Statistics
|
Min- |
Min |
Max |
Max+ |
| HP |
75
|
- |
291 |
354 |
- |
| Atk |
125
|
257 |
286 |
349 |
383 |
| Def |
100
|
212 |
236 |
299 |
328 |
| SpA |
70
|
158 |
176 |
239 |
262 |
| SpD |
80
|
176 |
196 |
259 |
284 |
| Spe |
45
|
113 |
126 |
189 |
207 |
Basis behind the set is to Spin / Sweep; use Hidden Power Bug for STAB, and Rock Blast to screw over Substitute users, or Rock Slide for accuracy. Swords Dance allows Armaldo to be able to really hurt that Dusclops or Gengar that is trying to come in and block your Rapid Spin. Even if Dusclops has absolute max (252 EVs and an Impish nature), it is 2HKOed by Armaldo's Swords Dance Rock Slide, so if Will-O-Wisp misses or if Rock Slide flinches, Dusclops is dead. If Dusclops is more Special Defense oriented, you can Swords Dance on the switch, use Rock Slide as it Will-O-Wisps, and then even with your reduced Attack, you will KO Dusclops. Spikes only makes this easier. Earthquake is an alternative as it can hit Metagross and Tyranitar and goes well in general with Rock.
Similar set to the above with Knock Off in place of Rapid Spin. Knock Off removes your opponent's item, this is particularly useful, watch Skarmory / Blissey / Suicune cry when you get rid of their Leftovers. If only it could get Knock Off and Rapid Spin in the same set it would be amazing. Use this with Salamence or especially Tyranitar for some real havoc. Knock Off their Milotic's Leftovers and see how much it likes taking your hits.
Standard Choice Band set. Knock Off's primary purpose is for when you aren't sure what they're sending out, as it will harm everything equally (except Muk). It also screws up guys like Swampert, which you otherwise can't really hurt.
EVs
Armaldo is a very slow Pokémon, and as such, it doesn't really outspeed anything you'll be fighting in most of your games regardless of your EV spread, so keeping it at the minimum is a good idea, although you could give it a few speed EVs to outspeed Swampert, but this is not really necessary. You'll want lots (usually max) Attack on it, with an Adamant nature. Then you want a lot of HP, maybe even max, with potentially a few EVs in one of the defenses (but not both, or else adding to HP adds more). 338 HP (188 EVs) should be the minimum, as that allows Armaldo to survive 4 Seismic Tosses after Leftovers.
Opinion
Knock Off is evil, and Rapid Spin is always useful. Hidden Power Bug is a OHKO on Starmie on the switch, and Celebi really whenever. Armaldo can be deadly at some times of the game and can also be given the supporting job as far as Knock Off and Rapid Spin is concerned, but is somewhat lacking in effectiveness due to its weakness to Surf. However, Bug and Rock is one of the best physical combinations, and Armaldo gets STAB on both.
Counters
Water types like Suicune, Swampert, and Milotic counter Armaldo with ease thanks to their high physical durability and STAB Surf. Slowbro too, but he has to be wary of Hidden Power Bug. Metagross will kill it too, with little risk of damage. Steelix can wall it all day if it doesn't have Earthquake, but a Swords Dance Earthquake can really screw it up. Claydol, Flygon, and Breloom stop Armaldo variants with Earthquake and Rock Slide.
