Malaconda

[MQJinx]

hiss
QC: 3/3
GP: 1/2

[OVERVIEW]

Malaconda has very high special bulk, which enables it to check threats like Manaphy, Stratagem, Krilowatt, Slowbro, Latios, and Latias. This is further compounded by Harvest, which, depending on what Berry Malaconda is holding, can give it semi-reliable recovery or status removal. Its support movepool also has some gems like Glare and Rapid Spin, and its base 100 Attack is decent for a defensive Pokemon. However, it has atrocious Defense, which is compounded by a weakness to types like Fairy, Fire, and Flying, meaning that Talonflame, Cawmodore, both Mega Charizard formes, and Mega Altaria can prey on it. It also has an exploitable 4x weakness to Bug, rendering it vulnerable to U-turn users. Its offensive movepool is very shallow, mainly consisting of only STAB attacks and niche coverage options. It also suffers from low Speed, meaning it will often take a hit before it can deal any damage. Finally, it faces stiff competition from Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Pyroak, and Mega Venusaur as a defensive Grass-type, as they have roles that are typically more desirable for the CAP metagame.

[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Knock Off / Sucker Punch
move 2: Power Whip
move 3: Glare / Rapid Spin / Toxic
move 4: U-turn
item: Sitrus Berry
ability: Harvest
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD

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

Knock Off is a reliable STAB move that hits anything that does not resist it fairly hard and can remove the foe's item. Sucker Punch can be used instead to pressure fast, frail offensive threats like Syclant, Kitsunoh, and Mega Beedrill. Power Whip is a more powerful STAB attack to hit Water-types like Keldeo and Krilowatt, Rock-types like Stratagem and Tyranitar, and Ground-types like Colossoil and Hippowdon. Glare is used to induce paralysis, mainly on switch-ins and setup sweepers to cripple them. If the team needs a hazard remover, Rapid Spin can be run instead. Alternatively, Toxic can be used to cripple defensive threats such as Tomohawk. U-turn is used to give the team momentum, letting Malaconda pivot out of its checks. Pursuit can be used to trap Psychic-types like Latios and Latias and Ghost-types like Kitsunoh lacking U-turn and Necturna lacking Will-O-Wisp or super effective moves. Foul Play can be used to hit physical attackers hard and deters setup from Pokemon like Cawmodore. Roar also is an option, as it can phaze setup sweepers like Clefable.

Set Details
========

Maximum HP and Special Defense investment makes Malaconda as specially bulky as possible, allowing it to take hits such as a +3 Ice Beam from Manaphy in order to hit back with Power Whip or Glare. Sitrus Berry is used for passive recovery and has synergy with Harvest, giving it a chance to regenerate the Berry and making it tough to take down.

Usage Tips
========

Malaconda should be switched in on special attackers that cannot threaten it, such as Latios, Latias, Krilowatt, and Stratagem. Knock Off is a safe move to use most of the time, as the utility of item removal can come in handy along with chip damage. If running Sucker Punch, try to find the perfect opportunity to use it, as it has limited PP; surprising a faster foe can help turn the tables of the game. Use Glare or Toxic when predicting switch-ins to cripple them, or use U-turn to pivot out into a check. If running Pursuit, anticipate when the foe will switch to severly dent or KO it.

Team Options
========

Steel-types like Skarmory and Heatran can take Fairy-, Flying-, Bug-, Poison-, and, in Heatran's case, Fire-type attacks, while they appreciate Malaconda taking Ground-, Water-, and Electric-type attacks, and they can also set up entry hazards. Heatran can also threaten Steel-types and burn physical attackers with Lava Plume. Mega Charizard Y threatens Steel-types and can set up sun, and in return Malaconda can use Rapid Spin to remove Stealth Rock for it. Flying-types like Talonflame, Tomohawk, Tornadus-T, and Togekiss can help remove Bug- and Fighting-types. Other Ground- and Fire-types like Mollux, Volkraken, Volcanion, Excadrill, Colossoil, Landorus-T, and Garchomp can also take out Steel-types. Cyclohm is also a great partner, as it can handle Flying-types. Pokemon that carry Rocky Helmet like Ferrothorn and Garchomp can help deter U-turn users.

[SET]
name: Rest
move 1: Rest
move 2: Knock Off / Power Whip
move 3: Glare / Rapid Spin / Toxic
move 4: U-turn
item: Lum Berry
ability: Harvest
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD

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

Rest is used for a source of recovery, which is very helpful when combined with Lum Berry to remove sleep. Knock Off or Power Whip can be run depending on the team's needs. Knock Off is a safer STAB attack that can hit Psychic-types like Latios and Latias and Ghost-types like Necturna and Kitsunoh, while Power Whip is a more powerful STAB move to hit Water-types like Keldeo and Krilowatt, Rock-types like Stratagem and Tyranitar, and Ground-types like Colossoil and Hippowdon. Glare is for paralyzing switch-ins and setup sweepers, Rapid Spin is used for entry hazard removal should the team need it, and Toxic is used to hit defensive switch-ins like Tomohawk. U-turn is used to pivot out of checks and maintain momentum.

Set Details
========

Maximum HP and Special Defense investment maximizes Malaconda's special bulk. Lum Berry is used to cure Malaconda of status conditions, particularly waking it up from sleep after it uses Rest, and with Harvest, it has a chance to regenerate. A Chesto Berry can be used to ensure that the Berry does not get lost before using Rest, but then Malaconda will be more exposed to status.


Usage Tips
========

Be careful about Malaconda's Berry; since Harvest can be inconsistent, its Berry might not regenerate to get a crucial cure from status, so don't play too recklessly. This set can switch into status moves like Toxic if Malaconda's Berry is still intact. Try to find an opportunity to use Rest in order to preserve Malaconda's health while not potentially risking giving the foe a free turn of setup. Switching into Pokemon that cannot threaten it, like Latios, Latias, Krilowatt, and Stratagem, then crippling switch-ins with Glare or Toxic or pivoting out of them with U-turn is a great way to maximize Malaconda's use on a team.

Team Options
========

Steel-types like Skarmory and Heatran take Fairy-, Flying-, Bug-, Poison-, and, in Heatran's case, Fire-type attacks, and in return, Malaconda can take Ground-, Water-, and Electric-type attacks for them. Heatran also has Lava Plume to threaten Steel-types and burn physical attackers. Mega Charizard Y sets up sun to guarantee regeneration of Malaconda's Berry and threatens Steel-types, and it appreciates Malaconda using Rapid Spin to remove Stealth Rock. Flying-types like Talonflame, Togekiss, Tornadus-T, and Tomohawk can help eliminate Bug- and Fighting-types. Other Fire- and Ground-types like Mollux, Volkraken, Volcanion, Excadrill, Colossoil, Landorus-T, and Garchomp are also good partners that threaten Steel-types. Cyclohm walls most Flying-types due to its high physical bulk. Rocky Helmet users like Garchomp and Ferrothorn also make great partners to punish U-turn users.


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

Malaconda can run a Choice Band set with Infiltrator for more offensive power. However, other Pokemon like Weavile, Bisharp, and Colossoil are better offensive Dark-types that can run Pursuit due to their greater offensive power. Malaconda also has access to Heal Bell. Though this is typically done better by Pyroak, it can remove status on sets running Sitrus Berry. Malaconda has a few coverage options like Wild Charge for Flying-types and Iron Tail for Fairy-types, though they are hard to fit in onto its sets.


Checks & Counters
===================

**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Pokemon like Tomohawk and Skarmory can wall Malaconda due to their great physical bulk and can retaliate with their STAB attacks and Taunt. Tomohawk, however, has to watch out for Glare and Toxic.

**Fire-types**: Mollux, Victini, both Mega Charizard formes, Heatran, and Pyroak can switch into Power Whip and hit back hard with their own STAB attacks, though they are crippled by Glare. Volkraken and Volcanion can also threaten Malaconda with their STAB attacks should they get in safely.

**Steel-types**: Malaconda has no way of dealing with Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Klefki, which can set up entry hazards on it or, in Klefki's case, hit hard with a Fairy-type STAB move. Cawmodore can set up on any Malaconda lacking Glare, Foul Play, or Roar.

**U-turn**: Pokemon that pack U-turn, like Scizor, Landorus-T, Colossoil, Diggersby, Tornadus-T, Kitsunoh, Jirachi, Mega Beedrill, and Syclant, can force out Malaconda, though the latter four are hit hard by Sucker Punch, and most U-turn users do not like Glare.

**Fairy-types**: Clefable, Togekiss, Mega Altaria, and Sylveon can shrug off Malaconda's attacks due to their typing and bulk and can retaliate with their STAB attacks. Mega Gardevoir and Mega Diancie can also threaten weakened Malaconda. However, Mega Altaria and Togekiss are crippled by Glare, and Mega Diancie cannot switch in for fear of Power Whip.

**Flying-types**: Talonflame, Tomohawk, Tornadus-T, and Mega Pinsir can overwhelm Malaconda with their STAB attacks, though they hate Glare.

**Powerful Attackers**: Pokemon like Aurumoth, Mega Crucibelle, Dragalge, Mega Lopunny, Mega Heracross, Mega Medicham, Mega Venusaur, Kyurem-B, and Keldeo can OHKO or severely dent Malaconda with their STAB attacks.

**Setup Sweepers**: Pokemon like Garchomp, Dragonite, Breloom, and Landorus-T can set up on Malaconda lacking Glare, Foul Play, or Roar.

 

[MQJinx]

The last analysis was at 2 QC but I'm reducing it to 0 since it's been months since the last implementation and I'd like for this to be as up to date as possible. Also removing the offensive set unless QC would like it back in.

 

[Exclaimer]

As much as it's wise to avoid stacking several weaknesses, I highly advise adding a section just for Garchomp in Team Options because its abilities and Rocky Helmet severely punish U-turn, which Malaconda lures in like no tomorrow. It's extremely useful for wearing down Colossoil, Scizor, Fidgit, and others I can't think of. Ferrothorn is even better because it can resist Fairy and is neutral to ice.

 

[MQJinx]

Implemented the changes.

 

[Sota Higurashi]

I think glare should have priority over Power Whip. Crippling pokemon that like to switch into mala then U-turning out is a must I think on the first malaconda, or just crippling faster mons in general

 

[MQJinx]

Considering implementing the above, though I'd like some QC opinions first.

 

[MQJinx]

Added Mega Crucibelle under Powerful Attackers.

 

[cbrevan]

Implement the bolded sections

[OVERVIEW]

+Incredible special bulk compounded by HarvestHow about you talk about what Harvest does, such as semi reliable recovy or status removal.
+Good support movepoolMention a few of them.
+Decent base 100 AttackFor a wall.
-Horrible Defense
-Weak to common attacking types in Fairy, Fire, and FlyingAnd therefore common threats such as...
-4x weak to Bug, exposing it to U-turn
-Shallow offensive movepool
-Slow
-Faces competition from other bulky Grass-types like Ferrothorn, Pyroak, and Mega Venusaur
I'm really hoping you expand on these points when you eventually write it up so it's not just a list of attributes. Overviews are supposed to tell the reader quickly what the Pokemon does, so talk about how it's a utility Pokemon or special wall.
[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Knock Off / Pursuit / Glare
move 2: Rapid Spin / Dragon Tail
move 3: Power Whip / Glare
move 4: U-turn
item: Sitrus Berry
ability: Harvest
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD

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

-Knock Off is STAB for hitting most threats
-Pursuit can be used to trap Lati@sAnd other Psychic- and Ghost-types.
-Glare for paralysisCripples switchins and prevents set up.
-Rapid Spin to remove hazards
-Dragon Tail works well with Glare to spread paralysis and can rack up hazard damage
-Power Whip is a more powerful STABWhat does it help check (don't just say Water-types and Ground-types, give some examples.)
-U-turn for momentum
-Toxic can be used to cripple defensive threatsMention crippling Tomohawk.
-Foul Play hits physical attackers hardPrevents set up by Pokemon such as Cawmodore
I'd like to see more detail in all these descriptions besides "this is what x moves does". Tell the reader what threats the moves help handle, what roles it allows Malaconda to take, why you'd want to use them over the other slashed moves, etc. This goes for pretty much the entire analysis.
Set Details
========

-Max HP and Special Defense for max special tankiness
-Harvest and Sitrus Berry for recovery

Usage Tips
========

-Switch in on special attackers that cannot threaten it (Lati@s, Krilowatt, Stratagem)
-Predict switch-ins and use Glare or Toxic to cripple them
-Shuffle threats with Dragon Tail after paralyzing them
-Use U-turn to pivot out of switches
-Use Pursuit if running it when predicting a switch from threatened Pokemon like Lati@s

Team Options
========

-Skarmory and Heatran for taking Fairy-, Flying-, Bug-, and Poison-type attacks (and Fire-type attacks in Heatran's case), Malaconda can take Ground-, Water-, and Electric-type attacks in return, both can set up hazards as well, Heatran also has Lava Plume for Steel-types and physical attackers
-Mega Charizard Y sets up sun, removes steels, and appreciates spinning
-Talonflame and Togekiss remove Bug- and Fighting-types AddTomohawk andTornadus-T.
- Mollux, Volkraken, Excadrill, Colossoil, Landorus-T, Garchomp can also take out Steel-types
-Physical walls like Cyclohm for Flying-types
-Rocky Helmet users like Garchomp and Ferrothorn are notable teammates as they can punish U-turn

[SET]
name: Rest
move 1: Rest
move 2: Knock Off / Power Whip
move 3: Rapid Spin / Toxic
move 4: U-turn
item: Lum Berry
ability: Harvest
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD

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

-Rest for recovery with Lum Berry
-Knock Off or Power Whip for STAB depending on who you'd want to take on.Tell us what Pokemon either one is preferred for lol.
-Rapid Spin for hazard removal, otherwise Toxic defensive switch-insMention crippling Tomohawk.
-u-turn for momentum
See comments from the first set.
Set Details
========

-Max HP and Special Defense for max special tankiness
-Harvest and Lum Berry for recovery with Rest
-Chesto Berry can be used but you're more exposed to status

Usage Tips
========

-Be careful about Malaconda's berryExplain this.
-This set can switch into status
-Find the right opportunity to use Rest
Usage tips from first set can apply here.

Team Options
========

-Skarmory and Heatran for taking Fairy-, Flying-, Bug-, and Poison-type attacks (and Fire-type attacks in Heatran's case), Malaconda can take Ground-, Water-, and Electric-type attacks in return, Heatran also has Lava Plume for Steel-types and physical attackers
-Talonflame and Togekiss remove Bug- and Fighting-typesTomohawk, Tornadus-T
-Mega Charizard Y sets up sun, removes steels, and appreciates spinning
-Mollux, Volkraken, Excadrill, Colossoil, Landorus-T, Garchomp can also take out Steel-types, and Garchomp punishes contact users
-Physical walls like Cyclohm for Flying-types
-Rocky Helmet users like Garchomp and Ferrothorn are notable teammates as they can punish U-turn

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

-CB Infiltrator, though Necturna gives it competitionIt's nor really a matter of Necturna specifically giving CB Malaconda competiton (it's really not). CB Malaconda is outclassed by more powerful physical attackers in general, specifically more viable Pursuit trappers such as Bisharp, Colossoil, Weavile, etc.
-Wild Charge for Flying-types
-Iron Tail for fairies
-Heal Bell though Pyroak is generally betterYou can move in front of Wild Charge and mention how it lets Sitrus sets get past status.

Checks & Counters
===================

**Physically Defensive Pokemon:** Pokemon like Tomohawk and Skarmory can wall Malaconda due to their great physical bulk and can retaliate with their STAB attacks and Taunt. Tomohawk hates Toxic and Glare though.

**Fire-types:** Mollux, Volkraken, Victini, both Mega Charizard forms, Heatran, and Pyroak can switch into Power Whip and hit back hard with their own STAB attacks, though Charizard is crippled by Glare.All of them are crippled by Glare.

**Steel-types:** Malaconda has no way of dealing with Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Klefki, who can set up hazards on it, or in Klefki's case, hit hard with a Fairy STAB. Cawmodore can set up on any Malaconda lacking Glare or Dragon Tail.And Foul Play

**U-turn:** Pokemon who pack U-turn, like Scizor, Landorus-T, Colossoil, Kitsunoh, Jirachi, Mega Beedrill, Diggersby, Tornadus-T, and Syclant can force out Malaconda, though Jirachi, Mega Beedrill, Kitsunoh, and Syclant are hit hard by Sucker Punch.Most don't like Glare either, although it's not a problem for Kitsunoh, but Kitsunoh can't switch in anyways.

**Fairy-types:** Clefable, Togekiss, Mega Altaria, and Sylveon can shrug off Malaconda's attacks due to their typing and bulk and can retaliate with their STAB attacks. Mega Gardevoir and Mega Diancie can also threaten weakened Malaconda.Mega Altaria and Togekiss hate Glare and Mega Diancie can't switch intoPower Whips.

**Flying-types:** Talonflame, Staraptor, and Mega Pinsir can overwhelm Malaconda with their STAB attacks.They all hate Glare.Ditch the Staraptor mention for Tomohawk and Tornadus-T, which are a lot more viable right now.

**Powerful Attackers:** Pokemon like Aurumoth, Dragalge, Mega Lopunny, Mega Heracross, Mega Medicham, Kyurem-B, and Keldeo can OHKO or severely dent Malaconda with their STAB attacks.Mention Mega Venusaur.

**Setup Sweepers:** Pokemon like Garchomp, Dragonite, Breloom, and Landorus-T can set up on Malaconda lacking Glare or Dragon Tail.

Implement the above check and you can consider this QC 1/3.

 

[MQJinx]

Implemented the changes.

 

[sparktrain]

I'm not a fan of how the first set is currently panning out. It just seems too... slash-y? Malaconda is already a niche mon, so the set should probably be more focused. For instance, there are a slew of better Pursuit trappers in the metagame that don't sit at a terrible Speed tier and aren't as easily forced out as Malaconda. And as far as being a Dragon Tail shuffler... is it even all that good at shuffling? It's fairly prone to creating unfavorable matchups; basically all the top physical attackers force it out due to its low defense, and its typing leaves it prone to several top special attackers as well. Not to mention Dragon Tail is basically a free invitation for Clefable to come in and start setting up Calm Minds. I'd put Roar over Dragon Tail if anything since it can tank unboosted Moonblasts surprisingly well, but the problems mentioned earlier still persist.

Anyway, I had a brief talk with cbrevan last night about potentially reworking the set after he gave his check. I forgot to save the pad unfortunately, but I think the set was something like this?

move 1: Knock Off / Sucker Punch
move 2: Power Whip
move 3: Rapid Spin / Glare
move 4: U-turn

Move choice is generally geared towards crippling / pivoting on switch-ins. STABs are pretty important; Knock Off serves as a strong general method of crippling switch-ins, Sucker Punch gives it some better utility vs. offensive teams, Power Whip allows it to defeat the stuff it's capable of checking like Hippo, Slowbro, MANAPHY (hello, Malaconda tanks a +3 Ice Beam? that's kinda worth mentioning somewhere). Move 3 contains its more viable support options, move 4 is U-turn so it can maintain momentum against its switch-ins. cbrevan can you comment on this? HeaLnDeaL as well?

I haven't looked much at the other set yet. I will say that the overview needs to focus more on Malaconda's niche in the metagame (i.e. what does it check? what does it accomplish—not what does it have—that other mons don't?)

 

[cbrevan]

That set seems fine with me as long as Pursuit gets a mention in Moves.

 

[MQJinx]

Implemented the changes.

 

[MQJinx]

Added Volcanion under Fire-types.

 

[sparktrain]

Okay now that I've had a chance to look at the second set more, my only question at this point is why is Glare slashed on the first set but not the second set, and vice versa with Toxic? The two sets fulfill very similar niches defensively and have virtually the same switch-ins, so it makes sense to me to keep them more consistent in terms of their status moves. If move 3 for both sets is Rapid Spin / Glare / Toxic that'd be fine. Glare is probably good enough to be a first slash tbh but I'll leave that up to the 3rd QCer.

Some of the bullet points are still a bit lacking in their explanations, but I know you'll expand on them in the write-up. QC 2/3

 

[MQJinx]

The write-up is now done.

 

[sparktrain]

Good work MQJinx. I recall there being some disagreements amongst QC regarding the first set, but seeing as it's been a month and none of these users have bothered to voice their concerns here, I'm going to give this the final stamp. We can address any serious concerns later via SCMS edits.

QC 3/3

 

[snake]

Shouldn't you reorder the moves to have increasing slashes?

 

[MQJinx]

This analysis is now GP ready.

 

[P Squared]

mala mala jong
GP 1/2

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[OVERVIEW]

Malaconda has very high special bulk, which enables it to check threats like Manaphy, Stratagem, Krilowatt, Slowbro, Latios, and Latias. This is further compounded by Harvest, which, depending on what Berry Malaconda is holding, can allow give it semi-reliable recovery or status removal. Its support movepool also has some gems like Glare and Rapid Spin, and its base 100 Attack is also decent for a defensive Pokemon. However, it has atrocious physical defense, which is compounded by a weakness to compounding attacking types like Fairy, Fire, and Flying, meaning that Talonflame, Cawmodore, both Mega Charizard formes, and Mega Altaria can prey on it. It also has an exploitable 4x weakness to Bug, rendering it vulnerable to U-turn users. Its offensive movepool is very shallow, mainly consisting of only STAB attacks and niche coverage options. It also suffers from low Speed, meaning it will often take a hit before it can deal any damage. Finally, it faces stiff competition from Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Pyroak, and Mega Venusaur as a defensive Grass-type, as they have roles that are typically more desirable for the CAP metagame.

[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Knock Off / Sucker Punch
move 2: Power Whip
move 3: Glare / Rapid Spin / Toxic
move 4: U-turn
item: Sitrus Berry
ability: Harvest
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD

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

Knock Off is a reliable STAB move that hits anything that does not resist it fairly hard and can remove the foe's item. Sucker Punch can be used instead to pressure fast, frail offensive threats like Syclant, Kitsunoh, and Mega Beedrill. Power Whip is a more powerful STAB attack to hit Water-types like Keldeo and Krilowatt, Rock-types like Stratagem and Tyranitar, and Ground-types like Colossoil and Hippowdon. Glare is used to induce paralysis, mainly on switch-ins and setup sweepers to cripple them. If the team needs a hazard remover, Rapid Spin can be run instead. Alternatively, Toxic can be used to cripple defensive threats such as Tomohawk. U-turn is used to give the team momentum, letting Malaconda pivoting out of its checks. Pursuit can be used to trap Psychic-types like Latios and Latias and Ghost-types like Kitsunoh lacking U-turn and Necturna lacking Will-O-Wisp or super effective moves. Foul Play can be used to hit physical attackers hard and deters setup from Pokemon like Cawmodore. Roar also is an option, as it can phaze setup sweepers like Clefable.

Set Details
========

Maximum HP and Special Defense investment makes Malaconda as specially bulky as possible, allowing it to take hits such as a +3 Ice Beam from Manaphy in order to hit back with Power Whip or Glare. Sitrus Berry is used for passive recovery, (RC) and has synergy with Harvest, giving it a chance to regenerate the Berry and making it tough to take down.

Usage Tips
========

Malaconda should be switched in on special attackers that cannot threaten it, such as Latios, Latias, Krilowatt, and Stratagem. Knock Off is a safe move to use most of the time, (AC) as the utility of item removal can come in handy along with chip damage. If running Sucker Punch, try to find a the perfect opportunity to use it, as it has limited PP; surprising a faster foe can help turn the tables of the game. Use Glare or Toxic when predicting switch-ins to cripple them, or use U-turn to pivot out into a check. If running Pursuit, anticipate when the foe will switch to severly dent or KO it.

Team Options
========

Steel-types like Skarmory and Heatran can take Fairy-, Flying-, Bug-, Poison-, and, (AC) in Heatran's case, Fire-type attacks, while they appreciate Malaconda taking Ground-, Water-, and Electric-type attacks, and they can also set up entry hazards. Heatran can also threaten Steel-types and burn physical attackers with Lava Plume. Mega Charizard Y threatens Steel-types and can set up sun, and in return Malaconda can use Rapid Spin to remove Stealth Rock for it. Flying-types like Talonflame, Tomohawk, Tornadus-T, and Togekiss can help remove Bug- and Fighting-types. Other Ground- and Fire-types like Mollux, Volkraken, Volcanion, Excadrill, Colossoil, Landorus-T, and Garchomp can also take out Steel-types. Cyclohm is also a great partner, (AC) as it can handle Flying-types. Pokemon that carry Rocky Helmet like Ferrothorn and Garchomp can help deter U-turn users.

[SET]
name: Rest
move 1: Rest
move 2: Knock Off / Power Whip
move 3: Glare / Rapid Spin / Toxic
move 4: U-turn
item: Lum Berry
ability: Harvest
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD

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

Rest is used for a source of recovery, which is very helpful when compounded with Lum Berry to remove sleep. Knock Off or Power Whip can be run depending on the team's needs. Knock Off is a safer STAB attack that can hit Psychic-types like Latios and Latias and Ghost-types like Necturna and Kitsunoh, while Power Whip is a more powerful STAB move to hit Water-types like Keldeo and Krilowatt, Rock-types like Stratagem and Tyranitar, and Ground-types like Colossoil and Hippowdon. Glare is for paralyzing switch-ins and setup sweepers, Rapid Spin is used for hazard removal should the team need it, and Toxic is used to hit defensive switch-ins like Tomohawk. U-turn is used to pivot out of checks and maintain momentum.

Set Details
========

Maximum HP and Special Defense investment maximizes Malaconda's special bulk. Lum Berry is used to cure Malaconda of status conditions, particularly waking it up from sleep after it uses using Rest, and with Harvest, it has a chance to regenerate it. A Chesto Berry can be used to ensure that the Berry does not get lost before using Rest, but then Malaconda will be more exposed to status.


Usage Tips
========

Be careful about Malaconda's Berry; since Harvest is a double-edged sword (eh, idk, this phrase is usually used to mean like...it actively does good things and bad things, and Harvest does good things, just not consistently? so maybe just saying "since Harvest can be inconsistent" or something), its Berry might not regenerate to get a crucial cure from status, (AC) so don't play too recklessly. This set can switch into status moves like Toxic if Malaconda's Berry is still intact. Try to find an opportunity to use Rest in order to preserve Malaconda's health while not potentially risking giving the foe a free turn of setup from the foe. This set plays similarly to the utility set, as it has a similar function but with different means of recovery. (you have to assume that the reader has not read the utility set. so you have to rewrite whatever you were alluding to here)

Team Options
========

Steel-types like Skarmory and Heatran take Fairy-, Flying-, Bug-, Poison-, and, (AC) in Heatran's case, Fire-type attacks, and in return, Malaconda can take Ground-, Water-, and Electric-type attacks for them. Heatran also has Lava Plume to threaten Steel-types and burn physical attackers. Mega Charizard Y sets up sun to guarantee regeneration of Malaconda's Berry and threatens Steel-types, and it appreciates Malaconda using Rapid Spin to remove Stealth Rock. Flying-types like Talonflame, Togekiss, Tornadus-T, and Tomohawk can help eliminate Bug- and Fighting-types. Other Fire- and Ground-types like Mollux, Volkraken, Volcanion, Excadrill, Colossoil, Landorus-T, and Garchomp are also good partners that threaten Steel-types. Cyclohm walls most Flying-types due to its high physical bulk. Rocky Helmet users like Garchomp and Ferrothorn also make great partners to punish U-turn users.


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

Malaconda can run a Choice Band set with Infiltrator for more offensive power. However, other Dark-types like Weavile, Bisharp, and Colossoil are better offensive Dark-types that can run Pursuit due to their greater offensive power. Malaconda also has access to Heal Bell. Though this is typically done better by Pyroak, it can remove status on sets running Sitrus Berry. Malaconda has a few coverage options like Wild Charge for Flying-types and Iron Tail for Fairy-types, though they are hard to fit in onto Malaconda's sets.


Checks & Counters
===================

**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: (all these colons should be outside the asterisks) Pokemon like Tomohawk and Skarmory can wall Malaconda due to their great physical bulk and can retaliate with their STAB attacks and Taunt. Tomohawk, however, has to watch out for Glare and Toxic.

**Fire-types**: Mollux, Victini, both Mega Charizard formes, Heatran, and Pyroak can switch into Power Whip and hit back hard with their own STAB attacks, though they are crippled by Glare. Volkraken and Volcanion can also threaten Malaconda with their STAB attacks should they get in safely.

**Steel-types**: Malaconda has no way of dealing with Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Klefki, who which can set up hazards on it, (RC) or, (RC) in Klefki's case, hit hard with a Fairy-type STAB move. Cawmodore can set up on any Malaconda lacking Glare, Foul Play, or Roar.

**U-turn**: Pokemon who that pack U-turn, like Scizor, Landorus-T, Colossoil, Kitsunoh, Jirachi, Mega Beedrill, Diggersby, Tornadus-T, and Syclant, (AC) can force out Malaconda, though Jirachi, Mega Beedrill, Kitsunoh, and Syclant are hit hard by Sucker Punch, and most U-turn users do not like Glare.

**Fairy-types**: Clefable, Togekiss, Mega Altaria, and Sylveon can shrug off Malaconda's attacks due to their typing and bulk and can retaliate with their STAB attacks. Mega Gardevoir and Mega Diancie can also threaten weakened Malaconda. However, Mega Altaria and Togekiss are crippled by Glare, and Mega Diancie cannot switch in for fear of Power Whip.

**Flying-types**: Talonflame, Tomohawk, Tornadus-T, and Mega Pinsir can overwhelm Malaconda with their STAB attacks, though they hate Glare.

**Powerful Attackers**: Pokemon like Aurumoth, Mega Crucibelle, Dragalge, Mega Lopunny, Mega Heracross, Mega Medicham, Mega Venusaur, Kyurem-B, and Keldeo can OHKO or severely dent Malaconda with their STAB attacks.

**Setup Sweepers**: Pokemon like Garchomp, Dragonite, Breloom, and Landorus-T can set up on Malaconda lacking Glare or Dragon Tail.

 

[MQJinx]

Implemented the changes.

 

[Lumari]

remove add / fix (comments); (AC=add comma; RC=remove comma; SC=semicolon)
GP 2/2

malaconda

[OVERVIEW]

Malaconda has very high special bulk, which enables it to check threats like Manaphy, Stratagem, Krilowatt, Slowbro, Latios, and Latias. This is further compounded by Harvest, which, depending on what Berry Malaconda is holding, can give it semi-reliable recovery or status removal. Its support movepool also has some gems like Glare and Rapid Spin, and its base 100 Attack is decent for a defensive Pokemon. However, it has atrocious physical Defense, which is compounded by a weakness to types like Fairy, Fire, and Flying, meaning that Talonflame, Cawmodore, both Mega Charizard formes, and Mega Altaria can prey on it. It also has an exploitable 4x weakness to Bug, rendering it vulnerable to U-turn users. Its offensive movepool is very shallow, mainly consisting of only STAB attacks and niche coverage options. It also suffers from low Speed, meaning it will often take a hit before it can deal any damage. Finally, it faces stiff competition from Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Pyroak, and Mega Venusaur as a defensive Grass-type, as they have roles that are typically more desirable for the CAP metagame.

[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Knock Off / Sucker Punch
move 2: Power Whip
move 3: Glare / Rapid Spin / Toxic
move 4: U-turn
item: Sitrus Berry
ability: Harvest
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD

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

Knock Off is a reliable STAB move that hits anything that does not resist it fairly hard and can remove the foe's item. Sucker Punch can be used instead to pressure fast, frail offensive threats like Syclant, Kitsunoh, and Mega Beedrill. Power Whip is a more powerful STAB attack to hit Water-types like Keldeo and Krilowatt, Rock-types like Stratagem and Tyranitar, and Ground-types like Colossoil and Hippowdon. Glare is used to induce paralysis, mainly on switch-ins and setup sweepers to cripple them. If the team needs a hazard remover, Rapid Spin can be run instead. Alternatively, Toxic can be used to cripple defensive threats such as Tomohawk. U-turn is used to give the team momentum, letting Malaconda pivot out of its checks. Pursuit can be used to trap Psychic-types like Latios and Latias and Ghost-types like Kitsunoh lacking U-turn and Necturna lacking Will-O-Wisp or super effective moves. Foul Play can be used to hit physical attackers hard and deters setup from Pokemon like Cawmodore. Roar also is an option, as it can phaze setup sweepers like Clefable.

Set Details
========

Maximum HP and Special Defense investment makes Malaconda as specially bulky as possible, allowing it to take hits such as a +3 Ice Beam from Manaphy in order to hit back with Power Whip or Glare. Sitrus Berry is used for passive recovery and has synergy with Harvest, giving it a chance to regenerate the Berry and making it tough to take down.

Usage Tips
========

Malaconda should be switched in on special attackers that cannot threaten it, such as Latios, Latias, Krilowatt, and Stratagem. Knock Off is a safe move to use most of the time, as the utility of item removal can come in handy along with chip damage. If running Sucker Punch, try to find the perfect opportunity to use it, as it has limited PP; surprising a faster foe can help turn the tables of the game. Use Glare or Toxic when predicting switch-ins to cripple them, or use U-turn to pivot out into a check. If running Pursuit, anticipate when the foe will switch to severly dent or KO it.

Team Options
========

Steel-types like Skarmory and Heatran can take Fairy-, Flying-, Bug-, Poison-, and, in Heatran's case, Fire-type attacks, while they appreciate Malaconda taking Ground-, Water-, and Electric-type attacks, and they can also set up entry hazards. Heatran can also threaten Steel-types and burn physical attackers with Lava Plume. Mega Charizard Y threatens Steel-types and can set up sun, and in return Malaconda can use Rapid Spin to remove Stealth Rock for it. Flying-types like Talonflame, Tomohawk, Tornadus-T, and Togekiss can help remove Bug- and Fighting-types. Other Ground- and Fire-types like Mollux, Volkraken, Volcanion, Excadrill, Colossoil, Landorus-T, and Garchomp can also take out Steel-types. Cyclohm is also a great partner, as it can handle Flying-types. Pokemon that carry Rocky Helmet like Ferrothorn and Garchomp can help deter U-turn users.

[SET]
name: Rest
move 1: Rest
move 2: Knock Off / Power Whip
move 3: Glare / Rapid Spin / Toxic
move 4: U-turn
item: Lum Berry
ability: Harvest
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD

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

Rest is used for a source of recovery, which is very helpful when compounded combined with Lum Berry to remove sleep. Knock Off or Power Whip can be run depending on the team's needs. Knock Off is a safer STAB attack that can hit Psychic-types like Latios and Latias and Ghost-types like Necturna and Kitsunoh, while Power Whip is a more powerful STAB move to hit Water-types like Keldeo and Krilowatt, Rock-types like Stratagem and Tyranitar, and Ground-types like Colossoil and Hippowdon. Glare is for paralyzing switch-ins and setup sweepers, Rapid Spin is used for entry hazard removal should the team need it, and Toxic is used to hit defensive switch-ins like Tomohawk. U-turn is used to pivot out of checks and maintain momentum.

Set Details
========

Maximum HP and Special Defense investment maximizes Malaconda's special bulk. Lum Berry is used to cure Malaconda of status conditions, particularly waking it up from sleep after it uses Rest, and with Harvest, it has a chance to regenerate. A Chesto Berry can be used to ensure that the Berry does not get lost before using Rest, but then Malaconda will be more exposed to status.

Usage Tips
========

Be careful about Malaconda's Berry; since Harvest can be inconsistent, its Berry might not regenerate to get a crucial cure from status, so don't play too recklessly. This set can switch into status moves like Toxic if Malaconda's Berry is still intact. Try to find an opportunity to use Rest in order to preserve Malaconda's health while not potentially risking giving the foe a free turn of setup. Switching into Pokemon that cannot threaten it, like Latios, Latias, Krilowatt, and Stratagem, then crippling switch-ins with Glare or Toxic or pivoting out of them with U-turn is a great way to maximize Malaconda's use on a team.

Team Options
========

Steel-types like Skarmory and Heatran take Fairy-, Flying-, Bug-, Poison-, and, in Heatran's case, Fire-type attacks, and in return, Malaconda can take Ground-, Water-, and Electric-type attacks for them. Heatran also has Lava Plume to threaten Steel-types and burn physical attackers. Mega Charizard Y sets up sun to guarantee regeneration of Malaconda's Berry and threatens Steel-types, and it appreciates Malaconda using Rapid Spin to remove Stealth Rock. Flying-types like Talonflame, Togekiss, Tornadus-T, and Tomohawk can help eliminate Bug- and Fighting-types. Other Fire- and Ground-types like Mollux, Volkraken, Volcanion, Excadrill, Colossoil, Landorus-T, and Garchomp are also good partners that threaten Steel-types. Cyclohm walls most Flying-types due to its high physical bulk. Rocky Helmet users like Garchomp and Ferrothorn also make great partners to punish U-turn users.


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

Malaconda can run a Choice Band set with Infiltrator for more offensive power. However, other Dark-types Pokemon like Weavile, Bisharp, and Colossoil are better offensive Dark-types that can run Pursuit due to their greater offensive power. Malaconda also has access to Heal Bell. Though this is typically done better by Pyroak, it can remove status on sets running Sitrus Berry. Malaconda has a few coverage options like Wild Charge for Flying-types and Iron Tail for Fairy-types, though they are hard to fit in onto Malaconda's its sets.


Checks & Counters
===================

**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Pokemon like Tomohawk and Skarmory can wall Malaconda due to their great physical bulk and can retaliate with their STAB attacks and Taunt. Tomohawk, however, has to watch out for Glare and Toxic.

**Fire-types**: Mollux, Victini, both Mega Charizard formes, Heatran, and Pyroak can switch into Power Whip and hit back hard with their own STAB attacks, though they are crippled by Glare. Volkraken and Volcanion can also threaten Malaconda with their STAB attacks should they get in safely.

**Steel-types**: Malaconda has no way of dealing with Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Klefki, which can set up entry hazards on it or, in Klefki's case, hit hard with a Fairy-type STAB move. Cawmodore can set up on any Malaconda lacking Glare, Foul Play, or Roar.

**U-turn**: Pokemon that pack U-turn, like Scizor, Landorus-T, Colossoil, Diggersby, Tornadus-T, Kitsunoh, Jirachi, Mega Beedrill, Diggersby, Tornadus-T, and Syclant, can force out Malaconda, though Jirachi, Mega Beedrill, Kitsunoh, and Syclant the latter four are hit hard by Sucker Punch, and most U-turn users do not like Glare.

**Fairy-types**: Clefable, Togekiss, Mega Altaria, and Sylveon can shrug off Malaconda's attacks due to their typing and bulk and can retaliate with their STAB attacks. Mega Gardevoir and Mega Diancie can also threaten weakened Malaconda. However, Mega Altaria and Togekiss are crippled by Glare, and Mega Diancie cannot switch in for fear of Power Whip.

**Flying-types**: Talonflame, Tomohawk, Tornadus-T, and Mega Pinsir can overwhelm Malaconda with their STAB attacks, though they hate Glare.

**Powerful Attackers**: Pokemon like Aurumoth, Mega Crucibelle, Dragalge, Mega Lopunny, Mega Heracross, Mega Medicham, Mega Venusaur, Kyurem-B, and Keldeo can OHKO or severely dent Malaconda with their STAB attacks.

**Setup Sweepers**: Pokemon like Garchomp, Dragonite, Breloom, and Landorus-T can set up on Malaconda lacking Glare, Foul Play, or Roar.

 

[MQJinx]

This analysis is now done.

 

[sparktrain]

uploaded