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.

Set: ChestoRest Politoed

Politoed @ Chesto Berry
Trait: Drizzle
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SAtk
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Scald
- Toxic
- Perish Song
- Rest

Politoed tends to run some pretty offensive sets, which are great for damage output but relatively poor for survivability. Although not too different from Politoed's standard defensive set, ChestoRest is an interesting idea that has a few advantages when it comes to maintaining your choice of weather.

The most important thing a ChestoRest set provides is what is essentially a second life. This is most helpful when Politoed gets hit by a status ailment, since it can just be healed off. Depending on which ailment it took, a standard Politoed could have been crippled for the match. 

Defensive Politoed doesn't need extra type coverage, so a mono-attacking support set is adequate. Scald remains a decent method of checking threats like Gliscor and netting burns. Toxic is generally the best option for hitting switch-ins like Jellicent or Gastrodon. Perish Song has a more specialized use, but it can be crucial against a last-minute stat booster. Rest should be saved for when Politoed is about to faint; usually one use is enough for Politoed to keep up Rain long enough.

Since ChestoRest is a defensively-oriented set, Politoed's teammates should generally fit the theme as well. A more stall-based approach to Rain is viable, with teammates like Ferrothorn providing hazard support. Rain Stall is one of the most effective team archetypes around, and this set does a good job of providing for it.

Honkalculator

Honko from Smogon has recently released two calculators, designed to run damage calcs involving a single Pokémon's performance against every other competitive set. Check out the links below or the Tools tab to try them out.

Attacking

Defending

Suspect Testing Resumes

Over at Smogon, Round 5 of OU Suspect Testing has finally started up again, with a predicted ending date of September 18th. As usual, the required rating for voting is 1450.

P.S. bye thundurus

Set: Choice Scarf Tyranitar

Tyranitar @ Choice Scarf 

Trait: Sand Stream 

EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd 

Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk) 

- Stone Edge 

- Crunch 

- Pursuit 

- Superpower

ScarfTar was one of the most common sets in the LatiMence era of DPP, and it's been getting some usage among good players in BW as well. Although this set doesn't have the bulk or mixed attacking power of standard MixTar, its higher Speed and Attack allow it to surprise and check some dangerous threats.

One of the most important things to note is that ScarfTar needs to be more careful about switching directly into attacks. It still has a decent amount of bulk, but it should be used more as a check than as a counter to threats. In that role, ScarfTar performs admirably; it can take on the likes of Latios, Latias, SD Terrakion, Thundurus, Tornadus, Starmie and Gengar - either outspeeding with the appropriate move or trapping the threat with Pursuit.

The moveset is pretty basic for a physical Tyranitar. Stone Edge hits pretty hard with this set and gives good coverage against Flying-types and Ninetales. Crunch and Pursuit provide helpful STABs for taking on Psychic-types, although some prediction is required when choosing which to use. Superpower is helpful for hitting opposing Tyranitar and Ferrothorn. For more unusual options, some like to include an Ice- or Fire-type special move for surprising switch-ins like Gliscor or Steel-types.

ScarfTar is a different take on a standard weather starter, so the same typical Sandstorm partners work well with it. Since this set is more easily set up on, pairing it with an Excadrill that knows Rapid Spin is a good idea. ScarfTar is also proficient at eliminating Latios and Latias for special sweepers, so Pokémon like Celebi or Rotom-W are also good partners.

Video: POKÉMON POWER

Old video that never gets old.

Set: Trick Room Reuniclus

Reuniclus @ Life Orb 

Ability: Magic Guard 

EVs: 192 HP / 64 Def / 252 SAtk 

Quiet Nature (+SAtk, -Spd) 

-Trick Room 

-Psychic 

-Focus Blast 

-Shadow Ball

Trick Room Reuniclus has been around for a while, but it's always been overshadowed by the standard Calm Mind variant. Although the CM set works best on bulkier teams for taking down defensive stall cores, TR Reuniclus is excellent for sweeping through more offensively-inclined teams. Its significantly lower usage also means it tends to be a lot less prepared for.

This set doesn't have the longevity of standard Reuniclus, so you'll only want to bring it out late-game or when you feel pretty confident in a sweep. Just bring it in on something it can set up on, like Conkeldurr, and begin cleaning through teams after a Trick Room. Since the majority of teams aren't stall-based, opponents can run into a lot of trouble with this set.

Reuniclus has everything in needs to work as an effective standalone TR sweeper. A Life Orb-boosted Psychic off of base 125 SAtk dishes out a lot of damage. Focus Blast is a good coverage move, particularly for hitting Steel-types and Tyranitar. Trick Room also means Reuniclus will outspeed and OHKO standard specially defensive Tyranitar, even with the Sandstorm boost. Shadow Ball is helpful for covering other Reuniclus, Latios and Latias, who would all wall the set otherwise.

TR Reuniclus has a couple of other good options. Psyshock 2HKOes Blissey after Stealth Rock, but it's a weaker move otherwise. HP Fire is also an interesting possibility in the last moveslot, as it'll net the surprise KO on Scizor. As far as teammates go, Conkeldurr is notable for taking on many Reuniclus switch-ins. The two also complement each other nicely. All in all, TR Reuniclus is a giant threat that can single-handedly sweep unprepared teams.