Drowzee (Analysis)

[Alchemator]

Status: Needs Proofreading


[Overview]

<p>Of the Psychic-types in Little Cup, Drowzee is probably the most versatile, being able to fulfill many roles for a team - but not all at the same time, or as well as other dedicated Pokemon. While not as offensive as Abra or as defensive as Slowpoke, Drowzee does hold a relative niche in being a physically-inclined Psychic-type, and has an above-average movepool too.</p>

[SET]
name: Subpuncher
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Focus Punch
move 3: Zen Headbutt
move 4: Ice Punch / Reflect
item: Muscle Band
evs: 212 Atk / 76 Def / 196 SpD / 20 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Drowzee most clearly shows its niche with its plethora of physical moves that fellow Psychic-types such as Spoink and Slowpoke do not receive, or cannot use as effectively. Substitute and Focus Punch are the cruxes of this set, with Drowzee finding opportunities to use Substitute against scarved Fighting-typed moves and many other attacks that Drowzee is able to shrug off with its impressive base 90 Special Defense. Once safely behind a Substitute the strategy is simple - pound most of the metagame into oblivion with Focus Punch, and defeat those that resist Focus Punch with the last two moves. Zen Headbutt is a surprisingly powerful move, OHKOing walls such as Koffing and annihilating Croagunk. Ice Punch 2HKOs Gligar, who will not be able to OHKO back with Earthquake. Reflect is a possible option to further sponge physical hits, but generally type coverage gains more precedence.</p>

[Additional Comments]

<p>Drowzee's base 48 Attack isn't astounding, so Muscle Band is recommended to gain the extra power boost that is necessary to secure some KOs. Oran Berry is also an option to turn Drowzee into more of a defensive Pokemon, but the loss in power is noticeable. Life Orb can be used, but it does not gain any significant KOs that Muscle Band does not. As with the Oran Berry, an Impish or Careful nature is also viable to further boost Drowzee's Defense and Special Defense respectively. The other elemental punches are possible replacements for Ice Punch, but should only be used if your team has particular problems with Mantyke or Paras (though Drowzee shouldn't really be staying in on the latter).</p>

<p>20 Speed EVs outspeeds Phanpy and allows for a 2HKO with Ice Punch, the other EVs focus on giving Drowzee as much physical power as possible and increasing its survivability. This Drowzee set in particular pairs well with Croagunk - the former sponging Psychic-type attacks aimed at the poison frog, and Croagunk taking Bug- and Dark-type attacks aimed at Drowzee. They also pair well strategically - Drowzee punching holes with Focus Punch and priority-based Croagunk mopping up the rest with a combination of Fake Out and Vacuum Wave or Sucker Punch.</p>

[TEAM OPTIONS]

<p>Croagunk is a great partner for Drowzee regardless of the set, pairing well through resistances and roles in the battle. Drowzee generally complements anything that is weak to Pokemon such as Scarf Mankey, who cannot touch Drowzee except through U-turn - and even this is weak if Reflect is in effect. While not quite bulky enough to be used as a constant cornerstone or pivot in teams, Drowzee can fulfil this role in times of need. Priority users enjoy Drowzee's ability to punch holes in the opposing team with a well-timed Focus Punch, these include the aforementioned Croagunk, Eevee (who is immune to possible Shadow Balls aimed at Drowzee) and many others.</p>

[Other Changes]

<p>Drowzee has a surprisingly wide movepool, but most of these options tend to be outclassed by other Pokemon. For example, it has access to Nasty Plot and a decent movepool with which to utilise it, but Croagunk tends to perform this role better on a team due to its high Special Attack and access to priority in Vacuum Wave. Drowzee can use both protective screens, but this is often better left to bulkier Pokemon such as Bronzor who has a better typing. Drowzee's status options are also bettered by other Pokemon, though access to Hypnosis - albeit with an unreliable 60% accuracy - is one move that it can boast over Slowpoke.</p>

[Counters]

<p>Drowzee is, oddly enough, quite the tough nut to crack due to its above-average defenses. However, strong attacks in general will overcome the Hypnosis Pokemon because of a lack of consistent recovery that walls such as Gligar can boast. In particular, ghost types such as Gastly and Drifloon cause problems with STAB, super-effective Ghost-type attacks and their access to Trick. Croagunk tends to defeat Drowzee with Dark Pulse or Sucker Punch, but must watch out for Substitute - the same can be said for Stunky. Taunt will hurt most Drowzee sets, nullifies their attempts to use support moves or Substitute to ease prediction with Focus Punch. Generally Drowzee is quite weak offensively if not hitting with a super-effective move, so Pokemon such as Stunky who are immune to Drowzee's STAB Zen Headbutt and take neutral damage from other attacks are good counters.</p>

[umbarsc]

Without real LC experience, one thing that is confusing is that the overview states that Drowsee is a versatile Pokemon, but the analysis only lists one set - and Optional Changes basically says "other Pokemon can do it better". Also, the set comments state:

Drowzee most clearly shows its niche with its plethora of physical moves that fellow Psychic-types such as Spoink and Slowpoke do not receive, or cannot use as effectively.

This is pretty contradictory, so perhaps the overview needs changing. But without having real LC experience, I can't say for certain.

[Alchemator]

Originally Posted by Fat Alchemator

- but not all at the same time, or as well as other dedicated Pokemon.

This is the key part of the overview. Drowzee is a jack-of-all-trades type Pokemon - it can do many things, but not overly well (thus being outclassed by other more specialised Pokemon in some regards).

[Banryu]

No, umbarsc is right, you can't call something versatile when it only has one set listed. =0 If it is a 'jack-of-all-trades' as you claim it is, then you should be able to tell us what else it can do. (At the very least, you could put some moveset skeletons for sets you plan to add in later.)

Also...

However, strong attacks in general will overcome the Hypnosis Pokemon because of a lack of a consistent recovery move.

Is this what you meant? What was originally in that area didn't have the blue words and didn't make much sense.
Also, most LC Pokemon don't worry about having a reliable recovery move because of how quickly everything dies anyway.

[matty]

I would add a Screens set since the one advantage is has over Bronzor is access to Hypnosis.

But otherwise, most of his potential sets are outclassed by things (Sub Punching, Croagunk, Screens Bronzor for the most part). I agree that it is slightly hipocritical to saw something is versatile but only use one example...

[Brammi]

It can run screens, belly drum and trick room. I'm not sure exactly how viable they all are but they all deserve testing at the very least.
As has been already mentioned. you really shouldn't call something versatile and then only have one set.

[Heysup]

Belly Drum --> Slowpoke does it better (obvious reasons: higher stats, better STAB coverage)

Screens --> Abra, Bronzor, and everything else does it better.

SubPunch --> Nothing directly outclasses it. Croagunk can't reliably set up subs on anything with a decent attack stat even if it resists the attack (specifically CC / DP from Mankey / Machop).

This is actually a pretty cool set / analysis, my only suggestion would be to try Muscle Band over Life Orb unless it's needed for some KOes.

[Brammi]

Originally Posted by Fat Heysup

Belly Drum --> Slowpoke does it better (obvious reasons: higher stats, better STAB coverage)

Screens --> Abra, Bronzor, and everything else does it better.

SubPunch --> Nothing directly outclasses it. Croagunk can't reliably set up subs on anything with a decent attack stat even if it resists the attack (specifically CC / DP from Mankey / Machop).

This is actually a pretty cool set / analysis, my only suggestion would be to try Muscle Band over Life Orb unless it's needed for some KOes.

Thanks.
I just wanted to know how viable they all were. It was more the issue with calling it versatile.

[eric the espeon]

Screens+Hypnosis does not seem directly outclassed by anything to me, same for a TR set (even without Hypnosis it'd probably be worth putting up, TR teams want several Pokemon to refresh and Drowzee has nice special bulk). Belly Drum+Hypnosis.. not really worth a set but maybe OC, because you have Slowpoke or Poliwag competing for the spot.

I know Addie had an odd set in his LCF blog, not sure if it is still viable but worth testing:

Drowzee @ Oran Berry
Ability: Insomnia
EVs: 196 HP / 96 SpA / 196 SpD / 20 Spe
Nature: Calm (+SpD, -Atk)

Relevant Stats: 25 HP / 11 Def / 12 SpA / 19 SpD / 11 Spe

- Psychic
- Reflect
- Thunder Wave
- Hidden Power Fire

___

Drowzee is really awesome with this tanking set. Come in on an attacker like Abra, Staryu, or nearly any sweeping Grass-type and Thunder Wave them. Reflect lets you handle physical sweepers, particularly Fighting-types like Machop or Makuhita. Psychic is your main attacking move hitting decently even from Drowzee's low Special Attack, and Hidden Power Fire is for the Steel-types that may come in and attempt to wall you, and also does great damage to Paras, a common switch in who thinks it can Bug Bite you. Most people would think Drowzee with this set is outclassed by Munchlax, but that is not the case due to its status moves, resistances, dual screen support movepool, Insomnia, and higher Speed.

Other usable sets include various variants of this set, some including Hypnosis, Light Screen, or other support moves. Sweeping sets with Nasty Plot can feasibly work with Drowzee's okay Special Attack and good defenses. Calm Mind works in the same way but it turns Drowzee into more of a "sweeping tank" set. Dual Screens are a possibility as well.

Unfortunately, Drowzee is easily countered by Ghost or Dark-type move abusing sweepers, even though it can take a hit from ones like Houndour or Misdreavus. Therefore, it is advised to pair it with something which can take the hits from those Pokemon like Choice Scarf Houndour (who can KO with Hidden Power Ground or Dark Pulse), and a fast Fighting-type like Choice Scarf Machop or Vacuum Wave Croagunk can handle Dark-types.

also, comments.

[sbc]

Have you tried Twave/Hypnosis in that last slot? Twave could be used for flinch hax with Zen Headbutt and Hypnosis is obvious. It just seems like Drowzee is a poke that will struggle to keep a sub up or get one up in the first place with low speed and no ability to really force a switch unless up against Bronzor or something, and they're expecting status attacks.

Even if the other sets are outclassed by other pokemon, I think it's worth putting them in there if they are arguably more effective than the SubPuncher.

[Snorlaxe]

[Overview]

<p>Of the Psychic-types in Little Cup, Drowzee is probably the most versatile, being able to fulfill many roles for a team - but not all at the same time, or as well as other dedicated Pokemon. While not as offensive as Abra or as defensive as Slowpoke, Drowzee does hold a relative niche in being a physically-inclined Psychic-type, and has an above-average movepool, too.</p>

[SET]
name: SubPuncher
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Focus Punch
move 3: Zen Headbutt
move 4: Ice Punch / Reflect
item: Muscle Band
evs: 212 Atk / 76 Def / 196 SpD / 20 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Drowzee most clearly shows its niche with its plethora of physical moves that fellow Psychic-types such as Spoink and Slowpoke do not receive, or cannot use as effectively. Substitute and Focus Punch are the cruxes of this set, with Drowzee finding opportunities to use Substitute against Scarfed Fighting-type moves and many other attacks that Drowzee is able to shrug off with its impressive base 90 Special Defense. Once safely behind a Substitute the strategy is simple - pound most of the metagame into oblivion with Focus Punch, and defeat those who resist Focus Punch with the last two moves. Zen Headbutt is a surprisingly powerful move, OHKOing walls such as Koffing and annihilating Croagunk. Ice Punch 2HKOes Gligar, who will not be able to OHKO back with Earthquake. Reflect is a possible option to further sponge physical hits, but generally type coverage gains more precedence.</p>

[Additional Comments]

<p>Drowzee's base 48 Attack isn't astounding, so Muscle Band is recommended to gain the extra power boost that is necessary to secure some KOs. Oran Berry is also an option to turn Drowzee into more of a defensive Pokemon, but the loss in power is noticeable. Life Orb can be used, but it does not gain any significant KOs that Muscle Band does not. As with the Oran Berry, an Impish or Careful nature is also viable to further boost Drowzee's Defense and Special Defense respectively. The other elemental punches are possible replacements for Ice Punch, but should only be used if your team has particular problems with Mantyke or Paras (though Drowzee shouldn't really be staying in on the latter).</p>

<p>20 Speed EVs outspeeds Phanpy and allows for a 2HKO with Ice Ice Punch. The other EVs focus on giving Drowzee as much physical power as possible and increasing its survivability. This Drowzee set in particular pairs well with Croagunk - the former sponging Psychic-type attacks aimed at the poison frog, and Croagunk taking Bug- and Dark-type attacks aimed at Drowzee. They also pair well strategically - Drowzee punching holes with Focus Punch, and priority-based Croagunk mopping up the rest with a combination of Fake Out and Vacuum Wave or Sucker Punch.</p>

[TEAM OPTIONS]

<p>Croagunk is a great partner for Drowzee regardless of the set, pairing well through resistances and roles in the battle. Drowzee generally complements anyone who is weak to Pokemon such as Scarf Mankey, who cannot touch Drowzee except through U-turn - and even this is weak if Reflect is in effect. While not quite bulky enough to be used as a constant cornerstone or pivot in teams, Drowzee can fulfil this role in times of need. Priority users enjoy Drowzee's ability to punch holes in the opposing team with a well-timed Focus Punch; these include the aforementioned Croagunk, Eevee (who is immune to possible Shadow Balls aimed at Drowzee), and many others.</p>

[Other Changes]

<p>Drowzee has a surprisingly wide movepool, but most of these options tend to be outclassed by other Pokemon. For example, it has access to Nasty Plot and a decent movepool with which to utilise it, but Croagunk tends to perform this role better on a team due to its high Special Attack and access to priority in Vacuum Wave. Drowzee can use dual screens, but this is often better left to bulkier Pokemon such as Bronzor who has a better typing. Drowzee's status options are also bettered by other Pokemon, though access to Hypnosis - albeit with an unreliable 60% accuracy - is one move that it can boast over Slowpoke.</p>

[Counters]

<p>Drowzee is, oddly enough, quite the tough nut to crack due to its above-average defenses. However, strong attacks in general will overcome the Hypnosis Pokemon because of a lack of consistent recovery that walls such as Gligar can boast. In particular, Ghost-types such as Gastly and Drifloon cause problems with STAB, super effective Ghost-type attacks and their access to Trick. Croagunk tends to defeat Drowzee with Dark Pulse or Sucker Punch, but must watch out for Substitute - the same can be said for Stunky. Taunt will hurt most Drowzee sets, nullifying their attempts to use support moves or Substitute to ease prediction with Focus Punch. Generally Drowzee is quite weak offensively if not hitting with a super effective move, so Pokemon such as Stunky who are immune to Drowzee's STAB Zen Headbutt and take neutral damage from other attacks are good counters.</p>

[Age of Kings]

There is no nature listed for the Subpuncher set.

[Dubulous]

Alchemator has informed me that he is no longer working on this analysis. As such, I'm going to lock this and re-open this for claim.