OU Dragalge (Revamp)

Aragorn the King

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Just posting Poek97's skeleton for now with all of the proposed changes quoted. Will update in a timely fashion.


[OVERVIEW]

Based on stats alone, there are much more powerful specially based available Dragon-types such as Latios and Latias; why would you use a Pokemon with a mere base 97 Special Attack, especially one whose secondary STAB type offers nothing in the way of covering Steel-types? Furthermore, Dragalge is the slowest fully evolved Dragon-type in the game. Alongside its defensive typing, and in the context of the OU metagame, this means it has to worry about being revenge killed by many top-tier threats, including Mega Charizard X, Excadrill, Landorus-T, Mega Alakazam, Mega Gallade, and Latios.

However, by virtue of that same defensive typing, Dragalge is able to find a place on many teams as a defensive or offensive tank, capable of handling many common threats, including Mega Charizard Y, Keldeo, Gengar, Clefable, Manaphy, Mega Manectric, Rotom-W, Thundurus, and Mega Venusaur. Regardless of the set, Dragalge's ability, Adaptability which bolsters the power of its STAB moves by 1.33, is a great boon. Dragalge is also able to differentiate itself from other Dragon-types thanks to its access to STAB Sludge Wave, which powers through many common Fairy-types, including Clefable, as well as its secondary Poison typing, which renders it neutral to Fairy-type moves to which Latios or Latias would fall. Add all of this to Toxic Spikes, which allows Dragalge to cut into the longevity of its foes, namely Substitute Calm Mind Keldeo, and it's clear to see why Dragalge has become close to a staple on many bulky offensive, balanced, and stall teams. However, do not assume Dragalge needs Toxic Spikes to function; it can also use a devastating Choice Specs set capable of achieving feats such as OHKOing Mew, Keldeo, and Zapdos.

[SET]
name: Offensive Toxic Spikes
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Focus Blast / Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Toxic Spikes
item: Draco Plate / Black Sludge
ability: Adaptability
nature: Modest
evs: 228 HP / 252 SpA / 28 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Draco Meteor is an obscenely powerful STAB move that hits everything except Fairy- and Steel-types neutrally. If setting Toxic Spikes isn't ideal at the time, you should generally use this move, because it'll hit almost all switch-ins very hard. Sludge Wave complements Draco Meteor, as it hits Fairy-types super effectively. Additionally, Dragalge is neutral to Fairy-type moves, and thus can switch in on many Fairy-types and destroy them with Sludge Wave. Focus Blast covers the Steel-types that Dragalge's STAB moves cannot, such as Heatran, Ferrothorn, and Bisharp. However, Hidden Power Fire can be used if you'd prefer having better accuracy and the ability to hit Mega Scizor and don't mind not being able to handle Heatran. Toxic Spikes spreads the poisoned or badly poisoned status to all grounded foes, which greatly benefits your team by inhibiting opposing setup Pokemon, including Unaware Clefable and Substitute Keldeo.

Set Details
========

28 Speed EVs are used to outspeed Hippowdon, which would otherwise 2HKO with Earthquake. Maximum Special Attack EVs are used so that Dragalge can hit as hard as possible, and the rest of the EVs are put in HP so that Dragalge has good mixed bulk. 140 Speed EVs, at the expense of HP, can be used if you need Dragalge to outspeed Clefable and hit it with a powerful Sludge Wave before it can use Calm Mind or Tyranitar so that Dragalge can hit it with Focus Blast. If Dragalge is using Hidden Power Fire, Tyranitar isn't necessary to outspeed, so only 136 Speed EVs would be needed. Draco Plate is typically the item of choice, as it boosts the power of Dragalge's most-used move, Draco Meteor, by 1.2 without causing recoil. However, if this extra damage is not needed, Black Sludge also is a great choice, as it gives Dragalge the passive recovery needed to switch into Pokemon less riskily.

Usage Tips
========

Use Dragalge's amazing defensive typing to switch into numerous Pokemon, including Mega Charizard Y, Keldeo, Clefable, Manaphy, Mega Manectric, Rotom-W, Magnezone, Thundurus, and Mega Venusaur. Once in, Dragalge can either use its offensive or defensive advantage to set up Toxic Spikes, which greatly hurts your opponent's grounded setup sweepers' chances of setting up, or fire off powerful moves. Draco Meteor, especially when boosted by Draco Plate, is immensely powerful, and it lets Dragalge do as much damage as possible to threats such as Raikou, Keldeo, Mew, and Rotom-W. However, Sludge Wave is more consistent and should be used both when the Draco Meteor's Special Attack cut is unappealing and in order to stop a Clefable sweep. Basically, your mentality when using Dragalge should be to decide when it's right to attack and when it's right to set up Toxic Spikes. Be wary of using Toxic Spikes when you know Dragalge won't be able to get up a second layer, as that could result in having many foes being poisoned instead of badly poisoned, which isn't ideal because the goal is to wear them down rather than apply more short-term chip damage.

Team Options
========

Magnezone and Dugtrio trap Steel-types such as Jirachi, which are very troublesome for Dragalge to face, even considering its access to Focus Blast. Grounded Poison-types, such as Amoonguss and Tentacruel, remove Dragalge's Toxic Spikes, so Gothitelle, which can trap and KO them, Reuniclus, which can set up on them, and others such as Landorus-T and Mega Alakazam, which can revenge kill them, make for good teammates. Gothitelle with Trick and a Choice item also doubles as a nice way for the team to cripple Chansey, a Pokemon Dragalge detests going up against. Physical wallbreakers such as Victini and Heracross can also prove to be spectacular teammates for their ability to demolish Chansey. Psychic-types such as Mega Gardevoir and Latios can easily revenge kill Dragalge. A Pursuit trapper such as Tyranitar can therefore make for a great teammate. Mega Metagross can also be a great teammate because it can check many of these bulky Psychic-types, including Gardevoir and Latios.

Ferrothorn can prove to be a spectacular teammate, as it resists or can usually switch in comfortably on the Dragon-, Ice-, and Ground-types moves Dragalge is weak to, while Dragalge can switch into the Fire- and Fighting- type moves Ferrothorn is weak to. Add this to Ferrothorn's access to Spikes and Stealth Rock, and the two can make a great entry hazard-setting defensive pair for balanced and bulky offensive teams. Dragalge is prone to being revenge killed by Ground-types, such as Excadrill, Landorus-T, and Landorus, so to remedy this weakness, Rotom-W, Mandibuzz, and Manaphy can serve as great teammates. Teams this Dragalge variant is a part of often rely, to a varying degree, on Toxic Spikes to function. If these entry hazards get Defogged or spun away, the team loses a substantial part of its win condition. Bisharp can add offensive pressure in an effort to prevent Defog, and it also boasts a fair matchup against two premier Defoggers, Latios and Latias, while Ghost-types such as Mega Sableye can act as Rapid Spin blockers.

[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Draco Meteor / Dragon Pulse
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Scald
move 4: Toxic Spikes
item: Black Sludge
ability: Adaptability
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 232 SpD / 28 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Despite not running Special Attack EVs, Dragalge still can hit very hard with Draco Meteor, which has great neutral coverage and OHKOes Gengar after considering Stealth Rock or Life Orb damage. Dragon Pulse is another viable option, which is substantially weaker but doesn't force Dragalge out after its use. It relegates Sludge Wave as Dragalge's most powerful move, if chosen over Draco Meteor, and therefore Dragon Pulse should only be used against Dragon- and Ground-types on the switch, as well as on Gengar. Be wary that unlike Draco Meteor, Dragon Pulse can never OHKO Gengar. However, Dragon Pulse performs better against Substitute variants of Gengar and is overall more consistent than Draco Meteor. Sludge Wave is a complementary STAB move to Dragalge's Dragon-type STAB move of choice, as it hits Fairy-types such as Clefable. The move is also useful for stinging Grass-types such as Celebi and Serperior much more than Draco Meteor. Scald hits Steel-types, which resist or are immune to Dragalge's STAB moves, neutrally and has a very useful burn chance, which can allow Dragalge to stay in relatively comfortably on physical attackers that would otherwise force it out. It's also a good move to use on a predicted switch, as almost nothing can switch into Scald without risking a burn. Toxic Spikes spreads the poisoned or badly poisoned status to all grounded foes and is especially useful for stopping setup sweepers such as Quiver Dance Volcarona, Calm Mind Keldeo, and Calm Mind Unaware Clefable.

Set Details
========

28 Speed EVs are used to outspeed Hippowdon, which would otherwise outspeed and 2HKO with Earthquake. 248 EVs are put in HP for maximum mixed walling potential, and the rest are put in Special Defense, as Dragalge should opt to specialize in walling specially based Pokemon. Black Sludge is used for constant recovery, which ameliorates Dragalge's chances of countering Pokemon such as Gengar when factoring in Stealth Rock damage.

Usage Tips
========

Despite its low HP, Dragalge is remarkably specially bulky, and you should exploit this by switching into Pokemon Dragalge's typing can handle. Mega Charizard Y, Keldeo, Clefable, Manaphy, Mega Manectric, Rotom-W, Magnezone, Thundurus, and Mega Venusaur are all examples of Pokemon that Dragalge easily can switch into. Additionally, with the added bulk, Dragalge becomes a safe (but not foolproof) counter to Life Orb Gengar, which is remarkably hard to check. The name of the game with defensive Dragalge is getting into something that it can handle. If it hard walls the foe (in the case of Mega Venusaur, for example), Dragalge should set up Toxic Spikes in order to cripple the opponent's team, and if it can't completely counter the foe but can do immense damage (such as with Gengar and Draco Meteor), Dragalge should go for the KO. However, in most scenarios, your primary goal with Dragalge shouldn't be to attack, as Toxic Spikes will often prove to be more essential as your team's win condition.

Team Options
========

Opposing Poison-types remove Toxic Spikes, so useful teammates include Gothitelle to trap them, Reuniclus to set up on them, and Landorus-T as well as Life Orb Alakazam to revenge kill them. Gothitelle with Trick also acts as a nice way to cripple Chansey, which also can be broken by strong physical wallbreakers such as Mega Heracross and Victini as well as utility Mega Sableye with Taunt and Knock Off. Mega Sableye doubles as a way to protect Dragalge's Toxic Spikes from being spun away, and the same can be said for Bisharp and the entry hazards being Defogged away. Because of their defensive synergy and entry hazard coverage, Dragalge and Ferrothorn make for great teammates on defensive teams. Dragalge is prone to being revenge killed by Ground-types such as Excadrill, Landorus-T, and Landorus, so to aid this problem, Rotom-W, Mandibuzz, and Manaphy can serve as great teammates. Psychic-types such as Mega Gardevoir and Latios can easily revenge kill Dragalge. A Pursuit trapper such as Choice Scarf Tyranitar can thus make for a great teammate. Mega Metagross can also check many bulky Psychic-types, including Gardevoir and Latios.

[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Focus Blast / Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Scald
item: Choice Specs
ability: Adaptability
nature: Modest
evs: 228 HP / 252 SpA / 28 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Draco Meteor is the move Dragalge will be using the vast majority of the time. Thanks to the move's massive 130 Base Power, Adaptability boost, and Choice Specs boost, it is able to do a massive amount of damage to anything but Fairy-types, Chansey, and Blissey. It's able to OHKO frailer Steel-types such as Bisharp as well as 252 / 0 Mew after Stealth Rock damage. Fairy-types, the absolute best switch-ins to Draco Meteor, are, barring Klefki, annihilated by Dragalge's secondary STAB move, Sludge Wave. Sludge Wave also gives Dragalge a much more reliable STAB move with which it can hit both Grass-types and neutral targets hard without having to suffer from Draco Meteor's Special Attack drop. Focus Blast allows Dragalge to hit common Steel-type switch-ins, such as Ferrothorn, Bisharp, and Heatran as well as Tyranitar. However, if you don't mind being worse off against Heatran, and would much rather have better accuracy and the ability to demolish Mega Scizor, Hidden Power Fire can be used in lieu of Focus Blast. Scald lets Dragalge check Heatran, mostly if Dragalge isn't running Focus Blast. Scald doubles as a move with almost no drawbacks, and it can be used early-game to fish for a burn on some of Dragalge's most common switch-ins, such as Klefki, Jirachi, and Mega Metagross.

Set Details
========

In order to outspeed Hippowdon, which would otherwise cripple Dragalge with Earthquake, it's recommended for Dragalge to run 28 Speed EVs. Because Dragalge is a specially based wallbreaker, maximum Special Attack EVs are used. Likewise, Choice Specs is the recommended item for the set, as it is capable of boosting all of Dragalge's moves to their highest possible power. The remaining EVs are thrown into HP because Dragalge enjoys having mixed bulk. 140 Speed EVs, at expense of HP, can be used if you desire Dragalge to outspeed Calm Mind Clefable and Tyranitar so that Dragalge can hit them with Sludge Wave or Focus Blast, respectively. If Dragalge is using Hidden Power Fire, only 136 Speed EVs would be needed, as outspeeding Tyranitar wouldn't be a priority.

Usage Tips
========

Dragalge has excellent special bulk, respectable physical bulk, and a unique defensive typing; exploit all of these characteristics! Dragalge can easily pivot into many threatening Pokemon in OU, including Keldeo, Mega Charizard Y, Rotom-W, Mega Manectric, Raikou, Clefable, and Thundurus; tank a hit; and proceed to fire off a ridiculously powerful move on whatever decides to switch in. The majority of the time, the only button you'll be clicking is Draco Meteor, but if the opponent has bulky Steel- or Fairy-types, more prediction will be necessary. Don't be too shy about using Sludge Wave; despite its lower power compared to Draco Meteor, it still can accomplish absurd feats such as OHKOing Keldeo after factoring in Stealth Rock damage.

Team Options
========

Despite Dragalge's access to Focus Blast, Hidden Power Fire, and Scald, it is still going to have immense troubles with Steel-types. Dugtrio and Magnezone are excellent partners for their trapping abilities. Dragalge's low Speed and four common weaknesses also leave it prone to being revenge killed. For instance, Psychic-types, such as Mega Gardevoir and Latios, can easily KO Dragalge after Draco Meteor's Special Attack drop. A Pursuit trapper, such as Tyranitar, is thus a useful teammate. Mega Metagross also makes for a great teammate because of its ability to check both Mega Gardevoir and Latios. Finally, Dragalge is prone to being revenge killed by Excadrill; to remedy this weakness, Rotom-W and Celebi can serve as great teammates.

Trick Room staples such as Bronzong, Cresselia, Porygon2, and Crawdaunt can make for good teammates as well, as Dragalge's terrible Speed stat, while normally a huge flaw, can allow it to sweep under Trick Room. Defensive cores are also plausible, as Dragalge, even without any Special Defense investment, has solid bulk and a great typing. Skarmory resists all of Dragalge's weaknesses except Ice, while Dragalge resists both of Skarmory's weaknesses. Needless to say, these two work really well together, with Dragalge able to deal out serious damage and act as a generic check to special attackers and Skarmory acting as a mixed wall capable of setting and removing entry hazards. Unaware Clefable also can make for a good teammate, as it can heal off any damage Dragalge might take with Wish. It also can serve as a lure for Poison-type moves, which gives Dragalge opportunities to switch in, and heal off any burns Dragalge might have taken with Heal Bell. Other Fairy-types, including Azumarill, Gardevoir, and Sylveon, can similarly lure in Poison-types for Dragalge to switch into. Mega Gyarados also can make for a good teammate; Dragalge can KO Keldeo, Dragon-types, Azumarill, Chesnaught, and Ferrothorn for Mega Gyarados, while Mega Gyarados can set up on Ground-types and Heatran, both of which give Dragalge trouble. Mega Diancie also makes for a good teammate, as it and Dragalge have a lot of checks in common and therefore can break down the other Pokemon's answers. Dragalge baits in and wears down Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn, which opens up the opportunity to sweep for Diancie. In turn, Diancie can take on Jirachi and Heatran better than Dragalge can thanks to its access to Earth Power.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
===================

Haze is a really great move for any set lacking Choice Specs, as it eases the checking or countering of many setup sweepers, including Clefable, Mega Sableye, Volcarona, and Keldeo, by reducing their stat gains as well as bringing Dragalge's Special Attack back to normal after using Draco Meteor. RestTalk can be useful on defensive sets whose teams don't desire Toxic Spikes. The RestTalk combination allows Dragalge to constantly heal off status as well as damage taken, and therefore lets Dragalge be a much more reliable counter to Mega Charizard Y, Rotom-W, and Gengar. Toxic poisons potential switch-ins to defensive sets, such as Talonflame, that are immune to Toxic Spikes. Dragon Tail hits nowhere near as hard as Dragalge's other Dragon-type STAB moves, but it can be useful for its ability to phaze foes. It can work well in tandem with Toxic Spikes, spreading the poisoned or badly poisoned statuses to grounded foes. Hydro Pump is an alternative for the fourth slot on the Choice Specs set. Basically, it does more damage to specially defensive Heatran than Scald does while having better accuracy than Focus Blast. Sludge Bomb is a possibility over Sludge Wave; it trades 5 Base Power and the ability to hit Chesnaught for a 20% increase in the chance to poison. Venoshock hits very hard against poisoned foes, which makes it pair well with sets involving Toxic Spikes, but against targets that aren't poisoned it's very weak. Substitute can be useful, as if used on the switch it allows Dragalge to do massive damage to the foe that is forced to break the Substitute. It, however, must be used in lieu of Scald, a STAB move, or Toxic Spikes, which are all extremely important to any set's success.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Bulky Steel-types**: Steel-types resist Dragon-type moves and are immune to Poison-type moves, so naturally they make for the best checks and counters to Dragalge. Klefki is immune to both of Dragalge's STAB types, loses half of its health at most from a Choice Specs-boosted Hidden Power Fire, and can use Dragalge for Spikes setup. Jirachi takes little from any of Dragalge's attacks, can use Wish to heal off any damage taken and can threaten with its STAB super effective Zen Headbutt. Mega Metagross can tank any hit and can threaten Dragalge out with a STAB Tough Claws-boosted Zen Headbutt. Mega Metagross must, however, be wary of Scald burns. Specially defensive Heatran can easily switch into Dragalge's STAB moves. Mega Scizor can switch into any move except for Hidden Power Fire and Roost off the damage. It must, however, be wary of Scald burns.

**Chansey and Blissey**: Blissey and Chansey avoid the 2HKO from a Choice Specs-boosted Draco Meteor, so both can switch in and subsequently force Dragalge out.

**Revenge Killers**: Dragalge is very slow and has four common weaknesses, so it is very prone to being revenge killed. Latios and Latias can easily revenge kill Dragalge with Draco Meteor or Psyshock. Mega Charizard X can also revenge kill with its Dragon Claw or Outrage, as can Garchomp with either Earthquake, Outrage, or Dragon Claw. Excadrill can easily revenge kill with Earthquake, and Mega Metagross and Mega Gallade can easily revenge kill with Zen Headbutt. Do note that none of these Pokemon should attempt switching into Dragalge unless they feel like being OHKOed.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Jaroda said:
I recommend a specially defensive spread to look like this.

Dragalge@Black Sludge
Adaptability
Calm 248 HP / 156 SpA / 104 SpD
- Substitute
- Sludge Wave
- Scald
- Dragon Tail

The SpA allows you to OHKO Mega Gardevoir with SR 100% of the time, which you can take advantage of behind a Sub. Hyper Voice can't kill you through a sub unless you're quite low. Skarmory is a natural partner for this set because of the fantastic defensive syngergy. Skarmory is meant to stack hazards, and Dragalge is meant to annoy behind a sub and phaze with Dragon Tail for passive damage, and burn with Scald. Toxic Spikes is a waste really.

252 SpA Life Orb Gengar Shadow Ball vs. 248 HP / 100+ SpD Dragalge: 121-142 (36.3 - 42.6%) -- 94.7% chance to 3HKO after Black Sludge recovery
252 SpA Life Orb Thundurus Hidden Power Ice vs. 248 HP / 100+ SpD Dragalge: 117-140 (35.1 - 42%) -- 85.9% chance to 3HKO after Black Sludge recovery
252 SpA Mega Charizard Y Fire Blast vs. 248 HP / 100+ SpD Dragalge in Sun: 110-130 (33 - 39%) -- 12.7% chance to 3HKO after Black Sludge recovery
252 SpA Mega Charizard Y Dragon Pulse vs. 248 HP / 100+ SpD Dragalge: 152-180 (45.6 - 54%) -- 3.9% chance to 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Keldeo Secret Sword vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Dragalge: 113-133 (33.9 - 39.9%) -- 35.2% chance to 3HKO after Black Sludge recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Keldeo Icy Wind vs. 248 HP / 100+ SpD Dragalge: 126-150 (37.8 - 45%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Black Sludge recovery
0 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 248 HP / 100+ SpD Dragalge: 114-136 (34.2 - 40.8%) -- 54.1% chance to 3HKO after Black Sludge recovery
252+ Atk Mega Heracross Pin Missile (5 hits) vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Dragalge: 165-195 (49.5 - 58.5%) -- approx. 58.2% chance to 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery (Sludge Wave 2HKO if on switch,needs Earthquake to OHKO)
+2 44+ Atk Technician Mega Scizor Bullet Punch vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Dragalge: 228-268 (68.4 - 80.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery (Scald is great here and Dragon Tail)
252+ SpA Choice Specs Magnezone Flash Cannon vs. 248 HP / 100+ SpD Dragalge: 151-178 (45.3 - 53.4%) -- 1.2% chance to 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
+2 252+ Atk Technician Breloom Rock Tomb vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Dragalge: 235-277 (70.5 - 83.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Raikou Hidden Power Ice vs. 248 HP / 100+ SpD Dragalge: 126-150 (37.8 - 45%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Black Sludge recovery

Those are some calcs to show its beefiness. As for offensive sets, I like 132 Speed EVs with a neutral nature to outrun 0 speed Clefable. It's really handy to nuke it with Sludge Wave first turn.
The reason I recommend Substitute is because Dragalge forces switches, because a Specs set is often feared most. And you want a Sub specifically with Dragon Tail to phaze without taking substantial damage, as well as throw out Scalds safely, which makes you extra bulky when landing a burn. Dragalge might not have instant recovery but that's fine, as in practice the amount of switches you cause from Dragon Tail can often land you many free turns of recovery behind a sub. This is a good set for teams that don't want Toxic Spikes if they want to use burn or paralysis more, or also if the rest of the team isn't bothered by Steel and Flying types. Seth_Vilo and Karxinda were quoted supporting these two moves and they really should be utilized together on one set. It's also still quite specially bulky without max investment.

252 SpA Life Orb Thundurus Hidden Power Ice vs. 248 HP / 104+ SpD Dragalge: 117-140 (35.1 - 42%) -- 85.9% chance to 3HKO after Black Sludge recovery
252 SpA Life Orb Thundurus Hidden Power Ice vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Dragalge: 104-125 (31.2 - 37.5%) -- 0% chance to 3HKO after Black Sludge recovery

Meanwhile the SpA investment is enough to make some big differences like the aforementioned Mega Gardevoir, but also:

156 SpA Adaptability Dragalge Sludge Wave vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Chesnaught: 392-464 (103.1 - 122.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
156 SpA Adaptability Dragalge Sludge Wave vs. +1 252 HP / 0+ SpD Clefable: 208-248 (52.7 - 62.9%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
156 SpA Adaptability Dragalge Sludge Wave vs. 64 HP / 0 SpD Mega Altaria: 300-356 (97.7 - 115.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
156 SpA Adaptability Dragalge Sludge Wave vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mega Venusaur: 134-158 (36.8 - 43.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock (Substitute protects from Leech Seed and Sleep Powder, Scald burns help even further.)
156 SpA Adaptability Dragalge Sludge Wave vs. 88 HP / 0 SpD Azumarill: 376-444 (103.5 - 122.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
156 SpA Adaptability Dragalge Sludge Wave vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Celebi: 312-368 (77.2 - 91%) -- 25% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

So yeah, it's pretty good all around.
 
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EDIT: Also, 132 Speed EVs is an option to outrun Clefable on offensive sets, and can be pretty handy to take out OU's most common Fairy.
And for fun facts, Dragalge has the strongest special Poison moves in the game, and its special bulk is comparable to Latios before investment.
 
if this is wip why the specs and c&c are in paragraphs than bullet points? i got confused. whatever, on off tspikes imo black sludge first slash, helps to check better gengar, char y, thundurus, etc. than few more draco power. protect is good in sdef set, i would mention it or even slash it (scald ?.?). focus blast first over scald in specs pls (i would deslash it tbh), is way better vs heatran and steels in general (empoleon, excadrill, etc). also his stabs outdamages even water weak mons, so no reason to scald. also, personally i think enough speed for av azu is good in off tspikes and specs), i mean it is not difficult to notice when an azu is av, since one damages is gonna show you that, and dragalge destroys it (even off tspikes does like ~75%) being good answer it, otherwise if slow u take the risk of losing a lot of life if stays in. i think i explained terrible in this case, hope you can get what i was trying to say. whatever, if qc disagrees i'm fine too if it stays as of now.
 

boltsandbombers

i'm sorry mr. man
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if this is wip why the specs and c&c are in paragraphs than bullet points? i got confused. whatever, on off tspikes imo black sludge first slash, helps to check better gengar, char y, thundurus, etc. than few more draco power. protect is good in sdef set, i would mention it or even slash it (scald ?.?). focus blast first over scald in specs pls (i would deslash it tbh), is way better vs heatran and steels in general (empoleon, excadrill, etc). also his stabs outdamages even water weak mons, so no reason to scald. also, personally i think enough speed for av azu is good in off tspikes and specs), i mean it is not difficult to notice when an azu is av, since one damages is gonna show you that, and dragalge destroys it (even off tspikes does like ~75%) being good answer it, otherwise if slow u take the risk of losing a lot of life if stays in. i think i explained terrible in this case, hope you can get what i was trying to say. whatever, if qc disagrees i'm fine too if it stays as of now.
What I think he might have done is c/p the written parts from the original analysis which he wrote, but you are correct that it should be in bullet points; I assume Aragorn knows that anyways.
I also agree with getting rid of scald, it's a pretty inferior coverage move compared to hp fire and focus blast.
Edit: C&C can be in paragraph form at any point of the analysis progress
 

Aragorn the King

Literally a duck
is a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnus
if this is wip why the specs and c&c are in paragraphs than bullet points? i got confused. whatever, on off tspikes imo black sludge first slash, helps to check better gengar, char y, thundurus, etc. than few more draco power. protect is good in sdef set, i would mention it or even slash it (scald ?.?). focus blast first over scald in specs pls (i would deslash it tbh), is way better vs heatran and steels in general (empoleon, excadrill, etc). also his stabs outdamages even water weak mons, so no reason to scald. also, personally i think enough speed for av azu is good in off tspikes and specs), i mean it is not difficult to notice when an azu is av, since one damages is gonna show you that, and dragalge destroys it (even off tspikes does like ~75%) being good answer it, otherwise if slow u take the risk of losing a lot of life if stays in. i think i explained terrible in this case, hope you can get what i was trying to say. whatever, if qc disagrees i'm fine too if it stays as of now.
What I think he might have done is c/p the written parts from the original analysis which he wrote, but you are correct that it should be in bullet points; I assume Aragorn knows that anyways.
I also agree with getting rid of scald, it's a pretty inferior coverage move compared to hp fire and focus blast.
Edit: C&C can be in paragraph form at any point of the analysis progress
Jukain gave me permission to reuse the write up for the specs set, since its role in the metagame hasn't changed.

Anyway, I'll finish writing up the skeleton soon, and I'll address all of your guys' concerns then.
 
While perhaps a sub-par option, would it be worth putting Surf in OO? Reason for this being as you said, Scald has a chance to not 2HKO SpD Heatran after rocks, while Surf will always 2HKO after rocks. And, of course, doesn't have the drawback of Focus Blast's accuracy.

252+ SpA Choice Specs Dragalge Surf vs. 248 HP / 192+ SpD Heatran: 192-228 (49.8 - 59.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
 
Small nitpick: Under the Offensive Toxic Spikes set:

"- Sludge Wave is a great STAB move that complements Draco meteor - it hits fairies for it. Dragalge is immune to fairy-type moves too, so thanks to this move, it's able to check a lot of them, like clefable."

Dragalge would be so good if it had a Fairy immunity ;s
 

Aragorn the King

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Small nitpick: Under the Offensive Toxic Spikes set:

"- Sludge Wave is a great STAB move that complements Draco meteor - it hits fairies for it. Dragalge is immune to fairy-type moves too, so thanks to this move, it's able to check a lot of them, like clefable."

Dragalge would be so good if it had a Fairy immunity ;s
I'd like to say I didn't write that, and it was copied from the last analysis, but I'm not even sure. It's fixed now.

Anyway, for a time frame, the couple weeks have been busy, and there are sats saturday. This should be fully fleshed out by sunday.
 

Aragorn the King

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Ok I think this should (finally) be good for qc #1. I talked w/ theender a while ago about what should be on the sets, and I've mostly stuck to what we talked about.

One thing I wanted to add but eventually decided not to (yet) was add Haze to the defensive set. First, it's really useful against opposing setup sweepers. Normally, Clefable is capable of setting up on you, and obviously you are unable to end its sweep. However, with Haze, you can strip Clefable of any CM boosts it's accumulated, and either use it as Toxic Spikes bait or 2hko it with sludge wave. The situation is similar with Keldeo. Without haze, you come in on a substitute, it uses calm mind as you break the sub, it sets up another sub without having it get broken, and then can set up at least to +4 (when it can 2hko you). With Haze, however, this isn't a problem, as Haze removes Keldeo of its special attack boosts, and even works through Keldeo's substitute. Mega Sableye is another mon the move is useful against, as without it, it sets up all over you, but with it, it can never maintain a calm mind against you. Unfortunately, it can use WoW against you, but you're actually faster than it, which helps with defeating it offensively. Volcarona (specifically if it opts for Bug Buzz over HP Ground) is another example of a Pokemon Haze really helps out with. As an added boon, Haze removes Draco Meteor's special attack drop, and therefore means that you don't have to switch out after its use, and can 2hko things you wouldn't otherwise be able to, such as mega sableye. I personally would like to see it slashed with scald, which without any offensive investment is really only used for the hax (which are nice, but not as nice as handling setup sweepers that much better + being more reliable offensively).
 

AM

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Talked with aim a bit and as far as Haze goes Aragorn we'd like it be a high priority OO. Reason being is that without Scald you become a free switch in to a lot of ground types (think Excadrill as one example) and it also has the ability to punish certain T-Spike immune mons such as steels like Empoleon a bit better. Haze is more or less a luxury option because you don't want to get to the point where Dragon Tail isn't able to suffice against the majority of defensive set up sweepers anyways. So top of the list OO will do for Haze.
 

Tokyo Tom

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I really think that for a Pokemon with such low base HP as Dragalge that HP should be maxed before anything else! It gains more overall bulk this way (talking about the SpDef set).

Also, I would mention RestTalk in OO, along with Toxic. I personally am a big fan of this set because it allows you to grab direct status on various stuff, like Charizard-Y, Talonflame, Rotom-W, Manaphy, etc. while still maintaining its walling capabilities, but gaining a ton of longevity.

Finally, I'd put a mention of 132 Speed EVs in OO maybe for the offensive sets, as this allows you to outspeed uninvested Clefable before it gets another CM or drops your SpAtk with Moonblast!

EDIT: Furthermore, after testing Dragon Tail a lot in the past I think it should be regulated to an OO. Slash DPulse on the SDef set though, I think the nice base power and consistent damage output is nice to have on a defensive set.

I assume you've also implemented all of AM's stuff so yeah, 1/3. Cool 'Mon, good stuff!
 
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kumiko

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Finally, I'd put a mention of 132 Speed EVs in OO maybe for the offensive sets, as this allows you to outspeed uninvested Clefable before it gets another CM or drops your SpAtk with Moonblast!
You should put 140 Speed EVs if you're going to run a fast spread, this lets you outpace uninvested Tyranitars (assuming you run Focus Blast). Also, I think you should mention it in Set Details of both Offensive Toxic Spikes and Choice Specs that if your team struggles with CM Clefable, that you should run the faster spread on both sets.

and on the Specs set, QC and I agree something like this over what you currently have:
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Focus Blast / Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Scald
ability: Adaptability
item: Choice Specs

Focus Blast and HP Fire on the same set is pretty redundant, so slashing them together makes sense. n_n

QC 2/3 after this!
 
I talked a bit with TDK and we agreed on the fact that it might be better to use this spread on spe def drag ==> EVs: 248 HP / 232 SpD / 28 Spe Calm Nature
After some calcs i noticed that 248 hp is increasing your bulk overall instead of 228hp in addition to do less damage from Stealth Rock's recoil and it's not decreasing your spe def bulk (only 0.5-1%)
Otherwise well done.
QC 2/3
 

Aragorn the King

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I really think that for a Pokemon with such low base HP as Dragalge that HP should be maxed before anything else! It gains more overall bulk this way (talking about the SpDef set).

Also, I would mention RestTalk in OO, along with Toxic. I personally am a big fan of this set because it allows you to grab direct status on various stuff, like Charizard-Y, Talonflame, Rotom-W, Manaphy, etc. while still maintaining its walling capabilities, but gaining a ton of longevity.

Finally, I'd put a mention of 132 Speed EVs in OO maybe for the offensive sets, as this allows you to outspeed uninvested Clefable before it gets another CM or drops your SpAtk with Moonblast!

EDIT: Furthermore, after testing Dragon Tail a lot in the past I think it should be regulated to an OO. Slash DPulse on the SDef set though, I think the nice base power and consistent damage output is nice to have on a defensive set.

I assume you've also implemented all of AM's stuff so yeah, 1/3. Cool 'Mon, good stuff!
You should put 140 Speed EVs if you're going to run a fast spread, this lets you outpace uninvested Tyranitars (assuming you run Focus Blast). Also, I think you should mention it in Set Details of both Offensive Toxic Spikes and Choice Specs that if your team struggles with CM Clefable, that you should run the faster spread on both sets.

and on the Specs set, QC and I agree something like this over what you currently have:
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Focus Blast / Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Scald
ability: Adaptability
item: Choice Specs

Focus Blast and HP Fire on the same set is pretty redundant, so slashing them together makes sense. n_n

QC 2/3 after this!
I talked a bit with TDK and we agreed on the fact that it might be better to use this spread on spe def drag ==> EVs: 248 HP / 232 SpD / 28 Spe Calm Nature
After some calcs i noticed that 248 hp is increasing your bulk overall instead of 228hp in addition to do less damage from Stealth Rock's recoil and it's not decreasing your spe def bulk (only 0.5-1%)
Otherwise well done.
QC 2/3
Thanks guys! Gonna write this up soon.
 

boltsandbombers

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This looks really good, few comments.
why would you use a Pokemon with a mere 97 base Special Attack, especially one whose secondary STAB offers nothing in the way of covering Steel-types?
Try to stray away from asking questions or using exclamations in analyses, its not a thing usually allowed; reword that I guess.

In regards to the overview, I get in the way its written that it flows well, but to give the reader a better interest in using the Pokemon or why to use it, I feel that it would be better to address Dragalge's positive qualities first.
Draco Meteor is an obscenely powerful STAB move that hits everything except Steel-types and fairies neutrally.
Add in this sentence chansey / blissey also can easily shrug it off.
If setting Toxic Spikes isn't ideal at the time, you should generally use this move, because it'll hit almost all switch-ins very hard.
I totally see what you're saying here but I think it would be better it usage tips.
28 Speed EVs are used for Hippowdon, who would otherwise outspeed and 2HKO with Earthquake.
This is a little unclear, it would be better worded as "28 Speed EVs are used to outspeed uninvested Hippowdon. Saying that it can 2HKO with EQ is a little unnecessary imo. Same goes for the second set's set details.
Not very important, but I think Dragon Fang is a lot cooler than Draco Plater but w/e
Draco Meteor, especially when boosted by Draco Plate, is immensely powerful, and lets Dragalge do as much damage as possible to threats such as Raikou, Keldeo, Mew, and Rotom-W.
The issue I have with this is that they're not going to stay in on a Draco Meteor unless they really have to. Not exactly sure how to fix this, just wanted to point that out.
Magnezone and Dugtrio trap Steel-types such as Jirachi, which are very troublesome for Dragalge to face, even considering its access to Focus Blast.
Magnezone loses to SpDef Jirachi, and given that Dragalge has a coverage moveslot dedicated for hitting steel-types, I dont think that these are super important partners. Maybe list Dugtrio if Dragalge isnt carrying Focus Blast or Magnzezone if its not carrying HP Fire, but generally Mag / Duggy are best suited for Pokemon that dont have a reliable way of damaging steel-types.
Ferrothorn should be added to team options of the first set, as they have solid type synergy and form a great hazard stacking duo.
Beware that Dragon Pulse isn't OHKOing Gengar, so in order to counter Gengar while running Dragon Pulse you need to be more wary when taking damage than if running Draco Meteor.
I dont exactly agree with this statement. No matter what Dragon stab you use, SpDef Dragalge always wins 1v1 versus Gengar when it switches in even factoring in stealth rock damage.
252 SpA Life Orb Gengar Shadow Ball vs. 248 HP / 232+ SpD Dragalge: 109-129 (32.7 - 38.7%) -- 98.8% chance to 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Black Sludge recovery [strongest possible attack]
0 SpA Adaptability Dragalge Dragon Pulse vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gengar: 150-178 (57.9 - 68.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
Dragalge can switch in, avoid the 2HKO, and always 2HKO in return. With either choice in slot 1, Dragalge is a full counter. However, the argument can be made that Dragalge is not the safest answer since it can only switch in once and then it is 2HKOed afterwards if it tries to switch in again, but Gengar is also really easy to whittle and wear down between LO and rocks damage combined with how frail it is.
Something else that should be addressed is that Draco Meteor always OHKOs Mega Charizard Y after Stealth Rock while Dragon Pulse cannot, as Dragalage avoids the 2HKO even from Modest Fire Blast and provided you can keep rocks up it can then retaliate with Draco. Yes, Charizard can still potentially roost stall it dragalge here, but it has a much easier time doing so when Dragalge is running Dragon Pulse.
Opposing Poison-types remove Toxic Spikes, so useful teammates include Gothitelle to trap them, Reuniclus to setup on them, and Landorus-T as well as Life Orb Alakazam to revenge kill them.
You could also add more examples of ground-types here since they have pretty solid type synergy with dragalge and do an excellent job of threatening the poison types that can absorb the tspikes dragalge sets up.

Any particular reason not to call the specs set "Choice Specs"? I mean its obviously a special wallbreaker but its generally best to list choice sets as their item.
which also packs a handy 10% chance to poison its targets.
Generally when a secondary effect only has 10-15% chance of happening, its not worth mentioning.
...and the ability to demolish Mega Scizor, Hidden Power Fire can be used in lieu of Focus Blast.
Note that HP Fire is a much more accurate way to hit Ferrothorn, compared to focus blast.

Sorry if some of this was really nitpicky.

edit: @ below leftiez - you already checked this so I don't think you can check something twice :P
 
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Seconding boltstand on the fact that ferro should be added as team option. Then instead of mentioning only clefable as team option for spec variant i'd suggest to put fairy type since Dragalge can attract steel and then kill them, so all fairy will take an advantage from this (Gardevoir/Sylveon/Azumarill)

Aragorn The King said:
Beware that Dragon Pulse isn't OHKOing Gengar, so in order to counter Gengar while running Dragon Pulse you need to be more wary when taking damage than if running Draco Meteor.
As bolt said it is situational here because what if your opponent is running sub gar ? Dragon pulse will be better on longevity in addition to not miss. So i'd suggest to put that Draco Meteor allows you to be safer. But counter is a bit exaggerated.

Aragorn The King said:
**Grounded Poison-types**: The offensive Toxic Spikes and defensive Toxic Spikes variants, specifically the latter, detest grounded Poison-types, as they can remove Dragalge's Toxic Spikes without having to use a move. Especially after Dragalge has used Draco Meteor, and thus has its Special Attack halved, Mega Venusaur, Amoonguss, Tentacruel, and even opposing Dragalge can come in, remove Dragalge's progress of setting up Toxic Spikes, and force it to switch out.
I dont think you should mention it, i mean what they can do against dragalge anyway ? Those are not check especially if you have to force him to use Draco Meteor before coming.
But you can still add in the overview that drag is annoyed by grounded poison types because they can remove T spikes.

after these changes 3/3.
 
I would not consider Zapdos a good check to Excadrill, LO Excadrill is very common due to Sand Offense and breaks through Zapdos quite easily, especially at +2. Therefore, I would remove mentions of Zapdos as a good switch-in to Excadrill.
 

GatoDelFuego

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Aragorn the King

REMOVE CHANGE COMMENTS

Overview
########

At first, you may wonder why anyone would chose to use Dragalge. Based on stats alone, there are much more powerful specially based available Dragon-types such as Latios, (RC) and Latias; why would you use a Pokemon with a mere 97 base 97 Special Attack, especially one whose secondary STAB type offers nothing in the way of covering Steel-types? Furthermore, Dragalge is the slowest fully evolved Dragon-type in the game. Alongside its defensive typing, and in the context of the OU metagame, this means it has to worry about being revenge killed by many top-tier threats, including Mega Charizard X, Excadrill, Landorus-T, Mega Alakazam, Mega Gallade, and Latios. However, by virtue of that same defensive typing, Dragalge is able to find a place on many teams as a defensive or offensive tank. Its offensive sets are capable of checking Mega Charizard Y, Keldeo, Gengar, Clefable, Manaphy, Mega Manectric, Rotom-W, Thundurus, and Mega Venusaur, while its defensive sets are able to counter all of these Pokemon. Regardless of the set, its ability, Adaptability, is a great boon to it, as it Adaptability bolsters the power of its STAB moves by 1.33. Speaking of which, Dragalge is also able to differentiate itself from other Dragon-types thanks to its access to STAB Sludge Wave, which powers through many common Fairy-types, including Clefable, as well as its secondary Poison typing, which renders it neutral to Fairy-type moves that Latios or Latias would fall to. Add all of this to Dragalge's access to Toxic Spikes, which allow Dragalge to cripple its foes, namely Substitute Calm Mind Keldeo, without even being on the stage, it's clear to see why Dragalge has become close to a staple on many bulky offensive, balanced, and stall teams. However, do not assume Dragalge needs Toxic Spikes to function; it can also use a devastating Choice Specs set capable of achieving feats such as OHKOing Mew, Keldeo, and Zapdos. This is a fairly long overview. All of this is useful information and I'm having trouble cutting it down to size. Perhaps a 2-paragraph split/rewrite? This is far too long for smogon purposes, but I don't want to be the one to 'remove all fluff!!!'. Do some work on this and let me know in the future, ok :)

Offensive Toxic Spikes
########
name: Offensive Toxic Spikes
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Focus Blast / Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Toxic Spikes
ability: Adaptability
item: Draco Plate / Black Sludge
evs: 228 HP / 252 SpA / 28 Spe
nature: Modest

Moves
========

Draco Meteor is an obscenely powerful STAB move that hits everything except Fairy- and Steel-types and Fairies neutrally. If setting Toxic Spikes isn't ideal at the time, you should generally use this move, because it'll hit almost all switch-ins very hard. Sludge Wave is a great STAB move that complements Draco Meteor, as it hits Fairies Fairy-types super effectively. Additionally, Dragalge is neutral to Fairy-type moves, because of Sludge Wave, Dragalge is able to check many Fairies, including Clefable. I don't get the wording here; if you want to say it's neutral to Fairy moves and thus can switch in, just say that Focus Blast covers the Steel-types that Dragalge's STAB moves cannot, such as Heatran, Ferrothorn, and Bisharp. However, Hidden Power Fire can be used if you'd prefer having better accuracy and hitting Mega Scizor, and don't mind not being able to handle Heatran. Toxic Spikes spreads the poisoned or badly poisoned status to all grounded foes, which greatly benefits your team by inhibiting opposing setup Pokemon, including Unaware Clefable and Substitute Keldeo.

Set Details
========

28 Speed EVs are used for to outspeed Hippowdon, who which would otherwise outspeed and 2HKO with Earthquake. Maximum Special Attack EVs are used so that Dragalge can hit as hard as possible, and the rest of the EVs are put in HP so that Dragalge has good mixed bulk. 140 Speed EVs, at the expense of HP EVs, can be used if you need to outspeed Clefable, (RC) in order to and hit it with a powerful Sludge Wave before it can use Calm Mind, or Tyranitar, so that Dragalge can hit it with Focus Blast. If Dragalge is using Hidden Power Fire, Tyranitar isn't necessary to outspeed, so only 136 Speed EVs would be needed. Draco Plate is typically the item of choice, as it boosts the power of Dragalge's most-used move, Draco Meteor, by 1.2 without causing recoil. However, if this extra damage is not needed, Black Sludge also is a great choice, as it gives it the passive recovery needed to switch in to Pokemon less riskily hastily.

Usage Tips
========

Rely on Use Dragalge's amazing defensive typing to be able to switch in on numerous Pokemon, including Mega Charizard Y, Keldeo, Clefable, Manaphy, Mega Manectric, Rotom-W, Magnezone, Thundurus, and Mega Venusaur. Once in, Dragalge can either use its offensive or defensive advantage to set up Toxic Spikes, which greatly hurts yours opponent's grounded setup sweepers' chances of setting up, or it can fire off powerful moves. Draco Meteor, especially when boosted by Draco Plate, is immensely powerful, and lets Dragalge do as much damage as possible to threats such as Raikou, Keldeo, Mew, and Rotom-W. However, Sludge Wave is more consistent, and should be used both when the Draco Meteor's Special Attack cut is unappealing and in order to stop a Clefable sweep. Basically your mentality when using Dragalge should be to decide when it's right to attack and when it's right to set up Toxic Spikes. Be wary of using Toxic Spikes when you know Dragalge won't be able to get up a second layer, as that could result in having many foes being poisoned instead of badly poisoned, which isn't ideal because the goal is to wear them down rather than apply more short-term chip damage quickly.

Team Options
========

Magnezone and Dugtrio trap Steel-types such as Jirachi, which are very troublesome for Dragalge to face, even considering its access to Focus Blast. Grounded Poison-types, such as Amoonguss and Tentacruel, remove Dragalge's Toxic Spikes, so Gothitelle, (AC) which who can trap and KO them, Reuniclus, (AC) which who can set up on them, and others such as Landorus-T and Mega Alakazam, (AC) which who can revenge kill them, (AC) make for good teammates. Gothitelle with Trick and a Choice item also doubles as a nice way for the team to cripple Chansey, a Pokemon Dragalge detests going up against. Physical wallbreakers such as Victini and Heracross can also prove to be spectacular teammates for their ability to demolish Chansey. Psychic-types such as Mega Gardevoir and Latios can easily revenge kill Dragalge. A Pursuit trapper such as Tyranitar can therefore make for a great teammate. Mega Metagross can also be a great teammate because it can check many of these bulky Psychic-types, including Gardevoir and Latios. Ferrothorn can prove to be a spectacular teammate, as it resists or can usually switch in comfortably on the Dragon-, Ice-, Ground-types moves Dragalge is weak to, while Dragalge can switch into the Fire- and Fighting- type moves Ferrothorn is weak to. Add this to Ferrothorn's access to Spikes and Stealth Rocks, and the two can make a great entry hazard-setting defensive pair for balanced and bulky offensive teams. Dragalge is prone to being revenge killed by Ground-types, such as Excadrill, Landorus-T, and Landorus, so to remedy this weakness, Rotom-W, Mandibuzz, and Manaphy can serve as great teammates. Teams this Dragalge variant is a part of often rely, to a varying degree, on Toxic Spikes to function. If these hazards get Defogged or spun away, the team loses a substantial part of its win condition. Bisharp can add offensive pressure in an effort to prevent Defog, and also boasts a fair matchup against two premier Defoggers, Latios and Latias, while Ghost-types such as Mega Sableye can act as Rapid Spin blockers.

Specially Defensive
########
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Draco Meteor / Dragon Pulse
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Scald
move 4: Toxic Spikes
ability: Adaptability
item: Black Sludge
evs: 248 HP / 232 SpD / 28 Spe
nature: Calm

Moves
========

Despite not running Special Attack EVs, Dragalge still can hit very hard with Draco Meteor, which has great neutral coverage and lets it OHKOes Gengar after considering Stealth Rock damage or Life Orb damage. Dragon Pulse is another viable option, which is substantially weaker, (RC) but doesn't force Dragalge out after its use. It relegates Sludge Wave as Dragalge's most powerful move, if chosen over Draco Meteor, and therefore Dragon Pulse should only be used against Dragon- and Ground-types on the switch, as well as on Gengar. Be wary that unlike Draco Meteor, Dragon Pulse can never OHKO Gengar. However, Dragon Pulse performs better against Substitute variants of Gengar, and is overall more consistent than Draco Meteor. Sludge Wave is a complementary STAB move to Dragalge's Dragon STAB move of choice, as hits Fairy-types such as Clefable. The move is also useful for stinging Grass-types such as Celebi and Serperior much more than Draco Meteor. Scald hits Steel-types, who which resist or are immune to Dragalge's STAB moves, neutrally and has a very useful burn chance, which can allow Dragalge to stay in relatively comfortably on physical attackers that would otherwise force it out. It's also a good move to use on a predicted switch, as almost nothing can completely switch in on it Scald without and not risking a burn. Toxic Spikes spreads the poisoned or badly poisoned status to all grounded foes, and is especially useful for stopping setup sweepers such as Quiver Dance Volcarona, Calm Mind Keldeo, and Calm Mind Unaware Clefable.

Set Details
========

28 Speed EVs are used to outspeed Hippowdon, which would otherwise outspeed and 2HKO with Earthquake. 248 EVs are put in HP for maximum mixed walling potential, and the rest are put in Special Defense, as Dragalge should opt to specialize in walling specially based Pokemon on the special side. Black Sludge is used for constant recovery, which ameliorates its Dragalge's chances of countering Pokemon such as Gengar when factoring in Stealth Rock damage.

Usage Tips
========

Despite its low HP, Dragalge is remarkably specially bulky on the special side, and you should exploit this by switching in on Pokemon Dragalge's typing can handle. Mega Charizard Y, Keldeo, Clefable, Manaphy, Mega Manectric, Rotom-W, Magnezone, Thundurus, and Mega Venusaur are all examples of Pokemon that Dragalge easily can switch in on. Additionally, with the added bulk, Dragalge becomes a safe (but not foolproof) counter to Life Orb Gengar, which is remarkably hard to check. The name of the game with defensive Dragalge is getting in on something that it can handle. If it hard walls it the foe (in the case of Mega Venusaur, for example), Dragalge should set up Toxic Spikes in order to cripple the opponent's team, and if it can't completely counter the foe it, but can do immense damage (such as with Gengar and Draco Meteor), Dragalge should go for the KO. However, in most scenarios, your primary goal with Dragalge shouldn't be to attack, as Toxic Spikes will often prove to be more essential as your team's win condition.

Team Options
========

Opposing Poison-types remove Toxic Spikes, so useful teammates include Gothitelle to trap them, Reuniclus to set up on them, and Landorus-T as well as Life Orb Alakazam to revenge kill them. Gothitelle with Trick also acts as a nice way to cripple Chansey, who which also can be broken by strong physical wallbreakers such as Mega Heracross and Victini as well as utility Mega Sableye with Taunt and Knock Off. Mega Sableye doubles as a way to protect Dragalge's Toxic Spikes from being spun away, and the same can be said for Bisharp and the hazards being defogged away. Because Dragalge of their defensive synergy and entry hazard coverage, resists all of Ferrothorn's weaknesses while Ferrothorn either resists or can usually switch into moves that Dragalge is weak to as well as the fact that between the two of them all entry hazards but Sticky Web can be used, Dragalge and Ferrothorn make for great teammates on defensive teams. Additionally, Dragalge is prone to being revenge killed by Ground-types such as Excadrill, Landorus-T, and Landorus, so to aid this problem, Rotom-W, Mandibuzz, and Manaphy can serve as great teammates. Furthermore, Psychic-types such as Mega Gardevoir and Latios can easily revenge kill Dragalge. A Pursuit trapper such as Choice Scald Scarf or Band not scald Tyranitar can thus make for a great teammate. Mega Metagross can also check many of these bulky Psychic-types, including Gardevoir and Latios.

Choice Specs
########
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Focus Blast / Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Scald
ability: Adaptability
item: Choice Specs
evs: 228 HP / 252 SpA / 28 Spe
nature: Modest

Moves
========

Draco Meteor is the move Dragalge will be using the vast majority of the time. Thanks to the move's massive 130 Base Power, Adaptability boost, and Choice Specs boost, it is able to do a massive amount of damage to anything but Fairy-types, Chansey, or Blissey. It's able to OHKO frailer Steel-types such as Bisharp as well as 252 / 0 Mew after Stealth Rock damage. Fairy-types, the absolute best switch-ins to Draco Meteor, are, barring Klefki, annihilated by Dragalge's secondary STAB move, Sludge Wave. Sludge Wave also gives Dragalge a much more reliable STAB move with which it can hit both Grass-types and neutral targets hard without having to suffer from Draco Meteor's Special Attack drop. Focus Blast allows Dragalge to hit common Steel-type switch-ins, such as Ferrothorn, Bisharp, and Heatran, as well as Tyranitar. However, if you don't mind being worse off against Heatran, and would much rather have better accuracy and the ability to demolish Mega Scizor, Hidden Power Fire can be used in lieu of Focus Blast. Scald is an overall nice move that lets Dragalge check Heatran, mostly if Dragalge isn't running Focus Blast, but also if it desires a more accurate move. Scald doubles as a move with almost no drawbacks, and can be used early-game to fish for a burn on some of Dragalge's most common switch-ins, such as Klefki, Jirachi, and Mega Metagross.

Set Details
========

In order to outspeed Hippowdon, which would otherwise cripple Dragalge with Earthquake, it's recommended for Dragalge to run 28 Speed EVs. Because Dragalge is a specially based wallbreaker, maximum Special Attack EVs are used. Likewise, Choice Specs is the recommended item for the set, as it is capable of boosting all of Dragalge's moves to their highest possible power. The remaining EVs are thrown into HP because Dragalge enjoys having mixed bulk. 140 Speed EVs, at expense of HP EVs, can be used if you desire Dragalge to outspeed Calm Mind Clefable and Tyranitar, so that you Dragalge can hit them with Sludge Wave or Focus Blast, respectively. If Dragalge is using Hidden Power Fire, only 136 Speed EVs would be needed, as outspeeding Tyranitar wouldn't be a priority.

Usage Tips
========

Dragalge has excellent special bulk, respectable physical bulk, and a unique defensive typing; exploit all of these characteristics! Dragalge can easily pivot into many threatening Pokemon in OU, including Keldeo, Mega Charizard Y, Rotom-W, Mega Manectric, Raikou, Clefable, and Thundurus; tank a hit; and proceed to fire off a ridiculously powerful move on whatever decides to switch in. The majority of the time, the only button you'll be clicking is Draco Meteor, but if the opponent has bulky Steel-types or Fairy-types, more prediction will be necessary. Don't be too shy about using Sludge Wave; despite the power decrease between it and Draco Meteor, it still can accomplish absurd feats such as OHKOing Keldeo after factoring in Stealth Rock damage.

Team Options
========

Despite Dragalge's access to Focus Blast, Hidden Power Fire, and Scald, it is still going to have immense troubles with Steel-types. If you're worried about defensive Steel-types, such as Jirachi, Klefki, and Heatran, then Dugtrio and Magnezone make excellent partners for their trapping abilities. Dragalge's low Speed and four common weaknesses also leave it prone to being revenge killed. For instance, Psychic-types, such as Mega Gardevoir and Latios, can easily KO Dragalge after Draco Meteor's Special Attack drop. A Pursuit trapper, such as Tyranitar, is thus a useful teammates for Dragalge to eliminate them. Mega Metagross also makes a great teammate because of its ability to check both Mega Gardevoir and Latios. Finally, Dragalge is prone to being revenge killed by Excadrill;(SC) , and to remedy this weakness, Rotom-W and Celebi can serve as great teammates.

Trick Room staples such as Bronzong, Cresselia, Porygon2, and Crawdaunt can make good teammates as well, as Dragalge's terrible Speed stat, while normally a huge flaw, can allow it to sweep under Trick Room. Defensive cores are also plausible, as Dragalge, even without any Special Defensive investment, actually has solid bulk and a great typing. Skarmory resists all of Dragalge's weaknesses except Ice, while Dragalge resists both Skarmory's weaknesses. Needless to say, these two work really well together, with Dragalge able to deal out serious damage and act as a generic check to special attackers and Skarmory as a physical wall capable of setting and removing entry hazards. Unaware Clefable also can make a good teammate, as it can heal off any damage Dragalge might take with Wish. It also can serve as a lure for Poison-type moves, which gives Dragalge opportunities to switch in, and heal off any burns Dragalge might have taken with Heal Bell. Other Fairy-types, including Azumarill, Gardevoir, and Sylveon, (AC) can similarly lure in Poison-types for Dragalge to switch into. Mega Gyarados also can make a good teammate; Dragalge can KO Keldeo, Dragon-types, Azumarill, Chesnaught, and Ferrothorn for Mega Gyarados, while Gyarados can set up on Ground-types and Heatran, both of which give Dragalge trouble. Mega Diancie also makes a good teammate, as it and Dragalge have a lot of checks in common, and therefore can break down the other Pokemon's answers. Dragalge baits in and wears down Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn, which opens up the opportunity to sweep for Diancie. In turn, Diancie can take on Jirachi and Heatran better than Dragalge can thanks to its access to Earth Power.

Other Options
########

Haze is a really great move for any set lacking Choice Specs, as it eases the checking or countering of many setup sweepers, including Clefable, Mega Sableye, Volcarona, and Keldeo. RestTalk can be useful on defensive sets whose teams don't desire Toxic Spikes. The RestTalk combination allows Dragalge to constantly heal off status as well as damage taken, and therefore lets Dragalge be a much more reliable counter to Mega Charizard Y, Rotom-W, and Gengar. Toxic poisons potential switch-ins to defensive sets such as Talonflame that are immune to Toxic Spikes. Dragon Tail hits nowhere near as hard as Dragalge's other Dragon-type STAB moves, but can be useful for its ability to phaze out foes. It can work well in tandem with Toxic Spikes, spreading the poisoned or badly poisoned statuses to grounded foes. Hydro Pump is an alternative for the fourth slot on the Choice Specs set. Basically, it does more damage to specially defensive Heatran than Scald does while having better accuracy than Focus Blast. Sludge Bomb is possibility over Sludge Wave; it trades 5 Base Power and the ability to hit Chesnaught for a 20% increase in the chance to poison. Venoshock hits very hard against poisoned foes, which makes it pair well with sets involving Toxic Spikes, but against targets that aren't poisoned it's very weak. Substitute can be useful, as if used on the switch, (RC) it allows Dragalge to do massive damage on the foe as it that is forced to break the Substitute. It however must be used in lieu of Scald, a STAB move, or Toxic Spikes, which are all extremely important to the any set's success.


Checks & Counters
########

**Bulky Steel-Types**: Steel-types resist Dragon-type moves and are immune to Poison-type moves, so naturally they make the best checks and counters to Dragalge. Klefki is immune to both of Dragalge's STAB types, takes half of its health at most from a Choice Specs-boosted Hidden Power Fire, and can use Dragalge for Spikes setup. Jirachi takes little from any of Dragalge's attacks, can use Wish to heal off any damage taken, and can threaten with its STAB super effective Zen Headbutt. Mega Metagross can tank any hit and can threaten Dragalge out with a STAB Tough Claws-boosted Zen Headbutt. Mega Metagross must, however, be wary of Scald burns. Doublade takes up to half health from a Choice Specs-boosted Draco Meteor, so it needs Rest in order to be a consistent counter. Specially defensive Heatran can easily switch in on Dragalge's STAB moves. Mega Scizor can switch in on any move except for Hidden Power Fire and Roost off the damage. It must, however, be wary of Scald burns.

**Chansey and Blissey**: Blissey and Chansey avoid the 2HKO from a Choice Specs-boosted Draco Meteor, so both can switch in and subsequently force Dragalge out.

**Revenge Killers**: Dragalge is very slow and has four common weaknesses, so it is very prone to being revenge killed. Latios and Latias can easily revenge kill Dragalge with Draco Meteor or Psyshock. Mega Charizard X can also revenge kill with its Dragon Claw or Outrage, as can Garchomp with either Earthquake, Outrage, or Dragon Claw. Excadrill can easily revenge kill with Earthquake, and Mega Metagross and Mega Gallade can easily revenge kill with Zen Headbutt. Do note that none of these Pokemon should attempt switching in on Dragalge unless they feel like being OHKOed.

1/2
 
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Aragorn the King

Literally a duck
is a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnus
Thanks Gato! I definitely agree that the overview is too long, but I'm not sure exactly where to break it up. I'll keep thinking about it though, and hopefully GP 2/2 has some ideas.
 

Karxrida

Death to the Undying Savage
is a Community Contributor Alumnus
Quick thing I just realized, mention that Haze will also remove Special Attack drops from Draco Meteor. It's not the primary reason to use it but worth noting.
 

P Squared

a great unrecorded history
is a Site Content Manageris a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Top Social Media Contributor Alumnusis a Senior Staff Member Alumnusis a Top Smogon Media Contributor Alumnus
GP 2/2 :)
[OVERVIEW]
########

Based on stats alone, there are much more powerful specially based available Dragon-types such as Latios and Latias; why would you use a Pokemon with a mere base 97 Special Attack, especially one whose secondary STAB type offers nothing in the way of covering Steel-types? Furthermore, Dragalge is the slowest fully evolved Dragon-type in the game. Alongside its defensive typing, and in the context of the OU metagame, this means it has to worry about being revenge killed by many top-tier threats, including Mega Charizard X, Excadrill, Landorus-T, Mega Alakazam, Mega Gallade, and Latios.

However, by virtue of that same defensive typing, Dragalge is able to find a place on many teams as a defensive or offensive tank, capable of handling many common threats, including Mega Charizard Y, Keldeo, Gengar, Clefable, Manaphy, Mega Manectric, Rotom-W, Thundurus, and Mega Venusaur. Regardless of the set, Dragalge's ability, (remove comma) Adaptability, which bolsters the power of its STAB moves by 1.33, is a great boon to it. (optional removal there) Dragalge is also able to differentiate itself from other Dragon-types thanks to its access to STAB Sludge Wave, which powers through many common Fairy-types, including Clefable, as well as its secondary Poison typing, which renders it neutral to Fairy-type moves to which Latios or and Latias would fall. Add all of this to Toxic Spikes, which allows Dragalge to cut into the longevity of its foes longevity, namely Substitute Calm Mind Keldeo, and it's clear to see why Dragalge has become close to a staple on many bulky offensive, balanced, and stall teams. However, do not assume Dragalge needs Toxic Spikes to function; it can also use a devastating Choice Specs set capable of achieving feats such as OHKOing Mew, Keldeo, and Zapdos.

[SET]
########
name: Offensive Toxic Spikes
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Focus Blast / Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Toxic Spikes
item: Draco Plate / Black Sludge
ability: Adaptability
nature: Modest
evs: 228 HP / 252 SpA / 28 Spe


[SET COMMENTS]
(remove line break)
Moves
========

Draco Meteor is an obscenely powerful STAB move that hits everything except Fairy- and Steel-types neutrally. If setting Toxic Spikes isn't ideal at the time, you should generally use this move, because it'll hit almost all switch-ins very hard. Sludge Wave complements Draco Meteor, as it hits Fairy-types super effectively. Additionally, Dragalge is neutral to Fairy-type moves, (remove comma) and thus can switch in on many Fairy-types and destroy them with Sludge Wave. Focus Blast covers the Steel-types that Dragalge's STAB moves cannot, such as Heatran, Ferrothorn, and Bisharp. However, Hidden Power Fire can be used if you'd prefer having better accuracy and the ability to hit hitting Mega Scizor, (remove comma) and don't mind not being able to handle Heatran. Toxic Spikes spreads the poisoned or badly poisoned status to all grounded foes, which greatly benefits your team by inhibiting opposing setup Pokemon, including Unaware Clefable and Substitute Keldeo.

Set Details
========

28 Speed EVs are used to outspeed Hippowdon, which would otherwise 2HKO with Earthquake. Maximum Special Attack EVs are used so that Dragalge can hit as hard as possible, and the rest of the EVs are put in HP so that Dragalge has good mixed bulk. 140 Speed EVs, at the expense of HP, can be used if you need Dragalge to outspeed Clefable and hit it with a powerful Sludge Wave before it can use Calm Mind or Tyranitar, (remove comma) so that Dragalge can hit it with Focus Blast. If Dragalge is using Hidden Power Fire, Tyranitar isn't necessary to outspeed, so only 136 Speed EVs would be needed. Draco Plate is typically the item of choice, as it boosts the power of Dragalge's most-used move, Draco Meteor, by 1.2 without causing recoil. However, if this extra damage is not needed, Black Sludge also is a great choice, as it gives it Dragalge the passive recovery needed to switch into Pokemon less riskily.

Usage Tips
========

Use Dragalge's amazing defensive typing to be able to switch in on numerous Pokemon, including Mega Charizard Y, Keldeo, Clefable, Manaphy, Mega Manectric, Rotom-W, Magnezone, Thundurus, and Mega Venusaur. Once in, Dragalge can either use its offensive or defensive advantage to set up Toxic Spikes, which greatly hurts your opponent's grounded setup sweepers' chances of setting up, or fire off powerful moves. Draco Meteor, especially when boosted by Draco Plate, is immensely powerful, and it lets Dragalge do as much damage as possible to threats such as Raikou, Keldeo, Mew, and Rotom-W. However, Sludge Wave is more consistent, (remove comma) and should be used both when the Draco Meteor's Special Attack cut is unappealing and in order to stop a Clefable sweep. Basically(comma) your mentality when using Dragalge should be to decide when it's right to attack and when it's right to set up Toxic Spikes. Be wary of using Toxic Spikes when you know Dragalge won't be able to get up a second layer, as that could result in having many foes being poisoned instead of badly poisoned, which isn't ideal because the goal is to wear them down rather than apply more short-term chip damage.

Team Options
========
(this is kinda huge haha, if you can split it into two paragraphs that might help? up to you)
Magnezone and Dugtrio trap Steel-types such as Jirachi, which are very troublesome for Dragalge to face, even considering its access to Focus Blast. Grounded Poison-types, such as Amoonguss and Tentacruel, remove Dragalge's Toxic Spikes, so Gothitelle, which can trap and KO them, Reuniclus, which can set up on them, and others such as Landorus-T and Mega Alakazam, which can revenge kill them, make for good teammates. Gothitelle with Trick and a Choice item also doubles as a nice way for the team to cripple Chansey, a Pokemon Dragalge detests going up against. Physical wallbreakers such as Victini and Heracross can also prove to be spectacular teammates for their ability to demolish Chansey. Psychic-types such as Mega Gardevoir and Latios can easily revenge kill Dragalge. A Pursuit trapper such as Tyranitar can therefore make for a great teammate. Mega Metagross can also be a great teammate because it can check many of these bulky Psychic-types, including Gardevoir and Latios. Ferrothorn can prove to be a spectacular teammate, as it resists or can usually switch in comfortably on the Dragon-, Ice-, and Ground-types moves Dragalge is weak to, while Dragalge can switch into the Fire- and Fighting- type moves Ferrothorn is weak to. Add this to Ferrothorn's access to Spikes and Stealth Rock, and the two can make a great entry hazard-setting setting defensive pair for balanced and bulky offensive teams. Dragalge is prone to being revenge killed by Ground-types, such as Excadrill, Landorus-T, and Landorus, so to remedy this weakness, Rotom-W, Mandibuzz, and Manaphy can serve as great teammates. Teams this Dragalge variant is a part of often rely, to a varying degree, on Toxic Spikes to function. If these entry hazards get Defogged or spun away, the team loses a substantial part of its win condition. Bisharp can add offensive pressure in an effort to prevent Defog, and it also boasts a fair matchup against two premier Defoggers, Latios and Latias, while Ghost-types such as Mega Sableye can act as Rapid Spin blockers.

[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Draco Meteor / Dragon Pulse
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Scald
move 4: Toxic Spikes
item: Black Sludge
ability: Adaptability
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 232 SpD / 28 Spe


[SET COMMENTS]
(remove line break)
Moves
========

Despite not running Special Attack EVs, Dragalge still can hit very hard with Draco Meteor, which has great neutral coverage and OHKOes Gengar after considering Stealth Rock or Life Orb damage. Dragon Pulse is another viable option, which is substantially weaker but doesn't force Dragalge out after its use. It relegates Sludge Wave as Dragalge's most powerful move, if chosen over Draco Meteor, and therefore Dragon Pulse should only be used against Dragon- and Ground-types on the switch, as well as on Gengar. Be wary that unlike Draco Meteor, Dragon Pulse can never OHKO Gengar. However, Dragon Pulse performs better against Substitute variants of Gengar, (remove comma) and is overall more consistent than Draco Meteor. Sludge Wave is a complementary STAB move to Dragalge's Dragon-type STAB move of choice, as it hits Fairy-types such as Clefable. The move is also useful for stinging Grass-types such as Celebi and Serperior much more than Draco Meteor. Scald hits Steel-types, which resist or are immune to Dragalge's STAB moves, neutrally and has a very useful burn chance, which can allow Dragalge to stay in relatively comfortably on physical attackers that would otherwise force it out. It's also a good move to use on a predicted switch, as almost nothing can completely switch in on Scald without risking a burn. Toxic Spikes spreads the poisoned or badly poisoned status to all grounded foes, (remove comma) and is especially useful for stopping setup sweepers such as Quiver Dance Volcarona, Calm Mind Keldeo, and Calm Mind Unaware Clefable.

Set Details
========

28 Speed EVs are used to outspeed Hippowdon, which would otherwise outspeed and 2HKO with Earthquake. 248 EVs are put in HP for maximum mixed walling potential, and the rest are put in Special Defense, as Dragalge should opt to specialize in walling specially based Pokemon on the special side. Black Sludge is used for constant recovery, which ameliorates Dragalge's chances of countering Pokemon such as Gengar when factoring in Stealth Rock damage.

Usage Tips
========

Despite its low HP, Dragalge is remarkably specially bulky, and you should exploit this by switching in on Pokemon Dragalge's typing can handle. Mega Charizard Y, Keldeo, Clefable, Manaphy, Mega Manectric, Rotom-W, Magnezone, Thundurus, and Mega Venusaur are all examples of Pokemon that Dragalge easily can switch in on. Additionally, with the added bulk, Dragalge becomes a safe (but not foolproof) counter to Life Orb Gengar, which is remarkably hard to check. The name of the game with defensive Dragalge is getting in on something that it can handle. If it hard walls the foe (in the case of Mega Venusaur, for example), Dragalge should set up Toxic Spikes in order to cripple the opponent's team, and if it can't completely counter the foe, (remove comma) but can do immense damage (such as with Gengar and Draco Meteor), Dragalge should go for the KO. However, in most scenarios, your primary goal with Dragalge shouldn't be to attack, as Toxic Spikes will often prove to be more essential as your team's win condition.

Team Options
========

Opposing Poison-types remove Toxic Spikes, so useful teammates include Gothitelle to trap them, Reuniclus to set up on them, and Landorus-T as well as Life Orb Alakazam to revenge kill them. Gothitelle with Trick also acts as a nice way to cripple Chansey, which also can be broken by strong physical wallbreakers such as Mega Heracross and Victini as well as utility Mega Sableye with Taunt and Knock Off. Mega Sableye doubles as a way to protect Dragalge's Toxic Spikes from being spun away, and the same can be said for Bisharp and the entry hazards being Defogged away. Because of their defensive synergy and entry hazard coverage, Dragalge and Ferrothorn make for great teammates on defensive teams. Dragalge is prone to being revenge killed by Ground-types such as Excadrill, Landorus-T, and Landorus, so to aid this problem, Rotom-W, Mandibuzz, and Manaphy can serve as great teammates. Psychic-types such as Mega Gardevoir and Latios can easily revenge kill Dragalge. A Pursuit trapper such as Choice Scarf Tyranitar can thus make for a great teammate. Mega Metagross can also check many bulky Psychic-types, including Gardevoir and Latios.

[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Focus Blast / Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Scald
item: Choice Specs
ability: Adaptability
nature: Modest
evs: 228 HP / 252 SpA / 28 Spe


[SET COMMENTS]
(remove line break)
Moves
========

Draco Meteor is the move Dragalge will be using the vast majority of the time. Thanks to the move's massive 130 Base Power, Adaptability boost, and Choice Specs boost, it is able to do a massive amount of damage to anything but Fairy-types, Chansey, or and Blissey. It's able to OHKO frailer Steel-types such as Bisharp as well as 252 / 0 Mew after Stealth Rock damage. Fairy-types, the absolute best switch-ins to Draco Meteor, are, barring Klefki, annihilated by Dragalge's secondary STAB move, Sludge Wave. Sludge Wave also gives Dragalge a much more reliable STAB move with which it can hit both Grass-types and neutral targets hard without having to suffer from Draco Meteor's Special Attack drop. Focus Blast allows Dragalge to hit common Steel-type switch-ins, such as Ferrothorn, Bisharp, and Heatran, as well as Tyranitar. However, if you don't mind being worse off against Heatran, (remove comma) and would much rather have better accuracy and the ability to demolish Mega Scizor, Hidden Power Fire can be used in lieu of Focus Blast. Scald lets Dragalge check Heatran, mostly if Dragalge isn't running Focus Blast. Scald doubles as a move with almost no drawbacks, and it can be used early-game to fish for a burn on some of Dragalge's most common switch-ins, such as Klefki, Jirachi, and Mega Metagross.

Set Details
========

In order to outspeed Hippowdon, which would otherwise cripple Dragalge with Earthquake, it's recommended for Dragalge to run 28 Speed EVs. Because Dragalge is a specially based wallbreaker, maximum Special Attack EVs are used. Likewise, Choice Specs is the recommended item for the set, as it is capable of boosting all of Dragalge's moves to their highest possible power. The remaining EVs are thrown into HP because Dragalge enjoys having mixed bulk. 140 Speed EVs, at expense of HP, can be used if you desire Dragalge to outspeed Calm Mind Clefable and Tyranitar, (remove comma) so that Dragalge can hit them with Sludge Wave or Focus Blast, respectively. If Dragalge is using Hidden Power Fire, only 136 Speed EVs would be needed, as outspeeding Tyranitar wouldn't be a priority.

Usage Tips
========

Dragalge has excellent special bulk, respectable physical bulk, and a unique defensive typing; exploit all of these characteristics! Dragalge can easily pivot into many threatening Pokemon in OU, including Keldeo, Mega Charizard Y, Rotom-W, Mega Manectric, Raikou, Clefable, and Thundurus; tank a hit; and proceed to fire off a ridiculously powerful move on whatever decides to switch in. The majority of the time, the only button you'll be clicking is Draco Meteor, but if the opponent has bulky Steel- or Fairy-types, more prediction will be necessary. Don't be too shy about using Sludge Wave; despite its lower power compared to the power decrease between it and Draco Meteor, it still can accomplish absurd feats such as OHKOing Keldeo after factoring in Stealth Rock damage.

Team Options
========

Despite Dragalge's access to Focus Blast, Hidden Power Fire, and Scald, it is still going to have immense troubles with Steel-types. Dugtrio and Magnezone make are excellent partners for their trapping abilities. Dragalge's low Speed and four common weaknesses also leave it prone to being revenge killed. For instance, Psychic-types, such as Mega Gardevoir and Latios, can easily KO Dragalge after Draco Meteor's Special Attack drop. A Pursuit trapper, such as Tyranitar, is thus a useful teammate. Mega Metagross also makes for a great teammate because of its ability to check both Mega Gardevoir and Latios. Finally, Dragalge is prone to being revenge killed by Excadrill; to remedy this weakness, Rotom-W and Celebi can serve as great teammates.

Trick Room staples such as Bronzong, Cresselia, Porygon2, and Crawdaunt can make for good teammates as well, as Dragalge's terrible Speed stat, while normally a huge flaw, can allow it to sweep under Trick Room. Defensive cores are also plausible, as Dragalge, even without any Special Defense Defensive investment, has solid bulk and a great typing. Skarmory resists all of Dragalge's weaknesses except Ice, while Dragalge resists both of Skarmory's weaknesses. Needless to say, these two work really well together, with Dragalge able to deal out serious damage and act as a generic check to special attackers and Skarmory acting as a mixed wall capable of setting and removing entry hazards. Unaware Clefable also can make for a good teammate, as it can heal off any damage Dragalge might take with Wish. It also can serve as a lure for Poison-type moves, which gives Dragalge opportunities to switch in, and heal off any burns Dragalge might have taken with Heal Bell. Other Fairy-types, including Azumarill, Gardevoir, and Sylveon, can similarly lure in Poison-types for Dragalge to switch into. Mega Gyarados also can make for a good teammate; Dragalge can KO Keldeo, Dragon-types, Azumarill, Chesnaught, and Ferrothorn for Mega Gyarados, while Mega Gyarados can set up on Ground-types and Heatran, both of which give Dragalge trouble. Mega Diancie also makes for a good teammate, as it and Dragalge have a lot of checks in common, (remove comma) and therefore can break down the other Pokemon's answers. Dragalge baits in and wears down Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn, which opens up the opportunity to sweep for Diancie. In turn, Diancie can take on Jirachi and Heatran better than Dragalge can thanks to its access to Earth Power.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
(remove line break)
Other Options
########

Haze is a really great move for any set lacking Choice Specs, as it eases the checking or countering of many setup sweepers, including Clefable, Mega Sableye, Volcarona, and Keldeo, by reducing their stat gains as well as bringing Dragalge's Special Attack back to normal after using Draco Meteor. RestTalk can be useful on defensive sets whose teams don't desire Toxic Spikes. The RestTalk combination allows Dragalge to constantly heal off status as well as damage taken, (remove comma) and therefore lets Dragalge be a much more reliable counter to Mega Charizard Y, Rotom-W, and Gengar. Toxic poisons potential switch-ins to defensive sets(comma) such as Talonflame(comma) that are immune to Toxic Spikes. Dragon Tail hits nowhere near as hard as Dragalge's other Dragon-type STAB moves, but it can be useful for its ability to phaze out foes. It can work well in tandem with Toxic Spikes, spreading the poisoned or badly poisoned statuses to grounded foes. Hydro Pump is an alternative for the fourth slot on the Choice Specs set. Basically, it does more damage to specially defensive Heatran than Scald does while having better accuracy than Focus Blast. Sludge Bomb is a possibility over Sludge Wave; it trades 5 Base Power and the ability to hit Chesnaught for a 20% increase in the chance to poison. Venoshock hits very hard against poisoned foes, which makes it pair well with sets involving Toxic Spikes, but against targets that aren't poisoned it's very weak. Substitute can be useful, as if used on the switch it allows Dragalge to do massive damage on to the foe that is forced to break the Substitute. It(comma) however(comma) must be used in lieu of Scald, a STAB move, or Toxic Spikes, which are all extremely important to any set's success.

Checks and Counters
===================


**Bulky Steel-types**: Steel-types resist Dragon-type moves and are immune to Poison-type moves, so naturally they make for the best checks and counters to Dragalge. Klefki is immune to both of Dragalge's STAB types, takes loses half of its health at most from a Choice Specs-boosted Hidden Power Fire, and can use Dragalge for Spikes setup. Jirachi takes little from any of Dragalge's attacks, can use Wish to heal off any damage taken, and can threaten with its STAB super effective Zen Headbutt. Mega Metagross can tank any hit and can threaten Dragalge out with a STAB Tough Claws-boosted Zen Headbutt. Mega Metagross must, however, be wary of Scald burns. Doublade takes loses up to half health from a Choice Specs-boosted Draco Meteor, so it needs Rest in order to be a consistent counter. Specially defensive Heatran can easily switch in on Dragalge's STAB moves. Mega Scizor can switch in on any move except for Hidden Power Fire and Roost off the damage. It must, however, be wary of Scald burns.

**Chansey and Blissey**: Blissey and Chansey avoid the 2HKO from a Choice Specs-boosted Draco Meteor, so both can switch in and subsequently force Dragalge out.

**Revenge Killers**: Dragalge is very slow and has four common weaknesses, so it is very prone to being revenge killed. Latios and Latias can easily revenge kill Dragalge with Draco Meteor or Psyshock. Mega Charizard X can also revenge kill with its Dragon Claw or Outrage, as can Garchomp with either Earthquake, Outrage, or Dragon Claw. Excadrill can easily revenge kill with Earthquake, and Mega Metagross and Mega Gallade can easily revenge kill with Zen Headbutt. Do note that none of these Pokemon should attempt switching in on Dragalge unless they feel like being OHKOed.
 
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