Generation 9 PU — Singles Format Reference
Gen 9 PU is the bottom of the Smogon usage tier hierarchy. Tier shifts continuously rotate Pokémon between NU and PU; the format rewards niche team-building and Pokémon-specific knowledge that higher tiers never engage with.
Cartridge
Scarlet & Violet
Type
6v6 Singles
Position
Below NU; bottom of usage hierarchy
Defining list
PUBL
Pokémon you have never thought about become tier-defining wincons in PU. Building well here means knowing the format's entire roster — every PU Pokémon has its 1-2 best sets, and every team has prepared for them.
At a glance
PU is the smallest tournament-played Smogon Singles tier. Below PU sits ZU (Zero Used) — used as a development sandbox for niche metagames; PU itself has dedicated tournament play and an active ladder.
Tier shifts cycle continuously. Pokémon drop from NU when usage falls; PUBL handles too-strong-for-PU Pokémon. The format's defining feature is its deep specialisation — every PU Pokémon serves a specific competitive role.
- Format type6v6 Singles, all six brought to battle
- PositionTier 5 — below NU. Bottom of the actively-played hierarchy.
- MechanicsTera legal; same Smogon Singles clause set
- BanlistAll higher-tier bans (OU + UU + UUBL + RU + RUBL + NU + NUBL) + PUBL
- Where it's playedPokémon Showdown ladder + Smogon PU tournaments. Live tier page: /sv/pu.
Format rules
PU applies the standard Smogon Singles clauses. The format inherits the cumulative banlists from every higher tier, then adds PUBL on top.
| Clause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Sleep Clause | Only one opposing Pokémon may be put to sleep at a time. |
| Species Clause | Each team can only carry one of any given species. |
| Evasion Clause | Evasion-boosting moves and abilities are banned. |
| OHKO Clause | Sheer Cold, Fissure, Horn Drill, Guillotine are banned. |
| Endless Battle Clause | Battle states that cannot end are forbidden. |
| Moody Clause | Moody is banned outright. |
| Baton Pass Clause | Speed-passing combined with stat-passing is forbidden. |
| PU + PUBL banlist | All higher-tier bans + tier-specific PUBL bans. |
PUBL & the tier system
PUBL handles too-strong-for-PU Pokémon. Tier shifts cycle Pokémon between NU and PU; PUBL members eventually return to NU or stay in placement until usage adjusts.
How PUBL works
- PUBL bans Pokémon that are too strong for PU but not used enough in NU. The PUBL designation is a placement, not a permanent ban.
- Tier shifts cycle every few months. PUBL members one cycle may be NU staples the next.
- The PU Open and similar tournaments document the format's competitive history; tier-shift decisions are documented on Smogon's tier page.
Defining PU Pokémon
PU staples vary per cycle and rotate frequently. Common patterns include niche Steel-types, Rock-types, Ghost-type setup wincons, and Pokémon dropped from NU. The current top usage lives on Smogon's tier page.
Archetypes
PU archetypes lean toward role-compressed builds. The smaller defensive roster makes pure stall harder; setup spam and HO are the most-played offensive shapes.
Aggressive
Hyper Offense
Six offensive Pokémon. PU HO leans on priority + Sticky Web. Suicide-lead hazards + Choice item wallbreakers + setup sweeper + priority cleaner.
Setup
Calm Mind / Stored Power Wincons
Calm Mind + Stored Power on Ghost/Psychic-types is the format's most reliable wincon. Low offensive pressure means setup wincons close more games than in higher tiers.
Balance
Bulky Offense
3-4 offensive Pokémon plus 2-3 defensive pivots. PU defensive cores: niche Steel-type wall + Water-type pivot + special wall.
Specialty
Sticky Web
Sticky Web teams gain extra value in PU. The smaller pool of Web-resistant Pokémon means hazard pressure compounds across switch-ins.
Specialty
Trick Room
Slow attackers + Trick Room setter. Niche but viable in PU when matched against teams without faster cleaners.
Priority
Priority offense
Priority moves cover PU's gaps in revenge-killing. Most teams carry at least one priority user.
Team roles in PU
The seven structural roles apply to PU. Role compression dominates — a Pokémon filling 3+ roles is essentially mandatory due to the smaller available pool.
PU hazard setters depend on tier shifts. Steel / Rock-type defensive setters most common.
PU removers: niche Defog Flying-types, Rapid Spin specialists. Hazard control slot is critical due to lower offensive ceiling.
PU speed control leans on Sticky Web + priority. Choice Scarf revenge-killers viable but tighter pool.
PU absorbers are rare. Most teams cycle status via switching.
PU pivots: niche U-turn users, Volt Switch from Electric-type drops.
PU breakers: Specs niche special attackers, Choice Band physical attackers from NU drops.
PU wincons: Calm Mind + Stored Power Ghost / Psychic-types, Iron Defense + Body Press niche, Belly Drum + Extreme Speed when applicable.
What makes PU different
PU is the smallest tournament-played Smogon Singles tier. The format's skill ceiling lives in deep Pokémon-specific knowledge and cycle-to-cycle adaptation.
↓↓↓
Roster size
Smallest active tier
↑↑
Tier-shift volatility
Highest-rotation Singles tier
↑↑↑
Specialisation
Maximum role specialisation
- Smallest active tier — the tournament-played pool is smaller than NU. ZU sits below as a development sandbox but lacks dedicated tournament play.
- Maximum tier-shift volatility — drops from NU and rises to NU happen frequently. PU's membership shifts more than any higher tier.
- Niche specialisation — every Pokémon is usable in their 1-2 best sets. Versatile generalists are rare; PU rewards Pokémon with specific competitive identities.
- Setup wincons dominate — Calm Mind + Stored Power, Iron Defense + Body Press, Belly Drum + priority all close games more reliably in PU than higher tiers.
How to get started
PU rewards format-specific specialisation. Pick a wincon, learn its 2-3 most-played sets across recent cycles, build the team around enabling it.
- Read Smogon's PU tier page — banlist + PUBL list canonical. Current top usage rotates frequently.
- Pick a setup wincon — Calm Mind + Stored Power Ghost / Psychic-type is the format's most-played wincon shape.
- Add Sticky Web support — most PU offensive teams benefit from Sticky Web. The smaller pool of Web-resistant Pokémon makes the hazard particularly impactful.
- Copy a sample team — Smogon's PU samples rotate frequently. Check the latest cycle.
- Track tier shifts — PU cycles every few months. The tier page is essential reading.
Where to go from here
The above is the static reference for Gen 9 PU. Live tier data lives in the rest of Pokékipe.
- Live tier data — /sv/pu for PU usage and Pokémon stats.
- Mechanics — Gen 9 — Scarlet & Violet covers Tera and the underlying engine.
- Adjacent tiers — Gen 9 NU (the tier above), Gen 9 LC (specialty format).
- Tier shifts — Timeline tracks PU drops, rises, and PUBL changes.