Status: Edits, please!
This is a set I've been playing with for a while now, and have had enormous success with it. It's really an awesome set, so try it out if you don't believe me. I'm still new to the analysis writing business, so give me some advice on how I can improve. Thanks!
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Water Spout
move 2: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Hidden Power Grass / Focus Punch
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Modest
evs: 16 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpA / 232 Speed
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Although slapping a Choice Scarf on a Blastoise may seem like an awkward fit, when paired with the turtle's new move, Water Spout, it makes for a very potent combination. Water Spout is a move that is very rarely seen outside of the Uber tier, which is mostly attributable to the low Speed of its two NU owners: Octillery and Wailord. Blastoise, however, is not only considerably faster than these two, it is also primarily used as a defensive Pokemon, which gives it the surprise factor that Wailord lacks.</p>
<p>Blastoise functions magnificently in two roles: as a revenge killer and late-game sweeper. With the given Speed EVs, Blastoise beats the max Speed base 120s (Alakazam, Dugtrio, and Sceptile), which will certainly take your opponent by surprise. Due to Water Spout's massive power and outstanding neutral type coverage, very few sweepers in UU can escape Blastoise's wrath if they have been weakened. Even once your opponent has figured out Blastoise has a Choice Scarf, which is usually once something falls to it, they will have a very difficult time switching into it. Many walls that would normally be able to switch into Blastoise, such as Spiritomb and Uxie, will now have a very hard time doing so repeatedly, especially when they lack recovery moves. In addition, Blastoise is blessed with excellent all around defensive stats, just two weaknesses, and resistance to Water Jet, Ice Shard, and Bullet Punch. These attributes make it one of the sturdiest Choice Scarf users around, and allow it to take hits when it needs to in the late game, making a potential sweep much more feasible. It is also worth noting that Blastoise will often draw out anti-spinners, such as Spiritomb and Mismagius, then proceed to crush them with Water Spout.</p>
<p>Here are some calculations to demonstrate Blastoise's effectiveness at revenge killing (with full HP):</p>
<ul class=”damage_calculation”>
<li>Water Spout vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Mismagius 74.43% - 87.40%</li>
<li>Water Spout vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Ambipom: 97.25% - 114.78%</li>
<li>Water Spout vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Alakazam: 91.67% - 108.33%</li>
<li>Water Spout vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Drapion: 90.43% - 106.74%</li>
<li>Water Spout vs. 72 HP / 0 SpD Kabutops: 97.13% - 114.34%</li>
<li>Ice Beam vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Sceptile: 69.50% - 82.27%</li>
<li>Ice Beam vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Venusaur: 56.29% - 66.89%</li>
<li>Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 176 SpD Altaria: 71.19% - 84.75%</li>
<li>HP Grass vs. 28 HP / 0 SpD Feraligatr: 45.91% - 54.72%</li>
<li>HP Grass vs. 240 HP / 0 SpD Azumarill 37.91% - 44.89%</li>
</ul>
<p>In addition to these Pokemon, anything weak to Water Spout - Aggron, Arcanine, Blaziken, Donphan, Houndoom, Moltres, Rhyperior - falls to it with ease. Note that the aforementioned Pokemon are some of the most potent offensive threats in the tier, and do not need to be weakened to be disposed of. Ice Beam covers Altaria and Grass-types, who resist Water Spout. Although rare, it is worth noting that against Pokemon who are weak to Ice Beam and neutral to Water Spout, the latter is the superior option if Blastoise's HP is 85% or above, and is a better move to be locked onto in general. A second Water-type move is necessary to give Blastoise a STAB move when its HP drops below a certain point. When paired with Hydro Pump, this point occurs when Blastoise's HP is below 80%, although its accuracy is perfect, so it is still worth using Water Spout when slightly below 80%. If you are using Surf, Water Spout is the preferable option while Blastoise's HP exceeds 63%.</p>
<p>The last slot is a matter of preference, although the safest option is probably Hidden Power Grass. It works well to revenge kill Water-types, but even with prediction it will not allow you to beat a Slowbro or Milotic at full health, as they can heal off the damage. However, it will still take a huge chunk out of offensive Pokemon like Feraligatr and Azumarill, and easily OHKO Omastar and Kabutops. Focus Punch is an option if you wish to hit Chansey and most Clefable harder. Even Toxic and Rapid Spin are options, but these are better left to Blastoise's supporting cast.</p>
<p>Unlike most Scarfed Pokemon, every last one of Blastoise's Hit Points is a precious commodity, and should be treated as such. Therefore, specialized team support is necessary to allow Blastoise to reach its full potential. Free switches are the name of the game for Blastoise, so the first thing that should come to mind here is a Rapin Spinner, the role Blastoise itself normally fills. Although switching into Stealth Rock one time is no major loss, doing so repeatedly, or into multiple layers of entry hazards, will quickly take its toll on both its HP and attacking power. Wish users can also assist Blastoise in its endeavors very nicely. Umbreon in particular plays this part spectacularly, as it can Wish then Baton Pass to give Blastoise a free switch-in, which is especially convenient if Blastoise's HP is in dire straits. U-turners such as Uxie also give Blastoise the free switch-ins it craves, assuming they are slower than the defending Pokemon.</p>
<p>As shown by the damage calculations, Blastoise has a bit of trouble OHKOing many sweepers at full health, but has a very easy time OHKOing them when they have a chunk of their HP missing. Therefore, entry hazards of your own help Blastoise out a lot, by turning close calls into surefire kills. Most of the UU Spikers are Water-types like Blastoise, so be sure their similar defensive weaknesses are not easily taken advantage of by your opponent. Toxic Spikes will also punish bulky Water-types for switching in, and make them much easier for Blastoise to handle.</p>
<p>As mentioned, bulky Waters, specifically those with recovery moves, are the bane of this set, and will switch into Blastoise at every chance they get. Lanturn, with its excellent Special Defense and Thunderbolt, also forces Blastoise to get out of town. If they are weak, Hidden Power Grass will do the trick, but Blastoise will not be getting them to that point on its own. Chansey also completely walls this set if Focus Punch is absent. Fellow RBY starter Venusaur makes an excellent partner, as it resists the Electric- and Grass-type attacks that threaten Blastoise, and has its own Fire- and Ice-type weaknesses covered by Blastoise (although it is best to keep Blastoise out of harm's way whenever possible).</p>
<p>The given EV spread maximizes Special Attack, turns Blastoise's HP into a Stealth Rock number, and allows it to outpace base Speed 120s, with the remainder in Defense.</p>
This is a set I've been playing with for a while now, and have had enormous success with it. It's really an awesome set, so try it out if you don't believe me. I'm still new to the analysis writing business, so give me some advice on how I can improve. Thanks!
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Water Spout
move 2: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Hidden Power Grass / Focus Punch
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Modest
evs: 16 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpA / 232 Speed
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Although slapping a Choice Scarf on a Blastoise may seem like an awkward fit, when paired with the turtle's new move, Water Spout, it makes for a very potent combination. Water Spout is a move that is very rarely seen outside of the Uber tier, which is mostly attributable to the low Speed of its two NU owners: Octillery and Wailord. Blastoise, however, is not only considerably faster than these two, it is also primarily used as a defensive Pokemon, which gives it the surprise factor that Wailord lacks.</p>
<p>Blastoise functions magnificently in two roles: as a revenge killer and late-game sweeper. With the given Speed EVs, Blastoise beats the max Speed base 120s (Alakazam, Dugtrio, and Sceptile), which will certainly take your opponent by surprise. Due to Water Spout's massive power and outstanding neutral type coverage, very few sweepers in UU can escape Blastoise's wrath if they have been weakened. Even once your opponent has figured out Blastoise has a Choice Scarf, which is usually once something falls to it, they will have a very difficult time switching into it. Many walls that would normally be able to switch into Blastoise, such as Spiritomb and Uxie, will now have a very hard time doing so repeatedly, especially when they lack recovery moves. In addition, Blastoise is blessed with excellent all around defensive stats, just two weaknesses, and resistance to Water Jet, Ice Shard, and Bullet Punch. These attributes make it one of the sturdiest Choice Scarf users around, and allow it to take hits when it needs to in the late game, making a potential sweep much more feasible. It is also worth noting that Blastoise will often draw out anti-spinners, such as Spiritomb and Mismagius, then proceed to crush them with Water Spout.</p>
<p>Here are some calculations to demonstrate Blastoise's effectiveness at revenge killing (with full HP):</p>
<ul class=”damage_calculation”>
<li>Water Spout vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Mismagius 74.43% - 87.40%</li>
<li>Water Spout vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Ambipom: 97.25% - 114.78%</li>
<li>Water Spout vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Alakazam: 91.67% - 108.33%</li>
<li>Water Spout vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Drapion: 90.43% - 106.74%</li>
<li>Water Spout vs. 72 HP / 0 SpD Kabutops: 97.13% - 114.34%</li>
<li>Ice Beam vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Sceptile: 69.50% - 82.27%</li>
<li>Ice Beam vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Venusaur: 56.29% - 66.89%</li>
<li>Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 176 SpD Altaria: 71.19% - 84.75%</li>
<li>HP Grass vs. 28 HP / 0 SpD Feraligatr: 45.91% - 54.72%</li>
<li>HP Grass vs. 240 HP / 0 SpD Azumarill 37.91% - 44.89%</li>
</ul>
<p>In addition to these Pokemon, anything weak to Water Spout - Aggron, Arcanine, Blaziken, Donphan, Houndoom, Moltres, Rhyperior - falls to it with ease. Note that the aforementioned Pokemon are some of the most potent offensive threats in the tier, and do not need to be weakened to be disposed of. Ice Beam covers Altaria and Grass-types, who resist Water Spout. Although rare, it is worth noting that against Pokemon who are weak to Ice Beam and neutral to Water Spout, the latter is the superior option if Blastoise's HP is 85% or above, and is a better move to be locked onto in general. A second Water-type move is necessary to give Blastoise a STAB move when its HP drops below a certain point. When paired with Hydro Pump, this point occurs when Blastoise's HP is below 80%, although its accuracy is perfect, so it is still worth using Water Spout when slightly below 80%. If you are using Surf, Water Spout is the preferable option while Blastoise's HP exceeds 63%.</p>
<p>The last slot is a matter of preference, although the safest option is probably Hidden Power Grass. It works well to revenge kill Water-types, but even with prediction it will not allow you to beat a Slowbro or Milotic at full health, as they can heal off the damage. However, it will still take a huge chunk out of offensive Pokemon like Feraligatr and Azumarill, and easily OHKO Omastar and Kabutops. Focus Punch is an option if you wish to hit Chansey and most Clefable harder. Even Toxic and Rapid Spin are options, but these are better left to Blastoise's supporting cast.</p>
<p>Unlike most Scarfed Pokemon, every last one of Blastoise's Hit Points is a precious commodity, and should be treated as such. Therefore, specialized team support is necessary to allow Blastoise to reach its full potential. Free switches are the name of the game for Blastoise, so the first thing that should come to mind here is a Rapin Spinner, the role Blastoise itself normally fills. Although switching into Stealth Rock one time is no major loss, doing so repeatedly, or into multiple layers of entry hazards, will quickly take its toll on both its HP and attacking power. Wish users can also assist Blastoise in its endeavors very nicely. Umbreon in particular plays this part spectacularly, as it can Wish then Baton Pass to give Blastoise a free switch-in, which is especially convenient if Blastoise's HP is in dire straits. U-turners such as Uxie also give Blastoise the free switch-ins it craves, assuming they are slower than the defending Pokemon.</p>
<p>As shown by the damage calculations, Blastoise has a bit of trouble OHKOing many sweepers at full health, but has a very easy time OHKOing them when they have a chunk of their HP missing. Therefore, entry hazards of your own help Blastoise out a lot, by turning close calls into surefire kills. Most of the UU Spikers are Water-types like Blastoise, so be sure their similar defensive weaknesses are not easily taken advantage of by your opponent. Toxic Spikes will also punish bulky Water-types for switching in, and make them much easier for Blastoise to handle.</p>
<p>As mentioned, bulky Waters, specifically those with recovery moves, are the bane of this set, and will switch into Blastoise at every chance they get. Lanturn, with its excellent Special Defense and Thunderbolt, also forces Blastoise to get out of town. If they are weak, Hidden Power Grass will do the trick, but Blastoise will not be getting them to that point on its own. Chansey also completely walls this set if Focus Punch is absent. Fellow RBY starter Venusaur makes an excellent partner, as it resists the Electric- and Grass-type attacks that threaten Blastoise, and has its own Fire- and Ice-type weaknesses covered by Blastoise (although it is best to keep Blastoise out of harm's way whenever possible).</p>
<p>The given EV spread maximizes Special Attack, turns Blastoise's HP into a Stealth Rock number, and allows it to outpace base Speed 120s, with the remainder in Defense.</p>
