[OVERVIEW]
Relicanth separates itself from other physical Rock-types in the tier with access to the combination of Rock Head and Head Smash, which amplifies its wallbreaking prowess to exceptional levels. Furthermore, Relicanth has excellent coverage in NU between its STAB and coverage moves to hit almost all of the relevant Pokemon for at least neutral damage. Similarly to other Rock-types, Relicanth has outstanding physical bulk, which, when combined with its Rock typing, allows it to offensively check various threats such as Tauros, Scyther, and Kangaskhan. Unfortunately, Relicanth is weak to common attacking types such as Grass and Fighting from the likes of Sceptile and Sawk. It also faces competition from other Water- and Rock-types such as Samurott, Omastar, and Barbaracle, all of which are either more versatile or simply faster. A very mediocre Speed stat is a significant hindrance for Relicanth as well, given that it is outsped by nearly all offensive Pokemon and a handful of defensive Pokemon. Contrary to its great physical bulk, Relicanth's Special Defense is rather lacking, meaning that even some resisted hits such as Swellow's Boomburst will deal significant damage. Lastly, most of Relicanth's moves outside of Head Smash are of relatively average Base Power, which can hurt its consistency.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Head Smash
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Zen Headbutt
item: Choice Band
ability: Rock Head
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Head Smash is an absurdly powerful Rock-type attack that deals massive damage to anything that does not resist it, even 2HKOing extremely bulky Pokemon such as Gourgeist-XL and Mega Audino. Even some less physically bulky Pokemon that resist it such as Hariyama take heavy damage from this move. Waterfall hits Ground-types such as Steelix and Rhydon and doubles as a fully accurate STAB move, which can be useful given Head Smash's unreliable accuracy. Earthquake hits Klinklang and Garbodor, notably avoiding Rocky Helmet and Aftermath damage from the latter. Zen Headbutt strikes Fighting-types, notably Gurdurr and Poliwrath.
Set Details
========
Choice Band amplifies Relicanth's power to significantly high levels. Rock Head eliminates the recoil that Head Smash would normally entail. Maximum Attack investment with an Adamant nature is used to hit as hard as possible, and maximum Speed investment is used to outspeed as many defensive Pokemon as possible, as well as Jolly Rhydon and everything below.
Usage Tips
========
Relicanth can pivot into Normal- and Flying-type attacks such as Kangaskhan's Double-Edge and Scyther's Aerial Ace in order to get itself in safely for a free attack. In most cases, using Head Smash early- or mid-game is the best course of action, but if your opponent has a physically bulky Pokemon that resists it such as Steelix, Rhydon, Quagsire, or Gurdurr, it is best to hit it on the switch with the appropriate coverage move or use the opportunity to bring in a teammate that threatens it. On the off chance you end up using a move other than Head Smash, be wary of locking Relicanth into a move such as Earthquake or Zen Headbutt, as it can give free setup opportunities to the likes of Vivillon and Shiftry, depending on which move is chosen. Due to its high physical bulk, Relicanth can act as an emergency check to certain sweepers such as Swords Dance Samurott and Rock Polish Rhydon, provided it has not set up a Swords Dance as well, if it is near full HP and OHKO them in return with the appropriate STAB move. Be wary of using Head Smash too often, as its low PP can run out quickly due to a potential miss or being used against a Protect user such as Mega Audino.
Team Options
========
Checks to Fighting-type Pokemon such as Mesprit, Rotom, and Scyther make for good teammates. In addition, all of these Pokemon can use their respective momentum-grabbing moves to get Relicanth in unscathed. Grass-type checks such as Magmortar, Charizard, and Sliggoo also pair well with Relicanth to handle the likes of Lilligant and Sceptile. Furthermore, these Pokemon directly threaten bulky Rock-resistant Pokemon such as Steelix, Rhydon, and Torterra with a STAB or coverage move. Gurdurr is a good teammate that absorbs status moves, can use Steelix, Rhydon, and Ferroseed as setup fodder, and appreciates Relicanth's ability to check Flying-types. Fast late-game cleaners such as Swellow and Sceptile benefit from Relicanth's wallbreaking ability. Swellow in particular greatly appreciates Relicanth weakening or eliminating specially bulky Pokemon and bulky Pokemon that resist Normal-type attacks such as Hariyama and Rhydon, respectively. Thunder Wave support from the likes of Xatu and Mega Audino helps remediate Relicanth's low Speed.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Rock Polish can be used to act as a standalone sweeper; Rhydon generally performs such a role better, but Relicanth's higher base Speed and different secondary STAB move set it apart. A more defensively-inclined set utilizing moves such as Stealth Rock, Scald, Toxic, and Head Smash may seem appealing but is mainly outclassed by Carracosta and Omastar due to their access to Solid Rock and more entry hazards, respectively. A set with Rain Dance can be used on full rain teams due to the fact that Relicanth provides Stealth Rock alongside said Rain Dance and benefits from the rain itself too. Sleep Talk allows Relicanth to soft check non-Focus Blast Jynx.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types such as Gurdurr, Poliwrath, Sawk, and Hitmonchan resist Relicanth's main STAB move, Head Smash, and force it out with a super effective attack, but the latter two take a significant amount of damage from Waterfall. Note that Gurdurr and Poliwrath are 2HKOed by Zen Headbutt, the former needing some prior damage to secure the 2HKO.
**Grass-types**: While they take massive damage from Head Smash, Grass-types such as Lilligant, Sceptile, and Shiftry resist Waterfall and easily force out Relicanth with their STAB moves. Defensive Grass-types such as Gourgeist-XL and Vileplume are still 2HKOed by Head Smash, but unlike the previously mentioned Pokemon, they can survive one hit and retaliate.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Steelix and Ferroseed punish Relicanth for using Head Smash, each in their own way. Steelix takes very negligible damage due to its 4x resistance to Rock but must be wary of switching into Waterfall. Ferroseed has absolutely nothing to fear from Relicanth, as it resists both of Relicanth's STAB moves and Relicanth has no coverage moves to hit it with. Ferroseed also punishes Relicanth for using any move other than Earthquake with Iron Barbs recoil.
**Ground-types**: Ground-types such as Rhydon, Torterra, and Quagsire all resist Head Smash, and the latter two take minimal damage from Waterfall. All of these Pokemon can threaten out Relicanth with a super effective STAB move, and Rhydon and Torterra can use Relicanth locked into Head Smash as setup fodder for a Rock Polish while Quagsire can use Relicanth as Curse fodder no matter what move it chooses.
Last edited:
