Resource SM OU Role Compendium

[Maktyum]

significant sections from the previous thread and from the SSOU role compendium were used as templates
I thank the moderation team for letting me do this and Skypenguin for his help.

SM OU ROLE COMPENDIUM

The idea of this thread is to provide a visual list of which Pokémon does what in the USM OU metagame. Every Pokemon listed here is considered viable in the metagame regarding its performance in generic or specific(niche) roles. If you believe that there is a Pokémon viable for the roles mentioned below and it hasn't been added to the group, feel free to recommend it in your post with enough explanations.

For those who do not understand what the terminology such as Suicide Lead and Pivot mean: http://www.smogon.com/dp/articles/pokemon_dictionary

Pokemon are listed in alphabetical order. More niche Pokemon for the role are separated by a vertical bar.

Rules:

• One liners are fine, avoid double posting
• Don't shitpost and don't be rude
• When suggesting things to be added / removed, provide decent reasoning as to why something should be added or removed.
• only nominate viable mons (check the VR to see what is viable)

Mega Pokemon:
(latias)(latios) |


Utility
Entry Hazards:
Stealth rock:
|
Spikes:

Toxic spikes:
|
Sticky web:
none viable |

Hazard removal/prevention:
Defog:
(latias) |
Rapid spin:

Magic Bounce:


Other Utility:
Knock Off:
|
Taunt:
|
Trick:
|


Offensive roles
Attackers:
Physical attackers:
|
Special attackers:
(latias) |
Mixed attackers:
(latios) |

Set-up Sweepers:
Agility/rock polish:
none viable |
Belly drum:
|
Bulk Up:

Calm mind:
(latias) |
Curse:

Dragon Dance:
|
Hone Claws:

Nasty Plot:
|
Quiver Dance:

Shift Gear:

Swords Dance:
|
Tail Glow:

Other:
| (Beast Boost)(Clangourous Soulblaze)(contrary)(Power-Up Punch)(Soul Heart)(unburden)(Z Celebrate/Happy Hour) | (Z Conversion)

Priority:
Aqua jet:

Bullet punch:

Fake Out:

Ice shard:
|
Quick attack:
|
Sucker Punch:
|
Water Shuriken:


Choice Item users:
Choice Band:
|
Choice Specs:
|
Choice Scarf:
|


Defensive/positioning roles
Walls:
Physical walls:
|
Specially defensive:
|
Mixed:
|

Pivots:
Regenerator:
|
U-turn:

Volt Switch:
|

Specific roles
Anti-Setup:
Clear Smog:

Haze:
|
Unaware:
|
Whirlwind/Roar:
|
Others:
(Imposter)(Heart Swap)

Clerics:
Heal Bell/Aromatherapy:
|
Healing Wish/Lunar Dance:
| (latias)
Wish:
| (latias)

Dual Screeners:
| (aurora veil)

Suicide Leads:

|

Trappers:
Pursuit:
|
Magnet Pull:
|
Magma Storm/Whirlpool/Block:
|

Weather/Trick Room
Hail:
none viable |

Sand:
Setters:
|
Abusers:
|

Sun:
Setters:
|
Abusers:
| (growth)(chlorophyll)

Rain:
Setter:

Abusers:
|

Trick Room: (niche playstyle)
Setters:

Abusers:


Status
Spreaders:
Paralysis:
Thunder Wave:

Other:
(Discharge) (Static) (Glare)(Body Slam)

Burn:
Will-O-Wisp:
|
Scald:

Other:
| (Lava Plume) (Flame Body)(searing-shot)

Poison:
Toxic:

Other:
(Baneful Bunker), toxic spikes

Sleep:
Sleep Powder:
|
Spore:
| (Spore)

Status Absorbers:
(magic bounce)(Magic Guard) (Misty Terrain)(Natural Cure)(Poison Heal)(Electric Terrain)

 

[Marnie]

Woo we finally have a role compendium, thanks Maktyum for hosting :]
Long post but I have some role suggestions and mon noms!

Role Suggestions:

• A section for "Status": Viable mons that can spread paralysis, burns, poison, & sleep, as well as mons that can switch into these status attempts, either absorbers or some sort of immunity. Maybe placed under "Specific Roles"? Doesn't matter really, host's discretion.

Status; example

Status:
Spreaders:
Paralysis:
Thunder Wave:
...
Other:
(Discharge) (Static) (Glare) (Body Slam)...
Burn:
Will-O-Wisp:
| ...
Scald:
...
Other:
| (Lava Plume) (Flame Body)...
Poison:
Toxic:
...
Other:
(Baneful Bunker)...
Sleep:
Sleep Powder:
| ...
Other:
| (Spore)...
Anti-Status/Absorbers:
(Poison Heal) (Magic Guard) (Natural Cure) (Misty Terrain) (Electric Terrain)...

• A section for "Other Utility": Since something like entry hazards (Stealth Rock setter, Defogger), pivots, and clerics are also some form of utility, this section will cover the other ones such as Knock off, Trick/Switcheroo, Taunt, etc.

Other Utility; example

Other Utility:
Knock Off:
...
Trick/Switcheroo:
| ...
Taunt:
...
Leech Seed:
| ...
Encore:
| ..
Other:
...

• A section for "Anti-Setup": Mostly specific for defensive teams to counteract the plethora of setup sweepers in the tier, which include methods like phazing, haze, unaware, etc. Lots of overlaps with "Other Utility", since stuff like Taunt & Encore can be considered anti-setup, so imma leave it at the host's discretion.

Anti-Setup; example

Anti-Setup:
Whirlwind/Roar:
| ...
Haze:
| ...
Unaware:
| ...
Others:
(Imposter) (Heart Swap)...

• Minor, but a section for "Substitute" under Set-up Sweepers: Some mons take advantage of Sub as a way of setting up which makes their counterplay different to justify a new classification (i.e. SubSwarm Volc vs QD+3 Attacks Z-Move Volc).

Pokemon Nominations:
New Additions:

1. Avalugg is a physically defensive mon that provides Rapid Spin on a few select stall teams, able to check the Weavile+Gliscor cores just by virtue of its unfortunate typing + titanic Defense + Recover. Rocky Helmet can even chip other physical attackers it can't beat 1 on 1. Nomming this mon for Physically Defensive and Rapid Spin under niche options.
2. Mantine is a specially defensive bulky water that differentiates itself with Toxapex thanks to a ground immunity and Defog, able to check Greninja, Ash-Greninja, Mega Latios, Volcarona, non-Toxic Heatran, etc. due to its bulk + typing + Toxic + Recover. Nomming this mon for Specially Defensive and Defog under niche options. https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen7ou-604536
3. Metagross is pursuit trapper #12468753. Like the niche Alolan Muk, its typing + AV lets it safely switch into the psychic-types much easier, since it's not weak to the standard Focus Blast coverage. It differs itself from Alolan Muk with ground coverage in Earthquake to hit Heatran. Nomming this mon for Pursuit Trapper and Specially Defensive under niche options. https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen7ou-604536 yes it's the same replay
4. Scolipede is a niche setup sweeper with both SD+Speed Boost and solid coverage moves. Only fits in HO and can still work on the right matchup, especially with the right Z-Move. Can probably be a lead as well with Spikes + TSpikes + Endeavor, but has not seen enough usage for me to nom them. However, I'm nomming this mon for Swords Dance and Other: Speed Boost, and Physical Attacker under niche options.
5. Pyukumuku differs itself from other Unaware mons (i.e. Quagsire and Clefable) thanks to its higher defenses. This + its pure water typing gives the stall team a better matchup against stallbreaker Manaphy even with Energy Ball (granted it needs some Spdef investment to guarantee survive a 2HKO). Plus, it can also run trapping sets with Block + Spite. Nomming this mon for Physically Defensive, Mixed Wall, and Trapper: Magma Storm/Whirlpool/Block under niche options.
6. : Quagsire is another Unaware bulky water that also compresses the role of a Volt Switch immunity for the stall teams, stopping momentum and checking things like Magnezone and Rotom-W. Nomming this mon for Physically Defensive, indifferent if it ends up in viable or niche.

Minor Changes:

1. : Hippowdon usually ended up providing Stealth Rock and being a physically defensive pokemon on the sand teams it founds itself in, hence nomming it for Physically Defensive and Stealth Rock setter under niche options.
2. : Mostly seen as a suicide lead nowadays, but its movepool lets it run anything from defensive to offensive. I think there's still some merit on its old Defog and NP sets. Hence, nomming this mon for Defog, Nasty Plot, and Special Attacker under niche options.
3. : I think this is just forgotten since CB, Choice Scarf, and Z-Celebrate are viable options, but the mon itself hasn't appeared under Physical Attacker and Special Attacker yet.
4. : Either Crocune or Vincune needs CM to work, so nomming this mon for Calm Mind.
5. : CM sets can still be threatening thanks to its defensive stats + Magic Bounce + recovery + Will-O-Wisp, though the influx of fairies kinda sucked, but still nomming this mon for Calm Mind under niche options.
6. : It's recognized as a niche physical attacker and Sucker Punch user; however, its standard sets also run SD so nomming this mon under Swords Dance under niche options.
7. This one will be noms for mons under a new role for setup sweepers:
   • + Agility/Rock Polish: Landorus-T and Thundurus-T can run double dance sets (or just speed boosting) that can fit in some HOs.
   • + Curse: A relic from the Zygarde era but Mega Scizor can still viably run Curse instead of SD to boost alongside other setup mons like SD Gliscor and Tapu Bulu.
   • + Bulk Up: Tapu Bulu can opt to run Bulk Up instead of SD on its Spdef set to setup past the likes of Mega Mawile and Ferrothorn.
   • + Hone Claws: Sub+Hone Claws Kyurem-B with Icium-Z is a thing that kinda dismantles fat teams easily.
   • + Speed Boost: Only has the niche Scolipede, but see above for reasoning.
   • + Growth: The niche sun sweeper Venusaur runs Growth to actually do damage and potentially sweep.
   • Other: + Z-Conversion: Has seen better days but Z-conversion Porygon-Z can still work as a niche setup sweeper.
8. : Krookodiles niche lies in its speed control + Pursuit trapper, allowing it to easily dispatch off Mega Alakazam, and hence needs to be a Choice Scarf User to do so. By extension, its STAB EQ and Knock Off can also make it a niche Physical Attacker.
9. : For its niche to work as a Heatran trapper, it needs to be a Choice Scarf User, though its poor Speed tier means the team usually needed another method of speed control.
10. : I think there's solid reasoning in putting Mega Scizor to Mixed Wall since even if its standard sets run Spdef, its natural physdef + typing lets it check ground & grasses like Gliscor, Landorus-T, Tapu Bulu, and Kartana. Moreover, Curse sets actually let Mega Scizor contest with them easier. Also nomming this mon as a pivot with U-turn, since even running SD sets sometimes can afford to only run Bullet Punch as its sole sweeping move due to U-turn's momentum being very valuable on some teams. This is further supported by its mixed bulk - as mentioned earlier - and only 1 weakness to switch in and soft check a lot of stuff in the tier.
11. : Thanks to its typing + solid Spdef further boosted by AV, it acts as a solid - though niche - Specially Defensive mon that lets it do its job properly as a Pursuit trapper.
12. : Rain team best support pokemon is also the archetype's most well known pivot with U-turn, letting the offensive teammtes in Mega Swampert and Ash-Greninja enter safely. Moreover, although niche, it can also be a Pursuit Trapper solely for Shedinja, which allows Manaphy to clean up opposing stall teams easier.
13. : Some Toxapex variants run Block + Spite to trap and PP stall opposing Toxapex to open up a teammate's sweep. Hence, nomming this mon as a niche Trapper: Magma Storm/Whirlpool/Block.
14. : This mon's niche in the metagame is as a dual screens lead more than a hail setter, and Aurora Veil works kinda similar to Reflect + Light screen, so nomming this mon for Dual Screeners.

That should be it for now, gonna be putting all of the Pokemon nominations written above into visual form for easy viewings (see the spoiler below). Thanks for reading!

Tl;dr - Addition to the SM OU Role Compendium (Visual Form):

Entry hazards
Setters:
Stealth rock:
|

Hazard removal/prevention:
Defog:
|
Rapid spin:
|

Offensive roles
Attackers:
Physical attackers:
|
Special attackers:
|

Set-up Sweepers:
Calm mind:
|
Nasty Plot:
|
Swords Dance:
|
Agility/Rock Polish:
|
Curse:

Bulk Up:

Hone Claws:

Speed Boost:
|
Growth:
|
Other:
(Z Conversion)

Choice Item users:
Choice Scarf:
|

Defensive/positioning roles
Walls:
Physical walls:
|
Specially defensive:
|
Mixed:
|

Pivots:
U-turn:


Trappers:
Pursuit:
|
Magma Storm/Whirlpool:
|

Dual Screeners:

 

[Maktyum]

Woo we finally have a role compendium, thanks Maktyum for hosting :]
Long post but I have some role suggestions and mon noms!

Role Suggestions:

• A section for "Status": Viable mons that can spread paralysis, burns, poison, & sleep, as well as mons that can switch into these status attempts, either absorbers or some sort of immunity. Maybe placed under "Specific Roles"? Doesn't matter really, host's discretion.

Status; example

Status:
Spreaders:
Paralysis:
Thunder Wave:
...
Other:
(Discharge) (Static) (Glare) (Body Slam)...
Burn:
Will-O-Wisp:
| ...
Scald:
...
Other:
| (Lava Plume) (Flame Body)...
Poison:
Toxic:
...
Other:
(Baneful Bunker)...
Sleep:
Sleep Powder:
| ...
Other:
| (Spore)...
Anti-Status/Absorbers:
(Poison Heal) (Magic Guard) (Natural Cure) (Misty Terrain) (Electric Terrain)...

• A section for "Other Utility": Since something like entry hazards (Stealth Rock setter, Defogger), pivots, and clerics are also some form of utility, this section will cover the other ones such as Knock off, Trick/Switcheroo, Taunt, etc.

Other Utility; example

Other Utility:
Knock Off:
...
Trick/Switcheroo:
| ...
Taunt:
...
Leech Seed:
| ...
Encore:
| ..
Other:
...

• A section for "Anti-Setup": Mostly specific for defensive teams to counteract the plethora of setup sweepers in the tier, which include methods like phazing, haze, unaware, etc. Lots of overlaps with "Other Utility", since stuff like Taunt & Encore can be considered anti-setup, so imma leave it at the host's discretion.

Anti-Setup; example

Anti-Setup:
Whirlwind/Roar:
| ...
Haze:
| ...
Unaware:
| ...
Others:
(Imposter) (Heart Swap)...

• Minor, but a section for "Substitute" under Set-up Sweepers: Some mons take advantage of Sub as a way of setting up which makes their counterplay different to justify a new classification (i.e. SubSwarm Volc vs QD+3 Attacks Z-Move Volc).

Pokemon Nominations:
New Additions:

1. Avalugg is a physically defensive mon that provides Rapid Spin on a few select stall teams, able to check the Weavile+Gliscor cores just by virtue of its unfortunate typing + titanic Defense + Recover. Rocky Helmet can even chip other physical attackers it can't beat 1 on 1. Nomming this mon for Physically Defensive and Rapid Spin under niche options.
2. Mantine is a specially defensive bulky water that differentiates itself with Toxapex thanks to a ground immunity and Defog, able to check Greninja, Ash-Greninja, Mega Latios, Volcarona, non-Toxic Heatran, etc. due to its bulk + typing + Toxic + Recover. Nomming this mon for Specially Defensive and Defog under niche options. https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen7ou-604536
3. Metagross is pursuit trapper #12468753. Like the niche Alolan Muk, its typing + AV lets it safely switch into the psychic-types much easier, since it's not weak to the standard Focus Blast coverage. It differs itself from Alolan Muk with ground coverage in Earthquake to hit Heatran. Nomming this mon for Pursuit Trapper and Specially Defensive under niche options. https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen7ou-604536 yes it's the same replay
4. Scolipede is a niche setup sweeper with both SD+Speed Boost and solid coverage moves. Only fits in HO and can still work on the right matchup, especially with the right Z-Move. Can probably be a lead as well with Spikes + TSpikes + Endeavor, but has not seen enough usage for me to nom them. However, I'm nomming this mon for Swords Dance and Other: Speed Boost, and Physical Attacker under niche options.
5. Pyukumuku differs itself from other Unaware mons (i.e. Quagsire and Clefable) thanks to its higher defenses. This + its pure water typing gives the stall team a better matchup against stallbreaker Manaphy even with Energy Ball (granted it needs some Spdef investment to guarantee survive a 2HKO). Plus, it can also run trapping sets with Block + Spite. Nomming this mon for Physically Defensive, Mixed Wall, and Trapper: Magma Storm/Whirlpool/Block under niche options.
6. : Quagsire is another Unaware bulky water that also compresses the role of a Volt Switch immunity for the stall teams, stopping momentum and checking things like Magnezone and Rotom-W. Nomming this mon for Physically Defensive, indifferent if it ends up in viable or niche.

Minor Changes:

1. : Hippowdon usually ended up providing Stealth Rock and being a physically defensive pokemon on the sand teams it founds itself in, hence nomming it for Physically Defensive and Stealth Rock setter under niche options.
2. : Mostly seen as a suicide lead nowadays, but its movepool lets it run anything from defensive to offensive. I think there's still some merit on its old Defog and NP sets. Hence, nomming this mon for Defog, Nasty Plot, and Special Attacker under niche options.
3. : I think this is just forgotten since CB, Choice Scarf, and Z-Celebrate are viable options, but the mon itself hasn't appeared under Physical Attacker and Special Attacker yet.
4. : Either Crocune or Vincune needs CM to work, so nomming this mon for Calm Mind.
5. : CM sets can still be threatening thanks to its defensive stats + Magic Bounce + recovery + Will-O-Wisp, though the influx of fairies kinda sucked, but still nomming this mon for Calm Mind under niche options.
6. : It's recognized as a niche physical attacker and Sucker Punch user; however, its standard sets also run SD so nomming this mon under Swords Dance under niche options.
7. This one will be noms for mons under a new role for setup sweepers:
   • + Agility/Rock Polish: Landorus-T and Thundurus-T can run double dance sets (or just speed boosting) that can fit in some HOs.
   • + Curse: A relic from the Zygarde era but Mega Scizor can still viably run Curse instead of SD to boost alongside other setup mons like SD Gliscor and Tapu Bulu.
   • + Bulk Up: Tapu Bulu can opt to run Bulk Up instead of SD on its Spdef set to setup past the likes of Mega Mawile and Ferrothorn.
   • + Hone Claws: Sub+Hone Claws Kyurem-B with Icium-Z is a thing that kinda dismantles fat teams easily.
   • + Speed Boost: Only has the niche Scolipede, but see above for reasoning.
   • + Growth: The niche sun sweeper Venusaur runs Growth to actually do damage and potentially sweep.
   • Other: + Z-Conversion: Has seen better days but Z-conversion Porygon-Z can still work as a niche setup sweeper.
8. : Krookodiles niche lies in its speed control + Pursuit trapper, allowing it to easily dispatch off Mega Alakazam, and hence needs to be a Choice Scarf User to do so. By extension, its STAB EQ and Knock Off can also make it a niche Physical Attacker.
9. : For its niche to work as a Heatran trapper, it needs to be a Choice Scarf User, though its poor Speed tier means the team usually needed another method of speed control.
10. : I think there's solid reasoning in putting Mega Scizor to Mixed Wall since even if its standard sets run Spdef, its natural physdef + typing lets it check ground & grasses like Gliscor, Landorus-T, Tapu Bulu, and Kartana. Moreover, Curse sets actually let Mega Scizor contest with them easier. Also nomming this mon as a pivot with U-turn, since even running SD sets sometimes can afford to only run Bullet Punch as its sole sweeping move due to U-turn's momentum being very valuable on some teams. This is further supported by its mixed bulk - as mentioned earlier - and only 1 weakness to switch in and soft check a lot of stuff in the tier.
11. : Thanks to its typing + solid Spdef further boosted by AV, it acts as a solid - though niche - Specially Defensive mon that lets it do its job properly as a Pursuit trapper.
12. : Rain team best support pokemon is also the archetype's most well known pivot with U-turn, letting the offensive teammtes in Mega Swampert and Ash-Greninja enter safely. Moreover, although niche, it can also be a Pursuit Trapper solely for Shedinja, which allows Manaphy to clean up opposing stall teams easier.
13. : Some Toxapex variants run Block + Spite to trap and PP stall opposing Toxapex to open up a teammate's sweep. Hence, nomming this mon as a niche Trapper: Magma Storm/Whirlpool/Block.
14. : This mon's niche in the metagame is as a dual screens lead more than a hail setter, and Aurora Veil works kinda similar to Reflect + Light screen, so nomming this mon for Dual Screeners.

That should be it for now, gonna be putting all of the Pokemon nominations written above into visual form for easy viewings (see the spoiler below). Thanks for reading!

Tl;dr - Addition to the SM OU Role Compendium (Visual Form):

Entry hazards
Setters:
Stealth rock:
|

Hazard removal/prevention:
Defog:
|
Rapid spin:
|

Offensive roles
Attackers:
Physical attackers:
|
Special attackers:
|

Set-up Sweepers:
Calm mind:
|
Nasty Plot:
|
Swords Dance:
|
Agility/Rock Polish:
|
Curse:

Bulk Up:

Hone Claws:

Speed Boost:
|
Growth:
|
Other:
(Z Conversion)

Choice Item users:
Choice Scarf:
|

Defensive/positioning roles
Walls:
Physical walls:
|
Specially defensive:
|
Mixed:
|

Pivots:
U-turn:


Trappers:
Pursuit:
|
Magma Storm/Whirlpool:
|

Dual Screeners:

Hey, thanks for your suggestions and nominations, they were great! What will be added:

Role suggestion:

• the status section is accepted.
• accepting the "other utility" section, I think trick, taunt and knock off are great additions.
• accepting anti-setup in specific roles.
• rejecting substitute in set-up sweepers because it doesn't necessarily rime with actually setting-up (serperior, magnezone, kyurem), maybe in another section.

Pokemon Nominations:

• adding and in their respective niches.
• rejecting and , the former is weak and needs too much support to be reliable, the latter wasn't used effectively for a long time and only in specific stall archetypes.

Minor changes:
accepting all of these except as a pursuit trapper (too situational and the days of stall are long gone).

Thanks for the visuals, it is easier for me to add all these :). Everything will soon be added. Done.

 

[Proftreez]

mega latias doesnt have access to either heal bell or aromatherapy and should therefore be removed from cleric

for some more minor things adding mew to taunt would reflect an attribute regarding its success as a suicide lead and in a similar vein greninja could be added to that category as well

albeit more niche, mega garchomp should be added as a sand abuser

(I would've formatted this better but i was scrolling through this on my phone and had my day ruined by the false promise of cleric latias smh)

 

[Maktyum]

mega latias doesnt have access to either heal bell or aromatherapy and should therefore be removed from cleric

for some more minor things adding mew to taunt would reflect an attribute regarding its success as a suicide lead and in a similar vein greninja could be added to that category as well

albeit more niche, mega garchomp should be added as a sand abuser

(I would've formatted this better but i was scrolling through this on my phone and had my day ruined by the false promise of cleric latias smh)

Thank you for reporting this Latias error. Latias is removed from Heal bell/Aromatherapy.
Great suggestions as well! Mew and Garchomp are both added in their respective role.