safely. This is particularly potent, as Dragapult demands that Pokemon like Blissey, Gastrodon, and specially defensive Heatran switch into it, which are extremely vulnerable to Tyranitar. Ferrothorn is a fantastic teammate, as it serves as a sturdy Fairy check against threats like Tapu Lele and Tapu Fini, can set up entry hazards to make up for Choice Band Tyranitar's inability to do so, and is not affected by sand due to its typing. Ferrothorn can also remove Rocky Helmet from Pokemon like Toxapex, Clefable, and Buzzwole that often switch into Tyranitar, preventing Tyranitar from being worn down. Zapdos and Tornadus-T serve as solid checks to Ground-, Grass- and Fighting-types like Garchomp, Kartana, and Buzzwole while providing Tyranitar with pivoting support via Volt Switch and U-turn, respectively. Bulky Water-types like Rotom-W and Slowbro are appreciated, as they can stave off the likes of Barraskewda and Urshifu-R, and both can also bring Tyranitar onto the field safely with Volt Switch and Teleport, respectively. Slowbro has the bonus of providing Future Sight support for Tyranitar to break through its checks, such as Buzzwole and Skarmory.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Choice Band sets can run Assurance over a coverage move so Tyranitar can break through checks like Corviknight and Toxapex if its team has set up entry hazards. Aerial Ace is another alternative to break through Buzzwole, as it can otherwise stomach Tyranitar's moves quite well. However, this sacrifices a coverage slot for other checks, as Aerial Ace has very little use outside of this. Specially defensive variants can opt to run Fire Blast over a status move to nail checks like Skarmory and Ferrothorn, but this is highly discouraged because the utility of Toxic and Thunder Wave is generally more useful. Tyranitar can also run Heavy-Duty Boots over Leftovers to ignore entry hazards, but it usually prefers the passive recovery of Leftovers boosting its longevity. Tyranitar can opt for a Dragon Dance set on offensive teams, but its awkward Speed tier makes setting up difficult, as it can still be revenge killed after a boost.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types like Urshifu-R and Buzzwole resist Tyranitar's STAB moves and can stomach most of its coverage moves reasonably well before threatening it out with STAB Close Combat. Buzzwole deserves a special mention, as it has gargantuan physical bulk and reliable recovery to check Tyranitar in the long- run. However, it has to watch out for Choice Band sets carrying Aerial Ace and specially defensive sets with Toxic. Meanwhile, Urshifu-R is greatly annoyed by Thunder Wave lowering its Speed.
**Steel-types**: Melmetal, Ferrothorn, physically defensive Heatran, Corviknight, and Skarmory have the physical bulk to take Tyranitar's STAB moves and threaten it back with Double Iron Bash, Body Press, or Heavy Slam. Physically defensive Heatran can also annoy Tyranitar with Toxic or Will-O-Wisp while Corviknight and Skarmory can stonewall specially defensive Tyranitar. However, all of them are vulnerable to Tyranitar's coverage moves, so they dislike switching into Tyranitar recklessly.
**Ground-types**: Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Hippowdon can switch into Tyranitar in a pinch due to their good bulk backed by Intimidate or a resistance to Rock-type moves and can retaliate with STAB Earthquake. However, Landorus-T and Garchomp get obliterated by Ice Punch, and Hippowdon's low Speed requires it to be healthy to switch into Tyranitar. All of them also dislike Toxic putting them on a timer.
**Fairy-types**: Clefable and Tapu Fini aren't particularly bothered by specially defensive variants due to their bulk, immunity to Toxic, and resistance to Crunch, and they can slowly wear down Tyranitar with their STAB moves. They can also switch into Choice Band variants locked into a coverage move or Crunch. However, they dislike taking Stone Edge and Heavy Slam, so they cannot reliably switch into Choice Band Tyranitar. Tapu Lele and Tapu Koko can offensively pressure Tyranitar with their STAB moves, but Tyranitar's incredible bulk under sand makes this potentially risky, as it can survive a hit before retaliating with a strong attack.
**Grass-types**: Kartana and Rillaboom can OHKO Tyranitar with Leaf Blade and Grassy Glide, respectively, and can even take a neutral hit from Choice Band variants if needed. However, they lack the bulk and recovery to reliably switch into Choice Band Tyranitar, and specially defensive variants can annoy them with Thunder Wave. Tangrowth's titanic physical bulk and access to Regenerator allow it to reliably switch into Tyranitar before retaliating with Power Whip or Focus Blast, but chip damage from entry hazards and sandstorm can put it in range of a 2HKO against Choice Band Tyranitar, and it dislikes Toxic from specially defensive variants.
**Water-types**: Barraskewda and Volcanion can threaten Tyranitar with their STAB moves, with Barraskewda using Tyranitar as Flip Turn fodder while Volcanion can use Tyranitar as a free opportunity to unleash Steam Eruption, which can generate progress by burning any potential switch-ins. However, Barraskewda's poor bulk and Volcanion's weakness to Rock-type moves make them unviable switch-ins. Toxapex can take Tyranitar's STAB moves reasonably well and is immune to Toxic, but it can be worn down through repeated attacks and is extremely vulnerable to Earthquake from Choice Band variants.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/slowpoke-fan.617219/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/pulsar512b.469728/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tysonslayer.349443/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tbolt.555379/
Tyranitar has agelessly established itself as a metagame staple in generation 8 OverUsed. Its defensive profile is more valuable than ever with its ability to check some of the metagame's top threats, such as Heatran and Dragapult, while its offensive capabilities when equipped with a Choice Band are desirable for punching through the tier's bulky structures. Additionally, Sand Stream is a fantastic ability that not only enables sand sweepers like Sand Rush Excadrill but also disrupts other weather teams, such as hail from Alolan Ninetales and rain from Pelipper. However, Tyranitar's lack of reliable recovery and numerous type weaknesses make it vulnerable to being worn down over the course of a match, with its low Speed compounding issues, as it moves last more often than not. However, with the right team that can cover for these weaknesses, the Armor Pokemon is still a fearsome adversary to deal with.
[SET]
Choice Band (Tyranitar) @ Choice Band
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Superpower / Fire Punch
- Heavy Slam / Ice Punch / Earthquake
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Choice Band Tyranitar is arguably the best wallbreaker in the metagame. While its STAB moves are obvious, there are a plethora of options for its final two moveslots. Superpower hits Steel-types like Melmetal and Ferrothorn that can otherwise take its STAB moves well, but Fire Punch is a viable alternative if Tyranitar desires to hit Ferrothorn even harder while also covering Steel-types that are neutral to Superpower, such as Corviknight and Scizor. Heavy Slam obliterates Fairy-types like Clefable, but Ice Punch can also be run if targeting Garchomp and Landorus-T is more important. Earthquake is another option to threaten Heatran and Melmetal more effectively when running Fire Punch.
Team Options
========
Choice Band Tyranitar fits perfectly on offensive teams looking for a wallbreaker that can tear holes in sturdy defensive cores for late-game sweepers to take advantage of. Excadrill is an exemplary teammate for multiple reasons: it can take advantage of Tyranitar's sand with Sand Rush to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame, sets up with Swords Dance and Rapid Spin to sweep late-game even if sand is not active, and is an offensive check to Fairy-types like Clefable that can threaten Tyranitar. Choice Specs Dragapult enjoys Tyranitar's wallbreaking so it can cleave through weakened defensive cores with its incredible Speed tier and provides U-turn support to get Tyranitar on the field safely. This is particularly potent, as Dragapult demands that Pokemon like Blissey, Gastrodon, and specially defensive Heatran switch into it, which are extremely vulnerable to Tyranitar. Ferrothorn is a fantastic teammate, as it serves as a sturdy Fairy check against threats like Tapu Lele and Tapu Fini, can set up entry hazards to make up for Choice Band Tyranitar's inability to do so, and is not affected by sand due to its typing. Ferrothorn can also remove Rocky Helmet from Pokemon like Toxapex, Clefable, and Buzzwole that often switch into Tyranitar, preventing Tyranitar from being worn down. Zapdos and Tornadus-T serve as solid checks to Ground-, Grass- and Fighting-types like Garchomp, Kartana, and Buzzwole while providing Tyranitar with pivoting support via Volt Switch and U-turn, respectively. Bulky Water-types like Rotom-W and Slowbro are appreciated, as they can stave off the likes of Barraskewda and Urshifu-R, and both can also bring Tyranitar onto the field safely with Volt Switch and Teleport, respectively. Slowbro has the bonus of providing Future Sight support for Tyranitar to break through its checks, such as Buzzwole and Skarmory.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Choice Band sets can run Assurance over a coverage move so Tyranitar can break through checks like Corviknight and Toxapex if its team has set up entry hazards. Aerial Ace is another alternative to break through Buzzwole, as it can otherwise stomach Tyranitar's moves quite well. However, this sacrifices a coverage slot for other checks, as Aerial Ace has very little use outside of this. Specially defensive variants can opt to run Fire Blast over a status move to nail checks like Skarmory and Ferrothorn, but this is highly discouraged because the utility of Toxic and Thunder Wave is generally more useful. Tyranitar can also run Heavy-Duty Boots over Leftovers to ignore entry hazards, but it usually prefers the passive recovery of Leftovers boosting its longevity. Tyranitar can opt for a Dragon Dance set on offensive teams, but its awkward Speed tier makes setting up difficult, as it can still be revenge killed after a boost.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types like Urshifu-R and Buzzwole resist Tyranitar's STAB moves and can stomach most of its coverage moves reasonably well before threatening it out with STAB Close Combat. Buzzwole deserves a special mention, as it has gargantuan physical bulk and reliable recovery to check Tyranitar in the long
**Steel-types**: Melmetal, Ferrothorn, physically defensive Heatran, Corviknight, and Skarmory have the physical bulk to take Tyranitar's STAB moves and threaten it back with Double Iron Bash, Body Press, or Heavy Slam. Physically defensive Heatran can also annoy Tyranitar with Toxic or Will-O-Wisp while Corviknight and Skarmory can stonewall specially defensive Tyranitar. However, all of them are vulnerable to Tyranitar's coverage moves, so they dislike switching into Tyranitar recklessly.
**Ground-types**: Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Hippowdon can switch into Tyranitar in a pinch due to their good bulk backed by Intimidate or a resistance to Rock-type moves and can retaliate with STAB Earthquake. However, Landorus-T and Garchomp get obliterated by Ice Punch, and Hippowdon's low Speed requires it to be healthy to switch into Tyranitar. All of them also dislike Toxic putting them on a timer.
**Fairy-types**: Clefable and Tapu Fini aren't particularly bothered by specially defensive variants due to their bulk, immunity to Toxic, and resistance to Crunch, and they can slowly wear down Tyranitar with their STAB moves. They can also switch into Choice Band variants locked into a coverage move or Crunch. However, they dislike taking Stone Edge and Heavy Slam, so they cannot reliably switch into Choice Band Tyranitar. Tapu Lele and Tapu Koko can offensively pressure Tyranitar with their STAB moves, but Tyranitar's incredible bulk under sand makes this potentially risky, as it can survive a hit before retaliating with a strong attack.
**Grass-types**: Kartana and Rillaboom can OHKO Tyranitar with Leaf Blade and Grassy Glide, respectively, and can even take a neutral hit from Choice Band variants if needed. However, they lack the bulk and recovery to reliably switch into Choice Band Tyranitar, and specially defensive variants can annoy them with Thunder Wave. Tangrowth's titanic physical bulk and access to Regenerator allow it to reliably switch into Tyranitar before retaliating with Power Whip or Focus Blast, but chip damage from entry hazards and sandstorm can put it in range of a 2HKO against Choice Band Tyranitar, and it dislikes Toxic from specially defensive variants.
**Water-types**: Barraskewda and Volcanion can threaten Tyranitar with their STAB moves, with Barraskewda using Tyranitar as Flip Turn fodder while Volcanion can use Tyranitar as a free opportunity to unleash Steam Eruption, which can generate progress by burning any potential switch-ins. However, Barraskewda's poor bulk and Volcanion's weakness to Rock-type moves make them unviable switch-ins. Toxapex can take Tyranitar's STAB moves reasonably well and is immune to Toxic, but it can be worn down through repeated attacks and is extremely vulnerable to Earthquake from Choice Band variants.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/slowpoke-fan.617219/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/pulsar512b.469728/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tysonslayer.349443/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tbolt.555379/
Last edited:
