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With the release of Diamond and Pearl, the Psychic type got flooded with Levitating Pokemon. All four of the Legendary Psychic-type Pokemon introduced carry Levitate, making competition between them for the same spot very fierce. Uxie, being the most defensive of the three sprites, is a bit outclassed by Cresselia, unfortunately. He just can’t keep up with the instant recovery she gets through Moonlight. While Uxie does still have the Rest / Sleep Talk combo and ten points in Defense over its rival, Cresselia can Sleep Talk too, in some cases even better than Uxie, given her huge advantage in HP. To use Uxie properly, the best thing to do is to be creative; his defenses are by no means weak, and his support options are still rather impressive.

Uxie
Psychic
HP: 75 Atk: 75 Def: 130 Sp Atk: 75 Sp Def: 130 Spd: 95
Ability: Levitate: This Pokemon is immune to Ground.

The best thing to do, perhaps, is to focus on the things Uxie can do that Cresselia can’t. For example, Uxie is a great way to set up Stealth Rock, particularly as a lead. It also gets U-Turn, allowing it to switch out of trap situations and giving it the ability to scout for switches. U-Turn also makes it a slightly better user of Light Screen and Reflect than Cresselia, since it can deal damage and switch out at the same time, giving the opponent no extra time to recover their balance. The final thing that Uxie gets over Cresselia is a sleep-inducing move. Yawn gives Uxie the ability to stall a bit better than Cresselia, though Moonlight does give the pink moon fairy the edge in the end.

Aside from Cresselia, Uxie has some other competition that makes choosing the sleepy pixie a bit tough. For example, Uxie can run a Calm Mind set to improve its special attack and already impressive special defense, but Mespirit has a better movepool and a more impressive special attack. Uxie could run a surprise Choice Specs or Choice Scarf set, but Azelf leaves him in the dust on both fronts. And, of course, Cresselia arguably does everything Uxie does better, Calm Mind and Tank and Sleep Talk included.

Although Uxie is outclassed in a number of ways, it’s still not a tank that should be underestimated. Though it lacks a solid recovery move, it still boasts some impressive support options, and can make life difficult for any party you’d care to name.

Support Pixie
Uxie @Leftovers
Bold (+Def, -Atk) nature
Levitate ability
252 HP, 58 Def, 200 Sp Def
-U-Turn
-Thunder Wave / Light Screen / Reflect
-Stealth Rock / Yawn
-Psychic
This Uxie makes a great lead, especially with Stealth Rock. Thunder Wave can screw over a number of common OU leads, like Weavile, Gyarados, and Salamence. The screens work wonderfully with U-Turn, as does Yawn, allowing you to switch in an appropriate counter should they try to switch to avoid falling asleep. Thunder Wave will also work in tandem with Yawn, though you’ll have to predict a bit. If you think they’ll switch out, Thunder Wave can catch a sweeper meant to counter Uxie in a bad spot. Psychic is there mainly as a STAB attack, but Thunderbolt, Charge Beam, Energy Ball and Grass Knot are all options that will provide better coverage, though less power in a pinch. In particular, Thunderbolt will make Uxie a great Gyarados counter.

The EV spread and nature for this set will give it nearly equal defensive abilities on either side, meaning he’ll be able to take a physical or special hit equally well. Uxie’s defenses are no joke, so don’t be afraid to stay in against something nasty if you think you can deprive it of its ability to sweep with Thunder Wave.

Sleep Talk Pixie
Uxie @Leftovers
Bold (+Def, -Atk) nature
Levitate ability
252 HP, 58 Def, 200 Sp Def
-Charge Beam
-Psychic / Shadow Ball / Energy Ball
-Rest
-Sleep Talk
Ah, the good ol’ Rest / Sleep Talk combo. This moveset makes Uxie a very solid status absorber and makes the best of its impressive defensive abilities. Charge Beam is recommended here, as Uxie’s offensive abilities desperately need some sort of boost to be useful. The lack of Ice Beam hurts it quite a bit, so the secondary attack is really a matter of what you think will be most useful. Energy Ball is probably best, coverage wise, but it’ll leave you wide open to other Psychics, particularly ones with high special defense, so Shadow Ball is also an option. Psychic is there, again, mainly as a STAB attack, but it could be useful.

Trick Pixie
Uxie @Leftovers / Lagging Tail
Relaxed (+Def, -Spd) nature
Levitate ability
252 HP, 58 Def, 200 Sp Def
-Trick Room
-U-Turn
-Yawn / Trick
-Psychic
With massive defenses and access to some useful support moves, Uxie is one of the best overall users of Trick Room. U-Turn combines exceptionally well with Trick Room, allowing you to get out of play without interrupting your momentum, which is essential in a Trick Room team. One of my favorite tactics with this Uxie is the use of Trick, which swaps your held item with your opponent’s. Since Lagging Tail simply forces your foe to go second instead of reducing their speed, it doesn’t interfere with Trick Room, and allows Uxie to absolutely cripple any Pokemon that relies heavily on its speed without having to worry about whether or not Trick Room is up.