Dewgong (Anti-Lead)

Dewgong is most commonly seen as a Hydration abuser and supportive Pokemon (if it is ever seen), and Drizzle Politoed will probably cause a rise in Dewgong's HydraRest set. However, this moveset uses Dewgong's just-good-enough defenses and decent movepool to wreck opposing UU leads.


The Attack EVs are for hitting harder. The HP and Defense investment leaves Dewgong with 3% HP after taking a Fake Out and Low Kick from the standard LO Jolly Ambipom.

You can't do anything on the Fake Out turn against Ambipom, but Avalanche OHKOs on Turn 2. Afterward, feel free to Encore, attack, or switch after the next Pokemon comes in.

Alakazam is just begging to be Avalanched and finished with priority.

Against defensive leads, try to encore Stealth Rock or another non-damaging move. If you want to be really gutsy, you can gamble by Encoring an attack to help another Pokemon set up.

Lum Berry is the best item choice because it helps beat sleep leads by allowing Avalanche to hit. For example, Avalanche does 64.3%-75.8% damage to 252/252 Bold Venusaur. And when was the last time a Scarfed Venusaur lead had that spread and nature? Assuming the Choice Scarf set already listed on Smogon, Avalanche is a guaranteed OHKO. Beside beating sleep leads, Lum Berry is nice for absorbing sleep midgame.

Thick Fat helps Dewgong survive a few more Fire Blasts and Surfs, and can be handy for switching in midgame on a bulky Water (and then Encoring Toxic). On the other hand, with Drizzle Politoed around, Rain is much more common than before, so Hydration becomes a somewhat useful ability.

How can Politoed help without Drizzle?

Drizzle Politoed does not exist in the fourth generation. Also, this loses to just about every common UU lead. I think I can reject this based on the fact you have obviously not tested this since you're mentioning 5th gen Pokemon.