Relicanth [GP: 2/2]

[gasquakee]

QC: Raiza / Magnemite / Anty
GP: The Dutch Plumberjack

[OVERVIEW]
========

Relicanth has a decent niche in PU both with access to a recoiless Head Smash and as a very potent rain lead. It also has sufficient coverage moves to hit Pokemon that resist Head Smash. Despite this, Relicanth does face a lot of competition for a teamslot from other Water-types such as Carracosta and Poliwrath; however, it is an amazing Choice Band wallbreaker. Relicanth's low base Speed also hinders its ability to function, combined with a 4x weakness to Grass as well as weaknesses to Electric, Ground, and Fighting, but in turn it can switch into Normal- and Flying-type attacks with relative ease and either retaliate with a powerful attack or get up a well-ended Rain Dance.

[SET]
Choice Band
========
name: Choice Band
move 1: Head Smash
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Double-Edge
move 4: Zen Headbutt
item: Choice Band
ability: Rock Head
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Head Smash is Relicanth's main STAB move and most spammable move. Waterfall is used for Pokemon that resist Rock, such as Probopass and Pawniard. Relicanth uses Zen Headbutt for Fighting-types, especially Poliwrath. Double-Edge is used for neutral coverage and safe middle plays.

Set Details
========

Relicanth uses maximum Attack investment with a Choice Band for immense wallbreaking power. An Adamant nature still allows Relicanth to outspeed common walls and hit them hard, making Relicanth an efficient wallbreaker. Maximum Speed investment is used to outrun most walls in the tier such as Lickilicky, Misdreavus, and Golem. The ability Rock Head is used so Relicanth doesn't take recoil from Head Smash.

Usage Tips
========

You want Relicanth to come in on a Pokemon it can easily take hits from, such as Dodrio, Lickilicky, Avalugg, or Armaldo. Also be wary of potential switch-ins because being locked in the wrong move is terrible. It's almost never a bad idea to just click Head Smash, though. It's Relicanth's strongest move, and coming off base 90 Attack with full investment and an Adamant nature, it will hurt everything that wants to switch in very hard; even more offensive variants of Poliwrath take almost half. You really want to switch Relicanth out when a threat comes in to resume wallbreaking later.

Team Options
========

Flying-, Fire-, and Ice-types such as Dodrio, Ninetales, and Regice can defeat Grass-types, especially Tangela, which give Relicanth problems. Relicanth should be used in conjunction with Pokemon that can defeat bulky Fighting-types. Flying-types such as Jumpluff and Dodrio do this especially well. Bulky Grass-types such as Tangela and Gogoat can also defeat Poliwrath. Relicanth appreciates Ground-types such as Piloswine and Stunfisk, as they can switch in against the Electric-types that check Relicanth. It also enjoys having entry hazards such as Stealth Rock and Spikes to limit and pressure switch-ins and gain KOs. Sticky Web and Thunder Wave support can slow down the opposition so that Relicanth can nuke things late-game. Relicanth can also provide some vital support by checking common Rock-, Steel-, and Ground such as Armaldo, Probopass, Pawniard, and Marowak, and it can break physical walls for sweepers such as Leafeon.

[SET]
Rain Lead
========
name: Rain Lead
move 1: Rain Dance
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Head Smash
move 4: Waterfall / Yawn
item: Damp Rock
ability: Sturdy
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Relicanth uses Rain Dance to set up rain for the team, boosting the power of Water-type moves and speeding up Swift Swim Pokemon. Stealth Rock helps check many threats in the tier that would otherwise be even harder to deal with and can secure KOs for your team. Head Smash is Relicanth's main form of damage output and has the added benefit of preventing slower entry hazard removers from removing Stealth Rock, as its recoil can KO by KOing Relicanth so that Rapid Spin and Defog have no target. Similarly, it also functions as a way to get your rain sweeper in quickly and without taking unnecessary damage. Waterfall hits common leads such as Golem hard. Another option in place of Waterfall is Yawn, which can create free turns for Relicanth or its teammates to set up.

Set Details
========

Maximum Attack investment is used for maximum damage output. Maximum Speed investment with a Jolly nature allows Relicanth to outspeed more Pokemon, such as Adamant Torterra, and thus gives it a higher chance to set up both Rain Dance and Stealth Rock. Relicanth utilizes Sturdy over Rock Head to virtually guarantee at least one of Rain Dance and Stealth Rock. Damp Rock is used for extra rain turns, which is vital for rain teams.

Usage Tips
========

This is a dedicated lead, so more often than not you want to lead with it, unless you see a foe like Torterra, which commonly carries Bullet Seed. Don't be afraid to sacrifice Relicanth; this set is meant to faint and as long as it has done its job it doesn't matter if it faints. Setting up rain is Relicanth's first priority over setting up Stealth Rock. Be wary against possible Taunt users and foes that can bypass Relicanth's Sturdy and limit its effectiveness.

Team Options
========

Relicanth only works on full rain teams, featuring Swift Swim Pokemon such as Armaldo, Poliwrath, Golduck, Floatzel, and Carracosta. Rain teams play offense at all times, and they normally appreciate a Grass-type Pokemon, as these have very good synergy with rain; examples include Leafeon, Jumpluff, Gogoat, and Sawsbuck. Rain can also make Fire-types less useful, giving the Grass-types an easier time to do their job. Additional rain setters such as Volbeat are essential for rain teams. On teams with lead Relicanth you also might want an Electric-type such as Zebstrika or Raichu to capitalize on the rain with a perfectly accurate Thunder. Swanna can also be very effective on rain teams as a Grass-type check for perfectly accurate Hurricanes.

Other Options
========

An offensive Stealth Rock set can be viable, as it forces so many switches with the threat of Head Smash. A Rock Polish set with Life Orb can be good if Relicanth can find a turn to come in and set up. A Swift Swim setcan work as a rain abuser, patching up its mediocre Speed and turning it into a powerful cleaner. It faces competition from Armaldo, however, which can even run Rapid Spin to give it more valuable assets over Relicanth.

Checks & Counters
========

**Grass-types**: Tangela can switch in on Relicanth and switch out if needed while recovering HP with its ability Regenerator, Torterra can easily take Relicanth's main move and KO it easily, and Quilladin can take a Head Smash and Double-Edge and do major damage with Seed Bomb against Relicanth.

**Faster Pokemon**: Raichu and Rotom-F can revenge kill Relicanth with Thunderbolt, Leafeon can revenge kill it with Leaf Blade, and Zebstrika can revenge kill it too. They can also prevent the rain lead set from setting up Stealth Rock or Rain Dance.

**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types such as Poliwrath and Machoke can stop Relicanth from spamming its Head Smash with impunity.

**Burn**: Burn halves Relicanth's Attack and whittles at its HP every turn, putting it in KO range of special attacks, which already give it trouble. Burn can be inflicted on it by Misdreavus, Solrock, and Scald users.

 

[Magnemite]

i know this is just a wip, but zen headbutt should be used in the last slot, as earthquake doesn't really hit anything and zen headbutt is the only way you aren't walled by poliwrath, so it's really important.

also i've actually used this mon unlike most qc members (at least as far as I'm aware of), so i'll check this when it's ready :o

 

[gasquakee]

Ok thanks. Yeah I just noticed about zh. Guess I forgot. Will update later.

 

[MZ]

Zen headbutt is correct, and also max speed is normally a better set, similar to what Marowak does. Also SR might be a viable slash with earthquake, although I haven't tested it.

 

[Ares]

Yo GasQuake when will this skeleton be done? It looks pretty close to complete, but you need to format the C&C section properly.

 

[Anty]

bored so doing this
Overview
########
Stress how its niche is its combination of rock head + head smash
Remove mention of rocks, as it isnt is the main set
Mention more negatives (ie several weaknesses, low speed, low spdef, etc)

Choice Band
########
Re-order the EVs to make them in order atk/spdef/spe

Moves
########
Expand upon these, ie give examples of what the coverage hits
Also you have eq listed here rather than zen headbutt

Set Details
########
Wrong EVs are described here

Usage Tips
########
Examples of what it switches in on

Team Options
########
pls remove sludge bomb tangela
Give more examples, also include ones that benefit from relicanths wall breaking

Other Options
########
Remove Scald, as it would rather use waterfall on any set (45sptk). Mention that it could use stealth rocks on an offensive set as it forces plenty of switches

Checks & Counters
########
**Physically Bulky Mons**
Poliwrath isnt a good check if it gets 2hkod by zen headbutt, def costa also gets 2hkod by relicanth. There arent any real walls that switch into it so this bit should be removed

**Grass Types**
More grass types examples

Add a section about **Faster Pokemon** as many can come in and revenge kill it

tagging GasQuake

 

[gasquakee]

Should be good. Had a few saving problems but I finally fixed it :I. Tagging Anty

 

[Anty]

You havent done what i asked you to do in moves or in UT

In TO, mention sweepers who appreciate the wall breaking. Also add more pokes that deal with checks, ie ground types to check electrics

In c&c Mention Qualadin and torterra with grass types

GasQuake

 

[WhiteDMist]

Fix the formatting for C&C please. It's also unnecessary to bold the sections.

 

[Magnemite]

I think rain lead should get a set, as Relicanth is the fastest pokemon in the tier with all of sturdy, sr, and rain dance (think of it as a slightly faster rain version of carbink without boom or magic coat but with decent offensive presence).

 

[Ares]

GasQuake you still need to update the formatting for the whole analysis, if you're confused check out some others to see what the proper formatting is.

I think a Rain Lead set is good enough for a set as you get both rocks and rain dance + sturdy, and with little to choose from its decent enough. Please add in one of those under Choice Band.

 

[Raiza]

Overview
########
Being able to run a Rain Dance Lead set is also another niche, other than Head Smash + Rock Head, that has to get a mention, especially when talking about competition with other Water-types.
Mention Rock-type resistors that Relicanth's coverage lures (ie: Poliwrath, which could trouble other Rock-types such as Carracosta, can get lured by Relicanth).
Yes Relicanth's typing makes it quad weak to Grass-type coverage, but you should also talk about the resistances to four also common types its typing provides, which most of the times, along with its good physical bulk, allow Relicanth to check physical threats(remember to list some of them), set up a Rain Dance or hit hard the opponent.

Choice Band
Set Details
########
Mention Adamant nature and what provides to Relicanth, along with a Choice Band, to prefer it over a Jolly one.
List some examples of walls Relicanth outruns with maximum investment in Speed.

Usage Tips
########
Could you add more convincing examples of physical threats that Relicanth can switch in? I mean its physical bulk is one of its best niches and the are a lot of Pokemon without a terrible typing and with a decent bulk that can switch in on Avalugg or bulky Lickilicky.
Because you mentioned that being locked in a wrong move is terrible, explain why Head Smash is preferred to be spammed over other moves, as this is a very crucial point that has to be covered.

Team Options
########
Pokemon that can defeat Grass-types, other than helping Relicanth in its job, also appreciate its ability to check some Rock- and Steel-types for them.
Mention entry hazard support along with some setters, as Relicanth can make use of it to gain precious KOs, especially on physical walls that get crippled by Toxic Spikes.
Talk about slowing down foes with moves such as Thunder Wave and Sticky Web, as they are good to make up for Relicanth's mediocre speed.

Rain Lead
Moves
########
Talk about advantages Rain Dance provides, as it is the main reason this set is ran, such as powering up of Water-type coverage.
Explain why Stealth Rock is an useful hazard.
Head Smash is also Relicanth's main attacking tool and STAB move so mention that.
Yawn can also create free turns for Relicanth to set up the rain.

Usage Tips
########
Talk there too that Relicanth should switch in on physical threats it checks, as it can take advantage of that by setting up Rain or Stealth Rock
I'd probably mention to be wary when against Bullet Seed and Taunt users, as they can limit Relicanth's effectiveness through the game.

Team Options
=========
List playstyle and especially some team members that abuse Rain Dance support by Relicanth please.
This lacks very in detail and points so you should expand this, some input are to mention Grass-types for typing synergy and also because they appreciate Rain to weaken damage from Fire-type moves.

Other Options
########
Mention Earthquake, as it hits hard Steel-types that try to switch in on Head Smash.
A Swift Swim set could also get a mention there, as it makes up for Relicanth's bad speed and could be decently threatening especially to an offensive team, in this case you should also talk about competition from Swift Swim Armaldo.

GasQuake implement all these changes, remember to especially beef up TO for the Rain Lead set, and then I'll stamp.

 

[gasquakee]

alright. working on this tonight. thanks :]

 

[gasquakee]

ready

 

[Magnemite]

psst Raiza.
(I'll stamp this after he does)

Is Double Edge even worth using over Earthquake? It really doesn't hit anything and Earthquake is the only way you can OHKO Pawniard. also: "Has the coverage to get around most Rock resists such as Pawniard, Probopass, Poliwrath, and Golem." This point is redundant with another line of the overview; I'd remove it.

 

[gasquakee]

Alright. And I think you're correct about EQ. Changing both of these things..

Thanks Magnemite for someone getting around to this xd.

 

[Raiza]

QC 1/3

 

[Magnemite]

2/3

 

[WhiteDMist]

GasQuake are you still writing this up? It hasn't been that long so I'm not enforcing a time limit, but try and write this up soon.

 

[gasquakee]

Yeah I half forgot about it and have been doing finals/eocs. I should have time this weekend.

 

[Anty]

Sort out the spacings please (there should be a gap between the ='s and the text), also, although this is more GP stuff (understandable for a first analysis), the writing is a bit casual, eg:
'It's almost never a bad idea to just click Head Smash though. Its your strongest move and coming off a Choice Banded Adamant 90 base attack will hurt everything very hard that wants to switch in' - IT should sound more like 'Head Smash is Relicanth's safest move to go for as it is its strongest move, which can deal heavy damage even to resists'


Overview:
You dont need to go into every move in much detail, rather just say it has coverage moves to hit head smash resists (also double edge isnt on the set so isnt worth mentioning)
'Despite this, Relicanth does face a lot of competition for a teamslot with other Waters such as Carracosta and Poliwrath.' - say its niche over them

1st set:
in moves u mention double edge instead of waterfall

SD: for pokes max speed lets u outspeed you only need to mention 3 mons max and you only need to talk about this once

UT: i wouldnt want to switch this into pawniard tbh as knock off really removes its strength

TO: You have a sneasel mention here, and also again 3 examples are enough
Dont mention ice beam kingler it has like 50 spatk lmao, and costa is a bad team mate due to typing.
'You want to use Relicanth in conjunction with pokemon that can defeat bulky Fighting-types, most notably Poliwrath.' - Firstly 'you' shouldnt be used rather 'Relicanth should be used in conjuction' and secondly we have 2 bulky fighting types so there isnt much of a point of picking out poliwrath (it hates both)
'Fighting-type lures such as Psycho Cut Pawniard and Toxic Armaldo are also good.' - I dont think this is relevant as former still losses to fights and the latter takes a while to actually lure, also reli doesnt hate them that much considering it can reck them both (in a way reli is a fighting lure itself)
Again there is grammar problems here but that is mainly compressing two sentences into one eg:
'Relicanth adores Pokemon that can defeat Grass-types, especially Tangela, such as Flying-, Fire-, and Ice-types. Examples of those are Dodrio, Jumpluff, Ninetales, Rapidash, Avalugg, and Sneasel.' - to 'Flying-, Fire-, and Ice-types such as Dodrio, Regice and, Ninetales can defeat Grass-types, especially Tangela, which give Relicanth problems'. There isnt a huge difference but it flows better.

2nd set:
Moves: Mention that head smash is a good way at getting in your rain sweeper quickly without worrying about them taking damage. Also you dont need to mention the hazard setters that relicanth beats.
'Waterfall is a secondary STAB move that hits common leads such as Golem, Dwebble, and Armaldo hard' - it only hits one of these harder than hs does

UT: 'It can be worth keeping Relicanth around for longer if battling stall to set up Stealth Rock or Rain Dance against later in the game.' I disagree with this mainly because stall is irrelevant and the golduck fucks over pretty much every defensive build
'Relicanth is able to switch into physical threats such as Pawniard, Lickilicky, Avalugg, and Dodrio so it can take advantage by setting up Rain or Stealth Rocks or firing off attacks.' - Yeah you are going to be saccing reli in the first few turns so its not worth mentioning this
Also mention that getting up rain is relicanths main priority

TO: 'Dont waste time being defensive.' this doesnt really add much considering the line before

oo: 'Relicanth can be run defensive with scald but its VERY mediocre compared to other Pokemon like Defensive Carracosta.' -if its that bad (which it is) then you dont need to mention it :3

c&c: this needs to be expanded and also you still have things like 'w/' and slashes (see here to see how to format it better: http://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/regigigas-qc-2-3-written.3538517/)

When talking about faster pokemon be sure to mention that they prevent the rain lead from getting rain and stealth rock up

GasQuake tag me when you finished so i can go through again and prolly stamp

 

[gasquakee]

Can you check this again Anty?

 

[Anty]

Content wise the only thing i want to say is list targets for double edge on the moves of the first set. However there are many noticeable grammar mistakes for example:
'Relicanth should be used in conjunction with pokemon that can defeat bulky Fighting-types. Especially Flying-types such as Jumpluff and Dodrio do this well. '
You can compress it into one sentence for it to link and sound better

so before you send it to GP take a look over it and fix stuff like this
other than that 3/3

 

[Lumari]

remove
add (Capitalize)
(comments); (AC=add comma; RC=remove comma; SC=semicolon)

relicanth

Overview [OVERVIEW]
========

Relicanth has a major niche in PU both with access to a recoilless Head Smash + Rock Head as well as being and as a very potent rain lead. It also has sufficient coverage moves to hit Pokemon that hit resist Head Smash resists. Despite this, Relicanth does face a lot of competition for a teamslot with other Waters Water-types such as Carracosta and Poliwrath; (SC) but however, it is an amazing Choice Banded wallbreaker. Relicanth's low base Speed also hinders its ability to function, combined with being a 4x weak weakness to Grass-type as well as being weak weaknesses to Electric, Ground, and Fighting, (AC) but in turn it can switch into Normal- and Flying-type attacks with relative ease and either retaliate with a powerful attack or get up a well needed Rain Dance.

[SET]
Choice Band
========
(remove line break here and everywhere else after section headers)
name: Choice Band
move 1: Head Smash
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Double-Edge
move 4: Zen Headbutt
item: Choice Band
ability: Rock Head
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
nature: Adamant

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Relicanth's first move is Head Smash its your is Relicanth's main stab STAB move and most spammable move. Relicanth's secondary STAB move is Waterfall, which is used for Pokemon that resist Rock, (AC) Resists such as Probopass (RC) and Pawniard. Relicanth uses Zen Headbutt for Fighting types, especially Poliwrath. Double-Edge is used for neutral coverage and safe middle plays.

Set Details
========

Relicanth uses maximum Attack investment with a Choice Banded for immense wallbreaking (remove space) power. An Adamant nature still allows you Relicanth to outspeed common walls and hit them and break harder, as making Relicanth is a an efficient wallbreaker. Maximum Speed is used to outrun most walls in the tier such as Lickilicky, Togetic, Misdreavus, and Golem. The ability Rock Head is used so you don't Relicanth doesn't take recoil from Head Smash.

Usage Tips
========

You want Relicanth to come in on a Pokemon you it can take easily take hits from easily, such as Dodrio, Lickilicky, Avalugg, and or Armaldo. Also be weary wary of Pokemon coming in because being locked in the wrong move is terrible. It's almost never a bad idea to just click Head Smash, (AC) though. Its your Relicanth's strongest move, (AC) and coming off a Choice Banded an Adamant 90 base 90 Attack, (AC) it will hurt everything very hard that wants to switch in; (SC) even more offensive variants of Poliwrath it can do almost half to take almost half. You really want to switch out when a threat comes in to do more resume wallbreaking later.

Team Options
========

Flying-, Fire-, and Ice-types such as Dodrio, Regice, (AC) and (RC) Ninetales can defeat Grass-types, especially Tangela, which give Relicanth problems. Relicanth should be used in conjunction with Pokemon that can defeat bulky Fighting-types. Especially Flying-types such as Jumpluff and Dodrio do this well. Bulky Grass-types such as Tangela and Gogoat can also defeat Poliwrath. Relicanth appreciates Ground-types such as Piloswine and Stunfisk, (AC) as they can switch in against the Electric-types that check Relicanth. It also enjoys having entry hazards up such as Stealth Rocks Rock and Spikes to limit /and pressure switch-ins (add hyphen) and gain KOs. Sticky Webs and Thunder Wave support can slow down the opposition so Relicanth can nuke things late-game. (add hyphen) Relicanth can also provide some vital support for by checking common Rock or Steel types such as Armaldo, Probopass, Pawniard, and Marowak, (comma) Relicanth and it can break physical walls for sweepers such as Leafeon.

[SET]
Rain Lead
========

name: Rain Lead
move 1: Rain Dance
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Head Smash
move 4: Waterfall / Yawn
item: Damp Rock
ability: Sturdy
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Relicanth uses Rain Dance to set up rain for the team, (AC) which gives the team more power and the ability to use methods of speeding up the team boosting the power of Water-type moves and speeding up Swift Swim Pokemon. Stealth Rock is a useful entry hazard that checks helps check many threats in the tier that would otherwise be even harder to deal with and can secure KOs for your team. Head Smash is Relicanth's main and most spammable form of offensive as well as being able to prevent form of damage output and has the added benefit of preventing slower entry hazard removers from removing the Stealth Rock by KOing Relicanth with recoil. Similarly, it also functions as a way to get your rain sweeper in quickly without prior damage to it. Waterfall is a secondary STAB move that hits common leads such as Golem hard. Another option is Yawn in place of Waterfall, (AC) which can create free turns for Relicanth or its teammates to set up and or for Relicanth to set up rain.

Set Details
========

Maximum Attack investment is used for maximum damage output and recoil. Maximum Speed investment with a Jolly nature allows Relicanth to outspeed more Pokemon, such as Adamant Torterra, and thus have gives it a higher chance to set up both Rain Dance and Stealth Rock. Relicanth utilizes Sturdy over Rock Head to virtually guarantee at least one of Rain Dance or Stealth Rock, unless Relicanth gets Taunted. Damp Rock is used for extra rain turns, (AC) which is vital for rain teams.

Usage Tips
========

This is a dedicated lead, so more often than not you want to lead with it, (AC) unless you see something a foe like Torterra, (AC) which commonly carries Bullet Seed. You don't want to be afraid to sack Relicanth; (SC) this set is meant to faint and as long as it has done its job it doesn't matter if it faints. Getting up rain is Relicanth's first priority over getting up Stealth Rocks Rock. Be wary against possible Taunt users and things foes that can go through bypass Relicanth's Sturdy that can and limit Relicanth's its effectiveness.

Team Options
========

Relicanth works well on teams that abuse rely on rain, (AC) featuring Swift Swim Pokemon such as Armaldo, Poliwrath, Golduck, Floatzel, and Carracosta. Rain plays teams play offense at all times, (AC) and they Rain teams normally appreciate a Grass-type (add hyphen) Pokemon, (AC) as these which have very good synergy with rain; (SC) such as examples include Leafeon, Jumpluff, Gogoat, and Sawsbuck. Rain can also make Fire-types (add hyphen) less useful, (AC) giving the Grass-types (add hyphen) an easier time to do their job. Additional rain setters like such as Volbeat are essential for rain. On teams with lead Relicanth, (AC) you also may want an Electric-type (add hyphen) like such as Zebstrika or Raichu to abuse to capitalize on the rain with a perfectly accurate Thunder. Swanna can also be very effective on rain for teams as a Grass-type check and for 100% accuracy perfectly accurate Hurricanes.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
========

An offensive Stealth Rock set can be viable, (AC) as it forces so many switches w/ with the threat of Head Smash. A life orb Rock Polish set with Life Orb can be good if you can find a turn to come in on and set it up. Swift Swim can work as a rain abuser, (AC) patching up its mediocre Speed and turning it into a powerful cleaner. It faces competition from Armaldo, (AC) given that it which can even run Rapid Spin to give it more valuable traits vs assets over Relicanth.

Checks & Counters
========

**Grass-types**: (add hyphen) Tangela can switch in on Relicanth and switch out if needed while recovering damage with its ability Regenerator, Torterra can easily take Relicanth's main move and kill relicanth KO it easily, and Quilladin can take a Head Smash and Double-Edge and do major damage with Seed Bomb against Relicanth.

**Faster Pokemon**: Raichu and Rotom-F can revenge it kill Relicanth with Thunderbolt, Leafeon revenges can revenge kill it with Leaf blade, Rotom-F gets the kill with Thunderbolt, and Zebstrika kills can revenge kill it too. They can also prevent the rain lead from getting up valuable things like Stealth Rock or Rain Dance.

**Fighting-types**: (add hyphen) Fighting-types (add hyphen) such as Poliwrath can stop Relicanth from spamming its Head Smash with impunity.

**Burn**: Burn halves Relicanth's Attack and whittles at its bulk every turn, (AC) putting it in range of special attacks, (AC) that which already give him it trouble. Burn can be inflicted on it by Misdreavus, Ninetales, Solrock, and Scald users.

GP 1/2

 

[P Squared]

GP 2/2
add remove comment

hey, you missed a few things from The Dutch Plumberjack's check/implemented them kind of strangely, so please hit "reply" on this post and edit from there; that'll be easier and more accurate.

Hide

[OVERVIEW]
========

Relicanth has a major niche in PU both with access to a recoilless Head Smash and as a very potent rain lead. It also has sufficient coverage moves to hit Pokemon that resist Head Smash. Despite this, Relicanth does face a lot of competition for a teamslot with from other Water-types such as Carracosta and Poliwrath; however, it is an amazing Choice Banded wallbreaker. Relicanth's low base Speed also hinders its ability to function, combined with a 4x weakness to Grass as well as weaknesses to Electric, Ground, and Fighting, but in turn it can switch into Normal- and Flying-type attacks with relative ease and either retaliate with a powerful attack or get up a well-needed Rain Dance.

[SET]
Choice Band
========
name: Choice Band
move 1: Head Smash
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Double-Edge
move 4: Zen Headbutt
item: Choice Band
ability: Rock Head
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Head Smash is Relicanth's main STAB move and most spammable move. Relicanth's secondondary STAB move is Waterfall, which is used for Pokemon that resist Rock, such as Probopass and Pawniard. Relicanth uses Zen Headbutt for Fighting-types, especially Poliwrath. Double-Edge is used for neutral coverage and safe middle plays.

Set Details
========
Relicanth uses maxiumum maximum Attack investment with a Choice Band for immense wallbreaking power. An Adamant nature still allows Relicanth to outspeed common walls and hit them and hard, making Relicanth an efficient wallbreaker. Maximum Speed investment is used to outrun most walls in the tier such as Lickilicky, Togetic, Misdreavus, and Golem. The ability Rock Head is used so Relicanth doesn't take recoil from Head Smash.

Usage Tips
========
You want Relicanth to come in on a Pokemon it can easily take hits from, such as Dodrio, Lickilicky, Avalugg, or Armaldo. Also be wary of Pokemon coming in potential switch-ins because being locked in the wrong move is terrible. It's almost never a bad idea to just click Head Smash, though. It's Relicanth's strongest move, and coming off an Adamant base 90 Attack with full investment and an Adamant nature, it will hurt everything very hard that wants to switch in very hard; even more offensive variants of Poliwrath take almost half. You really want to switch Relicanth out when a threat comes in to resume more wallbreaking later.

Team Options
========
Flying-, Fire-, and Ice-types such as Dodrio, Ninetales, and Regice, and Ninetales can defeat Grass-types, especially Tangela, which give Relicanth problems. Relicanth should be used in conjunction with Pokemon that can defeat bulky Fighting-types. Especially Flying-types such as Jumpluff and Dodrio do this especially well. Bulky Grass-types such as Tangela and Gogoat can also defeat Poliwrath. Relicanth appreciates Ground-types such as Piloswine and Stunfisk, as they can switch in against the Electric-types that check Relicanth. It also enjoys having entry hazards such as Stealth Rock and Spikes to limit and pressure switch-ins and gain KOs. Sticky Web and Thunder Wave support can slow down the opposition so that Relicanth can nuke things late-game. Relicanth can also provide some vital support by checking common Rock or Steel types Rock-, Steel-, and Ground-types (Marowak is Ground) such as Armaldo, Probopass, Pawniard, and Marowak, and it can break physical walls for sweepers such as Leafeon.

[SET]
Rain Lead
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name: Rain Lead
move 1: Rain Dance
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Head Smash
move 4: Waterfall / Yawn
item: Damp Rock
ability: Sturdy
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Relicanth uses Rain Dance to set up rain for the team which gives the team, boosting the power of Water-type moves and speeding up Swift Swim Pokemon. Stealth Rock helps check many threats in the tier that would otherwise be even harder to deal with and can secure KOs for your team. Head Smash is Relicanth's main form of damage output and has the added benefit of preventing slower entry hazard removers from removing Stealth Rock, as its recoil can KO by KOing Relicanth so that Rapid Spin and Defog have no target with recoil. Similarly, it also functions as a way to get your rain sweeper in quickly and without prior taking unnecessary damage to it. Waterfall is a secondary STAB move that hits common leads such as Golem hard. Another option is Yawn in place of Waterfall is Yawn, which can create free turns for Relicanth or its teammates to set up.

Set Details
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Maximum Attack investment is used for maximum damage output. Maximum Speed investment with a Jolly nature allows Relicanth to outspeed more Pokemon, such as Adamant Torterra, and thus gives it a higher chance to set up both Rain Dance and Stealth Rock. Relicanth utilizes Sturdy over Rock Head to virtually guarantee at least one of Rain Dance or and Stealth Rock. Damp Rock is used for extra rain turns, which is vital for rain teams.

Usage Tips
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This is a dedicated lead, so more often than not you want to lead with it, unless you see a foe like Torterra, which commonly carries Bullet Seed. You don't want to Don't be afraid to sack sacrifice Relicanth; this set is meant to faint and as long as it has done its job it doesn't matter if it faints. Setting up rain is Relicanth's first priority over setting up Stealth Rock. Be wary against possible Taunt users and foes that can bypass Relicanth's Sturdy and limit its effectiveness.

Team Options
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Relicanth works well on teams that rely on rain, featuring Swift Swim Pokemon such as Armaldo, Poliwrath, Golduck, Floatzel, and Carracosta. Rain teams play offense at all times, and they normally appreciate a Grass-type Pokemon, as these have very good synergy with rain; examples include Leafeon, Jumpluff, Gogoat, and Sawsbuck. Rain can also make Fire-types less useful, giving the Grass-types an easier time to do their job. Additional rain setters such as Volbeat are essential for rain teams. On teams with lead Relicanth you also may might want an Electric-type such as Zebstrika or Raichu to capitalize on the rain with a perfectly accurate Thunder. Swanna can also be very effective on rain teams as a grass Grass-type check for perfectly accurate Hurricanes.

Other Options
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An offensive Stealth Rock set can be viable, as it forces so many switches with the threat of Head Smash. A Rock Polish set with Life Orb can be good if you Relicanth can find a turn to come in and set up. A Swift Swim set can work as a rain abuser, patching up its mediocre Speed and turning it into a powerful cleaner. It faces competition from Armaldo, however, which can even run Rapid Spin to give it more valuable assets over Relicanth.

Checks & Counters
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**Grass-types**: Tangela can switch in on Relicanth and switch out if needed while recovering damage HP with its ability Regenerator, Torterra can easily take Relicanth's main move and KO it easily, and Quilladin can take a Head Smash and Double-Edge and do major damage with Seed Bomb against Relicanth.

**Faster Pokemon**: Raichu and Rotom-F can revenge it kill Relicanth with Thunderbolt, Leafeon can revenge kill it with Leaf Blade, and Zebstrika can revenge kill it too. They can also prevent the rain lead set from setting up Stealth Rock or Rain Dance.

**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types such as Poliwrath can stop Relicanth from spamming its Head Smash with impunity.

**Burn**: Burn halves Relicanth's Attack and whittles at its bulk HP every turn, putting it in KO range of special attacks, which already give it trouble. Burn can be inflicted on it by Misdreavus, Ninetales, Solrock, and Scald users.