HGSS OU (BD League)

Introduction

Welcome to HGSS OU, the holy land of the 4th Generation competitive metagame.
The Physical/ Special split has just taken place and tiers are going through heavy changes.
New threats are popping up from every corner and everything under the sky (and above) is a worthwhile member if you know around the ropes.

Here, there are no team preview and no permanent sun/ rain, making the lead the most important member of every team.
Setting or preventing Stealth Rock, maintaining an offensive presence, tanking hits, and going kaboom: Leads had to perform specific functions to get its trainer ahead of the opponent.
Set-up sweeping for late-game and Choice Item smashing: One could take many directions while playing HGSS OU.

Of course, Pokémon from Unova and Kalos do not exist in this metagame, neither does any items/ Abilities/ moves/ mechanic changes from these times.

To be well versed in HGSS OU, read up these well-written articles in Smogon:
https://www.smogon.com/dp/articles/

You can also check the HGSS OU tier here:
https://www.smogon.com/dp/tiers/ou
Notable Differences in 4th Gen

• Pokémon numbered from 494 does not exist in 4th Gen.
  
• All the Rotom Appliances have Electric/ Ghost typing.
  
• Weather summoned by Sand Stream and Snow Warning lasts forever.
  
• Hidden Abilities did not exist. Hence, most Pokémon will lack their third Ability.
  
• Steel-types resist Dark and Ghost moves.
  
• As Mega Pokémon were introduced in 6th Gen, they do not exist in 4th Gen.
  
• Same goes for the existence of the type Fairy, as it was introduced in 6th Gen too.
  
• Certain moves (like Knock Off) have different mechanics. Research to know more about them.
  
• No WiFi Clause. Hence, players cannot view each other teams and decide which Pokémon goes first.
  
• The Pokémon put at the top of the party in the teambuilder will always be the Pokémon to start the battle.
  

Notable Abilities that do not exist in 4th Gen

• Analytic
  
• Contrary
  
• Defiant
  
• Imposter
  
• Infiltrator
  
• Justified
  
• Magic Bounce
  
• Moody
  
• Moxie
  
• Multiscale
  
• Prankster
  
• Regenerator
  
• Sand Force
  
• Sand Rush
  
• Sap Sipper
  
• Sheer Force
  
• Protean
  
• Drought (for Ninetales)
  
• Drizzle (for Politoed)
  

Notable Moves that do not exist in 4th Gen

• Quiver Dance
  
• Sticky Web
  
• Infestation
  
• Hone Claws
  
• Foul Play
  
• Dragon Tail
  
• Volt Switch
  
• Wild Charge
  
• Power-Up Punch
  
• Flame Charge
  
• Acrobatics
  
• Hurricane
  
• Icicle Crash
  
• Phantom Force
  
• Shell Smash
  
• Boomburst
  
• Sludge Wave
  
• Coil
  
• Clear Smog
  
• Psyshock
  
• Stored Power
  
• Automotize
  
• Heavy Slam
  
• Scald
  

Tier: When making a challenge, select the tier as Gen 4 OU, keeping the following clauses and banlist in mind.

Standard Clauses

• Sleep Clause: Players cannot induce sleep to more than one Pokémon on the opposing team at the same time.
  
• Species Clause: Players cannot have two Pokémon with the same Pokédex number on the same team.
  

Banlist

Banned Pokémon:

Banned Moves:

Banned Items: