|
-
Early Bird
- Reduces sleep time by 50%.
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Run Away
- Increases chances of successfully escaping a random battle.
|
Statistics
|
Min- |
Min |
Max |
Max+ |
| HP |
60
|
- |
261 |
324 |
- |
| Atk |
110
|
230 |
256 |
319 |
350 |
| Def |
70
|
158 |
176 |
239 |
262 |
| SpA |
60
|
140 |
156 |
219 |
240 |
| SpD |
60
|
140 |
156 |
219 |
240 |
| Spe |
100
|
212 |
236 |
299 |
328 |
With Attack and Speed being its primary stats, Dodrio is another candidate for a Choice sweeper. Brave Bird is Dodrio's most powerful attack and can put a big dent in any foe not resistant to Flying moves. Return works as a second STABed attack and can be used against Electric-types or in cases where recoil damage would put Dodrio in a losing situation. Dodrio can use its invisible Steel Wings to strike Rock-type opponents, but unfortunately, it has nothing for Steel-types. Quick Attack can be used with Choice Band to bring down faster, weakened opponents and Reversalers/Flailers. Pursuit is a good fourth move for frail or weakened opponents who think they can escape unharmed.
Work your way down to 1 HP with either Substitute or Endure, then begin Flailing away. Unfortunately, the ability to use physical Hidden Powers was lost in D/P so Dodrio has no super effective attack against Ghosts besides Faint Attack. However, a STABed Drill Peck is equally as powerful as a super effective Faint Attack and is therefore Dodrio's best attack to handle Ghost opponents. With an Adamant nature and a Liechi Boost, it easily OHKOs Gengar. Endeavor hits any Rock or Steel-types that think they can wall Dodrio without taking much damage. If you are running Agility, give Dodrio a Liechi Berry. Otherwise, go with Salac.
Agility is one of two stat boosting moves that Dodrio can learn. The other is the less reliable but more diverse Acupressure. It can be useful if you don't have a specific recipient of Baton Pass in mind. Even walls and special sweepers can benefit from this move if you boost the appropriate stat. Skarmory, the bane of most Baton Passers, can't stop you if you Taunt its attempts to Whirlwind you away, though Brave Bird will hurt badly if you don't get a Defense boost. Lum Berry can save you from a crippling status before you Baton Pass while Focus Sash can grant you an extra turn to either stat boost or pass to your teammates.
Other Options
Like most of it's Normal/Flying peers, Dodrio's movepool is limited. It can use Double-Edge to deal more damage than Return and since it isn't meant to last long, the recoil is not a big deal (though it's illegal with Brave Bird). Body Slam is an alternate Normal move that can paralyze potential counters if you don't mind the drop in power. Baton Pass can be added to the Flail set to pass the Liechi or Salac boosts to another team member if Dodrio cannot handle the current opponent. Mirror Move is very situational, but can be a useful surprise if Dodrio switches into an Earthquake from a Rock or Steel-type. Dodrio can also clear away stat boosts with Haze or recover health with Roost, though its overall frailness means these moves aren't very useful on it.
EVs
The Choice Band Dodrio simply wants max Attack and Speed.
The Flailer Dodrio works fine with max Attack and enough Speed for 270, which outruns Adamant Choice Scarf Heracross. Of course, you can add in more Speed EVs if you are paranoid about faster Choice Scarfers.
Baton Pass Dodrio wants max Speed to be able to outrun and Taunt potential threats and to be able to Baton Pass as soon as it has finished setting up. Max HP helps it take a hit, especially if you're not carrying a Focus Sash.
Opinion
Thanks to Staraptor, Dodrio's reign as the best Normal/Flying bird is over. Even Swellow has some advantages over it due to its Speed and Guts ability. If you want to use the Triple Bird over the Predator Bird, take advantage of the two main moves that are exclusive to it—Flail and Baton Pass. Dodrio misses the physical Hidden Power Fighting/Ground it once had in the 3rd generation, but that shouldn't stop you from using it since it still makes a decent physical sweeper.
Counters
Steel-types make Dodrio's three heads cry simultaneously. Its movepool is completely devoid of any physical Fighting attacks and the most it can do is Endeavor or Baton Pass away. Rock-types not named Rhyperior may have to be wary of Steel Wing, but for the most part they are safe when switching in as well. Dusknoir and Spiritomb can easily switch in on the Flail version and burn it with Will-o-wisp or finish it off with Sucker Punch.