[OVERVIEW]
Bronzong's unique access to Levitate sets it apart from its Steel-type competition and lets it check many top-tier Pokemon such as Metagross, Nidoqueen, and Flygon. Furthermore, Levitate prevents Spikes from wearing Bronzong down, and it resists Stealth Rock, which lets it fit and perform without issue on teams lacking solid entry hazard control. Bronzong's main appeal is the role compression it provides, but simultaneously serving as a bulky Steel-type, checking Ground-types, and maintaining Stealth Rock can quickly overwhelm it. Bronzong can struggle to keep Stealth Rock up against common Defoggers and spinners like Volcanion, Dhelmise, and Starmie; however, it works wonders against others like Flygon and Crobat. Bronzong's typing has many upsides, but it comes with nasty weaknesses to the common Dark- and Ghost-types and the ever-so-prevalent Knock Off. On top of that, Bronzong's low Attack stat means that it's complete setup fodder for Calm Mind Reuniclus and it gives wallbreakers such as Obstagoon, Golurk, and Volcanion free switches in. If Bronzong's Ground immunity isn't needed, then it's generally outdone by other bulky Steel-types such as Registeel, Metagross, and Steelix, which have far greater Special Defense, more offensive presence, and better defensive typing, respectively.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Heavy Slam / Gyro Ball
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Careful / Sassy
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Heavy Slam's higher PP lets Bronzong better check Pokemon like Togekiss in the long run. However, the low damage against heavier foes like Necrozma, Golurk, and Pangoro can be detrimental. On more offensive teams, Gyro Ball can be used instead for greater power against these heavier foes, which such teams often lack sturdy switch-ins to and therefore cannot let in for free. Earthquake dents Steel- and Fire-types such as Metagross, Registeel, and Incineroar. Toxic punishes switch-ins like Golisopod, Milotic, and Rotom-C. A Sassy nature and 0 Speed IVs should be used alongside Gyro Ball to maximize the damage output.
Bronzong can fit on any bulky offense or balance team seeking the valuable role compression of a bulky Steel-type and a Ground-type check. Electric-types such as Raikou and Xurkitree appreciate Bronzong taking care of Ground- and Grass-types like Nidoqueen, Flygon, and Roserade. In return, they offensively check Togekiss, which otherwise can break through a weakened Bronzong with a boosted Flamethrower and/or Air Slash flinches. Cobalion can switch into Knock Off from the likes of Golisopod and Obstagoon for Bronzong. Dark-types such as Incineroar, Obstagoon, and Umbreon can handle Ghost-types like Chandelure and Golurk, while Bronzong deals with Fairy-types like Togekiss and Gardevoir. Swords Dance Incineroar is especially notable, as it's also a great check to Calm Mind Reuniclus. Umbreon, for its part, provides Wish support to keep Bronzong healthy.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A fully physically defensive EV spread could be used to handle Pokemon like Metagross and Flygon even better but makes the matchup against Gardevoir, Necrozma, and Noivern significantly worse. Protect is an option to scout Choice-locked foes like Golurk and gain extra Leftovers recovery, but it's hard to fit over Toxic and Earthquake. Hypnosis can be used over Toxic on more offensive teams to provide either safe switch-ins or setup opportunities to its offensive teammates. It also prevents Bronzong from being completely helpless against Calm Mind Reuniclus, but it's generally too inconsistent to be worth it. Iron Defense + Body Press gives Bronzong a more offensive presence and can potentially sweep ill-prepared teams, but such sets are hard-pressed to choose between Toxic to cripple Ghost-types and a Steel-type move for Nasty Plot Togekiss. Bronzong has another stellar ability in Heatproof, but the most common Fire-types—Volcanion, Incineroar, and Chandelure—all carry moves that get by Heatproof, and Pokemon such as Choice Specs Gardevoir and Necrozma can run coverage moves like Shadow Ball and Earth Power. Psychic is an option to hit Poison- and Fighting-types like Crobat, Vileplume, and Toxicroak, but Bronzong most often prefers its listed attacks. Trick alongside Choice Band could cripple bulky switch-ins such as Calm Mind Reuniclus, but Bronzong sorely misses Leftovers recovery.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Calm Mind Reuniclus**: Bronzong is complete setup fodder for Calm Mind Reuniclus, as its attacks will barely leave a scratch and Toxic doesn't deal damage due to Magic Guard.
**Dark-types**: Dark-types such as Incineroar, Obstagoon, Pangoro, and Sharpedo all pose a huge threat to Bronzong. The former three can even switch in on Bronzong to varying degrees. Incineroar's Intimidate reduces even Earthquake to pitiful damage, Obstagoon can switch in once on even Heavy Slam or Gyro Ball, and Pangoro takes next to nothing from Heavy Slam. Obstagoon also can't be badly poisoned by Toxic once its Flame Orb burns it. Umbreon completely walls Bronzong, can heal itself of Toxic with Heal Bell, and can pass a Wish to a more offensive teammate.
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types such as Chandelure, Golurk, and Decidueye all threaten Bronzong with their strong STAB moves. Golurk also takes nothing from Heavy Slam, so it can often hard switch into Bronzong. Chandelure needs to watch out for Earthquake, but besides that, it can switch into Bronzong. Dhelmise can switch in and further remove Bronzong's Stealth Rock with Rapid Spin. Polteageist and Doublade can set up against Bronzong without much trouble. Mimikyu can set up on Bronzong due to Disguise. However, none of them, besides Doublade, enjoy getting badly poisoned by Toxic.
**Knock Off And Corrosive Gas**: Bronzong's only form of recovery is Leftovers, so losing it is detrimental to its longevity. Golisopod, Tornadus, and Assault Vest Reuniclus can all threaten to remove its Leftovers with Knock Off. Corrosive Gas Vileplume is especially troublesome because a good amount of teams with Bronzong lack good additional switch-ins to it, thus forcing Bronzong to accept losing its item.
**Starmie**: Starmie poses a real nuisance to Bronzong, as it can switch into any of Bronzong's moves without much care and remove Stealth Rock with Rapid Spin. Moreover, Starmie doesn't mind Toxic thanks to Natural Cure, heals off any damage it takes with Recover, and can threaten Bronzong with a potential Scald burn or safely switch a wallbreaker onto the field with Teleport.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[GoldCat, 359771]]
- Quality checked by: [[Jmash, 363823], [zizalith, 410251]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429]]
Bronzong's unique access to Levitate sets it apart from its Steel-type competition and lets it check many top-tier Pokemon such as Metagross, Nidoqueen, and Flygon. Furthermore, Levitate prevents Spikes from wearing Bronzong down, and it resists Stealth Rock, which lets it fit and perform without issue on teams lacking solid entry hazard control. Bronzong's main appeal is the role compression it provides, but simultaneously serving as a bulky Steel-type, checking Ground-types, and maintaining Stealth Rock can quickly overwhelm it. Bronzong can struggle to keep Stealth Rock up against common Defoggers and spinners like Volcanion, Dhelmise, and Starmie; however, it works wonders against others like Flygon and Crobat. Bronzong's typing has many upsides, but it comes with nasty weaknesses to the common Dark- and Ghost-types and the ever-so-prevalent Knock Off. On top of that, Bronzong's low Attack stat means that it's complete setup fodder for Calm Mind Reuniclus and it gives wallbreakers such as Obstagoon, Golurk, and Volcanion free switches in. If Bronzong's Ground immunity isn't needed, then it's generally outdone by other bulky Steel-types such as Registeel, Metagross, and Steelix, which have far greater Special Defense, more offensive presence, and better defensive typing, respectively.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Heavy Slam / Gyro Ball
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Careful / Sassy
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Heavy Slam's higher PP lets Bronzong better check Pokemon like Togekiss in the long run. However, the low damage against heavier foes like Necrozma, Golurk, and Pangoro can be detrimental. On more offensive teams, Gyro Ball can be used instead for greater power against these heavier foes, which such teams often lack sturdy switch-ins to and therefore cannot let in for free. Earthquake dents Steel- and Fire-types such as Metagross, Registeel, and Incineroar. Toxic punishes switch-ins like Golisopod, Milotic, and Rotom-C. A Sassy nature and 0 Speed IVs should be used alongside Gyro Ball to maximize the damage output.
Bronzong can fit on any bulky offense or balance team seeking the valuable role compression of a bulky Steel-type and a Ground-type check. Electric-types such as Raikou and Xurkitree appreciate Bronzong taking care of Ground- and Grass-types like Nidoqueen, Flygon, and Roserade. In return, they offensively check Togekiss, which otherwise can break through a weakened Bronzong with a boosted Flamethrower and/or Air Slash flinches. Cobalion can switch into Knock Off from the likes of Golisopod and Obstagoon for Bronzong. Dark-types such as Incineroar, Obstagoon, and Umbreon can handle Ghost-types like Chandelure and Golurk, while Bronzong deals with Fairy-types like Togekiss and Gardevoir. Swords Dance Incineroar is especially notable, as it's also a great check to Calm Mind Reuniclus. Umbreon, for its part, provides Wish support to keep Bronzong healthy.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A fully physically defensive EV spread could be used to handle Pokemon like Metagross and Flygon even better but makes the matchup against Gardevoir, Necrozma, and Noivern significantly worse. Protect is an option to scout Choice-locked foes like Golurk and gain extra Leftovers recovery, but it's hard to fit over Toxic and Earthquake. Hypnosis can be used over Toxic on more offensive teams to provide either safe switch-ins or setup opportunities to its offensive teammates. It also prevents Bronzong from being completely helpless against Calm Mind Reuniclus, but it's generally too inconsistent to be worth it. Iron Defense + Body Press gives Bronzong a more offensive presence and can potentially sweep ill-prepared teams, but such sets are hard-pressed to choose between Toxic to cripple Ghost-types and a Steel-type move for Nasty Plot Togekiss. Bronzong has another stellar ability in Heatproof, but the most common Fire-types—Volcanion, Incineroar, and Chandelure—all carry moves that get by Heatproof, and Pokemon such as Choice Specs Gardevoir and Necrozma can run coverage moves like Shadow Ball and Earth Power. Psychic is an option to hit Poison- and Fighting-types like Crobat, Vileplume, and Toxicroak, but Bronzong most often prefers its listed attacks. Trick alongside Choice Band could cripple bulky switch-ins such as Calm Mind Reuniclus, but Bronzong sorely misses Leftovers recovery.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Calm Mind Reuniclus**: Bronzong is complete setup fodder for Calm Mind Reuniclus, as its attacks will barely leave a scratch and Toxic doesn't deal damage due to Magic Guard.
**Dark-types**: Dark-types such as Incineroar, Obstagoon, Pangoro, and Sharpedo all pose a huge threat to Bronzong. The former three can even switch in on Bronzong to varying degrees. Incineroar's Intimidate reduces even Earthquake to pitiful damage, Obstagoon can switch in once on even Heavy Slam or Gyro Ball, and Pangoro takes next to nothing from Heavy Slam. Obstagoon also can't be badly poisoned by Toxic once its Flame Orb burns it. Umbreon completely walls Bronzong, can heal itself of Toxic with Heal Bell, and can pass a Wish to a more offensive teammate.
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types such as Chandelure, Golurk, and Decidueye all threaten Bronzong with their strong STAB moves. Golurk also takes nothing from Heavy Slam, so it can often hard switch into Bronzong. Chandelure needs to watch out for Earthquake, but besides that, it can switch into Bronzong. Dhelmise can switch in and further remove Bronzong's Stealth Rock with Rapid Spin. Polteageist and Doublade can set up against Bronzong without much trouble. Mimikyu can set up on Bronzong due to Disguise. However, none of them, besides Doublade, enjoy getting badly poisoned by Toxic.
**Knock Off And Corrosive Gas**: Bronzong's only form of recovery is Leftovers, so losing it is detrimental to its longevity. Golisopod, Tornadus, and Assault Vest Reuniclus can all threaten to remove its Leftovers with Knock Off. Corrosive Gas Vileplume is especially troublesome because a good amount of teams with Bronzong lack good additional switch-ins to it, thus forcing Bronzong to accept losing its item.
**Starmie**: Starmie poses a real nuisance to Bronzong, as it can switch into any of Bronzong's moves without much care and remove Stealth Rock with Rapid Spin. Moreover, Starmie doesn't mind Toxic thanks to Natural Cure, heals off any damage it takes with Recover, and can threaten Bronzong with a potential Scald burn or safely switch a wallbreaker onto the field with Teleport.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[GoldCat, 359771]]
- Quality checked by: [[Jmash, 363823], [zizalith, 410251]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429]]
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