Taken over from KGBanter.
Approved by scpinion
QC: Eien / Zarif / scpinion
GP: GatoDelFuego / piikachuu
[OVERVIEW]
**Ground**:
Seismitoad's Water / Ground typing and access to Water Absorb give it a neutrality to Ice and an immunity to Water-type attacks. This makes it incredibly valuable for any Ground-type team, letting it check threats such as Crawdaunt and Azumarill. Seismitoad is one of the few viable special attackers that Ground teams have access to. However, without a boosting item its Special Attack is not that impressive. It has a decent movepool with access to solid coverage options in Sludge Wave, which lets it target Grass- and Fairy-types, and Grass Knot, allowing it to hit other Pokemon with access to Water Absorb. It has decent bulk and is a great Assault Vest user. Although its typing and ability let it tank Water- and Ice-type attacks, it also has a 4x weakness to Grass. Seismitoad faces competition as a Water-type check from Gastrodon which has better bulk and access to reliable recovery,; however, Seismitoad has better coverage options and a lot more Speed.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs (Ground)
move 1: Scald / Hydro Pump
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Grass Knot
move 4: Sludge Wave
item: Choice Specs
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Modest
evs: 24 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 228 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald's ability to burn is particularly useful in breaking walls such as Sableye or Mew, along with crippling switch-ins that would normally counter it. Hydro Pump is a much stronger Water-type alternative; however, it lacks the ability to burn and has weak accuracy, which are major drawbacks. Earth Power is Seismitoad's secondary STAB attack. It targets Pokemon that Scald doesn't do well against, such as Kyurem-B and Keldeo. Grass Knot is useful for taking on Water-types such as Swampert and Mega Gyarados. Sludge Wave targets Grass-types such as Whimsicott and Breloom that resist Seismitoad's other attacks, and Fairy-types such as Clefable and Azumarill.
Set Details
========
228 EVs in Speed allow Seismitoad to outspeed Adamant Breloom and Adamant Bisharp and OHKO them, while also outspeeding and 2HKOing Zapdos after Stealth Rock damage. 4 EVs in Special Defense make Porygon2's Download boost Attack rather than Special Attack. Full investment in Special Attack with Choice Specs maximizes Seismitoad's damage output. The remaining EVs are put into HP to increase bulk. Water Absorb makes Seismitoad immune to Water-type attacks, allowing it to check Water-type threats such as Swampert and Rotom-W. An alternate spread of 152 HP / 252 SpA / 104 Spe can be used so Seismitoad has just enough Speed to outpace Jolly Crawdaunt as well as Adamant Azumarill.
Usage Tips
========
Seismitoad can switch in on Water-type attacks that threaten every other Pokemon on the team due to its immunity. However, it should be careful from other attacks the foe can go for if they predict Seismitoad to switch in. For example, Azumarill can punish Seismitoad with a Play Rough, Kingdra can go for Draco Meteor, and Keldeo can use Secret Sword. Due to Seismitoad's lack of recovery, it's important to use it carefully and preserve its health in matchups where a Water-type switch-in is needed such as against Psychic teams with Slowbro. Avoid status because it cripples Seismitoad's longevity. In some matchups such as against Dark-type teams or Steel-type teams without Ferrothorn, Seismitoad can be used as a wallbreaker thanks to its Choice Specs because usually those types don't have solid resistances to Seismitoad's attacks.
Team Options
========
Seismitoad fits best on offensive teams that enjoy keeping up momentum. Seismitoad does not require much support defensively, as it is the one supporting the team by absorbing Water-type attacks and striking back with its offensive pressure. Most team options are instead to help Specs Seismitoad's offensive wallbreaking capabilities. Mega Garchomp and Mega Camerupt help with Seismitoad's weakness to Grass-type attacks while Seismitoad can help with their Ice-type and Water-type weaknesses respectively. Mamoswine is a great partner due to its ability to check many Grass- and Dragon-type Pokemon that check Seismitoad such as Breloom and Latios, respectively. Excadrill is a great partner for Seismitoad because of its amazing wallbreaking capabilities and its ability to threaten specially defensive walls that Seismitoad has trouble getting past such as Chansey and Cradily. Hippowdon is a good teammate that appreciates Seismitoad's ability to switch into Water-type attacks. It also sets up Stealth Rock to put many foes such as Mega Gyarados and Zapdos into range of Seismitoad's powerful attacks. Landorus is useful as it can break walls that Seismitoad cannot such as Ferrothorn and Cradily. Together, they put a lot of pressure on the opposing team by weakening their shared checks over time. Landorus can also run Gravity, which helps Seismitoad break Flying teams with great ease, thanks to its powerful Earth Power.
[SET]
name: Assault Vest (Ground)
move 1: Scald
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Grass Knot / Sludge Bomb
move 4: Knock Off
item: Assault Vest
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Modest
evs: 240 HP / 252 SpA / 16 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald is one of Seismitoad's most reliable moves due to its decent Base Power and high chance to burn. Earth Power is Seismitoad's option for targeting Pokemon that resist its Scald such as Tentacruel and Kyurem-B. Grass Knot is great for hitting Water-type threats such as Swampert and Slowbro. Alternatively, Sludge Bomb can be used for hitting Grass- and Fairy-type Pokemon such as Serperior and Azumarill. Knock Off provides great utility by removing items such as Chansey's Eviolite or Ferrothorn's Leftovers.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Special Attack with a Modest nature allows Seismitoad to do as much damage to its foes as possible. 16 EVs in Speed allow Seismitoad to outspeed 0 Speed Mega Scizor as well as Walrein and Lapras that Speed creep Mega Scizor. The remaining EVs are put in HP to maximize Seismitoad's bulk. Water Absorb gives Seismitoad a Water-type immunity and allows it to switch in on most Water-types that threaten the rest of the team. Assault Vest increases Seismitoad's Special Defense and allows it to take special hits better.
Usage Tips
========
Assault Vest allows Seismitoad to pivot into a variety of special attacks with ease, while Water Absorb grants immunity to Water-type attacks, allowing it to check Water-type threats to the entire team such as Slowbro and Keldeo. It does have to watch out for other moves Water-types might go for if they expect Seismitoad to come in, however. Although Seismitoad's bulk is outstanding with an Assault Vest and large investment in HP, it still lacks reliable recovery so it can only take a few hits before being worn out. It can take advantage of Water-type attacks to heal up in order to remedy this. It's important to avoid letting Seismitoad get inflicted with status because this wears Seismitoad down easily and cripples its longevity. Hazards can be a major issue, as they take a toll on Seismitoad's pivoting potential, and a weakened Seismitoad is easily defeated. Even with its Assault Vest, opponents with Grass-type attacks can almost always easily OHKO or severely damage Seismitoad, so they should be played around cautiously. Scald and Knock Off are both fantastic moves for hitting switch-ins, as Scald can burn opposing Pokemon and Knock Off can remove their items. They can both be spammed pretty safely to wear down checks.
Team Options
========
Offensive physical wallbreakers are necessasry to work with Seismitoad as many specially defensive walls shut it down. Wallbreakers also pair well with Seismitoad because they appreciate their checks having their items removed and being burned by Seismitoad. Landorus and Mega Garchomp are good examples of this, as they take out the walls that Seismitoad cannot touch such as Ferrothorn and Mega Venusaur. Hippowdon is a good physical wall to work with Seismitoad in a defensive core. It can set up Stealth Rock, and can force out setup sweepers with Whirlwind. Hippowdon also comes with Sand Stream to boost Mega Garchomp's Earthquake or double Excadrill's Speed, which both help Seismitoad by providing physically offensive pressure. Gliscor is a notable defensive partner for Assault Vest Seismitoad, as it can alleviate Seismitoad's major Grass-type weakness. Gliscor is also a great stallbreaker, which takes out most of the walls that can stop Seismitoad. Landorus-T is particularly useful as it can work as a powerful physically offensive pivot with Intimidate to weaken physical attackers, while also helping with Seismitoad's Grass-type weakness. Mamoswine is a good offensive teammate that can beat Grass- and Dragon-types that threaten Seismitoad, although it cannot switch into them. Excadrill appreciates Seismitoad's ability to switch in to Fire- and Water-type attacks, while providing powerful wallbreaking power.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
**Ground**:
A Leftovers set can be used with Knock Off, Toxic, Scald, and Stealth Rock; however, this set lacks the power to check Azumarill and is generally outclassed by Gastrodon which possesses a reliable recovery move and has better bulk than Seismitoad. Stealth Rock is also more appropriate on Hippowdon as it can reliably reset the hazards if they have been removed due to its better bulk and reliable recovery. A mixed Life Orb set is also a possibility but the damage output would be underwhelming especially compared to better mixed attackers such as Landorus and Mega Garchomp, and it isn't worth compromising Seismitoad's bulk. Hidden Power Fire is another option which is specifically used to break Scizor and Ferrothorn,; however, it's difficult to fit onto Seismitoad's limited moveset.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground**:
**Grass-types**: Grass-type Pokemon such as Whimsicott and Breloom resist Seismitoad's STAB moves and can force Seismitoad out. Some Grass-types have to watch out for Sludge Wave, however.
**Specially Defensive Walls**: Even with maximum Special Attack investment and Choice Specs, Seismitoad still gets completely shut down by a large amount of common specially defensive walls, such as Chansey, Zapdos, Latias, Latios, or Mega Latias.
**Wallbreakers**: Strong wallbreakers such as Choice Specs Meloetta and Mega Medicham do a massive amount of damage to Seismitoad due to its subpar defenses.
**Dragon-types**: Dragon-types resist Seismitoad's Water-type attacks and most of them are immune to Ground, such as Latios, Latias, Dragonite, and Hydreigon. They threaten Seismitoad with their powerful attacks.
**Status**: Seismitoad doesn't appreciate getting inflicted with status because status cripples its longevity and wears it down.
Approved by scpinion
QC: Eien / Zarif / scpinion
GP: GatoDelFuego / piikachuu
[OVERVIEW]
**Ground**:
Seismitoad's Water / Ground typing and access to Water Absorb give it a neutrality to Ice and an immunity to Water-type attacks. This makes it incredibly valuable for any Ground-type team, letting it check threats such as Crawdaunt and Azumarill. Seismitoad is one of the few viable special attackers that Ground teams have access to. However, without a boosting item its Special Attack is not that impressive. It has a decent movepool with access to solid coverage options in Sludge Wave, which lets it target Grass- and Fairy-types, and Grass Knot, allowing it to hit other Pokemon with access to Water Absorb. It has decent bulk and is a great Assault Vest user. Although its typing and ability let it tank Water- and Ice-type attacks, it also has a 4x weakness to Grass. Seismitoad faces competition as a Water-type check from Gastrodon which has better bulk and access to reliable recovery
[SET]
name: Choice Specs (Ground)
move 1: Scald / Hydro Pump
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Grass Knot
move 4: Sludge Wave
item: Choice Specs
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Modest
evs: 24 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 228 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald's ability to burn is particularly useful in breaking walls such as Sableye or Mew, along with crippling switch-ins that would normally counter it. Hydro Pump is a much stronger Water-type alternative; however, it lacks the ability to burn and has weak accuracy, which are major drawbacks. Earth Power is Seismitoad's secondary STAB attack. It targets Pokemon that Scald doesn't do well against, such as Kyurem-B and Keldeo. Grass Knot is useful for taking on Water-types such as Swampert and Mega Gyarados. Sludge Wave targets Grass-types such as Whimsicott and Breloom that resist Seismitoad's other attacks, and Fairy-types such as Clefable and Azumarill.
Set Details
========
228 EVs in Speed allow Seismitoad to outspeed Adamant Breloom and Adamant Bisharp and OHKO them, while also outspeeding and 2HKOing Zapdos after Stealth Rock damage. 4 EVs in Special Defense make Porygon2's Download boost Attack rather than Special Attack. Full investment in Special Attack with Choice Specs maximizes Seismitoad's damage output. The remaining EVs are put into HP to increase bulk. Water Absorb makes Seismitoad immune to Water-type attacks, allowing it to check Water-type threats such as Swampert and Rotom-W. An alternate spread of 152 HP / 252 SpA / 104 Spe can be used so Seismitoad has just enough Speed to outpace Jolly Crawdaunt as well as Adamant Azumarill.
Usage Tips
========
Seismitoad can switch in on Water-type attacks that threaten every other Pokemon on the team due to its immunity. However, it should be careful from other attacks the foe can go for if they predict Seismitoad to switch in. For example, Azumarill can punish Seismitoad with a Play Rough, Kingdra can go for Draco Meteor, and Keldeo can use Secret Sword. Due to Seismitoad's lack of recovery, it's important to use it carefully and preserve its health in matchups where a Water-type switch-in is needed such as against Psychic teams with Slowbro. Avoid status because it cripples Seismitoad's longevity. In some matchups such as against Dark-type teams or Steel-type teams without Ferrothorn, Seismitoad can be used as a wallbreaker thanks to its Choice Specs because usually those types don't have solid resistances to Seismitoad's attacks.
Team Options
========
Seismitoad fits best on offensive teams that enjoy keeping up momentum. Seismitoad does not require much support defensively, as it is the one supporting the team by absorbing Water-type attacks and striking back with its offensive pressure. Most team options are instead to help Specs Seismitoad's offensive wallbreaking capabilities. Mega Garchomp and Mega Camerupt help with Seismitoad's weakness to Grass-type attacks while Seismitoad can help with their Ice-type and Water-type weaknesses respectively. Mamoswine is a great partner due to its ability to check many Grass- and Dragon-type Pokemon that check Seismitoad such as Breloom and Latios, respectively. Excadrill is a great partner for Seismitoad because of its amazing wallbreaking capabilities and its ability to threaten specially defensive walls that Seismitoad has trouble getting past such as Chansey and Cradily. Hippowdon is a good teammate that appreciates Seismitoad's ability to switch into Water-type attacks. It also sets up Stealth Rock to put many foes such as Mega Gyarados and Zapdos into range of Seismitoad's powerful attacks. Landorus is useful as it can break walls that Seismitoad cannot such as Ferrothorn and Cradily. Together, they put a lot of pressure on the opposing team by weakening their shared checks over time. Landorus can also run Gravity, which helps Seismitoad break Flying teams with great ease, thanks to its powerful Earth Power.
[SET]
name: Assault Vest (Ground)
move 1: Scald
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Grass Knot / Sludge Bomb
move 4: Knock Off
item: Assault Vest
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Modest
evs: 240 HP / 252 SpA / 16 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald is one of Seismitoad's most reliable moves due to its decent Base Power and high chance to burn. Earth Power is Seismitoad's option for targeting Pokemon that resist its Scald such as Tentacruel and Kyurem-B. Grass Knot is great for hitting Water-type threats such as Swampert and Slowbro. Alternatively, Sludge Bomb can be used for hitting Grass- and Fairy-type Pokemon such as Serperior and Azumarill. Knock Off provides great utility by removing items such as Chansey's Eviolite or Ferrothorn's Leftovers.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Special Attack with a Modest nature allows Seismitoad to do as much damage to its foes as possible. 16 EVs in Speed allow Seismitoad to outspeed 0 Speed Mega Scizor as well as Walrein and Lapras that Speed creep Mega Scizor. The remaining EVs are put in HP to maximize Seismitoad's bulk. Water Absorb gives Seismitoad a Water-type immunity and allows it to switch in on most Water-types that threaten the rest of the team. Assault Vest increases Seismitoad's Special Defense and allows it to take special hits better.
Usage Tips
========
Assault Vest allows Seismitoad to pivot into a variety of special attacks with ease, while Water Absorb grants immunity to Water-type attacks, allowing it to check Water-type threats to the entire team such as Slowbro and Keldeo. It does have to watch out for other moves Water-types might go for if they expect Seismitoad to come in, however. Although Seismitoad's bulk is outstanding with an Assault Vest and large investment in HP, it still lacks reliable recovery so it can only take a few hits before being worn out. It can take advantage of Water-type attacks to heal up in order to remedy this. It's important to avoid letting Seismitoad get inflicted with status because this wears Seismitoad down easily and cripples its longevity. Hazards can be a major issue, as they take a toll on Seismitoad's pivoting potential, and a weakened Seismitoad is easily defeated. Even with its Assault Vest, opponents with Grass-type attacks can almost always easily OHKO or severely damage Seismitoad, so they should be played around cautiously. Scald and Knock Off are both fantastic moves for hitting switch-ins, as Scald can burn opposing Pokemon and Knock Off can remove their items. They can both be spammed pretty safely to wear down checks.
Team Options
========
Offensive physical wallbreakers are necessasry to work with Seismitoad as many specially defensive walls shut it down. Wallbreakers also pair well with Seismitoad because they appreciate their checks having their items removed and being burned by Seismitoad. Landorus and Mega Garchomp are good examples of this, as they take out the walls that Seismitoad cannot touch such as Ferrothorn and Mega Venusaur. Hippowdon is a good physical wall to work with Seismitoad in a defensive core. It can set up Stealth Rock, and can force out setup sweepers with Whirlwind. Hippowdon also comes with Sand Stream to boost Mega Garchomp's Earthquake or double Excadrill's Speed, which both help Seismitoad by providing physically offensive pressure. Gliscor is a notable defensive partner for Assault Vest Seismitoad, as it can alleviate Seismitoad's major Grass-type weakness. Gliscor is also a great stallbreaker, which takes out most of the walls that can stop Seismitoad. Landorus-T is particularly useful as it can work as a powerful physically offensive pivot with Intimidate to weaken physical attackers, while also helping with Seismitoad's Grass-type weakness. Mamoswine is a good offensive teammate that can beat Grass- and Dragon-types that threaten Seismitoad, although it cannot switch into them. Excadrill appreciates Seismitoad's ability to switch in to Fire- and Water-type attacks, while providing powerful wallbreaking power.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
**Ground**:
A Leftovers set can be used with Knock Off, Toxic, Scald, and Stealth Rock; however, this set lacks the power to check Azumarill and is generally outclassed by Gastrodon which possesses a reliable recovery move and has better bulk than Seismitoad. Stealth Rock is also more appropriate on Hippowdon as it can reliably reset the hazards if they have been removed due to its better bulk and reliable recovery. A mixed Life Orb set is also a possibility but the damage output would be underwhelming especially compared to better mixed attackers such as Landorus and Mega Garchomp, and it isn't worth compromising Seismitoad's bulk. Hidden Power Fire is another option which is specifically used to break Scizor and Ferrothorn
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground**:
**Grass-types**: Grass-type Pokemon such as Whimsicott and Breloom resist Seismitoad's STAB moves and can force Seismitoad out. Some Grass-types have to watch out for Sludge Wave, however.
**Specially Defensive Walls**: Even with maximum Special Attack investment and Choice Specs, Seismitoad still gets completely shut down by a large amount of common specially defensive walls, such as Chansey, Zapdos, Latias, Latios, or Mega Latias.
**Wallbreakers**: Strong wallbreakers such as Choice Specs Meloetta and Mega Medicham do a massive amount of damage to Seismitoad due to its subpar defenses.
**Dragon-types**: Dragon-types resist Seismitoad's Water-type attacks and most of them are immune to Ground, such as Latios, Latias, Dragonite, and Hydreigon. They threaten Seismitoad with their powerful attacks.
**Status**: Seismitoad doesn't appreciate getting inflicted with status because status cripples its longevity and wears it down.
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