[OVERVIEW]
Galarian Slowking is one of the best specially defensive pivots in the metagame. Its access to Regenerator, fantastic defensive typing, and special bulk allow it to consistently take hits from special attackers like Tapu Koko, Tapu Fini, and Zapdos while threatening the aforementioned threats with its wonderful coverage backed up by a meaty Special Attack stat. It can also run multiple sets with this unique two-way profile; an Assault Vest boosts its Special Defense to astronomical levels, allowing it to even stay in on super effective special attacks like Shadow Ball from Choice Specs Dragapult and Blacephalon. Other sets use Nasty Plot to break through unsuspecting defensive cores expecting Assault Vest variants. However, the Galarian salamander is not without its flaws, as its low Speed means that it often takes multiple hits before moving. This is compounded by its tendency to not run Slack Off, making it vulnerable to being overwhelmed, especially against physical attackers like Melmetal and Urshifu-R taking advantage of its mediocre physical bulk. However, on the right team that can compensate for these shortcomings, Galarian Slowking can be a key defensive piece that has the offensive firepower to methodically force progress every time it hits the field.
[SET]
Nasty Plot (Slowking-Galar) @ Heavy-Duty Boots / Black Sludge / Colbur Berry / Shuca Berry
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 12 Def / 128 SpA / 44 SpD / 76 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Modest Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Psyshock
- Flamethrower / Trick
- Scald / Ice Beam / Sludge Bomb
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Nasty Plot turns Galarian Slowking into an bulky wallbreaker that can punch holes in defensive cores after setting up on the myriad of switches it forces. Psyshock is preferred over Psychic, as it hits specially defensive walls like Blissey and Gastrodon harder, as well as giving it an advantage in boosting wars against Calm Mind users like Clefable and Tapu Fini. Flamethrower obliterates the likes of Ferrothorn, Corviknight, and Melmetal that can otherwise switch into Galarian Slowking. Trick can be used instead if Galarian Slowking is holding Black Sludge, as Trick has immense disruptive potential by weakening switch-ins like Heatran and Melmetal with the passive damage of the item. Scald is a wonderful coverage move that not only hits the Ground-types that like switching into it, such as Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Hippowdon, but also threatens to cripple them with a burn. Additionally, the possibility of inflicting a burn dissuades powerful physical attackers that can force it out, such as Weavile and Tyranitar, from switching into it. Moreover, Scald threatens Heatran, which resists Galarian Slowking's STAB moves and is immune to Flamethrower if running Flash Fire. Ice Beam can be run over Scald if Galarian Slowking wishes to destroy the likes of Dragonite, Landorus-T, and Garchomp at the cost of being incredibly vulnerable to Heatran. Sludge Bomb is also an alternative to immediately threaten Fairy-types like Clefable, Tapu Lele, and Tapu Fini, but it should be noted that Ground-types like Garchomp and Landorus-T will be able to switch into Galarian Slowking a lot more easily while doing nothing to ease the Heatran matchup. Grass Knot is a niche coverage option that obliterates the likes of Hippowdon, Slowbro, and Gastrodon. However, it does fairly little outside of this, as other switch-ins like Heatran and Dragonite take minimal damage from the move. Heavy-Duty Boots is typically the item of choice, as Galarian Slowking greatly appreciates ignoring entry hazard damage to maximize Regenerator recovery, but Black Sludge can be run if Galarian Slowking wishes to be more of a disruptor with Trick while enjoying the passive recovery from the item. Resistance Berries are also viable options; a Colbur Berry allows Galarian Slowking to stay in on Dark-type attackers like Weavile and Tyranitar to threaten them with coverage, while a Shuca Berry is useful for stomaching attacks from Ground-types like Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Excadrill before retaliating with Scald or Ice Beam. The EV spread allows Galarian Slowking to outspeed Gastrodon, live Surging Strikes from Choice Band Urshifu-R, and take Shadow Ball from Timid Choice Specs Dragapult after Stealth Rock while maximizing Special Attack.
Team Options
========
Nasty Plot Galarian Slowking is a fantastic fit on bulkier structures that appreciate its defensive profile while also needing its offensive abilities to break through sturdy defensive cores. Flying-types like Tornadus-T, Zapdos, Corviknight, and Skarmory are mandatory teammates, as they are solid checks to Ground-types, such as Landorus-T and Garchomp. Corviknight and Skarmory have the bonus of being able to come in on Dark-types like Weavile and Tyranitar, and Skarmory's Spikes can wear down grounded checks to Galarian Slowking, such as Garchomp, Heatran, and Gastrodon. Checks to Dark-types are also highly important; Buzzwole and Clefable can take Dark-type moves from Weavile and Tyranitar relatively well while threatening them with Close Combat and Moonblast, respectively, in return. The aforementioned Pokemon can keep other physical attackers that threaten Galarian Slowking at bay as well; Corviknight and Skarmory can stonewall threats like Rillaboom, Kartana, and Melmetal while Buzzwole and Clefable can help check the dangerous Urshifu-R. As Nasty Plot Galarian Slowking does not have the bulk investment of Assault Vest sets, sturdy special walls make for good teammates. Specially defensive Heatran is a fantastic check to Dragapult, Tapu Lele, and Blacephalon and can wear down shared checks like Garchomp and Landorus-T with Magma Storm and Toxic. Gastrodon can shrug off most attacks from Heatran and Volcanion and stonewalls Electric-types that often use Galarian Slowking as Volt Switch fodder to pivot around, such as Zapdos, Tapu Koko, and Rotom-W. As for offensive teammates, Dragapult appreciates Galarian Slowking's ability to break past specially defensive walls like Gastrodon and Blissey with Psyshock, while Galarian Slowking enjoys the speed control and pivoting that Dragapult provides so it can find opportunities to wallbreak more easily. Rillaboom is a wonderful partner, as it weakens Earthquake with Grassy Surge and provides passive recovery for Galarian Slowking if it enters the field when Grassy Terrain is active, improving its longevity. Finally, Tapu Koko has fantastic synergy with Galarian Slowking; its access to Roost makes it a great offensive pivot on the defensive teams that Galarian Slowking often finds itself on, puts Ground-types that also check Galarian Slowking like Hippowdon and Garchomp on a timer with Toxic, and wears down Heatran with Volt Switch.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Future Sight can be run over Psyshock on Nasty Plot sets if compressing the roles of a bulky wallbreaker and offense enabler is desired, but this is generally discouraged, as foregoing Psyshock makes Galarian Slowking unable to break through special walls like Blissey and Gastrodon. Nasty Plot Galarian Slowking can also run Slack Off to improve its longevity, but it generally prefers extra coverage or the disruptive power of Trick. Assault Vest sets can run even bulkier EV spreads to check Ghost-type attackers like Choice Specs Dragapult in a pinch, but Galarian Slowking will lack the firepower to reliably force out Pokemon like specially defensive Clefable and Toxapex. Earthquake is an option on Assault Vest sets to lure in and remove Heatran, but this is generally discouraged, as it does not have much utility outside of that.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types**: Garchomp, Landorus-T, Hippowdon, and Gastrodon have the bulk to take unboosted attacks from Galarian Slowking and can threaten it out with their strong STAB Earthquake. However, these Pokemon generally fear Scald, and Hippowdon and Gastrodon can get sniped by the rare Grass Knot.
**Dark-types**: Galarian Slowking's part-Psychic typing and mediocre physical bulk make it extremely vulnerable to Knock Off and Crunch from Weavile and Tyranitar, which can OHKO it. They are also immune to Psychic-type attacks, giving them potential switch-in opportunities against Galarian Slowking. However, Galarian Slowking can lure them with a Colbur Berry before retaliating with its coverage moves, and the threat of being burned by Scald on the switch can dissuade them from switching in. Hydreigon does not particularly mind being burned from Scald due to it being a special attacker and having access to Roost, but it is threatened by Ice Beam and struggles to OHKO Galarian Slowking through the latter's high special bulk.
**Physical Attackers**: As Galarian Slowking has mediocre physical bulk, strong physical attackers like Urshifu-R and Melmetal can break through it with Surging Strikes and Double Iron Bash, respectively. However, they cannot easily switch into Galarian Slowking, as Urshifu-R fears Psyshock, while Melmetal dislikes taking Flamethrower or Scald.
**Ghost-types**: Dragapult, Blacephalon, and Aegislash can all threaten Galarian Slowking with their STAB moves. However, Dragapult and Blacephalon generally dislike taking attacks from Galarian Slowking due to their poor bulk, while Aegislash can be torched by Flamethrower.
**Heatran**: Heatran is one of Galarian Slowking's best checks in the metagame, as it doesn't mind most attacks and can trap and remove it with a combination of Magma Storm and Earth Power. However, variants carrying Scald, especially Nasty Plot sets, can turn the tables on Heatran if it recklessly comes in on Galarian Slowking.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/slowpoke-fan.617219/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/pulsar512b.469728/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tysonslayer.349443/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tbolt.555379/
Galarian Slowking is one of the best specially defensive pivots in the metagame. Its access to Regenerator, fantastic defensive typing, and special bulk allow it to consistently take hits from special attackers like Tapu Koko, Tapu Fini, and Zapdos while threatening the aforementioned threats with its wonderful coverage backed up by a meaty Special Attack stat. It can also run multiple sets with this unique two-way profile; an Assault Vest boosts its Special Defense to astronomical levels, allowing it to even stay in on super effective special attacks like Shadow Ball from Choice Specs Dragapult and Blacephalon. Other sets use Nasty Plot to break through unsuspecting defensive cores expecting Assault Vest variants. However, the Galarian salamander is not without its flaws, as its low Speed means that it often takes multiple hits before moving. This is compounded by its tendency to not run Slack Off, making it vulnerable to being overwhelmed, especially against physical attackers like Melmetal and Urshifu-R taking advantage of its mediocre physical bulk. However, on the right team that can compensate for these shortcomings, Galarian Slowking can be a key defensive piece that has the offensive firepower to methodically force progress every time it hits the field.
[SET]
Nasty Plot (Slowking-Galar) @ Heavy-Duty Boots / Black Sludge / Colbur Berry / Shuca Berry
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 12 Def / 128 SpA / 44 SpD / 76 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Modest Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Psyshock
- Flamethrower / Trick
- Scald / Ice Beam / Sludge Bomb
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Nasty Plot turns Galarian Slowking into an bulky wallbreaker that can punch holes in defensive cores after setting up on the myriad of switches it forces. Psyshock is preferred over Psychic, as it hits specially defensive walls like Blissey and Gastrodon harder, as well as giving it an advantage in boosting wars against Calm Mind users like Clefable and Tapu Fini. Flamethrower obliterates the likes of Ferrothorn, Corviknight, and Melmetal that can otherwise switch into Galarian Slowking. Trick can be used instead if Galarian Slowking is holding Black Sludge, as Trick has immense disruptive potential by weakening switch-ins like Heatran and Melmetal with the passive damage of the item. Scald is a wonderful coverage move that not only hits the Ground-types that like switching into it, such as Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Hippowdon, but also threatens to cripple them with a burn. Additionally, the possibility of inflicting a burn dissuades powerful physical attackers that can force it out, such as Weavile and Tyranitar, from switching into it. Moreover, Scald threatens Heatran, which resists Galarian Slowking's STAB moves and is immune to Flamethrower if running Flash Fire. Ice Beam can be run over Scald if Galarian Slowking wishes to destroy the likes of Dragonite, Landorus-T, and Garchomp at the cost of being incredibly vulnerable to Heatran. Sludge Bomb is also an alternative to immediately threaten Fairy-types like Clefable, Tapu Lele, and Tapu Fini, but it should be noted that Ground-types like Garchomp and Landorus-T will be able to switch into Galarian Slowking a lot more easily while doing nothing to ease the Heatran matchup. Grass Knot is a niche coverage option that obliterates the likes of Hippowdon, Slowbro, and Gastrodon. However, it does fairly little outside of this, as other switch-ins like Heatran and Dragonite take minimal damage from the move. Heavy-Duty Boots is typically the item of choice, as Galarian Slowking greatly appreciates ignoring entry hazard damage to maximize Regenerator recovery, but Black Sludge can be run if Galarian Slowking wishes to be more of a disruptor with Trick while enjoying the passive recovery from the item. Resistance Berries are also viable options; a Colbur Berry allows Galarian Slowking to stay in on Dark-type attackers like Weavile and Tyranitar to threaten them with coverage, while a Shuca Berry is useful for stomaching attacks from Ground-types like Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Excadrill before retaliating with Scald or Ice Beam. The EV spread allows Galarian Slowking to outspeed Gastrodon, live Surging Strikes from Choice Band Urshifu-R, and take Shadow Ball from Timid Choice Specs Dragapult after Stealth Rock while maximizing Special Attack.
Team Options
========
Nasty Plot Galarian Slowking is a fantastic fit on bulkier structures that appreciate its defensive profile while also needing its offensive abilities to break through sturdy defensive cores. Flying-types like Tornadus-T, Zapdos, Corviknight, and Skarmory are mandatory teammates, as they are solid checks to Ground-types, such as Landorus-T and Garchomp. Corviknight and Skarmory have the bonus of being able to come in on Dark-types like Weavile and Tyranitar, and Skarmory's Spikes can wear down grounded checks to Galarian Slowking, such as Garchomp, Heatran, and Gastrodon. Checks to Dark-types are also highly important; Buzzwole and Clefable can take Dark-type moves from Weavile and Tyranitar relatively well while threatening them with Close Combat and Moonblast, respectively, in return. The aforementioned Pokemon can keep other physical attackers that threaten Galarian Slowking at bay as well; Corviknight and Skarmory can stonewall threats like Rillaboom, Kartana, and Melmetal while Buzzwole and Clefable can help check the dangerous Urshifu-R. As Nasty Plot Galarian Slowking does not have the bulk investment of Assault Vest sets, sturdy special walls make for good teammates. Specially defensive Heatran is a fantastic check to Dragapult, Tapu Lele, and Blacephalon and can wear down shared checks like Garchomp and Landorus-T with Magma Storm and Toxic. Gastrodon can shrug off most attacks from Heatran and Volcanion and stonewalls Electric-types that often use Galarian Slowking as Volt Switch fodder to pivot around, such as Zapdos, Tapu Koko, and Rotom-W. As for offensive teammates, Dragapult appreciates Galarian Slowking's ability to break past specially defensive walls like Gastrodon and Blissey with Psyshock, while Galarian Slowking enjoys the speed control and pivoting that Dragapult provides so it can find opportunities to wallbreak more easily. Rillaboom is a wonderful partner, as it weakens Earthquake with Grassy Surge and provides passive recovery for Galarian Slowking if it enters the field when Grassy Terrain is active, improving its longevity. Finally, Tapu Koko has fantastic synergy with Galarian Slowking; its access to Roost makes it a great offensive pivot on the defensive teams that Galarian Slowking often finds itself on, puts Ground-types that also check Galarian Slowking like Hippowdon and Garchomp on a timer with Toxic, and wears down Heatran with Volt Switch.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Future Sight can be run over Psyshock on Nasty Plot sets if compressing the roles of a bulky wallbreaker and offense enabler is desired, but this is generally discouraged, as foregoing Psyshock makes Galarian Slowking unable to break through special walls like Blissey and Gastrodon. Nasty Plot Galarian Slowking can also run Slack Off to improve its longevity, but it generally prefers extra coverage or the disruptive power of Trick. Assault Vest sets can run even bulkier EV spreads to check Ghost-type attackers like Choice Specs Dragapult in a pinch, but Galarian Slowking will lack the firepower to reliably force out Pokemon like specially defensive Clefable and Toxapex. Earthquake is an option on Assault Vest sets to lure in and remove Heatran, but this is generally discouraged, as it does not have much utility outside of that.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types**: Garchomp, Landorus-T, Hippowdon, and Gastrodon have the bulk to take unboosted attacks from Galarian Slowking and can threaten it out with their strong STAB Earthquake. However, these Pokemon generally fear Scald, and Hippowdon and Gastrodon can get sniped by the rare Grass Knot.
**Dark-types**: Galarian Slowking's part-Psychic typing and mediocre physical bulk make it extremely vulnerable to Knock Off and Crunch from Weavile and Tyranitar, which can OHKO it. They are also immune to Psychic-type attacks, giving them potential switch-in opportunities against Galarian Slowking. However, Galarian Slowking can lure them with a Colbur Berry before retaliating with its coverage moves, and the threat of being burned by Scald on the switch can dissuade them from switching in. Hydreigon does not particularly mind being burned from Scald due to it being a special attacker and having access to Roost, but it is threatened by Ice Beam and struggles to OHKO Galarian Slowking through the latter's high special bulk.
**Physical Attackers**: As Galarian Slowking has mediocre physical bulk, strong physical attackers like Urshifu-R and Melmetal can break through it with Surging Strikes and Double Iron Bash, respectively. However, they cannot easily switch into Galarian Slowking, as Urshifu-R fears Psyshock, while Melmetal dislikes taking Flamethrower or Scald.
**Ghost-types**: Dragapult, Blacephalon, and Aegislash can all threaten Galarian Slowking with their STAB moves. However, Dragapult and Blacephalon generally dislike taking attacks from Galarian Slowking due to their poor bulk, while Aegislash can be torched by Flamethrower.
**Heatran**: Heatran is one of Galarian Slowking's best checks in the metagame, as it doesn't mind most attacks and can trap and remove it with a combination of Magma Storm and Earth Power. However, variants carrying Scald, especially Nasty Plot sets, can turn the tables on Heatran if it recklessly comes in on Galarian Slowking.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/slowpoke-fan.617219/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/pulsar512b.469728/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tysonslayer.349443/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tbolt.555379/
