Guide to Trapping in BW

BTzz

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[A][/A]Guide to Trapping in BW
By BTzz, CottonPuff and Sir

Status - Writting

- Overview
- Trapping Moves & Abilities
- Trappers
-- Ability Trappers
-- Pursuit Trappers
-- Other Trappers
- Trapping Strategies
- Sample Team(s)
- Conclusion


[A][/A]Overview


[A][/A]Trapping Moves & Abilities:

Abilities:

Shadow Tag: Prevents opposing Pokémon from switching out of battle

Magnet Pull: Prevents opposing Steel-types from switching out of battle

Arena Trap: Prevents opposing grounded Pokémon from switching out of battle

- Grounded Pokemon are Pokemon that are not part Flying, do not have the ability Levitate, do not have Magnet Rise active, and are not holding an Air Balloon.


Moves

Pursuit
Type: Dark / Power: 40 / Accuracy: 100% / PP: 20 / Damage: Physical

Description: Deals damage. If used on the same turn as the target switches out, its priority increases to +7 and its Base Power increases to 80. This means that it hits the target before it switches out. If the user of Pursuit has Technician, the move's power is boosted if the opponent does not switch, but if it does switch, its power is no longer boosted.


Mean Look:
Type: Normal / Power: - / Accuracy: 100% / PP: 5 / Damage: -

Block:
Type: Normal / Power: - / Accuracy: 100% / PP: 5 / Damage: -

Prevents the opponent from switching out, apart from through the use of Volt Switch, U-turn, and Baton Pass. Does not prevent the effect of Eject Button. This effect ends when either the user or the target faints, or the user switches out. Note that if the user then uses Baton Pass, the effect will now end. If the target is hit with Roar or Whirlwind while Block is in effect, they will be forced out as per normal.



Magma Storm:
Type: Fire / Power: 120 / Accuracy: 75% / PP: 5 / Damage: Special

Fire Spinl
Type: Fire / Power: 35 / Accuracy: 85% / PP: 20 / Damage: Special

Whirlpool
Type: Water / Power: 35 / Accuracy: 85% / PP: 20 / Damage: Special

Sand Tomb
Type: Ground / Power: 35 / Accuracy: 85% / PP: 20 / Damage: Physical

Clamp
Type: Water / Power: 35 / Accuracy: 85% / PP: 20 / Damage: Physical

Bind
Type: Normal / Power: 15 / Accuracy: 85% / PP: 20 / Damage: Physical

Wrap:
Type: Normal / Power: 15 / Accuracy: 90% / PP: 20 / Damage: Physical

This move deals damage and traps the opponent for 4-5 turns, dealing 1/16 of the target's maximum health at the end of each of those turns and preventing the target from switching. If the user is holding a Grip Claw, it traps the opponent for 5 turns all the time. If a trapped Pokemon uses Rapid Spin, it will be freed. If the user is holding a Binding Band, the damage dealt at the end of each turn increases to 1/8 of the target's maximum health. If the target is holding a Shed Shell, the trapping effect does not apply.



[A][/A]Pokemon with Trapping Abilities:


Magnezone
Type: Steel / Electric
Base Stats: 70 HP / 70 Atk / 115 Def / 130 SpA / 90 SpD / 60 Spe
Trapping Ability: Magnet Pull
Tier: OU, Ubers​

OU: The presence of incredibly powerful dragons in OU including Haxorus, Latios, and Dragonite mean Steel-types are essential to most OU teams in BW. Magnezone is taylor-made to eliminate Steel-types. All Skarmory can do is lay hazards or Whirlwind hoping Magnezone decides to set a Substitute. Ferrothorn and Forretress are also helpless if they aren't carrying Bulldoze and Earthquake respectively (both of which are rare). Ferrothorn's can however beat Magnezone if it catches it on the switch with Leech Seed and it's raining to suppress HP Fire's Power. While all three of the Steel-types mentioned so far have the option of laying hazards, Magnezone can use Magic Coat to send them back. While Magnezone can beat SpD Jirachi one-on-one it has to be careful switching in due to the looming threat of paralysis via Serene Grace Body Slam. Magnezone without Choice Specs has to watch out for Calm Mind variants of Jirachi as they can set up and break Magnezone subs with Water Pulse. While is doesn't look like a good matchup on paper, Magnezone can beat Specially Defensive Heatran with a combination of bulk investment, Rain and Thunder Wave. Lastly, due to the threat of Fighting STAB, Magnezone can only eliminate non-Scarfed Lucario if Magnezone is wielding a Choice Scarf itself, since it resist Extremespeed (watch out for +2 Vacume Wave though).

Ubers: Steel types are abundant in the Ubers metagame curtosy of the overpowered dragon STABS being thrown every which-way. There are several ways to rid of them, the most reliable and straight forward way being Magnezone. Virtually any steel type in Ubers (bar Dialga and Steelceus) are swiftly trapped and eleminated, providing crucial support for its teamates. No longer will your Arceus be walled by pesky Skarmory; Likewise, Zekrom has a field day without enemy Ferrothorn looking to ruin its fun. Should steels give you chronic migraines, look no further than Magnezone.




Magneton
Type: Steel / Electric
Base Stats: 50 HP / 60 Atk / 95 Def / 120 SpA / 70 SpD / 70 Spe
Trapping Ability: Magnet Pull
Tier: OU, UU, RU


Wobbuffet
Type: Psychic
Base Stats: 190 HP / 33 Atk / 58 Def / 33 SpA / 58 SpD / 33 Spe
Trapping Ability: Shadow Tag
Tier: OU, Ubers​

Ubers: Wobbuffet's sole purpose in Uber's lies within its ability to eleminate the pesky scarf pokemon that dominate the tier. Common revenge killer's such as Palkia are swiftly eleminated without hassle, thanks to Wobbuffet's exclusive ability: Shadow Tag. Deadly sweepers such as Dragon Dance Rayquaza and Manaphy can run through teams without fear of being revenged. In addition, Wobbuffet can utilize encore to give frailer pokemon such as Mewtwo an easier time setting-up. That said, our lovely blue blob isn't without it's faults. After its done its job, Wobbuffet turns into nothing more than dead weight, and is setup fodder for the ever dangerous Darkrai. Nonetheless, Wobbuffet can prove a wonderful asset to any team, provided it has team-mates that can take advantage of the support it gives.


Dugtrio
Type: Ground
Base Stats: 35 HP / 80 Atk / 50 Def / 50 SpA / 70 SpD / 120 Spe
Trapping Ability: Arena Trap
Tier: OU, Ubers​

Ubers: Dugtrio has a very very small niche in Ubers, but it fills that niche well. Playing with Dugtrio is like gambling: The risk is great, yet the reward is oh-so sweet. Abusing his ability and ground typing alike, Dugtrio takes advantage of Choiced electric moves to the max, switching in and boosting his attack to +6 while the opposition watches helplessly. From there, well, his 1036 Attack explains it all. Do not think Duggy can fit onto any team, however. It is perhaps one of the most difficult pokemon to use, as any non electric type move will almost assuredly kill it. Even with its monstrous attack stat after setting up, bulky Pokemon such as Skarmory and Giratina O can survive a hit and either phase it or go for the KO. Certaintly a force to be reckoned with in the right hands, but it requires extensive team support and great prediction.


Wynaut
Type: Psychic
Base Stats: 90 HP / 23 Atk / 48 Def / 24 SpA / 48 SpD / 23 Spe
Trapping Ability: Shadow Tag
Tier: UU, RU, NU, LC​

LC: Wynaut's role in Little Cup is taking down the hefty number of commonly used Choice Scarf Pokemon. Common Choice Scarf users like Chinchou, Murkrow, and Mienfoo are all taken down by either Mirror Coat or Counter. Wynaut can also trap and take down Drilburr, one of the most devastating attackers in Little Cup. When Wynaut isn't trapping powerful attackers, it can be found trapping walls and aiding teammates in sweeping. The likes of Bronzor, Ferroseed, and defensive Chinchou are trapped and can be taken advantage of by your teammates. Great Wynaut teammates are Pokemon that appreciate sturdy walls and/or faster Pokemon removed. Scraggy is probably the best Wynaut teammate; they share decent defensive synergy and once Wynaut traps and removes a powerful Choice Scarf user, all it takes is a Dragon Dance for Scraggy to sweep. Swords Dance Drilburr, Nasty Plot Misdreavus, and Dragon Dance Dratini are all good Wynaut partners as they appreciate having their checks removed.


Trapinch
Type: Ground
Base Stats: 45 HP / 100 Atk / 45 Def / 45 SpA / 45 SpD / 10 Spe
Trapping Ability: Arena Trap
Tier: NU


Magnemite
Type: Electric / Steel
Base Stats: 25 HP / 35 Atk / 50 Def / 95 SpA / 55 SpD / 45 Spe
Trapping Ability: Magnet Pull
Tier: LC​

LC: Magnemite is almost exclusively used on sand teams in combination with Drilburr. The most common Steel-types in Little Cup are Ferroseed and Bronzor; both of the aforementioned Steel-types are taken out Magnemite with ease. Even Bronzor with Earthquake is taken down by the popular Air Ballon + Magnet Rise Magnemite. Magnemite is best paired with Drilburr. Drilburr's best and most used counter is Bronzor; the metal ball takes little from even a Swords Dance boosted Shadow Claw or +4 Rock Slide, and can proceed to Toxic or Hidden Power Ice Drilburr to oblivion. Magnemite gets rid of Bronzor with ease, allowing Drilburr to sweep easily later in the game. Although uncommon, Axew appreciates Steel-types removes and can sweep most teams with ease with a combination of Dragon Dance plus Outrage.


Diglett
Type: Ground
Base Stats: 10 HP / 55 Atk / 25 Def / 35 SpA / 45 SpD / 95 Spe
Trapping Ability: Arena Trap
Tier: LC​

LC: Diglett is not a Pokemon without faults in Little Cup. The mole has a mediocre Attack stat and is the opposite of bulky. But, Diglett fits a niche in the Little Cup tier. Diglett's main use is trapping Chinchou and Croagunk. Both of the aforementioned Pokemon are taken out by a Life Orb boosted Earthquake. Preferred Diglett teammates are Pokemon that appreciate Chinchou and Croagunk gone. Scraggy can sweep through teams with ease once Croagunk is gone; additionally, Misdreavus doesn't have to worry about getting 2HKO'd by Croagunk's Sucker Punch if it's disposed. Nearly all Murkrow sets appreciate the removal of Chinchou, the birds biggest counter. Staryu and Ponyta have a much easier time sweeping once Chinchou is gone.

[A][/A]Pursuit Trappers:

Pursuit is an attack with only 40 Base Power, but it has an interesting effect, being able to damage pokemon that are switching out. As such it can be invaluable to pick off threats to your team, or just weakened pokemon in general. I'll list some of the better users here.


Tyranitar
Type: Rock / Dark
Base Stats: 100 HP / 134 Atk / 110 Def / 95 SpA / 100 SpD / 61 Spe
Tier: OU


Scizor
Type: Bug / Steel
Base Stats: 70 HP / 130 Atk / 100 Def / 55 SpA / 80 SpD / 65 Spe
Tier: OU


Metagross
Type: Steel / Psychic
Base Stats: 80 HP / 135 Atk / 130 Def / 95 SpA / 90 SpD / 70 Spe
Tier: OU


Snorlax
Type: Normal
Base Stats: 160 HP / 110 Atk / 65 Def / 65 SpA / 110 SpD / 30 Spe
Tier: OU, UU


Weavile
Type: Dark / Ice
Base Stats: 75 HP / 120 Atk / 65 Def / 45 SpA / 85 SpD / 125 Spe
Tier: OU, UU


Escavlier
Type: Bug / Steel
Base Stats: 70 HP / 135 Atk / 105 Def / 60 SpA /105 SpD / 20 Spe
Tier: OU, UU


Heracross
Type: Bug / Fighting
Base Stats: 80 HP / 125 Atk / 75 Def / 40 SpA / 95 SpD / 85 Spe
Tier: OU, UU


Drapion
Type: Poison / Dark
Base Stats: 70 HP / 90 Atk / 110 Def / 60 SpA / 75 SpD / 95 Spe
Tier: UU, RU


Spiritomb
Type: Ghost / Dark
Base Stats: 50 HP / 92 Atk / 108 Def / 92 SpA / 108 SpD / 35 Spe
Tier: UU / RU


Absol
Typing: Dark
Base Stats: 60 HP / 160 Atk / 60 Def / 75 SpA / 60 SpD / 75 Spe
Tier: RU / NU


Skuntank
Type: Poison / Dark
Base Stats: 103 HP / 93 Atk / 67 Def / 71 SpA / 61 SpD / 84 Spe
Tier: RU, NU


Stunky
Type: Poison / Dark
Base Stats: 63 HP / 63 Atk / 47 Def / 41 SpA / 41 SpD / 74*Spe
Tier: LC​

LC: Stunky is used for one thing and one thing only in Little Cup: trapping Ghost-types. In a tier dominated by Misdreavus, one of the scariest creatures in the tier, having a surefire check can prove to be excellent. Stunky takes little damage from any of Misdreavus's moves, even a boosted Hidden Power Fighting will fail to 2HKO, and can OHKO with Crunch or trap with Pursuit. Gastly, a Ghost-type with a much higher Special Attack than even Misdreavus, is easily disposed of by Stunky.*Since Stunky demolishes any and all Ghost-types in Little Cup, Fighting-types like Mienfoo and Timburr make for excellent partners. Mienfoo can lay siege to an opponent's team once Misdreavus is gone, spamming Hi Jump Kicks until all of your opponent's Pokemon have fainted. Timburr has a much easier time sweeping once Misdreavus and other Ghost-types are gone as it won't have to take a heavy hit before 2HKOing with Payback.

[A][/A]Other Trappers:


Heatran
Typing: Fire / Steel
Base Stats: 91 HP / 90 Atk / 106 Def / 130 SpA / 106 SpD / 77 Spe
Tier: OU


Murkrow
Type: Dark / Flying
Base Stats: 60 HP / 85 Atk / 42 Def / 85 SpA / 42 SpD / 91 Spe
Tier: UU, RU, NU


Lapras
Type: Water / Ice
Base Stats: 130 HP / 85 Atk / 80 Def / 85 SpA / 95 SpD / 60 Spe
Tier: RU, NU​



[A][/A]Trapping Strategies

I'll be expanding upon this later

- Binding Band
- Grip Claw
- Eject Button allows the Pokémon to bypass trapping moves, such as Block or Wrap, and Ingrain.
- Shed Shell, U-turn and Baton Pass can be used to escape a trap
- Air Balloon and Levitate users arent affected by Arena Trap
- Trick a Choice Scarf to lock opponent into bad move while traped
- Double switch
- Lure stuff (ie. Latios lures Tyranitar for Dugtrio,nCB Haxorus lures Skarmory for Magnezone)
- Volt Switch, U-turn or Baton Pass to a trapper
- Toxic Spikes kill trapped opponents quicker
- Taunt stops the opponets from recovering
- Pursuit trapping Ghost-types means your Rapid Spin users can freely spin
- Drag mag
- Perish Song
- Gravity
- Iron Ball + Trick + Arena Trap


[A][/A]Sample Teams

[A][/A]Conclusion
 
I'd make it clear that trapping Scizor with Magnezone is exponentially harder in Gen5 due to team preview, so using pokemon that are weak to Bullet Punch to lure it in, as well as using a VoltTurn strategy to make then switch in their Steel types are ideal.
 

complete legitimacy

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Spiritomb wants a mention under Pursuit trappers. I've used it successfully in both RU and OU, although I have nothing to say about its effectiveness in UU.
 

Oglemi

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Remove Trapinch from saying that it can trap in RU, it can't. The only place it can maybe trap is NU.

Also mention Spiritomb and Absol under Pursuit trappers in RU, both are far more common than Skuntank and have more utility than it (Skuntank should still be mentioned though, especially for NU). Absol of course needs to be under Pursuit trappers for NU, it's the best one there (at least until it moves up to RU). I'd also consider adding Swellow under Pursuit users as well, since it's a decent filler move on its main set.
 

BTzz

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So I'm gonna need a co-author for this since my activity will be limited for the next month or so. I'd prefer someone with experience with the Ubers and LC metas since I don't know much about those, and I'd like to include Pokemon from them in this article. PM / VM if interested :)

So yeah, I plan on adding these:

LC:
Wynaut
Diglett
Magnemite

Uber:
Wobbufett
Magnezone / Dugtrio (are these viable?)

btw I added Oglemi's suggestions and I'll mention team preview in the overview Bri
 
I'll help you out with Little Cup :)
uhh i'm gonna add stunky too!

Wyanut: Wynaut's role in Little Cup is taking down the hefty number of commonly used Choice Scarf Pokemon. Common Choice Scarf users like Chinchou, Murkrow, and Mienfoo are all taken down by either Mirror Coat or Counter. Wynaut can also trap and take down Drilburr, one of the most devastating attackers in Little Cup. When Wynaut isn't trapping powerful attackers, it can be found trapping walls and aiding teammates in sweeping. The likes of Bronzor, Ferroseed, and defensive Chinchou are trapped and can be taken advantage of by your teammates. Great Wynaut teammates are Pokemon that appreciate sturdy walls and/or faster Pokemon removed. Scraggy is probably the best Wynaut teammate; they share decent defensive synergy and once Wynaut traps and removes a powerful Choice Scarf user, all it takes is a Dragon Dance for Scraggy to sweep. Swords Dance Drilburr, Nasty Plot Misdreavus, and Dragon Dance Dratini are all good Wynaut partners as they appreciate having their checks removed.

Diglett: Diglett is not a Pokemon without faults in Little Cup. The mole has a mediocre Attack stat and is the opposite of bulky. But, Diglett fits a niche in the Little Cup tier. Diglett's main use is trapping Chinchou and Croagunk, both popular defensive pivots in Little CUp/ Both of the aforementioned Pokemon are taken out by a Life Orb boosted Earthquake; Diglett can even switch into Chinchou on a predicted Volt Switch. Additionally, Diglett doesn't have to fear Croagunk's priority moves as it will always survive a Sucker Punch from Croagunk at full HP. Preferred Diglett teammates are Pokemon that appreciate Chinchou and Croagunk gone. Scraggy can sweep through teams with ease once Croagunk is gone; additionally, Misdreavus doesn't have to worry about getting 2HKO'd by Croagunk's Sucker Punch if it's disposed. Nearly all Murkrow sets appreciate the removal of Chinchou, the birds biggest counter, and can sweep with a plethora of interesting options. Staryu and Ponyta have a much easier time sweeping once Chinchou is gone as it threatens both Staryu and Ponyta with its Electric and Water-type STAB moves, respectively.

Magnemite: Magnemite is almost exclusively used on sand teams in combination with Drilburr. The most common Steel-types in Little Cup are Ferroseed and Bronzor; both of the aforementioned Steel-types are taken out Magnemite with ease. Even Bronzor with Earthquake is taken down by the popular Air Ballon + Magnet Rise Magnemite. Magnemite is best paired with Drilburr. Drilburr's best and most used counter is Bronzor; the metal ball takes little from even a Swords Dance boosted Shadow Claw or +4 Rock Slide, and can proceed to Toxic or Hidden Power Ice Drilburr to oblivion. Magnemite gets rid of Bronzor with ease, allowing Drilburr to sweep easily later in the game. Although uncommon, Axew appreciates Steel-types removes and can sweep most teams with ease with a combination of Dragon Dance plus Outrage.

Stunky: Stunky is used for one thing and one thing only in Little Cup: trapping Ghost-types. In a tier dominated by Misdreavus, one of the scariest creatures in the tier, having a surefire check can proveto be excellent. Stunky takes little damage from any of Misdreavus's moves, even a boosted Hidden Power Fighting will fail to 2HKO, and can OHKO with Crunch or trap with Pursuit. Gastly, a Ghost-type with a much higher Special Attack than even Misdreavus, is easily disposed of by Stunky. Since Stunky demolishes any and all Ghost-types in Little Cup, Fighting-types like Mienfoo and Timburr make for excellent partners. Mienfoo can lay siege to an opponent's team once Misdreavus is gone, spamming Hi Jump Kicks until all of your opponent's Pokemon have fainted. Timburr has a much easier time sweeping once Misdreavus and other Ghost-types are gone as it won't have to take a heavy hit before 2HKOing with Payback.

Done ^_^
 

Furai

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Add hound our to LC it's cute

Scizor in ubers, screw dugtrio and magnezone these suck
 

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