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Ummm, it pretty much explains itself. I guess on a team I would want a special and a physical. So far for my team, I'm thinking a physical and special wall in one poke, (already have), physical and special sweepers (different), 1 wall breaker, a hazard setter and a defogger

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soooooo a physical and special sweeper? If you already have the rest of the team then put this in rmt
No i don't have the rest of the team. I only have the wall
ohhhh ok but just the physical and special sweepers right? Or those two, 2 wallbreakers, and a hazard setter and defogger in 1? because that would equal 6 if there was a hazard setter and a defogger seperately
SM, so this is my team: A wall, physical and special sweepers, a wall breaker, a hazard setter and a defogger
the answers to this are obviously going to change over time, but I'm fine with having the best current sweepers and having it updated or new answers given over time
ohhhhh sorry on your question it said 2 wallbreakers.
ok thanks PK
But since its only gen 8 and OU, its probably only gonna change once the crown tundra comes in, or if a new dlc is announced, ya know, then too. Or a remake comes in
Would you like Mixed Sweeper suggestions?

7 Answers

3 votes

With the addition of the Crown tundra, some Pokemon have certainly shown themselves to be serious threats. I will probably miss a few, however, these are some that I have seen quite a bit, and I can see why they are powerful.

SPECIALS SWEEPERS:

In OU, Zapdos has a high usage rate with 18.99% usage rate (top is spread out with a lot it is pretty big ok? ok.) . The offensive set from Smogon reads as follows

Zapdos @ Heavy Duty boots
Ability: Static
EVS: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
Thunder
Hurricane
Weather ball
Volt Switch / Roost

Heavy Duty boots is for entry hazards. Thunder and Hurricane is stab. This seems to be fitting in a rain team, as Hurricane and Thunder cannot miss in the rain. Weather ball would be water coverage in the rain to take out threatening rock types such as tyranitar. Roost is recovery and Volt switch is a pivot.

Magearna @ Life Orb
Ability: Soul Heart
EVS: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
Shift gear
Calm Mind
Stored Power
Aura Sphere / Focus Blast / Draining kiss

This set is one of my favorite magearna sets. It has a usage rate of 23.99% in OU. Shift gear is to make it faster, (and boost it's attack but you will never use physical attack on magearna you fool), Calm mind is to boost Special attack and Special Defense. Stored power is a brilliant addition on to this set. I will use the Stored power calculations on a very common Pokemon that is weak to stored power: Toxapex. Here they are: The first one will be using stored power on a toxapex, WITH one calm mind used. Standard EVS will be used for toxapex. +1 252 SpA Life Orb Magearna Stored Power (60 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Toxapex: 190-224 (62.5 - 73.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO. That is quite good. Now, let's look at shift gear. 252 SpA Life Orb Magearna Stored Power (80 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Toxapex: 169-200 (55.5 - 65.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO. If you manage to get off a shift gear and a calm mind, well, chuckle, +1 252 SpA Life Orb Magearna Stored Power (120 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Toxapex: 374-442 (123 - 145.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO. Keep in mind this Pokemon has Life orb. For the final moves, I would prefer Draining kiss as it's stab, but your decision really.

One more Special sweeper then on to the physicals.

Ahh Spectrier. You broken beast.

Spectrier @ Leftovers
Ability: Grim Neigh
EVS: 112 HP / 20 Def / 172 SpA / 20 SpD / 184 Spe
Timid Nature
Subsitute
Hex / Shadow Ball
Calm mind / Nasty Plot / Taunt
Will-O-wisp / Disable / Dark Pulse

Usage rate in OU is 14.16% There are a variety of things you can do. One thing that is basically mandatory, however, is if you choose hex, you MUST chose will-o-wisp. Subsitute is to take a hit or two while setting up, Hex / Shadow Ball is stab, Calm mind is a status that boosts SpA and SpD by one stage, and Nasty Plot is SpA by 2 stages. So really, it is the difference between frail and strong or a bit less strong but a bit bulkier (NOT TO BE USED AS A TANK). Taunt is for hazard setters or deffoggers. Will-O-Wisp is to be paired with hex, disable is to disable moves and Dark Pulse is coverage. One thing that people don't realize is that hex can be QUITE deadly. Let's look on toxapex, which this move isn't even super effective on. 0 SpA Spectrier Hex (130 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Toxapex: 142-168 (46.7 - 55.2%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO after burn damage. This is not super effective. If you use calm mind on your set, +1 0 SpA Spectrier Hex (130 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Toxapex: 213-252 (70 - 82.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after burn damage. If you use nasty plot, +2 0 SpA Spectrier Hex (130 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Toxapex: 283-334 (93 - 109.8%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO. You should be able to see how potent Hex can be.

PHYSICAL SWEEPERS:

I have not been in the competitive seen much before, but I have heard horror stories about Landorus therian ripping apart people's teams. Nice.

Landorus-Therian @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Stealth Rock

This is a very good set, and a good Pokemon. Usage rate in OU of 31.74%. It is interesting to me that there isn't flying stab in this set, but I think it may just be the lack of flying stab that Landorus can learn. Swords dance is to setup, Earthquake is by far in my opinion the best physical ground type move, stone Edge is coverage and Stealth rock is a hazard. To prove my earthquake point, MORE CALCS!!! Toxapex is our premier target. (I'm not using clefable as a tank because it can also be used in different ways, where toxapex is just a wall). Without a swords dance: 252 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Toxapex: 188-224 (61.8 - 73.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO. With Swords Dance: +2 252 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Toxapex: 378-446 (124.3 - 146.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO.

Cinderace @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Libero
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Bulk Up
- Pyro Ball
- Zen Headbutt
- Sucker Punch

I like more offensive sets, so yeaah. Bulk up is to raise attack and defense, pyro ball is stab, Zen Headbutt is coverage and Sucker punch is priority. Zen Headbutt can help deal with toxapex. 252+ Atk Libero Cinderace Zen Headbutt vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Toxapex: 144-170 (47.3 - 55.9%) -- 78.5% chance to 2HKO. Without a Bulk up? Not that good. With one? Much better. +1 252+ Atk Libero Cinderace Zen Headbutt vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Toxapex: 212-252 (69.7 - 82.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO. So yeah

Urshifu @ Black Glasses
Ability: Unseen Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Bulk Up
- Wicked Blow
- Close Combat
- Sucker Punch

THIS is my kind of set. Spam one move and kill everything. Nice. Bulk up to help murder everything in sight, Wicked blow to crit the crap out of everything, Close combat for a powerful fighting stab move and Sucker punch for priority. For perspective, let's test against toxapex. 252 Atk Black Glasses Urshifu Wicked Blow vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Toxapex on a critical hit: 127-150 (41.7 - 49.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO. Not that good. With a Bulk up though, +1 252 Atk Black Glasses Urshifu Wicked Blow vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Toxapex on a critical hit: 187-222 (61.5 - 73%) -- guaranteed 2HKO.

These are all of mine, I hope they're good and they help people who read this thread.

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Ahhhh spectrier. With its ability Grim Neigh, massive Special Attack, and a nearly-unresisted STAB move, once you let it set up Substitute and Nasty Plot, that's pretty much gee gee
Yeah I love spectrier. My personal favorite is Urshifu because it's so skillless lmao
You might have to edit that sooner or later, since Urshifu-Single Strike is getting suspect tested in OU
Oh. oof
Yeah I'll change it if its tier changes.
2 votes

Kyogre had some good ones but I want to add two because I see them a lot

Urshifu @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Unseen Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Wicked Blow (powerful stab with crit)
- Close Combat (powerful stab again)
- Iron Head (fairy coverage, very important)
- U-Turn (pivot)
Outspeed and koes.

Volcarona @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Bug Buzz (strong stab)
- Quiver Dance (setup)
- Fiery Dance (stab plus high sp atk raise chance)
- Psychic(coverage and kills toxapex which would otherwise wall this set)
After a few quiver dances it can sweep almost everything, and it's fast enough that it can outspeed a good amount of scarf users at +1 speed.

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Wait was U-Turn supposed to be on Urshifu? Because Volcarona has 5 moves
Oh yea it was must have glitched
Personally I say giga drain over psychic on volcarona as it covers weakness and recovery although it means all volcarona moves are resisted by fire
2 votes

Another 2 good Sweeper will be Hawlucha and Toxtricity
Hawlucha's ability was Unburden, which helps it sweep with it's good attack and 110 Pow Acrobatics without item.
A good set will be:

Hawlucha @ Grassy Seed
Ability: Unburden
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Acrobatics
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- Throat Chop

This set will be paired with a Grassy Surge Rillaboom, and active it's Grassy Seed than sweep.
Acrobatics and Close Combat was stab with one 110 and another one 120. Sword dance for a nice boost on attack and make it sweep more well and because of grassy seed, the defense boost make it hold some hit from the other psychical Pokemon.

Toxtricity was another successful sweeper due to it's great SpA and Punk Rock ability make it to access do a super high power Boomburst and Overdrive.
A good set will be:

Toxtricity @ Throat Spray
Ability: Punk Rock
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Overdrive
- Boomburst
- Sludge Wave
- Volt Switch

Throat Spray will makes it's SpA grow by one stage which was so nice, and boomburst, overdrive and Sludge wave are all was it's main stabseems they all has high power.

Hope it helps!

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1 vote

Special Sweepers

There's no doubt Hydreigon isn't a great sweeper. It's got a wide special movepool and 125 base Special Attack. And it has an immunity to the ever-present Earthquake with Levitate. If you want Life Orb on the below set, I recommend replacing Surf with Nasty Plot.

Hydreigon @ Choice Specs / Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid nature
- Draco Meteor / Dragon Pulse
- Flash Cannon
- Dark Pulse
- Surf / Nasty Plot / Flamethrower

Another viable option is Alakazam. It's astounding Speed and Special Attack make it a really fun Pokémon to use. It has a great ability in Magic Guard, which allows it to run Life Orb with no drawbacks, take no damage from entry hazards, and be immune to Toxic or Burn damage. It is, however, very frail.

Alakazam @ Life Orb
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Psychic / Psyshock
- Shadow Ball
- Dazzling Gleam / Energy Ball

Physical Sweepers

Zeraora is another popular option. It has a fantastic signature move in Plasma Fists, and some other solid coverage options. It's lightning fast (get it?) And can hit for good damage.

Zeraora @ Choice Band / Life Orb
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Plasma Fists
- Play Rough
- Outrage
- Close Combat / Knock Off

And lastly, there's Rillaboom. Rillaboom has seen a lot of usage since it's HA was introduced. It doesn't have a bad movepool either; but it's pretty weak on the Special side. I recommend switching Knock Off with Swords Dance if you use a Life Orb.

Rillaboom @ Choice Band / Life Orb
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Drain Punch
- High Horsepower
- Grassy Glide
- Knock Off / Swords Dance

Hope I helped!

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1 vote

One of the best sweepers is Dragapult.
It can run physical or special. I’ll put a set for both
Special:
Dragapult@Choice Specs
Dragapult
Ability:Infilitrator
Nature:Modest
EVs:252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 HP
•Draco Meteor
•Shadow Ball
•Thunderbolt
•Flamethrower
Physical:
Dragapult@Choice Band/Life Orb
Dragapult
Ability:Infilitrator
Nature:Adamant
EVs:252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 HP
•Dragon Darts
•Phantom Force
•U-Turn
•Psychic Fangs

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dracovish is banned from ou
Oh right
Special dragapult personally I don't think is a sweeper. I mean, it has to switch out every time it uses Draco meteor, so it can't stay in and destroy
1 vote

Special Sweepers:

Dragapult @ Choice Specs
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- U-turn
- Shadow Ball
- Fire Blast

Choice Specs are for boosted power. Infiltrator is to ignore screens and subs. Timid is for a Speed boost since Specs already boost its Special Attack. Draco Meteor is STAB. U-Turn is pivoting. Shadow Ball is STAB. Fire Blast nails Ferrothorn and Scizor.

Gengar @ Focus Sash
Ability: Cursed Body
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Sludge Wave
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast

A Focus Sash allows you to get a Nasty Plot off. Timid is for extra Speed since Nasty Plot boosts its Special Attack. Nasty Plot is to hit harder. Sludge Wave is STAB, and so is Shadow Ball. Focus Blast + Shadow Ball provides great neutral coverage.

Rain Sweeper:

Kingdra @ Choice Specs
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Surf
- Hurricane
- Flip Turn

Choice Specs and Modest are for boosted power, since Swift Swim in the rain makes it pretty fasr. Draco Meteor is STAB, as well as Surf. Hurricane has 100% accuracy in the rain. Flip Turn is STAB used for pivoting.

Physical Sweepers:

Rillaboom @ Grassy Seed
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Acrobatics
- Grassy Glide
- U-turn

Grassy Seed boosts its Defense the first time it switches in due to Grassy Surge. Jolly increases its Speed, since it has Swords Dance for its Attack anyway. Swords Dance is for, as stated, boosting Attack. Acrobatics has double its power after the Grassy Seed is consumed. Grassy Glide is STAB with priority in Grassy Terrain. U-turn is for pivoting.

Azumarill @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Belly Drum
- Aqua Jet
- Knock Off
- Play Rough

My favorite on this list, for sure. Azumarill is, in my opinion (but probably not to others), the best sweeper. Sitrus Berry is for healing Belly Drum recoil. Huge Power doubles its Attack. Adamant boosts its Attack, since you'll mostly be spamming Aqua Jet anyway. Belly Drum maxes out its Attack, which works great with Huge Power. Aqua Jet is priority STAB. Knock Off removes items. Play Rough is Fairy STAB.

Excadrill @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Rock Slide
- Iron Head

Basic Mold Breaker Excadrill set. Choice Scarf is for boosted Speed. Mold Breaker allows it to spam E-quake and hit Rotom-H. Earthquake is STAB. Rapid Spin removes hazards and boosts its Speed even more. Rock Slide is for coverage. Iron Head is STAB.

Hope this helps! :)

Note: I didn't list EVERY sweeper that's viable in Gen 8 OU, just the ones that I think work the best.

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I didn't really think this thread should have a best answer, so I may take off the BA sorry.
1 vote

Some Recommendations
Volcarona
With Boots Introduced Volcarona is much scarier than ever before in the meta, no rocks to harm it like previous gens and great speed, special defense and special attack, it's got a variaty of fire attacks wether they be the all mighty Fire Blast or the even better Firey Dance with a 50% chance to boost that wild Sp.Atk even more and the all mighty Bug Buzz for STAB, Giga Drain to deal with rocks and waters, and quiver dance for setup.
I recommend
Volcarona @ Heavy Duty Boots
4 Hp
252 Sp.Atk
252 Speed
Timid Nature

Fiery Dance
Bug Buzz
Giga Drain
Quiver Dance

Barraskewda
While its paper frail its insanely fast with 308 speed(aka 136 base speed) and 282 atk(123 Base Speed) pre boosting, sashes can counter its non-existent bulk and it gets great physical moves like Flip Turn,Liquidation,Aqua Jet,Waterfall,Ice Fang, Drill Run, Crunch, Close Combat ect.
I recommend
Barraskewda @ Focus Sash
4 sp.def
252 atk
252 speed
Adamant Nature

Liquidation
Ice Fang
Drill Run
Flip Turn
Regileki
It's insanely fast and has a great ability, it doesn't get great coverage but we can work ith it, this isn't long bt, its simple like Regileki
Regileki @ Choice Scarf (You'll See)
4 hp
252 sp.atk
252 speed
Modest Nature

Electro Ball(Usually does 80 damage) or Thunderbolt
Thunder Cage(Trapping is fun, especially if its something you counter.)
Volt Switch(Pivot)
Ancient Power(Only Real Coverage)

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