Set: Choice Scarf Krookodile

Krookodile @ Choice Scarf 

Trait: Moxie 

EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd 

Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk) 

- Earthquake 

- Crunch 

- Stone Edge 

- Pursuit

Krookodile can make for an excellent UU revenge killer and late-game sweeper. Its interesting typing gives it some useful STABs to work with, making it somewhat like a lower-tiered version of Scarf Tyranitar. Moxie is probably what makes this set most dangerous; since many players sacrifice team members to regain momentum, Krookodile can make things difficult for most opponents.

This set hits an Attack stat of 366 and works really well with a Choice Scarf. Krookodile is pretty efficient at trapping Ghost-types, thanks to its Dark STAB and and high physical power. Later in the match, Krookodile can be used to sweep with the appropriate move, having Moxie boost its power after every kill.

Ground / Dark is an excellent offensive typing that gives Krookodile good coverage against most opponents. Earthquake is the set's most powerful move, but it should be used carefully to avoid letting opponents switch in on immunities. Crunch is a solid and reliable secondary STAB, while Stone Edge provides useful additional coverage. Pursuit is important for eliminating Ghosts like Mismagius and Rotom.

Defensive Hitmontop stands out as one of the most common Krookodile counters, so packing a Ghost- or Flying-type is recommended. Since Krookodile tends to eliminate opposing Ghosts, including a Rapid Spin user is a good idea - clearing hazards will become much easier. Overall, Scarf Krookodile is an interesting set with solid late-game potential.

Core: Escavalier / Kingdra

One drawback of the previous offensive core of Heracross / Medicham was that it lacked defensive synergy, although its offensive synergy is phenomenal. Escavalier and Kingdra, however, have typings that complement each other perfectly. With each opening up opportunities for the other to sweep, they function well as a powerful bulky offensive core.

---

Kingdra @ Chesto Berry 

Trait: Swift Swim 

EVs: 180 HP / 160 Atk / 4 SDef / 164 Spd 

Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk) 

- Dragon Dance 

- Waterfall 

- Outrage 

- Rest

Escavalier @ Choice Band 

Trait: Swarm 

EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SDef 

Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk) 

- Megahorn 

- Iron Head 

- Return 

- Pursuit

---

Kingdra is blessed with one of the best type combinations in the game, along with deceptively good bulk. ChestoRest is Kingdra's most dangerous set for sweeping, capable of setting up multiple boosts against weaker attackers. Opponents unaccustomed to dealing with this set will be in for a big surprise with Rest, which essentially gives Kingdra a second life by healing off all damage and status ailments. Water + Dragon provides outstanding type coverage, with the only notable resistant Pokémon being Empoleon. High HP and considerable Attack investment give Kingdra good bulk and power. 164 Speed EVs allow the set to outspeed Scarf Flygon after two Dragon Dance boosts. 

Escavalier backs up Kingdra with perfect synergy and an incredible base 135 Attack stat. Both its offensive and defensive stats are superior to those of Scizor, making it an excellent bulky hitter. Although Escavalier's type coverage is poor, its damage output allows it to heavily dent even resisted switch-ins. Escavlier's main job is to punch holes through opposing teams for Kingdra to eventually sweep through.

Kingdra's main counter in UU will be Empoleon. Fortunately, it lacks recovery and is vulnerable to hazards. Even better, Empoleon Steel typing means that opponents may often switch it into Escavalier's attacks. With max HP Empoleon taking 49.46% - 58.33% from Megahorn, it can be taken down pretty fast. 

This core also has perfect defensive synergy, with each member resisting the other's only weakness. Opponents trying to use Scarf Flygon to check Kingdra will be put in a tough spot, with Escavalier waiting to switch in on Outrage and OHKO back with Megahorn. UU has much fewer Dragon- and Steel-types than OU, meaning a core like this can put giant pressure on standard teams.

Set: Bulky Mismagius

Mismagius @ Leftovers 

Trait: Levitate 

EVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 Spd 

Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk) 

- Taunt 

- Will-O-Wisp 

- Shadow Ball 

- Pain Split

Mismagius is commonly seen running an offensive Nasty Plot set. However, a bulkier approach may be a better choice for more defensively-oriented teams. Bulky Mismagius is a bit like a UU version of Stallbreaker Mew - it shuts down entry hazard users and cripples physical attackers, but has the special advantage of blocking Rapid Spin as well.

Nasty Plot Mismagius is a pretty good offensive spin blocker, but this bulky set has a lot more survivability. Thanks to its max HP investment and specifically designed moveset, Mismagius does a much better job of taking hits. A Timid nature allows for a high Speed stat as well; max EVs ensure the set outspeeds threats like Celebi and other Mismagius running HP Fighting.

Taunt is a crucial move on this set that allows Mismagius to shut down many stall team members. Used appropriately with Mismagius' other moves, Taunt allows this set to beat Blissey one-on-one. It also prevents Rapid Spin users from getting off a Foresight to hit Mismagius. Will-O-Wisp is helpful for handling physical attackers - spinners like Hitmontop and Donphan will often be crippled. Shadow Ball still does pretty good damage and provides Mismagius with a reliable STAB move. Pain Split is a decent recovery move, taking advantage of Mismagius' low HP to heal up.

This set should be included on bulky teams that utilize entry hazards. Roserade makes for one of the best Spikers in the tier and provides useful resistances. A RegiBro core would also fit in nicely by covering a lot of threats. Bulky Mismagius tends to do well at keeping your hazards on the field, so be sure the rest of your team can take advantage of them.

Set: Choice Band Escavalier

Escavalier @ Choice Band 

Trait: Swarm 

EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SDef 

Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk) 

- Megahorn 

- Iron Head 

- Return 

- Pursuit

The power behind this set is staggering. Escavalier's gigantic base 135 Attack puts it on the level of OU's top physical threats, even beating its higher-tiered counterpart: Scizor. Although Escavalier suffers from an incredibly low base 20 Speed stat, its defensive stats are high enough for it to successfully pull of the role of an extremely hard-hitting bulky attacker.

Escavalier's excellent typing allows it to switch in often to spam high-powered attacks. Since Steel-types are much less common in UU, HP Fire tends to be a rare move. This means Escavalier receives free switch-ins on several Grass-types, including most Roserade and Celebi sets. 

Megahorn is the set's hardest hitting move. Even physically defensive behemoths like Donphan, Rhyperior and Slowbro are easily 2HKOed (with a clean OHKO in the case of the latter). Iron Head is a reliable secondary STAB for hitting Bug resists for extra damage. Return has a nice max base power of 102, which dishes out plenty of damage with this set. Pursuit is excellent for trapping Ghosts like Mismagius; thanks to Escavalier's bulk, the Nasty Plot set fails to 2HKO with HP Fighting at +2.

Escavalier's movepool is poor in terms of type coverage, but its power is enough to wear down nearly any opponent, even Pokémon that resist its attacks. Entry hazards are really helpful for making it easier to take down "counters." As far as teammates go, Scarf Heracross is an excellent partner to this set. It can form a double Bug offensive core with Escavalier, spamming Megahorn and later Close Combat after Ghost-types have been trapped with Pursuit.

Video: Enroyalle vs PenguinX - BW UU

Here's a great UU match against a fellow contributing author here at Fal's blog, quackPenguinX. A bit of crucial hax drew the match out, but we both agreed it made the match much more exciting due to the intense turns of sheer prediction that followed. You really get to see Mixed Flygon in all its glory here. Although this team still needs some work (hopefully I'll have that fixed soon), this was still a really fun match.

Set: Mixed Flygon

Flygon @ Life Orb

EVs: 80 Atk / 252 SAtk / 176 Spd

Trait: Levitate

Rash Nature (+SAtk, -SDef)

- Draco Meteor

- Fire Blast

- Earthquake

- Roost

Mixed Flygon was a 4th Generation set that saw very little use due to the sheer popularity of Choice Scarf Flygon. As Flygon makes its Generation 5 appearance in UU, Choice Scarf continues to be Flygon's most common set. Because of this, Mixed Flygon is highly unexpected and arguably more effective than ever before.

The opponent's initial switch-in to Flygon more often than not depends on what the opponent expects Flygon to "lock itself into" because of its assumed Choice Scarf. Mixed Flygon can exploit this due to its ability to switch moves, as well as recover off residual damage and weak attacks with Roost. This Flygon in particular is one of the best switch-ins to standard Registeel. Neither Iron Head nor Seismic Toss is able to hit harder than what Flygon can easily Roost off in a single turn. Just be sure to watch out for Registeel running Toxic or Ice Punch, although the latter is rare.

The given Speed EVs allow Flygon to outspeed max Speed neutral-natured base 90 Pokémon, such as Porygon-Z and Roserade. Max Special Attack coupled with a Rash nature allows Flygon to hit hard with Draco Meteor and Fire Blast. The leftover EVs are pumped into Attack to give Earthquake some bite.

The three attacking moves listed are the best coverage Flygon is going to get - in fact, it allows Flygon to hit every Pokémon in the game for at least neutral damage. STAB Draco Meteor will hit anything that doesn't resist it (and even some weaker Pokémon that do resist it) very hard. Earthquake is a reliable secondary physical STAB option that also packs a punch. Fire Blast is Flygon's best option against Grass-types and hits specially-frail Steel-types (such as Steelix) harder than Earthquake does.

Flygon has trouble with Pokémon that are bulky on both sides of the spectrum and cannot be hit super-effectively by this set (Umbreon comes to mind), as well as as faster Pokémon that can hit Flygon super-effectively with their own Dragon- or Ice-type moves. For these reasons, Registeel makes an excellent partner for Mixed Flygon because it can Toxic bulkier Pokémon (while being immune to Toxic itself) and also resists both Dragon and Ice.

On a closing note, I'm ecstatic to be part of the Faladran team! All feedback for my first post is appreciated greatly. Thanks guys!

Video: Faladran vs DoomOnYou - BW UU

Here's another UU battle! I ended up swapping Kingdra out for Snorlax to handle special threats better. Check out the video to see it in action.

Core: Registeel / Slowbro

The classic RegiBro core returns in BW with a number of useful new features. Registeel remains much the same as before, but Slowbro received an outstanding new ability in Regenerator and two solid STAB moves: Scald and Psyshock. Other than that, the two form a core that can easily take on some of the most dangerous physical and special threats in UU.

---

Registeel @ Leftovers 

Trait: Clear Body 

EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef 

Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk) 

- Stealth Rock 

- Iron Head 

- Seismic Toss 

- Toxic

Slowbro @ Leftovers 

Trait: Regenerator 

EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef 

Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk) 

- Calm Mind 

- Scald 

- Psyshock 

- Slack Off

---

Registeel covers most special threats with its gigantic Special Defense stat. It also works as a reliable Stealth Rock user and status spreader, thanks to its bulk and natural utility. Iron Head provides Registeel with a solid STAB move to hit Ghosts (notably Mismagius) with, while Seismic Toss is a great all-around move on a special wall. Toxic is preferred over Thunder Wave for hitting Ground-types and bulkier opponents.

Slowbro patches up its partner's weaknesses by functioning as the best physical wall in the tier. With a Calm Mind set, it can also take over as a bulky setup sweeper. Scald works nicely as a solid STAB move with a 30% burn rate, capable of crippling physical sweepers. Psyshock hits common switch-ins on their physical side, almost guaranteeing a OHKO after Stealth Rock on max HP Roserade. It also lets Slowbro win one-on-one against many other Calm Mind users. Slack Off rounds out the set by giving Slowbro reliable recovery, although Regenerator's 33% heal rate keeps Slowbro healthy just by having it switch out. 

These two Pokémon have some of the best defensive synergy in the game, making them the UU equivalent of SkarmBliss. Pair this core up with hazards, bulky offensive members and a late-game cleaner, and you'll have a solid UU team on your hands.

Set: Bulky Froslass

Froslass @ Leftovers 

Trait: Snow Cloak 

EVs: 224 HP / 108 Def / 176 Spd 

Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk) 

- Taunt 

- Spikes 

- Pain Split 

- Ice Beam

This Froslass has been one of my favorite UU sets in this generation and the previous one. Although Froslass initially seems pretty frail, it can actually run an effective bulky set that manages to simultaneously cover the roles of spiker and spin blocker.

These EVs bolster Froslass' physical defense while ensuring it outspeed Base 100s like Flygon. Taunt shuts down slower opponents and can be used to set up on threats like Chansey. Spikes are of course obligatory on this set, and Froslass functions as one of the best Spikers in UU. Pain Split gives Froslass a decent recovery move that allows it to heal up and damage opponents. Finally, Ice Beam allows Froslass to hit opponents with a solid STAB move. This is particularly useful for checking weakened threats like Donphan and Zapdos.

Bulky Froslass is a great example of a Pokémon with dual roles. By stacking hazards and blocking spinners, Froslass integrates two jobs into one set, making team building very efficient. This strategy gives teammates more flexibility and allows them to run a greater variety of sets.

Core: Heracross / Medicham

UU Time! This is an offensive core, functioning similarly to combinations like Excadrill / Landorus in OU. Heracross and Medicham can be played as parallel sweepers, each opening up holes in opposing teams so that the other can eventually sweep. Since these two are among the strongest Fighting types in the UU tier, very little can stand up to both of them together.

---

Heracross @ Choice Band
Trait: Guts
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Megahorn
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Pursuit

Medicham @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Pure Power
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Hi Jump Kick
- Psycho Cut
- Ice Punch
- Trick

---

Thanks to its high Attack stat, Heracross is capable of ripping holes in opposing counters so that Medicham can safely sweep later in the match. Megahorn is one of the few physical moves that can power through Slowbro, netting a clean 100% OHKO with this set. Pursuit can be used to trap and kill Ghost-types that could switch into the core's choiced Fighting attacks. Even better, Heracross' ability Guts ensures that it doesn't have to worry about being burned from Will-O-Wisp. Close Combat from this set also hits extremely hard, as Adamant Choice Band Heracross reaches the equivalent of 574 Attack. Stone Edge rounds out the set's coverage by hitting Flying-types on the switch.

In contrast with Heracross' wallbreaking potential, Medicham functions as more of a late-game sweeper. After Heracross has successfully broken through opposing counters, Medicham can freely spam its 130 BP STAB Hi Jump Kick off a Pure Power-boosted Attack stat of 438. This set offers good overall coverage, and an important emergency move in Trick. This can be used as a last resort to stop stat boosters, or it can be used on a prediction to cripple an opposing physical wall.

The prevalence of Chansey in UU allows these Fighting types to flourish. However, be aware that this is a purely offensive core, and needs to be backed up by teammates with solid resistances. Once this combo gets going, though, opponents will have a tough time responding to the dual threat.

Video: Faladran vs AtmosphericRay - BW UU

So I finally got back to uploading and had my first BW UU Wi-Fi match. This one turned out pretty close, and I got to showcase some of my favorite sets in the metagame.