Articuno
May 17, 2012 11:09:13 GMT -8
Post by cheese on May 17, 2012 11:09:13 GMT -8
HP: 383
Atk: 268
Def: 298
Spe: 268 (CH 16.6%)
Spc: 348
Overview
Articuno has great stats and the most powerful Blizzard in the game, which hits anything that doesn't resist it (and isn't Chansey) hard. Articuno suffers from a reasonably poor movepool and she doesn't resist Ice attacks, but her raw power justifies her place in OU .
Moveset
Blizzard
Hyper Beam
Reflect
Agility/Sky Attack
Blizzard is the thing you'll be using most often. Hyper Beam can finish off a weakened Chansey, Alakazam or Starmie. Reflect is great against Snorlax (and Tauros) if you can get it up. Articuno's defences are already pretty good, and she becomes a bit of a physical wall after a Reflect. Agility is usually for late game sweeping or generally to recover lost paralysis speed. Sky Attack gives Articuno a STAB physical attack, but the two-turn nature can work against you. Still, a CH is a OHKO against Chansey. Feel free to use both Sky Attack and Agility at the expense of Reflect.
Other Options
If you want t try and freeze then Ice Beam is an obvious suggestion, but Blizzard is generally better. Articuno has the stats to use Rest, especially combined with Reflect, but it may not pay off due to her Electric weakness. Double-Edge is an alternative physical attack, but watch out for recoil against Chansey. Mimic and Substitute are both there, but I wouldn't recommend either.
Couters
Lapras can easily absorb a Blizzard and hit back with Thunderbolt. Cloyster is another good choice as Articuno doesn't resist Ice attacks. Starmie resists Blizzard too and has Thunderbolt. Articuno won't be able to KO a healthy Chansey without some CH luck. Slowbro also resists Ice and is physically bulky. Basically anything that resists Ice is a good call (with the exception of Jynx, as she is very weak physically). Golem/Rhydon will OHKO if you come in onto Hyper Beam (or anything bar Blizzard if Articuno is paralysed), but Articuno outspeeds them and OHKOs too, so switch with caution.
Conclusion
If your opponent has lost Chansey and their Water/Ice types, Articuno is is one of the top pokemon out there. Blizzard hits hard and the Ground immunity can get you a free switch in. Articuno excels verses physical pokemon, it's just unfortunately that a lot of popular special pokemon can absorb her main attack. Articuno is not a top draw pokemon in OU, but is still perfectly usable none-the-less.
Atk: 268
Def: 298
Spe: 268 (CH 16.6%)
Spc: 348
Overview
Articuno has great stats and the most powerful Blizzard in the game, which hits anything that doesn't resist it (and isn't Chansey) hard. Articuno suffers from a reasonably poor movepool and she doesn't resist Ice attacks, but her raw power justifies her place in OU .
Moveset
Blizzard
Hyper Beam
Reflect
Agility/Sky Attack
Blizzard is the thing you'll be using most often. Hyper Beam can finish off a weakened Chansey, Alakazam or Starmie. Reflect is great against Snorlax (and Tauros) if you can get it up. Articuno's defences are already pretty good, and she becomes a bit of a physical wall after a Reflect. Agility is usually for late game sweeping or generally to recover lost paralysis speed. Sky Attack gives Articuno a STAB physical attack, but the two-turn nature can work against you. Still, a CH is a OHKO against Chansey. Feel free to use both Sky Attack and Agility at the expense of Reflect.
Other Options
If you want t try and freeze then Ice Beam is an obvious suggestion, but Blizzard is generally better. Articuno has the stats to use Rest, especially combined with Reflect, but it may not pay off due to her Electric weakness. Double-Edge is an alternative physical attack, but watch out for recoil against Chansey. Mimic and Substitute are both there, but I wouldn't recommend either.
Couters
Lapras can easily absorb a Blizzard and hit back with Thunderbolt. Cloyster is another good choice as Articuno doesn't resist Ice attacks. Starmie resists Blizzard too and has Thunderbolt. Articuno won't be able to KO a healthy Chansey without some CH luck. Slowbro also resists Ice and is physically bulky. Basically anything that resists Ice is a good call (with the exception of Jynx, as she is very weak physically). Golem/Rhydon will OHKO if you come in onto Hyper Beam (or anything bar Blizzard if Articuno is paralysed), but Articuno outspeeds them and OHKOs too, so switch with caution.
Conclusion
If your opponent has lost Chansey and their Water/Ice types, Articuno is is one of the top pokemon out there. Blizzard hits hard and the Ground immunity can get you a free switch in. Articuno excels verses physical pokemon, it's just unfortunately that a lot of popular special pokemon can absorb her main attack. Articuno is not a top draw pokemon in OU, but is still perfectly usable none-the-less.