Articuno - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle

This is a strategy guide for using Articuno in competitive play for the games Pokemon Sword and Shield. Read on for tips on the best Nature, EV spreads, Movesets, and Held Items to use with Articuno, as well as its strengths and weak points.

Articuno - Related Guides
Evolution and Learnset	Build for Ranked Battle

Basic Information for Articuno

Types and Abilities

Pokemon	Type 1	Type 2
Articuno
Abilities
Pressure	The Pokemon raises the foe's PP usage.

Articuno Weaknesses and Resistances

	Type
Takes 4x damage
Takes 2x damage
Takes 0.5x damage
Takes 1/4x damage	-
Takes 0x damage

What is Type Effectiveness?

Base Stats

Best Nature for Articuno

Singles Movesets for Articuno

Pressure Stall Moveset & Best Build

Great mixed defenses and reliably recovery make Articuno a great choice to fill the role of Pressure Staller in a dedicated Hail Team.

About Articuno's Moves

Substitute is what allows Articuno to stall with its Ability, and it also prevents it from getting hit by status moves. Roost is its recovery, and also gets rid of its secondary Flying-type for the turn it used it.

Freeze-Dry is its only attacking move. While relatively weak, it hits Water-types for super effective damage. It's last move is Hail, allowing Articuno to reset the weather condition once it runs out.

About Articuno's EV Spread

We're using a mixed Defensive set for this Articuno. 248 HP EVs and 160 Sp.Def EVs make it as bulky as possible on its special side, while 96 Speed EVs ensure it outruns slower sweepers and walls. The remaining 4 EVs are placed in Defense to round off its bulk.

About Articuno's Ability

This build revolves around Articuno's Pressure ability, which causes the opposing Pokemon to lose 2 PP instead of 1.

About Articuno's Held Item

We're giving Articuno Heavy-Duty Boots to protect it from Stealth Rock, which would otherwise cut its HP in half.

Other Viable Moves

How to Use Articuno Effectively

Pressure Stall in Hail

Articuno's reliably recovery and Pressure Ability makes it a dangerous stall Pokemon in a dedicated Hail Team. The combination of Substitute, Pressure, and the residual damage from Hail can whittle down the opposing team and force switches, especially if they like an Articuno counter.

How to Build a Team with Articuno

Articuno only has a niche in dedicated Hail Teams where it fills the role of a Pressure staller.

Stall the Opposing Team with Pressure

Articuno faces some competition from Mandibuzz as a specially defensive wall in Hail. Instead of using it as a defensive Pokemon, it's better used as a dedicated staller.

Team Options for Articuno

Alolan Ninetales	Galarian Darmanitan
Lead Hail Setter	Choice Scarf Sweeper
Articuno	Reuniclus
Pressure Staller	Defensive Pivot
Clefable	Frosmoth
Cleric/Special Wall	Setup Sweeper

Articuno has great defensive synergy with, Reunicules and Clefable who both cover the Freeze Pokemon's defensive shortcomings. In turn, Articuno is usually switched in when the team faces a bulky Water-type Pokemon looking to wall Galarian Darmanitan, such as Toxapex or Jellicent.

Counters for Articuno

Weakness

Counter it with a Fire-type

Articuno lacks a reliable way to handle Fire-types. The Freeze Pokemon is particularly vulnerable to faster physical Fire-types that can easily overpower and outright KO the Legendary Bird.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Cinderace	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Takes little damage from Freeze-Dry ・Outspeeds Articuno and easily KOs with Pyro Ball Moveset & Best Build for Cinderace
Entei	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Takes little damage from Freeze-Dry ・Outspeeds Articuno and easily KOs with Sacred Fire Moveset & Best Build for Entei

Related Links

All Competitive Builds for Ranked Battle

Competitive Guides for Pokemon Sword and Shield

Competitive Pokemon Battle Guides
Tier List		Best Builds		Series 10 List of Contenders
Doubles Tier List		Team Building		Rental Teams

Best Builds for The Crown Tundra Pokemon

Movesets & Best Builds for The Crown Tundra Pokemon
Galarian Articuno	Galarian Zapdos	Galarian Moltres
Raikou	Entei	Suicune
Articuno	Zapdos	Moltres
Tornadus	Thundurus	Landorus
Tapu Koko	Tapu Lele	Tapu Bulu
Tapu Fini	Regieleki	Regidrago
Latios	Latias	Heatran
Cresselia	Glastrier	Spectrier
Nidoking	Swampert	Dragonite
Salamence	Garchomp	Metagross
Galarian Slowking	Nihilego	Naganadel
Pheromosa	Buzzwole	Celesteela
Kartana	Stakataka	Blaziken
Kyogre	Yveltal	Xerneas
Necrozma (Dusk Mane)	Calyrex (Shadow Rider)	Mewtwo
Calyrex (Ice Rider)	Dialga	Lugia
Black Kyurem	Zekrom	Ho-Oh
Rayquaza	Zygarde	Reshiram
White Kyurem	Groudon	Regirock
Palkia	Regigigas	Registeel
Regice	Giratina	Solgaleo
Lunala	Kyurem	Necrozma
Uxie	Mesprit	Azelf
Calyrex