[OVERVIEW]
Frogadier stands out thanks to Protean, which grants it with a STAB boost on all of its attacks. Frogadier also has a great movepool to complement Protean, which grants it excellent coverage, hitting the whole tier for neutral damage. Frogadier has a good Speed stat as well, making it a solid revenge killer and late-game cleaner. However, Frogadier is very frail, meaning that it cannot take advantage of Protean's defensive capabilities. Futhermore, its Attack and Special Attack are mediocre, meaning that its moves must be super effective if it wants to hit foes hard. While Frogadier is fast, it is still outsped by many common offensive threats such as Tauros, Sneasel, Archeops, and Choice Scarf users. Priority is also an issue with Pokemon such as Kangaskhan and Fletchinder roaming the tier, hindering Frogadier's effectiveness.
[SET]
name: Protean Attacker
move 1: Gunk Shot
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Ice Beam / Grass Knot
move 4: Dark Pulse / Hidden Power Fire / U-turn
item: Life Orb
ability: Protean
nature: Naive
evs: 252 Atk / 16 SpA / 240 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Gunk Shot hits many Pokemon for good damage and has a nice chance to poison opposing Pokemon, softening foes that switch in. It is also the best option against Fairy-types such as Mega Audino and Togetic, Grass-types such as Lilligant and Ludicolo, and specially bulky Pokemon such as Cryogonal and Assault Vest Hariyama. Hydro Pump is Frogadier's most powerful special attack, having fantastic coverage with Gunk Shot and allowing Frogadier to hit Fire-, Rock-, and Ground-types, such as Magmortar, Rhydon, and Probopass, for heavy damage. Ice Beam hits Grass- and Dragon-types, such as Vileplume, Gourgeist, Torterra, and Zweilous, as well as hitting Scyther when it switches in. Grass Knot hits Water-types such as Samurott, Poliwrath, Kabutops, Carracosta, and Quagsire. Dark Pulse is used to hit Psychic-types, such as Uxie and Mesprit, as well as Ghost-types, such as Rotom and Mismagius, on the switch; the move also allows Frogadier to turn into a Dark-type, making it immune to Uxie's and Mesprit's STAB moves as they try to target Frogadier when it has changed to a Poison-type. Alternatively, Hidden Power Fire lets Frogadier hit Ferroseed, which otherwise walls it, as well as other Steel-types such as Magneton and Klinklang. U-turn lets Frogadier retain momentum and the bonus of hitting Uxie, Mesprit, and Malamar.
Set Details
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Maximum Attack EVs are used to allow Frogadier to hit as hard as possible with Gunk Shot. 240 Speed EVs and a Naive nature are used to outspeed up to positive-natured base 95 Speed Pokemon while not reducing Frogadier's attacking prowess. The rest of the EVs are placed into Special Attack to make Frogadier's special attacks hit a bit harder. Life Orb significantly increases Frogadier's damage output. Protean grants Frogadier STAB on all of its attacks, making its coverage options all hit very hard.
Usage Tips
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Due to Frogadier being very frail, it is hard to bring it in without taking heavy damage, so it is best to bring it in after a Pokemon has fainted or via a slow U-turn or Volt Switch. While Frogadier's coverage is impressive, its sheer damage output is mediocre, so it is best to catch the opponent off guard by luring in and KOing foes with certain coverage moves while also breaking down bulky cores with its superb coverage. Before cleaning up late-game, make sure to eliminate any faster Pokemon or priority users. Also, try to hit predicted switch-ins with the right coverage move in order to deal heavy damage to the opponent's team.
Team Options
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Due to Frogadier being very frail, offensive Pokemon with access to U-turn or Volt Switch, such as Magneton, Liepard, Scyther, and Rotom, make for great partners because they can bring Frogadier in safely. Frogadier pairs well certain Pokemon based on what coverage it runs. If it is running Ice Beam, Fighting-types such as Sawk and Gurdurr make for good partners because they appreciate having Pokemon such as Vileplume and Gourgeist eliminated. If running Grass Knot, Fire-types, such as Magmortar and Pyroar, appreciate Frogadier's ability to take out Samurott. Fighting- and Poison-types, such as Sawk, Hariyama and Garbodor, pair well with Frogadier when it is running Dark Pulse, as it is able to take down both Uxie and Mesprit for Sawk and Hariyama while also taking out Xatu to aid Garbodor. Pokemon that hate Ferroseed, such as Swords Dance Samurott, pair well with Frogadier if it is running Hidden Power Fire. Frogadier also loves entry hazard support, as it gives Frogadier an easier time KOing opposing Pokemon. Garbodor is a great partner for this role, as it is able to set up Spikes and Toxic Spikes, and it can wear down priority attackers that threaten Frogadier with Rocky Helmet. Due to Frogadier being worn down by Life Orb recoil, it appreciates entry hazards being cleared so that it is not worn down more quickly, so Rapid Spin and Defog users such as Claydol, Kabutops, Prinplup, and Xatu all make for excellent partners, with Xatu also having access to U-turn to bring in Frogadier safely. Because Frogadier has a hard time against very bulky Pokemon, wallbreakers such as Choice Band Sawk and Life Orb Magmortar are great partners as well. While it is not a necessity, Frogadier also likes to have Sticky Web on the field to outspeed even more Pokemon, making its cleaning abilities even better, so Kricketune and Leavanny make for good teammates.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Frogadier can also run a specially offensive set, but, in general, it is outclassed by other fast Water-types, such as Swift Swim Ludicolo, Floatzel, and Simipour. Hidden Power Electric hits Mantine and Pelipper very hard, which otherwise take Frogadier's attacks well. Taunt is an okay move to stop walls from healing or preventing entry hazards from being set up, but Frogadier is typically better off outright attacking. Frogadier also has access to Toxic Spikes, which can be useful because it forces switches, but it is generally better off just dishing out damage, and there are plenty of other entry hazard setters that can already provide this support.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Pokemon**: Pokemon that are not weak to most of Frogadier's attacks, such as Musharna, Garbodor, Bouffalant, Hariyama, and Gurdurr, are able to tank a hit and retaliate back. It is worth noting though that Musharna takes a lot of damage from from either Dark Pulse or U-turn. Bouffalant can potentially gain a Sap Sipper boost if it switches in on Grass Knot. Gurdurr is able to pick off Frogadier with Mach Punch, and Hariyama can pick off Frogadier with either Fake Out or Bullet Punch.
**Faster Attackers**: Due to Frogadier being very frail, any naturally faster Pokemon or Choice Scarf user can easily revenge kill Frogadier. Such examples include Tauros, Scyther, Sneasel, and Archeops; however, all of them have trouble switching in safely.
**Priority Attackers**: Fletchinder, Kangaskhan, Mawile, and Cacturne can easily pick off Frogadier with their priority moves, but most of them cannot safely switch in. It is also worth noting that, depending on what type Frogadier has switched to via Protean, it may be resistant to the foe's priority moves. For example, if Frogadier uses Gunk Shot, it resists Mach Punch. If it uses Dark Pulse, it resists Sucker Punch.
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