[OVERVIEW]
Urshifu-R is a ferocious offensive Pokemon in SS OU, as its great STAB combination, solid bulk for an offensive Pokemon, decent Speed, and incredible ability gives it the capability to threaten a wide variety of common metagame staples, including Landorus-T, Weavile, and Ferrothorn. Additionally, with U-turn, it has the ability to maintain momentum on Pokemon that would switch into it, such as Toxapex, Slowbro, and Tapu Fini. Its ability, Unseen Fist, bypasses protection moves, which naturally pairs well with Choice items, as the opponent cannot safely use Protect or Baneful Bunker to risklessly scout the move Urshifu-R would like to lock itself into. Urshifu-R is not restricted to only using Choice items, as Protective Pads gives it move flexibility while also letting it use its contact moves without fear of Rocky Helmet or Iron Barbs. Finally, it has a vast movepool from which it can tap into to directly threaten or annoy opposing Pokemon.
However, Urshifu-R's Speed tier is not so incredible that it can outrun nearly every Pokemon on offensive teams; common foes like Zapdos and Dragapult check it quite well, as well as Rillaboom and its priority Grassy Glide. Additionally, because all of its attacks are contact moves, it can be worn down by Iron Barbs or Rocky Helmet if not running Protective Pads, giving opponents ample counterplay against Choice-locked Urshifu-R. It also is prediction-reliant if running a Choice item, as if it uses a resisted attack into a foe, it is forced to switch out and concede momentum. If Urshifu-R does try and solve both of these issues by running Protective Pads, then it loses either the power or speed that comes from its Choice Band or Scarf.
[SET]
Urshifu-Rapid-Strike @ Protective Pads
Ability: Unseen Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Surging Strikes
- Close Combat
- U-turn
- Taunt
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
With Protective Pads, Urshifu-R suddenly no longer needs to worry about counterplay predicated on its reliance on contact moves. This means that Rocky Helmet, Ferrothorn's Iron Barbs, Garchomp's Rough Skin, Heatran's Flame Body, and Zapdos's Static are no longer ways of weakening or stopping Urshifu-R. Additionally, because it isn't running a Choice item, opponents are unable to pivot around Urshifu-R to force it out; for example, they can no longer safely switch into Ferrothorn after scouting Surging Strikes or Landorus-T into Close Combat. U-turn pairs well with its newfound ability to bypass to contact move punishing, especially since Urshifu-R's resistance to Stealth Rock means it doesn't mind pivoting in and out with Stealth Rock on its side of the field. Taunt prevents opponents from healing off Urshifu-R's attacks, as well as preventing entry hazard setters like Landorus-T and Ferrothorn from setting up hazards.
Because Urshifu-R is not running a Choice item, it lacks the immediate speed and power to threaten a number of defensive Pokemon. This means that it needs assistance to deal with foes like <QC> and <QC>.
Team Options
========
(QC)
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Water-types**: Slowbro, Slowking, Toxapex, and Tapu Fini resist both of Urshifu-R's STAB moves, and the latter two also resist U-turn. Slowbro and Slowking turn Urshifu-R into momentum with Teleport, Toxapex can harass Urshifu-R's team with Knock Off, Scald, and Toxic, while Tapu Fini can attack or set up Calm Mind.
**Grass-types**: Kartana outspeeds and OHKOes Urshifu-R with Leaf Blade, though it cannot switch into Close Combat. Rillaboom is a great check to Urshifu-R, as its priority Grassy Glide means that it will bypass Urshifu-R's higher Speed to OHKO it. While Ferrothorn doesn't switch in to Urshifu-R, it is a great deterrent to Surging Strikes, since if Urshifu-R uses Surging Strikes into Ferrothorn while not holding Protective Pads, it will be worn down incredibly quickly while Ferrothorn gets to set up hazards or threaten Urshifu-R's team with Leech Seed or Knock Off.
[SET CREDITS]
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tbolt.555379/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.102/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.103/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user6.105/
Urshifu-R is a ferocious offensive Pokemon in SS OU, as its great STAB combination, solid bulk for an offensive Pokemon, decent Speed, and incredible ability gives it the capability to threaten a wide variety of common metagame staples, including Landorus-T, Weavile, and Ferrothorn. Additionally, with U-turn, it has the ability to maintain momentum on Pokemon that would switch into it, such as Toxapex, Slowbro, and Tapu Fini. Its ability, Unseen Fist, bypasses protection moves, which naturally pairs well with Choice items, as the opponent cannot safely use Protect or Baneful Bunker to risklessly scout the move Urshifu-R would like to lock itself into. Urshifu-R is not restricted to only using Choice items, as Protective Pads gives it move flexibility while also letting it use its contact moves without fear of Rocky Helmet or Iron Barbs. Finally, it has a vast movepool from which it can tap into to directly threaten or annoy opposing Pokemon.
However, Urshifu-R's Speed tier is not so incredible that it can outrun nearly every Pokemon on offensive teams; common foes like Zapdos and Dragapult check it quite well, as well as Rillaboom and its priority Grassy Glide. Additionally, because all of its attacks are contact moves, it can be worn down by Iron Barbs or Rocky Helmet if not running Protective Pads, giving opponents ample counterplay against Choice-locked Urshifu-R. It also is prediction-reliant if running a Choice item, as if it uses a resisted attack into a foe, it is forced to switch out and concede momentum. If Urshifu-R does try and solve both of these issues by running Protective Pads, then it loses either the power or speed that comes from its Choice Band or Scarf.
[SET]
Urshifu-Rapid-Strike @ Protective Pads
Ability: Unseen Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Surging Strikes
- Close Combat
- U-turn
- Taunt
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
With Protective Pads, Urshifu-R suddenly no longer needs to worry about counterplay predicated on its reliance on contact moves. This means that Rocky Helmet, Ferrothorn's Iron Barbs, Garchomp's Rough Skin, Heatran's Flame Body, and Zapdos's Static are no longer ways of weakening or stopping Urshifu-R. Additionally, because it isn't running a Choice item, opponents are unable to pivot around Urshifu-R to force it out; for example, they can no longer safely switch into Ferrothorn after scouting Surging Strikes or Landorus-T into Close Combat. U-turn pairs well with its newfound ability to bypass to contact move punishing, especially since Urshifu-R's resistance to Stealth Rock means it doesn't mind pivoting in and out with Stealth Rock on its side of the field. Taunt prevents opponents from healing off Urshifu-R's attacks, as well as preventing entry hazard setters like Landorus-T and Ferrothorn from setting up hazards.
Because Urshifu-R is not running a Choice item, it lacks the immediate speed and power to threaten a number of defensive Pokemon. This means that it needs assistance to deal with foes like <QC> and <QC>.
Team Options
========
(QC)
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
- Bulk Up
- Thunder Punch
- Ice Punch
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Water-types**: Slowbro, Slowking, Toxapex, and Tapu Fini resist both of Urshifu-R's STAB moves, and the latter two also resist U-turn. Slowbro and Slowking turn Urshifu-R into momentum with Teleport, Toxapex can harass Urshifu-R's team with Knock Off, Scald, and Toxic, while Tapu Fini can attack or set up Calm Mind.
**Grass-types**: Kartana outspeeds and OHKOes Urshifu-R with Leaf Blade, though it cannot switch into Close Combat. Rillaboom is a great check to Urshifu-R, as its priority Grassy Glide means that it will bypass Urshifu-R's higher Speed to OHKO it. While Ferrothorn doesn't switch in to Urshifu-R, it is a great deterrent to Surging Strikes, since if Urshifu-R uses Surging Strikes into Ferrothorn while not holding Protective Pads, it will be worn down incredibly quickly while Ferrothorn gets to set up hazards or threaten Urshifu-R's team with Leech Seed or Knock Off.
[SET CREDITS]
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tbolt.555379/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.102/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.103/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user6.105/
Last edited:
