http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/nidoqueen
[SET]
name: Tank
move 1: Toxic Spikes
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Ice Beam / Fire Blast
move 4: Taunt / Roar / Stealth Rock
item: Leftovers
ability: Poison Point
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 244 Def / 12 SpA
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Nidoqueen is one of few viable Toxic Spikes users in OU, and also makes a good switch-in against top tier attackers like Tyranitar, Lucario, Jolteon, Scizor, and Heracross. Her ability to absorb Toxic Spikes on switch-in is one shared with only two OU Pokemon, and is especially helpful to stall teams. The use of this set is to switch in on one of the aforementioned Pokemon or on a slower defensive Pokemon and set up Toxic Spikes. Earth Power hits grounded Steel-types such as Metagross, Lucario, and Heatran, and provides reliable STAB. Using it over Earthquake has a few notable advantages, including the fact that it hits Metagross, Scizor, Forretress, and most Jirachi harder, and that it prevents splitting EVs between the attacking stats. Earthquake is a viable option, however, given it hits Tentacruel and Tyranitar harder. Ice Beam has nice synergy with Earth Power because it OHKOs Ground-immune Pokemon like Salamence and Gliscor. Fire Blast is a good alternative in the third slot, though, since it OHKOs Scizor and Forretress and 2HKOs Skarmory.</p>
<p>The last slot is best used for support; Taunt prevents slower Pokemon like Skarmory and Blissey from setting up, while Roar allows Nidoqueen to make use of Toxic Spikes. There are a few other mentionable options in the last slot, namely Thunderbolt for Gyarados, Stealth Rock, or Super Fang for bulky Pokemon. An alternative is to forego one of the support moves and use both Fire Blast and Ice Beam on the set.</p>
<p>Nidoqueen always wants be physically bulky enough to compensate for her comparably low Defense stat in OU, so full investment is required. The 12 Special Attack EVs give Nidoqueen enough power to always 2HKO 252 HP Metagross with Earth Power while Stealth Rock is set (she needs 56 EVs to 2HKO otherwise). Using a Lum or Shuca Berry isn't a bad idea should you be using this set as a lead; Nidoqueen will be able to set up Toxic Spikes without fear of Earthquakes from Metagross or Swampert with Shuca Berry, or can take a sleep then Taunt a Roserade or Smeargle lead with the Lum Berry. Poison Point is always the preferred ability because Rivalry will likely cut Nidoqueen's already mediocre attacking stats. Poison Point also has the chance of poisoning Gyarados, Salamence, Gliscor, and other threatening attackers before they KO you.</p>
<p>When using Nidoqueen, you always want to take full advantage of Toxic Spikes. The most notable use for Toxic Spikes is wearing down bulky Waters, Tyranitar, Celebi, and Blissey; Pokemon who can take advantage of these Pokemon being weakened are great partners. Some ideas are Agility Empoleon, Choice Specs Kingdra, Heatran, and Calm Mind Latias and Jirachi. Grass-types make great partners to Nidoqueen because they resist two of Nidoqueen's four weaknesses in Water and Ground and can let Nidoqueen sponge Poison and Bug-type attacks directed at them. Celebi is especially effective because it resists Psychic-type attacks, and counters Gyarados (who can set up on Nidoqueen without Thunderbolt). STAB Ice-type attacks are rare in OU; however, pairing Nidoqueen with a Steel- or Water-type is a good safety measure.</p>
<p>A spin blocker is highly necessary so Nidoqueen's spiking attempts do not go to waste. It is even better if the Ghost is immune to Ground-type attacks that threaten Nidoqueen. The Rotom formes are a fantastic choice because their STAB Thunderbolt wards off Water-types who get an easy switch in on Nidoqueen. Rotom-H and Rotom-C are especially useful because they can beat Forretress and Swampert respectively. In addition, it's good to scout the opponent's team before setting up Toxic Spikes to make sure your opponent isn't carrying a grounded Poison-type; this shouldn't be too difficult considering there are only two in OU.</p>
[SET]
name: RestTalk
move 1: Rest
move 2: Sleep Talk
move 3: Toxic Spikes
move 4: Earthquake
item: Leftovers
ability: Poison Point
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This Nidoqueen has an easier time sticking around to set up and absorb Toxic Spikes and consistently wall physical attackers. This set is more suited towards a stall or largely defensive team, as most semi-offensive teams don't want one of their key members snoozing on the job. Rest and Sleep Talk are the most reliable form of recovery for Nidoqueen, but unfortunately also take up two moveslots and leave her half disabled for two turns. Being asleep for a couple of turns isn't really trouble for Nidoqueen given her good defenses, but cutting down her choice of moves will often leave her walled by specific dangerous threats (mostly Salamence and Gyarados). Earthquake is probably the most reliable choice for Nidoqueen given the STAB bonus it receives, however there are a few alternatives; Ice Beam allows Nidoqueen to effectively wall Breloom since Spore won't bother Nidoqueen as much, and also hits Dragon-types who are eager to set up on this set. Roar isn't a terrible choice either, since it prevents any Pokemon from setting up on Nidoqueen and allows her to make use of Toxic Spikes. Should you go with a special move, switch the nature to Bold.</p>
<p>As previously mentioned, Nidoqueen has trouble with Pokemon who resist or are immune to her attacking move. Immediately noticeable about Pokemon who are immune to Earthquake is that they are weak to Stealth Rock; setting Stealth Rock before Nidoqueen sets up helps with Gyarados and Salamence problems and works with Toxic Spikes in wearing down opponents. Other forms of residual damage like Spikes and damage-inducing weather (Nidoqueen works well on both sandstorm and hail teams) are good choices too. Specific Pokemon who work well with Nidoqueen are Skarmory, who can set up Spikes and also resists or is immune to Ground- and Psychic-type attacks and can let Nidoqueen switch in on Electric-type attacks, Celebi to take on Water-types and wear the opponent down with Leech Seed, and Ghost-types to prevent Rapid Spin from ruining Toxic Spikes.</p>
[Team Options]
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[Other Options]
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[Opinion]
<p>Nidoqueen has the niche of Toxic Spikes in OU, which catapults her usability. She also happens to be one of few defensive Pokemon who resists Fighting while also not being weak to Rock or Dark, making her a solid counter to Fighting-types like Lucario, Heracross, and Machamp. On the downside, Nidoqueen's defensive stats are very low for any Pokemon competing in OU, especially one without instant recovery. As long as you are careful and never pit her in a losing battle versus a Water- or Ground-type, Nidoqueen's ability to switch in on physical attackers and set up Toxic Spikes will not often disappoint.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Any Pokemon who is immune to Ground-type attacks and by default Toxic Spikes is usually a good switch-in to Nidoqueen. Gliscor, Salamence, Flygon, and Gyarados can even threaten with a super effective Earthquake or set up on Nidoqueen. Rotom-a does a good job as well because it can switch in on any of Nidoqueen's attacks, burn her with Will-O-Wisp, then bludgeon her with Shadow Balls or other special attacks. Some other OU Pokemon who can switch in freely and not be threatened are Celebi, Dragonite, Gengar, Togekiss, and Zapdos, who all are either resistant or immune to Ground-type moves and can threaten Nidoqueen offensively. Skarmory and Bronzong can switch in on Nidoqueen all day and simply set up, although Fire Blast variants are trouble. Bulky Water-types like Vaporeon, Suicune, and Swampert take negligible damage from all of Nidoqueen's attacks and can threaten her with their Water STAB, although all three will be easily worn out by Toxic Spikes over the period of battle.</p>
<p>Using a Rapid Spinner or several Toxic Spikes immune Pokemon on your team are good ideas should you be having Nidoqueen problems, although that is unlikely; most OU Pokemon can take on Nidoqueen 1-on-1, and she will only find easy switch-ins on specific physical attackers like Fighting- and Rock-types.</p>
