Biosci
Danger!?
[Overview]
<p>Snorlax instantly appeals as a powerful defensive Pokemon, boasting 165 / 65 / 110 Defenses. However, a weakness to Fighting-type attacks, accompanied by low physical bulk, leaves Snorlax as easy prey to the common Fighting-type attacks in VGC. But do not fear; Snorlax has access to many hard hitting physical moves and a useful ability for VGC in Thick Fat. Snorlax also has an extremely a low base 30 speed, and while this may seem to be a terrible weakness, it can be abused when under Trick Room. Remember to play to Snorlax's strengths, and you will find it tearing up your opponents in no time.</p>
[SET]
name: Trick Room Attacker
move 1: Return
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Crunch / Fire Punch
move 4: Protect
item: Chople Berry / Normal Gem
nature: Brave
ability: Thick Fat
evs: 12 HP / 252 Att / 60 Def / 180 SpDef
ivs: Spe 0
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set is intended for use under Trick Room, where Snorlax can outspeed and tear through most frail opponents. Return is used to utilize one of Snorlax's strongest STABs, excluding Double-Edge. Earthquake is a prime choice for the second slot, dealing solid damage to Steel-types that resist Return, as well as being a spread move. However, be careful not to hurt teammates when using this. Crunch helps Snorlax defeat common Ghost- and Psychic-type threats such as Cresselia and Jellicent. These Pokemon tend to be nightmares for any Trick Room team, as they have the ability to set up a Trick Room of their own, effectively ruining Snorlax's chance of outpacing its opponents. Fire Punch can be useful against hail threats, while helping Snorlax defeat opponents that resist or are immune to its other attacks, such as Bronzong. Protect is used in the fourth slot as a multipurpose move; it can allow Snorlax to stall to some extent, aid against Fake Out users, and scout.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The item here comes down to personal preference; however, here are some useful calculations, showing common instances where Chople Berry is useful with the given EV spread:</p>
<ul class="damage_calculation">
<li>252Atk lvl 50 Hitmontop (+Atk) Close Combat vs 12HP/60Def Chople Berry Thick Fat lvl 50 Snorlax (Neutral): 49% - 58% (118 - 139 HP).</li>
<li>252Atk Fight Gem lvl 50 Hitmontop (+Atk) Close Combat vs 12HP/60Def Chople Berry Thick Fat lvl 50 Snorlax (Neutral): 74% - 87% (177 - 208 HP).</li>
<li>252Atk lvl 50 Terrakion (Neutral) Close Combat vs 12HP/60Def Chople Berry Thick Fat lvl 50 Snorlax (Neutral): 55% - 65% (132 - 156 HP)</li>
<li>252Atk Fight Gem lvl 50 Terrakion (Neutral) Close Combat vs 12HP/60Def Chople Berry Thick Fat lvl 50 Snorlax (Neutral): 83% - 98% (198 - 234 HP).</li>
</ul>
<p>Chople Berry is definitely an excellent choice, letting Snorlax survive almost anything Terrakion can throw at it. The given EVs are used to give Snorlax as much bulk as possible. Snorlax's HP stat is large and needs little investment, while the Attack EVs are used to let Snorlax hit as hard as possible. The Defense EVs help with taking some Fighting-type attacks, as long as Snorlax is using a Chople berry. The Special Defense EVs help Snorlax survive against specially based attacks, such as a Thunderbolt from Zapdos or Thundurus. A Brave nature is used to optimize Snorlax's Attack stat, while lowering speed; in conjunction with 0 Speed IVs, Snorlax becomes as potent in Trick Room as possible. Snorlax's ability also comes down to preference. Thick Fat gives Snorlax resistances to Fire- and Ice-type attacks, such as Heat Wave and Blizzard, whilst Immunity stops Snorlax from becoming Poisoned. Thick Fat is usually the superior option, though watch out for being Burned or Frozen from those typed attacks.</p>
<p>Ghost-type Pokemon act as great support to Snorlax, as they are able to switch in on Fighting-type moves that could potentially KO it. Trick Room, as said before, is a must for Snorlax to function properly. Pokemon with the Telepathy ability can make decent partners for Snorlax, allowing him to fire off moves like Earthquake and Selfdestruct without worry of hurting his partner. Musharna is a great partner with this ability. In fact, Psychic-type Pokemon in general can make excellent partners for Snorlax. He makes great use of being paired with Pokemon such as Reuniclus, Musharna, and Cresselia; they all can set up Trick Room for Snorlax, and each can proceed to do something extra to help Snorlax out. Cresselia and Musharna can provide Helping Hand support for Snorlax, while Reuniclus can help Snorlax take down the opponent's team once Trick Room is up. All three of them can hit annoying Fighting-types for super effective damage with Psychic-type STAB attacks. Most Ghost-types who can provide the same Helping Hand + Trick Room support have a tough time taking out Fighting-types, making Psychic-types better suited for this role. Follow Me and Rage Powder users are nice to have, as they can absorb strong Fighting-type blows that could potentially KO Snorlax. Capable users of these moves include Amoonguss, Parasect, and Togekiss.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Superpower is a solid option for scoring some KOs against most Steel- and Rock-types, as well as opposing Snorlax who don't invest heavily in Defense. Sitrus Berry could be a viable item for gaining instant recovery after taking some hits or getting HP back after Belly Drum. Although setting up in VGC can be dangerous, if you can predict your opponent double Protecting to stall out Trick Room, Snorlax can use Belly Drum and go in for a KO on the next turn. Selfdestruct is a very powerful STAB move that Snorlax has. Combined with a Normal Gem boost, you can almost always get a KO on Pokemon who don't either resist it, have immunities to it, or use Protect when predicting it. Body Slam can be used as a good STAB in place of Return, and the possibility of paralysis can be useful. Chesto Berry can be used with Rest, letting Snorlax regain full health mid game and survive longer.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>In this metagame, one of the most common types used is Fighting. These Pokemon can be a huge problem for Snorlax, often stopping his sweeping short and outright destroying him with their super effective STAB moves. Chople Berry Tyranitar is a threat, especially if it carries Low Kick or Superpower, as the best Snorlax can throw at it is Superpower. Even worse, after using Superpower to get rid of the Chople berry, Snorlax has pretty much nothing else to attack Tyranitar with, who can then KO Snorlax with its own Low Kick. Metagross is often problematic as well, even with Earthquake and Trick Room up.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Snorlax gets Gluttony from the DW. When this ability is released, it probably won't do much to help Snorlax until th pinch berries are released. Even then, it isn't very good.</p>