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Wartortle
[Overview]
<p>In a tier full of NFE Pokemon, Wartortle looks like one of those average NFE Pokemon that ought to get little use. However, there is one trait of Wartortle's that makes it a great Pokemon in the NU tier: Rapid Spin. With only a handful of good spinners in the tier, Wartortle shows it has what it takes to spin time and time again. Wartortle is also very bulky, with 59 / 80 / 80 defenses boosted further by Eviolite, meaning that it can switch into attacks time and time again. Couple this with only two weaknesses thanks to its Water typing, and it's easy to see why Wartortle is such a great spinner.</p>
<p>However, Wartortle is in NU for a good reason; Wartortle lacks offense. One might wonder why this is important: since Wartortle has no offense whatsoever, it's massive set up fodder for any Pokemon that takes little from its Water STAB, such as Mesprit and Torterra. Also, Wartortle lacks reliable recovery and has to rely on the unreliable Rest to recover health, making it even easier to set up on. To make Wartortle's day even worse, it lacks Roar, meaning it can't even phaze Pokemon that try to set up on it. Nevertheless, if you're in need for a reliable spinner, Wartortle is a great Pokemon to look to.</p>
[SET]
name: Rapid Spin
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Scald / Seismic Toss
move 3: Haze
move 4: Yawn / Toxic
item: Eviolite
ability: Torrent
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This is the only viable set Wartortle can use, though it plays an important role on any team it's used on: removing entry hazards. As such, Rapid Spin is obvious for its immense team support, especially to Pokemon weak to Stealth Rock such as Magmortar and Altaria. Both of the moves in the second slot are geared towards the same purpose: preventing Wartortle from becoming Taunt bait. Scald has STAB and a lovely burn chance, which lets Wartortle better take physical hits. On the other hand, Seismic Toss ensures reliable damage, preventing Pokemon such as Mesprit and Absol from setting up a Substitute on it. However, it leaves Wartortle walled by Ghost-type Pokemon. Haze takes away any stat boosts the opponent might have gained, which is useful against the likes of Absol and Gorebyss, and also provides a full stop to Baton Pass teams lacking a Taunt user. Yawn is a great way to stop Pokemon from setting up on Wartortle and forces switches, which is great as it checks Ghost-types coming in to spinblock. Toxic, on the other hand, provides Wartortle with a way to cripple other defensive Pokemon, such as Lickilicky and Audino.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread is standard for a bulky Pokemon: maximum HP EVs optimizes Wartortle's bulk, while maximum Special Defense investment lets Wartortle take advantage of its resistances to Water, Fire, and Ice, which are usually seen in the form of special attacks. However, a physically or mixed defensive set are also viable, thanks to Wartortle's balanced defenses. Rest can be used in the last slot if Wartortle is paired with a dedicated cleric, such as Misdreavus or Lickilicky. Foresight is another option, as it ensures that not even Ghost-type Pokemon can prevent it from spinning, but Yawn fulfills a similar purpose and is also effective against non-Ghost-types.</p>
<p> As Wartortle's job is to get rid of entry hazards, Pokemon that appreciate a clear field are great teammates. Magmortar, Altaria, and Butterfree all enjoy the lack of entry hazards in play, and all can take care of Grass-type Pokemon that bother Wartortle. Shedinja gets a special mention, as not only does it take care of Grass-type Pokemon with its Bug-type STAB, it also deals with Electric-type Pokemon as well thanks to Wonder Guard. Shedinja also loves having entry hazards removed as it has only 1 HP. Torterra is another fine teammate who easily switches into Electric-type attacks and has great physical bulk, which complements this specially bulky Wartortle. Torterra can also set up Stealth Rock and KO Electric-type Pokemon such as Ampharos and Raichu. Beware of Life Orb Magmortar though, as it can KO both members of this core easily if Wartortle isn't using Scald.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Wartortle does have a few other options hidden in that shell. Refresh can be used to cure status, but Rest is better in general, as it also replenishes Wartortle's HP. Mirror Coat, which doubles back damage special attackers deal to Wartortle, can be effective but is situational. Wartortle can use Rain Dish and Rain Dance to support a rain team and make use of rain itself. Speaking of Rain Dish, Rain Dish + Aqua Ring ensures that Wartortle gains a huge amount of health every turn in rain.</p>
<p>As for attacking options, Aqua Jet and Fake Out are both decent priority options, as they pick off weakened Pokemon such as Sawk and Absol. However, Wartortle's base 63 Attack means that these attacks are very weak, so they shouldn't be used unless one likes the priority. Ice Beam can be used to hurt Grass-types such as Torterra and Tangela, but as Wartortle's Special Attack is ridiculously poor, they can beat Wartortle anyways. Water Spout would work if Wartortle was both faster and stronger, but its main job should be to get rid of entry hazards. In short, offensive moves on Wartortle are wasted; look to another Pokemon for attacking.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p> As Wartortle's main job is to spin entry hazards, countering it isn't too difficult. Mesprit can easily set up a Substitute on variants lacking Seismic Toss or Haze, proceed to Calm Mind, and become a huge threat after several boosts. Gorebyss can also easily set up on Wartortle, who only has a handful of ways to retaliate: by using Haze as Gorebyss Shell Smashes, or by using Mirror Coat as it attacks. Torterra can force Wartortle out with the threat of Wood Hammer, or set up a Rock Polish and sweep from there. Ghost-type Pokemon such as Misdreavus can switch into a Rapid Spin and support their own teams with Heal Bell or Will-O-Wisp. Frillish and Shedinja, while rare, are full Wartortle stops; as both are immune to both of Wartortle's attacking options and Rapid Spin, they make Wartortle look silly. However, Yawn will be very annoying for all these three Pokemon, as they don't like being asleep. Basically, any Pokemon that is resistant to Scald can easily stop Wartortle, but if you don't pack a Ghost-type Pokemon, Wartortle will always achieve its goal of spinning away entry hazards.</p>