Competitive Information for Articuno [Sun/Moon]
Ice / Flying
Abilities:
If this Pokemon is the target of a foe's move, that move loses one additional PP.
If Hail is active, this Pokemon's evasiveness is 1.25x; immunity to Hail.
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Movesets for Singles
Looking for a competitive moveset for Articuno? These builds are optimized for Sun/Moon Single Battles. The movesets and EVs are designed to maximize damage against common opponents and threats in the Sun/Moon metagame. Check out the expert movesets below to boost your battle performance and dominate your opponents!
Meet Articuno, a distinguished Pokémon ready to dominate with its Ice and Flying typing! Articuno is a common Pokémon to see in the SM metagame. It is weak to Electric, Fire, Rock, and Steel-typed attacks. Explore the movesets of Articuno below to understand its battle capabilities.
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 252 Hp / 68 Def / 84 SpD / 104 Spe
Moveset:
- Freeze-Dry
- Protect
- Roost
- Substitute
Articuno excels as a celebrated Double Wall during single battles. This build is crafted to balance defenses for both physical and special attacks. Leftovers are always a great recovery option to ensure Articuno last longer regaining it's healthiness every turn. With Pressure, if Articuno is the target of a foe's move that move loses one additional pp.
◆ Protect is a status move (prevents moves from affecting your Articuno this turn).
◆ Roost is a status move (heals 50% hp. Flying-type removed until turn ends).
◆ Substitute is a status move (Articuno takes 1/4 its max hp to put in a substitute).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kaa90
Item: Flyinium Z / Charti Berry
Ability: Pressure
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Sky Attack / Pluck
- Steel Wing / Double-Edge
- Avalanche / Ice Shard
- U-turn
Articuno shows a legendary Physical Sweeper prowess in single battles. This moveset is tailored to crush rivals using brute physical moves. With Pressure, if Articuno is the target of a foe's move that move loses one additional pp. Steel Wing was added to provide additional threat coverage. With a Flyinium Z equipped to it, if Articuno has a flying move, this item allows it to use a flying z-move. With a Charti Berry equipped to it, halves damage taken from a supereffective rock-type attack then the Charti Berry gets consumed.
◆ Pluck is a physical STAB-boosted 60-base power Flying-type move (Articuno steals and eats the target's berry).
◆ Steel Wing is a physical 70-base power Steel-type move (10% chance to raise your Articuno's defense by 1 stage).
◆ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 33% recoil).
◆ Avalanche is a physical STAB-boosted 60-base power Ice-type move (power doubles if Articuno is damaged by the target).
◆ Ice Shard is a physical STAB-boosted priority-increased 40-base power Ice-type move (usually goes first).
◆ U-turn is a physical 70-base power Bug-type move (Articuno switches out after damaging the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kba90
Item: Icium Z / Charti Berry
Ability: Pressure
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Ice Beam / Frost Breath
- Air Cutter / Gust
- Extrasensory
- Signal Beam
Articuno is a glorious Special Sweeper to use for single battles. This moveset attempts to overwhelm foes with potent special power. With Pressure, if Articuno is the target of a foe's move that move loses one additional pp. With a Icium Z equipped to it, if Articuno has an ice move, this item allows it to use an ice z-move. With a Charti Berry equipped to it, halves damage taken from a supereffective rock-type attack then the Charti Berry gets consumed.
◆ Frost Breath is a special STAB-boosted 60-base power Ice-type move (always results in a critical hit).
◆ Air Cutter is a special STAB-boosted 60-base power Flying-type move (high critical hit ratio. Hits adjacent foes).
◆ Gust is a special STAB-boosted 40-base power Flying-type move (power doubles during bounce, fly, and sky drop).
◆ Extrasensory is a special 80-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Signal Beam is a special 75-base power Bug-type move (10% chance to confuse the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kca90
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Snow Cloak
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 192 Hp / 64 SpD / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Roost
- Sheer Cold
- Mind Reader
- Substitute
For single battles, Articuno is a illustrious Support. Leftovers are always a great recovery option to ensure Articuno last longer regaining it's vitality every turn. With Snow Cloak, if hail is active Articuno's evasiveness is 1.25x; immunity to hail. Substitue for Defense then use Mind Reader followed up by Sheer Cold (OHKO). Use Roost for recovery when needed.
◆ Sheer Cold is a special STAB-boosted 0-base power Ice-type move (ohkos non-ice targets. Fails if Articuno's lower level).
◆ Mind Reader is a status move (Articuno's next move will not miss the target).
◆ Substitute is a status move (Articuno takes 1/4 its max hp to put in a substitute).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kda90
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Articuno? These builds are perfect for VGC (Pokémon Video Game Championship) and other competitive Sun/Moon Double Battles. The VGC is the ultimate test of strategy and skill, and these movesets and EVs are designed to excel against multiple opponents at once while providing essential support to your team. Dominate the Sun/Moon metagame with these expert-crafted setups!
Item: Flyinium Z / Charti Berry
Ability: Pressure
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Sky Attack / Pluck
- Steel Wing / Double-Edge
- Avalanche / Ice Shard
- U-turn
Articuno makes an a illustrious Physical Sweeper in double battles. The purpose of this moveset is to crush rivals using forceful physical power. With Pressure, if Articuno is the target of a foe's move that move loses one additional pp. Steel Wing was added to provide additional threat coverage. With a Flyinium Z equipped to it, if Articuno has a flying move, this item allows it to use a flying z-move. With a Charti Berry equipped to it, halves damage taken from a supereffective rock-type attack then the Charti Berry gets consumed.
◆ Pluck is a physical STAB-boosted 60-base power Flying-type move (Articuno steals and eats the target's berry).
◆ Steel Wing is a physical 70-base power Steel-type move (10% chance to raise your Articuno's defense by 1 stage).
◆ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 33% recoil).
◆ Avalanche is a physical STAB-boosted 60-base power Ice-type move (power doubles if Articuno is damaged by the target).
◆ Ice Shard is a physical STAB-boosted priority-increased 40-base power Ice-type move (usually goes first).
◆ U-turn is a physical 70-base power Bug-type move (Articuno switches out after damaging the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/laa90
Item: Flyinium Z / Charti Berry
Ability: Pressure
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Air Cutter
- Icy Wind / Ice Beam
- Razor Wind / Hyper Beam
- Twister
For double battles, Articuno is a iconic Special Sweeper. It is primarily designed to crush rivals using devastating special moves. With Pressure, if Articuno is the target of a foe's move that move loses one additional pp. With a Flyinium Z equipped to it, if Articuno has a flying move, this item allows it to use a flying z-move. With a Charti Berry equipped to it, halves damage taken from a supereffective rock-type attack then the Charti Berry gets consumed.
◆ Icy Wind is a special STAB-boosted 55-base power Ice-type move (100% chance to lower the foes speed by 1 stage).
◆ Ice Beam is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
◆ Razor Wind is a special 80-base power Normal-type move (charges, then hits foes turn 2. High crit ratio).
◆ Hyper Beam is a special 150-base power Normal-type move (Articuno cannot move next turn).
◆ Twister is a special 40-base power Dragon-type move (20% chance to make the foes flinch).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/lba90
Movepool
Want to know what moves Articuno can learn? Check out the full list of moves available in the Pokemon Sun/Moon generation.
Sort and organize the learnset by type, category, accuracy, and power. Moves in bold get the same-type attack bonus (STAB) when used by Articuno.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Articuno can perform in Sun/Moon. Not every combo going to be game-changing, but some can be pretty fun to play with. Sometimes these can be easily overlooked or forgotten, hence why we find and list them here. Discover what items, abilities, and moves this Pokemon can use in combination with each other to gain a strategic advantage in competitive battles.
Competitive SM Move and Ability Combos for Articuno
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Move: Swagger + Item: Mirror Herb
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- OHKO Combo - Moves: Mind Reader + Sheer Cold
- Moves with Priority: Bide, Detect, Endure, Protect, Ice Shard
- Moves that Break Screens: Defog
- Moves that inflict status: Toxic
Moves that boost Articuno's stats
- Agility
- Ancient Power
- Curse
- Ominous Wind
- Rage
- Steel Wing
Most notable and possible best moves for Articuno
- Defog
- Freeze-Dry
- Haze
- Heal Bell
- Hidden Power
- Ice Beam
- Other
- Protect
- Reflect
- Rest
- Roost
- Substitute
- Toxic
- U-turn
Common Effort Values for Articuno in Sun and Moon
- Timid Nature ( 252/0/68/0/84/104/ )
- Calm Nature ( 248/0/0/0/204/56/ )
- Optimize Articuno's Defensive EV-spread for Pokemon Sun and Moon
Usage Data
Explore the latest analytical usage data for this Pokémon from various VGC and online competitions. We use this data to develop our strategies and movesets. The data is categorized by competition and skill level: top-ranking trainers, mid-level players, and entry-level players.
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Here are the best movesets for Articuno. Top rated Articuno Sun/Moon movesets. You can find Articuno builds Sun/Moon. Articuno movesets Sun/Moon are listed here. VGC Articuno Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Articuno in Sun/Moon along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for evolution