[SET]
name: SubToxic
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Scald
move 4: Air Slash
item: Leftovers
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Modest
evs: 8 HP / 248 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Substitute allows Mantine to dodge status moves and take advantage of bulky mons in general, as Mantine's good natural bulk means many defensive Pokemon fail to break its Substitute. Toxic cripples and wears down walls such as Gastrodon that Mantine fails to break by using its attacking moves alone. Scald serves as a decently powerful STAB move that deals a good chunk of damage to offensive Pokemon that might get a free switch on Mantine when it's using Substitute or Toxic, such as Swellow. Scald burns are also useful for wearing down the opposing team, especially if the opponent is forced to rely on offensive checks such as Rotom to beat Mantine, and they're also Mantine's only means of breaking past Ferroseed. Air Slash hits Grass-types such as Roselia and Vileplume super effectively, which are unaffected by Toxic and don't mind being hit by STAB Scald.
Set Details
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Water Absorb and Leftovers allow Mantine to best make use of its natural bulk so it that can continuously set up Substitutes and check threats defensively if needed. Maximum Special Attack and a Modest nature allow Mantine to hit as hard as possible, which makes it more effective against balanced teams, as its STAB moves 2HKO a plethora of offensive Pokemon that can take advantage of the defensive set, such as Rotom. 252 Speed EVs allow Mantine to Speed tie with opposing neutral-natured base 70s such as Samurott and Ludicolo, which can make it a more effective check to them. If these Pokemon are a huge threat to your team, Mantine can run a Timid nature to more reliably check them in exchange for some power. The given HP EVs allow Mantine to maximize Leftovers recovery.
Usage Tips
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SubToxic Mantine works as an effective balance breaker due to its ability to take advantage of defensive Pokemon while remaining difficult for offensive threats to break. Bring Mantine in on passive defensive Pokemon that balanced teams often carry, especially bulky Water-types such as Gastrodon and weaker Grass-types such as Ferroseed. After bringing Mantine in safely, use Substitute to either scout your opponent's switch-ins or take advantage of status moves such as Gastrodon's Toxic and Ferroseed's Leech Seed. Even with no defensive investment, Mantine's Substitutes will not break when hit by moves like Steelix's Heavy Slam, Ferroseed's Gyro Ball, Gastrodon's Ice Beam or Clear Smog, Poliwrath's Focus Blast, and Air Slash from defensive Mantine and Pelipper. Once Mantine is safely behind a Substitute, begin spreading status with Toxic and Scald until Mantine's Substitute has been broken and it is threatened by a faster offensive Pokemon or a bulky setup sweeper such as defensive Calm Mind Audino that Mantine cannot touch. Beware of certain moves defensive Pokemon may carry such as Toxic, Thunder Wave, Will-O-Wisp, and Knock Off, as SubToxic Mantine is heavily crippled by these. If SubToxic Mantine is a big threat to the opponent's team, bringing Mantine in using slow VoltTurn support or on double switches may be safer, as a smart opponent will be looking to cripple Mantine as it switches in. Pay attention if the opponent has users of strong sound-based moves such as Swellow or Pyroar, as STAB Boomburst and Hyper Voice hit hard and bypass Substitute. If you play lazily, the opponent may be able to switch in for free and take Mantine out if it's at lower health. If you are playing an offensive team against which it has little room to set up, Mantine is used most effectively by defensively checking Pokemon such as Samurott and Ludicolo. If your opponent switches to a faster, offensive Electric-type such as Rotom as Mantine uses Substitute, using Substitute again may be a viable play if you want to keep Mantine in against their team, as a Volt Switch is likely coming.
Team Options
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Steelix makes a good balanced or defensive core with Mantine because it can help take on various Electric-types and bulky Fairy-types such as Audino and Clefairy that Mantine can't break. Mantine appreciates other bulky Ground-types such as Gastrodon and Torterra that can switch into Lanturn and deal with it with their STAB attacks. Be sure to scout for Lanturn's set, as these bulky Ground-types can switch into defensive variants more reliably. Although it is Mantine's hardest counter, Lanturn is also useful as a teammate, as it helps alleviate Mantine's weakness to Electric moves. Lanturn mutually benefits from Mantine's ability to lure and cripple Gastrodon. Entry hazard control is helpful for Mantine to be able to more reliably set up Substitutes, as Stealth Rock strips away a good chunk of its health every time it switches in. Shiftry is helpful, as it can remove hazards with Defog and beat Lanturn. Claydol and Hitmonchan also provide hazard control in the form of Rapid Spin and have a useful resistance to Rock. Powerful special attackers such as Swellow, Pyroar, and Haunter all assist Mantine in breaking Lanturn and Clefairy (if Haunter or Taunt Pyroar) and other special walls, and they can clean many balanced teams after Mantine cripples their Pokemon. Swords Dance Samurott appreciates Mantine's ability to lure in and cripple many of its hard checks such as Gastrodon, Ferroseed, and Pelipper, and it can help in breaking Lanturn in return.
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