Approved by Kristyl and the DPP mod team
Image credit: MAHOU for the Pokemon TCG - Ultra Prism
DPP SU Discussion + Resources Thread
Image credit: MAHOU for the Pokemon TCG - Ultra Prism
DPP SU Discussion + Resources Thread
DPP Sub-Zero Used (SU) is the lowest unofficial tier on Smogon, and it's titularly the tier below ZU. DPP SU saw early speculation after the formation and stabilization of DPP ZU over several years starting around 2022, and it's grown now into a stable tierlist after several tournaments and matchmaking organized through the SU Discord. We're looking forward to using this thread to share resources about the tier, discuss new trends and developments, and reach a larger audience for people who enjoy DPP lower tiers on the Smogon forum.
Pokemon are tiered as DPP ZU based on cumulative usage across DPP ZU tournaments, including the following: ZU Olympiad I-II, ZU Classic V-VI, and ZUPL V-VI. If a Pokemon has >~3.41% usage in ZU, it is tiered as ZU. This includes the following:
Arbok, Banette, Beedrill, Bibarel, Camerupt, Carnivine, Chimecho, Crawdaunt, Dewgong, Diglett, Dunsparce, Fearow, Girafarig, Gloom, Golbat, Granbull, Grotle, Grovyle, Ivysaur, Lairon, Lunatone, Luxray, Mawile, Omanyte, Pelipper, Persian, Phione, Plusle, Probopass, Raticate, Sableye, Seadra, Slaking, Stantler, Swalot, Wailord, Whiscash, Wormadam-Trash
In addition, Pokemon tiered as ZUBL, PU, and so on are not allowed for use in SU.
Arbok, Banette, Beedrill, Bibarel, Camerupt, Carnivine, Chimecho, Crawdaunt, Dewgong, Diglett, Dunsparce, Fearow, Girafarig, Gloom, Golbat, Granbull, Grotle, Grovyle, Ivysaur, Lairon, Lunatone, Luxray, Mawile, Omanyte, Pelipper, Persian, Phione, Plusle, Probopass, Raticate, Sableye, Seadra, Slaking, Stantler, Swalot, Wailord, Whiscash, Wormadam-Trash
In addition, Pokemon tiered as ZUBL, PU, and so on are not allowed for use in SU.
DPP SU has its own banlist of Pokemon and metagame elements that are not allowed. This includes:
Baton Pass, Combusken, Damp Rock, Minun, Shelgon, Trapinch, Vigoroth, Sleep moves
Baton Pass, Combusken, Damp Rock, Minun, Shelgon, Trapinch, Vigoroth, Sleep moves
DPP SU Viability Rankings
Last update: March 2nd, 2025
Sample sets are still being updated for the recent bans
S Ranks
S
Lopunny
S-
Mightyena
Sudowoodo
A Ranks
A+
Lumineon
Octillery
Pidgeot
A
Bronzor
Cherrim
Croconaw
Gastly
Munchlax
A-
Exploud
Flareon
Huntail
Kecleon
Meditite
Pikachu
Seviper
Tentacool
B Ranks
B+
Abra
Furret
Magnemite
Mankey
Prinplup
Pupitar
Vibrava
B
Budew
Chatot
Machop
Marshtomp
Onix
Pineco
Wormadam-Sandy
B-
Bastiodon
Corsola
Magcargo
Staryu
Sunflora
Tropius
Wartortle
Weepinbell
C Ranks
C+
Clefairy
Graveler
Yanma
C
Anorith
Clamperl
Cranidos
Dustox
Noctowl
Quilava
Seaking
Slowpoke
Stunky
Togetic
Wigglytuff
C-
Ariados
Aron
Duskull
Elekid
Poliwhirl
Porygon
Sample sets are still being updated following recent bans
Last update: March 2nd, 2025
Sample sets are still being updated for the recent bans
S Ranks
S
S-
A Ranks
A+
A
A-
B Ranks
B+
B
B-
C Ranks
C+
C
C-
Sample sets are still being updated following recent bans
/challenge gen4zu @@@ -Arbok, -Banette, -Beedrill, -Bibarel, -Camerupt, -Carnivine, -Chimecho, -Crawdaunt, -Dewgong, -Diglett, -Fearow, -Girafarig, -Gloom, -Golbat, -Granbull, -Grotle, -Grovyle, -Ivysaur, -Lairon, -Lunatone, -Luxray, -Mawile, -Omanyte, -Pelipper, -Persian, -Phione, -Plusle, -Probopass, -Raticate, -Sableye, -Seadra, -Slaking, -Stantler, -Swalot, -Wailord, -Whiscash, -Wormadam-Trash, -Baton Pass, -Combusken, -Damp Rock, -Minun, -Shelgon, -Trapinch, -Vigoroth
Sun HO by Aides and missangelic
Lead Lumineon Offense by Aides
Lead Pidgeot Offense by EternumTagerMain and missangelic
Scarf Lumineon Offense by Michael Jordan
Lead Machop Paralysis by Michael Jordan
Lead Kecleon Offense by missangelic
Toxic Spikes Balance by Michael Jordan
Lead Lopunny Spikes by Michael Jordan
Spikes Pivot-spam by Aides
Lead Gastly Fire Punch Lopunny by missangelic
Bronzcool by Aides
Death Roll Barrel Roll by missangelic
Exploudeon by missangelic
More TBA!
Lead Lumineon Offense by Aides
Lead Pidgeot Offense by EternumTagerMain and missangelic
Scarf Lumineon Offense by Michael Jordan
Lead Machop Paralysis by Michael Jordan
Lead Kecleon Offense by missangelic
Toxic Spikes Balance by Michael Jordan
Lead Lopunny Spikes by Michael Jordan
Spikes Pivot-spam by Aides
Lead Gastly Fire Punch Lopunny by missangelic
Bronzcool by Aides
Death Roll Barrel Roll by missangelic
Exploudeon by missangelic
More TBA!
Other SU Old Gens threads: SS / SM / ORAS / BW / DPP / ADV / GSC / RBY
Last edited: