Bulbasaur to D or C Rank (if there ends up being a D Rank)
Set/Spread:
Bulbasaur @ Eviolite
Ability: Overgrow
Level: 5
EVs: 76 HP / 204 Def / 156 SpD
Calm Nature
- Knock Off
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Synthesis
Bulbasaur is a good mon that is pretty under-appreciated and is overshadowed by Foongus in LC OU. Since Foongus isn't in LC UU, it has the time to shine. It is still somewhat outclassed by Chespin, but Bulbasaur still has a decent niche.
Bulbasaur has access to reliable recovery in Synthesis. It has some interesting stab options such as Energy Ball, Leaf Storm, Giga Drain (preferred), Sludge Bomb, and the odd Venoshock. It also has access to Knock Off. Bulbasaur is a surprisingly bulky 'mon, reaching 22/14/16 bulk, so 22/21/24 with eviolite. It's bulk, paired with reliable recovery, allows it to absorb plenty of non-SE hits.
Bulbasaur also has the interesting Growth ability, so if it's in a tight spot and is at a low health and has to Giga Drain. it deals a larger amount of damage, resulting in more recovery.
Bulbasaur is also able to run a Sun sweeper set with it's access to the Chlorophyll ability. However, this isn't that good since it is outclassed by Bellsprout. Although Bulbasaur has better bulk, speed, and reaches the same Special Attack stat, it cannot have Weather Ball with Chlorophyll, and must run HP Fire or another coverage move in that moveslot.
Bulbasaur is by no means a perfect 'mon, but it has a niche with it's great bulk paired with reliable recovery in Synthesis, as well access to support moves like Knock Off and Sleep Powder. This is why I'm nominating it for D or C rank, and Not B, A, or S rank.
Next up is
Squirtle to D rank (again, if there ends up being a D Rank)
Set/Spreads:
Squirtle @ Eviolite
Ability: Torrent
Level: 5
EVs: 84 HP / 156 Def / 244 SpD / 12 Spe
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Rapid Spin
- Haze
Squirtle @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Torrent
Level: 5
EVs: 4 HP / 200 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Water Spout
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Grass]
Squirtle @ Life Orb
Ability: Torrent
Level: 5
EVs: 212 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
IVs: 11 HP
- Fake Out
- Aqua Jet
- Waterfall
- Ice Punch
Squirtle is another good 'mon that is outclassed in LC OU both as a spinner and as a water type. It struggles as a defensive 'mon, seeing as it has no reliable recovery outside of Rest. It has other niches in LC UU, with access to Water Spout or Fake Out + Aqua Jet.
Squirtle's main niche is Rapid Spin. There are other, possibly better options such as Anorith and Kabuto, however Squirtle has another interesting support move pool that these two don't, which is Haze. Squirtle is usually able to live moves from many set-up sweepers, including Shellder, Tyrunt, Axew, and Binacle. It can Haze away their stat boosts, however is severely weakened in the process.
+2 236+ Atk Shellder Rock Blast (5 hits) vs. 84 HP / 156+ Def Eviolite Squirtle: 15-20 (68.1 - 90.9%) -- approx. 6.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
+2 180+ Atk Binacle Stone Edge vs. 84 HP / 156+ Def Eviolite Squirtle: 15-18 (68.1 - 81.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
+1 220 Atk Mold Breaker Axew Outrage vs. 84 HP / 156+ Def Eviolite Squirtle: 15-18 (68.1 - 81.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock - DD Axew
+1 124+ Atk Tyrunt Outrage vs. 84 HP / 156+ Def Eviolite Squirtle: 15-18 (68.1 - 81.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
Squirtle is also able to use Scald to burn and cripple many physical attackers, as well as use Ice Beam for coverage. It can also go physical with Aqua Jet/Waterfall paired with Ice Punch.
Squirtle can also run an offensive Choice Scarf set, paired with Water Spout, as seen above. This set runs Water Spout/Hydro Pump/Ice Beam/Hidden Power Grass. Water Spout is the main move, with Hydro Pump for after it loses too much HP to use Water Spout, and Ice Beam + HP Grass for coverage. This set is, however, sadly outclassed by Frillish, who has a better move pool, abilities, and special attack stat.
Another odd niche that Squirtle has is access to several priority moves. These moves include Aqua Jet and Fake Out. It can run the Life Orb set seen above, with Fake Out/Aqua Jet/Waterfall/Ice Punch. It also has coverage in Iron Tail, Zen Headbutt, and Brick Break. However, all of it's sets are completely walled by Frillish, and it is pretty mediocre.
Squirtle is far from perfect and it's sets are mostly outclassed, however it has a decent niche, which is why I'm nominating it for C rank or the potential D Rank.
Buizel to C or B Rank
Set/Spread:
Buizel @ Choice Band
Ability: Water Veil
Level: 5
EVs: 236 Atk / 36 SpD / 236 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Waterfall
- Aqua Jet
- Ice Punch
- Switcheroo
Buizel is completely overshadowed in every way (except for Water Veil) in LC OU by Corphish. However, in LC UU, Buizel has room to shine. It also reaches the coveted 19 speed tier, which is less common in LC UU (with the removal of Pokemon such as Abra and Ponyta).
Buizel has the great ability of Water Veil, which prevents it from being burned. This is especially helpful to Buizel since it is a more physically oriented 'mon.
Buizel has another great niche in Switcheroo. This allows Buizel to hold a Choice Band and strong hits. This also allows Buizel to use Switcheroo on slower defensive 'mons and special attackers to cripple them severely, while Buizel takes their Life Orb/Eviolite/whatever.
Unlike many water 'mons, Buizel is not completly walled by Frillish. With this set, Buizel can cripple Frillish by taking it's Eviolite and giving Frillish a Choice Band. Frillish is also unable burn Buizel, since it has Water Veil.
Buneary to C Rank
Set/Spreads:
Buneary @ Assault Vest
Ability: Klutz
Level: 5
EVs: 228 Atk / 4 Def / 236 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Return
- Drain Punch / Fire Punch
- Quick Attack / Baton Pass / Fake Out
- Switcheroo
Buneary @ Life Orb
Ability: Limber
Level: 5
EVs: 228 Atk / 4 Def / 236 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Return
- Drain Punch / Fire Punch / Jump Kick
- Quick Attack / Fake Out
- Ice Punch / Thunder Punch / Fake Out
Buneary is pretty similar to Buizel in that it reaches 19 speed and can utilize Switcheroo. However, Buneary can run several items to cripple 'mons. With the ability Klutz, Buneary ignores the effect of it's item. This allows it to run and Switcheroo usually detrimental items to most LC mons, including Assault Vest, Iron Ball, Flame/Toxic Orb, Choice Band/Specs/Scarf, and pretty much anything you can think of (apart from Mega Stones).
This particular set uses Assault Vest. Assault Vest raises the user's Special Defense stat by 1.5 times, but only allows it to use attacking moves. Since Buneary's Klutz ability ignores the effect of items, it is still able to use Switcheroo with this item equipped. This especially cripples support Pokemon, stopping them from using their recovery moves/entry hazards/status moves/etc., while Buneary takes their Eviolite in return.
Buneary also has good coverage in it's STAB Return, Drain Punch + Elemental Punches, priority in Quick Attack and Fake Out, and also has Baton Pass to ease prediction.
However, Buneary is frail before it obtains an Eviolite and struggles to switch in on most things. It's normal typing stops it from having resistances, and it's STAB can't hit anything super effectively.
Buneary also can use a Life Orb set. Since it reaches the coveted 19 speed tier, it can outspeed most 'mons and deal heavy damage with it's STAB moves and array of coverage.
Clauncher to C Rank
Set/Spread:
Clauncher @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Mega Launcher
Level: 5
EVs: 36 HP / 20 Def / 212 SpA / 12 SpD / 224 Spe
Timid Nature
- Water Pulse / Scald
- U-turn
- Flash Cannon / Sludge Bomb
- Ice Beam / Sludge Bomb
OR
Clauncher @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Mega Launcher
Level: 5
EVs: 36 HP / 20 Atk / 212 SpA / 12 SpD / 224 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Water Pulse / Scald
- U-turn
- Flash Cannon / Sludge Bomb / Crabhammer
- Ice Beam / Sludge Bomb
Clauncher has an interesting niche as the only Mega Launcher 'mon in LC UU, as well as in LC OU. However, what holds Clauncher back is it's lacking movepool, and the fact that it has to choose between being bulky or fast.
While Clauncher's movepool is somewhat lacking, it does have enough interesting moves to run a Choice Scarf set, since it reaches 14 speed with a +Speed nature. it has access to Mega Launcher-boosted Water Pulse (or non-boosted Scald if you prefer burns), Dragon Pulse (which is boosted by Mega Launcher but adds very little, besides being it's only move to hit Frillish neutrally), Ice Beam (not boosted) Flash Cannon (not boosted), Sludge Bomb (not boosted), as well as some physical moves like Crabhammer, Aqua Jet, and U-turn. It somehow manages to have 4mss and lack good moves all at the same time.
Clauncher is able to hit decently hard and can act as a pivot with U-turn. It can also potentially spread status with Water Pulse (confusion), Scald (burn), Sludge Bomb (poison), and Ice Beam (freeze).
Spoink to D or C rank
Set/Spreads:
Spoink @ Eviolite
Ability: Thick Fat
Level: 5
EVs: 116 HP / 236 Def / 116 SpD / 36 Spe
Bold Nature
- Magic Coat / Taunt / Whirlwind / Heal Bell
- Psychic
- Shadow Ball / Heal Bell / Taunt / Hidden Power Fighting (would need EV adjustments)
- Thunder Wave / Whirlwind / Heal Bell
Spoink @ Eviolite
Ability: Thick Fat
Level: 5
EVs: 160 Def / 200 SpA / 120 SpD
Quiet Nature
IVs: 30 Def / 30 SpA / 30 SpD / 2 Spe
- Psychic
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
- Trick Room
Spoink is the cutest 'mon in Little Cup (tied with Skiddo) so that should be enough to convince you of it's greatness. The only thing really holding it back is a lack of physical bulk, paired with a Knock Off weakness. However, Spoink has great special bulk, good Special Attack, and decent speed.
Spoink also has a wide array of support moves, including Magic Coat, Taunt, Thunder Wave, Trick, Trick Room, Toxic, Reflect, Light Screen, Torment, Heal Bell, and even Whirlwind. It also has a great ability in Thick Fat, which adds Fire- and Ice- type to it's (sadly, short) list of resistances.
Spoink can also act as an offensive Trick Room setter (the 2nd set). With it's high base 70 Special Attack, it can set up Trick Room and begin attacking. This set, sadly, is almost completely outclassed by Solosis, who has 105 Special Attack and can run Magic Guard + Life orb, or Regenerator + Eviolite, while setting up Trick Room. Solosis also out-slows Spoink with base 20 speed, and has a wider array of coverage moves.
Finneon to C rank
Set/Spread:
Finneon @ Eviolite
Ability: Storm Drain / Water Veil
Level: 5
EVs: 124 HP / 228 Def / 44 SpA / 108 SpD
Bold Nature
- Scald
- U-turn
- Defog
- Ice Beam
Finneon is one of the very few non-flying type Defog users. It also has access to a pivoting move in U-turn. Finneon is able to spread status with Scald, and has coverage in Ice Beam and Signal Beam.
Finneon also has 2 interesting abilities in Storm Drain and Water Veil. Water Veil prevents Finneon from being burned, while Storm Drain raises it's Special Attack stat by +1.