[OVERVIEW]
- Poliwrath is a flexible Pokemon in ZU thanks to its great defensive typing, decent mixed bulk, and access to Water Absorb. All these traits allow it to act as a solid wall or tank.
- Thanks to its solid defensive typing, Poliwrath can check common Pokemon in the tier such as Combusken, Golem, and Kecleon.
- With access to Water Absorb, Poliwrath can more easily check Pokemon like Floatzel, Simipour, and Silvally-Water.
- Poliwrath also has access to Circle Throw, which allows it to become one of ZU's few viable phazers.
- Unfortunately, Poliwrath is weak to a handful of common threats such as Electivire, Shiftry, and Swanna.
- Moreover, a lack of reliable recovery means that Poliwrath is extremely susceptible to chip damage which can hamper its ability to check certain Pokemon such as Rapidash. Because its weak offensively, it often means that Poliwrath has to trade hits.
- Poliwrath also faces stiff competition from Pokemon such as Mareanie, Silvally-Water, and Silvally-Fighting thanks to their superior stats, typing, or utility.
name: Special Tank
move 1: Scald
move 2: Focus Blast / Vaccum Wave / Toxic
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Modest
evs: 120 HP / 252 SpA / 136 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Scald is Poliwrath's best option for Water-type STAB due to its burn chance.
- Focus Blast offers Poliwrath with a way to break through Pokemon who resist Water-types such as Shiftry and Silvally-Water.
- Alternatively, Vaccum Wave acts as much more reliable Fighting-type STAB move which also gives Poliwrath access to priority, however, its much weaker and makes it harder for Poliwrath to check Normal-types.
- Toxic can also be run over Focus Blast so Poliwrath can cripple switch-ins such as Swanna,
- Ice Beam allows Poliwrath to hit Grass-types such as Gourgeist-XL, Shiinotic, and Exeggutor while also hitting Flying-types that may try to switch in such as Rotom-S and Altaria.
- Protect provides a more effective way to accumulate passive recovery.
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- 138 Speed EVs allow Poliwrath to outspeed Adamant Golem and Modest Exeggutor.
- A maximum Special Attack investment is used so that Poliwrath can hit as hard as possible.
- 118 HP EVs slightly boosts Poliwrath's decent mixed bulk.
- Leftovers provide Poliwrath with passive recovery which helps boost its longevity.
- Water Absorb grants Poliwrath a Water-type immunity and allows for it to check Water-types such as Floatzel, Silvally-Water, and Simipour easier.
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- Because Poliwrath only has access to passive recovery through Leftovers it should refrain from taking chip damage as much as possible. Furthermore, it should avoid being hit with moves like Knock Off, Trick, and Switcheroo.
- Poliwrath should prioritize coming in on Pokemon it can reliably check such as Combusken, Simipour, and Floatzel.
- Poliwrath should avoid becoming crippled by Pokemon that carry Toxic such as Silvally-Water, Silvally-Fighting, and Pyukumuku.
- Protect should be used against Pokemon that may be carrying a choice item in order to scout for the move. Additionally, using Protect allows Poliwrath to rack up more recovery from Leftovers.
- However, Poliwrath should be careful about using Protect against Pokemon that may try and set up such as Raichu
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- In order to more easily secure KOs, Poliwrath appreciates Pokemon that can set entry hazards such as Golem, Mawile, and Marowak.
- Pokemon that can remove entry hazards such as Swanna, Komala, Silvally-Dragon, and Silvally-Poison are key to keep Poliwrath healthy.
- Poliwrath pairs well with Pokemon that can absorb Knock Off such as Silvally formes like Silvally-Dark and Silvally-Water, and Z-Move users such as Combusken, Leafeon, and Rotom-S.
- Fire-types such as Combusken, Rapidash, and Simisear all appreciate Poliwrath's ability to check Water-types such as Floatzel, Simipour, and Silvally-Water. In return, these previously mentioned Fire-types can check Grass-types such as Exeggutor, Bellosom, and Servine.
- Poliwrath pairs well with Pokemon that can absorb or remove status effects such as Altaria, Granbull, Lickilicky, and Komala.
- Wallbreakers that appreciate Poliwrath's decent mixed bulk such as Swanna, Raichu, and Bouffalant all pair well with Poliwrath. Bouffalant pairs particularly well with Poliwrath thanks to its access to a Grass-type immunity in Sap Sipper.
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Circle Throw
move 2: Scald
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Circle Throw phazes out potential set up sweepers and switch-ins that may try and take advantage of how passive Poliwrath is.
- Scald is Poliwrath's most useful Water STAB allowing it to potentially cripple physical attackers.
- Toxic allows Poliwrath to cripple Pokemon and pressure potential switch-ins.
- Protect provides Poliwrath the ability to Toxic stall opposing Pokemon while also getting free recovery from Leftovers.
========
- 252 HP / 200 Def EVs are used to help maximize Poliwrath's physical bulk.
- 56 Speed EVs allow Poliwrath to out speed Golem.
- A Bold nature is chosen to further the investment in Poliwrath's physical bulk.
- Leftovers help boost Poliwrath's longevity by granting it passive recovery.
========
- Poliwrath should prioritize walling physical attackers such as Basculin, Golem, and Silvally-Fighting.
- Despite this, Poliwrath should try to avoid physical attacks that can hit it super effectively, such as Shiftry, Swanna, and Granbull, due to it lacking reliable recovery.
- Due to its phazing capabilities, Circle Throw should be used to chip opposing Pokemon as well as discourage Pokemon from setting up.
- Poliwrath should use Protect to rack up recovery from Leftovers as well as damage against Pokemon who are statused. Additionally, if Poliwrath is against a Pokemon carrying a choice item than its often beneficial to scout using Protect.
- Toxic should be used to cripple Pokemon that may try and switch in on Poliwrath such as Rotom-S, Swanna, and Gourgeist-XL.
- Poliwrath should try to come in on Water-type moves for free recovery.
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- Poliwrath appreciates the added pressure that entry hazards create so Pokemon like Mawile, Bronzor, Golem, and Crustle tend to pair well with it. Mawile and Bronzor are worth mentioning due to their resistances to both Psychic- and Flying-type moves.
- Status absorbers and Clerics such as Lickilicky, Altaria, and Zwelious help keep Poliwrath healthy by alleviating the pressure that status effects can put on Poliwrath.
- Poliwrath pairs well with Pokemon that can remove entry hazards such as Silvally-Dragon, Komala, and Swanna.
- Specially defensive tanks such as Muk, Kecleon, and Komala greatly appreciate Polwrath's ability to check physical attackers such as Golem, Rapidash, and Basculin.
- Wallbreakers such as Bouffalant, Shiftry, and Raichu all appreciate how well Poliwrath can check physical attackers.
Other Options
=============
- A set utilizing Substitute and Focus Punch can be used to break past more defensive teams.
- A Bulk Up set that harnesses Poliwrath's more offensive capabilities can be used but its more so reliant on matchup and can be easily revenge killed by Pokemon like Rotom-Fan, Swanna, and Kadabra.
- Poliwrath can utilize 3 attacks + Rain Dance and its ability Swift Swim to sweep.
- Belly Drum Poliwrath can be used as a rain abuser on weather teams as a lethal wincon.
- A Choice Specs set can be run to make use of Poliwrath's great special coverage options, but this is often outclassed by other special wallbreakers such as Combusken and Swanna.
- Rest + Sleep Talk can be used on physically defensive Poliwrath to increase longevity and relieve the pressure of status effects.
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**Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Sawsbuck, Shiftry, and Leafeon all threaten Poliwrath with their STAB moves.
**Electric-types**: Electric-types such as Rotom-S, Electivire, and Raichu are all able to threaten Poliwrath with their respected STAB moves. Raichu is worth mentioning due to it being able to use defensive Poliwrath as setup fodder. Rotom-S can threaten Poliwrath with its Flying- and Electric-type STAB.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types such as Swanna, Toucannon, and Jumpluff all threaten Poliwrath. Swanna is worth a special mention due to being able to run both physical and special sets.
**Chip Damage**: Due to Poliwrath's lack of reliable recovery, chip damage can be detrimental to it. This includes chip damage from status and entry hazards.
- Written by: [[BP, 272450]]
- Quality checked by: [, ], [, ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
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