Why are the moves work up and cosmic power "usually useless moves" in showdown?

Work up increases both special attack and attack, making it the best offensive move for mixed attackers. Cosmic power raises both special defense and defense, combine that with a healing move and you got an immovable wall. If these moves are that good, then why are they “usually useless moves”?

Pleaselog inorregisterto add a comment.

Because Set Up Mixed Attackers aren’t that commonIt’s better to specialize in one stat, Physical or Special. Most Mixed Attackers hold a Life Orb, or have Huge/Pure Power as an ability, instead of setting up. Plus, set up moves like Nasty Plot or Swords Dance that instantly raise SpA or At two stages are generally better.

Because Walls also specialize in one stat typicallyMixed Walls are a thing, but most people have dedicated Special or Physical walls. Having a fully Special Chansey, with max HP and SpD is a lot better than having it as a mixed wall, as an example. Mixed Walls are usually those that have equal SpD and Def stats, like Aegislash.

23 Pokemon can learn Cosmic Power; and 17 of those are Psychic, which is generally not a defensive type. The others that can learn it are either banned (Clefable) or not viable at the time of writing this (Lopunny).