LUCARIOAbilities:
Steadfast
Inner Focus
Justified
Stats:
HP: 70
Atk: 110
Def: 70
SpA: 115
SpD: 70
Spe: 90
Total: 525
Placed Tier: OU
Type: FIGHTING / STEEL
What was once one of the biggest threats in the time of DPP returns to face the OU metagame of BW with some new and improved toys and abilities. With amazing priority moves,some powerful STABs,and great coverage Lucario can take a lot of threats directly. Its only flaw is its somewhat frail,but with great power comes great responsibility.
Set #1: Swords DanceItem: Life Orb / Focus Sash
Ability: Justified / Inner Focus
EVs: 4 HP / 252 ATK / 252 SPE
Nature: Adamant
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- Extreme Speed
- Ice Punch / Crunch / Bullet Punch
Set Explanation: Probably one of the most dangerous physical sweepers to date,and its pretty easy to see why. After a sinlge Swords Dance Lucarios attack stat shoots straight to 700,which is no laughing matter. Close Combat is the primary STAB OHKOing almost everything that doesn't resist while 2HKOing even the resistant things. Extreme Speed is a deadly priority threatening everything low on health,OHKOing things like Tornadus-T after Stealth Rocks. Ice Punch is the bane of all Gliscor and Landorus who wish to switch in while Crunch counters Slowbro and Jellicent who may otherwise wall this set. If neither of these are a threat Bullet Punch can be used to rid of pesky Gengar and Terrakion with ease. The EV spread maximizes Lucarios offensive presence. The item you use depends on whether you want a extra boost in power via Life Orb or a somewhat guarenteed way to get up a Swords Dance.
Set #2: Nasty PlotItem: Life Orb / Focus Sash
Ability: Inner Focus / Steadfast
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SATK / 252 SPE
Nature: Modest
- Nasty Plot
- Aura Sphere / Vacuum Wave
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power Ice / Psychic
Set Explanation: With its special attack stat being higher than its physical variant a Nasty Plot Lucario is always a decent suprise attacker. A single Nasty Plot yeilds to a 722 special attack which is basically just as deadly has the Swords Dance set. Aura Sphere never misses and is a the most deadly STAB out there. Vacuum Wave acts as the only true priority but works well when it comes to ridding of faster low health threats. Shadow Ball stops opposiong Ghost types and Psychic types looking to wall this set entirely. Hidden Power Ice once again threatens Gliscor and such but can be swapper for a move like Psychic for a sure fire way to rid of opposing Fighting types. The true side of this set shows when its usual counters consisting of Skarmory,Hippowdon,and Forretress all get pummelled by a special move instead of the typical physical one. The EVs are pretty much straight forward while the item is in terms of power versus setting up potential.
Set # 3: AgilityItem: Life Orb
Ability: Justified / Inner Focus
EVs: 4 HP / 252 ATK / 252 SPE
Nature: Adamant
- Agility
- Close Combat
- Ice Punch
- Crunch
Set Explanation: While a Swords Dance Lucario mainly relies on priority,and still has issues against threats like Genesect,Scarfed Heatran,and its usual threats if it lacks the appropriate move,this set has far better coverage while getting rid of dramatic power boost. After a Agility Lucario is guarenteed to be the fastest pokemon on the field bar priority moves. Close Combat utterly destroys everything as the main STAB and things like Scarf Terrakion have no hope of outspeeding this. Even Genesect is OHKOed after Stealth Rock damage. Ice Punch offers amazing coverage easily eliminating things like the Therian forms,Dragonite,and more. Crunch finishes off this coverage saying goodbye to Ghost and Psychic types hoping to outspeed. The EVs like always are made for maximum offensive performance but a Life Orb is generally recommended over a Focus Sash as the power boost grants it some notable KOs.
CONCLUSION:While Lucario is a notable and powerful offensive tool it does have some counters that wall it. Defensive Politoed can try and score a burn with Scald limiting Lucario greatly while Landorus-T and Gliscor wall any Lucario not carrying Ice Punch. Gengar feas nothing but Bullet Punch and can couner with the somewhat off placed Focus Blast. Skarmory can phaze physical variants out and special variants if it has Sturdy active. Dragonite can take a unboosted Ice Punch and counter with a grand Fire Punch or Earthquake. Jiracho fears only Close Combat and can try to flinch it do death or use a powerful special attack such as Psychic to wear Lucario down. Lucario greatly appreciates hazards so things like Deoxys-D are always a big help. Gengar can take Fighting and Ground attakcs aimed at Lucario while Slowbro can do somewhat the same with its high defenses. Tyranitar can setup hazards and trap Psychic types via Pursuit for Lucario not carrying Crunch. In the end Lucario is somewhat of a glass cannon,and prefers to come out end game and sweep when everything is weakened.