Smogon Tiering Explained

01At a glance

Smogon's tier system organizes Pokémon by usage. The most-used Pokémon are in OU (OverUsed). Pokémon used less in OU but enough in their own meta drop to UU. The pattern continues: UU → RU → NU → PU. Above OU sits Ubers (banned-from-OU). Specialty tiers sit alongside.

02Why tiering exists

Without tiering, every match would feature the same 6 Pokémon — the strongest in the gen. Tiering exists so that lower-usage Pokémon have viable competitive niches. It distributes the strategy across hundreds of Pokémon instead of dozens.

The diversity problem

In an unrestricted competitive format, the strongest Pokémon dominate. Players pick the optimal 6, every team looks similar, and matches reduce to mirror matchups. Tiering fixes this by partitioning Pokémon based on actual usage — letting different Pokémon shine in different metas.

The skill diversity benefit

• OU rewards meta knowledge: 30-50 relevant Pokémon, deep optimization, fast-paced.
• UU rewards adaptability: smaller meta, tighter community, more reactive metagame.
• RU rewards creativity: even smaller meta, unique strategies, off-meta picks viable.
• NU/PU reward depth in narrow space: Pokémon that would never see OU play become tier defining.
• LC rewards spread mathematics: level 5 Pokémon means EV math is granular and impactful.

03The reusability ladder

The Singles ladder works as a cascade: a Pokémon is in tier X if it's used enough at tier X. If usage drops below the threshold, it cascades to the next-lower tier. Higher tiers can't use lower-tier Pokémon (mostly).

The cascade rules

1. OU is the default tier: any Pokémon can be played in OU unless banned (in Ubers/AG).
2. UU = Pokémon NOT in OU's top usage list: if a Pokémon is used <4.52% in OU, it drops to UU.
3. RU = Pokémon NOT in UU's top usage list: same logic, applied at UU level.
4. NU = Pokémon NOT in RU's top usage list: same logic.
5. PU = Pokémon NOT in NU's top usage list: same logic; final cascade.

What "tier-eligible" means in practice

When you play UU, you can use any Pokémon eligible for UU (= not in OU + not banned in UU). When you play RU, you can use any Pokémon eligible for RU (= not in OU + not in UU + not banned in RU). The lower the tier, the smaller the available Pokémon roster.

04Usage cutoffs — the 4.52% rule

The 4.52% threshold is famous in Smogon circles. It comes from a statistical formula, not an arbitrary number. A Pokémon used in 4.52%+ of OU teams stays in OU; below that, it drops to UU.

The mathematical rationale

The 4.52% number is derived from: 1/22. The reasoning: an "average" team has 6 Pokémon picked from 132 viable candidates (rough estimate of OU-viable Pokémon). 6/132 = 4.55%, rounded to 4.52% in Smogon's historical convention.

A Pokémon used in less than 4.52% of teams is being used "less than average," suggesting it's not a defining presence in the meta. It drops to UU, where it can be a defining presence in a smaller meta.

Why thresholds matter

• Stable tiers: a clear cutoff means tier shifts are predictable. Every quarter, the tiering committee reviews which Pokémon crossed the threshold.
• Healthy ecosystems: each tier maintains 30-60 viable Pokémon, ensuring matches feel competitive without being overwhelming.
• Creative play: a Pokémon at 4-5% usage is on the bubble. Players using it now might lose access if it drops; players in UU might gain it.

05Ubers + Anything Goes — the broken-stuff tiers

Ubers is the tier above OU. It contains Pokémon banned from OU for being too strong: legendaries, mythicals, and a few standard Pokémon that proved too dominant. Anything Goes (AG) is one step further — no bans at all.

What's in Ubers (Gen 9)

• Banned legendaries: Calyrex-Shadow, Calyrex-Ice, Mewtwo, Eternatus, Zacian-Crowned, Zamazenta-Crowned, Miraidon, Koraidon, Necrozma-Dusk-Mane, Necrozma-Dawn-Wings.
• Mythicals: Hoopa-Unbound, Magearna, Marshadow.
• Standard Pokémon banned to Ubers: Ursaluna-Bloodmoon (Reg M-A meta), Annihilape (movepool concerns), Volcarona (Quiver Dance setup too dominant), and others.
• Move bans: Last Respects, Shed Tail, Baton Pass.

What Anything Goes is

• No bans: every Pokémon, every move, every item legal.
• Used for testing: AG is where Smogon tests "what would this format look like with X allowed?"
• Niche format: low player count. Not a priority Smogon ladder.
• Mega Rayquaza was banned to AG: the only Pokémon in Smogon history banned to AG, due to Delta Stream + 180/180 mixed offense + Dragon Ascent.

For the Gen 9 Ubers format details, see Gen 9 Ubers format guide.

06Little Cup — the Eviolite tier

Little Cup (LC) is a specialty tier: only Pokémon that haven't evolved (NFE) at level 5. The lowest level + the Eviolite item (× 1.5 Defense and Sp.Defense for NFE Pokémon) creates a unique meta where Pokémon you'd ignore in normal play become competitive.

LC rules

• Level 5: every Pokémon is at level 5. Stats scale to the lowest level — no level 100 numbers here.
• NFE only: only un-evolved Pokémon (Magnemite, Onix, Bagon, Scyther, etc.). Once a Pokémon evolves, it's no longer LC-eligible.
• Eviolite is mandatory: the held item that grants +50% Def + +50% Sp.Def to NFE Pokémon. Universal — every LC Pokémon runs Eviolite.
• Movepool restrictions: NFE Pokémon usually have a smaller movepool than their evolutions, but at level 5 the math works differently.

Why LC is unique

• Math is granular: at level 5, a single stat point can swing matchups. Spread tuning is the dominant skill.
• Different Pokémon: Pokémon like Onix, Mienfoo, Carvanha, Pawniard are LC tier-defining — their evolved forms are usually OU/UU.
• Speed ties matter: at level 5, speed differences are small. Speed ties decide many matchups.
• Eviolite economy: every Pokémon needs Eviolite, so item slot is mostly "decided." Other items are niche.

For the Gen 9 LC format details, see Gen 9 LC format guide.

07Doubles OU — the Smogon Doubles ecosystem

Doubles OU (DOU) is Smogon's Doubles format — different from official VGC. Two key differences: brings all 6 Pokémon (no 4-of-6 cut), and uses Smogon's community-decided banlist instead of TPC's official one.

DOU vs VGC

• Pokémon brought: DOU = all 6 (4 active turn 1 + 2 reserve). VGC = bring 4 of 6 to battle.
• Level: DOU = level 100. VGC = level 50.
• Banlist: DOU = community-decided. VGC = official TPC list.
• Restricted Pokémon: DOU = can use legendaries Smogon hasn't banned. VGC = restricted list per regulation (Reg M-A, Reg I).

For the Gen 9 Doubles OU format details, see Gen 9 Doubles OU format guide.

08Suspect tests — the democratic ban process

Smogon's tier banlists aren't decided by a small committee. They're decided by community vote via the suspect test process. A Pokémon perceived as overpowered in its tier triggers a suspect; the community votes on whether to ban it.

The suspect process

1. Tiering Council nominates a Pokémon: based on community feedback, usage data, and player consensus.
2. Suspect ladder is created: a special ladder where the Pokémon's tier is opened for testing. Players use the Pokémon (or play against it) to evaluate.
3. Voting eligibility: players need a high ELO on the suspect ladder to qualify to vote (typically 2000+ ELO with N games).
4. Voting period (1-2 weeks): eligible voters cast their ballot — "Ban" or "No Ban."
5. 2/3 majority required: typically 60-67% of voters must vote "Ban" for the Pokémon to be removed from the tier.
6. Result published: ban or no-ban announced. If banned, the Pokémon drops to the next-higher tier.

Why suspect tests work

• Democratic legitimacy: the community decides what's broken, not a small group.
• Skill-based filtering: only high-ELO players vote, ensuring votes come from people who know the meta.
• Reactivity: bad bans get re-tested in subsequent suspect cycles.
• Long-term stability: most bans are stable for months/years. Avoids rapid flip-flopping.

Recent Gen 9 suspect tests

• Volcarona (Quiver Dance): banned from OU after suspect test in 2025 due to setup dominance.
• Tera (mechanic): deliberated for over a year. Eventually retained as legal in OU but with specific Pokémon banned (Ogerpon-Wellspring, Terapagos).
• Annihilape: banned for movepool versatility + setup options.
• Last Respects: banned at the move level. Houndstone with Last Respects + Tera Ghost was uncounterable late game.

09Tier shifts — how Pokémon move up and down

Tiers are dynamic. Each quarter, the Tiering Council reviews usage data and applies tier shifts. A Pokémon dominant in UU might rise to OU; a Pokémon used less might drop down.

Tier shift cadence

• Quarterly: officially every 3 months, though the cadence is sometimes adjusted around major meta events.
• Statistical trigger: if a Pokémon's usage in tier X drops below the threshold for 2-3 consecutive months, it drops.
• Council oversight: human judgment can override the statistical trigger when context warrants (e.g. ban-affected Pokémon may freeze tier-shifting until the meta stabilizes).

Examples of tier shifts (Gen 9)

10Picking a tier to play

Each tier has a different feel, different community size, and different ladder pace. Pick based on what you want from competitive Pokémon.

Recommended starter tiers

• Want maximum activity + resources? → OU. Largest community, most guides, easiest to find opponents.
• Want creative space? → UU or RU. Smaller meta, more room for personal builds.
• Want spread-math depth? → LC. Eviolite + level 5 = math-driven.
• Want Smogon Doubles? → Doubles OU. Different from VGC but more accessible if you don't want to buy a Switch.

11Common misconceptions

• "OU has the strongest Pokémon" — wrong. Ubers has the strongest. OU has the most-used. Different concepts.
• "Lower tiers have weaker players" — wrong. Players in UU, RU, NU, PU are often as skilled as OU players, just specialized differently. Tier choice is preference.
• "Tier list ranks Pokémon by strength" — partially right. Smogon's tier system measures usage (which correlates with strength but isn't identical). A Pokémon with a great matchup against the meta might be in OU; a stat-stronger Pokémon with a worse matchup spread might be in UU.
• "You can use any Pokémon in any tier" — wrong. Tier-specific banlists apply. A UU-eligible Pokémon can't be used in NU unless it's also NU-eligible. Lower tiers have access to fewer Pokémon.
• "Suspect tests are gimmick votes" — wrong. They require high-ELO ladder games to qualify, ensuring votes come from informed players. Process is rigorous.
• "Tier shifts happen every month" — wrong. Officially quarterly. Sometimes faster after major bans, but not monthly.
• "Doubles OU is just VGC" — wrong. Different rule sets (level 100 vs 50, all-6 vs 4-of-6, community vs official banlist). Different metas.

12Where to go from here

Tiering knowledge applies to every Smogon format. Pick a tier, read its dedicated guide, and start laddering.

Smogon Singles tier guides

• Gen 9 OU — most popular Smogon Singles tier.
• Gen 9 Ubers — restricted-legal tier above OU.
• Gen 9 UU — tier below OU.
• Gen 9 RU — below UU.
• Gen 9 NU — below RU.
• Gen 9 PU — below NU.
• Gen 9 LC — Little Cup, level 5 NFE Pokémon.
• Gen 9 Doubles OU — Smogon Doubles format.

Other onboarding

• Start playing competitive — Start Playing Competitive in 2026 for the broader onboarding workflow.
• Build a team — Build a Team from Scratch for the 7-step workflow.
• Reading the meta — Reading the Meta for tier-specific meta analysis.

Live tools

• Gen 9 OU live data, Gen 9 UU live data, and other tier overview pages.
• Team Builder with tier-format selection.
• Damage Calculator.
• Competitive Glossary for any term you encounter.