Return from this beast is at least a 2HKO on everything that doesn't resist it and a OHKO on a wide range of opponents. Shadow Claw covers any Ghosts who try their luck switching in, while Earthquake takes care of most Steel and Rock-types. Focus Punch and Fire Punch serve essentially the same purpose—hitting Bronzong and Skarmory. Pursuit can go over either Shadow Claw or Focus Punch/Fire Punch and does a great deal of damage to a switching opponent. Other OptionsYou can stick Choice Scarf on him if you want the extra Speed. Thunderpunch will deal the same damage to Skarmory as Fire Punch and has the added advantage of utterly destroying Gyarados. Fury Swipes is available to screw over faster Substitute users trying to shut down Slaking. OpinionChoice Banders require good prediction skills, but with Slaking this is of even greater importance. Since Truant stops him hitting twice in a row, you will need to predict perfectly to maximize the damage he does. If you're facing this monster, you will have to outpredict him or die. CountersNot much really, nothing likes taking hits this powerful. Skarmory and Bronzong fare quite well thanks to their resistances to Normal and immunity to Ground. Skarmory fares a little better as he can Roost to recover HP on the turn Slaking "loafs around" and also resists Ghost and Dark attacks. Hippowdon can take a hit from Return and Slack Off the damage. Ghosts, Rocks and Steels are all useful to have around to absorb his STAB attacks. While not technically a counter, anything with Protect really screws up Slaking one-on-one, as does anything faster with Substitute. |
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