I played PU when it originally came out, and peaked at around 150-200 (I don't really remember), which is decent but not that great considering the size of the tier. I originally stopped playing because as I got higher up the ladder, all I ever came across were bulky eviolite teams that caused games to last 70-100 turns. I am now getting back into the tier on my alt, and have been having some fun using AV Lapras and Ramparados, who can head smash the living shit out of virtually anything with its 165 base attack. As for the team, I threw it together pretty quickly and named the pokemon after Rammstein songs since I was too lazy to think of clever names. I would like to fit a spinner/defogger on my team, but they all seem to fucking suck in PU. If there is something that gets will-o-wisp and defog/rapid spin, please let me know as I will love you forever. Anyway, here's my team.
Du Hast (Ninetales) @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Nasty Plot
- Energy Ball
- Fire Blast
For a little while I was torn between sub CM and sub Nasty Plot, but Nasty Plot ended up winning me over because fuck stall. Seriously; Fuck stall. If I can get Ninetales in on a fire move for the flash fire boost and then set up a sub, something is probably dying. Ninetales' speed is god-like for this tier, and most things that outspeed it (like Furfou, AKA the best switch in for Mega-Lucario) are either virtually or literally AIDS (Like Furfou). Leftovers allows me to sub multiple times, and is really helpful since Ninetales is weak to Stealth Rocks, and hazards are ridiculously powerful in PU since there aren't any really good spinners, and only a few decent defoggers. Substitute + Nasty Plot because of the amazing wallbreaking potential and the effectiveness against stall, and Fire Blast is obviously for ridiculously powerful STAB. I have Energy Ball for coverage against things like Barbaracle, and think it is the best move for coverage with Fire Blast, although I have thought of testing Psyshock to hit special walls. The evs are pretty standard and boring, but I don't really need hp/def investment so 252/252/4 is the way to go. Obviously I wan't an odd number of hp for residual damage and stealth rock switch ins, and the 0 ivs in attack are for Foul Play damage.
Mein Teil (Lapras) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 240 SpA / 224 SpD / 44 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Freeze-Dry
- Hydro Pump
- Thunderbolt
- Psychic
Why does everything that gets Freeze Dry have to fucking suck? Freeze Dry is an amazing move, and Freeze Dry + Water is arguably the best coverage in the game, but pretty much everything that gets Freeze Dry is in NU or lower (Other than Mamoswine with it's pitiful special attack). Anyway, on to Lapras. The candidates for PU Freeze Dryers are: Lapras, Aurorus, Articuno, Vanilluxe, and Delibird. Articuno takes half its health from rocks, so that would not work very well for my team which has no hazard control. Lapras wins over Vanilluxe because of bulk/movepool, and Aurorus because of water STAB, since Water + Freeze Dry is amazing coverage, especially with dual STAB. Do I really need to explain why I'm not using fucking Delibird? Im using AV Lapras because its amazing 130 hp and decent 95 Sp. Def makes it tank special attacks like a champ (252 SpA Raichu Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 224 SpD Assault Vest Lapras: 128-152 (31.9 - 37.9%) -- 89.6% chance to 3HKO). The 44 speed allows me to outspeed Flareon, which is scary as fuck and the 224 SP. Def lets me live 2 T-Bolts from life orb Raichu, or live one after a Nasty Plot. 252 SpA Life Orb Raichu Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 224 SpD Assault Vest Lapras: 166-198 (41.3 - 49.3%), +2 252 SpA Life Orb Raichu Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 224 SpD Assault Vest Lapras: 330-393 (82.2 - 98%). Hydro Pump + Freeze Dry because of dual STAB and coverage, while T-Bolt and Psychic are honestly just filler, and provide a small amount of extra coverage. Psychic is nice for the occasional poison type, and fighting types like Throh that switch in, allowing me to get some damage off before I run away like a pussy. If only Lapras got Dark Pulse (I would be so happy). Water Absorb wins over Hydration + Shell Armour for obvious reasons.
Keine Lust (Dusknoir) @ Leftovers
Ability: Frisk
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Impish Nature
- Will-O-Wisp
- Shadow Sneak
- Substitute
- Focus Punch
Honestly I don't really like Dusknoir. I was using Gourgeist before, but was disappointed by its lack of offensive presence. I really want Will-O-Wisp support on a physical wall, but I'm thinking of abandoning that dream and just going with a spinner/defogger. If there is a pokemon that gets both, please let me know and I will love you forever. Anyway, I don't really know too much about Dusknoir and kind of just threw this set together. Both it's abilities are kind of meh, so I just chose to go with frisk since pressure is somewhat situational. Will-O-Wisp is really nice for crippling physical attackers, and shadow sneak offers nice STAB priority to make up for Dusknoirs piss-poor speed. Will-O-Wisp also baits in fire types, allowing me to get up a Substitute and Focus Punch the living shit out of something. Pain Split + EQ is also an option I am considering, as it would offer a little more survivability and allow me to hit fire type switch-ins harder. But everything I just said is probably irrelevant, since I hate pokemon who's only purpose is to act as a wall, and I will probably be switching this out for a semi-offensive defogger/spinner once I find one that's decent (Although I will miss Will-O-Wisp). I chose to go with physically defensive over specially defensive, since I already have AV Lapras, and feel physically defensive is superior in this tier.
Ich Tu Dir Weh (Tauros) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Rock Climb
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Fire Blast
Oh Tauros, how the mighty have fallen. A staple on every gen 1 team that fell to UU in gen 4, NU in gen 5, and is now sitting at the bottom of the tiers with shit like Sunflora, Plusle, and fucking Feebas. Although Tauros may have fallen to the bottom, he is still a threat in PU and can hit pretty hard with Life Orb + Sheer Force. It's speed is also pretty fucking amazing in this tier, and not much outspeeds it other than some fast electric types. I opted to go with the Sheer Force set so Fire Blast was actual usable for physically defensive Tangela and Avalugg, 2HKOing them both (Although I am a fan of Intimidate, so that is quite tempting). Rock Climb is the best option for normal STAB with Life Orb + Sheer Force, and is basically double edge minus the recoil. The 85% accuracy can be frustrating sometimes, but it's a necessary evil to avoid taking massive recoil from Double Edge + Life Orb. Earthquake provides really nice coverage, hitting fire and electric types, as well as steel and rock types that resist my normal STAB. Rock Slide I am considering switching out for Zen Headbutt, as the coverage it offers is quite limited, but Zen Headbutt doesn't seem to hit too much either. Fire Blast is only viable because of Sheer Force + Life Orb, and is nice to hit the aforementioned Avalugg and Tanglea because of this:
252 Atk Life Orb Sheer Force Tauros Rock Climb vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Tangela: 91-109 (27.2 - 32.6%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
4 SpA Life Orb Sheer Force Tauros Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Tangela: 179-213 (53.5 - 63.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Sheer Force Tauros Rock Slide vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Avalugg: 107-127 (27.2 - 32.3%) -- 61.9% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
4 SpA Life Orb Sheer Force Tauros Fire Blast vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Avalugg: 244-289 (62 - 73.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Rammstein (Rampardos) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Crunch
- Head Smash
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
Ramparados is s much fun to use. STAB Head smash coming from 165 base attack is one of the most satisfying feelings ever. I used to use the Adamant + Choice Band set so I could fucking annihilate literally anything in the game (252+ Atk Choice Band Mold Breaker Rampardos Head Smash vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Avalugg: 444-524 (112.9 - 133.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO - Now that is impressive.), but his attack is high enough so I chose to guy scarfed this time. Jolly is necessary because of Ramparados's abysmal speed, and without jolly I am outsped by things like Raichu, which is never a good thing. I know that Mold Breaker is typically run over Sheer force, but Mold Breaker is pretty useless in PU, while Musharna is a huge threat so Sheer Force wins since I don't want to have to rely on hitting 2 head smashes in a row. (My record is missing 6 in a row with Lairon). Crunch is for psychic types like Musharna, and is quite strong with sheer force, while Head Smash is my go-to 0 switch-ins move. Rock slide is so I don't kill myself from recoil, and for additional accuracy while EQ provides really nice coverage. I'm thinking of trying to fit Fire Punch, but like having rock slide and am also considering Superpower or Zen Headbutt. I have also considered Pursuit, but it doesn't do too much in PU. Maybe Iron Head? I don't know.
Laichzeit (Piloswine) @ Eviolite
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 248 HP / 228 Atk / 32 Def
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Ice Shard
- Icicle Spear
- Earthquake
Piloswine is one of my all time favourite pokemon, and I think Mamoswine kind of looks like it rides the short bus. This is a pretty standard set, and is also my Stealth Rock setter. Eviolite + Thick fat lets it tank super effective fire type attacks really well, and in return annihilates fire types with STAB Earthquake. Ice Shard is STAB priority, which you can never say no to, while icicle spear is run over icicle crash for the accuracy, and for Substitue and Focus Sash (I can't OHKO anything in PU that has Sturdy anyway, so that's kind of irrelevant). I've considered switching Piloswine, since overall it seems to be kind of weak, and a fast rock type with Rock Blast would be really nice to fuck over Kricketune leads trying to set up sticky web while still providing Stealth Rock support. Stealth Rocks are extremely powerful in PU, since Scyther and Sneasel are top-tier threats that are heavily crippled by Stealth Rocks. The 32 defense evs allow me to survive two Choice Banded Brick Breaks from Scyther, and allows me to easily beat it 1v1. I opted to invest in attack with an Adamant nature instead of investing in something like max def so I can actually hit things for decent damage. Overall Piloswine is one of the most reliable Stealth Rock users, but as I said before I am considering a faster rock type with a little more offensive presence.
Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read me rambling tirade, and I hope you will leave a rate.
Du Hast (Ninetales) @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Nasty Plot
- Energy Ball
- Fire Blast
For a little while I was torn between sub CM and sub Nasty Plot, but Nasty Plot ended up winning me over because fuck stall. Seriously; Fuck stall. If I can get Ninetales in on a fire move for the flash fire boost and then set up a sub, something is probably dying. Ninetales' speed is god-like for this tier, and most things that outspeed it (like Furfou, AKA the best switch in for Mega-Lucario) are either virtually or literally AIDS (Like Furfou). Leftovers allows me to sub multiple times, and is really helpful since Ninetales is weak to Stealth Rocks, and hazards are ridiculously powerful in PU since there aren't any really good spinners, and only a few decent defoggers. Substitute + Nasty Plot because of the amazing wallbreaking potential and the effectiveness against stall, and Fire Blast is obviously for ridiculously powerful STAB. I have Energy Ball for coverage against things like Barbaracle, and think it is the best move for coverage with Fire Blast, although I have thought of testing Psyshock to hit special walls. The evs are pretty standard and boring, but I don't really need hp/def investment so 252/252/4 is the way to go. Obviously I wan't an odd number of hp for residual damage and stealth rock switch ins, and the 0 ivs in attack are for Foul Play damage.
Mein Teil (Lapras) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 240 SpA / 224 SpD / 44 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Freeze-Dry
- Hydro Pump
- Thunderbolt
- Psychic
Why does everything that gets Freeze Dry have to fucking suck? Freeze Dry is an amazing move, and Freeze Dry + Water is arguably the best coverage in the game, but pretty much everything that gets Freeze Dry is in NU or lower (Other than Mamoswine with it's pitiful special attack). Anyway, on to Lapras. The candidates for PU Freeze Dryers are: Lapras, Aurorus, Articuno, Vanilluxe, and Delibird. Articuno takes half its health from rocks, so that would not work very well for my team which has no hazard control. Lapras wins over Vanilluxe because of bulk/movepool, and Aurorus because of water STAB, since Water + Freeze Dry is amazing coverage, especially with dual STAB. Do I really need to explain why I'm not using fucking Delibird? Im using AV Lapras because its amazing 130 hp and decent 95 Sp. Def makes it tank special attacks like a champ (252 SpA Raichu Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 224 SpD Assault Vest Lapras: 128-152 (31.9 - 37.9%) -- 89.6% chance to 3HKO). The 44 speed allows me to outspeed Flareon, which is scary as fuck and the 224 SP. Def lets me live 2 T-Bolts from life orb Raichu, or live one after a Nasty Plot. 252 SpA Life Orb Raichu Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 224 SpD Assault Vest Lapras: 166-198 (41.3 - 49.3%), +2 252 SpA Life Orb Raichu Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 224 SpD Assault Vest Lapras: 330-393 (82.2 - 98%). Hydro Pump + Freeze Dry because of dual STAB and coverage, while T-Bolt and Psychic are honestly just filler, and provide a small amount of extra coverage. Psychic is nice for the occasional poison type, and fighting types like Throh that switch in, allowing me to get some damage off before I run away like a pussy. If only Lapras got Dark Pulse (I would be so happy). Water Absorb wins over Hydration + Shell Armour for obvious reasons.
Keine Lust (Dusknoir) @ Leftovers
Ability: Frisk
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Impish Nature
- Will-O-Wisp
- Shadow Sneak
- Substitute
- Focus Punch
Honestly I don't really like Dusknoir. I was using Gourgeist before, but was disappointed by its lack of offensive presence. I really want Will-O-Wisp support on a physical wall, but I'm thinking of abandoning that dream and just going with a spinner/defogger. If there is a pokemon that gets both, please let me know and I will love you forever. Anyway, I don't really know too much about Dusknoir and kind of just threw this set together. Both it's abilities are kind of meh, so I just chose to go with frisk since pressure is somewhat situational. Will-O-Wisp is really nice for crippling physical attackers, and shadow sneak offers nice STAB priority to make up for Dusknoirs piss-poor speed. Will-O-Wisp also baits in fire types, allowing me to get up a Substitute and Focus Punch the living shit out of something. Pain Split + EQ is also an option I am considering, as it would offer a little more survivability and allow me to hit fire type switch-ins harder. But everything I just said is probably irrelevant, since I hate pokemon who's only purpose is to act as a wall, and I will probably be switching this out for a semi-offensive defogger/spinner once I find one that's decent (Although I will miss Will-O-Wisp). I chose to go with physically defensive over specially defensive, since I already have AV Lapras, and feel physically defensive is superior in this tier.
Ich Tu Dir Weh (Tauros) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Rock Climb
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Fire Blast
Oh Tauros, how the mighty have fallen. A staple on every gen 1 team that fell to UU in gen 4, NU in gen 5, and is now sitting at the bottom of the tiers with shit like Sunflora, Plusle, and fucking Feebas. Although Tauros may have fallen to the bottom, he is still a threat in PU and can hit pretty hard with Life Orb + Sheer Force. It's speed is also pretty fucking amazing in this tier, and not much outspeeds it other than some fast electric types. I opted to go with the Sheer Force set so Fire Blast was actual usable for physically defensive Tangela and Avalugg, 2HKOing them both (Although I am a fan of Intimidate, so that is quite tempting). Rock Climb is the best option for normal STAB with Life Orb + Sheer Force, and is basically double edge minus the recoil. The 85% accuracy can be frustrating sometimes, but it's a necessary evil to avoid taking massive recoil from Double Edge + Life Orb. Earthquake provides really nice coverage, hitting fire and electric types, as well as steel and rock types that resist my normal STAB. Rock Slide I am considering switching out for Zen Headbutt, as the coverage it offers is quite limited, but Zen Headbutt doesn't seem to hit too much either. Fire Blast is only viable because of Sheer Force + Life Orb, and is nice to hit the aforementioned Avalugg and Tanglea because of this:
252 Atk Life Orb Sheer Force Tauros Rock Climb vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Tangela: 91-109 (27.2 - 32.6%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
4 SpA Life Orb Sheer Force Tauros Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Tangela: 179-213 (53.5 - 63.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Sheer Force Tauros Rock Slide vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Avalugg: 107-127 (27.2 - 32.3%) -- 61.9% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
4 SpA Life Orb Sheer Force Tauros Fire Blast vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Avalugg: 244-289 (62 - 73.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Rammstein (Rampardos) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Crunch
- Head Smash
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
Ramparados is s much fun to use. STAB Head smash coming from 165 base attack is one of the most satisfying feelings ever. I used to use the Adamant + Choice Band set so I could fucking annihilate literally anything in the game (252+ Atk Choice Band Mold Breaker Rampardos Head Smash vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Avalugg: 444-524 (112.9 - 133.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO - Now that is impressive.), but his attack is high enough so I chose to guy scarfed this time. Jolly is necessary because of Ramparados's abysmal speed, and without jolly I am outsped by things like Raichu, which is never a good thing. I know that Mold Breaker is typically run over Sheer force, but Mold Breaker is pretty useless in PU, while Musharna is a huge threat so Sheer Force wins since I don't want to have to rely on hitting 2 head smashes in a row. (My record is missing 6 in a row with Lairon). Crunch is for psychic types like Musharna, and is quite strong with sheer force, while Head Smash is my go-to 0 switch-ins move. Rock slide is so I don't kill myself from recoil, and for additional accuracy while EQ provides really nice coverage. I'm thinking of trying to fit Fire Punch, but like having rock slide and am also considering Superpower or Zen Headbutt. I have also considered Pursuit, but it doesn't do too much in PU. Maybe Iron Head? I don't know.
Laichzeit (Piloswine) @ Eviolite
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 248 HP / 228 Atk / 32 Def
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Ice Shard
- Icicle Spear
- Earthquake
Piloswine is one of my all time favourite pokemon, and I think Mamoswine kind of looks like it rides the short bus. This is a pretty standard set, and is also my Stealth Rock setter. Eviolite + Thick fat lets it tank super effective fire type attacks really well, and in return annihilates fire types with STAB Earthquake. Ice Shard is STAB priority, which you can never say no to, while icicle spear is run over icicle crash for the accuracy, and for Substitue and Focus Sash (I can't OHKO anything in PU that has Sturdy anyway, so that's kind of irrelevant). I've considered switching Piloswine, since overall it seems to be kind of weak, and a fast rock type with Rock Blast would be really nice to fuck over Kricketune leads trying to set up sticky web while still providing Stealth Rock support. Stealth Rocks are extremely powerful in PU, since Scyther and Sneasel are top-tier threats that are heavily crippled by Stealth Rocks. The 32 defense evs allow me to survive two Choice Banded Brick Breaks from Scyther, and allows me to easily beat it 1v1. I opted to invest in attack with an Adamant nature instead of investing in something like max def so I can actually hit things for decent damage. Overall Piloswine is one of the most reliable Stealth Rock users, but as I said before I am considering a faster rock type with a little more offensive presence.
Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read me rambling tirade, and I hope you will leave a rate.
