[OVERVIEW]
- From an offensive standpoint, nothing stands out other than access to a potentially scary Water Spout
- Both Special and Physical attacks are usable (Base 85 and 83 respectively)
- Solid defenses (79/100/105) coupled alongside a great defensive typing
- Access to unexpected support moves such as Fake Out and Icy Wind
- DW Ability (Rain Dish) further improves Blastoise's survivability, though it disables you from using helpful egg moves such as Fake Out/Muddy Water/Water Spout, ect.
- Base 78 Speed places Blastoise in that mid-range speed tier - too fast to be an elite TR abuser yet not fast enough to outrun most threats without some type of support
[SET]
Name: Bulky Support
Move 1: Fake Out
Move 2: Icy Wind / Ice Beam
Move 3: Scald / Surf / Hydro Pump
Move 4: Protect
Item: Wacan Berry / Sitrus Berry
Ability: Torrent
Nature: Modest
EVs: 252 HP / 156 SpAtk / 100 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
- Special Blastoise has more options alongside, not walled by intimidaters
- Fake Out provides support for your partner and may catch your opponent off guard
- In addition to the important speed drop, Icy Wind breaks sashes (this is usually done by weather - Hail, Sand) but is nice to have when playing with Rain
- Ice Beam provides more offensive options and decent coverage
- Scald is a consistent STAB and provides that 30% burn, whereas Water Spout can hit hard provided Blastoise is at high health
- Surf hits the entire field with a higher base power (if opponent has 2 pokemon on the field, power is reduced by 75%)
- Hydro Pump is an option, though its 80% accuracy coupled alongside the fact that Blastoise is meant to stay on the field and support don't make it too attractive unless you really need a KO
- Protect is Protect
- Wacan allows Blastoise to take a boosted Thunderbolt from the likes of Zapdos and Thundurus whereas Sitrus Berry provides general survivability
- The 100 SpD EVs ensure that Blastoise can take a non-boosted Max SpA Thunderbolt from Zapdos without Wacan Berry while also being able to withstand a Draco Meteor from Timid Dragon Gem'd Latios
- As a support mon, the 252 HP EVs are standard. The rest are put into SpA though increasing your defenses is a viable alternative
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
- While Protect is a staple in the VGC Metagame, Blastoise could still be viable without it due to its overall bulk (eg; Cresselia)
- Speed investment is also an option, allows you to outspeed mons such as Chandelure and Rotom-W (assuming they have no speed investment)
- Sitrus Berry and Torent can conflict a bit so just be aware when choosing your item, Leftovers is another viable option for consistent recovery
- Thundurus makes a good partner as it can set up Rain, Taunt, or hit hard while Blastoise provides Fake Out support
- If you plan on using Blastoise in a more offensive role, then Amoonguss is a great partner as it can attract Blastoise's two weaknesses (Electric and Grass) for 1/2 and 1/4 damage using Rage Powder
- While it may come as a surprise, Seaking pairs up well with Blastoise due to Lightningrod which protects Blastoise from those pesky electric attacks
- Having the option to switch into a ground Pokemon such as Gastrodon is useful when playing with Blastoise
[Other Options]
- A physical set could be run; Waterfall/Aqua Tail, Aqua Jet, Ice Punch and Brick Break become your main forms of damage
- Yawn provides an 100% accurate sleep move, assuming you can wait a turn (or that they don't swap out)
- Considering most Grass/Electric moves are special, Mirror Coat could be effective coupled alongside Blastroise's bulk
- Water Spout can do some nasty damage if coupled alongside a water gem, though you will need to be at high HP so some set up may be needed
- Adding a Choice Scarf also makes Water Spout more viable as it sacrifices damage for speed (and therefore less set up)
- Conversely, Blastroise can attempt to move first while maintaining maximum damage by running a Quiet (-Spd, +SpAtk) nature alongside 0 IVs bringing it to 74 speed making it faster under Trick Room
- Rain Dish is a great ability, especially when running a rain-based team. Bare in mind that you lose access to Fake Out, Icy Wind, Aqua Jet, Mirror Coat, Muddy Water, and Yawn
- Hidden Power Electric/Grass both allow you to hit opposing water types. Grass helps you cover mons such as Gatrodon while Electric gives you better overall coverage
[Checks and Counters]
- Zapdos counters Blastoise and has access to a possible KO if you are not running Wacan
- Storm Drain Gastrodon walls Blastoise, a smart switch puts Gastro at +1 SpA
- Virizion outspeeds Blastoise and hurts a lot
- Bulky waters such as Rotom-W, Gastrodon, and Suicune can all wall (and sometimes set up) on Blastoise
- Abomasnow walls with its typing, and counters with its Grass STAB (most likely Giga Drain)
