STAB Head Smash with no recoil is very appealing indeed, even more so when coming from an Attack stat that approaches 460. The great thing about this set is that it makes most physical walls think twice about switching in. Skarmory gets 2HKOed by Head Smash, bulky Ground types don't enjoy STAB Water attacks and Earthquake puts a nice dent in Steel types. Waterfall is the more reliable choice for Water STAB, but Relicanth needs as much power as possible so Aqua Tail is recommended. Double-Edge is mostly for Breloom who resists all your other attacks.
He has high HP and a massive Defense stat so Relicanth is a decent choice for a Sleep Talk set. Leftovers is the obvious choice for something you expect to stick around awhile, but you can use Life Orb for more power as Rest compensates for the 10% recoil and loss of Leftovers. Support from Tyranitar and Hippowdon in the form of Sandstream makes Relicanth much sturdier, as the Special Defense boost helps him take more hits.
Rock Polish boosts Relicanth's poor Speed high enough to attempt a sweep. Waterfall is suggested over Aqua Tail as you may get some luck with the flinch rate. Life Orb gives Relicanth's attacks a little more bite, but Leftovers is still a decent option if you'd prefer healing to power. Other OptionsRelicanth can use Yawn and Stealth Rock to cause and punish switches. Rain Dance works with Swift Swim as an alternative to the Rock Polish set, but it's hard to give up a no recoil Head Smash just for a boost to his Water STAB. Stone Edge can be used in place of Head Smash if you're using Swift Swim. EVsChoice Band set should have maxed Attack with an Adamant nature. 244 EVs gives Relicanth 207 Speed, which outruns minimum Speed Suicune. Remaining EVs can go in HP. Sleep Talking set can also go with max Attack and Adamant. Give him 401 HP with the remaining 16 in Defense. For the Rock Polish set, Adamant and max Attack are once again the preferred spread. 198 Speed will outrun Aerodactyl and Jolteon, but max is suggested for random Choice Scarf users. OpinionWater/Rock is right up there with Bug/Flying as far as piss poor typing goes. It isn't all bad news though, Relicanth has the awesome Head Smash, and unlike Rampardos—the only other Pokémon who can learn this move—he doesn't have to suffer with the 50% recoil. Avoid Grass attacks like the plague and Relicanth should survive long enough to dish out some surprisingly heavy damage. CountersGrass types with decent Defense ruin Relicanth's fun. Leafeon, Tangrowth, and Celebi are all good options. Bronzong walls him quite effectively and can take down Relicanth with Earthquake or Grass Knot. Poliwrath and Quagsire both resist his Rock attacks and absorb Aqua Tail and Waterfall. Fighting attacks or Earthquakes help finish Relicanth. |
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