[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Fire Lash
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Encore / Thunder Wave / Wish
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Regenerator
nature: Jolly
evs: 32 HP / 252 SpD / 224 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Astrolotl is one of CAP's premier utility options. Thanks to Regenerator and Heavy-Duty Boots, Astrolotl can remain healthy the entire game to set Spikes and cripple switch-ins like Tomohawk, Hydreigon, and Tapu Fini with Knock Off. Additionally, Astrolotl's a very capable stallbreaker with Fire Lash, which makes it harder for foes like Hydreigon and Clefable to deal with one-on-one. Beyond cutting into foes' longevity, Astrolotl runs Encore to disrupt setup sweepers and entry hazard setters like Suicune and Tyranitar. Alternatively, Thunder Wave helps spread paralysis, while Wish can help provide a team with extra longevity. There are several other options that are practical too: Heal Bell turns Astrolotl into a cleric; Draco Meteor is great at forcing damage onto Landorus-T and Tomohawk while helping Astrolotl immediately get by Garchomp and and opposing Astrolotl; Healing Wish helps support early-game wallbreakers that can clean late-game when brought back to full health; and Substitute lets Astrolotl take advantage of weak Knock Offs from the likes of Clefable and forces U-turn users to deal with it directly. The EVs help Astrolotl scout against Choice Specs Spectrier, take on Krilowatt better, and outspeed Latios, although an alternative spread of 72 HP / 252 SpD / 184 Spe provides a bit more bulk while maintaining a Speed advantage on Krilowatt. Astrolotl can also afford a spread with maximum HP investment to pass larger Wishes and deal with Melmetal more effectively.
Potent wallbreakers like Nidoking, Krilowatt, and Melmetal benefit greatly from Spikes support, with the latter two also appreciating Wish support so they can switch in more frequently. Spinners like Equilibra and Tomohawk are good hazard removal partners because they don't remove Astrolotl's Spikes; Equilibra is also great because it synergizes well with Wish, which allows it to forgo Pain Split in favor of a third attacking move. When running Thunder Wave, Hex users like Dragapult and Spectrier and slow wallbreakers like Melmetal are ideal partners. Because Astrolotl isn't a consistent answer to Spectrier on its own, pairing it with a Dark-type like Colossoil, Hydreigon, or Tyranitar is necessary.
[Checks and Counters]
**Water-types**: Slowbro and Toxapex have the bulk to switch into Astrolotl with ease, and Regenerator in addition to recovery moves means they don't mind losing their item too much. They're typically Spikes fodder, however. Swampert, Tapu Fini, and Suicune are similar, and Tapu Fini can also remove Astrolotl's Spikes with Defog. Unfortunately, they all dislike losing Leftovers to Knock Off, and Calm Mind Suicune and Tapu Fini can be neutralized by Encore. Urshifu-R doesn't like being crippled by Knock Off or Thunder Wave but can heavily damage Astrolotl with its STAB moves.
**Rock-types**: Tyranitar can shrug off anything Astrolotl does and force it out, giving Tyranitar ample opportunity to set Stealth Rock or spread Toxic poison. Crucibelle can similarly threaten Astrolotl and can steal its Heavy-Duty Boots with Trick, regardless of whether Crucibelle has been hit by Knock Off. Stratagem is about as effective as Crucibelle at switching into Astrolotl and forcing it out but lacks Crucibelle's longevity.
**Tomohawk**: Tomohawk can remove Astrolotl's Spikes with Rapid Spin and is a good Knock Off switch-in, although it's heavily pressured by Fire Lash and vulnerable to being locked into Rapid Spin.
**Ground-types**: Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Colossoil threaten Astrolotl with an OHKO from Earthquake, which allows them to force it out and set Stealth Rock, set up, or cripple the switch-in with Knock Off, respectively.
**Dragon-types**: Unless it has Draco Meteor, Astrolotl is unable to hit foes like Hydreigon, Dragapult, and Cyclohm, which can easily threaten it in return with super effective attacks. Hydreigon can also remove Astrolotl's Spikes with Defog.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Rabia, 336073]]
- Quality checked by: [[snake_rattler, 227784], [Mx, 298148]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Estronic, 240732]]
name: Utility
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Fire Lash
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Encore / Thunder Wave / Wish
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Regenerator
nature: Jolly
evs: 32 HP / 252 SpD / 224 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Astrolotl is one of CAP's premier utility options. Thanks to Regenerator and Heavy-Duty Boots, Astrolotl can remain healthy the entire game to set Spikes and cripple switch-ins like Tomohawk, Hydreigon, and Tapu Fini with Knock Off. Additionally, Astrolotl's a very capable stallbreaker with Fire Lash, which makes it harder for foes like Hydreigon and Clefable to deal with one-on-one. Beyond cutting into foes' longevity, Astrolotl runs Encore to disrupt setup sweepers and entry hazard setters like Suicune and Tyranitar. Alternatively, Thunder Wave helps spread paralysis, while Wish can help provide a team with extra longevity. There are several other options that are practical too: Heal Bell turns Astrolotl into a cleric; Draco Meteor is great at forcing damage onto Landorus-T and Tomohawk while helping Astrolotl immediately get by Garchomp and and opposing Astrolotl; Healing Wish helps support early-game wallbreakers that can clean late-game when brought back to full health; and Substitute lets Astrolotl take advantage of weak Knock Offs from the likes of Clefable and forces U-turn users to deal with it directly. The EVs help Astrolotl scout against Choice Specs Spectrier, take on Krilowatt better, and outspeed Latios, although an alternative spread of 72 HP / 252 SpD / 184 Spe provides a bit more bulk while maintaining a Speed advantage on Krilowatt. Astrolotl can also afford a spread with maximum HP investment to pass larger Wishes and deal with Melmetal more effectively.
Potent wallbreakers like Nidoking, Krilowatt, and Melmetal benefit greatly from Spikes support, with the latter two also appreciating Wish support so they can switch in more frequently. Spinners like Equilibra and Tomohawk are good hazard removal partners because they don't remove Astrolotl's Spikes; Equilibra is also great because it synergizes well with Wish, which allows it to forgo Pain Split in favor of a third attacking move. When running Thunder Wave, Hex users like Dragapult and Spectrier and slow wallbreakers like Melmetal are ideal partners. Because Astrolotl isn't a consistent answer to Spectrier on its own, pairing it with a Dark-type like Colossoil, Hydreigon, or Tyranitar is necessary.
[Checks and Counters]
**Water-types**: Slowbro and Toxapex have the bulk to switch into Astrolotl with ease, and Regenerator in addition to recovery moves means they don't mind losing their item too much. They're typically Spikes fodder, however. Swampert, Tapu Fini, and Suicune are similar, and Tapu Fini can also remove Astrolotl's Spikes with Defog. Unfortunately, they all dislike losing Leftovers to Knock Off, and Calm Mind Suicune and Tapu Fini can be neutralized by Encore. Urshifu-R doesn't like being crippled by Knock Off or Thunder Wave but can heavily damage Astrolotl with its STAB moves.
**Rock-types**: Tyranitar can shrug off anything Astrolotl does and force it out, giving Tyranitar ample opportunity to set Stealth Rock or spread Toxic poison. Crucibelle can similarly threaten Astrolotl and can steal its Heavy-Duty Boots with Trick, regardless of whether Crucibelle has been hit by Knock Off. Stratagem is about as effective as Crucibelle at switching into Astrolotl and forcing it out but lacks Crucibelle's longevity.
**Tomohawk**: Tomohawk can remove Astrolotl's Spikes with Rapid Spin and is a good Knock Off switch-in, although it's heavily pressured by Fire Lash and vulnerable to being locked into Rapid Spin.
**Ground-types**: Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Colossoil threaten Astrolotl with an OHKO from Earthquake, which allows them to force it out and set Stealth Rock, set up, or cripple the switch-in with Knock Off, respectively.
**Dragon-types**: Unless it has Draco Meteor, Astrolotl is unable to hit foes like Hydreigon, Dragapult, and Cyclohm, which can easily threaten it in return with super effective attacks. Hydreigon can also remove Astrolotl's Spikes with Defog.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Rabia, 336073]]
- Quality checked by: [[snake_rattler, 227784], [Mx, 298148]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Estronic, 240732]]
Last edited:
