Resource SM OU Sets Viability Rankings

[Colonel M]

Approved by Subject 18|Format stolen from OU Viability Rankings|Co-Hosted by Gary, bludz, Subject 18, and sedertz

Image by sneaky. ​

Welcome to the official OU Sets Viability Rankings. In this thread, we as a community will rank every Pokemon's usable set into which tier of the viability ranking they individually fall under. In this thread, you're encouraged to post your thoughts and opinions on the various set rankings for each Pokemon. Posts in this thread will be taken into account when deciding rank changes. Keep in mind that the sets are organized in order of viability!

SETS: If looking for sets they can be found in the preliminary pokedex sub-forum along with the OU Analyses sub-forum for WIP analyses: Uploaded and WIP

You can also consult with the OU Role Compendium for more information: A guide by p2

Terminology​

• All-Out Attacker means every move used on this Pokemon is an offensive move. There are no setup moves, utility moves, nor support moves.
• Offensive usually incorporates Pokemon that are Offensively-oriented; however, may have some utility with them (i.e. Taunt, Intimidate) or setup moves.
• Utility varies from Pokemon to Pokemon, but basically these Pokemon are not often Offensive based and, even if they are, usually support the team more often than sweep. Such examples are laying entry hazards, setting up terrain, or using U-turn / Volt Switch. This can sometimes be known as Pivot as well.
• Defensive are basically Pokemon that are more Defensively-oriented.

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SM OU Ranking Tier List

(In alphabetical order)

S Rank:

S Rank
Landorus-T
Defensive: S
Choice Scarf: S
Flyinium Z: A+
Earth Plate: A+
SD + Rockium Z: A
Double Dance: A-

Toxapex
Thapex: S

A Rank:

A+ Rank

Celesteela
Defensive: A+

Ferrothorn
Utility: A+

Greninja-Ash
Choice Specs: A+
Waterium Z: A
Darkinium Z: A

Heatran
Utility: A+
Offensive Z-Crystal: A
Defensive: A-
Choice Scarf: B+

Magearna
Assault Vest: A+
Shift Gear + 3 Attacks: A
Shift Gear + Calm Mind: A-
Offensive Trick Room: A-

Tapu Koko
Choice Specs: A+
Special Z-Crystal: A
Z Wild Charge: A
Offensive: A-

Tapu Lele
Choice Specs: A+
Choice Scarf: A
Offensive Z-Crystal: A
Calm Mind + Psychium Z: A

A Rank

Clefable
Magic Guard: A
Unaware: B

Diancie (Mega)
All-Out Attacker: A
Stealth Rock: A
Setup Sweeper: A-

Greninja
Dual Hazards: A
Choice Scarf: A
Offensive Spiker: A
All-Out Attacker: A-

Kartana
Swords Dance: A
Substitute + Swords Dance: A
Choice Scarf: A-

Kyurem-B
Life Orb: A
Subzero Slammer: A-

Latios
Choice Scarf: A
Offensive: A
Calm Mind: A-
Choice Specs: A-

Mawile (Mega)
Swords Dance: A
All-Out Attacker: A

Scizor (Mega)
Defog: A
Swords Dance: A-

Tapu Bulu
Swords Dance: A
Assault Vest: A
Substitute + Swords Dance: A-
Choice Band: B+

Tyranitar
Choice Band: A

Volcarona
Quiver Dance: A
SubSwarm: A-

Zygarde
SubDance: A
Dragon Dance: A
Choice Band: A-
Double Dance: A-

A- Rank

Chansey
Utility: A-

Hoopa-U
Choice Band: A-
Choice Specs: A-

Keldeo
Choice Scarf: A-
Calm Mind Waterium Z: A-
Choice Specs: B+

Lopunny (Mega)
Offensive: A-

Magnezone
Substitute + Z-Crystal: A-
Choice Scarf: B+
Assault Vest: B

Mew
Utility: A-
Mewnium Z: B+

Pelipper
Choice Specs: A-
Utility: B+

Pinsir (Mega)
Swords Dance: A-

Sableye (Mega)
Utility: A-

Tangrowth
Assault Vest: A-
Mixed: B+

Tyranitar (Mega)
Dragon Dance: A-
Stealth Rock: A-

Venusaur (Mega)
Defensive: A-

Zapdos
Roost + 3 Attacks: A-
Defog: B+

B Rank:

B+ Rank

Alakazam (Mega)
Offensive: B+

Charizard (Mega X)
Roost + 3 Attacks: B+
Dragon Dance: B-

Garchomp
Swords Dance + Stealth Rock: B+
Swords Dance + 3 Attacks: B
Choice Scarf: B-

Gengar
Offensive: B+
Choice Specs: B+

Latias (Mega)
Calm Mind: B+
Utility: B+

Mantine
Defog: B+

Medicham (Mega)
All-Out Attacker: B+

Swampert (Mega)
Swift Swim: B+

Weavile
Choice Band: B+

B Rank

Alomomola
Defensive: B

Amoonguss
Defensive: B

Excadrill
Mold Breaker: B
Choice Scarf: B
Sand Rush: B

Gastrodon
Defensive: B

Gyarados
Dragon Dance + Flyinium Z: B

Hawlucha
Swords Dance: B

Heracross (Mega)
Swords Dance: B

Kingdra
Swift Swim: B

Latias
Choice Scarf: B

Manaphy
Waterium Z: B
Tail Glow + 3 Attacks: B

Reuniclus
Calm Mind: B

Rotom-W
Pivot: B

Skarmory
Defensive: B

Suicune
VinCune (Substitute + Calm Mind): B

Tapu Fini
Defog: B

B- Rank

Charizard (Mega Y)
Offensive: B-

Gallade (Mega)
Swords Dance: B-

Gyarados (Mega)
Dragon Dance: B-

Mamoswine
Offensive: B-
Stealth Rock: B-

Mimikyu
Swords Dance: B-

Quagsire
Defensive: B-

Jirachi
Stealth Rock: B-
Wish + Protect: B-

Serperior
Substitute + Leech Seed: B-

Terrakion
Choice Scarf: B-
Stealth Rock: C+

Tornadus-T
Life Orb: B-
Assault Vest: B-

Victini
Z-Celebrate: B-

C Rank:

C+ Rank

Azumarill
Belly Drum: C+

Bisharp
Swords Dance: C+

Camerupt (Mega)
Offensive: C+

Ditto
Imposter: C+

Dragonite
Dragon Dance: C+

Hippowdon
Defensive: C+

Hydreigon
Choice Specs: C+

Mega Latios
Offensive: C+

Manectric (Mega)
Pivot: C+

Marowak-Alola
Offensive: C+

Nihilego
Choice Scarf: C+
Toxic Spikes: C+

Ninetales-Alola
Aurora Veil: C+

Shuckle
Sticky Webs: C+

Slowbro (Mega)
Defensive: C+

Thundurus
All-Out Attacker: C+
Nasty Plot: C+

Volcanion
Substitute: C+

C Rank

Alakazam
Focus Sash: C

Altaria (Mega)
Dragon Dance: C

Chandelure
Choice Specs: C

Crawdaunt
Swords Dance: C
Choice Band: C

Cresselia
Trick Room: C

Garchomp (Mega)
Mega Chomp: C

Gliscor
Swords Dance: C
SubToxic: C-

Muk-Alola
Assault Vest: C

Nidoking
Life Orb: C

Salamence
Dragon Dance + Flyinium Z: C

Sharpedo (Mega)
Cleaner: C

Thundurus-T
Agility: C

Uxie
Trick Room: C
C- Rank
Aerodactyl (Mega)
Offensive: C-

Azelf
Stealth Rock: C-

Cofagrigus
Trick Room: C-

Gardevoir (Mega)
Offensive: C-

Porygon-Z
Normalium Z - Electric: C-

Scolipede
Swords Dance: C-

Slowbro
Defensive: C-

Talonflame
Swords Dance: C-

Rules:

• Post intelligently. Posts like "I think set X should be in this tier" will be deleted.
• No flaming and being an idiot. You'll get warned if you purposely do. This specifically includes making joke nominations about other users.
• Usage statistics may be used to support an argument or a claim, but don't base your ENTIRE argument around them. For example, you can't just say "Set X shouldn't be this tier because it isn't used that often!"
• Suspect talk, unrelated stuff, one liners that ask questions that provide no substance, something that doesn't really pertain to rankings or petty arguments about semantics and definitions, such as the definition of a counter as one example, will be deleted.
• Only argue about the rankings of potential sets here, not the individual Pokemon rankings, arguments about individual Pokemon should take place in the SM OU Viability Ranking thread.

 

[p2]

where is sd buzzwole¿

 

[LorisMasta17]

From how good it does for me I think autotomize Celesteela should move up to A, but idk, maybe that's just because people aren't that well prepared for it and don't expect.
Also I think scarf Pheromosa should be A. While maybe not as good as other sets it still is quite a good set. Probably my most used set on it. It just revenge kills everything and is still strong enough to put some holes in the opponents team, and it can easily clean up late game with HJK and attack boosts. I also refuse to believe scarf belongs in the same rank as quiver.

 

[Welli0u]

where's my boy kartana?

 

[readytolose]

where's my boy kartana?

Don't worry, Kartana will be here eventually. He's just kind of....



timid

 

[Kutscher]

i think we could rename manaphy set, z tail glow seems like your using buguim z
edit: i haven't seen too much breloons, but i guess they aren't running z swords dance, maybe it's another z-move?

 

[Univeral]

You should add Z-Snatch(Darkium) To Hoopa-U.

Reason: It's preferally better than LO Hoopa-u being as Z-snatch gives it a +2 Speed while then you can nasty plot up to be unstoppable.(Didn't provide reason before is due to the fact that this is common knowledge lol)

 

[Creator of Chaos]

Stealth rock clef should be listed. Not as high as its 2 main sets maybe b- but it's still useful.

 

[boxofkangaroos]

I think it's worth adding Life Orb Ash-Greninja, I've used it quite a bit and it definitely has its advantages due to its ability to switch up moves. I'd put it at A or A-.

 

[Colonel M]

Z Swords Dance Breloom is using Continental Crush for its Z move of choice.

We also are not adding mediocre sets such as Life Orb Ash Greninja in the rankings. Protean does Life Orb infinitely better.

 

[UltiMario]

I wrote up Clef and have played with it pretty extensively in the current meta. I'd actually drop CM MG down to B. It doesn't answer that many threats, has low utility after all the Twave nerfs, and loses to 16 of the top 20 usage mons right now. Unaware sets provide a real niche in stall, and the SR set is at least consistent hazards. CM Bro is down in B and that feels like a little more appropriate power level for what CM Clef is currently sitting at.

 

[MANNAT]

Remember guys, if you're going to nominate a set to be ranked, you need justification for it. The above post is a good example of this and while the sets VR "council" doesn't think that CM Clef belongs in the same rank as CM Slowbro, it sets up a reasonable argument instead of just telling me to add a set without justification.

See rule:

• Post intelligently. Posts like "I think set X should be in this tier" will be deleted.

 

[UltiMario]

Since you shuffled around the order of the sets in response to that post, you should probably mention in the OP that order for sets within the same rank is non-arbitrary, since those using this as a resource (usually people that don't have extensive knowledge of the metagame already) would have no way to tell otherwise.

 

[Colonel M]

I've decided to pick this up, with blessings from Gary and bludz.

 

[Leo]

I think CM Koko should drop to B+. It's on the same rank as CM Tapu Fini which has a better typing, superior bulk and an ability that helps it set up Calm Minds thanks to the immunity to Status. I don't know how CM Koko can compare to this and its rank should reflect this imo.

 

[Colonel M]

I think CM Koko should drop to B+. It's on the same rank as CM Tapu Fini which has a better typing, superior bulk and an ability that helps it set up Calm Minds thanks to the immunity to Status. I don't know how CM Koko can compare to this and its rank should reflect this imo.

I feel the current place of Calm Mind Koko is fine as is. While I agree its a weaker set for Koko it is a set that boasts a good amount of power behind its Thunderbolt after a Calm Mind. If you eliminate Koko's problematic threats like Ground-types and Grass-types it is pretty golden. It needs some support which makes it weaker, but not a whole tier's difference.

Made changes to reflect the current OU VR thread.

 

[Vague]

I'd argue that Agility Mega Metagross is a better fit in A+. It may not be as effective as the AoA set since the virtue of extra coverage is a miracle in itself, but Agility Metagross really runs through a lot of teams with literally no effort after the speed boost. The most common way of dealing with Metagross is outrunning and gunning it down before it can do it's worst, but Agility flips the tables around and with it there are, frankly, no countermeasures whatsoever for offensive teams besides hoping it doesn't have Ice Punch / EQ / Thunder Punch, etc. whatever coverage move beats your soft check. This isn't even taking into account whether Psychic Terrain is up considering it and Tapu Lele are the face of OU right now and pair incredibly well together, so more often than not you're facing a Metagross with a Zen Headbutt that literally melts everything bar quad resists which makes up for the loss in coverage. All it needs is Zen / EQ / MM and even without Lele's support it's going to put in a fantastic amount of work in nearly any matchup, so essentially, Agility Metagross invalidates offense's best way of stopping it while still be able to break through bulkier teams with a bit more support than AoA requires, but the support it appreciates is so marginal that it's definitely not two full ranks behind AoA.

Scarf Landorus-T and, by extension, Scarf Terrakion are two of the best Scarfers in the tier at the moment. They're not as good as their SD sets and Landorus-T's Defensive set, but are they really two full ranks worse?

Is Choice Band Dragonite a full rank better than Dragon Dance? From my experience and the general consensus of the community it's quite the opposite. Choice Band isn't that good since it locks you E-Speed in a Tapu Lele and Mega Metagross meta, Outrage isn't spammable and horrible to be locked into with all the amazing Fairies and Steels around, you know things like that while Flyinium / Electrium-Z DDance is legit terrifying to face which we all know with Mence making a comeback. So those two sets should switch spots in regards to ranking.

e: regardless of whether mence is better at the dancing role, it's still a much better set than cb overall but i see your reasoning why

 

[bludz]

Scarf Landorus-T isn't all that good. It's too slow to revenge +1 ZardX, Salamence, or Volcarona. It is also slower than Scarf Tapu Lele. It's still a decent glue mon but isn't A+ by any stretch especially when considering its effectiveness as compared to the best sets of A+ mons. Terrakion is a different story, I don't have an extremely strong opinion on that.

Also iirc Flyinium Z Dragonite is simply a lot worse than Mence to the point of being practically outclassed; thus the higher rank for CB.

I dont really have an opinion on RP Meta, but that mon is a menace so I could see it in A+ potentially. Would have to see it in practice more to really side with that, I think A is a pretty reasonable ranking though

 

[Colonel M]

Some of the sets will probably be switching up. Dragonite is going to need some cleaning up for sure. Dragonite's main perks are that it's an easier way to set up Dragon Dance to abuse the Z moves and can potentially net a second Dragon Dance. Extreme Speed can pick off some weaker Scarf Pokemon (think Pheromosa). Choice Band is in a pretty bad spot because it opens a lot of opportunities for Fairy-types and Mega Metagross free switch-ins. Classic DD is still an okay set (I'd use it before DD) but the Z Moves are pretty solid for it. Definitely weaker in power to Salamence and Salamence technically snowballs harder with Moxie.

At request (and something I agree with as well) I have moved Fight Z Bulu to A instead of A- as well.

I'd argue that Agility Mega Metagross is a better fit in A+. It may not be as effective as the AoA set since the virtue of extra coverage is a miracle in itself, but Agility Metagross really runs through a lot of teams with literally no effort after the speed boost. The most common way of dealing with Metagross is outrunning and gunning it down before it can do it's worst, but Agility flips the tables around and with it there are, frankly, no countermeasures whatsoever for offensive teams besides hoping it doesn't have Ice Punch / EQ / Thunder Punch, etc. whatever coverage move beats your soft check. This isn't even taking into account whether Psychic Terrain is up considering it and Tapu Lele are the face of OU right now and pair incredibly well together, so more often than not you're facing a Metagross with a Zen Headbutt that literally melts everything bar quad resists which makes up for the loss in coverage. All it needs is Zen / EQ / MM and even without Lele's support it's going to put in a fantastic amount of work in nearly any matchup, so essentially, Agility Metagross invalidates offense's best way of stopping it while still be able to break through bulkier teams with a bit more support than AoA requires, but the support it appreciates is so marginal that it's definitely not two full ranks behind AoA.

I'm kind of torn on AgiliGross because I've personally considered it in A+, but I also can't deny that Mega Metagross that run Agility really require solid support behind it to really get going. For starters Hammer Arm is almost out of the equation which leaves Mega Metagross a little more vulnerable to things like Ferrothorn and weird Air Balloon shenanigans (though being honest those are rare so I'm not really going to harp too hard on them).

The most criminal thing is you're extremely strapped to three moves, which means you're either missing Zen Headbutt (which can be good with Lele support) or an elemental punch. For what it's worthy with Lele AgiliGross with Zen Headbutt can bypass some threats, but it's still hard walled by things like Skarmory and lesser extent Celesteela which can be really bad. When I considered moving up AgiliGross to A+ I personally questioned it because that limit on its moves really hold back a lot of its threat power. I won't deny that AgiliGross is a threatening sweeper in the right hands and right team, but A reflects it's still really damn good. I think it falls just a teeny bit short for A+.

Scarf Landorus-T and, by extension, Scarf Terrakion are two of the best Scarfers in the tier at the moment. They're not as good as their SD sets and Landorus-T's Defensive set, but are they really two full ranks worse?

Scarf Landorus-T suffers a lot of being slower than threats that bludz covered (Volcarona, +1 Zard X, +1 Mence). I think the best Scarf Pokemon in the meta really fall to something more towards Garchomp and Nihilego who pack heat against a lot of powerful threats that gain Speed. Lele is also big in that it still denies priority as an option with others like Pheromosa being okay for Scarf since it gets the surprise and Attack boosts can help snowball it. I think A+ might be stretching it a bit, but I do know it still gets tour usage here and there. I do admit that Scarf Terrakion is a mon that is under the radar of rising for me since it's not too shabby at revenging a lot of threatening things in the tier.

I'm going to try to update a bit more in this thread over the week since there were some tier shifts in the VR thread that need to be addressed. I did move Mega Venusaur down a rank as well, but I can't really remember anyone else off the top of my head.

 

[AM]

Defensive lando-t should be the only s rank set. Scarf chomp should be the top set. Bulu should have a scarf set (B+, realistically can be A- cause subseed set is bad). Agility m-gross isnt that great i wouldnt put it too high.

 

[Empo]

I agree, I tried scarf Bulu and yeah it's pretty cool. it reachs 400+ speed so it can outspeed all bulus and its pretty cool because it take off guard opponents since this is a gimmick set, and it still hits hard.

I also tried, always talking bout tapu bulu, leech seed sub set or SD one, which is pretty annoying for opponents and good imo, tanking a lot of bulky grounds and subbing on them.

 

[Colonel M]

Defensive lando-t should be the only s rank set.

I mildly disagree. SD Z Moves are really brutal for the tier and make Landorus-T harder to effectively control. Having to guess between if it's Defensive or Offensive helps it out too (I mean both Defensive and Offensive can run Stealth Rock).

Scarf chomp should be the top set.

Definitely agree here.

Bulu should have a scarf set (B+, realistically can be A- cause subseed set is bad).

I'll put it in A- because personally I'd rather use Scarf before SubSeed but I guess I see SubSeed's appeal still. At worst we can debate it down.

I also am moving Specs Tapu Lele to A+ and moving Scarf Terrakion to at least B+ - and possibly over Choice Band. Specs Tapu Lele faces stiff competition on that it's Speed tier is good but leaves it mildly vulnerable to faster threats. Meanwhile, All Out Attacker sets do Specs's job arguably better with the freedom to switch moves, Taunt, and carrying either Twisted Spoon to keep its offenses high or Shed Shell to prevent it from being trapped by Dugtrio.

 

[Empo]

adding this too, stallbreak lele with this set is very good especially vs stall and yeah natures madness is so good against bulky steels so it will be easier in the long run

 

[Colonel M]

Should be all the sets. Updated everything to reflect the SM OU Viability Thread at this time and updated a few of the sets:

- For some reason LL put Double Dance Landorus-T first. Re-adjusted to Defensive first.
- Moved Swords Dance + Fightium Z Bulu to the top - it is the defining moveset for Tapu Bulu in OU atm.
- Merged some of the sets that only had a few minor differences (Calm Mind Suicune)
- Re-modified Dragonite, though I am debating on the removal of Choice Band.
- Bumped Scarf Terrakion to B+. Still on the table: placing over Choice Band.

 

[fanyfan]

Bulky Defog: B+
Since Mantine is B rank, shouldn't this be B?

AraEDIT: Fixed