Ubers
Calyrex-Shadow, Zacian-Crowned, Miraidon, Koraidon, Mewtwo, Chi-Yu (uber-allowed)
OU (Overused)
Garchomp, Kingambit, Iron Valiant, Gholdengo, Dragapult, Tinkaton, Roaring Moon, Heatran, Iron Hands, Great Tusk, Ting-Lu, Iron Bundle, Flutter Mane (banned), Rotom-W, Slowking-G
UU (Underused)
Goodra-Hisuian, Mimikyu, Iron Crown, Skarmory, Hippowdon, Sandy Shocks, Iron Moth, Slowbro
RU (RarelyUsed)
Florges, Talonflame, Diancie, Krookodile, Pelipper
NU (NeverUsed)
Vivillon, Sandaconda, Mismagius, Sneasler
PU
Lower-usage Pokémon. Niche but viable in tier-specific play.
How Smogon tiers are decided
Tiers are based on usage statistics. A Pokémon used in 4.52%+ of OU games stays in OU; if it falls below, it drops to UU. A Pokémon in UU that exceeds 4.52% usage rises to OU. Bans happen when the council decides a Pokémon is unhealthy for the tier (recent OU bans: Annihilape for Rage Fist abuse, Houndstone for Last Respects, Cyclizar for Shed Tail).
Tier transitions (recent Gen 9)
- Banned to Ubers: Annihilape, Houndstone, Cyclizar, Espathra, Flutter Mane (and back to OU briefly, then re-banned).
- Rose to OU: Slowking-Galar, Iron Treads, Sinistcha, Iron Crown (DLC additions).
- Dropped to UU: Goodra-Hisuian, Mimikyu, Skarmory (Defog usage dropped due to Magic Bounce mons).
Other format options
- Monotype — every Pokémon on your team shares a type.
- Doubles OU (DOU) — Smogon's take on doubles, distinct from VGC.
- Anything Goes (AG) — only bans on hacks. The few Pokémon banned from Ubers go here.
- Little Cup (LC) — only level 5, unevolved Pokémon.