Mihowk
The whole of humanity has failed.
[OVERVIEW]
Fighting
========
Choice Scarf Buzzwole is one of the best revenge killers and late-game cleaners for Fighting teams thanks to its high Attack, good physical bulk, and incredible ability in Beast Boost. Its Bug-type STAB move is mandatory for Fighting teams to deal with otherwise problematic Psychic- and Grass-types like Alakazam, Mew, Celebi, and Rillaboom, and its Fighting / Bug typing allows it resist Ground- and Fighting- attacks, increasing its chances to switch in against Pokemon like Excadrill and Terrakion. Buzzwole is vulnerable to status like paralysis and burn from Pokemon like Zapdos and Galarian Corsola, as paralysis cripples it and limits the possibility to act as deadly revenge killer, while burn halves its offensive power. Buzzwole's Speed tier is average, and it also has poor special bulk, so faster threats like Choice Scarf Blacephalon and Choice Scarf Tapu Lele outspeed and revenge kill it. It faces competition with Heracross due to having the same typing, but Heracross has a stronger Bug-type STAB move and better Speed and Special Defense. However, Buzzwole has more coverage options than Heracross, which help in a lot of different matchups like Flying and Dragon.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf (Fighting)
move 1: Close Combat
move 2: Ice Punch
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Leech Life
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Close Combat can be spammed against weakened neutral targets like Cinderace and Drapion, and it is useful in matchups against Steel-, Rock-, and Normal-types like Heatran, Tyranitar, and Blissey to get some KOs, allowing Buzzwole to boost its Attack with Beast Boost and become a deadly sweeper. Leech Life is mandatory to deal with Psychic- and Grass-types like Alakazam, Celebi, and Rillaboom and is also a way to provide passive recovery during the match. Ice Punch hits Flying- and Dragon-types like Landorus-T, Zapdos, Dragonite, and Garchomp. Earthquake can be used in the fourth moveslot to not be completely walled by Poison- and Steel-types that resist Buzzwole's STAB moves, like Toxapex and Aegislash. 252 EVs in Speed alongside a Jolly nature and Choice Scarf allow it to outpace threats like Choice Scarf Tapu Bulu, Tapu Koko, and Alakazam.
Cobalion is a great partner for Buzzwole, as it is one of the best Stealth Rock setters for Fighting teams. Stealth Rock can weaken foes and break Focus Sash from Pokemon like Krookodile and Cloyster, giving Buzzwole more opportunities to get some KOs. Cobalion also helps against Fairy-types like Tapu Lele and Mimikyu and can paralyze faster threats like Choice Scarf Latias for Buzzwole. Keldeo handles physically defensive Pokemon like Skarmory, Mandibuzz, and Hippowdon. Terrakion is a powerful setup sweeper and great teammate for Buzzwole, as Buzzwole appreciates its ability to weaken opposing teams so that it can act as a deadly sweeper late-game. They can also deal with shared checks like Celesteela, Mandibuzz, and Landorus-T. Terrakion is also a great answer against Flying-types like Zapdos. Choice Band Galarian Zapdos is a good partner for Buzzwole, as it acts as a powerful wallbreaker early- and mid-game while also being able to bring in Buzzwole safely with U-turn. It can also overpower defensive walls like Hippowdon, Celesteela, and Skarmory, allowing Buzzwole to sweep. Toxicroak is a good partner to improve the matchup against Fairy and Water teams, which can be a big problem to deal with for Fighting teams. Lastly, Swords Dance Guts Heracross can act as a wallbreaker and deal with defensive walls like Skarmory, Celesteela, and Amoonguss. Furthermore, it can also switch into status moves directed at Buzzwole.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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Fighting
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Stone Edge is an option over Ice Punch to do more damage against Flying-types like Mantine and help against Fire-types like Volcarona.
Checks and Counters
===================
Fighting
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**Ghost-types**: Ghost-types like Aegislash and Galarian Corsola completely wall Buzzwole, as they either resist or are immune to its STAB moves. They can also cripple Buzzwole with Toxic and Will-O-Wisp.
**Poison-types**: Pokemon such as Galarian Weezing, Toxapex, and Crobat resist Buzzwole's STAB combination. Furthermore, Weezing and Crobat are immune to Earthquake, while Toxapex and Crobat can recover their health and constantly wear Buzzwole down with their attacks.
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types like Azumarill, Clefable, and Tapu Fini resist Buzzwole's STAB combination and threaten it with their Fairy-type moves.
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Physically defensive Pokemon like Skarmory, Hippowdon, and Corviknight can easily switch into Buzzwole's moves, recovery any lost health, and wear down Buzzwole with their STAB attacks.
**Status**: Status like burn and paralysis from Pokemon like Galarian Corsola and Klefki cripple Buzzwole and limit its possibility to act as a revenge killer and cleaner. Even poison can cripple Buzzwole, reducing its longevity.
**Revenge Killers**: Choice Scarf users like Tapu Lele, Latios, and Blacephalon outspeed and revenge kill Buzzwole easily.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Mihowk, 461046]]
- Fighting analysis by: [[Mihowk, 461046]]
- Quality checked by: [[Maple, 473171], [maroon, 305839]]
- Grammar checked by: [[DC, 449990], [Estronic, 240732]]
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