The blizzard beast itself. With paralysis, rapid Energy movement, and heavy EX punishment, Articuno is threatening right when it’s played.
Strategy Points:
- “Freezing Screech” grants a 50% chance to cause Paralysis from the bench. One turn where your opponent cannot attack can make or break entire games.
- Using Super Scoop Up, Seeker, and/or Lumineon – Level X for rapid hand scoop up plays to recycle this Poke-Power can completely undermine your opponent’s gameplans.
- Will, Mega Pidgeot, and Maractus with “Exciting Shake” will guarantee you Paralysis when using this Poke-Power.
- “Legendary Ascent” provides a burst of Energy movement to Articuno, allowing for “Blizzard” to be used right when it’s played.
- For regular Articuno: Kyogre, Manaphy, and Floatzel are all great energy accelerating options. For Galarian Articuno: Meloetta, Swoobat, and Musharna are strong combo partners.
- Eiscue’s “Block Slider” is an amazing zero Energy attack that can hit for high damage after Articuno moves Energy to itself with this Poke-Power.
- Wyrdeer provides great momentum and staying power after you use this Poke-Power. The added bonus of Galarian Articuno granting you a draw two effect from “Hurried Gate” can add even more momentum.
- “Blizzard” / “Freezing Glare” is a brutal attack when it comes to EX punishment. But already does great damage by default, especially when paired with the speed of “Legendary Ascent.”
- Telescopic Sight will create a 40 spread damage scenario. While Cursed Stone and Shrine of Punishment will quickly dial up the spread damage potential as constant Stadiums.
- Regular Articuno pairs well with Blastoise and all of its options aiding in Energy acceleration, big damage and spread damage plays. Mega Blastoise can easily clean up games that were set up by “Blizzard” plays.
- Galarian Articuno pairs well with Dusknoir and all of its options for mass damage spread and overall longevity. Dusknoir – Level X dials up the spread damage pressure while recycling itself as regular Dusknoir if it disappears. The energy that comes from regular Dusknoir can be further used for “Legendary Ascent” if you recycle Articuno with Rescue Stretcher or Super Rod.
- Articuno – Level X:
- “Calming Aurora” provides a net buff to offense, defense, and mobility for all of your Water and Psychic Pokemon. One Switch or Warp Point can have Articuno – Level X do this from the bench for potentially the rest of the game.
- “Legendary Pressure” technically does 40 damage for one Energy, thanks to “Calming Aurora.” The increased attack cost can lock down your opponent’s attackers, all while halting effects like Special Condition attacks done to it.
- Auroras, Glaceon, Espeon, and Reuniclus are all great bench supporting Pokemon that appreciate “Calming Aurora” and the easy offensive pressure of this attack.