[Overview]
<p>
In the past, Aggron was largely ignored in favor of Rhyperior because he wasn't as bulky or as powerful. However, with the addition of Head Smash in Aggron's movepool, he can be a real offensive threat, as many teams will be pressed to sacrifice
someone to his sheer power. However, Aggron is plagued with several common weaknesses, and
his low Speed means that he will often have to switch out before he can attack again. Nevertheless, with his typing providing many resistances and his sheer power, Aggron can easily punch holes in the opposing team.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Head Smash
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Aqua Tail
move 4: Ice Punch
item: Choice Band
nature: Jolly
ability: Rock Head
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With the
power of Head Smash backed by a Choice Band, Aggron is capable of literally smashing through the opposing team just with Head Smash. In fact, Aggron's Choice Band Head Smash is 9% stronger than Groudon's Choice Band Earthquake. The remaining three moves are there to hit the Pokémon who resist Rock-type moves. Earthquake hits the Steel-type
Pokémon, like Metagross and
Jirachi, who resist Head Smash, while Aqua Tail hits one of Aggron's few
switch-ins: Hippowdon. Ice Punch helps hit Flygon and Breloom, both of whom can take one Head Smash and retaliate.</p>
[Additional Comments]
<p>To show the sheer power of Head Smash, here are some calculations against Pokémon who resist Head Smash or are extremely defensive. These calculations assume a Jolly nature.</p>
<ul class="damage_calculation">
<li>Head Smash vs. 12/0 Breloom: 74.2% - 87.5%</li>
<li>Head Smash vs. 0/0 Jirachi: 47.8% - 56.3%</li>
<li>Head Smash vs. 252/220+ Celebi: 59.7% - 70.5%</li>
<li>Head Smash vs. 252/4 Gliscor: 75.7% - 89.3%</li>
<li>Head Smash vs. 252/252+ Suicune: 52.7% - 62.4%</li>
<li>Head Smash vs. 252/176+ Skarmory: 58.1% - 68.9%</li>
<li>Head Smash vs. 252/0 Metagross: 35.7% - 42%</li>
</ul>
<p>The EVs of this set allow for maximum power while
outspeeding Pokémon such as 0 Speed Rotom-A, Suicune, Cresselia, and Gyarados, which means slower stall teams will have problems taking out Aggron. If more power is wanted, then an Adamant nature may be used with enough Speed EVs to outspeed Skarmory. 164 Speed EVs are required to outspeed minimum Speed Skarmory, though more may be used to outspeed faster Skarmory. Additionally, Toxic may be used over Ice Punch in order to cripple Pokémon like Hippowdon and
Swampert on the switch-in.</p>
<p>Due to Aggron's three common weaknesses in Ground, Fighting, and Water,
teammates who resist these moves are appreciated. Celebi is a great partner for Aggron because it resists all three
of the aforementioned types and can also Thunder Wave the opposing Pokémon,
allowing Aggron
to get off more than one attack. Gengar is also a good partner because he is immune to Ground- and Fighting-type moves and can also lure in
Blissey, who Aggron can easily come in on. Aggron also resists
the Ghost- and Dark-type
weaknesses of the aforementioned Pokemon. Sandstorm support is also appreciated
so that Aggron can survive a
Surf; both Hippowdon and Tyranitar will work. Hippowdon can set up Stealth Rock and tank Flygon's Earthquake, while Tyranitar can also use a Choice Band set and help in taking down the opposing team. He can also use Flamethrower and Ice Beam to take care of Breloom and Flygon. Because Aggron will be coming in and out a lot, Rapid Spin support is helpful. Starmie is a great choice because it resists Water- and Fighting-type
moves, and can break down physical walls with its powerful STAB Hydro Pump.</p>
<p>
Aggron has trouble with defensive Pokémon who can take a
hit, like Hippowdon, Swampert, and Metagross. Celebi can handle all three with Grass Knot, Leaf Storm, and Earth Power. After Aggron KOes
someone, faster Pokémon will threaten
him with a KO. Flygon can be handled with Gengar, who is immune to Earthquake, and by Hippowdon, who can tank any hit that Flygon throws at him. Hippowdon can also tank
Bronzong and Metagross's hits. Starmie, Heatran, and Shaymin can all be taken care of by specially defensive Zapdos, who can tank their hits and has good synergy with Aggron.</p>
[SET]
name: Rock Polish
move 1: Rock Polish
move 2: Head Smash
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Ice Punch / Aqua Tail
item: Life Orb
nature: Jolly
ability: Rock Head
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>
In order to make up for his mediocre Speed, Aggron
can run a Rock Polish
set. Unlike Rhyperior, Aggron after a Rock Polish can outspeed Choice Scarf Heatran and hit
him for the quick KO with Earthquake. Head Smash still does large amounts of damage even with only a Life Orb boost, while Earthquake can hit Steel-type Pokémon such as Metagross, Jirachi, and the aforementioned Heatran. Ice Punch is used to get the OHKO on Gliscor and
Breloom, and can also be used to take down Flygon should you get more than one Rock
Polish boost. Aqua Tail still hits Hippowdon and can 2HKO him if he's below 75% health.</p>
[Additional Comments]
<p>Aggron can also run an Adamant nature with the same EVs for more power, but will fail to outspeed Choice Scarf Heatran after a Rock Polish. Jolly Rhyperior fails to outspeed positive natured base 130s after a Rock Polish,
which gives Aggron
his niche.</p>
<p>As with the previous moveset, Pokémon who resist Aggron's weaknesses are good choices as partners. Celebi is a good partner as
always, and can take out bulky Water-type Pokémon who can take a Head Smash, while Gengar also resists Aggron's weaknesses. Because Aggron is fulfilling a sweeping role,
sandstorm support is more necessary to help Aggron take a hit when he has to. Hippowdon is a good partner because he can take Choice Scarf Flygon's Earthquakes, while Tyranitar can lure in and KO Flygon with Ice Beam. Because of Aggron's lesser damage output, entry hazard support is helpful to assist in
his sweep. Roserade is a good partner because he resists Aggron's Fighting- and Water-type weakness and can scare away bulky Water-type Pokémon with Grass Knot or Leaf Storm. Skarmory is immune to Aggron's Ground-type weakness and can Roost off any damage that
it takes.</p>
<p>Aggron has trouble with Hippowdon, Swampert, and Metagross. Furthermore, he is still outsped by
base 100 Choice Scarf users and up. Hippowdon and Swampert can be taken care of by Roserade and Celebi, while Metagross can be KOed by Celebi's Earth Power. Flygon can be lured in and KOed by a Shuca Berry Tyranitar with Ice Beam, while Choice Scarf Gengar and Starmie can both be Pursuited by either Scizor or Tyranitar.</p>
[SET]
name: Substitute
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Head Smash
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Ice Punch / Magnet Rise / Aqua Tail
item: Leftovers
nature: Adamant
ability: Rock Head
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Because Aggron can force many switches, he can run a Substitute to lessen
prediction and avoid taking heavy hits. Head Smash is still as powerful as always, although an Adamant nature is suggested because he is not using an item that boosts his power. Earthquake hits Steel-type
Pokemon; without it, Aggron cannot smash his way through their defenses. Ice Punch can KO Flygon and Gliscor, while Magnet Rise prevents Flygon and others from revenge
killing Aggron with Earthquake. Aqua Tail is there to hit
Hippowdon.</p>
[Additional Comments]
<p>The given EVs allow Aggron to have the maximum bulk, but you may choose to run enough Speed EVs to outspeed Skarmory. 164 Speed EVs will outspeed minimum Speed Skarmory, though more is suggested to outspeed Skarmory
who invest in Speed EVs.</p>
<p>Aggron appreciates the partners mentioned in the two previous sets, namely Celebi and Gengar for useful defensive synergy, Hippowdon and Tyranitar for
sandstorm support, and Roserade and Skarmory for Spikes support. Furthermore, Celebi can help take down Pokémon who can survive a hit, such as Hippowdon, Swampert, and Metagross.</p>
[Team Options]
<p>Aggron really appreciates
sandstorm support, as it allows him to be able to
survive a Surf from bulky Water-type Pokémon such as Vaporeon and Suicune. Both Hippowdon and Tyranitar are good choices
for providing this. Hippowdon can tank the Ground- and Fighting-type moves that Aggron is weak to and can also set up Stealth Rock to ensure several of Aggron's KOs. Tyranitar can run Ice Beam
to easily take down Flygon and
Gliscor, or can attack with Stone
Edge, as many teams don't carry
very many Rock-type
resistances.</p>
<p>Aggron also appreciates special attackers who can break through the physical tanks
who Aggron cannot harm as much, such as Swampert and Hippowdon. Celebi is a great choice to check both of them because it can scare them off with Grass Knot or Leaf Storm, resists Ground-, Fighting-, and Water-type moves, and can spread Thunder Wave on the opposing team so that Aggron can potentially get off two Head Smashes before the opposing Pokémon can make a move. Gengar is also
another good choice as he resists Ground- and Fighting-type moves and can strike
the opposing Pokemon with a Shadow Ball. Aggron also appreciates Spikes support, as with Spikes the opposing team will have a harder time checking Aggron. Roserade is a good choice as he resists Fighting- and Water-type moves and can scare away Water-type Pokémon with
the threat of his powerful Leaf Storm, while Skarmory can easily tank Surfs and is immune to Ground-type moves.</p>
<p>Pokémon who outspeed Aggron after he has KOed
someone are problematic also, such as Flygon, Starmie, Gengar, and many others. Hippowdon and Gengar can easily take care of Flygon,
as neither takes too much damage from Earthquake and U-turn, while specially defensive Zapdos and Blissey can check Starmie and Gengar. Zapdos can also threaten with a STAB Thunderbolt to scare away the likes of Suicune and
Vaporeon, and can use Hidden Power Grass to scare away Swampert. Finally, with all the switching in and out that Aggron does, Rapid Spin support is helpful. Starmie is a great choice as it resists Water- and Fighting-type
moves, while Aggron resists Starmie's Ghost- and Dark-type weaknesses.</p>
[Optional Changes]
<p>Aggron has the capability of running a defensive set if
given sandstorm support, as he can set up Stealth Rock and tank hits due to his many resistances. However, his three weaknesses are extremely common and his low HP means that he won't be as capable of tanking hits as other Pokémon. Metal Burst is a possible choice, as Aggron has the defenses to be able to
survive a hit, but usually outright attacking is more reliable and lets Aggron live for a longer time.</p>
<p>Iron Tail is an option because it runs off of Aggron's secondary STAB, but the accuracy is a letdown. Thunder Wave can be helpful for team support,
but Aggron can usually KO the opposing Pokémon with Head Smash and the Ground-type Pokémon who resist Head Smash are also immune to Thunder Wave.</p>
[Counters]
<p>
Few Pokemon can switch into a Choice Band Head Smash. Hippowdon, Swampert, Metagross, and Bronzong are all examples of Pokémon who can take a Head Smash and retaliate with an Earthquake. As for after a kill, bulky Water-type Pokémon like Suicune and Vaporeon can take a hit and KO Aggron with
their super effective Surfs. Gliscor, Flygon, Gengar, and Starmie all don't like taking Head Smashes, but they can all outspeed Aggron and KO him with their super effective moves.</p>
