Pokemon Focus: #245 - Suicune

Introduction

Suicune, the star of Pokemon Crystal. Crystal was the first game to bring about two notable additions to the Pokemon series. First, the ability to play as a girl. Second, the inclusion of the infamous Battle Tower, which has become a staple of the series ever since. But yeah... anyways, as it turns out, the remakes of HG/SS will incorporate many elements from Crystal. Alas, the female protagonist is gone (or otherwise re-designed), but Lyra is plenty good on her own. The Battle Tower has been expanded into the Battle Frontier of Platinum. But the most notable mixture of Crystal into the remakes is the inclusion of Eusine and the Suicune storyline. It's been mixed up a bit, but it's nice to know that our favorite water-beast is not one we have to chase around Johto...

Suicune is a defensive specialist. Her stats, as well as a typing that has few weaknesses, help her take numerous hits, while her ability makes sure that her enemies are punished for their futile attempts to weaken her. Meanwhile, with the help of Calm Mind, it can become an offensive powerhouse, too.

Capture/Training

While most of the Suicune storyline follows that of Crystal, it eventually diverges as Suicune actually cannot be caught before the trip to Kanto. Once there, it can be found on Route 25, after Misty returns to the gym. It will be at level 45 and is as tough as you'd expect a Legendary to be to capture, so be ready for it. Only the most patient should even attempt anything resembling soft-resets for a good nature.

Stats

100 HP, 75 Atk, 115 Def, 90 Sp. Atk, 115 Sp. Def, 85 Spd

With some of the best defensive stats on the non-Uber side of competitive battling, Suicune is almost guaranteed to be a pain to take down.

A standard defensive set will have stat distribution geared towards HP and Defense, since Calm Mind will kick up its Special Defense plenty. More offensive variations tend to focus on Special Attack and Speed instead. Usually, Attack-hindering Natures are preferable, since Suicune will usually be using special attacks; to that note, whether the boosted stat is Defense, Special Attack, or Speed depends on whether Suicune is playing a defensive or offensive role.

Abilities

Pressure is one of those abilities whose usefulness really depends on the Pokemon. It gets massive distribution, but there are many for whom the ability is kind of pointless, as the Pokemon in question dies quickly and doesn't get to sap a whole lot of power points in the process. On the other hand, there are defensive Pokemon who use the ability quite well, stalling out opponents until they run out of PP. Suicune is probably one of the single most effective users of Pressure out there, since its defensive stats are so high. With a ridiculous amount of staying power, Suicune can effectively nullify many threats simply by existing.

Moves

When it comes to a primary Water attack, you can't go wrong with Surf. At all. Hydro Pump is a possibility if you want more power, but the reliability of Surf is too good to pass up, and usually, Calm Mind will provide you with all the power you need.

Not all variations of Suicune will use a secondary attack (at least one tries to hit everything with Surf and lets teammates take care of type coverage issues), but for those seeking one, Ice Beam is definitely a good starting place. It doesn't really have much else: to wit, Extrasensory, Shadow Ball, Signal Beam, and of course, Hidden Power.

Mirror Coat is a nice move that can surprise Suicune's special attacking-opponents.

As the old saying went back in 3rd Gen, Calm Mind Suicune has no weak. Except now that the physical/special split occured and whatnot, now even a CM Suicune could potentially be hurt pretty badly by super-effective physical moves. Still, Calm Mind provides the core of Suicune's defensive and offensive capabilities, and is a staple of almost every set.

Suicune doesn't have anything in the way of reliable recovery, but it does make good use of Rest. Thanks to Pressure and good defenses, it can heal off damage and drain opponents' PP at the same time. Combined with Sleep Talk for a chance at actually launching an attack, it's a pretty formidable combination.

Before Suicune became the star of its own version, it was a roaming Pokemon, and learned Roar by level-up to screw over those who thought they could just Mean Look-trap it to keep it from running away. It can still learn the move by TM, and can use it to shuffle opponents around. It works best with entry hazards laying around.

Substitute is another move that works well with Suicune. Reflect can be used on a set as well to further help its physical defense.

Tailwind works best in Double Battles. Rain Dance can be a good team-supporting move. Suicune does have a couple other moves that Pokemon generally get, like Toxic and Protect that are usable but not optimal.

Moveset 1: "Crocune"
- Surf
- Calm Mind
- Rest
- Sleep Talk

One of those sets that has become infamous within the competitive battling scene, Crocune involves using Calm Mind to boost up Suicune's Special Defense, then Rest-stalling the opponent out, using Sleep Talk for a 1-in-3 chance of launching a super-powered Surf at the opponent. Despite relying on a single attack, it can be quite effective. Be sure to have something to take care of Water Absorbers, though.

General Moveset
- (primary Water attack)
- Calm Mind
- (secondary attack)/(support move)
- (secondary attack)/(support move)

Suicune's effective movepool is small but focused and effective. Calm Mind can be given up for Rest for a more standard Sleep Talk set.

Items

Leftovers is the way to go. It replenishes Suicune's HP over time and makes it that much harder to take down. A Life Orb can be used on a primarily-offensive Suicune. A Suicune providing Rain Dance support can use a Damp Rock.