QC: Raiza / Anty / Magnemite
GP: P Squared / The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
Wailord is a very mediocre Pokemon in PU, as it is outclassed as a physical Water-type attacker by the likes of Barbaracle, Carracosta, and Basculin due to their better offensive stats and capabilities; however, access to Curse and Self-Destruct can make Wailord a decent sweeper with a way to deal out massive damage when its health gets low. It can also try to run a special attacking set, as Wailord's Attack and Special Attack stats are identical, but it is heavily outclassed by Pokemon such as Simipour and Floatzel in this regard. Wailord's low Speed and lack of recovery make it easy for Pokemon such as Stoutland and Raichu to wear down and KO it. Its high base HP is offset by its terrible defenses, leaving it unable to take strong attacks. Wailord also needs a lot of team support to set up, as it doesn't hit that hard unboosted.
[SET]
name: Curse
move 1: Curse
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Earthquake / Avalanche
move 4: Self-Destruct
item: Life Orb / Leftovers
ability: Water Veil
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Curse boosts Wailord's Attack and Defense at the cost of lowering its Speed. Waterfall is Wailord's STAB attack, hitting Rock-, Ground-, and Fire-types such as Golem, Piloswine, and Rapidash super effectively. Earthquake provides Wailord with coverage against Electric-types such as Raichu and Zebstrika while also nailing other Water-types such as Politoed and Simipour, which resist Waterfall. Avalanche is an option over Earthquake, as it allows Wailord to hit Grass-types such as Gourgeist and Tangela harder, which resist Waterfall and would otherwise wall Wailord. Self-Destruct gives Wailord a last-ditch effort to do damage against common switch-ins such as Roselia and Pelipper and open the way for a teammate to come in at the expense of KOing itself.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Attack along with an Adamant nature lets Wailord deal out as much damage as possible. Maximum investment is placed in Special Defense instead of HP, as Wailord's HP is very high as it is and it lets Wailord avoid being OHKOed by Raichu's and Zebstrika's Thunderbolt and OHKO them back with Earthquake. The leftover EVs are placed in Defense rather than HP to minimize entry hazard damage. Life Orb boosts the power of Wailord's attacks at the cost of some health, while Leftovers gives Wailord passive recovery, letting it set up Curse more easily. Water Veil is the preferred ability to prevent Wailord from being worn down by Scald burns or Will-O-Wisp.
Usage Tips
========
Due to Wailord's terrible defenses, it should avoid switching in on strong attacks, as it is easily worn down. Instead, bring Wailord in after a teammate has fainted or from a slow Volt Switch, U-turn, or Baton Pass from Pokemon such as Probopass and Pelipper. Set up Curse against Pokemon that Wailord can force out, such as Clefairy, but be mindful of Taunt and Encore users such as Misdreavus and Kadabra, as they will either stop Wailord from setting up or prevent it from sweeping. Waterfall is the primary attack to use, while Earthquake should be used on predicted switches to Pokemon that resist Water, such as Roselia. Self-Destruct should be used only once Wailord's health gets low and should be used wisely, as an opposing Ghost-type such as Dusknoir and Gourgeist-XL can switch in on Self-Destruct and take no damage from it. When Wailord's health gets low, it's best to use Self-Destruct to do major damage to the foe and clear the way for a teammate to come in. Wailord should also be wary of poison, as it will wear it down over time and limit Wailord's ability to wallbreak. Wailord is best used late-game once all of its checks and counters are eliminated or weak enough for Wailord to take out on its own, but it can be used early in the match to do immediate damage.
Team Options
========
Wailord is best used on balanced and offensive teams to make use of its wallbreaking potential. Wailord appreciates entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Roselia, Golem, and Probopass to wear down opposing Pokemon. Electric-types such as Zebstrika and Raichu can deal with opposing Water-types for Wailord, particularly Pelipper, which resists Waterfall and is immune to Earthquake, whereas Fire-types such as Rapidash and Ninetales can deal with opposing Grass-types, which wall Wailord. Setup sweepers such as Ninetales and Barbaracle appreciate Wailord's wallbreaking capabilities, allowing them to set up more easily. The latter also appreciates physical walls being worn down by Wailord. Healing Wish support from Pokemon such as Clefairy and Mr. Mime allows Wailord a second chance at wallbreaking. Pokemon that can provide a slow Volt Switch, U-turn, or Baton Pass, such as Probopass, allow Wailord to come in without taking any damage from attacks.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
An all-out attacking set with Choice Scarf and a Jolly nature can be used, but it isn't worth the loss in power, and Wailord is still outsped by base 115 Speed Pokemon and higher, such as Zebstrika. A Choice Specs set with Water Spout, Ice Beam, Hidden Power Electric, and either Hydro Pump or Surf can be used, but it is outclassed by Floatzel, which has higher Speed and access to Switcheroo to cripple special walls. Toxic can cripple switch-ins to Wailord such as Pelipper and Tangela.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Tangela and Gourgeist-XL resist Waterfall and Earthquake and can force Wailord out with their Grass-type STAB attacks, but they can take a lot of damage from Avalanche. Quilladin can use Wailord as setup fodder for Spikes or phaze it with Roar, and Gogoat can set up Bulk Up as Wailord switches out.
**Bulky Water-types**: Pelipper walls Wailord, as it resists Waterfall, is immune to Earthquake, and can proceed to heal off any damage with Roost, whittle Wailord down with Air Slash, or possibly cripple it with Toxic. Defensive variants of Carracosta can easily wear Wailord down with Toxic and Knock Off and can wall it if Wailord isn't running Earthquake.
**Residual Damage**: Wailord is worn down by all forms of entry hazards and Life Orb recoil, which will cut its sweep short. While Wailord can't be burned, poison puts Wailord's life on a timer and wears it down over time.
**Strong Attackers**: Wailord has a massive HP stat, but its defenses are paper-thin without Curse, so strong attackers such as Stoutland and Ursaring can easily 2HKO Wailord. Special attackers such as Raichu and Zebstrika can also 2HKO Wailord with Thunderbolt, but they cannot directly switch into any of Wailord's attacks, especially Earthquake.
GP: P Squared / The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
Wailord is a very mediocre Pokemon in PU, as it is outclassed as a physical Water-type attacker by the likes of Barbaracle, Carracosta, and Basculin due to their better offensive stats and capabilities; however, access to Curse and Self-Destruct can make Wailord a decent sweeper with a way to deal out massive damage when its health gets low. It can also try to run a special attacking set, as Wailord's Attack and Special Attack stats are identical, but it is heavily outclassed by Pokemon such as Simipour and Floatzel in this regard. Wailord's low Speed and lack of recovery make it easy for Pokemon such as Stoutland and Raichu to wear down and KO it. Its high base HP is offset by its terrible defenses, leaving it unable to take strong attacks. Wailord also needs a lot of team support to set up, as it doesn't hit that hard unboosted.
[SET]
name: Curse
move 1: Curse
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Earthquake / Avalanche
move 4: Self-Destruct
item: Life Orb / Leftovers
ability: Water Veil
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Curse boosts Wailord's Attack and Defense at the cost of lowering its Speed. Waterfall is Wailord's STAB attack, hitting Rock-, Ground-, and Fire-types such as Golem, Piloswine, and Rapidash super effectively. Earthquake provides Wailord with coverage against Electric-types such as Raichu and Zebstrika while also nailing other Water-types such as Politoed and Simipour, which resist Waterfall. Avalanche is an option over Earthquake, as it allows Wailord to hit Grass-types such as Gourgeist and Tangela harder, which resist Waterfall and would otherwise wall Wailord. Self-Destruct gives Wailord a last-ditch effort to do damage against common switch-ins such as Roselia and Pelipper and open the way for a teammate to come in at the expense of KOing itself.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Attack along with an Adamant nature lets Wailord deal out as much damage as possible. Maximum investment is placed in Special Defense instead of HP, as Wailord's HP is very high as it is and it lets Wailord avoid being OHKOed by Raichu's and Zebstrika's Thunderbolt and OHKO them back with Earthquake. The leftover EVs are placed in Defense rather than HP to minimize entry hazard damage. Life Orb boosts the power of Wailord's attacks at the cost of some health, while Leftovers gives Wailord passive recovery, letting it set up Curse more easily. Water Veil is the preferred ability to prevent Wailord from being worn down by Scald burns or Will-O-Wisp.
Usage Tips
========
Due to Wailord's terrible defenses, it should avoid switching in on strong attacks, as it is easily worn down. Instead, bring Wailord in after a teammate has fainted or from a slow Volt Switch, U-turn, or Baton Pass from Pokemon such as Probopass and Pelipper. Set up Curse against Pokemon that Wailord can force out, such as Clefairy, but be mindful of Taunt and Encore users such as Misdreavus and Kadabra, as they will either stop Wailord from setting up or prevent it from sweeping. Waterfall is the primary attack to use, while Earthquake should be used on predicted switches to Pokemon that resist Water, such as Roselia. Self-Destruct should be used only once Wailord's health gets low and should be used wisely, as an opposing Ghost-type such as Dusknoir and Gourgeist-XL can switch in on Self-Destruct and take no damage from it. When Wailord's health gets low, it's best to use Self-Destruct to do major damage to the foe and clear the way for a teammate to come in. Wailord should also be wary of poison, as it will wear it down over time and limit Wailord's ability to wallbreak. Wailord is best used late-game once all of its checks and counters are eliminated or weak enough for Wailord to take out on its own, but it can be used early in the match to do immediate damage.
Team Options
========
Wailord is best used on balanced and offensive teams to make use of its wallbreaking potential. Wailord appreciates entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Roselia, Golem, and Probopass to wear down opposing Pokemon. Electric-types such as Zebstrika and Raichu can deal with opposing Water-types for Wailord, particularly Pelipper, which resists Waterfall and is immune to Earthquake, whereas Fire-types such as Rapidash and Ninetales can deal with opposing Grass-types, which wall Wailord. Setup sweepers such as Ninetales and Barbaracle appreciate Wailord's wallbreaking capabilities, allowing them to set up more easily. The latter also appreciates physical walls being worn down by Wailord. Healing Wish support from Pokemon such as Clefairy and Mr. Mime allows Wailord a second chance at wallbreaking. Pokemon that can provide a slow Volt Switch, U-turn, or Baton Pass, such as Probopass, allow Wailord to come in without taking any damage from attacks.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
An all-out attacking set with Choice Scarf and a Jolly nature can be used, but it isn't worth the loss in power, and Wailord is still outsped by base 115 Speed Pokemon and higher, such as Zebstrika. A Choice Specs set with Water Spout, Ice Beam, Hidden Power Electric, and either Hydro Pump or Surf can be used, but it is outclassed by Floatzel, which has higher Speed and access to Switcheroo to cripple special walls. Toxic can cripple switch-ins to Wailord such as Pelipper and Tangela.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Tangela and Gourgeist-XL resist Waterfall and Earthquake and can force Wailord out with their Grass-type STAB attacks, but they can take a lot of damage from Avalanche. Quilladin can use Wailord as setup fodder for Spikes or phaze it with Roar, and Gogoat can set up Bulk Up as Wailord switches out.
**Bulky Water-types**: Pelipper walls Wailord, as it resists Waterfall, is immune to Earthquake, and can proceed to heal off any damage with Roost, whittle Wailord down with Air Slash, or possibly cripple it with Toxic. Defensive variants of Carracosta can easily wear Wailord down with Toxic and Knock Off and can wall it if Wailord isn't running Earthquake.
**Residual Damage**: Wailord is worn down by all forms of entry hazards and Life Orb recoil, which will cut its sweep short. While Wailord can't be burned, poison puts Wailord's life on a timer and wears it down over time.
**Strong Attackers**: Wailord has a massive HP stat, but its defenses are paper-thin without Curse, so strong attackers such as Stoutland and Ursaring can easily 2HKO Wailord. Special attackers such as Raichu and Zebstrika can also 2HKO Wailord with Thunderbolt, but they cannot directly switch into any of Wailord's attacks, especially Earthquake.
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