Bonsly (Analysis)

[Overview]

<p>Bonsly is by no means bad,bad; it just has no place in Little Cup. One might say that it is completely outclassed by Geodude, who has higher Speed, access to Stone Edge and Earthquake (both of which Bonsly lacks), and a better physical movepoolmovepool, with powerful moves such as Superpower. Bonsly does, however, haveBonsly's pure Rock typing, which keepshowever, leaves it away fromless vulnerable to the ample amount ofmany weaknesses given by Geodude's Rock /and Ground Pokemon must deal with. It also hastyping. Its Attack is high enough Attack to sweepsweep, and its even higher Defense gives it takes advantage of when settingopportunities to set up, traits other pure RockRock-type Pokemon such as Nosepass and Roggenrola lack. Bonsly even has Rock Head, which makes Double-Edge a good attacking move. Ultimately, if your team supports Bonsly enough, it can destroy theyour opponent's team whole.</p>whole team.</p>

[SET]
name: Rock Polish
move 1: Rock Polish
move 2: Double-Edge
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Brick Break
item: Life Orb
ability: Rock Head
nature: Adamant / Jolly
EVs:evs: 116 HP / 196 Atk / 196 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>The general consensusstrategy with any Rock Polish set is to come in on something that can be scared away and then set up. Bonsly is a prime example of a Pokemon who can do this with its high Defense stat. TheFurthermore, the popularity of Choice Scarf Flying-type Pokemon on every team means Bonsly can easily come in and set up with all butjust a scratch.</p>

<p>Believe it or not, sincebecause Bonsly lacks Stone Edge, Double-Edge is its best Attacking move, asmove; its 120 Base Power trumps Rock Slide's average power of 112 with112—with STAB and accuracy factored in. Due to Bonsly's ability Rock Head ability, itHead, the recoil from Double-Edge will be suppressed, allowallowing it to sweep effectively without losing too much HP. Rock Slide is a secondary attacking move used for its coverage and high 30% flinch rate of 30%.rate. Outside of these two moves, Bonsly doesn't have anything else that's strongany other powerful options, barring Explosion and Selfdestruct, so Brick Break is used for its coverage. With an Adamant nature, Brick Break has a 99.41% chance of 2HKOing standard Ferroseed, so switch-ins are doomed if you predict well. With an Adamant nature, however, Bonsly is outsped by Snover and Magnemite holding Choice Scarf, two opponents that Bonsly can beat by outspeeding. Because of this, a Jolly nature is an option if your team has trouble with the aforementioned threats. While Jolly Bonsly has a minuscule chance (less than 3%) of 2HKOing Ferroseed with Brick Break, it will always outspeed all Snover, and it will at least tie with Jolly Choice Scarf Magnemite. </p>

<p>If your team has a Steel trapper, you can use Sucker Punch with an Adamant nature in the last slot. This is good for both revenge killing and beating Choice Scarf Gastly before it can use Hidden Power Fighting. Explosion is another option to go out with a bang.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Eviolite is an option to improve Bonsly's already impressive Defense stat and make its Special Defense usable, but your team will need lots of entry hazards to make up for the lost power. Bonsly has access to Dig, which can be useful to hit both Poison- and Steel-types, but it is very easy to predict on.work around. Fortunately, Bonsly beats any Flying-type Pokemon not named Mantyke, Wingull, or Ducklett, so it isn't too much of a loss.</p>

<p>Slowpoke is a good teammate to wall Fighting-type Pokemon. Cottonee is another good teammate; it has excellent synergy with Bonsly and can give it time to set up viawith Encore. Users of entry hazards, namely Spikes to hit Steel-type Pokemon harder, are very good teammates, especially if Bonsly has a Jolly naturenature, as they make a 2HKO on Ferroseed guaranteed.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>Choice Band and Eviolite sets are okaydecent item choices, depending on what set Bonsly is running. A Curse set in the sandstorm with Curse, Rest, Sleep Talk, and Rock Slide in the sandstorm not only makes up for Bonsly's mediocre Special Defense, but boosts its already excellent Defense and great Attack stats. Stealth Rock is a good support move, but Ferroseed and Lileep outclass Bonsly in terms of support. Using Sturdy and Flail together is an interesting strategy, as Sturdy will leave Bonsly at 1 HP, making Flail do massive amounts of damage. Lastly, Magic Coat, Toxic, and Copycat are very obscure, situational moves that might have some use if you're lucky.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>Slowpoke takes Bonsly's hits easily and can OHKO it with Surf. Choice Scarf Pawniard and Choice Scarf or bulky variants of Chinchou OHKO Bonsly with super effective STAB moves. Any Fighting-type is a good check to BonslyBonsly, as thethey resist Rock Slide and can OHKO with almost any STAB move. Grass-types share the same case,trait, though they will have a hard time switching in. Lastly, entry hazards make Bonsly'sgreatly increase the amount of residual damage amounts really high, which meansBonsly takes, meaning it can easily faint from Life Orb recoil or Double-Edge recoilrecoil, depending on its ability.</p>

[Dream World]

<p>Bonsly receives Rattled from the Dream World. Rattled is pretty a pretty cool ability to help Bonsly's bad Speed; if you're not using Double-Edge, itsit is Bonsly's best ability.</p>