UU Salazzle

Cynde

toasty
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[OVERVIEW]

Salazzle has an excellent Speed tier that allows it to outspeed many prominent threats in the UU metagame such as Serperior, Latias, and Cobalion. It has a respectable Special Attack stat and access to moves like Fire Blast and Sludge Wave that complement it. It also has a fantastic offensive typing that is well suited the UU metagame, which is full of Grass-, Fairy-, and Steel-type Pokemon such as Serperior, Azumarill, and Scizor. Access to Nasty Plot allows it to reliably threaten most defensive Pokemon. Unfortunately, Salazzle has extremely poor coverage outside of its STAB moves; it relies on Hidden Power for coverage. Additionally, its ability to set up and plow through teams is hampered by its lackluster bulk and weakness to Stealth Rock, which makes it hard to set up and incredibly easy to revenge kill.

[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Hidden Power Grass
item: Poisonium Z
ability: Oblivious
nature: Timid
evs: 24 Def / 232 SpA / 252 Spe

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

Nasty Plot boosts Salazzle's Special Attack sharply, allowing it to become a powerful threat. Sludge Wave is Salazzle's most reliable STAB move, which when augmented by Poisonium Z provides Salazzle with a very strong Acid Downpour that is capable of breaking past Pokemon such as Latias at +2. Fire Blast is Salazzle's secondary STAB move and allows Salazzle to have good offensive coverage coupled with Sludge Wave, capable of hitting Steel- and Ground-types that Sludge Wave can't. Hidden Power Grass offers coverage for Pokemon that Fire Blast and Sludge Wave do not hit at least neutrally such as Swampert, Gastrodon, and Quagsire. Hidden Power Ice may be run over Hidden Power Grass to hit Gliscor.

Set Details
========

The given EV spread allows Salazzle to avoid a 2HKO from Choice Band Scizor's Bullet Punch while maximizing Special Attack and Speed. Oblivious prevents Salazzle from being Taunted, meaning that it can always set up with Nasty Plot. Poisonium Z is the item of choice, which allows Salazzle to break past Pokemon such as Latias and Rotom-W with Acid Downpour. Firium Z is an alternative to this, as Inferno Overdrive is capable of heavily damaging checks like Alolan Muk and can OHKO other Pokemon like Gliscor without having to forfeit Hidden Power Grass.


Usage Tips
========

Salazzle is at its best when its faster checks such as Choice Scarf Pokemon, like Hydreigon and Terrakion, and Pokemon like Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Manectric, and Mega Beedrill are removed from play, so ideally avoid setting up while they are still around. Do not attempt to use Salazzle as a switch-in to anything; its abysmal bulk prevents it from being a reliable switch-in to even resisted hits. Salazzle can be brought in via pivoting, via double switches, or after a teammate has fainted. It is best to set up with Salazzle on a Pokemon that it forces out like Sylveon or Scizor. Alternatively, you can take advantage of a foe locked into a move like Pursuit or Bullet Punch and set up with Salazzle. Ensure that Pokemon that could potentially halt a Salazzle sweep such as Hippowdon are sufficiently worn down or eliminated before attempting to set up. Due to Salazzle's typing, it can serve as a soft check to Pokemon like Serperior if absolutely necessary, but this hampers its ability to set up in the process.

Team Options
========

Salazzle appreciates methods to alleviate its pathetic bulk. This can be in the form of support from Aurora Veil, Light Screen, or Reflect users, like Alolan Sandslash and Klefki. Entry hazard removers like Hydreigon, Rotom-W, and Starmie synergize really well and ensure that Salazzle will be as healthy as possible when trying to set up. Methods of speed control like Thunder Wave from Pokemon such as Klefki and Rotom-W and Tailwind from the Pokemon such as Tornadus help Salazzle to get around its faster checks. Entry hazard setters like Gliscor, Cobalion, Seismitoad, and Klefki make for great partners because they are able to wear down Salazzle's defensive checks. Pokemon that are capable of punishing Ground- and Rock-types like Serperior, Mega Sceptile, and Rotom-W make for good partners. Pivots like Hydreigon and Rotom-W can be used to bring in Salazzle safely.

Other Options
=============

Substitute provides Salazzle with some safety against faster Pokemon, but it comes at the cost of coverage. A Corrosion set that uses Sludge Bomb instead of Sludge Wave is a possibility, as it can fish for a poison against Pokemon such as Tentacruel to wear it down. Taunt can be run to prevent defensive walls such as Blissey from recovering. Knock Off allows Salazzle to cripple some checks to it like Tentacruel and Empoleon by removing their passive recovery but again, like all of its other options, is hard to justify due to the fact that it forces Salazzle to give up Hidden Power coverage. Given its excellent Speed tier, Salazzle can run a Choice Scarf set to make it a capable revenge killer. If you already have a Z-Move user on your team, then using Life Orb Salazzle is a viable alternative.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Faster Pokemon**: Due to Salazzle's pathetic bulk and lack of a way of boosting its Speed, it will always lose to faster Pokemon like Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Manectric, Crobat, and Choice Scarf users such as Hydreigon, Cobalion, Terrakion, and Chandelure.

**Rock-types**: Rock-types like Terrakion and Mega Aerodactyl are capable of taking any hit from Salazzle and KOing it in return. They do have to be cautious of Hidden Power coverage; however, they do not take much damage from an unboosted attack.

**Ground-types**: Pokemon such as specially defensive Gliscor and Hippowdon can take any hit from Salazzle and KO it. Similarly to Salazzle's Rock-type checks, they do not take much from an unboosted attack yet have to be cautious of what Z-Move it is running or what Hidden Power it has.

**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Pokemon with high a Special Defense stat such as Alolan Muk and Snorlax do not get KOed by Salazzle and damage it badly in return.

**Water-types**: Water-types like Tentacruel and Jellicent make for good checks to Salazzle, as they resist both its STAB moves and will not be OHKOed by a boosted attack. It's also vulnerable to Aqua Jet from Pokemon like Crawdaunt and Azumarill.
 
Last edited:

A Cake Wearing A Hat

moist and crusty
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Hey, I've been working with salazzle a bit on ladder and I'd like to throw my two cents in.

First off, I think it would be best to alter the spread a little bit to avoid the 2HKO from Choice Band Scizor's Bullet Punch from full health. This only requires 24 Defense EVs, so it doesn't cut into its ability to obtain KOs.

Here's the spread: 24 Def / 232 SpA / 252 Spe

So, change this and adjust the set details accordingly.

-usage tips-

After saying not to switch in on anything specify that salazzle can come in pretty easily via pivoting, doubles, or RKing slower threats

give a special mention to non-EQ Malt as a setup opportunity, but be careful if they haven't revealed all their moves yet ofc

-team options-

In Team Options, add a point for offensive Grass-types since salazzle helps beat opposing steels and grasses help to offensively check the water and ground types (and terrakion) that Salazzle has some issues beating. Maybe give a special point to M-Scept since salazzle also helps beat the fairies like malt and toge that scept has issues breaking past and scept is also a decent offensive answer and volt deterrant to mega manectric w some prediction thanks to lightningrod, and also hard stops most rotom-w (bulky variants of rotomw avoid the ohko from unboosted downpour from full). Sub-seed serp also helps to whittle down alomuk if you want to mention that.

also add voltturn users to compliment the point added in usage tips

-OO-

mention downsides of corrosion sludge bomb (can be taunted, not reliable) and scarf (better options for scarf fire types exist, all things considered, and despite the speed it still loses to aero)

-C&C-

mention ajet users in water types

1/3
 

Kreme

You might be right but you're not correct.
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I'd maybe mention LO in OO; it has its downfalls as you'd know but should be stated somewhere at least for people that are using Z-Moves elsewhere and the higher damage output across the board may be something some people may want.

3/3
 
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[OVERVIEW]

Salazzle has an excellent speed tier which that allows it to outspeed many prominent threats in the UU metagame such as Serperior, Latias,(AC) and Cobalion. It has a respectable Special Attack stat and has moves like Fire Blast and Sludge Wave that complement it. It also has a fantastic offensive typing which is well suited this the UU metagame which is full of Grass-, Fairy-, and Steel-type Pokemon such as Serperior, Azumarill,(AC) and Scizor, respectively. Access to boosting moves such as Nasty Plot allows it to reliably threaten most defensive Pokemon. It has extremely poor coverage outside of its STAB moves.(RP);(ASC) Salazzle relies on Hidden Power for coverage. Unfortunately,(AC) its ability to set up and plough plow through teams is hampered by its lackluster bulk and weakness to Stealth Rock,(AC) which makes it hard to set up and make it incredibly easy to revenge KO kill.

[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Hidden Power [Grass] Grass
item: Poisonium Z
ability: Oblivious
nature: Timid
evs: 24 Def / 232 SpA / 252 Spe

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

Nasty Plot boosts Salazzle's Special Attack sharply which allows it to become a prominent offensive powerful threat. Sludge Wave is Salazzle's most reliable STAB move which when augmented by Poisonium Z provides Salazzle which an with a very strong Acid Downpour which that is capable of breaking past Pokemon such as Latias at +2. Fire Blast is Salazzle's secondary STAB move and allows Salazzle to have good offensive coverage coupled with Sludge Wave,(RC);(ASC) capable of hitting the Steel-types and Ground-types Steel- and Ground-types that Sludge Wave can't and is a reliable strong move in general. Hidden Power [Grass] Grass offers Salazzle coverage for Pokemon which that Fire Blast and Sludge Wave do not hit neutrally such as Swampert, Gastrodon,(AC) and Quagsire. Hidden Power [Ice] Ice may be run over Hidden Power [Grass] Grass in order to hit Gliscor.

Set Details
========

The given EV spread allows Salazzle to avoid the a 2HKO from Choice Band Scizor's Bullet Punch while maximizing Special Attack and Speed. Oblivious prevents Salazzle from being weak to Taunted meaning that it is guaranteed to can always set up with Nasty Plot. Poisonium Z is the item of choice which that allows Salazzle to break past Pokemon such as Latias and Rotom-Wash with Acid Downpour. Firium Z is an alternative to this as with ;(ASC)Inferno Overdrive Salazzle is capable of heavily damaging checks like Alolan Muk and getting the can OHKO on other Pokemon like Gliscor without having to forfeiting Hidden Power [Grass] Grass.


Usage Tips
========

Salazzle is at its best when its faster checks such as Choice Scarf Pokemon (like??) or Pokemon like Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Manectric,(AC) and Mega Beedrill are removed from play so ideally avoid setting up while they are still around. Do not attempt to use Salazzle as a switch in to anything.(RP),(AC) its abysmal bulk prevents it from being a reliable switch in to even resisted hits. Salazzle can be brought in via pivoting, double switches or after a Pokemon teammate has fainted. It is best to to set up with Salazzle on Pokemon that it forces out like Sylveon or Scizor. Alternatively,(AC) you can exploit the fact that the opponent is locked into a move like Pursuit or Bullet Punch and set up with Salazzle. Ensure that Pokemon that could potentially halt a Salazzle sweep such as Hippowdon are sufficiently worn down or eliminated before attempted ing to set up. Due to its Salazzle's typing it can serve as a soft check to Pokemon like Serperior if absolutely necessary but this hampers its ability to set up in the process.

Team Options
========

Salazzle appreciates methods to alleviate for Salazzle's its pathetic bulk such as Aurora Veil from users like Alolan Sandslash or, Light Screen or Reflect users, like Klefki are acceptable partners. Hazard removers like Hydreigon (I don't think that Hydreigon is that good of a Defog user), Rotom-Wash,(AC) and Starmie synergize really well and ensure that Salazzle it will be as healthy as possible when trying to set up. Pokemon such as Klefki and Rotom-Wash that wield methods of slowing down the opposition foe with Thunder Wave or those with Tailwind such as Tornadus which is capable of buffering the speed of its team make for good partners as they can help Salazzle to get around its faster checks. Hazard setters like Gliscor, Cobalion, Seismitoad,(AC) and Klefki make for great partners as because, they are able to wear down Salazzle's defensive checks. Pokemon that are capable of punishing Ground-types and Rock-types like Serperior, Mega Sceptile,(AC) and Rotom-Wash make good partners. Pivots like Hydreigon and Rotom-Wash can be used to bring in Salazzle safely.

Other Options
=============

Substitute provides Salazzle with some safety against faster attackers Pokemon,(AC) but comes at the cost of coverage. A Corrosion set that uses Sludge Bomb instead of Sludge Wave is a possibility as it can fish for a poison against Pokemon such as Tentacruel which is a fairly common check to it in this meta and to wear it down. Taunt can be run to prevent defensive walls such as Blissey from recovering. Knock Off allows Salazzle to cripple some checks to it like Tentacruel and Empoleon by removing their passive recovery but again, like all of its other options, is hard to justify due to the fact that it will forces Salazzle to give up Hidden Power coverage. Given its excellent speed tier, it can run a Choice Scarf set which makes it a capable revenge KOer killer. If you already have a Z-(AH)Move user on your team then using Life Orb Salazzle is a viable alternative.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Faster Pokemon**: Due to its Salazzle's pathetic bulk and lack of a way of boosting its Speed, it will always lose to faster Pokemon like Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Manectric, Crobat,(AC) and Choice Scarf users such as Hydreigon, Cobalion, Terrakion,(AC) and Chandelure.

**Rock-types**: Rock-types like Terrakion and Mega Aerodactyl are capable of taking any hit from Salazzle and KOing it in return.

**Ground-types**: Pokemon such as Specially Defensive Gliscor and Hippowdon can take any hit from Salazzle and KO it.(Can't Hidden Power Ice OHKO Gliscor?? Don't both get OHKOd by a boosted Inferno Overdrive?)

**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Pokemon with high Special Defense stats such as Alolan Muk and Snorlax do not get KOd by Salazzle and damage it badly in return. (https://hastebin.com/pokuhenopi.pas)

**Water-types**: Salazzle has no viable method of hitting of hitting Pokemon like Mantine and Tentacruel super effectively and is weak to their super effective Water-type moves. It's also vulnerable to Aqua Jet Pokemon like Crawdaunt and Azumarill. (https://hastebin.com/apefotofej.diff)
 

Cynde

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[OVERVIEW]

Salazzle has an excellent speed tier which that allows it to outspeed many prominent threats in the UU metagame such as Serperior, Latias,(AC) and Cobalion. It has a respectable Special Attack stat and has moves like Fire Blast and Sludge Wave that complement it. It also has a fantastic offensive typing which is well suited this the UU metagame which is full of Grass-, Fairy-, and Steel-type Pokemon such as Serperior, Azumarill,(AC) and Scizor, respectively. Access to boosting moves such as Nasty Plot allows it to reliably threaten most defensive Pokemon. It has extremely poor coverage outside of its STAB moves.(RP);(ASC) Salazzle relies on Hidden Power for coverage. Unfortunately,(AC) its ability to set up and plough plow through teams is hampered by its lackluster bulk and weakness to Stealth Rock,(AC) which makes it hard to set up and make it incredibly easy to revenge KO kill.

[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Hidden Power [Grass] Grass
item: Poisonium Z
ability: Oblivious
nature: Timid
evs: 24 Def / 232 SpA / 252 Spe

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

Nasty Plot boosts Salazzle's Special Attack sharply which allows it to become a prominent offensive powerful threat. Sludge Wave is Salazzle's most reliable STAB move which when augmented by Poisonium Z provides Salazzle which an with a very strong Acid Downpour which that is capable of breaking past Pokemon such as Latias at +2. Fire Blast is Salazzle's secondary STAB move and allows Salazzle to have good offensive coverage coupled with Sludge Wave,(RC);(ASC) capable of hitting the Steel-types and Ground-types Steel- and Ground-types that Sludge Wave can't and is a reliable strong move in general. Hidden Power [Grass] Grass offers Salazzle coverage for Pokemon which that Fire Blast and Sludge Wave do not hit neutrally such as Swampert, Gastrodon,(AC) and Quagsire. Hidden Power [Ice] Ice may be run over Hidden Power [Grass] Grass in order to hit Gliscor.

Set Details
========

The given EV spread allows Salazzle to avoid the a 2HKO from Choice Band Scizor's Bullet Punch while maximizing Special Attack and Speed. Oblivious prevents Salazzle from being weak to Taunted meaning that it is guaranteed to can always set up with Nasty Plot. Poisonium Z is the item of choice which that allows Salazzle to break past Pokemon such as Latias and Rotom-Wash with Acid Downpour. Firium Z is an alternative to this as with ;(ASC)Inferno Overdrive Salazzle is capable of heavily damaging checks like Alolan Muk and getting the can OHKO on other Pokemon like Gliscor without having to forfeiting Hidden Power [Grass] Grass.


Usage Tips
========

Salazzle is at its best when its faster checks such as Choice Scarf Pokemon (like??) or Pokemon like Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Manectric,(AC) and Mega Beedrill are removed from play so ideally avoid setting up while they are still around. Do not attempt to use Salazzle as a switch in to anything.(RP),(AC) its abysmal bulk prevents it from being a reliable switch in to even resisted hits. Salazzle can be brought in via pivoting, double switches or after a Pokemon teammate has fainted. It is best toto set up with Salazzle on Pokemon that it forces out like Sylveon or Scizor. Alternatively,(AC) you can exploit the fact that the opponent is locked into a move like Pursuit or Bullet Punch and set up with Salazzle. Ensure that Pokemon that could potentially halt a Salazzle sweep such as Hippowdon are sufficiently worn down or eliminated before attempted ing to set up. Due to its Salazzle's typing it can serve as a soft check to Pokemon like Serperior if absolutely necessary but this hampers its ability to set up in the process.

Team Options
========

Salazzle appreciates methods to alleviate for Salazzle's its pathetic bulk such as Aurora Veil from users like Alolan Sandslash or, Light Screen or Reflect users, like Klefki are acceptable partners. Hazard removers like Hydreigon (I don't think that Hydreigon is that good of a Defog user), Rotom-Wash,(AC) and Starmie synergize really well and ensure that Salazzle it will be as healthy as possible when trying to set up. Pokemon such as Klefki and Rotom-Wash that wield methods of slowing down the opposition foe with Thunder Wave or those with Tailwind such as Tornadus which is capable of buffering the speed of its team make for good partners as they can help Salazzle to get around its faster checks. Hazard setters like Gliscor, Cobalion, Seismitoad,(AC) and Klefki make for great partners as because, they are able to wear down Salazzle's defensive checks. Pokemon that are capable of punishing Ground-types and Rock-types like Serperior, Mega Sceptile,(AC) and Rotom-Wash make good partners. Pivots like Hydreigon and Rotom-Wash can be used to bring in Salazzle safely.

Other Options
=============

Substitute provides Salazzle with some safety against faster attackers Pokemon,(AC) but comes at the cost of coverage. A Corrosion set that uses Sludge Bomb instead of Sludge Wave is a possibility as it can fish for a poison against Pokemon such as Tentacruel which is a fairly common check to it in this meta and to wear it down. Taunt can be run to prevent defensive walls such as Blissey from recovering. Knock Off allows Salazzle to cripple some checks to it like Tentacruel and Empoleon by removing their passive recovery but again, like all of its other options, is hard to justify due to the fact that it will forces Salazzle to give up Hidden Power coverage. Given its excellent speed tier, it can run a Choice Scarf set which makes it a capable revenge KOer killer. If you already have a Z-(AH)Move user on your team then using Life Orb Salazzle is a viable alternative.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Faster Pokemon**: Due to its Salazzle's pathetic bulk and lack of a way of boosting its Speed, it will always lose to faster Pokemon like Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Manectric, Crobat,(AC) and Choice Scarf users such as Hydreigon, Cobalion, Terrakion,(AC) and Chandelure.

**Rock-types**: Rock-types like Terrakion and Mega Aerodactyl are capable of taking any hit from Salazzle and KOing it in return.

**Ground-types**: Pokemon such as Specially Defensive Gliscor and Hippowdon can take any hit from Salazzle and KO it.(Can't Hidden Power Ice OHKO Gliscor?? Don't both get OHKOd by a boosted Inferno Overdrive?)

**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Pokemon with high Special Defense stats such as Alolan Muk and Snorlax do not get KOd by Salazzle and damage it badly in return. (https://hastebin.com/pokuhenopi.pas)

**Water-types**: Salazzle has no viable method of hitting of hitting Pokemon like Mantine and Tentacruel super effectively and is weak to their super effective Water-type moves. It's also vulnerable to Aqua Jet Pokemon like Crawdaunt and Azumarill. (https://hastebin.com/apefotofej.diff)
implemented. thank you very much. i'd just like to address a few of your comments.the reason i included those pokemon was because they are capable of beating the main set (re:sdpef gliscor, muk and hippo). mantine point is valid, i changed it to jellicent. hydreigon is actually a good defog user! try it out n_n
 
implemented. thank you very much. i'd just like to address a few of your comments.the reason i included those pokemon was because they are capable of beating the main set (re:sdpef gliscor, muk and hippo). mantine point is valid, i changed it to jellicent. hydreigon is actually a good defog user! try it out n_n
I see yeah, i'd just like to point something out that i missed.
Salazzle has an excellent Speed tier
It also has a fantastic offensive typing which is well suited for the UU metagame
At the end of overview you forgot to remove the "AC" and in set details you have "alternative ;Inferno Overdrive" but it should be "alternative; Inferno Overdrive"
Ill try out Hydreigon because u say its good :o
 
Last edited:

Mr. Uncompetitive

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Additions, (AC)
Removals, (RC)
Comments


Jord-e I didn't directly go over your check but I did take a look at it. Don't have much time to get into too much detail (you're more than welcome to ask me or any other GPer in the Discord), but short version is:
  • Your "that" vs "which" handling could use a bit more work ("which" pretty much always need a comma before it, unlike "that")
  • Some of your semicolon usage was incorrect; remember that the two clauses they link should both be independent.
  • Some of your subjective changes felt a bit unnecessary, but thankfully I don't think any of them were clearly worse. Comments can be used not only to question an author's prose, but perhaps more importantly to back up whatever changes you're telling an author to make.
[OVERVIEW]

Salazzle has an excellent speed Speed tier that allows it to outspeed many prominent threats in the UU metagame such as Serperior, Latias, and Cobalion. It has a respectable Special Attack stat and has moves like Fire Blast and Sludge Wave that complement it. It also has a fantastic offensive typing which that is well suited the UU metagame, (AC) which is full of Grass-, Fairy-, and Steel-type Pokemon such as Serperior, Azumarill, and Scizor. Access to Nasty Plot allows it to reliably threaten most defensive Pokemon. Unfortunately, (AC) It Salazzle has extremely poor coverage outside of its STAB moves;Salazzle it relies on Hidden Power for coverage. (imo it makes more sense to put Salazzle at the start of the sentence and move "Unfortunately" here since this is where the list of negatives really starts) Unfortunately Additionally, its ability to set up and plow through teams is hampered by its lackluster bulk and weakness to Stealth Rock,(AC) which makes it hard to set up and incredibly easy to revenge kill.

[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Hidden Power Grass
item: Poisonium Z
ability: Oblivious
nature: Timid
evs: 24 Def / 232 SpA / 252 Spe

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

Nasty Plot boosts Salazzle's Special Attack sharply, (AC) which allows allowing it to become a powerful threat. (slight variety from so much "which" use and flows a tad better in this case imo) Sludge Wave is Salazzle's most reliable STAB move, (AC) which when augmented by Poisonium Z provides Salazzle with a very strong Acid Downpour that is capable of breaking past Pokemon such as Latias at +2. Fire Blast is Salazzle's secondary STAB move and allows Salazzle to have good offensive coverage coupled with Sludge Wave; (remove semicolon) , (AC) capable of hitting Steel- and Ground-types that Sludge Wave can't. Hidden Power Grass offers coverage for Pokemon that Fire Blast and Sludge Wave do not hit at least neutrally such as Swampert, Gastrodon, and Quagsire. Hidden Power Ice may be run over Hidden Power Grass to hit Gliscor.

Set Details
========

The given EV spread allows Salazzle to avoid a 2HKO from Choice Band Scizor's Bullet Punch while maximizing Special Attack and Speed. Oblivious prevents Salazzle from being Taunted, (AC) meaning that it can always set up with Nasty Plot. Poisonium Z is the item of choice that , (AC) which allows Salazzle to break past Pokemon such as Latias and Rotom-Wash Rotom-W with Acid Downpour. Firium Z is an alternative ; (remove semicolon) to this, (AC) as (reinstating some of the previous writing, as I think it flows more nicely than with a semicolon, even though the semicolon use is technically fine, and maintaining the author's voice is preferable) Inferno Overdrive is capable of heavily damaging checks like Alolan Muk and can OHKO other Pokemon like Gliscor without having to forfeit Hidden Power Grass.


Usage Tips
========

Salazzle is at its best when its faster checks such as Choice Scarf Pokemon, (AC) like Hydreigon and Terrakion, (AC) or and Pokemon like Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Manectric, and Mega Beedrill are removed from play, (AC) so ideally avoid setting up while they are still around. Do not attempt to use Salazzle as a switch-in (add hyphen) to anything, (RC) ; (add semicolon) its abysmal bulk prevents it from being a reliable switch-in (add hyphen) to even resisted hits. Salazzle can be brought in via pivoting, via double switches, (AC) or after a teammate has fainted. It is best to set up with Salazzle on a Pokemon that it forces out like Sylveon or Scizor. Alternatively, you can exploit the fact that the take advantage of a opponent foe is locked into a weak move like Pursuit or Bullet Punch and set up with Salazzle. (cleaning this up a bit and, more importantly, making it more conditional. Shoutouts to talkingtree and fleur for help <3) Ensure that Pokemon that could potentially halt a Salazzle sweep such as Hippowdon are sufficiently worn down or eliminated before attemp ing attempting to set up. Due to Salazzle's typing, (AC) it can serve as a soft check to Pokemon like Serperior if absolutely necessary, (AC) but this hampers its ability to set up in the process.

Team Options
========

Salazzle appreciates methods to alleviate for its pathetic bulk such as Aurora Veil from users like Alolan Sandslash or, Light Screen or Reflect users, like Klefki are acceptable partners. Hazard removers like Hydreigon, Rotom-Wash Rotom-W, and Starmie synergize really well and ensure that Salazzle will be as healthy as possible when trying to set up. Pokemon such as Klefki and Rotom-Wash that wield methods of slowing down the foe with Thunder Wave or those with Tailwind such as Tornadus which is capable of buffering the speed of its team make for good partners as they can Methods of speed control like Thunder Wave from Pokemon such as Klefki and Rotom-W and Tailwind from the Pokemon such as Tornadus help Salazzle to get around its faster checks. (original sentence was really unwieldy and had basic information that wasn't really needed imo. This should keep what I think was the main point of the sentence and make it more concise) Hazard setters like Gliscor, Cobalion, Seismitoad, and Klefki make for great partners because, (RC) they are able to wear down Salazzle's defensive checks. Pokemon that are capable of punishing Ground-types and Rock-types like Serperior, Mega Sceptile, and Rotom-Wash Rotom-W make good partners. Pivots like Hydreigon and Rotom-Wash Rotom-W can be used to bring in Salazzle safely.

Other Options
=============

Substitute provides Salazzle with some safety against faster Pokemon, but it comes at the cost of coverage. A Corrosion set that uses Sludge Bomb instead of Sludge Wave is a possibility, (AC) as it can fish for a poison against Pokemon such as Tentacruel to wear it down. Taunt can be run to prevent defensive walls such as Blissey from recovering. Knock Off allows Salazzle to cripple some checks to it like Tentacruel and Empoleon by removing their passive recovery but again, like all of its other options, is hard to justify due to the fact that it forces Salazzle to give up Hidden Power coverage. Given its excellent speed Speed tier, it can run a Choice Scarf set which makes to make it a capable revenge killer. If you already have a Z-Move user on your team then using Life Orb Salazzle is a viable alternative.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Faster Pokemon**: Due to Salazzle's pathetic bulk and lack of a way of boosting its Speed, it will always lose to faster Pokemon like Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Manectric, Crobat, and Choice Scarf users such as Hydreigon, Cobalion, Terrakion, and Chandelure.

**Rock-types**: Rock-types like Terrakion and Mega Aerodactyl are capable of taking any hit from Salazzle and KOing it in return. (wait, wouldn't HP Grass be threatening to some of them?)

**Ground-types**: Pokemon such as Specially Defensive specially defensive Gliscor and Hippowdon can take any hit from Salazzle and KO it. (same here with HP Grass and, like Jord-e mentioned, HP Ice)

**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Pokemon with high a Special Defense stats stat such as Alolan Muk and Snorlax do not get KOd KOed by Salazzle and damage it badly in return.

**Water-types**: Salazzle has no viable method of hitting Pokemon like Jellicent and Tentacruel super effectively (Isn't Jellicent hit super effectively by HP Grass...? Rewriting this to make it clear that they are solid checks in general should help this, and perhaps also let you include Mantine as an example if you wanted to.) and is weak to their super effective Water-type moves. It's also vulnerable to Aqua Jet Pokemon like Crawdaunt and Azumarill.
 

Winry

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[OVERVIEW]

Salazzle has an excellent Speed tier that allows it to outspeed many prominent threats in the UU metagame such as Serperior, Latias, and Cobalion. It has a respectable Special Attack stat and access to moves like Fire Blast and Sludge Wave that complement it. It also has a fantastic offensive typing that is well suited the UU metagame, which is full of Grass-, Fairy-, and Steel-type Pokemon such as Serperior, Azumarill, and Scizor. Access to Nasty Plot allows it to reliably threaten most defensive Pokemon. Unfortunately, Salazzle has extremely poor coverage outside of its STAB moves; it relies on Hidden Power for coverage. Additionally, its ability to set up and plow through teams is hampered by its lackluster bulk and weakness to Stealth Rock, [ac] which makes it hard to set up and incredibly easy to revenge kill.

[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Nasty Plot
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Hidden Power Grass
item: Poisonium Z
ability: Oblivious
nature: Timid
evs: 24 Def / 232 SpA / 252 Spe

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

Nasty Plot boosts Salazzle's Special Attack sharply, allowing it to become a powerful threat. Sludge Wave is Salazzle's most reliable STAB move, which when augmented by Poisonium Z provides Salazzle with a very strong Acid Downpour that is capable of breaking past Pokemon such as Latias at +2. Fire Blast is Salazzle's secondary STAB move and allows Salazzle to have good offensive coverage coupled with Sludge Wave, capable of hitting Steel- and Ground-types that Sludge Wave can't. Hidden Power Grass offers coverage for Pokemon that Fire Blast and Sludge Wave do not hit at least neutrally such as Swampert, Gastrodon, and Quagsire. Hidden Power Ice may be run over Hidden Power Grass to hit Gliscor.

Set Details
========

The given EV spread allows Salazzle to avoid a 2HKO from Choice Band Scizor's Bullet Punch while maximizing Special Attack and Speed. Oblivious prevents Salazzle from being Taunted, meaning that it can always set up with Nasty Plot. Poisonium Z is the item of choice, which allows Salazzle to break past Pokemon such as Latias and Rotom-W with Acid Downpour. Firium Z is an alternative to this, as Inferno Overdrive is capable of heavily damaging checks like Alolan Muk and can OHKO other Pokemon like Gliscor without having to forfeit Hidden Power Grass.


Usage Tips
========

Salazzle is at its best when its faster checks such as Choice Scarf Pokemon, like Hydreigon and Terrakion, and Pokemon like Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Manectric, and Mega Beedrill are removed from play, so ideally avoid setting up while they are still around. Do not attempt to use Salazzle as a switch-in to anything; its abysmal bulk prevents it from being a reliable switch-in to even resisted hits. Salazzle can be brought in via pivoting, via double switches, or after a teammate has fainted. It is best to set up with Salazzle on a Pokemon that it forces out like Sylveon or Scizor. Alternatively, you can take advantage of a foe locked into a [remove extra space] move like Pursuit or Bullet Punch and set up with Salazzle. Ensure that Pokemon that could potentially halt a Salazzle sweep such as Hippowdon are sufficiently worn down or eliminated before attempting to set up. Due to Salazzle's typing, it can serve as a soft check to Pokemon like Serperior if absolutely necessary, but this hampers its ability to set up in the process.

Team Options
========

Salazzle appreciates methods to alleviate for its pathetic bulk. [period] such as This can be in the form of support from Aurora Veil, [ac] from users like Alolan Sandslash or, Light Screen, [ac] or Reflect users, [rc] like Alolan Sandslash and Klefki are acceptable partners. Entry hazard removers like Hydreigon, Rotom-W, and Starmie synergize really well and ensure that Salazzle will be as healthy as possible when trying to set up. Methods of speed control like Thunder Wave from Pokemon such as Klefki and Rotom-W and Tailwind from the Pokemon such as Tornadus help Salazzle to get around its faster checks. Entry hazard setters like Gliscor, Cobalion, Seismitoad, and Klefki make for great partners because they are able to wear down Salazzle's defensive checks. Pokemon that are capable of punishing Ground-types and Rock-types like Serperior, Mega Sceptile, and Rotom-W make for good partners. Pivots like Hydreigon and Rotom-W can be used to bring in Salazzle safely.

Other Options
=============

Substitute provides Salazzle with some safety against faster Pokemon, but it comes at the cost of coverage. A Corrosion set that uses Sludge Bomb instead of Sludge Wave is a possibility, as it can fish for a poison against Pokemon such as Tentacruel to wear it down. Taunt can be run to prevent defensive walls such as Blissey from recovering. Knock Off allows Salazzle to cripple some checks to it like Tentacruel and Empoleon by removing their passive recovery but again, like all of its other options, is hard to justify due to the fact that it forces Salazzle to give up Hidden Power coverage. Given its excellent Speed tier, it Salazzle can run a Choice Scarf set to make it a capable revenge killer. If you already have a Z-Move user on your team, [ac] then using Life Orb Salazzle is a viable alternative.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Faster Pokemon**: Due to Salazzle's pathetic bulk and lack of a way of boosting its Speed, it will always lose to faster Pokemon like Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Manectric, Crobat, and Choice Scarf users such as Hydreigon, Cobalion, Terrakion, and Chandelure.

**Rock-types**: Rock-types like Terrakion and Mega Aerodactyl are capable of taking any hit from Salazzle and KOing it in return. They do have to be cautious of Hidden Power coverage; [asc] however, they do not take much damage from an unboosted attack.

**Ground-types**: Pokemon such as specially defensive Gliscor and Hippowdon can take any hit from Salazzle and KO it. Similarly to Salazzle's Rock-type checks, they do not take much from an unboosted attack yet have to be cautious of what Z-Move [hyphenate] it is running or what Hidden Power it has.

**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Pokemon with high a Special Defense stat such as Alolan Muk and Snorlax do not get KOed by Salazzle and damage it badly in return.

**Water-types**: Water-types like Tentacruel and Jellicent make for good checks to Salazzle, [ac] as they resist both it's STABs its STAB movesand will not be OHKOed by [remove extra space] a boosted attack. It's also vulnerable to Aqua Jet from Pokemon like Crawdaunt and Azumarill.
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