[OVERVIEW]
Uxie operates differently to most Stealth Rock setters in NU, bearing a surprisingly good base 95 Speed stat, impressive overall defensive stats, and a wide and useful array of coverage moves, most notably U-turn, which grants it the ability to pivot out throughout the game. Uxie's pure Psychic typing also allows it to act as a great check to many threatening Pokemon on more offensive teams, such as Passimian, Medicham, and Hitmonlee. Thanks to Uxie's wide movepool, it is very unpredictable and can run numerous sets and moves, making it customizable to a team's needs. Unfortunately, Uxie lacks any real offensive presence, making it very vulnerable to threatening setup sweepers like Klinklang, Type: Null, Substitute + Bulk Up Braviary, and Scrafty.
[SET]
name: Stealth Rock Utility
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Psychic
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 80 Def / 176 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is needed on every competitive team in NU, and Uxie fulfills this role well thanks to its great natural bulk, exceptional defensive utility, good Speed stat, and access to many other support moves alongside Stealth Rock. Psychic is Uxie's STAB attack of choice, allowing it to check Fighting- and Poison-types like Passimian, Hitmonlee, and Garbodor. U-turn lets Uxie pivot out against incoming threats, such as Dark-types like Incineroar, Sneasel, and Guzzlord,
to gain momentum against the opposing team. Protect allows Uxie to scout against Choice-locked Pokemon seeing whether Sneasel clicks Pursuit or Knock Off and then make its move accordingly. Protect also wastes sand and hail turns, making those matchups easier to face, while also racking up recovery from Leftovers.
Set Details
========
176 Speed EVs in tandem with a Timid nature allow Uxie to outspeed dangerous Pokemon such as Choice Band Passimian, and Medicham. The remaining EVs are dumped into HP and Defense to maximize its defensive capabilities, helping it check the aforementioned Fighting-types better. Levitate is Uxie's only ability available and can prove useful by giving it a Ground-type immunity.
Usage Tips
========
Uxie should aim to set up Stealth Rock as soon as possible early-game and is generally a safe choice as a lead thanks to its handy Speed stat, great defenses, and ability to pivot out against foes with U-turn. However, if the opponent has a Xatu on their team, Uxie should be wary of using Stealth Rock against the opposing team. Protect should be used to scout against Choice-locked Pokemon that can threaten Uxie out, such as against Sneasel to scout for whether it will go for Knock Off or Pursuit and against Passimian to see if it will go for a super effective attack or not. Uxie should be preserved at a sustainable amount of health if the opponent has a Fighting-type like Passimian, Medicham, or Hitmonlee, as Uxie appreciates being at a healthy amount of HP to check them.
Team Options
========
Uxie works best as a Fighting-type check on offensive teams, so Dark-types that are easily revenge killed by Fighting-types like Incineroar, Sneasel, Guzzlord, Houndoom, and Absol work well with Uxie and can deal with Ghost-types like Rotom effectively in return. Uxie appreciates Fighting-types such as Passimian, Hitmonlee, Medicham, and Scrafty as teammates, as they can effectively deal with Steel- and Dark-types. Passimian in particular can revenge kill a majority of Dark-types and can pivot out against incoming Poison-types for Uxie to handle. Fairy-types like Diancie and Whimsicott synergize well with Uxie, as they can check Dark-types efficiently and benefit from Uxie's ability to pivot out against these Dark-types so they can come in more comfortably. Additionally, Diancie and Whimsicott are able of checking Scrafty, which easily sets up against Uxie. Uxie often finds itself walled by bulky Water-types, so wallbreakers that can deal with these Pokemon are advised. Grass-types like Whimsicott, Sceptile, and Torterra are good options, as are Electric-types such as Heliolisk, Rotom, and Vikavolt. Additional Steel-type countermeasures are recommended, as Klinklang is a major threat to Uxie and is able of setting up easily against it, so Rotom, Blastoise, and Gastrodon make for good partners.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Colbur Berry is a very viable option Uxie can opt to run, weakening any Dark-type attack for one turn, allowing it to switch into Knock Off Passimian more comfortably and take an attack from Sneasel, Incineroar, and Guzzlord more easily. However, Protect allows Uxie to scout for these attacks and make its move accordingly, and in Incineroar's and Guzzlord's case, Uxie is naturally faster anyway and can U-turn out before they attack. Uxie can also utilize Trick Room alongside Mental Herb adequately thanks to its fantastic bulk to support slower, offensive teams. Dual screens is an option Uxie can opt to run along with Light Clay to lengthen Reflect and Light Screen duration, but if Uxie is using dual screens, the whole team needs to be dedicated to it, with the team mainly consisting of setup Pokemon like Bulk Up + Power Trip Incineroar and Zangoose. Knock Off is a very useful move to have, removing any foe's item bar Z-Crystals, such as Slowbro's Assault Vest, Steelix's Leftovers, and Type: Null's Eviolite. Thunder Wave cripples faster foes like Sneasel, Houndoom, Sceptile, and Accelgor, although Uxie may struggle to fit it in its movepool. Toxic puts more defensive foes such as Slowbro, Diancie, and Slowking on a timer, crippling them greatly, as well as being a general annoyance by chipping foes like Guzzlord and Incineroar. Heal Bell can be used on more defensive or passive teams to support Uxie's teammates and aid the team's wincon in being successful. Calm Mind + Substitute turns Uxie more into an offensive Pokemon, with Psychic and Signal Beam to nail opposing Psychic-types like Slowbro as attacking moves. Heal Bell in tandem with Normalium Z can be used over Substitute on this set to fully regain its health for one time only, as well as heal any status ailments. Imprison prevents opposing Stealth Rock setters like Diancie, Gigalith, and Steelix from setting up Stealth Rock if Uxie is on the field. Skill Swap can be used to negate Xatu's ability to bounce back hazards and let Uxie set up Stealth Rock without any qualms, as well as swapping its ability for a better, more useful ability, such as Regenator or Magic Bounce. However, this move is very matchup reliant and near useless in some games.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Although Uxie has U-turn at its disposal to deal damage and pivot out against Dark-types, many Dark-types such as Incineroar, Guzzlord, Houndoom, and Scrafty take little damage from Uxie's U-turn and can immediately threaten it with powerful STAB attacks. Sneasel and Malamar take substantial damage from Uxie's U-turn but can still deal massive damage to Uxie with their Dark-type attacks.
**Bulky Setup Sweepers**: Substitute + Bulk Up Braviary can easily set up against Uxie, taking less than 25% from its Psychic. Type: Null can also set up against Uxie comfortably thanks to its amazing bulk; the only thing Type: Null would fear of Uxie would be Knock Off removing its Eviolite, but even then Type: Null still sets up against it effortlessly. Calm Mind Slowbro shrugs off any attack Uxie throws its way, with the exception of Toxic, and can proceed to boost up.
**Steel-types**: Bulky Steel-types like Steelix and Silvally-Steel tank any attack Uxie attempts to throw their way and can put it on a timer with Toxic or set up entry hazards. Other more offensive Steel-types like Klinklang and Togedemaru can prove troublesome, with Klinklang setting up against Uxie without any difficulty and Togedemaru being able to cripple Uxie with Toxic or just chip it away with attacks.
**Bug-types**: Powerful Bug-types like Vikavolt, Scyther, and Accelgor can deal hefty damage to Uxie, forcing it out immediately, and these Bug-types are generally unbothered by Uxie's attacks or naturally outspeed it.
**Ghost-types**: Rotom, Palossand, Mismagius, and Haunter are all capable of hitting Uxie incredibly hard with their Ghost-type STAB attacks, though Haunter must be cautious of switching in on Uxie's super effective Psychic.
Uxie operates differently to most Stealth Rock setters in NU, bearing a surprisingly good base 95 Speed stat, impressive overall defensive stats, and a wide and useful array of coverage moves, most notably U-turn, which grants it the ability to pivot out throughout the game. Uxie's pure Psychic typing also allows it to act as a great check to many threatening Pokemon on more offensive teams, such as Passimian, Medicham, and Hitmonlee. Thanks to Uxie's wide movepool, it is very unpredictable and can run numerous sets and moves, making it customizable to a team's needs. Unfortunately, Uxie lacks any real offensive presence, making it very vulnerable to threatening setup sweepers like Klinklang, Type: Null, Substitute + Bulk Up Braviary, and Scrafty.
[SET]
name: Stealth Rock Utility
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Psychic
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 80 Def / 176 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is needed on every competitive team in NU, and Uxie fulfills this role well thanks to its great natural bulk, exceptional defensive utility, good Speed stat, and access to many other support moves alongside Stealth Rock. Psychic is Uxie's STAB attack of choice, allowing it to check Fighting- and Poison-types like Passimian, Hitmonlee, and Garbodor. U-turn lets Uxie pivot out against incoming threats, such as Dark-types like Incineroar, Sneasel, and Guzzlord,
to gain momentum against the opposing team. Protect allows Uxie to scout against Choice-locked Pokemon seeing whether Sneasel clicks Pursuit or Knock Off and then make its move accordingly. Protect also wastes sand and hail turns, making those matchups easier to face, while also racking up recovery from Leftovers.
Set Details
========
176 Speed EVs in tandem with a Timid nature allow Uxie to outspeed dangerous Pokemon such as Choice Band Passimian, and Medicham. The remaining EVs are dumped into HP and Defense to maximize its defensive capabilities, helping it check the aforementioned Fighting-types better. Levitate is Uxie's only ability available and can prove useful by giving it a Ground-type immunity.
Usage Tips
========
Uxie should aim to set up Stealth Rock as soon as possible early-game and is generally a safe choice as a lead thanks to its handy Speed stat, great defenses, and ability to pivot out against foes with U-turn. However, if the opponent has a Xatu on their team, Uxie should be wary of using Stealth Rock against the opposing team. Protect should be used to scout against Choice-locked Pokemon that can threaten Uxie out, such as against Sneasel to scout for whether it will go for Knock Off or Pursuit and against Passimian to see if it will go for a super effective attack or not. Uxie should be preserved at a sustainable amount of health if the opponent has a Fighting-type like Passimian, Medicham, or Hitmonlee, as Uxie appreciates being at a healthy amount of HP to check them.
Team Options
========
Uxie works best as a Fighting-type check on offensive teams, so Dark-types that are easily revenge killed by Fighting-types like Incineroar, Sneasel, Guzzlord, Houndoom, and Absol work well with Uxie and can deal with Ghost-types like Rotom effectively in return. Uxie appreciates Fighting-types such as Passimian, Hitmonlee, Medicham, and Scrafty as teammates, as they can effectively deal with Steel- and Dark-types. Passimian in particular can revenge kill a majority of Dark-types and can pivot out against incoming Poison-types for Uxie to handle. Fairy-types like Diancie and Whimsicott synergize well with Uxie, as they can check Dark-types efficiently and benefit from Uxie's ability to pivot out against these Dark-types so they can come in more comfortably. Additionally, Diancie and Whimsicott are able of checking Scrafty, which easily sets up against Uxie. Uxie often finds itself walled by bulky Water-types, so wallbreakers that can deal with these Pokemon are advised. Grass-types like Whimsicott, Sceptile, and Torterra are good options, as are Electric-types such as Heliolisk, Rotom, and Vikavolt. Additional Steel-type countermeasures are recommended, as Klinklang is a major threat to Uxie and is able of setting up easily against it, so Rotom, Blastoise, and Gastrodon make for good partners.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Colbur Berry is a very viable option Uxie can opt to run, weakening any Dark-type attack for one turn, allowing it to switch into Knock Off Passimian more comfortably and take an attack from Sneasel, Incineroar, and Guzzlord more easily. However, Protect allows Uxie to scout for these attacks and make its move accordingly, and in Incineroar's and Guzzlord's case, Uxie is naturally faster anyway and can U-turn out before they attack. Uxie can also utilize Trick Room alongside Mental Herb adequately thanks to its fantastic bulk to support slower, offensive teams. Dual screens is an option Uxie can opt to run along with Light Clay to lengthen Reflect and Light Screen duration, but if Uxie is using dual screens, the whole team needs to be dedicated to it, with the team mainly consisting of setup Pokemon like Bulk Up + Power Trip Incineroar and Zangoose. Knock Off is a very useful move to have, removing any foe's item bar Z-Crystals, such as Slowbro's Assault Vest, Steelix's Leftovers, and Type: Null's Eviolite. Thunder Wave cripples faster foes like Sneasel, Houndoom, Sceptile, and Accelgor, although Uxie may struggle to fit it in its movepool. Toxic puts more defensive foes such as Slowbro, Diancie, and Slowking on a timer, crippling them greatly, as well as being a general annoyance by chipping foes like Guzzlord and Incineroar. Heal Bell can be used on more defensive or passive teams to support Uxie's teammates and aid the team's wincon in being successful. Calm Mind + Substitute turns Uxie more into an offensive Pokemon, with Psychic and Signal Beam to nail opposing Psychic-types like Slowbro as attacking moves. Heal Bell in tandem with Normalium Z can be used over Substitute on this set to fully regain its health for one time only, as well as heal any status ailments. Imprison prevents opposing Stealth Rock setters like Diancie, Gigalith, and Steelix from setting up Stealth Rock if Uxie is on the field. Skill Swap can be used to negate Xatu's ability to bounce back hazards and let Uxie set up Stealth Rock without any qualms, as well as swapping its ability for a better, more useful ability, such as Regenator or Magic Bounce. However, this move is very matchup reliant and near useless in some games.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Although Uxie has U-turn at its disposal to deal damage and pivot out against Dark-types, many Dark-types such as Incineroar, Guzzlord, Houndoom, and Scrafty take little damage from Uxie's U-turn and can immediately threaten it with powerful STAB attacks. Sneasel and Malamar take substantial damage from Uxie's U-turn but can still deal massive damage to Uxie with their Dark-type attacks.
**Bulky Setup Sweepers**: Substitute + Bulk Up Braviary can easily set up against Uxie, taking less than 25% from its Psychic. Type: Null can also set up against Uxie comfortably thanks to its amazing bulk; the only thing Type: Null would fear of Uxie would be Knock Off removing its Eviolite, but even then Type: Null still sets up against it effortlessly. Calm Mind Slowbro shrugs off any attack Uxie throws its way, with the exception of Toxic, and can proceed to boost up.
**Steel-types**: Bulky Steel-types like Steelix and Silvally-Steel tank any attack Uxie attempts to throw their way and can put it on a timer with Toxic or set up entry hazards. Other more offensive Steel-types like Klinklang and Togedemaru can prove troublesome, with Klinklang setting up against Uxie without any difficulty and Togedemaru being able to cripple Uxie with Toxic or just chip it away with attacks.
**Bug-types**: Powerful Bug-types like Vikavolt, Scyther, and Accelgor can deal hefty damage to Uxie, forcing it out immediately, and these Bug-types are generally unbothered by Uxie's attacks or naturally outspeed it.
**Ghost-types**: Rotom, Palossand, Mismagius, and Haunter are all capable of hitting Uxie incredibly hard with their Ghost-type STAB attacks, though Haunter must be cautious of switching in on Uxie's super effective Psychic.
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