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Swift Swim
- Speed doubles in rain.
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Poison Touch
- The wielder has a 30% chance to poison the opponent when it uses a contact move.
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Water Absorb
- Heals 25% HP when hit by a Water-type attack.
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Level 100 Statistics (see level 5, 50, 100)
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Min- |
Min |
Max |
Max+ |
| HP |
105
|
- |
351 |
414 |
- |
| Atk |
85
|
185 |
206 |
269 |
295 |
| Def |
75
|
167 |
186 |
249 |
273 |
| SpA |
85
|
185 |
206 |
269 |
295 |
| SpD |
75
|
167 |
186 |
249 |
273 |
| Spe |
74
|
165 |
184 |
247 |
271 |
Overview
Seismitoad has always lurked in the shadows, outshined by its Water-type brethren. Thankfully, Seismitoad's Dream World ability, Water Absorb, along with the BW tutors gives it a new lease on life. Instead of resorting to Leftovers and RestTalk for recovery, Seismitoad can now use Water Absorb, granting it 25% recovery when hit by a Water-type attack. Notable attacks that have been given to Seismitoad include Stealth Rock, Ice Punch, and Knock Off.
Seismitoad is a unique Swift Swim sweeper and bulky Water-type that occupies a niche which shared with only Cradily: an immunity to Water-type attacks as well as access to Stealth Rock. On a rain team, Seismitoad can be a support Pokemon with Stealth Rock and a sweeper with Swift Swim; in addition, Seismitoad can be an excellent pivot with its 105 / 75 / 75 defenses, Water Absorb, and Water / Ground typing. However, all is not well for Seismitoad; its 4x weakness to Grass-type attacks is exacerbated by the plethora of Grass-type Pokemon in NU, and it's not even the strongest Water-type sweeper; for example, Gorebyss and Ludicolo are more powerful standalone Swift Swim sweepers. However, play to Seismitoad's strengths, take advantage of its immunities, and you won't be disappointed.
Thanks to its excellent typing, useful ability, and good bulk, Seismitoad is extremely effective at running a physically-based defensive set. It matches up excellently against the most common users of Stealth Rock in the tier, those being Golem, Piloswine, Golurk, Regirock and Armaldo, all of which are weak to Seismitoad's STAB moves and attack from the physical side. In addition, their special bulk is average at best, meaning that Seismitoad can dispose of them easily with Scald. To truly appreciate just how effective Seismitoad is at taking on these Pokemon, it's only 3HKOed by Golurk, has a 25% chance to be 4HKOed by Golem, is 4HKOed by Piloswine, and is only 5HKOed by Armaldo, while Regirock cannot even touch it. These are all Pokemon with high Attack stats, generally full offensive investment, and using powerful Earthquakes. Being physically-based also makes Seismitoad the best counter to one of the most threatening Pokemon in the tier: Shell Smash Carracosta. However, Seismitoad is not limited to taking resisted hits; both Choice Band Sawk and Braviary fail to OHKO Seismitoad even after Stealth Rock and Spikes damage while Seismitoad can deal a powerful blow to Sawk's reduced defenses or burn them both with Scald.
Stealth Rock is an obvious choice on a Pokemon that matches up so well against the other Pokemon that set it up and outspeeds all of them even with a Relaxed nature. Major threats such as Scolipede, Jynx and Charizard hate having to lose so much of their HP when they switch in, and Seismitoad is extremely reliable at ensuring this happens. Scald is the obligatory Water-type STAB move of choice on a defensive Pokemon such as Seismitoad, and the high chance to burn the opponent makes Seismitoad even more of a full stop to physical attackers. Earthquake is the recommended move over Earth Power, as it OHKOes Jynx after Stealth Rock and generally deals more damage. The last slot is fairly variable. Toxic is the recommended choice, as bulky Grass-types, such as Serperior and Ludicolo, love to switch into Seismitoad but absolutely despise being badly poisoned. It's also an excellent way to wear down other bulky Water-types, such as Alomomola. Knock Off is a more colorful option that can be used to scout potential sets based on the opponent's item and is very handy for crippling the many Eviolite users that reside in the tier.
Team Options & Additional Comments >>>
Protect is another interesting move to use in the last slot. It enables Seismitoad to regain more HP from Leftovers and again allows you to scout effectively and react accordingly. It's especially lethal if Seismitoad is paired with a Toxic Spikes user, as the extra turns to sap the opponent's HP can be crucial.
The EVs on this set are fairly specific. Defense is maximized so that Seismitoad can take on the threats it's supposed to counter with maximum efficiency, while 200 HP EVs hit a Leftovers number. The 56 EVs in Special Defense insure that Seismitoad is never OHKOed by Hidden Power Grass from Life Orb Zebstrika and Electrode. It even has a good chance to avoid the OHKO after Stealth Rock damage and can proceed to OHKO both of them in return with Earthquake.
Ideal teammates for Seismitoad will be able to switch into the Grass-type attacks targeted at it with little-to-no risk. Sap Sipper Pokemon, such as Miltank and Sawsbuck, can gain a boost to their Attack for free and then do as they please. Roselia has excellent defensive synergy with Seismitoad, as it takes next to nothing from Grass-type attacks and can strike back at their users with its STAB Sludge Bomb. It also handles special threats akin to how Seismitoad does physical ones and has the ability to set up additional entry hazards. Flying-types are also good partners for Seismitoad, as they can switch in on Grass-types easily and immediately threaten them with their STAB moves. Articuno, Braviary, and Charizard are notable examples, as Articuno has the sheer bulk and STAB combination to beat practically any Grass-type, Braviary can use them as setup fodder, and Charizard sports a quadruple resistance to Grass, while Seismitoad also covers all of Charizard's weaknesses perfectly. Other than that, it's really Seismitoad who supports the team and not the other way around.
This set takes advantage of Swift Swim and is Seismitoad's best chance to sweep. Courtesy of its typing, Seismitoad is immune to Electric-type attacks, notably Volt Switch and Thunder Wave, which gives it a niche as a Swift Swim sweeper; when used on a full rain team, this immunity becomes invaluable. Rain Dance doubles Seismitoad's Speed and powers up its STAB Water-type attacks, while the debate between Hydro Pump and Surf comes down to the age old question of power versus reliability; as Seismitoad lacks the sheer power of other Water-type sweepers, Hydro Pump allows it to hit as hard as it can but Surf can be used instead if accuracy is an issue. Earth Power serves as Seismitoad's other STAB and hits many of the Pokemon that resist its Water-type attacks hard, especially the plethora of NU Pokemon with a Grass / Poison typing. The last moveslot depends on your team's needs. Stealth Rock allows Seismitoad to fulfill its unique niche as both a sweeper and supporter, and helps break down common checks to rain teams such as Mantine. Be that as it may, if Stealth Rock is already set by another Pokemon, then Sludge Wave can be used, letting Seismitoad damage pure Grass-types more effectively.
Team Options & Additional Comments >>>
The given nature and EV spread allow Seismitoad to hit as hard as possible. With 160 Speed EVs, Seismitoad can outspeed Choice Scarf Rotom-S after Swift Swim. Life Orb is the preferred option because Seismitoad wants to do as much damage as it can, but Damp Rock is a viable choice to lengthen the duration of Rain Dance, which allows Seismitoad to be an excellent support sweeper. Seismitoad can also use Hidden Power Ice instead of another move to hit Altaria, which otherwise walls this set. Grass / Poison type Pokemon are the biggest counters to Seismitoad, as they aren't hit hard by either Earth Power or Sludge Wave. Roselia is a superb counter to Seismitoad, as it takes little damage from any of Seismitoad's attacks and has Giga Drain to OHKO Seismitoad; moreover, the prospect of Spore threatens Seismitoad and fellow teammates. Besides Grass-types, Seismitoad has a hard time taking down bulky Water-types as well as dedicated special walls that can tank Seismitoad's onslaught and cripple it; Lickilicky easily absorbs attacks and can respond by setting up a Wish, phazing with Dragon Tail, or using Swords Dance, while Audino can switch into any attack, set a Wish up, or cripple Seismitoad with Toxic.
Articuno is an excellent partner for Seismitoad, as it resists Grass-types attacks and can wreak havoc with STAB Ice Beam and Hurricane, which has perfect accuracy in the rain. Ludicolo is a great rain partner for Seismitoad, capable of damaging the Grass-type Pokemon that spell trouble for Seismitoad. In general, Seismitoad has excellent synergy with Grass-types, since they resist Seismitoad's only weakness. Vileplume is an exceptional partner for Seismitoad, especially in the rain; its Fire-type weakness is neutralized under rain, STAB on Poison-type attacks helps it deal with troublesome Grass-type Pokemon, and, with Sleep Powder, Vileplume can cripple an opponent with ease. Fellow Water-type sweepers, such as Gorebyss and Samurott, also work well with Seismitoad, weakening the opponent's team for each other.
With both Water Absorb and Stealth Rock, Seismitoad can act as a decent tank, with its Water / Ground typing allowing it to take most special attacks well. Seismitoad can also be a good lead, thanks to its access to Stealth Rock and ability to attack opposing leads with Scald if needed. Earth Power takes advantage of STAB and allows Seismitoad to hit many of the Pokemon that resist Scald for more damage. Knock Off serves to destabilize opposing Pokemon, ridding them of essential items, such as Eviolite, Leftovers, and Choice items. Seismitoad can also utilize Toxic to cripple bulky Pokemon; however, Pokemon with a Grass / Poison typing are immune to Toxic and will often be the ones that will switch in on Seismitoad.
Team Options & Additional Comments >>>
Leftovers is the recommended item because the passive recovery helps maintain Seismitoad's bulk. However, Rindo Berry is also a viable option, allowing Seismitoad to survive most non-STAB Grass-type attacks, such as Grass Knot from Samurott and Eelektross as well as Hidden Power Grass from Charizard. Seismitoad is also a good check to opposing Water-type sweepers that lack a Grass-type attack; however, it cannot do much damage back. Thanks to its typing, Seismitoad is a good counter to Volt Switch users that lack a Grass-type attack, such as Zebstrika, Probopass, and Rotom-S. If using the physically defensive EV spread, then Seismitoad can check Samurott and Carracosta as long as they lack a Grass-type attack or it has a Rindo Berry equipped.
The preferred partners to Seismitoad should either resist or be immune to Grass-type attacks, especially if Seismitoad is using Leftovers rather than Rindo Berry. Articuno is a great partner creating excellent synergy with Seismitoad; it can take Grass-type attacks all day and threaten opposing Pokemon with both Ice Beam and Hurricane. Physically defensive Vileplume has access to Sleep Powder and has exceptional synergy with Seismitoad as well. Pokemon with Sap Sipper are also great partners, due to their immunity to Grass-type attacks. On a more offensive team, Sawsbuck is an excellent choice, threatening the opponent's team after an Attack Boost, while Miltank is a great choice on a more defensive one; it can switch in and start attacking at +1, or cure status with Heal Bell. As Seismitoad has trouble with status—mainly poison—a cleric is very beneficial; the aforementioned Miltank works well, as does Vileplume with its 4x resistance to Grass-type attacks. Seismitoad lacks reliable recovery even with Water Absorb and Leftovers, so a Wish user is recommended; Flareon is an excellent partner in this regard as it also threatens every Grass-type Pokemon in the tier except Ludicolo.
Other Options
Seismitoad can utilize RestTalk, but, due to the sleep mechanics, it is a risky choice. Seismitoad can use Poison Touch as its ability to give it a chance to poison the enemy on contact, but it is not as helpful as Swift Swim or Water Absorb. Grass Knot is available to hit opposing Water-types, but it won't see much use other than that. Seismitoad has an extensive physical movepool, but a physical set doesn't have many hard-hitting options and lacks Water-type attacks, while a mixed set doesn't hit hard enough, even with Earthquake. Alternatively, Seismitoad has Ice Punch to hit Altaria and opposing Grass-types hard. Drain Punch also deserves a mention, providing a way to hit the various Normal-type Pokemon in NU and restore health simultaneously.
Checks and Counters
As mentioned previously, Grass-type Pokemon are excellent counters to Seismitoad because they resist Seismitoad's STABs and can retaliate with a STAB Grass-type attack. Even with Rindo Berry, a STAB Grass-type attack will heavily damage Seismitoad, although pure Grass-types need to be wary of Sludge Wave. Vileplume is the best counter to Seismitoad, because it can either incapacitate it with Spore or OHKO through Rindo Berry with Giga Drain, while Seismitoad's attacks won't deal much at all. Despite the fact that Seismitoad can hit Ludicolo with Sludge Wave or Toxic, Ludicolo is an adept counter to Seismitoad, both in and out of rain; in rain, Ludicolo can outspeed and OHKO with a STAB Grass-type attack, while Ludicolo can switch in, set up a Substitute, and either use Leech Seed or simply OHKO with Giga Drain outside of it. If Cradily avoids Toxic, then it can boost its Special Attack with Storm Drain or KO Seismitoad with its STAB Grass-type attacks. With immunity to Water-type attacks, Dry Skin Parasect can switch in on Seismitoad and threaten it with Spore or a STAB Grass-type attack. Special walls, such as Lickilicky, Audino, and Musharna can come in on Seismitoad and tank its hits while wearing Seismitoad down. Altaria resists Seismitoad's Water-type STAB and is immune to Earth Power, but has to watch out for Hidden Power Ice or Ice Punch. In a similar vein, Dragonair is a good counter because of its bulk and typing; even Hidden Power Ice and Ice Punch won't be doing much damage because of Dragonair's Eviolite-boosted defenses. Barring Knock Off, Seismitoad has no way to stop Dragonair. Faster Taunt users are a nuisance because they disrupt Seismitoad's job—either setting up Rain Dance or Stealth Rock—but nothing with Taunt will appreciate taking a Hydro Pump to the face or getting burned by Scald.
