[OVERVIEW]
Bergmite is one of only two Pokemon in LC with access to both Rapid Spin and a reliable recovery move, granting it a niche as a bulky entry hazard remover. Bergmite has very good physical bulk, allowing it to do well in any physically biased metagame. However, Bergmite has poor Speed and subpar Special Defense, along with mediocre attacking stats. Most unfortunate, though, is Bergmite's pure Ice typing, which makes it vulnerable to every entry hazard it is meant to remove and grants it a 2x weakness to Stealth Rock. Ice is a terrible defensive typing in general, granting Bergmite only one resistance and a plethora of weaknesses. Finally, Bergmite is setup bait due to its low damage output and lack of a good status move.
[SET]
name: Rapid Spin Support
move 1: Avalanche
move 2: Rapid Spin
move 3: Recover
move 4: Rock Tomb / Toxic
item: Eviolite
ability: Sturdy
nature: Impish
evs: 44 Atk / 236 Def / 156 SpD / 52 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Avalanche provides Bergmite with a STAB attack and is better than Ice Fang due to Bergmite's low Speed. Rapid Spin removes entry hazards and is Bergmite's niche. Recover provides Bergmite with longevity. Rock Tomb has decent neutral coverage with Avalanche, hitting Fire-types, and also provides decent utility by dropping the foe's Speed. Toxic, on the other hand, can put switch-ins such as Fire-type, Fighting-type, and generally bulky Pokemon on a timer, making Bergmite less of setup bait.
Set Details
========
The given EVs and an Impish nature maximize Bergmite's defenses, particularly bolstering its Defense. Adding another point in HP doesn't do much to help Bergmite survive significant attacks, so the other EVs boost Attack and Speed. Defense is maximized to help check physical spinners such as Drilbur. An alternate spread of 44 Atk / 156 Def / 236 SpD / 52 Spe with a Careful nature lets Bergmite take both physical and special hits and lets it perform much better against special attackers. Eviolite allows Bergmite to survive powerful attacks such as Timburr's Drain Punch and allows Bergmite to make great use of Recover.
Usage Tips
========
Bergmite has an unfavorable matchup against Rock- and Steel-type entry hazard setters, such as Dwebble and Ferroseed. Attempting to spin while they are on the field is not advised. On the other hand, Bergmite fares much better against Ground- and Grass-type entry hazard setters, such as Hippopotas, Drilbur, and Chespin. Spinning on them is a much better idea, but be aware of the Rock-type coverage moves these Pokemon often carry. Bergmite also has a good matchup against Flying-types, and it can reliably beat physically attacking ones, such as Fletchling, due to its high Defense and access to a slow Avalanche. Lastly, be wary of using Toxic if the opponent has Timburr, as it may switch in and receive a Guts boost.
Team Options
========
Fire-type Pokemon such as Larvesta and Ponyta are weak to entry hazards and can thus find a great partner in Bergmite. Fire-types can also take on the Steel-types that wall Bergmite, but they will compound a Rock weakness. Bergmite benefits from Fighting-type teammates, such as Croagunk and Pancham, in a similar manner, as they can take care of the Rock- and Steel-type Pokemon that threaten Bergmite. Croagunk is a particularly good teammate, as it can also take on Fighting-types and appreciates Bergmite's ability to get rid of Ground-types. In general, any team that needs a bulky spinner that can take on Grass- or Ground-types will find Bergmite to be a suitable fit.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Bergmite can viably run Berry Juice alongside Sturdy, but this is generally unnecessary, as Bergmite already has access to Recover and is also vulnerable to entry hazards, which break Sturdy. Surf can be run over Rock Tomb to OHKO Onix and Numel, but it is inferior to Rock Tomb against any other Pokemon. Stone Edge can also be run over Rock Tomb for an OHKO on Larvesta and for a generally more powerful coverage option. However, the drop in accuracy and utility makes Stone Edge an inferior option most of the time. Mirror Coat can be used to punish special attackers trying to abuse Bergmite's low Special Defense. On a separate note, Bergmite has the makings of a potent Curse sweeper with access to Curse, Recover, and Avalanche. However, it is let down by its typing and poor Special Defense, and it is heavily outclassed by Munchlax.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Bergmite is walled completely by any Steel-type and is weak to Steel-type attacks. Common ones, such as Pawniard and Ferroseed, can also set up entry hazards. These two are both particularly troubling, as Ferroseed punishes Rapid Spin due to Iron Barbs and has the bulk to consistently set up entry hazards as they are removed, whereas Pawniard resists both of Bergmite's attacks, even receiving an Attack boost from Rock Tomb, and is immune to Toxic.
**Rock-types**: Bergmite is threatened by Rock-type attacks, especially Rock Blast, which can break through Sturdy. Many common entry hazard setters, such as Onix and Dwebble, carry the move and can set up entry hazards on Bergmite with impunity. However, many Rock-types are also part Ground, meaning Bergmite can threaten them with Avalanche.
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types don't particularly fear Avalanche and can hit Bergmite with powerful, super effective STAB attacks. Timburr in particular is irksome due to the Guts boost it receives after being hit by Toxic.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types demolish Bergmite with STAB Flare Blitz and the likes, but they are hit for super effective damage by Rock Tomb and cannot set entry hazards.
**Ghost-types**: Bergmite cannot use Rapid Spin against Ghost-types and is very threatened by them, as most Ghost-types are special attackers. Honedge and Frillish are particularly troubling, as they resist Bergmite's Ice-type attacks.
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