[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Fire Lash
move 2: Spikes
move 3: Thunder Wave / Stomping Tantrum
move 4: Encore / Heal Bell / Will-O-Wisp
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Regenerator
nature: Jolly
evs: 72 HP / 252 SpD / 184 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
=====
Astrolotl is one of CAP's defining utility Pokemon. For starters, it's easily among the best Spikers in the tier because it can easily force switches and force chip damage onto foes thanks to Fire Lash. Additionally, Astrolotl is great at luring in and punishing Heatran with Thunder Wave or Stomping Tantrum, with the latter also improving its Krilowatt matchup. Furthermore, Astrolotl is effective against setup sweepers like Clefable and Suicune thanks to Encore, yet another tool to help it force switches. However, it can also function as a solid cleric with Heal Bell or Ground-type lure with Will-O-Wisp. The EV spread lets Astrolotl outpace Krilowatt and gives it a great increase in special bulk, helping it take on foes like Heatran.
Powerful wallbreakers like Kyurem, Krilowatt, and Zapdos benefit greatly from Astrolotl's Spikes support chipping away at foes like Galarian Slowking and Heatran and it directly helping against Steel- and Grass-types like Scizor, Ferrothorn, and Choice Scarf Jumbao. In return, these teammates can pressure bulky Water-types for Astrolotl. Spinners like Tomohawk and Equilibra also pair nicely with Astrolotl, providing entry hazard removal that preserves Astrolotl's Spikes. Pokemon like Garchomp and Dragapult that are prone to being crippled with status appreciate Astrolotl's cleric support. Additionally, Hex Dragapult enjoys Astrolotl spreading status across the opposition.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Checks and Counters
=====
**Water-types**: Slowking, Slowbro, and Toxapex have the bulk and longevity to withstand repeated Fire Lashes and can eventually force Astrolotl out. However, Astrolotl can still freely set Spikes against them and recover health with Regenerator. Other Water-types like Tapu Fini, Suicune, and Swampert are similar, with the former also being able to remove Spikes with Defog, but their longevity is much worse.
**Ground-types**: Pokemon like Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Hippowdon can switch into and OHKO Astrolotl with Earthquake, but they all must be cautious of Will-O-Wisp. Colossoil can't take Fire Lash well but otherwise is a good Astrolotl answer thanks to Guts and Rapid Spin.
**Tomohawk**: Tomohawk can switch into Astrolotl, force damage onto it with Rocky Helmet, and remove its Spikes with Rapid Spin. However, it's vulnerable to being locked into a utility move with Encore.
**Dragon-types**: Astrolotl is unable to meaningfully damage foes like Hydreigon, Dragapult, and Cyclohm, which can all easily dispatch it with Draco Meteor. However, the former two must watch for Thunder Wave.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Rabia, 336073]]
- Quality checked by: [[quziel, 297859], [Voltage, 73006]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429]]
name: Utility
move 1: Fire Lash
move 2: Spikes
move 3: Thunder Wave / Stomping Tantrum
move 4: Encore / Heal Bell / Will-O-Wisp
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Regenerator
nature: Jolly
evs: 72 HP / 252 SpD / 184 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
=====
Astrolotl is one of CAP's defining utility Pokemon. For starters, it's easily among the best Spikers in the tier because it can easily force switches and force chip damage onto foes thanks to Fire Lash. Additionally, Astrolotl is great at luring in and punishing Heatran with Thunder Wave or Stomping Tantrum, with the latter also improving its Krilowatt matchup. Furthermore, Astrolotl is effective against setup sweepers like Clefable and Suicune thanks to Encore, yet another tool to help it force switches. However, it can also function as a solid cleric with Heal Bell or Ground-type lure with Will-O-Wisp. The EV spread lets Astrolotl outpace Krilowatt and gives it a great increase in special bulk, helping it take on foes like Heatran.
Powerful wallbreakers like Kyurem, Krilowatt, and Zapdos benefit greatly from Astrolotl's Spikes support chipping away at foes like Galarian Slowking and Heatran and it directly helping against Steel- and Grass-types like Scizor, Ferrothorn, and Choice Scarf Jumbao. In return, these teammates can pressure bulky Water-types for Astrolotl. Spinners like Tomohawk and Equilibra also pair nicely with Astrolotl, providing entry hazard removal that preserves Astrolotl's Spikes. Pokemon like Garchomp and Dragapult that are prone to being crippled with status appreciate Astrolotl's cleric support. Additionally, Hex Dragapult enjoys Astrolotl spreading status across the opposition.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Checks and Counters
=====
**Water-types**: Slowking, Slowbro, and Toxapex have the bulk and longevity to withstand repeated Fire Lashes and can eventually force Astrolotl out. However, Astrolotl can still freely set Spikes against them and recover health with Regenerator. Other Water-types like Tapu Fini, Suicune, and Swampert are similar, with the former also being able to remove Spikes with Defog, but their longevity is much worse.
**Ground-types**: Pokemon like Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Hippowdon can switch into and OHKO Astrolotl with Earthquake, but they all must be cautious of Will-O-Wisp. Colossoil can't take Fire Lash well but otherwise is a good Astrolotl answer thanks to Guts and Rapid Spin.
**Tomohawk**: Tomohawk can switch into Astrolotl, force damage onto it with Rocky Helmet, and remove its Spikes with Rapid Spin. However, it's vulnerable to being locked into a utility move with Encore.
**Dragon-types**: Astrolotl is unable to meaningfully damage foes like Hydreigon, Dragapult, and Cyclohm, which can all easily dispatch it with Draco Meteor. However, the former two must watch for Thunder Wave.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Rabia, 336073]]
- Quality checked by: [[quziel, 297859], [Voltage, 73006]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429]]
Last edited:
