shoutouts to hilarious for OP
QC: Magnemite / Megazard / TONE114
GP: fleurdyleurse / P Squared
[OVERVIEW]
Wailord's only small niche is PP stalling the foe, as it can't do much else without being outclassed by other Water-types. However, even Wailord's PP stalling set requires an enormous amount of support that typically only stall teams can provide, and it can be shut down easily. Additionally, stall is a less reliable playstyle in the metagame due to the massive number of threats to it, such as Simipour and Dodrio. Wailord also suffers from its mediocre bulk, which can make it difficult for it to switch into attackers; it also is Spikes fodder for Roselia and setup fodder for Gogoat, Jumpluff, and Leafeon. As a bulky Water-type, Wailord faces competition from Politoed, which has better overall bulk and an immunity to Scald and can take on Clefairy and Duosion by Perish trapping them. Luckily, Wailord has just enough bulk to have merit on stall teams by virtue of its massive HP and small utility, being able to counter certain stallbreakers such as Duosion if it has set up.
[SET]
name: StallLord
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Aqua Ring
move 3: Protect
move 4: Scald
item: Leftovers
ability: Pressure
nature: Calm
evs: 252 Def / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Substitute allows Wailord to block status and scout switch-ins while letting it also PP stall moves. Aqua Ring gives Wailord recovery that can be utilized with Protect and Substitute. Protect gives Wailord a free turn of recovery, which can also be used to scout a foe's moves. Scald deals chip damage to a foe while also having the chance to burn it.
Set Details
========
252 Defense and Special Defense EVs maximize Wailord's overall bulk, allowing it to set up on as much of the metagame as possible, including resisted Choice-locked moves such as a Waterfall from Floatzel. Pressure allows Wailord to PP stall the majority of the metagame when set up, including threats such as Calm Mind Clefairy. Leftovers gives Wailord a bit of residual recovery, which, when paired with Aqua Ring, allows Wailord to lose no HP when using Substitute and Protect to PP stall a foe. A Bold nature is viable, although a Calm nature is generally preferred, as it allows Wailord to take special hits better, as most Water-types are special attackers.
Usage Tips
========
Wailord should be used as a bulky Water-type to absorb resisted or weaker neutral hits and as a nearly unbreakable PP stalling wall after it has set up. If you notice that Toxic Spikes can be easily set up without them being absorbed by a Poison-type foe, that can be an indicator that you can use Wailord as a wincon late-game. Wailord should avoid being inflicted with burn or poison, as it will be unable to survive for long periods of time if it loses HP every turn. Wailord should be preserved to PP stall a threat to stall teams, such as Duosion. Be wary of Boomburst Chatot and Infiltrator Jumpluff, both of which can hit through Substitute. Wailord needs entry hazards set up on the opponent's side of the field to be effective, as foes can switch around without much trouble otherwise, limiting its PP stalling abilities. Don't be afraid to use Wailord's natural bulk to switch in on threats it can wall, such as Torkoal.
Team Options
========
Wailord requires support that generally only stall and semi-stall teams can provide. Toxic Spikes is almost mandatory to allow Wailord to stall out Pokemon with Substitute and Protect more easily, saving its own PP. Two layers of Toxic Spikes, which badly poison foes, are often better than one if your opponent has a Pokemon with reliable recovery, such as Milk Drink Gogoat. Roselia is the best option for a Toxic Spikes setter, as it has the bulk to set them up multiple times in a game and resists some of Wailord's weaknesses. Entry hazard removal is extremely valuable to keep Wailord healthy, as Toxic Spikes completely cripples it, and Stealth Rock and Spikes make it harder for Wailord to set up; thus, Rapid Spin users such as Avalugg and Torkoal and Defog users such as Vullaby and Vibrava make for great partners to Wailord. Misdreavus and other Ghost-types can be used as effective spinblockers. Cleric support is also extremely helpful for Wailord, giving it another chance to stall again if it is inflicted with status, such as an unfortunate Scald burn. Lickilicky has access to Heal Bell and is able to easily sponge special Grass- and Electric-type moves for Wailord. Toxic users help Wailord stall out more foes that are immune to Toxic Spikes. For instance, Gabite can use Toxic on many Defog users that switch into it, which allows Wailord to PP stall them more easily late-game. Piloswine can do the same, although it may not lure as many Defog users. Wailord pairs well with Pokemon such as Roselia, Torkoal, and Klang, as they can take on Grass-type Pokemon with ease.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Toxic can be used over Scald if Toxic Spikes support isn't being used, while Roar has some merit over Scald if Wailord is used with Spikes, although Wailord generally does better without it. A Curse set gives Wailord a radically different function from the standard set, but it's slow, relatively weak, and outclassed. However, it can grab a surprise KO with Self-Destruct. Special sets such as a Choice Specs set can utilize a relatively strong Water Spout and Hydro Pump, but they are outclassed by Floatzel and Simipour due to Wailord's low Speed.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Roselia**: Roselia can stall out Wailord, set up as many entry hazards as it wishes, and absorb Toxic Spikes, which Wailord is generally paired with.
**Jumpluff**: Infiltrator Jumpluff can bypass both Substitute and Toxic Spikes and 2HKO Wailord with Seed Bomb.
**Residual Damage**: Residual damage in the form of status and Leech Seed completely ruins Wailord's PP stalling strategy.
**Strong Attackers**: Dodrio and Stoutland can stop Wailord from setting up, although the former cannot switch in safely, as it's susceptible to a burn from Scald, whiereas the latter usually carries Facade. Ursaring carries Facade as well and gets a Speed boost from Quick Feet if it is burned by Scald.
**Encore and Taunt**: Grumpig, Misdreavus, Simipour, Floatzel, and Vigoroth can Taunt Wailord, preventing it from using status moves, while Clefairy and Politoed can Encore Wailord and lock it into one move, making it easy to PP stall it.
**Rest Users**: Rest users such as Klang, Machoke, and Zweilous can PP stall Wailord by using Rest.
QC: Magnemite / Megazard / TONE114
GP: fleurdyleurse / P Squared
[OVERVIEW]
Wailord's only small niche is PP stalling the foe, as it can't do much else without being outclassed by other Water-types. However, even Wailord's PP stalling set requires an enormous amount of support that typically only stall teams can provide, and it can be shut down easily. Additionally, stall is a less reliable playstyle in the metagame due to the massive number of threats to it, such as Simipour and Dodrio. Wailord also suffers from its mediocre bulk, which can make it difficult for it to switch into attackers; it also is Spikes fodder for Roselia and setup fodder for Gogoat, Jumpluff, and Leafeon. As a bulky Water-type, Wailord faces competition from Politoed, which has better overall bulk and an immunity to Scald and can take on Clefairy and Duosion by Perish trapping them. Luckily, Wailord has just enough bulk to have merit on stall teams by virtue of its massive HP and small utility, being able to counter certain stallbreakers such as Duosion if it has set up.
[SET]
name: StallLord
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Aqua Ring
move 3: Protect
move 4: Scald
item: Leftovers
ability: Pressure
nature: Calm
evs: 252 Def / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Substitute allows Wailord to block status and scout switch-ins while letting it also PP stall moves. Aqua Ring gives Wailord recovery that can be utilized with Protect and Substitute. Protect gives Wailord a free turn of recovery, which can also be used to scout a foe's moves. Scald deals chip damage to a foe while also having the chance to burn it.
Set Details
========
252 Defense and Special Defense EVs maximize Wailord's overall bulk, allowing it to set up on as much of the metagame as possible, including resisted Choice-locked moves such as a Waterfall from Floatzel. Pressure allows Wailord to PP stall the majority of the metagame when set up, including threats such as Calm Mind Clefairy. Leftovers gives Wailord a bit of residual recovery, which, when paired with Aqua Ring, allows Wailord to lose no HP when using Substitute and Protect to PP stall a foe. A Bold nature is viable, although a Calm nature is generally preferred, as it allows Wailord to take special hits better, as most Water-types are special attackers.
Usage Tips
========
Wailord should be used as a bulky Water-type to absorb resisted or weaker neutral hits and as a nearly unbreakable PP stalling wall after it has set up. If you notice that Toxic Spikes can be easily set up without them being absorbed by a Poison-type foe, that can be an indicator that you can use Wailord as a wincon late-game. Wailord should avoid being inflicted with burn or poison, as it will be unable to survive for long periods of time if it loses HP every turn. Wailord should be preserved to PP stall a threat to stall teams, such as Duosion. Be wary of Boomburst Chatot and Infiltrator Jumpluff, both of which can hit through Substitute. Wailord needs entry hazards set up on the opponent's side of the field to be effective, as foes can switch around without much trouble otherwise, limiting its PP stalling abilities. Don't be afraid to use Wailord's natural bulk to switch in on threats it can wall, such as Torkoal.
Team Options
========
Wailord requires support that generally only stall and semi-stall teams can provide. Toxic Spikes is almost mandatory to allow Wailord to stall out Pokemon with Substitute and Protect more easily, saving its own PP. Two layers of Toxic Spikes, which badly poison foes, are often better than one if your opponent has a Pokemon with reliable recovery, such as Milk Drink Gogoat. Roselia is the best option for a Toxic Spikes setter, as it has the bulk to set them up multiple times in a game and resists some of Wailord's weaknesses. Entry hazard removal is extremely valuable to keep Wailord healthy, as Toxic Spikes completely cripples it, and Stealth Rock and Spikes make it harder for Wailord to set up; thus, Rapid Spin users such as Avalugg and Torkoal and Defog users such as Vullaby and Vibrava make for great partners to Wailord. Misdreavus and other Ghost-types can be used as effective spinblockers. Cleric support is also extremely helpful for Wailord, giving it another chance to stall again if it is inflicted with status, such as an unfortunate Scald burn. Lickilicky has access to Heal Bell and is able to easily sponge special Grass- and Electric-type moves for Wailord. Toxic users help Wailord stall out more foes that are immune to Toxic Spikes. For instance, Gabite can use Toxic on many Defog users that switch into it, which allows Wailord to PP stall them more easily late-game. Piloswine can do the same, although it may not lure as many Defog users. Wailord pairs well with Pokemon such as Roselia, Torkoal, and Klang, as they can take on Grass-type Pokemon with ease.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Toxic can be used over Scald if Toxic Spikes support isn't being used, while Roar has some merit over Scald if Wailord is used with Spikes, although Wailord generally does better without it. A Curse set gives Wailord a radically different function from the standard set, but it's slow, relatively weak, and outclassed. However, it can grab a surprise KO with Self-Destruct. Special sets such as a Choice Specs set can utilize a relatively strong Water Spout and Hydro Pump, but they are outclassed by Floatzel and Simipour due to Wailord's low Speed.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Roselia**: Roselia can stall out Wailord, set up as many entry hazards as it wishes, and absorb Toxic Spikes, which Wailord is generally paired with.
**Jumpluff**: Infiltrator Jumpluff can bypass both Substitute and Toxic Spikes and 2HKO Wailord with Seed Bomb.
**Residual Damage**: Residual damage in the form of status and Leech Seed completely ruins Wailord's PP stalling strategy.
**Strong Attackers**: Dodrio and Stoutland can stop Wailord from setting up, although the former cannot switch in safely, as it's susceptible to a burn from Scald, whiereas the latter usually carries Facade. Ursaring carries Facade as well and gets a Speed boost from Quick Feet if it is burned by Scald.
**Encore and Taunt**: Grumpig, Misdreavus, Simipour, Floatzel, and Vigoroth can Taunt Wailord, preventing it from using status moves, while Clefairy and Politoed can Encore Wailord and lock it into one move, making it easy to PP stall it.
**Rest Users**: Rest users such as Klang, Machoke, and Zweilous can PP stall Wailord by using Rest.
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