DPP OU Stall Discussion
Stall teams were highly effective in DPP. In an incredibly balanced tier, bulky walls had an easy time covering each others weaknesses and checking most threats. The banning of Salamence was a huge boon for stall teams, as it was easily the most versatile stallbreaker in the tier. Its a versatile playstyle with lots of room for creativity.
A Few Example Stall Members:
With insane physical bulk, Hippowdon was an excellent wall. Consistent recovery from Slack Off, access to Stealth Rock, phazing in the form of Roar, and the ability to go on the offensive if Taunted meant it always had something to do for the team. Perhaps its most useful attribute was its ability, Sandstream, which automatically sets up sand and slowly chips away at anything that isn't Rock-, Ground-, or Steel-type.
Does your opponent have a special attacker? Don't worry, Blissey has it covered. With monstrous HP and SpD, Blissey can tank special hits all day and recover them off with Softboiled or Wish. Wish and Aromatherapy keep your team nice and healthy throughout the battle, while Toxic can slowly wittle down your opponent. If you're running full stall, you're running Blissey.
Blissey's partner in crime, Skarmory, can take on physical hits with aplomb. While the opponent gives up trying to bring this thing down, it can set up Spikes or Stealth Rock on the switch. Roost keeps it in top shape, and Whirlwind allows it to phaze the opponent out, likely racking up some Spikes damage in the process. It even has access to Taunt, allowing it to prevent opposing stall teams from setting up.
After setting up entry hazards, you'll want a spinblocker to make sure they stick around. Meet Rotom-A. With enough offenses and coverage to beat out every common spinner, it's a surefire success. It can also cripple physical sweepers with Will-O-Wisp and slowly bring them down (while keeping itself healthy) with Pain Split. Need more? Rotom-A has Trick, Dual Screens, and RestTalk, all of which it uses effectively. Seriously, go use Rotom-A.
The reigning king of DPP OU, Heatran is a great option for stall teams. It's list of resistances is nothing short of immaculate, and it has the defenses to back it up. It has a wide range of mix-and-match utility moves, including Stealth Rock, Roar, Taunt, and Toxic. One of the few effective users of Torment, Heatran can sub up as the opponent either attacks futily with a NVE move or switches, racking up more entry hazards damage.
A spinner is a necessity if you want to run stall, and Tentacruel is among the best. It's great special bulk and useful resistances give it plenty of opportunities to switch in and force out the opponent. Simply by switching in, it removes Toxic Spikes, which is the bane of stall teams everywhere. Speaking of Toxic Spikes, Tentacruel can set them up as well.
Forretress is the go-to Pokemon for you entry hazards needs. With Spikes, Toxic Spikes, Stealth Rock, and Rapid Spin in its arsenal, there's nothing it can't do. Add in solid bulk, a lone weakness to Fire, and a good base Attack for a wall, and you get an instant staple for stall teams everywhere.
Heatran's best pal Celebi is extremely versatile, especially with its well balanced base 100 stats. Its fantastic movepool includes Recover, Stealth Rock, Leech Seed, Heal Bell, Thunder Wave, Trick, and Perish Song. Although it has a distressing 7 weaknesses, its 6 great resistances give it ample opportunity to switch in and set up.
Vaporeon is among the premier bulky Water-types in DPP. With Wish and Protect, it can easily keep itself and its teammates in top shape. Toxic and Roar are great support options for wearing down the opponent's team. When push comes to shove, Vaporeon can even hit back hard with its base 110 Special Attack.
When people think DPP tank, they think Swampert. Its great balance of offenses and defenses allows it to fill several niches. With a sole weakness to the rare Grass-type attack, it has little to fear from most sweepers. It can support the team with Stealth Rock and Roar while keeping pressure on the opponent with physical and special assaults. Although its only form of recovery is unfortunately Rest, it is capable of running several solid RestTalk sets.
Jirachi here would like to fill in that void on your team. Need a WishPasser? Dual Screens? Stealth Rock? A revenge killer with Trick? ParaFlinch support? Why don't you just tell Jirachi here what you need and it'll get right on it. With great resistances, base 100 in every stat, a huge movepool, and the rage inducing Serene Grace, Jirachi does not disappoint.
Another bulky Water-type with great mixed defenses, Suicune is no easy beast to take down. Although Rest is its only recovery move, it can run a great phazing RestTalk set with Roar. Calm Mind buffs its special bulk to greater heights (as well as increasing its offensive potential), allowing it to effectively Pressure stall or simply sweep a battered team.
And that's just the tip of the iceberg! There are plenty of other great walls and tanks that fill various niches for stall teams.
Some Questions for Discussion:
So, what kinds of stall Pokemon have you had success with?
Are there any lower tier walls that you find highly effective in DPP OU?
Do you have any custom stall sets that you feel really shine?
How does your team deal with wallbreakers such as Infernape?
Are there any walls that you find disappointing?
What about walls that you just can't seem to make a stall team without?
C'mon, let's talk DPP stall ^.^
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