[OVERVIEW]
Due to its good defensive typing, excellent ability, and utility provided by Spore, Foongus is one of the best defensive Pokemon in Little Cup. With the longevity provided by Regenerator and Synthesis, Foongus is able to reliably check many threats over the course of the game, including Chinchou, Grookey, and Mienfoo. Spore is threatening due to the fast-paced nature of Little Cup and luck-based nature of sleep. However, due to Foongus being relatively passive, it can be taken advantage of offensively once Spore has been exhausted.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Giga Drain
move 2: Sludge Bomb
move 3: Spore
move 4: Synthesis
item: Eviolite
ability: Regenerator
nature: Bold
tera type: Water / Steel
evs: 124 HP / 156 Def / 156 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Giga Drain and Sludge Bomb make for an effective STAB combination capable of hitting most of the tier for at least neutral damage. Sludge Bomb's chance for poison can ruin potential switch-ins such as Mienfoo or Toedscool. Synthesis provides extra longevity so Foongus doesn't solely rely on Regenerator, as Giga Drain doesn't provide consistent healing. The given EV spread maximizes Foongus's bulk, allowing it to soft check a variety of Pokemon. Tera Water is a generally good Tera type and makes Foongus resistant to Shellder's Icicle Spear but leaves Foongus vulnerable to Electric- and Grass-types such as Elekid and Grookey in return. Tera Steel allows Foongus to resist Vullaby's Brave Bird and is more effective at checking Shellder with the added resistance to Rock Blast; however, Foongus becomes weak to Ground- and Fighting-types such as Mudbray and Mienfoo. It should be noted that once Terastallized, Foongus is no longer able to absorb Spore from opposing Foongus.
Foongus is a staple on many teams and defensively supports its team with its longevity and Spore. Wingull and Vullaby appreciate Foongus switching in on Electric-type moves from Chinchou and Elekid. Foongus has issues with Flying-types such as Wingull and Vullaby, making Chinchou a good partner. Teammates that can remove entry hazards like Defog Vullaby and Rapid Spin Alolan Sandshrew enable Foongus to switch around more comfortably. As Foongus often acts as a check to itself, Pokemon that can help it succeed in the mirror match such as Alolan Sandshrew and Stunky make good teammates. These two can switch in on and offensively pressure opposing Foongus that are attacking or healing with Synthesis.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
An alternative EV spread of 76 Special Attack, 76 Special Defense, and 76 Speed EVs can be considered to beat opposing Foongus one-on-one. However, due to the reduced bulk, Foongus will take significantly more damage from Chinchou's Ice Beam, Elekid's Psychic, and Glimmet's Power Gem. Tera Ghost can be used for Foongus to escape Gothita's Shadow Tag, but it leaves Foongus weak to Knock Off from multiple Pokemon including Mienfoo, Vullaby, Stunky, and Grookey.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Spore-Immune Pokemon**: Some Pokemon are able to use items or moves to block Spore from Foongus while not being threatened by its STAB moves. Alolan Sandshrew can use Safety Goggles to safely switch in on Foongus and threaten it with Triple Axel, while Stunky can use Substitute, which Foongus cannot break in one hit.
**Gothita**: Gothita is able to easily trap and remove Foongus with Psychic, which can be made easier with help provided by Chinchou or Elekid's Volt Switch or Mienfoo's U-turn. Additionally, Gothita can opt for a Tera Steel SubCM set that completely shuts down and turns Fooongus into a setup opportunity for it to sweep.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/flou.605215/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/hacker.387847/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bleahey.641532/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/wisteriapurple.664887/
Due to its good defensive typing, excellent ability, and utility provided by Spore, Foongus is one of the best defensive Pokemon in Little Cup. With the longevity provided by Regenerator and Synthesis, Foongus is able to reliably check many threats over the course of the game, including Chinchou, Grookey, and Mienfoo. Spore is threatening due to the fast-paced nature of Little Cup and luck-based nature of sleep. However, due to Foongus being relatively passive, it can be taken advantage of offensively once Spore has been exhausted.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Giga Drain
move 2: Sludge Bomb
move 3: Spore
move 4: Synthesis
item: Eviolite
ability: Regenerator
nature: Bold
tera type: Water / Steel
evs: 124 HP / 156 Def / 156 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Giga Drain and Sludge Bomb make for an effective STAB combination capable of hitting most of the tier for at least neutral damage. Sludge Bomb's chance for poison can ruin potential switch-ins such as Mienfoo or Toedscool. Synthesis provides extra longevity so Foongus doesn't solely rely on Regenerator, as Giga Drain doesn't provide consistent healing. The given EV spread maximizes Foongus's bulk, allowing it to soft check a variety of Pokemon. Tera Water is a generally good Tera type and makes Foongus resistant to Shellder's Icicle Spear but leaves Foongus vulnerable to Electric- and Grass-types such as Elekid and Grookey in return. Tera Steel allows Foongus to resist Vullaby's Brave Bird and is more effective at checking Shellder with the added resistance to Rock Blast; however, Foongus becomes weak to Ground- and Fighting-types such as Mudbray and Mienfoo. It should be noted that once Terastallized, Foongus is no longer able to absorb Spore from opposing Foongus.
Foongus is a staple on many teams and defensively supports its team with its longevity and Spore. Wingull and Vullaby appreciate Foongus switching in on Electric-type moves from Chinchou and Elekid. Foongus has issues with Flying-types such as Wingull and Vullaby, making Chinchou a good partner. Teammates that can remove entry hazards like Defog Vullaby and Rapid Spin Alolan Sandshrew enable Foongus to switch around more comfortably. As Foongus often acts as a check to itself, Pokemon that can help it succeed in the mirror match such as Alolan Sandshrew and Stunky make good teammates. These two can switch in on and offensively pressure opposing Foongus that are attacking or healing with Synthesis.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
An alternative EV spread of 76 Special Attack, 76 Special Defense, and 76 Speed EVs can be considered to beat opposing Foongus one-on-one. However, due to the reduced bulk, Foongus will take significantly more damage from Chinchou's Ice Beam, Elekid's Psychic, and Glimmet's Power Gem. Tera Ghost can be used for Foongus to escape Gothita's Shadow Tag, but it leaves Foongus weak to Knock Off from multiple Pokemon including Mienfoo, Vullaby, Stunky, and Grookey.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Spore-Immune Pokemon**: Some Pokemon are able to use items or moves to block Spore from Foongus while not being threatened by its STAB moves. Alolan Sandshrew can use Safety Goggles to safely switch in on Foongus and threaten it with Triple Axel, while Stunky can use Substitute, which Foongus cannot break in one hit.
**Gothita**: Gothita is able to easily trap and remove Foongus with Psychic, which can be made easier with help provided by Chinchou or Elekid's Volt Switch or Mienfoo's U-turn. Additionally, Gothita can opt for a Tera Steel SubCM set that completely shuts down and turns Fooongus into a setup opportunity for it to sweep.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/flou.605215/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/hacker.387847/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bleahey.641532/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/wisteriapurple.664887/
Last edited:
