Might as well try my hand at this again :p
Removals in RED, changes in BLUE, comments in BOLD
Removals in RED, changes in BLUE, comments in BOLD
[Overview]
<p>Snorlax instantly appeals as a powerful defensive Pokemon, boasting 165 / 65 / 110 Defenses. However, a weakness to Fighting-type attacks, accompanied by low physical bulk, leaves Snorlax as easy prey to the common Fighting-type attacks in VGC. But do not fear; Snorlax has access to many hard hitting physical moves, and its ability in Thick Fat is probably the best in VGC of its other options. Snorlax also has an extremely a low base 30 speed, and while this may seem a terrible weakness, it can be abused to no end when under Trick Room. Remember to play to Snorlax's strengths, and you will find it tearing up the opponents in no time.</p>
[SET]
name: Trick Room Attacker
move 1: Return
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Crunch / Fire Punch
move 4: Protect
item: Chople Berry / Normal Gem
nature: Brave
ability: Thick Fat
evs: 12 HP / 252 Att / 60 Def / 180 SpDef
ivs: Spe 0
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set is intended for use under Trick Room, where Snorlax can "outspeed" and tear through almost any frail opponent. Return is used to utilize one of Snorlax's strongest STABs, excluding Double edge. Earthquake is a prime choice for the second slot, dealing solid damage to Steel-types that resist Return, as well as being a spread move. However, be careful not to hurt teammates when using this. Crunch helps Snorlax to defeat common Ghost- and Psychic-type threats such as Cresselia and Jellicent. This is because these Pokemon tend to be nightmares for any Trick Room team, as they have the ability to set up a Trick Room of their own, effectively ruining Snorlax's chance of outpacing its opponents. Fire Punch can be useful against hail threats, while helping Snorlax defeat opponents that resist or are immune to its other attacks, such as Bronzong. Protect is used to in the fourth slot as a multipurpose move; it can allow Snorlax to Stall to some extent, aid against Fake Out users, and scout.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The item here comes down to personal preference; however, here are some useful calculations, showing common instances where Chople Berry is useful with the given EV spread:</p>
<ul class="damage_calculation">
<li>252Atk lvl 50 Hitmontop (+Atk) Close Combat vs 12HP/60Def Chople Berry Thick Fat lvl 50 Snorlax (Neutral): 49% - 58% (118 - 139 HP).</li>
<li>252Atk Fight Gem lvl 50 Hitmontop (+Atk) Close Combat vs 12HP/60Def Chople Berry Thick Fat lvl 50 Snorlax (Neutral): 74% - 87% (177 - 208 HP).</li>
<li>252Atk lvl 50 Terrakion (Neutral) Close Combat vs 12HP/60Def Chople Berry Thick Fat lvl 50 Snorlax (Neutral): 55% - 65% (132 - 156 HP)</li>
<li>252Atk Fight Gem lvl 50 Terrakion (Neutral) Close Combat vs 12HP/60Def Chople Berry Thick Fat lvl 50 Snorlax (Neutral): 83% - 98% (198 - 234 HP).</li>
</ul>
<p>Therefore Chople Berry is definitely an excellent choice, letting Snorlax survive almost anything Terrakion can throw at it. The given EVs are used to to gain give Snorlax as much bulk as possible. Snorlax's HP stat is large and needs little investment, while the Attack EVs are used to let Snorlax hit as hard as possible. The Defense EVs help with taking some Fighting-type attacks, as long as Snorlax is using a Chople berry. The Special Defense EVs help Snorlax survive against specially based attacks, such as a Thunderbolt from Zapdos or Thundurus. (Too many "the __ EVs" at the beginning of each sentence, change that around how you want.) A Brave nature is used to optimize Snorlax's Attack stat, while lowering speed, in conjunction with 0 Speed IVs, Snorlax becomes as potent in Trick Room as possible. Snorlax's ability also comes down to preference; Thick Fat. Thick Fat gives Snorlax resistances to Fire- and Ice-type attacks, such as Heat Wave and Blizzard, whilst Immunity stops Snorlax from becoming Poisoned. Thick Fat is usually the superior option, though watch out for being Burned or Frozen from these those typed attacks.</p>
team options / specific counters
<p>Ghost-type Pokemon act as great support to Snorlax, as they are able to switch in on Fighting-type moves that could potentially KO Snorlax. Trick Room, as said before, is a must for Snorlax to function properly. Pokemon with the Telepathy ability can make decent partners for Snorlax, allowing him to fire off moves like Earthquake and Selfdestruct without worry of hurting his partner. Musharna is a great partner with this ability, while being able to supply Helping Hand support. In fact, Psychic-type Pokemon in general can make excellent partners for Snorlax. He makes great use of being paired with Pokemon such as Reuniclus, Musharna, and Cresselia; they all can set up Trick Room for Snorlax, and each can proceed to do something extra to help Snorlax out. Cresselia and Musharna can provide Helping Hand support for Snorlax, while Reuniclus can help Snorlax take down the opponent's team once Trick Room is up. All three of them can hit annoying Fighting-types for super effective damage with a good Psychic-type STAB attack. Most Ghost-types who can provide the same Helping Hand+Trick Room support have a tough time taking out Fighting-types, probably one of the main reasons to use Psychic-type support over Ghost-type support. Follow Me and Rage Powder users are nice to have, as they can absorb strong Fighting-type blows that could potentially KO Snorlax. Capable users of these moves would be Pokemon such as Amoonguss, Parasect, or Togekiss.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Superpower is nice option for scoring some KOs against most Steel- and Rock-types, as well as opposing Snorlax who don't invest heavily in Defense. Sitrus Berry could be a viable item for gaining instant recovery after taking some hits, or getting HP back after Belly Drum. Although setting up in VGC can be dangerous, if you can predict your opponent double Protecting to stall out Trick Room, Snorlax can use Belly Drum and go in for a KO on the next turn. Selfdestruct is a very powerful move that Snorlax gains a STAB bonus in. Combined with Normal Gem boost, you can nearly always get a KO on Pokemon who don't either resist it, have immunities to it, or use Protect when predicting it. Body Slam can be used as a good STAB to replace Return, and the possibility of paralysis can be useful. Chesto Berry can be used with Rest, letting Snorlax regain full health mid game and survive longer.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>In this Metagame, one of the most common types to see being used is Fighting-types. These types Pokemon can be a huge problems for Snorlax, often stopping his sweeping short and outright destroying him with their super effective STAB moves. Chople Berry Tyranitar can be a problem, especially if it carries Low Kick or Superpower, since the best Snorlax can throw at it is Superpower. Even worse, after using Superpower to get rid of the Chople berry, Snorlax has pretty much nothing else to throw at attack Tyranitar with, who can then KO Snorlax with his own Low Kick. Metagross is a pain to deal with, even with Earthquake and Trick Room up.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Snorlax gets Gluttony from the DW. Snorlax doesn't have the best options for ability choices, and Gluttony is no exception. When this ability is released, it probably won't do much to help Snorlax bar when using the released pinch berries. Even then, it isn't very good.</p>
