Took this over from Vertex, credit for half the skeleton goes to him
Let's have a whale of a good time ;)
[Overview]
<p>Wailord's size does not translate into usefulness, especially in a metagame where Pokemon such as Jynx are so common. Its main selling point is the deadly Water Spout, which pairs with Choice Specs to become a weapon that crushes anything that doesn't resist it. While Water isn't the best type to spam with the prevalence of Water-immune Pokemon such as Jynx and Seismitoad, Wailord unfortunately has average at best power with its coverage moves. Wailord is not difficult to wear down, despite its size, with its high HP being mitigated by its low defenses. Low Speed becomes the final nail in the coffin, as Wailord cannot outspeed most offensive teams without a lot of support.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Water Spout
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Hidden Power Bug / Hidden Power Grass
move 4: Surf / Hydro Pump
item: Choice Specs
nature: Modest
evs: 56 Def / 252 SpA / 60 SpD / 140 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Water Spout is Wailord's strongest move if it can maintain relatively high health; enhanced by Choice Specs, Water Spout can power through any Pokemon that doesn't resist it or have high special bulk. Ice Beam has excellent coverage alongside Wailord's Water-type STAB moves, hitting everything bar opposing Water-types for at least neutral damage. The choice of Hidden Power type depends on what threats the rest of your team has trouble handling. Hidden Power Bug allows Wailord to OHKO Jynx with Stealth Rock damage, and it also 2HKOes specially defensive Ludicolo after damage from Stealth Rock and a layer of Spikes. Hidden Power Grass allows Wailord to damage most Water-types and is especially useful for damaging Water Absorb Seismitoad. Surf and Hydro Pump are reliable STAB moves for Wailord to use when its HP drops too low.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>140 Speed EVs allow Wailord to outspeed max Speed Adamant Golem, and its damage output is maximized with a Modest nature and maximum investment in Special Attack. The remaining EVs are allocated to its defenses to improve its overall durability better than by simply investing in its HP. Max Speed is a possibility in order to outspeed Misdreavus. Scald is a viable option instead of Surf or Hydro Pump, as its burn chance can rack up considerable chip damage on common switch-ins such as Lickilicky and Regice. Stealth Rock support is crucial to allow Wailord to OHKO Jynx with Hidden Power Bug; Ground-types such as Golem and Golurk are great teammates for this role as they also provide an immunity to Electric-type moves. Spikes support is also useful, as a single layer works with Stealth Rock damage to allow Wailord to 2HKO specially defensive Ludicolo with Hidden Power Bug. Pokemon such as Roselia and Garbodor are excellent options as they also help absorb Toxic Spikes on your field, which can otherwise quickly drain Wailord's health. Grass- and Electric-types can deal with opposing Water-types that resist Wailord's STAB moves and Ice Beam. Fire-types such as Charizard and Torkoal are effective teammates to remove bulky Grass-types that resist Wailord's STAB moves and also form a Fire / Water / Grass core with it alongside a Grass-type teammate. Torkoal is also able to remove entry hazards from your field to maintain Wailord's HP. Paralysis support, from teammates such as Musharna and Liepard, is highly beneficial so that Wailord can outspeed a larger portion of your opponent's team. Rain support from Pokemon such as Volbeat and Electrode can be beneficial because it makes Water Spout immensely powerful, though this is most effective on a dedicated rain team.</p>
[OTHER OPTIONS]
<p>A Choice Scarf set is usable, but it lacks power and is outsped by other Choice Scarf users and positive Speed natured Pokemon with a base 115 or higher Speed. A dedicated Trick Room team can fit Wailord if it uses a Quiet nature, but Trick Room teams are generally gimmicks. A defensive set with Scald, Roar, Rest, and Sleep Talk is a possibility, but Wailord's poor defenses let it down. Toxic can catch specially bulky Pokemon, such as Regice, Lickilicky, and Audino, on the switch; unfortunately, these Pokemon tend to carry a move to deal with this such as Rest or Heal Bell. Wailord has a decent physical movepool with gems such as Waterfall, Earthquake, Heavy Slam, Body Slam, and Avalanche. Unfortunately, Wailord cannot physically power through Pokemon easily, and such sets are outclassed by faster and stronger Water-types such as Samurott and Floatzel. Curse can work with these physical moves, but it does nothing to patch Wailord's low Special Defense. Selfdestruct works as a last resort, but Wailord is still slow and you are still better off using your Water STAB rather than sacrificing Wailord as the difference in power is negligible. Amnesia can patch up Wailord's low Special Defense, but it does nothing for its Defense.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Bulky Water-type Pokemon wall Wailord if it lacks Hidden Power Grass, especially Water Absorb Seismitoad and Mantine. Jynx and specially defensive Ludicolo wall Wailord if it lacks Hidden Power Bug. Specially defensive Pokemon, such as Lickilicky, Regice, and Audino, can take a couple of Water Spouts and cripple Wailord with status or simply retaliate and reduce Water Spout's power. However, they struggle to take Water Spout if Wailord is at maximum health, as it can 2HKO all three after Stealth Rock damage. Any Pokemon that is faster than Wailord can inflict large amounts of damage on it, forcing it to use Surf or Hydro Pump instead. Grass-types can switch in against Wailord's Water-type moves, but they must be wary of Ice Beam, which 2HKOes almost all of them.</p>
Let's have a whale of a good time ;)
[Overview]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Water Spout
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Hidden Power Bug / Hidden Power Grass
move 4: Surf / Hydro Pump
item: Choice Specs
nature: Modest
evs: 56 Def / 252 SpA / 60 SpD / 140 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
- Wailord is harder to use in a metagame where Jynx is so prominent
- Water Spout is a deadly weapon when paired with Choice Specs since it can practically OHKO anything that doesn't resist it or has high special bulk
- It is easy to wear down with priority and entry hazards being so common.
- Its high HP is mitigated by its low defenses
- Water isn't exactly the best typing to spam with the prevalance of Jynx and Water Absorb Seismitoad
- It has below average Speed, meaning that it cannot clean up teams
- Outside of its powerful Water STAB, its power is average at best
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Water Spout
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Hidden Power Bug / Hidden Power Grass
move 4: Surf / Hydro Pump
item: Choice Specs
nature: Modest
evs: 56 Def / 252 SpA / 60 SpD / 140 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
- Water Spout for early-game, and hits like a nuke with the boost from Choice Specs
- Ice Beam has excellent coverage alongside Water Spout, hitting everything bar Water-types for at least neutral damage
- Hidden Power Bug OHKOs Jynx after Stealth Rock and 2HKOes Specially Defensive Ludicolo after Stealth Rock and a layer of Spikes
- Hiddden Power Grass is for Seismitoad and other water-types in general such as Alomommola
- Surf and Hydro Pump are reliable STAB moves after Water Spout has been weakened too much
- 140 Spe are to outpace Max Speed Golem, and the rest are put into Defense and Special Defense to enhance its overall bulk
- Scald is an option to use over Surf and Hydro Pump since the possible burn can make it easier to handle checks and counters that switch in.
- Stealth Rock support from Golem or Golurk so that it can OHKO Jynx, as well as 2HKO Regice with Water Spout or Hydrp Pump. The extra damage also lets Wailord 2HKO Alomomola with full powered Water Spouts.
- Spikes support from Garbodor or Roselia to also 2HKO Specially Defensive Ludicolo alongside Rocks, and also absorbs Toxic Spikes. Roselis is also a near perfect counter to Specially Defensive Ludicolo.
- Fire-types including Charizard can take out Grass and Ice-types, notably Regice. Torkoal is also decent to remove hazards that drain any bulk it has
- Paralysis support from Musharna or Liepard to slow down as many opposing Pokemon as possible to let Wailord smash them
- Rain support from Volbeat or Electrode can truly make Water Spout/Surf a nuke
- Grass or Electric-types really help deal with opposing Water-types, and the former also helps form a FWG core
- Choice Scarf is usable, but it kind of weak and still too slow
- It works in Trick Room with a Quiet nature, but Trick Room teams generally aren't that good
- A defensive set with Scald, Roar, and RestTalk is possible, but is unreliable and doesn't make up for Wailord's poor defenses
- Toxic can hit specially bulky Pokemon like Lickilicky and Regice on the switch, but they usually have ways around it (Heal Bell and Rest usually)
- Wailord has a decent physical movepool, with Waterfall, Earthquake, Heavy Slam, Body Slam, and Avalanche being the most notable ones. Unfortunately Wailord cannot power through physically bulky Pokemon like it can with Special moves due to their lower base power. Wailord is also outclassed by other physical Water-types usch as Floatzel and Samurott.
- Curse can work with Wailord's passable physical movepool, but it is still weak and lacks the special bulk to really use such a set
- Selfdestruct works as a final resort, but you are still better off using your Water STAB most of the time
- Amnesia can patch up Wailord's low special bulk, but does nothing for its Defense
- Bulky Water-type Pokemon can wall Wailord if it lacks HP Grass, especially Water Absorb Seismitoad and Mantine
- Jynx and Specially defensive Ludicolo walls Wailord if it lacks HP Bug
- Specially Defensive Pokemon such as Lickilicky, Regice, and Audino can all normally take a hit and cripple Wailord with status or simply stalling out Water Spout's limited PP. They struggle to take Water Spouts at full power though, as Wailord can then 2HKO all three if Stealth Rock is up.
- Anything faster than it can inflict a large amount of damage to it
- Grass-types can switch in on its Water moves and threaten it back but must be wary of Ice Beam
[Overview]
<p>Wailord's size does not translate into usefulness, especially in a metagame where Pokemon such as Jynx are so common. Its main selling point is the deadly Water Spout, which pairs with Choice Specs to become a weapon that crushes anything that doesn't resist it. While Water isn't the best type to spam with the prevalence of Water-immune Pokemon such as Jynx and Seismitoad, Wailord unfortunately has average at best power with its coverage moves. Wailord is not difficult to wear down, despite its size, with its high HP being mitigated by its low defenses. Low Speed becomes the final nail in the coffin, as Wailord cannot outspeed most offensive teams without a lot of support.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Water Spout
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Hidden Power Bug / Hidden Power Grass
move 4: Surf / Hydro Pump
item: Choice Specs
nature: Modest
evs: 56 Def / 252 SpA / 60 SpD / 140 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Water Spout is Wailord's strongest move if it can maintain relatively high health; enhanced by Choice Specs, Water Spout can power through any Pokemon that doesn't resist it or have high special bulk. Ice Beam has excellent coverage alongside Wailord's Water-type STAB moves, hitting everything bar opposing Water-types for at least neutral damage. The choice of Hidden Power type depends on what threats the rest of your team has trouble handling. Hidden Power Bug allows Wailord to OHKO Jynx with Stealth Rock damage, and it also 2HKOes specially defensive Ludicolo after damage from Stealth Rock and a layer of Spikes. Hidden Power Grass allows Wailord to damage most Water-types and is especially useful for damaging Water Absorb Seismitoad. Surf and Hydro Pump are reliable STAB moves for Wailord to use when its HP drops too low.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>140 Speed EVs allow Wailord to outspeed max Speed Adamant Golem, and its damage output is maximized with a Modest nature and maximum investment in Special Attack. The remaining EVs are allocated to its defenses to improve its overall durability better than by simply investing in its HP. Max Speed is a possibility in order to outspeed Misdreavus. Scald is a viable option instead of Surf or Hydro Pump, as its burn chance can rack up considerable chip damage on common switch-ins such as Lickilicky and Regice. Stealth Rock support is crucial to allow Wailord to OHKO Jynx with Hidden Power Bug; Ground-types such as Golem and Golurk are great teammates for this role as they also provide an immunity to Electric-type moves. Spikes support is also useful, as a single layer works with Stealth Rock damage to allow Wailord to 2HKO specially defensive Ludicolo with Hidden Power Bug. Pokemon such as Roselia and Garbodor are excellent options as they also help absorb Toxic Spikes on your field, which can otherwise quickly drain Wailord's health. Grass- and Electric-types can deal with opposing Water-types that resist Wailord's STAB moves and Ice Beam. Fire-types such as Charizard and Torkoal are effective teammates to remove bulky Grass-types that resist Wailord's STAB moves and also form a Fire / Water / Grass core with it alongside a Grass-type teammate. Torkoal is also able to remove entry hazards from your field to maintain Wailord's HP. Paralysis support, from teammates such as Musharna and Liepard, is highly beneficial so that Wailord can outspeed a larger portion of your opponent's team. Rain support from Pokemon such as Volbeat and Electrode can be beneficial because it makes Water Spout immensely powerful, though this is most effective on a dedicated rain team.</p>
[OTHER OPTIONS]
<p>A Choice Scarf set is usable, but it lacks power and is outsped by other Choice Scarf users and positive Speed natured Pokemon with a base 115 or higher Speed. A dedicated Trick Room team can fit Wailord if it uses a Quiet nature, but Trick Room teams are generally gimmicks. A defensive set with Scald, Roar, Rest, and Sleep Talk is a possibility, but Wailord's poor defenses let it down. Toxic can catch specially bulky Pokemon, such as Regice, Lickilicky, and Audino, on the switch; unfortunately, these Pokemon tend to carry a move to deal with this such as Rest or Heal Bell. Wailord has a decent physical movepool with gems such as Waterfall, Earthquake, Heavy Slam, Body Slam, and Avalanche. Unfortunately, Wailord cannot physically power through Pokemon easily, and such sets are outclassed by faster and stronger Water-types such as Samurott and Floatzel. Curse can work with these physical moves, but it does nothing to patch Wailord's low Special Defense. Selfdestruct works as a last resort, but Wailord is still slow and you are still better off using your Water STAB rather than sacrificing Wailord as the difference in power is negligible. Amnesia can patch up Wailord's low Special Defense, but it does nothing for its Defense.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Bulky Water-type Pokemon wall Wailord if it lacks Hidden Power Grass, especially Water Absorb Seismitoad and Mantine. Jynx and specially defensive Ludicolo wall Wailord if it lacks Hidden Power Bug. Specially defensive Pokemon, such as Lickilicky, Regice, and Audino, can take a couple of Water Spouts and cripple Wailord with status or simply retaliate and reduce Water Spout's power. However, they struggle to take Water Spout if Wailord is at maximum health, as it can 2HKO all three after Stealth Rock damage. Any Pokemon that is faster than Wailord can inflict large amounts of damage on it, forcing it to use Surf or Hydro Pump instead. Grass-types can switch in against Wailord's Water-type moves, but they must be wary of Ice Beam, which 2HKOes almost all of them.</p>
Last edited:
