[OVERVIEW]
Bronzor has a very unique role in NU, sporting great typing in tandem with Levitate, which allows it to check several prominent threats such as Jynx, Mesprit, Musharna, Tauros, Steelix, and Rhydon. Additionally, Bronzor has good bulk that's boosted further with Eviolite, making it very difficult to break past. All of these characteristics make it a valuable Pokemon for stall teams in particular thanks to the wide array of Pokemon it helps deal with, but it can also work on more balanced archetypes if necessary. However, Bronzor's main issues lie in general passivity and vulnerability to Fire- and Dark-types, especially Skuntank and Malamar, the former of which is immune to Toxic and is capable of Pursuit trapping Bronzor, while the latter couldn't care less about Toxic due to Rest. Furthermore, being forced to use Rest to recover any significant amount of HP, as well as being crippled severely by Knock Off, only makes matters worse. Said passivity and very low Speed also make Bronzor susceptible to Taunt.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Psywave
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Rest / Skill Swap
item: Eviolite
ability: Levitate
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is an essential move for any team, and Bronzor is decent user of the move thanks to its ability to set it up on a multitude of threats such as Jynx, Steelix, and Rhydon. Psywave is Bronzor's best move at dealing damage, though it's inconsistent, as it deals anywhere between 50 and 150 HP. Toxic is useful for letting Bronzor beat Musharna and Rhydon one-on-one and gives it a means to cripple Fire- and Dark-type switch-ins with the exception of Skuntank and Malamar. Rest gives Bronzor a way to recover off damage sustained, letting it continually pivot into the Pokemon it needs to, as well as allowing it to outlast the likes of Musharna and Steelix. Skill Swap is an alternative that lets Bronzor set up Stealth Rock versus Xatu and as well as be able to cripple it with Toxic.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread maximizes Bronzor's special bulk, allowing it to switch into the likes of Mesprit, Vivillon, and Jynx with ease. Levitate is crucial for the Ground immunity, increasing the number of Pokemon Bronzor is able to wall. Eviolite is used to further increase Bronzor's already substantial bulk.
Usage Tips
========
Use Bronzor's typing to pivot into Pokemon such as Jynx, Mesprit, Rhydon, Steelix, and Tauros, and set up Stealth Rock. If Stealth Rock is already set up, throw out a Toxic or a Psywave depending on the circumstances. Also be sure to not directly switch into Jynx until a teammate is put to sleep. Though switching into Jynx and Mesprit is generally safe, try to watch out for Trick from either of them, as being tricked a Choice item completely neuters Bronzor. Be wary of Pursuit trappers such as Skuntank and Liepard, especially the former, as it completely walls Bronzor. Against Liepard, either double switch to a teammate that can take it on, or hit it with Toxic on the switch to put it on a timer. There's also the possibility that Skuntank may be special, meaning it's not nearly as much of a threat to Bronzor, so try to figure out what set it may be from looking at Team Preview. Once Bronzor is low on HP, use Rest to bring it back to full; just be aware that Bronzor will be passive during the two turns it is asleep and thus can be setup fodder or a free opportunity to switch in for dangerous Pokemon. Without Skill Swap, generally avoid using any status move if Xatu is in Team Preview, as Bronzor does not have the means of breaking through it. However, if Skill Swap is being used, it is best to use it on the switch so that it lets Bronzor force out Xatu in fear of Toxic and grants the opportunity to set up Stealth Rock. Keep in mind that on stall teams, Bronzor does not have to be played nearly as aggressively.
Team Options
========
Bronzor best fits on stall teams, as they do not mind its passive nature and can easily account for its flaws. Sliggoo and Altaria are particularly effective partners due to their ability to freely switch into Fire-types such as Magmortar and Pyroar, while Bronzor is able to switch in on Pokemon such as Jynx, Abomasnow, and Aurorus, all Pokemon that prey on their Ice weaknesses. Poison-types such as Skuntank and Weezing switch into Dark-types reasonably well, and both provide some extra utility with Pursuit and Toxic Spikes, respectively. Weezing also walls Pursuit Skuntank and takes pressure off Bronzor by crippling physical attackers such as Rhydon and Tauros with Will-O-Wisp. Mega Audino provides Wish support so that Bronzor is less dependent on Rest to restore lost HP or is able to wake it up with Heal Bell. It also is a great switch-in to all Dark-types barring Skuntank.
Bronzor can also work on balanced teams as long as the team can account for its passivity. Fighting-types such as Gurdurr and Hariyama are great teammates for their ability to take hits from Dark-types and KO them back. Hariyama also switches into Magmortar and non-Will-O-Wisp Pyroar, both Pokemon that fear little from Bronzor and deal heavy damage if not accounted for otherwise. In return, Bronzor switches into the likes of Mesprit, Jynx, and Vivillon with near-impunity. Swords Dance Samurott is able to revenge kill Magmortar and Pyroar, while Bronzor acts a good switch for Grass-types such as Lilligant, Vileplume, and Ferroseed, all of which are capable of stopping Samurott from sweeping the opposition. Liepard and Skuntank are able to Pursuit trap the likes of Rotom and Mismagius, both of which can wear down Bronzor with burns and hit it with a full-powered Hex while it is asleep.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Sleep Talk lets Bronzor remain functional during the turns it is asleep, but this is only really useful if a different Pokemon is using Stealth Rock, as otherwise it is essentially a 33% accurate Psywave once Stealth Rock is set up. Hypnosis has use in putting some of Bronzor's checks to sleep; however, the move is very unreliable. Rain Dance and Sunny Day sound like appealing options at first glance, but Bronzor is outclassed by Mesprit as a weather setter due to the latter's access to U-turn and lower passivity.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Skuntank is Bronzor's worst enemy, as it sports an immunity to both Psywave and Toxic, is able to trap Bronzor with Pursuit, and also has the ability to remove Stealth Rock with Defog. It's also worth noting that Skuntank completely shuts down Bronzor with Taunt. Malamar is particularly threatening, as it's immune to Psywave and rids itself of poison with Rest, making Bronzor free setup bait for it. Other Dark-types such as Shiftry and Liepard also significantly threaten Bronzor, being able to remove its Eviolite with STAB Knock Off, but none of them particularly appreciate being hit by Toxic on the switch, especially Shiftry when it's carrying Life Orb.
**Fire-types**: Magmortar, Pyroar, Charizard, and Combusken all threaten to significantly damage Bronzor with Fire Blast, though none of these Pokemon appreciate switching into Psywave or Toxic. Pyroar gets an extra nod for being able to prevent Bronzor from spreading status and setting up Stealth Rock with Taunt.
**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types, in particular Hex users such as Mismagius and Rotom, can be troublesome for Bronzor, as they can both hit Bronzor with a full-powered Hex while it is asleep from Rest. Mismagius can also use Taunt to prevent the use of Toxic, Stealth Rock, or Sleep Talk, while Rotom can potentially set up a Substitute to prevent being worn down by poison.
**Stallbreakers**: Calm Mind Xatu poses a significant threat to Bronzor, as it's able to recover lost HP from Psywave with Roost and additionally bounces back Stealth Rock and Toxic, leaving Bronzor helpless. Bronzor can set up Stealth Rock if it's using Skill Swap, but trying to poison Xatu is a different case, because it's easily telegraphed after their abilities are swapped. While less common, Taunt Roost Archeops stops Bronzor cold, as even if it cannot immediately do heavy damage, it'll wear it down while recovering Psywave damage.
**Eviolite Removal**: Bronzor fears Knock Off like the plague, as not only does it take significant damage from it, it also loses Eviolite, cutting its walling capabilities. Trick from the likes of Choice Scarf Mesprit, Jynx, and Rotom also neuters Bronzor as, in addition to losing Eviolite, it is locked into whatever move it chooses, making it much easier to take advantage of.
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