Conkeldurr

[Professor Birch]

Me So Tuff

Overview
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The transition to Generation VI was not too kind to Conkeldurr. With the addition of Fairy-types, Conkeldurr now has another obstacle that it has to overcome. If that wasn't enough, Conkeldurr is not allowed to have the elemental punches due to this season's ruleset. And if all Conkeldurr hadn't been cowering in fear already, they now are with the introduction of Talonflame. Despite all of this, Conkeldurr did gain a nice item in Assault Vest, helping to remedy Conkeldurr's mediocre Special Defense. Conkeldurr does still have many strong points that make it a fearsome sweeper. Base 140 Attack is nothing to overlook and when paired with 105 / 95 / 65 bulk, priority in Mach Punch, two great abilities suiting Conkeldurr's movepool, and reliable recovery in Drain Punch, Conkeldurr will get the job done. When all is taken into account, Conkeldurr is an offensive powerhouse in VGC.

Standard
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name: Standard
move 1: Mach Punch
move 2: Drain Punch
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Detect / Wide Guard
ability: Guts
item: Leftovers / Persim Berry
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
nature: Adamant

Moves
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This set is almost identical from last season, except Rock Slide is used for coverage instead of Ice Punch. With Rock Slide, Conkeldurr can now take out Mega Charizard Y and Talonflame, if it can tank a hit from them. Mach Punch is used as a strong priority STAB move. Drain Punch is another strong STAB move that allows Conkeldurr to heal itself. Detect can be used to stall a turn out, a standard move in VGC. If you do not wish to go for Detect, you can also opt for Wide Guard in order to block the ever-so-common spread moves.

Set Details
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Conkeldurr has two options for the item slot this season. A Persim Berry will deal with any Swagger users that might be running amok, while Leftovers is a solid item for recovery each turn. The chosen ability is Guts because Will-O-Wisp now has a higher accuracy and is more commonly seen. Because of this, opponents will think twice before using it on Conkeldurr. This EV spread is used to maximize damage output while increasing overall bulk. Therefore, full investment in Attack and HP is chosen, with the last 4 points going into Special Defense. Lastly, Adamant is the nature of choice as it increases Attack.

Usage Tips
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Conkeldurr is relatively straightforward in how it is to be played. First, make sure counters such as Talonflame are out of the way. After that, Conkeldurr should be free to go in thanks to its bulk and ability to regain health with Drain Punch. With Mach Punch, Conkeldurr is able to clean up or even completely take out Pokemon before they get the chance to attack. The only thing to really be wary of is Conkeldurr being double targeted.

Team Options
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This standard set has a few team options that stand out. Scizor is a fantastic teammate for Conkeldurr because when two immensely strong priority moves are put together, the rate at which damage is coming out will be high. Another good teammate for Conkeldurr is Bisharp, as Conkeldurr doesn't have a way to deal with Intimidate. In addition to that, Bisharp has a nice STAB priority move in Sucker Punch. Lastly, Conkeldurr benefits from Rage Powder support given by Amoonguss. One Rage Powder can give Conkeldurr the chance to take out Talonflame.

Trick Room Attacker
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name: Trick Room Attacker
move 1: Mach Punch
move 2: Hammer Arm / Drain Punch
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Poison Jab / Detect
ability: Iron Fist
item: Life Orb / Assault Vest
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe
nature: Brave

Moves
========

This set is based around Conkeldurr having extremely low Speed. Mach Punch is still needed as STAB priority. Drain Punch is still an option but Hammer Arm fits better in a Trick Room set because it has a higher Base Power, is still boosted by Iron Fist, and lowers Speed even more. Drain Punch is still a good choice because it is a reliable form of recovery. Rock Slide is used for coverage against Pokemon like Mega Charizard Y and other Flying-types. The last slot has two viable options. Poison Jab can help take care of Fairy-types while Detect is still a good move to stall turns out, which is useful when Trick Room needs to be set up.

Set Details
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There are two great item choices for this set. Life Orb increases damage output while Assault Vest can add survivability on the special side. Iron Fist is the chosen ability in order to boost Mach Punch as well as Drain Punch. However, this does make burns more of a worry. The EVs give Conkeldurr maximized Attack as well as added bulk. A Brave nature boosts Attack while lowering Speed, which is ideal for a Trick Room. 0 IVs in Speed will lower Speed even more.

Usage Tips
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Conkeldurr is a great revenge killer thanks to Mach Punch, so take advantage of that. Because its low Speed makes it move first, Conkeldurr becomes a fearsome sweeper, so make sure that when Trick Room is up, Conkeldurr will keep on attacking. The turn you set up Trick Room, make sure Conkeldurr uses Detect, granted you choose to run it. Make sure that Conkeldurr's counters are out of the way before bringing it in.

Team Options
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Due to the fact that Trick Room is a huge part of this set, Conkeldurr's list of team options increases. Slowking is great as it can take care of Talonflame and set up Trick Room. Escavalier is another good Trick Room sweeper. Bisharp can keep Psychic-types at bay and has a STAB priority move. Amoonguss brings Rage Powder support and also benefits from the effects of Trick Room. Lastly, Aromatisse is a tanky Fairy-type that brings Trick Room and can support with Heal Pulse.

Other Options
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A Coba Berry can be used to allow Conkeldurr to survive a Choice Band Talonflame's Brave Bird at full health, but due to double targeting, this is not a popular choice. Brick Break can be used as it gains the STAB boost and breaks Reflect and Light Screen, but generally isn't used due to having a lower Base Power than other choices. Earthquake can be used as a spread move to take care of Pokemon like Aegislash, but due to Conkeldurr's high Attack, its teammate would take high damage. A Black Belt can be used to boost Fighting-type moves without losing health. Payback can be used as Conkeldurr is likely to move last, but it isn't worth the moveslot.

Checks & Counters
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**Talonflame**: Talonflame OHKOes Conkeldurr with Brave Bird unless the held item is a Coba Berry, which is unlikely.

**Intimidate**: Like most physical attackers, the drop in Attack that Intimidate carries can be the difference between an OHKO or 2HKO.

**Gardevoir**: Gardevoir does not fear anything that Conkeldurr can throw at it, bar the occasional Posion Jab, and can OHKO back with either a Fairy-type or Psychic-type STAB attack.

**Aegislash**: The only real worry is that Conkeldurr has Payback, but this can be easily avoided with King's Shield. Although this is less likely, Aegislash might have to be wary of Earthquake.

 

[TheMantyke]

This is pretty good so far. Only things I want changed are Hammer Arm > Drain Punch as the main stab as the Iron Fist attacker. Additionally, give Detect the main slash altogether for the last slot.

Also, I have not used Conkeldurr much but I'm getting the feeling that the primary set can forgoe a flame orb for another boosting item since this format is loaded with WoW users. Locking up a team's Sitrus on Conk might be a little pricey though, so maybe black belt or something can work? I'm not sure, anyone want to chime in here?

 

[Professor Birch]

Ok. For the Flame Orb part, I was thinking that maybe I could use Leftovers instead? Other than that, there is the option of Expert Belt but I am not sure what else could be used.

 

[Agonist]

Persim for Swagger, maybe?

 

[Professor Birch]

Actually yea, Persim sounds like is deserves a slash.

 

[Professor Birch]

This is pretty good so far. Only things I want changed are Hammer Arm > Drain Punch as the main stab as the Iron Fist attacker. Additionally, give Detect the main slash altogether for the last slot.

Also, I have not used Conkeldurr much but I'm getting the feeling that the primary set can forgoe a flame orb for another boosting item since this format is loaded with WoW users. Locking up a team's Sitrus on Conk might be a little pricey though, so maybe black belt or something can work? I'm not sure, anyone want to chime in here?

Do you want me to only have Detect on the LO set or make sure it is the first option?

Edit: Coba Berry also prevents the OHKO from Talonflame Brave Bird. Maybe this deserves mention or at least OO?

 

[Laurel]

Assault Vest needs a slash on the main set! I would even consider making it the main item because Sitrus is better on pokemon like Rotom-W. Both sets seem very similar I think you can consider combining them. Aromatisse needs a mention as a teammate... Heal Pulse and Trick Room... Also mention Bisharp is a good partner to scarf off Intimidate... Mention Aegislash as a check / counter... only scared of Payback... mention in overview that the loss of e-punches hurts it but its still a good pokemon.

 

[Professor Birch]

Assault Vest needs a slash on the main set! I would even consider making it the main item because Sitrus is better on pokemon like Rotom-W. Both sets seem very similar I think you can consider combining them. Aromatisse needs a mention as a teammate... Heal Pulse and Trick Room... Also mention Bisharp is a good partner to scarf off Intimidate... Mention Aegislash as a check / counter... only scared of Payback... mention in overview that the loss of e-punches hurts it but its still a good pokemon.

I think they could definitely be combined and just have Adamant slashed with Brave.

 

[Professor Birch]

I shall now be focusing my efforts here. I really need some other opinions on the sets. There are good reasons for why they should be separate and good reasons for why they should be together. Could the QC team come to a consensus?

 

[Professor Birch]

Bumping. Also, if I were to slash Assault Vest on the main set, that would mean that I would need to switch moves around as Detect and Wide Guard would be impossible to use. What were your ideas Laurel

 

[R Inanimate]

Just a note, Aegislash can't rely on its Shield Forme bulk to tank Payback from Conkeldurr. Since Aegislash is most likely faster, it will go into Blade Forme first before taking a 100 Power Payback to the chin. Even a 0 Atk EV Adamant Conkeldurr will OHKO 252 HP Aegislash with Payback when it has moved first and has switched to Blade Forme.

While it is still only really worried about Payback... it does have quite a bit to worry from it.

 

[Martin]

Just a note, Aegislash can't rely on its Shield Forme bulk to tank Payback from Conkeldurr. Since Aegislash is most likely faster, it will go into Blade Forme first before taking a 100 Power Payback to the chin. Even a 0 Atk EV Adamant Conkeldurr will OHKO 252 HP Aegislash with Payback when it has moved first and has switched to Blade Forme.

While it is still only really worried about Payback... it does have quite a bit to worry from it.

Payback is very situational as it requires Aegislash to move first without using King's Shield, and EQ is better for dealing with Aegislash as it doesn't rely on Aegislash not using King's Sheild. Sure its blocked by Wide Guard, but its better than getting -2 Attack and being forced to switch and isn't overly situational in this meta.

As for the AssVest set, EQ is probably best as its the best move it has without access the gen 5 move-tutor moves

 

[Professor Birch]

I have made some slight changes to make sense of things.

 

[Biosci]

On the first set:

-Mention partners with Swagger as you mention Persim berry, but not Swagger partners in Team Options

About the second set:

-I feel like the 2 sets play out a lot differently. The Guts set has the utility to switch in on Will-O-Wisp or Thunder Wave, but the Iron Fist set has no such luxury. A lot of people are wary of putting status on a Conkeldurr in a best of 1 format, but in a best of 3 format you get no such luxury so that kinda comes back to bite you.

tl;dr I'm fine with keeping them separate, I'd like other QC to weigh in plz.

-About Payback on both sets, I'm really not sure if it's worth to be on there or not. What other noteworthy thing does his besides Aegislash? I'd rather put more priority to Poison Jab so aren't completely SOL vs Fairies if you have Speed control. Payback is definitely worth OO as a mention to help against Aegislash, but otherwise I can't really think of other uses.

 

[Jonater]

Hello, you could mention a bulkier spread of 252 HP / 140 Def / 116 Atk with a impish nature on the standard set to guarantee to live from LO Talonflame so you can retaliate with a Rock Slide + Mach Punch.
252+ Atk Life Orb Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 140+ Def Conkeldurr: 174-211 (82 - 99.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

 

[Professor Birch]

Hello, you could mention a bulkier spread of 252 HP / 140 Def / 116 Atk with a impish nature on the standard set to guarantee to live from LO Talonflame so you can retaliate with a Rock Slide + Mach Punch.
252+ Atk Life Orb Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 140+ Def Conkeldurr: 174-211 (82 - 99.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

I will mention in OO

 

[Martin]

Why is the life orb attack set called that if it isn't the only dash? Maybe call it Iron Fist?
Also may I propose a Flame Orb set? The sheer power of it is immense, but it does take lots of damage over time. The set would look something like this:

Flame Orb
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name: Flame Orb
move 1: Drain Punch
move 2: Mach Punch
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Detect
ability: Guts
item: Flame Orb
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
nature: Adamant

The EVs on all of the sets could be refined, and this is no exception. Flame Orb activates Guts, Drain Punch hits hard while healing of the residual damage, Mach Punch provides that required prioroty, Rock Slide hits Flying-types and Detect scouts and lets Conkeldurr get the Guts Boost if it comes in first turn or after one of its teammates has fainted while minimising the chance of it being imprisoned.

 

[Professor Birch]

Why is the life orb attack set called that if it isn't the only dash? Maybe call it Iron Fist?
Also may I propose a Flame Orb set? The sheer power of it is immense, but it does take lots of damage over time. The set would look something like this:

Flame Orb
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name: Flame Orb
move 1: Drain Punch
move 2: Mach Punch
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Detect
ability: Guts
item: Flame Orb
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
nature: Adamant

The EVs on all of the sets could be refined, and this is no exception. Flame Orb activates Guts, Drain Punch hits hard while healing of the residual damage, Mach Punch provides that required prioroty, Rock Slide hits Flying-types and Detect scouts and lets Conkeldurr get the Guts Boost if it comes in first turn or after one of its teammates has fainted while minimising the chance of it being imprisoned.

Mantyke and I both spoke about it before I made the skeleton and agreed that due to the sheer number of WoW users, you can play mind games here. Instead of burning yourself, you can run the Life Orb set for example which uses Iron Fist and the opponent would be reluctant to burn you.

 

[Martin]

Maybe slash Drain Punch with Hammer Arm on the Life Orb set as the damage will begin to rack up very quickly and it is also boosted by Iron Fist as it is.

 

[Professor Birch]

Maybe slash Drain Punch with Hammer Arm on the Life Orb set as the damage will begin to rack up very quickly and it is also boosted by Iron Fist as it is.

This works for me

 

[Jonater]

You should also note in TO that Sableye is a good partner as he can activate conkeldurr's guts ability with Will-O-Wisp. Also, you should slash Flame Orb on standard, Probably first of Leftovers or Second.

 

[Professor Birch]

I already thought about Flame Orb and Mantyke and I talked about it before I wrote this. He said that since there is so much WoW out there anyway, it is not really worth the item slot. Also, I feel that this could play mind games because it may prevent your opponent from using WoW even though you are using Iron Fist.

 

[Professor Birch]

Bumping. I am happy with the current state of this and would like the opinions of QC members. Laurel TheMantyke Biosci

 

[Toadskii]

Honestly, this is what I think of Conkeldurr, my breakdown of it:

 

[Professor Birch]

Honestly, this is what I think of Conkeldurr, my breakdown of it:

Knock Off and the elemental punches are illegal in VGC since they are past gen tutor moves.