http://www.serebii.net/pokedex-bw/079.shtml
[Overview]
<p>Slowpoke presents itself in Gen V, rather than a hard hitting Pokemon or a fast sweeper, as a very bulky tank who can weather most Physical assaults from several popular Pokemon in Gen V metagame such as Gligar, Dokkora, Meditite, and Kojofuu. Slowpoke has also recieved several important buffs in Gen V, mainly Boil Over, Regeneration, and, above all else, an indirect change around the game, the presence of many powerful Fighting Type Pokemon. Yet, Slowpoke has always been a very useful Pokemon, ever since Gen IV, where it could shrug off attacks from Mankey and Machop effortlessly. However, Slowpoke becomes a key Pokemon in Generation V thanks to the boosts it has recieved. Once the dust settles, we'll be seeing more of this new and improved Pokemon.</p>
[SET]
name: Tank
move 1: Zen Headbutt
move 2: Boil Over / Surf
move 3: Thunder Wave / Fire Blast / Ice Beam
move 4: Slack Off
item: Evolution Stone
ability: Regeneration / Own Tempo
nature: Relaxed
evs: 196 Hp / 76 Atk / 236 Def
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This Slowpoke set provides a very reliable answer to many of the Fighting Type Pokemon commonly seen in the Little Cup Metagame, as well as a way to stop powerful Physical attackers such as Gligar in their tracks. Given the overall high defense this particular set sports, in addition to reliable healing, courtesy of Slack Off and Regeneration, this Slowpoke is really difficult to take down without the use of Special moves. Zen Headbutt and Psychic are the STAB options of choice, making these the premier Moves of this set, which is focused into taking on Fighting Type Pokemon, and providing realiable ways to KO Pokemon such as Dokkora, Kojofuu, and Meditite. However, Zen Headbutt is the preferred option, given how Zen Headbutt is a guaranteed 2HKO on all Dokkora, whereas Psychic has 0.07% chance to 2HKO. Boil Over is another excellent option to consider with this set, given it's 30% chance to Burn, STAB, and the overall usefulness of a Water Type move. Ice Beam is there especially for taking on Gligar, allowing for a 2HKO on any Gligar, with Evolution Stone factored in. With Evolution Stone, this Slowpoke is not 2HKOed by +2 Earthquake, which makes it an excellent answer to the Flyscorpion Pokemon so commonly seen in Gen V LC. Finally, Toxic provides Slowpoke with options to take on Pokemon such as Mantyke and other Water Type Pokemon Slowpoke may run into. It also gives Slowpoke a way to, aside from Burns, prevents Zuruggu Sweep by stalling using a combination of Toxic, Slack Off or Boil Over to reduce Zuruggu's Hp into Priority range from Pokemon such as Croagunk. Slack Off, of course, is there to provide reliable healing, restoring 50% of Slowpoke's Hp upon usage, which, given the EVs suggested, translates into 14 Hp per use. Thunder Wave is generally useful as a supporting Move, allowing Slowpoke's teamates to prepare a sweep. Fire Blast is a very handy option, allowing Slowpoke to take on Tesshiido, outrunning standard Relaxed Nattorei by 1 point, and damaging Tesshiido for 66.67% - 83.33%, which is effectively a 2HKO.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>This Set posseses great synergy with Pokemon who would like Fighting Types or Gligar neutralized, such as Zuruggu and Houndour. As a matter of fact, what this particular Set can boast, is that Meditite cannot 2HKO it with any combination of Moves, Dokkora's Payback is effectively 100 Base Power thanks to the Super Effective damage, yet, it still fails to 2HKO, inflicting 21.43% - 28.57% damage on average, while Zen Headbutt OHKOes. Regarding Move legality, Slowpoke losses Aqua Tail while using Regeneration, making the latter the prefered option thanks to it's general usefulness, and how it greatly assists with Switch ins. </p>
<p>Slowpoke could also run Toxic on any of it's sets in order to deal effectively with opposing Water Types, or attempt to stall it's opponents by using Slack Off plus it's natural bulk. Psychic is an alternate STAB option over Zen Headbutt, however, Zen Headbutt is the preferred option most of the time given how Zen Headbutt can safely 2HKO Dokkora, and Meditite, whereas Psychic misses the 2HKO, and inflicts less damage on Standard Meditite.</p>
[SET]
name: Trick Room
move 1: Zen Headbutt / Aqua Tail
move 2: Ice Beam / Fire Blast
move 3: Trick Room
move 4: Slack Off
item: Evolution Stone
ability: Regeneration / Own Tempo
nature: Relaxed
evs: 196 Hp / 76 Atk / 236 Def
Spe IV: 0
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Slowpoke can also be an excellent Trick Room setup, thanks to it's overall bulk, low speed and Regeneration. The moves on this set take in mind what Slowpoke should generally see. Zen Headbutt and Aqua Tail provide STAB options, however, Aqua Tail is illegal with Regeneration, however, using Own Tempo allows for this combination. Regeneration, however, allows Slowpoke to continiously switch in to refresh Trick Room, whereas Own Tempo allows Slowpoke to switch into Machop's DynamicPunch, outrun, and threaten with Zen Headbutt.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
The choice between Ice Beam and Fire Blast comes down to preference, and to the Team's needs. Under Trick Room conditions, Slowpoke outruns Gligar and 2HKOes with Ice Beam, outrunning Gligar's Roost. Fire Blast allows Slowpoke to defeat Tesshiido after Trick Room, outrunning Tesshiido under Trick Room only, however. It's worth noting, however, that Fire Blast is a 2HKO, and Tesshiido inflicts about 7.14% - 21.43% with each Bullet Seed hit, giving it a chance to OHKO Slowpoke, even with the bulky spread suggested above.
[Team Options]
<p>Slowpoke generally doesn't require too much support, however, given the proper threat elimination, Slowpoke can become incredibly difficult to take down. Slowpoke has great synergy with Pokemon such as Houndour or Komatama, who eliminate Grass, and Ghost Types who pleague Slowpoke. From th other side of the idea, Zuruggu greatly appreciates Slowpoke taking care of Dokkora, Gligar and assorted Fighting Types who could prevent it's sweep. This is the same case with Komatama, mentioned above. Slowpoke also appreciates Fighting Type Pokemon who can take care of Dark Types, and Pokemon who can take Grass and Electric Moves. As a matter of fact, Tesshiido makes a great partner along Slowpoke, Slowpoke taking Fire and Fighting Moves for Tesshiido, while Tesshiido blocks Dark, Grass and Electric attacks who pleague Slowpoke. These two also form quite a formidable Stalling duo, or a very useful core for any Little Cup Team. </p>
[Optional Changes]
<p>Slowpoke could also find itself running a Curse Set using Aqua Tail, Zen Headbutt, Curse, and Slack Off with a more Special Defensive Spread, similarly to Munchlax. However, Munchlax performs this set more efficiently.</p>
<p>A Calm Mind set is also available, however, given Slowpoke's 40 Base Sp. Attack, it would require several boosts in order to significantly dent anything that would come to stop it's setup.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Despite walling a good amount of common Pokemon, Slowpoke can be set up on by a few good Pokemon. Carvanha, for example, can come in in any of Slowpoke's common Moves barring Toxic, and instantly threaten with Crunch. Aside from Carvanha, Chinchou and Mantyke with Hidden Power Electric can come in on Slowpoke, and threaten with Super Effective moves, whereas Slowpoke can only retaliate with Zen Headbutt, or Toxic. Pururiru can also come into Slowpoke without Toxic, and use Shadow Ball or Evil Eye against the weaker side of Slowpoke's defences. It's also worth noting that Houndour can switch into Slowpoke that lack Water moves or Earthquake, and threaten with STAB Dark moves, being immune to both, Fire Blast and Zen Headbutt, resistant to Ice Beam.</p>
<p>Grass Types such as Tesshiido can come in relatively safely, and proceed to Leech Seed Slowpoke. Monmen and Tesshiido are the prime examples, since both can come in on all of Slowpoke's Moves, Monmen can Encore Slowpoke into Toxic, Boil Over or Slack Off, and provide a teamate with a free turn of setup, and Tesshiido is not botherred by anything Slowpoke could throw at it, whereas it can use both, Leech Seed and Bullet Seed to get rid of Slowpoke for good.</p>
