[OVERVIEW]
Dustox has horrible stats and a mediocre defensive typing; the only notable resistances it has are to common Grass- and Poison-type moves. Any offensive set is outclassed by the stronger and faster Butterfree, as well as a waste of a team slot that could otherwise accommodate a huge array of superior setup sweepers. Dustox requires investment into its bulk to be usable, leaving its pathetic base 50 Special Attack uninvested. Therefore, it is miserably weak even after several boosts, failing to even 2HKO a large number of Pokemon in the metagame. Dustox barely carves out its niche in access to Shield Dust, Iron Defense, and slightly better defensive typing than Butterfree. Its Poison typing and Shield Dust provide it with an immunity to Toxic as well as to any crippling burn or paralysis from moves such as Scald and Body Slam. Despite this, other bulky set up sweepers such as Calm Mind Duosion and Clefairy tend to outclass Dustox due to their superior strength, ability and typing, meaning they require less support.
[SET]
name: Quiver Dance
move 1: Quiver Dance
move 2: Iron Defense
move 3: Bug Buzz
move 4: Roost
item: Black Sludge
ability: Shield Dust
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 192 SpD / 68 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Quiver Dance and Iron Defense allow Dustox to bolster both its special and physical defenses, in theory enabling it to amass boosts while periodically recovering health and to eventually sweep with Bug Buzz. Bug Buzz is the strongest STAB move available, chosen over Sludge Bomb because that way only rare Soundproof users wall Dustox rather than all Steel-types. Roost keeps Dustox healthy, allowing it to heal off residual damage and continue to set up.
Set Details
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Black Sludge provides passive recovery, letting Dustox boost more frequently instead of being forced to Roost. Shield Dust allows it to set up on weak or resisted attacks such as Scald, Body Slam, Discharge, and Dynamic Punch without fearing their crippling secondary effects. This means that, unlike most setup sweepers, Dustox takes advantage of passive, defensive Pokemon rather than being threatened by them. With the given EVs and a Calm nature, Dustox outspeeds Zebstrika, Floatzel, Jumpluff, and most other non-Choice Scarf Pokemon at +2 Speed while retaining as much bulk as possible to set up on special attackers.
Usage Tips
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Dustox poses virtually no threat to a well-built team early-game, so it should only be used as a pivot until its checks and counters are extremely weakened or removed. It is pointless, and sometimes dangerous, to attempt a sweep while there are still phazers or healthy wallbreakers on the opposing team. Roost should be used frequently, as being at high HP minimizes the chance of falling to a critical hit. Dustox is not able to beat strong attackers without multiple boosts, so it should only be brought in on defensive Pokemon or after a teammate has fainted. Dustox should also not be switched in frequently, as entry hazards can quickly wear it down without the opportunity to Roost. However, its typing, at least, lets it switch in easily on Roselia and Tangela thanks to its 4x resistance to Grass. Unless Dustox is sent in on a physical attacker, Quiver Dance is the optimal opening move. The ensuing +1 Speed should allow Dustox to choose which defensive stat to boost next according to the Pokemon switched in.
Team Options
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Dustox works best on defensive or balanced teams, as it can possibly sweep, absorbs Toxic Spikes, and can easily take otherwise frustrating moves like Scald and Dynamic Punch. It is very hard to find an excuse to use it on offensive teams because it is extremely passive and drains momentum quickly, giving a free switch in to many threatening Pokemon. Even so, strong wallbreakers such as Stoutland and Simipour can aid Dustox with their ability to break holes in the opposing team. With Stealth Rock taking 1/4 of its HP upon switching in, as well as Spikes wearing it down, Dustox does not appreciate entry hazards on its side of the field. Worthwhile teammates that provide hazard removal and type synergy include Pelipper, Torkoal, and Vibrava. It can often force switches against defensive Pokemon, so Pokemon that set up entry hazards make for good teammates. Most Rock- and Steel-types can use Stealth Rock and compensate for Dustox's vulnerability to strong Flying- and Normal-type attacks. Steel-types such as Probopass take on Jumpluff, while Rock-types ward off Rapidash and other Fire-type attackers. These Pokemon also appreciate Dustox absorbing Fighting-type attacks. While Dustox is immune to status as the secondary effect of an attacking move, Thunder Wave, Will-O-Wisp, and Sleep Powder give it trouble. Therefore, Pokemon that can absorb status, such as Clefairy and Pokemon with Heal Bell, make for excellent teammates. Lickilicky has Heal Bell and can also rack up residual damage with Dragon Tail or spread paralysis with Body Slam.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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A physically defensive spread can be used to set up with greater ease against physically attacking walls such as Piloswine. Sludge Bomb can also be chosen over Iron Defense to reliably take on Fairy-types such as Calm Mind Clefairy. However, Sludge Bomb is only a usable option on an offensive set, where Dustox is outclassed by Butterfree. Kee Berry gives Dustox a one-time Defense boost if that is deemed more useful than the passive recovery from Black Sludge. Whirlwind lets Dustox phaze opposing phazers before they can do the same; however, phazers are rather rare, so it isn't usually worth giving up a valuable moveslot for.
Checks and Counters
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**Strong Attackers**: Choice Band users such as Stoutland, Dodrio, and Rampardos put intense pressure on Dustox with their STAB attacks and easily force it out. Most offensive Fire-types, such as Rapidash and Flareon, have no trouble switching into Bug Buzz and KOing Dustox with strong Fire-type moves. Psychic-types are not recommended, as they can be outsped and KOed with some prior damage.
**Boosting Pokemon**: Nasty Plot Ninetales takes hardly any damage from Bug Buzz, can boost its Special Attack much faster than Dustox can boost its Special Defense, and deals heavy damage with Fire Blast. Jumpluff can put Dustox to sleep and, after a Swords Dance, can OHKO even +2 Defense Dustox with Acrobatics. Shell Smash Barbaracle and Carracosta can also take one Bug Buzz, set up, and OHKO Dustox with powerful Rock-type attacks.
**Phazing**: Dragon Tail Lickilicky shrugs off even boosted attacks from Dustox and can always use Dragon Tail to force Dustox out. Other, more niche, options include Whirlwind Munchlax and Roar Piloswine. It should be noted that Lickilicky and Munchlax have access to semi-reliable recovery, so they can repeatedly come in and phaze Dustox.
**Taunt**: Taunt prevents Dustox from setting up or healing, leaving it only able to use a weak attack. Notable users that can Taunt Dustox and come out on top include Dodrio, Vigoroth, and Nasty Plot Misdreavus; however, defensive variants of Misdreavus lose if Dustox uses Quiver Dance as they switch in.
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