Hey guys, DrkSlay here! I'm in charge of the Dugtrio revamp, and I've noticed that Stealth Rock and Focus Sash have been gaining some ground (per June statistics) in UU. In fact, more so than Choice Scarf. Therefore, I imagine that a Lead set analysis is entirely possible to showcase Focus Sash usage, as well as to introduce a lead that is actually quite good in the metagame. Before I write the revamp, I wanted to get this set approved so that I can add it on.
UU Lead
Dugtrio @ Focus Sash
Ability: Arena Trap
EV's: 40 HP / 252 Atk / 216 Spe
Nature: Jolly / Adamant
Moveset:
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Sucker Punch
Set Notes:
- Lead Dugtrio is most comparable to Lead Aerodactyl, in that it is more often than not guaranteed to place Stealth Rock on the field. However, while it lacks Taunt, Dugtrio also has a unique niche that helps it out in the Lead position as well: Arena Trap.
- STAB EQ, along with EdgeQuake coverage, is not to be overlooked, dealing with threats like Omastar, Kabutops, and even Moltres before they can retaliate or set up.
- Sucker Punch is pretty neat priority, picking off Focus Sash users like Kabutops and Alakazam pretty well.
- Arena Trap prevents most opposing leads from switching out, thus allowing Dugtrio to prevent hazards from being placed, KO the opponent, or simply set up SR.
AC:
- 216 Speed EV's and a Jolly nature out-speed Ambipom by two points, which as a result, out-speeds all UU leads bar Electrode (which is not a threat to Dugtrio). Max Attack for most damage. The rest is dumped into HP.
- Adamant and a spread of 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe can be used to guarantee a 2HKO with EQ on Omastar as well as more added power, but you ultimately lose to Ambipom and some forms of Alakazam (although Sucker Punch can help with mind games)
- While an effective lead, if Dugtrio can be saved, it can also be used as an effective trapper and revenger later in the game (albeit not as powerful as CB/LO). It's still fast enough to outpace Max+ Base 110's with this spread.
Team Options:
- Pokemon that appreciate Stealth Rock support generally love having Dugtrio guarantee them being up. Powerful offensive sweepers like Aggron, Rhyperior, Alakazam, and the like are good examples.
- Ghost Pokemon like Mismagius and Rotom help keep SR in play.
- A powerful STAB Pursuit user like Absol, Drapion, or Skuntank can help kill weakened leads or leads Dugtrio cannot beat offensively (Uxie, Mesprit, etc.).
Dugtrio against the top 10 Leads of UU (as of June 2010):
I have tested this set, and the results have been pretty positive. It either does its job, or eliminates the other lead. It was actually pretty fun to play with.

UU Lead
Dugtrio @ Focus Sash
Ability: Arena Trap
EV's: 40 HP / 252 Atk / 216 Spe
Nature: Jolly / Adamant
Moveset:
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Sucker Punch
Set Notes:
- Lead Dugtrio is most comparable to Lead Aerodactyl, in that it is more often than not guaranteed to place Stealth Rock on the field. However, while it lacks Taunt, Dugtrio also has a unique niche that helps it out in the Lead position as well: Arena Trap.
- STAB EQ, along with EdgeQuake coverage, is not to be overlooked, dealing with threats like Omastar, Kabutops, and even Moltres before they can retaliate or set up.
- Sucker Punch is pretty neat priority, picking off Focus Sash users like Kabutops and Alakazam pretty well.
- Arena Trap prevents most opposing leads from switching out, thus allowing Dugtrio to prevent hazards from being placed, KO the opponent, or simply set up SR.
AC:
- 216 Speed EV's and a Jolly nature out-speed Ambipom by two points, which as a result, out-speeds all UU leads bar Electrode (which is not a threat to Dugtrio). Max Attack for most damage. The rest is dumped into HP.
- Adamant and a spread of 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe can be used to guarantee a 2HKO with EQ on Omastar as well as more added power, but you ultimately lose to Ambipom and some forms of Alakazam (although Sucker Punch can help with mind games)
- While an effective lead, if Dugtrio can be saved, it can also be used as an effective trapper and revenger later in the game (albeit not as powerful as CB/LO). It's still fast enough to outpace Max+ Base 110's with this spread.
Team Options:
- Pokemon that appreciate Stealth Rock support generally love having Dugtrio guarantee them being up. Powerful offensive sweepers like Aggron, Rhyperior, Alakazam, and the like are good examples.
- Ghost Pokemon like Mismagius and Rotom help keep SR in play.
- A powerful STAB Pursuit user like Absol, Drapion, or Skuntank can help kill weakened leads or leads Dugtrio cannot beat offensively (Uxie, Mesprit, etc.).
Dugtrio against the top 10 Leads of UU (as of June 2010):
Uxie: Both get up Stealth Rock. Uxie cannot TWave Dugtrio, so it's fairly safe to switch to a fast counter. Unless Uxie has Psychic, it can't do much to Dugtrio, while Dugtrio can't do much to it. Draw, but gets SR up.
Ambipom: You can take this in two directions. First, you should always Sucker Punch on the expected Fake Out, as Dugtrio is faster. Then, you have a decision. Sucker Punch + Earthquake does 87.6% - 103.5% to Ambipom, which means it's a very good shot at a 2HKO if it's the common Life Orb lead, and even if it hits minimum, Ambipom kills itself. This means Ambipom is dead, and Dugtrio is at low health. However, you risk getting hit by priority or Scarf users next turn before SR gets up. Your other choice is to use SR and let Dugtrio die, which results in <50% Ambipom after LO damage plus SR for your team. Overall, Win.
Mesprit: See: Uxie. Note that Mesprit can KO Dugtrio, however, since it can carry Ice Beam / GK. Dugtrio does its job.
Omastar: EQ does 44.2% - 52.9% on the Utility spread, which means anything less is a guaranteed 2HKO. You can actually prevent Omastar from Spike stacking. Win.
Spiritomb: Dugtrio gets SR up, and dies. Does its job, but loses.
Alakazam: Two Earthquakes = KO. If it's faster (Max + outspeeds, but no current Alakazam lead runs that), Sucker Punch for the KO. Or, EQ plus SR leaves a weakened Alakazam. Win.
Cloyster: Sets up SR, then dies. Just look out for Rapid Spin leads. Does its job, but loses.
Moltres: Stone Edge OHKO's. At worst, it's forced to switch out. Win.
Hippopotas: Both get up SR. Tie.
Qwilfish: EQ breaks the Sash. At the most, it's getting up one layer of Spikes. If you suspect that it has Aqua Jet, use Sucker Punch to finish it off. Win.
Ambipom: You can take this in two directions. First, you should always Sucker Punch on the expected Fake Out, as Dugtrio is faster. Then, you have a decision. Sucker Punch + Earthquake does 87.6% - 103.5% to Ambipom, which means it's a very good shot at a 2HKO if it's the common Life Orb lead, and even if it hits minimum, Ambipom kills itself. This means Ambipom is dead, and Dugtrio is at low health. However, you risk getting hit by priority or Scarf users next turn before SR gets up. Your other choice is to use SR and let Dugtrio die, which results in <50% Ambipom after LO damage plus SR for your team. Overall, Win.
Mesprit: See: Uxie. Note that Mesprit can KO Dugtrio, however, since it can carry Ice Beam / GK. Dugtrio does its job.
Omastar: EQ does 44.2% - 52.9% on the Utility spread, which means anything less is a guaranteed 2HKO. You can actually prevent Omastar from Spike stacking. Win.
Spiritomb: Dugtrio gets SR up, and dies. Does its job, but loses.
Alakazam: Two Earthquakes = KO. If it's faster (Max + outspeeds, but no current Alakazam lead runs that), Sucker Punch for the KO. Or, EQ plus SR leaves a weakened Alakazam. Win.
Cloyster: Sets up SR, then dies. Just look out for Rapid Spin leads. Does its job, but loses.
Moltres: Stone Edge OHKO's. At worst, it's forced to switch out. Win.
Hippopotas: Both get up SR. Tie.
Qwilfish: EQ breaks the Sash. At the most, it's getting up one layer of Spikes. If you suspect that it has Aqua Jet, use Sucker Punch to finish it off. Win.
I have tested this set, and the results have been pretty positive. It either does its job, or eliminates the other lead. It was actually pretty fun to play with.