Generation 9 NU — Singles Format Reference
Gen 9 NU (Never Used) is the fourth tier of the Smogon usage hierarchy. The smallest active Singles tier on Smogon — but specialisation rewards diverse team-building, and tier shifts keep the format moving.
Cartridge
Scarlet & Violet
Type
6v6 Singles
Position
Below RU, above PU
Defining list
NUBL
NU is where role specialisation reaches its peak. The smaller pool means each Pokémon's 1-2 best sets are well-known and well-prepared-for. Building outside expectation is harder; executing within it is more rewarding.
At a glance
NU is the smallest of the actively-played Smogon Singles tiers (PU sits below but with smaller community engagement). The format rewards niche specialisation — Pokémon that found a single competitive role rather than versatile generalists.
Tier shifts continuously rotate Pokémon between RU, NU, and PU. Each cycle reshapes which Pokémon are dominant and which are niche; the format stays dynamic despite the smaller roster.
- Format type6v6 Singles, all six brought to battle
- PositionTier 4 — below RU, above PU
- MechanicsTera legal; same Smogon Singles clause set
- BanlistOU + UU + UUBL + RU + RUBL bans + NUBL Pokémon
- Where it's playedPokémon Showdown ladder + Smogon NU tournaments. Live tier page: /sv/nu.
Format rules
NU applies the standard Smogon Singles clauses. The format inherits the cumulative banlists from OU, UU, UUBL, RU, RUBL, then adds NUBL 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. |
| NU + NUBL banlist | All OU + UU + UUBL + RU + RUBL bans + tier-specific NUBL bans. |
NUBL & the tier system
NUBL handles too-strong-for-NU Pokémon. Tier shifts cycle Pokémon between RU and NU based on usage; NUBL members eventually return to RU or stay until the format adapts.
How NUBL works
- NUBL bans Pokémon that are too strong for NU but not used enough in RU.
- Tier shifts cycle every few months. NUBL members one cycle may be RU staples the next.
- Common NUBL residents in Gen 9 have included Specs special attackers and bulky setup wincons that the format determined too centralising.
Defining NU Pokémon
NU staples vary per cycle but typically include Polteageist, Mismagius, niche Ghost-type setup wincons, Sylveon-equivalent special pivots, and rotating drops from RU. Smogon's tier page lists current top usage.
Archetypes
NU archetypes lean toward niche specialisation. Setup sweepers and priority cleaners dominate; pure stall is rarely viable due to the smaller defensive roster.
Aggressive
Hyper Offense
Six offensive Pokémon. NU HO leans heavily on priority and Choice items. Suicide-lead hazard support + Choice Specs / Band wallbreakers + setup sweeper + priority cleaner.
Setup
Polteageist Setup
PolteageistShell Smash + Stored Power + Tera type + offensive support. The format's archetypal NU setup wincon.
Balance
Bulky Offense
3-4 offensive Pokémon plus 2-3 defensive pivots. NU defensive cores are tight: a Steel-type wall, a Water-type pivot, a special wall.
Setup
Calm Mind / Iron Defense Wincons
Calm Mind + Stored Power on Mismagius-equivalents, Iron Defense + Body Press on Steel-types. Slow setup wins games when revenge-killing is unreliable.
Specialty
Sticky Web
Sticky Web teams gain extra value in NU due to the smaller pool of Web-resistant Pokémon. Lead with Sticky Web setter, sweep with Choice Scarf-equivalent threats.
Specialty
Trick Room
Slow attackers + Trick Room setter. NU TR works around niche Trick Room setters and high-Atk slow Pokémon.
Team roles in NU
The seven structural roles apply to NU. Compression matters more than in any higher tier — a Pokémon filling 3+ roles is a near-mandatory inclusion.
NU hazard setters: niche Steel-types, Sticky Web specialists. Tight pool — usually one specialised setter slot.
NU removers depend heavily on tier shifts. Dedicated spinner / Defogger choice often shapes the team.
NU speed control leans on priority + Sticky Web. Choice Scarf less reliable due to smaller usable speed-tier pool.
NU absorbers are rare. Most teams rely on switching to manage status.
NU pivots: niche U-turn users, Volt Switch from Electric-type drops.
NU breakers: Specs special attackers, niche Banded physical attackers.
NU wincons: Polteageist Shell Smash + Stored Power, Calm Mind + Stored Power Ghost-types, Iron Defense + Body Press niche.
What makes NU different
NU is the most niche-specialised Smogon Singles tier with active tournament play. The smaller roster produces tight matchups and rewards Pokémon-specific knowledge.
↓↓
Roster size
Smaller than RU; bigger than PU
↑↑
Specialisation
Niche roles dominate
↑
Tier-shift volatility
Highest-rotation tier
- Niche specialisation — Pokémon are usable in their 1-2 best sets, not as versatile generalists. Knowing each Pokémon's niche is critical.
- Setup-spam viability — Polteageist Shell Smash + Stored Power, Calm Mind + Stored Power, Iron Defense + Body Press all close games more reliably than in higher tiers.
- Sticky Web more central — fewer Sticky Web-resistant Pokémon means Web teams gain extra value.
- Smallest active community — NU is played but the community is smaller than RU. Tournaments are dedicated; ladder activity steady but lower.
- Highest tier-shift rate — drops from RU and rises to RU happen frequently. NU's membership shifts more than any higher tier.
How to get started
NU rewards Pokémon-specific specialisation. Master one or two NU Pokémon's sets deeply rather than trying to learn the whole roster shallow.
- Read Smogon's NU tier page — banlist, NUBL list, current usage canonical.
- Pick a setup wincon — Polteageist Shell Smash is the format's most-played wincon. Build a team around enabling it.
- Add Sticky Web support — most NU offensive teams benefit from Sticky Web. The hazard cuts speed tiers significantly.
- Copy a sample team — Smogon's NU samples rotate frequently. Check the latest cycle for current viable options.
- Ladder Pokémon Showdown — NU ladder is active. NU Open and similar tournaments run regularly.
Where to go from here
The above is the static reference for Gen 9 NU. Live tier data lives in the rest of Pokékipe.
- Live tier data — /sv/nu for NU usage and Pokémon stats.
- Mechanics — Gen 9 — Scarlet & Violet covers Tera and the underlying engine.
- Adjacent tiers — Gen 9 RU (the tier above), Gen 9 PU (below — pages forthcoming).
- Tier shifts — Timeline tracks NU drops, rises, and NUBL changes.