Statistics
|
Min- |
Min |
Max |
Max+ |
| HP |
60
|
- |
261 |
324 |
- |
| Atk |
80
|
176 |
196 |
259 |
284 |
| Def |
110
|
230 |
256 |
319 |
350 |
| SpA |
50
|
122 |
136 |
199 |
218 |
| SpD |
80
|
176 |
196 |
259 |
284 |
| Spe |
45
|
113 |
126 |
189 |
207 |
With some Speed, it can outspeed a number of slow Pokémon, such as a Milotic and Suicune without any Speed, but the difference in attack power might mean the difference between killing a foe and not killing them entirely. Maximum Attack is always good, though, no matter which nature you use. With Adamant and Thick Club, it gets 568 Attack. That amount 2HKOs a max HP / Defense Milotic, 2-3HKOs a max HP / Defense Suicune, and 2HKOs a max HP / Defense Swampert. Those numbers come with the move Earthquake (and it's unboosted), which shows that he can really put in a huge dent. However, Bonemerang also works since the multi-hit nature lets you defeat Pokémon that might try to use Substitute without having to worry about Focus Punch, as well as letting it take on Raikou behind a Substitute as a last resort, since it can survive even Modest Raikou Hidden Power, but the accuracy can hurt a sweep. With a Swords Dance though, Marowak will OHKO a large number of Pokémon, like Milotic and Swampert.
This is probably the Marowak most people would use. It has a Choice Bander feel with the Thick Club, except that you can use whatever moves you want. Focus Punch is mainly for Skarmory on the switch, as it dents it really hard. You'll need good prediction to use Marowak. Focus Punch hits Skarmory hard, but Sing (which is an XD move) can be used to put it or any other physical wall out of commission. Adamant is a good choice for the nature since you are not trying to set up, so Speed isn't as much of an issue as prediction is.
Other Options
Belly Drum raises Marowak's Attack to such a high level it will KO anything in the game but Skarmory, but Marowak is too slow and fragile to set it up and needs Thick Club desperately, which means there's no place for a Salac Berry. Perish Song can force switches but doesn't really help against anything, although Bonemerang + Perish Song can really ruin Baton Pass teams. Hidden Power Bug is another option, to hit Grass-types in general, and Celebi in particular, but Double-Edge does plenty to those, anyway.
EVs
252 Speed EVs with a Jolly nature outspeeds most Waters, like the occasional Suicune with no Speed EVs, and almost all Milotic. Another plus is being faster than Skarmory and Weezing. Marowak can also be used as a makeshift Raikou (only with Bonemerang) counter, as with 252 HP EVs and 12 Special Defense EVs it will survive Modest Raikou's Hidden Power even after it Calm Minds. Max HP also lets Marowak block Dragon Dance Tyranitar, and also stops Tyraniboah moderately well, but it can only take so many predicted Crunches before going down. This is probably the spread you should use with Paralysis support, or if you plan on passing it a bunch of Speed.
Opinion
A hard hitter, but the lack of easy recovery can be a serious pain. Therefore, some good wish support would be useful. The fact that Marowak does not necessarily have to set up to hit hard is a notable feature since it can reach 568 with Max Attack / Adamant nature. It is a great sweeper, but that is about it. The fact that it gets Sing also gives it some versatility, but sweeping is your best bet with a Pokémon like this.
Counters
Some Pokémon can come in on Marowak's main attacks, but most of them cannot stay in too long if they are slower and get hit hard on the switch. Celebi is a counter if it comes in on a move that it is resistant to; otherwise, there is the possibility of it being bait for a super-effective attack. Weezing is easily the best counter unless it comes in on a boosted Double-Edge. Ludicolo can come in more effectively because of its dual-type, but it is still susceptible to Marowak's strong hits. Skarmory can also tough, but a Marowak user with good prediction can still take it down. Claydol can come in on a couple of attacks as well, but boosted Double-Edges / Hidden Power Bugs will put some real hurt on Claydol.
