Sword/Shield PU Metagame Primer

Composition

PU is Smogon's fifth usage-based tier. All Pokémon that are not OU, UU, RU, or NU by usage and are not banned to Ubers, UUBL, RUBL, NUBL, or PUBL can be used in PU. While any of the aforementioned Pokémon can be used in PU, only those Pokémon that make up at least ~4.52% of total weighted usage in the tier are designated PU. A Pokémon is truly PU if a typical competitive player is more than 50% likely to encounter that Pokémon at least once in a given day of playing (15 battles).

A list of the current PU Pokémon and those with PU analyses for the SS era are found on the dex page.

Play Restrictions

Players cannot use Pokémon from the Uber tier, OU, UUBL, UU, RUBL, RU, NUBL, NU, or PUBL.

Players cannot use Dynamax or Gigantamax.

Players must abide by the following clauses:

Players cannot use the following abilities:

Players cannot use the following moves:

The PU Forum

Learn

The PU General Rules, Tiering, and Announcements Thread explains the PU forum's rules and serves as an announcement hub for tiering events, such as Pokémon bans.

The PU Simple Questions, Simple Answers Thread is a great place to ask questions regarding PU and get quick, simple answers in return.

The PU Resources Thread comprises of helpful information for teambuilding, such as the Speed Tiers and Role Compendium lists, as well as Sample Teams in case you're not comfortable building your own team just yet.

The 2021 PU Circuit Thread contains information regarding PU's official tournaments, including tour types, tour dates, and circuit-related announcements.

Participate

The PU Forum includes all of the threads mentioned above, as well as fun projects and occasional forum tournaments to partake in.

The PU NP/Metagame Discussion Thread is a great place to discuss various subjects regarding the current metagame, such as metagame trends and ongoing suspect tests, with fellow PU players.

The PU Viability Rankings Thread is very useful for knowing how good a certain Pokémon is in the current metagame. Discussion regarding certain Pokémon's placement on the VR list is highly encouraged here.

The PU Analyses Subforum is the place where all PU analyses are being written. If you'd like to contribute, be sure to read the rules in the PU C&C Reservation List Thread before posting!

The PU Discord Server is a great place to discuss the current PU metagame, previous PU generations, PU analyses, or simply have a good time.