[OVERVIEW]
Pangoro has a number of desirable traits that make it one of the most threatening wallbreakers in the AAA metagame. Its high Attack stat, unique typing, and great movepool allow it to hit the entire metagame for high damage. Defensively, its typing also grants it a resistance to Rock, allowing it to switch into Stealth Rock multiple times, as well as a 4x resistance to Dark, making it much easier to take Foul Play compared to most other physical attackers. The aforementioned resistances and its Psychic immunity give it many potential switch-in opportunities. Pangoro also has access to Swords Dance, further decreasing the amount of Pokemon that can switch into its attacks and allowing it to tear apart a lot of defensive teams. Despite its great matchup against defensive teams, Pangoro is unfortunately held back by its poor defensive stats and typing, making it vulnerable to a lot of priority moves. That and its lackluster Speed make it struggle to be relevant against more offensively oriented teams. Pangoro also has a lot of competition from other Fighting-types like Lucario and Heracross, which are both faster.
[SET]
name: Paingoro (Swords Dance)
move 1: Knock Off
move 2: Superpower
move 3: Poison Jab
move 4: Swords Dance
item: Life Orb
ability: Tough Claws
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Knock Off is a powerful STAB move with no drawbacks and has the unique advantage of removing items such as Leftovers and Toxic Orbs, making it hard to switch into and really spammable. It's the move you should be clicking most of the time, as even Pokemon that can tank it don't appreciate losing their item. Superpower hits Dark- and Fighting-types that resist Dark such as Mandibuzz and Chesnaught. It's also more powerful than Knock Off and can be used to secure 2HKOs against Pokemon like Suicune, but it has the drawback of dropping Pangoro's Attack by one stage. Poison Jab hits Fairies that resist Dark and Fighting for super effective damage. Swords Dance doubles Pangoro's Attack, making it capable of OHKOing the vast majority of the metagame barring a few exceptions like physically defensive Intimidate Hippowdon.
Set Details
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The set aims at maximizing Pangoro's damage output. Tough Claws, Life Orb, and an Adamant nature all boost its damage output, making it the threatening wallbreaker it is. Life Orb is preferred over Choice Band, as it allows Pangoro to switch moves and use Swords Dance. Maximum EV investment goes into Attack and Speed, as Pangoro's Speed is so mediocre that maximum investment is necessary to outspeed most defensive Pokemon like Suicune.
Usage Tips
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Pangoro can do huge damage when it's in, but it's important to think about how to get it in. For that reason, VoltTurn, Baton Pass, or double switching is important, and it's not advised to switch it directly in unless into a predicted Dark- or Psychic-type move. Pangoro should avoid burns at all cost, and for that reason, it shouldn't stay in on Suicune unless it's already at +2 or if Suicune is within the range of being KOed by Superpower. Knock Off is the move that should be used the most, as it has no drawbacks, and the combination of Knock Off and Superpower KOes many defensive walls like Suicune and Skarmory. When facing a defensive team, Pangoro's main focus should be on sweeping when it is at +2; however, when it is against a team with a Dark switch-in, such as Chesnaught, Pangoro should primarily set up Swords Dance and KO it with Superpower, as it often fails to do so after using Superpower twice due to the drop in Attack. Against offensive teams, Pangoro should use every opportunity it has to attack, as it is easily forced out and more often than not will get a KO regardless.
Team Options
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Pokemon with momentum-gaining moves are important to bring Pangoro in safely. Examples include Zapdos, Regenerator Manaphy, and Vaporeon, the latter of which provides Heal Bell and Wish support, making it harder for it to be worn down by defensive teams. Gale Wings checks are imperative; Intimidate or Regenerator Zapdos in particular can switch in on Gale Wings users and provide momentum via Volt Switch to get Pangoro safely in. Pokemon that have a good matchup against offense such as Sheer Force Deoxys-S or Gale Wings Skarmory complement Pangoro's strong matchup against stall well. Similarly, fast sweepers and priority users like Refrigerate Sneasel and Braviary can clean up after Pangoro has gotten rid of their counters. Pokemon that can take advantage of status ailments can absorb burns for Pangoro. Poison Heal Snorlax, for example, can switch in on most Scald users such as Suicune and potentially force them out.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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A Choice Band set with Parting Shot instead of Swords Dance can be used to avoid Life Orb recoil and gain momentum with Parting Shot to potentially set up a team member for a sweep; however, this is inferior to the Life Orb set, as it requires more predictions, struggles against Poison Heal Pokemon, and is unable to get 2HKOs on some Pokemon that resist Dark with Superpower like Chesnaught. Ice Punch is a potential coverage option that allows Pangoro to take down physically defensive Gliscor.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Pokemon**: Pokemon like Victini and Latios can outspeed and KO Pangoro with ease, while faster Pokemon that resist its STAB moves like Mega Altaria or Heracross can switch in on Pangoro's STAB moves and KO it or predict a switch and set up.
**Gale Wings Pokemon**: Gale Wings users all threaten Pangoro with possible OHKOs. Gale Wings Togekiss in particular can switch in on both of Pangoro's STAB moves and force it out with priority Air Slash.
**Bulky Intimidate Walls**: Pokemon such as Chesnaught and Gliscor can tank a +1 hit and threaten back with a KO.
**Status**: Burns completely shut down Pangoro by cutting its Attack stat in half as well as stacking damage with Life Orb, though other status conditions like poison or paralysis also greatly hinder its wallbreaking capabilities.
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