Suicune, The Aurora Pokémon. It's said to be the embodiment of the north winds due to the way it dashes around the world to instantly purify fouled up water sources.
Overview
Some things inevitably change , but Suicune has largely remain the same throughout all the ages since its inception. Its been a main staple on stall teams since...well stall teams existed? Especially in the 4th generation if you didn't have this mon on at least one of your teams you were doing it wrong. You just were. It was that good , and the fact that it's still almost just as useful, and in some ways more despite all the changes to the game, is truly a testament to its great power. Why are you even reading this part still? Skip to the movesets , and put Suicune on your team already!
Positives
+ Its defensive stats are amazing, at 100/115/115. It's able to tank a lot of hits and is always a consideration for a defensive Pokemon in any team.
+ Base 90 Special Attack is decent, and with access to Scald, it can score a lot of burns.
+ Has a great offensive AND defensive movepool with moves such as Scald, Ice Beam, Snarl, Icy Wind and Tailwind, among others.
+ Generally a fantastic defensive Pokemon that can truly stall you to death with relative ease.
Negatives
- Its Speed, at base 85, could be better. It's not incredibly slow or anything , but it makes it incredibly hard to reliably run offensive sets.
- It needed some better abilities with the Generation shift, in which it just didn't get unfortunately.
- Lack of reliable recovery outside of rest still. It makes me very unhappy. Luckily Suicune being the trooper that it's just doesn't care, and will still stall you into oblivion anyway.
Abilities
Pressure: When this Pokémon is hit by a move, the opponent’s PP lowers by 2 rather than 1. This is the ability you want regardless of the fact Water Absorb isn't available yet. Suicune runs mostly defensive sets these days and has always been a main staple on stall teams , so wearing your opponent down is extremely important.
Hidden Ability (Not Available):
Water Absorb: The Pokémon heals up to 1/4 of it’s maximum Hit Points when hit with Water-type moves. This would be a fantastic ability too if it was actually available. Sadly it's not though.
Movesets
CroCune
- Scald
- Calm Mind
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Item Attached: Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
Ah the the classic tried-and-true CroCune set. Physically bulky EV Spread makes Suicune hard to break on the physical side, and with Scald's dastardly 30% burn chance mixed in, it's harder still. Calm Mind allows it to set up, while also making it harder to break on the special side. Finally, RestTalk is its only means of reliable recovery, which also prevents Toxic from being an answer to Suicune. Sleep Talk prevents it from being totally helpless during Rest. This thing is so standard that it's barely worth the time I'm taking to type this out.
Nevertheless, Suicune is one of those Pokemon who can make a mono-attacking set work. Water's just a solid offensive type in general, given only a handful of Pokemon are immune to it through their abilities, and the only one to really worry about due to viability is Toxicroak. Plus, team support exists for those Pokemon like Toxicroak. Meanwhile, even water resists don't necessarily like switching into Scald, since that 30% burn chance can neuter physical attackers and be a general hindrance to anything with its passive damage.
This is really the only set I run anymore. I mean it's a classic for a reason and has survived 4 generations at this point. Not using this set now is like trying to live in a world without classic coke. Do you really want to live in a world without classic Coca-Cola? DO YOU?!
Calming Waters
- Substitute
- Calm Mind
- Scald
- Ice Beam
Item Attached: Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 112 HP / 252 SpA / 144 Spe
Modest Nature
Not a bad set. Not bad at all in fact, but Suicune found its niche in the Crocune set and overall it's just way more reliable to run than this. Plus so many other mons just do the Sub-CM set way better.
The North Wind Cometh
- Calm Mind
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power Grass
Item Attached: Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 200 HP / 252 SpA / 56 Spe
Modest Nature
I used to love running sets like this because I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Bulky Offense teams , so this one gets mention. As previously mentioned though the Crocune set is far more reliable and the best way to go by far , but if you're looking to have some fun in the lower metagames. I highly recommend taking this set out for a test drive.
Other Options
-Icy Wind is always handy to take the opponents Speed down
-Snarl has seen a bit more use on Suicune lately, and is good for doing minimal damage, but shutting down Special Attackers
-Surf is always good in Singles for a STAB move that will always hit and do decent damage, if you're unwilling to risk the lower accuracy of Hydro Pump
-Tailwind is always a cool option to use, since Suicune has the bulk to set it up, but it's something you see more in Doubles and Triples
Double & Triple Battle Options
Suicune is an incredible Pokemon in the doubles format, it has a very sturdy 100 /115/115 defenses, backed with two popular methods of speed control in Icy Wind and Tailwind. Very few things will find themselves readily able to OHKO a Suicune.
The Bulky Beast
Scald
Ice Beam / Icy Wind
Tailwind / Snarl
Protect
Item Attached: Leftovers / Sitrus Berry
Ability: Pressure
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 252 HP / 116 Def / 100 SAtk / 20 SDef / 20 Speed
Bold Nature
This set offers very basic and reliable methods of Speed Control, then proceeds to roll for burns with Scald or lower even more stats with Snarl. Base 90 Special Attack means it's taking a back seat in offensive pressure which isn't a bad thing if the partner can pick up the slack. Maximizing HP EVs will boost both defenses greatly as the base HP is lower than the defenses. The rest of the EVs are simply up to prefference, as Suicune is very versatile in what it can survive or outspeed. The 116 Defense EVS allow it to survive an Adamant +1 Double Edge from Mega Salamence.
Suicune IS the partner Pokemon, as its main niche is one of two varieties of Speed Control. It can support Pokemon in middling speed tiers like Kangaskhan and Charizard, also slower Pokemon who want to get the jump on faster Pokmon like Sylveon. Because it's so supportive, the partner Pokemon needs to be able to hit hard.
Suicune would really appreciate having a 5th moveslot to work with so that it can Calm Mind during idle turns, then become a serious offensive threat. And despite being base 85 speed, unless one invests heavily into speed, it's going to be slower than Smeargle or Breloom, which can spell trouble. However, if Suicune sticks around for most of the battle then it's done its job as being the bulky thorn in your opponent's side. Don't let your team be walled by a Suicune!
Countering Suicune
People still try to do this? Oh fine...
Well in truth it's not as hard as you might think actually. Grass types like Roserade, Shaymin, and Celebi still naturally give our Suicune some problems, especially since they tend to be specially bulky enough to take a Scald, and have Natural Cure to heal off any annoying Scald Burns. Things with water immunity like Vaporeon and Gastrodon, and your special walls like Blissey, all tend to be almost impossible for Suicune although all of these tend to just force Suicune out as they have difficulty actually KOing it and may waste a lot of PP trying thanks to Pressure. Toxicroak and its access to Dry Skin makes it a fantastic counter to Suicune, as it is totally immune to Scald and can set up Swords Dance as Suicune switches out. Heliolisk does this largely the same as well thanks to Dry Skin, and can manage to squeeze out a 1HKO on Suicune with its Choice Specs set, and still soundly 2HKOs if it misses the 1HKO and Suicune tries to set up Calm Minds. Plus, even if Suicune switches out, it can Volt Switch out on the switch for momentum. Slowking and Goodra both have absurd special bulk, and often utilize Dragon Tail to phase, which can rid Suicune of its Calm Mind boosts if it tries to set up. Taunting Suicune can be detrimental to it as well, since it often runs but a single attack.
Suicune really has largely remained the same throughout all these generations like I said. Though I will say there is definitely something special about how timeless this mon is.
Locations in Games
Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald:
Trade from FireRed/LeafGreen
FireRed/LeafGreen:
Roaming Kanto (If Charmander Chosen)
Colosseum/XD:
Snagged from Cipher Admin Venus in The Under (Colosseum)
Trade from FireRed/LeafGreen (XD)
Diamond/Pearl/Platinum:
Trade from HeartGold/SoulSilver
HeartGold/SoulSilver:
Route 25
Black/White:
Transfer from Generation IV
Black 2/White 2:
Transfer from Generation IV
X/Y:
Trade from Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire
Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire:
Trackless Forest
Animé Appearences
