qc terrors, eien (x2), vid
gp xayah, fireflame
[OVERVIEW]
Fighting
========
With powerful priority in Technician-boosted Mach Punch, high Attack, and Spore, Breloom finds its way onto most Fighting teams. Technician greatly boosts the power of moves with a Base Power of 60 or less, such as Bullet Seed, Mach Punch, and Rock Tomb, all of which Breloom uses. It also has near-perfect neutral coverage with those attacks, enabling it to deal significant damage to most Pokemon. Spore has perfect accuracy and cripples threats by putting them to sleep, effectively removing them from the battle until they wake up. In addition, Breloom's Grass typing makes it a great wincon against Water teams, and it can deal with annoying bulky Water-types like Slowbro and Tapu Fini. It can also choose to use Swords Dance to sweep weakened teams late-game. Although Breloom has a poor Speed stat, it has powerful priority in Mach Punch to make up for it. However, it is still unable to beat foes that resist Mach Punch, like Gyarados. It also has low defenses, and its defensive typing hinders Fighting teams more than it helps, as it offers no useful resistances and exacerbates weaknesses.
[SET]
name: Technician Attacker
move 1: Spore
move 2: Bullet Seed
move 3: Mach Punch
move 4: Rock Tomb / Swords Dance
item: Focus Sash
ability: Technician
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Spore puts foes to sleep, which can force the foe to switch out and result in a free turn to switch into a teammate or set up Swords Dance. Bullet Seed is an incredibly strong STAB move that is boosted by Technician. Mach Punch is powerful priority that is also boosted by Technician and allows Breloom to sweep teams once Fighting-resistant Pokemon are weakened, as well as effectively revenge kill. Rock Tomb hits Flying-types that resist Breloom's STAB moves like Zapdos and Mega Charizard Y, is boosted by Technician, and lowers the foe's Speed. Swords Dance is option instead of Rock Tomb that boosts Breloom's Attack to sweep weakened teams.
Set Details
========
The chosen EV spread maximizes Breloom's Attack and Speed. Adamant can be used for more power, while Jolly can be used to outspeed maximum Speed Timid Magearna and Speed tie with other positive-natured base 70 Speed Pokemon. Focus Sash ensures Breloom lives an attack if it is at full health and can use Spore in return. Technician boosts Breloom's attacks that are weaker than 60 Base Power.
Usage Tips
========
Leading with Breloom and using Spore against opposing leads can generate momentum. However, Breloom can also be saved for late-game as a last resort against a sweeper with its Focus Sash. Switching Breloom out after using Spore can safely bring in wallbreaking teammates such as Keldeo. Instead of switching after using Spore, Breloom can use the free turn to set up with Swords Dance. Don't switch Breloom into attacks because that will break its Focus Sash, and it will also take significant damage from even resisted attacks. Instead, try switching it in after a teammate has fainted. Use Rock Tomb on would-be switch-ins like Latios to lower their Speed and use Spore to put them to sleep the turn after. Status moves, especially burn, will cripple Breloom for the entirety of the battle. Stealth Rock and other entry hazards will break Breloom's Focus Sash, so try to prevent them from being set with Taunt from Cobalion or Infernape.
Team Options
========
Both Keldeo and Terrakion can switch into Breloom's Fire-type checks like Volcarona. Keldeo can break through physical walls like Skarmory, and Terrakion can deal with Flying-types like Zapdos, while Breloom can KO the Water-types that switch into Keldeo and Terrakion like Slowbro. Breloom can also use Spore to cripple their checks like Latios and Doublade. Heracross eliminates troubling Psychic-types that stop Breloom in its tracks like Mew. Both Heracross and Terrakion can revenge kill annoying wallbreakers that force Breloom out like Mega Charizard Y. Cobalion and Infernape can both set up Stealth Rock, are neutral to Fairy, and can Taunt opposing entry hazard setters to preserve Breloom's Focus Sash. Cobalion is bulkier, neutral to Flying, can use Volt Switch to bring Breloom in safely, and can use Thunder Wave to cripple foes that would otherwise be able to revenge kill Breloom. Infernape is much more offensive and beats Breloom's Steel-type checks like Mega Scizor and Doublade with its Fire-type STAB moves. Hawlucha and Lucario can handle Breloom's Grass- and Fairy-type checks, respectively, and both can set up with Swords Dance on foes that have been put to sleep by Spore. Kommo-o and Buzzwole can break through walls that trouble Breloom like Mega Venusaur and Jirachi.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Fighting
--------
Life Orb can be used over Focus Sash for more power, but Focus Sash is needed to eliminate threats like Mega Charizard Y. A set with Rockium Z and Stone Edge instead of Rock Tomb can be used to catch most Flying-types off guard, but Breloom sorely misses the utility of Focus Sash.
Checks and Counters
===================
Fighting
--------
**Mega Venusaur**: Mega Venusaur is the best available Breloom counter, as it resists both of Breloom's STAB moves, is immune to Spore, can recover off the negligible damage it takes from Rock Tomb with Synthesis, and threatens to OHKO Breloom with Sludge Bomb. Other Grass / Poison types like Amoonguss can counter Breloom in a similar fashion, but their lower bulk and lack of Thick Fat means they are significantly less viable in the Monotype metagame.
**Doublade**: Doublade is immune to Fighting, resists Bullet Seed and Rock Tomb, and can set up Swords Dance against Breloom if one of Doublade's teammates has already been put to sleep by Spore.
**Grass-types**: Grass-types like Tapu Bulu and Celebi resist Bullet Seed and are immune to Spore.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types like Zapdos and Dragonite resist both of Breloom's STAB moves, although neither can switch into a Rock Tomb, and most don't like being put to sleep by Spore.
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types such as Clefable and Togekiss hate Spore, but they resist Fighting and can OHKO Breloom with their STAB moves.
**Poison-types**: Poison-types resist both Bullet Seed and Mach Punch, and Pokemon like Gengar and Mega Beedrill threaten out Breloom with a Poison-type STAB move.
**Psychic-types**: Mew, Latios, and Jirachi all check Breloom. Mew can cripple Breloom with Will-O-Wisp before Breloom can even move, Latios OHKOes it with a Psychic-type STAB move, and Jirachi resists Bullet Seed and takes little damage from Mach Punch. However, none of them like being put to sleep by Spore.
**Priority Users**: Jolly Mamoswine and Choice Band Dragonite can revenge kill Breloom once its Focus Sash is broken with Ice Shard and Extreme Speed, respectively.
**Physically Bulky Pokemon**: Skarmory and Mega Scizor take negligible damage from Breloom's attacks, and the former can OHKO it with Brave Bird, while the latter can set up Swords Dance and then KO it with Bullet Punch.
gp xayah, fireflame
[OVERVIEW]
Fighting
========
With powerful priority in Technician-boosted Mach Punch, high Attack, and Spore, Breloom finds its way onto most Fighting teams. Technician greatly boosts the power of moves with a Base Power of 60 or less, such as Bullet Seed, Mach Punch, and Rock Tomb, all of which Breloom uses. It also has near-perfect neutral coverage with those attacks, enabling it to deal significant damage to most Pokemon. Spore has perfect accuracy and cripples threats by putting them to sleep, effectively removing them from the battle until they wake up. In addition, Breloom's Grass typing makes it a great wincon against Water teams, and it can deal with annoying bulky Water-types like Slowbro and Tapu Fini. It can also choose to use Swords Dance to sweep weakened teams late-game. Although Breloom has a poor Speed stat, it has powerful priority in Mach Punch to make up for it. However, it is still unable to beat foes that resist Mach Punch, like Gyarados. It also has low defenses, and its defensive typing hinders Fighting teams more than it helps, as it offers no useful resistances and exacerbates weaknesses.
[SET]
name: Technician Attacker
move 1: Spore
move 2: Bullet Seed
move 3: Mach Punch
move 4: Rock Tomb / Swords Dance
item: Focus Sash
ability: Technician
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Spore puts foes to sleep, which can force the foe to switch out and result in a free turn to switch into a teammate or set up Swords Dance. Bullet Seed is an incredibly strong STAB move that is boosted by Technician. Mach Punch is powerful priority that is also boosted by Technician and allows Breloom to sweep teams once Fighting-resistant Pokemon are weakened, as well as effectively revenge kill. Rock Tomb hits Flying-types that resist Breloom's STAB moves like Zapdos and Mega Charizard Y, is boosted by Technician, and lowers the foe's Speed. Swords Dance is option instead of Rock Tomb that boosts Breloom's Attack to sweep weakened teams.
Set Details
========
The chosen EV spread maximizes Breloom's Attack and Speed. Adamant can be used for more power, while Jolly can be used to outspeed maximum Speed Timid Magearna and Speed tie with other positive-natured base 70 Speed Pokemon. Focus Sash ensures Breloom lives an attack if it is at full health and can use Spore in return. Technician boosts Breloom's attacks that are weaker than 60 Base Power.
Usage Tips
========
Leading with Breloom and using Spore against opposing leads can generate momentum. However, Breloom can also be saved for late-game as a last resort against a sweeper with its Focus Sash. Switching Breloom out after using Spore can safely bring in wallbreaking teammates such as Keldeo. Instead of switching after using Spore, Breloom can use the free turn to set up with Swords Dance. Don't switch Breloom into attacks because that will break its Focus Sash, and it will also take significant damage from even resisted attacks. Instead, try switching it in after a teammate has fainted. Use Rock Tomb on would-be switch-ins like Latios to lower their Speed and use Spore to put them to sleep the turn after. Status moves, especially burn, will cripple Breloom for the entirety of the battle. Stealth Rock and other entry hazards will break Breloom's Focus Sash, so try to prevent them from being set with Taunt from Cobalion or Infernape.
Team Options
========
Both Keldeo and Terrakion can switch into Breloom's Fire-type checks like Volcarona. Keldeo can break through physical walls like Skarmory, and Terrakion can deal with Flying-types like Zapdos, while Breloom can KO the Water-types that switch into Keldeo and Terrakion like Slowbro. Breloom can also use Spore to cripple their checks like Latios and Doublade. Heracross eliminates troubling Psychic-types that stop Breloom in its tracks like Mew. Both Heracross and Terrakion can revenge kill annoying wallbreakers that force Breloom out like Mega Charizard Y. Cobalion and Infernape can both set up Stealth Rock, are neutral to Fairy, and can Taunt opposing entry hazard setters to preserve Breloom's Focus Sash. Cobalion is bulkier, neutral to Flying, can use Volt Switch to bring Breloom in safely, and can use Thunder Wave to cripple foes that would otherwise be able to revenge kill Breloom. Infernape is much more offensive and beats Breloom's Steel-type checks like Mega Scizor and Doublade with its Fire-type STAB moves. Hawlucha and Lucario can handle Breloom's Grass- and Fairy-type checks, respectively, and both can set up with Swords Dance on foes that have been put to sleep by Spore. Kommo-o and Buzzwole can break through walls that trouble Breloom like Mega Venusaur and Jirachi.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Fighting
--------
Life Orb can be used over Focus Sash for more power, but Focus Sash is needed to eliminate threats like Mega Charizard Y. A set with Rockium Z and Stone Edge instead of Rock Tomb can be used to catch most Flying-types off guard, but Breloom sorely misses the utility of Focus Sash.
Checks and Counters
===================
Fighting
--------
**Mega Venusaur**: Mega Venusaur is the best available Breloom counter, as it resists both of Breloom's STAB moves, is immune to Spore, can recover off the negligible damage it takes from Rock Tomb with Synthesis, and threatens to OHKO Breloom with Sludge Bomb. Other Grass / Poison types like Amoonguss can counter Breloom in a similar fashion, but their lower bulk and lack of Thick Fat means they are significantly less viable in the Monotype metagame.
**Doublade**: Doublade is immune to Fighting, resists Bullet Seed and Rock Tomb, and can set up Swords Dance against Breloom if one of Doublade's teammates has already been put to sleep by Spore.
**Grass-types**: Grass-types like Tapu Bulu and Celebi resist Bullet Seed and are immune to Spore.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types like Zapdos and Dragonite resist both of Breloom's STAB moves, although neither can switch into a Rock Tomb, and most don't like being put to sleep by Spore.
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types such as Clefable and Togekiss hate Spore, but they resist Fighting and can OHKO Breloom with their STAB moves.
**Poison-types**: Poison-types resist both Bullet Seed and Mach Punch, and Pokemon like Gengar and Mega Beedrill threaten out Breloom with a Poison-type STAB move.
**Psychic-types**: Mew, Latios, and Jirachi all check Breloom. Mew can cripple Breloom with Will-O-Wisp before Breloom can even move, Latios OHKOes it with a Psychic-type STAB move, and Jirachi resists Bullet Seed and takes little damage from Mach Punch. However, none of them like being put to sleep by Spore.
**Priority Users**: Jolly Mamoswine and Choice Band Dragonite can revenge kill Breloom once its Focus Sash is broken with Ice Shard and Extreme Speed, respectively.
**Physically Bulky Pokemon**: Skarmory and Mega Scizor take negligible damage from Breloom's attacks, and the former can OHKO it with Brave Bird, while the latter can set up Swords Dance and then KO it with Bullet Punch.
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