[SET]
name: Defensive Pivot (Poison)
move 1: Spore
move 2: Giga Drain
move 3: Foul Play / Stomping Tantrum
move 4: Synthesis
item: Black Sludge
ability: Regenerator
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Amoonguss is a fantastic defensive pivot for Poison teams thanks to Regenerator and its Grass typing, allowing it to take neutral damage from Ground-type attacks and switch into attacks such as Choice Scarf Excadrill's Earthquake even with Stealth Rock up. Spore allows Amoonguss to put threats such as Diggersby and Excadrill to sleep and avoid becoming set up bait against setup sweepers such as Bisharp. Giga Drain allows Amoonguss to target Ground- and Water-type Pokemon such as Hippowdon, Krookodile, Seismitoad, and Keldeo. Foul Play allows Amoonguss to punish physical setup sweepers such as Swords Dance Scizor and Pokemon weak to Dark such as Dragapult. Stomping Tantrum is an option to punish Salazzle, a pain to face for Poison teams, but it is not good in any other matchup. Synthesis gives Amoonguss a reliable form of recovery and also allows it to switch into Choice Scarf Excadrill through the match continually. Black Sludge gives Amoonguss a form of passive recovery, and Regenerator allows Amoonguss to excel as a defensive pivot. Its EVs and Bold nature allow Amoonguss to avoid a 2HKO from physical attacks such as Choice Scarf Excadrill's Earthquake after Stealth Rock damage.
Toxapex and Amoonguss form the Regenerator core on Poison teams. Toxapex also provides Amoonguss with a switch-in to Fire- and Ice-type attacks from Pokemon such as Charizard and Weavile. In return, Amoonguss can tank Electric-type attacks for Toxapex, such as Zeraora's Plasma Fists. Galarian Weezing can switch into powerful Dragon-type attacks for Amoonguss, such as Hydreigon's Draco Meteor. Galarian Weezing also switches into Ground-type attacks that Amoonguss cannot, such as Choice Band Diggersby's Earthquake, as well as cripple physical attackers such as Terrakion with Will-O-Wisp, and wall Urshifu-S, which otherwise can muscle past Amoonguss. Skuntank provides a switch-in to Psychic-type attacks and can check dangerous threats to Amoonguss with Sucker Punch, such as Alolan Raichu and Dragapult. Both can also clear entry hazards for Amoonguss with Defog. Amoonguss can put foes to sleep for Gengar with Spore, such as Choice Scarf Dracovish, allowing Gengar to break through the opposing team more easily. Gengar can, in return, cripple walls for Amoonguss like Toxapex by using Trick, making them near deadweight. Salazzle keeps faster foes in check and can check Pokemon such as Excadrill with Flamethrower, taking the burden off Amoonguss to switch into its Earthquake. Salazzle can also significantly improve the Poison- and Steel-type matchup by crippling foes such as Corviknight and Toxapex with Toxic thanks to its ability Corrosion. Scolipede is a powerful setup sweeper that can break through walls such as Chansey with Megahorn and threaten Psychic teams very effectively thanks to Speed Boost and its ability to OHKO or 2HKO all Psychic-type Pokemon. While not incredibly viable, Toxtricity can take on Flying-type Pokemon such as Corviknight, Mantine, and Mandibuzz with Overdrive, which otherwise walls Amoonguss.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[maroon, 305839]]
- Poison analysis by: [[maroon, 305839]]
- Quality checked by: [[Decem, 362454], [Harpp, 320110]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
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