phantom
Banned deucer.
[OVERVIEW]
As Snorlax continues to descend into lower tiers, it brings with it its tried-and-true Curse sets and manages to establish its perpetual dominance in the SM RU metagame as evident by its influential and consistent roles as a setup sweeper, wallbreaker, and defensive threat. Snorlax's Thick Fat ability in conjunction with its defensive stats allows it to check a variety of Pokemon, such as Nidoqueen, Salazzle, and Mega Glalie, while its ability to make use of Curse further bolsters its defensive prowess and enables it to sweep. Figy Berry opens up the option for a different spin on its conventional Curse set, making use of it with Gluttony and Recycle to give Snorlax a tool that capitalizes on its matchup versus offensive teams. Along with three great abilities, Snorlax possesses a movepool that complements its job as a wallbreaker and defensive Pokemon, granting it access to Pursuit, which can dispose of frail attackers like Swellow, Mismagius, and Espeon, alongside the necessary coverage moves and STAB attacks to break through physically bulky Pokemon such as Slowbro and Gligar. Snorlax, however, is forced to rely either on Rest, which oftentimes puts in situations where it has to compromise its team's momentum to stay in the game, or Recycle + Figy Berry, which makes it susceptible to status, for recovery; its relatively low Speed means it will often be too offensively pressured to rely on these recovery options. Sets not using any form of recovery will usually be overwhelmed quickly, and Snorlax has a number of counters that can hold back its sweeper and Choice Band sets, requiring its teammates to provide additional support.
[SET]
name: Standard CurseLax
move 1: Curse
move 2: Frustration / Body Slam
move 3: Rest
move 4: Earthquake / Sleep Talk
item: Leftovers
ability: Thick Fat
nature: Careful
evs: 188 HP / 128 Def / 192 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Curse allows Snorlax to boost its stats and overpower a slew of physical attackers, such as Flygon, Sharpedo, Zoroark, and Honchkrow. Body Slam is used to inflict paralysis on targets, making it easier for Snorlax to rack up boosts on them. Frustration is a more powerful alternative; the power comes in handy for 2HKOing Heracross at +2 and Slowbro at +3, which Body Slam fails to do. Frustration also doesn't inflict status where it sometimes isn't wanted, such as on Unaware or Haze users that are better off poisoned. Rest keeps Snorlax healthy while setting up and allows it to heal crippling status. Earthquake provides Snorlax with additional coverage to target Ghost- and Steel-types such as Doublade, Escavalier, and Hoopa. Earthquake also has the benefit of OHKOing Salazzle with no boosts. Sleep Talk allows Snorlax to boost as it sleeps in exchange for greater coverage.
Set Details
========
The EVs maximize Snorlax's overall bulk and allow it to overpower physical attackers such as Honchkrow after a single boost. The Defense EVs in particular are useful for avoiding the 2HKO from Choice Specs Gardevoir's Psyshock. The Special Defense investment allows Snorlax to better check the likes of Nidoqueen, Florges, and Rotom-C. Thick Fat is the most useful ability on a set that uses Rest, and it allows Snorlax to check or set up on various Fire- and Ice-types such as Nasty Plot Ninetales, Rotom-H, Moltres, and Mega Glalie.
Usage Tips
========
While Snorlax is incapable of sweeping very well in the early-game, it can still be useful by switching in on a wide variety of special attackers such as Florges, Gardevoir, Salazzle, and Roserade to check them. Caution is advised when switching in on some of these special attackers, though, as they can give Snorlax a Choice item with Trick to make it nearly useless. Snorlax can also be brought in to absorb status from the likes of Mantine and Moltres. In other words, Snorlax can be used as a bulky pivot until it can find the right time to set up Curse. When using Curse, be sure that Pokemon such as Doublade are at least a little weakened beforehand. This can be done by anticipating a switch and hitting it with Earthquake prior to setting up. Should a strong physical attacker such as Honchkrow or Choice Scarf Tyrantrum come in on Snorlax as it uses Curse, it's best to use Curse one more time before going for Rest, as that will make it easier for Snorlax to sustain the damage from their following attacks as it's asleep.
Team Options
========
Clerics such as Florges and Umbreon are imperative if one uses Snorlax without Sleep Talk; Umbreon can even hold off Doublade for Snorlax, while Florges can stomach Fighting-type attacks. Many of Snorlax's checks are susceptible to Spikes, so Chesnaught can make a good partner for its ability to set Spikes and wear down Snorlax's checks with other forms of residual damage such as Rocky Helmet, Spiky Shield, and Leech Seed. Knock Off support from the likes of Sableye and Gligar can wear down some of the Pokemon meant to check Snorlax, making it easier for Snorlax to beat them over time. Moltres also works well with Snorlax by crippling or checking many of the Pokemon that outright beat it, such as Haze Milotic and Doublade. Toxic Spikes support from Dragalge or defensive Nidoqueen can be extremely useful in putting a stop to Unaware users, certain Ghost-types, and Haze Milotic, while Snorlax can check various special attackers such as Gardevoir and physical attackers like Mega Glalie that the two struggle with.
[SET]
name: Recycle CurseLax
move 1: Curse
move 2: Recycle
move 3: Facade
move 4: Earthquake / Fire Punch
item: Figy Berry
ability: Gluttony
nature: Careful
evs: 188 HP / 176 Def / 144 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=======
Curse allows Snorlax to boost its stats and overpower various physical attackers such as Honchkrow and Choice Scarf Heracross. Recycle is imperative to this set's function, as it allows Snorlax to continually make use of its Figy Berry to act as a pseudo-Recover. Facade is used, as this Snorlax has no way to alleviate status ailments itself without deteriorating the effectiveness of the set with suboptimal moves. In particular, Facade encourages Snorlax to get burned so that Facade doubles in power and Snorlax cannot be affected by more crippling status such as poison. In the last slot, Earthquake targets the greatest number of Normal-resistant Pokemon, such as Gigalith and Doublade, while Fire Punch alongside Facade has no immunities, allowing Snorlax to muscle past most Pokemon and avoid being overpowered by Swords Dance Escavalier and walled by Mismagius and Bronzong.
Set Details
========
Gluttony in conjunction with Figy Berry allows Snorlax to recover its health by half of its maximum HP when at or under 50% health. The EVs' focus on bulk best takes advantage of this set's greatest qualities by making Snorlax a resilient setup sweeper. In particular, it allows Snorlax to defeat Jolly Feraligatr under every circumstance where Feraligatr switches in on Curse while beating Dragon Dance variants one-on-one. A more offensive EV spread with an Adamant nature can be used to break through defensive cores more quickly and allow Snorlax to pose as an immediate offensive threat, but the bulk in conjunction with the instant recovery is what helps make the set so hard to take down.
Usage Tips
========
Bring this Snorlax in on special attackers that can't threaten it like Florges and Nidoqueen and begin setting up. It's usually best to use Recycle right after Snorlax consumes its Figy Berry so that Snorlax can have a safety net in case it's forced out or sustains a critical hit during setup. Avoid taking Knock Offs from Pokemon such as Zoroark, as a Figy Berry lost that way cannot be restored. When up against defensive teams, try to get Snorlax burned instead of poisoned: it's a far more manageable status condition because of Facade and the minimal residual damage, whereas Toxic will prevent it from sweeping altogether due to the added damage each passing turn. This Snorlax can be used to check certain special attackers such as Gardevoir and Moltres; however, be cautious of Trick and do note that it's a bit shakier against certain offensive threats without Thick Fat.
Team Options
========
Healing Wish and Lunar Dance users such as Shaymin, Cresselia, and Gardevoir make excellent partners, as they can help bring Snorlax back to tip-top shape should it accidentally take a Toxic. Shaymin can also sponge Toxic and deal with Unaware users, while Gardevoir and Cresselia can check Fighting-types. Nidoqueen also makes for a good partner, as it checks various Fighting-types such as Heracross and provides Snorlax with Stealth Rock support; it can also punish Pokemon that Snorlax lures like Bronzong with Fire Blast and Toxic users such as Milotic with Thunderbolt. Pokemon that share similar checks in Unaware users or physical walls carrying Toxic, such as Durant, Escavalier, Zoroark, and Choice Band Tyrantrum, can make for good partners by softening up Snorlax's checks or Pursuit trapping some of them in the case of Escavalier and Zoroark. Whimsicott and Alolan Persian can cushion Knock Offs for Snorlax and provide U-turn or Parting Shot support to help bring it in safely and set up.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Double-Edge
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Pursuit
move 4: Self-Destruct / Ice Punch / Fire Punch
item: Choice Band
ability: Immunity
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 212 SpD / 44 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Double-Edge is Snorlax's best STAB attack because it provides some crucial KOs, such as a 2HKO on Slowbro, specially defensive Cresselia, and Chesnaught and an OHKO on Shaymin and Comfey, after Stealth Rock damage. Frustration, however, can be used at the cost of the greater power in order to not induce recoil and compromise Snorlax's bulk. Earthquake allows Snorlax to destroy conventional Normal-resistant Pokemon such as Doublade, Gigalith, Diancie, and Registeel. Pursuit allows Snorlax to trap many Pokemon it's capable of checking or forcing out, such as Swellow, Mismagius, Cryogonal, Nidoqueen, Yanmega, and Salazzle. In the last slot, Snorlax can use Self-Destruct to lure and OHKO physical walls such as Pyukumuku, Quagsire, Slowbro, and, after damage from one layer of Spikes, Chesnaught to pave the way for another sweeper. Ice Punch can be used in the last slot to beat Gligar, which otherwise walls Snorlax, and it can also hit Dhelmise for fairly good damage. Fire Punch can be used to OHKO Escavalier and Durant and 2HKO Bronzong.
Set Details
========
The Speed EVs allow Snorlax to outspeed Doublade so that it doesn't have to sustain unnecessary damage when 2HKOing it as a result of being slower. The Speed is also useful to outspeed base 30 Speed Pokemon such as Reuniclus and Slowbro for similar reasons. The defensive EVs are poured into Special Defense to maximize Snorlax's bulk, allowing it to withstand two of Swellow's Boombursts and two of Nidoqueen's Earth Powers after Stealth Rock. Immunity is the ability of choice, as it's useful for switching into defensive Pokemon such as Bronzong, Cresselia, Pyukumuku, and Registeel without much risk, making Snorlax better in matchups versus defensive teams but shakier in matchups against offensive teams due to the lack of Thick Fat making it harder for Snorlax to switch into Pokemon such as Mega Glalie; however, outside of Mega Glalie, Ninetales, and Rotom-H, there aren't many notable threats that an offensive Snorlax would need Thick Fat for.
Usage Tips
========
This Snorlax can be brought in on weaker special attackers such as Mismagius, Yanmega, Espeon, and Moltres. It can also check stronger special attackers such as Swellow and Nidoqueen. When using Immunity, Snorlax can easily switch in on many walls such as Pyukumuku, Cresselia, Registeel, and Bronzong. Snorlax can also Pursuit trap some of those it switches in on, as Bronzong, Espeon, Mismagius, and Swellow in particular are unlikely to stay in on Snorlax if they can help it. However, be cautious of using Pursuit when setup sweepers such as Dragon Dance Flygon and Feraligatr are present, as they can easily exploit a Choice-locked Snorlax. Versus slower setup sweepers such as Calm Mind Slowbro and Reuniclus, Snorlax should be brought in as soon as possible, as it can put a stop to them with Self-Destruct or 2HKO them with Double-Edge.
Team Options
========
Healing Wish support from Gardevoir or Shaymin allows Snorlax to last a lot longer and mitigates its lack of recovery. Shaymin can also provide a cushion for Scald burns, while Gardevoir can check Fighting-types. Snorlax pairs particularly well with Gardevoir by Pursuit trapping, luring, or wearing down many of its checks such as Bronzong, Doublade, and Cresselia. Lunar Dance or Z-Memento support from Cresselia or Whimsicott provides similar healing utility. Snorlax also works well with Doublade by checking various special attackers it struggles with, mainly Fire-types like Moltres, while Doublade can sponge Fighting-type attacks from the likes of Heracross. Snorlax can also break many of Doublade's checks with Self-Destruct or Ice Punch, making it easier for Doublade to sweep. Nidoqueen works well with Snorlax by checking Fighting- and Steel-types and providing Stealth Rock support, while Snorlax can Pursuit trap or weaken many of Nidoqueen's checks.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Belly Drum can be used on the Gluttony set for an immediate boost in power and wallbreaking potential, allowing Snorlax to function as a ferocious wallbreaker at the cost of its longevity. Likewise, offensive Curse sets with or without ChestoRest can be used to overpower walls at a faster rate while still having the bulk to last versus offensive threats. Assault Vest can be used if your team is particularly vulnerable to the special attackers that Snorlax checks; however, the set lacks quite a bit of power and is easy to wear down due to its lack of recovery. Snorlax can also try to employ a similar offensive set but with the use of Protect + Leftovers to last longer throughout the match. Whirlwind can be used on more defensive sets to hold off setup sweepers such as Salazzle and Reuniclus. Normalium Z is an option on the standard Curse set to cushion Knock Off damage, allow Snorlax to break through Encore, give it a one-time boost in power, and make it immune to Trick, but it comes at the cost of Leftovers recovery, which is usually more valuable for a slow setup sweeper. Lastly, the vast majority of Snorlax's counters are susceptible to Toxic, so Snorlax can employ the move on its standard Curse set so that it won't need as much support to sweep.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ghost-types**: Jellicent, Sableye, Doublade, Dhelmise, Hoopa, and Mismagius are capable of stopping most variants of Curse Snorlax; however, Choice Band Snorlax and Recycle Snorlax with the right coverage can easily beat Mismagius and Hoopa, while Doublade, although generally doing well especially if it's a Sacred Sword variant, gets worn down considerably by Earthquake from any set, and Dhelmise can be overpowered by Curse sets if it gets in too late.
**Strong Fighting-type Coverage**: Choice Band Pangoro, Choice Band Tyrantrum, Heracross, Life Orb Durant, Swords Dance Virizion, and Choice Specs Kommo-o can apply a significant amount of pressure on Snorlax and outright KO it in some cases. Durant and Tyrantrum in particular are capable of switching into Snorlax's Normal-type STAB attacks with ease.
**Unaware Users**: Quagsire and Pyukumuku can stop CurseLax in its tracks. Pyukumuku can easily PP stall Snorlax and Quagsire can overpower Snorlax by using Curse itself, but both must be wary of its Choice Band set, as a Choice Band Double-Edge will easily 2HKO both, and a Choice Band Self-Destruct will OHKO them altogether.
**Haze**: Milotic and Mantine can hold off Curse sets with Haze and even stomach any hit aside from Self-Destruct from Choice Band Snorlax. They can alternate between Haze and their respective recovery moves to hold off Snorlax throughout the majority of the match, making them very reliable checks.
**Bulky Taunt and Setup Pokemon**: Taunt Comfey, Taunt Chesnaught, Iron Defense Necrozma, and Swords Dance Escavalier can either stop Snorlax from setting up with Taunt or just proceed to overpower it altogether.
