Taken over from Bowtie Addo
Audino
QC: 2/3 (boltsandbombers, Blastral)
GP: 0/2
Overview
########
As the bulkiest Pokemon in all of the NU tier, Audino is very difficult to wear down, walling the vast majority of all unboosted attackers. Audino can also act as a lure to its defensive checks thanks to its Mega Evolution's usable Special attack, as well as its access to Calm Mind and various coverage moves such as Fire Blast and Psychic. This allows Audino to surprise past Steel- and Poison-types such as Klinklang and Weezing effectively. However, Audino's reliance on status moves means it is easily shut down by Taunt or Encore users; even its offensive set struggles due to it being extremely weak without a Calm Mind boost. Moreover, Audino's poor immediate power makes it setup bait for various Pokemon. While Mega Audino has much more bulk and a better defensive typing than its base forme, it also loses Regenerator. This makes Mega Audino much less reliable at passing Wishes throughout the battle than its base forme. Nonetheless, being the bulkiest Pokemon in the metagame, possessing a great defensive typing, having reliable recovery, and being the perfect answer to Knock Off users make Audino a must-use on any defensive team.
Defensive Calm Mind
########
name: Defensive Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Dazzling Gleam
move 3: Rest / Wish
move 4: Sleep Talk / Fire Blast / Heal Bell
ability: Regenerator
item: Audinite
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
nature: Bold
Moves
========
Calm Mind increases Audino's Special Attack and Special Defense, allowing it to hit harder and tank special attacks more easily. Dazzling Gleam is a reliable STAB attacks that hits Dark- and Fighting-types such as Gurdurr and Sneasel for solid damage. Rest gives Audino immediate recovery and heals any status ailments, while Wish can be used to heal teammates and not put Audino to sleep. Sleep Talk ensures that Audino can still attack or set up Calm Mind after it uses Rest. Fire Blast lets Audino get past Steel-types such as Magneton, Ferroseed, Klinklang, and Mawile; the move also hits Poison-types harder than Dazzling Gleam does. If not running Rest, Heal Bell allows Audino to get rid of status conditions that threaten its ability to stay in and set up.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Defense investment is necessary to increase Audino's mixed bulk; because it will already be boosting its Special Attack and Special Defense through Calm Mind, it does not need investment in those areas. Audinite Mega Evolves Audino, giving it an incredible defensive typing and extremely high bulk. Regenerator is the preferred ability prior to Mega Evolving because it allows Audino to stay healthy early in the game.
Usage Tips
========
In the early-game, use Audino to pivot into weak attacks and status moves from the likes of Seismitoad, Regirock, Lanturn, and Quagsire; Audino can easily keep itself healthy with Regenerator and either Rest or Heal Bell. Don't Mega Evolve Audino until you have to because Audino will lose its access to Regenerator, limiting the amount of times it can pass Wishes to teammates. Be sure opposing Poison- and Steel-types have been sufficiently weakened before setting up with Calm Mind, especially if not running Fire Blast. Once they have been sufficiently weakened, feel free to Mega Evolve, then set up against Pokemon that cannot 2HKO Mega Audino, such as Seismitoad, Vileplume, Hariyama, and Sneasel.
Team Options
========
Fire- and Fighting-types such as Magmortar and Sawk will deal serious damage to the Steel-types that threaten Audino. Sawk can also lure in Poison-types and KO them with Earthquake or Zen Headbutt. Calm Mind Psychic-types such as Uxie, Xatu, and Musharna can use Steel-types as setup bait and wear them down so that Audino does not have to worry about them. Ground-types such as Seismitoad, Quagsire, and Rhydon wall Steel- and Poison-types and can force them out. Bug- and Dark-types such as Scyther, Vivillon, Sneasel, and Malamar threaten Calm Mind Psychic-types; this is important because Calm Mind Psychic-types will beat Audino in Calm Mind wars thanks to Psyshock. Ferrothorn walls Steel- and Poison-types and can also set entry hazards, wearing down the opposing team so that Audino can finish its foes off. Defensive Poison-types, particularly Garbodor and Weezing, can wall physical attackers and set Toxic Spikes to help Audino stall out its foes. Once Mega Evolved, Audino is more easily worn down due to its lack of Regenerator, so entry hazard removers such as Mantine, Pelipper, and Claydol can help keep Audino healthy as it switches in.
Offensive Calm Mind
########
name: Offensive Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Dazzling Gleam
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Psychic / Surf
ability: Regenerator
item: Audinite
evs: 172 HP / 252 SpA / 84 Spe
nature: Modest
Moves
========
Calm Mind boosts Audino's Special Attack and Special Defense, making it a powerful bulky attacker. Dazzling Gleam is a reliable STAB attack that has good coverage against the Dark- and Fighting-types of NU. Fire Blast hits Steel-types such as Klinklang and Mawile for massive damage, preventing them from forcing Audino out of the battlefield; the move also hits bulky Grass-types such as Vileplume, Tangela, and Gourgeist hard. Psychic hits Poison-types such as Garbodor and Muk that resist Dazzling Gleam and threaten Audino with their STAB attacks. Alternatively, Surf can be used to land massive damage against Fire-types such as Pyroar and Magmortar.
Set Details
========
A Modest nature and full investment in Special Attack make Audino hit as hard as possible. 84 Speed EVs allow Audino to outspeed uninvested base 60 Speed Pokemon, such as Weezing, Gourgeist-XL, and Vileplume. The remaining EVs are dropped into HP to maximize Audino's bulk. Audinite is used to Mega Evolve Audino, giving it an incredible defensive typing as well as much higher bulk and Special Attack. Regenerator allows Audino to keep itself healthy prior to Mega Evolving if it takes too much damage early on.
Usage Tips
========
This set works very well as a lure to Audino's checks. Use Audino in the mid-game to surprise the Steel- and Poison-types that switch into it, breaking them down so that its teammates to clean them up. Because Audino has low Special Attack and Speed, it must predict opposing switch-ins properly to defeat them. Try not to use Audino too early in the game, as it lacks reliable recovery once it Mega Evolves. Audino's bulk allows it to take weak attacks from defensive Pokemon such as Seismitoad, Cryogonal, Vileplume, and Claydol, meaning that Audino can attempt a late-game sweep if opposing wallbreakers have been eliminated.
Team Options
========
Quagsire and Seismitoad can both tank and defeat the Steel- and Poison-types that threaten Audino, such as Klinklang, Mawile, and Muk. Calm Mind Psychic-types such as Uxie and Xatu can eliminate Poison-types and appreciate Audino's ability to lure and weaken Steel-types. Scyther and Vivillon enjoy having opposing Steel-types weakened, paving the way for them to enter the battlefield and sweep; they can also take on the Calm Mind Psychic-types that threaten Audino with Psyshock. Fighting-types such as Sawk and Hariyama enjoy taking on Steel-types and luring in Poison-types, lessening the need for Audino to face them directly.
Specially Defensive
########
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Wish
move 2: Protect
move 3: Heal Bell
move 4: Knock Off / Dazzling Gleam
ability: Regenerator
item: Leftovers / Audinite
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
nature: Careful / Calm
Moves
========
Wish gives Audino reliable recovery and allows it to heal its teammates. Protect allows Audino to reliably heal itself with Wish, scout for opposing Choice items, gain a free turn of Leftovers recovery, and stall out a burned or poisoned foe. Heal Bell cements Audino's role as a cleric, removing status ailments from its team. Knock Off removes items from Audino's switch-ins, such as Vileplume, Magmortar, and Garbodor, stripping them of their passive recovery or offensive power. If running Audinite, Dazzling Gleam is a more powerful STAB attack that gives Audino some offensive presence against Taunt users, such as Liepard and Samurott. Alternatively, Encore can be used to discourage foes from using Audino as setup bait.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in HP and Special Defense makes Audino as bulky as possible on the special side. A Careful nature should be used if running Knock Off, while a Calm nature is better if running Dazzling Gleam. Regenerator gives Audino reliable recovery before Mega Evolving, allowing it to pass Wishes to its teammates several times throughout the match. Leftovers provides passive recovery and allows Audino to keep Regenerator, though Audinite can be used if you desire better bulk, a much stronger defensive typing, and better offensive presence over longevity. If running Audinite, an EV spread of 252 HP / 48 SpA / 208 SpD allows Audino to 3HKO Malamar with Dazzling Gleam, preventing Malamar from using Audino as setup bait.
Usage Tips
========
If running Audinite, try to switch Audino in against Pokemon that cannot significantly damage it, particularly defensive Pokemon such as Seismitoad, Vileplume, and Regirock. Keep Audino away from powerful physical attackers and Calm Mind Psychic-types, as Audino cannot afford to take too many physical hits.
Team Options
========
This set works best on a dedicated stall team. Entry hazard setters such as Garbodor and Ferroseed inflict passive damage on foes, making it easier for Audino to stall them out. Psychic-types such as Musharna and Uxie can switch in on the Fighting-types that threaten Audino and either set up on them or directly KO them with their STAB attacks. Powerful Fire-types such as Magmortar and Pyroar can wallbreak Audino, so a Fire-type check, such as Samurott or Assault Vest Kangaskhan, makes for a good teammate. Spinners such as Claydol and Cryogonal can remove entry hazards, preventing Audino from being worn down; a Defog user is less useful because Audino needs entry hazard support to stall out foes effectively. Offensive Pokemon in general enjoy being cured of status and having their health restored. Pokemon that resist Fighting, such as Scyther, Exeggutor, and Mesprit, make for great Wish recipients that can also take on Fighting-types for Audino.
Other Options
########
Healing Wish is an option to bring a single teammate back to full health once Audino has finished doing its job. Thunder Wave gives Audino an alternative way to punish switch-ins to it, such as Klinklang and Mawile. Grass Knot can be used to hit Quagsire, whose Unaware allows it to bypass all of Audino's Calm Mind boosts. Draining Kiss provides Audino with immediate recovery, but the move is significantly less powerful than Dazzling Gleam.
Checks & Counters
########
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Klinklang, Mawile, and Pawniard can set up on Audino and 2HKO it with their Steel-type STAB attacks. However, Audino can severely damage Steel-types should it be running Fire Blast.
**Poison-types**: Poison-types such as Garbodor, Haunter, and Muk resist Audino's Dazzling Gleam and can 2HKO it with their STAB attacks. All Poison-types must watch out for Psychic, however.
**Calm Mind Psychic-types with Psyshock**: Uxie, Mesprit, Xatu, and Musharna can set up easily on Audino due to its poor offensive presence. All Psychic-types will beat Audino in a Calm Mind war because Psyshock hits Audino on its unboosted Defense.
**Physical Wallbreakers**: Strong physical attackers such as Sawk and Zangoose can 2HKO even physically defensive Audino after it Mega Evolves. While Zangoose can switch into Audino's Dazzling Gleam, Sawk cannot.
**Curse Quagsire**: Quagsire's Unaware renders Audino's Calm Mind boosts completely useless, so Quagsire can easily set up Curse. However, the occasional Grass Knot will 2HKO Quagsire.
**Taunt USers**: Taunt users such as Archeops, Samurott, Haunter, and Pyroar can stop Audino from setting up with Calm Mind or attempting to heal itself with Wish or Rest. Even so, if Audino has already set up, it can 2HKO most Taunt users with the appropriate coverage move.
Audino
QC: 2/3 (boltsandbombers, Blastral)
GP: 0/2
Overview
########
As the bulkiest Pokemon in all of the NU tier, Audino is very difficult to wear down, walling the vast majority of all unboosted attackers. Audino can also act as a lure to its defensive checks thanks to its Mega Evolution's usable Special attack, as well as its access to Calm Mind and various coverage moves such as Fire Blast and Psychic. This allows Audino to surprise past Steel- and Poison-types such as Klinklang and Weezing effectively. However, Audino's reliance on status moves means it is easily shut down by Taunt or Encore users; even its offensive set struggles due to it being extremely weak without a Calm Mind boost. Moreover, Audino's poor immediate power makes it setup bait for various Pokemon. While Mega Audino has much more bulk and a better defensive typing than its base forme, it also loses Regenerator. This makes Mega Audino much less reliable at passing Wishes throughout the battle than its base forme. Nonetheless, being the bulkiest Pokemon in the metagame, possessing a great defensive typing, having reliable recovery, and being the perfect answer to Knock Off users make Audino a must-use on any defensive team.
Defensive Calm Mind
########
name: Defensive Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Dazzling Gleam
move 3: Rest / Wish
move 4: Sleep Talk / Fire Blast / Heal Bell
ability: Regenerator
item: Audinite
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
nature: Bold
Moves
========
Calm Mind increases Audino's Special Attack and Special Defense, allowing it to hit harder and tank special attacks more easily. Dazzling Gleam is a reliable STAB attacks that hits Dark- and Fighting-types such as Gurdurr and Sneasel for solid damage. Rest gives Audino immediate recovery and heals any status ailments, while Wish can be used to heal teammates and not put Audino to sleep. Sleep Talk ensures that Audino can still attack or set up Calm Mind after it uses Rest. Fire Blast lets Audino get past Steel-types such as Magneton, Ferroseed, Klinklang, and Mawile; the move also hits Poison-types harder than Dazzling Gleam does. If not running Rest, Heal Bell allows Audino to get rid of status conditions that threaten its ability to stay in and set up.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Defense investment is necessary to increase Audino's mixed bulk; because it will already be boosting its Special Attack and Special Defense through Calm Mind, it does not need investment in those areas. Audinite Mega Evolves Audino, giving it an incredible defensive typing and extremely high bulk. Regenerator is the preferred ability prior to Mega Evolving because it allows Audino to stay healthy early in the game.
Usage Tips
========
In the early-game, use Audino to pivot into weak attacks and status moves from the likes of Seismitoad, Regirock, Lanturn, and Quagsire; Audino can easily keep itself healthy with Regenerator and either Rest or Heal Bell. Don't Mega Evolve Audino until you have to because Audino will lose its access to Regenerator, limiting the amount of times it can pass Wishes to teammates. Be sure opposing Poison- and Steel-types have been sufficiently weakened before setting up with Calm Mind, especially if not running Fire Blast. Once they have been sufficiently weakened, feel free to Mega Evolve, then set up against Pokemon that cannot 2HKO Mega Audino, such as Seismitoad, Vileplume, Hariyama, and Sneasel.
Team Options
========
Fire- and Fighting-types such as Magmortar and Sawk will deal serious damage to the Steel-types that threaten Audino. Sawk can also lure in Poison-types and KO them with Earthquake or Zen Headbutt. Calm Mind Psychic-types such as Uxie, Xatu, and Musharna can use Steel-types as setup bait and wear them down so that Audino does not have to worry about them. Ground-types such as Seismitoad, Quagsire, and Rhydon wall Steel- and Poison-types and can force them out. Bug- and Dark-types such as Scyther, Vivillon, Sneasel, and Malamar threaten Calm Mind Psychic-types; this is important because Calm Mind Psychic-types will beat Audino in Calm Mind wars thanks to Psyshock. Ferrothorn walls Steel- and Poison-types and can also set entry hazards, wearing down the opposing team so that Audino can finish its foes off. Defensive Poison-types, particularly Garbodor and Weezing, can wall physical attackers and set Toxic Spikes to help Audino stall out its foes. Once Mega Evolved, Audino is more easily worn down due to its lack of Regenerator, so entry hazard removers such as Mantine, Pelipper, and Claydol can help keep Audino healthy as it switches in.
Offensive Calm Mind
########
name: Offensive Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Dazzling Gleam
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Psychic / Surf
ability: Regenerator
item: Audinite
evs: 172 HP / 252 SpA / 84 Spe
nature: Modest
Moves
========
Calm Mind boosts Audino's Special Attack and Special Defense, making it a powerful bulky attacker. Dazzling Gleam is a reliable STAB attack that has good coverage against the Dark- and Fighting-types of NU. Fire Blast hits Steel-types such as Klinklang and Mawile for massive damage, preventing them from forcing Audino out of the battlefield; the move also hits bulky Grass-types such as Vileplume, Tangela, and Gourgeist hard. Psychic hits Poison-types such as Garbodor and Muk that resist Dazzling Gleam and threaten Audino with their STAB attacks. Alternatively, Surf can be used to land massive damage against Fire-types such as Pyroar and Magmortar.
Set Details
========
A Modest nature and full investment in Special Attack make Audino hit as hard as possible. 84 Speed EVs allow Audino to outspeed uninvested base 60 Speed Pokemon, such as Weezing, Gourgeist-XL, and Vileplume. The remaining EVs are dropped into HP to maximize Audino's bulk. Audinite is used to Mega Evolve Audino, giving it an incredible defensive typing as well as much higher bulk and Special Attack. Regenerator allows Audino to keep itself healthy prior to Mega Evolving if it takes too much damage early on.
Usage Tips
========
This set works very well as a lure to Audino's checks. Use Audino in the mid-game to surprise the Steel- and Poison-types that switch into it, breaking them down so that its teammates to clean them up. Because Audino has low Special Attack and Speed, it must predict opposing switch-ins properly to defeat them. Try not to use Audino too early in the game, as it lacks reliable recovery once it Mega Evolves. Audino's bulk allows it to take weak attacks from defensive Pokemon such as Seismitoad, Cryogonal, Vileplume, and Claydol, meaning that Audino can attempt a late-game sweep if opposing wallbreakers have been eliminated.
Team Options
========
Quagsire and Seismitoad can both tank and defeat the Steel- and Poison-types that threaten Audino, such as Klinklang, Mawile, and Muk. Calm Mind Psychic-types such as Uxie and Xatu can eliminate Poison-types and appreciate Audino's ability to lure and weaken Steel-types. Scyther and Vivillon enjoy having opposing Steel-types weakened, paving the way for them to enter the battlefield and sweep; they can also take on the Calm Mind Psychic-types that threaten Audino with Psyshock. Fighting-types such as Sawk and Hariyama enjoy taking on Steel-types and luring in Poison-types, lessening the need for Audino to face them directly.
Specially Defensive
########
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Wish
move 2: Protect
move 3: Heal Bell
move 4: Knock Off / Dazzling Gleam
ability: Regenerator
item: Leftovers / Audinite
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
nature: Careful / Calm
Moves
========
Wish gives Audino reliable recovery and allows it to heal its teammates. Protect allows Audino to reliably heal itself with Wish, scout for opposing Choice items, gain a free turn of Leftovers recovery, and stall out a burned or poisoned foe. Heal Bell cements Audino's role as a cleric, removing status ailments from its team. Knock Off removes items from Audino's switch-ins, such as Vileplume, Magmortar, and Garbodor, stripping them of their passive recovery or offensive power. If running Audinite, Dazzling Gleam is a more powerful STAB attack that gives Audino some offensive presence against Taunt users, such as Liepard and Samurott. Alternatively, Encore can be used to discourage foes from using Audino as setup bait.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in HP and Special Defense makes Audino as bulky as possible on the special side. A Careful nature should be used if running Knock Off, while a Calm nature is better if running Dazzling Gleam. Regenerator gives Audino reliable recovery before Mega Evolving, allowing it to pass Wishes to its teammates several times throughout the match. Leftovers provides passive recovery and allows Audino to keep Regenerator, though Audinite can be used if you desire better bulk, a much stronger defensive typing, and better offensive presence over longevity. If running Audinite, an EV spread of 252 HP / 48 SpA / 208 SpD allows Audino to 3HKO Malamar with Dazzling Gleam, preventing Malamar from using Audino as setup bait.
Usage Tips
========
If running Audinite, try to switch Audino in against Pokemon that cannot significantly damage it, particularly defensive Pokemon such as Seismitoad, Vileplume, and Regirock. Keep Audino away from powerful physical attackers and Calm Mind Psychic-types, as Audino cannot afford to take too many physical hits.
Team Options
========
This set works best on a dedicated stall team. Entry hazard setters such as Garbodor and Ferroseed inflict passive damage on foes, making it easier for Audino to stall them out. Psychic-types such as Musharna and Uxie can switch in on the Fighting-types that threaten Audino and either set up on them or directly KO them with their STAB attacks. Powerful Fire-types such as Magmortar and Pyroar can wallbreak Audino, so a Fire-type check, such as Samurott or Assault Vest Kangaskhan, makes for a good teammate. Spinners such as Claydol and Cryogonal can remove entry hazards, preventing Audino from being worn down; a Defog user is less useful because Audino needs entry hazard support to stall out foes effectively. Offensive Pokemon in general enjoy being cured of status and having their health restored. Pokemon that resist Fighting, such as Scyther, Exeggutor, and Mesprit, make for great Wish recipients that can also take on Fighting-types for Audino.
Other Options
########
Healing Wish is an option to bring a single teammate back to full health once Audino has finished doing its job. Thunder Wave gives Audino an alternative way to punish switch-ins to it, such as Klinklang and Mawile. Grass Knot can be used to hit Quagsire, whose Unaware allows it to bypass all of Audino's Calm Mind boosts. Draining Kiss provides Audino with immediate recovery, but the move is significantly less powerful than Dazzling Gleam.
Checks & Counters
########
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Klinklang, Mawile, and Pawniard can set up on Audino and 2HKO it with their Steel-type STAB attacks. However, Audino can severely damage Steel-types should it be running Fire Blast.
**Poison-types**: Poison-types such as Garbodor, Haunter, and Muk resist Audino's Dazzling Gleam and can 2HKO it with their STAB attacks. All Poison-types must watch out for Psychic, however.
**Calm Mind Psychic-types with Psyshock**: Uxie, Mesprit, Xatu, and Musharna can set up easily on Audino due to its poor offensive presence. All Psychic-types will beat Audino in a Calm Mind war because Psyshock hits Audino on its unboosted Defense.
**Physical Wallbreakers**: Strong physical attackers such as Sawk and Zangoose can 2HKO even physically defensive Audino after it Mega Evolves. While Zangoose can switch into Audino's Dazzling Gleam, Sawk cannot.
**Curse Quagsire**: Quagsire's Unaware renders Audino's Calm Mind boosts completely useless, so Quagsire can easily set up Curse. However, the occasional Grass Knot will 2HKO Quagsire.
**Taunt USers**: Taunt users such as Archeops, Samurott, Haunter, and Pyroar can stop Audino from setting up with Calm Mind or attempting to heal itself with Wish or Rest. Even so, if Audino has already set up, it can 2HKO most Taunt users with the appropriate coverage move.
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