QC: / /
GP: /
Overview
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+ Good, balanced stats
+ Decent offensive typing
+ Plays different roles succesfully
+ Deals with threatening Water-types in the tier thanks to its typing and Water Absorb, such as Feraligatr and Carracosta
- Lacks reliable recovery
- Limited movepool with small other options
RestTalk
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name: RestTalk
move 1: Scald
move 2: Circle Throw
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
ability: Water Absorb
item: Leftovers
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
nature: Relaxed
Moves
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- Scald threatens physically offensive Pokemon as it has a good chance to burn.
- Circle Throw has negative priority, but can easily stop set-up by forcing a switch.
- Rest is the only way of recovery Poliwrath has access to.
- Sleep Talk allows Poliwrath to use attacks in its sleep, including a Circle Throw, that doesn't have negative priority when used by Sleep Talk.
- Protect can be used as a scouting option as an advantage against the opponent.
- Toxic can also be a decent option in order to wear down bulky Pokemon easier as the damage dealt increases every turn.
Set Details
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- The EVs invested in HP and Defense max out Poliwrath's base Defense in combination with a Relaxed nature.
- Water Absorb is simply amazing, it provides a free-switch in for Poliwrath and recovers it.
- Leftovers heal Poliwrath a bit.
Usage Tips
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- Switch in Pokemon Poliwrath walls, such as Feraligatr and Seismitoad and beat them up with Scald or either phaze them out.
- When the opponent started to set-up, sent in Poliwrath to force a switch with Circle Throw. (except if the set-up is a ghost type)
- Use this set when your team is built around stall, as Poliwrath can burn with Scald, force a switch with Circle Throw and recover with Rest and Sleep Talk.
Team Options
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- Pokemon that set up on Poliwrath's weaknesses are amazing, such as Pawniard; They defeat Poliwrath's weaknesses and allow it to stall out other opponents.
- Pokemon that set up entry hazards are useful too, as Poliwrath can use Circle Throw and hurt Pokemon when they're switched in.
SubPunch
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name: SubPunch
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Focus Punch
move 3: Waterfall
move 4: Toxic / Ice Punch
ability: Water Absorb
item: Leftovers
evs: 128 HP / 252 Atk / 128 Spe
nature: Adamant
Moves
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- Substitute is a really good option to prevent Poliwrath being statused. Besides, it grants Poliwrath an opportunity to set up or launch a Focus Punch succesfully unless the opponent has Infiltrator or uses a sound move.
- Focus Punch is the move with the highest Base Power Poliwrath has access to. However, watch out, because Focus Punch fails if it gets hit the same turn.
- Waterfall a great STAB move, and also has a secondary effect of flinching the opponent.
- Toxic statuses Pokemon that resist its dual STAB, such as Gourgeist, this way Poliwrath can get rid of it.
- Ice Punch grants coverage against a lot of types, and hits Vileplume well.
- Encore is another option that can be used to trap the opponent in a certain move, and might give Poliwrath a free turn to set up a Substitute.
Set Details
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- Water Absorb offers Poliwrath a great immunity against the Water-type.
- Leftovers give passive recovery to Poliwrath and the ability to set up more substitutes.
- 128 EV HP adds up to Poliwrath's good natural bulk.
- 252 EVs in Attack in combination with the Adamant nature ensures Poliwrath to hit the hardest it is capable of.
- 128 Speed EVs allow Poliwrath to outspeed Jolly Crustle and beat it with a STAB attack.
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- Sent in Poliwrath when predicting a Water-type move when it is at low health. This gives Poliwrath health back, upping its longevity.
- Set up Substitute when predicting the opponent to switch or to inflict status, as Poliwrath forces quite some switches against Pokemon such as Pawniard and Feraligatr
- This set on Poliwrath is useful to weaken Pokemon in order to allow partners to clean up.
- When your team is bulky offensively based, or balanced, use this set on Poliwrath, since it works the best on bulky offensive or balanced teams.
Team Options
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- Ferroseed is an awesome teammate as it sets up and can switch into Poliwrath's weaknesses without problems and take them out.
- Pokemon that set up entry hazards are very good too, as they allow Poliwrath to KO more easily.
- Thunder Wave or Sticky Web support is useful because it allows Poliwrath to outspeed a whole lot more Pokemon in the tier.
- Pokemon that take advantage of the Pokemon that Poliwrath can weaken, such as U-turn or Volt Switch users, make good partners, too.
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- Choice Specs along with a special moveset.
- Bulk Up to boost up Poliwrath's physical stats.
- Earthquake hits Electric-types better than all of its other moves.
- Belly Drum + Swift Swim can be used on rain teams.
- Mixed set with moves such as Scald and Brick Break.
Checks & Counters
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**Fast Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon with an advantage over Poliwrath, such as Mesprit or Unburden Slurpuff, can KO Poliwrath without problems after using a STAB attack.
**Bulky Grass-types**: Bulky Grass-types, such as Tangela and Gourgeist, completely wall Poliwrath in anything it does and can burn it or KO it with one of their STABs.
**Taunt** Taunt users prevent Poliwrath from setting up a Substitute or recovering from Rest, and makes it very vulnerable for offensive attackers.
**Status**: Poliwrath is severally crippled by burn and paralysis, because they cut its Speed and Attack, allowing it to hit less powerful and slower. Rest doesn't have to fear status since it changes the status to sleep.
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