Is Buzzwole viable in Gen 8 OU?

Buzzwole is ranked #21 in Gen 8 OU with 10.33% usage according to Smogon May 2026 - Jul 2026 data.

What beats Buzzwole in Gen 8 OU?

Tornadus-Therian has the strongest conservative score in this observed May 2026 - Jul 2026 sample. The target was knocked out or switched out in 43.5% of 26.878319629081016 relevant encounters. Standard error is 9.6 points. Sets and switch conditions can change the result.

How are Buzzwole 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 Buzzwole was knocked out or switched out. This is not a set-specific battle guarantee.

Buzzwole counters

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

#0794 Buzzwole

BugFighting

USAGE 10.3% #21

BASE STATS

HP 107

ATK 139

DEF 139

SPA 53

SPD 53

SPE 79

BST570

TYPE MATCHUPS

4×

Flying

2×

FirePsychicFairy

½×

GrassFightingGroundBugDark

Moves

Ice Punch 96.8% Close Combat 96.7% Roost 79.1% Earthquake 52.4% Leech Life 46.6% Toxic 11.7% Thunder Punch 5.6% Poison Jab 3.7%

Items

Rocky Helmet 36.2% Expert Belt 19.3% Choice Band 18.1% Leftovers 11.9% Heavy-Duty Boots 8.5% Muscle Band 4.8% Choice Scarf 1.0% Life Orb 0.2%

Common Teammates

Landorus-Therian33.8%

Slowbro24.5%

Heatran24.3%

Ferrothorn22.6%

Browse Gen 8 OU teams using Buzzwole →

Explore Buzzwole + Tornadus-Therian teams 5 score Explore Buzzwole + Buzzwole teams 4 score Explore Buzzwole + Landorus-Therian teams -12 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

Buzzwole + Toxapex 44.4% 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

Tornadus-Therian

Flying SOFT CHECK View matchup

26.878

5.2

43.5% Standard error 9.56 points

DAMAGE CALC

0- SpA Tornadus-Therian Hurricane vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Buzzwole: 484-576 (115.7 - 137.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

View Tornadus-Therian counters → Teams with Tornadus-Therian →

Buzzwole

BugFighting SOFT CHECK View matchup

22.4

3.7

45.8% Standard error 10.53 points

DAMAGE CALC

252+ Atk Buzzwole Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Buzzwole: 84-100 (20 - 23.9%) -- guaranteed 5HKO

View Buzzwole counters → Teams with Buzzwole →

Landorus-Therian

GroundFlying SOFT CHECK View matchup

46.585

-12.3

4.2% Standard error 4.11 points

DAMAGE CALC

252+ Atk Landorus-Therian Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Buzzwole: 98-116 (23.4 - 27.7%) -- 80.9% chance to 4HKO

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

Kartana

GrassSteel SOFT CHECK View matchup

27.929

-12.7

8.9% Standard error 5.40 points

DAMAGE CALC

252+ Atk Kartana Aerial Ace vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Buzzwole: 280-332 (66.9 - 79.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

View Kartana counters →

Ranked #21 with 10.33% usage. Sorted by conservative score.