Slowbro (Analysis)

[Overview]

<p>Slowbro returns to UU as a reliable physical wall, checking offensive threats and supporting one’'(no curly apostrophes)s (from here on out, replace all curly apostrophes with ') team with a myriad of moves. As if this weren’t enough, the fifth generation has gifted the Hermit Crab Pokemon with an amazing ability, Regenerator. Now capable of restoring one third of its HP every time it switches out, Slowbro has become an annoyance to take down. This is not all it can do, however, as it has a very usable base 100 Special Attack. With this, Slowbro can hit hard from the special side, specially, while sustaining itself with its physical bulk and recovery. Furthermore, Slowbro can utilize Trick Room to turn the speed hierarchy upside-down and throw sweepers for a loop.</p>

[SET]
name: Tank
move 1: Scald
move 2: Psychic
move 3: Slack Off
move 4: Fire Blast / Toxic
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Bold
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4(space)SpA

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>This set focuses around Slowbro’s physical bulk. Scald is the primary Water-type move, which both hits somewhat hard coming off a base 100 Special Attack and has a 30% chance to burn the opponent. This has the potential to neutralize physical threats that may attempt to break through Slowbro with brute force. Psychic is the best second move for the second slot, as it provides another STAB and hits Fighting-types like such as Heracross and Hitmontop for super-effective damage. Fire Blast rounds off the coverage, hitting steels like such as Registeel, Escavalier, and Cobalion harder than Scald. It can also catch Celebi on the switch, possibly KOing a weakened one. Finally, Slack Off provide Slowbro with reliable recovery to ensure that it can tank multiple hits.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>The given EVs grant Slowbro incredible physical bulk, allowing it to switch into many powerful moves. It can also hit hard from the special side specially with its high-powered STABs attacks. Surf is a viable alternative to Scald if one doesn’t wish to spread burns, and it also keeps Slowbro itself safe from the Synchronize users in UU. In addition, Slowbro can spread status with Thunder Wave or Toxic. Surf is the recommend move with either of these, as one wouldn’t want to burn a target meant to take another status. Ice Beam is an option over Psychic to hit Dragon-types, but the only notable ones are Flygon, whom Slowbro beats anyway, and Altaria, who is uncommon in UU.</p>

<p>Toxic essentially ruins Slowbro, preventing it from staying in for more that than a few turns. While one could get around this by using Regenerator to heal the damage off, partners such as cleric Chansey or Celebi could cure the status directly. Chansey is especially notable, as Slowbro resists the its Fighting weakness.(period) it has.</p>


[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Scald
move 3: Slack Off
move 4: Psyshock / Psychic
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Bold
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252(space)Def / 4 SpA

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>With Calm Mind, Slowbro’s objective changes. This set tries to check threats that would otherwise beat the above set by boosting both Special Attack and Special Defense while maintaining excellent physical bulk. Scald is the main move, as it is receives a STAB boost and hits hard after a few Calm Mind boosts. It also dissuades physical attackers from switching in or cripples by possibly crippling them with a burn, leaving Slowbro to safely set up. Psyshock hits the ubiquitous Chansey, though it is a 4HKO with only one boost. This also allows one to win Calm Mind wars against other set-up sweepers, stopping them from running through one’s own team. Finally, Slack Off provides crucial recovery for Slowbro, since it won’t want to rely on Regenerator to heal its HP.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Toxic Spikes are detrimental to Slowbro, especially because since this variant needs to say stay alive as long as possible without abusing Regenerator. Celebi stops this set cold, as it is able to set up Nasty Plot or Swords Dance in Slowbro’s face and laugh at the its not very effective attacks. Fire Blast or Flamethrower is a are viable moves, but using one means Slowbro will miss out on one of its STAB moves. Surf can be used over Scald for more power. </p>

[SET]
name: Trick Room
move 1: Trick Room
move 2: Slack Off
move 3: Scald
move 4: Psychic / Psyshock
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Relaxed
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef SpD
IVs: 0 Spd Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Slowbro excels at setting up Trick Room thanks to its bulk and its ability, Regenerator. This is because Slowbro will usually be switching This helps Slowbro switch out after it sets up, ensuring that it will have plenty of HP. Scald is used over Surf in this case for the burn chance, which could aid a Trick Room sweeper switching in. Unlike the previous sets, Psychic is preferred because of its higher Base Power, since Slowbro won’t be doing much attacking anyway. Slack Off is useful like as always, giving Slowbro a chance to restore more HP than Regenerator would.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>The EVs here are self explanatory, but a Relaxed nature is used to provide the lowest possible speed. This is also the reason for 0 speed IVs. with a Relaxed Nature and 0 Speed IVs to provide Slowbro with lowest possible Speed. Fire Blast is an option to fry Grass-types, but because since Trick Room Slowbro will often switch out to sweepers, hitting incoming threats is less important. Like always, Surf is an option over Scald for more power.</p>

<p>Counters,(comma) in the standard sense of the word,(comma) don’t apply here. This is because Slowbro generally won’t switch into something that beats it, and will be switching out as soon as it sets up. Teammates should include Pokemon that benefit from Trick Room. For example, Rhyperior can abuse its powerful 140 base Attack without worrying about its middling speed. This is not the only thing that works; Bisharp, Snorlax, and Escavalier, who resists Slowbro’s Bug-type weakness, all enjoy the twisted dimensions.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>Slowbro has a couple of other options from its movepool. Counter can beat Escavalier’s or Choice Scarf Heracross’s Megahorn, but Slowbro already has a bit of a four moveslot syndrome. It can also utilize Choice Specs, but the prevalence of Chansey means it will be forced out constantly. However, if one wishes to use this variant, max HP and Special Attack should be used, with a moveset consisting of Surf, Fire Blast, Psychic or Psyshock, and Grass Knot. Speaking of Grass Knot, the move can be used separately from a Specs set on other sets to hit other bulky Water-types like such as Slowbro, Milotic,(comma) and Suicune. However, in UU, Water-types are usually too bulky for Grass Knot to deal noticeable damage.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>Celebi stops Slowbro very well. While the pixie doesn't particularly enjoy Fire Blasts, it can Recover off the damage and proceed to use Swords Dance, Nasty Plot, or Leech Seed. On a similar note, other Grass-types like such as Roserade and Shaymin can force Slowbro out with Leaf Storm or Seed Flare, respectively. However, Roserade doesn’t enjoy taking Fire- or Psychic-type attacks. Toxic Spikes also ruin Slowbro’s day, so a Rapid Spinner is advised. Hitmontop is a good choice because it resists the Dark- and Bug-type attacks that Slowbro is weak to, and Slowbro resists Psychic, which Hitmontop is weak to. It can also help deal with Chansey, who walls Slowbro to hell and back. However, Chansey won’t like Toxic if it is the last Pokemon on the opponent’s team. The Rotom formes all hit Slowbro hard,(comma) but cannot switch into Scald or Surf. Other Electric-types like such as Jolteon and Zapdos beat it too. For example, Choice Specs Jolteon OHKOs with Thunderbolt,(comma) and has a 50% chance to OHKO with Volt Switch. Lastly, Heracross can come in on many of Slowbro's moves various moves of Slowbro and slam it with Megahorn for about 70%.</p>

[Overview]

<p>Slowbro returns to UU as a reliable physical wall, checking offensive threats and supporting one's team with a myriad of moves. As if this weren’t enough, the fifth generation has gifted the Hermit Crab Pokemon with an amazing ability, Regenerator. Now capable of restoring one third of its HP every time it switches out, Slowbro has become an annoyance to take down. This is not all it can do, however, as it has a very usable base 100 Special Attack. With this, allowing Slowbro to can hit hard with special attacks,(remove) while sustaining itself with its physical bulk and recovery. Furthermore, Slowbro can utilize Trick Room to turn the speed hierarchy upside-down and throw sweepers for a loop.</p>

[SET]
name: Tank
move 1: Scald
move 2: Psychic
move 3: Slack Off
move 4: Fire Blast / Toxic
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Bold
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>This set focuses around Slowbro’s physical bulk. Scald is the primary Water-type move, which hits somewhat hard coming off a base 100 Special Attack and havings a 30% chance to burn the opponent. This has the potential to neutralize physical threats that may attempt to break through Slowbro with brute force. Psychic is the best move for the second slot, as it provides another STAB and hits Fighting-types such as Heracross and Hitmontop for super-effective damage. Fire Blast rounds off the coverage, hitting Steel-types such as Registeel, Escavalier, and Cobalion harder than Scald. It can also catch Celebi on the switch, possibly KOing a weakened one. Finally, Slack Off provide Slowbro with reliable recovery to ensure that it can tank multiple hits.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>The given EVs grant Slowbro incredible physical bulk, allowing it to switch into many powerful moves. It can also hit hard specially with its high-powered STAB attacks. Surf is a viable alternative to Scald if one doesn’t wish to spread burns, and it keeps Slowbro itself safe from the Synchronize users in UU. In addition, Slowbro can spread status with Thunder Wave or Toxic. Surf is the recommend move with either of these, as one wouldn’t want to burn a target meant to take another status. Ice Beam is an option over Psychic to hit Dragon-types, but the only notable ones are Flygon, whom Slowbro beats anyway, and Altaria, who is uncommon in UU.</p>

<p>Toxic essentially ruins Slowbro, preventing it from staying in for more than a few turns. While one could get around this by using Regenerator to heal the damage off, partners such as cleric Chansey or Celebi could cure the status directly. Chansey is especially notable, as Slowbro resists its Fighting weakness. Roserade is another good partner, as it can switch in for free in response to Toxic, or absorb Toxic Spikes that will poison Slowbro. Roserade also resists Electric and Grass, two of Slowbro's weaknesses. </p>


[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Scald
move 3: Slack Off
move 4: Psyshock / Psychic
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Bold
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>With Calm Mind, Slowbro’s objective changes. This set tries to check threats that would otherwise beat the above set by boosting both Special Attack and Special Defense while maintaining excellent physical bulk. Scald is the main move, as it recieives a STAB boost and hits hard after a few Calm Mind boosts. It also dissuades physical attackers from switching in by possibly crippling them with a burn, leaving Slowbro to safely set up. Psyshock hits the ubiquitous Chansey, though it is a 4HKO with only one boost. This also allows one to win Calm Mind wars against other set-up sweepers, stopping them from running through one’s own team. Finally, Slack Off provides crucial recovery for Slowbro, since it won’t want to rely on Regenerator to heal its HP.(You might want to switch this sentence with the one regarding Psyshock, since then you'll be going in the order the moves are listed, but whatever - your call)</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Toxic Spikes are detrimental to Slowbro, especially since this variant needs to stay alive as long as possible without abusing Regenerator. Again, Roserade is a good partner to get around this, absorbed Toxic Spikes and tanking the Electric- and Grass-type moves directed at Slowbro. Celebi stops this set cold, as it is able to set up Nasty Plot or Swords Dance in Slowbro’s face and laugh at its not very effective attacks(already implied that you do piddly damage). Fire Blast or Flamethrower is a viable move to hit Celebi, but using one means Slowbro will miss out on one of its STAB moves. In addition, defensive variants of Celebi will be able to Recover off the damage and strike back. Surf can be used over Scald for more power.(remove space)</p>

[SET]
name: Trick Room
move 1: Trick Room
move 2: Slack Off
move 3: Scald
move 4: Psychic / Psyshock
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Relaxed
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
IVs: 0 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Slowbro excels at setting up Trick Room thanks to its bulk and its ability, Regenerator. Slowbro will usually be switching after it sets up, ensuring that it will have plenty of HP. Scald is used over Surf in this case for the burn chance, which could aid a Trick Room sweeper switching in. Unlike the previous sets, Psychic is preferred because of its higher Base Power, since Slowbro won’t be doing much attacking anyway. Slack Off is useful as always, giving Slowbro a chance to restore more HP than Regenerator would while on the field (just a nitpick, you don't have to add it if you don't find it necessary).</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>The EVs here are self explanatory;(add),(remove) with a Relaxed Nature and 0 Speed IVs to provide Slowbro with lowest possible Speed. Fire Blast is an option to fry Grass-types, but since Trick Room Slowbro will often switch out to sweepers, hitting incoming threats is less important. Like always, Surf is an option over Scald for more power.</p>

<p>Counters, in the standard sense of the word, don’t apply here. Slowbro generally won’t switch into something that beats it, and will be switching out as soon as it sets up. Teammates should include Pokemon that benefit from Trick Room. For example, Rhyperior can abuse its powerful 140 base Attack without worrying about its middling speed. This is not the only thing that works; Bisharp, Snorlax, and Escavalier, who resists Slowbro's Bug-type weakness, all enjoy the twisted dimensions thanks to their low or downright abysmal Speed.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>Slowbro has a couple of other options from its movepool. Counter can beat Escavalier's or Choice Scarf Heracross's Megahorn, but Slowbro already has a bit of a four moveslot syndrome. It can also utilize Choice Specs, but the prevalence of Chansey means it will be forced out constantly. However, if one wishes to use this variant, max HP and Special Attack should be used, with a moveset consisting of Surf, Fire Blast, Psychic or Psyshock, and Grass Knot. Speaking of Grass Knot, the move can be on other sets to hit other bulky Water-types such as opposing Slowbro, Milotic, and Suicune. However, in UU, Water-types are usually too bulky for Grass Knot to deal noticeable damage.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>Celebi stops Slowbro very well. While the pixie doesn't particularly enjoy Fire Blasts, it can Recover off the damage and proceed to use Swords Dance, Nasty Plot, or Leech Seed. On a similar note, other Grass-types such as Roserade and Shaymin can force Slowbro out with Leaf Storm or Seed Flare, respectively. However, Roserade doesn’t enjoy taking Fire- or Psychic-type attacks. Toxic Spikes also ruin Slowbro’s day, so a Rapid Spinner or Poison-type is advised. Hitmontop is a good choice because it resists the Dark- and Bug-type attacks that Slowbro is weak to, and Slowbro resists Psychic, which Hitmontop is weak to. It can also help deal with Chansey, who walls Slowbro to hell and back. However, Chansey won’t like Toxic if it is the last Pokemon on the opponent's team. The Rotom formes all hit Slowbro hard, but cannot switch into Scald or Surf, especially in the case of Rotom-H, who is weak to Scald and Surf. Other Electric-types such as Jolteon and Zapdos beat it too. For example, Choice Specs Jolteon OHKOs with Thunderbolt, and has a 50% chance to OHKO with Volt Switch. Lastly, Heracross can come in on many of Slowbro's moves and slam it with Megahorn for about 70%.</p>