Taken over from Peli and Poliwrath
QC: Raiza / TONE114 / Megazard
GP: P Squared / The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
Magcargo is outclassed as an offensive Fire-type by Rapidash, Simisear, and Ninetales due to its poor attacking stats and Speed, as well as being outclassed defensively by Torkoal, which lacks recovery but has a better typing and access to Rapid Spin. Magcargo is also outclassed as a specially offensive Rock-type by Lunatone, due to its below average Speed and Special Attack, and as a defensive Rock-type by Probopass, because of its weakness to residual damage. Magcargo does have access to a great supportive movepool including moves such as Memento, Reflect, Light Screen, Stealth Rock, as well as reliable recovery by virtue of Recover. However, its Fire / Rock typing is very detrimental, as it provides two 4x weaknesses, to Water and Ground, as well as a weakness to Stealth Rock, which can make Magcargo easy to pressure. Magcargo's dismal Speed leaves it as an open target for Taunt users such as Misdreavus. Magcargo also has a bad matchup against opposing Stealth Rock setters such as Golem, Piloswine, and Monferno due to its overall mediocrity, and it doesn't deserve a team slot over any of them.
[SET]
Name: Support
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Lava Plume
move 3: Toxic / Ancient Power
move 4: Recover
item: Leftovers
ability: Flame Body
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock wears down foes switching in while also breaking their Sturdy and Focus Sash. Lava Plume gains a STAB boost and provides a chance to burn a foe, which can allow Magcargo to take on physical attackers and walls better. Toxic hits common checks and counters to Magcargo on the switch in, such as Pelipper, Vibrava, and Politoed, to name a few. Toxic can also be used to hit special walls such as Lickilicky and Grumpig. Ancient Power is an option to hit Fire- and Flying-types such as Rapidash and Dodrio as well as Pokemon such as Pelipper and Swanna on the switch. Recover restores Magcargo's HP and allows it to withstand offensive pressure throughout a match.
Set Details
========
The given HP investment maximizes Magcargo's bulk while minimizing residual damage, more specifically ensuring it is able to switch into Stealth Rock another time without fainting. The HP investment paired with maximum Special Defense investment and a Calm nature allows Magcargo to avoid being 2HKOed by Zebstrika with any combination of moves. Flame Body can punish attackers using contact moves and further goes to assist Magcargo in taking on physical attackers. Leftovers offers Magcargo a bit of residual recovery per turn.
Usage Tips
========
Magcargo is not usually considered a lead, although it's a smart idea to set up Stealth Rock early-game. While using Magcargo, be wary of super effective coverage moves such as Superpower on Stoutland and Focus Blast on Regice. Magcargo should also be aware of status absorbers such as Machoke and Ursaring and Flash Fire users such as Rapidash and Ninetales. When predicting an opponent to switch to Ninetales, Rapidash, or Pelipper, use Ancient Power. Use Toxic and Lava Plume to spread status around the opposing team and weaken it for Magcargo's teammates. Be wary of Taunt users, as Magcargo is slow and Taunt can prevent it from using Toxic and Stealth Rock, as well as of opposing Toxic and Stealth Rock, as they can wear Magcargo down quickly. Magcargo should mostly be used to check special attackers such as Rotom-F, but it can also check physical attackers such as Dodrio because of its high Defense.
Team Options
========
Magcargo fits mostly on bulkier offensive teams or balanced ones, as it is completely outclassed by Golem on hyper offense. Spikes support from Pokemon such as Roselia and Quilladin can help wear down foes more easily and keep pressure on the opposing team. Spinblockers such as Misdreavus and Gourgeist-XL are good to keep your entry hazards on the field, while Purugly can be used to discourage Defog due to Defiant. Setup sweepers and wallbreakers that appreciate Stealth Rock such as Ursaring, Jumpluff, and Fraxure are solid teammates for Magcargo. Sawsbuck, Roselia, and other Grass-types can handle the Ground- and Water-type attacks Magcargo struggles with, although the former shares a Fighting-type weakness with it and the latter can't switch into physical Ground-types reliably. Jumpluff has solid type synergy with Magcargo, so they can take hits for each other, bar Rock-type attacks. Pokemon such as Politoed and Pelipper can reliably switch into Water-type moves as well, although they have to be wary of coverage moves. Entry hazard removal can help with Magcargo's Stealth Rock weakness, with Rapid Spin users being preferred, as they don't remove Magcargo's entry hazards. Clerics such as Lickilicky, Grumpig, and Hypno can cure Toxic, which can be very harmful against Magcargo. A teammate to take on Clefairy and Duosion, such as Metang or Misdreavus, is essential, as they can use Magcargo as setup fodder.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Magcargo gets access to dual screens, which could be used with Light Clay, as well as Memento; both can be used to create opportunities for other teammates to set up, although Magcargo is outclassed by Meowstic-M and Solrock in this regard. Earth Power can be used to hit Fire-types harder than Ancient Power does, as well as Rock-types such as Probopass and Relicanth. A defensive spread of 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD with a Bold nature can be used to check physical attackers better, although Magcargo is generally better at taking on specially attacking Pokemon. Will-O-Wisp can be used to punish physical attackers more reliably, although with the good chance of getting of a burn with Lava Plume, Toxic is still preferred to take on walls. An offensive Shell Smash set with maximum Special Attack and Speed paired with a Timid nature can be used, utilizing the moves Ancient Power / Fire Blast / Earth Power / Shell Smash, although it's usually too slow to pull it off well and is outclassed by Torkoal. Yawn is an option to pressure setup sweepers or incoming threats, as well as entry hazard removers, although Magcargo doesn't generally have a moveslot for it.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water-types**: Water-types such as Pelipper, Relicanth, and Floatzel can switch in on Magcargo's STAB attacks, although they have to watch out for a burn from Lava Plume or a Toxic; however, Floatzel isn't at risk of getting burned due to Water Veil.
**Ground-types**: Golem can switch in relatively freely against Magcargo, bar a burn, and either force Magcargo out with the threat of Earthquake, set up Stealth Rock against it, or OHKO it with Earthquake. Piloswine can outpace and OHKO Magcargo as well, although Toxic can pressure it and limit its ability to switch into attacks.
**Taunt Users**: Taunt users such as Grumpig and Misdreavus prevent Magcargo from using Recover, Stealth Rock, and Toxic, limiting it to using its weak attacks.
**Residual Damage**: Residual damage from entry hazards and Toxic severely limits Magcargo's ability to switch into attacks or stay on the field for a long period of time.
**Magic Guard**: Clefairy and Duosion can come in for free against Magcargo, as they don't care about getting status inflicted onto them due to Magic Guard and can use it for setup fodder. Kadabra can fulfill this role as well, but it wouldn't appreciate its Focus Sash getting broken if it's using one.
**Fighting-types**: Machoke can absorb status conditions from Lava Plume and Toxic, takes little to no damage from Ancient Power, and can guarantee a KO on Magcargo with a Guts-boosted Close Combat, although it can't effectively switch in if it is using No Guard. Monferno is also a solid switch-in to Magcargo, as it cannot be burned by Lava Plume and takes little to no damage from any of Magcargo's moves.
QC: Raiza / TONE114 / Megazard
GP: P Squared / The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
Magcargo is outclassed as an offensive Fire-type by Rapidash, Simisear, and Ninetales due to its poor attacking stats and Speed, as well as being outclassed defensively by Torkoal, which lacks recovery but has a better typing and access to Rapid Spin. Magcargo is also outclassed as a specially offensive Rock-type by Lunatone, due to its below average Speed and Special Attack, and as a defensive Rock-type by Probopass, because of its weakness to residual damage. Magcargo does have access to a great supportive movepool including moves such as Memento, Reflect, Light Screen, Stealth Rock, as well as reliable recovery by virtue of Recover. However, its Fire / Rock typing is very detrimental, as it provides two 4x weaknesses, to Water and Ground, as well as a weakness to Stealth Rock, which can make Magcargo easy to pressure. Magcargo's dismal Speed leaves it as an open target for Taunt users such as Misdreavus. Magcargo also has a bad matchup against opposing Stealth Rock setters such as Golem, Piloswine, and Monferno due to its overall mediocrity, and it doesn't deserve a team slot over any of them.
[SET]
Name: Support
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Lava Plume
move 3: Toxic / Ancient Power
move 4: Recover
item: Leftovers
ability: Flame Body
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock wears down foes switching in while also breaking their Sturdy and Focus Sash. Lava Plume gains a STAB boost and provides a chance to burn a foe, which can allow Magcargo to take on physical attackers and walls better. Toxic hits common checks and counters to Magcargo on the switch in, such as Pelipper, Vibrava, and Politoed, to name a few. Toxic can also be used to hit special walls such as Lickilicky and Grumpig. Ancient Power is an option to hit Fire- and Flying-types such as Rapidash and Dodrio as well as Pokemon such as Pelipper and Swanna on the switch. Recover restores Magcargo's HP and allows it to withstand offensive pressure throughout a match.
Set Details
========
The given HP investment maximizes Magcargo's bulk while minimizing residual damage, more specifically ensuring it is able to switch into Stealth Rock another time without fainting. The HP investment paired with maximum Special Defense investment and a Calm nature allows Magcargo to avoid being 2HKOed by Zebstrika with any combination of moves. Flame Body can punish attackers using contact moves and further goes to assist Magcargo in taking on physical attackers. Leftovers offers Magcargo a bit of residual recovery per turn.
Usage Tips
========
Magcargo is not usually considered a lead, although it's a smart idea to set up Stealth Rock early-game. While using Magcargo, be wary of super effective coverage moves such as Superpower on Stoutland and Focus Blast on Regice. Magcargo should also be aware of status absorbers such as Machoke and Ursaring and Flash Fire users such as Rapidash and Ninetales. When predicting an opponent to switch to Ninetales, Rapidash, or Pelipper, use Ancient Power. Use Toxic and Lava Plume to spread status around the opposing team and weaken it for Magcargo's teammates. Be wary of Taunt users, as Magcargo is slow and Taunt can prevent it from using Toxic and Stealth Rock, as well as of opposing Toxic and Stealth Rock, as they can wear Magcargo down quickly. Magcargo should mostly be used to check special attackers such as Rotom-F, but it can also check physical attackers such as Dodrio because of its high Defense.
Team Options
========
Magcargo fits mostly on bulkier offensive teams or balanced ones, as it is completely outclassed by Golem on hyper offense. Spikes support from Pokemon such as Roselia and Quilladin can help wear down foes more easily and keep pressure on the opposing team. Spinblockers such as Misdreavus and Gourgeist-XL are good to keep your entry hazards on the field, while Purugly can be used to discourage Defog due to Defiant. Setup sweepers and wallbreakers that appreciate Stealth Rock such as Ursaring, Jumpluff, and Fraxure are solid teammates for Magcargo. Sawsbuck, Roselia, and other Grass-types can handle the Ground- and Water-type attacks Magcargo struggles with, although the former shares a Fighting-type weakness with it and the latter can't switch into physical Ground-types reliably. Jumpluff has solid type synergy with Magcargo, so they can take hits for each other, bar Rock-type attacks. Pokemon such as Politoed and Pelipper can reliably switch into Water-type moves as well, although they have to be wary of coverage moves. Entry hazard removal can help with Magcargo's Stealth Rock weakness, with Rapid Spin users being preferred, as they don't remove Magcargo's entry hazards. Clerics such as Lickilicky, Grumpig, and Hypno can cure Toxic, which can be very harmful against Magcargo. A teammate to take on Clefairy and Duosion, such as Metang or Misdreavus, is essential, as they can use Magcargo as setup fodder.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Magcargo gets access to dual screens, which could be used with Light Clay, as well as Memento; both can be used to create opportunities for other teammates to set up, although Magcargo is outclassed by Meowstic-M and Solrock in this regard. Earth Power can be used to hit Fire-types harder than Ancient Power does, as well as Rock-types such as Probopass and Relicanth. A defensive spread of 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD with a Bold nature can be used to check physical attackers better, although Magcargo is generally better at taking on specially attacking Pokemon. Will-O-Wisp can be used to punish physical attackers more reliably, although with the good chance of getting of a burn with Lava Plume, Toxic is still preferred to take on walls. An offensive Shell Smash set with maximum Special Attack and Speed paired with a Timid nature can be used, utilizing the moves Ancient Power / Fire Blast / Earth Power / Shell Smash, although it's usually too slow to pull it off well and is outclassed by Torkoal. Yawn is an option to pressure setup sweepers or incoming threats, as well as entry hazard removers, although Magcargo doesn't generally have a moveslot for it.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water-types**: Water-types such as Pelipper, Relicanth, and Floatzel can switch in on Magcargo's STAB attacks, although they have to watch out for a burn from Lava Plume or a Toxic; however, Floatzel isn't at risk of getting burned due to Water Veil.
**Ground-types**: Golem can switch in relatively freely against Magcargo, bar a burn, and either force Magcargo out with the threat of Earthquake, set up Stealth Rock against it, or OHKO it with Earthquake. Piloswine can outpace and OHKO Magcargo as well, although Toxic can pressure it and limit its ability to switch into attacks.
**Taunt Users**: Taunt users such as Grumpig and Misdreavus prevent Magcargo from using Recover, Stealth Rock, and Toxic, limiting it to using its weak attacks.
**Residual Damage**: Residual damage from entry hazards and Toxic severely limits Magcargo's ability to switch into attacks or stay on the field for a long period of time.
**Magic Guard**: Clefairy and Duosion can come in for free against Magcargo, as they don't care about getting status inflicted onto them due to Magic Guard and can use it for setup fodder. Kadabra can fulfill this role as well, but it wouldn't appreciate its Focus Sash getting broken if it's using one.
**Fighting-types**: Machoke can absorb status conditions from Lava Plume and Toxic, takes little to no damage from Ancient Power, and can guarantee a KO on Magcargo with a Guts-boosted Close Combat, although it can't effectively switch in if it is using No Guard. Monferno is also a solid switch-in to Magcargo, as it cannot be burned by Lava Plume and takes little to no damage from any of Magcargo's moves.
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