In Gen II, there are differences between the various Unown forms. But the current analysis completely ignores that fact. Without awareness of the different forms and their properties, a good analysis cannot be made.
[OVERVIEW]
Unown is a great Pokemon. It's Attack and Special Attack are both good, adding to it's unpredictability. Hidden Power is the most versatile move in the game. Many opponents will frantically try to guess which Hidden Power Unown has as soon as they see opposing Unown, and a wrong guess could easily cause them huge damage.
However, every good Gen II player has the Unown Hidden Power type chart memorised, thus taking away some of the guess work. On the other hand, the good Unown player can use this in his advantage to lull opponents into a false sense of security or to create excessive fear, causing the opponent to make mistakes.
The biggest downside to Unown is Species Clause. Unown is very versatile and this talent gets partly wasted by Species Clause.
Unown A: Fighting Flying Rock Bug
Unown B: Fighting Flying Poison Ground Rock Bug Ghost Steel
Unown C: Poison Ground Ghost Steel
Unown D: Fighting Flying Poison Ground Rock Bug Ghost Steel
Unown E: Fighting Flying Poison Ground Rock Bug Ghost Steel
Unown F: Poison Ground Ghost Steel
Unown G: Poison Ground Ghost Steel Fire Water Psychic Ice
Unown H: Fire Water Psychic Ice
Unown I: Grass Electric Dragon Dark
Unown J: Fire Water Grass Electric Psychic Ice Dragon Dark
Unown K: Fire Water Psychic Ice
Unown L: Fire Water Grass Electric Psychic Ice Dragon Dark
Unown M: Fighting Flying Rock Bug Grass Electric Dragon Dark
Unown N: Fighting Flying Rock Bug
Unown O: Fighting Flying Poison Ground Rock Bug Ghost Steel
Unown P: Poison Ground Ghost Steel
Unown Q: Fighting Flying Rock Bug
Unown R: Fighting Flying Poison Ground Rock Bug Ghost Steel
Unown S: Poison Ground Ghost Steel
Unown T: Poison Ground Ghost Steel Fire Water Psychic Ice
Unown U: Fire Water Grass Electric Psychic Ice Dragon Dark
Unown V: Grass Electric Dragon Dark
Unown W: Fire Water Grass Electric Psychic Ice Dragon Dark
Unown X: Fire Water Psychic Ice
Unown Y: Grass Electric Dragon Dark
Unown Z: Grass Electric Dragon Dark
[SET]
name: Scare off Electrics
Form: G / T
move 1: Hidden Power [Psychic}
move 2:
move 3:
move 4:
item: Leftovers / Twisted Spoon
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Hidden Power Psychic gets STAB. However, because this form is G or T, it could also have Hidden Power [Ground], which scares off many Electric types, most notably Raikou. Leftovers adds to Unown's longevity and makes up for the lack of reliably recovery. Twisted Spoon can be used for teams in need of a reliable sweeper will not be bothered by Raikou until the Hidden Power is revealed to not be Electric.
Team Options
========
A great team mate for this set is Raikou. Raikou can potentially make the opponent jealous that your Raikou is safe while his is threatened by a potential Hidden Power [Ground] from this set. A good way to make use of this is to scare the opponents Raikou out with this Unown, only to then pivot switch toy our own Raikou!
Since this set lacks the potential to hit Dark types super effectively, pair it with a Pokémon that knows a Fighting type or Bug type move. If there is no Species Clause, then Unown A / N / Q would be a great pick as it can hit Dark types super-effectively while avoiding revealing his Hidden Power type.
[SET]
name: Put Dark Types on the Run
Form: A / N / Q
move 1: Hidden Power [Fighting] / Hidden Power [Bug]
move 2:
move 3:
move 4:
item: Leftovers
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Hidden Power to destroy Dark types. After you destroyed the opponent's Dark types, he still will not know which Hidden Power you use! The reason to use this Unown over Unown B / D / M / O is that this Unown is much more threatening immediately. It has 50% chance to be strong against Dark types! If the opponent's team relies heavily on Dark types, it might just put him on the run as soon as you reveal this Unown! And if not, then it will put him on the run next time after you destroy his Dark types WITHOUT revealing your Hidden Power!
Leftovers is mandatory to cancel out the Sandstorm damage from Tyranitar. Most Tyranitar do not have Sandstream in Gen II, but you never know when you will face one that is ahead of the pack and uses Sandstorm.
Team Options
========
Any Pokémon that is Dark weak will appreciate this Unown. In fact, most other Unown appreciate this Unown. If you run Hidden Power [Fighting], then this Unown makes mono Psychic viable.
Although the point of this Unown is too be as scary to Dark types as possible, it still does have the potential to attack with Flying type or Bug type damage. So any Pokémon that is weak to any Pokémon that is weak to any of those types makes a good partner, too, because the opponent will be too afraid to use those Pokémon until when he has no other Pokémon left, at which point he will either forfeit in fear or use those Pokémon in desperation.
[SET]
name: Though You Are Strong Seem Weak so That Those Who Celebrate the Might of Evil Will Be Fooled into Scurrying Out of Their Hiding Places to Practice Evil so That then You Destroy Them with Mighty Blows Enabling Justice and Prosperity to Last for All Those Who Are on the Path of Light and Love and All That is Good
Form: B / D / E / R
move 1: Hidden Power [Fighting] / Hidden Power [Bug]
move 2:
move 3:
move 4:
item: Twisted Spoon
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
This set catches any Dark type unaware! These forms have a wealth of Hidden Power types making it unlikely that they could hit Dark types super-effectively. Moreover, if your opponent knows your item then he will think you have Hidden Power Psychic! Yes, normally these Unowns cannot have Hidden Power [Psychic], but Dark type users hate the light and thus they would shun the knowledge of the Unown in fear of being enlightened! Use that to your advantage to confuse them and then strike them down! Rid Pokémon of the darkness!
Team Options
========
Any Pokémon that is good and just will apreciate the light of justice that will shine on the battlefield once this Unown has casted away the evil clouds of Dark type Pokémon.
Sunny Day Moltres is a good teammate for his light will burn Dark types with justice.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Unown Z is a decent pick when playing with open team sheets due to it's rarity. The opponent will never assume you have this rare specimen!
If you are using a physical Hidden Power then you can use Berserk Gene to raise Unown's power to incredible levels. If using a special Hidden Power then Berserk Gene is useful for confusing the opponent, making him think you are Physical. This can be used to destroy Physical walls like Skarmory and Steelix.
There is no need to ever use any other move than Hidden Power. Hidden Power is versatile anough to do everything you need.
When using Hidden Power as the sole move, you can not apply PP Ups to Unown's Hidden Power in order to feasibly be able to use up all Unown's PP so that you can use a secret move known as Struggle. In this generation Struggle is a typeless move that often does only little recoil damage. Struggle is not resisted by anything in the game. And coming off of Unown's good Attack stat, resistance will not be futile, but impossible! This works especially well with Leftovers both for stalling out Hidden Powers PP and for compensating for the small recoil damage that Struggle does give.
One can also use lower Hidden Power base powers in order to surprise the opponent by doing less damage. This can be useful for example if your opponent was counting on you KOing their Pokémon so that they could bring a revenge killer or set-up sweeper in for free.
There are many other options. Any form and any Hidden Power type can be used successfully.
Checks and Counters
===================
Other Unown with Dark, Bug, or Ghost attacks.
Ditto, if he manages to transform into your Unown.
Having your Hidden Power type revealed is a mixed blessing. On the one hand it will take away the power of surprise, but on the other hand it will make your opponent afraid to use any of his Pokémon that are weak to Unown's Hidden Power type. This fear is often debilitating and can be used by skillful Unown masters to win almost any game.
[OVERVIEW]
Unown is a great Pokemon. It's Attack and Special Attack are both good, adding to it's unpredictability. Hidden Power is the most versatile move in the game. Many opponents will frantically try to guess which Hidden Power Unown has as soon as they see opposing Unown, and a wrong guess could easily cause them huge damage.
However, every good Gen II player has the Unown Hidden Power type chart memorised, thus taking away some of the guess work. On the other hand, the good Unown player can use this in his advantage to lull opponents into a false sense of security or to create excessive fear, causing the opponent to make mistakes.
The biggest downside to Unown is Species Clause. Unown is very versatile and this talent gets partly wasted by Species Clause.
Unown A: Fighting Flying Rock Bug
Unown B: Fighting Flying Poison Ground Rock Bug Ghost Steel
Unown C: Poison Ground Ghost Steel
Unown D: Fighting Flying Poison Ground Rock Bug Ghost Steel
Unown E: Fighting Flying Poison Ground Rock Bug Ghost Steel
Unown F: Poison Ground Ghost Steel
Unown G: Poison Ground Ghost Steel Fire Water Psychic Ice
Unown H: Fire Water Psychic Ice
Unown I: Grass Electric Dragon Dark
Unown J: Fire Water Grass Electric Psychic Ice Dragon Dark
Unown K: Fire Water Psychic Ice
Unown L: Fire Water Grass Electric Psychic Ice Dragon Dark
Unown M: Fighting Flying Rock Bug Grass Electric Dragon Dark
Unown N: Fighting Flying Rock Bug
Unown O: Fighting Flying Poison Ground Rock Bug Ghost Steel
Unown P: Poison Ground Ghost Steel
Unown Q: Fighting Flying Rock Bug
Unown R: Fighting Flying Poison Ground Rock Bug Ghost Steel
Unown S: Poison Ground Ghost Steel
Unown T: Poison Ground Ghost Steel Fire Water Psychic Ice
Unown U: Fire Water Grass Electric Psychic Ice Dragon Dark
Unown V: Grass Electric Dragon Dark
Unown W: Fire Water Grass Electric Psychic Ice Dragon Dark
Unown X: Fire Water Psychic Ice
Unown Y: Grass Electric Dragon Dark
Unown Z: Grass Electric Dragon Dark
[SET]
name: Scare off Electrics
Form: G / T
move 1: Hidden Power [Psychic}
move 2:
move 3:
move 4:
item: Leftovers / Twisted Spoon
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Hidden Power Psychic gets STAB. However, because this form is G or T, it could also have Hidden Power [Ground], which scares off many Electric types, most notably Raikou. Leftovers adds to Unown's longevity and makes up for the lack of reliably recovery. Twisted Spoon can be used for teams in need of a reliable sweeper will not be bothered by Raikou until the Hidden Power is revealed to not be Electric.
Team Options
========
A great team mate for this set is Raikou. Raikou can potentially make the opponent jealous that your Raikou is safe while his is threatened by a potential Hidden Power [Ground] from this set. A good way to make use of this is to scare the opponents Raikou out with this Unown, only to then pivot switch toy our own Raikou!
Since this set lacks the potential to hit Dark types super effectively, pair it with a Pokémon that knows a Fighting type or Bug type move. If there is no Species Clause, then Unown A / N / Q would be a great pick as it can hit Dark types super-effectively while avoiding revealing his Hidden Power type.
[SET]
name: Put Dark Types on the Run
Form: A / N / Q
move 1: Hidden Power [Fighting] / Hidden Power [Bug]
move 2:
move 3:
move 4:
item: Leftovers
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Hidden Power to destroy Dark types. After you destroyed the opponent's Dark types, he still will not know which Hidden Power you use! The reason to use this Unown over Unown B / D / M / O is that this Unown is much more threatening immediately. It has 50% chance to be strong against Dark types! If the opponent's team relies heavily on Dark types, it might just put him on the run as soon as you reveal this Unown! And if not, then it will put him on the run next time after you destroy his Dark types WITHOUT revealing your Hidden Power!
Leftovers is mandatory to cancel out the Sandstorm damage from Tyranitar. Most Tyranitar do not have Sandstream in Gen II, but you never know when you will face one that is ahead of the pack and uses Sandstorm.
Team Options
========
Any Pokémon that is Dark weak will appreciate this Unown. In fact, most other Unown appreciate this Unown. If you run Hidden Power [Fighting], then this Unown makes mono Psychic viable.
Although the point of this Unown is too be as scary to Dark types as possible, it still does have the potential to attack with Flying type or Bug type damage. So any Pokémon that is weak to any Pokémon that is weak to any of those types makes a good partner, too, because the opponent will be too afraid to use those Pokémon until when he has no other Pokémon left, at which point he will either forfeit in fear or use those Pokémon in desperation.
[SET]
name: Though You Are Strong Seem Weak so That Those Who Celebrate the Might of Evil Will Be Fooled into Scurrying Out of Their Hiding Places to Practice Evil so That then You Destroy Them with Mighty Blows Enabling Justice and Prosperity to Last for All Those Who Are on the Path of Light and Love and All That is Good
Form: B / D / E / R
move 1: Hidden Power [Fighting] / Hidden Power [Bug]
move 2:
move 3:
move 4:
item: Twisted Spoon
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
This set catches any Dark type unaware! These forms have a wealth of Hidden Power types making it unlikely that they could hit Dark types super-effectively. Moreover, if your opponent knows your item then he will think you have Hidden Power Psychic! Yes, normally these Unowns cannot have Hidden Power [Psychic], but Dark type users hate the light and thus they would shun the knowledge of the Unown in fear of being enlightened! Use that to your advantage to confuse them and then strike them down! Rid Pokémon of the darkness!
Team Options
========
Any Pokémon that is good and just will apreciate the light of justice that will shine on the battlefield once this Unown has casted away the evil clouds of Dark type Pokémon.
Sunny Day Moltres is a good teammate for his light will burn Dark types with justice.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Unown Z is a decent pick when playing with open team sheets due to it's rarity. The opponent will never assume you have this rare specimen!
If you are using a physical Hidden Power then you can use Berserk Gene to raise Unown's power to incredible levels. If using a special Hidden Power then Berserk Gene is useful for confusing the opponent, making him think you are Physical. This can be used to destroy Physical walls like Skarmory and Steelix.
There is no need to ever use any other move than Hidden Power. Hidden Power is versatile anough to do everything you need.
When using Hidden Power as the sole move, you can not apply PP Ups to Unown's Hidden Power in order to feasibly be able to use up all Unown's PP so that you can use a secret move known as Struggle. In this generation Struggle is a typeless move that often does only little recoil damage. Struggle is not resisted by anything in the game. And coming off of Unown's good Attack stat, resistance will not be futile, but impossible! This works especially well with Leftovers both for stalling out Hidden Powers PP and for compensating for the small recoil damage that Struggle does give.
One can also use lower Hidden Power base powers in order to surprise the opponent by doing less damage. This can be useful for example if your opponent was counting on you KOing their Pokémon so that they could bring a revenge killer or set-up sweeper in for free.
There are many other options. Any form and any Hidden Power type can be used successfully.
Checks and Counters
===================
Other Unown with Dark, Bug, or Ghost attacks.
Ditto, if he manages to transform into your Unown.
Having your Hidden Power type revealed is a mixed blessing. On the one hand it will take away the power of surprise, but on the other hand it will make your opponent afraid to use any of his Pokémon that are weak to Unown's Hidden Power type. This fear is often debilitating and can be used by skillful Unown masters to win almost any game.
