Endorfins
Your Worst Nightmare
AMOONGUSS
[Overview]
<p>It's common knowledge that wild mushrooms are deadly, and Amoonguss is no exception. At first glance, none of Amoonguss's stats seem to be very appealing; all of them are mediocre at best. However, Amoonguss has one of the most powerful moves in the game, Spore, at its disposal. Spore's 100% accuracy means that something on your opponent's team is likely to be crippled. Amoonguss's Grass and Poison typing is also a blessing in disguise; the ability to remove Toxic Spikes from the field and resistances to four common attacking types goes well with Spore.</p>
[SET]
name: Addictive Shroom
move 1: Spore
move 2: Giga Drain
move 3: Clear Smog
move 4: Hidden Power Ice / Synthesis
item: Leftovers
ability: Effect Spore
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 140 Def / 116 SpA
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>A conglomeration of support and offense helps make Amoonguss one of the best pivots in the tier. Spore can easily turns the game back in your favor while Clear Smog can halt threatening set-up sweepers in their tracks. With some Special Attack investment, Amoonguss can apply considerable pressure upon the opponent; its STAB Giga Drain can hit many frailer Pokemon for decent damage, providing Amoonguss with some necessary recovery. The last slot can be either Hidden Power Ice to smack most Flying- and Dragon-types hard or Synthesis to restore lost health, reliably healing half of Amoonguss's HP due to the lack of instant weather.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread brings out the best in Amoonguss's offensive and defensive capabilities. The Special Attack EVs guarantee a 2HKO on most frail Grass-types and offensive Flying-types such as Braviary after Stealth Rock, while the HP and Defense EVs improve Amoonguss's physical bulk. Leftovers and a Bold nature further augment Amoonguss's decent bulk. The choice of Hidden Power in the last slot can be customized depending on your team's needs. Hidden Power Fire obliterates Steel-types, while Hidden Power Rock destroys opposing Fire-types. Effect Spore is currently Amoonguss's only ability, and it is quite volatile. Although it can snatch a game from the clutches of defeat, it can just as easily cause conflict with attempts to use Spore, keeping your opponent awake.</p>
<p>Amoonguss should never be the first choice on a team, nor does it require much support from its teammates. It should be used as a bulky pivot and can be considered on many team styles, such as offense, stall, weather and Trick Room. Despite being mostly self-reliant Pokemon, Amoonguss still appreciates teammates that can switch into the Pokemon that can threaten it, Rock-types such as Regirock can switch into Flying-types such as Swellow that beat Amoonguss while Camerupt can take the Fire-type attacks that will no doubt be directed at Amoonguss. Skuntank is also a good teammate for Amoonguss as it can remove Psychic-types that often switch in to it. Sawk is another decent option to partner Amoonguss as it can force out its number one enemy, Miltank. Amoonguss does an admirable job of shutting down setup sweepers and forcing switches with the threat of its infamous Spore. Good teams should be able to apply strong pressure on the opponent, switching in teammates while the opponent switches out in fear of Spore.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Although it is a Grass-type with a shallow movepool, it does have some worthwhile choices to use over its main moves. Stun Spore can be used in conjunction with Spore to create a double status set that can surprise offensive switch-ins with paralysis. Similarly, Toxic can be used as another status option to cripple defensive switch-ins and put them on a timer. Amoonguss's options are limited, but it can take on the role of a weather supporter with access to both Sunny Day and Rain Dance to support either weather. Both also benefit Amoonguss, as rain removes Amoonguss's Fire weakness while sun allows Amoonguss to utilize SolarBeam effectively and possibly go on the offensive with a boosted Growth. Another niche option that Amoonguss has is Gastro Acid; removing the abilities from ability-dependant Pokemon is always fun, but it is too situational to be of regular use.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Preventing Amoonguss from putting one of your Pokemon to sleep is a hard task. The best counters to Amoonguss are those that are not affected by Spore, such as Sap Sippers like Miltank. They not only enjoy an immunity to Amoonguss's Grass-type moves but they can also get an attack boost whenever they are hit by one. Vital Spirit Magmortar is one of the best Amoonguss counters, as it can freely come in on Spore and immediately threaten Amoonguss with a STAB Fire move. However, most teams don't have a Pokemon that is immune to sleep, so sacrificing your least important member to Spore is often the only course of action. If Amoonguss is unable to use Spore, then its list of counters grows exponentially. Fire-types can then freely switch in and force Amoonguss out, as can Flying types such as Swellow and Psychic types such as Mesprit; the latter often runs Substitute and Calm Mind, which means that it can avoid Clear Smog and set up on Amoonguss. If worst comes to worst, tricking a Choice item onto Amoonguss can disable it, but normally your team should have few problems with it after Sleep Clause is activated.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>When released, Amoonguss's Dream World ability, Regenerator, should be the default on all sets. It circumvents Amoonguss's lack of reliable instant recovery by recovering a third of its health just by switching, which allows the annoying mushroom to stay in the match for much longer.</p>
[Overview]
<p>It's common knowledge that wild mushrooms are deadly, and Amoonguss is no exception. At first glance, none of Amoonguss's stats seem to be very appealing; all of them are mediocre at best. However, Amoonguss has one of the most powerful moves in the game, Spore, at its disposal. Spore's 100% accuracy means that something on your opponent's team is likely to be crippled. Amoonguss's Grass and Poison typing is also a blessing in disguise; the ability to remove Toxic Spikes from the field and resistances to four common attacking types goes well with Spore.</p>
[SET]
name: Addictive Shroom
move 1: Spore
move 2: Giga Drain
move 3: Clear Smog
move 4: Hidden Power Ice / Synthesis
item: Leftovers
ability: Effect Spore
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 140 Def / 116 SpA
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>A conglomeration of support and offense helps make Amoonguss one of the best pivots in the tier. Spore can easily turns the game back in your favor while Clear Smog can halt threatening set-up sweepers in their tracks. With some Special Attack investment, Amoonguss can apply considerable pressure upon the opponent; its STAB Giga Drain can hit many frailer Pokemon for decent damage, providing Amoonguss with some necessary recovery. The last slot can be either Hidden Power Ice to smack most Flying- and Dragon-types hard or Synthesis to restore lost health, reliably healing half of Amoonguss's HP due to the lack of instant weather.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread brings out the best in Amoonguss's offensive and defensive capabilities. The Special Attack EVs guarantee a 2HKO on most frail Grass-types and offensive Flying-types such as Braviary after Stealth Rock, while the HP and Defense EVs improve Amoonguss's physical bulk. Leftovers and a Bold nature further augment Amoonguss's decent bulk. The choice of Hidden Power in the last slot can be customized depending on your team's needs. Hidden Power Fire obliterates Steel-types, while Hidden Power Rock destroys opposing Fire-types. Effect Spore is currently Amoonguss's only ability, and it is quite volatile. Although it can snatch a game from the clutches of defeat, it can just as easily cause conflict with attempts to use Spore, keeping your opponent awake.</p>
<p>Amoonguss should never be the first choice on a team, nor does it require much support from its teammates. It should be used as a bulky pivot and can be considered on many team styles, such as offense, stall, weather and Trick Room. Despite being mostly self-reliant Pokemon, Amoonguss still appreciates teammates that can switch into the Pokemon that can threaten it, Rock-types such as Regirock can switch into Flying-types such as Swellow that beat Amoonguss while Camerupt can take the Fire-type attacks that will no doubt be directed at Amoonguss. Skuntank is also a good teammate for Amoonguss as it can remove Psychic-types that often switch in to it. Sawk is another decent option to partner Amoonguss as it can force out its number one enemy, Miltank. Amoonguss does an admirable job of shutting down setup sweepers and forcing switches with the threat of its infamous Spore. Good teams should be able to apply strong pressure on the opponent, switching in teammates while the opponent switches out in fear of Spore.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Although it is a Grass-type with a shallow movepool, it does have some worthwhile choices to use over its main moves. Stun Spore can be used in conjunction with Spore to create a double status set that can surprise offensive switch-ins with paralysis. Similarly, Toxic can be used as another status option to cripple defensive switch-ins and put them on a timer. Amoonguss's options are limited, but it can take on the role of a weather supporter with access to both Sunny Day and Rain Dance to support either weather. Both also benefit Amoonguss, as rain removes Amoonguss's Fire weakness while sun allows Amoonguss to utilize SolarBeam effectively and possibly go on the offensive with a boosted Growth. Another niche option that Amoonguss has is Gastro Acid; removing the abilities from ability-dependant Pokemon is always fun, but it is too situational to be of regular use.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Preventing Amoonguss from putting one of your Pokemon to sleep is a hard task. The best counters to Amoonguss are those that are not affected by Spore, such as Sap Sippers like Miltank. They not only enjoy an immunity to Amoonguss's Grass-type moves but they can also get an attack boost whenever they are hit by one. Vital Spirit Magmortar is one of the best Amoonguss counters, as it can freely come in on Spore and immediately threaten Amoonguss with a STAB Fire move. However, most teams don't have a Pokemon that is immune to sleep, so sacrificing your least important member to Spore is often the only course of action. If Amoonguss is unable to use Spore, then its list of counters grows exponentially. Fire-types can then freely switch in and force Amoonguss out, as can Flying types such as Swellow and Psychic types such as Mesprit; the latter often runs Substitute and Calm Mind, which means that it can avoid Clear Smog and set up on Amoonguss. If worst comes to worst, tricking a Choice item onto Amoonguss can disable it, but normally your team should have few problems with it after Sleep Clause is activated.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>When released, Amoonguss's Dream World ability, Regenerator, should be the default on all sets. It circumvents Amoonguss's lack of reliable instant recovery by recovering a third of its health just by switching, which allows the annoying mushroom to stay in the match for much longer.</p>