[OVERVIEW]
Bronzong is able to check a wide variety of threats in the tier, such as Flygon, Mega Glalie, Dragalge, Minior, and Comfey, thanks to its amazing Steel / Psychic typing, which grants it nine resistances and an immunity. Bronzong's Levitate ability also gives it an immunity to what would otherwise be a weakness, leaving it with just three weaknesses, and its high defensive stats allow it to check many specially offensive Pokemon such as Swellow, Gardevoir, Diancie, and Necrozma. Bronzong is also a solid setter of Stealth Rock thanks to its great bulk. A very low Speed stat both hurts it and helps it; Bronzong will almost always be taking a hit before moving, but it also increases the power of its Gyro Ball. Bronzong is also hurt by the plethora of good Dark-types in the tier, including Sneasel, Sharpedo, and Zoroark, which makes it harder for it to do its job. This is further exemplified by its weakness to Knock Off, as its lack of recovery outside of Leftovers makes it very easy to wear down after losing its item.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Gyro Ball
move 4: Protect / Psywave
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Sassy
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is a mandatory entry hazard, as it is good for supporting teammates, and Bronzong is a great setter of it thanks to its durability. Toxic is useful for wearing down many Pokemon, especially bulkier ones such as Mantine and Porygon2. Gyro Ball is Bronzong's STAB move, and it does a lot of damage to most foes due to Bronzong's low Speed, especially against fast offensive threats. Heavy Slam is an alternative to Gyro Ball that does huge damage to Florges, but does less than Gyro Ball to other, heavier Pokemon. Protect is useful for scouting moves, getting more Toxic damage, and getting more Leftovers recovery, but it can be exploited by foes for free setup or switches. Psywave does anywhere from 50 to 150 HP of damage randomly, which can be useful for hitting Pokemon that Gyro Ball does extremely little damage to such as Registeel and opposing Bronzong.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Special Defense EVs allow Bronzong to check most special attackers, including Swellow, Diancie, and Espeon. A Sassy nature increases its Special Defense further while lowering its Speed, making Gyro Ball hit harder, and 0 Speed IVs also decrease Bronzong's Speed. Levitate gives Bronzong an immunity to Ground-type moves, which would otherwise hit it super effectively, allowing it to switch in against threats like Nidoqueen and Flygon with ease. Leftovers is Bronzong's only source of recovery, which lets it not get worn down too quickly.
Usage Tips
========
Switch Bronzong liberally into special attackers that it checks, such as Fairy-types like Diancie and Gardevoir, for opportunities to use Toxic on them or set up Stealth Rock. Use Protect to scout for super effective attacks, gain more Leftovers recovery, and rack up Toxic damage. Where possible, try to keep Stealth Rock on the field at all times, and use Toxic on entry hazard removers such as Mantine to do this. It is best to remove bulky Steel-types like Registeel and Doublade before sending Bronzong in, as they can easily wall it, wear it down, or set up on it, but Psywave is a decent way of chipping at them if Bronzong has no other options. Be very careful when switching Bronzong in if the opponent has a Zoroark, because the opponent may be luring in Bronzong for it to be KOed by Zoroark.
Team Options
========
Most Pokemon appreciate Bronzong's ability to switch into multiple special threats such as Swellow and Gardevoir with its high Special Defense and useful resistances. Many defensive Pokemon such as Florges, Milotic, and Gigalith function well with Bronzong due to their typing synergy; Bronzong is easily able to switch into moves that they are weak to and vice versa due to their multitude of resistances. Florges is easily able to sponge any Dark-type attacks that pose a threat to Bronzong, while Bronzong can take Poison- and Steel-type attacks for it in return. Milotic takes care of Fire-types and appreciates Bronzong's resistance to Grass along with its ability to check many of the Electric-types in the tier. Due to Bronzong's lack of reliable recovery, using Wish support from Pokemon such as Umbreon and Florges or Alolan Persian's Z-Parting Shot is a good idea to help to mitigate this. Alolan Persian also appreciates Bronzong's ability to easily switch into special attacks, especially Fairy-type ones, and Bronzong appreciates Alolan Persian's resistances to Dark and Ghost along with its ability to easily take Knock Off. Defog deterrents like Competitive Milotic are useful to keep Stealth Rock on the field, and spinblockers such as Dhelmise and Mismagius are useful for the same reason. Ground- and Fire-types like Nidoqueen and Rotom-H can deal with the bulky Steel-types like Registeel and Doublade that can easily wall and wear down Bronzong. Wallbreakers such as Choice Specs Kommo-o and Choice Band Heracross appreciate Stealth Rock weakening foes upon switching in.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Trick Room can be used over Protect or Psywave to support the team if it contains slow wallbreakers such as Escavalier and Dragalge. Hypnosis puts the foe to sleep, likely giving free switches for wallbreakers or setup sweepers such as Choice Specs Swellow, Choice Specs Kommo-o, and Cloyster, but its 60% accuracy can be unreliable. Reflect and Light Screen can support the team further, but they force Bronzong to give up two of the moves that it typically needs. Bronzong is also a good setter of Rain Dance thanks to its great bulk, which can be useful for dedicated rain teams featuring Pokemon such as Kingdra and Araquanid. Earthquake is a more reliable way to hit Fire-types on the switch along with Steel-types, but it doesn't do much damage to bulkier Pokemon like Torkoal and Registeel without investment. Skill Swap allows Bronzong to remove the abilities of foes, which can enable it to poison Reuniclus, which would otherwise easily use Bronzong as setup fodder. Heal Block stops recovery moves from being used, allowing Bronzong to beat Curse Snorlax or at least badly poison it without it using Rest. However, these last two moves are situational, and Bronzong generally requires the moves it already has.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Dark-types can hit Bronzong super effectively, and many also carry Knock Off, including Sneasel and Drapion, which cripples Bronzong due to its lack of recovery. While Bronzong can deal large damage to some with Gyro Ball, it will almost always be moving last and, as a result, take huge damage. Taunt from the likes of Froslass and Chesnaught also cripples Bronzong, and non-Dark-type Pokemon carrying Knock Off such as Donphan and Escavalier can also cripple Bronzong. Zoroark is especially dangerous, as it can disguise as a Pokemon that Bronzong checks and lure it in to KO it.
**Reuniclus and Snorlax**: Reuniclus and Snorlax are both able to use Bronzong as setup bait thanks to their immunity to Toxic, recovery options, and low Speed stats, which allows them to take practically nothing from Gyro Ball. Bronzong can do nothing but Psywave in vain or switch out as they get free setup.
**Fire-types**: Most Fire-types such as Rotom-H, Torkoal, and Emboar can use their STAB moves to hit Bronzong extremely hard, especially under sun.
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types such as Hoopa and Dhelmise hit Bronzong super effectively, and Bronzong cannot do much to them in return save for Toxic. Other notable Ghost-types include Mismagius, which can hit Bronzong extremely hard with Never-Ending Nightmare, and Doublade, which walls Bronzong.
**Bulky Steel-types**: Registeel and Doublade completely wall Bronzong due to their immunity to Toxic and resistance to Gyro Ball. Registeel can break Bronzong down with a combination of Thunder Wave and Seismic Toss, and Doublade can use Bronzong as setup fodder. Escavalier, while not being particularly bulky, is not threatened at all by Bronzong and can use Knock Off to remove its Leftovers.
**Wallbreakers**: Hard-hitters like Heracross, Bruxish, Kommo-o, and Salazzle can all break Bronzong with their powerful attacks. Without reliable recovery, Bronzong swiftly crumbles to them.
Bronzong is able to check a wide variety of threats in the tier, such as Flygon, Mega Glalie, Dragalge, Minior, and Comfey, thanks to its amazing Steel / Psychic typing, which grants it nine resistances and an immunity. Bronzong's Levitate ability also gives it an immunity to what would otherwise be a weakness, leaving it with just three weaknesses, and its high defensive stats allow it to check many specially offensive Pokemon such as Swellow, Gardevoir, Diancie, and Necrozma. Bronzong is also a solid setter of Stealth Rock thanks to its great bulk. A very low Speed stat both hurts it and helps it; Bronzong will almost always be taking a hit before moving, but it also increases the power of its Gyro Ball. Bronzong is also hurt by the plethora of good Dark-types in the tier, including Sneasel, Sharpedo, and Zoroark, which makes it harder for it to do its job. This is further exemplified by its weakness to Knock Off, as its lack of recovery outside of Leftovers makes it very easy to wear down after losing its item.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Gyro Ball
move 4: Protect / Psywave
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Sassy
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is a mandatory entry hazard, as it is good for supporting teammates, and Bronzong is a great setter of it thanks to its durability. Toxic is useful for wearing down many Pokemon, especially bulkier ones such as Mantine and Porygon2. Gyro Ball is Bronzong's STAB move, and it does a lot of damage to most foes due to Bronzong's low Speed, especially against fast offensive threats. Heavy Slam is an alternative to Gyro Ball that does huge damage to Florges, but does less than Gyro Ball to other, heavier Pokemon. Protect is useful for scouting moves, getting more Toxic damage, and getting more Leftovers recovery, but it can be exploited by foes for free setup or switches. Psywave does anywhere from 50 to 150 HP of damage randomly, which can be useful for hitting Pokemon that Gyro Ball does extremely little damage to such as Registeel and opposing Bronzong.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Special Defense EVs allow Bronzong to check most special attackers, including Swellow, Diancie, and Espeon. A Sassy nature increases its Special Defense further while lowering its Speed, making Gyro Ball hit harder, and 0 Speed IVs also decrease Bronzong's Speed. Levitate gives Bronzong an immunity to Ground-type moves, which would otherwise hit it super effectively, allowing it to switch in against threats like Nidoqueen and Flygon with ease. Leftovers is Bronzong's only source of recovery, which lets it not get worn down too quickly.
Usage Tips
========
Switch Bronzong liberally into special attackers that it checks, such as Fairy-types like Diancie and Gardevoir, for opportunities to use Toxic on them or set up Stealth Rock. Use Protect to scout for super effective attacks, gain more Leftovers recovery, and rack up Toxic damage. Where possible, try to keep Stealth Rock on the field at all times, and use Toxic on entry hazard removers such as Mantine to do this. It is best to remove bulky Steel-types like Registeel and Doublade before sending Bronzong in, as they can easily wall it, wear it down, or set up on it, but Psywave is a decent way of chipping at them if Bronzong has no other options. Be very careful when switching Bronzong in if the opponent has a Zoroark, because the opponent may be luring in Bronzong for it to be KOed by Zoroark.
Team Options
========
Most Pokemon appreciate Bronzong's ability to switch into multiple special threats such as Swellow and Gardevoir with its high Special Defense and useful resistances. Many defensive Pokemon such as Florges, Milotic, and Gigalith function well with Bronzong due to their typing synergy; Bronzong is easily able to switch into moves that they are weak to and vice versa due to their multitude of resistances. Florges is easily able to sponge any Dark-type attacks that pose a threat to Bronzong, while Bronzong can take Poison- and Steel-type attacks for it in return. Milotic takes care of Fire-types and appreciates Bronzong's resistance to Grass along with its ability to check many of the Electric-types in the tier. Due to Bronzong's lack of reliable recovery, using Wish support from Pokemon such as Umbreon and Florges or Alolan Persian's Z-Parting Shot is a good idea to help to mitigate this. Alolan Persian also appreciates Bronzong's ability to easily switch into special attacks, especially Fairy-type ones, and Bronzong appreciates Alolan Persian's resistances to Dark and Ghost along with its ability to easily take Knock Off. Defog deterrents like Competitive Milotic are useful to keep Stealth Rock on the field, and spinblockers such as Dhelmise and Mismagius are useful for the same reason. Ground- and Fire-types like Nidoqueen and Rotom-H can deal with the bulky Steel-types like Registeel and Doublade that can easily wall and wear down Bronzong. Wallbreakers such as Choice Specs Kommo-o and Choice Band Heracross appreciate Stealth Rock weakening foes upon switching in.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Trick Room can be used over Protect or Psywave to support the team if it contains slow wallbreakers such as Escavalier and Dragalge. Hypnosis puts the foe to sleep, likely giving free switches for wallbreakers or setup sweepers such as Choice Specs Swellow, Choice Specs Kommo-o, and Cloyster, but its 60% accuracy can be unreliable. Reflect and Light Screen can support the team further, but they force Bronzong to give up two of the moves that it typically needs. Bronzong is also a good setter of Rain Dance thanks to its great bulk, which can be useful for dedicated rain teams featuring Pokemon such as Kingdra and Araquanid. Earthquake is a more reliable way to hit Fire-types on the switch along with Steel-types, but it doesn't do much damage to bulkier Pokemon like Torkoal and Registeel without investment. Skill Swap allows Bronzong to remove the abilities of foes, which can enable it to poison Reuniclus, which would otherwise easily use Bronzong as setup fodder. Heal Block stops recovery moves from being used, allowing Bronzong to beat Curse Snorlax or at least badly poison it without it using Rest. However, these last two moves are situational, and Bronzong generally requires the moves it already has.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Dark-types can hit Bronzong super effectively, and many also carry Knock Off, including Sneasel and Drapion, which cripples Bronzong due to its lack of recovery. While Bronzong can deal large damage to some with Gyro Ball, it will almost always be moving last and, as a result, take huge damage. Taunt from the likes of Froslass and Chesnaught also cripples Bronzong, and non-Dark-type Pokemon carrying Knock Off such as Donphan and Escavalier can also cripple Bronzong. Zoroark is especially dangerous, as it can disguise as a Pokemon that Bronzong checks and lure it in to KO it.
**Reuniclus and Snorlax**: Reuniclus and Snorlax are both able to use Bronzong as setup bait thanks to their immunity to Toxic, recovery options, and low Speed stats, which allows them to take practically nothing from Gyro Ball. Bronzong can do nothing but Psywave in vain or switch out as they get free setup.
**Fire-types**: Most Fire-types such as Rotom-H, Torkoal, and Emboar can use their STAB moves to hit Bronzong extremely hard, especially under sun.
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types such as Hoopa and Dhelmise hit Bronzong super effectively, and Bronzong cannot do much to them in return save for Toxic. Other notable Ghost-types include Mismagius, which can hit Bronzong extremely hard with Never-Ending Nightmare, and Doublade, which walls Bronzong.
**Bulky Steel-types**: Registeel and Doublade completely wall Bronzong due to their immunity to Toxic and resistance to Gyro Ball. Registeel can break Bronzong down with a combination of Thunder Wave and Seismic Toss, and Doublade can use Bronzong as setup fodder. Escavalier, while not being particularly bulky, is not threatened at all by Bronzong and can use Knock Off to remove its Leftovers.
**Wallbreakers**: Hard-hitters like Heracross, Bruxish, Kommo-o, and Salazzle can all break Bronzong with their powerful attacks. Without reliable recovery, Bronzong swiftly crumbles to them.
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