QC: Spirit / Omicron / Arikado
GP: Eyan / CryoGyro
[OVERVIEW]
Dragalge's unique typing in conjunction with its above average bulk and Adatability ability allows it to function as a defensive and offensive powerhouse in the RU tier. It is able to pivot into threats such as Venusaur, Diancie, Rotom-C, and Salazzle while being the only Dragon-type in the tier that can reliably switch in on and threaten the tier's Fairy-types, such as Diancie, Florges, and Comfey, bar Gardevoir. Dragalge has access to high-Base Power STAB moves such as Draco Meteor and Sludge Wave that synergize with Adaptability as well as coverage moves such as Scald and Focus Blast. However, while Dragalge has the capability to tank hits, its lack of reliable recovery causes it to be susceptible to chip damage, status conditions, and entry hazards. It's is one of the slowest Pokemon in the tier, which usually means that it is forced to take at least two hits when pivoting in.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Toxic Spikes
move 4: Scald / Haze / Dragon Tail
item: Black Sludge
ability: Adaptability
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 204 SpD / 52 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Draco Meteor is Dragalge's primary STAB move and hits decently hard even without Special Attack investment due to Adaptability. Sludge Wave is Dragalge's secondary STAB move, which also receives the boost from Adaptability, allowing Dragalge to pose a threat to Fairy-types such as Comfey and Florges. Sludge Bomb can be used over Sludge Wave for the higher chance of poisoning the foe at the expense of power. However, Dragalge's Toxic Spikes also spreads poison, albeit to a smaller audience, and it will be forced to use Draco Meteor on Chesnaught, since Sludge Bomb is blocked by Bulletproof. Toxic Spikes enables Dragalge to spread regular or Toxic poison across all grounded targets barring Steel- and Poison-types. Toxic Spikes also helps to put bulkier Pokemon such as Slowbro, Gigalith, and Goodra on a timer. Scald allows Dragalge to discourage physical attackers such as Escavalier and Doublade from switching in. Haze can be used against setup sweepers such as Florges, Virizion, and Toxicroak and resets the stat drops from Draco Meteor. Lastly, Dragon Tail is an option that phazes the foe and helps spread the poisoned status as long as Toxic Spikes is up.
Set Details
========
The EV spread along with a Calm nature capitalizes on Dragalge's fantastic Special Defense, which allows it to have a better matchup against specially offensive threats such as Shaymin, Florges, and Salazzle. 52 Speed EVs allow Dragalge to outspeed base 50 Speed Pokemon such as Diancie, Donphan, and Registeel. An alternative EV spread of 252 HP / 204 Def / 52 Spe along with a Bold nature can be used to help maximize Dragalge's physical bulk, enabling it to take on physical attackers such as Toxicroak and Virizion better. Adaptability allows Dragalge to hit decently hard, even with uninvested attacks. Black Sludge is essential because it serves as Dragalge's only form of recovery.
Usage Tips
========
Take advantage of Dragalge's unique typing and decent bulk by switching it into Pokemon such as Venusaur, Rotom-H, Diancie, and Chesnaught. Dragalge should also be able to set up Toxic Spikes against the aforementioned Pokemon, which it can threaten out. Against offensive teams, one layer of Toxic Spikes should suffice, since most offensive Pokemon do not stay in long enough for the ever-increasing Toxic damage to build up. However, against defensive teams, always aim to set up two layers of Toxic Spikes, since the gradual Toxic damage will put bulkier Pokemon such as Slowking and Jellicent on a timer while preventing them from safely switching in. However, if the opposing team has airborne Pokemon such as Mantine and Swellow, Steel-types such as Registeel and Escavalier, or Poison-types such as Drapion and Salazzle, it usually isn't worth it for Dragalge to set up Toxic Spikes. Though Poison-types are able to remove Toxic Spikes, they must switch out to a different Pokemon in order to remove them if Dragalge manages to set them up on them. Sludge Wave will be Dragalge's safest move to use because it doesn't have any negative side effects while still benefiting from Adaptability. Draco Meteor should be used a lot more sparingly, since the stat drops will either invite in Pokemon that can take advantage of a weakened Dragalge such as Reuniclus and Doublade or force it to switch out. However, Haze can reset the stat drops from Draco Meteor while being able to stop setup sweepers such as Comfey and Doublade. Remember that Dragalge can hit decently hard due to the high Base Power of Draco Meteor and Sludge Wave alongside Adaptability. Due to Dragalge's lack of reliable recovery, try to avoid switching it into entry hazards. Switching into Scald may also be risky, since the burned status annuls Dragalge's only recovery in Black Sludge.
Team Options
========
Dragalge easily fits onto bulkier or balance teams that appreciate Toxic Spikes support, and it acts as a solid switch-in to a multitude of Pokemon due to its useful resistances and good bulk. Pokemon like Nidoqueen, Cresselia, and Rhyperior can take advantage of Poison-types that are able to remove Toxic Spikes such as Salazzle, Venusaur, and Drapion, complementing Dragalge well. Ghost-types such as Mismagius, Jellicent, and Dhelmise are able to act as spinblockers in order to keep Toxic Spikes on the field, and Jellicent also has the capability to pressure Defog users such as Mantine and Gligar as well. Steel-types such as Escavelier and Bronzong are able to check Ice- and Psychic-types such as Reuniclus and Mega Glalie. Grass-types such as Shaymin, Chesnaught, and Virizion appreciate Dragalge's ability to check opposing Poison- and Fire-types such as Salazzle, Rotom-H, and Venusaur. In return, they are able to help Dragalge by checking Ground-types such as Rhyperior and Donphan. Chesnaught and Dragalge are also able to form a Spikes stacking core due to their type synergy and access to entry hazards. Pursuit trappers and Dark-types such as Sneasel, Drapion, and Sharpedo help pressure troubling Psychic-types such as Reuniclus and Slowbro for Dragalge. Since Dragalge is easily worn down due to its lack of reliable recovery, it benefits a lot from Wish and clerical support through Pokemon like Umbreon and Florges.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Toxic Spikes / Focus Blast
item: Dragonium Z / Choice Specs
ability: Adaptability
nature: Modest
evs: 204 HP / 252 SpA / 52 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Draco Meteor is Dragalge's primary STAB move, which will hit really hard due to its high Base Power, the boost from Adaptability, and a potential Choice Specs boost. Sludge Wave is Dragalge's secondary Adaptability-boosted STAB move that can be used frequently without the risk of a stat drop while having a very small chance to poison its target. Hidden Power Fire allows Dragalge to deal with the Steel-types that would otherwise wall it such as Registeel, Durant, Escavalier, and Bronzong. If opting for a Dragonium Z set, Toxic Spikes can be used against Pokemon that Dragalge threatens out such as Shaymin, Rotom-H, and Florges, which will help weaken bulkier Pokemon such as Slowking and Umbreon. Focus Blast enables Dragalge to hit Steel-types bar Escavalier, Doublade, and Durant, which get hit harder by Draco Meteor, for more damage at the expense of much better accuracy.
Set Details
========
The EV spread along with a Modest nature maximizes Dragalge's offensive potential and bulk while giving it enough Speed to outspeed base 50 Speed Pokemon such as Diancie, Donphan, and Registeel. Adaptability increases Dragalge's offensive capabilities exponentially and helps remedy its mediocre base Special Attack. Dragonium Z gives Dragalge a one-time use of a 100% accurate, 195-Base Power Devastating Drake without the drawback of a Special Attack drop. Alternatively, Choice Specs allows Dragalge to function as a powerful wallbreaker due to the combined boosts from Adaptability and Choice Specs.
Usage Tips
========
Due to Dragalge's unique typing and decent bulk, it should be used as a switch-in to Pokemon such as Roserade, Rotom-H, Diancie, and Salazzle, which it can set up Toxic Spikes against. One layer of Toxic Spikes is more beneficial against an offensive team, as most offensive Pokemon do not stay in long enough for the gradually increasing damage to rack up, whereas two layers of Toxic Spikes is generally more useful against defensive teams, since the gradual Toxic damage will prevent bulkier Pokemon such as Slowbro and Umbreon from safely switching in while also putting them on a timer. If the opponent has airborne Pokemon such as Yanmega and Gligar, Steel-types such as Doublade and Durant, or Poison-types such as Roserade and Toxicroak, don't bother setting up Toxic Spikes and just have Dragalge focus on attacking. However, even though Poison-types are able to remove Toxic Spikes, if Dragalge is able to set them up on a Poison-type Pokemon, the Poison-type must switch out into a different Pokemon before being able to remove them. Sludge Wave is usually Dragalge's safest move, since it hits decently hard and does not have any negative stat drops. While Draco Meteor hits extremely hard, it should be used sparingly, since the negative side effects of it can give free switch-in opportunities to Pokemon such as Cresselia and Slowking. If running Choice Specs, note that Dragalge may have to predict carefully if the opponent has Steel- or Fairy-types such as Registeel, Gardevoir, and Diancie, since Pokemon of these types are immune to one of Dragalge's STAB moves. Remember that Z-Moves can only be used once, so it is important to have all Steel-type Pokemon such as Bronzong and Escavalier removed before using Devastating Drake.
Team Options
========
Dragalge fits perfectly on bulky offense or balance teams that appreciate its offensive capabilities and potential Toxic Spikes support. Pokemon such as Gigalith, Gardevoir, and Flygon are able to check Poison-types that may attempt to wipe out Dragalge's Toxic Spikes such as Roserade, Nidoqueen, and Toxicroak. Additionally, Pokemon such as Toxicroak, Flygon, and Moltres can pressure Steel-types like Doublade and Registeel, ensuring that Dragalge will be able to utilize its STAB combination more often. Due to Dragalge's weakness to Ground-types such as Donphan and Rhyperior, Grass-types like Shaymin, Dhelmise, and Chesnaught make good partners. In addition, the aforementioned Grass-types appreciate Dragalge's ability to check Poison- and Fire-types such as Roserade, Rotom-H, and Salazzle. Steel-types such as Escavelier and Bronzong are able to check Psychic- and Ice-types such as Gardevoir and Sneasel, which pressure Dragalge. Dark-types and Pursuit trappers such as Zoroark, Sneasel, Pangoro, and Sharpedo are able to heavily pressure Psychic-types such as Reuniclus and Slowbro. Setup sweepers such as Minior, Doublade, and Flygon as well as late-game cleaners such as Swellow, Yanmega, and Sharpedo appreciate Dragalge's wallbreaking capabilities to weaken bulkier Pokemon such as Jellicent and Cresselia.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
RestTalk can be used to provide Dragalge with a way to both remove status conditions and recover its HP. However, it forces Dragalge to sacrifice two of its coverage options. Icium Z on the defensive set can be used in tandem with Haze, which will allow Dragalge to recover all of its HP once, but it will no longer have a form of recovery after its use. Toxic can be used to badly poison the airborne targets that are immune to Toxic Spikes such as Gligar and Mantine. Shadow Ball allows Dragalge to hit Bronzong for super effective damage, but it has no use outside of that.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Registeel, Bronzong, and Escavalier are resistant to its Dragon-type attacks and immune to its Poison-type attacks, allowing them to switch into Dragalge reliably. Specially frail Steel-types such as Durant and Doublade must be careful when switching into Dragalge's attacks, however, since even a resisted Draco Meteor will heavily damage them or potentially knock them out if Dragalge is offensive. Bronzong takes little damage from Focus Blast, but it must be careful of Scald and Hidden Power Fire.
**Special Walls**: Specially bulky Pokemon such as Cresselia, Snorlax, and Umbreon are able to tank hits from Dragalge's defensive and Dragonium Z sets, but Pokemon such as Jellicent and Mantine can struggle against the sheer power of the Choice Specs set. Pokemon such as Cresselia, Slowbro, and Reuniclus are also able to take advantage of Draco Meteor's stat drops by setting up on Dragalge.
**Faster Pokemon**: While none of them can switch in directly, faster Pokemon with a type advantage such as Flygon, Gardevoir, and Sneasel have the capability to revenge kill Dragalge due to its low Speed. Faster physical attackers such as Honchkrow, Tyrantrum, and Bruxish are also able to revenge kill Dragalge due to its lower Defense stat.
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