Monot(OU)ype Part Two: Offensive Pokémon

By Dream Eater Gengar and Eien. Art by Tikitik.
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Scolipede by Tikitik

Introduction

Have you ever hopped on the Monotype ladder and noticed people using Pokémon from the lower standard tiers with success? Or have you wondered how to build a successful team for types that do not have access to several OverUsed Pokémon? Teambuilding in Monotype is often very different from building in the standard, usage-based tiers because of the limited pool of Pokémon each type has to choose from.

For one, teambuilding is substantially different because the concept of "switching in something that resists it" on a predicted super effective attack is rare, since the entire team shares a type. Instead, defensive strategies center around walls and immunities, which may not be as viable in usage-based tiers. Similarly, not every team has access to the best OU offensive Pokémon to cover important coverage moves and matchups. For instance, Mega Camerupt is used on Ground-type teams to give them a great Pokémon that defeats Grass-type Pokémon especially well and does a lot in the Grass matchup; it's also a great specially offensive wallbreaker. Another example would be Rhyperior's usage on Rock-type teams, where it is one of the few offensive Scizor checks, which is one of the most problematic threats for Rock-type teams. In Monotype, Pokémon from the lower tiers are used to fill specific roles that the type may not have access to if only OU Pokémon were to be used, such as setting and removing entry hazards or taking offensive and/or defensive roles. This article is part 2 of a three-part series highlighting Pokémon from lower tiers—UU, RU, NU, and PU—that fill these important roles on teams in the Monotype metagame. This edition will be focused on offensive Pokémon.

Specially Offensive Pokémon

Meloetta

meloetta
  • AV Meloetta @ Assault Vest
  • Ability: Serene Grace
  • EVs: 240 HP / 252 SpA / 16 Spe
  • Modest Nature
  • - Psyshock
  • - Energy Ball
  • - Shadow Ball
  • - Focus Blast

While not being an amazing Pokémon in OU due to a plethora of Psychic-types outclassing it, Meloetta fits greatly in the Monotype metagame, as it gives Psychic an immunity to a type it fears: Ghost. Meloetta is a solution to stop Ghost-types from spamming their STAB moves on Psychic, as it can sponge the hits and retaliate with its wide enough coverage. Adding to that, Meloetta's special bulk and its coverage, seeing that Psychic lacks specially defensive Pokémon, make Assault Vest a good item for it, which allows Psychic to have its way against special attackers. While Choice Specs is not a popular item for Psychic teams, it may still be used with the same coverage moves. Good teammates would be Slowbro, as it is able to be Meloetta's defensive shield forming an interesting core; Mega Gardevoir, as it can take on problematic Dark-types that threaten Meloetta; and Victini, which can fend off Bug-types.

  • Choice Specs Meloetta @ Choice Specs
  • Ability: Serene Grace
  • EVs: 64 HP / 252 SpA / 192 Spe
  • Timid Nature
  • - Psychic
  • - Shadow Ball
  • - Focus Blast
  • - Trick

However, Meloetta is used as a special wallbreaker on Normal-type teams, as it can come to help against various types that the Eviolite core of Chansey + Porygon2 can't beat alone, such as Fighting-type teams, where it can be of great use if used correctly, and Flying-type teams, which struggle against Choice Specs Meloetta backed up by the Eviolite core acting as a sponge and healer. Porygon2 switches in on most physical offensive attacks while Chansey heals back Meloetta, assuring its longevity. Furthermore, Normal-type teams lack great specially offensive Pokémon outside of Meloetta and Mega Pidgeot, giving Meloetta great use on the team, as it doesn't require a Mega spot.

Hydreigon

hydreigon

Hydreigon is a great Pokémon in the Monotype metagame especially for Dark-type teams despite its UU status. Its great coverage moves, ability, and secondary typing in Dragon make it a great choice for the team. It mostly uses this set to punch holes through the opposing team, especially Steel-type teams, mainly with a Life Orb, as it is free to switch between its moves. Other moves can be used too, such as Flash Cannon to hit Fairy-type Pokémon and U-turn to gain momentum. Its ability in Levitate grants the team an immunity to Ground-type attacks, which is favorable for Dark-type teams. Its secondary typing in Dragon gives it resistances to various attacks such as Water, Grass, and Fire, which can do a lot to Dark-type teams, allowing it to sponge a hit and retaliate with one of its moves. Unfortunately, Hydreigon really dislikes specially defensive Pokémon, as its special coverage moves are cherished on Dark more than a mixed set, making Bisharp a great partner, as it can take out most special walls in the game such as Chansey, plus Hydreigon resists Fire-type moves and is immune to Ground-type moves, which Bisharp suffers against.

Mega Houndoom

houndoom

Mega Houndoom isn't always the go-to Mega in UU, and you have to build a team around it for it to be successful, but in Monotype Mega Houndoom is a great Mega choice for Dark-type teams. On a general view, Dark-type teams lack a hard special hitter, so Mega Houndoom is a great option on the team. Furthermore, its secondary typing in Fire makes it immune to a common status move in Will-O-Wisp and gives it strong STAB moves to fire off helping Dark-type teams against Bug-, Grass-, and Steel-type teams. Plus, its neutrality to Fairy-type moves and its access to Sludge Bomb and Nasty Plot give it more reason to be run, allowing it to take a hit or two and retaliate or finish off the foe before being attacked thanks to its high Speed. Despite its positive traits, it has to compete for a Mega spot on the team with Mega Tyranitar and Mega Sharpedo, which are also great Megas and fill different roles. It is also frail, so teaming it up with the likes of Sableye and Mandibuzz is highly recommended, as the former can cripple the foe with Will-O-Wisp while serving as a great check to Fighting-type Pokémon and the latter can sponge physical moves.

Gardevoir

gardevoir

Gardevoir is not as powerful as its Mega but finds its place on Psychic-type teams for two simple reasons, its typing and ability. Choice Scarf Gardevoir helps Psychic-type teams in taking on Dark Pokémon by outspeeding them and nailing various threats such as Mandibuzz, Hydreigon, and Hoopa-U for a OHKO or 2HKO. Moreover, it also has access to Healing Wish, which helps the team by bringing back a key Pokémon to full HP, which allows them to have the edge against the opponent. Focus Blast is also helpful in some matchups such as against Steel-type teams, while Energy Ball is great against Ground- and Water-type teams. Additionally, its ability in Trace can come in handy a lot of times, especially against rain Water, where it can trace Swift Swim to outspeed the opponent's rain sweeper. Some other notable Trace target is Sand Rush where it can take out Excadrill, a big threat to Psychic-type teams, thanks to Focus Blast. Gardevoir is walled by specially defensive behemoths even if it has Psyshock, so using it with Mega Medicham and Hoopa-U is highly recommended, as both can deal heavy damage to the foe allowing Gardevoir to hit the final blow, or pass its Healing Wish to one of them.

Lapras

lapras

On a type that is packed with many weaknesses, Lapras is a godsend. First, its typing gives it a neutrality to both Fire- and Steel-type moves, making it one of the only switch-ins to many threats like Heatran when combined with its great natural bulk. Furthermore, it comes equipped with Freeze-Dry, which allows Lapras to deal significant damage to Water-types, which resist most of an Ice team's STAB attacks. To frustrate Water teams even more, Lapras has Water Absorb, allowing it to find many opportunities to be sent into play thanks to this immunity. With a Choice Specs-boosted Hidden Power Fire, Lapras is capable of being one of only a few Pokémon that can both survive an attack from Mega Scizor, the biggest threat to Ice teams, and also OHKO it back. All of this makes Lapras one of the most useful Pokémon an Ice team can field.

Seismitoad

seismitoad

Seismitoad's stats really aren't anything impressive. However, its Water Absorb ability makes it incredibly viable on Ground teams, being one of the primary Water-immune options of the type. Every team needs a Water-immune Pokémon, and Seismitoad is the best option for offensive teams. It has access to great coverage moves in both Grass Knot and Sludge Wave, which deal significant damage to a lot of threats such as even OHKOing Swampert and Breloom. Its Speed EV investment is specifically to outspeed neutral-natured base 70 Speed threats, which includes the likes of Cloyster. And while its bulk isn't particularly impressive, thanks to its Water typing, Seismitoad can take one or two Ice attacks and retaliate with relative ease.

Nidoking

nidoking

Nidoking is blessed with the Sheer Force ability alongside a fantastic movepool that gives it amazing coverage. Poison is a type that can really struggle with a lot of matchups such as Steel, but Nidoking turns most of them around. With both Earth Power and Flamethrower, no Steel-type can reliably switch into its attacks safely. Even the most defensive Steel-types will be 2HKOed, making Nidoking an invaluable offensive member of any Poison team. Its access to Ice Beam helps it wallbreak against the Flying defensive core of Skarmory and Zapdos when combined with Flamethrower, another type that Poison traditionally struggles a lot with. Since most of the Poison team is walled by this pair, having Nidoking around to break it is invaluable. While Nidoking may not have any defensive or supportive roles, its offensive presence is perhaps the most far-reaching of the type.

Mega Camerupt

camerupt

On a type with weaknesses to both Ice and Grass, Mega Camerupt's unique Fire typing is incredibly useful. Sheer Force boosts Mega Camerupt's STAB attacks and turns it into one of Ground's strongest wallbreakers. With its fantastic natural bulk, Mega Camerupt is capable of taking a hit from most threats such as Kyurem-B and Serperior before KOing them back with its Fire Blast. Its typing helps further in checking threats such as Mega Charizard Y and Volcarona, which Mega Camerupt can easily switch into and KO with Ancient Power. That being said, it comes with an awful Speed and a critical weakness to Water-type attacks. Having Sand Rush Excadrill's amazing Speed can make up for this, and Gastrodon's Storm Drain allows it to support Mega Camerupt by providing an immunity to those threatening Water-type attacks.

Physically Offensive Pokémon

Crawdaunt

crawdaunt

Crawdaunt is one of the best wallbreakers in UnderUsed, and that doesn't change in Monotype, where it is much more appreciated on Dark-type teams. Such teams are mostly balanced, with their core of Tyranitar, Sableye, and Mandibuzz being especially weak to Ground-type Pokémon such as Landorus and Fire-type Pokémon such as Mega Charizard Y and Heatran. Thanks to its typing in Water / Dark this Pokémon is used to fend off these weaknesses, plus it also grants Dark a way to break opposing defensive cores more easily such as Chansey and Porygon2 on Normal-type teams and Tyranitar and Mandibuzz on Dark-type teams while also giving them a solid priority user. It also clears the way to Bisharp, which fares poorly against Ground-, Fire- and Water-type Pokémon, making it a great partner. Since Crawdaunt is fragile, it appreciates support from partners such as Mandibuzz and Tyranitar, which sponge physical and special attacks, respectively.

Mega Sharpedo

sharpedo

Mega Sharpedo is a Pokémon often overlooked due to its mediocre bulk and the need to give it a lot of support in order to build a successful team around it, but when used correctly this terrifying shark is able to completely sweep teams due its amazing offensive stats. It's a premium choice as a Mega for Dark-type teams, as they lack unboosted hard hitters. Plus, like Crawdaunt, this Pokémon also has a great typing combo in Water / Dark. Mega Sharpedo is a great late-game sweeper, as Dark-type teams have both the support and the offensive pressure needed to let it accomplish its role. Ice Fang is a great coverage move that takes on problematic Flying- and Grass-type Pokémon like Zapdos and Cradily, while Zen Headbutt is used against Fighting-type Pokémon such as Keldeo, which is a huge threat to Dark-type teams. Hydro Pump is another great move that can be used alongside Crunch as STAB to avoid being walled by physical walls such as Skarmory. Additionally, many teams can't carry Dark-resistant Pokémon due to Monotype's restrictive building, making Mega Sharpedo a premium late-game cleaner with Strong Jaw-boosted Crunch. Like previously noted, Mega Sharpedo can get great support from Pokémon such as Mandibuzz and Tyranitar, which sponge attacks and remove hazards or set hazards, respectively. Plus, offensive pressure from Pokémon such as Hoopa-U and Bisharp can also weaken the opposing team, allowing Mega Sharpedo a late-game sweep.

Skuntank

skuntank

Skuntank stars as one of two Psychic-immune options on Poison teams. Importantly, Skuntank has access to both Pursuit and Sucker Punch, allowing it to trap and KO many foes, even those faster than it. Thanks to its Fire-type coverage in Fire Blast, Skuntank can also be useful in the matchup against Steel teams, which Poison struggles with. By using Aftermath, Skuntank is also a suicide answer to many threats such as Mega Scizor, which is KOed by the combination of Fire Blast and Aftermath. While it does use Air Balloon to try to alleviate its sole weakness to Ground-type attacks, partners such as Gengar that are Ground-immune are more reliable and extremely useful. Skuntank lacks power, so having teammates like Nidoking can help Skuntank with defensive walls that it cannot touch, such as Zapdos.

Scolipede

scolipede
  • Life Orb Scolipede @ Life Orb
  • Ability: Speed Boost
  • EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
  • Adamant Nature
  • - Megahorn
  • - Rock Slide
  • - Earthquake
  • - Protect

Scolipede is a prime example of exactly how a type can completely flip a matchup it may appear to lose. Defensively, Bug really doesn't bring much to a Poison team, as Scolipede's defenses are so poor that its neutrality to Ground-type attacks is rarely useful. However, while it lacks defensive utility, Scolipede is a monster when it comes to battling Psychic teams. With access to STAB Megahorn and Speed Boost to ensure no Psychic-type Pokémon can outspeed it, Scolipede can threaten to outright sweep some teams after just a little bit of prior damage. That's not to say it's only a tool in this one matchup, though. Its variety of coverage options allows it to run a pseudo-EdgeQuake combination or even Aqua Tail to hit Ground-types. As a sweeper, Scolipede does appreciate help from wallbreakers to make its life a bit easier against teams that have walls it cannot touch. For example, Gengar and Nidoking can break Skarmory, allowing Scolipede to potentially sweep Flying teams with Rock Slide or Steel teams with Earthquake, both matchups in which Poison does struggle quite a lot.

  • Life Orb Scolipede @ Life Orb
  • Ability: Speed Boost
  • EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
  • Adamant Nature
  • - Megahorn
  • - Rock Slide
  • - Earthquake
  • - Protect

Just like on Poison teams, defensively, Scolipede falls quite short of being at all useful to a Bug team. Poison simply doesn't bring any resistances that are particularly useful. Instead, Scolipede offers a reliable sweeper that can potentially run through any weakened Fire team. While Fire generally has a very easy time beating Bug teams, with the help of Scolipede, this matchup can be turned around to be quite winnable. With Rock Slide easily KOing Mega Charizard Y and Earthquake heavily damaging all the rest, Scolipede is a huge threat always looming and ready to strike. And where Flying teams might prove to be difficult to beat, Scolipede can be a great late-game sweeper if Skarmory is out of the way. Teammates that can break down those walls include Volcarona, which puts offensive pressure by threatening another sweep, and Mega Heracross, which uses its incredible power to open up holes in the opposing team for Scolipede to exploit.

Doublade

doublade
  • Eviolite Doublade @ Eviolite
  • Ability: No Guard
  • EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
  • Adamant Nature
  • - Swords Dance
  • - Shadow Sneak
  • - Iron Head
  • - Sacred Sword

Doublade is one of Steel's best checks to most Fighting Pokémon, thanks to its Ghost typing. With this immunity alongside its huge Defense stat, it's capable of setting up Swords Dance even multiple times to threaten to sweep many teams once special attackers like Keldeo are removed. It is a fantastic defensive teammate for pairing up with Heatran and Skarmory, creating a three-part immunity core that can be incredibly difficult to break. Offensively, Doublade forms another three-part core with Mega Scizor and Bisharp, which attempts to brute force its way past teams with three rounds of Swords Dance sweeping.

  • Eviolite Doublade @ Eviolite
  • Ability: No Guard
  • EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
  • Adamant Nature
  • - Swords Dance
  • - Shadow Sneak
  • - Iron Head
  • - Sacred Sword

While Doublade doesn't have much defensive utility on a Ghost team, it carves its niche as the only viable physical setup sweeper the type has to offer. To compound this, Doublade's access to Sacred Sword allows it to easily beat down many Normal-types, which are immune to most Ghost-types' STAB attacks. The rare Fighting coverage is also useful in combating various Dark-types, giving Ghost teams a way to actually take out threats like Weavile. Because most Ghost attackers are special, Doublade can be a great help in breaking special walls such as Chansey.

Mamoswine

mamoswine

Mamoswine's combination of great offensive stats, unique typing, and defensive ability makes it one of the most useful Pokémon for a Ground team to have. With access to STAB Ice Shard, Mamoswine threatens almost every fast Grass Pokémon, including Serperior. Additionally, it has access to Icicle Spear, making Mamoswine capable of anti-leading against Breloom, which is one of the biggest threats to Ground teams. With Thick Fat and its Ice typing, Mamoswine takes a pittance from Ice-type attacks, allowing it to be a very reliable switch-in for threats such as Mega Glalie. Mamoswine also carries a rare Fighting-type coverage move in Superpower, allowing to break the very troubling Chansey + Porygon2 defensive core that Normal teams almost always run. When combined with another wallbreaker such as Landorus, Mamoswine can be a potent threat to most teams.

Rhyperior

rhyperior

Rhyperior's biggest contribution is being able to take almost all physical attacks and dish back a hit in return. With a typing that carries so many weaknesses, Rhyperior can reliably activate its Weakness Policy, boosting its uninvested Attack to incredible heights. Its ability to survive a +4 Bullet Punch or +2 Superpower from Mega Scizor or a High Jump Kick from Mega Medicham and OHKO both in return cannot be understated, as they are two of the biggest threats to any Rock team. Rhyperior does need some support, though, as its Special Defense is quite weak and almost any Water-type attack will OHKO it. Thus, Tyranitar and Cradily are perfect teammates, the first of which sets sand to boost the Rock team's Special Defense and the second of which has access to Storm Drain and great natural Special Defense. This core is what helps keep the Rock team alive against some of the most daunting foes.

Conclusion

Monotype is a metagame that challenges a player's teambuilding skills because all Pokémon share common weaknesses. Top Monotype players know that just bringing the OU Pokémon from a type or only running the standard usage-based tier's sets won't lead to consistent success. Calling upon Pokémon from lower tiers to fill specific roles on a team is crucial. Now that you're equipped with some of the gems from lower tiers, get out there and try them out on Pokémon Showdown!

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