QC: p2, TDK, Hootie
GP: Snobalt, piikachuu
[OVERVIEW]
Amoonguss is a solid pivot in the OU metagame with a defensive typing that allows it to check threats such as Keldeo, Azumarill, Mega Diancie, and Breloom. It possesses an excellent ability in Regenerator, which allows it to heal by switching out rather than using a turn for Synthesis. One of Amoonguss's best traits is that it learns Spore, which is an excellent move to cripple a member of the opposing team with. While Amoonguss is very solid, it has competition as a bulky Grass-type from Mega Venusaur, Ferrothorn, and Tangrowth, which all have more offensive presence. Amoonguss is also extremely slow, and after Spore has been used it can be rather passive and easy to switch into.
[SET]
name: Pivot
move 1: Spore
move 2: Giga Drain
move 3: Clear Smog / Stun Spore
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Foul Play / Sludge Bomb
item: Black Sludge
ability: Regenerator
nature: Bold
EVs: 248 HP / 168 Def / 92 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Spore is a must-have on Amoonguss to cripple one Pokemon on the opposing team, and Giga Drain allows Amoonguss to stay somewhat healthy, while threatening Water-types it naturally checks. Clear Smog removes stat boosts from Pokemon such as Clefable and Serperior, while Stun Spore can be used as a secondary status moves to catch opponents off guard when they think they're safe after Spore has been used. Hidden Power Fire is an option to hit Ferrothorn and Scizor, both of which can otherwise wall Amoonguss, and Foul Play punishes setup sweepers such as Landorus-T and hits Mega Metagross hard. Finally, Sludge Bomb can be used for a stronger STAB move than Clear Smog with a 30% chance to poison the foe.
Set Details
========
248 HP EVs reduce damage from entry hazards and maximize Amoonguss's overall bulk. 92 Special Defense EVs allow Amoonguss to avoid the 2HKO from Choice Specs Keldeo's Icy Wind, while the other EVs are poured into Defense with a Bold nature to better take on Pokemon such as Azumarill, Breloom, and Mega Lopunny. Regenerator allows Amoonguss to heal up upon switching out. Black Sludge is chosen to restore HP and is superior to Leftovers to punish Pokemon that wish to switch items with Trick. An alternate spread of 248 HP / 116 Def / 144 SpD with a Bold Nature can be used to avoid the 2HKO from Life Orb Thundurus's HP Ice with Stealth Rock up.
Usage Tips
========
Switch Amoonguss in on Pokemon such as Keldeo, Serperior, Breloom, and Azumarill early game to force them out. It can also switch into Rotom-W, but Rotom-W can easily bail out with Volt Switch. If Amoonguss switches in on a Volt Switch from Rotom-W, a counter to Amoonguss is likely going to come out, so be careful of this. Utilize Amoonguss as a pivot, double switching out of the things it checks to keep up momentum. Analyze what Pokemon your opponent is most likely to let Amoonguss cripple with Spore, and try to use Spore on something else if possible. Stun Spore should be used as a follow-up after something has been put to sleep with Spore. Double switching with Amoonguss can be important because it can allow certain Pokemon such as Mega Venusaur and Mega Sableye to come in without any repercussion. Amoonguss can also be used as an answer to certain setup sweepers such as Clefable and Mega Altaria thanks to Clear Smog, so be sure to keep it healthy to prevent these Pokemon from sweeping.
Team Options
========
Amoonguss works well on teams with Tyranitar, which resists Psychic-, Flying-, and Fire-type attacks, while Amoonguss can take on Water-, Fairy-, and Fighting-type attacks in return. Amoonguss also checks key threats to sand teams such as Azumarill, Breloom, Celebi, and Keldeo, and Regenerator healing synergizes with this playstyle better than Mega Venusaur's Synthesis does. Water-types such as Slowbro and Rotom-W can check Fire-types such as Talonflame and Heatran, while Slowbro checks Mega Charizard X and Rotom-W checks Tornadus-T. Specially defensive Gastrodon is also a strong check to Fire-types and Tornadus-T, and it checks Mega Alakazam as well. Other Regenerator pivots such as Tornadus-T function well with Amoonguss for momentum purposes. Clefable can take on Latios, many variants of Tornadus-T, and Pokemon such as Kyurem-B and Weavile. Mega Scizor checks Psychic- and Ice-types and can pick off fast threats with its priority Bullet Punch. Heatran can check Psychic- and Flying-types while setting up Stealth Rock and pressuring opposing Grass- and Steel-types. Skarmory can take on powerful Ground-types and many Psychic-types for Amoonguss while being able to remove hazards or set them up. Hippowdon sets up Stealth Rock and checks many Fire-types for Amoonguss such as Talonflame and Mega Charizard X.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Synthesis is an option for recovery, but generally Regenerator is the only healing necessary and Synthesis makes Amoonguss more passive. Toxic can be used to better wear down some switch-ins, but many of them are better targeted by other moves than Toxic. Hidden Power Ice can be used to better wear down some Ground-types such as Landorus-T and Garchomp.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Psychic-types**: Latios, Mega Alakazam, Hoopa-U, Mega Metagross, and Mega Medicham are all capable of OHKOing Amoonguss after Stealth Rock damage and don't particularly mind anything in return except Spore. Mega Gardevoir can tank a Sludge Bomb and 2HKO Amoonguss with Psyshock. Reuniclus can lose its boosts to Clear Smog but still threatens Amoonguss with its super effective STAB moves.
**Flying-types**: Tornadus-T, Talonflame, Mega Aerodactyl, and Mega Pinsir are all very threatening to Amoonguss. Togekiss can also threaten Amoonguss but has to rely on making it flinch. Most of these Pokemon are vulnerable to switching into Stun Spore bar Togekiss, and poison from Sludge Bomb can limit their effectiveness as well, so they should be switched in with caution.
**Fire-types**: Heatran can't really be touched by Amoonguss outside of status moves. Both Mega Charizard formes, Volcarona, and Victini are also capable of OHKOing Amoonguss pretty easily and can take its attacking moves comfortably.
**Mega Venusaur**: Mega Venusaur is bulkier and stronger than Amoonguss, while also being immune to Spore. It can spam Hidden Power Fire or Sludge Bomb to force Amoonguss out.
**Stallbreakers**: Mega Sableye completely shuts down Amoonguss because of Magic Bounce; the only thing Amoonguss can do is try to poison it with Sludge Bomb. Gliscor isn't susceptible to status moves and takes very little damage from Amoonguss's attacks, while Mew can simply use Taunt to annoy Amoonguss to no end.
**Ice-types**: Kyurem-B cleanly OHKOes Amoonguss with Ice Beam and cares very little about its attacking moves. Weavile and Mamoswine can also do a ton of damage but are frailer and can't always take out Amoonguss in one hit.
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