Ubers has a thread dedicated to leads in their metagame, so why not UU? We have already seen the importance of a starting Pokemon firsthand (many games in OU are decided from the first turn, and some Ubers leads do get out of control. I'm looking at you, Deoxys-e.). Leads in UU usually fall into three categories:
Support leads, which support their team by setting up entry hazards, dual screens, weather, or spreading status. Leads like Uxie, Omastar and Hippopotas fall into this category.
Offensive leads, which usually attempt to stop enemy support leads from fulfilling their purpose, or deal damage right off the bat. Moltres, Arcanine and Sharpedo are offensive leads.
Hybrid leads, which both stop the opponent's support lead and support the team themselves. Kabutops, Ambipom (with a weather move) and Alakazam are examples of hybrid leads.
When suggesting a lead in this thread, please make sure you know what the lead is doing (probably one of the above three). You must test the lead before you use it, since I don't want this thread cluttered up with your Choice Specs Chimecho leads or anything like that. Please also ensure that the lead isn't outclassed by the current popular leads, because why would I use Sudowoodo to set up Stealth Rock when Kabutops and Rhyperior can do it? You may post a set of one of the below Pokemon, just ensure that it isn't the one in the analysis or something like that. (for example, Ice Shard Froslass)
The top 10 leads as of April are:
Uxie, with moves like Stealth Rock, Reflect, Light Screen, Thunder Wave, U-turn and even Memento to help its team win should not be ignored. It also has a fair Speed and very nice bulk.
Ambipom, whose Technician Fake Out devastates frailer leads. Ambipom is a reliable weather starter, as well as carrying U-turn, Low Kick, Shadow Claw and Return. Ambipom can also use Taunt to screw over slower leads.
Moltres, who often wields a Choice Scarf to outspeed and destroy leads before they can blink. Moltres carries a ridiculously strong Overheat, as well as Will-o-Wisp for team support and the ever useful U-turn.
Alakazam, with a very strong Psychic, as well as Reflect, Light Screen, Encore and Trick can screw over your opponent's lead, as well as helping out your team.
Electrode, the infamous Rain Dance lead. Electrode is rarely seen without Thunder/Taunt/Rain Dance/Explosion, which allows it to stop the opponent from supporting its team, setting up Rain Dance for your team, and then finish with Explosion.
Mesprit, who has the ever-useful Stealth Rock. Mesprit also has Trick to screw over support leads, and U-turn for a quick escape. Mesprit is also capable of running an offensive set, hitting many common leads like Omastar and Moltres.
Omastar, who can set up all three of Stealth Rock, Toxic Spikes and Spikes, and use Surf to discourage Pokemon like Donphan coming in to Rapid Spin them away.
Spiritomb, who has powerful Ghost and Dark attacks to smack Uxie with. Spiritomb can also burn the opposing team with Will-o-Wisp, Trick them a Choice Band, as well as Pain Split to maintain its presence.
Hippopotas, the only Pokemon capable of summoning infinite Sandstorm in UU. Hippopotas also carries Stealth Rock, Yawn and Roar to support your team and screw over your opponent's.
Hariyama, with a powerful Close Combat and priority in Fake Out and Bullet Punch is an offensive lead to watch out for. Hariyama also has Guts to discourage status from being used against it, though Sleep can put it out, which is why some Hariyama leads use Sleep Talk.
Kabutops, boasting standard hybrid lead moves like Stealth Rock and Rapid Spin, whilst still being able to hit hard with Stone Edge and finish off a lead with Aqua Jet means that Kabutops can fit well on just about every team.
Some guidelines for posting lead sets:
1. Please test your lead! If you can't, somebody may be able to test it for you, but do not just suggest sets for others to test.
2. If you are going to suggest a lead that performs similarly to the above, please state the difference, otherwise we are just looking at an inferior version of a top 15 lead.
3. Make sure to describe the lead and how it fits into a team concisely. Do not write too little, or too much, since this is not a place to write new sets in a Pokemon's analysis.
4. Read the thread before posting a new set, since someone might already have posted one.
5. TEST YOUR LEAD IF YOU CAN I AM REPEATING IT TWICE FOR GOOD REASON
Support leads, which support their team by setting up entry hazards, dual screens, weather, or spreading status. Leads like Uxie, Omastar and Hippopotas fall into this category.
Offensive leads, which usually attempt to stop enemy support leads from fulfilling their purpose, or deal damage right off the bat. Moltres, Arcanine and Sharpedo are offensive leads.
Hybrid leads, which both stop the opponent's support lead and support the team themselves. Kabutops, Ambipom (with a weather move) and Alakazam are examples of hybrid leads.
When suggesting a lead in this thread, please make sure you know what the lead is doing (probably one of the above three). You must test the lead before you use it, since I don't want this thread cluttered up with your Choice Specs Chimecho leads or anything like that. Please also ensure that the lead isn't outclassed by the current popular leads, because why would I use Sudowoodo to set up Stealth Rock when Kabutops and Rhyperior can do it? You may post a set of one of the below Pokemon, just ensure that it isn't the one in the analysis or something like that. (for example, Ice Shard Froslass)
The top 10 leads as of April are:
Uxie, with moves like Stealth Rock, Reflect, Light Screen, Thunder Wave, U-turn and even Memento to help its team win should not be ignored. It also has a fair Speed and very nice bulk.
Ambipom, whose Technician Fake Out devastates frailer leads. Ambipom is a reliable weather starter, as well as carrying U-turn, Low Kick, Shadow Claw and Return. Ambipom can also use Taunt to screw over slower leads.
Moltres, who often wields a Choice Scarf to outspeed and destroy leads before they can blink. Moltres carries a ridiculously strong Overheat, as well as Will-o-Wisp for team support and the ever useful U-turn.
Alakazam, with a very strong Psychic, as well as Reflect, Light Screen, Encore and Trick can screw over your opponent's lead, as well as helping out your team.
Electrode, the infamous Rain Dance lead. Electrode is rarely seen without Thunder/Taunt/Rain Dance/Explosion, which allows it to stop the opponent from supporting its team, setting up Rain Dance for your team, and then finish with Explosion.
Mesprit, who has the ever-useful Stealth Rock. Mesprit also has Trick to screw over support leads, and U-turn for a quick escape. Mesprit is also capable of running an offensive set, hitting many common leads like Omastar and Moltres.
Omastar, who can set up all three of Stealth Rock, Toxic Spikes and Spikes, and use Surf to discourage Pokemon like Donphan coming in to Rapid Spin them away.
Spiritomb, who has powerful Ghost and Dark attacks to smack Uxie with. Spiritomb can also burn the opposing team with Will-o-Wisp, Trick them a Choice Band, as well as Pain Split to maintain its presence.
Hippopotas, the only Pokemon capable of summoning infinite Sandstorm in UU. Hippopotas also carries Stealth Rock, Yawn and Roar to support your team and screw over your opponent's.
Hariyama, with a powerful Close Combat and priority in Fake Out and Bullet Punch is an offensive lead to watch out for. Hariyama also has Guts to discourage status from being used against it, though Sleep can put it out, which is why some Hariyama leads use Sleep Talk.
Kabutops, boasting standard hybrid lead moves like Stealth Rock and Rapid Spin, whilst still being able to hit hard with Stone Edge and finish off a lead with Aqua Jet means that Kabutops can fit well on just about every team.
Some guidelines for posting lead sets:
1. Please test your lead! If you can't, somebody may be able to test it for you, but do not just suggest sets for others to test.
2. If you are going to suggest a lead that performs similarly to the above, please state the difference, otherwise we are just looking at an inferior version of a top 15 lead.
3. Make sure to describe the lead and how it fits into a team concisely. Do not write too little, or too much, since this is not a place to write new sets in a Pokemon's analysis.
4. Read the thread before posting a new set, since someone might already have posted one.
5. TEST YOUR LEAD IF YOU CAN I AM REPEATING IT TWICE FOR GOOD REASON