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Why so Original? An inside look at NU/UU viability in OU

Started by Drezford_the_Rebell, August 25, 2009, 07:04:17 PM

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Drezford_the_Rebell

 Every battler goes through the phase where they think that the pokemon positioned in NU/UU are completely viable in OU. While this may be true for some pokemon (a bulky tauros set has some viability, and Umbreon just went from UU to OU), it proves false for many of the oft-mentioned (Usually one of the fire-type starters).

If you ever wondered "Why is bellyzard the only Charizard set that's taken even mildly seriously?" or "Why can't my Clefable be a viable wall next to Blissey?" then you need an education in each pokemon's niche. Now, while it may not be an official term, the niche is the job the pokemon performs. That Clefable's job is to wall special attacks. Blissey does that job much better. You can cry and moan all you want about the differences, however the fact that when a Charizard Fire Blasts on one of them, the Blissey is going to absorb the hit better. If you put a Charizard in as a Special Sweeper, Infernape will outclass it because of its access to Grass Knot and Close Combat. So if you're ever thinking "Maybe my Luvdisc can be a good sweeper on my Rain Dance team," check your list of Swift Swimming sweepers, and choose and get a Kingdra.

However if you've checked the list three times over, and you can't find a pokemon that does the job that your unique Flareon can do, you might be on to something. One of the reasons that Umbreon went up from UU to OU is the fact that someone said "Well maybe I can't use it as a physical sweeper, but what if I use it as a trapper?" Finding unique ways to use your favorites can sometimes change the metagame. Someone found the answer to SkarmBliss with Tyraniboah, and thus started a new wave of mix-sweepers. Many people thought that Yanmega was an alternative to Ninjask. Nobody payed any attention to its rather low speed stat, and found that the Yanmega was doing quite poorly. However, when Yanmega's other ability, Tinted Lens (doubles the power of resisted moves), is coupled with a choice scarf, it becomes a formidable sweeper. So don't give up hope just yet. There are still some odd jobs to be done in the metagame, just keep your eyes open.

Please keep in mind that using a UU/NU pokemon in OU for the "suprise factor" doesn't work. It's the universal excuse to use a sub-par pokemon for an important job. A scarf hi-jump-kick Hitmonlee can OHKO a Banded Tyranitar. A banded Rapidash can Flare-Blitz straight through a Scizor. They're not better sweepers, and even if you know they don't have the specific counter for that pokemon, there are tons of makeshift methods. That same Skarmory used to keep that banded Tyranitar at bay is double effective against that Hitmonlee. That Zapdos used to block Scizor can still block that Rapidash. Walls in OU are made to block wide ranges of pokemon, there will be something on the opposing team to keep your one-taco-short-of-a-fiesta sweeper away from your delicious victory.

Some pokemon, like Weezing, are good for one thing, and only one thing. Weezing used to be OU because it could block Physical Sweepers with its high defense stat and access to Will-o-Wisp and Thunderbolt. It came in handy as Gyarados was one of the most popular sweepers during that time. Sadly, as mix-sweepers became widely used, and heatran usage surged, Weezing can no longer find a niche in the OU environment. As the metagame changes, many of these one-trick ponies fail to shine the way they once did. Now the Rotom forms, who have access to the same attacks, can do even better with a hightened special defense stat and access to stab Thunderbolt/Discharge and Confuse Ray.

Keep in mind that once the only pokemon that stay in OU are the ones that are unpredictable. Being unpredictable does not mean to use "nobody expects a selfdestructing Wailord" as an excuse. That goes right up there with "suprise factor." Unpredictability means that it can have a number of sets that are countered by different methods. Garchomp was made uber because it was too unpredictable. Just like Lucario has the option to go special or physical, a true OU pokemon should be able to sweep at least two ways. Heracross has guts, scarf, and band variants that can ruin you. Tyranitar can be banded, Boahed (except nobody really uses boah anymore), or DD. Sure there are some that come on during the changes of the metagame, but they are usually flung off when it changes again.

It's not a completely lost cause for NU/UUs, there just has to be a reason to use them over the much more popular versions. Being that most, if not all, of the straight-forward roles have been taken, alternative routes must be found to get your favorites onto the OU list. Keep your eyes open and your brain working and maybe you can find a way to show the world how great your Parasect really is.