BW RU Stall Guide
1.Introduction
2.Pokémon to Consider
3.Threats to Stall
4.Types of Stall
5.Sample Teams
6.Teambuilding Checklist
7.Conclusion
1. Introduction
Throughout past generations, stall has been a common and successful style of play in almost all competitive singles tiers. It is a basic playstyle that relies on entry hazards and other forms of residual damage in order to wear down the opponent’s team. This, in conjunction with the defensive prowess and survivability of most Pokemon used on stall teams, allows stall players to consistently control both the pace of the match, minimize the effects of errors and “hax”, and in general play more consistently and reliably than most other playstyles can.
Stall is a remarkably basic playstyle to use. It simply works at minimizing the damage from all of the opponent’s offensive Pokemon while setting up layer upon layer of entry hazards. They playstyle is heavily reliant around synergy and team support, however, as no individual Pokemon on a stall team is capable of working to its max effectiveness on its own. Instead, they all work together in order to support each other through use of moves such as Wish and Heal Bell, while also abusing entry hazards with phazing moves, which have improved considerably with the advent of Generation V and two new phazing moves in Circle Throw and Dragon Tail, along with the new Sleep mechanics, which made stall teams much less vulnerable to Rest using stat boosters.
However, RU is a metagame with many powerful threats to stall, including a variety of dangerous mixed sweepers such as Electivire and Sceptile, as well as offensive behemoths such as Porygon-Z and Honchkrow. In fact, at the original introduction of the RU tier, many players believed that stall would find no place there. However, many of the defensive monsters that existed both prior to generation five and those that were created in generation five all fell to the RU tier, finding the new powerful sweepers in other tiers too much for them to be effective. In addition, the new generation brought forth a new item to the playing field - Eviolite. This gave NFE Pokemon a huge boost in their defenses, making Pokemon that seem originally as if they’d simply be skipped over huge threats. Thanks to these, the RU tier is filled with many defensive behemoths and a tier where an effective stall team is remarkably hard to break. Thus, despite some of the shortcomings of stall, it’s an extremely effective playstyle.
This guide will explain the ins and outs of creating an RU stall team, in depth explanations of many of the common Pokemon used in creating them, and in general be a huge help to any playing looking to construct an effective RU stall team. In addition, for all of you offense players out there, this guide will also be an excellent read, providing information that can effectively show you how to beat stall. Thus, if you ever want to learn how to make (or break!) an effective RU stall team, this is the guide for you.
2. Pokemon to Consider
A. Spikers + Toxic Spikers [Written]
Qwilfish
Type: Water / Poison
Base Stats: 65 HP / 95 Atk / 75 Def / 55 SpA / 55 SpD / 85 Spe
Ability: Poison Point / Swift Swim / Intimidate
Qwilfish is an excellent choice for almost any RU stall team. Its typing gives it resistances to a variety of common types, most notably Fire-, Steel-, and Fighting-, while Intimidate allows it to set up entry hazards against a huge portion of the tier. Not only that, Qwilfish also has access to both Spikes and Toxic Spikes, and gets plenty of opportunities to set them up thanks to its ability to switch in on many of the physical attackers in the tier. Qwilfish’s part Poison-typing is also beneficial to many stall teams, as it allows it to absorb Toxic Spikes set up by the opponent. Finally, unlike many other Spikers in the tier, Qwilfish isn’t even easy setup bait, thanks to having access to Taunt and a decently powered Waterfall.
Common threats checked by Qwilfish: Entei, Aggron, Omastar* (boosted Hidden Power Grass hurts), Feraligatr, Klinklang, Gallade, Primeape, Hitmonchan, Hitmonlee, Hariyama, Kabutops* (boosted Stone Edge hurts), Scyther, Sharpedo* (mixed versions can 2HKO), Poliwrath, Crawdaunt, Bouffalant, Archeops* (Flight Gem Acrobatics hurts), Durant
Advantages: Resistances to Fire-, Fighting-, Steel-, Water-, Ice-, and Bug, Intimidate, Access to Spikes and Toxic Spikes, Access to Taunt, decent Attack and Speed
Disadvantages: Low Special Defense means most special attackers can 2HKO it even with resisted hits, vulnerable to some common Rapid Spinners, vulnerable to faster Taunt users, can’t break Substitutes of bulkier offensive Pokemon
Useful moves: Spikes, Toxic Spikes, Taunt, Pain Split, Thunder Wave, Waterfall, Poison Jab, Aqua Jet
Preferred Teammates: Clefable, Misdreavus, Rotom, Cryogonal, Moltres, Mandibuzz, Slowking, Flareon, Shelgon
Omastar
Type: Water / Rock
Base Stats: 70 HP / 60 Atk / 125 Def / 115 SpA / 70 SpD / 55 Spe
Ability: Swift Swim / Shell Armor / Weak Armor
Although often seen playing an offensive role with Shell Smash, Omastar has decent all around defenses, useful resistances, including a 4x resistance to Fire-, and a perfect movepool for playing a defensive role. Thanks to access to all three entry hazards, Scald, and even Knock Off, it can provide extremely valuable team support for most stall teams. It also possesses a large base 115 Special Attack stat, which allows it to hurt things that try and set up against it even without investment. Finally, Omastar checks a number of threats in the metagame with ease, and provides a valuable switch in for many hard hitting physical threats that stall teams have trouble with, such as Archeops and Entei.
Common threats checked by Omastar: Archeops* (Earthquake hurts), Entei* (versions with Hidden Power Grass easily KO), Bouffalant, Durant, Dusknoir, Feraligatr, Honchkrow* (versions with Hidden Power Grass easily KO), Scyther, Typhlosion* (Focus Blast and Hidden Power Grass both hurt), Moltres* (Hidden Power Grass or Electric hurts), Kabutops, Klinklang* (Hidden Power Grass hurts), Aggron* (SubPunch versions can deal a fair amount of damage to you), Swellow, Braviary* (Superpower hurts)
Advantages: Excellent Defense, access to any combination of two entry hazards, good Special Attack, 4x resistance to Fire-, good Special Attack, Knock Off, Scald
Disadvantages: Average Special Defense, 4x weakness to Grass-, weakness to Fighting-, Ground-, and Electric-, many physical attackers use coverage moves Omastar is weak to, Omastar can’t prevent things from setting up against it, only two entry hazards should really be used per set due to it not having time to set all three
Useful moves: Spikes, Toxic Spikes, Stealth Rock, Scald, Ice Beam, Knock Off, Protect
Preferred Teammates: Clefable, Cryogonal, Cofagrigus, Rotom, Moltres, Slowking, Gligar, Quagsire
Roselia
Type: Grass / Poison
Base Stats: 50 HP / 60 Atk / 45 Def / 100 SpA / 80 SpD / 65 Spe
Ability: Poison Point / Natural Cure / Leaf Guard
Although it’s easy to underestimate Roselia’s prowess in RU due to its NFE status and NU tiering, it possesses several characteristics which make it fit well into many RU stall teams. For example, Roselia has access to Spikes and Toxic Spikes. It also has somewhat reliable healing with Synthesis, or through Rest and Natural Cure, and a solid Special Attack stat with decent STABs. In addition, Roselia’s Grass / Poison typing offers a variety of useful resistances, such as to Electric-, Fighting-, Water-, and Grass-. This allows it to set entry hazards against a huge number of common threats, while also being remarkably self sufficient due to its reliable recovery.
Common threats checked by Roselia: Crawdaunt, Electivire* (Flamethrower hurts), Feraligatr* (boosted Ice Punch hurts), Gallade* (boosted Ice Punch hurts), Galvantula, Gligar, Lilligant, Ludicolo* (Ice Beam can do a fair amount of damage), Manectric* (Flamethrower does a fair amount of damage), Poliwrath, Omastar* (boosted Ice Beam hurts), Rotom, Rotom-C* (watch out for Trick), Sharpedo, Sceptile, Tangrowth, Uxie, Victreebel, Gorebyss* (boosted Ice Beams hurt), Haunter
Advantages: More specially bulky than any other Pokemon in Ru with access to both Spikes and Toxic Spikes, reliable recovery, absorbs Toxic Spikes, sets up easily on bulky waters, 4x grass resistance, good Special Attack
Disadvantages: Low / average physical Defense, prone to being set up on, common weaknesses to types such as Fire-, Ice-, and Flying-, Spikes isn’t legal with Leaf Storm or Sleep Powder
Useful moves: Spikes, Toxic Spikes, Sleep Powder* (illegal with Spikes), Leaf Storm* (illegal with Spikes), Rest, Synthesis, Giga Drain, Sludge Bomb
Preferred Teammates: Clefable, Quagsire, Gligar, Alomomola, Lampent, Flareon, Steelix
Crustle
Type: Rock / Bug
Base Stats: 70 HP / 95 Atk / 125 Def / 65 SpA / 75 SpD / 45 Spe
Ability: Sturdy / Shell Armor / Weak Armor
Crustle is an optimal choice for an entry hazard user in RU due to its incredible defense and access to both Spikes and Stealth Rock. In addition to being able to set up entry hazards, Crustle is also less vulnerable to being set up on than other Spikes users are, thanks to its decent Attack stat and Rock- and Bug- STABs. Crustle also has useful resistances to Normal- and Poison-, while it lacks many of the common weaknesses that other Spikers have, only being hit for super effective damage by Water-, Rock-, and Steel-type attacks.
Common threats checked by Crustle: Bouffalant, Claydol* (it spins Crustle’s hazards, but Crustle can beat it with X-Scissor), Dusknoir* (Taunt and Will-O-Wisp can be annoying), Electivire* (mixed versions with Thunderbolt can hurt), Gallade, Honchkrow, Krookodile* (Stone Edge can hurt), Mandibuzz, Porygon-Z* (Choice Specs Tri Attack can 2HKO), Primeape, Sawsbuck, Scyther, Uxie, Braviary, Duosion, Flareon* (offensive sets with Fire Blast can hurt), Gardevoir, Musharna, Tauros, Zweilous
Advantages: Massive Defense, access to both Spikes and Stealth Rock, Rock Blast to break Substitutes, decent Attack, resistances to Normal- and Poison
Disadvantages: Lack of useful resistances outside of Normal-, weaknesses to Water-, Rock-, and Steel-, average Special Defense, bulkier Pokemon can easily set up against it
Useful moves: Spikes, Stealth Rock, X-Scissor, Rock Blast, Rest, Protect, Counter
Preferred Teammates: Cryogonal, Munchlax, Clefable, Drapion, Misdreavus, Rotom, Claydol
Ferroseed
Type: Grass / Steel
Base Stats: 44 HP / 50 Atk / 91 Def / 21 SpA / 86 SpD / 10 Spe
Ability: Iron Barbs
Due to its NFE tiering, Ferroseed may seem like a rather poor choice for RU. However, this is not the case, as thanks to Eviolite, it becomes one of the bulkiest Spikes users in the tier. In addition, with access to a variety of useful support moves, such as Leech Seed and it can help the team outside of simply setting up entry hazards. Ferroseed also has resistances to Water-, Grass-, Rock-, Electric-, Steel-, Ghost-, Psychic-, Dark-, Dragon-, and Normal-type moves, while also being immune to Poison-type attacks! In addition to its incredible resistances, Ferroseed is only weak to Fire- and Fighting-type attacks. Finally, Ferroseed is capable of abusing its Iron Barbs ability as well thanks to all of its resistances, racking up residual damage agains a variety of threats.
Common threats checked by Ferroseed: Accelgor* (Hidden Power Fire hurts Ferroseed), Bouffalant, Drapion* (Taunt can shut down Ferroseed), Durant, Dusknoir (it can beat Ferroseed if it has Fire Punch or Focus Punch), Feraligatr, Kabutops* (without Superpower), Lilligant* (Hidden Power Fire or Hidden Power Fighting hurts), Ludicolo, Omastar, Porygon-Z, Rotom, Rotom-C* (Trick can cripple Ferroseed), Sawsbuck, Sharpedo, Sceptile* (without Focus Blast or Hidden Power Fire), Uxie, Gorebyss, Haunter, Klinklang, Samurott
Advantages: Ten very useful resistances, two weaknesses, Spikes and Stealth Rock, Leech Seed, Thunder Wave prevents it from being setup bait, large amounts of bulk,
Disadvantages: Ferroseed’s two weaknesses; Fire- and Fighting-, are extremely common in RU, Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Leech Seed cannot all be used on the same moveset, Ferroseed has no reliable recovery
Useful moves: Spikes* (illegal when used with both Stealth Rock and Leech Seed), Stealth Rock* (illegal when used with both Spikes and Leech Seed), Leech Seed* (illegal when used with both Stealth Rock and Spikes), Thunder Wave, Gyro Ball, Protect, Toxic
Preferred Teammates: Cryogonal, Munchlax, Cofagrigus, Poliwrath, Steelix, Alomomola, Flareon
Drapion
Type: Poison / Dark
Base Stats: 70 HP / 90 Atk / 110 Def / 60 SpA / 75 SpD / 95 Spe
Ability: Battle Armor / Sniper / Keen Eye
Drapion is an excellent option for a Toxic Spikes user in RU, boasting large defenses along with multiple useful resistances. Drapion’s resistances to Grass-, Poison-, Ghost-, and Dark-type attacks, while also having an immunity to Psychic-type attacks allow it to set up Toxic Spikes on a huge portion of the metagame. In addition, Drapion has only one weakness, to Ground-type attacks, although they are relatively common. Continuing, Drapion also has access to a variety of support moves outside of Toxic Spikes, such as Whirlwind and Taunt. Finally, thanks to both Taunt and its solid Attack stat, Drapion isn’t as vulnerable to being set up against as many other Spikes users are.
Common threats checked by Drapion: Accelgor, Clefable, Crawdaunt, Electivire, Honchkrow* (all Drapion can do is Taunt and Whirlwind away its Substitutes, while it can hurt Drapion with Brave Bird), Lilligant, Mandibuzz, Rotom, Rotom-C, Sawsbuck, Sceptile, Sharpedo* (Drapion has trouble switching in on Hydro Pump and Waterfall), Victreebell, Beheeyem, Cryogonal* (Drapion can Pursuit it, but it can’t prevent it from using Rapid Spin), Drifblim, Duosion, Elektross, Gardevoir, Lanturn, Skuntank
Advantages: Only one weakness, can prevent setup with Taunt, has a phazing option with Whirlwind, can prevent critical hits with Battle Armor, can trap and KO opposing spinblockers, absorbs Toxic Spikes
Disadvantages: Defenses are only a bit above average, doesn’t hit particularly hard when uninvested, has no reliable recovery
Useful moves: Toxic Spikes, Taunt, Whirlwind, Pursuit, Crunch, Rest, Knock Off, Roar
Preferred Teammates: Claydol, Clefable, Cofagrigus, Dusknoir, Gligar, Kabutops, Moltres, Omastar, Steelix
B. Primary Walls
C. Support
D. Spin Blockers
Rotom
Type: Ghost / Electric
Base Stats: 50 HP / 50 Atk / 77 Def / 95 SpA / 77 SpD / 91 Spe
Ability: Levitate
Common threats checked by Rotom:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Useful moves:
Preferred Teammates:
Dusknoir
Type: Ghost
Base Stats: 45 HP / 100 Atk / 135 Def / 65 SpA / 135 SpD / 45 Spe
Ability: Pressure
Common threats checked by Dusknoir:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Useful moves:
Preferred Teammates:
Cofagrigus
Type: Ghost
Base Stats: 58 HP / 50 Atk / 145 Def / 95 SpA / 105 SpD / 30 Spe
Ability: Mummy
Common threats checked by Cofagrigus:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Useful moves:
Preferred Teammates:
Misdreavus
Type: Ghost
Base Stats: 60 HP / 60 Atk / 60 Def / 85 SpA / 85 SpD / 85 Spe
Ability: Levitate
Common threats checked by Misdreavus:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Useful moves:
Preferred Teammates:
Lampent
Type: Ghost / Fire
Base Stats: 60 HP / 40 Atk / 60 Def / 95 SpA / 60 SpD / 55 Spe
Ability: Flash Fire / Flame Body / Shadow Tag
Common threats checked by Lampent:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Useful moves:
Preferred Teammates:
Drifblim
Type: Ghost / Flying
Base Stats: 150 HP / 80 Atk / 44 Def / 90 SpA / 54 SpD / 80 Spe
Ability: Aftermath / Unburden / Flare Boost
Common threats checked by Drifblim:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Useful moves:
Preferred Teammates:
3. Threats to Stall
Aggron
Type: Rock / Steel
Base Stats: 70 HP / 110 Atk / 180 Def / 90 SpA / 60 SpD / 50 Spe
Ability: Sturdy / Rock Head / Heavy Metal
Why is this a threat?: Aggron possesses one of the best offensive moves in Head Smash, and thanks to Rock Head, can spam it totally recklessly. This, in conjunction with its decent Attack and high Defense can make it extremely difficult for most teams to handle well. In addition, the number of sets it can run to get by its counters, including Choice Band and Automatize, which are both capable of breaking through certain checks, make it a major threat to most stall teams.
Checks: Gligar* (watch out for Ice Punch), Ferroseed* (watch out for Focus Punch), Qwilfish, Steelix, Tangrowth, Claydol
Archeops
Type: Rock / Flying
Base Stats: 75 HP / 140 Atk / 65 Def / 112 SpA / 65 SpD / 110 Spe
Ability: Defeatist
Why is this a threat?: Archeops boasts some of the highest offensive stats in RU, with a massive base 140 Attack and 112 Special Attack. This, in conjunction with a solidly high Speed stat and extremely high powered offensive moves in Acrobatics, Stone Edge, and so on make it a top tier threat for all teams, but moreso stall, as they lack the ability to quickly bring it down into Defeatist range. Archeops also boasts the ability to OHKO / 2HKO nearly all common members of RU stall teams.
Checks: Qwilfish, Claydol, Sandslash, Dusknoir, Crustle, Cofagrigrus* (giving Mummy to Archeops does more harm than good)
Charizard
Type: Fire / Flying
Base Stats: 78 HP / 84 Atk / 78 Def / 109 SpA / 85 SpD / 100 Spe
Ability: Blaze / Solar Power
Why is this a threat?: With Solar Power, Charizard has some of the strongest special attacks in the game when Sun is up. This makes it extremely hard to handle for most stall teams, as Charizard in the sun really has no reliable switch-ins in the tier. In addition, it can also pull off other sets capable of breaking down walls, including Belly Drum, Dragon Dance, and even some mixed wallbreaker sets.
Checks: Flareon, Munchlax, Mandibuzz, Omastar* (Hidden Power Grass KOs), Kabutops* (Hidden Power Grass KOs)
Crawdaunt
Type: Dark / Water
Base Stats: 63 HP / 120 Atk / 85 Def / 90 SpA / 55 SpD / 55 Spe
Ability: Hyper Cutter / Shell Armor / Adaptability
Why is this a threat?: Thanks to Adaptability, boosting its already strong Attacks, a relatively large base 120 Attack, Dragon Dance, and excellent coverage between Waterfall and Crunch, Crawdaunt is a huge threat to any stall team. In addition, Crawdaunt can run through many of the physical walls present in RU without much trouble.
Checks: Poliwrath, Torterra* (must watch out for boosted X-Scissor), Tangrowth, Rotom* (can only outspeed unboosted Crawdaunt, and can’t switch in regardless)
Durant
Type: Bug / Steel
Base Stats: 58 HP / 109 Atk / 112 Def / 48 SpA / 48 SpD / 109 Spe
Ability: Swarm / Hustle / Traunt
Why is this a threat?:Thanks to Hustle, Durant possesses some of the strongest physical attacks in RU. In addition, it has solid type coverage between X-Scissor and Iron Head, which prevents many physical walls from stopping it. Durant also has access to Hone Claws, which both boosts its already large Attack stat and handles the issues of its shaky accuracy. In general, Durant is a major threat that all stall teams need to be prepared for.
Checks: Cofagrigus, Gligar, Moltres* (must watch out for Stone Edge), Omastar, Poliwrath, Qwilfish, Rotom, Steelix
Electivire
Type: Electric
Base Stats: 75 HP / 123 Atk / 67 Def / 95 SpA / 85 SpD / 95 Spe
Ability: Motor Drive / Vital Spirit
Why is this a threat?: Electivire boasts amazing mixed attacking stats and has the movepool to abuse them with. Thanks to attacks such as Wild Charge, Flamethrower, and Cross Chop, it is capable of breaking down many of the common walls in the tier, and is extremely hard for most stall teams to wall. In addition, Electivire can even gain a free boost in Speed from any Electric-type attacks, and is bulky enough to not go down in a single hit from most attackers on stall teams. Finally, Electivire even has Meditate, to boost its already large Attack stat.
Checks: Claydol* (must watch out for Hidden Power Grass or Hidden Power Ice), Cofagrigus* (Thunderbolt can hurt), Rotom, Sandslash* (must watch out for Hidden Power Grass or Hidden Power Ice), Misdreavus
Entei
Type: Fire
Base Stats: 115 HP / 115 Atk / 85 Def / 90 SpA / 75 SpD / 100 Spe
Ability: Pressure / Flash Fire
Why is this a threat?: Entei has one of the strongest attacks in RU, specifically Flare Blitz. With a Choice Band, Entei is capable of 2HKOing a huge portion of the Pokemon in RU, and most Pokemon not hurt severely by Flare Blitz can be dented by one of Entei’s other moves. In addition, Entei also can use an effective Calm Mind moveset, which many stall teams have trouble with. Finally, Entei can even use effective mixed and defensive movesets, which are easily capable of hurting many stall teams.
Checks: Cofagrigus* (Choice Band Flare Blitz can 2HKO), Gligar* (Choice Band Flare Blitz can 2HKO), Kabutops* (Hidden Power Grass can easily 2HKO or OHKO), Moltres* (must watch out for Stone Edge), Munchlax, Omastar* (Hidden Power Grass can 2HKO), Poliwrath, Qwilfish
Feraligatr
Type: Water
Base Stats: 85 HP / 105 Atk / 100 Def / 79 SpA / 83 SpD / 78 Spe
Ability: Torrent / Sheer Force
Why is this a threat?: With the release of Sheer Force via the Dream World, Feraligatr has gotten to become a huge threat. It has access to both Dragon Dance, which allows it to outspeed nearly every Pokemon on common stall after a boost, and Swords Dance, which lets it break down almost all of the common walls in the RU metagame. These factors, in conjunction with Feraligatr’s diverse movepool and solid offensive stats make it quite a threat to any stall team.
Checks: Cofagrigus, Dusknoir, Ferroseed* (must watch out for Superpower), Kabutops* (must watch out for Superpower), Omastar* (must watch out for Superpower), Poliwrath, Quagsire, Qwilfish, Rotom-C* (must watch out for Ice Punch), Uxie
Gallade
Type: Fighting / Psychic
Base Stats: 68 HP / 125 Atk / 65 Def / 65 SpA / 115 SpD / 80 Spe
Ability: Steadfast / Justified
Why is this a threat?: Gallade’s unique stat spread, in conjunction with useful offensive moves such as Close Combat, Drain Punch, Psycho Cut, Shadow Sneak, and Ice Punch, make it a threat that any team should be prepared for. In addition, Gallade also has many viable setup moves, such as Bulk Up and Swords Dance, that allow it to break through common stall cores, especially when used with Taunt, which Gallade also commonly packs. Lastly, Gallade is difficult for most common phazers to handle due to its diverse movepool and access to Taunt.
Checks: Claydol* (cannot beat Bulk Up Gallade), Cofagrigus, Gligar* (loses to Gallade with Ice Punch), Moltres* (must watch out for Stone Edge), Qwilfish, Rotom* (has to be careful of Night Slash and Shadow Sneak), Amoonguss* (must watch out for Psycho Cut), Duosion, Weezing
Hitmonlee
Type: Fighting
Base Stats: 50 HP / 120 Atk / 53 Def / 35 SpA / 110 SpD / 87 Spe
Ability: Limber / Reckless / Unburden
Why is this a threat?: Hitmonlee has one of the highest base Attack stats in RU, along with some of the strongest moves in the tier in High Jump Kick and Double Edge. Reckless boosts the power of all of Hitmonlee’s recoil moves significantly, allowing it to easily power through almost all common Pokemon in RU stall teams. Unburden can allow Hitmonlee to outspeed most common Pokemon on stall teams capable of revenge killing it, and in general, its high powered STAB Fighting moves are hard for most walls to deal with, especially when backed by coverage moves such as Sucker Punch and Double Edge.
Checks: Claydol, Cofagrigus, Dusknoir, Gligar, Moltres* (must watch out for Stone Edge), Poliwrath* (repeated Hi Jump Kicks hurt), Qwilfish, Rotom* (Sucker Punch hurts), Rotom-C, Tangrowth, Alomomola, Drifblim* (must watch out for Stone Edge), Weezing
Honchkrow
Type: Dark / Flying
Base Stats: 100 HP / 125 Atk / 52 Def / 105 SpA / 52 SpD / 71 Spe
Ability: Insomnia / Super Luck / Moxie
Why is this a threat?: Honchkrow is arguably the single greatest threat to RU stall teams. Boasting a massive Attack stat and above average Special Attack in conjunction with an amazing movepool consisting of options such as Sucker Punch, Brave Bird, and Heat Wave, Honchkrow is capable of doing massive damage to most teams. In addition, there are hardly any hard counters to Honchkrow’s mixed movesets, which can eliminate the few walls capable of defeating SubRoost Honchkrow without any trouble. Finally, unlike other threats, it’s very difficult to even revenge kill Honchkrow thanks to Sucker Punch and Moxie.
Checks: Drapion* (Brave Bird hurts), Ferroseed* (Superpower, Heat Wave, and Brave Bird all take a chunk out of it), Gligar* (can wall Honchkrow but can’t really do anything back), Moltres* (checks Honchkrow fairly well, but can’t switch in), Omastar* (must watch out for Hidden Power Grass), Qwilfish, Rotom* (Sucker Punch KOs), Alomomola* (must be careful of Hidden Power Grass), Stunfisk
Kabutops
Type: Rock / Water
Base Stats: 60 HP / 115 Atk / 105 Def / 65 SpA / 70 SpD / 80 Spe
Ability: Swift Swim / Battle Armor / Weak Armor
Why is this a threat?: Kabutops is a significant offensive threat to most stall teams thanks to its solid type coverage between Waterfall and Stone Edge, decent resistances, and access to Swords Dance. Furthermore, Kabutops can use Rapid Spin, which rids the field of all of the entry hazards you’ve set up throughout the game. This, along with Kabutops’s ability to beat nearly all of the common spinblockers in RU makes it a prominent threat that any stall team must be prepared to face.
Checks: Cofagrigus* (must watch out for boosted Waterfalls), Dusknoir* (must watch out for boosted Waterfalls), Ferroseed* (must watch out for Superpower and Low Kick), Omastar, Poliwrath, Qwilfish, Rotom* (has to be careful of boosted Waterfalls), Rotom-C, Tangrowth, Alomomola, Torterra, Weezing
Krookodile
Type: Dark / Ground
Base Stats: 95 HP / 117 Atk / 70 Def / 65 SpA / 70 SpD / 92 Spe
Ability: Intimidate / Moxie / Anger Point
Why is this a threat?: Krookodile possesses solid type coverage between its Ground- and Dark-type STAB attacks, along with two incredible abilities in Intimidate and Moxie. Moxie is especially threatening to stall teams, as it allows Krookodile to easily sweep through them late in the game if they’re weakened enough. However, Intimidate is also quite dangerous, as it lets Krookodile easily set up Bulk Up boosts. Finally, Krookodile even has access to Taunt, which lets it break through many common walls that it would otherwise be incapable of touching.
Checks: Crustle* (must watch out for Choice Band Stone Edges), Ferroseed, Gligar, Qwilfish* (must watch out for Choice Band Earthquakes), Rotom-C, Rotom-F* (must watch out for Stone Edge), Rotom-S* (must watch out for Stone Edge), Sandslash, Steelix* (Earthquake hurts), Tangrowth, Alomomola, Piloswine, Quagsire* (Choice Band Earthquake can 2HKO), Throh, Weezing
Lilligant
Type: Grass
Base Stats: 70 HP / 60 Atk / 75 Def / 110 SpA / 75 SpD / 90 Spe
Ability: Chlorophyll / Own Tempo / Leaf Guard
Why is this a threat?:
Moltres
Type: Fire / Flying
Base Stats: 90 HP / 100 Atk / 90 Def / 125 SpA / 85 SpD / 90 Spe
Ability: Pressure / Flame Body
Why is this a threat?:
Omastar
Type: Rock / Water
Base Stats: 70 HP / 60 Atk / 125 Def / 115 SpA / 70 SpD / 55 Spe
Ability: Shell Armor / Swift Swim / Weak Armor
Why is this a threat?:
Porygon-Z
Type: Normal
Base Stats: 85 HP / 80 Atk / 70 Def / 135 SpA / 75 SpD / 90 Spe
Ability: Adaptability / Download / Analytic
Why is this a threat?:
Sceptile
Type: Grass
Base Stats: 70 HP / 85 Atk / 65 Def / 105 SpA / 85 SpD / 120 Spe
Ability: Overgrow / Unburden
Why is this a threat?:
Sharpedo
Type: Dark / Water
Base Stats: 70 HP / 120 Atk / 40 Def / 95 SpA / 40 SpD / 95 Spe
Ability: Rough Skin / Speed Boost
Why is this a threat?:
Typhlosion
Type: Fire
Base Stats: 78 HP / 84 Atk / 78 Def / 109 SpA / 85 SpD / 100 Spe
Ability: Blaze / Flash Fire
Why is this a threat?:
4. Types of Stall
5. Teambuilding Checklist
6. Sample Teams
7. Conclusion
1.Introduction
2.Pokémon to Consider
3.Threats to Stall
4.Types of Stall
5.Sample Teams
6.Teambuilding Checklist
7.Conclusion
1. Introduction
Throughout past generations, stall has been a common and successful style of play in almost all competitive singles tiers. It is a basic playstyle that relies on entry hazards and other forms of residual damage in order to wear down the opponent’s team. This, in conjunction with the defensive prowess and survivability of most Pokemon used on stall teams, allows stall players to consistently control both the pace of the match, minimize the effects of errors and “hax”, and in general play more consistently and reliably than most other playstyles can.
Stall is a remarkably basic playstyle to use. It simply works at minimizing the damage from all of the opponent’s offensive Pokemon while setting up layer upon layer of entry hazards. They playstyle is heavily reliant around synergy and team support, however, as no individual Pokemon on a stall team is capable of working to its max effectiveness on its own. Instead, they all work together in order to support each other through use of moves such as Wish and Heal Bell, while also abusing entry hazards with phazing moves, which have improved considerably with the advent of Generation V and two new phazing moves in Circle Throw and Dragon Tail, along with the new Sleep mechanics, which made stall teams much less vulnerable to Rest using stat boosters.
However, RU is a metagame with many powerful threats to stall, including a variety of dangerous mixed sweepers such as Electivire and Sceptile, as well as offensive behemoths such as Porygon-Z and Honchkrow. In fact, at the original introduction of the RU tier, many players believed that stall would find no place there. However, many of the defensive monsters that existed both prior to generation five and those that were created in generation five all fell to the RU tier, finding the new powerful sweepers in other tiers too much for them to be effective. In addition, the new generation brought forth a new item to the playing field - Eviolite. This gave NFE Pokemon a huge boost in their defenses, making Pokemon that seem originally as if they’d simply be skipped over huge threats. Thanks to these, the RU tier is filled with many defensive behemoths and a tier where an effective stall team is remarkably hard to break. Thus, despite some of the shortcomings of stall, it’s an extremely effective playstyle.
This guide will explain the ins and outs of creating an RU stall team, in depth explanations of many of the common Pokemon used in creating them, and in general be a huge help to any playing looking to construct an effective RU stall team. In addition, for all of you offense players out there, this guide will also be an excellent read, providing information that can effectively show you how to beat stall. Thus, if you ever want to learn how to make (or break!) an effective RU stall team, this is the guide for you.
2. Pokemon to Consider
A. Spikers + Toxic Spikers [Written]
- Qwilfish [Written]
- Omastar [Written]
- Roselia [Written]
- Crustle [Written]
- Ferroseed [Written]
- Drapion [Written]
Qwilfish
Type: Water / Poison
Base Stats: 65 HP / 95 Atk / 75 Def / 55 SpA / 55 SpD / 85 Spe
Ability: Poison Point / Swift Swim / Intimidate
Qwilfish is an excellent choice for almost any RU stall team. Its typing gives it resistances to a variety of common types, most notably Fire-, Steel-, and Fighting-, while Intimidate allows it to set up entry hazards against a huge portion of the tier. Not only that, Qwilfish also has access to both Spikes and Toxic Spikes, and gets plenty of opportunities to set them up thanks to its ability to switch in on many of the physical attackers in the tier. Qwilfish’s part Poison-typing is also beneficial to many stall teams, as it allows it to absorb Toxic Spikes set up by the opponent. Finally, unlike many other Spikers in the tier, Qwilfish isn’t even easy setup bait, thanks to having access to Taunt and a decently powered Waterfall.
Common threats checked by Qwilfish: Entei, Aggron, Omastar* (boosted Hidden Power Grass hurts), Feraligatr, Klinklang, Gallade, Primeape, Hitmonchan, Hitmonlee, Hariyama, Kabutops* (boosted Stone Edge hurts), Scyther, Sharpedo* (mixed versions can 2HKO), Poliwrath, Crawdaunt, Bouffalant, Archeops* (Flight Gem Acrobatics hurts), Durant
Advantages: Resistances to Fire-, Fighting-, Steel-, Water-, Ice-, and Bug, Intimidate, Access to Spikes and Toxic Spikes, Access to Taunt, decent Attack and Speed
Disadvantages: Low Special Defense means most special attackers can 2HKO it even with resisted hits, vulnerable to some common Rapid Spinners, vulnerable to faster Taunt users, can’t break Substitutes of bulkier offensive Pokemon
Useful moves: Spikes, Toxic Spikes, Taunt, Pain Split, Thunder Wave, Waterfall, Poison Jab, Aqua Jet
Preferred Teammates: Clefable, Misdreavus, Rotom, Cryogonal, Moltres, Mandibuzz, Slowking, Flareon, Shelgon
Omastar
Type: Water / Rock
Base Stats: 70 HP / 60 Atk / 125 Def / 115 SpA / 70 SpD / 55 Spe
Ability: Swift Swim / Shell Armor / Weak Armor
Although often seen playing an offensive role with Shell Smash, Omastar has decent all around defenses, useful resistances, including a 4x resistance to Fire-, and a perfect movepool for playing a defensive role. Thanks to access to all three entry hazards, Scald, and even Knock Off, it can provide extremely valuable team support for most stall teams. It also possesses a large base 115 Special Attack stat, which allows it to hurt things that try and set up against it even without investment. Finally, Omastar checks a number of threats in the metagame with ease, and provides a valuable switch in for many hard hitting physical threats that stall teams have trouble with, such as Archeops and Entei.
Common threats checked by Omastar: Archeops* (Earthquake hurts), Entei* (versions with Hidden Power Grass easily KO), Bouffalant, Durant, Dusknoir, Feraligatr, Honchkrow* (versions with Hidden Power Grass easily KO), Scyther, Typhlosion* (Focus Blast and Hidden Power Grass both hurt), Moltres* (Hidden Power Grass or Electric hurts), Kabutops, Klinklang* (Hidden Power Grass hurts), Aggron* (SubPunch versions can deal a fair amount of damage to you), Swellow, Braviary* (Superpower hurts)
Advantages: Excellent Defense, access to any combination of two entry hazards, good Special Attack, 4x resistance to Fire-, good Special Attack, Knock Off, Scald
Disadvantages: Average Special Defense, 4x weakness to Grass-, weakness to Fighting-, Ground-, and Electric-, many physical attackers use coverage moves Omastar is weak to, Omastar can’t prevent things from setting up against it, only two entry hazards should really be used per set due to it not having time to set all three
Useful moves: Spikes, Toxic Spikes, Stealth Rock, Scald, Ice Beam, Knock Off, Protect
Preferred Teammates: Clefable, Cryogonal, Cofagrigus, Rotom, Moltres, Slowking, Gligar, Quagsire
Roselia
Type: Grass / Poison
Base Stats: 50 HP / 60 Atk / 45 Def / 100 SpA / 80 SpD / 65 Spe
Ability: Poison Point / Natural Cure / Leaf Guard
Although it’s easy to underestimate Roselia’s prowess in RU due to its NFE status and NU tiering, it possesses several characteristics which make it fit well into many RU stall teams. For example, Roselia has access to Spikes and Toxic Spikes. It also has somewhat reliable healing with Synthesis, or through Rest and Natural Cure, and a solid Special Attack stat with decent STABs. In addition, Roselia’s Grass / Poison typing offers a variety of useful resistances, such as to Electric-, Fighting-, Water-, and Grass-. This allows it to set entry hazards against a huge number of common threats, while also being remarkably self sufficient due to its reliable recovery.
Common threats checked by Roselia: Crawdaunt, Electivire* (Flamethrower hurts), Feraligatr* (boosted Ice Punch hurts), Gallade* (boosted Ice Punch hurts), Galvantula, Gligar, Lilligant, Ludicolo* (Ice Beam can do a fair amount of damage), Manectric* (Flamethrower does a fair amount of damage), Poliwrath, Omastar* (boosted Ice Beam hurts), Rotom, Rotom-C* (watch out for Trick), Sharpedo, Sceptile, Tangrowth, Uxie, Victreebel, Gorebyss* (boosted Ice Beams hurt), Haunter
Advantages: More specially bulky than any other Pokemon in Ru with access to both Spikes and Toxic Spikes, reliable recovery, absorbs Toxic Spikes, sets up easily on bulky waters, 4x grass resistance, good Special Attack
Disadvantages: Low / average physical Defense, prone to being set up on, common weaknesses to types such as Fire-, Ice-, and Flying-, Spikes isn’t legal with Leaf Storm or Sleep Powder
Useful moves: Spikes, Toxic Spikes, Sleep Powder* (illegal with Spikes), Leaf Storm* (illegal with Spikes), Rest, Synthesis, Giga Drain, Sludge Bomb
Preferred Teammates: Clefable, Quagsire, Gligar, Alomomola, Lampent, Flareon, Steelix
Crustle
Type: Rock / Bug
Base Stats: 70 HP / 95 Atk / 125 Def / 65 SpA / 75 SpD / 45 Spe
Ability: Sturdy / Shell Armor / Weak Armor
Crustle is an optimal choice for an entry hazard user in RU due to its incredible defense and access to both Spikes and Stealth Rock. In addition to being able to set up entry hazards, Crustle is also less vulnerable to being set up on than other Spikes users are, thanks to its decent Attack stat and Rock- and Bug- STABs. Crustle also has useful resistances to Normal- and Poison-, while it lacks many of the common weaknesses that other Spikers have, only being hit for super effective damage by Water-, Rock-, and Steel-type attacks.
Common threats checked by Crustle: Bouffalant, Claydol* (it spins Crustle’s hazards, but Crustle can beat it with X-Scissor), Dusknoir* (Taunt and Will-O-Wisp can be annoying), Electivire* (mixed versions with Thunderbolt can hurt), Gallade, Honchkrow, Krookodile* (Stone Edge can hurt), Mandibuzz, Porygon-Z* (Choice Specs Tri Attack can 2HKO), Primeape, Sawsbuck, Scyther, Uxie, Braviary, Duosion, Flareon* (offensive sets with Fire Blast can hurt), Gardevoir, Musharna, Tauros, Zweilous
Advantages: Massive Defense, access to both Spikes and Stealth Rock, Rock Blast to break Substitutes, decent Attack, resistances to Normal- and Poison
Disadvantages: Lack of useful resistances outside of Normal-, weaknesses to Water-, Rock-, and Steel-, average Special Defense, bulkier Pokemon can easily set up against it
Useful moves: Spikes, Stealth Rock, X-Scissor, Rock Blast, Rest, Protect, Counter
Preferred Teammates: Cryogonal, Munchlax, Clefable, Drapion, Misdreavus, Rotom, Claydol
Ferroseed
Type: Grass / Steel
Base Stats: 44 HP / 50 Atk / 91 Def / 21 SpA / 86 SpD / 10 Spe
Ability: Iron Barbs
Due to its NFE tiering, Ferroseed may seem like a rather poor choice for RU. However, this is not the case, as thanks to Eviolite, it becomes one of the bulkiest Spikes users in the tier. In addition, with access to a variety of useful support moves, such as Leech Seed and it can help the team outside of simply setting up entry hazards. Ferroseed also has resistances to Water-, Grass-, Rock-, Electric-, Steel-, Ghost-, Psychic-, Dark-, Dragon-, and Normal-type moves, while also being immune to Poison-type attacks! In addition to its incredible resistances, Ferroseed is only weak to Fire- and Fighting-type attacks. Finally, Ferroseed is capable of abusing its Iron Barbs ability as well thanks to all of its resistances, racking up residual damage agains a variety of threats.
Common threats checked by Ferroseed: Accelgor* (Hidden Power Fire hurts Ferroseed), Bouffalant, Drapion* (Taunt can shut down Ferroseed), Durant, Dusknoir (it can beat Ferroseed if it has Fire Punch or Focus Punch), Feraligatr, Kabutops* (without Superpower), Lilligant* (Hidden Power Fire or Hidden Power Fighting hurts), Ludicolo, Omastar, Porygon-Z, Rotom, Rotom-C* (Trick can cripple Ferroseed), Sawsbuck, Sharpedo, Sceptile* (without Focus Blast or Hidden Power Fire), Uxie, Gorebyss, Haunter, Klinklang, Samurott
Advantages: Ten very useful resistances, two weaknesses, Spikes and Stealth Rock, Leech Seed, Thunder Wave prevents it from being setup bait, large amounts of bulk,
Disadvantages: Ferroseed’s two weaknesses; Fire- and Fighting-, are extremely common in RU, Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Leech Seed cannot all be used on the same moveset, Ferroseed has no reliable recovery
Useful moves: Spikes* (illegal when used with both Stealth Rock and Leech Seed), Stealth Rock* (illegal when used with both Spikes and Leech Seed), Leech Seed* (illegal when used with both Stealth Rock and Spikes), Thunder Wave, Gyro Ball, Protect, Toxic
Preferred Teammates: Cryogonal, Munchlax, Cofagrigus, Poliwrath, Steelix, Alomomola, Flareon
Drapion
Type: Poison / Dark
Base Stats: 70 HP / 90 Atk / 110 Def / 60 SpA / 75 SpD / 95 Spe
Ability: Battle Armor / Sniper / Keen Eye
Drapion is an excellent option for a Toxic Spikes user in RU, boasting large defenses along with multiple useful resistances. Drapion’s resistances to Grass-, Poison-, Ghost-, and Dark-type attacks, while also having an immunity to Psychic-type attacks allow it to set up Toxic Spikes on a huge portion of the metagame. In addition, Drapion has only one weakness, to Ground-type attacks, although they are relatively common. Continuing, Drapion also has access to a variety of support moves outside of Toxic Spikes, such as Whirlwind and Taunt. Finally, thanks to both Taunt and its solid Attack stat, Drapion isn’t as vulnerable to being set up against as many other Spikes users are.
Common threats checked by Drapion: Accelgor, Clefable, Crawdaunt, Electivire, Honchkrow* (all Drapion can do is Taunt and Whirlwind away its Substitutes, while it can hurt Drapion with Brave Bird), Lilligant, Mandibuzz, Rotom, Rotom-C, Sawsbuck, Sceptile, Sharpedo* (Drapion has trouble switching in on Hydro Pump and Waterfall), Victreebell, Beheeyem, Cryogonal* (Drapion can Pursuit it, but it can’t prevent it from using Rapid Spin), Drifblim, Duosion, Elektross, Gardevoir, Lanturn, Skuntank
Advantages: Only one weakness, can prevent setup with Taunt, has a phazing option with Whirlwind, can prevent critical hits with Battle Armor, can trap and KO opposing spinblockers, absorbs Toxic Spikes
Disadvantages: Defenses are only a bit above average, doesn’t hit particularly hard when uninvested, has no reliable recovery
Useful moves: Toxic Spikes, Taunt, Whirlwind, Pursuit, Crunch, Rest, Knock Off, Roar
Preferred Teammates: Claydol, Clefable, Cofagrigus, Dusknoir, Gligar, Kabutops, Moltres, Omastar, Steelix
B. Primary Walls
- Clefable
- Quagsire
- Cryogonal
- Moltres
- Mandibuzz
- Poliwrath
- Tangrowth
- Slowking
- Gligar
C. Support
- Natu
- Claydol
- Gardevoir
- Sandslash
- Shelgon
- Alomomola
- Altaria
- Flareon
D. Spin Blockers
- Rotom
- Dusknoir
- Cofagrigus
- Misdreavus
- Lampent
- Drifblim
Rotom
Type: Ghost / Electric
Base Stats: 50 HP / 50 Atk / 77 Def / 95 SpA / 77 SpD / 91 Spe
Ability: Levitate
Common threats checked by Rotom:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Useful moves:
Preferred Teammates:
Dusknoir
Type: Ghost
Base Stats: 45 HP / 100 Atk / 135 Def / 65 SpA / 135 SpD / 45 Spe
Ability: Pressure
Common threats checked by Dusknoir:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Useful moves:
Preferred Teammates:
Cofagrigus
Type: Ghost
Base Stats: 58 HP / 50 Atk / 145 Def / 95 SpA / 105 SpD / 30 Spe
Ability: Mummy
Common threats checked by Cofagrigus:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Useful moves:
Preferred Teammates:
Misdreavus
Type: Ghost
Base Stats: 60 HP / 60 Atk / 60 Def / 85 SpA / 85 SpD / 85 Spe
Ability: Levitate
Common threats checked by Misdreavus:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Useful moves:
Preferred Teammates:
Lampent
Type: Ghost / Fire
Base Stats: 60 HP / 40 Atk / 60 Def / 95 SpA / 60 SpD / 55 Spe
Ability: Flash Fire / Flame Body / Shadow Tag
Common threats checked by Lampent:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Useful moves:
Preferred Teammates:
Drifblim
Type: Ghost / Flying
Base Stats: 150 HP / 80 Atk / 44 Def / 90 SpA / 54 SpD / 80 Spe
Ability: Aftermath / Unburden / Flare Boost
Common threats checked by Drifblim:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Useful moves:
Preferred Teammates:
3. Threats to Stall
Aggron
Type: Rock / Steel
Base Stats: 70 HP / 110 Atk / 180 Def / 90 SpA / 60 SpD / 50 Spe
Ability: Sturdy / Rock Head / Heavy Metal
Why is this a threat?: Aggron possesses one of the best offensive moves in Head Smash, and thanks to Rock Head, can spam it totally recklessly. This, in conjunction with its decent Attack and high Defense can make it extremely difficult for most teams to handle well. In addition, the number of sets it can run to get by its counters, including Choice Band and Automatize, which are both capable of breaking through certain checks, make it a major threat to most stall teams.
Checks: Gligar* (watch out for Ice Punch), Ferroseed* (watch out for Focus Punch), Qwilfish, Steelix, Tangrowth, Claydol
Archeops
Type: Rock / Flying
Base Stats: 75 HP / 140 Atk / 65 Def / 112 SpA / 65 SpD / 110 Spe
Ability: Defeatist
Why is this a threat?: Archeops boasts some of the highest offensive stats in RU, with a massive base 140 Attack and 112 Special Attack. This, in conjunction with a solidly high Speed stat and extremely high powered offensive moves in Acrobatics, Stone Edge, and so on make it a top tier threat for all teams, but moreso stall, as they lack the ability to quickly bring it down into Defeatist range. Archeops also boasts the ability to OHKO / 2HKO nearly all common members of RU stall teams.
Checks: Qwilfish, Claydol, Sandslash, Dusknoir, Crustle, Cofagrigrus* (giving Mummy to Archeops does more harm than good)
Charizard
Type: Fire / Flying
Base Stats: 78 HP / 84 Atk / 78 Def / 109 SpA / 85 SpD / 100 Spe
Ability: Blaze / Solar Power
Why is this a threat?: With Solar Power, Charizard has some of the strongest special attacks in the game when Sun is up. This makes it extremely hard to handle for most stall teams, as Charizard in the sun really has no reliable switch-ins in the tier. In addition, it can also pull off other sets capable of breaking down walls, including Belly Drum, Dragon Dance, and even some mixed wallbreaker sets.
Checks: Flareon, Munchlax, Mandibuzz, Omastar* (Hidden Power Grass KOs), Kabutops* (Hidden Power Grass KOs)
Crawdaunt
Type: Dark / Water
Base Stats: 63 HP / 120 Atk / 85 Def / 90 SpA / 55 SpD / 55 Spe
Ability: Hyper Cutter / Shell Armor / Adaptability
Why is this a threat?: Thanks to Adaptability, boosting its already strong Attacks, a relatively large base 120 Attack, Dragon Dance, and excellent coverage between Waterfall and Crunch, Crawdaunt is a huge threat to any stall team. In addition, Crawdaunt can run through many of the physical walls present in RU without much trouble.
Checks: Poliwrath, Torterra* (must watch out for boosted X-Scissor), Tangrowth, Rotom* (can only outspeed unboosted Crawdaunt, and can’t switch in regardless)
Durant
Type: Bug / Steel
Base Stats: 58 HP / 109 Atk / 112 Def / 48 SpA / 48 SpD / 109 Spe
Ability: Swarm / Hustle / Traunt
Why is this a threat?:Thanks to Hustle, Durant possesses some of the strongest physical attacks in RU. In addition, it has solid type coverage between X-Scissor and Iron Head, which prevents many physical walls from stopping it. Durant also has access to Hone Claws, which both boosts its already large Attack stat and handles the issues of its shaky accuracy. In general, Durant is a major threat that all stall teams need to be prepared for.
Checks: Cofagrigus, Gligar, Moltres* (must watch out for Stone Edge), Omastar, Poliwrath, Qwilfish, Rotom, Steelix
Electivire
Type: Electric
Base Stats: 75 HP / 123 Atk / 67 Def / 95 SpA / 85 SpD / 95 Spe
Ability: Motor Drive / Vital Spirit
Why is this a threat?: Electivire boasts amazing mixed attacking stats and has the movepool to abuse them with. Thanks to attacks such as Wild Charge, Flamethrower, and Cross Chop, it is capable of breaking down many of the common walls in the tier, and is extremely hard for most stall teams to wall. In addition, Electivire can even gain a free boost in Speed from any Electric-type attacks, and is bulky enough to not go down in a single hit from most attackers on stall teams. Finally, Electivire even has Meditate, to boost its already large Attack stat.
Checks: Claydol* (must watch out for Hidden Power Grass or Hidden Power Ice), Cofagrigus* (Thunderbolt can hurt), Rotom, Sandslash* (must watch out for Hidden Power Grass or Hidden Power Ice), Misdreavus
Entei
Type: Fire
Base Stats: 115 HP / 115 Atk / 85 Def / 90 SpA / 75 SpD / 100 Spe
Ability: Pressure / Flash Fire
Why is this a threat?: Entei has one of the strongest attacks in RU, specifically Flare Blitz. With a Choice Band, Entei is capable of 2HKOing a huge portion of the Pokemon in RU, and most Pokemon not hurt severely by Flare Blitz can be dented by one of Entei’s other moves. In addition, Entei also can use an effective Calm Mind moveset, which many stall teams have trouble with. Finally, Entei can even use effective mixed and defensive movesets, which are easily capable of hurting many stall teams.
Checks: Cofagrigus* (Choice Band Flare Blitz can 2HKO), Gligar* (Choice Band Flare Blitz can 2HKO), Kabutops* (Hidden Power Grass can easily 2HKO or OHKO), Moltres* (must watch out for Stone Edge), Munchlax, Omastar* (Hidden Power Grass can 2HKO), Poliwrath, Qwilfish
Feraligatr
Type: Water
Base Stats: 85 HP / 105 Atk / 100 Def / 79 SpA / 83 SpD / 78 Spe
Ability: Torrent / Sheer Force
Why is this a threat?: With the release of Sheer Force via the Dream World, Feraligatr has gotten to become a huge threat. It has access to both Dragon Dance, which allows it to outspeed nearly every Pokemon on common stall after a boost, and Swords Dance, which lets it break down almost all of the common walls in the RU metagame. These factors, in conjunction with Feraligatr’s diverse movepool and solid offensive stats make it quite a threat to any stall team.
Checks: Cofagrigus, Dusknoir, Ferroseed* (must watch out for Superpower), Kabutops* (must watch out for Superpower), Omastar* (must watch out for Superpower), Poliwrath, Quagsire, Qwilfish, Rotom-C* (must watch out for Ice Punch), Uxie
Gallade
Type: Fighting / Psychic
Base Stats: 68 HP / 125 Atk / 65 Def / 65 SpA / 115 SpD / 80 Spe
Ability: Steadfast / Justified
Why is this a threat?: Gallade’s unique stat spread, in conjunction with useful offensive moves such as Close Combat, Drain Punch, Psycho Cut, Shadow Sneak, and Ice Punch, make it a threat that any team should be prepared for. In addition, Gallade also has many viable setup moves, such as Bulk Up and Swords Dance, that allow it to break through common stall cores, especially when used with Taunt, which Gallade also commonly packs. Lastly, Gallade is difficult for most common phazers to handle due to its diverse movepool and access to Taunt.
Checks: Claydol* (cannot beat Bulk Up Gallade), Cofagrigus, Gligar* (loses to Gallade with Ice Punch), Moltres* (must watch out for Stone Edge), Qwilfish, Rotom* (has to be careful of Night Slash and Shadow Sneak), Amoonguss* (must watch out for Psycho Cut), Duosion, Weezing
Hitmonlee
Type: Fighting
Base Stats: 50 HP / 120 Atk / 53 Def / 35 SpA / 110 SpD / 87 Spe
Ability: Limber / Reckless / Unburden
Why is this a threat?: Hitmonlee has one of the highest base Attack stats in RU, along with some of the strongest moves in the tier in High Jump Kick and Double Edge. Reckless boosts the power of all of Hitmonlee’s recoil moves significantly, allowing it to easily power through almost all common Pokemon in RU stall teams. Unburden can allow Hitmonlee to outspeed most common Pokemon on stall teams capable of revenge killing it, and in general, its high powered STAB Fighting moves are hard for most walls to deal with, especially when backed by coverage moves such as Sucker Punch and Double Edge.
Checks: Claydol, Cofagrigus, Dusknoir, Gligar, Moltres* (must watch out for Stone Edge), Poliwrath* (repeated Hi Jump Kicks hurt), Qwilfish, Rotom* (Sucker Punch hurts), Rotom-C, Tangrowth, Alomomola, Drifblim* (must watch out for Stone Edge), Weezing
Honchkrow
Type: Dark / Flying
Base Stats: 100 HP / 125 Atk / 52 Def / 105 SpA / 52 SpD / 71 Spe
Ability: Insomnia / Super Luck / Moxie
Why is this a threat?: Honchkrow is arguably the single greatest threat to RU stall teams. Boasting a massive Attack stat and above average Special Attack in conjunction with an amazing movepool consisting of options such as Sucker Punch, Brave Bird, and Heat Wave, Honchkrow is capable of doing massive damage to most teams. In addition, there are hardly any hard counters to Honchkrow’s mixed movesets, which can eliminate the few walls capable of defeating SubRoost Honchkrow without any trouble. Finally, unlike other threats, it’s very difficult to even revenge kill Honchkrow thanks to Sucker Punch and Moxie.
Checks: Drapion* (Brave Bird hurts), Ferroseed* (Superpower, Heat Wave, and Brave Bird all take a chunk out of it), Gligar* (can wall Honchkrow but can’t really do anything back), Moltres* (checks Honchkrow fairly well, but can’t switch in), Omastar* (must watch out for Hidden Power Grass), Qwilfish, Rotom* (Sucker Punch KOs), Alomomola* (must be careful of Hidden Power Grass), Stunfisk
Kabutops
Type: Rock / Water
Base Stats: 60 HP / 115 Atk / 105 Def / 65 SpA / 70 SpD / 80 Spe
Ability: Swift Swim / Battle Armor / Weak Armor
Why is this a threat?: Kabutops is a significant offensive threat to most stall teams thanks to its solid type coverage between Waterfall and Stone Edge, decent resistances, and access to Swords Dance. Furthermore, Kabutops can use Rapid Spin, which rids the field of all of the entry hazards you’ve set up throughout the game. This, along with Kabutops’s ability to beat nearly all of the common spinblockers in RU makes it a prominent threat that any stall team must be prepared to face.
Checks: Cofagrigus* (must watch out for boosted Waterfalls), Dusknoir* (must watch out for boosted Waterfalls), Ferroseed* (must watch out for Superpower and Low Kick), Omastar, Poliwrath, Qwilfish, Rotom* (has to be careful of boosted Waterfalls), Rotom-C, Tangrowth, Alomomola, Torterra, Weezing
Krookodile
Type: Dark / Ground
Base Stats: 95 HP / 117 Atk / 70 Def / 65 SpA / 70 SpD / 92 Spe
Ability: Intimidate / Moxie / Anger Point
Why is this a threat?: Krookodile possesses solid type coverage between its Ground- and Dark-type STAB attacks, along with two incredible abilities in Intimidate and Moxie. Moxie is especially threatening to stall teams, as it allows Krookodile to easily sweep through them late in the game if they’re weakened enough. However, Intimidate is also quite dangerous, as it lets Krookodile easily set up Bulk Up boosts. Finally, Krookodile even has access to Taunt, which lets it break through many common walls that it would otherwise be incapable of touching.
Checks: Crustle* (must watch out for Choice Band Stone Edges), Ferroseed, Gligar, Qwilfish* (must watch out for Choice Band Earthquakes), Rotom-C, Rotom-F* (must watch out for Stone Edge), Rotom-S* (must watch out for Stone Edge), Sandslash, Steelix* (Earthquake hurts), Tangrowth, Alomomola, Piloswine, Quagsire* (Choice Band Earthquake can 2HKO), Throh, Weezing
Lilligant
Type: Grass
Base Stats: 70 HP / 60 Atk / 75 Def / 110 SpA / 75 SpD / 90 Spe
Ability: Chlorophyll / Own Tempo / Leaf Guard
Why is this a threat?:
Moltres
Type: Fire / Flying
Base Stats: 90 HP / 100 Atk / 90 Def / 125 SpA / 85 SpD / 90 Spe
Ability: Pressure / Flame Body
Why is this a threat?:
Omastar
Type: Rock / Water
Base Stats: 70 HP / 60 Atk / 125 Def / 115 SpA / 70 SpD / 55 Spe
Ability: Shell Armor / Swift Swim / Weak Armor
Why is this a threat?:
Porygon-Z
Type: Normal
Base Stats: 85 HP / 80 Atk / 70 Def / 135 SpA / 75 SpD / 90 Spe
Ability: Adaptability / Download / Analytic
Why is this a threat?:
Sceptile
Type: Grass
Base Stats: 70 HP / 85 Atk / 65 Def / 105 SpA / 85 SpD / 120 Spe
Ability: Overgrow / Unburden
Why is this a threat?:
Sharpedo
Type: Dark / Water
Base Stats: 70 HP / 120 Atk / 40 Def / 95 SpA / 40 SpD / 95 Spe
Ability: Rough Skin / Speed Boost
Why is this a threat?:
Typhlosion
Type: Fire
Base Stats: 78 HP / 84 Atk / 78 Def / 109 SpA / 85 SpD / 100 Spe
Ability: Blaze / Flash Fire
Why is this a threat?:
4. Types of Stall
- Standard
- Hail
5. Teambuilding Checklist
- Wish
- Spikes
- Toxic Spikes
- Heal Bell / Aromatherapy
- Rapid Spin
- Perish Song / Other endgame win condition
- Resistances to: Fire-, Rock-, Grass-, Fighting-, Electric-, Ghost-, Dark-, Flying, Water-
6. Sample Teams
7. Conclusion
