[OVERVIEW]
Armaldo has a myriad of interesting traits that make it an underrated pick in the Metagame. Defensively, Armaldo has good bulk and is immune to critical hits, With its Rock typing giving an appreciated sand immunity and Normal resistance. Since Armaldo's secondary Bug typing neutralizes Rocks weakness to Ground and Fighting type attacks it is one of the best Snorlax answers in the tier. Offensively Armaldo boasts an impressive 120 attack stat and has access to Swords Dance, with its dual STAB only being resisted by Magneton and Registeel. Armaldo also learns the rare Knock Off and Rapid Spin. While Armaldo can't run both moves simultaneously; being able to remove leftovers or clear spikes for its teammates give it great utility. Not all is great for Armaldo however. Base 45 speed often means moving second. Its weakness to Steel, Rock, and Water type attacks make it vulnerable to many of the tiers top threats such as Swampert, Suicune, Metagross, Tyrantiar and Aerodactyl.
name: Standard
move 1: Knock Off / Rapid Spin
move 2: Rock Slide / Rock Blast
move 3: Hidden Power Bug
move 4: Swords Dance / Rest
item: Leftovers
ability: Battle Armor
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 16 Atk / 240 SpD
ivs: 30 SpD / 30 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Since Knock Off and Rapid spin cannot be run together due to egg move compatibility issues, only one can be picked. Knock Off is the more popular option as the tier has other viable rapid spinners. Removing Leftovers destroys the longevity of common switch ins such as Skarmory, Metagross, and Swampert. The special defense investment in conjunction with Rock/Bug Coverage allows Armaldo to switch in and threaten Pokémon such as Celebi, Zapdos, and Claydol. An Adamant nature is preferred to give Armaldo a nudge to its offensive profile with 16 EVs hitting the first jump Point. A careful nature can be used to further increase its special bulk but the decrease in power is very noticeable. Rock slide is used for its higher accuracy and flinch chance, but Rock Blast is a viable alternative to bypass substitutes from Zapdos or Charizard. Hidden Power Bug threatens Celebi and Claydol, forcing them out and giving Knock Off Opportunities. It also can catch powerful attackers such Tyranitar or Starmie attempting to switch in on a Knock Off. Swords Dance rounds out the set giving Armaldo a way to remove Pokémon that attempt to stall it out. A more offensive spread of 200 HP / 56 Atk / 252 Spe gives Armaldo the Jump on both Claydol and Skarmory, being able to OHKO Claydol after a Swords Dance and flinch Skarmory with Rock Slide. The extra speed also helps Armaldo move first against defensive Swampert and Slower Tyranitars. Rest can be used on more defensive teams looking to use Armaldo as a strictly defensive tool. If using rest, a careful nature is preferred with a 252 HP / 164 SpD / 92 Spe EV spread to outspeed Blissey, allowing Armaldo to switch in and go for rest. A 252 HP / 48 Def / 116 SpD / 92 Spe EV spread can be considered to Rest loop Jolly Dugtrio after removing its Choice Band, but this further decrease Armaldo's special bulk.
Team Options
=========
The teammates Armaldo appreciates depends on the set. Swords Dance sets want Wish support to stay health. Wish Blissey or Jirachi are notable examples. Rest sets enjoy Heal Bell or Aromatherapy support, Blissey is the main cleric user in the tier. Armaldo also pairs well with either Magneton or Dugtrio, with their ability to trap and eliminate Metagross. Metagross can pivot into Armaldo easily and can use explosion if it gets too low. Choice Banded Salamence or Aerodactly are good partners as most of their common answers are enticed to switch into knock off. If opting to not run Magneton, a rapid spinner helps Armaldo switch in more effectively. Claydol, Forretress, or Starmie are all viable options. Paralysis Support can be desriable to help Armaldo move first, enabling the deadly para-flinch combination. Armaldo also pressures the natural cure users that can shield their teammates from status such as Celebi, Starmie, and Blissey. Many of the Pokémon mentioned earlier can spread paralysis. Finally, a bulky water type such as defensive Suicune or Swampert can help sponge incoming hits from the Rock and Steel type attacks that come Armaldos way.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Unfortunately Armaldo has a shallow movepool. Earthquake can be used over Swords Dance, allowing Armaldo to hit Metagross and Jirachi for more damage. But without Swords Dance Armaldo needs more time to break through other defensive pokemon. A set using Rest, Knock Off, Harden, and Seismic Toss can be used to wall Snorlax indefinitely thanks to Battle Armor, this comes at the cost of no longer threatening Celebi or Rock weak Flying types.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Wish Jirachi**: Wish Jirachi is the only Pokémon with a non-Rest recovery move that is immune to Sandstorm. It can still function well without its Leftovers and threaten Armaldo with status.
**Metagross**: Metagross does not mind losing its Item. Metagross can switch in well into Armaldo and use explosion to trade KOs.
**Swampert**: While Swampert hates having its Leftovers removed, it can switch in and force Armaldo out with super-effective Water type attacks.
**Offensive Structures**: Knock Off takes time to get value, as denying small amounts of healing doesn't mean much in the short term. An offensive team can outpace Armaldo's long term gameplan.
**Super-Effective Attacks**: There are many powerful Water and Rock type attackers in the tier, Pokémon like Suicune, Starmie, Aerodactly, or Tyrantiar can deal massive damage. Rock type coverage from Salamence, Flygon, or the tiers Fighting types can also sting.
[CREDITS]
Written by
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/johnald.496154/
Quality checked by:
Grammar checked by:
Armaldo has a myriad of interesting traits that make it an underrated pick in the Metagame. Defensively, Armaldo has good bulk and is immune to critical hits, With its Rock typing giving an appreciated sand immunity and Normal resistance. Since Armaldo's secondary Bug typing neutralizes Rocks weakness to Ground and Fighting type attacks it is one of the best Snorlax answers in the tier. Offensively Armaldo boasts an impressive 120 attack stat and has access to Swords Dance, with its dual STAB only being resisted by Magneton and Registeel. Armaldo also learns the rare Knock Off and Rapid Spin. While Armaldo can't run both moves simultaneously; being able to remove leftovers or clear spikes for its teammates give it great utility. Not all is great for Armaldo however. Base 45 speed often means moving second. Its weakness to Steel, Rock, and Water type attacks make it vulnerable to many of the tiers top threats such as Swampert, Suicune, Metagross, Tyrantiar and Aerodactyl.
name: Standard
move 1: Knock Off / Rapid Spin
move 2: Rock Slide / Rock Blast
move 3: Hidden Power Bug
move 4: Swords Dance / Rest
item: Leftovers
ability: Battle Armor
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 16 Atk / 240 SpD
ivs: 30 SpD / 30 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Since Knock Off and Rapid spin cannot be run together due to egg move compatibility issues, only one can be picked. Knock Off is the more popular option as the tier has other viable rapid spinners. Removing Leftovers destroys the longevity of common switch ins such as Skarmory, Metagross, and Swampert. The special defense investment in conjunction with Rock/Bug Coverage allows Armaldo to switch in and threaten Pokémon such as Celebi, Zapdos, and Claydol. An Adamant nature is preferred to give Armaldo a nudge to its offensive profile with 16 EVs hitting the first jump Point. A careful nature can be used to further increase its special bulk but the decrease in power is very noticeable. Rock slide is used for its higher accuracy and flinch chance, but Rock Blast is a viable alternative to bypass substitutes from Zapdos or Charizard. Hidden Power Bug threatens Celebi and Claydol, forcing them out and giving Knock Off Opportunities. It also can catch powerful attackers such Tyranitar or Starmie attempting to switch in on a Knock Off. Swords Dance rounds out the set giving Armaldo a way to remove Pokémon that attempt to stall it out. A more offensive spread of 200 HP / 56 Atk / 252 Spe gives Armaldo the Jump on both Claydol and Skarmory, being able to OHKO Claydol after a Swords Dance and flinch Skarmory with Rock Slide. The extra speed also helps Armaldo move first against defensive Swampert and Slower Tyranitars. Rest can be used on more defensive teams looking to use Armaldo as a strictly defensive tool. If using rest, a careful nature is preferred with a 252 HP / 164 SpD / 92 Spe EV spread to outspeed Blissey, allowing Armaldo to switch in and go for rest. A 252 HP / 48 Def / 116 SpD / 92 Spe EV spread can be considered to Rest loop Jolly Dugtrio after removing its Choice Band, but this further decrease Armaldo's special bulk.
Team Options
=========
The teammates Armaldo appreciates depends on the set. Swords Dance sets want Wish support to stay health. Wish Blissey or Jirachi are notable examples. Rest sets enjoy Heal Bell or Aromatherapy support, Blissey is the main cleric user in the tier. Armaldo also pairs well with either Magneton or Dugtrio, with their ability to trap and eliminate Metagross. Metagross can pivot into Armaldo easily and can use explosion if it gets too low. Choice Banded Salamence or Aerodactly are good partners as most of their common answers are enticed to switch into knock off. If opting to not run Magneton, a rapid spinner helps Armaldo switch in more effectively. Claydol, Forretress, or Starmie are all viable options. Paralysis Support can be desriable to help Armaldo move first, enabling the deadly para-flinch combination. Armaldo also pressures the natural cure users that can shield their teammates from status such as Celebi, Starmie, and Blissey. Many of the Pokémon mentioned earlier can spread paralysis. Finally, a bulky water type such as defensive Suicune or Swampert can help sponge incoming hits from the Rock and Steel type attacks that come Armaldos way.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Unfortunately Armaldo has a shallow movepool. Earthquake can be used over Swords Dance, allowing Armaldo to hit Metagross and Jirachi for more damage. But without Swords Dance Armaldo needs more time to break through other defensive pokemon. A set using Rest, Knock Off, Harden, and Seismic Toss can be used to wall Snorlax indefinitely thanks to Battle Armor, this comes at the cost of no longer threatening Celebi or Rock weak Flying types.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Wish Jirachi**: Wish Jirachi is the only Pokémon with a non-Rest recovery move that is immune to Sandstorm. It can still function well without its Leftovers and threaten Armaldo with status.
**Metagross**: Metagross does not mind losing its Item. Metagross can switch in well into Armaldo and use explosion to trade KOs.
**Swampert**: While Swampert hates having its Leftovers removed, it can switch in and force Armaldo out with super-effective Water type attacks.
**Offensive Structures**: Knock Off takes time to get value, as denying small amounts of healing doesn't mean much in the short term. An offensive team can outpace Armaldo's long term gameplan.
**Super-Effective Attacks**: There are many powerful Water and Rock type attackers in the tier, Pokémon like Suicune, Starmie, Aerodactly, or Tyrantiar can deal massive damage. Rock type coverage from Salamence, Flygon, or the tiers Fighting types can also sting.
[CREDITS]
Written by
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/johnald.496154/
Quality checked by:
Grammar checked by:
Last edited: