Diophantine
Banned deucer.
[OVERVIEW]
Ampharos is an all-round solid Pokemon in GSC UU. Its bulk and typing allow it to sponge attacks from much of the tier, its powerful Thunders force many switches with the threat of heavy damage and paralysis, and it has several utility options that allow it to support its teammates. Ampharos is one of the few Pokemon that can safely switch into and create momentum against the likes of Slowbro and Slowking thanks to its great Special bulk. In addition, Ampharos is one of the biggest threats to many of the commonly seen Water-types of the tier such as Politoed and Gyarados. However, the most commonly seen Pokemon in the tier, Nidoqueen, completely dominates Ampharos, which can turn it into a liability at times. Nonetheless, this wholesome lighthouse keeper remains a threat to be considered, and it is very rare for a player not to gain any utility from having it on the team.
[SET]
name: Heart of the Lighthouse (Sleep Talk)
move 1: Thunder / Thunderbolt
move 2: Light Screen / Hidden Power Ice / Reflect
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Leftovers
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
The combination of Ampharos's offensive and defensive presence, coupled with it only needing one attacking move to pose a threat, means that it is a great candidate to use RestTalk. Thunder is the obligatory Electric-type attack and has a 30% chance to inflict paralysis, provided it hits. Thunderbolt can be used instead for greater accuracy in exchange for less power and paralysis probability. As Nidoqueen is omnipresent in the tier, it is necessary for Ampharos to have a second move that is guaranteed to gain some utility if Nidoqueen inevitably switches in. The most commonly seen moves that fit this criteria are dual screens and Hidden Power Ice. The screens make pivoting around Nidoqueen much easier, while Hidden Power Ice chips it down. Light Screen allows Ampharos to take on powerful special attackers like Mr. Mime and Politoed more reliably, while Reflect improves its matchup against Granbull. Hidden Power Ice is also useful coverage to chip Grass-type Pokemon as they switch in and deals a considerable chunk of damage to Gligar. RestTalk grants Ampharos longevity so that it can sponge hits and dish out attacks more consistently while also reducing the disadvantages caused by status inflictions.
Team Options
========
Ampharos's weakness to Earthquake means that Pokemon that are not weak to Ground and can pivot around Nidoqueen such as Granbull, Blastoise, Bellossom, Gligar, and Slowbro make suitable partners for it. Granbull is particularly well suited to pairing up with Ampharos, as none of Nidoqueen's possible attacks can 3HKO it. Offensive Pokemon such as Scyther, Dodrio, and Pinsir appreciate the protection that Light Screen offers, as they become a lot more difficult to check. Slowbro especially enjoys Light Screen being set up, as it allows Slowbro to safely come in on Nidoqueen without fear of being defeated by a Thunder on the predicted switch.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
It should be noted that if Sleep Talk is dropped, Ampharos loses some of its longevity as well as its ability to absorb status which is one of the reasons why Ampharos is so valuable. Furthermore, Nidoqueen counters Ampharos no matter the set. Thunder Wave can be seen as another option for a more consistent way to spread paralysis. Hidden Power Grass can be used to deal heavy damage to Quagsire, and Fire Punch can be used to hit Magneton and Piloswine for super effective damage. Body Slam is an option to fish for a paralysis to punish incoming Ground-type Pokemon that think they can switch in without risk. If Nidoqueen can be eliminated somehow, an all-out offensive set becomes more viable, which might use Dynamic Punch to hit Chansey alongside additional coverage moves.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Nidoqueen**: If Nidoqueen has Moonlight, it fears almost nothing from Ampharos, easily tanking its Hidden Power Ice on the switch and being under such negligible threat from Ampharos that it is free to toss out any coverage move it has to hit the predicted switch-in with little consequence if it guesses wrong. Its STAB Earthquake is a safe 2HKO against Ampharos, and the best Ampharos can hope to do in return is to set up a screen for a teammate to try to stop it.
**Other Ground-types**: Ground-type Pokemon are able to switch in on and threaten Ampharos with a powerful Earthquake, provided they avoid the coverage moves that would put a dent in them. Piloswine and Quagsire can also use Ampharos as a setup opportunity, though the latter must be careful of Hidden Power Grass. Gligar, Sandslash, and Graveler can also take advantage of Ampharos if it doesn't have coverage moves to hit them super effectively.
**Opposing Ampharos**: Opposing Ampharos can take advantage of an Ampharos that does not have a screen to set up a screen of their own or try to PP stall it.
**Chansey**: Chansey easily shrugs off any of Ampharos's special attacks and can set up a screen, threaten it with Present or Curse-boosted Double-Edge, or cure its team's status inflictions with Heal Bell.
**Grass-types**: Bellossom and Vileplume can switch into Ampharos not carrying Hidden Power Ice or Fire Punch and threaten it with a Leech Seed to force it out and spread status. However, these Pokemon do not possess an Electric immunity and thus run the risk of being paralyzed when they are thrown into Ampharos.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Diophantine, 370164]]
- Quality checked by: [[Earthworm, 15210], [Century Express, 234737]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Rabia, 336073]]
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