Is Politoed viable in Gen 5 OU?

Politoed is ranked #8 in Gen 5 OU with 24.53% usage according to Smogon May 2026 - Jul 2026 data.

What beats Politoed in Gen 5 OU?

Latios has the strongest conservative score in this observed May 2026 - Jul 2026 sample. The target was knocked out or switched out in 60.1% of 91.64241452387239 relevant encounters. Standard error is 7.2 points. Sets and switch conditions can change the result.

How are Politoed matchup checks ranked in Gen 5 OU?

They are ranked by p minus four standard errors. Here, p is the observed fraction of relevant encounters where Politoed was knocked out or switched out. This is not a set-specific battle guarantee.

Politoed counters

Gen 5 OU · Sorted by p − 4 standard errors · Smogon source period May 2026 - Jul 2026 · Generated 2026-08-05

#0186 Politoed

Water

USAGE 24.5% #8

ABILITYDrizzle

BASE STATS

HP 90

ATK 75

DEF 75

SPA 90

SPD 100

SPE 70

BST500

TYPE MATCHUPS

2×

ElectricGrass

½×

FireWaterIceSteel

Moves

Scald 75.8% Encore 69.1% Protect 60.5% Toxic 59.7% Ice Beam 44.1% Hydro Pump 24.1% Hidden Power Grass 14.1% Surf 14.0%

Items

Leftovers 62.2% Choice Scarf 15.4% Choice Specs 14.2% Eject Button 3.4% Chesto Berry 3.3% Custap Berry 1.0% Mystic Water 0.2% Expert Belt 0.1%

Abilities

Drizzle100.0%Water Absorb0.0%Damp0.0%

Common Teammates

Ferrothorn85.7%

Thundurus-Therian75.8%

Landorus-Therian18.4%

Browse Gen 5 OU teams using Politoed →

Explore Politoed + Latios teams 31 score Explore Politoed + Ferrothorn teams 31 score Explore Politoed + Starmie teams 22 score Explore Politoed + Abomasnow teams 21 score Explore Politoed + Alakazam teams 18 score Explore Politoed + Keldeo teams 13 score

Leading observed checks

Open a matchup for a separate set-based damage estimate, or browse uploaded teams with both Pokémon.

Team core to explore

Politoed + Ferrothorn 85.7% teammate usage Explore teams →

Checks & Counters

Observed target KO or switch rate is upstream p: the fraction of relevant encounters where the target was knocked out or switched out. Standard error is upstream d. The conservative score is p − 4d. These ladder observations do not prove a set-specific counter.

How to read this table

Use encounter count and standard error to judge the sample. Damage estimates below use inferred sets and remain separate from the observed ladder metric.

# Checker Encounters Conservative score Target KO or switch rate

Latios

DragonPsychic OFFENSIVE CHECK View matchup

91.642

31.3

60.1% Standard error 7.18 points

DAMAGE CALCRain

252+ SpA Latios Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Politoed: 183-216 (47.6 - 56.2%) -- 25.8% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

View Latios counters → Teams with Latios →

Ferrothorn

GrassSteel DEFENSIVE CHECK View matchup

40.109

30.8

61.5% Standard error 7.68 points

DAMAGE CALCRain

252+ SpA Politoed Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Ferrothorn in Rain: 81-96 (23 - 27.2%) -- possible 5HKO

View Ferrothorn counters → Teams with Ferrothorn →

Starmie

WaterPsychic SOFT CHECK View matchup

36.049

21.5

54.7% Standard error 8.29 points

DAMAGE CALCRain

0- SpA Starmie Thunder vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Politoed: 112-134 (29.1 - 34.8%) -- 99.9% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

View Starmie counters → Teams with Starmie →

Abomasnow

GrassIce DEFENSIVE CHECK View matchup

22.499

21.1

62.0% Standard error 10.23 points

DAMAGE CALCRain

252+ SpA Politoed Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Abomasnow in Rain: 101-119 (26.3 - 30.9%) -- 6.3% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

View Abomasnow counters → Teams with Abomasnow →

Alakazam

Psychic OFFENSIVE CHECK View matchup

27.36

17.7

55.7% Standard error 9.50 points

DAMAGE CALCRain

252+ SpA Alakazam Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Politoed: 187-222 (48.6 - 57.8%) -- 54.3% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

View Alakazam counters → Teams with Alakazam →

Keldeo

WaterFighting OFFENSIVE CHECK View matchup

20.873

13.4

56.7% Standard error 10.84 points

DAMAGE CALCRain

252+ SpA Choice Specs Keldeo Secret Sword vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Politoed: 288-340 (75 - 88.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

View Keldeo counters → Teams with Keldeo →

Reuniclus

Psychic SOFT CHECK View matchup

47.43

10.2

50.6% Standard error 10.10 points

DAMAGE CALCRain

252+ SpA Reuniclus Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Politoed: 178-210 (46.3 - 54.6%) -- 7.4% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

View Reuniclus counters → Teams with Reuniclus →

Tyranitar

RockDark SOFT CHECK View matchup

75.87

-6.0

19.9% Standard error 6.47 points

DAMAGE CALCSand

252+ Atk Tyranitar Crunch vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Politoed: 186-220 (48.4 - 57.2%) -- 93.4% chance to 2HKO after sandstorm damage and Leftovers recovery

View Tyranitar counters → Teams with Tyranitar →

Ranked #8 with 24.53% usage. Sorted by conservative score.