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Hello all of you competitive battlers out there! The usage stats straight from Smogon are finally in, and the first list of OU Pokemon has been decided! The list is made up of 53 Pokemon. The order that the Pokemon are listed is based on their usage.
APR 2011 BW OU USAGE Total Battles: 299644 + ---- + --------------- + ------ + ------- + | Rank | Pokemon | Usage | Percent | + ---- + --------------- + ------ + ------- + | 1 | Ferrothorn | 127997 | 21.3582 | | 2 | Tyranitar | 124735 | 20.8139 | | 3 | Scizor | 112589 | 18.7871 | | 4 | Garchomp | 109670 | 18.3000 | | 5 | Gliscor | 89599 | 14.9509 | | 6 | Latios | 78471 | 13.0940 | | 7 | Excadrill | 78095 | 13.0313 | | 8 | Reuniclus | 76510 | 12.7668 | | 9 | Heatran | 72800 | 12.1477 | | 10 | Rotom-W | 69963 | 11.6744 | | 11 | Conkeldurr | 64134 | 10.7017 | | 12 | Jirachi | 62501 | 10.4292 | | 13 | Politoed | 61688 | 10.2935 | | 14 | Dragonite | 60079 | 10.0251 | | 15 | Thundurus | 57828 | 9.6495 | | 16 | Gengar | 57689 | 9.6263 | | 17 | Jellicent | 54143 | 9.0346 | | 18 | Skarmory | 53975 | 9.0065 | | 19 | Volcarona | 52072 | 8.6890 | | 20 | Starmie | 49991 | 8.3417 | | 21 | Gyarados | 46153 | 7.7013 | | 22 | Hydreigon | 42618 | 7.1114 | | 23 | Forretress | 41393 | 6.9070 | | 24 | Blissey | 40940 | 6.8314 | | 25 | Infernape | 39458 | 6.5841 | | 26 | Ninetales | 37550 | 6.2658 | | 27 | Vaporeon | 35047 | 5.8481 | | 28 | Salamence | 34864 | 5.8176 | | 29 | Breloom | 32410 | 5.4081 | | 30 | Chandelure | 31648 | 5.2809 | | 31 | Scrafty | 31427 | 5.2441 | | 32 | Tentacruel | 31247 | 5.2140 | | 33 | Metagross | 31188 | 5.2042 | | 34 | Terrakion | 31080 | 5.1862 | | 35 | Swampert | 30888 | 5.1541 | | 36 | Haxorus | 29906 | 4.9903 | | 37 | Lucario | 28559 | 4.7655 | | 38 | Cloyster | 28456 | 4.7483 | | 39 | Hippowdon | 28282 | 4.7193 | | 40 | Magnezone | 27769 | 4.6337 | | 41 | Deoxys-S | 27314 | 4.5577 | | 42 | Machamp | 26504 | 4.4226 | | 43 | Landorus | 26297 | 4.3880 | | 44 | Whimsicott | 25583 | 4.2689 | | 45 | Latias | 25340 | 4.2284 | | 46 | Bronzong | 25206 | 4.2060 | | 47 | Mienshao | 24469 | 4.0830 | | 48 | Darmanitan | 23841 | 3.9782 | | 49 | Toxicroak | 23494 | 3.9203 | | 50 | Virizion | 23124 | 3.8586 | | 51 | Venusaur | 21397 | 3.5704 | | 52 | Porygon2 | 20833 | 3.4763 | | 53 | Tornadus | 20586 | 3.4351 | + ---- + --------------- + ------ + ------- +
5 – Shadow, Justjack91, 2500thuser, Firo, ShinyFinally! I've been anticipating a proper list of OU Pokémon for a long time. Now when exams finish and summer begins, I'll have something to keep me busy.
Wow ferrathorns at the top? I'm not surprised. That things everywhere!
Kinda sad Zoroark didn't make the cut. Sure its movepool is limited, but I thought it would get a lil more usage because of its illusion shenanigans.
2 – Ditto616, RK-9Good to see a lot of my favorites on there, Conkeldurr, Reuniclus, Darmanitan. Sableye ranked 41st and Dream World stats, so he should shoot up as soon as he's released. Togekiss and Quagsire just missed the cutoff, but they're still pretty viable. My only concern is how low Meloetta is in DW, but we'll see how things change.
Hm... That means 12 of my team are in the list. Doesn't give me much variety for Underused to say the least (its been a while due to school, so in truth I'm not even sure if I could make a team of six in the remains).
APR 2011 BW OU USAGE
Total Battles: 299644
+ ---- + --------------- + ------ + ------- +
| Rank | Pokemon | Usage | Percent |
+ ---- + --------------- + ------ + ------- +
| 4 | Garchomp | 109670 | 18.3000 |
| 14 | Dragonite | 60079 | 10.0251 |
| 16 | Gengar | 57689 | 9.6263 |
| 21 | Gyarados | 46153 | 7.7013 |
| 22 | Hydreigon | 42618 | 7.1114
| 25 | Infernape | 39458 | 6.5841 |
| 30 | Chandelure | 31648 | 5.2809 |
| 33 | Metagross | 31188 | 5.2042 |
| 36 | Haxorus | 29906 | 4.9903 |
| 37 | Lucario | 28559 | 4.7655 |
| 40 | Magnezone | 27769 | 4.6337
| 52 | Porygon2 | 20833 | 3.4763 |
+ ---- + --------------- + ------ + ------- +
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Wow ferrathorns at the top? I'm not surprised. That things everywhere!
Kinda sad Zoroark didn't make the cut. Sure its movepool is limited, but I thought it would get a lil more usage because of its illusion shenanigans. |
Damn Kazam with dat godlike insight~! ![]()
It seems like if ya wanna use zoroark you have to make a team built around him. He needs a good partner to hide as (I prefer bulky ghost types like dusknoir and confagrigus) and a rapid spinner. I just think it's interesting since hes such a frail pokemon, but when hes under cover as a ghost type he can sponge a few dark type hits that come his way and 2HKO pokemon that would normally 1HKO him. If his presents is revealed to the other team its like a constant mindgame! Like for example. I use the dusknoir, zoroark combo. When they figure out "Oh he hides zoroark as dusknoir" I start to send out dusknoir. They get so psyched out thinking its zoroark that they use a less effective move and let dusknoir set up a bit. ![]()
I'm not saying he should be OU, but he does have potential imo. C:
also..
6 – LiteTheIronMan, Shadow, Alakazamaster, Leaftail, Cyrus, 2500thuserI forgot to mention that I'm particularly happy to see Toxicroak make it to OU. After facing it in the metagame-testing phase several times, it became evident how much Toxicroak gained from this transition. Now I'm excited to try out the new metagame once I configure PO on my laptop. 
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UM, WHAT?
I haven't really been keeping up with all the Gen. 5 stuff, but are you serious? Swift Swim was banned? |
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Wobbuffet is ranked #141, so he'll probably be NU, which is kind of ridiculous
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Wait mews legal...?
HOLY ****!

I HAVE THE POWER!!!!
...to use any TM I want on this pokemon. :3
2 – Justjack91, 2500thuserEmboar's still outclassed by Infernsuck though. I guess it's not as much of a quick sweeper as it is a basic physical attacker, so that's probably why.
I'm also surprised not many people are using DW Serperior.
1 – [TRDRS]PokeTrader
4 – The Spirit of Time, Justjack91, Leaftail, 2500thuserSome comments on this list:
1. Ferrothorn beats Forretress so easily this gen because it has so many more possibilities. I'm glad to see this is consistent with Smogon (but fire types can rejoice in being much more useful this time around).
2. Garchomp back out of Ubers? Eh, that's a surprise, but it makes a lot more sense this time around with all the dragon counters.
3. Excadrill almost always has to be paired with Ty or Hippo, so expect a lot of fighting type counters. 
4. I hate Politoed.
5. I hate Trick Room.
6. Jellicent is the new Tentacruel, and for good reason. I never got why Tenta was considered OU. He's like the easiest Pokemon for me to kill when people have sent him out so I never got his appeal (lack of counters on other teams?).
7. Skarmory is fighting for his position (but really, with all the new electric types, people better use him carefully).
8. Sort of surprised Hydreigon made it so high on the list. I use one myself, but he needs to prove his worth more in my eyes before I can say he deserves that position (also needs Grey to come out quicker for possible "Move Tutor" moves).
9. I hate Blissey.
10. I refuse to train Scrafty despite his usefulness. He is right next to Stunfisk in my eyes as the top derp Pokemon (and I only train ones that I like).
11. Terrakion!!!
12. Lucario!!!
13. Mienshao (if only because he is HJK spammy)!!!
14. ...Virizion? How did that make the list? 
15. Where are my favs? Weavile, Blaziken, Porygon-Z, where did you go?
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That is all. :3
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6. Jellicent is the new Tentacruel, and for good reason. I never got why Tenta was considered OU. He's like the easiest Pokemon for me to kill when people have sent him out so I never got his appeal (lack of counters on other teams?). |
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Really late response anyone? Ok!
Tentacruel was used because it was the number one counter to Infernape, since it resisted both of its STAB moves and laughed at Grass Knot, which other Pokemon (Swampert and Suicune) both feared. It also had a very impressive Speed of base 100 and could use Toxic Spikes and Rapid Spin on the same set, which were very easy to set up if you switch in on Infernape, which is on a TON of Gen. 4 teams. |
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Where do you guys find this recent list at? If using pokemon in 5th gen. over wifi i need to know whos to be used and whos not to be used. (Smogon has a little Ubers list but thats only for if you plan on playing in there tournaments)
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Ninjask is the fastest pokemon in the world. Sharpedo is in the spot very fast
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Except that everyone uses entry hazards, priority, and Sand Streamers are just about everywhere.
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The thing about Speed Boostiken though, is that it's played as a lead. So basically you're counting on not running into like, hazardous weather and/or a non-lead that uses priority moves. A majority of the time you won't, and the rest of the time you'll run into either one or the other and somehow survive.
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The thing about Speed Boostiken though, is that it's played as a lead. So basically you're counting on not running into like, hazardous weather and/or a non-lead that uses priority moves. A majority of the time you won't, and the rest of the time you'll run into either one or the other and somehow survive.
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The tier order is:
Ubers
OU
BL
UU
RU
NU
Ubers and BL are banlists for OU and UU, and RU is a tier below UU, but above NU.
2 – Shadow, [TRDRS]PokeTraderwell at least it makes the game a little more fun by adding a new tier to the mix. Edit:smogon says garchomp is baned from OU again, i never got the chance to use him yet in B/W. Well anyone i battle after nytz will see garchomp for the time in OU before VR changes the rules for this.
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Mind sharing some of the common strategies used with Drizzle Politoed? I'm interested to see how people are coping with the ban of Swift Swim + Drizzle.
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Mind sharing some of the common strategies used with Drizzle Politoed? I'm interested to see how people are coping with the ban of Swift Swim + Drizzle.
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1 – [TRDRS]PokeTrader|
DW Politoed is why I said this (in that it's the only reason he's gained usage in OU), so I hope I'm not misinterpreted. And yeah, I could easily make use of him with my Rain Dish Quagsire, Specs Hydreigon, and Calm Mind Suicune (but not Surfing Pika; what a shame about those HM restrictions when transfering
I hated that toad in Gold and Silver as much as I hated Blissey based solely on lousy stats and design (not so much based on stats for Blissey; she's useful). I refuse to train those that are considered "competitive" if I don't like them. If I have to lose to a Drizzle Team, so be it. Weather seems to be its only real use anyways. Annoying toads. Should have stopped with Slippy from SF64. |
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Well rain in general has proven to be quite helpful to teams, for the following reasons...
The fact that Fire-type moves are weakened in the rain and makes it easier for Pokemon like Ferrothorn to thrive, which secures their position as walls on several rain teams. Drizzletoed can be used to easily counter opposing weather teams, as Pokemon like Excadrill, Gliscor, Infernape, and Heatran find it harder to thrive under their respective weathers when it is taken away. The rain benefits a lot of walls on teams like Rotom-W who enjoys boosted Hydro Pumps and the ability to use Thunder freely, Tentacruel can abuse Rain Dish to stay alive for an extended amount of time, Vaporeon can Rest as often as it wants with Hydration, and Bronzong enjoys only having 1/2 of a super-effective weakness. The 100% accuracy of both Hurricane and Thunder make sweepers like Dragonite, Jolteom Thundurus, Tornadus, and Starmie a lot more happy to play in the rain. Dry Skin Toxicroak becomes a more serious threat than last generation because of permanent rain making its durability more guaranteed. Choice Specs Politoed in the rain using Hydro Pump is more than capable of 2HKOing Blissey, as long it hits both times. Yep, rain sure is something. |
1 – [TRDRS]PokeTraderI hate weather in competitive play. I know that sounds so noobish to say, but ever since Gold and Silver, I've been rather resilient towards ever incorporating weather into my teams intentionally. The only thing that ever helped was my Tyranitar starting a Sandstorm for Ryperior and Garchomp...and even then it didn't help that much.
Maybe I'm just being too picky about my movesets. I really ought to look into getting this Polieod/Ninetails and seeing how well it could work with a team organized around it.
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I hate weather in competitive play. I know that sounds so noobish to say, but ever since Gold and Silver, I've been rather resilient towards ever incorporating weather into my teams intentionally. The only thing that ever helped was my Tyranitar starting a Sandstorm for Ryperior and Garchomp...and even then it didn't help that much.
Maybe I'm just being too picky about my movesets. I really ought to look into getting this Polieod/Ninetails and seeing how well it could work with a team organized around it. |
1 – Justjack91|
Mind listing some of these Pokémon? I just made a search on Smogon's Pokédex for all tiers, and there's only one Pokémon from the UU tier which ties with Ferrothorn's 20 base speed stat: Escavalier. On top of that, there are two Pokémon slower than Ferrothorn, Torkoal and Shuckle, but both of them are in the NU tier. So speaking purely from a base speed perspective, it is theoretically impossible to outpace Ferrothorn under Trick Room with a fully-evolved Pokémon.
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1 – ShadowYeah, except for the fact that 94 Speed is not particularly impressive. Then take into account that Ferrothorn's attacking moves leave much to be desired, especially if your opponent has a Steel-type on their team. (Bronzong, Jirachi, Heatran, Skarmory, Forretress, Scizor, Metagross, Magnezone)
Also, since Ferrothorn can't set up its own Trick Room, he has to rely on a very brief period to attack, where he can take down two maybe three enemies, if the opponent has no idea what to do. After that time is up, Ferrothron's horrible Fire weakness can be abuses, since everyone should have a Fire-type move these days.
Just my take on it.
1 – 7dewott8|
Mind listing some of these Pokémon? I just made a search on Smogon's Pokédex for all tiers, and there's only one Pokémon from the UU tier which ties with Ferrothorn's 20 base speed stat: Escavalier. On top of that, there are two Pokémon slower than Ferrothorn, Torkoal and Shuckle, but both of them are in the NU tier. So speaking purely from a base speed perspective, it is theoretically impossible to outpace Ferrothorn under Trick Room with a fully-evolved Pokémon.
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In terms of Ferrothorn, there are two major sets that can be used; a Choice Band set and a Curse set. In both the sets, the three major moves that would be used are Gyro Ball, Power Whip and Explosion as a last resort. Skarmory and Bronzong resist all of these moves, and in terms of Skarmory, which is an OU by the way, it can Roost any damage.
But I don't think it can take Ferrothorn out this way. In fact, any bulky Steel type, like Escavalier, like example, is able to resist Ferrothorn. Ferrothorn can easily Leech Seed such opponents to regain HP and with Leftovers, the most commonly used item on Ferrothorn, I don't think slow, opposing Steel-types are going to be such a big problem Trick Room-wise. Oh, and I'd like to say that the moves you mentioned are missing Bulldoze, which is pretty viable once you Curse multiple times and will make Ferrothorn able to sweep a couple Steel-types to some extent. Moreover, Torkoal, which is indeed NU, is actually used in Trick Room and one Overheat from it will OHKO Ferrothorn. The fact that after entry hazard's damage, many Mach Punch and Vacuum Wave are able to KO Ferrothorn too. Priority does KO Ferrothorn, especially from strong Pokemon like Conkeldurr. However, Torkoal is not popularly used under Trick Room. I am not saying it is not strong in Trick Room, but it is also not the most unstoppable one; there are still counters to it. No one said it's invincible. BUT, considering its base speed, no major Pokemon in today's metagame can outpace Ferrothorn under Trick Room (barring priority and other special cases). If Ferrothorn had the physical prowess and the movepool to really back this up, it would become the best Trick Room abuser in the whole metagame. |
I have already faced a Cursed Ferrothorn under Trick Room. It is indeed strong, but can still be countered, especially Skarmory, which learns Taunt and can PP stall Ferrothorn quite well. It leaves it no choice but to switch out.
What Kaz mentioned is also an important idea; Ferrothorn won't gain more than 3 or 4 turns to sweep, which gives an average of 2 KO the most, and usually less than that if countered well. After that, it will be in danger of fire and fight moves, but then again, that's a problem that every Trick Room sweeper faces. Nevertheless, there are other Steel types that can be a better option than Ferrrothorn when it comes to be a Trick Room sweeper.