Is Blacephalon viable in Gen 8 OU?

Blacephalon is ranked #19 in Gen 8 OU with 11.56% usage according to Smogon May 2026 - Jul 2026 data.

What beats Blacephalon in Gen 8 OU?

Weavile has the strongest conservative score in this observed May 2026 - Jul 2026 sample. The target was knocked out or switched out in 50.8% of 20.202337661535633 relevant encounters. Standard error is 11.1 points. Sets and switch conditions can change the result.

How are Blacephalon matchup checks ranked in Gen 8 OU?

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

Blacephalon counters

Gen 8 OU · Sorted by p − 4 standard errors · Smogon source period May 2026 - Jul 2026 · Generated 2026-08-05

#0806 Blacephalon

FireGhost

USAGE 11.6% #19

BASE STATS

HP 53

ATK 127

DEF 53

SPA 151

SPD 79

SPE 107

BST570

TYPE MATCHUPS

2×

WaterGroundRockGhostDark

½×

FireGrassIcePoisonSteelFairy

¼×

Bug

0×

NormalFighting

Moves

Shadow Ball 99.8% Flamethrower 99.7% Trick 87.5% Overheat 54.4% Taunt 35.3% Knock Off 5.3% Calm Mind 4.3% Mind Blown 3.9%

Items

Choice Specs 52.6% Choice Scarf 42.0% Focus Sash 3.8% Heavy-Duty Boots 0.6% Sitrus Berry 0.6% Normal Gem 0.1% Air Balloon 0.1% Salac Berry 0.1%

Common Teammates

Landorus-Therian61.5%

Browse Gen 8 OU teams using Blacephalon →

Explore Blacephalon + Weavile teams 6 score Explore Blacephalon + Toxapex teams 4 score Explore Blacephalon + Garchomp teams 0 score Explore Blacephalon + Landorus-Therian teams -5 score Explore Blacephalon + Corviknight teams -11 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

Blacephalon + Landorus-Therian 61.5% 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

Weavile

DarkIce SOFT CHECK View matchup

20.202

6.3

50.8% Standard error 11.12 points

DAMAGE CALC

252+ Atk Weavile Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Blacephalon: 546-644 (176.1 - 207.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

View Weavile counters → Teams with Weavile →

Toxapex

PoisonWater SOFT CHECK View matchup

29.539

4.2

40.3% Standard error 9.02 points

DAMAGE CALC

252+ Atk Toxapex Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Blacephalon: 242-286 (78 - 92.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

View Toxapex counters → Teams with Toxapex →

Garchomp

DragonGround SOFT CHECK View matchup

22.621

0.5

42.0% Standard error 10.38 points

DAMAGE CALC

252+ Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Blacephalon: 596-704 (192.2 - 227%) -- guaranteed OHKO

View Garchomp counters → Teams with Garchomp →

Landorus-Therian

GroundFlying SOFT CHECK View matchup

24.338

-5.4

32.5% Standard error 9.50 points

DAMAGE CALC

252+ Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Blacephalon: 644-762 (207.7 - 245.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

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

Corviknight

FlyingSteel SOFT CHECK View matchup

29.032

-10.5

3.9% Standard error 3.61 points

DAMAGE CALC

252+ Atk Corviknight Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Blacephalon: 271-321 (87.4 - 103.5%) -- 25% chance to OHKO

View Corviknight counters → Teams with Corviknight →

Ranked #19 with 11.56% usage. Sorted by conservative score.