Mandibuzz has unfortunately fallen from grace a bit. It was once a majestic bird of OU scavenging, cleaning up hazards and disrupting strategies. And it Battle Spot Singles, it blocked many a strategy with it's bulk and access to Foul Play. But then Zapdos rose to popularity, or at least, that's what it appeared to be like, and the bird lost its wings, sending it down to the UU tier... and even there it's not that great. It runs the risk of being sent to RU one day... but that's not important right now. In the Battle Spot Metagame, with its access to Foul Play, Defog, and Knock Off, it can disrupt and stop many a strategy. But again, just about everything it does can be considered a weaker attempt at being a Zapdos. Zapdos has arguably better typing, a better offensive presence, and has more than one roll: a bulky supporter.
Positives:
+ VERY high bulk, at 110/105/90. This thing takes hits like a madman, and Leftovers can help its longevity.
+ A large support movepool, with gems such as the previously mentioned Foul Play, Knock Off, and Defog, but also things like Roost, Tailwind, Taunt, and Toxic.
+ 80 base speed may seem like a letdown, but Mandibuzz isn't going to care. It can take hits all day, and... well that's about it.
Negatives:
- 65/55 attacking stats. And this thing has offensive moves that other Pokemon would kill for, such as Nasty Plot, Bone Rush, and Heat Wave... alright there isn't much of an offensive movepool, but still, be thankful that it has Foul Play, or else it would play too passively to be considered
- Fairly predictable. Most Mandibuzz run the same set, and almost all of them run Foul Play. So naturally, its easy to predict, and therefor render useless.
- 2 out of its 3 abilities either are useless on this thing, or are so situational that they have no use.
- ZAPDOS EXISTS
Abilities: Big Pecks- NO. JUST NO. DON'T BOTHER WITH THIS THING. AT ALL
Overcoat- The only ability you should bother with on Mandi. Immunity to Spore makes it a quick check to Breloom in some cases.
Weak Armor- OH GOD WHY DOES MANDI HAVE THIS? AND WHY WOULD YOU CONSIDER USING THIS THING ON MANDI?
A standard Mandibuzz set:
- Toxic
- Roost
- Foul Play
- Taunt
Item: Rocky Helmet
Ability: Overcoat
252+ Def, 252 HP, 4 SpD (Bold)
Another Mandibuzz set:
- Defog
- Knock Off
- Foul Play
- Roost
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Overcoat
248 HP, 136+ Def, 108 SpD, 16 Spe (Impish)
Team Options: Mandibuzz, being the supporter it is, can fit on many a team. Good partners include wallbreakers, since Mandi doesn't deal with them too well, as all it can really do is Toxic them. Mega Blaziken is one of the better megas to partner with it; it enjoys Defog support and Psychics gone from the field.
So in conclusion, Mandi has a role in the metagame, but it's hard to justify usage over Zapdos. That being said, if you need something for Mega Ken, or just need something with good bulk and options, go for the vulture 'Mon. It'll get you places.
