Skiddle, Articuno can take a beating, we all know that. Defensive Pokemon are also all about the typing. Articuno just happens to be weak to things like Rock, and Fire and has a 50% weak to Stealth Rock. Not something you want in a wall.
@ Other Dude: Saying "This articuno set needs rapid spin support" doesnt instantly make it more viable. EVERY Articuno set needs Rapid Spin support, up until the day it learns explosion. I don't see what makes that set so particularly more viable than others.
EDIT: having looked at the analysis I am surprised there is no Tanking Articuno set, it makes sense to have a set with more than 1 attack that isn't the agility set. I'll make sure I'll give it a go when we start going through this.
Salamence is a bit more of a problem though. It outspeeds Ape, and can use Earthquake before Infernape can burn it:
Max Atk Life Orb Salamence Earthquake vs +1 Impish Ape: 54.5 - 64.2%
After Ape burns it (providing it hits - if it misses Ape dies), Salamence can only manage 32% max, allowing Ape to Slack Off and continue Bulking Up. Once again, after SR, Life Orb and Burn damage, Salamence is 2HKOed after 2 Bulk Ups with Fire Punch.
So in the long run, providing there are no crits and Will-O-Wisp hits, Infernape can end up beating both Salamence and Gyarados.
Skiddle, Articuno can take a beating, we all know that. Defensive Pokemon are also all about the typing. Articuno just happens to be weak to things like Rock, and Fire and has a 50% weak to Stealth Rock. Not something you want in a wall.
@ Other Dude: Saying "This articuno set needs rapid spin support" doesnt instantly make it more viable. EVERY Articuno set needs Rapid Spin support, up until the day it learns explosion. I don't see what makes that set so particularly more viable than others.
EDIT: having looked at the analysis I am surprised there is no Tanking Articuno set, it makes sense to have a set with more than 1 attack that isn't the agility set. I'll make sure I'll give it a go when we start going through this.
Stealth Rock is going to be prevolant in any Metagame played (unless they actually ban it when it comes to NU :/) Scarf Articuno cannot switch in more than once per battle assuming it is up (which it will be) why would you want to tdo that to such a pokemon when you could have something like scarf flygon (yes I know its not UU) which can switch in many more times.
Here's another set:
Cacturne@dark plate/leftovers/brightpowder
252atk/252spe or 252hp
adamant
-sub
-leech seed
-SD/attack
-sucker punch/attack
Use in sand storm for best result. I suggest 0hp ivs, so that you get more percentage of hp so subbing would be easier. SD when you see it's right, or leech seed or sub. Sucker punch or sub when you see an attack coming.