Amoonguss (Analysis)

[Overview]

<p>Amoonguss's good HP, average defenses, and Grass/Poison typing are not cause for its this Pokémon's unique appeal. Rather, it is its appeal is its access to the highly exclusive move Spore. Amoonguss's defenses are average, slightly greater than Venusaur's on both sides in both Defense and Special Defense. This is not amazing, but quite impressive for a mushroom with two Pokéballs for its hands. Not everything is all 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 Pokémon 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 Landlos, Gliscor, Garchomp, and Thundurus for super effective damage.</p>

<p>The EVs are straightforward: Amoonguss's HP stat is maximised, making it bulky on both defensive sides. EVs are then invested into its Special Defense stat to allow Amoonguss to take attacks from special attackers such as Starmie and Thundurus. The remaining EVs are then invested into its Defense, allowing it to take physical hits a little better.</p> (this paragraph really fails to explain why the EVs are as they are. What are "the remaining EVs?" How about something like "The EV spread gives good overall defenses with a bias towards Special Defense, so that Amoonguss can better take on attackers like Starmie and Thundurus")

[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 Pokémon 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 casual residual damage damaging 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 Ferroseed 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 to use if a switch to one of these Pokémon is predicted (really? After you've spored I wouldn't imagine that you'd much want to paralyse incredibly slow pokemon that use Gyro Ball). 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 in 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,which resists Amoonguss's attacks, can give Amoonguss trouble, as they are immune to status moves if they manage to get a Substitute up. When the Substitute user resists Grass-type attacks, the situation is even more problematic. 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 HP from Amoonguss's high HP to allow its sweep 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. Regeneration allows it to recover 1/3 of its HP whenever it switches out of battle. (add space) This is very beneficial, and helps offset Amoonguss's lack of useful instant healing moves.</p>
Click to expand...
GP check 2/2
Not much wrong with this.
 
<p>There are a few other Hidden Powers that Amoonguss can run, such as Hidden Power Fire, which can hit Ferroseed 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 Pokémon is predicted (really? After you've spored I wouldn't imagine that you'd much want to paralyse incredibly slow pokemon that use Gyro Ball). 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>
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this is why I keep telling people not just to copy and paste
 
Some things from just skimming the analysis.

It should almost always be Amoonguss's. Yes three s's is correct.

It's Poké Ball.

And, please delete all of the accented é's on Pokemon. We changed the standard.
 
Actually, it's supposed to be Amoonguss' when used in the possessive. It sounds worse but that's how it works.

HP Fire would seem to deserve a bigger mention but that's just me. Being a very pleasant counter to Ferrothorn is nice.

You mention Ferroseed once; change that to Ferrothorn.
 
It would only be Amoonguss' if it was plural possessive. We (or I) have been trying to get everyone to assume we're talking about the Pokemon as a singularity. Not every species of that Pokemon ever. So, if it was singular possessive, it would indeed be Amoonguss's.

Also, make sure to capitalzie Ball in Poké Ball in the Overview.

EDIT: From the Grammar Standards page:

Always append 's to a noun when signifying a singular possessive (Latias's Soul Dew) or plural possessive that doesn't end in s (Lucario's Swords Dance), and simply a ' when signifying a plural possessive for a word that ends in s (All Latios' Draco Meteor).
 
Lol its only counters are things immune to sleep? Well I know Amoonguss is 10 times better in VGC since you can take advantage of the no sleep clause rule and use Rage Powder effectively.
 
Mooo said:
[Dream World]

<p>Amoonguss's Dream World ability is amazing. Regeneration 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>
Click to expand...

Just a little thing.

EDIT: 600th post btw.
 
I know that this is done and buried, but I'd like to make a small suggestion.

When I first started using Amoonguss ages ago, I used a simple 252 hp / 252 spdef calm spread. I was disappointed with the lack of power (running HP fire at the time) so I started testing spreads with special attack EVs. I began with 252 hp / 56 spatk / 200 spdef calm which yielded 220 special attack (a decent amount for a wall) and 270 special defense (lowered from 284.) 0

I was actually quite happy with this spread, but when I read this analysis I wanted to try the 252 / 48 / 208 spread listed. My reasoning being that it must have been based on something important. It was, surprisingly, lacking in power. 2HKOes were suddenly 3HKOes and OHKOes were 2HKOes. I haven't been using moongy recently, so I don't remember any specific examples, but my point is that 56 special attack EVs give it just enough kick to have a threatening offensive presence.

I'm going to suggest mentioning an alternative EV spread of 252 HP / 56 SpAtk / 200 SpDef Calm for those that want some more power.
 
JT Swift said:
I know that this is done and buried, but I'd like to make a small suggestion.

When I first started using Amoonguss ages ago, I used a simple 252 hp / 252 spdef calm spread. I was disappointed with the lack of power (running HP fire at the time) so I started testing spreads with special attack EVs. I began with 252 hp / 56 spatk / 200 spdef calm which yielded 220 special attack (a decent amount for a wall) and 270 special defense (lowered from 284.) 0

I was actually quite happy with this spread, but when I read this analysis I wanted to try the 252 / 48 / 208 spread listed. My reasoning being that it must have been based on something important. It was, surprisingly, lacking in power. 2HKOes were suddenly 3HKOes and OHKOes were 2HKOes. I haven't been using moongy recently, so I don't remember any specific examples, but my point is that 56 special attack EVs give it just enough kick to have a threatening offensive presence.

I'm going to suggest mentioning an alternative EV spread of 252 HP / 56 SpAtk / 200 SpDef Calm for those that want some more power.
Click to expand...

Are you sure 14 more SpA is that important? I personally would like to see some calcs to understand what you want to say.

Because I think Amoonguss needs all the bulk it can get and if those EVs don't accomplish anything important I'd say it doesn't deserve a mention.
 
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