[overview]
**Draft order**: Round 4 onwards
**Price range**: 11-12
**Overview**: Uxie makes up for its modest HP with enormous Defense and Special Defense. Known as the "bringer of knowledge," Uxie requires you to bring your own knowledge to make the most of its nearly limitless pool of utility moves. A relatively high Speed allows it to naturally outrun other defensive or utility Pokémon it might come up against. Access to Levitate allows it to run almost any item it wants to without needing Heavy-Duty Boots against entry hazard stacking teams, and it also helps it serve as a fantastic pivot. Uxie offers a large amount of role compression, able to be utilised in a variety of ways to enable your team. However, pitiful offensive stats make it fairly passive and reliant on strong teammates to do the heavy lifting.
[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Defensive pivot**: U-turn, Knock Off, and Future Sight make Uxie very capable of switching in to take a hit and disrupting an opponent's positioning. Yawn, Thunder Wave, or Encore is common as a final move to dissuade foes from setting up on the relatively unthreatening Uxie.
**Utility**: Uxie comes from a very small pool of non-Rock- or Ground-type Pokemon capable of using Stealth Rock, making it useful as a secondary Stealth Rock setter if your primary is needed to perform a different role in battle. This set can also be run as a sacrificial lead with Memento to generate a large amount of offensive momentum. With access to dual screens, Uxie can leverage its above-average Speed and large bulk to set them up with ease. A Mental Herb can be used to prevent Taunt or Encore users from exploiting Uxie's poor offensive capabilities.
**Wall**: Alternatively, Uxie can be utilized as a wall thanks to its fantastic mixed defenses. Uxie can take advantage of Pain Split or Leftovers to maximize its staying power.
**Bulky sweeper**: A good Speed tier, enormous bulk, and a diverse move pool allow Uxie to comfortably set up late-game, having access to both Nasty Plot and Calm Mind. These sets usually run a resistance Berry, Sitrus Berry, Leftovers, or Mental Herb.
Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB moves**: Psychic, Psyshock, Psychic Noise, Future Sight, Stored Power, Mystical Power, Zen Headbutt
**Setup moves**: Calm Mind, Nasty Plot, Amnesia
**Utility moves**: Stealth Rock, Knock Off, U-turn, Encore, Yawn, Trick, Thunder Wave, Pain Split, Rest, Reflect, Light Screen, Memento, Baton Pass, Foul Play
**Coverage**: Draining Kiss, Drain Punch, Energy Ball, Grass Knot, Shadow Ball, Thunderbolt, Thunder Punch, Play Rough, Iron Tail, Ice Punch, Giga Drain, Fire Punch, Dazzling Gleam
Niche Moves
========
**Trick Room**: Trick Room is useful on slower teams or as a surprise strategy to catch opponents off guard. This is useful in combination with Memento to quickly bring in a beneficiary.
**Sunny Day / Rain Dance / Sandstorm**: Uxie is a reliable weather setter due to it not being bound to specific items, allowing it to freely hold weather-extending items. Its bulk allows it to come in and set up weather multiple times, and U-turn allows it to pivot into teammates that benefit from weather. This can also be useful when battling opposing weather-reliant drafts.
Common Items
========
**Leftovers**: Uxie can wield its large defenses to have a lot of staying power in battle. Leftovers helps to bolster this, providing Uxie with passive recovery.
**Resistance Berry**: Uxie can use a resistance Berry as a tool to lure in a threatening Pokemon, allowing it to survive a super effective hit and hinder the foe in return with its wide array of utility moves.
**Rocky Helmet**: Rocky Helmet is used as a tool to punish physical attackers, as Uxie can typically take many hits before being knocked out.
**Mental Herb**: Mental Herb can be used to prevent foes with Taunt or Encore from disrupting it, allowing Uxie to remain unbothered.
**Light Clay**: Light Clay extends the duration of dual screens, providing teammates more time to set up and sweep.
Niche Items
========
**Red Card**: Red Card can be used as a quick way to deal with a threatening set up sweeper or to disrupt opposing momentum.
**Terrain Seeds**: Terrain seeds are excellent for Terrain strategies as a tool to strengthen Uxie's sweeping power with Calm Mind and Stored Power while also providing it additional defenses in its setup turns.
**Weather-extending items**: Weather-extending items are used in conjunction with a manual weather setting move to enable teammates that better utilize the weather.
**Lagging Tail / Choice Scarf**: Against threatening setup sweepers, Lagging Tail or Choice Scarf can be used with the move Trick to stifle a foe. Lagging Tail is usually used to deny faster foes, whereas Choice Scarf is typically used against slower, bulkier foes.
**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Heavy-Duty Boots can be good specifically in matches where Uxie will need to frequently switch into Stealth Rock. This is largely overshadowed by Leftovers, as Uxie normally has the longevity to recover from entry hazard damage.
**Weakness Policy**: Uxie's bulk pairs nicely with its weaknesses to common, weaker attacks like U-turn and Knock Off, providing it many opportunities to activate Weakness Policy. Its wide array of coverage and setup options can turn Uxie into a fearsome setup sweeper.
Tera
========
Uxie should not be drafted with the intention to be used as a Tera Captain. Uxie's main goal is to perform as a bulky utility wall, lacking immediate damage, and as such, it does not benefit from Terastallization. Uxie has a comically large wealth of coverage options and does not notably benefit from Tera Blast. Making Uxie a team's primary Tera Captain can actually inhibit it from performing in its best roles, as it might feel forced to use more offensive sets in order to take advantage of Tera. However, as a secondary Tera Captain, it can certainly function as one with its sweeping sets. Tera Fairy and Water are two of the best choices for a defensive Tera. Tera Fairy removes Uxie's weakness to Knock Off and U-turn, allowing it to switch in more frequently, and also boosts the damage of Draining Kiss on sweeper sets. Tera Water is one of the only types that Uxie lacks effective coverage in, so Tera Blast Water has use in niche matchups. Tera Electric pairs nicely with Levitate, giving Uxie no weaknesses against most foes, increasing its longevity. Overall, these perceived benefits do not outweigh the problems in making Uxie a Tera Captain, and it is better used as a facilitator for a Pokemon that would benefit from Tera more readily.
Draft Strategy
========
Uxie is a highly versatile glue Pokemon, and as a result, it can be drafted on nearly every team archetype. It provides a large amount of role compression, leaving room to draft around other, more potent threats. Uxie is less viable on drafts that already possess a lot of utility and perhaps are lacking in offensive presence. Uxie cannot provide meaningful damage output without setting up itself, so it may find itself unable to do so without help.
**Entry hazard setters**: Uxie can function as a secondary Stealth Rock setter, relieving the necessity of Pokemon like Great Tusk, Garchomp, and Iron Treads running Stealth Rock, allowing them greater set variety and flexibility.
**Wallbreakers / setup sweepers**: Uxie fits well on offensive teams, as its enormous movepool allows it to be fine-tuned to provide Pokemon like Darkrai, Iron Valiant, and Gouging Fire the opportunity and room to set up or find their win conditions.
Checks and Counters
========
**Taunt**: Taunt from Pokemon like Tornadus-T, Palafin, and Ogerpon-W can be extremely inhibiting for Uxie to contest, preventing it from utilizing its wide utility coverage. As Uxie lacks reliable damage output, Taunt forces Uxie to pivot out of battle, allowing foes to set up.
**Mental Herb**: Mental Herb is a one-time use item that can be utilized on a setup sweeper like Sneasler, Latias, or Ursaluna-B, protecting them from the effect of Taunt or Encore.
**Fast Substitute users**: Substitute blocks most of Uxie's utility options, and its low offenses inhibit its ability to break a Substitute. Encore is Uxie’s best answer to Substitute, leaving it vulnerable to faster foes like Palafin, Enamorus, and Iron Moth, which can avoid becoming locked into Substitute if you predict incorrectly.
[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/olivia.620359/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/scribble.356084/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/scionicle.599989/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ken.594478/
**Draft order**: Round 4 onwards
**Price range**: 11-12
**Overview**: Uxie makes up for its modest HP with enormous Defense and Special Defense. Known as the "bringer of knowledge," Uxie requires you to bring your own knowledge to make the most of its nearly limitless pool of utility moves. A relatively high Speed allows it to naturally outrun other defensive or utility Pokémon it might come up against. Access to Levitate allows it to run almost any item it wants to without needing Heavy-Duty Boots against entry hazard stacking teams, and it also helps it serve as a fantastic pivot. Uxie offers a large amount of role compression, able to be utilised in a variety of ways to enable your team. However, pitiful offensive stats make it fairly passive and reliant on strong teammates to do the heavy lifting.
[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Defensive pivot**: U-turn, Knock Off, and Future Sight make Uxie very capable of switching in to take a hit and disrupting an opponent's positioning. Yawn, Thunder Wave, or Encore is common as a final move to dissuade foes from setting up on the relatively unthreatening Uxie.
**Utility**: Uxie comes from a very small pool of non-Rock- or Ground-type Pokemon capable of using Stealth Rock, making it useful as a secondary Stealth Rock setter if your primary is needed to perform a different role in battle. This set can also be run as a sacrificial lead with Memento to generate a large amount of offensive momentum. With access to dual screens, Uxie can leverage its above-average Speed and large bulk to set them up with ease. A Mental Herb can be used to prevent Taunt or Encore users from exploiting Uxie's poor offensive capabilities.
**Wall**: Alternatively, Uxie can be utilized as a wall thanks to its fantastic mixed defenses. Uxie can take advantage of Pain Split or Leftovers to maximize its staying power.
**Bulky sweeper**: A good Speed tier, enormous bulk, and a diverse move pool allow Uxie to comfortably set up late-game, having access to both Nasty Plot and Calm Mind. These sets usually run a resistance Berry, Sitrus Berry, Leftovers, or Mental Herb.
Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB moves**: Psychic, Psyshock, Psychic Noise, Future Sight, Stored Power, Mystical Power, Zen Headbutt
**Setup moves**: Calm Mind, Nasty Plot, Amnesia
**Utility moves**: Stealth Rock, Knock Off, U-turn, Encore, Yawn, Trick, Thunder Wave, Pain Split, Rest, Reflect, Light Screen, Memento, Baton Pass, Foul Play
**Coverage**: Draining Kiss, Drain Punch, Energy Ball, Grass Knot, Shadow Ball, Thunderbolt, Thunder Punch, Play Rough, Iron Tail, Ice Punch, Giga Drain, Fire Punch, Dazzling Gleam
Niche Moves
========
**Trick Room**: Trick Room is useful on slower teams or as a surprise strategy to catch opponents off guard. This is useful in combination with Memento to quickly bring in a beneficiary.
**Sunny Day / Rain Dance / Sandstorm**: Uxie is a reliable weather setter due to it not being bound to specific items, allowing it to freely hold weather-extending items. Its bulk allows it to come in and set up weather multiple times, and U-turn allows it to pivot into teammates that benefit from weather. This can also be useful when battling opposing weather-reliant drafts.
Common Items
========
**Leftovers**: Uxie can wield its large defenses to have a lot of staying power in battle. Leftovers helps to bolster this, providing Uxie with passive recovery.
**Resistance Berry**: Uxie can use a resistance Berry as a tool to lure in a threatening Pokemon, allowing it to survive a super effective hit and hinder the foe in return with its wide array of utility moves.
**Rocky Helmet**: Rocky Helmet is used as a tool to punish physical attackers, as Uxie can typically take many hits before being knocked out.
**Mental Herb**: Mental Herb can be used to prevent foes with Taunt or Encore from disrupting it, allowing Uxie to remain unbothered.
**Light Clay**: Light Clay extends the duration of dual screens, providing teammates more time to set up and sweep.
Niche Items
========
**Red Card**: Red Card can be used as a quick way to deal with a threatening set up sweeper or to disrupt opposing momentum.
**Terrain Seeds**: Terrain seeds are excellent for Terrain strategies as a tool to strengthen Uxie's sweeping power with Calm Mind and Stored Power while also providing it additional defenses in its setup turns.
**Weather-extending items**: Weather-extending items are used in conjunction with a manual weather setting move to enable teammates that better utilize the weather.
**Lagging Tail / Choice Scarf**: Against threatening setup sweepers, Lagging Tail or Choice Scarf can be used with the move Trick to stifle a foe. Lagging Tail is usually used to deny faster foes, whereas Choice Scarf is typically used against slower, bulkier foes.
**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Heavy-Duty Boots can be good specifically in matches where Uxie will need to frequently switch into Stealth Rock. This is largely overshadowed by Leftovers, as Uxie normally has the longevity to recover from entry hazard damage.
**Weakness Policy**: Uxie's bulk pairs nicely with its weaknesses to common, weaker attacks like U-turn and Knock Off, providing it many opportunities to activate Weakness Policy. Its wide array of coverage and setup options can turn Uxie into a fearsome setup sweeper.
Tera
========
Uxie should not be drafted with the intention to be used as a Tera Captain. Uxie's main goal is to perform as a bulky utility wall, lacking immediate damage, and as such, it does not benefit from Terastallization. Uxie has a comically large wealth of coverage options and does not notably benefit from Tera Blast. Making Uxie a team's primary Tera Captain can actually inhibit it from performing in its best roles, as it might feel forced to use more offensive sets in order to take advantage of Tera. However, as a secondary Tera Captain, it can certainly function as one with its sweeping sets. Tera Fairy and Water are two of the best choices for a defensive Tera. Tera Fairy removes Uxie's weakness to Knock Off and U-turn, allowing it to switch in more frequently, and also boosts the damage of Draining Kiss on sweeper sets. Tera Water is one of the only types that Uxie lacks effective coverage in, so Tera Blast Water has use in niche matchups. Tera Electric pairs nicely with Levitate, giving Uxie no weaknesses against most foes, increasing its longevity. Overall, these perceived benefits do not outweigh the problems in making Uxie a Tera Captain, and it is better used as a facilitator for a Pokemon that would benefit from Tera more readily.
Draft Strategy
========
Uxie is a highly versatile glue Pokemon, and as a result, it can be drafted on nearly every team archetype. It provides a large amount of role compression, leaving room to draft around other, more potent threats. Uxie is less viable on drafts that already possess a lot of utility and perhaps are lacking in offensive presence. Uxie cannot provide meaningful damage output without setting up itself, so it may find itself unable to do so without help.
**Entry hazard setters**: Uxie can function as a secondary Stealth Rock setter, relieving the necessity of Pokemon like Great Tusk, Garchomp, and Iron Treads running Stealth Rock, allowing them greater set variety and flexibility.
**Wallbreakers / setup sweepers**: Uxie fits well on offensive teams, as its enormous movepool allows it to be fine-tuned to provide Pokemon like Darkrai, Iron Valiant, and Gouging Fire the opportunity and room to set up or find their win conditions.
Checks and Counters
========
**Taunt**: Taunt from Pokemon like Tornadus-T, Palafin, and Ogerpon-W can be extremely inhibiting for Uxie to contest, preventing it from utilizing its wide utility coverage. As Uxie lacks reliable damage output, Taunt forces Uxie to pivot out of battle, allowing foes to set up.
**Mental Herb**: Mental Herb is a one-time use item that can be utilized on a setup sweeper like Sneasler, Latias, or Ursaluna-B, protecting them from the effect of Taunt or Encore.
**Fast Substitute users**: Substitute blocks most of Uxie's utility options, and its low offenses inhibit its ability to break a Substitute. Encore is Uxie’s best answer to Substitute, leaving it vulnerable to faster foes like Palafin, Enamorus, and Iron Moth, which can avoid becoming locked into Substitute if you predict incorrectly.
[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/olivia.620359/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/scribble.356084/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/scionicle.599989/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ken.594478/
Last edited:
