Everything's open to revision.
Do NOT post a set for the analysis unless you have EXTENSIVELY tested it. Also be sure what you're posting is analysis material. If you aren't sure on either of them, don't post it.
[SET]
name: Life Orb + 3 Attacks
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Hydro Pump
move 4: Slack Off
item: Life Orb
nature: Timid
ability: Shield Dust / Static
evs: 200 HP / 56 SAtk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Cyclohm's bulk, Speed, and type coverage work well together on this set. The 200 EVs invested in HP allow Cyclohm to reach an HP stat of 407, an excellent number for Life Orb since the recoil damage is rounded down, as well as allowing Cyclohm to better take various hits. On the other hand, the 252 Speed EVs allow Cyclohm to outspeed Adamant Lucario, and let Cyclohm speed tie with max Speed Mamoswine. The rest of the EVs go into Special Attack, which, though not receiving the heavy investment given to HP and Speed, is still enough to deal plenty of damage. Draco Meteor, Thunderbolt, and Hydro Pump provide Cyclohm with excellent neutral coverage, allowing Cyclohm to keep itself healthy by packing Slack Off as well.</p>
<p>Choice Band Scizor and Life Orb Cyclohm make for an excellent combination. Scizor's Bullet Punch can eliminate the various revenge killers that plague Cyclohm, while Superpower can take out Blissey in a heartbeat. In return, Cyclohm can simply punch through most Scizor counters, which makes it a good candidate to U-Turn into. Additionally, Cyclohm's Dragon typing can easily take Fire moves aimed at Scizor, while Scizor can cover Cyclohm's Dragon and Ice weaknesses. Cyclohm can also work well with Rain support (in which case, you should use Thunder instead of Thunderbolt), which increases Thunder's accuracy and gives either Hydro Pump or Surf a pseudo-STAB.</p>
[SET]
name: SpecsOhm
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 4: Flamethrower
item: Choice Specs
nature: Modest
ability: Shield Dust / Static
evs: 64 HP / 252 SAtk / 192 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set aims to hit as hard as possible with Cyclohm's powerful attacks and a reasonably strong 112 base Special Attack. A Choice Specs Draco Meteor is absolutely ruinous, with the other attacks providing strong coverage against Pokemon that resist Dragon-type moves. Thunderbolt provides a strong backup STAB, and precious few Pokemon resist the combination of it and Draco Meteor. Hydro Pump quickly demolishes various Ground and Fire types, and, with Cyclohm's strength backing it, can 2HKO even Specially Defensive Tyranitar with Stealth Rock up; Surf is also a workable Water move, if accuracy is preferred. Flamethrower rounds off the set by demolishing most Steel types. 192 EVs in Speed allow Cyclohm to outspeed Jolly Tyranitar and anything slower, Special Attack has been maxed out, and the rest of the EVs go into HP to pad Cyclohm's defenses.</p>
<p>This set works especially well with Dugtrio or a strong Pursuiter, which help to eliminate Blissey - the only Pokemon that can truly hope to wall this set. With Blissey out of the picture, the only way to safely switch into Cyclohm is extremely careful prediction, which is difficult thanks to Cyclohm's impressive neutral coverage.</p>
[SET]
name: Bulklohm
move 1: Discharge
move 2: Dragon Pulse
move 3: Flamethrower
move 4: Slack Off
item: Leftovers
nature: Timid
ability: Shield Dust / Static
evs: 212 HP / 56 SAtk / 240 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>What Cyclohm lacks in physical resistances, it manages to compensate for with a strong defense and enough offensive muscle to make the retaliation hurt. Boasting a Defense equivalent to Hippowdon, Cyclohm can shrug off most unboosted neutral hits. It can then hit back with amazing neutral type coverage and a respectable 112 base Special Attack to back it up.</p>
<p>Discharge, and Dragon Pulse function as more conservative choices for a more conservative Cyclohm. While Cyclohm can just as well utilize Draco Meteor or Thunderbolt to help close the gap between it and more offensive sets, Cyclohm can still deal plenty of damage using Discharge or Dragon Pulse to make good use of the chance for paralysis from Discharge (especially in combination with Static) and avoiding the Special Attack drop Draco Meteor incurs. Flamethrower helps Cyclohm to better deal with Steel-types, such as Metagross or Jirachi, with its reduced power.</p>
<p>The EVs provided allow Cyclohm a generous helping of HP, while giving it the Speed to outrun quite a few Pokemon; Adamant Lucario and Pokemon one point faster than it, notably. Though, if desired, more EVs can be funneled into Defense from Speed or Special Attack.</p>
<p>Using Discharge in combination with Static can result in paralyzing your opponent fairly often; this can be useful when used with hard hitters such as Mamoswine or Metagoss, which frequently suffer from their lack of Speed. Additionally, Cyclohm can quickly wear down opposing Pokemon with its attacks, making it easier for the hard hitters to sweep.</p>
[Shield Dust or Static?]
<p>Cyclohm has been granted two very useful abilities to choose from; Shield Dust and Static. Both of these abilities are very useful in their own way, and each of them help Cyclohm differently. With this in mind, it may be quite difficult deciding which ability to use. Each of these abilities serve for different purposes, and the paragraphs below will explain both of the abilities in more detail.</p>
<p>As you may or may not know, Shield Dust prevents the use of secondary effects from a move to activate. This means that moves such as Flamethrower, Thunderbolt, and Ice Beam coming from a Pokemon can no longer burn, paralyze, or freeze the Pokemon with the Shield Dust ability. This ability allows Cyclohm to come in on many hax-based threats such as Jirachi, Machamp, and Togekiss. With this being said, Cyclohm makes great switch-ins to these Pokemon since it won’t be flinched and paralyzed by Iron Head and Body Slam from Jirachi or flinched by Air Slash from Togekiss, and it can’t become confused by Machamp’s DynamicPunch, all of which can be hit hard with Flamethrower and Thunderbolt respectively.</p>
<p>On the other hand, Cyclohm can use Static to its advantage with its enormous physical bulk. Dangerous physically-based threats such as Gyarados, Lucario, and Flygon will have to think twice before attacking you, since they have a 30% chance of being crippled with paralysis. Static can be really helpful in cases where the opponent has boosted their physical sweeper’s Speed with a Choice Scarf or using a Speed-boosting move, which allows you to switch in a Pokemon to revenge-kill the crippled threat.</p>
<p>Now, it all comes down to this: Cyclohm has the ability to either prevent hax or cause hax. Before deciding on an ability, it’s best to take a look at your team and see what can cause you trouble. If things like Jirachi and Machamp can be a big deal with the flinching and confusion, it would be a good idea to run Shield Dust. Static is a good ability to have since Cyclohm can really benefit from it with its mediocre Speed, and it can give you the upper-hand in most battles.</p>
[Team Options]
<Needed>
[Other Options]
<p>Cyclohm has a plethora of support options for a defensive set. For status, it can use either Stun Spore or Thunder Wave to inflict paralysis, depending on if you want the ability to hit Ground types, or if you want to have higher accuracy. Toxic can also be used, if you wish to have the extra damage. Roar is an option if you need a phazer, and Yawn can be used to both phaze and inflict status. Cyclohm also can set up Light Screen, whether it is to strengthen its weaker Special Defense, or to support teammates. However, finding room for these moves can be difficult, even on a defensive set. Cyclohm also has Taunt and Knock Off, though it is not suited to use either of the moves.</p>
<p>Some sets could make use of Charge Beam in order to raise Cyclohm’s Special Attack, but doing so would sacrifice the extra damage of Thunderbolt or Discharge. If it has Rain Dance support, Cyclohm can also use Thunder, which with its improved accuracy, is an excellent STAB. Cyclohm can additionally provide Rain Dance support of its own, with its bulk and usable Speed, as well as the aforementioned Thunder.</p>
[EVs]
<Needed>
[Opinion]
<p>Cyclohm is definitely a hard hitter in today's metagame. With most of its offensive options able to put a dent in the majority of OU, it is indeed a force to be reckoned with. Boasting a wide movepool of hard hitting moves such as Draco Meteor and Hydro Pump, Cyclohm manages to make its switch-ins think twice before coming in on it. Even Steel-types must be wary of an attack coming their way.</p>
<p>Although Cyclohm may be a great offensive threat utilizing its bulk and power to clean up many opposing forces late game, it is especially important to get Cyclohm in safely, as entry hazards and residual damage easily chip away at Cyclohm's health. Cyclohm makes an excellent hit and run pokemon, as it can instantly threaten a wide majority of the metagame and fight back with quite a punch.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Given Cyclohm's powerful attacks, incredible type coverage, and respectable 112 base Special Attack, very little can afford to keep coming in on the more offensive sets. Blissey can sponge up Cyclohm's attacks indefinitely, and can keep Cyclohm on a timer with Toxic. Snorlax can sponge up a few hits (though it will require heavy Special Defense investment to avoid being 2HKO'd by a LO Draco Meteor) and hit back with Earthquake. Swampert can also take hits from Cyclohm not named Draco Meteor and gets STAB on its Earthquake.</p>
<p>Mamoswine can come in on a predicted Thunderbolt and OHKO all but the bulkiest Cyclohm with STAB Earthquake. Dugtrio can trap Cyclohm and hit it with Earthquake as well, though Cyclohm's bulk usually necessitates a little weakening before Dugtrio can safely knock it out. A Specially Defensive Tyranitar can usually afford to take a hit from Cyclohm and fight back with Earthquake, though it should be wary of Hydro Pump or Surf.</p>
<p>Latias can absorb non-Dragon moves and hit Cyclohm on its weaker side with a Dragon-type attack of its own. Various other Pokemon with a strong super effective move can revenge kill Cyclohm, such as Salamence, Starmie, or Heatran, but should be careful to ensure that Cyclohm is within KO range before attempting to take it out.</p>
Do NOT post a set for the analysis unless you have EXTENSIVELY tested it. Also be sure what you're posting is analysis material. If you aren't sure on either of them, don't post it.
[SET]
name: Life Orb + 3 Attacks
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Hydro Pump
move 4: Slack Off
item: Life Orb
nature: Timid
ability: Shield Dust / Static
evs: 200 HP / 56 SAtk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Cyclohm's bulk, Speed, and type coverage work well together on this set. The 200 EVs invested in HP allow Cyclohm to reach an HP stat of 407, an excellent number for Life Orb since the recoil damage is rounded down, as well as allowing Cyclohm to better take various hits. On the other hand, the 252 Speed EVs allow Cyclohm to outspeed Adamant Lucario, and let Cyclohm speed tie with max Speed Mamoswine. The rest of the EVs go into Special Attack, which, though not receiving the heavy investment given to HP and Speed, is still enough to deal plenty of damage. Draco Meteor, Thunderbolt, and Hydro Pump provide Cyclohm with excellent neutral coverage, allowing Cyclohm to keep itself healthy by packing Slack Off as well.</p>
<p>Choice Band Scizor and Life Orb Cyclohm make for an excellent combination. Scizor's Bullet Punch can eliminate the various revenge killers that plague Cyclohm, while Superpower can take out Blissey in a heartbeat. In return, Cyclohm can simply punch through most Scizor counters, which makes it a good candidate to U-Turn into. Additionally, Cyclohm's Dragon typing can easily take Fire moves aimed at Scizor, while Scizor can cover Cyclohm's Dragon and Ice weaknesses. Cyclohm can also work well with Rain support (in which case, you should use Thunder instead of Thunderbolt), which increases Thunder's accuracy and gives either Hydro Pump or Surf a pseudo-STAB.</p>
[SET]
name: SpecsOhm
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 4: Flamethrower
item: Choice Specs
nature: Modest
ability: Shield Dust / Static
evs: 64 HP / 252 SAtk / 192 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set aims to hit as hard as possible with Cyclohm's powerful attacks and a reasonably strong 112 base Special Attack. A Choice Specs Draco Meteor is absolutely ruinous, with the other attacks providing strong coverage against Pokemon that resist Dragon-type moves. Thunderbolt provides a strong backup STAB, and precious few Pokemon resist the combination of it and Draco Meteor. Hydro Pump quickly demolishes various Ground and Fire types, and, with Cyclohm's strength backing it, can 2HKO even Specially Defensive Tyranitar with Stealth Rock up; Surf is also a workable Water move, if accuracy is preferred. Flamethrower rounds off the set by demolishing most Steel types. 192 EVs in Speed allow Cyclohm to outspeed Jolly Tyranitar and anything slower, Special Attack has been maxed out, and the rest of the EVs go into HP to pad Cyclohm's defenses.</p>
<p>This set works especially well with Dugtrio or a strong Pursuiter, which help to eliminate Blissey - the only Pokemon that can truly hope to wall this set. With Blissey out of the picture, the only way to safely switch into Cyclohm is extremely careful prediction, which is difficult thanks to Cyclohm's impressive neutral coverage.</p>
[SET]
name: Bulklohm
move 1: Discharge
move 2: Dragon Pulse
move 3: Flamethrower
move 4: Slack Off
item: Leftovers
nature: Timid
ability: Shield Dust / Static
evs: 212 HP / 56 SAtk / 240 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>What Cyclohm lacks in physical resistances, it manages to compensate for with a strong defense and enough offensive muscle to make the retaliation hurt. Boasting a Defense equivalent to Hippowdon, Cyclohm can shrug off most unboosted neutral hits. It can then hit back with amazing neutral type coverage and a respectable 112 base Special Attack to back it up.</p>
<p>Discharge, and Dragon Pulse function as more conservative choices for a more conservative Cyclohm. While Cyclohm can just as well utilize Draco Meteor or Thunderbolt to help close the gap between it and more offensive sets, Cyclohm can still deal plenty of damage using Discharge or Dragon Pulse to make good use of the chance for paralysis from Discharge (especially in combination with Static) and avoiding the Special Attack drop Draco Meteor incurs. Flamethrower helps Cyclohm to better deal with Steel-types, such as Metagross or Jirachi, with its reduced power.</p>
<p>The EVs provided allow Cyclohm a generous helping of HP, while giving it the Speed to outrun quite a few Pokemon; Adamant Lucario and Pokemon one point faster than it, notably. Though, if desired, more EVs can be funneled into Defense from Speed or Special Attack.</p>
<p>Using Discharge in combination with Static can result in paralyzing your opponent fairly often; this can be useful when used with hard hitters such as Mamoswine or Metagoss, which frequently suffer from their lack of Speed. Additionally, Cyclohm can quickly wear down opposing Pokemon with its attacks, making it easier for the hard hitters to sweep.</p>
[Shield Dust or Static?]
<p>Cyclohm has been granted two very useful abilities to choose from; Shield Dust and Static. Both of these abilities are very useful in their own way, and each of them help Cyclohm differently. With this in mind, it may be quite difficult deciding which ability to use. Each of these abilities serve for different purposes, and the paragraphs below will explain both of the abilities in more detail.</p>
<p>As you may or may not know, Shield Dust prevents the use of secondary effects from a move to activate. This means that moves such as Flamethrower, Thunderbolt, and Ice Beam coming from a Pokemon can no longer burn, paralyze, or freeze the Pokemon with the Shield Dust ability. This ability allows Cyclohm to come in on many hax-based threats such as Jirachi, Machamp, and Togekiss. With this being said, Cyclohm makes great switch-ins to these Pokemon since it won’t be flinched and paralyzed by Iron Head and Body Slam from Jirachi or flinched by Air Slash from Togekiss, and it can’t become confused by Machamp’s DynamicPunch, all of which can be hit hard with Flamethrower and Thunderbolt respectively.</p>
<p>On the other hand, Cyclohm can use Static to its advantage with its enormous physical bulk. Dangerous physically-based threats such as Gyarados, Lucario, and Flygon will have to think twice before attacking you, since they have a 30% chance of being crippled with paralysis. Static can be really helpful in cases where the opponent has boosted their physical sweeper’s Speed with a Choice Scarf or using a Speed-boosting move, which allows you to switch in a Pokemon to revenge-kill the crippled threat.</p>
<p>Now, it all comes down to this: Cyclohm has the ability to either prevent hax or cause hax. Before deciding on an ability, it’s best to take a look at your team and see what can cause you trouble. If things like Jirachi and Machamp can be a big deal with the flinching and confusion, it would be a good idea to run Shield Dust. Static is a good ability to have since Cyclohm can really benefit from it with its mediocre Speed, and it can give you the upper-hand in most battles.</p>
[Team Options]
<Needed>
[Other Options]
<p>Cyclohm has a plethora of support options for a defensive set. For status, it can use either Stun Spore or Thunder Wave to inflict paralysis, depending on if you want the ability to hit Ground types, or if you want to have higher accuracy. Toxic can also be used, if you wish to have the extra damage. Roar is an option if you need a phazer, and Yawn can be used to both phaze and inflict status. Cyclohm also can set up Light Screen, whether it is to strengthen its weaker Special Defense, or to support teammates. However, finding room for these moves can be difficult, even on a defensive set. Cyclohm also has Taunt and Knock Off, though it is not suited to use either of the moves.</p>
<p>Some sets could make use of Charge Beam in order to raise Cyclohm’s Special Attack, but doing so would sacrifice the extra damage of Thunderbolt or Discharge. If it has Rain Dance support, Cyclohm can also use Thunder, which with its improved accuracy, is an excellent STAB. Cyclohm can additionally provide Rain Dance support of its own, with its bulk and usable Speed, as well as the aforementioned Thunder.</p>
[EVs]
<Needed>
[Opinion]
<p>Cyclohm is definitely a hard hitter in today's metagame. With most of its offensive options able to put a dent in the majority of OU, it is indeed a force to be reckoned with. Boasting a wide movepool of hard hitting moves such as Draco Meteor and Hydro Pump, Cyclohm manages to make its switch-ins think twice before coming in on it. Even Steel-types must be wary of an attack coming their way.</p>
<p>Although Cyclohm may be a great offensive threat utilizing its bulk and power to clean up many opposing forces late game, it is especially important to get Cyclohm in safely, as entry hazards and residual damage easily chip away at Cyclohm's health. Cyclohm makes an excellent hit and run pokemon, as it can instantly threaten a wide majority of the metagame and fight back with quite a punch.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Given Cyclohm's powerful attacks, incredible type coverage, and respectable 112 base Special Attack, very little can afford to keep coming in on the more offensive sets. Blissey can sponge up Cyclohm's attacks indefinitely, and can keep Cyclohm on a timer with Toxic. Snorlax can sponge up a few hits (though it will require heavy Special Defense investment to avoid being 2HKO'd by a LO Draco Meteor) and hit back with Earthquake. Swampert can also take hits from Cyclohm not named Draco Meteor and gets STAB on its Earthquake.</p>
<p>Mamoswine can come in on a predicted Thunderbolt and OHKO all but the bulkiest Cyclohm with STAB Earthquake. Dugtrio can trap Cyclohm and hit it with Earthquake as well, though Cyclohm's bulk usually necessitates a little weakening before Dugtrio can safely knock it out. A Specially Defensive Tyranitar can usually afford to take a hit from Cyclohm and fight back with Earthquake, though it should be wary of Hydro Pump or Surf.</p>
<p>Latias can absorb non-Dragon moves and hit Cyclohm on its weaker side with a Dragon-type attack of its own. Various other Pokemon with a strong super effective move can revenge kill Cyclohm, such as Salamence, Starmie, or Heatran, but should be careful to ensure that Cyclohm is within KO range before attempting to take it out.</p>
