Governess
A Beautiful Blossom Waiting to Bloom
To-Do List
0. Get this analysis in skeleton form. [✓]
I. Fix any errors pertaining to the content / set(s) of the analysis. [✓]
II. Receive two QC Checks, fixing any mistakes along the way. [✓]
III. Fully write out the analysis after the 2nd QC Check. [✓]
IV. Receive the final QC Check when the written work has been looked over. [✓]
V. Correct any obvious grammar-prose mistakes before handing it to GP. [✓]
VI. Receive two GP Checks and have this analysis on-site. [✓]
[Overview]Skeleton said:[Overview]
- Known as one of the fastest Pokemon in the tier.
- Guts - allows Swellow to inflict massive damage on almost all of NU.
- Works best (and only) as a mid-game sweeper.
- Subpar defenses + SR weakness + Toxic Orb + Brave Bird recoil= can be worn down pretty quickly
- Other Normal- and Flying-types, such as Braviary and Tauros, are rising in usage, leaving Swellow in the dust as anti-meta.
- Unable to get past Rock- and Steel-types.
- Tough Pokemon to get past if you didn't come prepared for it.
[SET]
name: Guts
move 1: Facade
move 2: Brave Bird
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Quick Attack
item: Toxic Orb
ability: Guts
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
- Hit-and-Run type of Pokemon, works best as a cleaner
- While Guts makes it strong, it doesn't quite have the raw power to OHKO everything in sight, so enemies should be weakened beforehand.
- It can get a free switch in to activate Guts from a slow U-turn / Volt Switch, (U-turn allows Swellow to pivot out into a counter of the opposing counter, maintaining momentum for the user.) a predicted double switch, and/or when one of your Pokemon is KOed.
- Toxic Orb - what makes Guts activate, puts Swellow on a timer though, has to switch out to avoid cumulative damage from Toxic.
- Facade - after Toxic Orb + STAB kicks in, it reaches an amazing Base Power of 210, OHKOing Tauros and Rotom-S. Also STAB move.
- Brave Bird - STAB move, while the recoil damage hurts, it can 2HKO Tangela and OHKO CB Mold Breaker Sawk.
- U-turn - pretty important to a revenge killer; once it scores a KO (or can't stay in any longer) it can use its fast U-turn to switch to a partner.
- Quick Attack - while it is usually looked down upon, it does a pretty good job in revenge killing weakened threats, and the priority is important. It also allows you to dodge Sucker Punch from virtually everyone in the tier.
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
- Jolly nature allows Swellow to outspeed Zebstrika and Tauros, which is why Adamant isn't recommended, as Speed is much more important than additional power.
- Roost - can be used in the final moveslot to allow Swellow to last longer on the field. Flame Orb would be used if this step is taken instead of Toxic Orb.
- Flame Orb works somewhat better for late-game cleaning since Swellow would stay in longer in those situations and Flame Orb can be used regardless of whether Roost is used or not, but since Swellow switches in and out very often, Toxic Orb is a better often.
- Protect - great way to guarantee activating Guts, but Quick Attack is really important in getting past Sucker Punch, making it a more desirable option.
- Rapid Spin support - useful if Swellow wants to come in at its best without fearing SR. Torkoal is a good option as a spinner, as it can not only remove SR for Swellow but also set SR on the field for it.
- Offensive pressure is also a good option to keep SR users at bay; Mold Breaker Sawk is a good partner to consider, as it can handle Lickilicky, Steel-, Rock-types.
- Having entry hazard support is appreciated as well, as it allows Swellow to revenge kill weakened foes easier. Pokemon such as Golem, Scolipede, and Carracosta are good entry hazard setters.
- There are a few bulky Pokemon that should be removed before Swellow can revenge kill, notably Misdreavus, Golurk, Piloswine, Alomomola. SubCM Serperior handles Alomomola and Golurk pretty well, and Pokemon such as Samurott and Ludicolo can deal with Piloswine and Misdreavus, both of which can also deal with Rock-type Pokemon Swellow cannot get past.
- Steel-types in general (Klang) are also Pokemon Swellow has trouble getting past, so powerful Fire- and Fighting-types, such as Gurdurr and Charizard, can deal with them.
- Wish support - not necessary, but it allows Swellow to last longer in a match. Lickilicky and Alomomola are both good options for such a task.
- Electode or scarfed Electric-types also give Swellow trouble; Dragonair is a great counter to them, as it can walk their attacks and retaliate. Eelektross is also good against them, as it can provide a slow Volt Switch to bring in Swellow safely.
- Having sweepers in general are great option, as Swellow cannot outright KO many bulky Pokemon in the tier. Gothorita can trap and set up on most physical walls that can stall out Swellow, so it's a great partner as well.
[Other Options]
- SubRoost set; pretty useful in keeping Swellow alive.
- Can utilize Skrappy and a CB to hit Ghost-types, but then Facade is weakened, forcing it to rely on Return as a Normal STAB move.
- Endeavor; needs good prediction, though.
- Toxic to hit the physically bulky Pokemon that switches into Swellow.
- Lesser attacking options: Steel Wing, Pursuit, but it has trouble fitting them into the set.
- Not much else, it shouldn't drift from its standard set.
[Checks and Counters]
- SR - great way to weaken Swellow, so Pokemon who can set it successfully would be useful in defeating Swellow. (Golem, Regirock, Carracosta) Basically, any relatively strong Rock-type can easily KO Swellow, making the majority of them good checks, and they can take multiple hits from Swellow.
- Steel-types, specifically Klang who can set up on it, are also good counters to wall Swellow's attacks.
- Ghost-types force Swellow to use U-turn or use Brave Bird, which wears it down even more.
- Bulky Pokemon who can take Swellow's attacks / stall it out / retaliate back (Misdreavus, Golurk, Alomomola, Lickilicky, Eelektross, etc) are good counters to it.
- Choice Scarf users are one of the best ways to KO Swellow; Pokemon such as Primeape, Sawk, Braviary, Jynx, (can't switch into an attack and is even weakened by Quick Attack, lol) most Electric-types (Rotom-S with Scarf, Zebstika,) can aim towards Swello's frail defenses.
- Choice Scarf Haunter - good check to Swellow since it outspeeds it and can't be touched by Quick Attack.
- Priority - severely weaken Swellow, especially when the opposing Pokemon can take a hit (Floatzel, Samurott).
- Virtually any strong Pokemon who can take a hit can KO Swellow, as is not bulky. (Kangaskhan)
- Wearing it down is also a way to KO Swellow, as without recovery, SR + Toxic Orb + Brave Bird = will not take long to be defeated.
<p>Swellow has not changed much throughout the passing generations, as its true potential has always rested in its ability, Guts. When Guts is activated, Swellow can clean up weakened teams, and being one of the fastest Pokemon in NU makes it difficult for it to be outsped. However, Swellow is very easy to stop, as its lack of coverage and low bulk make it an easy target. Swellow's Stealth Rock weakness and its vulnerability to priority attacks also make it increasingly difficult to use; even though it packs a punch, a lot of Pokemon can tank Swellow and KO it in retaliation. Additionally, the combination of Toxic Orb's effect, Brave Bird, and its frailness allow it to be easily worn down. Also, Swellow has difficulty defeating many Rock- and Steel-types in the tier alone, so it often relies on team support to get past them.</p>
[SET]
name: Guts
move 1: Facade
move 2: Brave Bird
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Quick Attack
item: Toxic Orb
ability: Guts
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Swellow plays the role of a hit-and-run Pokemon. It works best as a mid-game sweeper because while Guts increases Swellow's strength, it doesn't quite have the raw power to OHKO everything in sight; preferably, enemies should be weakened beforehand. To avoid being weakened, Swellow can get a free switch in to activate Guts from a slow U-turn or Volt Switch, a predicted double switch, and/or when one of its teammates is KOed. Toxic Orb is then activated, though it puts Swellow on a timer and forces it to switch out often to avoid cumulative damage.</p>
<p>Facade is Swellow's main STAB move; after Toxic Orb's effect and the STAB boost add up, it reaches an amazing Base Power of 210, OHKOing Tauros and Rotom-S. Brave Bird is also Swellow's STAB move, and while the recoil damage can be harmful, it allows Swellow to hit Ghost-type Pokemon such as Misdreavus, Haunter, and Golurk. U-turn allows Swellow to pivot into a counter of the opponent, maintaining momentum for the user. Because Swellow cannot stay in long, it will often use U-turn after every attack or two. Quick Attack is Swellow's final move; while it is usually looked down upon, it does a good job in revenge killing weakened threats, and having priority can be useful. It also allows Swellow to dodge Sucker Punch from virtually every user, as Swellow outspeeds all of them.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>A Jolly nature allows Swellow to outspeed Zebstrika and Tauros, which is why Adamant isn't recommended, as Speed is much more important than additional power in this situation. Roost can be used in the final moveslot to allow Swellow to last longer on the field, but it rarely finds an opportunity to use the move. Flame Orb should be used if this step is taken, as it works better for late-game cleaning when Swellow can stay in longer. However, as Swellow switches very often regardless of whether Roost is used, Toxic Orb is often superior to Flame Orb. This is because for the first two turns Swellow is in, it will take less damage from a Toxic Orb than a Flame Orb, and Swellow is often gone after a second turn. Protect is a great way to guarantee that Guts is activated, and it allows Swellow to scout the opponent's attacks, which is especially useful against Pokemon with a Choice item. However, Quick Attack is really important in getting past Sucker Punch, making Protect a less desirable option.</p>
<p>Rapid Spin support is useful if Swellow wants to come in without fearing Stealth Rock, but isn't required. Torkoal is a good option as a spinner, as it can not only remove entry hazards for Swellow, but also lay Stealth Rock for it. Offensive pressure is also a good option to keep Stealth Rock users at bay; Mold Breaker Sawk is a good partner to consider, as it can handle Lickilicky and Steel- and Rock-types. Having entry hazard support is appreciated as well, as it allows Swellow to revenge kill weakened foes easier. Pokemon such as Golem, Scolipede, and Carracosta are good entry hazard setters for Swellow. There are a few bulky Pokemon that should be removed before Swellow can revenge kill, notably Misdreavus, Golurk, Piloswine, and Alomomola. SubCM Serperior handles Alomomola and Golurk pretty well, while Samurott and Ludicolo can deal with Piloswine and Misdreavus. Additionally, all of the aforementioned partners can also deal with Rock-type Pokemon Swellow cannot get past.</p>
<p>Steel-types such as Klang are also Pokemon Swellow has trouble defeating, so powerful Fire- and Fighting-types, such as Charizard and Gurdurr, can deal with them. While Wish support is not necessary, it allows Swellow to recover lost HP. Lickilicky and Alomomola are both good options for such a task. Electrode or Electric-types with a Choice Scarf also give Swellow trouble; Dragonair is a great counter to them, as it can tank their attacks and retaliate. Ground-types can also deal with them as well, and they have good synergy with Swellow. Eelektross is also good against them, and it can provide a slow Volt Switch to bring Swellow in safely. Having sweepers to use alongside Swellow is a great option, as Swellow cannot outright KO many bulky Pokemon in the tier. Finally, Gothorita can trap and set up on most physical walls that can stall out Swellow, so it's a great partner as well.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>A SubRoost set is viable, as it is great at keeping Swellow alive, but it should only be used with a Flame Orb because the damage from a Toxic Orb would pile on increasingly over time, and you wouldn't be recovering HP in the long run. Swellow can utilize Scrappy and a Choice Band to hit Ghost-types, but Facade is weakened, forcing it to rely on Return, a weaker Normal-type STAB. A set with Endeavor is plausible, but it needs good prediction to be successful. Toxic can be used to hit physically bulky Pokemon that switch into Swellow. Finally, there are a few lesser attacking options, notably Steel Wing and Pursuit, but Swellow has trouble fitting them into a set. There are very few other options Swellow should take, and it shouldn't drift from its standard set.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Stealth Rock is a great way to weaken Swellow, so Pokemon that can set it on the field successfully, such as Golem, Regirock, and Carracosta, are useful in defeating Swellow. Overall, any relatively strong Rock-type can take multiple hits from Swellow and KO it, making the majority of them good counters. Steel-types, specifically Klang, can tank Swellow's attacks and set up on it, making them good counters against Swellow as well. Metang also completely walls Swellow and can even hit it hard with its priority move, Bullet Punch. Bulky Pokemon that can take Swellow's attacks, stall it out, and retaliate back are good counters against it; Misdreavus, Golurk, Alomomola, Lickilicky, and Eelektross all fit in that category.</p>
<p>Choice Scarf users are one of the best ways to KO Swellow; Primeape, Sawk, Braviary, Jynx, Rotom-S, and Zebstrika are all examples of Pokemon that can outspeed Swellow and aim towards its frail defenses. However, be aware that most of them cannot switch into any of Swellow's attacks. Choice Scarf Haunter gets a special mention; it's a good check to Swellow because it outspeeds it and can't be touched by Quick Attack. Priority, excluding Sucker Punch, can severely weaken Swellow, especially when the opposing Pokemon can take a hit. Floatzel and Samurott are examples of priority users that can KO Swellow. All in all, any strong Pokemon that can take a hit can KO Swellow, as is not bulky. Wearing it down is also a way to KO Swellow, as without recovery, Stealth Rock, Toxic Orb's poison, and Brave Bird will quickly weaken Swellow. In particular, Ghost-types force Swellow to use U-turn or Brave Bird, which would wear it down even further.</p>