[OVERVIEW]
Swampert distinguishes itself from other bulky Water-types thanks to the combination of its wide utility movepool and Ground typing that leaves it with only one weakness, letting it compress roles for offensive teams. Additionally, its solid bulk lets it function as a blanket check to physical threats like Bisharp and Mamoswine. However, Swampert's lack of reliable recovery makes it prone to getting worn down by the Pokemon it's supposed to check; it can also be whittled down by fellow utility Pokemon like Umbreon and Galarian Weezing. Additionally, Swampert struggles to handle strong Flying- and Grass-types like Noivern and Hisuian Lilligant, respectively. At most, Swampert can only remove their items with Knock Off before being threatened out by their powerful attacks that target its lower Special Defense and its 4x Grass weakness, respectively. Swampert also competes with the tier's many bulky Water-types for a teamslot; in particular, thanks to their access to reliable recovery, Slowbro and Empoleon give it competition as a physically bulky Water-type and Stealth Rock setter, respectively.
[SET]
name: Defensive Utility
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Flip Turn / Roar
item: Leftovers
ability: Torrent
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
tera type: Ghost / Poison
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Swampert is able to leverage its solid defensive typing and bulk in order to act as a solid Stealth Rock setter for a variety of teams. Knock Off lets Swampert punish Pokemon reliant on Heavy-Duty Boots that attempt to switch in, such as Noivern and Slither Wing. Flip Turn allows Swampert to act as a slow pivot to safely bring in a teammate, while Roar can be used to phaze Pokemon that attempt to set up on it, such as Oricorio-E and Gyarados. Leftovers helps Swampert shore up its lack of recovery, giving it an easier time checking offensive threats like Bisharp. Tera Ghost lets Swampert block Rapid Spin from Cyclizar as well as Fighting-type attacks from the likes of Slither Wing and Galarian Zapdos. However, Swampert loses its ability to check Dark-types like Bisharp and Krookodile if it Terastallizes. Tera Poison can instead be used to turn Swampert's Grass weakness into a resistance while also letting it avoid Toxic from Umbreon as well as Fezandipiti's Toxic Chain.
Swampert shines on offense and bulky offense teams that require role compression. Due to its lack of reliable recovery, Swampert greatly appreciates Wish support from the likes of Jirachi and Umbreon, as well as the former's ability to check special attackers like Gardevoir and the latter wearing down bulky Pokemon with Toxic. In exchange, Swampert checks physical attackers that can potentially threaten them, like Entei and Mienshao, respectively, and phazes setup sweepers that attempt to exploit them, like Bisharp. If running Flip Turn, Swampert pairs nicely with other pivots like Fezandipiti and Slither Wing, as they are able to gradually wear down the opposing team over the course of a game. Hisuian Goodra makes for an excellent partner for Swampert, as it can check Flying- and Grass-types like Oricorio-E and Wo-Chien, respectively; in exchange, Swampert can bring it in safely with Flip Turn and check opposing Ground-types like Mamoswine and Krookodile. Strong attackers like Galarian Zapdos and Magnezone also appreciate Swampert's ability to wear down their checks with Stealth Rock while also bringing them in safely with Flip Turn. Frail special attackers, like Hisuian Zoroark and Armarouge, appreciate Swampert for being able to pivot them on physically bulky Pokemon, such as Registeel.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Surf, in conjunction with a Relaxed Nature, can be used to let Swampert reliably damage Ground-types like Mamoswine and Hippowdon as well as hit Galarian Weezing for decent damage. Rocky Helmet can be used to rack up chip damage on physical attackers like Bisharp and especially Maushold, though the lack of recovery from Leftovers greatly cuts into Swampert's longevity. Ice Punch is an option that lets Swampert target the likes of Noivern and Cyclizar, but is rather weak outside of Ice-weak targets.
Checks and Counters
====
**Grass-types**: Bulky Grass-types, such as Chesnaught and Wo-Chien, resist all of Swampert's attacks and can either whittle it down with Leech Seed or, less commonly, OHKO it with a 4x effective Grass-type move. Hisuian Lilligant, while more niche, can also reliably OHKO it with Leaf Blade or Bullet Seed.
**Flying-types**: Because they are immune to Earthquake, the likes of Noivern, Oricorio-E, and Salamence can take punishment from Swampert before wearing it down with their powerful attacks. However, none of them like having their Heavy-Duty Boots removed, and Oricorio-E as well as Dragon Dance Salamence variants must watch out for Roar.
**Physical Walls**: Galarian Weezing and Slowbro can safely come in on any of Swampert's moves before threatening it with a burn. Additionally, the former can effortlessly remove Swampert's Stealth Rock with Defog, while the latter can use variants lacking Roar as setup fodder. Despite being weak to Water-type moves, Hippowdon can punish Flip Turn with Rocky Helmet while wearing Swampert down with Earthquake.
**Strong Special Attackers**: Gardevoir, Hisuian Zoroark, and Basculegion-F can threaten Swampert out with their powerful special attacks and, in the case of the first two, cripple it with Trick. However, none of them like switching into Earthquake and, with the exception of Weakness Policy Basculegion-F, Knock Off. If carefully positioned, Weakness Policy Armarouge can survive Swampert's super-effective attacks before punishing it with Energy Ball and potentially sweeping its team.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bice.236507/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/heatranator.647728/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rarelyme.513635/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tbolt.555379/
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