QC: 3/3 (PK, Bloo, Iconic) GP: 2/2 (Chou, jc104)
Amoonguss
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[Overview]
<p>Amoonguss's good HP, average defenses, and Grass/Poison typing are not cause for its unique appeal. Rather, it is access to the highly exclusive move Spore. Amoonguss's defenses are average, slightly greater than Venusaur's on both sides. This is not amazing, but quite impressive for a mushroom with two Poké Balls for hands. Not everything is fine and dandy, however, as Amoonguss does have quite a few flaws. Mediocre offenses, an incredibly shallow movepool, and a lack of common Grass-type support moves let it down a bit. Despite all of these shortcomings, Amoonguss's decent overall bulk and access to Spore make it an effective utility Pokemon and general glue for many teams.</p>
[SET]
name: Double Status
move 1: Spore
move 2: Stun Spore
move 3: Giga Drain
move 4: Hidden Power Ice
nature: Calm
item: Leftovers
evs: 252 HP / 48 Def / 208 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Many Grass-types utilize the infamous Double Powder strategy, and for good reason. The sleep status is very powerful on its own, as in one turn it can potentially incapacitate an opponent for an entire match. Not only that, but the mere threat of Spore forces switches, offering Amoonguss ample opportunity to spread incapacitating paralysis with Stun Spore. To supplement these status moves, Amoonguss uses Giga Drain, which has been beefed up this generation, to 75 base power from a mere 60. Since Amoonguss does not have reliable recovery, it is the primary STAB option. Hidden Power Ice rounds off the set, increasing Amoonguss's coverage, hitting Landorus, Gliscor, Dragonite, and Thundurus for super effective damage.</p>
<p>The EV spread gives good overall defenses, with a bias towards Special Defense, so that Amoonguss can better take on special attackers like Starmie and Thundurus.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Entry hazards are incredibly useful when using Amoonguss. Spikes and Stealth Rock are the entry hazards to use, as Spore and Stun Spore are incompatible with Toxic Spikes. Unfortunately, the majority of Spikes users share a Fire-type weakness with Amoonguss. Common Pokemon such as Heatran help patch up this weakness if you choose to run a Pokemon such as Forretress to set up Spikes.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Amoonguss does not have many other notable options, as its movepool is incredibly shallow. Protect could work its way onto the first, however the lack of residual damage moves like Toxic and Leech seed diminishes its value. Venoshock is a unique move that receives a doubled strength of 130 base power when the enemy is poisoned, though it is inferior to Giga Drain as a STAB option due to Giga Drain's healing effect and superior offensive coverage. It also works better with sleep and paralysis as your main status options. Clear Smog is another exclusive move that has good utility. It removes stat changes, which can be useful against Pokemon attempting to set up against Amoonguss.<p>
<p>There are a few other Hidden Powers that Amoonguss can run, such as Hidden Power Fire, which can hit Ferrothorn and Forretress for massive damage. Most of these are afterthoughts, however, as even when super effective they will not OHKO anything without sufficient SpA investment, and status moves are generally more worthwhile if a switch to one of these Pokemon is predicted. Payback can work well with Amoonguss's very low Speed to hit Ghost-type Pokemon for super effective damage, but the lack of a physical Grass-type attack—or even Poison-type attack—to go alongside Payback is disappointing. Lastly, Synthesis is a method of healing, but is inconsistent due to the many different weather effects in the metagame.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Espeon and Xatu reflect Spore and Stun Spore back at Amoonguss with Magic Mirror, and threaten Amoonguss with super effective Psychic-type attacks, making them excellent counters. Toxic Orb Gliscor can switch with impunity into status moves after its Toxic Orb is activated, and can foil Amoonguss's attempts to do anything with Taunt. Most users of Taunt can make Amoonguss useless, provided they can safely switch in. Fast substitute users, especially those which resist Amoonguss's attacks, such as Gengar, can give Amoonguss trouble, as they are immune to status moves if they manage to get a Substitute up. Guts Conkeldurr can take advantage of Stun Spore by giving it a 50% increase to Attack, and proceed to use Bulk Up, and heal itself with Drain Punch along the way. Even though Amoonguss resists Drain Punch, Conkeldurr will heal enough from Amoonguss's high HP to continue its sweep.</p>
<p>The main key to countering Amoonguss is getting into battle safe from status, because otherwise Amoonguss has already done its job by crippling opposing Pokemon. Many powerful offensive Pokemon will have no problems beating Amoonguss once they have side-stepped its status moves. Once they've safely switched in, Blaziken and Heatran, for example, can scare Amoonguss away by threatening to KO with powerful Fire-type attacks. Many Pokemon pack super effective moves against Amoonguss, but it is a matter of getting into battle without being crippled by a status move.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Amoonguss's Dream World ability is amazing. Regenerator allows it to recover 1/3 of its HP whenever it switches out of battle. This is very beneficial, and helps offset Amoonguss's lack of useful instant healing moves.</p>
Amoonguss
--------
[Overview]
<p>Amoonguss's good HP, average defenses, and Grass/Poison typing are not cause for its unique appeal. Rather, it is access to the highly exclusive move Spore. Amoonguss's defenses are average, slightly greater than Venusaur's on both sides. This is not amazing, but quite impressive for a mushroom with two Poké Balls for hands. Not everything is fine and dandy, however, as Amoonguss does have quite a few flaws. Mediocre offenses, an incredibly shallow movepool, and a lack of common Grass-type support moves let it down a bit. Despite all of these shortcomings, Amoonguss's decent overall bulk and access to Spore make it an effective utility Pokemon and general glue for many teams.</p>
[SET]
name: Double Status
move 1: Spore
move 2: Stun Spore
move 3: Giga Drain
move 4: Hidden Power Ice
nature: Calm
item: Leftovers
evs: 252 HP / 48 Def / 208 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Many Grass-types utilize the infamous Double Powder strategy, and for good reason. The sleep status is very powerful on its own, as in one turn it can potentially incapacitate an opponent for an entire match. Not only that, but the mere threat of Spore forces switches, offering Amoonguss ample opportunity to spread incapacitating paralysis with Stun Spore. To supplement these status moves, Amoonguss uses Giga Drain, which has been beefed up this generation, to 75 base power from a mere 60. Since Amoonguss does not have reliable recovery, it is the primary STAB option. Hidden Power Ice rounds off the set, increasing Amoonguss's coverage, hitting Landorus, Gliscor, Dragonite, and Thundurus for super effective damage.</p>
<p>The EV spread gives good overall defenses, with a bias towards Special Defense, so that Amoonguss can better take on special attackers like Starmie and Thundurus.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Entry hazards are incredibly useful when using Amoonguss. Spikes and Stealth Rock are the entry hazards to use, as Spore and Stun Spore are incompatible with Toxic Spikes. Unfortunately, the majority of Spikes users share a Fire-type weakness with Amoonguss. Common Pokemon such as Heatran help patch up this weakness if you choose to run a Pokemon such as Forretress to set up Spikes.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Amoonguss does not have many other notable options, as its movepool is incredibly shallow. Protect could work its way onto the first, however the lack of residual damage moves like Toxic and Leech seed diminishes its value. Venoshock is a unique move that receives a doubled strength of 130 base power when the enemy is poisoned, though it is inferior to Giga Drain as a STAB option due to Giga Drain's healing effect and superior offensive coverage. It also works better with sleep and paralysis as your main status options. Clear Smog is another exclusive move that has good utility. It removes stat changes, which can be useful against Pokemon attempting to set up against Amoonguss.<p>
<p>There are a few other Hidden Powers that Amoonguss can run, such as Hidden Power Fire, which can hit Ferrothorn and Forretress for massive damage. Most of these are afterthoughts, however, as even when super effective they will not OHKO anything without sufficient SpA investment, and status moves are generally more worthwhile if a switch to one of these Pokemon is predicted. Payback can work well with Amoonguss's very low Speed to hit Ghost-type Pokemon for super effective damage, but the lack of a physical Grass-type attack—or even Poison-type attack—to go alongside Payback is disappointing. Lastly, Synthesis is a method of healing, but is inconsistent due to the many different weather effects in the metagame.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Espeon and Xatu reflect Spore and Stun Spore back at Amoonguss with Magic Mirror, and threaten Amoonguss with super effective Psychic-type attacks, making them excellent counters. Toxic Orb Gliscor can switch with impunity into status moves after its Toxic Orb is activated, and can foil Amoonguss's attempts to do anything with Taunt. Most users of Taunt can make Amoonguss useless, provided they can safely switch in. Fast substitute users, especially those which resist Amoonguss's attacks, such as Gengar, can give Amoonguss trouble, as they are immune to status moves if they manage to get a Substitute up. Guts Conkeldurr can take advantage of Stun Spore by giving it a 50% increase to Attack, and proceed to use Bulk Up, and heal itself with Drain Punch along the way. Even though Amoonguss resists Drain Punch, Conkeldurr will heal enough from Amoonguss's high HP to continue its sweep.</p>
<p>The main key to countering Amoonguss is getting into battle safe from status, because otherwise Amoonguss has already done its job by crippling opposing Pokemon. Many powerful offensive Pokemon will have no problems beating Amoonguss once they have side-stepped its status moves. Once they've safely switched in, Blaziken and Heatran, for example, can scare Amoonguss away by threatening to KO with powerful Fire-type attacks. Many Pokemon pack super effective moves against Amoonguss, but it is a matter of getting into battle without being crippled by a status move.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Amoonguss's Dream World ability is amazing. Regenerator allows it to recover 1/3 of its HP whenever it switches out of battle. This is very beneficial, and helps offset Amoonguss's lack of useful instant healing moves.</p>
