Is Politoed viable in Gen 5 OU?

Politoed is ranked #7 in Gen 5 OU with 20.41% usage according to Smogon Feb 2026 - Apr 2026 data.

What beats Politoed in Gen 5 OU?

The best counter for Politoed in Gen 5 OU is Starmie with a 69.3% win rate when they meet. Based on Smogon's Feb 2026 - Apr 2026 usage data, the top Pokémon that beat Politoed include Starmie, Ferrothorn, Latios, Alakazam, Excadrill.

What is the best counter for Politoed in Gen 5 OU?

Starmie is the best counter for Politoed in Gen 5 OU, KOing or forcing it out in 69.3% of their encounters.

Politoed counters

Gen 5 OU · Sorted by reliability score · Smogon · Feb 2026 - Apr 2026

#0186 Politoed

Water

USAGE 20.4% #7

ABILITYDrizzle

BASE STATS

HP 90

ATK 75

DEF 75

SPA 90

SPD 100

SPE 70

BST500

TYPE MATCHUPS

2×

ElectricGrass

½×

FireWaterIceSteel

Moves

Encore 78.4% Scald 75.3% Protect 58.0% Toxic 57.0% Ice Beam 43.1% Hydro Pump 27.8% Surf 20.5% Hidden Power Grass 8.4%

Items

Leftovers 59.3% Choice Scarf 22.5% Choice Specs 9.2% Eject Button 5.3% Chesto Berry 1.8% Custap Berry 0.7% Expert Belt 0.4% Life Orb 0.2%

Abilities

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

Common Teammates

Ferrothorn86.0%

Thundurus-Therian68.7%

Landorus-Therian20.8%

Scizor20.7%

Checks & Counters

Ranked by reliability — blends KO rate with how often each Pokémon is matched up.

# Checker Encounters Reliability KO Rate

Starmie

WaterPsychic OFFENSIVE CHECK

23.437

69.3% dies 9.52%

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 →

Ferrothorn

GrassSteel DEFENSIVE COUNTER

80.09

67.9% dies 8.90%

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 →

Latios

DragonPsychic OFFENSIVE CHECK

124.361

65.4% dies 7.32%

DAMAGE CALCRain

252+ SpA Choice Specs Latios Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Politoed: 273-322 (71 - 83.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

View Latios counters → Teams with Latios →

Alakazam

Psychic OFFENSIVE CHECK

49.798

57.9% dies 9.84%

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 →

Excadrill

GroundSteel SOFT CHECK

29.434

45.0% dies 9.17%

DAMAGE CALCRain

252+ Atk Excadrill Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Politoed: 234-276 (60.9 - 71.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

View Excadrill counters → Teams with Excadrill →

Rotom-Wash

ElectricWater SOFT CHECK

45.658

38.7% dies 10.15%

DAMAGE CALCRain

252+ SpA Rotom-Wash Volt Switch vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Politoed: 156-186 (40.6 - 48.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

View Rotom-Wash counters → Teams with Rotom-Wash →

Landorus-Therian

GroundFlying SOFT CHECK

31.304

19.6% dies 7.10%

DAMAGE CALCRain

252+ Atk Landorus-Therian Explosion vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Politoed: 411-484 (107 - 126%) -- guaranteed OHKO

View Landorus-Therian counters → Teams with Landorus-Therian →

Tyranitar

RockDark SOFT CHECK

159.831

17.4% dies 5.13%

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 #7 with 20.41% usage. Sorted by reliability score.