Bagon
Awww, its so cute isn't it :3
[Overview]
<p>When it comes to underrated Pokemon in the Little Cup metagame, Bagon is one Pokemon that instantly comes to mind. While it is a Dragon-type Pokemon, which is a rarity in the tier (they are only 5 legal Dragon-type Pokemon in Little Cup), Bagon is by far the most overlooked. While most Dragon-type Pokemon tend to be Dragon Dancers or just powerful physical attacking Pokemon in general, this isn't the case for Bagon. While it does have a decent base Attack stat of 75, offensively, Bagon is outclassed. This is because its two main competitors, Dratini and Axew, have better coverage and a much higher Attack stat, respectively. Nevertheless, Bagon has a niche over its Dragon-type counterparts by gaining access to a move many Little Cup Pokemon wish they had, Wish. Thanks to Wish, Bagon becomes a durable Pokemon capable of tanking the hardest of physical attacks in the LC tier. However, it isn't all great for Bagon. Because Dragon-type Pokemon sport resistances to a lot of usually specially orientated attacks, such as Water and Fire, its low base Special Defense doesn't help when trying to tank attacks from the special side. Nevertheless, Bagon is a good Pokemon if you need something to heal your team and tank hard physical hits, but don't expect it to do too much.</p>
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Wish
move 2: Dragon Claw
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Protect / Toxic
item: Evoilte
ability: Rock Head
nature: Relaxed
evs: 236 HP / 196 Def / 36 SpA / 36 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This is Bagon's only viable set in LC, and just like its evolved form Salamence in OU, this set is used to not only heal itself and its team with Wish, butto tank attacks as well. While it doesn't have the biggest HP stat to pass Wishes with, its typing gives it useful resistances to common offensive types such as Fire, Water, Grass, and Electric, which gives it its niche. Dragon Claw is used for damage purposes, as well as to prevent Bagon from becoming Taunt bait. Fire Blast hits Steels, mainly Magnemite and Ferroseed, that will try to use Bagon as setup bait. Protect is used to ensureBagon gets the revocery from Wish, and it also works with Toxic Spikes as it stalls out poison as well. However, if you aren't concerned about getting guaranteed recovery from Wish, Toxic can be used over Protect, as it breaks down Pokemon such as Mienfoo, Hippopotas, Murkrow, and others.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>With maximum HP investment plus the maximuminvestment Bagon can have with a Relaxed nature, Bagon has as much physical bulk as possible. Bagon can 2HKO Magnemite and it even has the chance to OHKO Ferroseed with 36 Special Attack EVs. After the aforementioned 36 SpA EVs are used to deal with Magnomite and Ferroseed, the remaining EVs go into SpD, as that is the only place where those EVs have any use. Using an Eviolite on this defensive set makes sense, as it boosts both Bagon's Defense and Special Defense.</p>
<p>Roar can be used in the last slot as it works like Dragon Tail: phazes out Pokemon and racks up entry hazard damage. Other attacks such as Zen Headbutt, Crunch, Rock Slide, and Brick Break can be used over Fire Blast for a Wish passer that can deal with certain threats. Zen Headbutt can deal with Mienfoo and Croagunk. Crunch is for Misdrevus and other Ghosts and Psychics. Rock Slide is for the Larvesta, while Brick Break is for Pawniard and Scraggy. If you decide to use one of those attacks over Fire Blast, make sure to move those Special Attack EVs into Attack.</p>
<p>Teammates for Bagon should do two things: provide entry hazards to spread damage or status, and enjoy the Wish support Bagon can provide. Pokemon such as Omanyte, Dwebble, Ferroseed, and Pineco all love Bagon, as they can set up Spikes, and Pineco can even Rapid Spin, which is extra helpful. Dewbble, Omanyte, Pineco, and Lileep can all set up Stealth Rock as well, while Omanyte, Trubbish, and Tentacool all set up Toxic Spikes. Pokemon that can keep those hazards on the field are useful partners as well. Misdreavus is a great example, as it can block Rapid Spin, andloves the Wishes. Magnemite is another great teammate, as it traps Steels if Bagon isn't running Fire Blast.</p>
<p>While you might still have doubts about Bagon's ability to tank common physical attacks in the LC metagame, below are calculations that show just how sturdy Bagon is:</p>
<ul class="damage_calculation">
<li>236 Atk+ Drilbur Earthquake vs. 236/196+ Bagon 54.54 - 68.18%</li>
<li>236 Atk Scraggy Hi Jump Kick vs. 236/196+ Bagon 45.45 - 59.09%</li>
<li>236 Atk Scraggy Drain Punch vs. 236/196+ Bagon 31.81 - 40.9%</li>
<li>236 Atk Scraggy Crunch vs. 236/196+ Bagon 31.81 - 40.9%</li>
<li>236 Atk+ Mienfoo Hi Jump Kick vs. 236/196+ Bagon 54.54 - 68.18%</li>
<li>156 Atk Mienfoo Hi Jump Kick vs. 236/196+ Bagon 45.45 - 59.09%</li>
<li>20 Atk Hippopotas Earthquake vs. 236/196+ Bagon 31.81 - 40.9%</li>
<li>212 Atk+ Tirtouga Stone Edge vs. 236/196+ Bagon 40.9 - 54.54%</li>
</ul>
[Other Options]
<p>While it has other offensive options, Bagon is usually better off not using them. Part of this is because by using offensive sets, it takes away from Bagon's usable bulk. Nevertheless, if you choose to use Bagon offensively, Dragon Dance or Hone Claws with Dragon Rush can work. However, Dratini and Axew make better Dragon Dancers. A Choice Band set can also work with Outrage, Dragon Claw, Fire Blast, and another coverage move, though Axew makes the better Choice Band user due to better Attack and Mold Breaker.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>While Bagon is good at tanking physical attacks, without Roar, it can't stop Pokemon from setting up on it. Scarggy can set up for days unless Bagon has Brick Break. Shellder and Clamperl can set up a Shell Smash on it and begin to cause problems. In general, anything that can tank an attack from Bagon can set up on it pretty easily. Misdreavus can just burn it with Will-O-Wisp, making its physical attacks useless, while Hippopotas can easily Roar Bagon out, which screws up the Pokemon that Bagon passes its Wishes too. Ice Beam Staryu can take hits and also Rapid Spin away hazards, which Bagon hates.</p>
