GP: Rare Poison / The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
**Normal**:
Diggersby is Normal-type's best physical wallbreaker and setup sweeper, as most Pokemon cannot switch into its strong Ground- and Normal-type STAB moves. Diggersby has a great offensive ability in Huge Power, which doubles its mediocre Attack stat to monstrous levels. Its STAB Earthquake makes it great check to Steel- and Rock-type Pokemon, and it has great coverage moves in general, such as Knock Off, Wild Charge, and Fire Punch, and a priority move in Quick Attack, which also helps with its subpar Speed tier. Diggersby's nearly paper-thin defenses coupled with its Ground typing, giving it additional weaknesses to Water-, Ice-, and Grass-type moves, make it hard for it to switch into most attacks and also make it weak to common priority moves such as Aqua Jet, Ice Shard, and Mach Punch. Diggersby has a below average Speed tier that is just barely beaten by the heavily populated base 80 Speed tier, which includes big threats such as Hoopa-U, Mamoswine, and Chandelure. It is also very weak to status like burns and Toxic poison, which ruin its sweeping and wallbreaking capabilities.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Return
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Quick Attack
move 4: Fire Punch / Knock Off / Wild Charge
item: Choice Band
ability: Huge Power
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Attack / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[Set Comments]
Moves
========
Return is Diggersby's strongest STAB move. Earthquake is its secondary STAB move that hits Steel- and Rock-type Pokemon, like Magnezone, Tyranitar, and Heatran, that resist Return. Quick Attack is a priority STAB move that can revenge kill weakened Pokemon. Fire Punch is coverage to hit Pokemon such as Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor, which would otherwise survive an Earthquake, while also 2HKOing Skarmory. Alternatively, Knock Off is coverage for Ghost-type Pokemon, particularly Gengar, which is immune to both of Diggersby's STAB moves, and also gives general utility in removing the foe's item, and Wild Charge is a strong Electric-type move that can be run to hit Flying- and Water-types like Skarmory and Gyarados harder, although one should be wary of its recoil damage.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack EVs with an Adamant nature are used to maximize Diggersby's damage output. Maximum Speed EVs are used to outspeed most defensive Pokemon like slow Mew and slow Zapdos and other threats such as Adamant Bisharp and Adamant Mega Scizor. 4 EVs in Special Defense prevent Download users like Porygon2 from getting the Special Attack boost. Huge Power allows Diggersby's Attack stat to be boosted to high levels. Choice Band is the item of choice that, coupled with Huge Power, makes Diggersby one of the best wallbreakers in the Monotype metagame.
Usage Tips
========
Diggersby can be sent in early to wallbreak for its team. It should be sent in on a slower wall, like Zapdos, that can't hurt it. Entry hazards, such as Spikes and Stealth Rock, bring some Pokemon that would normally be 2HKOed by Diggersby into OHKO range, such as Mega Swampert after one layer of Spikes. Diggersby can be sent in when a teammate has fallen for a free switch in, as it is very frail, and possibly revenge kill with Quick Attack. Diggersby should be kept away from status, as a burn can cut its Attack stat and a poison will reduce its longevity. Diggersby should be careful when using one of its STAB moves against teams that have immunities, as both Return and Earthquake have Pokemon that are immune to them, such as Gengar and Rotom-W.
Team Options
========
Chansey sponges most special attacks and can cleanse status with Heal Bell. It has access to Stealth Rock, which can help exert more pressure on the opposing side. Chansey can also cripple fast threats with Thunder Wave or whittle down walls that Diggersby cannot break through such as Avalugg, Gourgeist-XL, and Porygon2 with Toxic. Porygon2 can switch into most physical attacks that threaten Diggersby. It can also cripple faster threats with Thunder Wave and Discharge, whittle Diggersby's checks down with Toxic, and punish setup sweepers with Foul Play. Defensive Staraptor covers most Fighting-type attacks that Diggersby cannot stay into as well as removes entry hazards with Defog for Diggersby to switch in more easily. It also has access to U-turn, which can be used to bring in Diggersby more. Smeargle can set up Stealth Rock, Sticky Web, and Spikes, all of which increase Diggersby's offensive presence by limiting switch-ins. Sticky Web in particular helps with its Speed problem, making it an even bigger threat. One layer of Spikes puts offensive Pokemon such as Mega Swampert in range of a OHKO and defensive Pokemon such as Porygon2 in range of a 2HKO with Return. Mega Pidgeot has great offensive synergy with Diggersby, as both of them beat each other's checks easily. Mega Pidgeot can also U-turn into Diggersby allowing it to come in more safely, deal with Fighting-types, and Defog hazards away. Ditto is a great check to setup sweepers that threaten Diggersby such as Cloyster. Meloetta is also a good offensive partner to Diggersby, particularly the Choice Specs variant, as they can break each other's checks down. Meloetta can deal with the Ghost-types that wall Diggersby with Shadow Ball, while Diggersby can break through the walls that Meloetta has a tough time with such as Zapdos and Chansey. Mega Lopunny appreciates having Diggersby break its checks so that it can clean up much more easily. In return, Mega Lopunny can check some Ghost-types with its ability Scrappy, as well as certain Pokemon such as Keldeo with Fake Out + Return.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Return
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Quick Attack
item: Life Orb
ability: Huge Power
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Attack / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance boosts Diggersby's already high attack to higher levels. Return is Diggersby's strongest STAB move. Earthquake is a strong secondary STAB move that hits Pokemon that resist Return such as Steel- and Rock-types like Magnezone, Tyranitar, and Heatran. Quick Attack is a priority STAB move that can be used to revenge kill, and after a Swords Dance, it does a lot of damage.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed EVs and a Jolly nature let Diggersby outspeed Pokemon such as Adamant Dragonite and Jolly Breloom as well as neutral-natured base 90s such as Lucario and Meloetta. Maximum Attack EVs are used to maximize damage output. 4 EVs in Special Defense prevent Download users such as Porygon2 from getting a Special Attack boost. Life Orb lets Diggersby serve as a wallbreaker prior to setting up and allows it to pick up a KO on certain defensive Pokemon such as Slowbro after Stealth Rock damage.
Usage Tips
========
Diggersby should be used to set up and sweep late-game. It can switch into and set up on defensive Pokemon that don't threaten it such as Chansey and Tyranitar. Diggersby can be used to wallbreak early-game, with a Life Orb, to make it easier to clean up later. Keep Diggersby away from status, especially burns, as it ruins all chances of sweeping. Life Orb Diggersby threatens many Pokemon and normally forces switches. Use this opportunity to set up a free Swords Dance; however, it should not set up when its checks are still around, as it can be easily worn down thanks to Life Orb recoil if a wall such as Skarmory can still freely come in on it. Diggersby can also revenge kill certain threats such as Breloom due to its strong priority in Quick Attack. Even with Quick Attack, Diggersby should be kept away from priority users such as Azumarill, Weavile, and Dragonite, which can either take a boosted Quick Attack or outspeed it and retaliate with their own priority.
Team Options
========
Mega Pidgeot is a great offensive complement to Diggersby. It can break Diggersby's checks such as Keldeo and Gourgeist and can U-turn into it to give it more chances to set up. It also has access to Defog, which removes entry hazards that would otherwise wear Diggersby down very quickly in conjunction with Life Orb recoil. In return, Diggersby can break walls that Mega Pidgeot can't break through like Chansey and Zapdos. Defensive Staraptor is a great partner, as it can switch into most physically offensive Pokemon, such as Fighting-types, that threaten Diggersby, Defog hazards, and U-turn into it to give it more opportunities to set up. Porygon2 is a great defensive wall that can cripple faster threats to Diggersby with Thunder Wave or Discharge and whittle down walls that Diggersby cannot break through such as Gourgeist-XL and defensive Landorus-T with Toxic. Chansey can set up Stealth Rock, which adds more pressure to the other side of the field, switch into most special attacks, cripple threats with Thunder Wave or Toxic, and support Diggersby with Heal Bell. Smeargle has access to Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Sticky Web, which limit switch-ins and allow Diggersby to clean up late-game more easily. Ditto is a great check to setup sweepers that threaten Diggersby such as Dragonite. Meloetta is another good offensive complement; it can break through certain Pokemon that completely wall Diggersby, notably Skarmory, which then allows Diggersby to clean up late-game more easily. Meloetta can also switch into and check most Ghost-type Pokemon such as Gengar and Gourgeist-XL.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
**Normal:**
A Choice Scarf set with U-turn can be run to scout the opponent's play and switch into the appropriate Pokemon; however, its damage output is rather low and it still cannot outspeed common Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Hoopa-U, Victini, and Kyurem-B. Ice Punch can be used on the Choice Band set as a coverage move to hit Pokemon like defensive Landorus-T, although Diggersby can't usually afford to give up one of the slashed coverage moves. Focus Sash can be run to ensure a Swords Dance boost; however, it requires reliable entry hazard control and makes Diggersby weak prior to setting up. Lum Berry is an option to set up a Swords Dance against Will-O-Wisp users such as Mew and weak Scald users such as Slowbro and Lanturn.
Checks and Counters
====================
**Normal**:
**Fighting-types**: Most Fighting-types, like Keldeo, Mega Gallade, Terrakion, and Heracross, are faster than Diggersby and can KO it with their strong Fighting-type STAB moves; however, most of them cannot switch into Diggersby's powerful STAB attacks.
**Skarmory**: Skarmory beats Swords Dance Diggersby one-on-one and can phaze it with Whirlwind, as Diggersby generally lacks the coverage to beat Skarmory; however it cannot switch into a Choice Band-boosted Fire Punch or Wild Charge.
**Defensive Landorus-T**: Defensive Landorus-T can switch into any attack from Choice Band Diggersby, except Ice Punch, and can 2HKO it with Earthquake, switch into a faster threat with a slow U-turn, or get residual damage with Rocky Helmet.
**Status**: Toxic hinders Diggersby's ability to sweep, as it slowly whittles it down, and burn halves its Attack stat, rendering it useless.
**Grass-types**: Grass-type Pokemon can wall Diggersby according to what it is locked into. For example, Gourgeist can switch into Return and Earthquake, Rotom-C can switch into an Earthquake, and Ferrothorn can switch into a Return, and they can revenge kill it due to its low bulk. Offensive Grass-types such as Breloom and Serperior can outspeed Diggersby and KO it with strong STAB attacks.
**Entry Hazards**: Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes rack up damage on Diggersby every time it is brought in, and Sticky Web decreases its already low Speed stat. Entry hazards are especially detrimental to Life Orb Diggersby, which already loses some health after every attack.
**Ghost-types**: Defensive Ghost-type Pokemon such as Gourgeist and Jellicent, after setting up an Acid Armor, can wall Choice Band Diggersby depending on what it's locked into. Although it can't switch into Diggersby's attacks, Sableye can cripple Diggersby with Will-O-Wisp, rendering it useless. Gengar is an exceptional offensive check to Diggersby, as it can completely wall the Swords Dance set and KO back with Focus Blast; however, it cannot switch into a Choice Band-boosted Knock Off.
**Revenge Killers**: Faster Pokemon such as Keldeo, Choice Scarf Victini, Latios, and Choice Scarf Gardevoir can outspeed Diggersby and revenge kill it. Priority users such as Azumarill, Weavile, and Breloom can also revenge kill it with Aqua Jet, Ice Shard, and Mach Punch.
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