Hello there, we're already half way through UUPL, many interesting SM games have been played so I felt like talking about some trends that I have noticed.Clefable @ LeftoversAbility: Magic GuardEVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpeBold Nature- Stealth Rock- Knock Off/Thunder Wave/Ice Beam/Flamethrower/Encore- Moonblast- Soft-BoiledClefable remains extremely popular but this set in particular has seen some traction in usage this UUPL. Clefable acts as a very reliable Stealth Rocker that remains able to wall a great amount of threats. Clefable's great movepool allows it to adapt its last move to the team needs. Knock Off is one of my favorite options as it means Defensive Empoleon and Tentacruel can't remove Clefable's rocks because without leftovers recovery they simply can't break it.Krookodile @ Choice ScarfAbility: IntimidateEVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 SpeJolly Nature- Knock Off- Earthquake- Pursuit- Stone Edge/Iron Tail/SuperpowerThis set's popularity is mostly due to Latias's impact on the current metagame. While it can't OHKO Latias if it's holding a Z move, it can still proceed to threaten it by coming in on an expected psychic move as DM can't OHKO without a boost. It also provides a good speed control for many teams, able to threaten very popular threats such as Raikou and Aerodactyl.Blastoise-Mega @ BlastoisiniteAbility: Mega LauncherEVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpeTimid/Modest NatureIVs: 0 Atk- Water Pulse/Hydro Pump- Rapid Spin- Dark Pulse- Aura SphereBefore UUPL Blastoise was almost never seen, which was mostly due to Sharpedo's and Aerodactyl's impact at that time. While the latter remains the most used mega by far, Sharpedo's usage and sucess has declined a lot these past weeks which can be explained by Clefable's popularity. Blastoise turned out to be a really good Pokemon right now, able to provide a reliable spinner which can greatly threaten a lot of teams. In most cases it can get at least a kill vs offensive teams which is obviously great for a wallbreaker that has an average speed stat.Wont specify a set for this one as I think each set (Banded/AV/Bulk Up) was used at least once. Despite the fact that most Conkeldurr tend to struggle vs Clef, it's still a very valuable 'mon in very common match ups. It's a fighting type that has access to a valuable priority in Mach Punch which allows it to reliably revenge kill Bisharp while also being able to take on things like Hydreigon and Raikou. It has access to Knock Off and to good coverage options like Ice Punch and Poison jab which makes walling Conkeldurr much more tricky than you'd expect.Talonflame @ Flyinium ZAbility: Gale WingsEVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 SpeJolly Nature- Swords Dance- Brave Bird- Roost/Taunt- Flare BlitzAnother underrated threat which has seen some usage these past weeks. Many teams tend to lack Flying Resists and when they carry one it usually loses to Flare Blitz. That's why Talonflame works well overall, it deals well with key threats such as Clefable and Scizor. The issue with Talonflame is obviously the support it requires, i'd recommand using it alongisde a spinner that can actually beat common Stealth Rockers, Tentacruel, Blastoise and Starmie are all decent options here.Venomoth @ Buginium ZAbility: Tinted LensEVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 SpeTimid NatureIVs: 0 Atk- Sleep Powder- Bug Buzz- Quiver Dance- Sludge BombAnother anti-meta sweeper it hasn't been used that much so far but it put in a phenomenal work in all the games it was used. Sleep Powder allows it to get at least one Quiver Dance off which is more than enough to threaten many teams greatly. +1 Z move is ridiculously strong, it isn't resisted by anything due to Tintend Lens which is why using it on the right turn is very important to allow Venomoth to do well.Metagross @ Assault VestAbility: Clear BodyEVs: 80 HP / 252 Atk / 176 SpeAdamant Nature- Meteor Mash- Earthquake- Pursuit- Bullet Punch/Ice PunchAnother Pokemon which has a great potential right now. It's one of the very few (if not the only) Pokemon that can trapkill Latias safely no matter what set it runs. This spread outspeeds Modest Primarina but using max HP is also a decent option I think. It's also a great Clefable check which is obviously much appreciated given how popular it is. Metagross's win rate is very high so I'm expecting it to be seen more and more.Latias (F) @ Dragonium Z/Psychium Z/Electrium ZAbility: LevitateEVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpeTimid NatureIVs: 0 Atk- Calm Mind- Psyshock/Psychic- Roost/Thunder/Hidden Power [Fire]- Draco MeteorCalm Mind Latias has been a dominant threat for a long while now but most seemed to run Soul Dew. Z moves help Latias a lot to lure more or less whatever it wants to beat. Electrium beats Steel types, Psychium smashes Clefable and it acts as a nuke which doesnt require to lose spA, Draconium OHKOs things like Gliscor and Hippodown and hits extremely hard. Latias has been extremely effective in UUPL so far, despite the fact that most teams usually prepare for it, the combination of it's raw power and bulk allow Latias to put work extremely consistently.UUPL has been very enjoyable so far, it's great to see many players coming up with new sets and I'm expecting it to go just as well for the remaining weeks.