[SET]
Mixed Defensive (Mandibuzz) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 248 HP / 136 Def / 108 SpD / 16 Spe
Tera Type: Steel / Fairy
Impish Nature
- Foul Play
- Defog / U-turn
- Toxic / U-turn
- Roost
[SET COMMENTS]
Mandibuzz has a solid niche in the UU metagame thanks to a unique and solid defensive typing, great mixed walling capabilities, and access to rare utility options like Defog and Toxic that make it a valuable addition to bulkier builds. Foul Play lets it threaten out Pokemon like Metagross, Excadrill, Scizor, and Belly Drum Azumarill. Defog lets Mandibuzz remove entry hazards for its teammates, especially against threats like Metagross and Rhyperior, although the latter might require more precise positioning than the former; it must be hit with Toxic first to be worn down, allowing Mandibuzz to utilize its natural bulk to tank Stone Edge, freely use Defog, and then use Roost to heal off the damage while not being trapped in a healing cycle due to the inability to progress against Rhyperior. Roost keeps it healthy throughout a match, allowing it to repeatedly come in and check Latios, Excadrill, Ogerpon, and Scizor. Toxic alleviates Mandibuzz's passivity a bit, threatening opposing bulky Pokemon like Slowking and Zapdos and setup sweepers like Nasty Plot Hydrapple and Calm Mind Tera Electric Latios. U-turn is an alternative to either Defog or Toxic that allows it to act as a slow pivot to maintain momentum against counters like Cobalion and Tinkaton, but Mandibuzz does not usually fit on the offensive structures that necessitate the need of U-turn to keep it from being a momentum sink. Heavy-Duty Boots keeps away the pesky damage from entry hazards. The given Speed investment allows Mandibuzz to outspeed Azumarill, while the Special Defense investment allows it to survive two Soul Dew-boosted Draco Meteors from Latios. Tera Steel helps Mandibuzz better answer foes like Latios and Greninja while flipping the script against foes like Ogerpon-C and shielding it from opposing Toxic. Tera Fairy lets it counter Dragon-types like Latios much more reliably, especially if it chooses to carry Toxic, and allows Mandibuzz to now gain a Fighting resistance while keeping its Ground neutrality against Excadrill.
Mandibuzz best fits on balance and stall builds that enjoy its mixed walling and key utility features. Skeledirge is a great partner, as its typing and ability let it handle annoying Pokemon like Hydrapple and Cobalion somewhat consistently, while also helping against Tera Electric Calm Mind Latios. Toxapex also is a great partner, being a fantastic Knock Off absorber against Tornadus-T and Lokix, while also handling threats like Azumarill and Greninja that Mandibuzz struggles against. Tinkaton can not only act as a secondary check to Latios so that Mandibuzz won't get overwhelmed, but also beat the threatening Ogerpon-C. Mandibuzz also struggles a lot against Zapdos, so it synergizes well with Zapdos checks like Rhyperior, Hippowdon, and Bellibolt. In addition, Rhyperior and Hippowdon happen to also check Hisuian Arcanine, another Pokemon that Mandibuzz struggles against. Excadrill is another Pokemon that can give Mandibuzz trouble, so a check like Hydrapple or Slowking is necessary. Slowking also has the benefit of providing more assurance against Latios.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/goombatower69.647932/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gulch.617840/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/monky25.515132/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/autumn.384270/
Mixed Defensive (Mandibuzz) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 248 HP / 136 Def / 108 SpD / 16 Spe
Tera Type: Steel / Fairy
Impish Nature
- Foul Play
- Defog / U-turn
- Toxic / U-turn
- Roost
[SET COMMENTS]
Mandibuzz has a solid niche in the UU metagame thanks to a unique and solid defensive typing, great mixed walling capabilities, and access to rare utility options like Defog and Toxic that make it a valuable addition to bulkier builds. Foul Play lets it threaten out Pokemon like Metagross, Excadrill, Scizor, and Belly Drum Azumarill. Defog lets Mandibuzz remove entry hazards for its teammates, especially against threats like Metagross and Rhyperior, although the latter might require more precise positioning than the former; it must be hit with Toxic first to be worn down, allowing Mandibuzz to utilize its natural bulk to tank Stone Edge, freely use Defog, and then use Roost to heal off the damage while not being trapped in a healing cycle due to the inability to progress against Rhyperior. Roost keeps it healthy throughout a match, allowing it to repeatedly come in and check Latios, Excadrill, Ogerpon, and Scizor. Toxic alleviates Mandibuzz's passivity a bit, threatening opposing bulky Pokemon like Slowking and Zapdos and setup sweepers like Nasty Plot Hydrapple and Calm Mind Tera Electric Latios. U-turn is an alternative to either Defog or Toxic that allows it to act as a slow pivot to maintain momentum against counters like Cobalion and Tinkaton, but Mandibuzz does not usually fit on the offensive structures that necessitate the need of U-turn to keep it from being a momentum sink. Heavy-Duty Boots keeps away the pesky damage from entry hazards. The given Speed investment allows Mandibuzz to outspeed Azumarill, while the Special Defense investment allows it to survive two Soul Dew-boosted Draco Meteors from Latios. Tera Steel helps Mandibuzz better answer foes like Latios and Greninja while flipping the script against foes like Ogerpon-C and shielding it from opposing Toxic. Tera Fairy lets it counter Dragon-types like Latios much more reliably, especially if it chooses to carry Toxic, and allows Mandibuzz to now gain a Fighting resistance while keeping its Ground neutrality against Excadrill.
Mandibuzz best fits on balance and stall builds that enjoy its mixed walling and key utility features. Skeledirge is a great partner, as its typing and ability let it handle annoying Pokemon like Hydrapple and Cobalion somewhat consistently, while also helping against Tera Electric Calm Mind Latios. Toxapex also is a great partner, being a fantastic Knock Off absorber against Tornadus-T and Lokix, while also handling threats like Azumarill and Greninja that Mandibuzz struggles against. Tinkaton can not only act as a secondary check to Latios so that Mandibuzz won't get overwhelmed, but also beat the threatening Ogerpon-C. Mandibuzz also struggles a lot against Zapdos, so it synergizes well with Zapdos checks like Rhyperior, Hippowdon, and Bellibolt. In addition, Rhyperior and Hippowdon happen to also check Hisuian Arcanine, another Pokemon that Mandibuzz struggles against. Excadrill is another Pokemon that can give Mandibuzz trouble, so a check like Hydrapple or Slowking is necessary. Slowking also has the benefit of providing more assurance against Latios.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/goombatower69.647932/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gulch.617840/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/monky25.515132/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/autumn.384270/
Last edited: