[OVERVIEW]
Mamoswine is the most powerful Ground-type in the UnderUsed metagame, with an absolutely astounding base 130 Attack. Its typing comes as an offensive blessing and a defensive curse; Ice-type attacks are a huge bane to the UnderUsed tier, and Mamoswine makes perfect use of these weapons. Additionally, its Ground-typing grants Mamoswine near-perfect STAB coverage, allowing it to take down the majority of Fire- and Steel-types. Ice Shard is an extremely useful priority move, as it hits a lot of top threats super effectively and is backed up by Mamoswine's insane power. Mamoswine's power is so dependable that it can get away with running Focus Sash, allowing it to contribute as an effective lead, especially due to its access to Stealth Rock, Endeavor, and Ice Shard to get past other suicide leads. It is important to note that most of Mamoswine's drawbacks lie in its mediocre Speed and, more importantly, its poor defensive typing, providing it with a total of zero useful resistances and making it difficult to bring into the field. Furthermore, many faster Pokemon or priority users easily take advantage of Mamoswine if it is weakened, especially if they're not weak to Ice Shard.
[SET]
name: Life Orb Attacker
move 1: Ice Shard
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Icicle Crash
move 4: Knock Off / Superpower / Stealth Rock
item: Life Orb
ability: Thick Fat
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Ice Shard's power gets boosted to high levels with Life Orb, allowing Mamoswine to revenge kill many Grass- and Flying-types after some prior damage. Ice Shard is also effective against Dragon- and Ground-types such as Salamence and Krookodile. Earthquake is Mamoswine's primary STAB move and is able to 2HKO a large portion of the tier. Icicle Crash provides excellent coverage in tandem with Earthquake and can even provide free turns thanks to its 30% flinch rate. Icicle Crash also gives Mamoswine a reasonable method of getting past Grass- and Flying-types, such as Tangrowth and Crobat. Knock Off is excellent both as a coverage move and as a utility move, hitting for massive damage against Pokemon such as Reuniclus and Bronzong. Knock Off also removes Leftovers and Eviolite from bulkier threats, including Suicune and Porygon2. Superpower should generally only be used in combination with Knock Off instead of Icicle Crash, as the combined coverage of Earthquake and Icicle Crash is typically sufficient to deal with most threats, leaving Superpower's coverage redundant. However, if you do opt to use Superpower, Mamoswine can take on Umbreon, Porygon2, and Snorlax with relative ease. Lastly, if coverage is unimportant for your requirements, Stealth Rock is a perfectly viable option in order to capitalize on forced switches.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack is required for Mamoswine to wallbreak as easily as possible. Maximum Speed is required so that, at the very least, Mamoswine can force the Speed tie against other base 80s such as Chandelure. As such, a Jolly nature is preferable for this particular set, although Adamant can be used in order to dish out more damage. It is relevant to note that Adamant Ice Shard does have a very high chance of OHKOing many offensive Flying-types, including Crobat and Honchkrow, after Stealth Rock damage. However, Jolly is still the preferred option in order to outspeed a plethora of threats such as neutral-natured base 90s, Modest Nidoking, Jolly Feraligatr, and Adamant Heracross. Life Orb increases Mamoswine's already huge power to an insane level and makes it easier to clean up with Ice Shard late-game, although you must be wary of the recoil and any potential priority users on the opponent's team. Thick Fat is the most workable of Mamoswine's abilities, providing minor insurance against less powerful Fire-type attacks, as well as an effective pseudo-resistance against Ice-type attacks.
Usage Tips
========
Mamoswine hits like a truck, and it has the highest Attack stat of all physical Ground-types in the tier. Earthquake on its own has fantastic coverage and should be the go-to move for wallbreaking, while Ice Shard is Mamoswine's go-to move for an easy revenge kill. In general, Mamoswine creates so much offensive pressure that your opponent will be hard pressed not to find something to sacrifice. Mamoswine's great wallbreaking power can be used to bust holes in the opponent's team to open up a sweep for its teammates. However, base 80 Speed is extremely underwhelming in such a fast tier, and it is important to use appropriate teammates to ensure that Mamoswine sticks around for as long as possible, as it can easily clean up late-game with Ice Shard.
Team Options
========
Mamoswine serves as a wallbreaker, so it is best to partner up with suitable balance or bulky cores, including pivots that can safely bring it in, such as Mega Ampharos, Forretress, Mandibuzz, and Baton Pass Umbreon and Vaporeon. Mamoswine pairs up fantastically with bulky Water-types such as Vaporeon, Mega Blastoise, and Tentacruel, which can check Mamoswine's counters including Mega Aggron, Swampert, and Alomomola. Bulky Water-types can also take Fire- and Fighting-type moves aimed at Mamoswine from Pokemon such as Entei, Darmanitan, Infernape, and Mienshao. Late-game cleaners and sweepers such as Lucario, Feraligatr, Mega Sharpedo, and Mega Beedrill greatly appreciate Mamoswine's wallbreaking power. It is always best to prepare for Fighting-types when using Mamoswine on your team; Crobat is an adequate check against all popular Fighting-types in the tier and has access to U-turn, although Mandibuzz can generally handle the pressure just as well and doesn't succumb to Stone Edges and Ice Punches nearly as easily. Mamoswine is quite weak to entry hazards, so Defog users and Pokemon that can absorb Toxic Spikes such as Roserade or Toxicroak are appreciated.
[SET]
name: Sash Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Ice Shard
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Endeavor / Knock Off / Icicle Crash
item: Focus Sash
ability: Oblivious
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Mamoswine is slower than most sweepers but faster than most Pokemon that carry Stealth Rock. As a result, it can effectively lure many bulky Pokemon and use the opportunity to set up Stealth Rock, potentially switching out afterwards to be saved for later. Ice Shard is Mamoswine's saving grace, allowing it to revenge kill a threat or clean up if needed. Ice Shard also works well in combination with Earthquake, usually finishing off most frailer Pokemon. Earthquake is Mamoswine's main STAB move and most reliable form of distributing damage. The last slot is a matter of preference, as each of the listed moves has competitive viability. Knock Off provides Mamoswine with additional utility, and it can sometimes be instrumental in disrupting a foe's sweep if it relies on Leftovers recovery. Endeavor works well on this set, especially if Mamoswine is facing bulky Water-types such as Swampert and Suicune. In particular, it can allow Mamoswine to bait offensive checks into attacking and finish them off with Ice Shard, although this takes a little bit of anticipation. Icicle Crash is Mamoswine's secondary STAB move and offers good coverage with Earthquake, as well as a reasonable 30% flinch rate.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed EVs investment suits Mamoswine's purpose of hitting hard and being faster than most other Stealth Rock users. An Adamant nature is preferred in order to hit as hard as possible, as Mamoswine only really needs to outspeed Nidoqueen, Mega Blastoise, and Adamant Feraligatr. A Jolly nature can be used if the extra Speed proves worthwhile, although an Adamant nature is generally superior in order to capitalize on more Ice Shard cleanups; in order to fully capitalize on its ability to lure bulky Water-types, Mamoswine generally needs as much power as possible. Focus Sash is used in order to ensure that Mamoswine gets either the guaranteed Stealth Rock or the extra Earthquake. Oblivious ensures that Mamoswine sets up Stealth Rock by rendering Taunt useless. Thick Fat can be used if you prefer to focus on Mamoswine's bulk, although Oblivious is the superior option for this set.
Usage Tips
========
This set is generally best used as a lead, although depending on the team it may be best to save Mamoswine for a late-game cleanup, especially if you have reasonable entry hazard control. Set up Stealth Rock and proceed to either attempt to wallbreak or switch out, depending on the matchup. Keep in mind that this set is rather uncomplicated, and the sheer power of Mamoswine's attacks is generally a giveaway of this set's details.
Team Options
========
Mamoswine works best with offensive teams and does a fantastic job at supporting its teammates, especially near the very beginning of the battle as a lead or near the end of the battle as a cleaner. Many sweepers, such as Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Beedrill, Feraligatr, Lucario, and Entei, appreciate the Stealth Rock that Mamoswine sets up in order to wear down their foes. Feraligatr, in particular, is an incredible offensive partner for its capacity to both wallbreak and clean. Other decent offensive Water-type options include Mega Blastoise, Mega Swampert, and Suicune for their ability to place adequate offensive pressure on an opponent's team while maintaining a high level of natural bulk for your team.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
========
In general, Choice items are not recommended, as the combination of Mamoswine's STAB types is what makes it so effective. While a Choice Scarf set can work, being locked into a single move can be detrimental for Mamoswine's success against poorer matchups, and the power loss as compared to either set listed above can be detrimental, as Choice Scarf Mamoswine will be forced to run a Jolly nature in order to outspeed appropriate threats, and its sheer Attack power suffers as a result. Choice Band can be used in order to hit insane levels of Attack, but, once again, being locked into a single move typically hurts Mamoswine more than the added power helps it. However, it should be noted that Ice Shard cleans up far more effectively with this set than the Life Orb set, as the lack of recoil damage and added power make it the strongest Ice Shard in the game. In terms of moves, Stone Edge can be run, as it smashes an important Fire-type, Rotom-H. Freeze-Dry isn't recommended because Earthquake does more damage to almost every relevant Water-type.
Checks and Counters
================
**Bulky Water-types**: Swampert, Suicune, and defensive Vaporeon can easily outplay Mamoswine, forcing Mamoswine to either sacrifice itself in exchange for some revenge kill damage or be set up on via Stealth Rock, Calm Mind, or Wish.
**Fire-types**: Entei, Darmanitan, Chandelure, and Rotom-H can switch into an Ice Shard and pressure Mamoswine with their powerful STAB moves, as Mamoswine's lacklustre defenses cannot take a super effective hit even with Thick Fat. In particular, Rotom-H is immune to Earthquake and can easily OHKO Mamoswine.
**Fighting-types**: Although some frailer Fighting-types such as Mienshao have to be wary of a powerful Ice Shard, Fighting-types with a useful secondary typing, such as Cobalion, Lucario, and Infernape, do not fear the mammoth's Ice-type attacks and will OHKO with their speedy and powerful Close Combats.
**Faster Special Attackers**: Pokemon such as Life Orb Azelf and Choice Specs Kyurem easily wallbreak past Mamoswine with their massive special attacking power.
**Cresselia**: With access to Levitate, Moonlight, and huge natural bulk, Cresselia can usually outlast Mamoswine's flinch attempts and reliably stall it out, as Mamoswine will eventually faint due to recoil damage.
**Bronzong and Forretress**: With Brozong's access to Levitate and Forretress' useful secondary Bug-typing, Bronzong and Forretress can generally handle anything the mammoth can send their way, and they can take out Mamoswine with a couple Gyro Balls; however, Bronzong does have to be careful of a Life Orb-boosted Knock Off.
Mamoswine is the most powerful Ground-type in the UnderUsed metagame, with an absolutely astounding base 130 Attack. Its typing comes as an offensive blessing and a defensive curse; Ice-type attacks are a huge bane to the UnderUsed tier, and Mamoswine makes perfect use of these weapons. Additionally, its Ground-typing grants Mamoswine near-perfect STAB coverage, allowing it to take down the majority of Fire- and Steel-types. Ice Shard is an extremely useful priority move, as it hits a lot of top threats super effectively and is backed up by Mamoswine's insane power. Mamoswine's power is so dependable that it can get away with running Focus Sash, allowing it to contribute as an effective lead, especially due to its access to Stealth Rock, Endeavor, and Ice Shard to get past other suicide leads. It is important to note that most of Mamoswine's drawbacks lie in its mediocre Speed and, more importantly, its poor defensive typing, providing it with a total of zero useful resistances and making it difficult to bring into the field. Furthermore, many faster Pokemon or priority users easily take advantage of Mamoswine if it is weakened, especially if they're not weak to Ice Shard.
[SET]
name: Life Orb Attacker
move 1: Ice Shard
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Icicle Crash
move 4: Knock Off / Superpower / Stealth Rock
item: Life Orb
ability: Thick Fat
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Ice Shard's power gets boosted to high levels with Life Orb, allowing Mamoswine to revenge kill many Grass- and Flying-types after some prior damage. Ice Shard is also effective against Dragon- and Ground-types such as Salamence and Krookodile. Earthquake is Mamoswine's primary STAB move and is able to 2HKO a large portion of the tier. Icicle Crash provides excellent coverage in tandem with Earthquake and can even provide free turns thanks to its 30% flinch rate. Icicle Crash also gives Mamoswine a reasonable method of getting past Grass- and Flying-types, such as Tangrowth and Crobat. Knock Off is excellent both as a coverage move and as a utility move, hitting for massive damage against Pokemon such as Reuniclus and Bronzong. Knock Off also removes Leftovers and Eviolite from bulkier threats, including Suicune and Porygon2. Superpower should generally only be used in combination with Knock Off instead of Icicle Crash, as the combined coverage of Earthquake and Icicle Crash is typically sufficient to deal with most threats, leaving Superpower's coverage redundant. However, if you do opt to use Superpower, Mamoswine can take on Umbreon, Porygon2, and Snorlax with relative ease. Lastly, if coverage is unimportant for your requirements, Stealth Rock is a perfectly viable option in order to capitalize on forced switches.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack is required for Mamoswine to wallbreak as easily as possible. Maximum Speed is required so that, at the very least, Mamoswine can force the Speed tie against other base 80s such as Chandelure. As such, a Jolly nature is preferable for this particular set, although Adamant can be used in order to dish out more damage. It is relevant to note that Adamant Ice Shard does have a very high chance of OHKOing many offensive Flying-types, including Crobat and Honchkrow, after Stealth Rock damage. However, Jolly is still the preferred option in order to outspeed a plethora of threats such as neutral-natured base 90s, Modest Nidoking, Jolly Feraligatr, and Adamant Heracross. Life Orb increases Mamoswine's already huge power to an insane level and makes it easier to clean up with Ice Shard late-game, although you must be wary of the recoil and any potential priority users on the opponent's team. Thick Fat is the most workable of Mamoswine's abilities, providing minor insurance against less powerful Fire-type attacks, as well as an effective pseudo-resistance against Ice-type attacks.
Usage Tips
========
Mamoswine hits like a truck, and it has the highest Attack stat of all physical Ground-types in the tier. Earthquake on its own has fantastic coverage and should be the go-to move for wallbreaking, while Ice Shard is Mamoswine's go-to move for an easy revenge kill. In general, Mamoswine creates so much offensive pressure that your opponent will be hard pressed not to find something to sacrifice. Mamoswine's great wallbreaking power can be used to bust holes in the opponent's team to open up a sweep for its teammates. However, base 80 Speed is extremely underwhelming in such a fast tier, and it is important to use appropriate teammates to ensure that Mamoswine sticks around for as long as possible, as it can easily clean up late-game with Ice Shard.
Team Options
========
Mamoswine serves as a wallbreaker, so it is best to partner up with suitable balance or bulky cores, including pivots that can safely bring it in, such as Mega Ampharos, Forretress, Mandibuzz, and Baton Pass Umbreon and Vaporeon. Mamoswine pairs up fantastically with bulky Water-types such as Vaporeon, Mega Blastoise, and Tentacruel, which can check Mamoswine's counters including Mega Aggron, Swampert, and Alomomola. Bulky Water-types can also take Fire- and Fighting-type moves aimed at Mamoswine from Pokemon such as Entei, Darmanitan, Infernape, and Mienshao. Late-game cleaners and sweepers such as Lucario, Feraligatr, Mega Sharpedo, and Mega Beedrill greatly appreciate Mamoswine's wallbreaking power. It is always best to prepare for Fighting-types when using Mamoswine on your team; Crobat is an adequate check against all popular Fighting-types in the tier and has access to U-turn, although Mandibuzz can generally handle the pressure just as well and doesn't succumb to Stone Edges and Ice Punches nearly as easily. Mamoswine is quite weak to entry hazards, so Defog users and Pokemon that can absorb Toxic Spikes such as Roserade or Toxicroak are appreciated.
[SET]
name: Sash Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Ice Shard
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Endeavor / Knock Off / Icicle Crash
item: Focus Sash
ability: Oblivious
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Mamoswine is slower than most sweepers but faster than most Pokemon that carry Stealth Rock. As a result, it can effectively lure many bulky Pokemon and use the opportunity to set up Stealth Rock, potentially switching out afterwards to be saved for later. Ice Shard is Mamoswine's saving grace, allowing it to revenge kill a threat or clean up if needed. Ice Shard also works well in combination with Earthquake, usually finishing off most frailer Pokemon. Earthquake is Mamoswine's main STAB move and most reliable form of distributing damage. The last slot is a matter of preference, as each of the listed moves has competitive viability. Knock Off provides Mamoswine with additional utility, and it can sometimes be instrumental in disrupting a foe's sweep if it relies on Leftovers recovery. Endeavor works well on this set, especially if Mamoswine is facing bulky Water-types such as Swampert and Suicune. In particular, it can allow Mamoswine to bait offensive checks into attacking and finish them off with Ice Shard, although this takes a little bit of anticipation. Icicle Crash is Mamoswine's secondary STAB move and offers good coverage with Earthquake, as well as a reasonable 30% flinch rate.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed EVs investment suits Mamoswine's purpose of hitting hard and being faster than most other Stealth Rock users. An Adamant nature is preferred in order to hit as hard as possible, as Mamoswine only really needs to outspeed Nidoqueen, Mega Blastoise, and Adamant Feraligatr. A Jolly nature can be used if the extra Speed proves worthwhile, although an Adamant nature is generally superior in order to capitalize on more Ice Shard cleanups; in order to fully capitalize on its ability to lure bulky Water-types, Mamoswine generally needs as much power as possible. Focus Sash is used in order to ensure that Mamoswine gets either the guaranteed Stealth Rock or the extra Earthquake. Oblivious ensures that Mamoswine sets up Stealth Rock by rendering Taunt useless. Thick Fat can be used if you prefer to focus on Mamoswine's bulk, although Oblivious is the superior option for this set.
Usage Tips
========
This set is generally best used as a lead, although depending on the team it may be best to save Mamoswine for a late-game cleanup, especially if you have reasonable entry hazard control. Set up Stealth Rock and proceed to either attempt to wallbreak or switch out, depending on the matchup. Keep in mind that this set is rather uncomplicated, and the sheer power of Mamoswine's attacks is generally a giveaway of this set's details.
Team Options
========
Mamoswine works best with offensive teams and does a fantastic job at supporting its teammates, especially near the very beginning of the battle as a lead or near the end of the battle as a cleaner. Many sweepers, such as Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Beedrill, Feraligatr, Lucario, and Entei, appreciate the Stealth Rock that Mamoswine sets up in order to wear down their foes. Feraligatr, in particular, is an incredible offensive partner for its capacity to both wallbreak and clean. Other decent offensive Water-type options include Mega Blastoise, Mega Swampert, and Suicune for their ability to place adequate offensive pressure on an opponent's team while maintaining a high level of natural bulk for your team.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
========
In general, Choice items are not recommended, as the combination of Mamoswine's STAB types is what makes it so effective. While a Choice Scarf set can work, being locked into a single move can be detrimental for Mamoswine's success against poorer matchups, and the power loss as compared to either set listed above can be detrimental, as Choice Scarf Mamoswine will be forced to run a Jolly nature in order to outspeed appropriate threats, and its sheer Attack power suffers as a result. Choice Band can be used in order to hit insane levels of Attack, but, once again, being locked into a single move typically hurts Mamoswine more than the added power helps it. However, it should be noted that Ice Shard cleans up far more effectively with this set than the Life Orb set, as the lack of recoil damage and added power make it the strongest Ice Shard in the game. In terms of moves, Stone Edge can be run, as it smashes an important Fire-type, Rotom-H. Freeze-Dry isn't recommended because Earthquake does more damage to almost every relevant Water-type.
Checks and Counters
================
**Bulky Water-types**: Swampert, Suicune, and defensive Vaporeon can easily outplay Mamoswine, forcing Mamoswine to either sacrifice itself in exchange for some revenge kill damage or be set up on via Stealth Rock, Calm Mind, or Wish.
**Fire-types**: Entei, Darmanitan, Chandelure, and Rotom-H can switch into an Ice Shard and pressure Mamoswine with their powerful STAB moves, as Mamoswine's lacklustre defenses cannot take a super effective hit even with Thick Fat. In particular, Rotom-H is immune to Earthquake and can easily OHKO Mamoswine.
**Fighting-types**: Although some frailer Fighting-types such as Mienshao have to be wary of a powerful Ice Shard, Fighting-types with a useful secondary typing, such as Cobalion, Lucario, and Infernape, do not fear the mammoth's Ice-type attacks and will OHKO with their speedy and powerful Close Combats.
**Faster Special Attackers**: Pokemon such as Life Orb Azelf and Choice Specs Kyurem easily wallbreak past Mamoswine with their massive special attacking power.
**Cresselia**: With access to Levitate, Moonlight, and huge natural bulk, Cresselia can usually outlast Mamoswine's flinch attempts and reliably stall it out, as Mamoswine will eventually faint due to recoil damage.
**Bronzong and Forretress**: With Brozong's access to Levitate and Forretress' useful secondary Bug-typing, Bronzong and Forretress can generally handle anything the mammoth can send their way, and they can take out Mamoswine with a couple Gyro Balls; however, Bronzong does have to be careful of a Life Orb-boosted Knock Off.
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