[OVERVIEW]
Weezing has a fantastic defensive typing, with an immunity to Ground-type attacks due to Levitate, only a single weakness to Psychic-type attacks, and an excellent Defense stat making it one of the best physically defensive pivots in the tier, stopping potent threats such as Sawk, Steelix, and Sceptile in their tracks. Furthermore, Weezing's expansive support movepool, including Will-O-Wisp, Taunt, and Toxic Spikes, allows it to provide a lot of utility to its team and prevents it from being too passive compared to other defensive Pokemon. However, its only sources of recovery are Black Sludge and the easily exploitable Pain Split, making it easily worn down throughout the match if it lacks sufficient team support. Additionally, its low Special Defense stat and mediocre Speed stat make it easy to force Weezing out with powerful specially offensive Pokemon such as Magmortar, Aurorus, and Samurott, as well as most Psychic-type Pokemon. Weezing is particularly effective in balanced and defensive teams due to its ability to complete defensive cores, where its teammates can compensate for its shortcomings.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Will-O-Wisp
move 2: Sludge Bomb
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Toxic Spikes / Pain Split
item: Black Sludge
ability: Levitate
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 148 Def / 108 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Will-O-Wisp is one of Weezing's main attributes as a physical wall, allowing it to completely cripple physically offensive Pokemon such as Sawk, Steelix, and Scyther, wearing them down while also making them setup fodder for teammates such as Swords Dance Samurott. Sludge Bomb is a strong STAB Poison-type attack that has a good chance to inflict poison on troublesome Pokemon that may attempt to switch into Will-O-Wisp and other moves, such as Magmortar, Pyroar, and Xatu. Taunt prevents Weezing from being setup fodder for entry hazard setters such as Garbodor and Steelix and sweepers such as Malamar, Mega Audino, and Gurdurr. It also prevents slower defensive Pokemon from healing themselves, such as Vileplume, Quagsire, and Gourgeist-XL. Toxic Spikes allows Weezing to wear down the opponent's team throughout the match if they lack a grounded Poison-type Pokemon, but it will often only be able to set one layer at a time due to how easy it is to force out. Pain Split provides Weezing with semi-reliable recovery and lets it wear down Pokemon such as Lanturn and Hariyama when at low health, being an especially good option if your team lacks Wish support. Clear Smog and Haze can remove boosts from setup sweepers, with the former inflicting damage and bypassing Taunt, while the latter bypasses Substitute and can be used on Steel-type Pokemon. Flamethrower lets Weezing attack Steel-types such as Steelix and Mawile directly, in addition to Substitute Klinklang, but Will-O-Wisp is usually sufficient for dealing with them.
Set Details
========
Levitate allows Weezing to bypass Ground-type attacks and both Spikes and Toxic Spikes. However, it also prevents Weezing from absorbing Toxic Spikes for its team, so it may need to be paired with a grounded Poison-type or entry hazard controller if desired. Black Sludge provides passive recovery for Weezing while also deterring Trick users such as Choice Scarf Jynx and Rotom from taking advantage of it. 108 Speed EVs allow Weezing to outspeed uninvested Malamar and use Taunt to prevent it from using Rest to heal or remove status, as well as outspeeding Pelipper and Mantine and preventing them from using Defog. The nature and remaining EVs are used to maximize Weezing's HP and Defense so that it can take physical hits throughout the match. If Malamar is not a big threat to the rest of your team, the Speed EVs can be dropped and put in Defense for even more bulk. If Weezing has reliable Wish support, Rocky Helmet can be a good item choice for punishing contact attackers such as Sawk and Hariyama more effectively, breaking Sturdy, and stacking residual damage.
Usage Tips
========
Weezing should be used as a pivot to switch into physical attackers throughout the match, either spreading status on the opponent's team with Will-O-Wisp or setting up Toxic Spikes if it gets a chance. Toxic Spikes should not be used until the opponent's grounded Poison-types have been removed. Certain special attackers can also be dealt with by Weezing, such as Sceptile, but strong resisted special attacks such as Choice Specs-boosted Leaf Storm will still inflict heavy damage to Weezing without investment. Weezing can switch into bulky setup sweepers such as Malamar, Mega Audino, and Gurdurr and stop them with Taunt, but it usually shouldn't do so against faster Pokemon, as it will likely be hit by a boosted attack before it can do anything. Sludge Bomb can be used to punish usual switch-ins such as Psychic- and Fire-types with a 30% chance to poison, but only if there is little risk in switching to a teammate afterwards. It should also be used with caution when there are specific threats that you don't want to inflict normal poison on, such as Rhydon and Scyther, which Weezing can usually only beat by burning them.
Team Options
========
Wish support is fantastic to keep Weezing at good health throughout a match, and Mega Audino is good at providing this due to its great bulk and ability to deal with special attackers with either Calm Mind or raw bulk. Specially defensive Pokemon can be used to compensate for Weezing's lack of Special Defense on balanced and defensive teams. Lanturn can deal with Fire-types fairly well and appreciates Weezing's immunity to Ground-type attacks while also providing Heal Bell support for defensive teams. Altaria can similarly remove status and deter setup sweepers with Haze, and it appreciates Weezing dealing with Fairy-types like Mega Audino. Skuntank can trap problematic Psychic-types such as Xatu for Weezing with Pursuit, as well as absorbing Toxic Spikes for defensive teams and appreciating Weezing's Levitate. Dark-type Pokemon in general, such as Malamar and Shiftry, are also good responses to Psychic-types. Stealth Rock users such as Steelix and Rhydon can punish Fire-type Pokemon for switching into Weezing and help it stack residual damage on the opponent's team. Cacturne is a good Spikes user for balanced teams that also threatens Psychic-types. Weezing synergizes particularly well with these candidates due to Levitate and its Fighting-type resistance. Finally, if Weezing runs Toxic Spikes, Ghost-type Pokemon such as Rotom and Mismagius can capitalize on them, as they can use Hex against targets immediately instead of having to spend a turn burning them, and they can also prevent foes from using Rapid Spin to remove these entry hazards.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Memento can be used to give teammates setup opportunities and allows Weezing to complete its function as a pivot once its health has been depleted too much to switch back in later. An offensive set with either Choice Specs or Life Orb, Sludge Bomb, Fire Blast, Thunderbolt and one of Memento and Explosion can lure in and remove threats for a setup sweeper like Barbaracle or a cleaner like Swellow using unexpected raw attacking power. Thunderbolt is a good coverage option for dealing with bulky Water-type Pokemon such as Mantine and Pelipper on this set in particular. A specially defensive EV spread can let Weezing deal with Grass-type Pokemon such as Sceptile, Vileplume, and Lilligant more effectively but is often used to better effect by Skuntank and Muk, which have better special bulk and offensive presence against specially defensive targets. Overall, the extra utility against Sceptile is usually not worth the drop in physical bulk for dealing with other threats such as Sawk and Steelix. Toxic can be used on stall teams that require more specific status control than Toxic Spikes and don't want to do something like accidentally normal-poison Musharna, but this is usually unnecessary on balanced teams. It also ensures status on Fire-types that like to switch in, while Sludge Bomb does not guarantee this.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Powerful Special Attackers**: Weezing's low Special Defense and lack of Speed make it easy for powerful special attackers such as Samurott and Aurorus to force it out or KO it, provided they can switch in safely. Specially offensive setup sweepers such as Vivillon and Calm Mind Mesprit can also set up on Weezing, knowing it likely won't stay in to stop them with Taunt, Clear Smog, or Haze.
**Taunt and Substitute Users**: Weezing relies on its status moves to disrupt the opponent's team, and Pokemon that outspeed it can use these moves to shut it down completely, such as Skuntank and Mismagius. Skuntank in particular takes very little damage from Sludge Bomb and does not risk being poisoned by it.
**Fire-type Pokemon**: Fire-types such as Magmortar and Pyroar are especially effective against Weezing, as they can switch into its Will-O-Wisp without penalty, outspeed it, and inflict heavy damage to its team with powerful Fire Blasts. Magmortar is the most reliable choice due to its high special bulk when using an Assault Vest.
**Psychic-type Pokemon**: Psychic-types such as Mesprit and Jynx can take down Weezing with their super effective STAB attacks, even if they run Psyshock. Xatu in particular is annoying, as it can bounce back Will-O-Wisp, Toxic Spikes, and even Taunt while using Roost to mitigate Sludge Bomb damage.
**Mold Breaker Pokemon**: Sawk and Pinsir can use Mold Breaker Earthquake to hit Weezing super effectively and force it out, punishing teams that rely on Weezing to take Ground-type attacks.
Weezing has a fantastic defensive typing, with an immunity to Ground-type attacks due to Levitate, only a single weakness to Psychic-type attacks, and an excellent Defense stat making it one of the best physically defensive pivots in the tier, stopping potent threats such as Sawk, Steelix, and Sceptile in their tracks. Furthermore, Weezing's expansive support movepool, including Will-O-Wisp, Taunt, and Toxic Spikes, allows it to provide a lot of utility to its team and prevents it from being too passive compared to other defensive Pokemon. However, its only sources of recovery are Black Sludge and the easily exploitable Pain Split, making it easily worn down throughout the match if it lacks sufficient team support. Additionally, its low Special Defense stat and mediocre Speed stat make it easy to force Weezing out with powerful specially offensive Pokemon such as Magmortar, Aurorus, and Samurott, as well as most Psychic-type Pokemon. Weezing is particularly effective in balanced and defensive teams due to its ability to complete defensive cores, where its teammates can compensate for its shortcomings.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Will-O-Wisp
move 2: Sludge Bomb
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Toxic Spikes / Pain Split
item: Black Sludge
ability: Levitate
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 148 Def / 108 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Will-O-Wisp is one of Weezing's main attributes as a physical wall, allowing it to completely cripple physically offensive Pokemon such as Sawk, Steelix, and Scyther, wearing them down while also making them setup fodder for teammates such as Swords Dance Samurott. Sludge Bomb is a strong STAB Poison-type attack that has a good chance to inflict poison on troublesome Pokemon that may attempt to switch into Will-O-Wisp and other moves, such as Magmortar, Pyroar, and Xatu. Taunt prevents Weezing from being setup fodder for entry hazard setters such as Garbodor and Steelix and sweepers such as Malamar, Mega Audino, and Gurdurr. It also prevents slower defensive Pokemon from healing themselves, such as Vileplume, Quagsire, and Gourgeist-XL. Toxic Spikes allows Weezing to wear down the opponent's team throughout the match if they lack a grounded Poison-type Pokemon, but it will often only be able to set one layer at a time due to how easy it is to force out. Pain Split provides Weezing with semi-reliable recovery and lets it wear down Pokemon such as Lanturn and Hariyama when at low health, being an especially good option if your team lacks Wish support. Clear Smog and Haze can remove boosts from setup sweepers, with the former inflicting damage and bypassing Taunt, while the latter bypasses Substitute and can be used on Steel-type Pokemon. Flamethrower lets Weezing attack Steel-types such as Steelix and Mawile directly, in addition to Substitute Klinklang, but Will-O-Wisp is usually sufficient for dealing with them.
Set Details
========
Levitate allows Weezing to bypass Ground-type attacks and both Spikes and Toxic Spikes. However, it also prevents Weezing from absorbing Toxic Spikes for its team, so it may need to be paired with a grounded Poison-type or entry hazard controller if desired. Black Sludge provides passive recovery for Weezing while also deterring Trick users such as Choice Scarf Jynx and Rotom from taking advantage of it. 108 Speed EVs allow Weezing to outspeed uninvested Malamar and use Taunt to prevent it from using Rest to heal or remove status, as well as outspeeding Pelipper and Mantine and preventing them from using Defog. The nature and remaining EVs are used to maximize Weezing's HP and Defense so that it can take physical hits throughout the match. If Malamar is not a big threat to the rest of your team, the Speed EVs can be dropped and put in Defense for even more bulk. If Weezing has reliable Wish support, Rocky Helmet can be a good item choice for punishing contact attackers such as Sawk and Hariyama more effectively, breaking Sturdy, and stacking residual damage.
Usage Tips
========
Weezing should be used as a pivot to switch into physical attackers throughout the match, either spreading status on the opponent's team with Will-O-Wisp or setting up Toxic Spikes if it gets a chance. Toxic Spikes should not be used until the opponent's grounded Poison-types have been removed. Certain special attackers can also be dealt with by Weezing, such as Sceptile, but strong resisted special attacks such as Choice Specs-boosted Leaf Storm will still inflict heavy damage to Weezing without investment. Weezing can switch into bulky setup sweepers such as Malamar, Mega Audino, and Gurdurr and stop them with Taunt, but it usually shouldn't do so against faster Pokemon, as it will likely be hit by a boosted attack before it can do anything. Sludge Bomb can be used to punish usual switch-ins such as Psychic- and Fire-types with a 30% chance to poison, but only if there is little risk in switching to a teammate afterwards. It should also be used with caution when there are specific threats that you don't want to inflict normal poison on, such as Rhydon and Scyther, which Weezing can usually only beat by burning them.
Team Options
========
Wish support is fantastic to keep Weezing at good health throughout a match, and Mega Audino is good at providing this due to its great bulk and ability to deal with special attackers with either Calm Mind or raw bulk. Specially defensive Pokemon can be used to compensate for Weezing's lack of Special Defense on balanced and defensive teams. Lanturn can deal with Fire-types fairly well and appreciates Weezing's immunity to Ground-type attacks while also providing Heal Bell support for defensive teams. Altaria can similarly remove status and deter setup sweepers with Haze, and it appreciates Weezing dealing with Fairy-types like Mega Audino. Skuntank can trap problematic Psychic-types such as Xatu for Weezing with Pursuit, as well as absorbing Toxic Spikes for defensive teams and appreciating Weezing's Levitate. Dark-type Pokemon in general, such as Malamar and Shiftry, are also good responses to Psychic-types. Stealth Rock users such as Steelix and Rhydon can punish Fire-type Pokemon for switching into Weezing and help it stack residual damage on the opponent's team. Cacturne is a good Spikes user for balanced teams that also threatens Psychic-types. Weezing synergizes particularly well with these candidates due to Levitate and its Fighting-type resistance. Finally, if Weezing runs Toxic Spikes, Ghost-type Pokemon such as Rotom and Mismagius can capitalize on them, as they can use Hex against targets immediately instead of having to spend a turn burning them, and they can also prevent foes from using Rapid Spin to remove these entry hazards.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Memento can be used to give teammates setup opportunities and allows Weezing to complete its function as a pivot once its health has been depleted too much to switch back in later. An offensive set with either Choice Specs or Life Orb, Sludge Bomb, Fire Blast, Thunderbolt and one of Memento and Explosion can lure in and remove threats for a setup sweeper like Barbaracle or a cleaner like Swellow using unexpected raw attacking power. Thunderbolt is a good coverage option for dealing with bulky Water-type Pokemon such as Mantine and Pelipper on this set in particular. A specially defensive EV spread can let Weezing deal with Grass-type Pokemon such as Sceptile, Vileplume, and Lilligant more effectively but is often used to better effect by Skuntank and Muk, which have better special bulk and offensive presence against specially defensive targets. Overall, the extra utility against Sceptile is usually not worth the drop in physical bulk for dealing with other threats such as Sawk and Steelix. Toxic can be used on stall teams that require more specific status control than Toxic Spikes and don't want to do something like accidentally normal-poison Musharna, but this is usually unnecessary on balanced teams. It also ensures status on Fire-types that like to switch in, while Sludge Bomb does not guarantee this.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Powerful Special Attackers**: Weezing's low Special Defense and lack of Speed make it easy for powerful special attackers such as Samurott and Aurorus to force it out or KO it, provided they can switch in safely. Specially offensive setup sweepers such as Vivillon and Calm Mind Mesprit can also set up on Weezing, knowing it likely won't stay in to stop them with Taunt, Clear Smog, or Haze.
**Taunt and Substitute Users**: Weezing relies on its status moves to disrupt the opponent's team, and Pokemon that outspeed it can use these moves to shut it down completely, such as Skuntank and Mismagius. Skuntank in particular takes very little damage from Sludge Bomb and does not risk being poisoned by it.
**Fire-type Pokemon**: Fire-types such as Magmortar and Pyroar are especially effective against Weezing, as they can switch into its Will-O-Wisp without penalty, outspeed it, and inflict heavy damage to its team with powerful Fire Blasts. Magmortar is the most reliable choice due to its high special bulk when using an Assault Vest.
**Psychic-type Pokemon**: Psychic-types such as Mesprit and Jynx can take down Weezing with their super effective STAB attacks, even if they run Psyshock. Xatu in particular is annoying, as it can bounce back Will-O-Wisp, Toxic Spikes, and even Taunt while using Roost to mitigate Sludge Bomb damage.
**Mold Breaker Pokemon**: Sawk and Pinsir can use Mold Breaker Earthquake to hit Weezing super effectively and force it out, punishing teams that rely on Weezing to take Ground-type attacks.
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