QC: Dundies / galbia / Tone114
GP: Snobalt / GatoDelFuego
[OVERVIEW]
Ampharos faces a lot of competition from other Electric-types in PU; there are faster alternatives such as Zebstrika and Raichu, and Electabuzz already possesses comparable bulk with Eviolite. However, its primary niche that sets it apart from other Electric-types is its access to Heal Bell, which lets it act as a cleric on bulky offensive teams. Additionally, discounting setup and item usage, Ampharos outshines its fellow Electric-types in terms of offensive presence given its higher Special Attack stat. In contrast, its slower Speed stat allows Ampharos to utilize its powerful, STAB-boosted Volt Switch effectively in order to bring frail teammates such as Floatzel and Kadabra in safely. Ampharos's ability Static allows it to spread paralysis, which, when combined with its usable bulk, may make cleaners reliant on contact-based moves such as Choice Scarf Sawsbuck and Choice Scarf Dodrio think twice before attacking it. On the downside, its slow Speed stat works against it as well, which, in addition to its lack of reliable recovery options outside of Rest and Leftovers, leaves it liable to be worn down and KOed. Even considering Ampharos's usable bulk, faster Pokemon with access to super effective coverage moves like Gabite are able to OHKO Ampharos. What's more, it has a limited movepool, which prevents it from fitting onto a wide variety of teams. Finally, despite its good Special Attack stat, it is still walled by bulky Grass-types like Roselia and Gogoat and Ground-types like Stunfisk and Camerupt, even if it runs Hidden Power Ice. Nevertheless, Ampharos is still an alright choice as a cleric for bulky offensive teams that are in need of Heal Bell support.
[SET]
name: Cleric
move 1: Heal Bell
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Hidden Power Ice / Thunderbolt
move 4: Focus Blast
item: Leftovers
ability: Static
nature: Modest
evs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Heal Bell removes crippling status effects from Ampharos and its teammates. Volt Switch is Ampharos's STAB move of choice and serves as a pivoting move to allow frailer teammates to enter the battle safely. Hidden Power Ice hits Ground-types like Vibrava and Gabite, which prevents them from switching into Ampharos for free. Alternatively, Thunderbolt can be used for a stronger Electric-type STAB move that doesn't force Ampharos out, and it scores notable OHKOs on Pokemon such as Lumineon and Vullaby after Stealth Rock damage. Focus Blast grants Ampharos the ability to deal super effective damage to Pokemon that take neutral damage from or resist its pseudo-BoltBeam coverage, such as Audino, Probopass, and Rotom-F.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Special Attack with a Modest nature lets Ampharos hit as hard as possible, and 248 HP EVs allow it to survive powerful attacks from various wallbreakers such as Choice Band Stoutland's Frustration. Leftovers provides Ampharos with passive recovery. Static allows Ampharos to spread paralysis, which can provide support for slower wallbreakers such as Dodrio and Simisage.
Usage Tips
========
Ampharos can be used at any point in a battle and should be brought in on resisted hits in order to remove status from its teammates via Heal Bell. It should use its slow, STAB-boosted Volt Switch in order to gain momentum and bring frail teammates in safely. Ampharos should avoid staying in when threatened by Ground-type moves such as Golem's Earthquake and Camerupt's Earth Power. If your opponent's team carries Pokemon that resist or are immune to Ampharos's Electric-type STAB moves, then it should avoid using Volt Switch and instead use Hidden Power Ice against Ground-types like Vibrava or Focus Blast against targets that resist its pseudo-BoltBeam coverage like Rotom-F on a predicted switch.
Team Options
========
Slower physical attackers such as Stoutland and Machoke enjoy the paralysis support provided by Ampharos's Static, as well as Ampharos's Heal Bell support ridding them of crippling status effects. Ampharos pairs well with Pokemon that can switch into and remove opposing Ground-types, such as Quilladin, Tangela, and Leafeon. Frail teammates like Kadabra, Floatzel, and Simipour appreciate being brought in for free by Ampharos's slow Volt Switch. In return, Floatzel and Simipour are able to threaten out Ground-types and Kadabra can function as a Roselia check for Ampharos. Flying-types such as Jumpluff and Dodrio can KO opposing Grass-types that resist Ampharos's STAB moves. Dodrio and Jumpluff also benefit from Ampharos's Heal Bell. With Sticky Web support from Leavanny, Ampharos can strike grounded targets like Politoed super effectively before being hit and serve as a switch-in to Flying-type attacks for Leavanny in return.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Toxic is a viable alternative that allows Ampharos to wear down opposing Ground-types for its teammates without having to rely on hitting them with Hidden Power Ice. Ampharos is able shift its EV investment from HP to Speed, which allows it to outspeed everything up to Jolly Golem with a Modest nature; however, doing so significantly detracts from its bulk and makes it more difficult to switch into resisted attacks in order to use Heal Bell. Assault Vest increases Ampharos's already sizable Special Defense but disallows the use of Heal Bell, which is the primary reason for using it over other Electric-types. An offensive set with Agility, Life Orb, and a Timid nature allows Ampharos to outspeed common Choice Scarf users like Rotom-F after a boost and strike hard with a combination of Focus Blast, Hidden Power Ice, and Thunderbolt. Discharge is a viable alternative to Thunderbolt, as it has a higher chance to spread paralysis, especially when used in tandem with Static. A combination of Rest and Sleep Talk capitalizes on Ampharos's bulk, but this does not grant it the moveslots it needs to hit both Grass- and Ground-types super effectively if Heal Bell is kept. Choice Specs boosts Ampharos's Special Attack to high levels and allows it to 2HKO Stunfisk with Hidden Power Ice. Hidden Power Water lets Ampharos hit Camerupt and specially defensive Golem harder while still maintaining super effective coverage against Stunfisk. Seismic Toss allows Ampharos to deal significant damage to foes with a lower base HP stat, such as Roselia. Once foes like Roselia and Stunfisk have been removed, Ampharos can use a combination of its other ability Plus and Magnetic Flux to boost its Defense and Special Defense by one level, and it is effective when used together with Toxic Spikes for stalling out the opposing team. While unorthodox, Fire Punch can be used to lure and surprise specially defensive Grass-types such as Roselia on the switch. When holding a Shuca Berry, Ampharos has the ability to lure Gabite, survive Earthquake, and OHKO it with Hidden Power Ice.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Specially defensive Grass-types such as Roselia and Gogoat take minimal damage, even from Hidden Power Ice, and these two are able to beat Ampharos thanks to their access to reliable recovery in Synthesis and Milk Drink, respectively.
**Ground-types**: Specially defensive Ground-types such as Stunfisk, Camerupt, and Trapinch take negligible damage from Ampharos's Hidden Power Ice and are able to deal considerable damage to it in return with Earth Power or in Trapinch's case, Earthquake.
**Special Walls**: Clefairy is able to switch into Ampharos and use this opportunity to set Stealth Rock or boost its Special Attack and Special Defense with Calm Mind. Other Pokemon with naturally high Specially Defense, such as Grumpig, can check Ampharos as well.
**Faster Pokemon with Super Effective Coverage**: Offensive Ground-types like Gabite and Krokorok are able to outspeed and OHKO Ampharos with Earthquake; however, they should be wary of switching into Ampharos directly due to the possibility it might be carrying Hidden Power Ice.
GP: Snobalt / GatoDelFuego
[OVERVIEW]
Ampharos faces a lot of competition from other Electric-types in PU; there are faster alternatives such as Zebstrika and Raichu, and Electabuzz already possesses comparable bulk with Eviolite. However, its primary niche that sets it apart from other Electric-types is its access to Heal Bell, which lets it act as a cleric on bulky offensive teams. Additionally, discounting setup and item usage, Ampharos outshines its fellow Electric-types in terms of offensive presence given its higher Special Attack stat. In contrast, its slower Speed stat allows Ampharos to utilize its powerful, STAB-boosted Volt Switch effectively in order to bring frail teammates such as Floatzel and Kadabra in safely. Ampharos's ability Static allows it to spread paralysis, which, when combined with its usable bulk, may make cleaners reliant on contact-based moves such as Choice Scarf Sawsbuck and Choice Scarf Dodrio think twice before attacking it. On the downside, its slow Speed stat works against it as well, which, in addition to its lack of reliable recovery options outside of Rest and Leftovers, leaves it liable to be worn down and KOed. Even considering Ampharos's usable bulk, faster Pokemon with access to super effective coverage moves like Gabite are able to OHKO Ampharos. What's more, it has a limited movepool, which prevents it from fitting onto a wide variety of teams. Finally, despite its good Special Attack stat, it is still walled by bulky Grass-types like Roselia and Gogoat and Ground-types like Stunfisk and Camerupt, even if it runs Hidden Power Ice. Nevertheless, Ampharos is still an alright choice as a cleric for bulky offensive teams that are in need of Heal Bell support.
[SET]
name: Cleric
move 1: Heal Bell
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Hidden Power Ice / Thunderbolt
move 4: Focus Blast
item: Leftovers
ability: Static
nature: Modest
evs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Heal Bell removes crippling status effects from Ampharos and its teammates. Volt Switch is Ampharos's STAB move of choice and serves as a pivoting move to allow frailer teammates to enter the battle safely. Hidden Power Ice hits Ground-types like Vibrava and Gabite, which prevents them from switching into Ampharos for free. Alternatively, Thunderbolt can be used for a stronger Electric-type STAB move that doesn't force Ampharos out, and it scores notable OHKOs on Pokemon such as Lumineon and Vullaby after Stealth Rock damage. Focus Blast grants Ampharos the ability to deal super effective damage to Pokemon that take neutral damage from or resist its pseudo-BoltBeam coverage, such as Audino, Probopass, and Rotom-F.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Special Attack with a Modest nature lets Ampharos hit as hard as possible, and 248 HP EVs allow it to survive powerful attacks from various wallbreakers such as Choice Band Stoutland's Frustration. Leftovers provides Ampharos with passive recovery. Static allows Ampharos to spread paralysis, which can provide support for slower wallbreakers such as Dodrio and Simisage.
Usage Tips
========
Ampharos can be used at any point in a battle and should be brought in on resisted hits in order to remove status from its teammates via Heal Bell. It should use its slow, STAB-boosted Volt Switch in order to gain momentum and bring frail teammates in safely. Ampharos should avoid staying in when threatened by Ground-type moves such as Golem's Earthquake and Camerupt's Earth Power. If your opponent's team carries Pokemon that resist or are immune to Ampharos's Electric-type STAB moves, then it should avoid using Volt Switch and instead use Hidden Power Ice against Ground-types like Vibrava or Focus Blast against targets that resist its pseudo-BoltBeam coverage like Rotom-F on a predicted switch.
Team Options
========
Slower physical attackers such as Stoutland and Machoke enjoy the paralysis support provided by Ampharos's Static, as well as Ampharos's Heal Bell support ridding them of crippling status effects. Ampharos pairs well with Pokemon that can switch into and remove opposing Ground-types, such as Quilladin, Tangela, and Leafeon. Frail teammates like Kadabra, Floatzel, and Simipour appreciate being brought in for free by Ampharos's slow Volt Switch. In return, Floatzel and Simipour are able to threaten out Ground-types and Kadabra can function as a Roselia check for Ampharos. Flying-types such as Jumpluff and Dodrio can KO opposing Grass-types that resist Ampharos's STAB moves. Dodrio and Jumpluff also benefit from Ampharos's Heal Bell. With Sticky Web support from Leavanny, Ampharos can strike grounded targets like Politoed super effectively before being hit and serve as a switch-in to Flying-type attacks for Leavanny in return.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Toxic is a viable alternative that allows Ampharos to wear down opposing Ground-types for its teammates without having to rely on hitting them with Hidden Power Ice. Ampharos is able shift its EV investment from HP to Speed, which allows it to outspeed everything up to Jolly Golem with a Modest nature; however, doing so significantly detracts from its bulk and makes it more difficult to switch into resisted attacks in order to use Heal Bell. Assault Vest increases Ampharos's already sizable Special Defense but disallows the use of Heal Bell, which is the primary reason for using it over other Electric-types. An offensive set with Agility, Life Orb, and a Timid nature allows Ampharos to outspeed common Choice Scarf users like Rotom-F after a boost and strike hard with a combination of Focus Blast, Hidden Power Ice, and Thunderbolt. Discharge is a viable alternative to Thunderbolt, as it has a higher chance to spread paralysis, especially when used in tandem with Static. A combination of Rest and Sleep Talk capitalizes on Ampharos's bulk, but this does not grant it the moveslots it needs to hit both Grass- and Ground-types super effectively if Heal Bell is kept. Choice Specs boosts Ampharos's Special Attack to high levels and allows it to 2HKO Stunfisk with Hidden Power Ice. Hidden Power Water lets Ampharos hit Camerupt and specially defensive Golem harder while still maintaining super effective coverage against Stunfisk. Seismic Toss allows Ampharos to deal significant damage to foes with a lower base HP stat, such as Roselia. Once foes like Roselia and Stunfisk have been removed, Ampharos can use a combination of its other ability Plus and Magnetic Flux to boost its Defense and Special Defense by one level, and it is effective when used together with Toxic Spikes for stalling out the opposing team. While unorthodox, Fire Punch can be used to lure and surprise specially defensive Grass-types such as Roselia on the switch. When holding a Shuca Berry, Ampharos has the ability to lure Gabite, survive Earthquake, and OHKO it with Hidden Power Ice.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Specially defensive Grass-types such as Roselia and Gogoat take minimal damage, even from Hidden Power Ice, and these two are able to beat Ampharos thanks to their access to reliable recovery in Synthesis and Milk Drink, respectively.
**Ground-types**: Specially defensive Ground-types such as Stunfisk, Camerupt, and Trapinch take negligible damage from Ampharos's Hidden Power Ice and are able to deal considerable damage to it in return with Earth Power or in Trapinch's case, Earthquake.
**Special Walls**: Clefairy is able to switch into Ampharos and use this opportunity to set Stealth Rock or boost its Special Attack and Special Defense with Calm Mind. Other Pokemon with naturally high Specially Defense, such as Grumpig, can check Ampharos as well.
**Faster Pokemon with Super Effective Coverage**: Offensive Ground-types like Gabite and Krokorok are able to outspeed and OHKO Ampharos with Earthquake; however, they should be wary of switching into Ampharos directly due to the possibility it might be carrying Hidden Power Ice.
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