Original Draft

[OVERVIEW]

Articuno's base stats allow it to serve as a great Special Defensive wall in the Rarely Used meta game allowing it to take hits from some threats in the tier as well as coming in late game and sweeping with agility. It also has the ability, Pressure, which actually helps a lot when crippling pokemon that use low PP moves such as Recover and Sucker Punch. It's movepool allows it to keep particular it to keep it's HP high and wear down opponents. Although it has a pretty obvious weakness to rocks and a typing that doesn't defensively too much, Articuno still has the perks to play a great role on the team

[SET]
name: SubToxic Wall
move 1: Freeze-dry
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Roost
item: Leftovers
ability: Pressure
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 116 SpD / 144 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

The moveset is based around either stalling low PP moves like Fire Blast and recover or just stalling in general. Roost is mandatory since this set uses Substitute and it must have a reliable way of recovering HP back bar Leftovers every turn. Toxic can allow you to break down walls more effectively with Toxic and Pressure damage. If the opponent decides to switch out on a Substitute or when Substitute is up you can put them into a bad position depending on move choice and if it is easy for them to weaken articuno. Freeze-dry is here because it allows Articuno to hit bulky water types which it beats easier. Substitute is used over protect so Articuno can effectively PP stall moves like Gyro Ball and Fire Blast without having to rely on getting misses and protect consecutively as well as leaving potential moments to Roost or badly poison the opponent.

Set Details
========

The EV spread allows you to maximize on Articuno's special stat while being able to outspeed adamant Tyrantrum. This spread allows Articuno to take Special hits from threats in the tier like choice specs Meloetta and life orb Fire Blast from Flygon making them 3HKO's so you can effectively use Toxic and Roost safely.

Usage Tips
========

Articuno can play more than one role depending on the team match-up. Articuno can easily nullify a threat with Pressure if they continue to attack. A good example is if a Mega Camerupt uses Fire Blast and you continue to set up, Articuno will be able to completely get rid of all Fire Blast PP in 4 turns. The same goes for moves like Stone Edge and Gyro Ball. Articuno also does well against most RU walls like Alomomola and Amoonguss being able to use Substitute on a move with the Substitute not disappearing or making sure Articuno doesn't get statused. Articuno does not like switching into Stealth Rocks so make sure if you have switch in you are either sacrificing Articuno to get a free switch into something or you can reliably Roost.

Team Options
========

Articuno is very vulnerable to rocks so having a good hazard remover is amazing for Articuno in the long run. Partners that also helps wall heavy fire and rock types such as Emboar and Tyrantrum. Good examples for this are Hitmontop having both roles as a hazard remover and Intimidate. Dugtrio also helps in Articuno's role being able to kill or severely damage rock and fire types as well as memento providing a free turn to roost if necessary.

[SET]
name: It's a Burd!!!
move 1: Agility
move 2: Hurricane
move 3: Freeze-dry / Ice Beam
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Hidden Power Ground / Roost
item: Life Orb / Leftovers
ability: Prssure
nature: Modest
evs: 120 HP / 248 SpA / 144 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Articuno's speed is pretty average but the offensive coverage Articuno gets with its STABs allow for a scary threat on the field. Articuno can become a late game sweeper if played well having access to Agility which doubles it's speed. Hurricane is mandatory to hit as hard as possible but unfortunately it does have pretty mediocre accuracy. Freeze-dry and Ice Beam make for nice Ice STAB but Freeze-dry is prefered since it makes sure that Water Types can not wall you. The last move is a throw up between Hidden Power Ground and Fire or Roost. Roost can allow you to come back in later if scared out and persede to sweep later but on the other hand either or the two Hidden Powers can allow you to continue sweeping.

Set Details
========

The EV spread allows Articuno to switch into rocks twice if it has been un damage if necessary and to outspeed and adamant Tyrantrum at +2 if you have agility up as well. The rest was put into maximize special attack which helps when trying to break down super bulky monsters in the tier. Life Orb is the better item out of two allowing Articuno to have more power in it's moves but Leftovers can be used to sustain more hits

Usage Tips
========

Articuno is very interesting due to how picky its conditions must be to set up. Articuno has to set up on a pokemon that doesn't scare it with super effective damage or with sleep or paralysis. Articuno also has a really hard time dealing with steel types so unless most of the steel types are weakened it becomes extremely difficult for Articuno to sweep

Team Options
========

Like it was previously stated, Articuno is very picky to when it can set up and when it can sweep. For this we should keep in mind Articuno must have strong steel types out of the way so pokemon like Mega Camerupt and Dugtrio perform this role excellently. Also pokemon that feel comfortable taking Articuno hits like Uxie, Cofagrigus, and Bronzong so having Wallbreakers is definitely essential to Articuno's sweep.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Articuno doesn't have too much to work with. If has option to Hurricane which could be used to hit Fighting types harder. An alternate spread could be 248 HP / 92 SpD / 168 Spe could be used to outspeed 252 non speed plus nature Seismitoad but it is very uncommon and takes away from Articuno's amazing bulk. On a supportive role Articuno does have access to many great options including Tailwind, Icy Wind, Heal Bell, Haze, and Defog allowing Articuno to play the role as a Supporter. U-turn can make for a good pivoting move when combined with Reflect or Tailwind. Articuno can run Water Pulse if put onto a rain team and exchange HP Fire or HP Ground as well.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Faster Rock Types** Articuno can't get a Substitute fast enough and could get killed by a Head Smash/Rock Slide/Stone Edge. If Articuno does have the SubToxic set it can get Substitute up and enough HP it can effectively PP stall Head Smash and Stone Edge.

**Fire Types** Pokemon like Scarf Emboar and Houndoom could easily beat Articuno but Articuno can stall out Fire Blast if needed if Articuno is running the SubToxic Set.

**Steel Types** Articuno cannot touch steel types and even worse is set-up bait for SD Escaliver and Durant.

**Electric Types** All they have to do is stay in and choose thunderbolt. Articuno has good special defense but can't handle STAB Thunderbolt's on it's own.

**Heavy Physical Scarf Pokemon** They'll be able to outspeed articuno and exploit Articuno's pretty not so great Defense.

**Stealth Rock** This takes Articuno's HP down to half on the switch meaning that it will hard for Articuno to set up Substitute or Sweep at so low of HP.