(Quality Control) Accelgor [QC 2/3]

[Pokemazter]

Accelgor

Overview

<p>Accelgor is the fifth fastest amongst all Pokemon, and 2nd fastest Pokemon legal in Underused. This gives Accelgor a unique niche in Underused as a fast Spiker. Because of that sheer speed, it can be considered more reliable than Froslass at getting a layer of Spikes up, as it outspeeds all Taunts bar those from Prankster Sableye and Tornadus-I. It maintains a useable base 100 Special Attack stat with decent coverage options, being able to punish Rapid Spin users that try to switch in on it. However, the rest of Accelgor's stats are deplorable and carries a crippling Stealth Rock weakness. Despite its frailty and huge setback regarding its entry hazard weakness, Accelgor is an underrated threat capable of setting up on many threats while being able to throw its weight around, and should be considered when building offensive teams.</p>

[SET]
name: Suicide Spiker
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Bug Buzz
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Yawn / U-turn / Final Gambit
item: Focus Sash
ability: Sticky Hold / Unburden
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Using Accelgor's high base 145 Speed, this set is designed to guarantee a layer of Spikes on the opponent's field. The given EVs maximize Accelgor's phenomenal Speed while making good use of its base 100 Special Attack, allowing it to do some form of damage to the opposition. Spikes is mostly as to why you'd ever want to use Accelgor, providing excellent team support by removing up to 25% of a grounded opponent's HP if three layers are up. Bug Buzz provides some offensive STAB, dealing sufficient damage to targets such as Shaymin, Weavile, or Azelf. Focus Blast provides decent coverage alongside Bug Buzz, allowing Accelgor to muscle its way through Steel-, Fighting, and Fire-type opponents, such as Registeel, Hitmontop, or Arcanine. The last slot is preference-based, as Yawn can force a switch, giving Accelgor more time to set up a second layer of Spikes. U-turn allows Accelgor to scout the opposing team and give it the chance to deploy Spikes later in the match.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>The choice in Accelgor's ability is a safety preference thing, as Sticky Hold prevents Trick users from breaking Accelgor with ease, while Unburden ensures that Accelgor will be outspeeding anything bar priority moves, almost guaranteeing a second layer of Spikes. However, if Focus Sash fails to activate, so will Unburden. Final Gambit may be considered in the fourth slot, as it allows Accelgor to sacrifice itself against Rapid Spin users, prevent the spin from working, and bring in a Pokemon to check the spinner and thus maintaining the hazards Accelgor worked so hard to set. However, if opting for Final Gambit, Accelgor should run max HP in order to deal as much damage to the opposing spinner as possible. Giga Drain is also a viable option for Accelgor in the fourth slot, as it hits Blastoise for solid damage while keeping Accelgor relatively healthy.<p>

<p>If opting for U-turn in the fourth slot, a Pokemon with access to Rapid Spin, such as Blastoise or Hitmontop, makes for a great teammate, as they prevent multiple layers of hazards from accumulating, which heavily reduces Accelgor's faint staying power. Raikou, Darmanitan, or Zapdos make for good teammates, as they can muscle their way past Prankster Sableye and Prankster Tornadus, who otherwise shut this set down with ease. Because of Accelgor's non-existent defenses, bulkier teammates that can take hits aimed at Accelgor are greatly appreciated. Chandelure or Arcanine can absorb Fire-type attacks aimed at Accelgor, while a generally bulky Pokemon, such as Suicune, Snorlax, or Cofagrigus, can help stomach other hits. Ghost-type Pokemon, such as Cofagrigus, Chandelure, or Mismagius, also make for excellent teammates, as they can block opposing Rapid Spin that would otherwise render Accelgor's efforts useless.</p>

[SET]
name: All-Out Attacker
move 1: Bug Buzz
move 2: Focus Blast
move 3: Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Acid Spray / Giga Drain / U-turn
item: Life Orb / Choice Specs
ability: Sticky Hold
nature: Modest
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Taking advantage of Accelgor's legendary Speed and passable Special Attack, this set transforms Accelgor into a formidable revenge killer capable of forcing switches and catching many walls off-guard. Sticky Hold prevents Knock Off and Trick from removing Accelgor's item, maintaining its offensive prowess. Bug Buzz is STAB, dealing hefty chunks of damage to the Psychic-, Dark, and Grass-type Pokemon, such as Slowbro, Sableye, and Roserade. Focus Blast, while inaccurate, provides great coverage alongside Bug Buzz, nailing the Steel-, Fire-, and Fighting-types, including but not limited to Empoleon, Darmanitan, and Mienshao, that Bug Buzz fails to do solid damage to. Hidden Power Ice allows Accelgor to whittle away at Ground-, Flying, and Dragon-types, such as Flygon, Crobat, and Gligar. The last slot is mostly preference-based. Acid Spray can force switches, forcing the opponent to rack up hazards damage, turning many of Accelgor's 2HKOs into OHKOs. Giga Drain is useful for recovering Life Orb recoil and maintaining Accelgor's survivability. U-turn works well if you opt for Choice Specs, as it allows Accelgor to generate momentum and bring in a formidable check to the opponent's Pokemon.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Energy Ball may be used over Giga Drain, as it offers a slightly bigger punch, but prevents Accelgor from recovering its HP. Despite packing a bigger punch, Accelgor will still find it difficult to get past opponents with saturated HP stats, and appreciates having full entry hazard support from the likes of Rhyperior, Qwilfish, and other hazard layers. Like many special attackers, Accelgor is walled to hell and back by Snorlax and Porygon2, making Mienshao and Cobalion formidable teammates, giving Accelgor more room to sweep with either of the Special Walls removed. Accelgor appreciates being paired up with a Weavile or Chandelure, as it struggles to get past many Ghost-type Pokemon due to its shallow movepool. It also desperately needs Rapid Spin support from either Blastoise or Hitmontop, as its vulnerability to all forms of entry hazard will greatly hinder its ability to open holes in the opposing team.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>Hydration and Rest can be used on teams that include Rain Dance Kingdra or Tornadus, but Accelgor will be hard-pressed to find something to safely Rest against. Moves such as Acid Armor, Encore, Recover, and Substitute all provide half-assed answers to Accelgor's terrible defenses, but due to the offensive nature of the Underused tier, Accelgor will find it next to impossible to make any use out of these moves. Accelgor also has access to Sludge Bomb and the aforementioned Energy Ball, those two being the only other offensive aspects worth noting in Accelgor's shallow movepool.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>Beating Accelgor is extremely easy if Stealth Rock is on the field, as the 25% cut in HP is a death sentence to it, giving even weaker Pokemon the opportunity to KO Accelgor. Snorlax and Porygon2 are exceptionally reliable checks to Accelgor, as their saturated special bulk allows them to tank hits from Accelgor all day while dealing severe damage back. Chandelure and other Ghost-types don't fear any of Accelgor's moves, can switch in with impunity, and deliver hefty amounts of damage via Shadow Ball and other coverage moves. Faster Choice Scarf Pokemon, such as Raikou, Flygon, Darmanitan, and Heracross all outspeed Accelgor and carry strong STAB or coverage moves capable of crushing it. Hitmontop is also a solid check to Accelgor, as it can basically switch in for free and spin away the laid Spikes. However, Hitmontop must watch out for the odd Final Gambit, as it will be OHKO'd.</p>

[Ernesto]

I know that you're not finished with it, but you should give a big mention to Prankster Sableye and Tornadus stopping the Suicide Spiker, since let's face it, they're probably the only things that completely stop that set. Scarfers will prevent it from setting up more than one layer, so of course they're also important stops. That is, supposing you're running it as a Dedicated Lead similarly to Froslass...

[Pokemazter]

Originally Posted by Fat Ernesto

I know that you're not finished with it, but you should give a big mention to Prankster Sableye and Tornadus stopping the Suicide Spiker, since let's face it, they're probably the only things that completely stop that set. Scarfers will prevent it from setting up more than one layer, so of course they're also important stops. That is, supposing you're running it as a Dedicated Lead similarly to Froslass...

I'll add those, as yeah, complete shutdowns. Thanks.

[hilarious]

if i were you i would scrap talking about how you should use a secondary spiker...one or two layers of spikes is fine for most uu teams and its not like any other type of team are running double spikers to make sure they have 3 spikers.

and your offensive set isn't walled to hell by snorlax in fact I bet it would be a decent Snorlax/P2 lure by using Acid Spray+Focus Blast would ko or irreparably harm laxy.

And since the spiker set is obviously going to be the most common you might as well give good lead matches for the checks and counter section like something that can u-turn to break the sash to something that can immediately ko so they are limited to one spikes only. or scarf cincinno C:

[Molk]

Hey Pokemazter, im not really a UU player but i have one small suggestion for this analysis.

I have had a lot of success in various tiers using Final Gambit on my spikes Accelgor, while it may seem kinda crazy/dumb at first, hear me out, Final Gambit serves a very important purpose. By using Final Gambit against a Rapid Spinner, Accelgor can sacrifice itself and thus prevent the opponent from being able to spin that turn, this also provides you with a free opportunity to bring in a pokemon that can immediately threaten the spinner in question or your spinblocker, making it much easier to keep your spikes on the field, i would personally like to see it slashed along with Yawn but an AC mention would be fine too imo.

So what do you guys think? Is final gambit worth it?

[Pokemazter]

Originally Posted by Fat Molk

Hey Pokemazter, im not really a UU player but i have one small suggestion for this analysis.

I have had a lot of success in various tiers using Final Gambit on my spikes Accelgor, while it may seem kinda crazy/dumb at first, hear me out, Final Gambit serves a very important purpose. By using Final Gambit against a Rapid Spinner, Accelgor can sacrifice itself and thus prevent the opponent from being able to spin that turn, this also provides you with a free opportunity to bring in a pokemon that can immediately threaten the spinner in question or your spinblocker, making it much easier to keep your spikes on the field, i would personally like to see it slashed along with Yawn but an AC mention would be fine too imo.

So what do you guys think? Is final gambit worth it?

With max HP, that would peak at 364 damage (only does like 271 with the current spread). The common spinners, Blastoise and Hitmontop, reach 362 HP and 304 HP respectively. Because of how much HP Blastoise actually has, the 244 in HP probably wouldn't be worth it. It really takes away from Accelgor's shallow SpA stat.

I'll let the rest of QC weigh in on this, but from my point of view, running near max HP on Accelgor just seems like a bad idea.

EDIT:

Alright, with the idea of killing off Accelgor to bring in a spinblocker, it works, but if you're going out of your way to either a, predict the switch to the spinner, or b, bring in the spinner that way, why not just switch either beforehand or once the spinner is out? If you could elaborate on this Molk, I'll probably be able to see where you're coming from on this idea.

[NightmareRealm]

just an idea that i tested out. it seemed to work.
why don't you put focus sash with unburden? Unburden will stick work and double
your speed.
I did this with my offensive lead Accelgor with Modest for extra power.

[Pokemazter]

Originally Posted by Fat NightmareRealm

just an idea that i tested out. it seemed to work.
why don't you put focus sash with unburden? Unburden will stick work and double
your speed.
I did this with my offensive lead Accelgor with Modest for extra power.

In theory, doesn't sound like that bad of an idea. However, Sticky Hold prevents moves such as Switcheroo, Trick, or Knock Off (albeit the latter does break the sash regardless) from removing the Sash, whereas Unburden can't prevent that. I'll run this past QC and get their opinions on it.

[cim]

Originally Posted by Fat Pokemazter

With max HP, that would peak at 364 damage (only does like 271 with the current spread). The common spinners, Blastoise and Hitmontop, reach 362 HP and 304 HP respectively. Because of how much HP Blastoise actually has, the 244 in HP probably wouldn't be worth it. It really takes away from Accelgor's shallow SpA stat.

I'll let the rest of QC weigh in on this, but from my point of view, running near max HP on Accelgor just seems like a bad idea.

The damage you do isn't really the point. The point is Rapid Spin fails after you use it, and then you can bring in something like Raikou / Zapdos into Blastoise or a Psychic type into Hitmontop to send them out.

(to be clear: don't invest in HP to use final gambit - just run the attack to stop rapid spin for a turn)

[kokoloko*]

I'd remove the attacking set. If I'm using this in UU, its for Spikes. Also like pif said, scrap talking about a secondary Spiker, you definitely don't wanna waste two slots on that...

You also need to talk more about why you would use this over Froslass (Speed so you can't get Taunted + Final Gambit, mostly). You also definitely want Final Gambit here for reasons stated above, and probably enough HP investment to kill a certain threat--I'm not sure which one yet, so I'll get back at you on that. Ability should not get a tag, btw.

[cim]

I would say it has a niche as an attacker - it's basically a Choice Scarfer in terms of sheer speed but it gets to run Life Orb. Timid Accelgor with Life Orb has the same effective Special Attack stat as Modest Choice Scarf Zapdos, while being almost as fast.

Encore is much better than you made it sound.

[Pokemazter]

Once again, my bugged subscriptions folder didn't notify me when you guys posted. Here's what I got from it:

-Give reasoning why one would use this thing over Froslass
-Final Gambit is a go, just waiting on an HP investment if any
-Remove comment about a secondary spiker

Now regarding the offensive set, cim raised a good point there. It has offensive viability, as it can and does hit like a truck, while having the speed to do so. Unless the majority of QC doesn't want to see the set, I really don't see what's wrong with it in the second spot.

[PK Gaming]

I'll test out the offensive Accelgor set for you (I personally think it has potential, its so fast!)

I'd honestly straight up slash unburden as an ability choice. Both of them provide Accelgor with negligible upsides, but I can see why someone would choose either abilit. Go ahead and mention Final Gambit in AC (this might change to an actual slash after testing) If Final Gambit is used, you should mention running max HP to maximize its effectiveness. On the Suicide Spiker set, feel free to mention Giga Drain in AC to combat Blastoise as a potential rapid spinner. You won't kill it, but you'll do some respectable damage.

Hitmontop needs to be mentioned in checks & counters, because it can kind of switch in for free and spin.

Don't forget to implement the other suggested changes!

[Pokemazter]

Originally Posted by Fat PK Gaming

I'll test out the offensive Accelgor set for you (I personally think it has potential, its so fast!)

I'd honestly straight up slash unburden as an ability choice. Both of them provide Accelgor with negligible upsides, but I can see why someone would choose either abilit. Go ahead and mention Final Gambit in AC (this might change to an actual slash after testing) If Final Gambit is used, you should mention running max HP to maximize its effectiveness. On the Suicide Spiker set, feel free to mention Giga Drain in AC to combat Blastoise as a potential rapid spinner. You won't kill it, but you'll do some respectable damage.

Hitmontop needs to be mentioned in checks & counters, because it can kind of switch in for free and spin.

Don't forget to implement the other suggested changes!

C'est finis. Now for the rest of QC to take a meander at this, erm, mollusc.

[Pokemazter]

Bumping cause there's no reason as to why QC shouldn't have passed this by now.

Even if you guys want Togekiss done first

[RT.]

Give All-Out Attacker Sticky Hold, no idea why you have Hydration listed.

Thanks to the influx of Rain Dance teams that followed the drops of Tornadus and Virizion, a set utilizing Hydration and Rest is now relatively viable.

I would remove this, as it is really misleading. Instead, just mention that Hydration+Rest can be used on teams that include RD Kingdra or Tornadus, but you're most likely not going to get the chance to Rest safely.

[Pokemazter]

Originally Posted by Fat RT.

Give All-Out Attacker Sticky Hold, no idea why you have Hydration listed.

It was put there in case you went up against the rare rain team, and on the chance you got status'd, it would heal. Sticky Hold works better, thinking about it again, so yeah, I'll do that.

I would remove this, as it is really misleading. Instead, just mention that Hydration+Rest can be used on teams that include RD Kingdra or Tornadus, but you're most likely not going to get the chance to Rest safely.

Alright. Done.

[RT.]

Make sure you include why you're using Sticky Hold in AC. (Immunity to Trick and Knock off)

QC Approved 1/3

[Pokemazter]

Originally Posted by Fat RT.

Make sure you include why you're using Sticky Hold in AC. (Immunity to Trick and Knock off)

QC Approved 1/3

Will do that. Thanks.

[Ernesto]

When mentioning the use of Unburden on the Suicide Spiker, I think it's worth noting that your ability only activates if your Sash is broken, meaning if you're attacked and the Sash doesn't activate, you won't be getting the boost—since you could technically get it back up by using Wish / HW / Lunar Dance. This is important because, when facing faster Scarfers, if you aren't brought down to Sash then you won't be able to get a second layer of Spikes.

[Pokemazter]

Originally Posted by Fat Ernesto

When mentioning the use of Unburden on the Suicide Spiker, I think it's worth noting that your ability only activates if your Sash is broken, meaning if you're attacked and the Sash doesn't activate, you won't be getting the boost—since you could technically get it back up by using Wish / HW / Lunar Dance. This is important because, when facing faster Scarfers, if you aren't brought down to Sash then you won't be able to get a second layer of Spikes.

Good point. I'll be sure to mention that.

btw, this makes for my 500th post.

[Pokemazter]

Bumping. Need QC to get on this, shouldn't have taken this long.

[PK Gaming]

Sorry for the delay, I'm cool with everything you have written down.

QC APPROVED (2/3)

[Pokemazter]

Originally Posted by Fat PK Gaming

Sorry for the delay, I'm cool with everything you have written down.

QC APPROVED (2/3)

Alrighty. Thanks PK!

[Pokemazter]

Alrght, this is now written. Have at QC #3 and GP!