[SET]
name: Utility Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock / Pursuit
move 2: Payback / Crunch
move 3: Fire Blast / Taunt
move 4: Superpower / Low Kick
item: Lum Berry / Chople Berry
ability: Sand Stream
nature: Brave
evs: 248 HP / 120 Atk / 80 SpA / 60 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
With extra bulk at the expense of Speed, Tyranitar matches up more reliably against a wider variety of lead matchups, as it is not reliant on its Focus Sash to find turns to do work. It may even give up Stealth Rock to use its bulk to trap Latios and Latias with Pursuit or prevent Colbur Berry Deoxys-S from switching out to be used as a sacrifice later. This Tyranitar set is very slow, so it can utilize Payback's power boost more often, removing Dark-weak leads in a single turn unless they carry a Colbur Berry. However, it also tends to last outside the lead position, and Crunch's consistency is preferred then. Fire Blast threatens lead Forretress, while Taunt prevents it from setting any entry hazards; this is useful on teams weak to Toxic Spikes. Superpower and Low Kick complete Tyranitar's coverage with its Dark-type STAB moves; Superpower provides a greater hit on Darkrai, while Low Kick maintains the strong hit on heavy foes like Dialga and Kyogre and is much more spammable. Lum Berry is the strongest option against lead Darkrai's Dark Void, and it has utility in bypassing the poison inflicted by Toxic Spikes mid-game. Chople Berry is another option that lets Tyranitar absorb otherwise threatening attacks like Darkrai's Focus Blast, Deoxys-S's Superpower, and Giratina-O's Aura Sphere while not in pristine condition.
Set Details
========
Fire Blast will OHKO Forretress with the Special Attack investment. However, if Fire Blast is not used, then moving the Special Attack into Attack and using an Adamant nature ensures the EVs do not get wasted. The HP and Special Defense investment ensure that even without a Chople Berry, Tyranitar will survive Darkrai's Focus Blast.
Usage Tips
========
Payback is the best move to use against lead Deoxys-S and Froslass, and Fire Blast or Taunt is best against lead Forretress. Additionally, Lum Berry variants of Tyranitar have the bulk investment to safely attack Darkrai with a Fighting-type move. Because this Tyranitar set invests in its bulk, it can be used past the lead slot to cut off rain or sun, checking an assault from a weather sweeper like Kingdra.
Team Options
========
This bulky variant of Tyranitar is one of the most reliable leads in the game, and so it fits on a wide variety of offensive teams. While Tyranitar doesn't let lead Kyogre's rain stay up, it also does not like staying in versus it, so a check to Kyogre is appreciated. A Kyogre check might be Latios or Latias, which appreciate Tyranitar's ability to threaten Darkrai. Pursuit Tyranitar can remove the Lati twins and open up teammates that are annoyed by them, including Groudon, Kyogre, and a whole host of Dragon-types.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tbolt.555379/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/seldanna.471586/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/inspirited.127823/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/lasen.273339/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adorluigi.528364/
name: Utility Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock / Pursuit
move 2: Payback / Crunch
move 3: Fire Blast / Taunt
move 4: Superpower / Low Kick
item: Lum Berry / Chople Berry
ability: Sand Stream
nature: Brave
evs: 248 HP / 120 Atk / 80 SpA / 60 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
With extra bulk at the expense of Speed, Tyranitar matches up more reliably against a wider variety of lead matchups, as it is not reliant on its Focus Sash to find turns to do work. It may even give up Stealth Rock to use its bulk to trap Latios and Latias with Pursuit or prevent Colbur Berry Deoxys-S from switching out to be used as a sacrifice later. This Tyranitar set is very slow, so it can utilize Payback's power boost more often, removing Dark-weak leads in a single turn unless they carry a Colbur Berry. However, it also tends to last outside the lead position, and Crunch's consistency is preferred then. Fire Blast threatens lead Forretress, while Taunt prevents it from setting any entry hazards; this is useful on teams weak to Toxic Spikes. Superpower and Low Kick complete Tyranitar's coverage with its Dark-type STAB moves; Superpower provides a greater hit on Darkrai, while Low Kick maintains the strong hit on heavy foes like Dialga and Kyogre and is much more spammable. Lum Berry is the strongest option against lead Darkrai's Dark Void, and it has utility in bypassing the poison inflicted by Toxic Spikes mid-game. Chople Berry is another option that lets Tyranitar absorb otherwise threatening attacks like Darkrai's Focus Blast, Deoxys-S's Superpower, and Giratina-O's Aura Sphere while not in pristine condition.
Set Details
========
Fire Blast will OHKO Forretress with the Special Attack investment. However, if Fire Blast is not used, then moving the Special Attack into Attack and using an Adamant nature ensures the EVs do not get wasted. The HP and Special Defense investment ensure that even without a Chople Berry, Tyranitar will survive Darkrai's Focus Blast.
Usage Tips
========
Payback is the best move to use against lead Deoxys-S and Froslass, and Fire Blast or Taunt is best against lead Forretress. Additionally, Lum Berry variants of Tyranitar have the bulk investment to safely attack Darkrai with a Fighting-type move. Because this Tyranitar set invests in its bulk, it can be used past the lead slot to cut off rain or sun, checking an assault from a weather sweeper like Kingdra.
Team Options
========
This bulky variant of Tyranitar is one of the most reliable leads in the game, and so it fits on a wide variety of offensive teams. While Tyranitar doesn't let lead Kyogre's rain stay up, it also does not like staying in versus it, so a check to Kyogre is appreciated. A Kyogre check might be Latios or Latias, which appreciate Tyranitar's ability to threaten Darkrai. Pursuit Tyranitar can remove the Lati twins and open up teammates that are annoyed by them, including Groudon, Kyogre, and a whole host of Dragon-types.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tbolt.555379/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/seldanna.471586/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/inspirited.127823/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/lasen.273339/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adorluigi.528364/
Last edited:
