QC: all falls down | Eien | Zarif
GP: CryoGyro (am check) | The Dutch Plumberjack | Rare Poison
[OVERVIEW]
Porygon2 is the premier physically defensive wall for Normal-type teams, forming one half of the infamous Eviolite core that Normal-type teams are often built around. Even without EV investment, Porygon2 also boasts a respectable Special Defense stat when holding an Eviolite, which allows it to take hits from many special attackers in the Monotype metagame, such as Life Orb Latios's Draco Meteor, and recover off the damage. Despite its role as a defensive Pokemon, Porygon2 has a diverse movepool that includes great attacking coverage, with moves such as Ice Beam and Discharge, and excellent support moves such as Toxic, Thunder Wave, and Recover. Its wide range of options lets it check a wide variety of threats while also supporting both offensive and defensive teammates. However, Porygon2 exacerbates a Normal-type team's weakness to Knock Off users such as Bisharp because of its reliance on Eviolite. Additionally, its typing leaves it weak to the same attacks as the rest of the team and provides no useful resistances, which means Porygon2 must rely on its natural bulk when switching into attacks. Overall, Porygon2 is a staple on every Normal-type team archetype except hyper offense because of its excellent bulk and diverse movepool.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Recover
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Foul Play
move 4: Toxic / Thunder Wave
item: Eviolite
ability: Trace
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Recover gives Porygon2 longevity, which enables it to check a wide variety of threats in the Monotype metagame. Ice Beam provides excellent attacking coverage and checks specific threats that are troublesome for Normal teams, such as Choice Band Dragonite. Importantly, Ice Beam also hits Gliscor for significant damage, preventing it from completely dismantling a Normal-type team with Knock Off and Taunt. Foul Play is used to punish opponents that attempt to set up on Porygon2—most notably, it lets Porygon2 check Swords Dance Mega Scizor, but it also punishes Swords Dance Mega Pinsir and Dragon Dance Gyarados. Foul Play also enables Porygon2 to deal significant damage to physical sweepers, like Excadrill.
Porygon2 typically utilizes its final moveslot to support its teammates. Toxic wears down opposing Pokemon, pairs nicely with Porygon2's natural bulk, and meshes well with the other defensive Pokemon on many Normal-type teams, such as Chansey and Staraptor. Alternatively, Porygon2 may run Thunder Wave to support its offensive teammates with suboptimal Speed tiers. Specifically, Choice Specs Meloetta and Choice Band Diggersby appreciate Porygon2's ability to slow down Pokemon that can easily revenge kill them, such as Keldeo and Kyurem-Black.
Discharge is an option over Foul Play or Ice Beam that allows Porygon2 to hit Water-types, particularly Keldeo, for significant damage. However, replacing Ice Beam or Foul Play requires the Normal-type team to run a different check to Dragonite and Gliscor or setup sweepers, respectively. Lastly, Hidden Power Fire is useful for luring and eliminating Steel-types, especially Mega Scizor, Ferrothorn, and Bisharp. If you're running Trace, Hidden Power Fire gets a damage boost when Porygon2 copies Scizor's Technician. Alternatively, Download Porygon2 can 2HKO Bisharp, a particularly troublesome Pokemon for Normal-type teams, with +1 Hidden Power Fire, but this requires Porygon2 to forego the general utility of Trace.
Set Details
========
Eviolite boosts Porygon2's defensive stats and is the only option for an item. Maximum HP and Defense investment with a Bold nature lets Porygon2 take physical hits. Despite Porygon2's excellent mixed bulk, mixed investment isn't preferred because Porygon2 is almost always paired with Chansey. Trace is the preferred ability, as it allows Porygon2 to copy an opponent's ability and use it against them. For example, Porygon2 can trace Dragonite's Multiscale, preventing it from 2HKOing Porygon2 if it switches in with full health, or Gyarados's and Landorus-T's Intimidate, allowing it to reliably check them. Download is also an option for teams that are very weak to Bisharp, as +1 Hidden Power Fire nets a guaranteed 2HKO on Bisharp.
Usage Tips
========
Utilize Porygon2's excellent Defense to switch in on opposing physical attackers. It can stand up to some of the most powerful physical wallbreakers in the metagame. Attacks such as Choice Band Hoopa-U's Hyperspace Fury and Choice Band Excadrill's Earthquake do under 50% with maximum investment, while stronger wallbreakers like Choice Band Diggersby only have an approximately 20% chance to 2HKO. Because Porygon2 finds many opportunities to pivot in throughout a match, use it to spread status. As you're pivoting, use Recover liberally to keep Porygon2's health near full so it can switch in on opposing offensive threats. Eviolite grants Porygon2 good mixed defenses, which should be used to status mixed attackers that otherwise threaten the team, such as Keldeo. However, it must watch out for opposing Knock Off users, as it needs its Eviolite to reliably check opposing physical attackers. Porygon2 can stall out most physical attackers, notably the Dragon-types that threaten the rest of a Normal-type team, with Toxic + Recover. Porygon2 should switch into setup sweepers that threaten the rest of a Normal-type team, such as Doublade or Mega Scizor. Foul Play punishes any setup attempts and leaves the foe open to being revenge killed by Ditto or Mega Lopunny.
Team Options
========
Chansey makes an excellent teammate for Porygon2. It absorbs special attacks, sets entry hazards, spreads status, and is the perfect complement to Porygon2's physical bulk. Chansey's ability Natural Cure also makes it an excellent sponge for the status moves that are often aimed at Porygon2. Alternatively, Chansey can run Heal Bell to cure any status ailments Porygon2 might acquire. Staraptor also makes an excellent defensive partner. It takes neutral damage from the Fighting-type attacks that threaten Porygon2 and has passable physical bulk thanks to Intimidate. Additionally, Staraptor can Defog away hazards and check Bisharp with Close Combat. Ditto complements Porygon2's defensive capabilities by punishing opponents that choose to utilize boosting moves to break through Porygon2.
As a complement to the defensive partners listed above, Diggersby and Meloetta make great offensive partners for Porygon2. They appreciate the paralysis Porygon2 can spread and use it to outspeed potential revenge killers in the late-game. Choice Scarf Meloetta is especially useful against Fighting-type teams, where it can OHKO most threats with Psychic. Mega Lopunny is an excellent Normal-type Mega Evolution to pair with Porygon2. It can take on Bisharp and Steel-types in general, which Porygon2 struggles against. Finally, Mega Audino makes a great partner on bulkier Normal-type builds, as it can easily switch into Knock Off and takes neutral damage from Fighting-type attacks.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Porygon2 also gets access to Trick Room, should one want to explore that archetype for Normal-type teams; Diggersby is particularly threatening to offensive teams, like Swift Swim Water-type teams, when under Trick Room. Finally, Porygon2's movepool enables it to run an offensive set with Download or Analytic, in which case it can make use of Tri Attack as a STAB move. However, Porygon2 is generally outclassed in this role by Porygon-Z and Meloetta.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types can hit Porygon2 for super effective damage with STAB attacks to deal significant damage. Terrakion, Keldeo, and Mega Medicham are all especially threatening.
**Knock Off and Trick**: These remove Porygon2's Eviolite, leaving it unable to switch in on attacks and, in the case of Trick, locking it into one move, which prevents it from effectively utilizing its support movepool. Bisharp and Landorus-T are common Knock Off users, while Jirachi and Togekiss often run a Choice Scarf set with Trick.
**Setup Sweepers**: Substitute + boosting move sweepers, such as Keldeo, can avoid status, and Porygon2 struggles to break a Calm Mind user's Substitute. RestTalk Mega Gyarados and Suicune don't care about status, and Discharge can't 3HKO them. Ditto struggles to revenge kill these threats as well.
**Taunt Users**: Pokemon with Taunt prevent Porygon2 from spreading status or recovering off damage, which severely limits its effectiveness. Stallbreaker Mew is particularly troublesome, while a lead Infernape set threatens to set entry hazards and severely weaken Porygon2's teammates with its Fighting-type attack after Taunting Porygon2. Sableye is also a major threat; it can Taunt Porygon2, burn it with Will-O-Wisp, and Knock Off its Eviolite.
**Passive Damage**: Status and entry hazards can whittle down Porygon2, preventing it from switching in on threats. Chansey makes an excellent status sponge and can carry Heal Bell to alleviate the status problem, while Staraptor can Defog entry hazards.
**Defensive Pokemon**: If Porygon2 foregoes Toxic, most defensive Pokemon will wall it and can set up or remove entry hazards or spread status.
**Strong Wallbreakers**: Pokemon such as Choice Specs Hoopa-U, Choice Specs Keldeo, and Choice Band Kyurem-B can 2HKO Porygon2 as it switches in.
GP: CryoGyro (am check) | The Dutch Plumberjack | Rare Poison
[OVERVIEW]
Porygon2 is the premier physically defensive wall for Normal-type teams, forming one half of the infamous Eviolite core that Normal-type teams are often built around. Even without EV investment, Porygon2 also boasts a respectable Special Defense stat when holding an Eviolite, which allows it to take hits from many special attackers in the Monotype metagame, such as Life Orb Latios's Draco Meteor, and recover off the damage. Despite its role as a defensive Pokemon, Porygon2 has a diverse movepool that includes great attacking coverage, with moves such as Ice Beam and Discharge, and excellent support moves such as Toxic, Thunder Wave, and Recover. Its wide range of options lets it check a wide variety of threats while also supporting both offensive and defensive teammates. However, Porygon2 exacerbates a Normal-type team's weakness to Knock Off users such as Bisharp because of its reliance on Eviolite. Additionally, its typing leaves it weak to the same attacks as the rest of the team and provides no useful resistances, which means Porygon2 must rely on its natural bulk when switching into attacks. Overall, Porygon2 is a staple on every Normal-type team archetype except hyper offense because of its excellent bulk and diverse movepool.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Recover
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Foul Play
move 4: Toxic / Thunder Wave
item: Eviolite
ability: Trace
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Recover gives Porygon2 longevity, which enables it to check a wide variety of threats in the Monotype metagame. Ice Beam provides excellent attacking coverage and checks specific threats that are troublesome for Normal teams, such as Choice Band Dragonite. Importantly, Ice Beam also hits Gliscor for significant damage, preventing it from completely dismantling a Normal-type team with Knock Off and Taunt. Foul Play is used to punish opponents that attempt to set up on Porygon2—most notably, it lets Porygon2 check Swords Dance Mega Scizor, but it also punishes Swords Dance Mega Pinsir and Dragon Dance Gyarados. Foul Play also enables Porygon2 to deal significant damage to physical sweepers, like Excadrill.
Porygon2 typically utilizes its final moveslot to support its teammates. Toxic wears down opposing Pokemon, pairs nicely with Porygon2's natural bulk, and meshes well with the other defensive Pokemon on many Normal-type teams, such as Chansey and Staraptor. Alternatively, Porygon2 may run Thunder Wave to support its offensive teammates with suboptimal Speed tiers. Specifically, Choice Specs Meloetta and Choice Band Diggersby appreciate Porygon2's ability to slow down Pokemon that can easily revenge kill them, such as Keldeo and Kyurem-Black.
Discharge is an option over Foul Play or Ice Beam that allows Porygon2 to hit Water-types, particularly Keldeo, for significant damage. However, replacing Ice Beam or Foul Play requires the Normal-type team to run a different check to Dragonite and Gliscor or setup sweepers, respectively. Lastly, Hidden Power Fire is useful for luring and eliminating Steel-types, especially Mega Scizor, Ferrothorn, and Bisharp. If you're running Trace, Hidden Power Fire gets a damage boost when Porygon2 copies Scizor's Technician. Alternatively, Download Porygon2 can 2HKO Bisharp, a particularly troublesome Pokemon for Normal-type teams, with +1 Hidden Power Fire, but this requires Porygon2 to forego the general utility of Trace.
Set Details
========
Eviolite boosts Porygon2's defensive stats and is the only option for an item. Maximum HP and Defense investment with a Bold nature lets Porygon2 take physical hits. Despite Porygon2's excellent mixed bulk, mixed investment isn't preferred because Porygon2 is almost always paired with Chansey. Trace is the preferred ability, as it allows Porygon2 to copy an opponent's ability and use it against them. For example, Porygon2 can trace Dragonite's Multiscale, preventing it from 2HKOing Porygon2 if it switches in with full health, or Gyarados's and Landorus-T's Intimidate, allowing it to reliably check them. Download is also an option for teams that are very weak to Bisharp, as +1 Hidden Power Fire nets a guaranteed 2HKO on Bisharp.
Usage Tips
========
Utilize Porygon2's excellent Defense to switch in on opposing physical attackers. It can stand up to some of the most powerful physical wallbreakers in the metagame. Attacks such as Choice Band Hoopa-U's Hyperspace Fury and Choice Band Excadrill's Earthquake do under 50% with maximum investment, while stronger wallbreakers like Choice Band Diggersby only have an approximately 20% chance to 2HKO. Because Porygon2 finds many opportunities to pivot in throughout a match, use it to spread status. As you're pivoting, use Recover liberally to keep Porygon2's health near full so it can switch in on opposing offensive threats. Eviolite grants Porygon2 good mixed defenses, which should be used to status mixed attackers that otherwise threaten the team, such as Keldeo. However, it must watch out for opposing Knock Off users, as it needs its Eviolite to reliably check opposing physical attackers. Porygon2 can stall out most physical attackers, notably the Dragon-types that threaten the rest of a Normal-type team, with Toxic + Recover. Porygon2 should switch into setup sweepers that threaten the rest of a Normal-type team, such as Doublade or Mega Scizor. Foul Play punishes any setup attempts and leaves the foe open to being revenge killed by Ditto or Mega Lopunny.
Team Options
========
Chansey makes an excellent teammate for Porygon2. It absorbs special attacks, sets entry hazards, spreads status, and is the perfect complement to Porygon2's physical bulk. Chansey's ability Natural Cure also makes it an excellent sponge for the status moves that are often aimed at Porygon2. Alternatively, Chansey can run Heal Bell to cure any status ailments Porygon2 might acquire. Staraptor also makes an excellent defensive partner. It takes neutral damage from the Fighting-type attacks that threaten Porygon2 and has passable physical bulk thanks to Intimidate. Additionally, Staraptor can Defog away hazards and check Bisharp with Close Combat. Ditto complements Porygon2's defensive capabilities by punishing opponents that choose to utilize boosting moves to break through Porygon2.
As a complement to the defensive partners listed above, Diggersby and Meloetta make great offensive partners for Porygon2. They appreciate the paralysis Porygon2 can spread and use it to outspeed potential revenge killers in the late-game. Choice Scarf Meloetta is especially useful against Fighting-type teams, where it can OHKO most threats with Psychic. Mega Lopunny is an excellent Normal-type Mega Evolution to pair with Porygon2. It can take on Bisharp and Steel-types in general, which Porygon2 struggles against. Finally, Mega Audino makes a great partner on bulkier Normal-type builds, as it can easily switch into Knock Off and takes neutral damage from Fighting-type attacks.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Porygon2 also gets access to Trick Room, should one want to explore that archetype for Normal-type teams; Diggersby is particularly threatening to offensive teams, like Swift Swim Water-type teams, when under Trick Room. Finally, Porygon2's movepool enables it to run an offensive set with Download or Analytic, in which case it can make use of Tri Attack as a STAB move. However, Porygon2 is generally outclassed in this role by Porygon-Z and Meloetta.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types can hit Porygon2 for super effective damage with STAB attacks to deal significant damage. Terrakion, Keldeo, and Mega Medicham are all especially threatening.
**Knock Off and Trick**: These remove Porygon2's Eviolite, leaving it unable to switch in on attacks and, in the case of Trick, locking it into one move, which prevents it from effectively utilizing its support movepool. Bisharp and Landorus-T are common Knock Off users, while Jirachi and Togekiss often run a Choice Scarf set with Trick.
**Setup Sweepers**: Substitute + boosting move sweepers, such as Keldeo, can avoid status, and Porygon2 struggles to break a Calm Mind user's Substitute. RestTalk Mega Gyarados and Suicune don't care about status, and Discharge can't 3HKO them. Ditto struggles to revenge kill these threats as well.
**Taunt Users**: Pokemon with Taunt prevent Porygon2 from spreading status or recovering off damage, which severely limits its effectiveness. Stallbreaker Mew is particularly troublesome, while a lead Infernape set threatens to set entry hazards and severely weaken Porygon2's teammates with its Fighting-type attack after Taunting Porygon2. Sableye is also a major threat; it can Taunt Porygon2, burn it with Will-O-Wisp, and Knock Off its Eviolite.
**Passive Damage**: Status and entry hazards can whittle down Porygon2, preventing it from switching in on threats. Chansey makes an excellent status sponge and can carry Heal Bell to alleviate the status problem, while Staraptor can Defog entry hazards.
**Defensive Pokemon**: If Porygon2 foregoes Toxic, most defensive Pokemon will wall it and can set up or remove entry hazards or spread status.
**Strong Wallbreakers**: Pokemon such as Choice Specs Hoopa-U, Choice Specs Keldeo, and Choice Band Kyurem-B can 2HKO Porygon2 as it switches in.
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