[OVERVIEW]
With a large HP stat and a good defensive typing that allows it to handle metagame staples such as Ash-Greninja, Tapu Koko, Keldeo, Tapu Bulu, and Tangrowth, Amoonguss is an excellent defensive Pokemon. Amoonguss also has five key resistances to Grass, Water, Electric, Fairy, and Fighting and access to a wide number of valuable utility moves such as Spore, Stun Spore, and Clear Smog. Amoonguss's excellent defensive ability in Regenerator only further bolsters Amoonguss's defensive prowess, as it keeps Amoonguss from having to waste time recovering, meaning it doesn't lose momentum as easily and can be a good pick on offensive teams despite not having a strong offensive presence. Unfortunately, Amoonguss' defensive typing also gives it some nasty weaknesses to common offensive types in Flying, Ice, Fire, and Psychic, and its low Speed and attacking stats can make it somewhat passive, giving setup opportunities or free switches to a vast number of offensive Pokemon once it has used Spore.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Spore
move 2: Giga Drain
move 3: Hidden Power Fire / Sludge Bomb
move 4: Stun Spore / Toxic
item: Black Sludge
ability: Regenerator
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 44 Def / 216 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Spore grants Amoonguss the ability to put most non-Grass-type Pokemon to sleep, which is fantastic support for a variety of teams. Giga Drain gives Amoonguss a STAB move that enables it to deal with many Water-types. Hidden Power Fire hits Steel-types, specifically the likes of Mega Scizor, Ferrothorn, and Kartana. Sludge Bomb can be used as a secondary STAB move to hit the likes of Tangrowth and fish for poison on switch-ins like Landorus-T and Mega Sableye. Stun Spore cripples Pokemon that would otherwise use Amoonguss to switch in for free by halving their Speed rather than wearing them down. Toxic works similarly to Stun Spore, hindering a number of Pokemon, such as Latios, Mega Charizard Y, Volcarona, and Zygarde, that would otherwise use Amoonguss to safely switch in. Clear Smog can be used to reset stat boosts, allowing Amoonguss to keep Pokemon such as Serperior, Calm Mind Tapu Fini, and Nasty Plot Thundurus in check.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP is required to make Amoonguss as bulky as possible, and the heavy Special Defense investment hits a jump point and enables Amoonguss to stomach hits from special attackers such as Ash-Greninja and Ice Beam Magearna. The rest of the EVs are placed into Defense giving Amoonguss a good chance to survive Kartana's +2 Smart Strike. Regenerator stops Amoonguss from being a momentum drain by wasting turns recovering like many other defensive pivots must do. Black Sludge gives Amoonguss passive recovery.
Usage Tips
========
Bring Amoonguss in against a Pokemon it can handle such as Ash-Greninja or Keldeo and proceed to spread status. If there is a very obvious Pokemon that the opponent is going to use to absorb Amoonguss's Spore, consider using Toxic or Stun Spore or even double switching as not to waste Spore's utility. In order to somewhat make up for Amoonguss's passivity once a foe has been put to sleep, it can be best to try switching Amoonguss out into something with more offensive presence once it has effectively scouted the opponent's Pokemon, as otherwise it can be relatively easy to lose momentum. Keep in mind that Electric-types such as Tapu Koko and Rotom-W are likely going to use U-turn or Volt Switch to pivot into a strong wallbreaker as Amoonguss switches in, so sometimes it's best not to bring Amoonguss in against these Pokemon to prevent said wallbreaker from coming in safely. Lastly, Amoonguss must be wary of lures; Pokemon such as Zen Headbutt Tapu Bulu and Brave Bird Tapu Koko can effectively lure in and deal heavy damage to Amoonguss, so try to scout those types of Pokemon if you have the ability to.
Team Options
========
Most strong wallbreakers appreciate Amoonguss's ability to put Pokemon to sleep, as it can give them free turns to set up or fire off powerful attacks. Offensive Pokemon such as Greninja, Volcarona, and Sand Rush Excadrill appreciate Amoonguss's ability to pivot into common Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Keldeo and Ash-Greninja, which would otherwise be able to revenge kill them. Pokemon that can take Fire-type attacks, specifically Heatran, pair well with Amoonguss because they cover each other's weaknesses handily, with Amoonguss being one of the sturdiest Water-resistant Pokemon in the tier and Heatran being able to handle the likes of Volcarona. Zygarde appreciates Amoonguss's ability to reliably handle other Grass-types such as Tangrowth and Ferrothorn, as they are some of the tougher Pokemon for Zygarde to break down. Zapdos provides a check to threatening Flying-types such as Mega Pinsir and Tornadus-T while appreciating Amoonguss's ability to reliably sponge Knock Off from Pokemon such as Tangrowth.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Foul Play can be used to hit Gengar while also 2HKOing Hoopa-U. Hidden Power Ice can be used to nail the likes of Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Zygarde, which could otherwise use Amoonguss as setup fodder.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Volcarona, Mega Charizard Y, and Heatran are just a few Fire-types that are able to beat Amoonguss with their Fire-type STAB moves, while Amoonguss can do little to retaliate.
**Psychic-types**: The likes of Tapu Lele, Latios, Mega Alakazam, and Hoopa-U are able to bust through Amoonguss with their Psychic-type STAB moves, although Tapu Lele must be wary of being hit hard by Sludge Bomb.
**Flying-types**: The combination of super effective STAB moves and a resistance to Grass makes Mega Pinsir, Tornadus-T, Celesteela, and Salamence almost impossible for Amoonguss to handle.
**Ice-types**: Kyurem-B, Mamoswine, and Weavile hit Amoonguss hard with their Ice-type STAB moves; however, Mamowsine can't switch directly into a Giga Drain.
**Mega Sableye**: With Amoonguss's utility moves being reflected by Magic Bounce and its attacking moves such as Giga Drain and Clear Smog doing negligible damage when factoring in Mega Sableye's reliable recovery, Mega Sableye is one of the safest and most reliable counters to Amoonguss.
With a large HP stat and a good defensive typing that allows it to handle metagame staples such as Ash-Greninja, Tapu Koko, Keldeo, Tapu Bulu, and Tangrowth, Amoonguss is an excellent defensive Pokemon. Amoonguss also has five key resistances to Grass, Water, Electric, Fairy, and Fighting and access to a wide number of valuable utility moves such as Spore, Stun Spore, and Clear Smog. Amoonguss's excellent defensive ability in Regenerator only further bolsters Amoonguss's defensive prowess, as it keeps Amoonguss from having to waste time recovering, meaning it doesn't lose momentum as easily and can be a good pick on offensive teams despite not having a strong offensive presence. Unfortunately, Amoonguss' defensive typing also gives it some nasty weaknesses to common offensive types in Flying, Ice, Fire, and Psychic, and its low Speed and attacking stats can make it somewhat passive, giving setup opportunities or free switches to a vast number of offensive Pokemon once it has used Spore.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Spore
move 2: Giga Drain
move 3: Hidden Power Fire / Sludge Bomb
move 4: Stun Spore / Toxic
item: Black Sludge
ability: Regenerator
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 44 Def / 216 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Spore grants Amoonguss the ability to put most non-Grass-type Pokemon to sleep, which is fantastic support for a variety of teams. Giga Drain gives Amoonguss a STAB move that enables it to deal with many Water-types. Hidden Power Fire hits Steel-types, specifically the likes of Mega Scizor, Ferrothorn, and Kartana. Sludge Bomb can be used as a secondary STAB move to hit the likes of Tangrowth and fish for poison on switch-ins like Landorus-T and Mega Sableye. Stun Spore cripples Pokemon that would otherwise use Amoonguss to switch in for free by halving their Speed rather than wearing them down. Toxic works similarly to Stun Spore, hindering a number of Pokemon, such as Latios, Mega Charizard Y, Volcarona, and Zygarde, that would otherwise use Amoonguss to safely switch in. Clear Smog can be used to reset stat boosts, allowing Amoonguss to keep Pokemon such as Serperior, Calm Mind Tapu Fini, and Nasty Plot Thundurus in check.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP is required to make Amoonguss as bulky as possible, and the heavy Special Defense investment hits a jump point and enables Amoonguss to stomach hits from special attackers such as Ash-Greninja and Ice Beam Magearna. The rest of the EVs are placed into Defense giving Amoonguss a good chance to survive Kartana's +2 Smart Strike. Regenerator stops Amoonguss from being a momentum drain by wasting turns recovering like many other defensive pivots must do. Black Sludge gives Amoonguss passive recovery.
Usage Tips
========
Bring Amoonguss in against a Pokemon it can handle such as Ash-Greninja or Keldeo and proceed to spread status. If there is a very obvious Pokemon that the opponent is going to use to absorb Amoonguss's Spore, consider using Toxic or Stun Spore or even double switching as not to waste Spore's utility. In order to somewhat make up for Amoonguss's passivity once a foe has been put to sleep, it can be best to try switching Amoonguss out into something with more offensive presence once it has effectively scouted the opponent's Pokemon, as otherwise it can be relatively easy to lose momentum. Keep in mind that Electric-types such as Tapu Koko and Rotom-W are likely going to use U-turn or Volt Switch to pivot into a strong wallbreaker as Amoonguss switches in, so sometimes it's best not to bring Amoonguss in against these Pokemon to prevent said wallbreaker from coming in safely. Lastly, Amoonguss must be wary of lures; Pokemon such as Zen Headbutt Tapu Bulu and Brave Bird Tapu Koko can effectively lure in and deal heavy damage to Amoonguss, so try to scout those types of Pokemon if you have the ability to.
Team Options
========
Most strong wallbreakers appreciate Amoonguss's ability to put Pokemon to sleep, as it can give them free turns to set up or fire off powerful attacks. Offensive Pokemon such as Greninja, Volcarona, and Sand Rush Excadrill appreciate Amoonguss's ability to pivot into common Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Keldeo and Ash-Greninja, which would otherwise be able to revenge kill them. Pokemon that can take Fire-type attacks, specifically Heatran, pair well with Amoonguss because they cover each other's weaknesses handily, with Amoonguss being one of the sturdiest Water-resistant Pokemon in the tier and Heatran being able to handle the likes of Volcarona. Zygarde appreciates Amoonguss's ability to reliably handle other Grass-types such as Tangrowth and Ferrothorn, as they are some of the tougher Pokemon for Zygarde to break down. Zapdos provides a check to threatening Flying-types such as Mega Pinsir and Tornadus-T while appreciating Amoonguss's ability to reliably sponge Knock Off from Pokemon such as Tangrowth.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Foul Play can be used to hit Gengar while also 2HKOing Hoopa-U. Hidden Power Ice can be used to nail the likes of Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Zygarde, which could otherwise use Amoonguss as setup fodder.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Volcarona, Mega Charizard Y, and Heatran are just a few Fire-types that are able to beat Amoonguss with their Fire-type STAB moves, while Amoonguss can do little to retaliate.
**Psychic-types**: The likes of Tapu Lele, Latios, Mega Alakazam, and Hoopa-U are able to bust through Amoonguss with their Psychic-type STAB moves, although Tapu Lele must be wary of being hit hard by Sludge Bomb.
**Flying-types**: The combination of super effective STAB moves and a resistance to Grass makes Mega Pinsir, Tornadus-T, Celesteela, and Salamence almost impossible for Amoonguss to handle.
**Ice-types**: Kyurem-B, Mamoswine, and Weavile hit Amoonguss hard with their Ice-type STAB moves; however, Mamowsine can't switch directly into a Giga Drain.
**Mega Sableye**: With Amoonguss's utility moves being reflected by Magic Bounce and its attacking moves such as Giga Drain and Clear Smog doing negligible damage when factoring in Mega Sableye's reliable recovery, Mega Sableye is one of the safest and most reliable counters to Amoonguss.
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