Blastoise (Update)

[Overview]

<p>Despite competition from bulkier Waters and a plethora of Rapid Spinners, Blastoise remains a strong Pokemon of the UU tier. Its main use is as a bulky Rapid Spinner, which it does very well with its strong defenses and great Water typing. Its excellent movepool allows it to serve other functions, from utilizing offensive Choice items to stalling opponents out with Toxic. Sadly, Blastoise is weakened by his lacks of a reliable recovery move and weakness to Thunderbolt, a move commonly found on many Rapid Spin blockers, such as Rotom. It is also checked by the numerous UU Grass-types, namely Leafeon, Venausaur, and Sceptile. Even with its flaws, Blastoise is still a staple Pokemon of the UU tier.</p>

[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Surf
move 2: Ice Beam / Foresight
move 3: Rapid Spin
move 4: Roar / Rest
item: Leftovers
ability: Torrent
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Blastoise is one of a handful of Pokemon gifted with the ever-useful Rapid Spin, and because of its bulk and great defensive typing, it can easily find opportunities to use it. It has little trouble switching in on common walls and using Rapid Spin to blow away any entry hazards. In addition to Rapid Spin, it has a number of good options for further team support such as Roar, as well as good offensive type coverage provided by Surf and Ice Beam. Blastoise makes a great teammate because of its versatility and ability to deal with a large variety of Pokemon.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Surf is Blastoise's main form of STAB, and a no-brainer on any bulky Water. If you invest 32 EVs into Speed, Blastoise can outspeed Jolly Rhyperior and Adamant Aggron and threaten them with a powerful Surf. The last two slots are not as straight forward, as Blastoise's excellent movepool allows it to use lots of moves to support its team. Toxic is a great option for wearing down opposing bulky Waters and other opposing walls, while Yawn is a decent choice to put an enemy to sleep or force a switch. Foresight allows Blastoise to successfully spin away entry hazards against Ghost-type switch-ins. However, it still must be wary of Mismagius and Rotom who carry Thunderbolt. Ice Beam allows Blastoise to counter opposing Grass-types that switch in on it on the switch in. If you opt for Toxic in the third slot, Roar is an option to scout the enemy's team, rack up entry hazard damage, and prevent opponents from setting up. Protect is also an option in the last slot, as it can help scout out Choice users, and allows for an extra turn of Leftovers recovery while working well alongside both Toxic and Yawn. Rest deserves a mention as well, as Blastoise unfortunately lacks an instant recovery move.</p>

<p>Ghost- and Grass-types are Blastoise's two greatest counters; Ghost-type Pokemon prevent Blastoise without Foresight from using Rapid Spin successfully. Furthermore, Spiritomb has the defenses that allow it to sponge Surf easily, while Mismagius and Rotom both threaten Blastoise with Thunderbolt. To remedy this, specially defensive variants of Registeel, Spiritomb, and Arcanine all work very well in tandem with Blastoise, walling Ghost-types when outfitted with the proper moves. Additionally, Blastoise can double switch to a Pursuit user such as Spiritomb, Drapion, or Skuntank to rid itself of Mismagius and Rotom. Altaria is one of the best switch-ins to Venusaur, as it does not fear any of its attacks, and can absorb Sleep Powder thanks to Natural Cure. Venusaur itself also makes a great counter to Grass-types, although it must be wary of variants that carry Hidden Power Ice or Fire. Arcanine and Moltres can also switch in on Grass-types and scare them off. Fire-types will also benefit greatly from Blastoise due to their weakness to Stealth Rock. RestTalk Arcanine works especially well, as it can absorb Sleep Powder and Toxic. From there, it can use Sleep Talk to pummel opponents with Flare Blitz or shuffle them with Roar to allow entry hazards to chip away at their HP. Since Blastoise's primary job is to Rapid Spin, a grounded Poison-type is very useful in absorbing Toxic Spikes. Drapion and Venusaur are two great candidates as they easily handle the Grass attacks aimed at Blastoise while fulfilling this role at the same time. </p>

<p>Although not mandatory, a Wish user can prolong Blastoise's presence tremendously. Leafeon makes a great partner because it resists Blastoise's weakness to Grass and Electric, while Blastoise resists Leafeon's Fire and Ice weaknesses. Chansey and Clefable can fill the same role and also provide a special wall for your team. Clerics are also good friends of Blastoise since it fears status moves, especially Toxic. They are also great if you are running Rest in the last slot and do not want to leave Blastoise vulnerable.</p>

[SET]
name: RestTalk Shuffler
move 1: Surf
move 2: Rest
move 3: Sleep Talk
move 4: Roar
item: Leftovers
ability: Torrent
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>This set takes a completely different approach to using Blastoise, while allowing it to keep it defensive role. The "RestTalk" strategy not only gives Blastoise a way to heal itself, but also allows it to absorb the status moves it normally loathes. Meanwhile, Roar is used to shuffle opponents, allowing entry hazards to take their toll while Blastoise can tank hits. Roar also makes Blastoise extremely difficult to set up on, which opponents will inevitably attempt to do once Blastoise uses Rest. Conveniently, Sleep Talk also overrides Roar's -5 priority, meaning it can phaze slower opponents before they can attack. Surf's STAB and neutral type coverage make it a great attack to use with this set, allowing Blastoise to wear down opponents in its sleep.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>This set functions well on any team that incorporates Spikes and Stealth Rock, although it functions best on a stall team where it can be supported by other defensive Pokemon. Even without entry hazards, it still serves multiple useful purposes. Roar makes it a great phazer, and its bulk allows it to take many boosted physical attacks and then force the opponent to flee. It is especially useful against Curse and Calm Mind users, such as Registeel, Slowbro, and Miltank, that may prove difficult to take down with attacks.</p>

<p>It is worth noting that Rapid Spin can replace Roar, but doing so changes the function and purpose of the set completely. With Rapid Spin, Blastoise plays much like it does in the Utility set, but with the addition of a recovery move and the omission of a status move. Stay away from replacing Roar with Ice Beam or Toxic, as Milotic can fill this niche significantly better.</p>

<p>There are plenty of options available for Stealth Rock users, but Registeel is one of the best at handling Blastoise's weaknesses. Do not expect to find a Spiker in UU that pairs well with Blastoise defensively, as there really is not one (outside of the frail Cacturne). For this reason, Spikers like Omastar, Qwilfish, and Cloyster are best used in the lead slot.</p>

<p>Grass- and Electric-types, as well as other powerful special attackers such as Alakazam and Mismagius, need to be removed for Blastoise to be truly effective, although Blastoise does enjoy Roaring them away when they try to switch in. Chansey is, of course, the best Pokemon in the tier at walling special threats, and does so with ease. Additionally, it can utilize Aromatherapy to shorten Blastoise's slumber. The aforementioned specially defensive variants of Registeel, Spiritomb, and Arcanine all make for great checks to Blastoise's common switch-ins. RestTalk Weezing does an excellent job at walling Grass-types, and can be used in tandem with Blastoise to shut down almost all physical sweepers in the tier. Venusaur also provides great synergy with Blastoise, as it can handle both Grass- and Electric-types while having its own weaknesses to Fire and Ice attacks covered by Blastoise. Altaria works well also, having access to Heal Bell and Natural Cure, while only needing to be wary of Hidden Power Ice and boosted special attacks.</p>

[SET]
name: Tortoise of Choice
move 1: Water Spout / Hydro Pump
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Hidden Power Grass
move 4: Surf / Rapid Spin
item: Choice Specs / Choice Scarf
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Although slapping Choice Specs on Blastoise may seem like an awkward fit, when paired with the turtle's recent acquisition, Water Spout, it makes for a very potent combination. Water Spout is a move that, despite its awesome power, is very rarely seen outside of the Uber tier, which is mostly attributable to the low Speed of its two NU owners: Octillery and Wailord. Blastoise, however, is not only considerably faster than these two, but also is also primarily used as a defensive Pokemon, which gives it the surprise factor that its counterparts lack.</p>

<p>The beauty of this set lies not in its raw attacking power, but instead in its ability to lure in and destroy UU's top spinblockers; Rotom, Mismagius, and Spiritomb. When your opponent has Stealth Rock up in the early-game, switching in Blastoise will immediately coax out their spinblocker and allow Blastoise to KO it with Water Spout. Quickly dispensing of these Pokemon will allow Rapid Spinners such as Donphan and Claydol to perform their jobs with ease. As demonstrated by the damage calculations below, standard variants of Rotom and Mismagius will be OHKOed after Stealth Rock damage, while most Spiritomb will take massive damage and be primed for an easy 2HKO.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<ul class=”damage_calculation”>
<li>87.5% HP Water Spout vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Mismagius - 87.4% - 103.4%</li>
<li>87.5% HP Water Spout vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Rotom - 98% - 115.8%</li>
<li>87.5% HP Water Spout vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Spiritomb - 73.4% - 86.8%</li>
<li>Max HP Water Spout vs. 252 HP / 212 SpD Clefable - 55.8% - 65.7%</li>
<li>Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Venusaur - 77.7% - 91.7%</li>
<li>Ice Beam vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Sceptile - 95% - 112.1%</li>
<li>Hidden Power Grass vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Milotic - 36.1% - 42.7%</li>
<li>Hidden Power Grass vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Slowbro - 51.8% - 61.4%</li>
<li>Hidden Power Grass vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Azumarill - 51% - 60.4%</li>
</ul>

<p>The attacks on this set are pretty much standard in UU in terms of type coverage. Ice Beam covers Altaria and Grass-types, while Hidden Power Grass smacks bulky Waters who will attempt to wall Blastoise. A second Water-type move is often necessary to give Blastoise a STAB move when its HP drops below a certain point. When running Surf, Water Spout is the preferable attack while Blastoise's HP exceeds 63%. It should be noted that Rapid Spin is also a viable option in the last slot if you do not want to use a dedicated Rapid Spinner. However, switching Blastoise into Stealth Rock twice (once to KO the opponent's spinblocker, and once to Rapid Spin) hurts Water Spout greatly, to the point that Hydro Pump will usually be the superior option.</p>

<p>Choice Scarf is a viable option over Choice Specs if you want to transform Blastoise into a revenge killer of sorts. With a Modest nature and a spread of 16 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpA / 232 Spe it climbs near the top of the Speed tiers, outpacing all base 120s. Being faster than the likes of Sceptile and Alakazam will certainly surprise your opponent. Without Choice Specs, however, Blastoise becomes significantly less powerful, and will struggle to achieve the KOs it needs. Therefore, entry hazards are important to pair with this set in order to weaken fragile Pokemon. When played correctly, this set's Speed can make it a very potent check to quite a few sweepers. It should be noted that, while it does not score the same OHKOs on Ghost-types, it outspeeds and 2HKOes them easily if they stay in.</p>

<p>As previously mentioned, this set is made to be best friends with a Rapid Spinner. Donphan and Claydol both make solid partners and have the added bonus of being immune to Electric attacks. Hitmontop is also an option, although Foresight allows it to effectively take on spinblockers by itself. Pairing Blastoise with any of these Pokemon makes for a trustworthy method of eliminating entry hazards, which allows Stealth Rock-weak Pokemon to reach their full potential. Some of the most fearsome attackers in UU fit this bill, including Scyther, Moltres, Swellow, Houndoom, and even Charizard.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>Blastoise has a few handy options that have yet to be mentioned. Haze can get rid of stat boosts, but it is usually overshadowed by Milotic in this department. Another rather gimmicky option is Counter and Mirror Coat, allowing Blastoise to score a surprise KO on an unsuspecting opponent. It can survive most non-STABed Grass and Electric attacks, making Mirror Coat a good option if you are willing to allow Blastoise to take the hit. Meanwhile, it is very difficult for opponents to OHKO Blastoise through physical attacks, so Counter allows Blastoise to bounce back those attacks for heavy damage. Blastoise also carries some nifty physical moves such as Waterfall, Ice Punch, and Earthquake, but these should be avoided as Azumarill, Feraligatr, and Kabutops completely outclass it in this department; however, Blastoise has the element of surprise on its side with these attacks, if nothing else.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>Despite its unimpressive defenses, Rotom is a great counter to Blastoise, since it blocks Rapid Spin and can threaten Blastoise with Thunderbolt or Trick. The same can be said for Mismagius, as it usually carries Thunderbolt. Spiritomb can also get in Blastoise's way, but it won't be happy if it gets hit with Toxic. Grass-types are an another huge threat to Blastoise in UU, namely Sceptile, Venusaur, and Leafeon. Venusaur can switch in on Blastoise the easiest, as it does not fear Toxic. If Blastoise lacks Rest, Toxic from the likes of Uxie or Milotic will make sure it does not stick around much longer. Lanturn will not enjoy Toxic, but can switch in easily and defeat Blastoise with Thunderbolt. Chansey can switch in on Blastoise at any time and wall it to no end. Substitute users, such as Toxicroak, Feraligatr, and Azumarill, can all set up on Blastoise if it lacks Haze or Roar. RestTalk stat boosters, such as Calm Mind Spiritomb or Curse Registeel, also give Blastoise trouble, since they can shrug off any inflicted status from Blastoise. Toxicroak is a big threat because it absorbs Surf thanks to Dry Skin and is immune to Poison, rendering Blastoise's two greatest offensive moves useless. Blastoise's final flaw is the lack of an instant recovery move, meaning that you can keep chipping away at it, but Blastoise can also do the same to you, so beware.</p>
 

Oglemi

Borf
is a Top Contributoris a Tournament Director Alumnusis a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Researcher Alumnusis a Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Top Smogon Media Contributor Alumnusis an Administrator Alumnusis a Top Dedicated Tournament Host Alumnus
OK, I'm glad you decided to take the initiative. A couple of things:

- Add more to the Overview. I don't care what it is, but try to add some personality to it.

- Squash the OC section into 1 paragraph

- Squash the Counters section into 1 paragraph.

May add more later.

EDIT: Add a link to the old OP please.
 

Bluewind

GIVE EO WARSTORY
is a Top Contributor Alumnus
When I used Blastoise in the past, I did so with 32 Speed EVs. That's enough to outpace Adamant Aggron and Jolly Rhyperior (not that common, but I'd rather not risk against neither). Might not be a huge change, but it was something I thought was worth adding. Also, I'm pretty sure ToF had made some changes on the order of slashes, so I'd take a look at it.
 
Removals in Red
Changes in Green
Comments in Bold
[Overview]

<p>Despite competition from bulkier Waters and a plethora of Rapid Spinners, Blastoise remains a strong Pokemon of the UU tier. Its main purpose use is as a bulky Rapid Spinner, which it does very well with its strong defenses and great Water typing. Its excellent movepool allows it to serve other functions, from utilizing offensive Choice Item sets to Stalling opponents out with Toxic. Sadly Blastoise (You had "io") is weakened by his its (You referred to Blastoise as "it" before and should be consistent) lack of a reliable Recovery move and common Rapid Spin blockers like Rotom. He It is also checked by the numerous UU Grass types namely Leafeon, Venausaur and Sceptile. Even with his its flaws, Blastoise is still a staple Pokemon of the UU tier.</p>

[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Surf
move 2: Ice Beam / Foresight
move 3: Rapid Spin
move 4: Roar / Rest
item: Leftovers
ability: Torrent
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 6 SpA

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Blastoise is one of a handful of Pokemon gifted with the ever-useful Rapid Spin, and because of its bulk and great defensive typing it can easily find the opportunity to use it. It has little trouble switching in on common walls and using Rapid Spin to blow away any entry hazards the opponent has set up. In addition to Rapid Spin, it has a number of good options for further team support such as Roar, as well as good offensive type coverage provided by Surf and Ice Beam. Blastoise makes a great teammate because of its versatility and ability to deal with a large variety of Pokemon.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Surf is Blastoise's main form of STAB, and a no-brainer on any bulky Water. The last two slots are not as straight forward, as Blastoise's excellent movepool allows it to take a few routes to support its team. Toxic is a great option for wearing down fellow opposing bulky Waters and other walls. Yawn is also a decent choice to put an enemy to sleep or force a switch. Foresight allows Blastoise to be a more dedicated Rapid Spinner, as it will be able to use Rapid Spin against Ghost-types successfully spin away entry hazards against Ghost-type switch-ins, but it still must be weary of a Thunderbolt from Mismagius and Rotom, however. Ice Beam allows Blastoise to actually do something to Grass-types that switch in on it. If you opt for Toxic in the third slot, Roar is an option to scout the enemy's team, rack up entry hazard damage, and prevent stat boosters from setting up. Protect is also an option in the last slot, as it can help scout out Choice users, and allows for an extra turn of Leftovers recovery while working well alongside both Toxic and Yawn. Rest deserves a mention as well, as Blastoise unfortunately lacks an instant recovery move. If you invest 32 EVs into Speed, (Fix the spacing of the comma) Blastoise can outspeed Jolly Rhyperior and Adamant Aggron and threaten them with a powerful Surf.</p>

<p>Ghost- and Grass-types are the bane of Blastoise. Ghost-type Pokemon prevent Blastoise from Rapid Spinning successfully, assuming it does not have Foresight. Spiritomb has the defenses to take Surf easily, while Mismagius and Rotom both threaten with Thunderbolt. Specially defensive variants of Registeel, Spiritomb, and Arcanine all work very well in tandem with Blastoise, walling Ghost-types when outfitted with the proper moves. Additionally, Blastoise can double switch to a Pursuit user to rid itself of Mismagius and Rotom, a role that can be filled by Spiritomb, Drapion, or Skuntank. Meanwhile, Grass-types like Venusaur and Leafeon can switch into Blastoise easily and attack or Swords Dance. Altaria is one of the best switch-ins to Venusaur, as it does not fear any of its attacks, and can absorb Sleep Powder thanks to Natural Cure. Venusaur itself also makes a great switch-in to Grass-types, although it must be wary of Hidden Power Ice or Fire. Arcanine and Moltres can also switch in on Grass-types and scare them off. Fire-types will also benefit greatly from Blastoise due to their weakness to Stealth Rock. Rest Talk Arcanine works especially well, as it can absorb Sleep Powder and Toxic. From there it can use Sleep Talk to pummel opponents with Flare Blitz or shuffle them with Roar to allow entry hazards to chip away at their HP.</p>

<p>Although not mandatory, a Wish user can prolong Blastoise's presence tremendously. Leafeon makes a great partner because it resists Blastoise's weakness to Grass and Electric, while Blastoise resists Leafeon's Fire and Ice weaknesses. Chansey and Clefable can fill the same role and also provide a special wall for your team. Clerics are also good friends of Blastoise since it fears status moves, especially Toxic. They are also great if you are running Rest in the last slot and don't want to leave Blastoise vulnerable.</p>

[SET]
name: Rest Talk Shuffler
move 1: Surf
move 2: Rest
move 3: Sleep Talk
move 4: Roar
item: Leftovers
ability: Torrent
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 6 SpA

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>This set takes a completely different approach to using Blastoise, while keeping it in the defensive role to which it is accustomed. The "Rest Talk" strategy not only gives Blastoise a way to heal itself, but also allows it to absorb the status moves it normally loathes. Meanwhile, Roar is used to shuffle opponents, allowing entry hazards to take their toll while Blastoise tanks hits. Roar also makes Blastoise extremely difficult to set up on, which opponents will inevitably attempt to do once Blastoise uses Rest. Conveniently, Sleep Talk also overrides Roar's -5 priority, meaning it can phaze slower opponents before they can attack. Surf's STAB and neutral type coverage make it a great attack to use with this set, and will allow Blastoise to wear down opponents in its sleep.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>This set functions well on any team that incorporates Spikes and Stealth Rock, although it functions best on a stall team where it can be supported by other defensive Pokemon. Even without entry hazards, however, it still serves multiple useful purposes. Roar makes it a great phazer, and its bulk allows it to take many boosted physical attacks and then force the opponent to flee. It is especially useful against Curse and Calm Mind users, such as Registeel, Slowbro, and Miltank, that may prove difficult to take down with attacks. Rest and Sleep Talk allows it Blastoise to function as the team's status absorber and in addition to removing Roar's negative priority (Already mentioned this in the last paragraph), using Rest and Sleep Talk and makes Blastoise very difficult to take down, especially for opposing stall teams.</p>

<p>It is worth noting that Rapid Spin can replace Roar, but doing so changes the function and purpose of the set completely. With Rapid Spin, Blastoise plays much like it does in the Utility set, but with the addition of a recovery move and the omission of a status move. Stray away from replacing Roar with Ice Beam or Toxic, as Milotic can use these significantly better.</p>

<p>Pairing entry hazards with this set is imperative to its usefulness; without them, Blastoise is simply killing time. There are plenty of options available for Stealth Rock users, but Registeel is one of the best at handling Blastoise's weaknesses. Do not expect to find a Spiker in UU that pairs well with Blastoise defensively, as there really isn't one. For this reason, Spikers like Omastar, Qwilfish, and Cloyster are best used in the lead slot.</p>

<p>Grass- and Electric-types, as well as other powerful special attackers like Alakazam and Mismagius, need to be removed for Blastoise to be truly effective, although it does enjoy Roaring them away when they try to switch in. Chansey is, of course, the best Pokemon in the tier at walling special threats, and does so with ease. Additionally, it can utilize Aromatherapy to shorten Blastoise's slumber. The aforementioned specially defensive variants of Registeel, Spiritomb, and Arcanine all make for great checks to Blastoise's common switch-ins. Rest Talk Weezing does an excellent job at walling Grass-types, and can be used in tandem with Blastoise to shut down almost all physical sweepers in the tier. Venusaur also provides great synergy with Blastoise, and can handle both Grass- and Electric-types while having its own weaknesses to Fire and Ice attacks covered by Blastoise. Altaria works well also, having access to Heal Bell and Natural Cure, and just needs to be wary of Hidden Power Ice and boosted special attacks.</p>

[SET]
name: Tortoise of Choice
move 1: Water Spout / Hydro Pump
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Hidden Power Grass
move 4: Surf / Rapid Spin
item: Choice Specs / Choice Scarf
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Although slapping Choice Specs on a Blastoise may seem like an awkward fit, when paired with the turtle's HGSS acquisition, Water Spout, it makes for a very potent combination. Water Spout is a move that, despite its awesome power, is very rarely seen outside of the Uber tier, which is mostly attributable to the low Speed of its two NU owners: Octillery and Wailord. Blastoise, however, is not only considerably faster than these two, it is also primarily used as a defensive Pokemon, which gives it the surprise factor that its counterparts lack.</p>

<p>The beauty of this set lies not in its raw attack power, but instead in its ability to lure and destroy UU's spin blockers; Rotom, Mismagius, and Spiritomb. When your opponent has Stealth Rock up in the early game, switching in Blastoise will immediately coax out their Spin blocker and allow it to deal out a swift death with Water Spout. Quickly dispensing of these Pokemon will allow Rapid Spinners like Donphan and Claydol to perform their jobs with ease, which in turn will reap many benefits for your team. As demonstrated by the damage calculations below, standard variants of Rotom and Mismagius will be OHKOed after Stealth Rock damage, while most Spiritomb will take massive damage and be primed for an easy 2HKO.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<ul class=”damage_calculation”> (You might want to specify the item and nature for these calculations)
<li>87.5% HP Water Spout vs. 4 HP / min SpD Mismagius - 87.4% - 103.4%</li>
<li>87.5% HP Water Spout vs. max HP / min SpD Rotom - 98% - 115.8%</li>
<li>87.5% HP Water Spout vs. max HP / min SpD Spiritomb - 73.4% - 86.8%</li>
<li>Max HP Water Spout vs. max HP / 212 SpD Clefable - 55.8% - 65.7%</li>
<li>Ice Beam vs. min / min Venusaur - 77.7% - 91.7%</li>
<li>Ice Beam vs. 4 HP / min Sceptile - 95% - 112.1%</li>
<li>Hidden Power Grass vs. 248 HP / min SpD Milotic - 36.1% - 42.7%</li>
<li>Hidden Power Grass vs. max HP / 4 SpD Slowbro - 51.8% - 61.4%</li>
<li>Hidden Power Grass vs. max HP / min SpD Azumarill - 51% - 60.4%</li>
</ul>

<p>The attacks on this set are pretty much standard operating procedure in UU in terms of type coverage. Ice Beam covers Altaria and Grass-types, while Hidden Power Grass smacks bulky Waters who will attempt to wall Blastoise. A second Water-type move is often necessary to give Blastoise a STAB move when its HP drops below a certain point. When running Surf, Water Spout is the preferable attack while Blastoise's HP exceeds 63%. It should be noted that Rapid spin is also a viable option in the last slot if you do not want to use a dedicated Rapid Spinner. However, switching Blastoise into Stealth Rock twice - once to KO the opponent's Spin blocker and once to Rapid Spin - hurts Water Spout greatly, to the point that Hydro Pump will usually be the superior option.</p>

<p>Choice Scarf is a viable option over Choice Specs if you want to transform Blastoise into a revenge killer of sorts. With a Modest nature and a spread of 16 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpA / 232 Spe it climbs near the top of the Speed tiers, outpacing all base Speed 120s. Being faster than the likes of Sceptile and Alakazam will certainly surprise your opponent. Without Choice Specs, however, Blastoise becomes significantly less powerful, and can struggle to achieve the KOs it needs to. Therefore, entry hazards are important to pair with this set in order to weaken fragile Pokemon. When played correctly, this set's Speed can make it a very potent check to quite a few sweepers. It should be noted that while it does not score the same OHKOs on Ghost-types, it outspeeds them and 2HKOes easily if they stay in.</p>

<p>As mentioned, this set is made to be best friends with a Rapid Spinner. Donphan and Claydol both make solid partners and have the added bonus of immunity to Electric attacks. Hitmontop is also an option, although Foresight allows it to effectively take on Spin blockers by itself. Pairing Blastoise with any of these Pokemon makes for a trustworthy method of eliminating entry hazards, which allows Stealth Rock-weak Pokemon to reach their full potential. Some of the most fearsome attackers in UU fit this bill, including Scyther, Moltres, Swellow, Houndoom, and even Charizard (if you have some serious Red/Blue nostalgia).</p>

[Team Options]

<p>Since Blastoise's primary job is to Rapid Spin, a grounded Poison-type is very useful as it is susceptible to absorb Toxic Spikes. Drapion and Venusaur are two great candidates as they easily handle the Grass attacks aimed at Blastoise. Leafeon makes a great defensive partner because they cover each other's weaknesses well, and it can heal Blastoise with Wish. Nidoqueen also makes a good defensive partner and can handle almost any variant of Toxicroak, a very threatening pokemon who can set up easily against Blastoise. Speaking of Poison, a cleric, such as Altaria or Clefable, is very useful for ridding Blastoise of status.</p>

<p>Ghost-types that block Rapid Spin are a major hindrance to Blastoise. A Pursuiter, such as Drapion or Spiritomb, is very helpful in taking down Mismagius and Rotom. Spiritomb is a bit trickier due to its dedicated bulk, but multiple strong attacks from powerful sweepers will bring it down (Toxic helps too), so something that can set up on Spiritomb is a definite plus. Blastoise also pairs well with Pokemon who can absorb status, since it won't enjoy being poisoned. Steel- and Poison-types, such as Registeel and Venusaur, can gain easy switch-ins to the inevitable Toxic aimed at Blastoise.</p>

[Optional Changes]

<p>Blastoise has a few handy options that have yet to be mentioned. Haze can get rid of stat boosts, but it is usually overshadowed by Milotic in this department. Like Hitmontop, Blastoise has access to Foresight, which allows it to use Rapid Spin against Ghost-types, but Hitmontop typically does this better since it does not fear Ghost-types the same way Blastoise does. Another option if you're in the mood for a gimmick, Blastoise also has access to both Counter and Mirror Coat, allowing it to score a surprise KO on an unsuspecting opponent. It can survive most non-STABed Grass and Electric attacks, making Mirror Coat a good option if you're willing to take the hit. Meanwhile, it is very difficult to OHKO from the physical side, so Counter allows it to bounce back those attacks for heavy damage. Blastoise also has another gimmick in some nifty physical moves like Waterfall, Ice Punch, and Earthquake, but these should be avoided. Azumarill, Feraligatr, and Kabutops completely outclass it in this department, although Blastoise does have the element of surprise on its side, if nothing else.</p>

[Counters]

<p>Despite its unimpressive defenses, Rotom is a great counter to Blastoise, since it blocks Rapid Spin and can threaten with Thunderbolt or Trick. The same can be said for Mismagius, as it usually carries Thunderbolt. Spiritomb can also get in Blastoise's way, but it won't be happy if it gets hit with Toxic. Grass-types are an another huge threat to Blastoise in UU, namely Sceptile, Venusaur, and Leafeon. Venusaur can switch in on Blastoise the easiest, as it does not fear Toxic. If Blastoise lacks Rest, Toxic from the likes of Uxie or Milotic will make sure it doesn't stick around much longer. Lanturn won't enjoy Toxic, but can switch in easily and defeat Blastoise with Thunderbolt. Chansey can switch in on Blastoise at any time and wall it to no end. Also Substitute users, such as Toxicroak, Feraligatr, and Azumarill, can all set up on Blastoise if it lacks Haze or Roar. Rest Talk stat boosters, such as Calm Mind Spiritomb or Curse Registeel, also give Blastoise trouble if it lacks these moves, since they can shrug off Yawns and Toxics. Toxicroak is a big threat because it absorbs Surf thanks to Dry Skin and is immune to Poison. Blastoise's final flaw is the lack of an instant recovery move means that you can keep chipping away at it, but it can also do the same to you, so beware.</p>
Looked pretty good to my untrained eye, mostly some stuff in the beginning. I wouldn't be surprised that I missed some stuff though.
 

Eraddd

One Pixel
is a Community Leader Alumnusis a Smogon Media Contributor Alumnus
[Overview]

<p>Despite competition from bulkier Waters and a plethora of Rapid Spinners, Blastoise remains a strong Pokemon of the UU tier. Its main use is as a bulky Rapid Spinner, which it does very well with its strong defenses and great Water typing. Its excellent movepool allows it to serve other functions, from utilizing offensive Choice Item sets to stalling opponents out with Toxic. Sadly Blastoise is weakened by his lack of a reliable recovery move and common Rapid Spin blockers such as Rotom. It is also checked by the numerous UU Grass types, namely Leafeon, Venausaur and Sceptile. Even with its flaws, Blastoise is still a staple Pokemon of the UU tier.</p>

[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Surf
move 2: Ice Beam / Foresight
move 3: Rapid Spin
move 4: Roar / Rest
item: Leftovers
ability: Torrent
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 6 SpA

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Blastoise is one of a handful of Pokemon gifted with the ever useful Rapid Spin, and because of its bulk and great defensive typing, it can easily find opportunities to use it. It has little trouble switching in on common walls and using Rapid Spin to blow away any entry hazards the opponent has set up [Editor's note]: Might be redundant. In addition to Rapid Spin, it has a number of good options for further team support such as Roar, as well as good offensive type coverage provided by Surf and Ice Beam. Blastoise makes a great teammate because of its versatility and ability to deal with a large variety of Pokemon.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Surf is Blastoise's main form of STAB, and a no-brainer on any bulky Water. The last two slots are not as straight forward, as Blastoise's excellent movepool allows it to take a few routes [Editor's Note]: Sounds colloquially weird, so I might suggest changing it to "different variations of moves" to support its team. Toxic is a great option for wearing down opposing bulky Waters and other opposing walls. Yawn is also a decent choice to put an enemy to sleep or force a switch. Foresight allows Blastoise to successfully spin away entry hazards against Ghost-type switch-ins. However, it still must be wary of a Thunderbolt from Mismagius and Rotom. Ice Beam allows Blastoise to counter opposing Grass-types that switch in on it. If you opt for Toxic in the third slot, Roar is an option to scout the enemy's team, rack up entry hazard damage, and prevent opponents from setting up. Protect is also an option in the last slot, as it can help scout out Choice users, and allows for an extra turn of Leftovers recovery while working well alongside both Toxic and Yawn. Rest deserves a mention as well, as Blastoise unfortunately lacks an instant recovery move. If you invest 32 EVs into Speed, Blastoise can outspeed Jolly Rhyperior and Adamant Aggron and threaten them with a powerful Surf. [Editor's Note] Not sure if the EVs have to be specifically at the end, but I would recommend putting this next to the comments surf, for better transition. This sentence sounds very out of place.</p>

<p>Ghost- and Grass-types are Blastoise's two greatest counters. Ghost-type Pokemon prevent Blastoise without Foresight from using Rapid Spin successfully. Furthermore, Spiritomb has the defenses that allow it to sponge Surf easily, while Mismagius and Rotom both threaten with Blastoise with Thunderbolt. To remedy this, specially defensive variants of Registeel, Spiritomb, and Arcanine all work very well in tandem with Blastoise, walling Ghost-types when outfitted with the proper moves. Additionally, Blastoise can double switch to a Pursuit user such as Spiritomb, Drapion, or Skuntank to rid itself of Mismagius and Rotom. Grass-types like Venusaur and Leafeon can switch into Blastoise easily and attack or Swords Dance. [Editor's Note] This is redundant as you mentioned grass types earlier. Furthermore, you do not mention any counters to Leafeon, leaving the point moot. I would recommend you remedy this, by shortening this sentence and adding a counter to Leafeon Altaria is one of the best switch-ins to Venusaur, as it does not fear any of its attacks, and can absorb Sleep Powder thanks to Natural Cure. Venusaur itself also makes a great counter to Grass-types, although it must be wary of variants that carry Hidden Power Ice or Fire. Arcanine and Moltres can also switch in on Grass-types and scare them off. Fire-types will also benefit greatly from Blastoise due to their weakness to Stealth Rock. Rest Talk Arcanine works especially well, as it can absorb Sleep Powder and Toxic. From there, it can use Sleep Talk to pummel opponents with Flare Blitz or shuffle them with Roar to allow entry hazards to chip away at their HP.</p>

<p>Although not mandatory, a Wish user can prolong Blastoise's presence tremendously. Leafeon makes a great partner because it resists Blastoise's weakness to Grass and Electric, while Blastoise resists Leafeon's Fire and Ice weaknesses. Chansey and Clefable can fill the same role and also provide a special wall for your team. Clerics are also good friends of Blastoise since it fears status moves, especially Toxic. They are also great if you are running Rest in the last slot and do not want to leave Blastoise vulnerable.</p>

[SET]
name: Rest Talk Shuffler
move 1: Surf
move 2: Rest
move 3: Sleep Talk
move 4: Roar
item: Leftovers
ability: Torrent
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 6 SpA

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>This set takes a completely different approach to using Blastoise, while allowing it to keep its defensive role. The "Rest Talk" strategy not only gives Blastoise a way to heal itself, but also allows it to absorb the status moves it normally loathes. Meanwhile, Roar is used to shuffle opponents, allowing entry hazards to take their toll while Blastoise can tank hits. Roar also makes Blastoise extremely difficult to set up on, which opponents will inevitably attempt to do once Blastoise uses Rest. Conveniently, Sleep Talk also overrides Roar's -5 priority, meaning it can phaze slower opponents before they can attack. Surf's STAB and neutral type coverage make it a great attack to use with this set, allowing Blastoise to wear down opponents in its sleep.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>This set functions well on any team that incorporates Spikes and Stealth Rock, although it functions best on a stall team where it can be supported by other defensive Pokemon. Even without entry hazards, however, it still serves multiple useful purposes. Roar makes it a great phazer, and its bulk allows it to take many boosted physical attacks and then force the opponent to flee. It is especially useful against Curse and Calm Mind users, such as Registeel, Slowbro, and Miltank, that may prove difficult to take down with attacks. Rest and Sleep Talk allow Blastoise to function as the team's status absorber and make Blastoise very difficult to take down, especially for opposing stall teams.</p>

<p>It is worth noting that Rapid Spin can replace Roar, but doing so changes the function and purpose of the set completely. With Rapid Spin, Blastoise plays much like it does in the Utility set, but with the addition of a recovery move and the omission of a status move. Stay away from replacing Roar with Ice Beam or Toxic, as Milotic can fill this niche significantly better.</p>

<p>Pairing entry hazards with this set is imperative to its usefulness; without them, Blastoise is simply killing time.[Editor's note] This contradicts your previous statement that Blastoise can function without Entry Hazards. There are plenty of options available for Stealth Rock users, but Registeel is one of the best at handling Blastoise's weaknesses. Do not expect to find a Spiker in UU that pairs well with Blastoise defensively, as there really is not one. For this reason, Spikers like Omastar, Qwilfish, and Cloyster are best used in the lead slot.</p>

<p>Grass- and Electric-types, as well as other powerful special attackers like Alakazam and Mismagius, need to be removed for Blastoise to be truly effective, although Blastoise does enjoy Roaring them away when they try to switch in. Chansey is, of course, the best Pokemon in the tier at walling special threats, and does so with ease. Additionally, it can utilize Aromatherapy to shorten Blastoise's slumber. The aforementioned specially defensive variants of Registeel, Spiritomb, and Arcanine all make for great checks to Blastoise's common switch-ins. Rest Talk Weezing does an excellent job at walling Grass-types, and can be used in tandem with Blastoise to shut down almost all physical sweepers in the tier. Venusaur also provides great synergy with Blastoise, as it can handle both Grass- and Electric-types while having its own weaknesses to Fire and Ice attacks covered by Blastoise. Altaria works well also, having access to Heal Bell and Natural Cure, while only needing to be wary of Hidden Power Ice and boosted special attacks.</p>

[SET]
name: Tortoise of Choice
move 1: Water Spout / Hydro Pump
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Hidden Power Grass
move 4: Surf / Rapid Spin
item: Choice Specs / Choice Scarf
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Although slapping Choice Specs on a Blastoise may seem like an awkward fit; however, when paired with the turtle's recent acquisition, Water Spout, it makes for a very potent combination. Water Spout is a move that, despite its awesome power, is very rarely seen outside of the Uber tier, which is mostly attributable to the low Speed of its two NU owners: Octillery and Wailord. Blastoise, however, is not only considerably faster than these two but also is also primarily used as a defensive Pokemon, which gives it the surprise factor that its counterparts lack.</p>

<p>The beauty of this set lies not in its raw attack power, but instead in its ability to lure and destroy UU's spin blockers; Rotom, Mismagius, and Spiritomb. When your opponent has Stealth Rock up in the early game, switching in Blastoise will immediately coax out their Spin blocker and allow Blastoise to KO its switch-in with Water Spout. Quickly dispensing of these Pokemon will allow Rapid Spinners such as Donphan and Claydol to perform their jobs with ease. As demonstrated by the damage calculations below, standard variants of Rotom and Mismagius will be OHKOed after Stealth Rock damage, while most Spiritomb will take massive damage and be primed for an easy 2HKO.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<ul class=”damage_calculation”>
<li>87.5% HP Water Spout vs. 4 HP / min SpD Mismagius - 87.4% - 103.4%</li>
<li>87.5% HP Water Spout vs. max HP / min SpD Rotom - 98% - 115.8%</li>
<li>87.5% HP Water Spout vs. max HP / min SpD Spiritomb - 73.4% - 86.8%</li>
<li>Max HP Water Spout vs. max HP / 212 SpD Clefable - 55.8% - 65.7%</li>
<li>Ice Beam vs. min / min Venusaur - 77.7% - 91.7%</li>
<li>Ice Beam vs. 4 HP / min Sceptile - 95% - 112.1%</li>
<li>Hidden Power Grass vs. 248 HP / min SpD Milotic - 36.1% - 42.7%</li>
<li>Hidden Power Grass vs. max HP / 4 SpD Slowbro - 51.8% - 61.4%</li>
<li>Hidden Power Grass vs. max HP / min SpD Azumarill - 51% - 60.4%</li>
</ul>

<p>The attacks on this set are pretty much standard in UU in terms of type coverage. Ice Beam covers Altaria and Grass-types, while Hidden Power Grass smacks bulky Waters who will attempt to wall Blastoise. A second Water-type move is often necessary to give Blastoise a STAB move when its HP drops below a certain point. When running Surf, Water Spout is the preferable attack while Blastoise's HP exceeds 63%. It should be noted that Rapid spin is also a viable option in the last slot if you do not want to use a dedicated Rapid Spinner. However, switching Blastoise into Stealth Rock twice - once to KO the opponent's Spin blocker and once to Rapid Spin - hurts Water Spout greatly, to the point that Hydro Pump will usually be the superior option.</p>

<p>Choice Scarf is a viable option over Choice Specs if you want to transform Blastoise into a revenge killer of sorts. With a Modest nature and a spread of 16 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpA / 232 Spe it climbs near the top of the Speed tiers, outpacing all base Speed 120s. Being faster than the likes of Sceptile and Alakazam will certainly surprise your opponent. Without Choice Specs, however, Blastoise becomes significantly less powerful, and will struggle to achieve the KOs it needs. Therefore, entry hazards are important to pair with this set in order to weaken fragile Pokemon. When played correctly, this set's Speed can make it a very potent check to quite a few sweepers. It should be noted that while it does not score the same OHKOs on Ghost-types, it outspeeds them and 2HKOes easily if they stay in.</p>

<p>As mentioned, this set is made to be best friends with a Rapid Spinner. Donphan and Claydol both make solid partners and have the added bonus of being immune to electric attacks. Hitmontop is also an option, although Foresight allows it to effectively take on Spin blockers by itself. Pairing Blastoise with any of these Pokemon makes for a trustworthy method of eliminating entry hazards, which allows Stealth Rock-weak Pokemon to reach their full potential. Some of the most fearsome attackers in UU fit this bill, including Scyther, Moltres, Swellow, Houndoom, and even Charizard.</p>

[Team Options]

<p>Since Blastoise's primary job is to Rapid Spin, a grounded Poison-type is very useful in absorbing Toxic Spikes. Drapion and Venusaur are two great candidates as they easily handle the Grass attacks aimed at Blastoise while fulfilling this role at the same time. Leafeon makes a great defensive partner because they cover each other's weaknesses well, and it can heal Blastoise with Wish. Nidoqueen also makes a good defensive partner and can handle almost any variant of Toxicroak, a very threatening pokemon who can set up easily against Blastoise. Speaking of Poison, a cleric, such as Altaria or Clefable, is very useful for ridding Blastoise of status.</p>

<p>Ghost-types that block Rapid Spin are a major hindrance to Blastoise. A Pursuit user, such as Drapion or Spiritomb, is very helpful in taking down Mismagius and Rotom. Spiritomb is a bit trickier due to its dedicated bulk, but multiple strong attacks from powerful sweepers will bring it down, so something that can set up on Spiritomb is a definite plus; furthermore, Toxic can be used to take down Spiritomb. Blastoise also pairs well with Pokemon who can absorb status, since it does not enjoy being poisoned. Steel- and Poison-types, such as Registeel and Venusaur, can gain easy switch-ins to the ever-present Toxics aimed at Blastoise.</p>

[Optional Changes]

<p>Blastoise has a few handy options that have yet to be mentioned. Haze can get rid of stat boosts, but it is usually overshadowed by Milotic in this department. Like Hitmontop, Blastoise has access to Foresight, which allows it to use Rapid Spin against Ghost-types, but Hitmontop typically does this better since it does not fear Ghost-types the same way Blastoise does. [Editor's Note] You did mention Foresight in your first analysis, so I suggest you remove this part. Another rather gimmicky option is Counter and Mirror Coat, allowing Blastoise to score a surprise KO on an unsuspecting opponent. It can survive most non-STABed Grass and Electric attacks, making Mirror Coat a good option if you are willing to allow Blastoise to take the hit. Meanwhile, it is very difficult for opponents to OHKO Blastoise through physical attacks, so Counter allows Blastoise to bounce back those attacks for heavy damage. Blastoise also carries some nifty physical moves such as Waterfall, Ice Punch, and Earthquake, but these should be avoided as Azumarill, Feraligatr, and Kabutops completely outclass it in this department; however, Blastoise has the element of surprise on its side with these attacks, if nothing else.</p>

[Counters]

<p>Despite its unimpressive defenses, Rotom is a great counter to Blastoise, since it blocks Rapid Spin and can threaten with Thunderbolt or Trick. The same can be said for Mismagius, as it usually carries Thunderbolt. Spiritomb can also get in Blastoise's way, but it won't be happy if it gets hit with Toxic. Grass-types are an another huge threat to Blastoise in UU, namely Sceptile, Venusaur, and Leafeon. Venusaur can switch in on Blastoise the easiest, as it does not fear Toxic. If Blastoise lacks Rest, Toxic from the likes of Uxie or Milotic will make sure it does not stick around much longer. Lanturn will not enjoy Toxic, but can switch in easily and defeat Blastoise with Thunderbolt. Chansey can switch in on Blastoise at any time and wall it to no end. Substitute users, such as Toxicroak, Feraligatr, and Azumarill, can all set up on Blastoise if it lacks Haze or Roar. Rest Talk stat boosters, such as Calm Mind Spiritomb or Curse Registeel, also give Blastoise trouble if it lacks these moves [Editor's Note] What moves?, since they can shrug off any inflicted status from Blastoise. Toxicroak is a big threat because it absorbs Surf thanks to Dry Skin and is immune to Poison, rendering Blastoise's two greatest offensive moves useless. Blastoise's final flaw is the lack of an instant recovery move, meaning that you can keep chipping away at it, but Blastoise can also do the same to you, so beware.</p>
I refrained from any major corrections in terms of sentence structure and rhetoric, as I don't want to stray into the realm of actually re doing the entire analysis. I'm hoping a more experienced GP checker can fix up the rest of the mistakes that are prevalent within this analysis.
 

Komodo

Huff
is a Site Content Manager Alumnusis an Artist Alumnusis a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Top Contributor Alumnusis a Smogon Media Contributor Alumnus
2/2

[Overview]

<p>Despite competition from bulkier Waters and a plethora of Rapid Spinners, Blastoise remains a strong Pokemon of the UU tier. Its main use is as a bulky Rapid Spinner, which it does very well with its strong defenses and great Water typing. Its excellent movepool allows it to serve other functions, from utilizing offensive Choice items sets to stalling opponents out with Toxic. Sadly,(comma) Blastoise is weakened by his lacks of a reliable recovery move and a weakness to common Rapid Spin blockers such as Rotom. It is also checked by the numerous UU Grass-types, namely Leafeon, Venausaur,(comma) and Sceptile. Even with its flaws, Blastoise is still a staple Pokemon of the UU tier.</p>

[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Surf
move 2: Ice Beam / Foresight
move 3: Rapid Spin
move 4: Roar / Rest
item: Leftovers
ability: Torrent
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Blastoise is one of a handful of Pokemon gifted with the ever useful Rapid Spin, and because of its bulk and great defensive typing(remove space), it can easily find opportunities to use it. It has little trouble switching in on common walls and using Rapid Spin to blow away any entry hazards. In addition to Rapid Spin, it has a number of good options for further team support such as Roar, as well as good offensive type coverage provided by Surf and Ice Beam. Blastoise makes a great teammate because of its versatility and ability to deal with a large variety of Pokemon.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Surf is Blastoise's main form of STAB, and a no-brainer on any bulky Water. If you invest 32 EVs into Speed, Blastoise can outspeed Jolly Rhyperior and Adamant Aggron and threaten them with a powerful Surf.(space)The last two slots are not as straight forward, as Blastoise's excellent movepool allows it to use lots of moves to support its team. Toxic is a great option for wearing down opposing bulky Waters and other opposing walls,(comma) while Yawn is also a decent choice to put an enemy to sleep or force a switch. Foresight allows Blastoise to successfully spin away entry hazards against Ghost-type switch-ins. However, it still must be wary of a Thunderbolt from Mismagius and Rotom who carry Thunderbolt. Ice Beam allows Blastoise to counter opposing Grass-types that switch in on it on the switch in. If you opt for Toxic in the third slot, Roar is an option to scout the enemy's team, rack up entry hazard damage, and prevent opponents from setting up. Protect is also an option in the last slot, as it can help scout out Choice users, and allows for an extra turn of Leftovers recovery while working well alongside both Toxic and Yawn. Rest deserves a mention as well, as Blastoise unfortunately lacks an instant recovery move. If you invest 32 EVs into Speed, Blastoise can outspeed Jolly Rhyperior and Adamant Aggron and threaten them with a powerful Surf.(you already mentioned this...)</p>

<p>Ghost- and Grass-types are Blastoise's two greatest counters;(semi colon) Ghost-type Pokemon prevent Blastoise without Foresight from using Rapid Spin successfully. Furthermore, Spiritomb has the defenses that allow it to sponge Surf easily, while Mismagius and Rotom both threaten with Blastoise with Thunderbolt. To remedy this, specially defensive variants of Registeel, Spiritomb, and Arcanine all work very well in tandem with Blastoise, walling Ghost-types when outfitted with the proper moves. Additionally, Blastoise can double switch to a Pursuit user such as Spiritomb, Drapion, or Skuntank to rid itself of Mismagius and Rotom. Altaria is one of the best switch-ins to Venusaur, as it does not fear any of its attacks, and can absorb Sleep Powder thanks to Natural Cure. Venusaur itself also makes a great counter to Grass-types, although it must be wary of variants that carry Hidden Power Ice or Fire. Arcanine and Moltres can also switch in on Grass-types and scare them off. Fire-types will also benefit greatly from Blastoise due to their weakness to Stealth Rock. RestTalk Arcanine works especially well, as it can absorb Sleep Powder and Toxic. From there, it can use Sleep Talk to pummel opponents with Flare Blitz or shuffle them with Roar to allow entry hazards to chip away at their HP.</p>

<p>Although not mandatory, a Wish user can prolong Blastoise's presence tremendously. Leafeon makes a great partner because it resists Blastoise's weakness to Grass and Electric, while Blastoise resists Leafeon's Fire and Ice weaknesses. Chansey and Clefable can fill the same role and also provide a special wall for your team. Clerics are also good friends of Blastoise since it fears status moves, especially Toxic. They are also great if you are running Rest in the last slot and do not want to leave Blastoise vulnerable.</p>

[SET]
name: RestTalk Shuffler
move 1: Surf
move 2: Rest
move 3: Sleep Talk
move 4: Roar
item: Leftovers
ability: Torrent
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>This set takes a completely different approach to using Blastoise, while allowing it to keep it defensive role. The "RestTalk" strategy not only gives Blastoise a way to heal itself, but also allows it to absorb the status moves it normally loathes. Meanwhile, Roar is used to shuffle opponents, allowing entry hazards to take their toll while Blastoise can tank hits. Roar also makes Blastoise extremely difficult to set up on, which opponents will inevitably attempt to do once Blastoise uses Rest. Conveniently, Sleep Talk also overrides Roar's -5 priority, meaning it can phaze slower opponents before they can attack. Surf's STAB and neutral type coverage make it a great attack to use with this set, allowing Blastoise to wear down opponents in its sleep.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>This set functions well on any team that incorporates Spikes and Stealth Rock, although it functions best on a stall team where it can be supported by other defensive Pokemon. Even without entry hazards, however, it still serves multiple useful purposes. Roar makes it a great phazer, and its bulk allows it to take many boosted physical attacks and then force the opponent to flee. It is especially useful against Curse and Calm Mind users, such as Registeel, Slowbro, and Miltank, that may prove difficult to take down with attacks. Rest and Sleep Talk allow Blastoise to function as the team's status absorber and make Blastoise very difficult to take down, especially for opposing stall teams.(already mentioned this)</p>

<p>It is worth noting that Rapid Spin can replace Roar, but doing so changes the function and purpose of the set completely. With Rapid Spin, Blastoise plays much like it does in the Utility set, but with the addition of a recovery move and the omission of a status move. Stay away from replacing Roar with Ice Beam or Toxic, as Milotic can fill this niche significantly better.</p>

<p>There are plenty of options available for Stealth Rock users, but Registeel is one of the best at handling Blastoise's weaknesses. Do not expect to find a Spiker in UU that pairs well with Blastoise defensively, as there really is not one. For this reason, Spikers like Omastar, Qwilfish, and Cloyster are best used in the lead slot.</p>

<p>Grass- and Electric-types, as well as other powerful special attackers like such as Alakazam and Mismagius, need to be removed for Blastoise to be truly effective, although Blastoise does enjoy Roaring them away when they try to switch in. Chansey is, of course, the best Pokemon in the tier at walling special threats, and does so with ease. Additionally, it can utilize Aromatherapy to shorten Blastoise's slumber. The aforementioned specially defensive variants of Registeel, Spiritomb, and Arcanine all make for great checks to Blastoise's common switch-ins. RestTalk Weezing does an excellent job at walling Grass-types, and can be used in tandem with Blastoise to shut down almost all physical sweepers in the tier. Venusaur also provides great synergy with Blastoise, as it can handle both Grass- and Electric-types while having its own weaknesses to Fire and Ice attacks covered by Blastoise. Altaria works well also, having access to Heal Bell and Natural Cure, while only needing to be wary of Hidden Power Ice and boosted special attacks.</p>

[SET]
name: Tortoise of Choice
move 1: Water Spout / Hydro Pump
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Hidden Power Grass
move 4: Surf / Rapid Spin
item: Choice Specs / Choice Scarf
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Although slapping Choice Specs on a Blastoise may seem like an awkward fit(remove space); however, when paired with the turtle's recent acquisition, Water Spout, it makes for a very potent combination. Water Spout is a move that, despite its awesome power, is very rarely seen outside of the Uber tier, which is mostly attributable to the low Speed of its two NU owners: Octillery and Wailord. Blastoise, however, is not only considerably faster than these two but also is also primarily used as a defensive Pokemon, which gives it the surprise factor that its counterparts lack.</p>

<p>The beauty of this set lies not in its raw attacking power, but instead in its ability to lure and destroy UU's Spin blockers; Rotom, Mismagius, and Spiritomb. When your opponent has Stealth Rock up in the early game, switching in Blastoise will immediately coax out their Spin blocker and allow Blastoise to KO its switch-in with Water Spout. Quickly dispensing of these Pokemon will allow Rapid Spinners such as(remove space/line)Donphan and Claydol to perform their jobs with ease. As demonstrated by the damage calculations below, standard variants of Rotom and Mismagius will be OHKOed after Stealth Rock damage, while most Spiritomb will take massive damage and be primed for an easy 2HKO.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<ul class=”damage_calculation”>
<li>87.5% HP Water Spout vs. 4 HP / min SpD Mismagius - 87.4% - 103.4%</li>
<li>87.5% HP Water Spout vs. max HP / min SpD Rotom - 98% - 115.8%</li>
<li>87.5% HP Water Spout vs. max HP / min SpD Spiritomb - 73.4% - 86.8%</li>
<li>Max HP Water Spout vs. max HP / 212 SpD Clefable - 55.8% - 65.7%</li>
<li>Ice Beam vs. min / min Venusaur - 77.7% - 91.7%</li>
<li>Ice Beam vs. 4 HP / min Sceptile - 95% - 112.1%</li>
<li>Hidden Power Grass vs. 248 HP / min SpD Milotic - 36.1% - 42.7%</li>
<li>Hidden Power Grass vs. max HP / 4 SpD Slowbro - 51.8% - 61.4%</li>
<li>Hidden Power Grass vs. max HP / min SpD Azumarill - 51% - 60.4%</li>
</ul>

<p>The attacks on this set are pretty much standard in UU in terms of type coverage. Ice Beam covers Altaria and Grass-types, while Hidden Power Grass smacks bulky Waters who will attempt to wall Blastoise. A second Water-type move is often necessary to give Blastoise a STAB move when its HP drops below a certain point. When running Surf, Water Spout is the preferable attack while Blastoise's HP exceeds 63%. It should be noted that Rapid Spin is also a viable option in the last slot if you do not want to use a dedicated Rapid Spinner. However, switching Blastoise into Stealth Rock twice - once to KO the opponent's Spin blocker,(comma) and once to Rapid Spin - hurts Water Spout greatly, to the point that Hydro Pump will usually be the superior option.</p>

<p>Choice Scarf is a viable option over Choice Specs if you want to transform Blastoise into a revenge killer of sorts. With a Modest nature and a spread of 16 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpA / 232 Spe it climbs near the top of the Speed tiers, outpacing all base Speed 120s. Being faster than the likes of Sceptile and Alakazam will certainly surprise your opponent. Without Choice Specs, however, Blastoise becomes significantly less powerful, and will struggle to achieve the KOs it needs. Therefore, entry hazards are important to pair with this set in order to weaken fragile Pokemon. When played correctly, this set's Speed can make it a very potent check to quite a few sweepers. It should be noted that,(comma) while it does not score the same OHKOs on Ghost-types, it outspeeds them and 2HKOes easily if they stay in.</p>

<p>As previously mentioned, this set is made to be best friends with a Rapid Spinner. Donphan and Claydol both make solid partners and have the added bonus of being immune to Electric attacks. Hitmontop is also an option, although Foresight allows it to effectively take on Spin blockers by itself. Pairing Blastoise with any of these Pokemon makes for a trustworthy method of eliminating entry hazards, which allows Stealth Rock-weak Pokemon to reach their full potential. Some of the most fearsome attackers in UU fit this bill, including Scyther, Moltres, Swellow, Houndoom, and even Charizard.</p>

[Team Options]

<p>Since Blastoise's primary job is to Rapid Spin, a grounded Poison-type is very useful in absorbing Toxic Spikes. Drapion and Venusaur are two great candidates as they easily handle the Grass attacks aimed at Blastoise while fulfilling this role at the same time. Leafeon makes a great defensive partner because they cover each other's weaknesses well, and it can heal Blastoise with Wish. Nidoqueen also makes a good defensive partner and can handle almost any variant of Toxicroak, a very threatening pokemon who can set up easily against Blastoise. Speaking of Poison, a cleric, such as Altaria or Clefable, is very useful for ridding Blastoise of status.</p>


<p>Ghost-types that block Rapid Spin are a major hindrance to Blastoise. A Pursuit user, such as Drapion or Spiritomb, is very helpful in taking down Mismagius and Rotom. Spiritomb is a bit trickier due to its dedicated bulk, but multiple strong attacks from powerful sweepers will bring it down, so something that can set up on Spiritomb is a definite plus; furthermore, Toxic can be used to take down Spiritomb. Blastoise also pairs well with Pokemon who can absorb status, since it does not enjoy being poisoned. Steel- and Poison-types, such as Registeel and Venusaur, can gain easy switch-ins to the ever-present Toxics

aimed at Blastoise.</p>


[Other Options]


<p>Blastoise has a few handy options that have yet to be mentioned. Haze can get rid of stat boosts, but it is usually overshadowed by Milotic in this department. Another rather gimmicky option is Counter and Mirror Coat, allowing Blastoise to score a surprise KO on an unsuspecting opponent. It can survive most non-STABed Grass and Electric attacks, making Mirror Coat a good option if you are willing to allow Blastoise to take the hit. Meanwhile, it is very difficult for opponents to OHKO Blastoise through physical attacks, so Counter allows Blastoise to bounce back those attacks for heavy damage. Blastoise also carries some nifty physical moves such as Waterfall, Ice Punch, and Earthquake, but these should be avoided as Azumarill, Feraligatr, and Kabutops completely outclass it in this department; however, Blastoise has the element of surprise on its side with these attacks, if nothing else.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>Despite its unimpressive defenses, Rotom is a great counter to Blastoise, since it blocks Rapid Spin and can threaten Blastoise with Thunderbolt or Trick. The same can be said for Mismagius, as it usually carries Thunderbolt. Spiritomb can also get in Blastoise's way, but it won't be happy if it gets hit with Toxic. Grass-types are an another huge threat to Blastoise in UU, namely Sceptile, Venusaur, and Leafeon. Venusaur can switch in on Blastoise the easiest, as it does not fear Toxic. If Blastoise lacks Rest, Toxic from the likes of Uxie or Milotic will make sure it does not stick around much longer. Lanturn will not enjoy Toxic, but can switch in easily and defeat Blastoise with Thunderbolt. Chansey can switch in on Blastoise at any time and wall it to no end. Substitute users, such as Toxicroak, Feraligatr, and Azumarill, can all set up on Blastoise if it lacks Haze or Roar. RestTalk stat boosters, such as Calm Mind Spiritomb or Curse Registeel, also give Blastoise trouble, since they can shrug off any inflicted status from Blastoise. Toxicroak is a big threat because it absorbs Surf thanks to Dry Skin and is immune to Poison, rendering Blastoise's two greatest offensive moves useless. Blastoise's final flaw is the lack of an instant recovery move, meaning that you can keep chipping away at it, but Blastoise can also do the same to you, so beware.</p>

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Honko

he of many honks
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Rather than deleting it completely, I'd recommend moving the bit in Team Options about carrying a grounded Poison like Venusaur/Nidoqueen into AC of the Utility set. It's a useful point that shouldn't be left out.
 

Oglemi

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Thanks for pointing that out Honko.

NOTE TO GP CHECKERS: Please don't just delete the TO section willy-nilly. Some of the writers on here (including me) save some unique examples just for the TO section, so be sure those examples get placed elsewhere in the analysis (which requires you to read the TO section). (Not that I'm calling you out directly Komodo.)
 

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