Bronzong

Levitate
The wielder is immune to Ground-type moves.
Heatproof
Reduces damage from Fire-type moves by 50%.
Heavy Metal
The wielder's weight is doubled.
Type Tier
Steel / Psychic UU
Level 100 Statistics (see level 5, 50, 100)
Min- Min Max Max+
HP
67
- 275 338 -
Atk
89
192 214 277 304
Def
116
241 268 331 364
SpA
79
174 194 257 282
SpD
116
241 268 331 364
Spe
33
91 102 165 181

Overview

In the UU tier, Steel-types were extremely lacking. Suddenly, an iron bell began to ring, heralding Bronzong's descent into UU, where it is a force to be reckoned with. Great base 116 Defense and Special Defense stats, combined with a plethora of resistances, only one weakness, and an ideal support movepool make Bronzong the perfect candidate for a support role. However, its lack of reliable recovery severely hinders its longevity, and Bronzong might become overwhelmed by switching into repeated attacks. Nevertheless, Bronzong is still an amazing wall and can be extremely beneficial to your team.

Name Item Ability Nature

Tank

Leftovers Levitate Relaxed
Moveset IVs
~ Stealth Rock
~ Gyro Ball
~ Toxic
~ Earthquake
0 Spe
EVs
252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD

Bronzong's natural defensive typing and bulk makes it one of the best support Pokemon in UU. This set is bulky enough to counter the most common physical attackers, including Flygon, Krookodile, Rhyperior, and Stoutland. It is also almost guaranteed to set up Stealth Rock, as only hard-hitting Fire-type attacks will OHKO the tank.

In tandem with Bronzong's base 33 Speed, acceptable base 89 Attack, and STAB, Gyro Ball packs quite a punch, 2HKOing Flygon and Krookodile. Toxic is great for getting residual damage on common switch-ins such as Blastoise, Mew, and Zapdos. Bronzong's own immunity to Toxic allows it to come out on top of many stall wars, as it will not be worn down easily by opposing walls. Earthquake is a good move to have for Fire-type switch-ins, and prevents Bronzong from being bait for Magneton. Gyro Ball and Earthquake together have great coverage, effectively covering most offensive threats.

Team Options & Additional Comments >>>
Name Item Ability Nature

Dual Screens

Light Clay Levitate Relaxed
Moveset IVs
~ Reflect
~ Light Screen
~ Gyro Ball
~ Earthquake / Hypnosis
0 Spe
EVs
252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD

This set capitalizes on Bronzong's amazing bulk, which gives it the ability to set up both Reflect and Light Screen. Gyro Ball is Bronzong's strongest attacking option. Steel-, Electric-, and Fire-type Pokemon can switch in freely on any of the first three moves, and will attempt to weaken Bronzong or stall out the dual screens. Earthquake gives Bronzong the option to retaliate with super effective damage, stopping Pokemon such as Victini, Raikou, Darmanitan, and Arcanine from getting a free switch. Hypnosis is an option over Earthquake to provide Bronzong with an extra turn to set up, though the 60% accuracy is extremely unreliable.

Team Options & Additional Comments >>>
Name Item Ability Nature

Calm Mind

Leftovers Levitate Bold
Moveset EVs
~ Calm Mind
~ Psyshock
~ Flash Cannon
~ Protect / Hidden Power Ground
252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe

Despite not being its primary set, Bronzong can effectively use Calm Mind to catch its common enemies off guard and allow it to threaten Pokemon it would normally stalemate at best, such as SubRoost Gligar and Xatu. Its defensive typing and Levitate ability leave it vulnerable only to Fire-type attacks, some of which it can even shrug off after a few Calm Minds. Psyshock is the primary STAB for this set, allowing Brozong to stand toe-to-toe with other Calm Mind users and deal major damage to specially defensive tanks without requiring too many boosts. Flash Cannon provides the best neutral coverage alongside Psyshock allowing it to damage fellow Psychic-types and Dark-types, including Mew, Sableye, Weavile, and Spiritomb. Finally, Protect garners free Leftovers recovery, while also scouting the opponent's move. This is extremely helpful versus Pokemon who commonly use Choice-items, as it allows Brozong to escape a lethal V-create from Victini, punish a Darmanitan predicting its switch with U-turn, or avoid any attempts to Trick away its item. If Protect is not needed, Hidden Power Ground is a useful alternative that allows Brozong to damage Empoleon, Victini and Cobalion, who otherwise wall it.

Team Options & Additional Comments >>>

Other Options

Bronzong has a movepool rich in both supportive and offensive move options. Bronzong can set up Rain Dance usually more than once due to its incredible bulk, thus paving the way for Swift Swim users to sweep. Rain Dance is also beneficial to Bronzong, as it temporarily weakens Fire-type moves, Levitate Bronzong's only weakness. Bronzong can make use of a Choice Band to hit certain Pokemon harder, especially faster, more fragile Pokemon such as Flygon. It can also Trick quite a lot of nasty items onto your opponent's Pokemon; for example, Tricking a Lagging Tail or Toxic Orb onto a Darmanitan will severely limit its effectiveness. The aforementioned Choice Band can also be a nasty surprise for some enemies.

Checks and Counters

Bronzong's main job is to set up, so Pokemon that can prevent this are generally its best counters. Fire-type Pokemon, such as Victini, Chandelure, Arcanine, and Rotom-H, are the biggest threats, as they can all OHKO Bronzong with a STAB attack. Xatu can reflect entry hazards or status, but it cannot do much to Bronzong apart from wearing it down with a combination of Night Shade and Roost. Mew can either prevent Bronzong from setting up by using Taunt or cripple Bronzong with Will-O-Wisp. Nasty Plot Mew can also set up on Bronzong or Baton Pass its boosts to something like Chandelure. Although quite rare, Magnet Rise Magneton can easily shut down Bronzong provided that it does not switch into Earthquake. Without Toxic, Bronzong has a hard time breaking through bulky Water-types, who can tank most of its hits and eventually burn it with Scald.