[OVERVIEW]
Onix is viable as a sun setter thanks to a few useful niches that make it unique from other sun and Stealth Rock setters. However, Onix has to fight for a spot in a team, as it faces competition from Golem and Carbink, both of which are able to set up sun and Stealth Rock as well; Golem has more offensive presence, while Carbink has access to Magic Coat and better bulk overall, but they are slower than Onix and lack access to Taunt, which can often come in handy against common leads and is less situational than Magic Coat. Onix also has a niche in its Speed, as it is faster than most other leads and Stealth Rock setters, such as Golem itself, and in Sturdy, which allows it to set up both Stealth Rock and Sunny Day most of the time. However, Onix's high Defense is offset by its bad HP and Special Defense, which make it easy to KO and wear down, forcing it to act as a lead. Onix's mediocre Attack makes it rely on Explosion to inflict decent damage, and even then its negligible offensive presence makes it setup fodder. As a last note, Onix's dual typing leaves it weak to common types such as Water, Grass, and Ground; therefore, it hardly finds opportunities to switch in and can be handled easily.
[SET]
name: Sun Support
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Sunny Day
move 3: Explosion
move 4: Taunt
item: Heat Rock
ability: Sturdy
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is used to break Sturdy and Focus Sash and wear down foes, allowing teammates to get KOs more easily. Sunny Day supports Chlorophyll users such as Victreebel and Leafeon, providing them with a significant boost in Speed, and Fire-types such as Ninetales and Simisear, increasing the damage of their STAB moves. Explosion is needed to block Rapid Spin and Defog after Onix has set up both Stealth Rock and Sunny Day without wasting sun turns and while gaining momentum. Taunt comes in handy to prevent slower leads such as Golem from setting up their own entry hazards or Sunny Day and limit the effectiveness of setup sweepers.
Set Details
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Maximum HP investment makes up for Onix's mediocre bulk and allows it to tank physical attacks that would otherwise 2HKO it. Maximum Speed investment along with a Jolly nature is used to outpace common Stealth Rock setters, such as Golem and Barbaracle, and set up its own Stealth Rock and Sunny Day as fast as possible. Sturdy lets Onix set up one of Stealth Rock and Sunny Day safely, even against faster foes that would otherwise KO it. Heat Rock increases the duration of Sunny Day, allowing teammates to make extensive use of it.
Usage Tips
========
Onix should be used as a lead, as its mediocre bulk limits its switch in and setup opportunities. Onix should prioritize setting up Sunny Day even if it's not the only user in the team, as a sun team doesn't want the second sun setter to take damage and most of the time Onix will lead against faster Pokemon, which can be dealt with by Chlorophyll users. Onix has to make sure to use Explosion after setting up both Stealth Rock and Sunny Day, or it will waste sun turns. Taunt has to be used only when up against a slower foe that is surely going to use a passive move, as otherwise Onix would waste a turn. Be wary of opposing Taunt users, especially faster ones such as Simipour and Dodrio, as they can prevent Onix from setting up Stealth Rock and Sunny Day. Explosion has to be used to prevent entry hazards from being removed, blocking Defog and Rapid Spin.
Team Options
========
Onix only fits on sun teams because its Speed allows it to set up Sunny Day and Stealth Rock faster than other common leads, such as Golem and Carbink, which outclass it on other playstyles. Pokemon that can take advantage of Sunny Day and Stealth Rock support provided by Onix to ease their sweep are good partners. Good examples are Chlorophyll users such as Sawsbuck, Victreebel, and Leafeon and Fire-types such as Ninetales and Simisear, which also aren't entirely sun-reliant. Sun teams usually need a secondary Sunny Day user that can be effective later in the game. Volbeat can fulfill this role and can also help Onix deal with setup sweepers thanks to its access to Encore and Thunder Wave. Spinblockers such as Misdreavus and Haunter are good teammates, as they can prevent entry hazards such as Stealth Rock from being removed by Rapid Spin users.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Custap Berry can be an option to allow Onix to set up both Sunny Day and Stealth Rock against faster Pokemon that usually lead against it. Due to its already shallow movepool and poor offensive stats, Onix can't afford to run other viable options, as it is outclassed by other Rock-types, such as Golem and Carbink, in everything else it tries to do.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon that carry super effective coverage against Onix can force it to switch out or KO it without much trouble, though they don't appreciate getting hit by Explosion and can't stop Onix from setting up one of Stealth Rock and Sunny Day, because of its access to Sturdy. Good examples are Water-types such as Simipour and Floatzel, Ground-types such as Piloswine, and Grass-types such as Leafeon. Another example is Choice Scarf Aurorus, as it can KO Onix with an Ice-type STAB move along with Snow Warning to nullify Sturdy, therefore letting Onix only set up one of Sunny Day and Stealth Rock.
**Anti-Leads**: Taunt users, especially fast ones such as Dodrio and Simipour, can lead against Onix and prevent it from setting up Stealth Rock and Sunny Day, most of the time forcing it to switch, though they take good damage from Explosion. Jumpluff can put Onix to sleep and 2HKO it with Seed Bomb, preventing it from setting up anything. Torterra usually carries Bullet Seed and therefore is able to OHKO Onix if it gets three hits. Poliwrath can lead against Onix and easily 2HKO it with priority Vacuum Wave.
**Setup Sweepers**: Setup sweepers such as Misdreavus, Torterra, and Barbaracle can take advantage of Onix's poor offensive presence, as most of them take next to no damage from Explosion, are immune to it, or have access to Substitute and can set up on Onix, therefore most likely forcing Taunt mind games and, in the worst case scenario, making Onix waste a turn.
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