[OVERVIEW]
Urshifu-R is a metagame-defining wallbreaker and cleaner thanks to its amazing Attack stat and synergistic, high-base power STAB combo. Its ability to constantly force switches, break through would-be checks with just the slightest bit of chip damage, and bring in other partners with U-turn makes it a huge boon to offensive teams. At the same time, its good item flexibility allows it to tailor its set depending on the team's needs. Urshifu-R isn't without its issues, though; for one, the number of Pokemon that can threaten it or wall it is notable, like Dragapult, Tapu Koko, and Slowbro. Urshifu-R has a mediocre 97 Speed stat, meaning Pokemon like Garchomp and Kartana outspeed it and, as such, leave it vulnerable to revenge killing attempts constantly. Its STAB combination is also resisted by some of the best Water-type walls in the metagame, namely Tapu Fini, Toxapex, and Slowbro. Its reliance on Surging Strikes is exploitable against contact effects such as Static, Flame Body, Rocky Helmet, Iron Barbs, and Rough Skin. Despite these issues, Urshifu-R remains one of the strongest Pokemon in the metagame, pairing phenomenally with other staples like Weavile, Tapu Koko, and Blacephalon.
[SET]
Protective Pads (Urshifu-Rapid-Strike) @ Protective Pads
Ability: Unseen Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Surging Strikes
- Close Combat
- U-turn
- Taunt / Aqua Jet
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Protective Pads Urshifu-R is an incredibly scary pivot thanks to its great Attack, good bulk, and incredible STAB moves that still hit hard without a Choice Band boost. Surging Strikes threaten Water-weak Pokemon like Landorus-T and Victini with the added benefit of bypassing Iron Defense boosts from Corviknight and Skarmory and Substitute users like Volcarona and Arctozolt. Close Combat can threaten a myriad of Pokemon in the tier, such as Steel- and Dark-types like Ferrothorn, Melmetal, and Weavile, and less bulky neutral targets like Volcanion and Gastrodon. U-turn allows Urshifu-R to bring in a teammate while scouting what the opponent does and chipping walls like Slowbro and Rotom-W. Taunt is typically preferred in the final moveslot, as it allows Urshifu-R to shut down healing moves from Clefable, Buzzwole, and Toxapex; entry hazards from Ferrothorn; and status moves like Toxic and Thunder Wave from Garchomp and Clefable. However, Aqua Jet gives Urshifu-R a much-beloved priority move that removes weakened threats like Blacephalon, Volcarona, and Blaziken, which could otherwise snowball out of control. Protective Pads prevents Urshifu-R from taking chip damage from Garchomp's Rough Skin, Ferrothorn's Iron Barbs, and Rocky Helmet held by foes like Corviknight and Buzzwole. It also completely avoids Flame Body burns from Volcarona and Heatran and Static paralysis from Zapdos, allowing it to attack these Pokemon more freely. Protective Pads Urshifu-R can be highly effective when playing as if it is holding a Choice Scarf, so bluffing early-game versus Pokemon like Weavile and slightly chipped Corviknight that cannot outright OHKO it or handle its other sets, can go a long way; however, Urshifu-R's sheer power means that it is not necessary to bluff another item, and Ferrothorn, Garchomp, and Rocky Helmet users like Corviknight can reveal its Protective Pads on contact.
Team Options
========
Urshifu-R fits best on bulky offense and balance teams that can make the most of its strengths, so wallbreakers like Weavile, Dragapult, and Tapu Lele can go a long way to help threaten Pokemon that would otherwise give Urshifu-R trouble, such as Slowbro, Corviknight, Tapu Fini, and Toxapex; in return, Urshifu-R can help deal with the Fire- and Steel-types that give these teammates trouble, such as Ferrothorn, Heatran, and Volcarona. Tapu Koko, in particular, is a phenomenal partner due to it threatening Buzzwole, Corviknight, Skarmory, and Water-types that wall Urshifu-R like Toxapex and Slowbro, while Urshifu-R can deal with Ferrothorn and Ground-types like Landorus-T and Hippowdon for Tapu Koko. Tapu Koko's access to U-turn and Volt Switch means that they also make a solid offensive VoltTurn core. Similarly, Dragapult threatens Dragonite, opposing Dragapult, and Kartana on top of other physical stalwarts like Buzzwole, Skarmory, and Slowbro. Spikes users like Ferrothorn and Skarmory help chip checks to Urshifu-R like Tapu Fini and Buzzwole. Similarly, Knock Off users like Weavile and Kartana can remove important items like Heavy-Duty Boots and Leftovers from defensive targets like Tornarus-T, Buzzwole, and Tapu Fini to help Urshifu-R in combination with hazard support from the aforementioned Spikes setters. Future Sight users like Slowbro, Tapu Lele, and Galarian Slowking can help Urshifu-R wallbreak, as many of the Pokemon that wall it, like non-Light Screen Toxapex, Buzzwole, and Tapu Fini, despise Future Sight. Trappers like Heatran and Whirlpool Tapu Fini target the Water-types that Urshifu-R despises like Toxapex and Slowbro; Tapu Fini can also threaten Dragonite with both Whirlpool and Moonblast. Dragapult, in particular, can cause Urshifu-R issues due to its Dragon / Ghost typing resisting all of its moves while threatening an OHKO with Draco Meteor and Thunderbolt; henceforth, teammates like Assault Vest Tornadus-T, Tyranitar, and Melmetal can decrease its potency. Similarly, Electric-types like Tapu Koko and Zapdos can cause Urshifu-R immense trouble, so answers to these threats like Ferrothorn, Landorus-T, and Hippowdon are essential.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ice Punch can allow Urshifu-R to threaten Dragonite and Dragapult. However, this doesn’t achieve much else, as Urshifu-R’s STABs are already powerful, and sacrificing one of its key moves often does more harm than good. A Bulk Up set with Protective Pads and either Thunder Punch or Taunt can allow Urshifu-R to turn into a threatening stallbreaker if given the chance; however, the lack of U-turn means that Urshifu-R sacrifices its ability as an offensive pivot with this set and is vulnerable to the sheer number of faster threats and Choice Scarf users in the metagame, even if it successfully sets up.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-types like Toxapex, Slowbro, and Tapu Fini can consistently switch into and force out Urshifu-R, with the latter two threatening heavy damage or OHKOes on it with their STAB moves. However, they must be wary of Choice Band-boosted Thunder Punch, especially Tapu Fini, since it lacks reliable recovery. Rotom-W can cripple Urshifu-R with Will-O-Wisp or Thunder Wave, but it has to be wary of Close Combat.
**Grass-types**: Grass-types like Rillaboom, Kartana, and Ferrothorn all threaten Urshifu-R and resist its Surging Strikes, although Close Combat and U-turn heavily punish them if they choose to switch in directly. Rillaboom and Kartana also have the added benefit of outspeeding Urshifu-R with Grassy Glide and base Speed, respectively. On the other hand, Ferrothorn can punish Urshifu-R if it makes an incorrect move thanks to Iron Barbs. Other bulky Grass-types like Tangrowth and Amoonguss can directly switch into Urshifu-R consistently and punish it with Rocky Helmet, although they are much more niche.
**Contact Effects**: Contact effects from Rocky Helmet users like Buzzwole, Corviknight, Clefable, and Slowbro; Ferrothorn's Iron Barbs and Garchomp's Rough Skin; and status-inflicting abilities from Zapdos, Heatran, and Volcarona can cripple Urshifu-R if it is not careful, limiting its output considerably. Protective Pads can circumvent this issue entirely, though.
**Faster Threats**: Despite Urshifu-R’s power, its Speed is incredibly middling without a Choice Scarf, which leaves it vulnerable against faster Pokemon like Tornadus-T, Dragapult, and Tapu Koko. Dragapult in particular can be problematic, as it not only threatens to OHKO Urshifu-R with Choice Specs Draco Meteor and Thunderbolt but also makes Choice item variants setup fodder for Dragon Dance if it's locked into Close Combat.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/clas.545372/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tysonslayer.349443/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/slowpoke-fan.617219/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/pulsar512b.469728/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sunny004.197240/
Urshifu-R is a metagame-defining wallbreaker and cleaner thanks to its amazing Attack stat and synergistic, high-base power STAB combo. Its ability to constantly force switches, break through would-be checks with just the slightest bit of chip damage, and bring in other partners with U-turn makes it a huge boon to offensive teams. At the same time, its good item flexibility allows it to tailor its set depending on the team's needs. Urshifu-R isn't without its issues, though; for one, the number of Pokemon that can threaten it or wall it is notable, like Dragapult, Tapu Koko, and Slowbro. Urshifu-R has a mediocre 97 Speed stat, meaning Pokemon like Garchomp and Kartana outspeed it and, as such, leave it vulnerable to revenge killing attempts constantly. Its STAB combination is also resisted by some of the best Water-type walls in the metagame, namely Tapu Fini, Toxapex, and Slowbro. Its reliance on Surging Strikes is exploitable against contact effects such as Static, Flame Body, Rocky Helmet, Iron Barbs, and Rough Skin. Despite these issues, Urshifu-R remains one of the strongest Pokemon in the metagame, pairing phenomenally with other staples like Weavile, Tapu Koko, and Blacephalon.
[SET]
Protective Pads (Urshifu-Rapid-Strike) @ Protective Pads
Ability: Unseen Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Surging Strikes
- Close Combat
- U-turn
- Taunt / Aqua Jet
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Protective Pads Urshifu-R is an incredibly scary pivot thanks to its great Attack, good bulk, and incredible STAB moves that still hit hard without a Choice Band boost. Surging Strikes threaten Water-weak Pokemon like Landorus-T and Victini with the added benefit of bypassing Iron Defense boosts from Corviknight and Skarmory and Substitute users like Volcarona and Arctozolt. Close Combat can threaten a myriad of Pokemon in the tier, such as Steel- and Dark-types like Ferrothorn, Melmetal, and Weavile, and less bulky neutral targets like Volcanion and Gastrodon. U-turn allows Urshifu-R to bring in a teammate while scouting what the opponent does and chipping walls like Slowbro and Rotom-W. Taunt is typically preferred in the final moveslot, as it allows Urshifu-R to shut down healing moves from Clefable, Buzzwole, and Toxapex; entry hazards from Ferrothorn; and status moves like Toxic and Thunder Wave from Garchomp and Clefable. However, Aqua Jet gives Urshifu-R a much-beloved priority move that removes weakened threats like Blacephalon, Volcarona, and Blaziken, which could otherwise snowball out of control. Protective Pads prevents Urshifu-R from taking chip damage from Garchomp's Rough Skin, Ferrothorn's Iron Barbs, and Rocky Helmet held by foes like Corviknight and Buzzwole. It also completely avoids Flame Body burns from Volcarona and Heatran and Static paralysis from Zapdos, allowing it to attack these Pokemon more freely. Protective Pads Urshifu-R can be highly effective when playing as if it is holding a Choice Scarf, so bluffing early-game versus Pokemon like Weavile and slightly chipped Corviknight that cannot outright OHKO it or handle its other sets, can go a long way; however, Urshifu-R's sheer power means that it is not necessary to bluff another item, and Ferrothorn, Garchomp, and Rocky Helmet users like Corviknight can reveal its Protective Pads on contact.
Team Options
========
Urshifu-R fits best on bulky offense and balance teams that can make the most of its strengths, so wallbreakers like Weavile, Dragapult, and Tapu Lele can go a long way to help threaten Pokemon that would otherwise give Urshifu-R trouble, such as Slowbro, Corviknight, Tapu Fini, and Toxapex; in return, Urshifu-R can help deal with the Fire- and Steel-types that give these teammates trouble, such as Ferrothorn, Heatran, and Volcarona. Tapu Koko, in particular, is a phenomenal partner due to it threatening Buzzwole, Corviknight, Skarmory, and Water-types that wall Urshifu-R like Toxapex and Slowbro, while Urshifu-R can deal with Ferrothorn and Ground-types like Landorus-T and Hippowdon for Tapu Koko. Tapu Koko's access to U-turn and Volt Switch means that they also make a solid offensive VoltTurn core. Similarly, Dragapult threatens Dragonite, opposing Dragapult, and Kartana on top of other physical stalwarts like Buzzwole, Skarmory, and Slowbro. Spikes users like Ferrothorn and Skarmory help chip checks to Urshifu-R like Tapu Fini and Buzzwole. Similarly, Knock Off users like Weavile and Kartana can remove important items like Heavy-Duty Boots and Leftovers from defensive targets like Tornarus-T, Buzzwole, and Tapu Fini to help Urshifu-R in combination with hazard support from the aforementioned Spikes setters. Future Sight users like Slowbro, Tapu Lele, and Galarian Slowking can help Urshifu-R wallbreak, as many of the Pokemon that wall it, like non-Light Screen Toxapex, Buzzwole, and Tapu Fini, despise Future Sight. Trappers like Heatran and Whirlpool Tapu Fini target the Water-types that Urshifu-R despises like Toxapex and Slowbro; Tapu Fini can also threaten Dragonite with both Whirlpool and Moonblast. Dragapult, in particular, can cause Urshifu-R issues due to its Dragon / Ghost typing resisting all of its moves while threatening an OHKO with Draco Meteor and Thunderbolt; henceforth, teammates like Assault Vest Tornadus-T, Tyranitar, and Melmetal can decrease its potency. Similarly, Electric-types like Tapu Koko and Zapdos can cause Urshifu-R immense trouble, so answers to these threats like Ferrothorn, Landorus-T, and Hippowdon are essential.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ice Punch can allow Urshifu-R to threaten Dragonite and Dragapult. However, this doesn’t achieve much else, as Urshifu-R’s STABs are already powerful, and sacrificing one of its key moves often does more harm than good. A Bulk Up set with Protective Pads and either Thunder Punch or Taunt can allow Urshifu-R to turn into a threatening stallbreaker if given the chance; however, the lack of U-turn means that Urshifu-R sacrifices its ability as an offensive pivot with this set and is vulnerable to the sheer number of faster threats and Choice Scarf users in the metagame, even if it successfully sets up.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-types like Toxapex, Slowbro, and Tapu Fini can consistently switch into and force out Urshifu-R, with the latter two threatening heavy damage or OHKOes on it with their STAB moves. However, they must be wary of Choice Band-boosted Thunder Punch, especially Tapu Fini, since it lacks reliable recovery. Rotom-W can cripple Urshifu-R with Will-O-Wisp or Thunder Wave, but it has to be wary of Close Combat.
**Grass-types**: Grass-types like Rillaboom, Kartana, and Ferrothorn all threaten Urshifu-R and resist its Surging Strikes, although Close Combat and U-turn heavily punish them if they choose to switch in directly. Rillaboom and Kartana also have the added benefit of outspeeding Urshifu-R with Grassy Glide and base Speed, respectively. On the other hand, Ferrothorn can punish Urshifu-R if it makes an incorrect move thanks to Iron Barbs. Other bulky Grass-types like Tangrowth and Amoonguss can directly switch into Urshifu-R consistently and punish it with Rocky Helmet, although they are much more niche.
**Contact Effects**: Contact effects from Rocky Helmet users like Buzzwole, Corviknight, Clefable, and Slowbro; Ferrothorn's Iron Barbs and Garchomp's Rough Skin; and status-inflicting abilities from Zapdos, Heatran, and Volcarona can cripple Urshifu-R if it is not careful, limiting its output considerably. Protective Pads can circumvent this issue entirely, though.
**Faster Threats**: Despite Urshifu-R’s power, its Speed is incredibly middling without a Choice Scarf, which leaves it vulnerable against faster Pokemon like Tornadus-T, Dragapult, and Tapu Koko. Dragapult in particular can be problematic, as it not only threatens to OHKO Urshifu-R with Choice Specs Draco Meteor and Thunderbolt but also makes Choice item variants setup fodder for Dragon Dance if it's locked into Close Combat.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/clas.545372/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tysonslayer.349443/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/slowpoke-fan.617219/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/pulsar512b.469728/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sunny004.197240/
