Defensive
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name: Defensive
move 1: Dragon Tail
move 2: Roost
move 3: Body Slam
move 4: Defog
ability: Intimidate
item: Salamencite
evs: 248 HP / 204 Def / 56 Spe
nature: Impish
Moves
========
Dragon Tail is very effective at exerting defensive pressure on the foe, which Salamence can do with its solid bulk. Roost usefully keeps Salamence alive throughout the match to check threats and remove entry hazards. Body Slam also keeps offensive threats on their toes with above-average damage and a looming paralysis chance. Salamence's ability to use Defog is assisted by Intimidate and its above-average offensive presence, letting it do its job against powerhouses such as Primal Groudon and Extreme Killer Arceus. If balance or stall is a concerning problem to the team, Toxic can be used over Defog or Body Slam to whittle down opposing walls and tanks if needed, and Refresh can take the place of Dragon Tail to keep Salamence status free and make it a more consistent Ho-Oh check.
Set Details
========
The EV spread lets Mega Salamence outspeed Adamant Rayquaza and Modest Kyurem-W. If one wishes to aim for a higher benchmark, an EV spread of 248 HP / 172 Def / 88 Spe with an Impish nature lets Salamence outspeed Modest Xerneas and Yveltal. An even higher benchmark is 248 HP / 136 Def / 124 Spe with an Impish nature, letting Salamence outspeed maximum Speed Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre. Overall, each of the above options largely depend if the team is specifically weak to any of the threats mentioned, which helps Salamence act as a more flexible defensive Pokemon.
Usage Tips
========
When to Mega Evolve is key to using Salamence, as balancing Intimidate and the increased Speed and power of its Mega Evolution during a match increases Salamence's effectiveness. This is because Salamence can effectively check common offensive threats such as Rock Polish Primal Groudon and Extreme Killer Arceus, but it sometimes needs to Mega Evolve to either take particularly powerful attacks or use Mega Salamence's Speed tier. If a wallbreaker is likely to switch in to punish Salamence for trying to Defog, using either Dragon Tail or Body Slam can deter or cripple them, which therefore makes Defog less difficult to utilize. Also, if Refresh is not opted for, avoid burn, paralysis, and poison, as they can reduce Salamence's effectiveness in checking most offensively oriented Pokemon.
Team Options
========
Support variants of Primal Groudon are good partners for Salamence, as Primal Groudon checks the Fairy-types that can threaten Salamence in addition to providing Stealth Rock for Salamence to take advantage of with Dragon Tail. In the same vein, Klefki has great type synergy with Salamence, checks Xerneas, Latios, and Latias, absorbs Toxic, and can set up Spikes to defensively pressure the opponent with the help of Salamence's Dragon Tail. Aegislash also has good synergy with Salamence, checking Latios and Latias through Pursuit and can check Xerneas, which are three major offensive threats to Salamence. Defensive variants of Primal Kyogre appreciate having Primal Groudon checked by Salamence, can soak up most Ice-type attacks, and almost freely have the ability to spread burns with Scald, giving Salamence's defenses more of an edge. Ghost Arceus can cover Stone Edge Extreme Killer Arceus for Salamence, and the freedom of not running Defog can let Ghost Arceus run multiple different utility moves to support its team better. Ferrothorn and Skarmory also assist Salamence in checking Stone Edge Extreme Killer Arceus and have access to entry hazards that Salamence can use in conjunction with Dragon Tail.
Other Options
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Iron Defense allows Salamence to handle Swords Dance Primal Groudon variants by itself, which gives it a solid niche on certain stall teams at the cost of usually foregoing Defog. Wish support is something both Salamence and its Mega Evolution can provide, with both having a solid HP stat to take advantage of Wish, and regular Salamence's ability to hold Leftovers can open up the Mega Evolution slot for another Pokemon to use. Earthquake can give Salamence the opportunity to lure some of its common defensive checks such as Klefki, Mega Diancie, and Rock Arceus (if it is paralyzed by Body Slam), and beat them one-on-one, but prevents Salamence from running an integral move.
########
name: Defensive
move 1: Dragon Tail
move 2: Roost
move 3: Body Slam
move 4: Defog
ability: Intimidate
item: Salamencite
evs: 248 HP / 204 Def / 56 Spe
nature: Impish
Moves
========
Dragon Tail is very effective at exerting defensive pressure on the foe, which Salamence can do with its solid bulk. Roost usefully keeps Salamence alive throughout the match to check threats and remove entry hazards. Body Slam also keeps offensive threats on their toes with above-average damage and a looming paralysis chance. Salamence's ability to use Defog is assisted by Intimidate and its above-average offensive presence, letting it do its job against powerhouses such as Primal Groudon and Extreme Killer Arceus. If balance or stall is a concerning problem to the team, Toxic can be used over Defog or Body Slam to whittle down opposing walls and tanks if needed, and Refresh can take the place of Dragon Tail to keep Salamence status free and make it a more consistent Ho-Oh check.
Set Details
========
The EV spread lets Mega Salamence outspeed Adamant Rayquaza and Modest Kyurem-W. If one wishes to aim for a higher benchmark, an EV spread of 248 HP / 172 Def / 88 Spe with an Impish nature lets Salamence outspeed Modest Xerneas and Yveltal. An even higher benchmark is 248 HP / 136 Def / 124 Spe with an Impish nature, letting Salamence outspeed maximum Speed Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre. Overall, each of the above options largely depend if the team is specifically weak to any of the threats mentioned, which helps Salamence act as a more flexible defensive Pokemon.
Usage Tips
========
When to Mega Evolve is key to using Salamence, as balancing Intimidate and the increased Speed and power of its Mega Evolution during a match increases Salamence's effectiveness. This is because Salamence can effectively check common offensive threats such as Rock Polish Primal Groudon and Extreme Killer Arceus, but it sometimes needs to Mega Evolve to either take particularly powerful attacks or use Mega Salamence's Speed tier. If a wallbreaker is likely to switch in to punish Salamence for trying to Defog, using either Dragon Tail or Body Slam can deter or cripple them, which therefore makes Defog less difficult to utilize. Also, if Refresh is not opted for, avoid burn, paralysis, and poison, as they can reduce Salamence's effectiveness in checking most offensively oriented Pokemon.
Team Options
========
Support variants of Primal Groudon are good partners for Salamence, as Primal Groudon checks the Fairy-types that can threaten Salamence in addition to providing Stealth Rock for Salamence to take advantage of with Dragon Tail. In the same vein, Klefki has great type synergy with Salamence, checks Xerneas, Latios, and Latias, absorbs Toxic, and can set up Spikes to defensively pressure the opponent with the help of Salamence's Dragon Tail. Aegislash also has good synergy with Salamence, checking Latios and Latias through Pursuit and can check Xerneas, which are three major offensive threats to Salamence. Defensive variants of Primal Kyogre appreciate having Primal Groudon checked by Salamence, can soak up most Ice-type attacks, and almost freely have the ability to spread burns with Scald, giving Salamence's defenses more of an edge. Ghost Arceus can cover Stone Edge Extreme Killer Arceus for Salamence, and the freedom of not running Defog can let Ghost Arceus run multiple different utility moves to support its team better. Ferrothorn and Skarmory also assist Salamence in checking Stone Edge Extreme Killer Arceus and have access to entry hazards that Salamence can use in conjunction with Dragon Tail.
Other Options
########
Iron Defense allows Salamence to handle Swords Dance Primal Groudon variants by itself, which gives it a solid niche on certain stall teams at the cost of usually foregoing Defog. Wish support is something both Salamence and its Mega Evolution can provide, with both having a solid HP stat to take advantage of Wish, and regular Salamence's ability to hold Leftovers can open up the Mega Evolution slot for another Pokemon to use. Earthquake can give Salamence the opportunity to lure some of its common defensive checks such as Klefki, Mega Diancie, and Rock Arceus (if it is paralyzed by Body Slam), and beat them one-on-one, but prevents Salamence from running an integral move.
Defensive
########
name: Defensive
move 1: Dragon Tail
move 2: Roost
move 3: Body Slam
move 4: Defog
ability: Intimidate
item: Salamencite
evs: 248 HP / 88 Def / 172 Spe
nature: Impish
Moves
========
Set Details
========
Usage Tips
========
Team Options
========
########
name: Defensive
move 1: Dragon Tail
move 2: Roost
move 3: Body Slam
move 4: Defog
ability: Intimidate
item: Salamencite
evs: 248 HP / 88 Def / 172 Spe
nature: Impish
Moves
========
- Dragon Tail+ Body Slam is extremely effective in exerting defensive pressure on the opposing team while spreading status
- Roost for recovery
- With Intimidate pre-evo and solid bulk, Salamence can find more opportunities to Defog than most hazard removers despite its Stealth Rock weakness
- Toxic is nice against opposing walls+Pdon
- Refresh can usually let Salamence outlast most stall teams or can be used if its team does not have a sufficient Ho-Oh check
Set Details
========
- Above EVs allow Salamence to outspeed the base 95 Speed tier (i.e. Rayquaza+Kyurem-W)
- 248 HP / 172 Def / 88 Spe Impish can outspeed Modest Xern+Ygod
- Alternatively, more bulk can be implemented on Salamence with 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 Spe and a Jolly nature while outspeeding the base 90 Speed tier
Usage Tips
========
- Mega Evolve only when you absolutely need to take a hit well, as Intimidate is a very useful defensive tool. However, don't stay un-evolved for most of the match, as Body Slam hits relatively hard with Aerialate factored in
- By extension, Salamence is able to pressure common sweepers (RP PDon+EKiller), but be wary of these Pokemon carrying lure moves such as Stone Edge or Toxic. Try to scout out moves like these with other team members if necessary.
- When preparing to Defog, using Dragon Tail on likely switches to wallbreakers can be a solid solution to keep them from forcing Salamence out entirely.
- If not carrying Refresh, avoid status if possible
Team Options
========
- Support Pdon is great; checks Fairies while providing defensive pressure from Salamence's Dragon Tail through SR
- Keys can lay Spikes for DTail spam, absorb Toxic, and check Latis
- Aegislash also synergizes well with Salamence's defensive capabilities and can Pursuit trap the Latis and check Xerneas
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