Speed Tiers — National Dex OU, Offense Lens
Format: Mega Evolution and Z-Moves are legal. What you see at preview is what you outspeed (note Terapagos, whose Tera Shift ability is just an on-switch form change — it sits at base 85 the whole game; see 16-terapagos). Speed math is therefore honest in this metagame: build your spread to a real number and it holds. All numbers are exact L100 stats, computed per
dmgcalc.stat()from the authoritative base speeds in_research/basestats.json. Roster = the 2026-04 top ~40 by weighted usage plus the Scarf / +1 / Booster / Tailwind benchmarks an aggressive Offense builder actually plans around. Coming from Gen 9 OU? Everything Terastal changes lives in Appendix: The Tera Ban.
How to read this (the L100 formula)
For Speed at level 100 with 31 IVs:
max (252 EV, neutral nature) = 2·Base + 99
max+ (252 EV, +nature, e.g. Jolly/Timid) = floor((2·Base + 99) × 1.1)
Choice Scarf / Booster-Speed / +1 Speed (Dragon Dance, etc.) = floor(stat × 1.5)
Tailwind = floor(stat × 2)Verification against the three load-bearing anchors (all exact):
- base 138 max+ = 412 →
floor(375 × 1.1) = floor(412.5)— the Zamazenta wall (see below). - base 110 + Scarf = 525 →
floor(350 × 1.5)— the canonical Scarf ceiling for the format’s fast Scarfers. - base 100 max (neutral) = 299 →
2·100 + 99.
Two abbreviations used throughout: max+ = 252 Spe / positive nature; max = 252 Spe / neutral nature. “Scarf+” / “Boost+” / “+1+” mean the modifier applied to the max+ figure (the standard offensive build); where a Pokémon canonically runs neutral-nature Scarf (e.g. Landorus-T Scarf), the neutral line is given explicitly.
The thresholds that define the format
| Threshold | Number | What it means for offense |
|---|---|---|
| 412 — the Zamazenta wall | base 138 max+ | Zamazenta at 412 is the single most-creeped number in the tier. To outspeed it without a Scarf you need base ≥ 130 max+ (Tapu Koko 394 — still short) — i.e. nothing relevant outspeeds 412 naturally except a Scarf or +1. Most offenses revenge Zama with priority or a Scarfer rather than racing it. |
| base-110 Scarf = 525 | floor(350×1.5) | The Scarf “ceiling” for the relevant fast mons (Ogerpon-W, Diancie-M, Iron Moth, Latios-M all base 110). A 525 Scarfer outruns every non-Scarf, non-boosted thing in the tier and ties other base-110 Scarfers. |
| base-100 max = 299 | 2·100+99 | The most contested unboosted shelf — Char-Y/X, Zapdos, Volcarona, Manaphy all live here. Creeping 299 (1–4 Spe EVs) is the cheapest, most common speed-creep war in the format. |
| Booster Energy Speed (×1.5) | of max+ | One-time Scarf-equivalent speed with no Choice lock, paid for by the item slot and activation condition. Iron Valiant Booster = 546, Raging Bolt hypothetical Speed-boost = 409 (common Booster/sun sets boost SpA in practice), Iron Crown Booster = 486. |
| Tailwind (×2) | of max+ | Doubles for 4 turns. A base-100 max+ mon (328) hits 656 under Tailwind; even base-87 Great Tusk (300) reaches 600 — your whole team leapfrogs every Scarfer for the window. |
| Choice Scarf (×1.5) | of the chosen Spe stat | The default revenge-speed lever. Scarf base 110 = 525, base 100 = 492, base 95 = 475, base 91 (Lando-T, neutral) = 421. |
Band 1 — Hyperfast & dedicated Scarfers (≥ 439)
Above the 412 Zama wall. In practice you only reach this band with a Choice Scarf, a Speed-natured Booster, +1, or Tailwind — almost nothing sits here naturally.
| Mon | Base | Key line | Spe | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regieleki | 200 | max+ | 548 | C-tier, but the hard ceiling — if you see it, only Scarf/+1 outpaces. |
| Tapu Koko | 130 | Scarf+ | 591 | A- fast Scarf pivot; outruns nearly the entire tier. |
| base-136 Scarf | 136 | Scarf (neutral) | 556 | Bulk-Scarf benchmark (Barraskewda-class). |
| Tapu Lele | 95 | Scarf+ | 475 | Scarf Lele revenges everything ≤474; the format’s premier Scarf breaker. |
| Iron Valiant | 116 | Scarf+ / Boost+ | 546 | Scarf or Booster both → 546. The reference revenge speed. |
| Ogerpon-Wellspring | 110 | Scarf+ | 525 | The 525 anchor. Also the Iron Moth / Diancie-M / Latios-M Scarf number. |
| Garchomp | 102 | Scarf+ / +1+ | 499 | Scarf Chomp or +1 Scale Shot Chomp both reach 499. |
| base-100 | 100 | Scarf+ | 492 | Char-Y, Volcarona, Zapdos, Manaphy Scarf/boost line. |
| Iron Crown | 98 | Boost+ | 486 | Booster Crown (C-tier but a real benchmark). |
| Urshifu-Rapid-Strike | 97 | Scarf+ | 483 | Scarf URS revenges up to 482; Band-Surging Strikes URS sits far lower (see below). |
| Gliscor | 95 | Scarf (neutral) | 433 | Rare, but a Scarf line exists; SD Gliscor lives at 317 (Band 3). |
| Dragonite | 80 | +1+ | 426 | +1 max+ DD-nite clears the 412 wall — the cleanest “beat Zama” line on a setup mon. |
| Landorus-Therian | 91 | Scarf (neutral) | 421 | Scarf Lando-T (Adamant/neutral) — outspeeds 412 Zama and revenges +1 base-80s. |
Offense takeaway: if your revenge plan is a Scarfer, Scarf base ≥ 110 (525) beats every other Scarfer and unboosted sweeper; base 95–102 Scarf (475–499) is the value tier (Lele, Chomp, URS). The two non-Scarf ways above 412 that matter are +1 base-80 (Dragonite, 426) and Tailwind (next band’s mons all leapfrog here for 4 turns).
Band 2 — Fast offense, the 412 wall, and the natural ceiling (350–412)
This is where the unboosted speed war is fought. 412 = Zamazenta max+; nothing relevant in this guide’s threat set outspeeds it without a boost/item.
| Mon | Base | max+ | max | +1 (from max+) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zamazenta | 138 | 412 | 375 | — | The wall. Body Press / ID pivot; you do not out-creep this — you revenge or priority it. |
| Lopunny-Mega | 135 | 405 | 369 | — | Fast Scrappy Fake Out + HJK; outspeeds everything ≤404 unboosted. |
| base-136 | 136 | 408 | 371 | — | Fast-reference benchmark; not itself a listed legal threat. |
| Weavile | 125 | 383 | 349 | — | Ice/Dark priority + raw speed pursuit trapper. |
| Meowscarada | 123 | 379 | 345 | — | Flip Turn / Knock fast pivot (C-tier but appears). |
| Greninja | 122 | 377 | 343 | — | Fast special breaker / Spikes lead. |
| Tornadus-Therian | 121 | 375 | 341 | — | Regenerator Defog / NP-Z pivot. |
| Cinderace | 119 | 370 | 337 | — | Court Change + HDB pivot/breaker. |
| Hawlucha | 118 | 368 | — | +1 = 552 | Unburden doubles to 736; relevant only as a benchmark. |
| Iron Valiant | 116 | 364 | 331 | Boost = 546 | Its un-boosted speed; Speed-Booster Valiant jumps to 546 immediately on entry. |
| Serperior | 113 | 357 | 325 | — | Contrary Leaf Storm sweeper. |
| base-110 cluster | 110 | 350 | 319 | Boost = 525 | Ogerpon-W, Iron Moth, Diancie-M, Latios-M. Unboosted 350; the single most important natural tier to outspeed or tie. |
Offense takeaway: the base-110 cluster at 350 is the most strategically important natural number — Ogerpon-W and Diancie-M are everywhere, and a Timid base-113+ mon (or a creep to 351 on your own 110) wins those mirrors. Above that, the field thins fast; the 412 wall is hard, so plan to beat Zamazenta with priority (Scizor-M Bullet Punch, Dragonite ESpeed, Raging Bolt Thunderclap) or a Scarfer rather than out-speeding it.
Band 3 — The base-100 speed war and bulky-offense pivots (280–349)
The densest, most-creeped band in the format. The base-100 = 299 (neutral) shelf is the single most contested number; the base-95/91 pivots define the bulky-offense speed floor.
| Mon | Base | max+ | max | Scarf / boost | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garchomp | 102 | 333 | 303 | Scarf+ 499 | Unboosted 333; +1 Scale Shot or Scarf to escape. |
| base-100 max+ | 100 | 328 | 299 | Scarf+ 492 · TW+ 656 | Char-Y, Volcarona (Timid). The 299/328 pair is the creep battlefield. |
| Charizard-Mega-Y | 100 | 328 | 299 | — | Drought nuke; usually Timid 328. |
| Charizard-Mega-X | 100 | 328 | 299 | +1 = 492 | DD Char-X: +1 from 328 = 492 (Tailwind/Scarf-equivalent). |
| Zapdos | 100 | 328 | 299 | — | Defog/Volt pivot; the most common reason to creep 300+. |
| Volcarona | 100 | 328 | 299 | +1 = 492 | QD Volc: +1 = 492, +2 = 656 — the classic Z-sweep speed. |
| Manaphy | 100 | 328 | 299 | +3 TG = n/a | Tail Glow boosts SpA, not Spe; sits at 328. |
| Iron Crown | 98 | 324 | 295 | Boost+ 486 | Booster Crown; un-Boosted 324. |
| Urshifu-Rapid-Strike | 97 | 322 | 293 | Scarf+ 483 | Band-Surging Strikes URS sits at 322 — slower than the base-100 shelf, the reason it pairs with Future Sight / pivots rather than racing. |
| Tapu Lele | 95 | 317 | 289 | Scarf+ 475 | Specs Lele lives at 317; Scarf Lele in Band 1. |
| Gliscor | 95 | 317 | 289 | — | SD/utility Gliscor; most run far less Spe (creep-to-Lando lines). |
| Kyurem | 95 | 317 | 289 | — | SubRoost / Specs Freeze-Dry; 289 neutral is the common bulk line. |
| Landorus-Therian | 91 | 309 | 281 | Scarf 421 (neut) | The defining pivot speed: max+ Lando = 309; most run 0–8 Spe (≈ neutral 281 or less) and Scarf Lando = 421 clears the 412 wall. |
| Iron Treads | 90 | 306 | 279 | — | Fast spinner/SR lead; 306 outspeeds the base-87/85 shelf. |
| Moltres | 90 | 306 | 279 | — | Bulky Flame Body pivot. |
| Pecharunt | 88 | 302 | 275 | — | Spinblock / Foul Play pivot. |
| Great Tusk | 87 | 300 | 273 | TW+ 600 | The bulky-offense glue; 300 max+ ties the creep with base-100 neutral (299) — Tusk wins by exactly 1. |
| Terapagos | 85 | 295 | 269 | — | Tera Shift does not change Speed — Terapagos stays at base 85; 295 max+ / 269 neutral. |
Offense takeaway: this band is where speed creep wins or loses games. Decide your role: a fast pivot/cleaner wants to clear 300 (Great Tusk) and ideally 328/333 (base-100/Chomp); a Lando-T mirror is won by 1–8 Spe EVs (310 beats 309); and Scarf Lando-T at 421 is the cheapest legal answer to the 412 Zama wall on a glue mon. Note URS at 322 is slower than the base-100 shelf — it is a breaker, not a revenger, unless Scarfed.
Band 4 — Slow breakers, walls & priority abusers (≤ 279)
Below the speed war. These win via priority, bulk, Trick Room, or by going last on a pivot. Their max+ lines are listed because creep wars still matter at the margins (e.g. Kingambit’s +1 Sucker timing).
| Mon | Base | max | max+ | Boost / +1 | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heatran | 77 | 253 | 278 | — | Magma Storm trapper; most run 0 Spe (≈ 200s). |
| Raging Bolt | 75 | 249 | 273 | Boost+ 409 | Booster boosts SpA in practice; Thunderclap priority is its speed answer. |
| Scizor-Mega | 75 | 249 | 273 | — | Bullet Punch priority is the whole point — it ignores this band entirely. |
| Ceruledge | 75 | 249 | 273 | +1 = 373 | Bitter Blade / Ghostium-Z; +1 from 249 (Adamant) = 373. |
| Samurott-Hisui | 70 | 239 | 262 | — | Ceaseless Edge Spikes lead. |
| Corviknight | 67 | 233 | — | — | Defog/Pressure wall; Bulk Up + Body Press. |
| Alomomola | 65 | 229 | — | — | #1-usage Regenerator glue; speed is irrelevant — it pivots and Wishes. |
| Clefable | 60 | 219 | — | — | Magic Guard CM / cleric. |
| Kingambit | 50 | 199 | — | +1 = 298 | Slow by design; Sucker Punch priority + Supreme Overlord. +1 (rare Spe set) = 298. |
| Ting-Lu | 45 | 189 | — | min 85 | Spikes/Whirlwind wall; often min-Spe (85) to dodge nothing — pure bulk. |
| Toxapex | 35 | 169 | — | min 67 | Haze/Regenerator glue; min-Spe. |
| Melmetal | 34 | 167 | — | — | Double Iron Bash / AV wall. |
| Slowking-Galar | 30 | 159 | — | — | Future Sight + Chilly Reception; wants to be slow (goes last to pivot). |
| Hatterene | 29 | 157 | — | — | Base 29 — a Trick Room setter/abuser because it’s this slow; Magic Bounce + CM. |
| Ferrothorn | 20 | 139 | — | — | Spikes/Leech glue; effectively the slow floor of the relevant pool. |
Offense takeaway: you do not out-speed this band — you out-prioritize or out-pivot it. The priority lever is the format’s real “speed control” below 412: Kingambit Sucker, Dragonite Extreme Speed, Scizor-M Bullet Punch, Raging Bolt Thunderclap. Conversely, slow bulky breakers (Kyurem, Tapu Lele Specs, URS) are meant to be brought in safely via a pivot (Slowking-G / Lando-T / Alomomola) and click, not to win a speed race. Trick Room is the niche off-meta exploit of this band: Hatterene at 157 moves before normal fast attackers while the room is active.
★ Offense angle — what your team needs to outspeed and creep
Building aggressive Offense, your speed control resolves to four concrete questions:
-
Do you beat the base-110 cluster (350)? Ogerpon-W and Diancie-M are everywhere. A Timid base ≥ 113 (357+) mon, or +1 / Scarf anything, clears it. If your breaker is itself base 110, run max+ Timid (350) and accept the tie/creep — or pack a faster cleaner.
-
What is your answer to the 412 Zama wall? You will not naturally outspeed it. Pick one of: a Scarfer (Scarf Lando-T 421, Scarf Lele 475, Scarf Valiant 546), a +1 sweeper that clears it (Dragonite +1 = 426; Char-X DD = 492), or priority (Bullet Punch / ESpeed / Sucker / Thunderclap). Most good offenses carry two of these.
-
Where is your revenge-killer? The value Scarf benchmarks are 525 (base 110), 499 (Chomp), 492 (base 100), 483 (URS), 475 (Lele). A 525 Scarfer outruns every other Scarfer in the relevant pool; 475–499 Scarfs are cheaper and still beat all unboosted threats.
-
Are you winning the 299/300 creep war? The base-100 neutral shelf (299) and Great Tusk (300) are the most-contested numbers. If you run a base-100 mon, a few Spe EVs to 300–305 wins the Char-Y / Zapdos / Volcarona mirrors and creeps Great Tusk. Conversely, Tailwind (base-100 max+ → 656, Great Tusk → 600) trivializes the entire war for 4 turns and is the strongest one-button speed control offense has — pair it with your slowest hardest-hitting breakers.
Most contested tiers, ranked: (1) base-100 = 299/328 — the everyday creep war; (2) base-110 = 350 — Ogerpon-W/Diancie-M mirrors; (3) 412 — the Zama wall you plan around, not through; (4) the Scarf ceiling 525 — the number your revenger wants to hit or beat.
Speed values: exact L100, 31 IVs, computed with dmgcalc.stat() from _research/basestats.json. Base speeds corrected per source: Urshifu-Rapid-Strike 97, Iron Crown 98, Iron Moth 110, Hatterene 29. Cross-refs: 02-viability-tiers · 06-building-offense · 03-top-threats/.