Metagame ZeroUsed Metagame Discussion

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5gen

jumper
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ZU, or Zero Used, is an unofficial tier in the making containing Pokemon beneath PU by usage. The idea of a new Smogon tier has been entertained since XY, when it was still named FU, and this tier is a continuation of the same format. Following standard tiering, ZU is a competitive equivalent to the tiers above it.

Check out our room on Pokemon Showdown! and our Discord server!

Rules:

Mechanic: ZU is a usage-based tier below PU. It uses the same cutoff points as the other usage based tiers and also has council votes and suspect tests.
Clauses: PU clauses
Bans:
  • PU banlist
  • Pokemon that are PU by usage:
Absol, Aggron, Articuno, Audino, Aurorus, Carracosta, Claydol, Clefairy, Crabominable, Drampa, Dugtio-Alola, Eelektross, Exeggutor-Alola, Froslass, Golurk, Gurdurr, Haunter, Hitmonchan, Kabutops, Kangaskhan, Lanturn, Liepard, Lilligant, Ludicolo, Lurantis, Lycanroc, Manectric, Mesprit, Mudsdale, Omastar, Oricorio-Sensu, Persian-Alola, Poliwrath, Primeape, Qwilfish, Raichu-Alola, Regirock, Roselia, Rotom-Frost, Sableye, Sandslash-Alola, Scyther, Silvally-Fairy, Skuntank, Spiritomb, Stoutland, Type: Null

  • ZUBL; the Pokemon banned from ZU via council votes or suspect test:
Alolan Raticate, Exeggutor, Gorebyss, Jynx, Musharna, Throh, Turtonator, Type: Null, Ursaring, Victreebel, Zangoose


Strategy:

ZU provides you with a plethora of choices to choose from to combat the tier's metagame. There are many practical approaches but the ones that tend to stand out are Balance, Offense, and Stall teams. While there are no Mega-Evolutions present in ZU, Z-Crystals have aided many Pokémon in the tier, and increased viability in even the most forgotten of the lot. ZU also follows the trend of having core combinations, which make it easier to optimize your composition and choose your ideal team partner(s). There is much to discover in this tier and even the most neglected Pokémon can find their role and potentially shine when constructing your game plan.

We as players commonly find ourselves engrossed in our teambuilder for formats such as this one when trying to tackle the tier's meta.

The two main playstyles in the tier are now "Stall" and "Offense". The most successful teams revolve around checking notable threats such as Floatzel, Komala, and Pyukumuku. One popular "team" core makes use of physically defensive Gourgeist-Super, specially defensive Bronzor, and a defogger such as Silvally-Water or Altaria, although there are many other cores to choose from.

Stall-based teams generally aim to chip away at the opponent's team using Status and Hazards while draining momentum with defensive checks. Common components include an Unaware user, a Cleric, Hazards, a reliable Hazard Remover, and a Knock Off switch-in due to the frequent addition of Eviolite users on the composition. Semi-Stall, however, takes advantage of the stall backbone and uses one offensive Pokémon that functions as a late game cleaner or win condition. This teamslot is typically dedicated to Pokémon such as Choice Scarf Ditto, Combusken, or any other Pokémon that can provide offensive utility and appreciate the passive damage spread by defensive teammates.

Hyper-offensive teams stand out as the faster style of play, revolving around dedicated or suicide leads, hard-hitting Pokémon, speed control, and using resistances and immunities to switch-into attacks. Sticky Webs, Trick Room, and Weather teams frequent the tier and prey on non-stall based teams. They primarily use tactics meant to take advantage of their attackers' weaknesses- this involves abusing stat-boosting moves, damage-boosting items, and prediction lures for would-be counter to maintain momentum.

In a nutshell, ZU has many competitive elements that contribute to an enjoyable platform for battling. There are other strategies at your disposal such as Bulky Offense and even the uncommon variants of Hyper Offense. In addition, there are resources available for those who wish to hone their own creativity, while on the other hand, sample teams are available for newcomers who may need that extra help when learning the ropes of the tier.

Q&A:

Q: What does ZU stand for?
A: It stands for ‘Zero Used’.

Q: How does ZU's suspect tests function?
A: Much like the method used in UU back in early SM, ZU has taken a council driven approach to tiering. We have an active council who is thoroughly knowledgeable and versed in the tier which gives us the ability to make appropriate tiering decisions. When doing suspect tests, we run suspect tours in our room on Pokemon Showdown where winners gain voting rights or host a laddering event where users create new accounts with a tag chosen by the council-members to reach specified GXE / ELO requirements. We also have a rotational council, consisting of these winners, that take on slots for the voting slate along with council members. Then, the council and rotating council vote on the suspect and a simple majority (50%+1) is required to change the status quo.


Resources:

September 8th, 2017: Exeggutor, Gorebyss and Turtonator quick banned by Tier Leaders.
September 19th, 2017: First slate of quick bans voted on by ZU council; Carracosta, Crabominable and Victreebel banned as a result.
October 1st, 2017: Second slate of quick bans voted on by ZU council; Ludicolo and Raticate-Alola banned as a result.
November 17th, 2017: Throh was suspect tested and was banned with a 73% majority.
November 26th, 2017: The ZU council voted on quick bans for Type: Null and Passimian; both were banned as a result.
April 19th, 2018: The ZU council voted on a quick ban for Jynx; it was banned as a result.
April 29th, 2018: Musharna was suspect tested and was banned with a 73% majority.
July 21st, 2018: The ZU council voted on quick bans for Ursaring and Kabutops; both were banned as a result.
September 29th, 2018: Stoutland was suspect tested and was banned with a 70% majority.
October 5th, 2018: The ZU council voted on quick bans for Zangoose; it was banned as a result with a whopping 100% majority.
 
Last edited:

5gen

jumper
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Sample Teams

Feel free to send in composition submissions to the ZU Staff for an opportunity to have them posted here.

Bulk Up Komala by Broken Phobias

Komala @ Leftovers
Ability: Comatose
EVs: 252 HP / 160 SpD / 96 Spe
Careful Nature
- Knock Off
- Wish
- Protect
- Bulk Up

Swanna @ Waterium Z
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hurricane
- Surf
- Rain Dance
- Roost

Silvally-Fighting @ Fighting Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Multi-Attack
- Swords Dance / Toxic
- Defog
- U-turn

Golem @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 32 Atk / 180 Def / 44 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge / Rock Blast

Electivire @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Motor Drive
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Volt Switch
- Flamethrower
- Ice Punch
- Earthquake

Servine @ Eviolite
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Leaf Storm
- Synthesis
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Taunt
Here is a team built around Bulk Up Komala. Bulk Up Wish is arguably Komala's best set in the metagame, taking advantage of typical defensive counterplay such as Golem and Gourgeist-XL. It is able to setup on the majority of the defensive metagame due to its above average bulk and immunity to status, and Knock Off is all it really needs. Z-Rain Dance Swanna and Bulk Up Komala complement one another very well, wearing down or beating one another's checks and counters. SD Defog Silvally-Fighting provides necessary breaking power for the team, as well as removing hazards and checking Pokemon such as Lickilicky, Komala, and Probopass. Toxic may be used over SD as the team is slightly weak to Gourgeist-XL and Z-Celebrate Leafeon. Golem provides crucial role compression for the team; SR, an Electric immunity, Normal check, and blanket physical wall. Special Scarf Electivire is used over the physical variant as the team struggles to effectively plow through the aforementioned Z-Celebrate Leafeon and Gourgeist-XL, and Flamethrower also provides extra insurance against Mawile, Pinsir, and Abomasnow. Servine rounds off the team by acting as a stallbreaker, Golem check, and gives the team the means to play around threats such as Floatzel, Altaria, and Kadabra.

Z-Rain Dance Swanna Offense by Absolute Infinity

Swanna @ Waterium Z
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Rain Dance
- Hurricane
- Surf
- Roost

Combusken @ Life Orb
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fire Blast / Flamethrower
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Protect

Silvally-Water @ Water Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 200 HP / 124 SpA / 184 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Flamethrower

Komala @ Choice Band
Ability: Comatose
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Return
- U-turn
- Knock Off
- Toxic / Earthquake

Electivire @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Motor Drive
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Volt Switch
- Wild Charge
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch

Golem @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 16 Def / 240 SpD
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Protect
- Rock Blast / Stone Edge
This offensive team generally uses Komala and Electivire to weaken opposing teams before sweeping with Combusken or Swanna. Golem and Silvally-Water allow the team to take some hits and provide hazard control for the team’s offense. Choice Band Komala is the hardest hitter on the team and forms a Volt-Turn core with Choice Scarf Electivire. Komala has toxic as its last move to cripple Pokemon like Gourgiest and Golem that would otherwise take its hits reasonably well. Swanna uses the team’s Z-crystal to either gain +1 speed with Z-Rain Dance and sweep unsuspecting teams or to fire off a single powerful and potentially rain-boosted water type attack. With Rain Dance and Roost, Swanna will usually defeat Bronzor, a common switch-in to Swanna, which can help Golem, Electivire, and Komala. Combusken is another special attacker that enjoys Swanna removing or weakening special walls so that it can sweep late game. Try to preserve Combusken until the late game when Speed Boost and its powerful attacks can end the game.

Silvally acts as a sort of catch-all check to a variety of threats such as Floatzel, Pawniard, and Pinsir. Silvally forgoes a pivoting move for three attacks so that it is not forced out by Pokemon like Abomasnow or Altaria and can put a lot of pressure on some teams with its fantastic coverage. Silvally’s EVs outpace Rotom-S and OHKO Abomasnow with Flamethrower, with the rest put into hit points. Golem also acts as a useful defensive pivot while still hitting hard with its STAB attacks. This Golem sacrifices some physical bulk in order to better take attacks from Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Chatot and Choice Scarf Mr. Mime that would otherwise be more problematic to the team. While it doesn’t take physical hits from Komala or Rapidash as well as it would with a physically defensive EV distribution, it still has the physical bulk to always avoid the 2HKO from Choice Scarf Electivire’s Earthquake after Stealth Rock. The team as a whole should aim to put as much pressure on opponents as possible, and shouldn’t worry as much about sacrificing hit points on its bulkier Pokemon if it helps set up for Swanna, Combusken, or Electivire to clean up the opposing team. Beware that this team is extremely weak to Z-Celebrate Leafeon, so Water Memory can be swapped out for Poison Memory on Silvally if you think you might face that. It will hurt the team’s Floatzel matchup and adds extra Ground and Psychic weaknesses, but it is an option if Grass types become too popular.

How-To-ZU-Stall-101 by Diagnostic

Silvally-Ground @ Ground Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 16 Def / 236 Spe
Impish Nature
- Roar
- Multi-Attack
- U-Turn
- Defog / Rest

Lickilicky @ Leftovers
Ability: Oblivious
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Heal Bell
- Seismic Toss / Toxic
- Protect
- Wish

Bronzor @ Eviolite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Toxic
- Stealth Rock
- Psywave
- Rest

Gourgeist-Large @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Frisk
EVs: 252 HP / 192 Def / 64 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Foul Play
- Will-O-Wisp
- Leech Seed
- Synthesis

Komala @ Leftovers
Ability: Comatose
EVs: 252 HP / 160 SpD / 96 Spe
Careful Nature
- Knock Off
- Rapid Spin
- Protect
- Wish

Pyukumuku @ Ghostium Z
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 168 Def / 88 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Block
- Rest / Taunt
- Spite
- Recover
Here is one of your cookie-cutter stall teams to handle the plethora of Wallbreakers, Stallbreakers, and Volt-Switch abusers that make the archetype feel unplayable. Silvally-Ground is your Volt-Switch check as well as your primary Knock-Off switch-in due to its Electric-immunity and RKS System not allowing Memory-based items to be removed. Having access to Roar allows you to phaze Substitute and Set-up sweepers such as Regigigas and Muk, respectively. You can choose between running Defog as a back-up Hazard Remover in case Komala cannot Rapid Spin or use Rest to act as a dedicated Choice Scarf Electivire check. Lickilicky is your Taunt-immunity that also functions as the main cleric for the team with Heal Bell + Wish while Seismic Toss gives it an attacking option to prevent it being overly passive while breaking substitutes that lack 101 HP, although Toxic can be used since it cannot be stopped by Taunt if you prefer the status utility. Bronzor is your Hazard Setter for the team. Toxic allows you to chip away at switch-ins while Psywave prevents it from being overly passive and has a chance to break substitutes. Gourgeist-Large is chosen over Gourgeist-Super despite the HP loss due to the ability to speed creep Neutral Nature Base 45 speed wallbreakers invested in max speed such as Granbull and Golem and Wisp / Synthesis before they can hit you. It also has the extra benefit of always outpacing Regigigas under slow start all the time and still checks the same threats such as Komala and Physical-based Floatzel that is needed on almost every defensive core. Komala is the primary Hazard Remover on the team that also fills the niche to remove items using Knock from annoyances such as Bronzor's Eviolite, Roselia's Eviolite, Choice Items from Trick/Switcheroo switch-ins, and even Leftovers from Substitute and Sturdy users. Komala adds another Wish Passer to the team while providing the team with a Toxic-Spikes switch-in that won't be affected by the status due to Comotose. Pyukumuku is our coveted Unaware user that checks dangerous set-up sweepers lacking super effective coverage / Taunt and has the ability to remove would-be stall counters such as Magic Guard Duosion, Nasty Plot Beheeyem, and Nasty Plot Mr. Mime by PP Stalling them with Spite. Ghostium Z (Z-Spite) provides a Trick-immunity while making Pyukumuku a Knock-off switch-in and the Z-move provides a one-time full HP recovery option in emergencies when Recover does not provide enough.

SLEEPY BOI by Xayah

SLEEPY BOI (Komala) @ Choice Band
Ability: Comatose
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Return
- Earthquake
- U-turn
- Knock Off

Floatzel @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Water Veil
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Bulk Up
- Liquidation
- Ice Punch
- Focus Punch

Abomasnow @ Choice Specs
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Blizzard
- Giga Drain
- Focus Blast
- Frost Breath

Altaria @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 248 HP / 164 SpD / 96 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Roost
- Defog
- Toxic
- Flamethrower

Bronzor @ Eviolite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psywave
- Stealth Rock
- Rest
- Toxic

Electivire @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Motor Drive
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Volt Switch
- Wild Charge
- Cross Chop
- Ice Punch
This team is fairly straightforward. It began with the offensive core of Choice Band Komala and Fightinium Z Floatzel with Ice coverage in this case. It may seem unorthodox, but it's quite effective as a lure at times, things like Altaria coming in after scouting the set as Bulk Up, expecting to stall a few turns through the Taunt, but instead just getting beaten down. Also notable is that +1 Z-Focus Punch breaks through Silvally-Water and is Floatzel's only way of doing so effectively. Choice Specs Abomasnow and Choice Scarf Electivire round out the offensive portion of the team, one of them being an amazing breaker in the current meta, while the other is the most reliable revenge killer for Floatzel there is and has excellent coverage to threaten a lot of the meta. To finish the team I added Bronzor and Altaria, which form a very effective defensive core while also providing good hazard control.

Previous Metagame ZU Sample Teams (July-September)
Anti-Weather (Offense) by Diagnostic

Abomasnow @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Blizzard
- Giga Drain
- Focus Blast
- Earthquake

Rotom-Frost @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Blizzard
- Trick

Monferno @ Firium Z
Ability: Iron Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Flare Blitz
- Mach Punch
- Close Combat

Silvally-Dark @ Dark Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- U-turn
- Multi-Attack
- Pursuit
- Defog

Mareanie @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold / Impish Nature
- Scald / Knock Off
- Toxic Spikes
- Recover
- Haze

Golem @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 32 Atk / 224 SpD
Careful Nature
- Rock Blast / Smack Down
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Protect
This team takes advantage of Abomasnow's ability to disrupt opposing weather with Hail along side Rotom-Frost, which form a pair that abuses Blizzard with perfect accuracy. Mareanie patches up both Fighting and Fire-type weaknesses while providing a Toxic immunity and Toxic Spikes absorber for the team. Toxic Spikes helps chip down grounded non-poison and steel type switch-ins while Knock Off allows Mareanie to remove items from switch-ins that wouldn't mind Scald or Toxic Spikes such as Rotom-Frost and Roselia. Choice Scarf Rotom-Frost maintains useful speed control for the team and pairs well with Abomasnow, having a Flying-type resist due to its secondary Electric-typing, and helps lure out Ice checks such as Grumpig. Silvally-Dark is an excellent partner here since practical Pursuit users are rare and it also compresses its role as an offensive Defogger. Monferno's STAB options are very useful, being able to hit Kecleon, Golem, Bronzor, Abomasnow, and Rotom-Frost for super effective damage and aids the team as a Sweeper for late game. Golem provides the team with Stealth Rocks, an Electric-immunity, a Normal-resist, and an emergency check to weakened threats when Sturdy is preserved. Rock Blast allows you to bypass Substitute users while Smack Down plus Earthquake provides an option to threaten Bronzor, which would otherwise wall this set. This team requires maintaining offensive momentum in order to pressure offensive wallbreakers that may abuse this team's weakness to Fighting-type coverage.

Double Horse (Balance) by Froasty

Rapidash @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Flare Blitz
- High Horsepower
- Wild Charge
- Toxic / Megahorn

Zebstrika @ Life Orb
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 29 HP / 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Overheat
- Hidden Power [Water] / Hidden Power [Ice]
- Thunderbolt

Gourgeist-Large @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Frisk
EVs: 252 HP / 212 Def / 44 SpD
Impish Nature
- Foul Play
- Seed Bomb
- Will-O-Wisp
- Synthesis

Silvally-Dark @ Dark Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- U-turn
- Multi-Attack
- Pursuit
- Defog

Mareanie @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 240 Def / 20 SpD
Impish Nature
- Knock Off
- Toxic Spikes
- Recover
- Haze

Bronzor @ Eviolite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psywave
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Rest
Rapidash and Zebstrika together form an offensive core that preys on the offensive Pokemon of the metagame. With Choice Scarf Rapidash outspeeds every other relevant Choice Scarf user and can take them out with its STAB or coverage moves while presenting a threat to many other Pokemon. Zebstrika can pressure Pokemon that would otherwise get in the way of Rapidash, such as Mareanie, and pivot in order to gain momentum or get KOs on the likes of Gabite with Hidden Power [Ice]. Gourgeist-Large covers the weakness of these two to Ground type attacks as well as dealing with Crustle, who otherwise could take advantage of Rapidash. 44 SpD allows Gourgeist-Large to survive one +2 Dazzling Gleam after Stealth Rock from Mr. Mime and weaken it with Seed Bomb, which also threatens Golem. Mareanie covers the weakness to Combusken and Monferno that is opened up by Rapidash as well as pressuring defensive Pokemon that would attempt to impede Rapidash and Zebstrika through Toxic Spikes. Knock Off is usable over Toxic for Mareanie because Bronzor can push the Toxic on Silvally forms, allowing Mareanie to remove Choice Scarf from Rotom-Frost to weaken its Trick and remove Mago Berry from Grumpig to take away its recovery as well as remove the Eviolite from opposing Mareanie. Special Bronzor deals with the still present weakness to Toxic Gabite by being immune to Toxic and resistant or immune to all of Gabite's relevant moves, and Bronzor also acts as a secondary answer to the likes of Golem while being able to reliably answer Abomasnow and other special attackers such as Rotom-Frost and Choice Scarf Mr. Mime, as long as it does not get hit by Trick or Knock Off. Mareanie and Bronzor can both outlast most Silvally in order to pressure hazards and keep wearing down the opposing team, but both are weak to powerful Knock Offs such as Kecleon's. This is where Colbur Berry Gourgeist-Large comes in, allowing Gourgeist to counter non-Fire Blast Kecleon variants while Mareanie acts as backup in case of Fire Blast variants at the sacrifice of its Eviolite. Silvally-Dark is the best choice for the Defog slot, threatening and potentially Pursuit trapping Shadow Ball Grumpig and Misdreavus, both of which can threaten the defensive core, while threatening Choice Scarf Mr. Mime and playing 50/50s with it.

One-Punch Kecleon (Offense) by Jklioe

Kecleon @ Assault Vest
Ability: Protean
EVs: 172 HP / 252 Atk / 84 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Power-Up Punch / Sucker Punch
- Knock Off
- Drain Punch
- Shadow Sneak

Rotom-Frost @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Blizzard
- Trick

Roselia @ Eviolite
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 40 HP / 252 SpA / 216 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Toxic Spikes
- Giga Drain / Leaf Storm
- Sludge Bomb
- Rest

Silvally-Fighting @ Fighting Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- U-turn
- Multi-Attack
- Shadow Claw / Pursuit
- Defog

Grumpig @ Mago Berry
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 HP / 80 Def / 176 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recycle
- Substitute
- Focus Blast
- Psychic

Dugtrio-Alola @ Steelium Z
Ability: Tangling Hair
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Iron Head
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Stone Edge
The structure of this build revolves around using Toxic Spikes to help break down standard defensive cores and offer Kecleon with the opportunity to clean up late game. Assault Vest Kecleon provides the team with an offensive sponge to the many special attackers in the tier and Protean provides extra damage to its coverage options of choice. Power-Up Punch provides Kecleon with the ability to boost and sweep late game while Sucker Punch grants you a secondary priority move to beat down offensive teams. Choice Scarf Rotom-Frost is well-known for the speed control and utility it provides and needs little explanation here. Roselia is the Toxic Spike user of choice since it can take advantage of Mareanie and other common hazard setters along with providing a Toxic Spikes immunity and status absorber for the team. Silvally-Fighting provides a Knock Off switch-in that also carries a useful Rock-type resist and takes on a role compression with Defog. This set, in particular, is effective at removing opposing Kecleon by punishing its ability to become a Ghost-type through Shadow Sneak to gain an immunity to Multi-Attack. Grumpig, thanks to Thick Fat, is the glue to this teams weakness against Fighting- and Fire-type attacks. Grumpig also has a useful Ice-type resist which allows it to switch into Blizzard from the common abusers in Rotom-Frost and Abomasnow. Dugtrio-Alola has a nice speed tier, great offensive typing, and an Electric- and Poison-type immunity that allows it to take advantage of non-scarfed threats like Rapidash, Electivire, Muk which would otherwise take advantage of the lack of physical walls on this team. Corkscrew Crash Dugrio-Alola has the extra benefit of preventing threats like Silvally-Fighting from becoming a safe switch-in, baits them, and removes them. The Z-Crystal also gives Dugtrio-Alola a Trick immunity, limiting opposing Choice Scarf Rotom-Frost to using Blizzard, which Grumpig greatly appreciates.

Hell's Playground (Bulky Offense) by Xayah

Abomasnow @ Grassium Z
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Blizzard
- Wood Hammer
- Earthquake
- Ice Shard

Electivire @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Motor Drive
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Volt Switch
- Wild Charge
- Cross Chop
- Ice Punch / Earthquake

Lurantis @ Leftovers
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 248 HP / 176 SpD / 84 Spe
Careful Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Superpower
- Aromatherapy
- Synthesis

Silvally-Fire @ Fire Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Defog
- Flamethrower
- Thunderbolt
- U-turn

Mareanie @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Toxic Spikes
- Recover
- Haze

Bronzor @ Eviolite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Toxic
- Psywave
- Stealth Rock
- Rest
This team uses a bit of an unorthodox Fire/Water/Grass core of Silvally-Fire, Mareanie, and Lurantis to apply a ton of pressure at all stages of the game. Mareanie + Bronzor is just a really good defensive core currently that deals with a lot of the metagame and functions as the defensive backbone of this particular team. Lurantis and Silvally-Fire form a more offensive duo that use their natural bulk to switch in and put on pressure in a unique fashion. Silvally-Fire is also a Defogger and can break Bronzor + Mareanie on its own while also being pretty unexpected at times. Lurantis supports the defensive core by removing statuses with Aromatherapy, notably Bronzor's self-induced sleep, while being quite tough to deal with itself. Grassium Z Abomasnow is a pretty solid breaker that uses its solid mixed attacking stats to decimate many defensive teams while its access to Ice Shard means it can easily aid in picking off weakened threats and potentially rip through an offensive team in the late game. Lastly, Electivire provides the team with a fast pivot, an Electric immunity, and a Choice Scarf user faster than Rotom-Frost and Chatot, allowing it to revenge kill very effectively and making it very tough for opposing Electric-types to click their STAB moves. It also notably takes on Blizzard from Rotom-Frost, allowing it to relatively safely switch in and force it out.


The Defiant Duo (Hyper Offense) by Diagnostic

Shuckle @ Mental Herb
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Sticky Web
- Stealth Rock
- Infestation
- Encore

Rotom-Frost @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Blizzard
- Trick

Pawniard @ Steelium Z
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch
- Iron Head

Silvally-Fighting @ Fighting Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Multi-Attack
- Zen Headbutt
- U-Turn / Shadow Claw

Mareanie @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Toxic Spikes
- Recover
- Haze

Purugly @ Silk Scarf
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Return
- Fake Out
- Knock Off / Stomping Tantrum
- U-turn
This is a comeback for Sticky Web compositions and has seen success due to the changes in the metagame. Shuckle is your primary choice for this team's setter since it can reliably set up hazards while chipping away at threats and locking them in with Infestation. Encore creates opportunities for teammates since you can lock Hazard Removers into Defog / Rapid Spin or lock offensive threats into a move that your attackers can switch into. Pawniard and Purugly pair together as defiant users, being able to deter Hazard Removal from switch-ins such as Armaldo and Silvally-forms while breaking down each other's checks with their STAB options. Corkscrew Crash has the extra benefit to OHKO offensive defoggers or Contrary users which include Silvally-Fighting and Lurantis after a Swords Dance which would normally switch-in and attempt to force Pawniard out if not beat it. Silvally-Fighting provides an offensive Golem and Alolan-Dugtrio check that can also abuse its speed after webs to sweep late game. Zen Headbutt hits Poison-types like Mareanie while hitting Flying-types neutrally and U-Turn provides pivoting utility that hits Psychic-types although Shadow Claw has the extra benefit of being the stronger option versus Ghost-types. Rotom-Frost provides speed control and threatens Levitate and Flying-type pokemon that are not affected by Sticky Web. Rotom-Frost also provides an emergency check to Servine and Lurantis, which it outpaces even after the Contrary users gain a speed boost from Sticky Web and can remove them with STAB Blizzard. Mareanie is the glue to this team and adds a Monferno counter and a general check to most Silvally-forms (if they lack super effective coverage), which all Sticky-Webs teams are prone to, while providing the team with another hazard option that helps chip away at defensive and offensive pokemon lacking an immunity.


Sample Resources

CCAT Team Archive

Sample Cores
 
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Champion Leon

Banned deucer.
I wanted to congratulate you on spearheading this thread and all of the responsibility that comes with. I know it will be a big deal as it “earns its player base”. The OP was put together articulately, and remember - PU was originally seen as a Joke Tier but it became official and I see this becoming something official. The only question is, what tier could possibly be lower than the “Zero Tier”, Can’t use “NU” for the Negative Tier as it’s already take for the Neverused Tier, but that is largely a concern for the future, where and when new Pokémon of later generations add even more numbers to the ever crowded tiers.

I wish you well, and congrats on this new name! FU seems like an offensive title, for obvious reasons, so I think it’s understandable why you chose this name and why you won’t have to further explain the reasoning.
I would like to clarify that we were told to change our name if we wanted to have shot at ever coming to Smogon and especially if we wanted to go official. I can't tell you everything about it since I wasn't around back then, but that's the story afaik.
 

Aaronboyer

Something Worth Fighting For
is a Contributor to Smogon
I wanted to congratulate you on spearheading this thread and all of the responsibility that comes with. I know it will be a big deal as it “earns its player base”. The OP was put together articulately, and remember - PU was originally seen as a Joke Tier but it became official and I see this becoming something official. The only question is, what tier could possibly be lower than the “Zero Tier”, Can’t use “NU” for the Negative Tier as it’s already take for the Neverused Tier, but that is largely a concern for the future, where and when new Pokémon of later generations add even more numbers to the ever crowded tiers.

I wish you well, and congrats on this new name! FU seems like an offensive title, for obvious reasons, so I think it’s understandable why you chose this name and why you won’t have to further explain the reasoning.
There actually is an unofficial Other Meta called SU (stands for Subzero Used) which is the tier below ZU. :smogthink:

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For those interested in playing ZU perhaps for the first time, Stoutland needs to be a Pokemon you must consider running and must consider checking. We just had a suspect test for it during the month of February where it was voted Do Not Ban, but that didn't mean it wasn't something to fully prepare for. Choice Band hits like a truck and is easy to fit onto most playstyles. Mawile, Silvally-Fighting, and Tangela are just a few checks you may decide to pack, but nevertheless Stoutland is in my opinion the best Pokemon ZU has to offer. Rotom-Frost falls right behind with a STAB combination of Electric + Ice that hits nearly everything for neutral damage. In generations previous Blizzard was extremely inaccurate but with the introduction of Z-Moves, Icium-Z allows for a STRONG Subzero Slammer that cannot miss. Scarfs sets are also widely seen and pair nicely with wallbreakers such as the aforementioned Stoutland and Ursaring. Lastly, I wanted to quickly discuss Vigoroth. In a recent room poll, Vigoroth was voted more suspect worthy than Rotom-Frost by a ratio of more than 2:1. Sub Bulk Up and Taunt Bulk Up are both monstrous to play against and has cause Stall teams to run things such as Roar Altaria and Z-Toxic Pyukumuku which aren't necessarily unviable but demanding if one wants to run a Stall team. We could also very well lose Altaria to PU (currently A Rank) and Clefairy to PU(also currently A Rank) during February shifts which will drastically effect how stall teams function if they can continue to function at all. Potential drops such as Claydol, Dugtrio, Torkoal, and Crustle also all look promising.

With that I want to also point your attention to our upcoming ZU Open Tournament, for which signups will release on March 20th. We also want to welcome you to our room on Pokemon Showdownand to our ZU Discord Server, and I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day!
 
After immersing myself in this tier for the past few days I request Solrock to be moved to B+. The cosmic power/wisp/morning sun set is very good at stalling out counters like Metang/Mawile and the colbur berry set is probably one of the safest Stoutland switch ins without relying on Pyukumuku
 
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Xayah

San Bwanna
is a Community Contributoris a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnus
After immersing myself in this tier for the past few days I request Solrock to be moved to B+. The cosmic power/wisp/morning sun set is very good at stalling out counters like Metang/Mawile and the colbur berry set is probably one of the safest Stoutland switch ins without relying on Pyukumuku
To start, I'd like to say that when using Solrock, I find a set of Morning Sun/WoW/Stealth Rock/Rock Slide to be more effective than a Cosmic Power variant, as Cosmic Power is easily beaten by any phazer or status move user.

Next, while Solrock is indeed a solid switchin to Stoutland, it is not as generally effective as the other main switchins to it, namely Mawile, Tangela, and RestTalk Metang. None of these are 2HKOed by any of Stoutland's moves (bar the rare Work Up + Z-move sets) without having to rely on a Colbur Berry and offer more in most other situations than Solrock. As such, I don't think Solrock should move up to the same level as where Metang currently resides.
 
I personally think something like this will become official when a new generation is released. PU has 200+ mons and most of them are unused and not viable at all in that tier. I’m happy NFEs have a role in this metagame, but if a tier below ZU is created then NFE tier would probably disappear due to many NFEs being too strong for that tier and many NFEs being in that tier, so NFE tier would probably end up having only those middle-evo Bugs, but who cares of them?:mehowth:

I really like this Idea and i’m happy some of my favourite pokemons are in that tier and I can now use them since they’re not viable in PU.
I Hope they’ll make this playable on main server :blobthumbsup:
 

Xayah

San Bwanna
is a Community Contributoris a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnus
I’m glad I discovered this.
Can someone do a list on mons available in the tier?
The list is absolutely massive since it includes every NFE and LC mon as well, and there are so many mons unviable in PU. Honestly, I recommend using the Viability Rankings as a tier list. If you're wondering if a certain mon is in the tier, feel free to ask
 

Apagogie

Zee you later
is a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Staff Alumnus
Some Pokémons I had a lot of pleasure to play recently :

Silvally-Fighting
Silvally-Fighting @ Fighting Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 100 HP / 180 Atk / 224 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Multi-Attack
- Swords Dance
- Parting Shot / U-turn / Filler
- Defog

If Vallyfairy and Vallywater are the two more common version for Silvally, I like a lot the fighting one. A defoger which has a rock resist is always nice to be able to come often on the ground regardless what the opponent does to keep up the pressure. Vally is also able to win the 1vs1 against some of the more common sr user like probopass or golem who are generally quite difficult to deal with for the usual defogers. However it's mostly its ability to get rid of dangerous threats such which makes its strength. ZU lacks of fighting type and this lets bulky mons who are weak to it a place where they shine. I could talk about probo or regice which are all two quite difficult to weaken but the best example is undoubtedly Vigoroth able to bypass a whole team unprepared. Silvally-fighting is a decent answer to prevent that when you're looking as well to add a defoger in your team. Without hitting hard, it offers an offensive pressure pleasant for a team in helping to get rid of annoying stuff and pivotting with the fighting coverage is also nice. However, keep in mind that this mon is very easy to weaken so it cannot switch nonstop on the foe.

The set is quite weird but let's me explain it. SD is important to prevent Silvally to be stalled by Vigoroth. 224 Spe Jolly outspeeds Chatot, 100 HP allows to handle one Z-Icium of Frosstom after pdr, one Boomburst of Chatot specs after pdr and offers bulk to take better vigo.

Combusken +
Stoutland
Combusken @ Life Orb
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fire Blast
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Ice] / Hidden Power [Electric]
- Protect

Stoutland @ Choice Band
Ability: Scrappy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Return
- Superpower
- Facade
- Pursuit

A core pretty classic but however very strong and not much played. The philosophy here is pretty simple to understand, the dog and the chicken are both two monsters hitting stupidly hard who have only few switch-in in ZU. Of course, except few notable exceptions, it's pretty uncommon to be able to handle both. One of the best combusken counter and one of the more predominant is grumpig, a mon very splashable due to the fact that it checks plenty of mons and notably Frosttom. Stoutland, thanks to pursuit, trapkills it which allows to the KFC to normally sweep a team a little bit weaken (pray the no miss).

Golem-Alola
Golem-Alola @ Rockium Z
Ability: Galvanize
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Return
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Rock Polish

Okay, lets be honnest, this Pokemon isn't great. Its no-alola form is better and Probopass outclasses it as steeltrapper. However, I have some successes with a rock polish Galvanise Z-Move set. 45 bst is terrible but after a RP, it outspeeds almost everything which isn't scarf. Its good natural bulk makes the set-up a bit easier. Here is a replay I just did yesterday against Sir Cloud with Golem-Alola, the battle is quite expeditious but I hope you'll enjoy it. https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7pu-713528953
It's not a good mon but this set of Golem-A is pretty cool to use. Play it for fun.
 

Xayah

San Bwanna
is a Community Contributoris a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnus
Usage stats are out!

Our changes for this month are as follows:

We lost:


We gained:


These losses are mostly expected but incredibly impactful nonetheless. Altaria and Clefairy were both very important for balance and defensive playstyles, so I expect especially stall to go on the decline considerably, also since Ursaring is still running around. Swanna was a powerful offensive threat that could go defensive if it wanted to and losing it might hurt some of our playstyles, but not as much as the other two. Silvally formes will likely become even better with two of our other Defoggers leaving and I can see a spike in usage of especially Silvally-Dragon coming.

Our gains are likely to be much less important. Smeargle is a cool suicide lead for Sticky Web and Hazard Stack, but otherwise won't have too much of an impact; it will see use, but won't be amazing, at least in my opinion. Dugtrio is a fast and fairly powerful Ground-type and our only Electric immunity that's both faster than Rotom-Frost and can use items to actually knock it out, but it can definitely not switch in safely and even if it does get in, Rotom-Frost can just switch out. Torkoal probably has the most potential out of these, as it has great physical defense and access to good utility moves like Stealth Rock, Rapid Spin, and Yawn, but it has no recovery, a weakness to Stealth Rock, and a bad defensive typing, so I can't see this being too amazing either.

Let's hear what you guys think of these changes and how they'll affect the tier!
 

asa

is a Site Content Manageris a Community Leaderis a Community Contributoris a Tiering Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Social Media Contributor Alumnus
PU Leader
just made a post about these drops, crazy.


I have a feeling Smeargle will be pretty decent here. The departure of two really good users of Defog in Altaria and Swanna is definitely appreciated, it has really good support options that are a big help to slower breakers like Camerupt, Stoutland, and Ursaring, and things being a bit more offensive here (from what I've seen, at least) is helpful and a nice contrast from the bulkier PU. Again, not sure how I feel about Dugtrio. The Speed tier is really good, and its Attack isn't bad; the support options in Memento and Stealth Rock are pretty nice too, but its frailty really holds it back. Rockium Z w/ Stone Edge will probably be used a lot since as mentioned above, it outpaces and OHKOes non-Choice Scarf Rotom-F. I don't have much of an opinion about Torkoal either. It's versatile and can compress roles I suppose, being able to pull off physically defensive sets w/ Stealth Rock and Rapid Spin as well as more offensive sets w/ Shell Smash, and it too has fairly nice support options in moves such as the aforementioned Rapid Spin and Stealth Rock, Yawn, Toxic, and Roar, but the lack of recovery and bad defensive typing hold it back, and it's still rather slow even after a Shell Smash.
 
I’d like to share with you some opinions about Simipour (not talking about mixed)



Simipour hasn’t got great coverage but it can still hit a lot of common mons. Having focus blast allows it to OHKO rotom-frost, since rotom frost carries Z-Move/Scarf so I’d reccomend scarf simipour. Scarf simipour also outspeeds rapidash which can OHKO simipour with Wild charge and LO, unfortunately stoutland gets 83-98% damage from focus blast and it can punish simipour with a banded Return.
Another set I find pretty good is nasty plot and waterium/LO. nasty plot gives a lot of power and it allows to OHKO a non-spdef invested tangela with ice beam. Also +2 Hydro vortex (from hydro pump) OHKO a non-resistant silvally and LO kills a non-bulk invested silvally (ofc not resistant), that means water silvally is a pokemon you should not face with simipour unless you have grass knot, although simipour can face silvally-fairy without any worries. Nasty plot set is also good against most of the stealth rock setters in this tier like: probopass,mawile,torterra etc. since you can set up infront of them (like if you’re facing mawile) or just kill them (like if you’re facing torterra).
Nasty Plot set loses to scarf rotom-frost but can OHKO tangela, viceversa for the Scarf set. If you lose to rapidash/rotom-frost i’d reccomend to use scarf set, if you lose to bulkier mons I’d reccomend Nasty plot set.
It ofc loses to some mons like silvally and some pokemons it can’t hit but I still like it :)

I hope you enjoyed and hope you’ll use this Water Monkey :D

Edit: Simipour also get grass knot so you have better coverage, also Z-Grass knot is good against pokemons like chinchou.
 
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Algeria

hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii~
the tier seems fun to watch and play, good initiative and congratulations for doing this huge job bro
 
I know people mostly think of Smeargle as a hazard setter but in a tier like ZU things might actually be frail enough to get smacked up by a Belly Drum set of all things.

My set:
Smeargle @ Silk Scarf
Ability: Own Tempo
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Spore
- Belly Drum
- Extreme Speed
- Earthquake/Precipice Blades

You have to be in against something slower than Smeargle, then use Spore, BD up safely and spam ESpeed, using Ground coverage to hit the steels and ghosts of the tier.

The damage isn't that bad, looking at calcs. It does stuff like this:
+6 252+ Atk Smeargle Precipice Blades vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Golem: 352-416 (116.9 - 138.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+6 252+ Atk Silk Scarf Smeargle Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Rotom-Frost: 252-297 (104.5 - 123.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+6 252+ Atk Silk Scarf Smeargle Extreme Speed vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Stoutland: 288-340 (92.6 - 109.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
+5 252+ Atk Smeargle Precipice Blades vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mawile: 310-366 (101.9 - 120.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Obviously not the greatest set but it does well enough. You will need to damage things like Musharna and Dusclops before sweeping, and rocks are desirable, but in the right situation the sweep can't be stopped because it outprioritizes all its enemies (Just be careful around Protect, since ESpeed only has 8 PP). It has a niche IMO, though I'm not the most experienced with the tier. If you want to be really cool, run Metronome instead of Silk Scarf :P
(Note: If using EQ over Blades, you probably want to make sure you have a spike up first)
 
Why not use 1K arrows instead?
Misses out on crucial KOs fairly often, while it only really helps vs Solrock, Lunatone, Bronzor and Drifblim, none of which are horribly common and can be worn down easily enough anyways. Not worth the power loss.
 
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