Is Blacephalon viable in Gen 8 OU?

Blacephalon is ranked #25 in Gen 8 OU with 8.90% usage according to Smogon Feb 2026 - Apr 2026 data.

What beats Blacephalon in Gen 8 OU?

The best counter for Blacephalon in Gen 8 OU is Garchomp with a 59.7% win rate when they meet. Based on Smogon's Feb 2026 - Apr 2026 usage data, the top Pokémon that beat Blacephalon include Garchomp, Weavile, Heatran, Dragapult, Toxapex.

What is the best counter for Blacephalon in Gen 8 OU?

Garchomp is the best counter for Blacephalon in Gen 8 OU, KOing or forcing it out in 59.7% of their encounters.

Blacephalon counters

Gen 8 OU · Sorted by reliability score · Smogon · Feb 2026 - Apr 2026

#0806 Blacephalon

FireGhost

USAGE 8.9% #25

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 100.0% Flamethrower 99.5% Trick 95.3% Overheat 49.4% Taunt 36.1% Mind Blown 5.8% Expanding Force 4.1% Fire Blast 3.9%

Items

Choice Scarf 52.3% Choice Specs 45.0% Heavy-Duty Boots 1.1% Focus Sash 0.6% Weakness Policy 0.3% Salac Berry 0.3% Life Orb 0.2% Leftovers 0.1%

Common Teammates

Weavile54.2%

Landorus-Therian40.4%

Checks & Counters

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

# Checker Encounters Reliability KO Rate

Garchomp

DragonGround OFFENSIVE CHECK

25.552

59.7% dies 9.70%

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 →

Weavile

DarkIce OFFENSIVE CHECK

34.415

56.5% dies 8.45%

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 →

Heatran

FireSteel SOFT CHECK

21.404

47.9% dies 10.80%

DAMAGE CALC

252+ SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Blacephalon: 180-214 (58 - 69%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

View Heatran counters → Teams with Heatran →

Dragapult

DragonGhost SOFT CHECK

21.732

44.9% dies 10.67%

DAMAGE CALC

0- Atk Dragapult Phantom Force vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Blacephalon: 338-402 (109 - 129.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

View Dragapult counters → Teams with Dragapult →

Toxapex

PoisonWater SOFT CHECK

24.053

41.6% dies 10.05%

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 →

Landorus-Therian

GroundFlying SOFT CHECK

26.659

29.1% dies 8.79%

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 →

Ranked #25 with 8.90% usage. Sorted by reliability score.