Articuno
Type: Ice / Flying
Stats: 90 | 85 | 100 | 95 | 125 | 85
Abilities: Pressure
Introduction
Articuno has outstanding bulk, is one of the best answers to Dragonite, and has access to the useful support move Heal Bell. Its typing makes it a great answer to the common Grass-types in the tier as well as to a lesser extent a good check to Ground-type Pokémon also. Whilst the lack of recovery moves outside of Rest is a downside, it functions effectively as a bulky pivot throughout the game. Whilst it's not powerful enough to act as any sort of breaker or sweeper - Registeel in particular putting a stop to anything it might try - it nonetheless hits hard uninvested with its great Ice-type STAB, giving it some semblance of offensive presence.
Sets
Clerical Pivot
Articuno @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 2 Atk / 30 SpA
- Ice Beam
- Heal Bell
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Toxic
Set Details
Ice Beam is its reliable STAB option. Heal Bell is a fantastic and fairly rare support move in a tier where plenty of status is thrown around. Hidden Power Grass gives good coverage alongside Ice Beam, and prevents it from being Spikes bait, as it does incredible damage to Omastar, as well as enough damage to pressure Cloyster. It also allows Articuno to act as a check to Curse Quagsire. Toxic is generally chosen in the last slot to pressure common Water-type switch-ins such as Vaporeon, but other common switch-ins such as Registeel and Chansey can shrug it off. Other moves can be run in this slot but their utility is generally more marginal. Roar is probably the most notable, as it allows it to check most SubSeed abusers, as well as Jynx and the rare Baton Pass shenanigans. The EVs are as physically defensive as possible as most attacks aimed at it are physical and its Speed and Special Attack are sufficient without investment. With full physically defensive investment, it takes on threats such as Choice Band Dragonite easily throughout the game.
Other Options
Articuno has a fairly wide movepool so plenty of other options are worthy of note. Hidden Power Electric and Flying are worthy of note; Hidden Power Electric, whilst weaker versus Omastar, gives Articuno a super-effective attack versus Qwilfish and has some other minor advantages, though Hidden Power Grass is generally superior. Hidden Power Flying is its best Flying-type STAB option, although it achieves little that is notable other than being stronger versus Fighting-types and Houndoom than other options. Haze is an interesting option but has little practical use. Reflect is in a similar category, although it could maybe be used to help some form of sweeper set up. Substitute and Protect are interesting filler options that could let it abuse Pressure, and the latter help remedy its lack of recovery options, but other options are usually more vital. Icy Wind's speed-lowering effect makes it notable, but it has little practical use. Agility should be mentioned, but with Articuno's lack of sweeping capabilities and already high Speed it has little use. A set with RestTalk and Heal Bell could be used to make it a functioning sleep absorber, but the given set is usually preferred.
Checks and Counters
Registeel and Chansey ignore everything that Articuno could throw at them, and can use it to set up Substitute, Curse, Heal Bell, and so on. Bulky Water-types like Vaporeon and Lanturn make good switch-ins, but dislike Toxic and Vaporeon cannot force Articuno out easily. Houndoom is specially bulky enough that it switches in comfortably and forces Articuno out - and can even leave a mark with Pursuit. Jynx, particularly with Substitute, can use Articuno as set-up bait. Thick Fat Hariyama, and other Fire- and Steel-types such as Blaziken and Scizor are worthy of note as great answers, but are relatively rarer sights in the metagame. Dragon Dance Dragonite with Hidden Power Rock is an effective lure for Articuno.

Type: Ice / Flying
Stats: 90 | 85 | 100 | 95 | 125 | 85
Abilities: Pressure
Introduction
Articuno has outstanding bulk, is one of the best answers to Dragonite, and has access to the useful support move Heal Bell. Its typing makes it a great answer to the common Grass-types in the tier as well as to a lesser extent a good check to Ground-type Pokémon also. Whilst the lack of recovery moves outside of Rest is a downside, it functions effectively as a bulky pivot throughout the game. Whilst it's not powerful enough to act as any sort of breaker or sweeper - Registeel in particular putting a stop to anything it might try - it nonetheless hits hard uninvested with its great Ice-type STAB, giving it some semblance of offensive presence.
Sets
Clerical Pivot
Articuno @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 2 Atk / 30 SpA
- Ice Beam
- Heal Bell
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Toxic
Set Details
Ice Beam is its reliable STAB option. Heal Bell is a fantastic and fairly rare support move in a tier where plenty of status is thrown around. Hidden Power Grass gives good coverage alongside Ice Beam, and prevents it from being Spikes bait, as it does incredible damage to Omastar, as well as enough damage to pressure Cloyster. It also allows Articuno to act as a check to Curse Quagsire. Toxic is generally chosen in the last slot to pressure common Water-type switch-ins such as Vaporeon, but other common switch-ins such as Registeel and Chansey can shrug it off. Other moves can be run in this slot but their utility is generally more marginal. Roar is probably the most notable, as it allows it to check most SubSeed abusers, as well as Jynx and the rare Baton Pass shenanigans. The EVs are as physically defensive as possible as most attacks aimed at it are physical and its Speed and Special Attack are sufficient without investment. With full physically defensive investment, it takes on threats such as Choice Band Dragonite easily throughout the game.
Other Options
Articuno has a fairly wide movepool so plenty of other options are worthy of note. Hidden Power Electric and Flying are worthy of note; Hidden Power Electric, whilst weaker versus Omastar, gives Articuno a super-effective attack versus Qwilfish and has some other minor advantages, though Hidden Power Grass is generally superior. Hidden Power Flying is its best Flying-type STAB option, although it achieves little that is notable other than being stronger versus Fighting-types and Houndoom than other options. Haze is an interesting option but has little practical use. Reflect is in a similar category, although it could maybe be used to help some form of sweeper set up. Substitute and Protect are interesting filler options that could let it abuse Pressure, and the latter help remedy its lack of recovery options, but other options are usually more vital. Icy Wind's speed-lowering effect makes it notable, but it has little practical use. Agility should be mentioned, but with Articuno's lack of sweeping capabilities and already high Speed it has little use. A set with RestTalk and Heal Bell could be used to make it a functioning sleep absorber, but the given set is usually preferred.
Checks and Counters
Registeel and Chansey ignore everything that Articuno could throw at them, and can use it to set up Substitute, Curse, Heal Bell, and so on. Bulky Water-types like Vaporeon and Lanturn make good switch-ins, but dislike Toxic and Vaporeon cannot force Articuno out easily. Houndoom is specially bulky enough that it switches in comfortably and forces Articuno out - and can even leave a mark with Pursuit. Jynx, particularly with Substitute, can use Articuno as set-up bait. Thick Fat Hariyama, and other Fire- and Steel-types such as Blaziken and Scizor are worthy of note as great answers, but are relatively rarer sights in the metagame. Dragon Dance Dragonite with Hidden Power Rock is an effective lure for Articuno.