Joeyboy
Has got the gift of gab
http://serebii.net/pokedex-bw/219.shtml
[Overview]
- Unique set of Resistances allow it to be a niche wall in RU
- Hindered by many weaknesses to common attacks, such as Rock, Water and Ground
- Susceptiable to all forms of entry hazards and weak to Stealth Rock
- Access to the powerful stat-up move Shell Smash now allows Magcargo to attempt a late game sweep.
[SET]
name: Defensive Snail
move 1: Lava Plume
move 2: Hidden Power Rock
move 3: Recover
move 4: Stealth Rock/ Toxic/ Will-O-Wisp
item: Leftovers
ability: Flame Body
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpDef
[SET COMMENTS]
The moves chosen for this set are rather standard and don't have a lot of room for change.
- Lava Plume: Basic Stab that has a wonderful 30% chance to burn the opponent. This is Magcargo's standard move to attempt to force out or damage the opposition.
- Hidden Power Rock: Secondary Stab. Flying types are some of the few pokemon Magcargo can switch into and it enjoys smacking them with a SE Stab hit.
- Recover: Standard 50% recovery move that all wall's love.
- Stealth Rock/ Toxic/ Will-O-Wisp: The only moveslot that is really up for grabs. If your team needs a SR user Magcargo can fill that role and will love the responsibilty that comes with it. Toxic can be used if your team already has a SR user and Magcargo really enjoys the passive damage Toxic can bring. Will-O-Wisp can be used if you hate only having a 30% burn chance and need an on demand Burn.
[Additional Comments]
While Magcargo has some glaringly awful weakneses he also has a rather unique set of resistances notably to Normal, Flying, Poison and Fire. He can be a fairly reliable check to pokemon who relie on those types to smash through a team; examples include Swellow, Ambipom, Arcanine, Moltres and even Porygon-Z. Using his respectable defenses and unique resistances Magcargo can find a unique niche as a RU wall.
[Other Options]
Magcargo doesn't have many other options. It does have access to other support moves such as Light Screen, Reflect and Heal Bell so it is possible to run either a Dual Screen or Cleric set. Many other Pokemon though can run much more effective versions of these sets. Magcargo is one of the few pokemon who has access to the move Shell Smash. Even though he has low offensive stats; the overpowered nature of Shell Smash can always boost Magcargo into a sweeping role.
[Checks and Counters]
Munchlax is the perfect counter taking very little damage from all of Magcargo's boosted attacks. Also Scarfed pokemon who exceed 348 Speed will be able to revenge kill. Thick Fat Hariyama is also a pretty sure-fire counter. Dugtrio while not common is also a huge thorn in Magcargo's side.
[Dream World]
Magcargo's Hidden ability is Weak Armor, this should be the standard ability on the Shell Smash sweeper set due to Magcargo more often than not taking a hit to activate Shell Smash and then gaining even more speed with Weak Armor. It is useless to the wall set however.