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Torrent
- Boosts power of Water moves 50% when at 1/3 HP or less.
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Statistics
|
Min- |
Min |
Max |
Max+ |
| HP |
100
|
- |
341 |
404 |
- |
| Atk |
110
|
230 |
256 |
319 |
350 |
| Def |
90
|
194 |
216 |
279 |
306 |
| SpA |
85
|
185 |
206 |
269 |
295 |
| SpD |
90
|
194 |
216 |
279 |
306 |
| Spe |
60
|
140 |
156 |
219 |
240 |
This Pokémon is one of the most commonly used Water-types out there, but it has some major problems. First of all, Ice Beam doesn't really hurt Skarmory or Weezing enough to deter them away. Rock Slide does absolutely nothing to them, and Surf leaves you helpless against Salamence. It's up to you to decide which move to give it to best suit your team. Regardless, Ludicolo and Celebi will own you no matter what set you have. It makes a really nice Blissey counter and you can get it in easily against the majority of things, such as Salamence, Tyranitar, and Metagross.
Like Snorlax, this Swampert is good late in the battle when the opponent's main counters have been weakened or KOed so it that can use Curse. If left as the last Pokémon, it won't have to fear enemies who use Roar or Whirlwind as their means of countering stat uppers. If you want to employ such a strategy, Rest is a good option to keep on going.
Notorious at forcing switches, but doesn't really cause much damage to anything. If the opponent switches out due to fear of Earthquake, you can use Ice Beam on a predicted Grass-type or a Water attack for the likes of Gengar and Skarmory. Hydro Pump is sometimes used since it is powerful enough to do major damage against most Gengar, but Surf is always an option for those who prefer better accuracy and more PP. Protect is there to get you Leftovers recovery (which will happen even if Sand Stream is up), and lets you scout Choice Banders as well as Explosion, especially handy for Metagross. Usually it suffices as a recovery option, as a Resting Swampert tends to lose against Dragon Dancers if it's not healed by Aromatherapy or Heal Bell. Roar can take advantage of Swampert's ability to force switches by Roaring them as they switch, causing the opponent to take two layers of Spikes damage. However, you'll really want to use this with Wish, as without Protect or Rest to heal it up, Tyranitar and Salamence will eventually wear it down.
In theory, only Taunt and status can stop this thing. Counter physical attacks, Mirror Coat special attacks, and Roar stat uppers. Surf and Earthquake are to help out against Tyranitar, Skarmory, Gengar, and the like. This should only be used with Spikes, or else your opponent can just switch until you run out of PP.
Note that it is Counter that works against Hidden Power, not Mirror Coat, even if it is a special type. For this reason, Counter will OHKO Zapdos when they try and use Hidden Power Grass on you, but make sure you don't Counter a Baton Pass, or worse, Substitute.
A more durable version of Swampert; it can live on without Blissey or Celebi having to heal it constantly. When you're getting low on health, Rest, and pray Sleep Talk picks the right move. You may even catch a Salamence off-guard with a Sleep Talked Ice Beam if it tries to beat you one on one. Curse can be put on there, but really limits you too much. Ice Beam is the most recommended move.
Other Options
Swampert can Endeavor, but most of the time it is too slow for it. It makes 101 HP Substitutes and can Focus Punch Blissey, for all it is worth. Hidden Power Bug can catch Celebi off-guard, but it won't OHKO. Toxic can inflict some long-term damage and is great combined with Tyranitar's Sand Stream.
EVs
You will want to max HP always if you plan for Swampert to take hits, and preferably put a lot in his Defense as well. 220, 236 or 263 are the best numbers for Special Attack. 220 Special Attack (stat) OHKOs most Salamence in Sand Stream, 236 Special Attack OHKOs Choice Band Salamence, and 263 Special Attack OHKOs most, if not all, versions of Salamence. 263 is a little overkill though. If you're using the Curser or a set with Counter, you may want to give Swampert some Special Defense and make it Sassy—it will help against enemy Waters.
Opinion
One of the most used Pokémon today, and rightfully so. Swampert takes on some serious threats like Tyranitar, Metagross and Salamence, and if they try to shut Swampert down by using Hidden Power Grass, Double-Edge, or Toxic, this limits them against others. Swampert's Rock resistance and immunity to Tyranitar's Sand Stream makes it an awesome bulky Water, and combined with any Grass Pokémon or Flygon, it walls the hell out of Electric-types. Sometimes it has a hard time really putting a dent in switches, but its sponging capabilities make up for it.
Counters
Ludicolo is the best counter in the game. Heracross resists Earthquake, and has the Special Defense to take a couple Ice Beams or Surfs. Celebi owns it hard and it does not fear Ice Beam due to its good Special Defense and ability to Calm Mind. Suicune owns it with its all around good Defense. Zapdos with Hidden Power Grass / Light Screen can defeat it easily. Venusaur and Meganium can abuse that STAB Grass attack of theirs. Gyarados can Dragon Dance against it, and isn't hurt by any of Swampert's attacks. Articuno blocks it unless Swampert has Rock Slide or Hidden Power Rock. Skarmory will be able to Roar it out unless Swampert carries Surf or Hydro Pump. While it is Sleeping, it is extremely vulnerable to Hidden Power Grass. Swampert is such an amazing Pokémon most Electrics switched from Hidden Power Ice to Grass just to stop it.