Pastelle
we're all star stuff
[OVERVIEW]
Azumarill is blessed with a strong STAB combination and Huge Power to boost its Attack to about as much as base 149, making it one of the best offensive Pokemon in Doubles OU. In addition, with its solid bulk, typing, and access to priority in Aqua Jet, Azumarill stands as the best and only viable Belly Drum sweeper in the metagame. It works well as a bulky Water-type for teams that also appreciate offensive presence, something that other bulky Water-types such as Suicune and Rotom-W lack. In spite of these good traits, Azumarill does possess low Speed, and it is threatened by common Grass- and Electric-types such as Rotom-W and Breloom. Also, as it is a physical attacker, it is susceptible to burns and Intimidate.
[SET]
name: Megabus
move 1: Aqua Jet
move 2: Play Rough
move 3: Belly Drum
move 4: Protect
item: Sitrus Berry
ability: Huge Power
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Belly Drum is a high-risk, high-reward move that maximizes Azumarill's Attack and, combined with Aqua Jet, can be deadly. Aqua Jet helps with Azumarill's poor Speed thanks to priority and turns it into a reliable sweeper; a +6 Aqua Jet can OHKO most Pokemon that take neutral damage from it, Metagross and Aegislash being notable exceptions. Play Rough is Azumarill's best Fairy-type STAB move and strongest STAB move overall. Lastly, Protect stalls out field effects and protects Azumarill from its partner's spread moves. It also buys time for its partner to attack
Set Details
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The EVs and an Adamant nature give Azumarill the most overall bulk and most attacking prowess possible. Sitrus Berry improves Azumarill's longevity and acts as recovery for Belly Drum's HP cut. If Azumarill is being used on a Trick Room team, it should be running a Brave nature and a 0 Speed IV to minimize its Speed.
Usage Tips
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Azumarill works best late-game against weakened teams when it can clean up with Aqua Jet. However, avoid switching it into incoming attacks, as otherwise Azumarill will not have enough HP to use Belly Drum. It should only use Belly Drum if Electric-, Steel-, and Grass-type checks have been removed, when there is a teammate with Fake Out or redirection moves on the field, when foes can't threaten or KO it with 75% of its health remaining, or if a double-protect is predicted. Once its checks are removed, Azumarill can go on a rampage and wipe out entire teams with Aqua Jet and Play Rough. After setting up a Belly Drum, Azumarill becomes one of the opponent's primary targets, which you can often take advantage of. By having Azumarill use Protect to soak up hits and switching its partner out to a Pokemon with redirection moves or Fake Out on the same turn, Azumarill is able to better threaten the opposing team on the following turn. Lastly, Azumarill can beat common Intimidate users such as Landorus-T and Scrafty, but it doesn't appreciate the Attack drop from Intimidate.
Team Options
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Fake Out support can give Azumarill a free turn to set up Belly Drum. Some common Fake Out users include Mega Kangaskhan and Scrafty. Pokemon that can hit Electric-, Grass-, and Steel-types super effectively such as Landorus-T and Kyurem-B are good partners that can cover up Azumarill's weaknesses. Mega Diancie and Kyurem-B are particularly good partners for checking common Electric / Flying type Pokemon such as Zapdos and Thundurus. Heatran and Talonflame are good partners for checking Ferrothorn, which completely counters Azumarill. Heatran can also absorb Will-O-Wisps for Azumarill, allowing it to avoid possible burns. Azumarill can also function on a Trick Room team, where it can work with setters such as Cresselia. Mew can provide Fake Out support to help set up Belly Drum, then it can transform into Azumarill, copying its stats and pressuring the opponent by forcing them to face two +6 Azumarills. Azumarill also enjoys Pokemon with status moves, as paralysis and sleep can help Azumarill set up and sweep. Follow Me or Rage Powder support is also crucial when using Belly Drum, as these moves redirect redirects attacks and give Azumarill time to set up. Amoonguss has great synergy with Azumarill, as it can spread status and has access to Rage Powder. Jirachi is also a good teammate, as it can redirect Grass-type attacks, unlike Amoonguss.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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Assault Vest can be used to make Azumarill a bulky pivot rather than an all-out attacker, but it comes at the cost of less power and the ability to run Protect. Choice Band can also be used so that Azumarill can run additional coverage moves such as Superpower and Knock Off, but it leaves Azumarill vulnerable because it can't run Protect or switch moves. Life Orb can be used over Choice Band to have the ability to change moves, but it comes at the cost of losing HP each turn. Aqua Tail can be used over Waterfall at the cost of accuracy and the flinch chance. Azumarill can also run Helping Hand to aid its partner. Lastly, a set with Sitrus Berry and three attacking moves is also an option.
Checks and Counters
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**Typing Advantage**: Venusaur, Amoonguss, and Ferrothorn all resist Azumarill's STAB attacks and can either cripple it with status or take it down with Grass-type attacks. Pokemon running Grass-type coverage moves can also check Azumarill. For instance, Mega Charizard Y can weaken Water-type attacks with Drought and OHKO Azumarill with Solar Beam. Electric-types such as Zapdos and Thundurus can also take out Azumarill quite easily. Other bulky Water-types such as Suicune can wall Azumarill and burn it with Scald. Rotom-W gets a special mention, as it resists Aqua Jet and can hit Azumarill with its Electric-type attacks or simply neuter it with Will-O-Wisp.
**Intimidate and Burns**: Common Intimidate users such as Landorus-T and Gyarados, as well as common Will-O-Wisp users such as Gengar and Rotom-W, can cripple Azumarill. However, most common Intimidate users are weak to Azumarill's STAB attacks, and previous Attack drops won't matter after Azumarill uses Belly Drum.
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