What is a good moveset for Articuno?

Question

This thread is for Kantonian Articuno. For Galarian Articuno, please go here.

If you have a good competitive moveset for Articuno, post an answer below and upvote the best ones. Movesets for its pre-evolutions, if any, can also be shared on this thread.

Be sure to include full set details in your post, e.g. items, abilities, natures and EVs. Some detail, including the intended game mode for your set, is also appreciated. Access the full list of guidelines here.

Articuno Pokédex and learnset for reference.

Answer 1

LGPE OU
Articuno
Calm / Bold Nature
- Ice Beam
- U-Turn
- Toxic
- Roost
Ice Beam is STAB, U-Turn is pivoting, Toxic cripples opponents, and Roost heals you.
Also there are no EVs and items except Mega Stones.

Answer 2

Articuno @ Focus Sash / Quick Claw
Ability: Snow Cloak
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Mind Reader
- Sheer Cold
- Blizzard
- Roost

• Mind Reader: Makes sure sheer cold hits
• Sheer Cold: Knocks out opponent
• Blizzard: Always hits in hail dealing 110+ STAB
• Roost: Heals HP when necessary

Quick Claw lets you go first
Focus Sash means you endure any damage

Comments

The only tier where OHKO moves are allowed is AG, and Articuno is horribly outclassed by Kyu-W in Gen 8.

Answer 3

Gen 8 BDSP Monotype (Flying)

Articuno @ Leftovers
Ability: Snow Cloak
EVs: 208 HP / 32 SpA / 252 SpD / 16 Spe
Calm Nature
- Freeze-Dry
- U-turn
- Roost
- Roar

Articuno's niche in BDSP Monotype is to serve as a BoltBeam check as well as having the ability to check special attackers and special walls for Flying-type teams due to its bulk. Unfortunately, Articuno's typing leaves it with a 4x weakness to Stealth Rock, meaning that you need to either have two Defoggers or Magic Bounce Xatu paired with one Defogger. Despite the negative trait, Articuno's ability to check so many Pokemon makes it worth a slot for Flying-type teams.

Freeze Dry is really good Ice STAB since it allows you to be able to threaten Water-types. U-turns allows you to pivot and bring in a teammate. Roost is used for longevity. Roar is used to allow you to beat Pokemon such as Calm Mind Latias, as well as being an emergency phazer to Tail Glow Manaphy should it get out of hand.

208 HP EVs allow you to be able to switch in to Stealth Rock 3 times, since youre HP will be an odd number being 373. 252 Special Defense allows you to check special wallbreakers such as Choice Specs Latios, who 2HKOes you after two turns of Leftovers recovery. 16 Speed is used to outspeed max speed Adamant Crawdaunt so you won't be scared by it and can let you be an emergency Crawdaunt check. The rest of the EVs are dumped into Special Attack to make your Freeze-Dry hit a little harder.

Answer 4

Articuno @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
Evs: 4 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpD
Bold Nature
- Substitute
- Mind Reader
- Sheer Cold
- Roost

One shot Articuno:
Set up a Substitute
Mind Reader next turn
Boom! Sheer Cold
That’s all

Comments

Sturdy.

Answer 5

Gen 9 NU Offensive

Articuno @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Pressure
Tera Type: Ground
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Freeze-Dry
- Hurricane
- Roost
- U-turn

Despite losing tools such as Defog and Heal Bell, Articuno is actually good in Gen 9 NU due to the lack of Steel-types. Because of the lack of Steel-types in NU, Articuno can use an offensive set. Freeze Dry is the preferred Ice STAB due to its Ability to hit Water-types such as Bruxish, Qwilfish, Clawitzer, and Pokemon who use Tera Water. Hurricane is a powerful Flying STAB that not many Pokemon want to switch into it. Roost allows Articuno to recover HP. U-turn is used to let Articuno switch out against Pokemon such as Blissey so it can keep up momentum for its team. Tera Ground lets Articuno have an Electric immunity and turns its 4x rock weakness into a resist. Tera Blast can be an option on this set since this set uses Tera Ground, meaning Articuno can have a move to fit the few Steel-types such as Magneton, Perrserker, and Tera Steel Appletun super effectively. Heavy-Duty Boots is used to prevent Articuno from getting chipped by hazards, which is useful if Articuno hasn't used its Tera.